Exploiting Hollywood 1980

After the party, Ronald returned his energy to the marketing of the movie.

Two things required his immediate attention. While he and Helen were attending two parties, Daydream's colleagues had already started ringing off the phone of Ronald's agent.

That’s the downside of being an artist and a businessman. It's one thing to be a director and a producer, it's another thing to be a distributor. Artists often focus on the preparation, filming, editing and final completion of a project day and night for several months. Then you can rest, recharge, or just wander around and get inspired.

Businessmen, on the other hand, have to pay attention to the details of business every day and make decisions, big and small, without any time for rest. In English, business and busyness are cognate words (Business), which makes sense.

Ronald now felt the attack on himself due to the incompatibility between the two ways of thinking and the way of allocating energy and time.

However, Daydream is still a small company, and before the distribution and production teams can be developed, Ronald will have to be deeply involved in both.

I really don’t know how Roger Corman, who can produce more than 10 movies in parallel and is responsible for distribution by New World Pictures, does all this?

Moreover, Coleman also opposed corporate hierarchical management and business meetings. He decided everything by himself and then ordered his subordinates to do it.

Ronald felt that he could not be like Roger Corman. If all your energy and time are put into daily management, you will have no time to learn and make progress, and you may stay at your current level for the rest of your life.

After all, he still prefers to be a director rather than a businessman. It was very simple for him to choose one of the two. If the right person was available, he would throw away the distribution business. It would be more comfortable for him to be a producer and director.

There are two things that I am worried about. The first one sounds more troublesome, but it is actually easier to solve.

Just as the box office exploded, so did the record sales of the movie soundtrack "Dirty Dancing." Because the release of the movie was delayed for a month, the record, which no one cared about, depleted its inventory at a super high speed after its premiere.

Especially for those record stores located within one mile of the movie theater, the new records that arrive almost every day are snapped up by the audience who have just come out of the movie theater.

And record stores that didn't have any stock at first were still calling the record company's distribution department day and night to urge shipment. These phone calls were gathered together, and Jimmy Lehner was anxious to see the empty record warehouse. The day after the premiere, he went to contact the record factory to discuss additional printing.

But it turns out that Columbia’s record factory,

Refuse to continue production on Ronald's original album. All their production capacity is occupied by Michael Jackson's new album. Since the release of "Thriller" in 1982, making MJ the highest-selling pop singer of all time, his second album "Bad" will also be released in America at the end of the month.

Therefore, Columbia's record factories are working hard to stock up, and there is no spare production capacity for the production of "Dirty Dancing".

Jimmy Lehner urgently contacted other record companies and learned about the popularity of "Dirty Dancing" in the United States and the grand occasion of audiences turning around to buy records after leaving the cinema. These companies were more than willing to take over the remaining record production and distribution.

The conditions given by two of them can meet the requirements for rapid production and distribution.

One was David Geffen's Geffen Records, who was willing to take over the "Dirty Dancing" record. By taking care of all the marketing, distribution, production, etc., Ronald's film company only needs to wait for the release to collect the profits.

The other company is RCA, an old record company. They don't want to take over the record company, but they are willing to provide production and distribution cooperation. Both parties also settled by sharing, but since their investment was not much, the amount of sharing they asked for was lower than Geffen's.

"Who do you think has better conditions?" Ronald asked Jimmy Lehner on the phone.

"I think RCA is more reliable. Originally, this record relied heavily on movies for marketing. Most customers wanted to buy it because they saw the movie or saw the theme song on the TV station. .

Therefore, the conditions proposed by Geffen actually do not have much effect on us. The share he asked for was also too high, although it was negotiable. "

"Negotiation..." Ronald thought of David Geffen's previous style of doing things, and had little hope that Jimmy Lehner could negotiate with him to take advantage.

The record company boss signed former Beatle member John Lennon. Lennon was shot dead by a fan before his album was released.

Geffen also dated Cher, the star of Ronald's next film, "Moonlight." A man who is interested in men is openly in love with a beautiful woman named Cher, and when they finally break up, he wants all the jewelry given to her back.

Whether it was comparing luck or shrewdness, Ronald suspected that he was no match for the opponent.

"We don't have much room for negotiation, Jimmy. What matters now is to produce a large number of records as quickly as possible and then distribute them to the national market. If the audience can't buy the records, wait for the hot trend of this movie In the past, we probably lost more."

