NOVEL NEXT Exploiting Hollywood 1980.
Chapter 74
Chapter 74
I tentatively called New World Productions, and luckily found Gail, the assistant to the president who was working overtime.
"Gail? Great to hear your voice, this is Ronald, I'm calling you from New York."
"Look, I wanted to ask how the High School of Rock release is going? I've found a great opportunity in New York with a target audience that's about to fill up."
"There is a group of teenage viewers who regularly go to midnight theaters to watch exploitation films. The old Rocky Horror Show is about to go down four years ago. They are now looking for new midnight exploitation films."
"Mr. Coleman is... what? Mr. Coleman is coming to New York?"
"Yes, Ronnie. Mr. Coleman will fly to New York tonight and talk to CBS tomorrow about a big movie rights deal." Gale replied.
"Then I'll pick him up at the airport tomorrow morning and drive him to the CBS building. How about talking to him about the idea when he's done?"
"Okay, Mr. Coleman likes free cars the most, hahaha...I'll tell him. His flight number is..."
"Here, Mr. Coleman." Ronald waited for Roger Coleman at the boarding gate.After the two embraced, Ronald took the luggage and walked to the parking lot.
Coleman was in good spirits after an overnight red-eye flight.The two walked and chatted.
"Mr. Coleman, are we going to the CBS building first?"
"Okay, I made an appointment with them in the morning. I heard from Gail that you have something to ask about the release of the movie?"
"Yes, Mr. Coleman. I see an opportunity"
"I found an audience of teenagers. There are many teenagers who go to midnight shows in major movie theaters in New York. Now that the law and order in New York is not good, many parents don't want their children to go out at night, but they feel relieved to go to the movies. "
"They go mainly to have fun and date, and exploitation films are just right for them. Rocky Horror Show has been on midnight shows for 4 years. If Rock High School, can accumulate as much as Rocky Horror Show If there is a group of loyal audiences, it may be converted to long-term screenings."
"However, let's discuss it in detail after you and CBS have finished talking. I heard Gale say that they want to buy the movie rights of New World?"
"You know, I asked Ron Howard to direct and star in a movie in '77. It was called 'Grand Theft Auto.'
The president of CBS, Robert A. Daly, adopts a new strategy and is buying the broadcasting rights of teen movies aggressively. This time he is here to discuss the TV broadcasting rights deal with them. "
The car arrived at the Blackstone Building, where the CBS headquarters is located. As the name suggests, it is a black rectangular building, quite satisfactory and nothing fancy.Roger Coleman got on the elevator, and Ronald waited bored downstairs alone.
A regular CBS hostess scrambles out of an elevator, struggling with the zipper of her bag as she walks.
"Taxi! Taxi!" Seeing a taxi, she hurried out and dropped the interview book in her bag.
"Ma'am, your notebook." Ronald stepped forward to pick it up, ran to the taxi, and handed it to the hostess who was already in the car.
"Oh, thank you, I'll be in trouble if I lose this notebook, my interview informants are all on it." As she spoke, she wanted to take out money to thank Ronald.
Waving his hand to signal no need, Ronald turned and walked back to the hall to wait.
"You can see many celebrities on TV in this building."
Roger Coleman talked quickly, and went downstairs in an hour and a half.
"Ronald, find a place to celebrate, the deal is over."
"Why don't you go to the apartment where I live, there are many restaurants, not far from here."
The two came to a Ukrainian restaurant, ordered some affordable meals, and opened a bottle of ordinary table wine.
"$110 million, they got the TV rights to Grand Theft Auto, you've brought me luck, Ronnie boy. Cheers!"
"Cheers!" Ronald clinked glasses with his former boss.
"This is New World's first TV rights sale and I'm really happy. Do you have a phone at home? I'll have to call Ron Howard and tell him the good news."
"Lon? I'm Roger Coleman. Great news, your Grand Theft Auto is sold to CBS, yes, $110 million, which means you get 7.5%, 82500 Dollars, hahaha. Of course that also means my 92.5% is super fucking good news."
"Ronnie, now let's talk about the midnight movie." After announcing the good news, Coleman began to talk to Ronald about the idea of "Rock High School" entering the midnight movie theater in New York.
Ronald told his former boss Coleman about his observation and analysis.
"Your observation makes sense. Let me make a few calls to ask."
Roger Corman pulled out his laptop and started calling the managers of independent theaters in New York City.New World's so-called own full rice distribution network, in fact, many of them are finalized by phone in such a temporary manner.
"You're right, Ronald. Midnight has been affected by the decline of the Rocky Horror Show, and now the major independent theaters are seeing new candidates. I made a deal with them to send 10 copies to New York, Do a test screening to see the effect."
