Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Miss Lindsay Dole's strategy was very powerful, but it was risky in case of a wrong guess.

Ronald thought about it all night and finally decided to go for it. The worst outcome was to lose $3,000 and not have the chance to sign his name.

Compared to the shortcut to the dream of becoming a director, there was no risk that could not be taken.

Ronald first called producer David Da Silva.

"David? This is Ronald. Yes, I've figured it out. This matter really needs a solution."

"Very good, little Ronnie, you've finally matured. I'll arrange a time for you, Alan, to sit down with me and sign the script doctor's agreement."

"No, I want to talk to you first. I don't trust Alan, and his promise to me is like a fart."

"It's better to bring the crew's lawyer, David, I hope to solve this matter once and for all. No problem, at 4 o'clock this afternoon. See you then."

Ronald took out the phone book again, found the phone number of the Western Writers Guild, and dialed it: "Hello, I want to check the contact information of an author. Christopher Gore, yes."

Taking the piece of paper with Christopher Gore's contact information, Ronald closed his eyes again and reviewed the predetermined strategy twice in his mind.

Let's go!

"This is Mickey Kanter, a lawyer from the Los Angeles law firm of Manat ap;ap; Phelps ap;ap; Phillips. He is a senior lawyer hired by the president of MGM. He happened to be on a business trip in New York. I asked him to help and modify your contract."

Producer David Da Silva introduced a middle-aged man in a suit and tie opposite.

Like his name, Mickey Kanter has a pair of cunning eyes and a pair of protruding ears. Two gray eyes are looking up and down at Ronald.

"Hello, I'm Mickey." He took the initiative to extend his hand and shake hands with Ronald.

"I was very curious to hear David talk about you. I want to meet you, a bold young man."

"I hope I didn't disappoint you, Mr. Kanter."

"No, just call me Mickey."

The senior lawyer hired by the president of MGM, so today's negotiations will be more favorable. Ronald welcomed this surprise.

"Let's get this resolved quickly, Ronnie." Producer Da Silva was also very happy and handed over a contract.

"It's what we agreed on, $3,000, plus you voluntarily giving up your signature and all the derivative rights that come with it."

Ronald heard the second half of the sentence, all the derivative rights that come with it, and believed that the lawyer's judgment should be correct.

He gently put the contract aside, "David, I want to talk to you about the signature first."

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Don't waste everyone's time."

"On the contrary, I will save you a lot of time."

Ronald glanced at lawyer Mickey, who seemed to be very curious about the unexpected development of the matter.

"This is the signature rules of the Writers Guild. I got a copy of the latest version from the lawyer." Ronald took out two copies and handed them to the producer and lawyer across the table. He took another copy and began to read.

"'Story' goes to anyone who first came up with the smallest complete story, or wrote the first complete outline.

'Script' goes to the writer who personally wrote the drafts or scenes included in the final version of the film, no more than three in total.

'Original Screenplay' is awarded to the screenwriter who wrote the most outstanding original screenplay of the year.

Oh, no, this is the Oscar nomination award description."

Ronald lightly jumped his horse, checkmate!

David Da Silva's expression changed from joy at first, to boredom, and now to surprise.

"Here is also a contact from the Western Writers Guild. He belongs to Christopher Gore. If you like, David, we can call him together. Ask him what he thinks about this typo."

Ronald reached out and tapped the words "Original Screenplay" on the cover of the script.

"Enough!" David Da Silva stood up and stopped Ronald from continuing.

"Mickey, please give Ronald and me some private time."

Lawyer Mickey Kanter's gray eyes stared at David for a long time, and Ronald, as a bystander, also felt that the atmosphere was a little tense. Then he looked at Ronald, and suddenly smiled and said, "Ronald, this house is yours." Then he walked out of the door and closed it.

"What do you want to do, Ronald? Mickey is the lawyer hired by the president of MGM himself. Are you saying this in front of him to embarrass me?"

"David, I didn't even know who he was before I came."

"Actually, I have no ill intentions. I just want to get back my signature. Of course, I have no intention of taking the "story" or "writing" that does not belong to me. I just want to sign a name with the "script". After all, I wrote more than one-third of the key plots. I deserve it, don't I?"

"How did you know about Christopher and my deal? Did Chris tell you?"

"No, but I have my channels. I'm not completely a newbie in Hollywood."

"Okay, I'll talk to Chris again and give you a signature on the script. It's not a big problem."

Ronald smiled slightly. Now the benefits of solving this trouble for himself will exceed another trouble.

"But Alan is also involved in this matter. There is another clause in our deal. Alan can change Christopher's script at will, provided that only Chris is credited. If I re-sign the contract with Chris, this matter will not be hidden from him. We must work together to convince him to agree to sign the script for you, Ronald."

