Exploiting Hollywood 1980

On January 2, 1983, Ronald got up early and prepared to go to New World Company to discuss the filming arrangements for "Night of the Comet".

Roger Coleman is a person who doesn't like to take vacations and likes to work. This year he did not go on vacation with his wife Julie and their three children. So Ronald made an appointment with him to go to the office today to discuss the arrangements for "Night of the Comet."

Although there are still some funds that have not been received, it does not prevent us from making preparations from the early stage and establishing the crew. We also need to find the most important director of photography and art director, two key people who must be added in the early stage.

In addition, notifying major agencies and starting auditions for supporting roles, all of which require an initial investment of money, so we need to get things started first.

Ronald was tying his tie in front of the mirror, and the ABC morning news came on the TV. .

"According to the TASS news agency, the Soviet Union's Cosmos 1402 nuclear-powered satellite has lost control and is falling into the earth uncontrollably.

This is the second time a similar situation has occurred since Universe 954 crashed into Canada in 1978 and caused nuclear contamination. America's NASA said it will fully monitor the trajectory of satellite 1402 to ensure that similar disasters do not occur. "

"Oh." Ronald was about to go out. Hearing this sensational news, he couldn't help but take a second look at the news.

"Should it be okay? The earth is so big, it won't fall to America."

In a world where two powers compete for hegemony, "nuclear" is a nerve-wracking word. In addition, after the accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in America, people became allergic. Anything with the word "nuclear" will trigger an automatic defensive reaction.

After putting on his coat, Ronald drove to the New World office.

This place is still as low-key as it was a few years ago. There are no corporate signs outside the door, but the red and white exterior walls are a little more shabby than in memory.

"I came to see Mr. Roger Coleman and made an appointment with him." Ronald announced his home address softly to his secretary.

"Mr. Coleman has a temporary guest, please come and sit here for a while." The secretary led him to the lounge.

Coleman didn't stick to his schedule, which was rare. Ronald drank his coffee and thought about some of the points he would discuss with Roger today.

"Mary, open a bottle of champagne for us." Ronald, who was thinking about something, suddenly heard Coleman's voice and looked up.

Roger Corman's office opened a crack;

Coleman stuck his head out of the office door, smiling broadly. He ordered the secretary to open the champagne, as he seemed to have something good to celebrate.

"Ronald, are you already here?" Coleman looked at Ronald walking out of the lounge and hurriedly signaled to him, "Wait for a while. I'll talk to you after I finish my work here."

Ronald nodded and sat back on the sofa. This time he waited longer. It took a full half an hour before he saw Roger Corman sending three people in suits and ties out.

"We hope you will come to New World often in the future, and we also want to put up a sign at the door." The man wearing glasses, the leader of the three men in suits, said to Roger Coleman.

"Larry, Harry, Larry, the new world technically belongs to you three. You can do whatever you like to her, my friends. This office will belong to you next time you come here." Cole Man hugged the three of them one by one and said goodbye.

"We will take over the company after the New Year holiday and will hire a good CEO to manage the company. We also hope that Mr. Coleman will continue to produce more exciting movies for New World. We have great trust in your production ability. of."

"Who are you going to find as CEO?"

"There are several candidates, all of whom are senior management talents from the seven major studios..."

Coleman escorted three well-dressed men out.

"Huh?", Ronald thought, "What's going on?"

"Mr. Coleman sold the company?" Ronald walked over and asked Coleman's secretary in a low voice.

"They talked several times last year, and this time the deal was concluded after a while. Maybe they offered a very high price. Ronald, I know you have worked here before, and it doesn't matter if I talk to you.

I read the last agreement, and they stated that they would bring in new management. I wonder if the new manager will respect us as much as Mr. Coleman does. Or give us a salary increase? "The secretary quietly chatted with Ronald.

"Ronnie, let me talk to you about the next arrangements." Roger Coleman returned to the office after seeing off the three men. He waved Ronald into the office.

"Did you sell the company? Mr. Coleman." Ronald asked straight to the point. What he wanted to ask most was how to fulfill the distribution agreement he signed with Coleman.

"Yes, those three Hollywood lawyers did the calculations through Wall Street accountants. They thought my new world was worth a lot of money and gave me a price I couldn't refuse. I didn't think my distribution network was worth that much. many."

