Exploiting Hollywood 1980

The news that Universal decided to give "Fast Time" an emergency release on the East Coast was immediately sent to the office of Ronald's agency, CAA.

"Where is Ronald?" Niceta asked Richard. Universal couldn't find him to tell him the good news.

"He told me that a friend invited him to dinner. During this period, I asked him to inform me when he was traveling. There might be good news."

"Well done. We have to consider renting a long-term apartment for this client. A director whose debut film sold 20 to 30 million yuan cannot live in a motel all the time."

Niceta told Richard, "Go to the hotel and wait for him to come back, and tell him the good news as soon as possible. Ned Tanin will talk to him tomorrow. This old cunning guy also needs Ronald's support now." ”

Ronald was treated to dinner by his former boss, Roger Coleman and his wife, Julie. Ronald walked into this restaurant with unique decoration. It was opened by Greek immigrants and specializes in Greek cuisine. It is located near Hollywood. Business was good during dinner and it was already full of people.

"I received a call from your new secretary, saying that when you invited me to dinner, you thought someone was playing a prank on me, Mr. Coleman." Ronald was brought to the dining table by the waiter and saw the Colemans and his wife. A joke first.

"Hahaha." Julie Coleman was amused and laughed. Roger's stinginess had reached a certain level.

"Do you know? Ronald. Roger was invited by Joe Dante to guest star in "Three Times". He played a person outside a phone booth, waiting for someone to finish the call and rushing in. After picking up the extra ten dollars on the phone, The old guy who returns cents."

"Hahaha," Roger Corman said. Instead of being offended by Dante asking him to guest star in a compromise role, Roger Corman found it very interesting. He liked the guest experience very much.

Ronald took his seat with the help of a waiter. Greek cuisine is famous for its various olive oils, low-fat foods, and wines. The three of them slowly tasted the delicacies and started chatting.

"Henry Fonda passed away two days ago," Coleman said of the biggest recent news in the industry.

"I asked Jane that his father left a will not to hold a funeral, but to be cremated and buried in the church."

"Hey, I worked with his son, Peter, on many exploitation films back then. Peter didn't like working with big studios and insisted on producing independently. However, the last film his father directed and produced as a guest star failed at the box office. He won’t be filming anymore, and the movie market is really not doing well right now.”

"That's why Ronald's success is so rare, isn't it? Peter's movie still had Brooke Shields as the protagonist.

It didn't sell either. "Julie interjected from the side, interrupting Coleman's nostalgia.

"Yeah. Congratulations, Ronald. You know what? Every director who comes out of my career, after they make their first successful independent film, I treat them to dinner to say congratulations."

"Thank you," Ronald gestured, raising a glass filled with white wine.

"Actually, I feel the same way as Peter. The internals of big studios are too complicated. My movie was involved in high-level personnel and almost failed to be released."

Ronald told Coleman everything he knew.

"I now want to not cooperate with a big studio for my second film and produce it independently. At least this way I can stick to my own shooting ideas and not be influenced by office politics."

"Then you may only be able to make films for small producers like me. The film market is like this. The annual box office last year was less than 50 million US dollars. Big studios would not dare to invest in large-scale productions."

"I don't mind. A small production of three to five million US dollars is totally fine, as long as it can be released and make money. I want to start some scripts after this period of time. I will also have some savings by then, and I can invest some myself."

Roger and Julie looked at each other, "Then we'll wait to see your script."

Unexpectedly, inviting Ronald to dinner would bring unexpected rewards.

Ronald's filming this time will definitely make him famous in the industry. As long as he comes up with the script and shows his willingness to direct, someone will definitely be willing to distribute and invest. As long as you provide the shooting team and distribution channels, you can enjoy the benefits.

"Actually, I invited you here this time because I hope you can invite Roger to make a cameo when you direct a movie in the future. One of his current hobbies is acting. He has appeared in many movies of his past disciples and friends." Julie put down her wine glass. , said to Ronald.

"Really? Roger also likes acting?"

"Of course, Coppola made me play a cameo as a senator in his Godfather Part II."

"I will remember it." Ronald looked at Roger Corman's appearance, and it turned out that he was very suitable for playing roles like a sanctimonious teacher, politician, or boss.

“There’s a lot of buzz about your movie ‘Fast’ right now, and my two older kids love it too.”

"Yes, I'm surprised too. I feel like I don't know what I did wrong."

Ronald, this is the truth. The sudden popularity of the movie surprised many of the actors who participated in it, and they suddenly became celebrities.

Fortunately, he was the director, so he didn't appear on screen or give interviews, so fans didn't know him.

"Several leading actors have called me to thank me. They seem to have suddenly become famous. When they go out, they will be surrounded by people and ask for autographs.

