Chapter 532: Extending Most Favored Nation Treatment and Negotiating Hollywood Account Sharing
"The filming rights for Forrest Gump have been resold, and Weintraub Films said it will focus more on new productions of series of films and old films that have proven their market potential."
"The company that took over is the 21st Century Pictures of Minahan Golan, the former chairman of Cannon Pictures, which has filmed the big-budget Superman IV and Unicron He-Man in Hollywood. He said that his new company will turn to try satirical comedies.
This new type.”
"Winston Groom, the author of the original Forrest Gump novel, was interviewed and said that after the movie was abandoned by Warner Bros., he no longer had any hope of adapting it into a big-budget movie. Minahan Golan can guarantee that the original version will be maintained.
The satirical and absurd tone of the novel is the biggest good news for him since the project was red-lighted by Warner Bros. He is looking forward to starring some new actors, and said that the screenwriter hired by Minahan Golan is constantly working with himself.
Keep in touch without losing the original meaning of the novel..."
Ronald smiled as he looked at several reports about the "Forrest Gump" movie in the "Hollywood Reporter". These all appeared in the industry news on Page Six, and there was nothing out of the ordinary.
After Weintraub held the filming rights to "Forrest Gump" for a few months, he transferred them to Minahan Grann as agreed. During these months, he hired a screenwriter, Eli
Chris Ross, who made extensive adaptations of the novel.
The movie focuses on the plot of the first dozen chapters of the novel, and then jumps to the end where Forrest Gump meets little Forrest Gump. There are many plots in the middle that are full of satire on the American system, such as Forrest Gump going to heaven as an astronaut,
The space shuttle crashed and landed in Africa, etc. These were all deleted to preserve the length of the film and the spirit of the theme.
Winston Groom, the original author of the novel, was not notified of these adaptations, but Eric Roth still followed the plan and took the trouble to consult the original author for every detail change, such as the time and place of a certain plot.
The author, Winston Groom, was very satisfied. I heard that Hollywood often changes novels beyond recognition, but Weintraub Pictures is indeed different from them.
This time it was resold to 21st Century Pictures, and the screenwriter Eric Roth was also sold. Winston Groom saw that they were all old acquaintances, so he didn't ask any more questions and said some nice things.
Of course, he is not so easy to fool. The reason why he has such strong confidence in adapting the script is mainly because of the endorsement of Shirley Lansing, the president of Paramon.
Whether it is Weintraub Pictures or 21st Century Pictures, which was taken over by Minahan Golan, their film distribution rights are fulfilled by Paramount.
"When will you officially take over this project?" Shirley Lansing looked at the visiting Ronald, still hoping that his Daydream Pictures could take over as soon as possible. Otherwise, she would still lack confidence in front of the board of directors.
"Soon, when the negotiating delegation to China comes back, I will almost be able to buy it." Ronald came to discuss the delegation to China with Shirley Lansing.
The seven major Hollywood studios are all interested in this opportunity, and both Disney and Warner Bros. will send senior executives there. Warner Bros., in particular, directly asked the president to participate in part of the delegation's itinerary.
MGM, on the other hand, did not participate this time because of its own troubles. The financial fraud of Italian financier Giancarlo Parretti was exposed, and the Chinese government also rejected the merger of MGM and EMI.
Credit Lyonnais, the largest creditor, has to find a way to control MGM, which is sliding towards disaster. Now the major stakeholders are fighting a bloody battle, and the matter of going to China to participate in the delegation has been thrown aside.
"I will provide the greatest support, and our director in charge of international distribution will attend the entire meeting..."
Shirley Lansing smiled. In the end, she still didn't want to go to China by herself.
These days, the issue of most-favored-nation treatment in China has gone through many debates and hearings in Congress. People from all walks of life have shown their talents, and the forces in favor and opposition are strong.
Shirley Lansing is a person who is unwilling to take risks. She didn't want to advance the team on key negotiations at this critical moment. She just did all the actions that a normal studio should do, no more, no less.
After Ronald went to Congress for a hearing, the presidents of the most powerful unions, such as the United Auto Workers, the American Federation of Labor-Confederation of Industrial Workers, and others also went to Congress to attend hearings.
Maine's Senator, Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell, worked closely with them and proposed that an increase in human rights improvement records would be required before the extension of MFN status could be approved. This bill was also approved by the Representative from California's Eighth District.
Representative Nancy cooperated in trying to get the bill passed.
