Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Daydream rented out a small screening hall and held an internal screening for film buyers from all over the world. A copy brought by Michel Cannold with French subtitles for European audiences.

About 30 distributors attended the first screening of "Dirty Dancing." In addition to Daydream's release manager, the manager of Cannon's release department was also present.

However, after the movie ended, the buyer's reaction was not the best that Ronald expected, and everyone rushed to sign. Instead, they spread out and asked the cannon man for various news about the movie.

"So, what do you think? Why don't they seem to talk to our people directly? They go to the Cannon people instead?" Ronald whispered to Daydream's release manager, Cannold.

"Many of them can't even speak English...and even hair language." Cannold covered his mouth with his hands and explained in a low voice in Ronald's ear, "It's our first time to sell a film in Cannes, and the Cannon Cannon continues. They have been the main sponsor of Cannes for four years, and they have trust in their cooperation."

"In other words, they would rather talk to Cannon about the purchase of the movie than buy a copy directly from us?"

"Yes, I have talked with them, and they trust Yoram's vision of film selection. They would rather be tied up by him than take the risk themselves."

The forced tie-in that Cannold mentioned is a common sales method in the film trading market. The distributor specifies that if you want to buy movie A, you must buy it with movie B, or with movie C.

The box office prediction of movies has always been the biggest problem for Hollywood and all movie theater owners. Especially for foreign films, if a country with a different language and culture is introduced, whether it will be able to hit the blockbusters is really impossible for anyone to predict.

And those movie theater owners hope that there will be enough movies to fill the time slots. Then, the distributor that best meets their needs is a company like Cannon that has a lot of movies and occasionally produces a few box office hits.

"Why? My break dancing, can't convince them of the market potential of my film?" Ronald felt his name,

It should be known to foreign countries.

"Of course they know you, but we only have one movie and Cannon has ten for them to choose from."

"Humph……"

Ronald understood that it was actually a matter of confidence. They didn't believe that "Dirty Dancing" could sell ten times as much as other films. Although Ronald has made dance movies of the same theme as "Breakdancing", he has also made movies such as "Top Gun" that are sold well in North America.

But those distributors in Latin America, Southeast Asia, India, Europe, etc., they still prefer to have 10 movies for them to release.

"Yoram, Yoram, you promised us, sell us the publishing rights in Poland."

Ronald was discussing countermeasures with Kannold, and Yoram of the cannon also came to the scene. As soon as he entered the door, he was surrounded by a group of buyers who spoke various languages, and wanted to sign a package of film introduction plans with him.

"In just a few years, the cannon business has grown so big?" Ronald and Kannold were very envious. The theaters in those countries can fill the time slots in the off-season every year as long as they import a bunch of movies from Cannon. Compared with daydreaming, negotiating with each company one by one will save too much cost.

"Didn't they rely on your movie 'Breakdance' to make a name for themselves in the European market? We can start from 'Dirty Dancing' like a daydream and repeat their successful path."

Michelle Cannold reminded Ronald that the cannon set used star posters, and sold the movie abroad before the filming started, and then used the pre-sale method to return to China to shoot. Daydream can still be learned .

"Just do it like this. Most of them know me, and I made a lot of money from break dancing. You talk to them one by one. This time we have to learn by ourselves when we release overseas." Ronald felt that Kanno De is right, the chances of success along the path opened by the cannon are not small.

"How about it, Ronald? Are you authorizing all the overseas distribution rights of 'Dirty Dancing' to Cannon Cannon? We have strong partners in Europe, Britain, and Southeast Asia. If you hand it over to us, you will Waiting to count the money."

Yoram dismissed the group of movie buyers and discussed with Ronald about "Dirty Dancing".

"No, Yoram. We want to try to distribute this movie by ourselves." Michelle Cannold interrupted Yoram's thoughts and said the bottom line of the discussion with Ronald just now.

"That's good, you should give it a try. But in overseas markets, many people have to look at America's box office results to decide whether to buy or not, and how much to pay for a Hollywood movie."

Yoram didn't force it either, and shook hands to wish Ronald good luck.

"Thank you", Ronald felt that Yoram was more like a pure, rational businessman who made decisions based on financial statements, rather than Minahan's artistic temperament, and the pressure of all capital when things came to an end. gambling.

"Only South Africa, Dongying, and Australia are interested in signing contracts. Distributors in other countries want to wait until Dirty Dancing is released in America, and then negotiate the purchase price based on the box office results."