The funniest thing was Ray Walston who played the teacher. He called me and said he was very happy. Now walking on the street, people finally no longer call him Uncle Martian Martin, but now call him Mr. Hand. "

"There are also many film critics who are saying good things about you. You can ask your agent to help you collect them. It will be very interesting to read in the future." Julie added next to her.

"Speaking of film critics, what's up with that Roger Ebert from Chicago? Why is he so upset with me?"

Ronald was a little bothered by what the TV show "Bald and Glasses"...no, "Sisco and Albert" had said about himself.

In the weekly film review show hosted by the two, Bald Sisko gave his "Fast Pace" two and a half stars out of four, saying that the film has some controversial plots, but the protagonists Sean Penn and Phil Bee Cates's performance is unconventional, and as the director's first work, it deserves encouragement. Half a star is enough to give a recommendation.

But Spectacled Albert was highly critical of his own creation. I think the movie is vulgar and has low style. Only Jennifer Jason Leigh's performance shows star potential in the whole movie, so I can only give it one star.

"Don't worry about the criticism of film critics, I never care about them." Roger advised him not to be angry.

"The profession that Albert and his colleagues are engaged in is parasitic on the film industry. Originally, film criticism was a way to market movies. Now audiences increasingly rely on weekly box office rankings and recommendations from friends to choose films. The industry of film criticism is changing. Gradually losing his original influence.”

"They are both from Chicago. Sisko is from the Chicago Tribune, a higher-level newspaper with a larger circulation, and its readers are mostly white-collar workers. Albert is from the Chicago Sun-Times, a subway tabloid. The readers are not high-level, just those Destroy the underbelly of the disco movement."

Roger knew some of the ins and outs, and he himself was constantly scolded by film critics.

"These are people who have been dissatisfied with Roe v. Wade and want to overturn the Supreme Court decision. So it's normal for him to be dissatisfied with the abortion scene in your movie."

Julie knows better, "Feminist organizations in Los Angeles love your movie very much. They think the actions of the protagonist Stacey are brave and smart, and they think she is a benchmark for female characters in related youth movies to deal with similar plots. "

"Yes, don't be scared by them. These people are forced to become film critics because they failed in making movies. For example, Roger Ebert himself used to make exploitation films, and he was still the kind who relied on exposing vulgar taste. Seed." Roger Corman exposed Abbott's background.

"Ah? Is that so? Is this the jealousy of losers towards winners?" Ronald thought to himself.

"Yes, he used to be involved in the low-budget film industry, and everyone in Hollywood who made exploitation films knew him. In the early 1970s, he tried to return to Hollywood and work as a screenwriter.

As a result, "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls", which he wrote, was rated "

"I didn't expect there to be such dark history." Ronald listened with interest.

"He later participated in the screenwriting of several movies, all of which were production.”

"Who are these people?" Ronald lowered his head and ate a piece of roast lamb. The lamb in the Greek restaurant tastes very good. Drizzle it with some lemon juice and pair it with white wine. It melts into the mouth after entering. The taste is layered and delicious.

Back at the hotel, Richard was already waiting for him at the front desk.

"Why are you here? What's the matter?" Ronald saw that Richard seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

"You are finally back. Universal asked you to discuss the release of 'Fast Pace' in the Central and East Coast tomorrow morning. They will urgently arrange several media meetings, including Dallas, Chicago, and New York."

"Oh, yes!" Ronald received another surprising piece of good news. He clenched his fists and yelled "yes" several times at the front desk of the hotel! , attracting several guests to look over.

"We'd better find you a high-end serviced apartment. If you live here all the time, it will be very troublesome if we can't find you if something happens."

"Okay, help me arrange it."

Early the next morning, Ronald came to Universal's headquarters to discuss arrangements for an emergency road show. The time schedule is very tight, and we often only have a dozen hours of stay in a city. After accepting a joint interview with the media at the hotel, we will fly to the next stop.

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates, will go through the process with him.

"Ronald, what a good boy. I knew you would succeed, and the reshoot budget I approved for you will be worth it. Brooke Shields' cameo in the end was very good."

Ned Tanning came over to congratulate Ronald and asked someone from the marketing department to take a photo of himself and Ronald.

"Please believe that Universal will fully support your movie marketing."

"Thank you, Mr. Tanin." Ronald answered calmly.

"Fast-paced is sure to be a hit at the East Coast box office."

"Thank you, and good luck to you!" Ronald shot back, echoing the exact words Tanin said to him when he announced the reduction in the scale of the show.

News of Tom Mount's resignation had already spread, and Tanin's compromise on the key vote proved to be a big mistake. He does need good luck to cling to power.

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