Exploiting Hollywood 1980

After the premiere of   , Helen and Ronald got together for one day and returned to New York. She wants to be working with a few like-minded actresses to co-create the films she wants to make, all female films with actresses in the lead roles.

   Ronald also got the box office data for the premiere of "Secrets of Success" on Monday of the second week. More than 1,300 theaters, with a box office of nearly 7.8 million.

  Especially in Ronald's hometown of New York, the film set off a movie-going boom. White-collar workers in Manhattan lined up to go to the cinema to watch the movie after get off work, and even the New York Times published a special praise.

"Bentley, played by Fox, is living the double life of a mail room boy and a senior manager, pretending to be someone else's name in the company, and doing two jobs that best understand the business situation, which inspired Bentley's nature. of ingenuity.

   Of course, the film is full of tributes to the '61 Broadway musical 'How to Succeed Commercially With No Efforts'. "

   "Huh?" The more Ronald read, the more wrong it became. How could this sound like he was accusing the screenwriters of "Secret of Success" Jim Cash and Jr. Jack Epps of plagiarism? The two also rewrote a version of the script for "Top Gun". Although not many of the plots they wrote were adopted in the end, they were signed after all.

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

   "Isn't it said that this film is based on Spielberg's experience? Why does the New York Times film secretly mock him for plagiarizing a 61-year-old musical?"

"Because it's very similar, that musical is also a satirical story about a young man in a small town in the countryside who took a shortcut to get to a high position by dating the boss's lover. But when this movie came out, I watched a lot of viewers, but instead It is viewed with an appreciative eye.”

  Simkins finished filming "The Nanny Adventures" from Toronto with his screenwriter, and is now back in his Los Angeles office to continue collecting and selecting scripts for Ronald. He has been working in the screenwriting room, and he is more familiar with these old scripts than Ronald.

   "This screenwriter cheated?" Ronald has been in the circle for a long time, and he knows that many screenwriters deliberately choose some old movies, old dramas, make a face and pretend to write them.

   It’s just that this time it’s too close to the original, it’s only twenty-five years old, and many film critics who have watched the drama at the time remember that it’s been exposed, and they don’t know how Universal will deal with it.

  The ridiculous screenwriter also swears that it is based on the true events of Spielberg pretending to be a staff member at Universal when he was young and occupying an office by himself.

   "Just judge for yourself. I have the original script and the 51-year-old novel of the same name. I'll have someone send it to you."

  Ronald read the original script sent by the errand.

   Well, maybe Spielberg did the thing about occupying a spare office, which was adapted from the script. But the main story of the script, and the two main jobs of the protagonist, the mail room and the senior manager are very similar to the original version, and the plot of the general manager's lover fornication is exactly the same, it is indeed plagiarism.

   "This is going to happen." Ronald asked for the phone number of Vincent Camby, a veteran film critic of the New York Times, and personally called 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 it, when will your new movie be released? I'll have a sneak peek."

  New York's film critic circles respect the New Yorker's film critic Pauline Kyle. Vincent Camby, who is older than her, is no exception, and both are directors of the New York Film Critics Association. Hearing that it was Ronald calling, he quickly became acquainted with him.

  Ronald talked about the release time of his new film, and by the way invited the other party to watch the film critics' special. In addition, I talked about my interpretation of his evaluation of the "Secret of Success". Does it imply plagiarism?

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

   "No no, the heroine Helen Slater, I recommended it. I have read the script of the old musical you mentioned and wanted to confirm with you."

   "It turns out that Helen is yours. I can tell you clearly that it's not the first time those two screenwriters have done this. Your Top Gun is also full of scenes from many classic westerns."

   Well, Ronald is really unfamiliar. He checked with Vincent Camby, and it was true that many of the passages written by these two people were plagiarized.

  This is not something he can completely stay out of, Ronald picked up the phone and called his agent Nisita.

   "I have a message..."

  …

"Nisita said you have some important news?" Universal's president, Tom Pollack with a squinted eye, specifically asked his secretary to change his schedule to receive the youngest Hollywood blockbuster director Luo. Nader Lee.

  Who asked his agent to take things seriously on the phone.

   "This is a film review written by Vincent Camby," Ronald turned to the page where plagiarism was revealed, and marked it with a marker.

   "This is the original screenplay and novel", then two thick books, "I checked with Vincent Camby. He didn't mention it directly out of an abundance of caution."

Tom Pollack looked at it and covered his face with one hand, "Shxt, this musical was also adapted into a movie in 1967, produced by United Arts, I remember seeing the top ten box office over the years, and I have an impression of this name. Those people all eat dogs..."

   "Hey, wait for the person in charge of script review to come to my office." Pollack picked up the phone and briefly explained to the secretary.

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

  Ronald felt a little furry in his heart, but he couldn't show his mockery of other people's physical disabilities.

   "I just thought it was serious, so I came to interview you. I don't have anything in exchange for you, just hope Helen doesn't get affected, and my friend Michael (J. Fox

   "I'll remember. Don't worry, Universal's PR department is still strong, I'll keep the film critics tacit, I'll blacklist these two little bastards, and then notify all the other studios.

