Exploiting Hollywood 1980

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"Ronald, have you read the Chicago Sun?" Weintraub called again, "I'll read to you, Albert is saying good things about you throughout, giving you four out of four stars. ."

"I'm reading," Ronald didn't bother Weintraub to read this time. He looked at the praise full of words and Albert's admission that he had misunderstood his directing ability.

"Ding Dong", after the phone call, Richard, the agent, rang the doorbell.

"Let's go now?" Ronald changed into his new hand-stitched suit, which he had made in Los Angeles with Armani's garments. Italian-style cut, very suitable for the figure.

Richard had switched to a larger Toyota Camry, and the two went to Twentieth Century Fox's headquarters together. Today Ronald received a third invitation to negotiate with other studios.

"We've come to Mr. Noel Blake with an appointment."

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

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

"Ronald? Is that you? Ronald?"

With a strong South African accent, a cry of surprise came.

Ronald turned his head and saw that this wasn't when he was working for Roger Coleman. When he went to the Montreal Film Festival, the one he met... was the producer of "God Is Crazy", what is it called? ...

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

"Mia, really long time no see, are you here this time?"

"God is crazy and finally got permission for a large-scale release in America. This time we are looking for the executives of Twentieth Century Fox, hoping they can give us a little more theaters. In any case, fifty theaters are not enough. of."

"That's really less." Ronald remembered this unusual comedy. "What? The American government's sanctions against you?"

"Yes, it's loosened. ANC Mandela has been transferred from the humble Robin Island prison to a better prison in Cape Town. Doctors are giving him a full medical examination. So, After a special application to the American Congress, we can finally put the film in America."

"That's great. When we're done talking, let's find a place today to chat together."

"Definitely, we've traveled a lot in America, and it's rare to see a Hollywood guy who is so enthusiastic about helping us." Mia shook Ronald's hand and agreed.

...

"How about my script? This is what I rewrote based on my memory, my experience when I was young. I cherish this memory and have been looking for an opportunity to film him."

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

"Written from memory," Ronald glanced at Blake, who was already in his forties, and thought to himself, "No wonder there is a musty smell, this is all a high school experience in the 1960s. High school kisses are out of line. Driving in classic cars, and the prejudice that Latinos are bad people, how can young people in the 80s see it now?”

"I know that you are a screenwriter, and I respect your opinion. You can mention anything." Noel Blake is eager to promote this film in a short time, so Ronald is also a corporal.

"Mr. Blake's script is very exciting, and I have to read it carefully before I can give specific opinions. But from my simple reading, whether it is a little old, those antique cars, the current audience does not Must understand."

"No, Ronald, those are the beauties of my youth. Whoever owns one, it's a piece of cake to pick up a girl."

It seems he really likes his script.

"Then give the audience a little more ice cream, and let the hero show some exposure when he is seduced by this girl.

"Isn't that going to be R-rated? I hope more people see this movie, especially middle school kids."

"It's a trade-off, Mr. Blake." Ronald felt that he had nothing to say. He was so obsessed with his script that he could just play with his own director. There is no scene to watch, how can such an old script attract the audience?

"Well, I'll think about it."

If the words are not speculative, the two of them talk for a while and then they can't talk anymore.

"It seems that he is also a director with business priorities. Should I listen to him and make an R-rated film? This way, although there will be fewer audiences, it may be released for a longer time." Noel Blake in Romania After Nader left, he began to think about his thoughts, "It doesn't matter, let's go according to his advice. If we don't step up the shooting this month, when the new president arrives, there will be many dreams."

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

"So you and Fox made a deal?"

"No, they still insist on showing only 50 theaters." Mia shook her head. Hollywood has always had a prejudice against South African movies, thinking that such a small market cannot produce high-quality products.

"Then what are you going to do?" Ronald felt that it was a crime for such a fine movie to not be able to meet more American audiences.

"We're going to let it go state by state." Mia Toski is worthy of being the daughter of the owner of South Africa's largest cinema chain, and she made up her mind that since 20th Century Fox, the only one of the seven that was interested in them, didn't If you are willing to release it on a large scale, it is impossible to find other people to do it.

"A state-by-state screening in the past?"

"Yeah, don't you know? In your America, there's no law restricting producers from reaching out to theatrical screenings. People go to distributors because they think they're cheaper. I'm crazy about 'God too' I’m very confident in the quality of the company, as long as we let it go state by state, we will always be able to accumulate good returns in a year.”

Ronald raised his glass in admiration for Mia. This kind of distribution is very hard work. The screening laws are different in each state. They have to take hundreds of copies and cruise along America all the way. If they are not very interested in exploring the American market, they have no motivation In this stupid way.

"Since you say that, you must not sign 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 both of them, and we'll make an appointment to see a movie then."

What Ronald had in mind was Roger Coleman's Concorde, and Meinahan's Cannon. As long as one of the two families is willing to distribute, they can make a little money and participate in the domestic distribution market, and their understanding of the film industry will be deeper.

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

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

Ronald has seen his own "God Is Crazy" again, and still thinks it's pretty good. Just now at Fox, he negotiated directly with Vice President Noel Blake. Blake still respected him in his words and actions. He must be an important figure in Hollywood now. He was accompanied by the person who looked like a manager in a suit and leather shoes next to him.

Mia's business acumen made her start to flatter Ronald, intentionally or unintentionally. Ronald is "God is crazy" and the key person to enter the American market.

"Ronald, I didn't expect you to have achieved your dream and made four films." Mia was very emotional after learning about his current situation.

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

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

"It depends on what you like. We foreign filmmakers who work hard in the Aramco market have a small circle, especially those from the southern hemisphere like me, who need to communicate with each other. We have one on weekends. Small party, if you are interested, I will ask the assistant to pick you up... and your agent, Mr.

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

Richard next to him smiled and did not object. He took out his notebook and wrote down Ronald's itinerary.

"Do you think our movie can 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 not willing to release it on a large scale. They are not optimistic about this movie."

"Well..." Ronald recalled the episode he watched back then, "If you have concerns, maybe this movie contains too many slang words in Afrikaans, and the American people will be a little cultural when they hear it. Some of the humorous aspects are lost.”

"We did run into this problem, and it was only at the time of the screening that we put subtitles to explain it."

"Subtitles also need to be watched. Young people nowadays don't like movies with subtitles very much." Richard interjected.

"That makes sense." Mia nodded.

"Have you considered re-dubbing?" Ronald recalled watching "Break Dance" in his dream, and it even spoke Chinese.

"Voice?"

"Yeah, get two local actors, rewrite the dialogue, and replace the South African actor's voice."

"This is a good way", Mia suddenly realized, who said that English movies can't be re-dubbed?

After breaking up with Mia, Richard drove Ronald back again.

"I think I saw Barry Diller when you went into the office to talk, Ronald."

"Who?" Ronald was thinking, but couldn't hear it 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 all the photos of the seven senior executives. I'm afraid I won't recognize them and miss the opportunity. I'll report to CAA tomorrow."