Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   Chapter 628 The Matthew Effect

   "Ronald, you've become a very good director. I didn't see that you had this talent at the time. I only knew that you were good at fighting." Jerry Zucker made a joke when he saw Ronald.

"Hahaha, but I can understand that the three of you are amazing. Comedy can also produce high-grossing movies. It's not easy." Ronald said to Jerry Zucker, his brother David, and The three friends, Abraham, embraced in turn.

   "Hey, hey..." Jerry Zack also did a "crane kick", "I'm going to parody it in my next movie, don't you mind?"

   "Uh...I don't mind."

   "It's useless if you don't mind, digging hahaha..." Zach started to be ridiculous again, he followed Ronald's rhythm of thinking and always gave unreasonable answers.

"That's probably the box office password of the three of them." Ronald is no longer the original crew assistant. When Roger Coleman talked about it before he came, he already knew that the three liked to joke and prank. Not entirely for character reasons.

  The rhythm of the comedy is very demanding. When they often chat with people, they have to test the reaction time of each other, and then who knows? If this joke works well, maybe your ugliness will appear in their next script.

"Seriously, comedy is not difficult, but it is difficult to accumulate. It probably takes us two to three years to accumulate enough material to start a movie. That's why we all only make our own scripts, because comedy is too personal. melted."

   Let’s get down to business, the Zac trio are also very enthusiastic about Ronald, and they introduced their creative method, which is to grind slowly. The three of them continued to create and revise the bridges until each scene was perfect, and the audience couldn't help but laugh.

"Comedies are very particular about the size of the performance. If the audience laughs for a second longer than you expect at the previous joke, they may not hear the beginning of the next one, which is a serious accident for the next joke. One wrong timing and it will ruin the next three laughs."

Jerry Zucker is the head of the trio, "But your script is still well written. The female kidnapper's requirements are relatively low, and she doesn't need too much acting skills. Most of the jokes on the male kidnapper are also It is caused by plot twists and conflicts, and in fact, it does not necessarily have to be comedians.

   The key is the hero and heroine, the wealthy girl who hates losing weight, and the husband who wants to kill his wife to get the inheritance of his old husband. Actors with comedy skills are essential. "

He quickly flipped through a script, "Hey, your script is really good." Jerry Zach pushed his brother David with his elbow. Look here, there is a reversal of the plot, the kidnapper turned out to be a rich man The inventors of the product, they are all ordinary people, and they take risks for what they deserve. "

   "And this, the rich girl was locked in the basement, watching the fitness video on TV, and actually lost her waist that she couldn't lose."

   "Hahahaha, look at this ransom. At the beginning, it was 500,000 yuan, then 100,000 yuan, and finally even 10,000 yuan and 5,000 yuan. The husband refused to give it, and the rich girl cooperated with the kidnapper."

The    trio began to discuss the script, and they often played the roles in it, discussed the rhythm of some lines, and picked up a pencil to mark it.

   "Do you like this script so much? Would you like to make an exception to direct it?" Ronald saw that the three had entered a working state, thought for a while, and simply put forward his own invitation.

   "I thought you wanted to direct yourself, Ronald?" Jerry Zucker pushed up his glasses and looked into Ronald's eyes.

"I have this idea, but after discussing with real experts, I found that it requires too much research and talent. I'm afraid I can't direct it by myself. If you want, I can talk to Disney, oh yes, they are real people now. The film department has been assigned to touchstone, contact touchstone and ask Katzenberg to talk to you? Mr. Eisner promised me that as long as there is a suitable script, they can provide some investment and distribution channels."

  Jerry exchanged opinions with the three of them, "Then please, you will be a producer at that time. We are not familiar with Disney's personnel, we only trust you."

   "Of course there's no problem with that, but I can only put my name on it. You don't need me to take care of anything because of your level. Just help you block some people who don't understand and pretend to understand, and come to the crew to direct blindly."

Of course Ronald knew that the trio of Jerry Zucker were also the best-selling "Unprecedented Flying" and "Top Secret!" The director group of the two high-grossing comedy films, so you don't have to worry about finding the main character. Katzenberg, who was produced by Disney Tube, worked with him on their first two films.

   But everyone is an artist after all, and they are the most reassuring to be able to work together. In this industry, there are too many executives who do not understand production. Having Ronald in name as a producer can scare away some of the affiliates who want to come to gilding.

  At the appointed time, Ronald took Jerry Zucker to the office of Disney's new production director, Katzenberg.

"Jerry? I thought you wouldn't shoot someone else's script?" Katzenberg received a call from Eisner, knowing that Ronald would come to talk about a new project, but he didn't expect that Ronald would bring It's the Zack trio.

"Thanks to Ronald, we really liked the 'Wicked Man' script, how can we say it? We almost laughed off our heads. But it's sad to think that it wasn't written by us, and making an exception for it is completely It's worth it. I don't want to wait two years for enough jokes."