Ronald remembered that Ron Howard got a cut in the previous phone call.Just ask Roger Coleman:
"Mr. Coleman, I discovered this market opportunity. Can I also enjoy the same sharing treatment as Lang?"
Roger Coleman looked at him, smiled and asked:
"How much do you want?"
"This? I don't know the price, how can I mention it? But this should also be a test for Coleman." Ronald thought to himself.
Looking at Ron Howard's quotation, he is the director plus the starring role, and he gets 7.5%. If he makes a small director contribution, even if he gets 3.75% of the 0.5% director's share. The business opportunity he discovered should be worth it 1.5%, 2% is required.
"I think I should be worth 3%." Ronald offered.
"It's impossible. Lang was able to get 7.5% because he already became a big star in the All-Media because of "American Graffiti". A star is the guarantee of the box office, and he can bring investment and theater lineups by directing and acting himself. That's why he can get 7.5%, and Ronald, you are just a nobody, and you can't get so much anyway."
Ronald was very happy when he saw that Coleman was making a bargain for him, which showed that Coleman was seriously considering giving him a share.
"So, I can leave you with a 0.5% cut. If the copy rental fee in New York exceeds $10, this cut is automatically activated.
"What if it's sold to a TV station?"
"Same ratio"
"1.5%"
"1%"
"make a deal."
Ronald quickly agreed, shook hands with Coleman, confirmed the cooperation in an old-fashioned way, and made his first film distribution business.
Roger Coleman is flying back to Los Angeles again this afternoon, and Ronald thinks he's working too hard.
Roger also thinks it may be time to retire:
"Spielberg and Lucas are using big production budgets to make exploitation films with the theme of the new world. In the past 20 years, science fiction and horror themes have always been my butter and bread. Because big producers Only if the factory can’t make these types of films can the market space of the new world survive.”
"But now, the audience is used to Star Wars, and I have to increase my budget by $200 million to the new film 'Battle of the Stars' in order to get theatrical releases. This is the biggest investment I have made in many years." In the car, Shi confided some thoughts.
Ronald did not speak, but mainly listened to what Roger Coleman said. It seemed that his New World Company took a lot of painstaking efforts to operate.
"Jim is working on your 'Clash of the Stars' crew. How is he doing? Mr. Coleman." After a while, Ronald couldn't help but asked about Cameron's situation.
"Haha, he is a good guy, and he knows like you that cost control is the root of making money in a movie. Last time he used McDonald's dinner plates and trash cans to build me a spaceship interior for one night, and it only cost $40. "
Ronald fell silent again.
"What's the matter with you Ronnie, seems to have something on your mind?"
"Ah, yes, Mr. Coleman. I'm currently working as a casting assistant on MGM's 'Hot Lunch' and revising some scripts on the side. Have fun while working for you in the New World, making a $850 movie."
"I didn't say that in front of you, Mr. Coleman. In the new world, everyone is united and everyone is working hard for the film. But in the crew of a major studio, it feels like everyone is looking after their own first." Benefits. The director will intrigue with the producer, the director of photography will buy the camera first, and then rent it to the crew. If you are dissatisfied, say that this car is also operated in the same way, so I can afford it.”
"This is normal. All the things in the new world are decided by me. There is no middle management. And under the structure of a large company, there are 4-5 layer. Here inevitably arises the agency problem.
Many middle-level managers are thinking about their own interests, and directors and producers are not entirely working hard for the box office. They can make a lot of money and develop their own personal relationships during the filming process. "
"I really miss the vibe of the rock high school crew. After I graduate, I still want to work for you."
"welcome any time."
After seeing off Roger Coleman, Ronald walked out of the airport.
"Hi, it's you again, young photographer."
When Ronald heard someone calling him, he looked back and saw that it was the taxi driver with the big brain he met when he flew back to New York for the first time.
"Yeah, it's me again, are you here to pick up your daughter again?"
"No, I'm here to attract customers this time. Do you want to take my car?"
"I drove here this time." Ronald shook the car keys in his hand.
"Honda Accord? Are you rich? Is portrait photography so profitable?
"No, I work for Alan Parker's crew, as his driver, the crew's financial operations, you know."
"Ha, it seems that Allen likes you very much, and I will give you a chance to make extra money."
"He's asking me to change the script for him."
"That's no wonder, but you have to be careful. Alan Parker, the English guy, is a tyrant on the set. For the effect of the film, he will do anything. My friend Brad Davis is the star of Midnight Express, and he is tormented enough. He said the director also forbade the actor playing his cellmate to take a shower during filming."
