Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Ronald, you have become a very good director. I didn't see that you had this talent at the time. I only knew that you were a good fighter." Jerry Zucker made a joke when he saw Ronald.

"Hahaha, but I understand how powerful you three are. It's not easy for comedies to continuously produce high-box-office movies." Ronald said to Jerry Zucker, his brother David, and their friends The three Abrahams hugged each other in turn.

"Hey, hey..." Jerry Zucker also made a "crane kick" action, "I'm going to parody it in my next movie, do you mind?"

"Uh... don't mind."

"It's useless if you mind, hahahaha..." Zach started to be funny again. He caught Ronald's rhythm of thinking and always gave unreasonable answers.

"That's probably the box office password of their trio." Ronald is no longer the assistant on the set. When he came to talk to Roger Corman about the partnership, he already knew that the three of them like to joke around and play pranks. Not entirely because of personality.

The rhythm of comedy is very demanding. When they chat with people, they often have to test the other person's reaction time. Then who knows? If this works well, maybe your ugliness will appear in their next script.

"To be honest, comedy is not difficult, but it is difficult to accumulate. It takes us about two to three years to accumulate enough material to start shooting a movie. This is why we only shoot our own scripts, because comedy is too personal melted."

Closer to home, the Zach trio were also very enthusiastic about Ronald. They introduced their creative methods, which was to grind slowly. The three of them kept creating and modifying the plots until each one was perfect and the audience couldn't help but laugh.

"Comedies are very particular about the size of the performance. If the audience laughs for a second longer than you expected at the previous punchline, they may not understand the beginning of the next punchline, which is a serious accident for the next punchline. One wrong time and the next three laughs will be ruined.”

Jerry Zucker is the leader of the trio, "But the script you wrote is still very good. The requirements for the female kidnapper are relatively low and don't require much acting. The male kidnapper also has most of the laughs." It’s about plot twists and conflicts, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a comedian.

The key is that the male and female protagonists, the annoying rich girl who is obsessed with losing weight, and the husband who wants to kill his wife to get the father-in-law's inheritance, must be actors with comedy talents. "

He quickly flipped through a script and said, "Hey, your script is really good." Jerry Zucker pushed his brother David with his elbow. Look here, there is a twist in the plot. The kidnapper turns out to be a rich man. the inventor of the product,

They are all ordinary people who take desperate risks to get what they deserve. "

"And this, a rich girl was locked in a basement and watched fitness videos on TV, and she actually lost weight that she couldn't lose before."

"Hahahaha, look at the ransom. At first it was asked for five hundred thousand, then one hundred thousand, and finally the husband refused to even pay ten thousand or five thousand. He was so angry that the rich girl cooperated with the kidnapper."

The trio began to discuss the script. They often played the roles in it, discussed the rhythm of some lines, and picked up pencils to mark it.

"Do you like this script so much? Are you willing to make an exception and direct it?" Ronald saw the three of them getting into work, thought about it, and simply made his invitation.

"I thought you wanted to direct it yourself, Ronald?" Jerry Zucker pushed up his glasses and looked into Ronald's eyes.

"I have this idea, but after discussing with real experts, I found that it requires too much study and talent. I'm afraid I can't direct it alone. If you are interested, I can work with Disney. Oh, by the way, they are now live-action The film department has been assigned to Touchstone. Contact Touchstone and ask Katzenberg to talk to you? Mr. Eisner promised me that as long as there is a suitable script, they can provide some investment and distribution channels."

Jerry exchanged views with the three of them, "Then it's up to you. You will be the producer when the time comes. We are not familiar with Disney's personnel, so we only believe in you."

"Of course there's no problem with that, but I can only put my name on it. With your level, I don't need to take care of anything. I just help you block some people who don't know how to pretend to understand and come to the set to give random instructions."

Of course, Ronald knew that the Jerry Zucker trio was also the great director duo that produced two blockbuster comedy films, "Unprecedented and Unprecedented" and "Top Secret!" Katzenberg, who was produced by Disney, worked with him on their first two films.

But after all, we are all artists, and being able to work together makes each other feel most at ease. In this industry, there are too many executives who don’t understand production. Having Ronald as a producer can scare away some connections who want to come in for gold plating.

At the appointed time, Ronald brought Jerry Zucker to the office of Disney's new production director Katzenberg.

"Jerry? I thought you wouldn't shoot a script written by someone else?" Katzenberg received a call from Eisner and knew that Ronald would come to discuss a new project. He had no idea that Ronald would bring It's the Zach trio.

"Thanks to Ronald, we loved this 'Evil Husband' script so much, how can I put it? We almost laughed our heads off. But when we thought we didn't write it, and felt sad about it, making an exception for it was totally It’s worth it. I don’t want to wait two years to get enough jokes.”