"Very well, Touchstone can invest six million shooting budgets and guarantee a distribution contract in North America. If you need more funds, you can raise it yourself, is there any problem?" Katzenberg is very happy, and finally Touchstone can get a The script that hopes to sell well, as the opening masterpiece of this small label, can't be better. "

   "Zac and their ZAZ production company can be responsible for the remaining part. My daydream makes up for the remaining investment and leaves some maneuvering." Ronald said the investment ratio that was negotiated before.

   "So..." Katzenberg pointed to Ronald, "You are the producer of this movie."

   "I will be named, and the touchstone can be to find a specific assistant producer to be responsible for some details. After all, I have other projects in the works. We will also send an assistant producer to supervise the daydream."

   "Very well, I have no problem. The casting is up to you." Katzenberg opened a bottle of champagne. With Ronald's guarantee and the successful combination of the trio, the two big-selling directors were optimistic about the script, so he just had to sit back and enjoy the success, and leave the rest to the legal affairs to worry about.

   "What do you think about casting?" Jerry Zucker left the office, and still found a place to sit down and talk about preparations. He still politely asked Ronald for his opinion on casting. This is the statutory authority of the producer.

"I think the two protagonists are the key." Ronald planned to talk in general terms. Seeing Zach nod, he continued, "It's better to have a contrasting effect. That rich girl has to find someone who everyone thinks is ugly, who speaks loudly, and is very impressive. Hate actress, so as to form a contrast with the subsequent reversal plot.

   Husband's actor, I think it's best to find someone who is short and wretched, so that the audience can take the image of marrying an ugly girl for the sake of family wealth at a glance..."

"It's very close to what I think, if you make a comedy, we'll be crumpled." Zach joked again, "But if you have any candidates, you can tell me that as long as the supporting roles match their appearance, Acting is not very important."

   "If I can, I'd like to recommend an actress, Helen Slater." Ronald felt that he couldn't do the role that originally belonged to Helen in his dream, so he quickly expressed his recommendation.

"Understood, that girl is very beautiful. I watched her Billy King movie. Although the box office was not good, she played the role of modern Joan of Arc with excellent temperament, which is exactly the type you are most fascinated by at your age." Jerry Zucker frowned at him.

   "Uh...I didn't mean that."

   "Then what do you mean?"

   "I don't mean anything... No, I just think she is suitable. Her father has helped me a lot."

   "Hahaha, I lied to you." Zach laughed, "Don't worry, I will leave this vase to your beautiful lady.

  …

   "We don't plan to introduce the heroine of Elizabeth Sue, and focus the story on Miyagi-sensei, and Daniel and his apprentice. Because of a telegram, they returned to Ryukyu, where Miyagi was born, to complete the unfinished grievances."

   "Why not keep her?" Ronald looked at the script outline of "Dragon Power 2". This one mainly tells the story of Miyagi, which echoes and faintly echoes the story of Daniel in the previous one.

  The story takes place in a small fishing village near the U.S. military base in Ryukyu, the hometown of Master Miyagi. In this way, in order to explain that Daniel had made a girlfriend from a beautiful girl from Dongying, the plot needs to let Ali, played by Elizabeth Su, be separated from Daniel at the beginning of the plot.

"It's possible that we could make this film into a series, Mr. Weintraub. If she doesn't play Ali in this episode, what would a possible third installment do with Daniel's return from Ryukyu? Anyhow? It's a cameo, just let her come for a day. Give her and Daniel a reason to argue, for example, Ali is going to go to a preparatory college and has to separate from Daniel.

   In this third part, we can also arrange the story of Daniel's two girlfriends meeting in America, just as they both have practiced karate. I'm afraid many viewers are also interested in beautiful women playing karate. "

Ronald put forward his own opinions, Elizabeth Shue went to Harvard to study, the screenwriter of the second Weintraub found a new Dongying girlfriend for Daniel, left a gimmick, and kept the integrity of the character Ali Sex is the better choice.

  Otherwise, as written in the script, Ali dumped Daniel for the football player, which contradicted the character of Ali in the previous work.

"What you said also makes sense, so I asked the writing team to revise it. Elizabeth Su was loved by many boy audiences in the first part. She has a great temperament, and she is not only the girl next door, but also the Harvard girl. It's right to keep her."

  Weintraub agreed with Ronald, "What else do you think needs to be revised?"

   "I'll take a close look at the script first, and sometimes I'll sleep with it, and I'll have inspiration and ideas the next morning." Ronald picked up a copy and put it in his bag.

   "Hahaha, you can make up good stories in your dreams, Ronald."

"Forehead……"

  Weintraub didn't know that he had told the truth, and patted Ronald on the shoulder, "This time we will go back to Hawaii to shoot the scene, where I know a big landowner who can use his manor for free.

   You can also invite the deputy commander's family to come over for vacation, and borrow his Marine Corps No. 2 helicopter to take a few shots.

   Elizabeth Sue's side, I will contact her agent, she will know who is trying to support her. "

Weintraub winked at Ronald, "Anyone who has tasted the heroine's taste will not be satisfied with the job of a college graduate. If she wants to go back to Hollywood, she must know who can provide her with real s help."