That smell is too big!
(End of this chapter)
I tentatively called New World Productions, and luckily found Gail, the assistant to the president who was working overtime.
"Gail? Great to hear your voice, this is Ronald, I'm calling you from New York."
"Look, I wanted to ask how the High School of Rock release is going? I've found a great opportunity in New York with a target audience that's about to fill up."
"There is a group of teenage viewers who regularly go to midnight theaters to watch exploitation films. The old Rocky Horror Show is about to go down four years ago. They are now looking for new midnight exploitation films."
"Mr. Coleman is... what? Mr. Coleman is coming to New York?"
"Yes, Ronnie. Mr. Coleman will fly to New York tonight and talk to CBS tomorrow about a big movie rights deal." Gale replied.
"Then I'll pick him up at the airport tomorrow morning and drive him to the CBS building. How about talking to him about the idea when he's done?"
"Okay, Mr. Coleman likes free cars the most, hahaha...I'll tell him. His flight number is..."
"Here, Mr. Coleman." Ronald waited for Roger Coleman at the boarding gate.After the two embraced, Ronald took the luggage and walked to the parking lot.
Coleman was in good spirits after an overnight red-eye flight.The two walked and chatted.
"Mr. Coleman, are we going to the CBS building first?"
"Okay, I made an appointment with them in the morning. I heard from Gail that you have something to ask about the release of the movie?"
"Yes, Mr. Coleman. I see an opportunity"
"I found an audience of teenagers. There are many teenagers who go to midnight shows in major movie theaters in New York. Now that the law and order in New York is not good, many parents don't want their children to go out at night, but they feel relieved to go to the movies. "
"They go mainly to have fun and date, and exploitation films are just right for them. Rocky Horror Show has been on midnight shows for 4 years. If Rock High School, can accumulate as much as Rocky Horror Show If there is a group of loyal audiences, it may be converted to long-term screenings."
"However, let's discuss it in detail after you and CBS have finished talking. I heard Gale say that they want to buy the movie rights of New World?"
"You know, I asked Ron Howard to direct and star in a movie in '77. It was called 'Grand Theft Auto.'
The president of CBS, Robert A. Daly, adopts a new strategy and is buying the broadcasting rights of teen movies aggressively. This time he is here to discuss the TV broadcasting rights deal with them. "
The car arrived at the Blackstone Building, where the CBS headquarters is located. As the name suggests, it is a black rectangular building, quite satisfactory and nothing fancy.Roger Coleman got on the elevator, and Ronald waited bored downstairs alone.
A regular CBS hostess scrambles out of an elevator, struggling with the zipper of her bag as she walks.
"Taxi! Taxi!" Seeing a taxi, she hurried out and dropped the interview book in her bag.
"Ma'am, your notebook." Ronald stepped forward to pick it up, ran to the taxi, and handed it to the hostess who was already in the car.
"Oh, thank you, I'll be in trouble if I lose this notebook, my interview informants are all on it." As she spoke, she wanted to take out money to thank Ronald.
Waving his hand to signal no need, Ronald turned and walked back to the hall to wait.
"You can see many celebrities on TV in this building."
Roger Coleman talked quickly, and went downstairs in an hour and a half.
"Ronald, find a place to celebrate, the deal is over."
"Why don't you go to the apartment where I live, there are many restaurants, not far from here."
The two came to a Ukrainian restaurant, ordered some affordable meals, and opened a bottle of ordinary table wine.
"$110 million, they got the TV rights to Grand Theft Auto, you've brought me luck, Ronnie boy. Cheers!"
"Cheers!" Ronald clinked glasses with his former boss.
"This is New World's first TV rights sale and I'm really happy. Do you have a phone at home? I'll have to call Ron Howard and tell him the good news."
"Lon? I'm Roger Coleman. Great news, your Grand Theft Auto is sold to CBS, yes, $110 million, which means you get 7.5%, 82500 Dollars, hahaha. Of course that also means my 92.5% is super fucking good news."
"Ronnie, now let's talk about the midnight movie." After announcing the good news, Coleman began to talk to Ronald about the idea of "Rock High School" entering the midnight movie theater in New York.
Ronald told his former boss Coleman about his observation and analysis.
"Your observation makes sense. Let me make a few calls to ask."
Roger Corman pulled out his laptop and started calling the managers of independent theaters in New York City.New World's so-called own full rice distribution network, in fact, many of them are finalized by phone in such a temporary manner.
"You're right, Ronald. Midnight has been affected by the decline of the Rocky Horror Show, and now the major independent theaters are seeing new candidates. I made a deal with them to send 10 copies to New York, Do a test screening to see the effect."
