NOVEL NEXT Exploiting Hollywood 1980.
Chapter 78 General
Chapter 78 General
Miss Lindsay Doll's strategy was very powerful, but at the risk of guessing wrong.
Ronald thought about it all night, and finally decided to go hard. The worst outcome is nothing more than losing 3000 US dollars, and at the same time, he has no chance to sign.
Compared with the shortcut to the director's dream road, there is no risk that cannot be taken.
Ronald started by calling producer David Da Silva.
"David? This is Ronald. Yes, I've figured it out. This thing really needs a solution."
"Very good, little Ronnie, you've finally matured. I'll arrange a time for you, Alan, to sit down with me and sign the script doctor's agreement."
"No, I want to talk to you first. I don't trust Alan, his commitment to me is like a fart."
"It's best to bring the lawyer of the crew, David, I hope to solve this matter once and for all. No problem, it will be 4 o'clock today. See you then."
Ronald dug out the phone book again, found the number of the Western Screenwriters Guild, and dialed: "Hello, I want to check the contact information of an author. Christopher Gore, yes."
Taking the piece of paper with Christopher Gore's contact information on it, Ronald closed his eyes again, and mentally reviewed the predetermined strategy twice.
set off!
"This is Mitch Kantor, a lawyer from the law firm of 'Manat & Phelps & Phillips' in Los Angeles. He is a senior lawyer hired by the president of MGM. He happened to be on a business trip in New York. I asked him for help. Busy, revise your contract."
Producer David da Silva introduced a middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes opposite.
Like his name, Mickey Kanter has sly eyes and protruding ears.Two gray eyes were looking Ronald up and down.
"Hi, I'm Mickey." He offered to shake hands with Ronald.
"I was very curious to hear David talk about you. I wanted to meet you, a bold young man."
"I hope I haven't disappointed you, Mr. Cantor."
"No, just call me Mickey."
A senior lawyer hired by the president of MGM, so today's negotiation will be more favorable.Ronald welcomed the surprise.
"Let's settle this matter quickly, Ronnie." Producer Da Silva was very happy and handed over a contract.
"We still negotiated, 3000 US dollars, plus you voluntarily relinquish your signature and all derived rights arising from it."
When Ronald heard the second half of the sentence, and all the derivative rights brought about by it, he believed even more that the lawyer's judgment should be correct.
He gently put the contract aside, "David, I want to talk to you about the signature first."
"Hey, what's the matter with you? Don't waste everyone's time."
"On the contrary, I'll save you a lot of time."
Ronald glanced at lawyer Mitch, who seemed to be full of curiosity about the unexpected development of the matter.
"This is the authorship rules of the Screenwriters Guild, the latest copy I got from the lawyer." Ronald said as he took out two copies and handed them to the producer and the lawyer across the table.Holding another copy for himself, he began to read.
"The 'Story' byline belongs to anyone who for the first time comes up with the smallest full story, or writes a full outline for the first time.
'Script' credits go to the writers who personally wrote the drafts or scenes included in the final version of the film, no more than three in total.
'Original Screenplay' is awarded to the screenwriter who wrote the most outstanding original screenplay of the year.
Oh, no, this is the description of the nominated awards for the Oscars. "
Ronald vaults lightly, General!
David da Silva's expression changed from being happy at first, to bored, and now to surprise.
"Here's another contact from the Western Writers Guild. He belongs to Christopher Gore. If you want, David, we can call him together. Ask him how he feels about this typo."
Ronald stretched out his hand and tapped the words "Original Screenplay" on the cover of the script a few times.
"Enough!" David da Silva stood up and stopped Ronald from continuing.
"Mitch, please give Ronald and me some private time."
Lawyer Mitch Kanter's gray eyes stared at David for a while, and Ronald, as a bystander, also felt the tension in the atmosphere.Then he looked at Ronald, suddenly smiled and said, "Ronald, this house is yours." Then he walked out of the door and closed it behind him.
"What do you want to do? Ronald. Mitch is a lawyer hired by the president of MGM. Are you trying to embarrass me by saying this in front of him?"
"David, I didn't even know who he was before I came."
"Actually, I have no malice, I just want to get back my signature. Of course, I have no intention of taking the 'story' or 'writing' that does not belong to me. I just want to sign a name with the 'script'. After all, I wrote More than a third of the key plot, I deserve it, don't I?"
"How did you know about Christopher's deal with me? Did Chris tell you?"
"No, but I have my channel and I'm not exactly a newcomer to Hollywood."
"Okay, I'll talk to Chris again and give you a byline for the script, no big deal."
Ronald smiled slightly, the benefits of solving his own trouble now outweigh the other trouble.