"If you think so, Ronald. I'm going to contact RCA again and see if we can negotiate better terms." Jimmy Lehner still thinks like a broker. In his view, every deal is Allowing employers to get the best terms and brokering deals is a matter of professional ethics.

"Stop talking, just agree to their conditions and sign the contract as soon as possible. I happen to be in New York, you ask their people to come see me."

"Okay, boss. I'll tell you right away."

…

"Director Li, this is our RCA headquarters. Our company invented the 33-rpm LP record in 1931, which can hold more songs than the 78-rpm record that was common at the time."

Jimmy Lehner acted quickly. Early the next morning, Ronald arrived at RCA's headquarters in New York. A distribution manager took Ronald on a tour of RCA's Historical Room of Honor.

This factory, established in 1929, is a giant in the American record industry. After entering the 1980s, with the support of financial market financing, they acquired 50% of the shares of Bertelsmann's Allista Records, and formed a joint venture with Bertelsmann to distribute each other's popular records in Europe and America.

After Datong's second term, they used signing fees that far exceeded the market price to sign two famous singers, Kenny Rogers and Diana Ross. Trying to capture a larger territory in the American recording industry.

However, luck was not on RCA's side. Two big stars who were popular in the 1970s and early 1980s, last year, the two stars quickly became popular under the fresh music style. RCA had no choice but to withdraw records worth 25 million that could not be sold in record stores.

This year has made things even worse. The album sales of its singers are sluggish, and it has encountered a superstar like MJ. It has begun to release its second album in five years, which is eagerly awaited by music fans.

Music fans only have a fixed budget to spend on records in a year. MJ only released an album in five years, which has overwhelmed many other companies' new albums.

In the first half of the year, RCA is expected to lose close to 40 million, and the full-year loss may exceed 60 million. Therefore, forced by the situation, RCA's current policy is not to invest huge sums of money in releasing records that require a lot of publicity and marketing.

Ronald's "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack album just met their needs. They could not only use the effect of the movie to avoid marketing expenses, but also absorb the production capacity vacated by the two superstars' weak record sales.

Therefore, everyone at RCA respected Ronald. A vice president deliberately discussed the details of cooperation with Ronald after he visited the history of the record company.

"We at RCA also have many distribution channels in Europe. Will your movies be distributed in Europe?"

"Of course, I have signed distribution intentions with many distributors at the Cannes Film Festival. Now the box office of the movie has exceeded expectations. I think we will have many fans in Europe, and they also want to buy a record. Learn the mambo.”

Ronald was confident that he could sell copies all over the world and kept telling the good news in front of RCA's vice president.

After all, the greater the volume of records released, the cheaper RCA's production costs would be, and they would be more willing to give up a certain amount of profits to Ronald's daydream.

"If, by that time, I mean, when Dirty Dancing becomes a box office success in Europe, we can distribute products through channels there. By then, our share can be reduced by 10% from the original basis."

The vice president did the math and found that based on the current momentum, it would be just around the corner to surpass the platinum record. In the long run, it would even sell several platinum records. At that time, the average cost of each record will be so low that it will make the company's financial director laugh out loud. The most important thing now is to win this profitable deal.

"make a deal!"

When Ronald heard that there was such a good thing, he immediately stretched out his hand to shake hands with the other party.

Now another factory as big as RCA has taken the initiative to extend an olive branch. All the production capacity is ready, and it can quickly produce and distribute goods to all towns in America within a week. What better partner could there be?

Moreover, they have a joint venture with Bertelsmann, Europe's largest publishing group, and have ready-made overseas sales channels. "Dirty Dancing" will make RCA and Daydream both money-making and soft-handed.

"Mr. Mickey Kanter's team will be fully responsible for our contract issues. He will come over tomorrow to talk to you about signing. Jimmy Lehner, as my plenipotentiary representative, will sign with you as soon as possible."

"Very good, we can actually start preparing for production in advance. After signing the contract tomorrow, the production line can be started." The vice president was very satisfied. It is really hard to find such a cheerful person.

…

By night, Ronald and Cynthia Rhodes were on a plane bound for Nashville, Tennessee.

They both sat next to each other in the business class cabin. As soon as Ronald got on the plane, he took out his pen and notebook and started writing something.