Ronald remembered that Ron Howard got a cut in the previous phone call.Just ask Roger Coleman:
"Mr. Coleman, I discovered this market opportunity. Can I also enjoy the same sharing treatment as Lang?"
Roger Coleman looked at him, smiled and asked:
"How much do you want?"
"This? I don't know the price, how can I mention it? But this should also be a test for Coleman." Ronald thought to himself.
Looking at Ron Howard's quotation, he is the director plus the starring role, and he gets 7.5%. If he makes a small director contribution, even if he gets 3.75% of the 0.5% director's share. The business opportunity he discovered should be worth it 1.5%, 2% is required.
"I think I should be worth 3%." Ronald offered.
"It's impossible. Lang was able to get 7.5% because he already became a big star in the All-Media because of "American Graffiti". A star is the guarantee of the box office, and he can bring investment and theater lineups by directing and acting himself. That's why he can get 7.5%, and Ronald, you are just a nobody, and you can't get so much anyway."
Ronald was very happy when he saw that Coleman was making a bargain for him, which showed that Coleman was seriously considering giving him a share.
"So, I can leave you with a 0.5% cut. If the copy rental fee in New York exceeds $10, this cut is automatically activated.
"What if it's sold to a TV station?"
"Same ratio"
"1.5%"
"1%"
"make a deal."
Ronald quickly agreed, shook hands with Coleman, confirmed the cooperation in an old-fashioned way, and made his first film distribution business.
Roger Coleman is flying back to Los Angeles again this afternoon, and Ronald thinks he's working too hard.
Roger also thinks it may be time to retire:
"Spielberg and Lucas are using big production budgets to make exploitation films with the theme of the new world. In the past 20 years, science fiction and horror themes have always been my butter and bread. Because big producers Only if the factory can’t make these types of films can the market space of the new world survive.”
"But now, the audience is used to Star Wars, and I have to increase my budget by $200 million to the new film 'Battle of the Stars' in order to get theatrical releases. This is the biggest investment I have made in many years." In the car, Shi confided some thoughts.
Ronald did not speak, but mainly listened to what Roger Coleman said. It seemed that his New World Company took a lot of painstaking efforts to operate.
"Jim is working on your 'Clash of the Stars' crew. How is he doing? Mr. Coleman." After a while, Ronald couldn't help but asked about Cameron's situation.
"Haha, he is a good guy, and he knows like you that cost control is the root of making money in a movie. Last time he used McDonald's dinner plates and trash cans to build me a spaceship interior for one night, and it only cost $40. "
Ronald fell silent again.
"What's the matter with you Ronnie, seems to have something on your mind?"
"Ah, yes, Mr. Coleman. I'm currently working as a casting assistant on MGM's 'Hot Lunch' and revising some scripts on the side. Have fun while working for you in the New World, making a $850 movie."
"I didn't say that in front of you, Mr. Coleman. In the new world, everyone is united and everyone is working hard for the film. But in the crew of a major studio, it feels like everyone is looking after their own first." Benefits. The director will intrigue with the producer, the director of photography will buy the camera first, and then rent it to the crew. If you are dissatisfied, say that this car is also operated in the same way, so I can afford it.”
"This is normal. All the things in the new world are decided by me. There is no middle management. And under the structure of a large company, there are 4-5 layer. Here inevitably arises the agency problem.
Many middle-level managers are thinking about their own interests, and directors and producers are not entirely working hard for the box office. They can make a lot of money and develop their own personal relationships during the filming process. "
"I really miss the vibe of the rock high school crew. After I graduate, I still want to work for you."
"welcome any time."
After seeing off Roger Coleman, Ronald walked out of the airport.
"Hi, it's you again, young photographer."
When Ronald heard someone calling him, he looked back and saw that it was the taxi driver with the big brain he met when he flew back to New York for the first time.
"Yeah, it's me again, are you here to pick up your daughter again?"
"No, I'm here to attract customers this time. Do you want to take my car?"
"I drove here this time." Ronald shook the car keys in his hand.
"Honda Accord? Are you rich? Is portrait photography so profitable?
"No, I work for Alan Parker's crew, as his driver, the crew's financial operations, you know."
"Ha, it seems that Allen likes you very much, and I will give you a chance to make extra money."
"He's asking me to change the script for him."
"That's no wonder, but you have to be careful. Alan Parker, the English guy, is a tyrant on the set. For the effect of the film, he will do anything. My friend Brad Davis is the star of Midnight Express, and he is tormented enough. He said the director also forbade the actor playing his cellmate to take a shower during filming."
That smell is too big!
(End of this chapter)
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