Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Ronald, have you read the Chicago Sun-Times?" Weintraub called again. "Let me read it to you. Albert said good things about you throughout the article and gave you a perfect score of four stars." .”

"I'm reading," Ronald didn't bother Weintraub this time. He felt happy when he saw the words full of praise and Albert's admission that he had misjudged his directing ability.

"Ding dong", after making the call, the agent Richard rang the doorbell.

"Are we leaving now?" Ronald put on a new hand-sewn suit, which he found newly made by Armani Clothing in Los Angeles. Italian cut, perfect for your figure.

Richard had changed into a larger Toyota Camry, and the two went to the headquarters of Twentieth Century Fox together. Today, Ronald received an offer from another studio that actively invited him to negotiate.

"We come to see Mr. Noel Black, we have an appointment."

Noel Black is still in the meeting. Ronald and Richard had to wait at the door.

"Didn't you agree on this time?" Ronald was a little dissatisfied. Now he is considered a successful director who can direct medium-sized productions. Even if you are a senior executive of a studio, it is rude to not be punctual.

"Ronald? Is that you? Ronald?"

Another shout of surprise came with a strong South African accent.

Ronald turned around and saw that this was not the time when he was working for Roger Corman. When he went to the Montreal Film Festival, he met the one...the producer of "God Is Crazy", what was his name? …

"Mia Toski", the other party saw Ronald's dilemma and took the initiative to remind him of his name.

"Mia, it's really been a long time no see. Are you here this time?"

"God Is Crazy has finally obtained permission for a large-scale release in America. This time we are coming to the top management of 20th Century Fox, hoping that they can give us more theaters. In any case, a mere fifty theaters are completely insufficient." of."

"That's really missing." Ronald still remembered this unique comedy. "What? The American government sanctioned you?"

"Yes, it has been loosened. Mandela of the African National Congress has been transferred from the poor conditions of Robin Island Prison to a prison with better conditions in Cape Town. The doctor is giving him a comprehensive physical examination. So, After we made a special application to the American Congress, we were finally able to release the film in America.

"

"That's great. After we finish talking, we will find a place together today to chat."

"Definitely, we traveled to many places in America, and it's rare to see a Hollywood person like you who is so enthusiastic about helping us." Mia shook Ronald's hand and agreed.

…

"How about my script? I rewrote it based on my memories of my experiences when I was young. I cherish this memory and have always wanted to find an opportunity to film it."

Noel Black finally finished the meeting and summoned Ronald in his office. When he came up, he handed the other party the script of "Heart and Soul".

"Written from memory," Ronald glanced at Blake, who was already in his forties, and thought to himself, "No wonder it smells musty. This is all a high school experience in the 1960s. Is kissing in high school already out of bounds?" Racing in classic cars and the stereotype that Latinos are bad people, how can young people in the 1980s tolerate this?"

"I know you are a screenwriter, and I respect your opinion very much. You can mention anything." Noel Black was eager to promote the film in a short time, so he treated Ronald like a corporal.

"Mr. Black's script is very exciting. I have to read it carefully before I can give a specific opinion. But from my simple reading, it seems that it is a little older. Those antique cars may not be understood by today's audience. .”

"No, Ronald, those are the beauties of my youth. Anyone who owns one will find it easy to pick up girls."

It seems that he really likes his script.

“Then let’s give the audience a little more ice cream, and let’s have a little revealing scene when the male protagonist is seduced by this girl.

"Isn't it R-rated? I hope more people can see this movie, especially middle school children."

"This is a balancing act, Mr. Black." Ronald felt that he had nothing to say. He was so persistent with his script, so he might as well direct it himself. How can this kind of old script attract the audience if there are no interesting shots?

"Well, I'll think about it."

The words were not congenial, and the two of them couldn't talk anymore after talking for a while.

"It seems that he is also a director who prioritizes business. Should I listen to him and make an R-rated film? This way, although there will be fewer viewers, it may be able to be released for a longer period of time." Noel Black in Ronald After saying goodbye, he began to think about his thoughts, "No matter what, let's go according to his opinion. If we don't start filming this month, we will have long nights and dreams when the new president comes."

Ronald found Mia Toski and his party, and they found a small restaurant to eat and chat together.

"So you have a deal with Fox?"

"No, they still insist on only showing it in fifty theaters." Mia shook her head. Hollywood has always been biased against South African movies, believing that such a small market cannot produce high-quality products.