"Very good. Touchstone can invest six million in the shooting budget and guarantee a distribution contract in North America. If you need more funds, you can raise them yourself. Is there any problem?" Katzenberg was very happy. Finally, Touchstone could get a good deal. It is hoped that the script will be a big hit and it will be a great opening for this small label, so that would be perfect. "

"Zach and his company, Zac zaz Production Company, can be responsible for the remaining part. My daydream will make up for the remaining investment and leave some flexibility." Ronald said the previously discussed investment ratio.

"So..." Katzenberg pointed at Ronald, "You are the producer of this movie."

"I will put my name on it, and Touchstone can find a specific assistant producer to be responsible for some details. After all, I have other projects. We will also send an assistant producer to jointly supervise the project."

"Very good, I have no problem. The casting decision is up to you." Katzenberg opened a bottle of champagne. With Ronald's guarantee, the successful combination of the trio, and the script both popular directors are optimistic about, all he has to do is sit back and enjoy the results, and leave the rest to the legal department to worry about.

"What do you think of the casting?" Jerry Zucker left the office and found a place to sit down together to talk about the preparations. He still politely asked Ronald for his opinion on the casting. This is the legal authority of the producer.

"I think the two protagonists are the key." Ronald planned to talk in general. Seeing Zach nod, he continued, "It's best to have a contrasting effect. The rich girl needs to find a girl who everyone thinks is ugly, speaks loudly, and is very annoying. A disgusting actress, so as to create a contrast with the subsequent plot twist.

As the husband’s actor, I think it’s better to find someone who is short and wretched, so that the audience can instantly imagine the image of someone who marries an ugly girl for the sake of family wealth..."

"It's very close to what I think. If you make a comedy, we will be in trouble." Zach joked again, "But if you have any candidates, you can tell me. As long as the appearance of the supporting roles matches, Acting is not very important.”

"If possible, I would like to recommend an actress, Helen Slater." Ronald felt that he could not take away the role that originally belonged to Helen in the dream, so he quickly gave his recommendation.

"Yes, that girl is very beautiful. I watched her movie Billie King. Although it was not good at the box office, her role as a modern-day Joan of Arc has a great temperament. She is exactly the type you are most fascinated by at your age." Jerry Zucker winked at him.

"Uh...that's not what I meant."

"Then what do you mean?"

"I don't mean anything... No, I just think she is suitable. Her father has helped me a lot."

"Hahaha, I fooled you." Zach laughed, "Don't worry, I will leave this vase to your beautiful woman.

…

"We do not plan to introduce the heroine Elizabeth Sue again, and focus the story on Mr. Miyagi, and Daniel's master and apprentice. Because of a telegram, they returned to Ryukyu, where Miyagi was born, to complete unfinished grievances."

"Why not keep her?" Ronald looked at the synopsis of the script for "The Dragon King 2". This one mainly tells the story of Miyagi, echoing and faintly echoing the story of Daniel in the previous one.

The story takes place in a small fishing village near the Ryukyu US military base, the hometown of Master Miyagi. In order to explain that Daniel has a Japanese beauty as his girlfriend, Ali, played by Elizabeth Shue, needs to be separated from Daniel at the beginning of the plot.

"We may make this movie into a series, Mr. Weintraub. If her character Ali doesn't appear in this episode, how will the possible third film deal with the plot after Daniel returns from Ryukyu? Anyway It's a guest appearance, so just let her come for a day. Give her and Daniel a reason to get into trouble, such as Ali going to a preparatory college and having to separate from Daniel.

In this way, in the third part, we can also arrange the story of Daniel's two girlfriends meeting in America. It just so happens that they both have practiced karate. I'm afraid many viewers are also interested in beautiful women doing karate. "

Ronald put forward his own opinions. Elizabeth Sue went to Harvard to study. For the second part, Weintraub hired a screenwriter to find a new Japanese girlfriend for Daniel, leaving a gimmick to keep the integrity of the character Ali. Sex is the better choice.

Otherwise, as written in the script, Ali dumped Daniel for the rugby players, which would be a conflict with Ali's character in the previous film.

"What you said makes sense, so I asked the screenwriting team to revise it. Elizabeth Su was loved by many boy viewers in the first film. She is very temperamental, and she is not only the girl next door, but also a Harvard girl. It was the right thing to keep her.”

Weintraub still agreed with Ronald's opinion, "Is there anything else that you think needs to be modified?"

"I read the script carefully first. Sometimes I have to sleep with it, and I will have inspiration and ideas the next morning." Ronald picked up a copy and put it in his bag.

"Hahaha, you can also make up good stories in your dreams, Ronald."

"Forehead……"

Weintraub didn't know that he had told the truth, and patted Ronald on the shoulder, "This time we went back to Hawaii for filming, where I knew a big landowner and could use his estate for free.

You can also invite the deputy commander's family to come over for vacation and borrow his Marine Corps No. 2 helicopter to shoot a few shots.

As for Elizabeth Su, I will contact her agent, and she will know who is carefully supporting her. "

Weintraub winked at Ronald, "Anyone who has tasted the taste of a heroine will not be satisfied with the job of a college graduate. If she wants to return to Hollywood, she must know who can provide her with real work." s help."