   By the way, you are also a member of the Producers Union now, right? Last time I went to a meeting to meet your general manager Eddie Cohen, it's time to share these blacklists with you. I'll have someone bring a copy, you'll keep it a secret. "

   "Thank you then."

  Ronald got up to say goodbye, Tom Pollack always works like a clock, don't waste any more of his time.

   On the way back, Ronald turned over the blacklist shared by the industry. He really felt that the exchange was very rich, and it really was a good intention.

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

   But these common dishonest, plagiarized, and rambunctious names are also a very important tool for small companies to avoid losses.

"These producers, if I don't ask them, they won't give it." General manager Eddie has also vaguely heard of such a blacklist, but no one took the initiative to participate in the memories of the Producers Union several times. prompt him.

   "Keep it well, and make a copy. Usually it's not for senior management. Don't read it." Ronald put a copy directly in the safe of his apartment.

   "The Secret of Success" officially took the top spot at the box office on Monday night after all the movie box office statistics were released.

   and his "BlindDate", which was released on the front and back feet, were both dumped to second place, with only $4 million at the box office.

  This romantic comedy is starring Bruce Willis and Kim Basinger, the hottest comedy star on TV. There is still a long way to go from the "secret to success".

  Ronald went to see it and felt that his acting skills were exaggerated and he had a strong TV drama style. Kim Basinger also failed to boost the box office of the movie. After all, she didn't take off in this movie.

   Next, is "Lethal Weapon", which has been released for more than a month. The male protagonist is also another Australian male star who has a relationship with Ronald, Mel Gibson.

   This kind of action film with comedy elements is very popular now. In particular, 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 use body language to make people laugh.

   Further down is Nicolas Cage's "Raising Arizona," which was a weird movie that also did well at the box office.

   The last is "Field Platoon", which was released for 5 months, and still has a tenacious presence at the box office. There is a lot of momentum to copy last year's "Top Gun" and become a box office nailer.

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

  Tom Pollack's measure is very effective. Over the next few days, Ronald noticed that there were no more "secrets of success" hints of plagiarism in the reviews.

  The movie lived up to expectations, earning an average of $5,700 per museum. Continue to sing in the middle of the week, and it will be the box office champion.

   Two prominent film critics in the Chicago Film Critics Circle also reviewed the film on TV:

"The secret to success seems to be trapped in some kind of time machine, as if the script has been sitting in a drawer at the top of Universal since the 1950s, and no one wants to update it. Starring Michael J. Fox, and Helen Hunt, are the only Two highlights.

This strange movie is difficult to classify, from sitcoms to burlesques, from **** farces to business war plots, only the performance of the two leading actors can lead the audience calmly, through the congenital defects of the script, through countless quicksand traps, Reach the climax of the ending. "

"Shit..." Ronald turned off the remote control. Roger Albert was a very shrewd person. He dared not reveal the daughter of Gerald Slater, the general manager of PBS, which broadcasts his own TV movie review program. If you are a little dissatisfied, you have to be careful to say good things.

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

   "Please wait a moment, I'll go out right away."

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

   "MJ's manager Dario called. He is free to see us tonight." Ronald thanked Bannon who opened the door for him, and took the seat on the right side of the back seat.

  Bannon turned from the back of the car to the left to get on the car, "I put the copy in the back, let's go."

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

  Bannon was the first to ship a rough-cut copy of the new movie 'tBuyMeLove' in a limousine. A Wall Street banker, he has always paid attention to this kind of pomp.

   "I've already written a letter of recommendation about your cousin Donna. You're looking for someone to write a letter for the screen fund. I'll send it to the president of the company on Long Island along with her resume.

   That guy is a mathematician. Unlike us, he is a very technical person. But I can still talk to him and deal with him. I will call him. "

   "Thank you then." Ronald saw that Bannon was so concerned about his own affairs, and knew that most of Donna's wishes could be fulfilled.

"Do you think MJ will like our demos? What price will he give us?" Bannon turned his head and began to test whether MJ agreed to grant the copyright of the Beatles songs and the naming rights of the film, testing Rhona Germany's influence before him.

"It's hard to say, the artist's ideas are complicated. But I watched the demo, and the ending was very good. Artists are also a group of people who are easily moved. Maybe they can get a good price, such as a severe discount. "

  Ronald didn't know how much face Michael Jackson could give himself, so he didn't say enough. It's different now than when Ronald shot him the "Captain Yoon-O" short a few years ago.

  MJ's current album sales have broken the record of all singers' single albums in history. Now in the music world, MJ is in a state of asking for anything. At the moment when the new album is about to be released, being able to take time for more than an hour to watch the film is already for the sake of an old friend.

   "Oh, is that right? I rarely deal with musicians, wish us luck." Bannon muttered, sitting in the back seat silent.

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

  MJ's manager Dario, with a bald head, came out to greet Ronald and Bannon in person.

