Exploiting Hollywood 1980

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

Roger Coleman, who doesn't like vacations and likes work, didn't go on vacation with his wife Julie and three children this year. So Ronald made an appointment with him to go to the office today to talk about the "Night of the Comet" arrangement.

Although there are still some funds that are not in place, it does not prevent the preparation from the early stage and the establishment of the crew. Also find the most important director of photography, and art director, two key people who must be included in the early stage.

In addition, notifying the major brokerage companies and starting auditions for supporting roles, all of which require some investment in the early stage, and let’s talk about it first.

Ronald wore a tie in front of the mirror, and the news of the abc morning news came on the TV. .

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

This is the second time something like this has happened since Cosmos 954 crashed into Canada in 1978, causing nuclear contamination. America's NASA said that it will fully monitor the trajectory of satellite 1402 to ensure that similar disasters do not occur. "

"Huh." Ronald was about to go out, and when he heard this sensational news, he couldn't help but take a second glance at the news.

"Should be all right? The earth is so big that it won't fall into America."

In a world where two major powers are competing for hegemony, "nuclear" is a nerve-wracking word. In addition, after the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in America, the public was infected with allergies. Anything with the word "nuclear" will trigger an automatic defensive response.

Putting on his coat, Ronald drove to New World's office.

The place is still as low-key as a few years ago, there is no corporate sign outside the door, but the red and white exterior walls are a bit shabby compared to what I remember.

"I'm here to find Mr. Roger Coleman and make an appointment with him." Ronald whispered to his secretary.

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

Coleman's failure to stick to the schedule is unusual. Ronald sipped his coffee and thought about some of the points he was going to discuss with Roger today.

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

Roger Coleman's office opened a crack,

Coleman stuck his head out of the office door, smiling. He ordered champagne to the secretary, as if there was something good to celebrate.

"Ronald, have you arrived?" Coleman looked at Ronald, who was walking out of the lounge, and quickly motioned to him, "Wait for a while, I'll tell you when I'm done here."

Ronald nodded, and sat back on the sofa again. This time he waited a long time. After half an hour, he saw Roger Coleman deliver three men in suits and ties.

"In the future, we also hope that you will often come to New World to sit and sit, and we also want to put up a sign at the door." A man with glasses, headed by the three men in suits, said to Roger Coleman.

"Larry, Harry, Larry, the New World is theoretically your three, and you can do whatever you like with her, my friends. This office will be yours next time." Cole Man hugged the three of them one by one and said goodbye.

"We will take over the company after the New Year's holiday, and we will invite a good CEO to manage the company. We also hope that Mr. Coleman will continue to make more exciting movies for the new world. We have great confidence in your production ability. of."

"Who are you going to hire to be the 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?", thought Ronald, "what's going on here?"

"Mr. Coleman sold the company?" Ronald walked over and whispered to Coleman's secretary.

"They talked a few times last year, and this time it took a while. Maybe they made a very high price. Ronald. I know you've worked here before, and it's okay to talk to you.

I read the agreement last time, and they said they would introduce new management. I wonder if the new management will have the same respect for us as Mr. Coleman. Or give us a raise? ' The secretary chatted with Ronald quietly.

"Ronnie, I'll talk to you about the next arrangement." Roger Coleman returned to the office after sending off the three men, and he beckoned Ronald into the office.

"You sold the company? Mr. Coleman," Ronald asked straight to the point. What he wanted to ask most was how the distribution agreement he signed with Coleman would be fulfilled.

"Yes, those three Hollywood lawyers, who were actuated by Wall Street accountants, thought my new world was worth a lot of money and gave me a price that I couldn't refuse. I don't think my distribution network can be worth so much. many."

Coleman grabbed a champagne glass and poured Ronald a glass.

"Congratulations, Mr. Coleman. It seems that their offer is very good, and you can retire and enjoy life." Ronald stepped forward to meet him.

"Yeah, I can retire," Roger Coleman picked up a check on the table and flicked it, "It'll be in the papers tomorrow anyway, seventeen million, one fucking seven million . My new century has been in business for ten years, and I haven't made so much money."

"Oh," Ronald opened his mouth in surprise. Seventeen million is a lot of money for Ronald, the equivalent of the cost of two major Hollywood studio productions, or the cost of one large production.

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

"Lawyers are really rich now." Ronald sighed.

"Hahaha, you're wrong, Ronald. That's not their own money, it was lent to them by Wall Street. The Fed cut interest rates very low last summer, and now that inflation is low, 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 on his desk, his joy beyond words, "Seventeen million just bought all the distribution networks in the new world, and I can still have a library of all the movies I've made in the past.

I reserve the right to show them again, sell them to TV stations, or make them into videotapes, etc. derivative rights, including the 'Rock High School' that you helped me sell, I'll probably sell it to TV stations, and you can also get a share at that time. .

They were very optimistic about my distribution network, thinking that was the most valuable part of the company. Although I don't agree with them, I like the price they gave this time, hahaha. "

"Stop talking about that." Coleman saw Ronald's smile a little anxious, and quickly changed the subject, "The distribution contract of your movie is included in the transaction scope, 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. He worked hard to make exploitative films for half his life, and finally earned enough money to retire.

"Hmm," Coleman took another sip and unbuttoned his shirt. "My sale agreement with them includes that I will continue to serve as a senior consultant for two years, and I will produce five films a 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 film?"

"I'm still at least two hundred thousand dollars short. I'm still looking for it. I asked Gale to help find the money too."

"Well, the half a million investment in you should stay the same. When they take over the company, I'll arrange for them to see you again.

The new owner of the New World Company may be optimistic about your movie. When you come back to discuss the release date with them in two days, I will ask you if they intend to cast more to fill the gap in this part. superior. "

"Thank you so much, Mr. Coleman."

"Don't say that, I'll make more money when your movie is released, hahaha..."

...

"Gail, guess what I saw today? Coleman retired. He sold the company to three lawyers for seventeen million."

Ronald called Gale right away when he got home.

"How much? Seventeen million?" Gale exclaimed on the other end of the phone. "I've got to see him. Maybe that's enough money to invest in a new Jim movie."

"Would he invest so much money? Coleman never made big investments. And what I heard from him, Roger's going to retire."

"Don't listen to him, don't you know Mr. Coleman's character? How can such a person be idle. And he started complaining very early on that no one wants to release low-budget movies now, and drive-in theaters are getting more and more Less and less, now shopping malls, department stores, each with a movie theater.

His old multi-hundred-thousand-dollar laser gun biu biu biu was no longer viable. Let me tell you, Roger has long said that he also wants to invest in sci-fi movies of two to five million dollars, comparable to Lucas' Star Wars. "

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

"Yeah, I'll go to the new world with you, just to introduce your project to the new manager of the new world, and maybe make up the investment. Now it happens that Roger and them are on their honeymoon, and they You should still trust Roger's vision."

"Yes, Roger told me the same. We'll go ask together then."

Hanging up the phone, Ronald collapsed on the bed and began to think wildly.

Seventeen million, who said that there is no way to make exploitative films? If I could have 17 million, what would I use it for?

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