"Uh, that's not what I meant."

"No matter what you mean, she has to thank you, right? As long as this movie can catch up with the previous one, I will be more confident in taking over the United Artists label." Weintraub was thinking about the MGM boss, The promise of Las Vegas tycoon Kerkorian and whether he can become a small boss of United Artists mainly depends on Ronald.

…

Ronald discovered that the two mid-budget productions he shot, "The Kid" and "Top Gun," were hugely powerful.

Word has spread in the industry that Ronald's new film about Tom Cruise will catapult him into a new generation of stardom.

In the eyes of senior executives at major studios, Ronald has transformed from a master of low-budget movies with the Midas touch to a powerful director of mainstream movies.

It is difficult to replicate the success of low-budget movies, while mid-budget movies can be more certain. As long as there is a strong director, big stars, a good script, and strong publicity, there is still a certain chance that the film will make money as expected.

"So you promise?" Barry Diller, CEO of Twentieth Century Fox, owner of a small number of options, and Eisner's former boss, met Ronald in the office to discuss Gale Hurd's role as the lead actor in "Alien 2" Producer thing.

"I guarantee that Gale is the only one who can control Cameron on the set. The last time I shot the ending scene of Terminator for them, I almost got scolded to death by Jim. In the end, Gale came up with a feasible plan."

"Lie and you can control Cameron." Barry Diller cursed, but his expression was a warm smile.

"Uh... I didn't mean that. I mean, I have other projects and I can't be the producer of the sequel to 'Alien'. Gale and Cameron are the best combination."

"I know what you mean, Ronald." Barry Diller lit a cigar. "You want one too?"

"Thank you," Ronald accepted the cigar from the boss of Twentieth Century Fox. "Actually, taking over the sequel midway was not a good choice for Cameron. If the film is good, people will attribute the credit to Ridley... Scott, if the filming is not good, it is all Cameron's responsibility.

But he wrote the script and the special effects scenes suited him. As long as someone is on set watching him and letting him play well, you're bound to make money. "

"I understand what you mean, but what I mean is..." Barry Diller puffed out smoke, "When are you going to make a movie for us at Fox? You can choose the director, producer, role, whatever you want. Investment in production is also possible.”

"Forehead……"

"Don't deny it. I know you got a good deal from Eisner. I just want to remind you that what Disney can give you, we at Fox can also give."

"I remember it, Mr. Diller." Ronald felt that some of Eisner's ways were probably learned from Barry Diller: being direct, quick, and understanding your opponent.

"Go ahead and get your friend, Joe Wezan, the vice president of production, to sign the contract."

Barry Diller was very happy, and having a relationship with Ronald Lee, an emerging director, was much more important than the sequel to the "Alien" horror film. The big boss of Twentieth Century Fox, the original oil tycoon Marvin Davis, sold part of his shares to another tycoon from Australia, Rupert Murdoch, a news tycoon who started his career on London's Fleet Street.

The two of them also want to join forces to acquire the Metropolis Media Television Network and make good friends with people like Ronald. As long as they can get him to shoot a blockbuster movie for Fox, their status with the new boss will be improved.

Unlike Marvin Davis, who is a layman, Murdoch is an expert in the media, and he has to come up with something practical.

…

"Aunt Karen, Eric" Ronald returns home where his aunt lives with her new boyfriend Eric and they begin traveling around the country. This time, I was accompanied by little Bud to tour around Los Angeles. I just came back from Palm Springs today.

"Sorry, I'm too busy and don't have time to spend time with you."

"It doesn't matter, it'll be nice to have little Bud with us." Auntie made some more dishes with her own hands and watched Ronald eat them.

"You seem a little worried, Ronald, what happened?"

The aunt keenly sensed Ronald's anxiety.

"Actually, it's nothing, I'm just not used to it." Ronald could say anything to his aunt, but he just talked about how his status had suddenly improved during this period, and he was treated politely by several senior executives of major studios.

"My dear, all the answers are here." Auntie went to her travel bag, took out a cloth-covered book, and handed it to Ronald.

"This is the one Eric accompanied me to pick out. It's a Quaker in America, an early reprint of the King James edition."

Ronald took it and looked at it. It was an older Bible. However, this kind of book is published in large quantities, is not very expensive compared to other antique books, and is in good condition. The King James Version is an older English translation. It is famous for its concise and beautiful words and good recitation rhythm. It was once very popular.

"Look here." His aunt helped him open the book to Matthew 1.

“To everyone who has, more will be given, so that he will have an abundance;

Whoever has not, even what he has will be taken away from him. "

"A person already has some fame, and more fame will be added to him in the future, even if he doesn't deserve it. You just have some fame for making movies and making money, to..."

As she spoke, her aunt smiled. She had never worried about her nephew, and he would have figured it out. "You know, Ronald, don't be fooled by appearances."

"Thank you, Auntie." Ronald hugged Aunt Karen.

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