Exploiting Hollywood 1980

After the premiere, Helen and Ronald got together for a day and then returned to New York. She wants to work with several like-minded actresses to co-create the movies she wants to make, all female movies with actresses as the protagonists.

On Monday of the second week, Ronald also got the premiere box office data for "Secret of Success". There are more than 1,300 theaters, and the box office is close to 7.8 million.

Especially in Ronald's hometown of New York, the film set off a viewing craze. White-collar workers in Manhattan lined up to watch the movie in the theater after get off work. Even the New York Times published a special review.

"Bentley, played by Fox, lived a double life as a mailroom boy and a senior manager. He pretended to be other people's names in the company and did two jobs that best understood the business conditions. This inspired Bentley's true nature. of ingenuity.

Of course, the movie is full of homages to the ’61 Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Trying to Try. "

"Huh?" The more Ronald read, the more wrong he became. Why did it sound like he was accusing Jim Cash and Jack Epps, the screenwriters of "Secret of Success", of plagiarism? The two men also rewrote a version of the "Top Gun" script. Although not much of the plot they wrote was adopted in the end, it was signed after all.

Ronald called his script assistant at Daydream Pictures and an expert on the history of Hollywood and Broadway theater, David Simkins.

"Didn't you say that this movie was adapted from Spielberg's experience? Why did the New York Times film secretly tease him about plagiarizing a 1961 musical?"

"Because it is indeed very similar. The musical also told the ironic story of a young man from a small town who came from the countryside and took a shortcut to reach a high position by dating his boss's lover. However, when this movie came out, I saw many viewers, but Look at it with an appreciative eye.”

Simkins completed the filming of "Adventures in Babysitting" with him as a screenwriter from Toronto, and is now back in the Los Angeles office, continuing to collect and select scripts for Ronald. He has been working in the writers' room and is much more familiar with these old scripts than Ronald.

"Is this screenwriter cheating?" Ronald has been in the industry for a long time and knows that many screenwriters deliberately choose some old movies and dramas, reshape them and pretend to have written them themselves.

It's just that this time it's too close to the original work, which was only twenty-five years old. There are still many film critics who saw the drama at the time. They remember that this time it was exposed, and they didn't know how Universal would handle it.

The ridiculous screenwriter also swore that it was adapted from a true incident when Spielberg pretended to be a staff member and occupied an office at Universal when he was young.

"You can judge for yourself. I have the original script and the 1951 script with the same name. I'll have someone send it to you."

Ronald read the original script sent by the errand boy.

Well, maybe Spielberg had a thing for occupying a spare office, and it got adapted into the script. However, the main story of the script and the two main jobs of the protagonist, the mailroom and the senior manager, are very similar to the original version. The plot of the affair with the general manager’s lover is also exactly the same. It is indeed plagiarism.

"Something is going to happen." Ronald asked for the phone number of Vincent Canby, a veteran film critic of the New York Times, and called him personally to confirm.

"Ronald, I have said a lot of good things about your movie. Pauline Kael is very optimistic about your future. She thinks you are the person who can revolutionize Hollywood. How about, when will your new movie be released? I want to take a sneak peek.”

The New York film critic circle all respects New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael. Vincent Canby, who is more senior than her, is no exception. Both are directors of the New York Film Critics Circle. I heard it was Ronald calling and quickly became familiar with him.

Ronald mentioned the release time of his new film, and also invited the other party to watch the film critics' special session. In addition, he also talked about his interpretation of his evaluation of "the secret of success". Does this imply plagiarism?

"But this movie has nothing to do with you, does it? Are you and Herbert friends?" Vincent Canby was referring to Herbert Ross, the director of The Secret of Success.

"No, no, the heroine Helen Slater is my recommendation. I have read the script of the old musical you mentioned and want to confirm it with you."

"So Helen is yours. I can tell you clearly that this is not the first time those two screenwriters have done this. Your Top Gun is also filled with many scenes from classic western movies."

Well, Ronald was really unfamiliar. He checked with Vincent Canby and found out that many of the passages written by these two men that had been preserved were plagiarized.

This was something that he couldn't completely stay out of. Ronald picked up the phone and called his agent Niceta.

"I have news..."

…

"Nisita said you have important news?" Tom Pollack, the president of Universal, with a slightly squinting eye, specifically asked his secretary to change his schedule to receive Hollywood's youngest blockbuster director, Robert Downey Jr. Nader Lee.