   "It's all on the cart." Ronald pointed to Bannon, who was pushing the cart behind him, carrying a rough cut copy of "Love Is Not For Sale".

   "Where is MJ?" When he arrived at the screening room, Ronald looked at the empty hall, with only a few backup dancers sparsely seated in the back.

   "He's very busy right now, and he has a lot of things to be sure about the new album. Columbia has high hopes for the new album. Come over when he's done talking."

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

   The three waited for more than two hours in the private screening room. Bannon had already drank three large cups of American coffee, and Ronald also started shaking his legs from boredom.

   "Looks like a long night tonight." Bannon's eyes on Ronald no longer had the respect he had just now. In front of America's biggest pop star right now, everyone is about the same, waiting. Looking at this situation, maybe Ronald doesn't have much face to sell here in MJ.

   "Ronald, are you here, have you seen the MV of my new song?"

   After another half hour, a slender and gentle male voice finally appeared in the screening hall.

  Dario rushed up with a stride and led the way to MJ.

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

   "John Landis, he's working for me now," Michael Jackson said with a smile.

  Ronald was taken aback for a while, the name had not been heard for a long time. It caused an accident that year, and the director who beheaded the actor Vic Morrow paid a high price to Morrow's family and two other Asian children.

   His level is actually very good. Now MJ is looking for him to direct the MV, which is a bargain.

   "Let's start." After MJ sat down, he habitually gave orders softly.

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

The one hour and twenty minute movie quickly came to an end because there was no song authorization, and at the end Amanda Peterson, and Patrick Dempsey, riding on the lawnmower, thought about driving away, kissing passionately together , no soundtrack.

  “’tBuyMeLove…”

   A very typical black male voice began to sing the Beatles' "Love is not for sale". The scene adds harmony to the end of the film.

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

  "'tBuyMeLove...", those who danced in the back, and the harmony group, also began to sing with MJ, and began to join in.

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

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

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

   "You know what? I was a kid with my dad and a few older brothers, in the Ja5 choir, on TV across the country, and going to live shows. Every night when I went to bed, my older brother would come back with some pretty girls.

   I was very inconspicuous at that time, and I always wanted to get such a pure and unadulterated love in the movie.

  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 light, dressed in black, and sat there.

  Ronald wanted to ride the heat to get the authorization.

   "Of course, of course, you're the best, Ronald. Your films have always moved and inspired me."

   "You're a talented artist, it's amazing to be able to move you. But I'm not the director of this movie."

"Hey, I know, you don't want to be named, a movie is like a song, you can tell from the paw print that a tiger has come. The heroine's eyes are full of hope, it must be your handwriting, right? ?"

   "Uh... That's right." Ronald thought, he saved Amanda Peterson from Tom Mount's tiger's mouth, so her eyes could keep this light.

   "Mr. Jackson, Mr. Dalio, do you agree that the Beatles' songs are licensed to us for this movie? I don't know what the price is? We hope to use it as an interlude at the beginning and end of the film, and also as the name of the movie..."

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

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

   "Minimum? According to the requirements of the union, the minimum license is 15,000 US dollars for movie episodes, and the title is 15,000 US dollars. But that is usually for budding singers..."

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

  …

   "Satisfied? This is a floor price."

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

  Bannon took it carefully, then looked at Ronald several times.

   "This person is unfathomable. MJ originally asked for 1 million for the copyright of the song, and sold it to us for 15,000, with the movie naming rights."

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

   Actually Ronald doesn't know why MJ is so moved by this very ordinary teen romantic comedy. Could it be that he was also a girl who couldn't get a girl when he was a child?

  It is quite possible that the star of the Ja5 chorus at that time was his eldest brother Jackie.

   "Your extra production costs should be put to good use, to buy some film critics for marketing, or to put in more advertisements on MTV, which will all work well."

  Ronald knew that Bannon's psychological price was almost one-third of the asking price. He prepared $200,000 to $300,000 to buy the copyright of the song. I didn't expect a tenth of it to be used.

"I'll personally fly back to New York and take Donna to visit the NYSE, and investment banks like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, .... And all the brokerages on Wall Street that can scale, all those who have had big projects in the past two years. Broker..." Bannon turned around and said something completely unrelated.

   "Working on Wall Street, networking is also very important. Donna may not be suitable for the working environment there, but with my introduction, those important people still need to know.

   After that, I will personally send her to the Renaissance Investment Company of Professor Simmons in Long Island, where he manages the Lin Luo Yin Columbia Fund, which mainly invests in funds for some Ivy League universities.

   Donna can intern wherever she wants. I will guarantee that she will use her professional ability to find a job as an assistant researcher at the Lin Luo Yin Columbia Fund. "

   "I don't know what to say except thank you." Ronald had no choice but to thank him. Donna was one of his closest relatives.

   "It's okay, it's my honor to be able to do something for you." Bannon felt that he had been bumping around in Hollywood for more than a year, and it was only now that he was sure that he had found the man of destiny who could take him to the top.