Exploiting Hollywood 1980

As the general manager of Daydream Pictures, Eddie has been discussing the production cooperation of "Dirty Dancing" with Eleanor Bergstein, the screenwriter of "Dirty Dancing", Linda Gottlieb, the producer, and Michelle Cannold, the production manager of the distribution company Weston Pictures.

"So, we are stuck here now, and now we have to find a way to move forward."

In the office of Eddie's former agent in New York, after a morning of chatting, Eddie finally summarized the results of the morning's talks to the three parties present at the meeting, or rather, no results.

Weston is a company headquartered in Chicago that has been outsourcing videotape production and distribution to the Big Seven. After the Big Seven gradually took back the videotape business, they urgently needed to transform themselves to distribute big-screen cinema movies.

Originally, Ronald's conditions were that Ronald's Daydream Pictures, with Douglas Jr., would invest $1.5 million, and Weston would invest $3 million, and the two parties would use a total of $4.5 million to produce the film.

Then it would be distributed in theaters across the country by Weston.

However, the parties could not reach a consensus on the order of sharing.

Weston was interested in the fact that this film could be produced with a budget of less than $5 million, and it could also be used as the first theatrical film after the company's transformation to train the distribution team.

Producer Linda Gottlieb, on the other hand, was more concerned about her profit-sharing contract. She was the first person to see the potential of this script by her friend, screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein. MGM's distribution contract had already been greenlit, but after Weintraub took over MGM, the project was suspended and put on the circulation list.

Although screenwriter Eleanor preferred to cooperate with Ronald's daydream, Linda Gottlieb's interests could only be maximized by cooperating with Weston.

If it is not agreed in advance, the producer has the right to distribute the film's profit. After the film makes a profit, the share of each person who participates in the share will be included in the cost. The next person who participates in the share will have the share of the previous person subtracted from the funds allocated.

The further back you are in the queue, the less valuable the profit-sharing rights are.

Weston is a novice in the theatrical distribution market after all, and he is definitely better at dealing with the traps in these contracts than Ronald, who has cooperated with the studio on many films.

But if Ronald's daydream is completely abandoned, Weston's confidence in this project is seriously insufficient.

As a Jewish producer who grew up in the entertainment industry, Linda's plan is to get the best of both worlds between daydreams and Weston.

When she first saw the name of the script "Dirty Dancing", she knew that this was a good movie that could make her a million dollars. Only by firmly pinning it can she bring herself the first huge profit since entering the industry.

As for Ronald, it is relatively simple. On the one hand, he saw the potential of the script, and on the other hand, because he had dreamed of the movie, he was very confident about the box office.

"I feel that producer Linda has a tendency to take profits from both sides in the middle." Eddie said to Ronald during the lunch break.

"This is normal. It is so difficult for a producer to turn a script into a movie. If he doesn't want to make a lot of money, it will not succeed." Ronald waved his hand, indicating that he didn't mind the producer sharing part of the money in the middle.

"But this is a small-budget movie. We calculated that the production cost is between 4.5 million and 5 million. For such a movie, if Linda and the distributor Weston share the box office first, and we finally participate in the sharing, it will cost at least 25 million to get back the investment." Eddie had already calculated the possibility of profit.

"I think if this movie is well made, the box office will exceed this number." Ronald is very confident.

"In fact, I think Weston's confidence in the movie is much less than yours." Agent Richard interrupted and participated in the negotiation. "And I think the producer Linda really wants Weston to participate in this movie so that she can grab more income."

"Have you ever thought that since you are so optimistic about the prospects of this movie, you might as well buy the production rights of this movie and then find the seven major cooperation?" Eddie suddenly said.

"This is not good. After all, Linda signed a contract with the screenwriter Eleanor before me. And they are good friends. I am not sure I can kick her out." Ronald actually wants to monopolize the production rights.

"In the afternoon negotiations, we still have to introduce the possibility of the seven major studios to join. In this way, we can take the initiative in the negotiations. At least the producer Linda and the screenwriter Eleanor have a new choice. In the morning negotiations, Weston's manager Michelle Cannold always delayed the negotiations."