"However, Alan is also involved in this matter. There is another clause in our deal. Alan can change Christopher's script at will, on the condition that Chris is the only one to sign it. If Chris and I re-sign the contract, this matter cannot be hidden Him. Together we have to convince him to agree to your script, Ronald."
Miss Lawyer was right, and now the producer is on his side.
"You know that because of what happened last time, he has always had some opinions about you."
"Ok?"
"Let me talk to Ellen first, Ronnie," the producer said to Ronald.
Director Alan Parker disagreed with crediting Ronald.
"Can you guarantee that Christopher Gore will not tell it? At that time, you... bought the script from Christopher Gore for $5000 and sold it to MGM for $4."
"I'm tired of this matter, don't procrastinate any longer, let's solve him, and I'll convince Chris." The producer wanted to solve this matter quickly, and even paid part of the money to the original producer out of his own pocket. author.
"You know, there is actually another solution. The scene written by Ronald will only pass the one-third line. What if it doesn't reach one-third? Then even the screenwriters union will not support him. Signed."
"you think……?"
"Did you forget? I'm also a screenwriter."
The two took a script apart and removed two pages of scenes written by Ronald, and then Allen typed himself and added two pages.After rebinding the script, the two returned to the room to negotiate with Ronald.
"This is the latest script that has been approved by the director, Ronald." Producer David Da Silva has regained his composure. According to our statistics, you contributed less than one-third of the script, so you can't write in the script. Sign it. "
The queen moved over from the slash and ate the horse, and turned back!
Ronald took it and flipped through it. The latest plot he wrote, printed on a blue paper card, was missing two pages, resulting in a total of less than one-third.
"But this is the final version." Ronald picked up the script in his hand and pointed to the words on the cover.
My lawyer told me that this has a legal meaning. "
"Then it's the lawyer's job." The producer opened the door and let in lawyer Mitch Kanter.
Mitch signaled them to leave the room first: "Let me talk to Ronald alone."
"Actually, I admire you, Ronald." Mitch stared at him and said.
Ronald felt uncomfortable being stared at by the pair of gray eyes.
"What do you mean, Mitch?"
"You are a newcomer, you are not yet 20 years old this year, you can find and use a little gap between the director and the producer, get in and find a chance to come back. But your luck is a little bit worse.
In the crew, if the director and the producer join forces to stop you, it will be very difficult for you to win. "
"What if I insist on initiating a lawsuit?"
Mitch smiled:
"Let me do the billing for you, Ronnie. May I call you Ronnie?"
"You can get 3000 US dollars from this script doctor's contract. You go to hire a lawyer to fight a copyright lawsuit in the entertainment industry. Even if he is a newcomer to the law firm after graduating from college, the hourly rate is $250."
"I asked for only $150," Ronald thought to himself.
"There are also the court's litigation fees, the lawyer's preparation materials, and the court fees. The case may be scheduled for several months to a year. If you win by chance, we MGM will definitely appeal, and you have to pay all The process is going through."
"Two years later, you may still not get a dollar, and you will lose your signature. Why not take the hard-earned $3000 and spend a year or two to do what you should do?
In a year or two, you can write several scripts.Who knows if any of them can be approved as a project, made into a movie, and help you get enough points to apply for the screenwriters union? "
Ronald felt that what attorney Mitch Kanter said was not unreasonable.But in the final analysis, I am the one who was deceived in this matter...
"Think about it carefully. Two years is a short time. I will stay in New York for two more days. As long as you agree before 5 pm tomorrow, I can guarantee that the contract for you is valid. No one can infringe on your interests. .”
After speaking, Mickey patted Ronald on the shoulder and walked out.
Disappointed Ronald also walked out of the room.Outside there are Gene and Antonia, and black girl Lucy.
"What happened to Ronnie? Why are they saying the director won't let you sign the script?" Gene asked.
"You're right, I have some disputes with the director and the producer, and we're still working on it."
"Hey, you brought me on set and I'm forever grateful, how would you like us to support you?" Gene said.
Ronald looked at Lucy and Antonia. In fact, he had another way, which was to mobilize his own actors to threaten them with a strike.But doing so will implicate others, and it is too difficult.
"Don't be impulsive, Gene. I just have some disputes with them on the signature, and they will pay my salary. It is not easy for you to have a chance. After you finish this movie, you will be able to join the Screen Actors Guild. The way forward Just go wide."
"I've already been a member of the trade union, we can..." Antonia rushed to say.
"No!" Ronald interrupted hastily, "Don't say that, Antonia, this movie is a rare opportunity for anyone. Don't take it lightly."
"I appreciate you guys, but things haven't gotten that bad yet."
After persuading the three actors away, Ronald returned home and immediately called lawyer Lindsay Dole:
"Lindsay, this is Ronald, and things are going so badly that I'm afraid I'm going to have to prepare for the worst."
