Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   Chapter 561 Dividing money and shopping

   "Paramount CEO, got a Fox job!"

   Today's New York Times, the front page of the business news, is the news that the former Paramount Chairman and CEO, Barry Diller, resigned and went to work at 20th Century Fox.

The    report counted many of Diller's acclaimed films during his time at Paramount, such as "Ordinary People", "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Blitzkrieg" and so on.

   This time he resigned, not only from Paramount, but also as the president of Paramount's parent company Gulf West, and also a series of concurrent positions at Simon & Schuster Publishing House.

   The compensation for giving up all this is his aloof status at Twentieth Century Fox. Fox's boss, oil tycoon Marvin Davis, will give Barry Diller a junior partner position, at least a 10 percent stake, and no less than his annual salary of $2.5 million at Paramount.

  Barry Diller will take over on September 30th.

Paramount president Michael Eisner, 42, and production executive Jeff Katzenberg, 33, flew to New York this afternoon with Martin Day, president of Paramount's parent company Overseas West. Weiss interview.

   The two are the rumored favorites to take over from Barry Diller. While Gulf Western has said that Barry Diller's position and responsibilities are likely to be taken over by a number of different people, Paramount is also seeking a reshuffle of executive roles.

  Martin Davis said that the new management will be released in the near future. And he said he hadn't heard of Barry Diller's intention to resign until Monday night.

   "Mr. Eisner is now busy fighting for more power games in the high-level reshuffle. He will discuss with you the first time about your new movie after successfully taking over as CEO."

  's agent, Nisita, relayed Eisner's idea. Barry Diller resigned abruptly, and he and Katzenberg were a little caught off guard, and the most important thing now is to get the nod from Gulf West president Martin Davis.

   There are also rumors that Katzenberg wants to go to the newly formed Samsung company (Tri-Star) as president, and Eisner is convincing him to continue to fight with himself at Paramount.

"I didn't expect their executives' salaries to be so high." Ronald was very interested in the annual salary of former Paramount president Diller disclosed by the newspaper. The annual salary plus bonus was $2.5 million. Fox will still have 10% of the shares in the future. These executives do nothing and just sit and take money. They are the easiest people to make money in this industry.

"Hey, your income is also very good among directors." Nisita said very happily. He personally drove Ronald to the Cannon Company. Today is Minahan's notification of the first "breakdance" dividend. day.

"Our movie, breakdancing, has already exceeded 75 million in the American market alone. Facts have proved that our cannons, in the movie business, can make a lot of money!" wave!

   "Ouch!" The staff let out a happy cry.

   Entered Cannon's office and heard Minahan holding a staff meeting. On the stage in the projection room, Minahan held a microphone and happily announced the good news to the staff.

   "We'll give you a special bonus right away. In the days to come, we'll be making more and better movies. We're also going for Oscar and Golden Globe nominations."

   "Pap Papa" The employees quickly applauded when they heard the bonus.

"Next, we have to go both ways. On the one hand, we will shoot more commercial blockbusters. We have found Bruce Lee's partner, and Chuck Norris will continue to shoot commercial films. On the other hand, we have also found Ender. Lily Goncharowski, making art films…”

   Minahan was chattering to the staff for twenty minutes, and he finally saw Ronald arrive. Handing the microphone to his subordinate, he happily dragged Ronald to the conference room.

   "Your accountant has arrived, Lawrence, Lawrence", Minahan called the name of Ronald's accountant who arrived earlier.

   "Have you completed the reconciliation of the accounts?"

   "It's done", Lawrence smiled, this time the dividend was more than he expected.

   At the current position, America's box office total is in the early 75 million and is expected to exceed 80 million US dollars.

   Excluding the 37 million box office issued by MGM, the Cannonball itself issued nearly 40 million.

   The total gross profit attributable to the producers and distributors is about 30 million. Then take out the distribution costs that MGM divided, the copy production costs of Cannon Films, and the marketing materials costs of the scene. The final profit available for distribution is 15 million.

   According to the director's contract, Ronald can get 10%, which is $1.5 million in dividends.

   This part of the money is just the profit on the account, and all the box office revenue will be recovered, and it will wait until next year. Minahan certainly won't let this long and excessive billing period deter him from investing in other films.

   He used this income as a guarantee and borrowed a low-interest loan of 10 million US dollars from a Belgian bank. Today is the first dividend distribution, and Ronald can get half of the total dividend amount, which is $750,000.

