Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Alan Parker stared into Ronald's eyes for a few seconds and nodded.

"Okay, Ronald. I underestimated you. If you can ask this question, you are already a qualified Hollywood filmmaker, so let's solve this matter the Hollywood way."

"You go and call the producer, Mr. Da Silva," Parker asked his assistant to call the producer.

A moment later, Da Silva came to the director. After sending the assistants out, he and the director whispered a few words, the two sat opposite Ronald, and then Da Silva said:

"So Ronald, we had an agreement with the original screenwriter, Christopher Gore. He would have the exclusive screenwriter's credit for the film.

As for your contribution, we will consider compensating you with money and sign a contract with you as a screenwriter doctor. The total price is $3000. "

"Can I join the Screenwriters Guild on this screenwriter doctor's contract?" Ronald asked.

The producer and director looked at each other, showing such an expression as expected.

"I'm afraid that won't work, Ronald." Da Silva took out a cigarette, lit it, took a puff, and explained slowly.

"The Screenwriters Guild needs you to write the script of a film that has been filed by the trade union in order to accept you. The screenwriter doctor does not sign the script when modifying the script, and there are no points, so you cannot join the trade union."

"You're still young. With this screenwriting doctor contract, whether it's Broadway in New York or Hollywood in Los Angeles, it's not difficult for you to find a screenwriting-related job.

In the next three years, as long as one of your scripts is made into a movie, it is shown in theaters or on TV. Then you can join the Writers Guild. In the future, the door of Hollywood will be completely open to you. "

$3,000, a stepping stone to future opportunities. Ronald thought for a moment, if he didn't already have the qualifications of the director's union and the fixed income of the portrait photographer, maybe he would agree.

But now, he wants more.

Ronald shook his head:

"No, that won't work. I need to sign the script. My goal is to be a film director, and only being a screenwriter is a shortcut for someone like me to direct a film. I've asked, and it's not like 10 years for the big studios now. Before, training new directors.

If you join the Screenwriters Guild as a screenwriter, you will have the opportunity to write a movie script. If the script is made into a movie, it will become famous. If you are lucky, it will only take two or three years.

I'm not like those kids with a family background in acting who can easily get into the business. Nor are those kids from rich families who can make movies with their own money. "

Da Silva leaned back, brushed the little hair he had left, and showed a "it's really troublesome" expression.

"Ronald, you're a young man, don't be so stubborn. You can ask the people you know in the show business how hard it is for them to get into the industry.

This screenwriting doctor's contract provides you with a very good opportunity. You can send your resume directly, and it is not difficult to find a screenwriting-related job.

The chance may be in the next month, maybe in half a year, maybe in a year, in two years, who knows, as long as you are lucky once and the script is picked up by the studio, you will have a chance to be accepted by the screenwriters union .

Then continue to write the script, and the studio will take a fancy to you and realize your director dream. "

Ronald said:

"Six months later, next year, the year after, of course it's good, but why not now? I want to join the screenwriters union now. This is your promise, it's not me who made the mistake, and I shouldn't be punished."

"And you're secretly changing the subject. We're not discussing, when can I join the Screenwriters Guild, but why you haven't kept your promise?"

"Promise?" Da Silva laughed. "What promise? I don't remember signing any scriptwriting contract with you.

"

Ronald looked at director Alan Parker, "Is this a plan to deny the account? Mr. Parker, you promised me. As long as I write a good enough plot and put it in the script, you will let me sign the script. "

"Think about it, lad, think about it." Ellen Parker nodded his big head with his hand, smiled and nodded to Ronald, "Since you have chosen to handle this the Hollywood way, then It's got to play by the Hollywood rules."

"Think about it, give us an answer these days," Allen knocked on the table, "Remember Ronald, I don't have to ask for your script, Doris's plot, and you're not the only one. Think about it. The same goes for the other three main characters."

The implication of these words is a bit vicious. It is not difficult to find a screenwriter for the plots he has written.

The angry Ronald said loudly:

"I have evidence. I wrote the scenes of the three main characters. I can sue you for intellectual property infringement."

"You can give it a try, Ronald. We have MGM lawyers, huh, let's see which New York law firm will challenge the West Coast site." Da Silva was a little disdainful.

Ronald was silent.

I blame myself for believing the two of them, and take the verbal promise seriously. I think Hollywood is all about people who keep their promises like Roger Coleman.

The director and producer got up and walked out of the room. Before going out, producer Da Silva said:

"Think about it, Ronald. We're not being too hard on you. You don't know what the real sinister people in Hollywood are like. If you sign the contract within three days, the $3,000 will still be paid. yours."