"Let's do it."

"Ronald, let me introduce you to one of our Weston's bosses, Steve Tisch."

At the beginning of the afternoon meeting, Cannold, the manager of Weston Pictures, introduced a new negotiating participant, a young man in his early thirties with a thick neck, a square chin, and aggressive eyes.

"Hello, Mr. Tisch." The name Tisch made Ronald's heart move. The School of Art at New York University, where he had taken classes for more than a year, seemed to be named after this surname.

"He is the son of Bob Tisch, the donor of the Tisch School of New York University." Eddie gently reminded Ronald in his ear.

"Their family is the owner of the NFL football team, the New York Giants. They have been messing around in Hollywood since they were young." Richard added in the other ear.

"Nice to meet you. I admire your father's kindness very much."

"I know you, Ronald. There are legends in Hollywood that you are magical. But for this movie, I invited musical expert Aaron Russo, who has a very insightful view on movies."

Steve Tisch ignored Ronald's praise for his father and raised his hand to invite a man with a big and round face.

"Aaron Russo, the producer of Therose, the movie that got Bette Midler an Oscar nomination." Richard was very familiar with these Hollywood celebrities and immediately announced them in a low voice. resume.

"Hello, Aaron, do you have any suggestions?"

Ronald looked at Aaron Russo, who had long greasy hair combed back and a round face with a Jewish nose, which made people feel a little funny. Unexpectedly, he was also the man who discovered Bette Midler, the heroine of "The Evil Husband".

"How are you going to make this movie? What's the theme?"

Aaron Russo didn't face Ronald and the others, nor the writers and producers, nor did he bypass Weston's manager. Instead, he asked the boss Steve Tisch directly.

Ronald was surprised. Did this Aaron just come back from an alien planet? Don’t you know the popular Hollywood director Ronald Lee?

So Ronald coughed, then slid his chair forward, closing the distance to Aaron Russo. When Ronald felt his approach and turned around, he said directly to him. :

"I plan to make it into a story about a girl's dream, a poor boy who dances with her hero at a resort, a dancer. Do you have any opinions?"

"If you have this idea, I have to tell you that if you shoot it like this, your movie will not be successful." Aaron Russo did not flinch, and also stepped forward, and there was only one gap between him and Ronald. He stood a few dozen centimeters away, then answered with a lewd smile.

Ronald seemed to smell the bad breath coming from the other person's mouth and leaned back, "Are you sure?"

Where did this guy come from? Guarding a 79-year-old movie maker, don't you know that you are facing the hottest emerging director in Hollywood right now? Still showing his seniority in front of himself, Hollywood is not a place that respects the elderly.

Aaron Russo turned his head again and spoke to Steve Tisch, "Today's directors and producers don't know how to shoot musicals. If you believe me, it's better not to invest in this story. ”

"If you want to make a suggestion, why don't you say it to me?" Ronald was angry. Why did this Aaron Russo always skip him and talk directly to Weston's rich second-generation boss.

Musical? Who else in Hollywood can pretend to be a big boss now and say that they know how to make musicals better than you?

Sir, did you know that when you left Hollywood, I made a "Break Dance" movie? Not only did it sell out 100 million yuan at the box office, but the first lady Nancy also had to learn how to dance, and the commander-in-chief also met with me and several of the leading actors.

"You don't understand Hollywood, young man. I'm telling you, no one in Hollywood will release your movie if you do it this way."

Aaron Russo said one last word to Ronald, then simply stood up, shook hands with Steve Tisch, Weston's boss, and walked out.

Steve Tisch remained silent and ignored Aaron Russo's rudeness as he whispered a few words to Weston's manager, Michelle Cannold. Then Michelle came over and asked everyone to suspend the meeting first, and Tisch needed to communicate with them new.

"Who is this Aaron Russo? Hasn't he been in Hollywood these past few years?"

"I just came back from Britain. I guess he doesn't know much about the changes in Hollywood in recent years. He is mainly focusing on TV series now." Richard hurriedly went to talk to Niceta on the phone and figured out Russo's story in a few seconds. Details.