The lawyer's judgment was correct, and now the producer is on his side.

"You know that because of the last incident, he has always had some opinions about you."

"Hmm?"

"Let me talk to Alan first, Ronnie," the producer said to Ronald.

Director Alan Parker disagreed to give Ronald a credit.

"Can you guarantee that Christopher Gore won't tell anyone? At that time, you... bought the script from Christopher Gore for $5,000 and sold it to MGM for $40,000."

"I'm tired of this matter. Let's not drag it on. Let's solve it. I'll convince Chris." The producer wanted to solve this matter quickly, and even paid part of the money out of his own pocket to the original author.

"You know, there is actually a solution. The scene written by Ronald just barely crossed the one-third line. What if it was less than one-third? Then even the Writers Guild would not support his signature."

"You want...?"

"Have you forgotten? I am also a screenwriter."

The two took apart a script, removed two pages of scenes written by Ronald, and then Alan typed and wrote two pages himself and added them. After binding the script again, the two returned to the room to negotiate with Ronald.

"This is the latest script approved by the director, Ronald." Producer David Da Silva regained his composure. According to our statistics, your contribution to the script is less than one-third, so you cannot sign the script. "

The queen moved from the diagonal line to eat the horse, and counterattacked!

Ronald turned it over and found that the latest plot he wrote, printed on a blue paper card, was two pages short, resulting in the total being just less than one-third.

"But this is the final version. "Ronald picked up the script in his hand and pointed to the words on the cover and said to them.

My lawyer told me that this has legal significance."

"Then it's the lawyer's job." The producer opened the door and let in lawyer Mickey Kanter.

Mickey motioned for them to leave the room first: "Let me talk to Ronald alone."

"Actually, I admire you, Ronald." Mickey stared at him and said.

Ronald felt uncomfortable being stared at by the pair of gray eyes.

"What do you mean, Mickey?"

"You are a newcomer, not even 20 years old this year, and you can find and use the gap between the director and the producer, and find a chance to turn the tables. But your luck is still a little worse.

In the crew, if the director and the producer unite to stop you, it will be difficult for you to win."

"What if I insist on filing a lawsuit?"

Mickey smiled:

"Let me calculate a bill for you, Ronnie. Can I call you Ronnie?"

"You can get $3,000 from this script doctor contract. If you hire a lawyer who fights entertainment copyright lawsuits, even if he is a newcomer who graduated from college and joined the law firm, the hourly rate is $250."

"I only hired $150." Ronald thought to himself.

"There are also court fees, lawyers' preparation fees, and court fees. The case may take several months to a year to be scheduled. If you win by chance, we at MGM will appeal, and you will have to go through all the procedures again."

"Two years later, you may still not get a dollar, and you will lose your signature. Why not take this hard-earned $3,000 and make good use of the next one or two years to do what you should do?

In a year or two, you can write several scripts. Who knows if any of them can be approved and made into a movie to help you get enough points to apply for the Screenwriters Guild?"

Ronald felt that what lawyer Mickey Kanter said was not unreasonable. But in the final analysis, he was the one who was deceived in this matter...

"Think about it carefully, two years will pass quickly. I will stay in New York for two more days. As long as you agree before 5 pm tomorrow, I can guarantee that the contract I give you will be valid. No one can infringe on your interests."

After speaking, Mickey patted Ronald on the shoulder and walked out.

Disappointed Ronald also walked out of the room. Outside were Gene and Antonia, and the black girl Lucy.

"What happened, Ronnie? Why are they saying that the director doesn't want you to sign the script?" Gene asked.

"You're right. I have some disputes with the director and producer. We are still resolving this issue."

"Hey, you brought me into the crew. I am forever grateful. How do you want us to support you?" Gene said.

Ronald looked at Lucy and Antonia. In fact, he had another way, which was to mobilize his own actors to threaten to go on strike. However, doing so would implicate others and would be too difficult.

"Don't be impulsive, Gene. I just have some disputes with them over the signature. They will pay my salary. It's not easy for you to have such an opportunity. After this movie, you can join the Screen Actors Guild, and your future will be broader."

"I have been a member of the union for a long time. We can..." Antonia said hurriedly.

"No!" Ronald interrupted hurriedly, "Don't say that, Antonia, this movie is a rare opportunity for everyone. Don't take risks easily."

"I am very grateful to you, but things are not that bad yet."

After persuading the three actors to leave, Ronald returned home and immediately called lawyer Lindsay Doll:

"Lindsay, this is Ronald, things are going badly, I am afraid I have to prepare for the worst."