Then ask for a monthly ticket, thank you
(End of this chapter)
Miss Lindsay Doll's strategy was very powerful, but at the risk of guessing wrong.
Ronald thought about it all night, and finally decided to go hard. The worst outcome is nothing more than losing 3000 US dollars, and at the same time, he has no chance to sign.
Compared with the shortcut to the director's dream road, there is no risk that cannot be taken.
Ronald started by calling producer David Da Silva.
"David? This is Ronald. Yes, I've figured it out. This thing really needs a solution."
"Very good, little Ronnie, you've finally matured. I'll arrange a time for you, Alan, to sit down with me and sign the script doctor's agreement."
"No, I want to talk to you first. I don't trust Alan, his commitment to me is like a fart."
"It's best to bring the lawyer of the crew, David, I hope to solve this matter once and for all. No problem, it will be 4 o'clock today. See you then."
Ronald dug out the phone book again, found the number of the Western Screenwriters Guild, and dialed: "Hello, I want to check the contact information of an author. Christopher Gore, yes."
Taking the piece of paper with Christopher Gore's contact information on it, Ronald closed his eyes again, and mentally reviewed the predetermined strategy twice.
set off!
"This is Mitch Kantor, a lawyer from the law firm of 'Manat & Phelps & Phillips' in Los Angeles. He is a senior lawyer hired by the president of MGM. He happened to be on a business trip in New York. I asked him for help. Busy, revise your contract."
Producer David da Silva introduced a middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes opposite.
Like his name, Mickey Kanter has sly eyes and protruding ears.Two gray eyes were looking Ronald up and down.
"Hi, I'm Mickey." He offered to shake hands with Ronald.
"I was very curious to hear David talk about you. I wanted to meet you, a bold young man."
"I hope I haven't disappointed you, Mr. Cantor."
"No, just call me Mickey."
A senior lawyer hired by the president of MGM, so today's negotiation will be more favorable.Ronald welcomed the surprise.
"Let's settle this matter quickly, Ronnie." Producer Da Silva was very happy and handed over a contract.
"We still negotiated, 3000 US dollars, plus you voluntarily relinquish your signature and all derived rights arising from it."
When Ronald heard the second half of the sentence, and all the derivative rights brought about by it, he believed even more that the lawyer's judgment should be correct.
He gently put the contract aside, "David, I want to talk to you about the signature first."
"Hey, what's the matter with you? Don't waste everyone's time."
"On the contrary, I'll save you a lot of time."
Ronald glanced at lawyer Mitch, who seemed to be full of curiosity about the unexpected development of the matter.
"This is the authorship rules of the Screenwriters Guild, the latest copy I got from the lawyer." Ronald said as he took out two copies and handed them to the producer and the lawyer across the table.Holding another copy for himself, he began to read.
"The 'Story' byline belongs to anyone who for the first time comes up with the smallest full story, or writes a full outline for the first time.
'Script' credits go to the writers who personally wrote the drafts or scenes included in the final version of the film, no more than three in total.
'Original Screenplay' is awarded to the screenwriter who wrote the most outstanding original screenplay of the year.
Oh, no, this is the description of the nominated awards for the Oscars. "
Ronald vaults lightly, General!
David da Silva's expression changed from being happy at first, to bored, and now to surprise.
"Here's another contact from the Western Writers Guild. He belongs to Christopher Gore. If you want, David, we can call him together. Ask him how he feels about this typo."
Ronald stretched out his hand and tapped the words "Original Screenplay" on the cover of the script a few times.
"Enough!" David da Silva stood up and stopped Ronald from continuing.
"Mitch, please give Ronald and me some private time."
Lawyer Mitch Kanter's gray eyes stared at David for a while, and Ronald, as a bystander, also felt the tension in the atmosphere.Then he looked at Ronald, suddenly smiled and said, "Ronald, this house is yours." Then he walked out of the door and closed it behind him.
"What do you want to do? Ronald. Mitch is a lawyer hired by the president of MGM. Are you trying to embarrass me by saying this in front of him?"
"David, I didn't even know who he was before I came."
"Actually, I have no malice, I just want to get back my signature. Of course, I have no intention of taking the 'story' or 'writing' that does not belong to me. I just want to sign a name with the 'script'. After all, I wrote More than a third of the key plot, I deserve it, don't I?"
"How did you know about Christopher's deal with me? Did Chris tell you?"
"No, but I have my channel and I'm not exactly a newcomer to Hollywood."
"Okay, I'll talk to Chris again and give you a byline for the script, no big deal."
Ronald smiled slightly, the benefits of solving his own trouble now outweigh the other trouble.
"However, Alan is also involved in this matter. There is another clause in our deal. Alan can change Christopher's script at will, on the condition that Chris is the only one to sign it. If Chris and I re-sign the contract, this matter cannot be hidden Him. Together we have to convince him to agree to your script, Ronald."