Who asked his agent to talk about the seriousness of the matter on the phone?

"This is a film review written by Vincent Canby." Ronald turned to the page and secretly highlighted the plagiarism, marking it with a marker.

"Here's the original script and," then two thick books, "I checked with Vincent Canby. He was cautious about not naming it directly."

Tom Pollack took a look and covered his face with one hand, "Shxt, this musical was adapted into a movie in 1967, produced by United Artists. I remember seeing the top ten box office in previous years and I remember this name. The people in the review department are all... idiots."

"Hello, let the person in charge of script review come to my office later." Pollack picked up the phone and briefly explained to the secretary.

"Thank you, Ronald. I owe you a favor. What do you want?" Pollack looked at Ronald three meters away, and his good eye looked directly at him.

Ronald felt a little uneasy, but he couldn't show his ridicule for others' physical disabilities.

"I just think this matter is very serious, so I came to talk to you. I don't have anything to ask you in exchange, but I hope Helen will not be affected, and my friend Michael (J. Fox)"

"I will remember it. Don't worry, Universal's public relations department is still powerful. I will keep the film critics in harmony. I will add these two little bastards to the blacklist and notify all other studios.

By the way, you are also a member of the Producers Guild now, right? I met your general manager Eddie Cohen at the last meeting. It's time to share these blacklists with you. I'll have someone bring a copy, please keep it confidential."

"Thank you."

Ronald stood up and said goodbye. Tom Pollack always works like a clock and is punctual. Don't waste more of his time.

On the way back, Ronald flipped through the blacklist shared by the industry and really felt that this exchange was very generous. It really is a good deed that pays off.

In the past ten years in Hollywood, many screenwriters, directors, and artists with bad records have been listed on this list. Of course, the names of all the big stars were not seen. There must be another version with a higher level of confidentiality.

However, these common names of dishonest, plagiarized, and unreasonable names are also a very important weapon for small companies to avoid losses.

"These producers, if I don't ask them for them, they won't give them to me." General Manager Eddie also vaguely heard of such a blacklist, but in his memories of attending the Producers Guild several times, no one took the initiative to remind him.

"Keep it well, make a copy, and don't read it unless you are a senior manager." After Ronald gave the order, he directly put a copy in the safe of his apartment.

"The Secret of Success" officially topped the box office list on Monday night after all the movie box office statistics were announced.

"Bld Date", which was released at the same time as it, was left far behind in second place, with only $4 million in box office.

This romantic comedy is starred by the most popular comedy star in TV, Bruce Willis, and the sexy star Kim Basinger, who is famous for "Love You 9 1/2 Weeks". It is still a long way from "The Secret of Success".

Ronald went to see it and felt that his acting was rather exaggerated and had a strong TV drama style. Kim Basinger was also unable to boost the box office of the movie. After all, she did not take off her clothes in this movie.

Next, there is "Lethal Weapon", which has been released for more than a month. The leading actor is also another Australian male star, Mel Gibson, who Ronald has met once.

This kind of movie that combines action and comedy elements is very popular now. Especially Danny Glover, who plays Mel Gibson's partner in the film, has the style of a comedy master in the silent film era and can make people laugh with body language.

Next, there is "Raising Arizona", which was filmed by Nicolas Cage before. This very strange movie also performed well at the box office.

Finally, "Platoon", which has been released for 5 months, is still stubbornly present at the box office. It is likely to replicate last year's "Top Gun" and become a box office nail house.

In short, in the first half of the year, the entire North American box office relied on these hit movies to support the scene.

Tom Pollack's measures are very effective. In the following days, Ronald noticed that there was no more suggestion of plagiarism in the film reviews for "The Secret of Success".

The film lived up to expectations and achieved an average of $5,700 per theater. It continued to advance in the middle of the week and was about to retain the box office championship.

Two famous film critics in the Chicago film critic circle also commented on the film on a TV show:

"The secret of success seems to be trapped in some kind of time machine, as if the script has been in the drawer of Universal's top management since the 1950s, and no one is willing to update it. The leading actors Michael J. Fox and Helen Hunt are the only two highlights.

This strange movie is difficult to classify. From a sitcom to a farce, from a sex farce to a business war plot, only the performances of the two leading actors can calmly lead the audience through the inherent defects of the script and countless quicksand traps to the climax at the end."

