Exploiting Hollywood 1980

The next morning, Universal's distribution department compiled the audience feedback data and handed it over to the senior management for them to meet to discuss this summer's film distribution plan.

"The special effects part of et Alien is still being stepped up production. We will be able to complete the editing in early March and open it to the audience for trial screening."

Speaking was "ET" producer Kathleen Kennedy. She came to negotiate the film's release date on Spielberg's behalf.

"I have great confidence in Steven. Will E.T. be scheduled to start the summer movie on June 4th?" Shenberg, as a loyal fan of Spielberg, also came to the meeting to schedule the summer movie to start. Put it forward for the other party to choose from.

"June 4th is the release date of another movie produced by Steven, 'Poltergeist,' and we hope it can be staggered with ET." Kathleen Kennedy proposed the idea of ​​​​Amblin's production.

"That's an MGM/United Arts release," Tom Mount chimed in dissatisfiedly. Amblin wanted the two films he produced to be released at staggered times, but this conflicted with Universal's interests.

The weekend before Veterans Day in May happens to be the scheduled release date of United Artists' "Rocky 3". If United Artists picks up "Poltergeist" in early June, then Universal's ET will be hit with weight whether it is advanced or postponed. level competitors.

In advance, we will encounter the third installment of the two consecutive blockbuster "Rocky" movies, and later on, we will encounter the second installment of Paramount's "Interstellar" series of movies, both of which have already proven successful in the market. In the sequel to the movie, et Alien may have a bloody head-on collision.

Tom Mount was originally not optimistic about the box office performance of young movies like E.T., and now it seems that it will collapse under the pressure of powerful competitors, making Universal's financial report this year very ugly.

However, this was also a blow to Shenberg, who was keen on filming et, so he simply shut up and let Shenberg take all the responsibilities.

"Can ET open a week later, on June 11?" Shenberg ignored Mount's response and instead discussed with Catherine in a pleasant manner.

Spielberg's "The Lost Ark of the Covenant" has been in theaters for seven months and is still taking in nearly two million dollars a week.

This achievement was contributed by less than 700 theaters. The average box office per theater was US$2,800, which is higher than most new films.

After winning last year's 1981 summer box office championship and the Christmas and New Year holiday box office championship, the film industry has begun teasing that The Lost Ark of the Covenant will also win the Valentine's Day weekend box office championship.

A director who makes a hit movie like this,

There is no need to worry about the lack of cooperative studios. Mount has no idea what movies will be successful.

Now it's time for the seven major studios to vie for Spielberg, and whatever outrageous demands he makes can be negotiated.

"We are very satisfied with this release date. The following summer releases..."

"Universal can guarantee that it will not release new films to compete with ET before July 16th," Sheinberg continued.

Kathleen Kennedy expressed satisfaction, said goodbye to several Universal executives, and went to report to Spielberg.

"But we also have 'The Best Chicken Room in Texas' starring Dolly Parton, how do you arrange her schedule." Mount raised a question.

"I'll explain to Dolly that her film, which is a period musical, will actually do better in August."

“There’s also a ‘fast-paced Richmond High’ that could be released in July?” Ned Tanin interjected.

He remembers Ronald's courage to hand out a check to endorse him, and coupled with the good feedback from the test screenings, he has now become a supporter of "Fast Pace".

"I remember there was a test screening of this movie. What was the feedback? How was it performed?" Sheinberg asked.

"The audience gave it an average score of B+, which is very good among youth dramas." A female vice president said after looking at the report sent by the distribution department.

"Very good, let's book it for July 16th. We will make adjustments based on the box office performance of ET." Shenberg looked at the report prepared by the distribution department. The outline said, "The audience feedback has been positive, and it is recommended that summer releases be released." Release" conclusion.

He smiled as he recalled going to the scene with Spielberg to support the young director. Spielberg admired him very much, and the test results were well received.

It's a teen movie anyway, as long as the audience likes it.

Several senior people have finalized the release of the summer file.

After the meeting, Ned Tanin called his secretary. He wanted to bring over the copy that Ronald had cut and read it over. He invested 300,000 yuan in reshoots to see if the quality of the film had been improved.

If the quality is good, your support at the time will turn into results.

"Mr. Tanin, you have a guest. Mr. Francis Coppola from the Peep Show Company is looking for you. He said he has an appointment with you."

Just after watching the beginning, Ned Tanin was interrupted by his secretary. He waved the projectionist to stop the screening and asked his secretary, "So have I made an appointment with him?"