   In addition, the sale of "breakdance" overseas is gratifying, because breakdance appeared at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, and more than 200 million viewers around the world fell in love with the dance. Countries have purchased a lot of film copies.

  According to the pre-agreed share ratio, Ronald can get 1% of the income of all overseas copies sold, which is 400,000 US dollars.

   A total of $1.15 million in revenue, much to Ronald's delight. This is the first time he has made more than $1 million from a single movie.

"Your friend Miss Jodie Foster has called and I've asked her to audition. We're the old fashioned way to let Goncharowski decide. Also, the filming of the breakdance sequel is done, do you want it? Come take a look?" Minahan had just enjoyed Ronald's joy of counting money, so he didn't drag him to say more, and after explaining a few words, he ordered the driver to send Ronald and his party back.

   quickly wrote a check to his agent, accountant, lawyer, etc., and he still had more than 900,000 dollars left. Ronald felt that he could indulge himself a little.

   "I want to buy a house in Los Angeles so I don't have to rent a house when I'm partying."

   "Haha, it's easy to buy a house in Los Angeles, but it's not that easy to buy a house where you can invite people in your circle to a party." Nisita explained to Ronald with a smile.

  In Hollywood, mansions are mainly distributed in three areas. One is traditional Beverly Hills, which has been home to the most powerful mansions since the 1920s. The richer you are, the closer you are to the top of the mountain.

  The second area is Malibu, where in addition to the typical sunny beaches of Southern California, there are many strange rocks, which are ideal for celebrity vacation homes. Many people go there for vacation in summer, but it is not suitable for permanent residence all year round.

  The third area is the gathering place for bachelors mainly on Mulholland Road. It is also known for its frenzied parties. But since the golden bachelors of Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando led the way, house prices here have also been driven up.

   The cheapest small building in the three areas, suitable for parties, also costs more than one million US dollars.

  It's not that Ronald can't afford it, but he doesn't want to put all his money into such a mansion, and he doesn't want to take out a mortgage. Instead, I want to invest in film production, or simply buy some stocks for dividends.

   "Well then, I'll keep renting. You find me a big house for a party, at least three living rooms, a house with three garages and a driver. Lawn and swimming pool, tennis court should also be sound."

  Nisita made an OK gesture to indicate that he knew, "Three garages? Are you going to buy a new car?"

   "Yes, my driver in New York, Bud, will be here soon. I want a good and proper car with a car phone in the back, and one that can read and write in it. Driving by yourself is a waste of time."

"Then Mercedes-Benz is the best for you. You have all the facilities you mentioned, and the price is not very expensive. The quality of German products is guaranteed," Nisita said. "With three garages, you have to buy one. A sports car?"

   Hollywood star actors, and directors, the first thing before and after, often is to buy a sports car.

   "Yeah, I want to see Ferrari." Ronald remembered Jane Morgan's teaching that he couldn't be looked down upon by others, he had to have a sports car commensurate with his status.

   "Welcome to Ferrari", a silver-haired salesman, stops Ronald and Nisita. He saw the handmade suits of the two and the Armani boat shoes on their feet, and he had a rough idea of ​​what models the customer could afford.

   "Please let me recommend this 308 for you," he led Ronald to an open-top Ferrari.

   "This 308 used to be the protagonist's car in the TV series MagnumP.I., so Ferrari fans also called her the Hawaiian Detective. The star Tom Selleck also drove this 308."

   Ronald pulled the car door and sat in, the driver's seat slightly smaller.

  Silver Sales helped him adjust the seat, "This is a compact Ferrari, and it is also the most suitable for entry. She is equipped with a 2.9-displacement V8 engine"

  The sale turned on the headlights, the 308 is a hidden headlight, and the headlight turned over from the front of the car with a snap. He got into the co-pilot and said to Ronald, "Try it?"

  Ronald went out with good deeds.

  The engine screeched shrilly, and Ronald drove around the road for a while, then turned off and got out of the car.

   "Do you still have a bigger one?" Ronald felt that the driver's seat was not very comfortable. The price of this car is more than 35,000 US dollars. It is indeed very entry-level and well-known. Belong to cheap. It's a pity that the space in the driver's seat is too small, and it is uncomfortable for him to drive.

   "Of course, look at this one"

  Silver Sales thought that Ronald was disgusted by the small displacement of the car, and immediately introduced him to the latest Ferrari Testarossa.