"It's already pretty good." Ronald looked through the materials of three companies that wanted to introduce him to "Dirty Dancing".

The South African company is the producer of "God Is Crazy" and the distribution company of the Mia Toski family in South Africa. Their film is in America, with Ronald's help. The box office of "Breakdance" in South Africa is also good. This time, the Toski family explained that all films directed by Ronald will be introduced with green light.

The Kadokawa Bookstore in Japan was also specially instructed by the president to import all new works by director Ronald.

In Australia, because of the relationship between Ronald, Rachel Ward, and Paul Hogan, they have a good reputation in the film circle there. In addition, they are also from English-speaking countries and have a better understanding of movies, so they are also very interested.

"The important thing is to make a connection. I feel that most producers are waiting and watching. Our box office performance in America will directly determine the results of overseas distribution. After all, we don't have the reputation of Cannon."

"Cannon actually doesn't have much reputation, but their movies are cheap." Ronald knew that Cannon didn't actually produce any really good movies, but compared to other Hollywood productions, their movies seemed particularly cheap.

"The premiere in Cannes over the weekend may give them a little more confidence." Cannold is confident in the audience's reaction to the official premiere, feeling that it will give distributors a better signal.

...

After a busy day, they returned to the hotel at night, and Ronald and Cannold went back to their room for dinner. The TV is broadcasting news in French.

"Isn't this Prince Charles? And his princess wife..." Cannold turned up the volume of the TV, "Mary, Mary, help us translate."

Ronald turned his head to the TV. The Prince and Princess of Britain were getting off the plane. The TV station in Hair Country gave a long shot and broadcast the news of their arrival.

"Prince Charles and Princess Diana will be in Cannes at the weekend, where they will attend the Cannes Film Festival, which honors veteran British actor, Sir Alex Guinness..."

"Time, what time?" Ronald spoke quickly, and asked Mary, his daydreaming colleague.

"The Prince and Princess will be in attendance at the moment of glory when Sir Guinness accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cannes organizing committee over the weekend."

Ronald and Kannold glanced at each other quickly without speaking, eating bread in silence.

After several colleagues in Daydream finished eating and said goodbye, Kannold quickly closed the door.

"It's not good news for us, it's all over the weekend."

"Well..." Ronald also felt that it was a bad thing for Prince Charles to steal the limelight at this time.

Now Britain pays great attention to the use of the influence of the royal family. In addition, the wedding of the century of the two is broadcast globally, and the love story like a fairy tale is deeply loved by people from all over the world. No matter where they go, they can attract everyone's attention.

The public's attention is so small, and it is allocated to the prince and princess, and the attention paid to a Hollywood film that is not participating in the competition is much less.

"If we want our premiere to be reported by the media, the only way is for the prince and his wife to come." Kannold looked at Ronald.

"I'll find a way to send an invitation, but don't hold out too much hope." Ronald was fully aware of the nature of the work of the two royal family members coming to Cannes, which was a kind of public relations activity at the national level.

Sir Alex Guinness is the treasure of the British film industry. The Chinese presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The British prince and his wife attended the event, which is a symbol of British-French cooperation.

On Ronald's side, apart from the fact that the princess loves to watch his own movies, he doesn't have any capital, so he can invite them to the premiere.

"Sir Alex Guinness, accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award from Yves Montand, President of the Cannes Jury. Prince Charles and Princess Diana were also in attendance.

Princess Diana wore a white gown by British designer Catherine Walker, with a long scarf adding to her glamour. "

By the end of the week, the Guinness ceremony, which took place first, was predictably on the TV news. The women in the hair country began to care about the designer and brand of the dress worn by the princess.

In addition to fully expressing the elegance and solemn temperament of the royal family, this Catherine Walker dress also brought out Diana's sexy temperament very well.

Among the royal family, such bold low-cut dresses are rarely worn. And the scarf to make up for it also set off Diana's charm.

"She's such an attractive woman," Ronald told Cannold, who was watching TV together.

"The invitations have been sent? Is there any hope for them to come?" Kannold still had a glimmer of fantasy.

"There is no response yet, and I don't even know if the invitation was seen by them." Ronald knew the red tape of the royal family.

...

"Can't you wear normal clothes?" In the hotel suite where the prince and his wife stayed, Charles was complaining that Diana wore designer clothes and was born as a commoner, which did not conform to the royal tradition.