"Are you writing your next work?" Cynthia Rhodes had just taken off her shoes and was resting comfortably while reading the wine list. Ronald had just achieved great success at the box office, and he was still so diligent, which made her feel that this person was destined to succeed.

"No, I'm analyzing the reasons why our movie is particularly successful in the southern region." Ronald showed the notebook to Cynthia.

"The box office here, based on the standard of an average single theater, is actually higher than that in New York, which is really surprising. I think this issue needs to be figured out before I can decide whether to increase marketing investment in the southern region, or even more Hold some fan meetings.”

"I don't understand, but the story of this movie really makes the girls in my hometown like it. They have called me many times and they all said that I acted well." Cynthia Rhodes was not interested in these, and I'm talking about my own experience.

"This is what I don't understand. Your hometown is a small town. Why do girls there like this movie? The story takes place in New York in 1963. A rich girl falls in love with a poor boy. What do you think? It’s not in line with the conservative style of the South.”

Ronald closed his notebook. This question had been bothering him for several days. If he couldn't come up with a reasonable answer, it would be a bit risky to rashly invest more money.

Although the box office of "Dirty Dancing" is expected to be very good, it will take a long time to settle the payment. Ronald does not have much money to invest in marketing now, so he can only choose a breakthrough point and concentrate resources. Spreading a little money everywhere may not be effective, and it may not be enough.

"The city of Nashville is actually not conservative. There are many record companies in the town, and it is also the mecca of rock music. It cannot be conservative. But outside of the center where many record companies gather, the rest of the place is still very conservative."

Cynthia Rhodes gave Ronald a brief introduction to Nashville's style. In the southern state of Tennessee, it is considered open-minded, but compared to New York and Los Angeles, it is much more conservative.

…

Soon, Ronald saw this mixture of conservative and progressive styles.

In downtown Nashville, the most famous movie theater is the Belcourt Theater.

Not only are various Hollywood and European avant-garde movies screened here, but many record company employees come back to watch them. On the other hand, it is also home to the Nashville Children's Choir, and nearby churches often borrow the space to hold large choirs.

…

"We want to see Johnny, we want to see Johnny!"

At the fan meeting, many female fans of the leading actor Patrick Schwytz occupied the venue, clamoring for Patrick Schwytz to show up.

This is exactly the opposite of the general situation where female stars are more popular than male stars in movie marketing. This movie with a female as the first perspective attracts movie fans who want to see the male protagonist.

They chanted "I want to see Johnny, I want to see Johnny" and held up a sign saying "No one can leave the baby in the corner". They broke the rules of the fan meeting and clamored to see Schwytz. .

Seeing that the momentum was not right, Ronald quickly stepped forward to ease the situation. He picked up the phone, knocked a few times, and said to the bottom,

"Do you want to meet Patrick? If you want to meet, stop and I'll talk to you about the arrangements. How can I meet Patrick Schwytz? Are you willing to listen?"

"If you are willing, just say it quickly!"

"Um...Patrick Schwytz is in New York now. We are planning his schedule. If the box office performance here is good, we will arrange for him to come and hold another fan meeting."

"Box office? Our box office here is very good. If you don't believe me, ask the theater manager?"

A blond woman wearing a T-shirt and jeans yelled at Ronald from below.

"Please give her a microphone." Ronald, sweating profusely, asked the staff to give her the first microphone.

"What's your name?" Ronald asked politely from above.

"My name is Casey, when can Patrick come?"

"Uh," Ronald felt beads of sweat slipping down his hair and into his back again. These movie fans were too real.

"As I said, when we arrange fan meetings, we need to take into account the box office situation in each place and the actors' schedules. For example, this time we came to Nashville, we invited Cynthia Rhodes, who was born in the local area.

"Cynthia, hey, tell the director when will Patrick Schwitz come to our place."

"Kathy, I don't have the power. You have to ask the director." Cynthia also took a microphone and said to the old acquaintance below.

Seeing Ronald's questioning look when he handed it over, Cynthia smiled and lowered the phone and replied to him, "My middle school classmate."

"So, as long as we can do well at the box office, you will let Schwytz come, right?"

Kathy has the fierce side of a southern girl. She is usually gentle and approachable, but at critical moments, she knows what it means to do her job.