   This car has air intakes on both sides, and behind the door is a shark fin-shaped air intake.

   "The 4.9-displacement V12 engine can accelerate from 100 kilometers to six seconds. It is also the car of Don Simpson, the protagonist of another TV series "MiamiVice"."

  Ronald looked around the Testarossa. This car is a circle bigger than the 308 just now. The engine is a classic mid-mounted configuration. The whole car is square and full of power.

   After sitting on it, the driver's seat was very spacious, Ronald turned the key and caught fire, and also took a test drive. The power of this car is much better than before, and the sound is very wild. Ronald was a little unsure at first, but after getting used to it quickly, he drove very well.

   "This car is a little too big and too muscular." Ronald drove the car back to the original spot. The car started making a lot of noise from the engine. With the windows open, the passenger in the passenger seat couldn't hear it clearly.

   Coupled with the square lines at the front and rear, which is completely inconsistent with the streamlined design of a traditional Ferrari car like a female body, Ronald hesitated.

   "Are there any models in between?"

  The silver-haired salesman shook his head slowly. Although this man was handsome, he was obviously a layman of sports cars. For him, perhaps a 308 was the most cost-effective choice to go out with a face. This Testarossa sells for 67,000, which is a waste in the hands of people who don't know how to appreciate it.

  What a good engine, good design, in the hands of stars who don't understand cars, they are all waste.

"Vince, let this gentleman take a look at that parallel imported car." The dealership owner turned from the back, and he recognized Nisita, a client who could accompany the CAA's gold broker, It must be no trivial matter. Since he doesn't like these two cars, let him see the car that was introduced and the customer went bankrupt and shelved it here.

   "Okay, please come with me", the silver-haired salesman showed a painful look, which was specially designed and manufactured by Ferrari for participating in road GT races.

   At the back corner, a red Ferrari was parked quietly.

   "Isn't this the same as the 308?" Ronald looked at the front face, which was also a hidden headlight. Behind the doors are two air intakes, where the body narrows like a woman's waist.

   "No, he's unique." The silver salesman stepped forward to open the door and put the key in. Then let Ronald in for a test drive.

   Turning the key lightly, Ronald heard a soft engine sound, as if the girl was talking softly.

   is truly extraordinary. Ronald started the car and turned up the headlights. opened slowly. The front of the car's air intakes all look somewhat similar to the 308, but the air intakes on the sides are much larger. And the sound of the engine is very light, not the same as the sharp 308, the furious Testarossa.

   As soon as he stepped on the accelerator, Ronald felt the difference. The car's throttle response was swift, the engine was quiet, and Ronald continued to press the accelerator as if he were disdainful of showing off at this speed.

  "Woo..." The low engine was like a lady, chanting in a low voice with ease.

  "I'm satisfied, how much is this car", Ronald drove back the car and asked Silver Hair Sales.

   "This is a Ferrari GTO288, of which only 200 have been built in the world."

The silver-haired salesman caressed her softly, "It's designed for GT rally racing, with a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 racing engine. There's also an air-to-air intercooler, fuel-injected, and a longitudinally mounted pattern in racing configuration, That leaves room for the derailleur back, so wider tires can be fitted for more speed.

   Let me tell you, this is the fastest street-legal vehicle in America right now. Because only 200 were built, which did not meet America's imported car standards, the company had to use the company's exclusive name to introduce it in parallel as a European property.

   The company of the owner who happened to book went bankrupt, so I only stayed here for a few days, and it is expected to be snapped up soon. "

   "Okay, how much?" Ronald had an inexplicable affection for this GTO288, perhaps it was the gentle and strong feeling that made him find resonance.

   "The original price is 85,000 US dollars. After all the import procedures have been completed, the total is 95,000. If you have a company, you can go through the transfer procedures immediately." The shop owner came over and said.

   "Is it too expensive?" Nisita knew that Ronald didn't spend a lot of money on toys, so she wanted to haggle.

   "Just her", Ronald liked it more and more, took out the checkbook, signed it and handed it over.

   "Please wait a moment, I'll confirm." The owner took the check and went to the background to call the bank to confirm.

   "This is a beauty. It needs a strong man to appreciate, and a man with control to control it well." The silver-haired salesman came over and shook hands with Ronald, congratulating him on his vision.

   "I'll treat her well," Ronald nodded in agreement.

   I have a little delay today

   (end of this chapter)