   "Uh, that's not what I meant."

"No matter what you mean, she has to thank you, doesn't she? As long as this movie can catch up with the previous film, I will be more sure of taking over the United Arts label." Weintraub was thinking about the MGM boss, Whether the promise of Las Vegas tycoon Kerkorian can become the small boss of United Art mainly depends on Ronald.

  …

  Ronald found himself shooting two mid-budget productions, "Dragon Mighty Kid" and "Top Gun," with tremendous power.

  It has been rumored in the industry that Ronald's new Tom Cruise film will throw him into the status of a new generation of stars with a catapult in one fell swoop.

   Ronald, in the eyes of the executives of major studios, has transformed from a master of low-budget movies with a touch of stone to a powerful director of mainstream movies.

   The big sales of low-budget movies are difficult to replicate, while mid-budget movies can be more assured. As long as there is a strong director, plus a big star, a good script, and strong publicity, the certainty of making money still has a certain chance to meet expectations.

"So you promise?" Twentieth Century Fox's CEO, minority option owner, Eisner's former boss, Barry Diller, met Ronald in his office to discuss Gail Hurd's role as "Alien 2" Producer thing.

   "I promise, Gail is the only person who can control Cameron on the set. The last time I shot them the ending scene of Terminator, I almost got scolded to death by Jim. In the end, Gail came up with a feasible solution."

   "Lie, you can control Cameron." Barry Diller scolded, but his expression was a warm smile.

   "Uh...I didn't mean that, I mean, I have other projects and can't be the producer of this 'Alien' sequel. Gale and Cameron are the best."

   "I know what you mean, Ronald." Barry Diller lit a cigar. "You too?"

"Thank you", Ronald took the cigar from the 20th Century Fox boss, "Actually, picking up the program halfway is not a good choice for Cameron. If the filming is good, people will give the credit to the first Ridley Scott, it's all Cameron's fault if the filming is not good.

   But he wrote the script, and the special effects scenes worked for him. As long as someone is watching him on set and letting him play well, you can definitely make money. "

"I understand what you mean, but what I mean is..." Barry Diller exhaled, "When are you coming to make a movie for us at Fox? Director, producer, character, whatever you want. Investments in participating in production are also available.”

"Forehead……"

   "Don't deny it, I know you're with Eisner and you're on good terms. I just want to remind you that what Disney can give you, we Fox can give you too."

   "I remember, Mr. Diller." Ronald felt that some of Eisner's ways were probably learned from Barry Diller, direct, quick, and understanding of your opponent.

   "Get your friends here and get Joe Vezan, the VP of production, to sign the contract."

  Barry Diller is happy, and his relationship with Ronald Lee, the emerging director, is much more important than the sequel to that "alien" horror film. The big boss of 20th Century Fox, the former oil tycoon Marvin Davis, sold a part of the stake to another tycoon from Australia, the news tycoon Murdoch, who started from Fleet Street in London.

  The two of them will also join hands to acquire the Metropolitan Media Television Network and make friends with someone like Ronald. As long as he can make a blockbuster movie for Fox, their status with the new boss will be improved.

   Unlike Marvin Davis, who is a layman, Murdoch is an expert in the media, and he has to come up with a little practicality.

  …

  "Aunt Karen, Eric", Ronald returns home, where his aunt and new boyfriend Eric live, and they start traveling across the country. This time, I was accompanied by Bud Jr., traveling around Los Angeles, and just came back from Palm Springs today.

   "Sorry, I'm too busy to spend time with you."

   "It's okay, it's good to have little Bud to accompany us." My aunt made some dishes by herself and watched Ronald eat it.

   "You seem to have something on your mind, Ronald, what happened?"

Aunt    keenly sensed Ronald's anxiety.

   "It doesn't really matter, I'm just not used to it." Ronald could say anything to his aunt. He said that he had suddenly improved his status during this period of time, and was treated politely by several senior executives of major studios.

   "Honey, all the answers are here." Auntie went to her travel bag, took a hardcover book, and handed it to Ronald.

   "This is the one that Eric went with me to pick out. It's a Quaker in America, an early reprint of the King James edition."

   Ronald took it and looked at it. It was a relatively old Bible. However, this kind of book has a large number of publications, it is not very expensive compared to other antique books, and the quality is not bad. The King James Version is an older English translation. It is famous for its concise and beautiful words and good rhythm of recitation. It was once all the rage.

   "Look here" Aunt helped him open to Matthew chapter one.

   "To everyone who has, it will be given to him, that he will have a surplus;

  Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away. "

   "A person already has some fame, and more fame will be added to him in the future, even if he doesn't deserve it. You just have some reputation for making movies and making money, you want to..."

   After talking, my aunt smiled. My nephew has never made me worry, and he will understand it better than he himself. "You see, Ronald, don't be fooled by appearances."

   "Thank you, Auntie." Ronald hugged Aunt Karen.

   (end of this chapter)