Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"What conditions?" Ronald's tone softened.

Agent Rick Niceta was holding the phone at a distance from his ear to avoid the outpouring of profanity, when suddenly his voice became barely audible.

He put the receiver up to his ears, leaned his upper body against the back of the chair, changed into a comfortable position, and then slowed down his speech, trying to make his voice sound as magnetic as possible.

"Universal President Thom Mount is also very dissatisfied with Timothy Hutton's threats. He is not yet the golden boy of Hollywood, but he is just a candidate for the golden boy and is dictating film projects.

But now he is very likely to get a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Universal needed him to raise capital. You know, Ronald, those bankers only recognize Oscar-nominated actors.

He admires your script very much. It just so happens that another project of Universal, "Fast-paced Richmond High" also needs a screenwriter to revise the script, and Mount promised to have you come..."

"Hi!"

Ronald laughed angrily, "I was originally helping the author Cameron Crowe revise the script. Are you using what I already have in exchange for me giving up the screenwriter for the Grease sequel?"

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

"I raised your expectations to Tom Mount. You want to participate in film shooting and learn to be a director. So Mount agreed that you can participate in the entire filming process as a director's assistant or a producer's assistant."

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

"Are you still there, Ronald? I think it's worth considering Mount's offer. You'll be paid the same amount, but you'll be rewriting the script for 'Fast-paced Richmond High' and stepping away from writing the Grease sequel..." ” Niceta started talking into the phone.

"The rules of Hollywood are very simple. Whoever can get the money has the right to speak. The bankers saw that Jane Fonda was willing to star, so it was easy to get a loan of 8 million, and she could get a guaranteed salary of 2 million. .

Timothy Hutton was at the height of his popularity, and "Ordinary People" was both a hit and a hit. Bankers were willing to mortgage a loan of 3 million for him, and Universal was able to get the project started. "

"Then in this 'fast-paced Richmond High', who does the banker value?" Ronald asked, "How can I guarantee a foothold in this new crew? It's hard to guarantee that the guy the banker values ​​will.

He or she also dislikes me. In the end, I changed the script, but there was still no room for participation. "

"Haha, this is the wonderful thing about this plan, Ronald." Niceta finally relaxed. Ronald has begun to seriously consider giving up the Grease sequel. In this case, Ronald will not agree to modify the contract and have a dispute with the president of Universal. Stiff trouble.

Niceta continued: "This movie was approved by Universal because of its director. They have invited up-and-coming director David Lynch to direct this youth film. Director Lynch proposed to read the completed script before making a decision. Whether to sign a contract or not.”

"It's not that the big shots in these studios don't understand the rules of artistic creation, Ronald. Sometimes they are forced to do nothing. Stars will propose to modify the script to make it fit their own image, but they are the guarantee of the box office, and the bank Investors must see the star's signature before agreeing to financing.

But every once in a while, they will have an opportunity to let the creative staff create movies in full accordance with the laws of art. For example, your teacher Scorsese's "Raging Bull" is like this.

This requires the star to be willing to sacrifice his or her image for the overall artistic effect of the movie, 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 made "Taxi Driver."

David Lynch is such a cutting-edge director. His new film "The Elephant Man" has received very positive reviews from critics after its release. He hopes to compete with your teacher Scorsese in the awards season next year.

Lynch is an art-oriented director. You don't have to worry about him revising the script because of any stars. As long as your script satisfies him, he will definitely make it into a movie faithfully. "

Ronald was a little moved, "Of course I am confident that I can write a script that satisfies him, but can he guarantee that he will be faithful to the original intention, not blindly change the script, and can he allow me to participate in the entire filming process?"

Niceta covered the phone with her hand and couldn't hold back a smile. Young people often like to accept challenges, let them choose in the direction you want, sometimes just challenge their self-esteem in the areas they are good at.

"After careful consideration, I feel that Universal is sincere, Ronald. Lynch's 'The Elephant Man' is also adapted from a film about a man with a deformed skull who performs a freak show in a circus and is later killed by a kind-hearted man. The story of being saved by a surgeon.

Critics say the movie is very consistent with the spirit of the original work. You know what, Ronald. Lynch, who had directed only one feature film before, was making a living repairing people's roofs before a producer approached him. Mr. Mount, the president of Universal, is a discerning person and he gave the green light to the project.

All you lack is experience, Ronald. On this movie, you can take your pick of positions as assistant director and assistant producer. If you continue to learn the art of directing from Lynch, you might be able to find someone who appreciates you next time. "

"I've got to think about it, Rick. Words of mouth are worthless in Hollywood."

"Of course, the relevant terms will be written into the contract. Would you rather choose a director's assistant or a producer's assistant?"

To Niceta's surprise, Ronald was more inclined to be a producer's assistant. The reason he gave is also very simple. The director's assistant is very busy on the set, while the producer's assistant just checks the shooting progress every day and has a lot of time to observe the director's methods.

"I went to coordinate. The actual producer of this film was Art Linson. He himself also had a strong interest in directing and wanted to learn directing skills by observing Lynch's shooting.

You will have a common language. I will find a way to arrange for you to meet later, so that he can arrange as little work as possible for you and focus on studying on the set. " said Rick Niceta.

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

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

The director's assistant is a position very closely related to the director and is usually appointed by the director. Any position with the word director on the set, such as first assistant director and second assistant director, are positions where the director has greater power to decide on candidates.

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

Ronald believed that he could learn from it the short version of directing skills that he urgently needed and how to train actors.

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

Ronald briefly stated that he suffered a setback in his screenwriting work and that he would lose the opportunity to work on the "Grease" sequel. The agent may compensate for the screenwriting revision work on another film.

"Don't worry, Ronnie." Aunt Karen hugged him. "No matter what you choose, we support you and we will always be proud of you, Ronnie."

"Thank you, Auntie." Ronald sat down. The TV debate was over.

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

CAA's policy of multiple brokers also means that each broker can contact him independently. They independently negotiate business for Ronald. Sometimes they themselves have differences, depending on which broker the client trusts more.

Rick Niceta is more nervous about working with major studios than having multiple clients. Ronald trusted Richard Lovett, who had only one client of his. His interests are highly consistent with his own.

"Don't worry, Ronnie." Auntie asked Donna to take out a box of VHS tapes from the video recorder. "I've recorded it all, so you can take it back and read the debate carefully before deciding which candidate you want to vote for. The first presidential vote in my life is exciting. I also participated in President Kennedy's Peace Corps that year. "

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

"Abc Television conducted a sample telephone survey during the debate. More than two-thirds of the viewers believed that the former California governor won the debate. Especially in three areas: solving the Persian hostage crisis, lowering inflation, and cutting taxes. We have achieved an overwhelming advantage on issues such as social security. The leadership’s advantages on issues such as social security are not as obvious as expected.”

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

"We really need to reduce taxes. You have to take a good look when you go back." Ronald looked at the video tape in his hand.

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