Miss Lawyer was right, and now the producer is on his side.
"You know that because of what happened last time, he has always had some opinions about you."
"Ok?"
"Let me talk to Ellen first, Ronnie," the producer said to Ronald.
Director Alan Parker disagreed with crediting Ronald.
"Can you guarantee that Christopher Gore will not tell it? At that time, you... bought the script from Christopher Gore for $5000 and sold it to MGM for $4."
"I'm tired of this matter, don't procrastinate any longer, let's solve him, and I'll convince Chris." The producer wanted to solve this matter quickly, and even paid part of the money to the original producer out of his own pocket. author.
"You know, there is actually another solution. The scene written by Ronald will only pass the one-third line. What if it doesn't reach one-third? Then even the screenwriters union will not support him. Signed."
"you think……?"
"Did you forget? I'm also a screenwriter."
The two took a script apart and removed two pages of scenes written by Ronald, and then Allen typed himself and added two pages.After rebinding the script, the two returned to the room to negotiate with Ronald.
"This is the latest script that has been approved by the director, Ronald." Producer David Da Silva has regained his composure. According to our statistics, you contributed less than one-third of the script, so you can't write in the script. Sign it. "
The queen moved over from the slash and ate the horse, and turned back!
Ronald took it and flipped through it. The latest plot he wrote, printed on a blue paper card, was missing two pages, resulting in a total of less than one-third.
"But this is the final version." Ronald picked up the script in his hand and pointed to the words on the cover.
My lawyer told me that this has a legal meaning. "
"Then it's the lawyer's job." The producer opened the door and let in lawyer Mitch Kanter.
Mitch signaled them to leave the room first: "Let me talk to Ronald alone."
"Actually, I admire you, Ronald." Mitch stared at him and said.
Ronald felt uncomfortable being stared at by the pair of gray eyes.
"What do you mean, Mitch?"
"You are a newcomer, you are not yet 20 years old this year, you can find and use a little gap between the director and the producer, get in and find a chance to come back. But your luck is a little bit worse.
In the crew, if the director and the producer join forces to stop you, it will be very difficult for you to win. "
"What if I insist on initiating a lawsuit?"
Mitch smiled:
"Let me do the billing for you, Ronnie. May I call you Ronnie?"
"You can get 3000 US dollars from this script doctor's contract. You go to hire a lawyer to fight a copyright lawsuit in the entertainment industry. Even if he is a newcomer to the law firm after graduating from college, the hourly rate is $250."
"I asked for only $150," Ronald thought to himself.
"There are also the court's litigation fees, the lawyer's preparation materials, and the court fees. The case may be scheduled for several months to a year. If you win by chance, we MGM will definitely appeal, and you have to pay all The process is going through."
"Two years later, you may still not get a dollar, and you will lose your signature. Why not take the hard-earned $3000 and spend a year or two to do what you should do?
In a year or two, you can write several scripts.Who knows if any of them can be approved as a project, made into a movie, and help you get enough points to apply for the screenwriters union? "
Ronald felt that what attorney Mitch Kanter said was not unreasonable.But in the final analysis, I am the one who was deceived in this matter...
"Think about it carefully. Two years is a short time. I will stay in New York for two more days. As long as you agree before 5 pm tomorrow, I can guarantee that the contract for you is valid. No one can infringe on your interests. .”
After speaking, Mickey patted Ronald on the shoulder and walked out.
Disappointed Ronald also walked out of the room.Outside there are Gene and Antonia, and black girl Lucy.
"What happened to Ronnie? Why are they saying the director won't let you sign the script?" Gene asked.
"You're right, I have some disputes with the director and the producer, and we're still working on it."
"Hey, you brought me on set and I'm forever grateful, how would you like us to support you?" Gene said.
Ronald looked at Lucy and Antonia. In fact, he had another way, which was to mobilize his own actors to threaten them with a strike.But doing so will implicate others, and it is too difficult.
"Don't be impulsive, Gene. I just have some disputes with them on the signature, and they will pay my salary. It is not easy for you to have a chance. After you finish this movie, you will be able to join the Screen Actors Guild. The way forward Just go wide."
"I've already been a member of the trade union, we can..." Antonia rushed to say.
"No!" Ronald interrupted hastily, "Don't say that, Antonia, this movie is a rare opportunity for anyone. Don't take it lightly."
"I appreciate you guys, but things haven't gotten that bad yet."
After persuading the three actors away, Ronald returned home and immediately called lawyer Lindsay Dole:
"Lindsay, this is Ronald, and things are going so badly that I'm afraid I'm going to have to prepare for the worst."
Then ask for a monthly ticket, thank you
(End of this chapter)
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