Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Jerry Weintraub was a Jew who came from a poor background. He relied on his daring to think and act. He called Elvis Presley’s agent day after day for more than a year and finally convinced Elvis Presley to quit. He came back from retirement, held a national tour, and made his first pot of gold.

He later became the tour promoter of Frank Sinatra, the famous Hollywood "rat pack" boss, and the tour promoter of Bob Dylan. In addition, he also worked for the Carpenter Band, The Beach Boy bands and others are involved in organizing and planning large-scale concerts.

In addition, he is also the manager of the famous singer John Denver. But his most famous management business is his wife Jane Morgan.

The famous songstress was thirteen years his senior, and two hours after meeting Jerry Weintraub for the first time, the two rolled into bed. Soon Jane Morgan divorced her husband and married Weintraub. .

This is Jerry Weintraub, a shrewd, greedy, street-smart, yet friendly Jewish businessman with many friends.

Ronald arrived at Jerry Weintraub's mansion in Beverly Hills. The huge living room has large floor-to-ceiling windows on one side, offering a bird's-eye view of the mountain scenery. The custom-made leather sofa is very large, and sitting on it is Jerry Weintraub, who is tall, has a typical Jewish big nose, and has a shrewd face. look like.

"My dear, I won't disturb you any more about business." Jane Morgan stood up from the sofa and went to another room.

"Mr. Weintraub, I wonder what story you want me to write through Mr. Frank Price?"

"It seems Frank didn't lie to me. You are indeed a talented and capable young man." Jerry Weintraub stood up and shook hands with him. Growing up in the Bronx, New York, he has an extraordinary intuition. No matter who he meets, he can quickly tell whether he is a friend or an enemy. This intuition has allowed him to survive through ups and downs. Became a tycoon in the music industry.

"I once had my name in the film 'Nashville' directed by Altman, but I really entered the film industry and made a film with 'diner' which was released last year. With a budget of 5 million, I finally got a 14 million box office results.

At the beginning, the distributor was not optimistic about the movie and even fell asleep while watching it. I threatened them to buy the movie and distribute it myself, and then they started to take it seriously.

In the end, I made a lot of profit.

This made me very interested in the film industry. I feel that many Hollywood producers have lost their judgment on audience tastes and trends, so I wanted to give it a try. "

Ronald listened quietly. Weintraub was obviously a very ego-conscious person, and he had to dominate any conversation. Especially when faced with a young director like Ronald, in his opinion, he might as well understand the mysteries of film. If it weren't for the fact that I couldn't write a movie script and needed an expert to write it...

"Frank recommended you to me, and I also checked your resume. You participated in the recent "Flashdance", and I am very satisfied. Because the story I want to shoot is also adapted from a true story that was published in the newspaper."

"Get it for me," Jerry Weintraub handed the wine glass in his hand to Ronald, then stood up and searched for a while on the huge desk, and took out a copy of the newspaper.

"I always pay attention to the news, and there are great opportunities out there. On the day my wife and I went to see 'Flashdance,' this report caught my attention." Weintraub handed over the copy Ronald.

Ronald took it and read it. It was a story about a child who was constantly beaten by bullies in his neighborhood. After begging his mother, a single parent, he went to karate training.

After long-term training with a Japanese instructor, he gained practical fighting ability. He eventually won a local karate competition. Because he had the ability to defend himself, the gangster who beat him took the initiative to apologize, and no one dared to bully him anymore.

"My biggest feeling about learning karate is that once I learn how to protect myself, I won't have to hit others with karate in life. Martial arts is not for bullying others, but for self-defense." At the end of the interview, the child said, Said something like this.

"Do you think this little martial arts story could possibly be expanded into a movie script?" Jerry Weintraub looked into Ronald's eyes and asked the question.

"I'm afraid I'm a little thin and need to add different elements, Mr. Weintraub," Ronald said. "The core of the story here is actually a weak boy who defeated his enemies and himself through martial arts training. The process, this is our favorite story in America.”

In the context of America, karate is not only the Japanese karate, the Chinese Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do can also be included in the category of karate, as long as it is a bare-handed fighting technique without weapons, it can be counted. So in fact, the scope of this word can be expanded to all empty-handed martial arts.

"But this story alone is not easy to move the audience and develop the characters. I think since he is a young man, he definitely needs a romantic love. Martial arts kills two birds with one stone here, not only helping him defeat bullies, but also helping him win the favor of a beauty. "

Ronald simply took out his pen and drew a diagram on the back of the copy.

"And this karate gym also needs a mentor to teach this young man the role of a master. In addition, there are some villains who need to be defeated, so that a solid story can be formed."

