Writing a script and then pitching it to various producers is called "speculative writing." Speculation means that you start writing the script without knowing whether anyone will buy it.
Speculative writing is prohibited by order of the Screenwriters Guild because it will bring about legal piracy issues. If a producer sees your script, pretends to reject it, and then has someone change it based on the script, turning your script into
his.
Such behavior is difficult to define, so the Writers Guild cannot protect the intellectual property rights of its members. The union's approach is to simply prohibit it. The bureaucracy's thinking is simple and clear. If there is no such thing, there is no need for protection.
The method of prohibition is, on the one hand, to declare speculative writing illegal in the union rules, and on the other hand, to put pressure on buyers, producers and agents of speculative scripts. After several court battles, some producers actually lost the case because of purchasing speculative scripts.
, now producers are unwilling to read scripts submitted by new screenwriters.
But in order to get into the industry, newcomers have the only way to write their own scripts and submit them. Therefore, before submitting, they will attach a liability authorization letter stating in advance that if the other party reads their scripts, they will not be exempted from any legal disputes that may arise therefrom.
Many producers and agents do not read the script without this authorization letter to avoid trouble.
It is obviously to protect the screenwriters, but after such a bureaucratic red tape operation, the new screenwriters become even more vulnerable. Sometimes their speculative scripts are blatantly rewritten, but because of the prior disclaimer, they cannot sue.
After receiving the notice from his secretary, he was not in a hurry to write and submit the manuscript immediately. Anyway, the agent had no shortage of speculative scripts. Ronald spent several months slowly polishing the script and then sent it to the agent named Rick Niceta.
There, he can still see.
Ronald wanted to write a romantic love story between a Chinese gangster and an Italian female assistant prosecutor.
As the successor of a gang, the Chinese man wanted to transform the gang into a legal business, but he did not tell the Italian woman his true identity. The Italian woman often scared away men of the same ethnic group because of her work, and she did not tell the other party that she was a prosecutor. The two of them
Fall in love without knowing each other's identity.
Ronald gave Spike Lee the outline of the script.
"Isn't this the 'Corner Store' directed by Lubitsch in 1940? The man and woman do not know each other's true identity and fall in love with each other's false identity. In their true identities they are hostile enemies, but in their false identities they are indeed romantic lovers. In the end
Exposed, everyone is happy."
Spike criticized Ronald for plagiarizing old scenes, "Haven't you seen it? Starring Jimmy Stewart." Then he roughly told the plot of the corner store.
"I really haven't seen it," Ronald complained, "It's just that the core is a little bit similar, and my details are completely different."
Then we discussed it with Kathryn Bigelow, who is also an all-around talented writer and director.
"I really like the dramatic core of this script, but why does the ending involve the heroine giving up the prosecutor, marrying the hero, and the two of them running the company together? Don't you think the hero's background is complicated and that he should give up his identity as a gang heir and find someone else?
A normal job, supporting the heroine?”
"This? The audience doesn't like to see it," Ronald muttered.
These people are all professionals. When they see the script, they analyze it from the screenwriter's point of view, how it should be written, and how it should be modified. This is not the reaction of a normal audience at all.
Ronald decided not to ask them, but instead asked how ordinary people felt, starting with the newsstand owner.
"Jimmy, let me tell you a story. A Chinese man, he is the successor of the gang..."
"Oh, why would the successor of a gang want to quit the world? You see in The Godfather, Mike takes over from the old Godfather. I give her an offer she can't refuse. Isn't that cool? Do you want to buy some newspapers? It's still the same.
Daily variety show?”
"Yes, another Hollywood report."
The general train of thought is more out-of-the-box, and Ronald also received a lot of real feedback. The point where they couldn't stand it and started to lose focus was often the point where the drama was too weak, so they went back and revised it.
…
That day, little Douglas, who was studying in Columbia, came to see Ronald again.
He is Ronald's best friend on the high school wrestling team. Some time ago, he failed to pursue Kathryn Bigelow, a beauty who is 9 years older than him. However, he has not given up on his dream of finding a girlfriend in the entertainment industry. This time he is for a celebrity girlfriend.
The plan is to find Ronald.
"Did you know? The owner of Club 54 is going to jail soon."
Ronald was not very happy when he heard the name of Club 54. The big doorman liked to take apart a pair of dates and put one in. Wasn't he deliberately sabotaging it? He just used it to enhance his power.
"I haven't heard of it, why?"
"Tax evasion, the police found millions of dollars in cash in their basements."
Ronald looked at little Doug, you didn't just come to tell me the news, did you?
