Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   Chapter 428 Capra's Wisdom

   "This is Ronald's house. I can't answer the phone right now. Please leave a message after the beep."

   "It's me, Weintraub. Answer the phone."

  Jerry Weintraub's voice rang from the answering machine at Ronald's house.

   Weintraub has become a lot more affectionate towards Ronald since Ronald helped him block the last time. He opened up to Ronald about why he had to hire John G. Iverson.

   "Longwei Kid" has a total investment of 8 million US dollars, all raised by Jerry Weintraub, and Columbia is only responsible for the distribution. Therefore, as a real investor, Weintraub is unwilling to have a low return on his investment.

   So Weintraub desperately needed a star to work on the film to get free coverage and Columbia's cooperation for distribution.

   In contrast, the cost of star directors is much lower than that of star actors. John G. Ivelson, after "Rocky", did not have any great new work, and his agent only offered him a salary of half a million dollars. And the most powerful male stars, such as Dustin Hoffman, who starred in "My Fair Lady," was paid as much as $5.8 million.

   Even a new star like Tom Cruise is generally priced at more than one million dollars.

   Weintraub is a man with lofty goals, but careful operation. Of course, he chose the director award between the two Oscar winners. John G. Ivelson also won best director, and free coverage is the same anyway.

   But Ronald Lee was willing to help him cover up the scandal, so he didn't take the opportunity to threaten him. Weintraub, a street boy from the Bronx, New York, knew that loyalty had to be reciprocated.

So I quickly contacted Ronald's agent Nisita and agreed to invest in Ronald's next film, whether it was a new film written by him or the script acquired by Weintraub here that Ronald liked. .

   Even after the success of "Longwei Kid", you can consider teaching him to direct the sequel.

   "It's me, Jerry." Ronald picked up the phone and spoke to Weintraub.

"You come to my office early tomorrow and I introduce you to meet with director John G. Iverson, he likes your script, you can chat. Then we go to Frank Price in Columbia and he gives the green light Later, we can prepare for the filming of the crew. I have an idea, you are involved in the production of this film, and I will give you a title of co-producer."

   Weintraub meant to give Ronald a little extra money in return. The script's $200,000, he has readily paid the full amount.

   "When, I'll be there on time."

   The next day, Ronald and Nisita went to Weintraub's office again.

   At the door, they saw a middle-aged man in his forties. The medium-length blond hair is neatly combed and slightly whitish. With a strong nose and sunken eye sockets, it can be seen that he must have been a handsome guy when he was young.

   "Hello, Ronald, I'm John, John G. Iverson"

   The handsome middle-aged man took the initiative to shake hands with Ronald.

"Hi Mr. Evelson, I'm a fan of yours, I especially like 'Rocky', and the shot of Rocky running on the steps of City Hall in Philadelphia with his arms raised, first if I'm not mistaken Introducing Steadicam in a movie for the first time, right?"

   "Haha, yes, that shot took Stallone half a day."

  Evelson was very enthusiastic about Ronald and told a lot about his youth. Ronald discovered that the two had many connections.

  Evelson is of Norwegian descent, and he started his career as a director by making exploitative films in his early years. In the earliest days, he worked at Cannon Films before the Minahan Brothers' acquisition, specializing in making some Norwegian and Swedish films.

   Although the movie was shot in America, it was accompanied by a Nordic language dialogue, which could trick a group of audiences into watching it. At that time, Swedish director Ingmar Bergman’s movie happened to be popular all over the world. And the exploitative films he shot have a lot of **** scenes, and the box office is really good. He was also a gold medal director of exploitative films for a period of time.

   Later, he was appreciated by Jack Lemmon and directed "Rescue the Tiger", which fulfilled Jack Lemmon's dream of being an Oscar winner and was gradually accepted by the mainstream Hollywood. In the back is the famous "Rocky".

  The two chatted for a while, and the red-haired secretary named Susan Akins invited them in belatedly.

   "Hi, Susan, nice to meet you." Ronald greeted her with a smile. This kind of secretary who is a little shy to meet people is rare in Hollywood. Ronald nodded her goodwill.

   "Hello, Ronald." Susan led the way.

   "Hey Honey, won't you come with me for a drink tonight?" Elvisson and Susan flirted half-jokingly.

   "Mr. Evelson", Susan smiled and continued to lead the way.

   "John, Ronald, it's great that you've met. I was about to give you some good news."

   "What is it, Jerry?"

"You know, Ronald. The title of your movie 'The Karate Kid' happens to be the same name as a teenage hero from DC Comics. I contacted DC and they were very kind and agreed to authorize us to use it. This name, so we don't have to change it."

   "That's great, but I really didn't mean to plagiarize them, I came up with the name myself." Ronald quickly defended that he didn't plagiarize on purpose.