"Yes, Mr. Coppola has made an appointment with you to negotiate a distribution contract for his new film."

Taning stood up and said to the screening room, "We will continue playing when I come back."

"Hi, Francis, long time no see, you are still so young and energetic." Tanin hugged Coppola. He was once the executive producer of Coppola's younger brother George Lucas' film "American Graffiti" and had many dealings with Coppola.

"Will your new movie 'Old Love, New Love' premiere on the 17th next month? I will make time to watch it."

"Thank you, this will be a movie that completely expresses my ideas. I'm here today to talk to you about the distribution contract for the new film, Ned."

Coppola also kissed Tanin twice. He knew that this Universal executive had a hot temper, but he seemed to be in a good mood today and was just in time to talk about things.

"Tell me about your new film plan. I heard that you have won the rights to adapt Se. Hinton's best-selling book?" Taning looked at Coppola and replied directly.

Coppola's financial situation was worrying. In order to make up for the financial shortfall of "Apocalypse Now", he refused MGM's $2 million director's commission, but insisted on his own 'Peep Show' company to produce "Old Love, New Love" ", I want to pay off the loan in one fell swoop.

The filming of the film was seriously over budget, and Coppola's editing was not favored by the studio. It changed three distributors in a row, and finally Frank Price, an Anglo-Saxon executive from Columbia, helped secure the distribution contract.

However, after being acquired by Coca-Cola, Frank Price was unable to protect himself and was besieged by Coca-Cola's airborne vice president. Coupled with the fact that test screenings of "A New Love" were abysmal, Coppola's efforts to find a distributor for the new film were fruitless.

In fact, everyone in Hollywood knew what Coppola was up to. He wanted to turn around by making new movies and avoid the bankruptcy of Peep Show Company, but he encountered obstacles everywhere.

As a qualified Jewish film company executive, Tanin knew that many people were like him and would rather wait for Coppola to go bankrupt before signing a director contract with him, rather than helping him out of trouble.

"Hinton's movies are selling very well right now. Last month, her other movie adaptation of 'The Texas Man' was edited by Disney and was screened with good response. If this movie can be a big hit in May, I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't be happy to give you a publishing deal, Francis."

"I understand you want to see how Hinton's adaptation is received by audiences. But I can't wait that long.

I like this book very much. After reading it for the first time at the airport, I thought it was Gone with the Wind for high school girls, or the Godfather for high school boys. "

Coppola stopped going around in circles with Tanin. He knew exactly what these Jews were planning. I just want to wait for my peepshow company to go bankrupt and get a bargain.

Coppola has found overseas distributors willing to distribute his new film in Europe and elsewhere. As long as a North American distribution contract can be signed, the money from overseas publishers will be available.

Chase would roll over its own loan and provide new financing to film Hinton's most iconic film.

In this way, the financial hole Apocalypse Now created for himself will slowly be filled.

To finish filming Apocalypse Now, Coppola took out high-interest loans, draining his financial reservoir.

The old love and the new love photographed in order to fill the hole, but the future seems not good at present, and it may create a bigger hole.

In order to prevent the mortgage of the vineyard and house from being repossessed by the bank, the only way to solve his own problems is to continue to shoot new films with the Peep Show Company.

Fortunately, The Godfather has given all studios an expectation that he can still make movies, and he can make blockbuster movies from time to time.

"Well, Francis, do me a favor. I will propose a project, but only Sheinberg can give the green light."

"What's the deal?"

"Watch a movie for me and evaluate it."

"I don't have much time." Coppola knew the character of these Jews very well, and everything had to be exchanged.

Although there are many Italians in the film industry, most of them are artists. Not many people hold high positions in business and management.

"Just watch for a while."

The projectionist continued the screening, and Coppola watched patiently for a while, became interested, and finished the movie with Tanin.

Tanin asked Coppola how he felt, "How was the filming?"

Coppola chuckled, "It's a very good movie with good technology. It reminds me of those movies made by Roger Corman back then."

"If I guess correctly, he must have completed the filming within schedule."

"Yes, how do you know? Except for a few reshoots at the end, he didn't even use up the budget."

"He has the imprint of Roger Corman-style low-budget movies. If he is a new director, then he should get rid of this shackles as soon as possible..."

Coppola shook his head.

"Some of the shots were shot with great talent. It can be seen that he has watched a lot of classic old movies."

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