Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   Chapter 211 Stealing from David Lynch?

   "What conditions?" Ronald's tone softened.

   Agent Rick Nisita held the phone a distance away from his ears to avoid the swearing words, but suddenly the voice became only audible.

   He put the receiver over his ears, leaned back on the chair, changed a comfortable position, and then slowed down, trying to make his voice sound as magnetic as possible.

   "Universal President Thom Mount (ThomMount) is also very dissatisfied with Timothy Hutton's threats. He is not yet the golden boy of Hollywood, but the candidate of the golden boy is pointing fingers at the film project.

   But now he has a good chance of getting a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Universal needs him to finance. You know, Ronald, those bankers only recognize Oscar-nominated actors.

   He appreciates your script, it happens to be another Universal project, "Fast-paced Richmond High School" also needs a screenwriter to modify the script, Mount promised to have you..."

"Hi!"

  Ronald laughed angrily, "I was helping the novelist Cameron Crow revise the script. Are you using something I already have in exchange for the screenwriter I gave up on the grease sequel?"

   "No no, listen to me, Ronald... don't hang up." Nisita straightened up again and quickly denied the exchange.

   "I made your expectations to Tom Mount, you want to participate in the filming and learn to be a director. So Mount agreed that you could be an assistant director, or an assistant producer, to participate in the entire filming process."

   Ronald was silent for a moment, thinking about the validity of this promise, and how much it would accelerate his dream of becoming a director.

"Are you still there? Ronald? I think it's worth considering Mount's offer. Your pay remains the same, changing the script for 'Fast-Paced Richmond High' while stepping back from writing the Grease sequel...  ' Nisita began gushing into the microphone.

"Hollywood's law is simple, whoever gets the money has the right to speak. The bankers saw that Jane Fonda was willing to play, so it was easy to borrow 8 million and she could get a guaranteed $2 million salary. .

   Timothy Hutton was just popular, and the "ordinary man" was very popular, and the banker was willing to mortgage him with a loan of 3 million, and Universal was able to set up the project. "

"Who is the banker looking for in this 'fast-paced Richmond High School'?" Ronald asked. "How can I guarantee a foothold on this new set? It's hard to guarantee the guy the banker looks up to, he Or maybe she doesn't like me too. When I change the script in the end, there is still no room for participation."

"Haha, that's the beauty of this plan, Ronald." Nisita finally relaxed, and Ronald had begun to seriously consider giving up the sequel to Grease, so that Ronald wouldn't agree to revise the contract and make trouble with the president of Universal Stiff trouble.

Nisita continued: "Universal valued the director and set up the project for this film, and they have invited up-and-coming director David Lynch to direct this youth film. Director Lynch proposed to see the finished script before deciding whether to do so or not. Sign up."

"It's not that these studio bigwigs don't understand the laws of art, Ronald. Sometimes they're forced to. Celebrities will suggest changing the script to fit their image, but they're the box office guarantee, the bank. Homes must see the star's signature before agreeing to financing.

   But every once in a while, they will also have an opportunity to let the creators create films in full accordance with the laws of art. Such is the case with your teacher Scorsese's "Raging Bull".

  This requires a star willing to sacrifice his image for the overall artistic effect of the film, such as Robert De Niro, who gained 60 pounds to play the boxing champion. It also requires the director himself to be recognized by producers and bankers, such as Scorsese who has filmed "Taxi Driver".

  David Lynch is such an up-and-coming director. His new work "The Elephant Man" has been very optimistic about the critics after its release. He hopes to wrestle his arms with your teacher Scorsese in next year's awards season.

  Lynch is an artistic director, you don't have to worry about what star he will revise the script for, as long as your script can satisfy him, he will definitely make it into a movie faithfully. "

   Ronald was a little moved, "Of course I have the confidence to write a script that satisfies him, but he can guarantee that he will be faithful to the original intention, not change the script, and let me participate in the whole filming process?"

  Nisita covered the microphone with her hand and smiled uncontrollably. Young people tend to like to be challenged, let them go in the direction you want them to take, and sometimes just challenge their self-esteem in areas where they are good at.