"Tsk..." Ronald turned off the remote control. Roger Ebert was a very smart person. He didn't dare to show any dissatisfaction with the daughter of Gerald Slater, the general manager of PBS, the syndicated TV station that broadcast his TV film review program, and he had to be careful to say good things.

"Ronald, Mr. Bannon is here." Little Bud knocked on the door and came in to inform Ronald.

"Ask him to wait a moment, I'll be out soon."

Ronald put on a simple coat and went out to see Bannon and a luxury car parked at the door.

"MJ's manager Dario called and said he is free to see us tonight." Ronald thanked Bannon for opening the car door for him and got into the right side of the back seat.

Bannon turned from the back to the left side of the car and got in. "I put the copy in the back and let's set off."

Ronald skillfully took out a bottle of Coke from the freezer, handed it to Bannon, and the two started drinking.

Bannon was also the first to use a limousine to transport a rough cut copy of the new film “’t Buy Me Love.” As a Wall Street banker, he has always paid attention to this kind of pomp and circumstance.

"As for your cousin Donna, I have already written a letter of recommendation. If you are looking for a screen fund, just write one from the person involved. I will send it to the president of the company in Long Island together with her resume.

That guy is a mathematician, different from us, a very technical talent. But I can still talk to him and have dealings with him. I'll give him a call. "

"Thank you then." Seeing how concerned Bannon was about his affairs, Ronald knew that Donna's wish would probably come true.

"Do you think MJ will like our sample? What price will he give us?" Bannon turned around and began to test Rona on whether MJ would agree to grant the copyright to the Beatles' songs and the naming rights to the movie. The influence of virtue before him.

"It's hard to say, artists' ideas are complicated. But I saw the sample, and the ending is very good. Artists are also a group of people who are easily moved. They might be able to get a good price, such as a heavy discount. "

Ronald didn't know how much face Michael Jackson could give him, so he didn't say enough. It’s different now than when Ronald made him the “Captain Yoon” short film a few years ago.

MJ's current record sales have broken the single record record of any singer in history. Now in the music industry, MJ is in a state of getting everything he wants. With the new album about to be released, I was able to spare more than an hour to watch the movie because it was in the name of an old friend.

"Oh, really? I rarely deal with musicians. I wish us good luck." Bannon mumbled and sat in the back seat and stopped talking.

"Ronald, please sit down. Have you brought all the copies?"

MJ’s manager Dario, with a bald head, came out to personally greet Ronald and Bannon.

"It's all on the cart." Ronald pointed to Bannon pushing a cart behind him, which contained a set of rough-cut copies of "Love Is Not For Sale."

"Where is MJ?" Arriving at the screening room, Ronald looked at the empty hall, with only a few backing dancers sitting sparsely in the back.

"He is very busy now, and there are many things for him to confirm for the new album. Colombia has high hopes for the new album. He will come over after he finishes talking."

"Okay." Ronald sat down, and Bannon personally moved the copy into the screening room at the back.

The three of them waited in the private screening room for more than two hours. Bannon had already drank three large cups of Americano coffee, and Ronald started to shake his legs out of boredom.

"Tonight looks like it's going to be a long night." Bannon looked at Ronald with less respect than before. In front of the biggest pop star in America right now, everyone is pretty much the same and has to wait. Looking at this posture, maybe Ronald doesn't have much face to sell to MJ.

"Ronald, you're here, have you watched the MV of my new song?"

More than half an hour later, a slender and gentle male voice finally appeared in the screening hall.

Dario rushed forward and led MJ the way.

"Very good, very good. Who directed it? The image style is very good." Ronald stepped forward and hugged MJ.

"John Landis, he works for me now." Michael Jackson said with a smile.

Ronald was stunned. He hadn't heard this name for a long time. The director who caused an accident and beheaded actor Vic Morrow paid a huge amount of compensation to Morrow's family and two other Asian children.

His skills are actually very good, and now MJ is getting a bargain by asking him to direct the MV.

"Let's get started." After MJ sat down, he habitually gave orders gently.

Ronald looked at Bannon, who immediately ran to the screening room and started to play the movie himself.

The one-hour and twenty-minute movie quickly comes to an end because there is no song authorization. At the end, Amanda Peterson and Patrick Dempsey are riding on the lawnmower, thinking about driving away, while passionately kissing together. , without a soundtrack.