"Business is business, as long as you sign it, come write the script for me. Don't be mad, Ronald, this is the rule of the game in Hollywood." Allen added, and the two walked out of the room, leaving Ronald behind. A man is sitting on a chair.

With a sudden "pop", Ronald slapped the table.

No, you must not easily give up your right to sign your name. You can't surrender without a fight because of the opponent's little tricks.

Ronald trotted back to the rehearsal room to find Antonia and Gene.

The two saw that his face was wrong, and they asked what was going on.

"I have some minor disputes with the director and the producer, and I need a final version of the script."

Antonia handed over her script without asking anything specific:

"You take this one of mine, and the one in Jean's hand has a phonetic mark on it. I can share one with him."

"Thank you, I will remember your help today."

Ronald took the script and drove home in a hurry, taking stock of the cards in his hand.

The script for the final draft, various original manuscripts written by myself, several possible witnesses.

Gene and Lucy, and maybe Antonia, were willing to testify for themselves, the conversations he had come up with.

Ronald put down his pen in a slump, that's all.

Maybe your brain needs some alcoholic stimulation to focus.

Opened the Jack Daniels from the grocery store downstairs and poured himself a small glass. Feeling very rushed, Ronald opened the drawer and searched, took out a bottle of honey, scooped a little with a spoon and mixed it with the whisky, the taste was much more relaxed.

Honey was also sent by Diorama's editor Walter Murkey. He is also a very experienced industry veteran. I don't know if he will win an Oscar this year.

I still know many industry veterans, so why not ask their opinions?

Ronald put down the glass, picked up his address book, and started to turn it over.

"Gail? I'm Ronald, is Mr. Coleman??

"He made a big deal and went on vacation with Julie and the kids. Are you looking for him?"

Ronald thought for a moment. Gail came from a wealthy family and his father was an investor. Maybe he could ask her for his opinion.

"That's it, Gail, I'm in an embarrassing dispute..." Ronald told Gail exactly what happened on the phone.

"Alas, Ronald, you were too careless to start writing a script on just a verbal promise, not every boss is like Roger."

"If you are a member of the screenwriters' union, you can apply for arbitration to them and let the union help you stand out. The outcome of the union's arbitration is mandatory. It's a pity that you are a director's union."

"Can I go through legal proceedings?" Ronald recalled his angry words about the prosecution.

"I don't have much hope. The legal departments of the eight studios are very strong. They cooperate with the top law firms in Los Angeles. Even if you hire a top law firm on the east coast, they are not familiar with the legal cases of the entertainment industry, and most of them still lose. Besides, lawyer fees from top law firms..."

"I see, I still want to try it. Can you give me some phone numbers for law firms dealing with intellectual property? I'll consult first."

"Okay, I have the phone numbers of several East Coast law firms specializing in the entertainment industry, wait a minute."

"Pavia \u0026 Hackett..., Keith \u0026 Whiteman..., Kirkland \u0026 Peterson.... Okay, thanks. Should I call first?...Yes, I haven't entered yet. through a law firm”

"In your case, the call is likely to be stopped by the secretary. I think you should go to the front desk of the law firm and ask, maybe some lawyers will be interested in your case. But don't report too much hope. "

"And, when Roger comes back, I'll tell him about you."

At three in the afternoon, Ronald was stopped again at the front desk of the last law firm Kirkland \u0026 Peterson. Gale is right, the law firm is not interested in him, a young man who is not a member of the Screenwriters Guild and wants to fight with the eight major Hollywood studios.

"I just want to talk to a lawyer and I can pay for the consultation."

"Sorry we only accept clients by appointment, our lawyers are very busy."

The receptionist prevented him from entering and wasting the lawyer's precious time.

"Kate, what's the matter?" A middle-aged man wearing glasses came out of the elevator.

"Mr. Peterson, this gentleman walked into the law firm without an appointment. He must talk to a lawyer. The script signature dispute, not a union member, an MGM film." The front desk quickly concluded.

"Hello, I'm Peterson, the firm's naming partner. Why don't I, I'll give you a free piece of advice. Please don't bother with my firm's front desk after that. How's it going?"

Ronald motioned for him to continue.

"Forget it if you get $3,000, you'll be treated as a loss and gain experience.

This amount of money is not enough to hire a senior lawyer from our law firm. Even a freshman out of law school costs $250 an hour for consulting.

Attorney fees are payable regardless of whether the case is won or lost, and your chances of winning are slim. No, this case won't go to court at all, and the opposing lawyer is likely to ask the judge to dismiss the lawsuit as insufficient evidence. "

"Are you happy with my free advice?" Peterson said. Even lawyers have to show kindness sometimes.

"My aunt said don't trust free advice from strangers. I'll get a lawyer for a fee."