"Hey, did you know? Before they go to jail, they will hold a big farewell party. Many female stars will go there. If you can go in, you will have the opportunity to meet some female stars."
"I can't get in. The doormen there are very picky. Unless you know someone important, they'll let you in."
"Don't worry, I've already got two invitations." Little Douglas took out two invitations to the farewell party of Club 54, "But I lack an insider to introduce me to the circle. So..."
Ronald also wanted to see Club 54, the best nightclub in New York, so he readily agreed.
But they regretted it at the door of Club 54.
Howie Montague, the gatekeeper of Club 54, looked at their invitation and winked at Ronald, "Same-sex couple? You have a lot of fun, I remember you, you came with Madonna last time,
Today..."
Little Douglas and Ronald looked at each other and separated immediately after entering the club. This misunderstanding was not good.
Club 54 is indeed a lively and luxurious place. A huge sculpture in the shape of a champagne bottle stands at the door. Scantily dressed male and female waiters serve a large amount of alcoholic drinks. A huge bridge spans the center of the dance floor, and several people wearing bikinis dance disco on the main stage.
Musical woman.
Little Douglas met two acquaintances, a young man who came from a wealthy family like him and his young wife. The young man came from the real estate industry and is now entering the Manhattan real estate industry. His beautiful wife is a Czechoslovakian immigrant and they already have a relationship.
a child.
With his son leading the way, little Douglas was soon introduced to the girl of his dreams, Farrah Fawcett. This former actress of the TV series "Charlie's Angels" has now specialized in movies, although she already has a regular job.
Her boyfriend is Ryan O'Neal, but the actor's charm is irresistible, and little Douglas is still fascinated by him after a few moments.
Seeing that he had achieved what he wanted, Ronald didn't bother him and walked through Club 54 by himself. Today was the farewell party, so the music was not that intense, but rather sad, and everyone focused on saying goodbye.
The Bee Gees' "Saturday Night Fever" music started playing, and a 70-year-old grandmother next to me started to dance, "Young man, why don't you come and dance with me?"
Ronald saw that her dancing was still so vigorous, which was especially rare for such an old man, and he danced a song with her.
The old lady was very happy and said, "You dance very well. Why haven't I seen you before?"
"Oh, I came once, but I was stopped by Howie."
"Hahaha, why didn't you mention my name? They all call me Disco Sally. Howie knows me and they are all very nice to me. My husband passed away a few years ago and only here can I find friends..."
After dancing with Sally at the disco, more regulars came to invite her as a farewell souvenir. Ronald stepped aside and looked at the celebrities on the catwalk above the dance floor.
There were Stallone who played Rocky Boxer, actor Richard Gere, supermodel Gia Calanchi, and many more stars that looked familiar to Ronald but could not name.
Among them, Ronald also saw Brooke Shields who he wanted to sign in "Endless Love". She and she thought about her mother's one million dollar actress' sky-high salary and the brother's praise for her. She didn't know the movie was
It is not possible to invite her in the end.
"She's such an American beauty, isn't she?"
When Ronald heard the question, he turned around and saw a tall man wearing a white shirt on the upper body, a brown T-shirt underneath, tight jeans, and a pair of large leather shoes. He was dressed simply, yet very stylish.
This is not a movie star style, but a designer style, where all the clothes match just right.
"Yes, he is the dream lover of every high school boy in America." Ronald replied.
"Hello, call me Calvin, I'm a fashion designer and I'm looking for advertising models for my women's jeans."
"You have a good eye. I've done the test, and she has a high degree of support among college students." Ronald smiled and told Calvin about the hormone test he did during the casting process.
"So you work in the film industry?" Calvin asked.
"Yes, I'm still an advertising director." Ronald handed over his business card, "My name is Ronald Lee."
"I'm Calvin Klein." Calvin shook hands with him, "Ronald Lee, I heard your name somewhere, chewing gum, right?"
"Chewels gum tastes better? That's right, I directed it."
"I appreciate the simplicity of that ad. We should talk some time. Maybe you could work on my jeans ad?"
"Which advertising agency did you hire? I usually work with Darcy Maguire of BBDO."
"No, I didn't hire any advertising agency. They are all just yes-men without creativity. I come up with ideas myself and you help me shoot them. How about that?"
"Why not?" Ronald took Calvin's business card. I will contact your secretary.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!..." Countless sounds of champagne bottles were opened, and the waiters on roller skates began a new round of parade. They held trays filled with champagne with their hands, and they could walk quickly.
without spilling a drop of champagne.
"Cheers!" Ronald took two glasses and toasted to his new acquaintance Calvin.
It’s really a gold-selling den that is full of money and wealth, but it’s a pity that it will be closed soon.