Of course, Ronald didn't want to spend his life making R-level exploitation films, so he kept watching Hollywood classics, especially studying the works of screenwriter master Billy Wilder. It also allowed him to figure out some tricks for himself, so that he could talk convincingly in front of Jerry Weintraub.

"What do you know? You just convinced me that I am willing to hire you to help me write this movie script." Jerry Weintraub respects people with professional abilities. He always only focuses on the key points and pays attention to the details. Give responsibility to someone more capable. When I heard what Ronald said, although I didn't quite understand it, it was obvious that Ronald knew how to write a script.

"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Weintraub." Ronald was very happy and ate another two hundred thousand dollars.

"Call me Jerry, Ronald. Would you like some brandy, too?" Jerry Weintraub was very happy after confirming the screenwriter candidate after the interview. He took out another cup and poured Ronald a cup as well.

"This is the first time I plan a movie from a story. Before, others came to me with scripts. Do you need any help? You can ask me."

“I thought I needed some down payment and I could do some research. I was a high school wrestling guy myself and I know a little bit of Chinese wrestling, which is an ancient skill.

In addition, karate once flourished in America in the 1970s, but with the death of Bruce Lee, it gradually declined again. I would find some friends who knew karate and study the moves carefully.

You know, this kind of kung fu movie is actually the same as a musical. You have to design good-looking movements in advance to make the movie good-looking. Some moves are useful, but they don't look good on camera. Some moves have no real effect, but are very visual in front of the camera. "

"I'll listen to you. Let your agent come and talk to me about the signing."

The two clinked glasses.

"Do you know why I like this story? Because I admire the Japanese people very much. Their management ability and hard work spirit are amazing, just like the art of karate, fast, direct and powerful." Jerry Wentlaw Bu put down his glass and imitated Bruce Lee and hit it twice.

"Actually, karate did not originate in Japan. It is an empty-handed martial art from Ryukyu. And this martial art was passed from China." Ronald had played in a karate gym in Los Angeles several times before and chatted with the coach. Learned a lot about the history and techniques of karate.

By the way, that coach is no longer in that gym. Try to talk to him, maybe we can learn more details. What is his name? I have to go back and look for the business card.

"It's very good. This is the plot I want to see in the movie. It's historical, ancient, mysterious, and one hit." Jerry Weintraub became happier and happier as he talked.

"But now we still have to make this master a Japanese. Now when Americans talk about Japanese, they are awesome, admired, and afraid. We have to use these emotions to make him a Japanese. This is the only way to be honest."

"Jerry, you may not know that Ryukyu is the ancient name of Okinawa. We can just let the master be born there, which is also consistent with the historical facts of karate."

"Very good," Jerry Weintraub said, gulping down the brandy.

When Ronald returned home, he began to look through the business cards he had accumulated over the years. Finally, in the corner of a shoebox, I found the karate coach I had once sparred with, Darryl Vidal.

"Do me a favor, Richard, find this guy. He is a karate instructor. He used to have a gym in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, but he moved away a few years ago. Maybe you can learn about him from the Karate Association. information."

Ronald went to CAA and handed the job of searching to his agent Richard.

Niceta had already received the signed contract and the advance check of $20,000.

Ronald thanked him and took it.

"Do you know who wrote the script for Rambo 2?" Niceta asked with a smile.

"who?"

"Your friend Jim Cameron. Stallone heard about his reputation for that robot script and thought of him."

"Hahaha, just in time, he is short of money, I will give him a call."

…

Jim Cameron had originally received a business as a screenwriter for the "Alien" sequel script. He also had his own "Terminator" that needed to be constantly revised and perfected, and he was very busy at home. Now the character from the third script has also arrived, and now he is even busier.

Now he puts three scripts in different locations, and then sets the time. Each script is allocated four hours a day, and then breaks down the writing and revision of the script. Every time the time comes, he changes to another location and continues writing.

"Jim, I brought you something." Ronald handed a book he wrote to Cameron.

"What is this?" Gale took it helpfully.

"When I wrote Rambo 2, I wrote some plots and ideas. If you think they can be used, use them."

"Oh, I don't know how to thank you. I was already very busy, and now I have picked up another book."

"You don't even take a break."

"Hey, I have to support my family, and Sarah has agreed to divorce me, so I still have to pay alimony." Jim said softly.

"Then you have to use it. Stallone has fallen out with me anyway, so just don't let him know it was my idea."

"and you?"

"Me? Don't worry, I found another job."

7017k

Please remember the first domain name of this book: . :