   "Of course, I wouldn't know if Susan hadn't searched for information and told me. There are too many comic book heroes under DC, and we don't know many of them."

   "So, John, do you have a cast?"

   "I haven't started thinking about it yet, what are your options?"

   "I have an idea, and you guys help me think about it too." Weintraub began to describe his blueprint. I think for the role of the master, it is better to invite Toshiro Mifune, the royal actor directed by Akira Kurosawa. He has played so many Eastern Swordsmen and is also well known in America. "

   "Great idea, we have to fly him to Los Angeles for an audition. I can't wait to work with him." Evelson winked at Ronald and immediately agreed to Weintraub's request.

"The male lead and his opponents in the Cobra Kai dojo, I also have an idea, why don't we ask the sons or nephews of those famous actors to play. On the one hand, they don't need much acting skills, on the other hand, they can Get a wave of publicity for free. These stars really want to raise their kids, don't they?"

   "This?" Ronald didn't expect Weintraub's brain to open up so much. He wrote this script, and he knows that the protagonist Danny is not so good at acting. From a weak boy, to practicing hard, and finally defeating himself and defeating the enemy, the rhythm and level of emotional changes in the middle must be an outstanding actor. ability to control.

   "Jerry, did Danny think about using professional actors? I think the ones that Ricopola picked for "Outdoor Urchin" are pretty good."

   "Oh yeah? What do you think? John?" Weintraub asked Evelson.

   "I think we might as well let them all try. If the star's son auditioned well, this is indeed a better choice."

   "I think you're right. And what about the heroine? What do you think?"

   "Well, I don't have a fixed idea, what do you think?" Evilson seemed to have no idea of ​​his own.

   "I need a very beautiful girl so that Danny and Johnny's love for her can be convincing."

   "I think you're right, we're going to audition according to this template. What do you recommend, Ronald?"

"It depends on everyone's feelings, I don't care. I think it's good if most viewers feel like the best girl next door." Ronald also learned to follow Weintraub Speaking, this person's ego (Ego) is too big.

"I think you're right. When Price gives the green light, we'll send invitations to major brokerage firms. Let's go to Columbia right away, lock our briefcases, and get orders." With a wave, several people stood up and walked out.

When    left the office, Ronald saw Susan, his secretary, who stood up to see him off.

   "Sweetie, don't you really think about going out with me at night for a romantic date?" Evilson regained his handsome personality and flirted with her again, causing Susan to blush.

   "Let's get in the car first, Susan, you and I have one. Ronald and John are going to that one."

   "Ronald, do you know why I didn't comment on the casting in front of Weintraub?" Evelson got into the car and sat in the back seat with Ronald. It can be seen that he is in a good mood. After "Rocky", he has not directed a major project invested by Hollywood for a long time.

   "I was about to ask for advice." Ronald thought to himself, isn't that just flattering?

"I like your script very much, it's a successful story of an underdog (UnderDog) counterattacking, I know it's a gifted person who can write it. But I've been in Hollywood for longer than you. One point, you know why I didn't do more big productions? Rocky was actually a small production as well."

   "Maybe their producers didn't see your talent, Mr. Evelson?"

   "Call me John. I didn't understand it until one day, I had a chance to meet Frank Capra, a three-time Oscar winner for best director, Clark Gable's one night affair?"

   "Ah, I saw it in a classic film appreciation class at NYU. Know his name."

"Oh, you're from NYU too, it looks like we're still alumni," Evelson said, "Where are we talking, by the way, I asked Frank Capra, how do you get those studio executives? Why do you get so many opportunities to direct classic big productions?"

After    finished speaking, Evilson looked at Ronald.

"Then, why?" Ronald also became interested, and dealing with the high-level executives of the studio has always made him miserable. Those people don't understand art or business, but they just know how to secure a high-level position. , he's an expert in doing some office power tricks.

   "It's very simple, let them think your idea is theirs."

   "Wisdom?" Ronald thought to himself, this is the wisdom of successful directors under the system of those big studios back then, and it is still of great reference value today. Isn't that so? If he had known the secret at the time, he might have been able to become a director with tens of millions of productions.

   Meanwhile, in another Mercedes. Weintraub was concerned about Susan, "How do you feel working with me these days? Your father and I are good friends. What can I say to me?"

   "I feel like I can learn a lot from you and meet a lot of interesting people. Anyway, I think I'm very lucky to be able to do this job in the film industry."

   "Oh, who do you think is more interesting? Ronald?"

   "He's very polite, and I think Mr. Evelson is more funny," Susan replied.

"Oh, haha, it looks like you like the older ones," Weintraub continued. "Do you like horseback riding? We're going to ride my horses on the weekends, which I paid a lot of money for. , there is always no time to ride."

   "Okay, I like horses, and I like the grassy smell of horse farms."

   (end of this chapter)