“’t Buy Me Love…”

A very typical black male voice began to sing the song "Love Is Not For Sale" by the Beatles. The scene added harmonies to the end of the film.

Ronald looked at Michael Jackson who was singing softly in the dark. There were tears in his eyes. He could see clearly under the reflection of the screen.

"'t Buy Me Love...", the backup dancers and harmony group at the back also began to sing along with MJ's acapella and began to join in.

"Oh oh..." After MJ finished singing, subtitles began to appear on the screen.

Ronald knew that things would go well, "You sang so well, I think it's even more moving than the original song."

"Oh, Ronald, you excited me." MJ calmed down and said calmly.

"You know? When I was a child, I was in the Ja 5 choir with my father and several brothers, performing on TV and in live performances across the country. Every time I went to bed at night, my eldest brother would bring some beautiful girls back. .

I was very inconspicuous at that time, and I always wanted to get such a pure love like the one in the movie, without any other mixture.

Love should not be a commodity. "MJ sat in the dark and said to himself in a very soft voice.

"Pop..." The lights in the hall were turned on.

"So, you agree?" Ronald looked at MJ in the bright light, sitting there in a black dress.

Ronald thought about striking while the iron was hot and getting the authorization.

"Of course, of course, you are the best, Ronald. Your movies always make me feel moved and passionate."

"You are a talented artist, and it is great to be able to move you. But I am not the director of this movie."

"Hey, I know you don't want to be named. Movies are like songs. From the paw prints, you can see that the tiger has been here. The eyes of the heroine are full of hope. It must be your handwriting, right?"

"Uh... this is also considered. "Ronald thought, he saved Amanda Peterson from Tom Mount's clutches, so her eyes could keep this radiance.

"Mr. Jackson, Mr. Dario, do you agree to license the Beatles' songs to our movie? I wonder what the price is? We hope to use them as the opening and ending songs, and as the name of the movie..."

Bannon came up again, he was more anxious than Ronald.

"Dario, what is the lowest transfer fee for the song copyright I bought?" MJ asked his manager Dario.

"The lowest? According to the union's requirements, the lowest fee for licensing the movie song is $15,000, and the title is another $15,000. But that is usually given to fledgling singers..."

"That's it, Ronald is my friend, he made me feel the initial passion and innocence tonight..." MJ said and finalized it.

...

"Satisfied? This is the floor price. "

Back in the limousine, Ronald handed the signed authorization agreement to Bannon.

Bannon took it carefully and looked at Ronald several times.

"This man is unfathomable. MJ originally wanted a million for the song copyright, but he sold it to us for 15,000, and it also came with the film naming rights."

Ronald glanced at Bannon's expression and knew that the other party misunderstood that his friendship with MJ had reached the point where he could give away the song copyright at will.

In fact, Ronald didn't know why MJ was so moved by this very ordinary teenage romantic comedy. Could it be that he was also a person who couldn't pick up girls when he was a child?

That's quite possible, because the star of the Ja 5 choir at that time was his eldest brother Jackie.

"You should use your extra production costs well, buy some film critics for marketing, or put more ads on MTV, which will have a good effect. ”

Ronald knew that Bannon’s psychological price was about one-third of the asking price. He prepared two hundred to three hundred thousand dollars to buy the copyright of the song. Unexpectedly, not even one tenth of it was used.

“I will fly back to New York in person and take Donna to visit the New York Stock Exchange, and investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, etc. and all the securities firms on Wall Street that can scale up, all the brokers who have had big projects in the past two years…” Bannon changed the subject and talked about something completely unrelated.

“Working on Wall Street, connections are also very important. Donna may not be suitable for the working environment there, but with my introduction, she still needs to get to know those important people.

After that, I will personally send her to Renaissance Investment Company of Professor Simons in Long Island. The Lin Luoyin Columbia Fund he manages mainly invests in funds for some Ivy League universities.

Donna can intern anywhere she wants, and I will ensure that she will use her professional ability to find a job as an assistant researcher at the Lin Luoyin Columbia Fund in the end. ”

“I don’t know what to say except thank you. "Ronald had no choice but to thank Donna, as she was one of his closest relatives.

"It's okay. It's my honor to do something for you." Bannon felt that he had been messing around in Hollywood for more than a year, and it was not until now that he was sure that he had found the man of destiny who could lead him to success.