"I thought it over and thought Universal was sincere, Ronald. Lynch's 'The Elephant Man' was also based on a novel about a man with a deformed skull who performed a freak show in a circus and was later killed by a A story of being saved by a kind surgeon.

  Critics have said that the film is very much in the spirit of the original. You know what, Ronald. Lynch, who had only directed one feature film before, was building roofs for people until the producers found him. Universal's president, Mr. Mount, is a discerning person who gave the green light to the project.

   All you lack is experience, Ronald. In this film, the roles of Assistant Director and Assistant Producer are whatever you choose. If you continue to learn the art of directing with Lynch, maybe you will find someone who appreciates you next time. "

   "I gotta think about it, Rick. In Hollywood, verbal promises are worthless."

   "Of course, the relevant terms will be written into the contract. Do you prefer the assistant director or the assistant producer?"

   Contrary to Nisita's expectations, Ronald prefers the assistant to the producer. The reason he gave is also very simple. The assistant director is very busy on the set, while the assistant producer just follows the daily check of the shooting progress, and has a lot of time to observe the director's method.

   "I will coordinate, the actual producer of the film is Art Linson, who himself has a strong interest in directing and wants to learn directing skills by observing Lynch's shooting.

   You will have a common language. I will find a way to arrange a meeting with you later, and let him arrange as little work as possible for you, and focus on studying on the set. " said Rick Nisita.

   "Your main task now is to come up with the script, so that David Lynch sees the script earlier and can finalize this matter earlier."

   "I will, don't worry." Ronald put down the phone.

  Director's Assistant is a position that has a very close relationship with the director and is usually assigned by the director. Any positions with the word director on the set, such as the first assistant director and the second assistant director, are positions where the director has more power to decide the candidates.

   Rather than asking the studio to claim the position for itself, be an observer. In fact, it doesn't matter what the title is, as long as you can stay on the set and watch how the director makes every decision, and then have the right to see the daily samples and review the consequences of the director's decision.

   Ronald believes that he can learn a short version of his much-needed directing ability and how to train actors.

  Aunt Karen watched the worried Ronald come out and asked what happened.

   Ronald briefly said that his screenwriting work has suffered a setback, and he will lose the job opportunity for the "Grease" sequel, and the agent may compensate for the screenwriting modification work of another film.

   "Don't worry, Ronnie," Aunt Karen hugged him. "Whatever you choose, we're here for you, and we'll always be proud of you, Ronnie."

   "Thank you, Aunt." Ronald sat down and the televised debate was over.

   He felt that he still needed to think about this matter carefully, and then ask his chief agent Richard Lovett for his opinion.

  CAA's policy of multiple brokers also allows each broker to contact themselves independently. They negotiate business for Ronald independently. Sometimes they themselves have disagreements, depending on which broker the client trusts more.

   Rick Nisita, who is more nervous about working with major studios than having multiple clients. Ronald believed more in Richard Lovett, who had only one client. His interests are highly aligned with his own.

   "Don't worry, Ronnie." Aunt told Donna to pull a box of VHS tapes out of the VCR. "I've recorded it all, so you can take it back to read the debate and decide which candidate to vote for. It's exciting to vote for the first general in my life, and I was in President Kennedy's Peace Corps. "

Ronald took the videotape and thought to himself, "Don't watch it, I will vote for anyone who supports tax cuts. The film and television industry's tax is too high. But in this way, the governor of California, who is a movie actor, will be elected when he is elected. Give the film industry some preferential policies?"

During the debate, ABC TV took over a sample telephone survey, and more than two-thirds of the audience believed that the former California governor won the debate. Especially in solving the Persian hostage crisis, reducing inflation, and cutting taxes He has an overwhelming advantage on issues. The commander-in-chief's advantage on issues such as social security is not as obvious as expected."

   The results of a telephone sample survey were printed on the screen.

   "It's really going to cut taxes. Go back and have a good look." Ronald looked at the videotape in his hand.

   (end of this chapter)