"Then what are you going to do?" Ronald felt that it was a crime that such a high-quality movie could not meet more American audiences.

"We plan to release them one by one." Mia Toski is worthy of being the daughter of South Africa's largest cinema chain owner. She made up her mind, since 20th Century Fox, the only one of the seven major movie theaters that was interested in them, was not interested in them. If you are willing to release it on a large scale, most people will not be able to do it if you find others.

"Showing it state by state?"

"Yeah, don't you know? In America, there is no law restricting producers from finding theaters for screening. Everyone looks for distributors because they think they are cheaper. I'm crazy about God too." I am very confident in the quality of the industry. As long as we work on it one state at a time, we will be able to accumulate very good profits in one year."

Ronald raised his glass to express his admiration for Mia. This kind of distribution is very hard work. The screening laws of each state are different. They have to carry hundreds of copies with them all the way to America. If they don't have great ideas about opening up the American market, they have no motivation. In this stupid way.

"Since you said that, you must not have signed an exclusive agreement with Fox. I know two small-scale distributors here. They may be interested in your movie, but most of their distribution theaters are relatively poor second-tier... …”

"It doesn't matter, Ronald, we are willing to..." Mia stood up excitedly.

"Relax, since you're interested, I can call them both and we'll make an appointment to go to the movies."

Ronald had in mind Roger Coleman's Concorde and Minahan's Cannon. As long as one of the two families is willing to distribute, I can still make a little money. In addition, I can participate in the domestic distribution market and have a deeper understanding of the film industry.

"You're right, I was so excited all of a sudden." Mia sat down and finally found the right person to promote this matter.

The world's largest film market is technically very open. As long as someone is willing to watch your film, you can distribute it here. But the culture is very conservative, and both audiences and distributors are biased against films shot in small foreign markets.

Ronald has watched his own "God Is Crazy" again and still thinks it's good. Just now at Fox, he had direct negotiations with Vice President Noel Black. Black respected him in his words and actions. He must be an important figure in Hollywood now. He was accompanied by a man in a suit and leather shoes who looked like an agent next to him.

Mia's business acumen made her start to flatter Ronald, consciously or unconsciously. Ronald is the key figure for "God is Crazy" to enter the American market.

"Ronald, I didn't expect you to have realized your dream and filmed four movies." Mia was greatly moved after learning about his current situation.

"I know you directors want good scripts and actors. Are you willing to use foreign scripts and actors?"

"Of course, as long as they pass the test in English, I have nothing against it." Ronald confirmed Mia's idea, "Do you have anyone to recommend?"

"It depends on what you like. Those of us foreign filmmakers working hard in the American and American markets have a small circle, especially people like me who come from the southern hemisphere. We need to exchange knowledge. We have a small circle on the weekend. Small party, if you are interested, I will ask my assistant to pick you up at that time...and your agent."

"That's great." Ronald thought to himself, it would be nice to meet foreign filmmakers.

Richard next to him smiled and had no objection. He took out his notebook and wrote down Ronald's itinerary.

"Do you think our movie will be popular here?" Mia started talking about the release of "God Is Crazy" again.

"I think it's really good. It's a rare high-quality movie."

"I don't quite understand why Fox is unwilling to release it on a large scale. They are not optimistic about the movie."

"Hmm..." Ronald recalled the plot he had watched back then, "If I have to worry about it, maybe it's because there are too many Afro-African slangs in this movie, which would make American people a little bit literate. Due to the barrier, some of the humor is lost."

"We did encounter this problem. We can only explain it with subtitles during the screening."

"You have to bother reading the subtitles. Young people nowadays don't really like movies with subtitles." Richard interjected from the side.

"That makes sense." Mia nodded.

"Have you ever considered dubbing it again?" Ronald recalled watching "Break Dance" in his dream, and it also spoke Chinese.

"Dubbing?"

"Yeah, find two local actors, rewrite the dialogue, and then replace the voices of the South African actors."

"This is a good idea," Mia suddenly realized. Who said English movies can't be re-dubbed?

After parting ways with Mia, Richard drove Ronald back again.

"Ronald, when you came into the office to talk, I thought I saw Barry Diller."

"Who?" Ronald was thinking about something and didn't hear clearly.

"Barry Diller, chairman and CEO of Paramount. I saw him in the offices of Twentieth Century Fox."

"Huh?" Ronald glanced at Richard, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. I have photos of the seven top executives. I'm afraid I won't recognize them and miss the opportunity. I will report to the CAA tomorrow."

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