"But he has a very close relationship with Xiao Dishi, so I guess he will value his opinion."

Richard added.

On the other side, screenwriter Eleanor and producer Linda were also whispering. It seemed that they were also a little confused about this unexpected situation.

Ronald waited for a while, then Steve Tisch and manager Cannold came over. Dishi waved his hand, and Cannold came over to talk.

"Ronald, Eleanor, Linda, and Weston have a new evaluation of the film, and we need Eleanor to revise the background of the baby and the plot in the script.

First of all, the baby should not be Jewish, and if it must be Jewish, her lover should not be Irish..."

"Nonsense, this is a complete story. If the heroine baby is not Jewish, how can she go to a Jewish-only tourist destination? If she is not Irish, where can such a masculine dancer come from? "

Screenwriter Eleanor was furious and immediately interrupted Weston's request.

Ronald also looked sideways, why did the screenwriter have such a big reaction?

Ronald vaguely remembered that this seemed to be a script adapted by screenwriter Eleanor based on her own experience. Maybe she was the prototype of the baby, and her first love was of Irish descent?

Producer Linda covered her face. She understood that this was Eleanor's bottom line. She originally gave the script to her just to realize a dream of her youth on the screen.

"Sorry, Mr. Cannold, this plot is our bottom line. The whole story is based on the love between a Jewish girl and an Irish boy, which transcends class and race." She had to explain to Weston.

"Aaron's point of view is very convincing. We feel that the prospects of this movie are worrying. If you are unwilling to modify the script, the movie will be postponed indefinitely." Little Emperor said very strongly.

"Our funds have been deposited into the account of the project company. If you do not modify the script as required, we will have to withdraw our investment."

"I think there is nothing wrong with this plot. If you don't want to invest, I can take over."

Ronald saw the opportunity and said suddenly.

The background of the characters in the dream has not been changed. Baby is still a Jewish girl, and a big-nosed actress Jennifer Gray was found to play.

"Wait, let me talk to them first." Producer Linda held down the screenwriter Eleanor who was about to agree, and wanted to talk to Weston's boss first. She always felt that the other party's reasons seemed very strong.

"Eleanor, I like this movie very much. I originally wanted to invest in full..." Ronald took the opportunity to go to the screenwriter and put forward his ideas to her.

After more than ten minutes, producer Linda came back, "Eleanor, Ronald, if you insist on not changing the script, I will quit the role of producer of this movie."

"Linda, you..." The screenwriter was anxious.

"I have good reasons. If Ronald, you want to continue making this movie, you might as well buy the production rights together." The producer held the screenwriter's hand.

"How much?" Ronald somehow remembered what Coppola said to him in the past. He did not insist on buying "American Graffiti" directed by Lucas and missed the opportunity to make a lot of money for Zoetrope Company.

"One price, $500,000. In addition, I suggest that Eleanor should also have a script transfer fee, so that her hard work can be guaranteed."

Producer Linda Gottlieb put forward her own conditions. Although it was lower than the expected income, it was better than nothing. Then she whispered in the ear of screenwriter Eleanor.

"This? Okay. Maybe you are right." Screenwriter Eleanor also listened and turned to Ronald, "I am willing to transfer the script to you."

"How much do you want?" Ronald turned to the screenwriter.

"Two hundred thousand dollars, plus 1% of the profits for Linda and me." Screenwriter Eleanor wrote down her asking price and pushed it over.

When Ronald heard the price, it was very cheap. He quickly took out his checkbook, wrote two checks, and handed them to the two ladies, "My lawyer will prepare the contract immediately."

"Thank you," producer Linda folded the check and put it in her pocket.

"Thank you, we originally planned to invest 4.5 million in production costs. I hope that in your hands, we can shoot it as I imagined."

Screenwriter Eleanor looked reluctant, but still took the check with a hard heart.

"Ronald, they seem to have agreed too quickly, is there any problem?" Richard felt something was wrong and came to ask Ronald.

"No problem, anyway, we can sign a contract with a distributor right away and get some investment. Find a suitable director to guide, I am very optimistic about this story."