Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Ned, are you willing to give the green light to "Moonlight"?"

Taking advantage of the fact that his two directorial works were so popular on the box office charts, Ronald decided to put some pressure on Paramount's president, Ned Tanin. Together with his agents Nicita and Richard, he found Tanin on the weekend and asked them to work overtime to solve this problem.

"Of course, there is no doubt, no problem, I have always supported you. It's just that there are many old stubborn people inside Paramount who don't understand what kind of movies the new generation of audiences like to watch. Didn't many people oppose it before and after the filming of "Top Gun"? "

"So, can we sign it?"

"Of course, my contract is ready," Ned Tanin pressed the button on the phone and asked the secretary to bring in the contract. "

Nicita and Ronald looked at each other. It seems that this strategy is not bad. If the first week box office results of "The Evil Husband" are officially announced on Monday, Tanin may find a new reason to delay.

"This is yours," Tanin handed the two contracts to Ronald and his agent respectively, "Look, have you chosen the heroine? If the heroine is among those listed, we can immediately start the project. "

Ronald took it and turned to the place marked by the secretary in advance. There were Cher, Ronald's favorite, and Sally Field, Diane Keaton and others proposed by CAA.

Ronald frowned slightly and asked, "So you want me to discuss the heroine first, and then green light this project?"

"Of course, with your box office appeal, these female stars will be willing. Who will refuse an invitation from a popular director like you, Ronald?" Tanin was flattering him.

"Cher and Diane Keaton refused. Ronald thought to himself.

When CAA contacted this famous actress who played the young godfather's wife in The Godfather, Ronald thought that Diane Keaton would be interested in this script that also tells the story of an Italian family because of her famous role in the Italian-American movie.

But Diane Keaton quickly asked her agent to reject the invitation. She said she wanted to work with Ronald, but she had already taken on a movie called "Baby Fever" and had to play a cameo role in her ex-boyfriend Woody Allen's new project. She couldn't make it.

Ronald felt very sorry at the time and wanted to lobby Keaton through CAA or Coppola. After all, Ronald thought she was the best candidate besides Cher. But after the agent found out, he found out that Diane Keaton's new film would not start shooting until November, so it could be arranged.

This reason for refusing to act is very reasonable. It is actually a kind of false courtesy of Hollywood stars.

After all, Ronald's agent is CAA, and it is easy to find her real schedule, so she can refuse the role she doesn't want to play without hurting her face, and without hurting the face of Ronald, an unfamiliar popular director.

In contrast, Cher, whose main acting career is as a singer, was more direct in her refusal. She asked her agent to talk about the outline of the script and said that she didn't want to play an old widow.

Although Cher did have other film projects to start in July, she could use the excuse of not having enough time.

Ronald came back to his senses from his memories. He still had to convince Tanin to give him a distribution contract first, and then talk to Cher or other candidates.

"You know, Ned, this is a chicken-and-egg problem. As long as you agree to distribute this movie, it won't be difficult for us to find a female star willing to act in it."

"Relax, Ronald, I support you in whatever you want to shoot. But this movie must have stars to support the scene. Otherwise, if you can convince a male star to play the role of Ronnie, I can pass it immediately." Tanin was not in a hurry and personally poured a glass of wine for the box office director.

"Although I will support your decision even if there is no star, it will affect the budget after all. My power to decide alone at Paramount is capped at 10 million US dollars. If you can make up the rest of the budget, I am willing to give you a contract immediately."

"You have also read the script, Ned. And I am the director. I want a first-class female star to act in it, I want the best personnel and equipment, and the movie will be filmed on a large scale in New York. I am afraid that an investment of less than 15 million will not work..."

Ronald heard what the other party meant, and he could sign a distribution contract first, but the maximum investment was 10 million. He began to bargain, showing his advantages and guaranteeing box office success.

"Of course, my confidence in you is unlimited, but I have to be responsible to the board of directors and deal with those stubborn old men in the senior meetings. As long as you can come up with a female star, I will be sure to give you a distribution contract and a budget of 15 million.

Of course, if you are willing to take care of the rest of the financing yourself, I can sign it immediately."

Ned looked at Ronald's face, and he didn't look very anxious, so he had a bottom line in his heart.

Although Ronald is the most popular young director this year and has made two hit movies in one go. But if the other party can invest his own real money, the responsibility he bears will be much smaller.

The subject matter of this movie is really risky, there are no stars, no high-concept appeal, and the box office depends on luck. And Ronald refused to sign a long-term contract with Paramount to bind the next three films, so that even if one fails, he can still make a profit by making other commercial films.

Every director has his limitations.

Just like the last golden boy director Spielberg discovered by Hollywood. Almost every movie he made since his debut has been a big hit, but he just can't make a comedy movie.

Between "ET Aliens" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", Spielberg also made a comedy movie "1941", with a budget of 35 million, but only got 35 million domestic box office.

"Moonlight" is a romantic comedy, which Ronald has never tried before. Moreover, it is a love story of middle-aged people. How many moviegoers like to watch the love story of middle-aged people?