"Well, actually we don't arrange fan activities entirely according to box office." Ronald sweatdropped again, this was too tough.

"Come on, I understand. If the box office is good, you can let us meet Johnny. If the box office hits a record, can you let Schwitz dance with me?"

"Haha, it depends on whether he is interested. He did dance with several audiences and film critics in New York." Ronald could only say this.

"It doesn't matter, we have already formed a 'Dirty Dancing' movie watching club. We have watched the movie many times, and it will definitely do well at the box office. Don't keep your word, director."

"How many times have you seen it?" Ronald was a little surprised. This movie has only been shown in Nashville for a few days?

"I've watched it 6 times," Casey puffed up his chest proudly. "We have another one here who has watched it 10 times and hasn't missed a single scene."

"With all due respect, you watch 'Dirty Dancing' several times a day and don't you want to see other movies?"

"No, this is the most beautiful movie. You can never get tired of watching it."

"No, I still cry every time I see Johnny go back to find Baby."

"You don't know, director, what a beautiful movie you made. When we watch the movie, it's like seeing our own lives."

In the end, the girl who had watched 10 shows told Ronald why they wanted to watch it again and again.

Tennessee is a very conservative and backward state. These girls often have to get married after graduating from high school and then have children.

In "Dirty Dancing", the baby's life is the kind of life they longed for when they were children, but didn't get it.

He has a well-educated, enlightened and wise father, and a handsome boy with small eyes as his lover, who can also dance so sexy and beautiful.

Baby Houseman, the character played by Jennifer Gray, wears a sweater and an ordinary skirt, but is able to experience such a good love and dance such a sexy dance. This is to live out their dreams for these girls.

"Okay, I will discuss it with Patrick Schwyz alone and try to add a fan meeting for you."

Ronald was so moved that after the meeting, he went alone to the burger restaurant next door with Kathy and other backbone members of the fan club.

These girls are really cute. They cut out stills from magazines, pasted them in scrapbooks, and drew various dialogues with water pens, as if they were making a comic book for "Dirty Dancing." .

They also carefully pasted the movie ticket stubs on top of the scrapbook. The girl with the most has accumulated 11 tickets.

"Don't watch Dirty Dancing over and over again. We are going to start producing the video soon. The price will not be higher than 40 US dollars. Then you can take it home and watch it over and over again. You watch the movie 10 times." The money is enough to buy one.”

Ronald also asked his assistant to bring a list and register the names and addresses of all the girls in the fan club. He promised to send a copy to them all at his own expense after the video was released.

"That's a videotape, the one we like to watch on the big screen in the cinema." Kathy, the head of the fan club, waved her hand and said that the videotape was a videotape, and they would continue to watch the movie over and over again.

"Why? Is my movie really that good? Of course, Cynthia's dance and performance are worth watching. I'm just worried that you spent a lot of money."

"It's not unfair, it's just good-looking." Casey and other members of the fan club disagreed with Ronald's opinion.

Ronald didn't look polite to them either, with a confused expression on his face.

"Cynthia, tell him." Seeing that Ronald still didn't understand, Casey asked Cynthia Rhodes to explain.

"Ronald, you don't know girls in Tennessee. At home, they have husbands, several children, and endless housework. Watching movies is the only time they can relax."

Ronald said oh, this was something he had never experienced before, and he had no such life experience. Going to the cinema to watch babies in "Dirty Dancing" doing the things of their dreams is a rare time for these girls to escape reality and breathe a sigh of relief.

Watching video tapes at home and being interrupted by things at any time is not the effect.

"Let's do it this way. I'll pay for all the tickets for tomorrow's show, so you can watch it." Ronald felt that it was very difficult for these girls in the fan club, so he invited them to watch it, hoping to save them some money.

"Oh yeah..." Everyone happily slapped the table with their Coke cups.

"I am lucky to have fans like you." Ronald also raised a glass of Coke to greet them.

"When you see 15 or 20 scenes, you will almost set a record." Ronald said with great emotion, "I rarely heard of people watching 10 scenes of my previous movies. You guys really surprised me. .”

"How can 15 games be enough?" Casey put down the Coke and looked at Ronald with wide eyes, "Our club has an agreement to watch 100 games in the cinema! Girls, right?"

"Yes! We want to watch 100 games."

"Oh..." Ronald could hardly close his mouth while eating the burger.

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