Coleman took a champagne glass and poured a glass for Ronald.

"Congratulations, Mr. Coleman. It seems that their offer is very good, and you can retire and enjoy your life." Ronald stepped forward and clinked a glass with him.

"Yeah, I can retire." Roger Corman picked up a check on the table and flicked it. "Anyway, it will be reported tomorrow. Seventeen million, one thousand fucking seven million." .My New Century business has been in business for a total of ten years, and I have not made so much money."

"Oh," Ronald opened his mouth in surprise. Seventeen million is a lot of money for Ronald, equivalent to the cost of two medium-sized productions from major Hollywood studios, or one large-scale production.

Or to be simpler, you can make three of Cameron's "Terminator" films and a dozen of your own "Night of the Comet" films.

"Lawyers are really rich nowadays." Ronald sighed.

"Hahaha, you are wrong, Ronald. That is not their own money, it is lent to them by Wall Street. Since last summer, the Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates very low. Now coupled with the low inflation today, many banks are willing to Lend money to these lawyers who are familiar with the situation to invest in the film industry.”

Coleman put his feet up on his desk, and his joy was palpable, "Seventeen million just bought all the distribution networks in New World, and I can also own the film library of all the movies I have shot in the past.

I reserve the rights to re-release them, sell them to TV stations, or make them into video tapes, and other derivative rights, including the 'Rock and Roll High School' you helped me sell. I will probably sell it to the TV station, and you can still get a share of it by then. .

They are very optimistic about my distribution network and think that is the most valuable part of the company. Although I don't agree with their views, I really like the price they offered this time, hahaha. "

"Let's not talk about this anymore." Colman saw Ronald's slightly anxious smile and quickly changed the topic, "The distribution contract for your movie is included in the scope of the transaction. You don't have to worry about it. It won't affect your other Financing.”

"That's great, congratulations again, Mr. Coleman." Ronald poured Coleman another glass of champagne. He was also happy for his former boss, who had worked hard for half a lifetime making exploitation films and finally made enough money to retire.

"Yeah," Coleman took another sip and unbuttoned his shirt. "My sales agreement with them includes that I will continue to serve as a senior consultant for two years. I will produce five films every year for them to distribute. The distribution fee is a very cheap 15%. I have included your film in this year's One of the five.”

"By the way, what's the budget for your new movie?"

"I'm still at least two hundred thousand dollars short, and I'm still looking for it. I asked Gale to help me find the money as well."

"Well, the five hundred thousand investment in you should remain unchanged. When they take over the company, I will arrange for them to meet you again.

The new owners of New World Company may like your movie. When you come back to discuss the release schedule with them in two days, I will help you ask if they intend to invest more in order to fill the gap in this part. superior. "

"Thank you very much, Mr. Coleman."

"Don't say that, I will make more money by helping your movie to be released, hahaha..."

…

"Gale, guess what I saw today? Coleman retired and sold his company to three lawyers for seventeen million."

Ronald returned home and immediately called Gail.

"How much? Seventeen million?" Gale exclaimed on the other end of the phone, "I have to go see him. Maybe with this kind of money, I can invest in Jim's new movie."

"Will he invest so much money? Coleman has never made big investments. And what I heard from him is that Roger will retire after taking this money."

"Don't listen to him. Don't you know Mr. Coleman's character? How can such a person be idle? And he has long been complaining that no one is willing to release low-cost movies now. The drive-in theaters are becoming more and more popular now." There are fewer and fewer of them. Nowadays, shopping malls and department stores are equipped with movie theaters.

His old multi-hundred-thousand-dollar laser gun biu biu biu has long since stopped working. Let me tell you, Roger has long said that he also wants to invest two to five million US dollars in a science fiction movie to compare with Lucas's Star Wars. "

"Hahaha, let's see what he thinks. Now maybe he will shoot Jim's six million dollar laser biu biu biu." Ronald replied.

"Yes, I will go to New World with you at the right time. It will happen to promote your project to the new managers of New World. Maybe we can make up for the investment. Now Roger is in the honeymoon period with them. They I should still trust Roger’s vision.”

"Yes, Roger told me the same thing. We will go and ask together then."

After hanging up the phone, Ronald fell on the bed and began to think wildly.

Seventeen million, who said there is no money to be made in exploitation films? If you could have 17 million, what would you use it for?

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