I don't want to be the executive producer of the only movie in the resume of the hit director that lost a lot of money.

On the contrary, if Ronald took the money himself or found a star to participate, he would have many excuses to explain the failure, such as the star and the director did not cooperate well.

With a hit director and a star, isn't it luck and God's will that the box office is not good in the end? The most important thing is to make your own decisions and not leave any handles for criticism.

Just like Frank Price of Universal, what's the use of having such a good eye for scripts? As long as he gets the green light for Lucas' "Howard the Duck" in black and white, this notoriety will always accompany him - the man behind George Lucas's only failed movie.

"How about we consider whether there are any alternatives for the time being? I am familiar with Sally Field. I will help you make an appointment to see if there are any sparks?"

"Well, I will also postpone it. You can help me make an appointment with Ms. Field. I still need to discuss this project with several other studios."

Ronald was not very happy, and his words were soft but hard.

"It should be. You should find a few more studios. Maybe there are peers who have the power to give you the budget you need." Tanin seemed to be unaware and politely sent Ronald and his group away.

"This is Hollywood-style false courtesy," Nicita communicated with Ronald in the car, "I am afraid Tanin saw the poor reviews and box office performance of your production project "The Evil Husband", so he backed off."

"False courtesy?" Ronald seemed to understand.

"They won't say anything to reject a director like you who has been a hit. But they will list all kinds of objective difficulties. If you can solve one, they will raise new difficulties." Richard smiled and explained the Hollywood rhetoric to Ronald. Their agents are most familiar with this kind of thing.

"Hey... let's go find Weintraub." Thinking of the "evil husband" who was a nominal producer, and the poor box office that affected the financing of his new project, Ronald felt that he was too unlucky. He should be careful when selecting films in the future, and be as cautious as possible if he has not dreamed of it.

"How is the new project? When can I invest?" When he returned home, his friend Douglas Jr. from the wrestling team called and asked Ronald whether the signing with Paramount was completed.

He had a lot of cash in his hand and wanted to invest it in Hollywood. If he could get a high return, then the annuity allocated to him in the family trust next year would be more, and his share of inheritance in the future would also be larger.

Ronald explained the other party's attitude, and then asked Douglas Jr. to wait for a while. He would talk about it after meeting Weintraub of MGM.

Douglas Jr. was more realistic. "If Paramount has this attitude, I guess the other companies won't give you too many conditions beyond that. If you really want to shoot, then shoot. I can find a way to solve the rest."

"Thank you, but it's not that serious yet. If I need it, I'll ask you. I'm sure I can ask you for help with one or two million."

By Monday, the weekend movie box office had been released.

As expected, "The Evil Husband" only earned 5.2 million in 1,100 theaters. This result is relatively average compared to ordinary movies, but it's not good enough for Ronald Lee, the producer, and Jerry Zucker, the director trio.

It seems that not every director is George Lucas and Spielberg, who can handle different types of movies and can be a good producer in addition to being a director.

"Bang!"

On the golf course, Ronald tried to play on the fairway for the first time, and he hit the ball far away with brute force.

"As a beginner, you did a really good job." Weintraub adjusted his sunglasses and also hit a tee shot. Poof... He didn't hit it as far as Ronald.

"Watch me," Susan Aikins walked to the women's teeing area several yards ahead, and hit a high and floating tee shot.

"The box office of the second part of The Karate Kid dropped by nearly 25% in the second week. I am very satisfied, Ronald. Easre's estimate is very accurate. For ordinary sequels, even the Raiders of the Lost Ark with Harrison Ford, the box office dropped by nearly 30% in the second week."

Weintraub held his lover Susan's waist and the two kissed.

"I am not like those professional managers and executives. I am a rich man myself, Ronald. I plan to let MGM distribute your new film "Moonlight Temptation". The Star Foundation will cooperate with the production funds. My private production company will provide the remaining part of the 15 million budget. Then the company will meet all your requirements."

"Thank you, Mr. Weintraub." Ronald followed and walked towards the landing point.

"Call me Jerry, Ronald. I will never forget your vision in choosing Morita Noriyuki to play Mr. Miyagi. I believe in your judgment. This will be a good movie.

But I also have a request."

"Please go ahead," Ronald thought. Even if you want your lover Susan to play a supporting role, I'm going to agree to it.

"It will take some time for MGM to integrate internally. I plan to suspend all production projects and check the project accounts of the past three years. So your new film will have to wait three months before it can start shooting."

"That's okay. I still need to use the production and distribution contracts you generously provided to persuade female stars to participate. Do you have any suitable people to recommend?"

"I don't plan to recommend. I plan to trust your vision. I believe you have a better grasp of casting. I only provide money and schedule. As long as you are within the budget and complete the shooting on time, I will not interfere at all. - I believe this is not a problem for you." Weintraub found his ball, put a tee on the ground, and was eager to hit the ball.

"It's so lucky to have an executive producer like you. Well... good shot..." Ronald went up to flatter him.

"But can Susan be listed as a co-producer?"

"Uh... no problem."

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