"I like this dress." Diana didn't like the various rules of the royal family very much. Dresses are one of the few things she can show her personal charm and have the right to decide.

"Don't let them laugh at us, tomorrow's visit, can you wear the clothes of the royal designer?"

"Okay," Diana agreed to her husband's request, "will you come with me tomorrow to read with the children?"

"I have other royal tasks, and I will go back tomorrow." Charles always used various excuses to avoid the task of attending formal occasions with Diana.

I don’t know why, those media always laugh at the prince’s promotion of advanced issues such as green, environmental protection, vegetarianism, etc., and laugh at him as a prince who eats grass, delusional every day that the sea level will rise and flood London.

On the contrary, Diana was always full of praise when the media mentioned her. Whether it is the taste of clothes, or the genial charm of the public.

"Crack", Diana, who had removed the pearl necklace, heard that her husband was going back early again, feeling angry, and slapped the necklace heavily on the dressing table.

Diana found a pile of documents on the table. In order to relieve her depression, she picked them up and quickly checked to see if there were any personal letters from London. Especially the wife of a certain officer.

"Hey, whose invitation is this?" Unexpectedly, Diana saw an invitation inviting them to the premiere, not an invitation from the Cannes Organizing Committee.

"It was sent by a staff member in the afternoon. He said it was the premiere of the movie of an old friend of the princess." A staff member of the royal family answered beside him.

"Hope your older son likes the 'Top Gun' video I gave him." Diana laughed as she read the invitation. When I was attending the royal premiere in London, I was so happy to be able to watch the latest Hollywood movies like I did when I was a girl.

"What's my schedule for tomorrow?" Diana asked the staff.

"In the afternoon, I went to a primary school in Cannes to read with the children..."

"Plus an event where I go see an old friend's new movie."

...

"The princess will come to the premiere and be interviewed by the media, but she can only stay for about ten minutes. Except for the filming of the TV station, you can only chat with her for about a few minutes."

The royal family's security and public relations personnel first arrived at Ronald's place and told them the itinerary of the princess.

"What, Prince Charles?"

Ronald heard that Diana was the only one coming.

"Prince Charles has other royal engagements and has returned to London earlier."

"Ronald, you can even invite Princess Diana?" Cannold David was surprised. After the royal family staff left, he was very excited. The premiere of "Dirty Dancing" will get a lot of attention Free reporting opportunities. Take a lot of Diana's heat.

"I sent his son a videotape of my movie, maybe the little prince likes it."

"Hahaha……"

...

"His Royal Highness, how did you meet Director Ronald?"

Outside the Palais in Cannes, Princess Diana appeared at the premiere of Dirty Dancing in a conservative taupe dress.

Although it can't be compared with yesterday's glamorous dress, it also attracted many photographers, who took crazy pictures of Diana. After a few formal questions, the reporters couldn't help but ask Diana what she thought of the movie.

"Ah, I saw Ronald's movies in London, Charles and I both liked his movies."

"Ronald, what do you think of the royal family's evaluation of your film?"

"I sent them the videotape, hope they like it."

"Ronald sent you the Top Gun videotape, will you show it to Prince William?"

"I will wait until William is older and show him when he is old enough to like airplanes." Diana replied politely.

"The videotape version is rated TV-12, and you can watch it when Prince William is older." Ronald joked.

Everyone entered the screening room. Diana looked at the poster and learned about some of the plot. She had other public relations activities and was about to leave.

"The movie last time was very good. I watched it many times. Send me the video tape this time too."

Diana didn't usually have much entertainment in Buckingham Palace. She still kept one of the few habits she had when she was a girl, which was to watch TV reruns or movies on videotapes.

"Of course, but it's not suitable for Prince William this time. It's for girls." Of course Ronald agreed to do so.

"Hahaha, I really want to see it too."

"I will remember, this movie is really suitable for female audiences." Ronald boasted.

...

"Very well, there are a lot of audiences, and many of them are here to see Diana." Cannold reported the situation to Ronald on the second day of the premiere.

Distribution companies in Japan, South Africa, and Australia were all satisfied with our ability to invite Princess Diana to participate in the premiere, and initially signed the agreement.

Other distribution companies have also greatly increased their interest in our films.

"Very well, you should keep in touch with them, and when our box office in America is released, we will know the results of overseas distribution."

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