If this bill is passed, it is estimated that President William will find it difficult to refuse the joint attack of the two major members of his party.
"That's great, I hope Ms. Lansing can work for our independent film studio to get the other party to agree to retain the non-split buyout distribution."
Ronald knew that the statements of the California congressmen and the labor unions had a strong restrictive effect on the seven major studios. Even Peter Guber, who originally agreed, used the excuse that there had been a change in Oscar public relations and he wanted to be based in Los Angeles.
, refused to go to China.
Of the six major production companies that participated in the delegation, only Disney, Warner Bros., and Mike Medavoy of TriStar Pictures were present. However, this lineup has satisfied Mr. Counselor, and two and a half people from the Seven Big Pictures came (TriStar Pictures
The industry is half of Colombia), which has already given me enough face.
"No problem, you can still call me Shirley..." Shirley Lansing quickly drank brandy with Ronald to celebrate. In the few months since she took office, she has become more and more skilled in negotiating with independent production companies.
Already.
At the beginning, you might as well agree to all the conditions. When the project is officially approved, you can just find an excuse to reject it. Once you enter the project, even if you regret some things, they will not quit because of small changes.
…
"Ah, it's still the title of Samsung Pictures..."
"Ah, yes, dear, the title sequence you shot will have to undergo special effects processing before it can be replaced on the newly produced film copy. I heard that the final action hero in the summer will use your title sequence."
"Okay, hehe. To be honest, I really can't recognize it is me..."
Ronald and Diane came to the premiere of Michael Douglas's new film "Heroes." The film was distributed by Columbia, but under the TriStar Pictures label.
After Dai arranged that photo, she really wanted to see her image on the screen. This kind of thing is also very interesting to her. She appears in the opening credits of every Colombian movie. In the future, when the total box office is calculated, will she be the first
One?
This urban hero is not the typical American middle-aged character that Michael Douglas was good at before. Even in "Fatal Attraction", the hero he played had a lot of control over his life before the heroine went crazy.
OK.
But in this "Urban Hero", he completely transforms into an American loser. Whether it is work, family, love, family relationships, or some of the pressures on white men in society, they all weigh on him and make him breathless.
Moreover, the usual racial quotas in Hollywood movies are not shown in this movie. The bad guys include blacks, Koreans, Latinos, etc. who usually occupy a good guy position in movies.
Although white people also have a few villains because of balance, the protagonist, a very typical white middle-aged man, has become a wronged image. Racial equality, women's power, free trade, all of these were progressive in the 1980s and 1990s.
Social trends have made the protagonist played by Michael Douglas a victim. In the end, under heavy pressure, he tricked the police detective into shooting and committed suicide with the help of the police detective's hand.
It can be said that when many white viewers saw this movie, their first impression was that Michael Douglas played him, or that he was one or two times away from being unlucky enough to become such a person.
"What do you think of this movie? Is there any chance?"
Michael Douglas heard the audience applauding after the movie and came over to ask Ronald what he thought.
Although he has already won Best Actor and Best Film Producer, Michael Douglas still wants to break through and gain another kind of recognition for his acting skills through a movie that is different from his previous typical roles.
"Did you see the audience that came today? I think there is hope for Cannes this year..."
"That's all there is to it..."
Michael Douglas sighed softly. He understood what Ronald meant. In the 1950s, or even in the mid-1970s, a performance like his would definitely be a favorite for an Oscar.
But now the proportion of white people in the population continues to decline, and various progressive thoughts have been deeply rooted in the hearts of big cities through thirty years of influence. It may be difficult for him to even be nominated for his performance.
After all, in Hollywood or TV dramas, the protagonist can be white, but the boss must be played by a black man or a woman. Although such a story told from the perspective of a white man as a victim may resonate deeply with the target audience, it is indeed incompatible with Hollywood.
Going against the trend.
"By the way, do you think that if the negotiation is successful, is there any hope that my movie will enter the Chinese market? As one of the first batch of split movies? I am reflecting the bad side of America."
Michael Douglas, his own production company, also sent people to participate in the negotiation delegation. For this kind of independent production company, there is a special market, which is a very good thing and is very conducive to obtaining
Financing.
Ronald and his friends who sent their subordinates to participate in the tour have all talked about it. In China, the criteria for selecting movies are likely to include whether they reflect the negative aspects of American society. Ronald's own screening in China caused a stir
The sensational "Break Dance" was approved not because of any dance scene, but because it reflected the backwardness of Los Angeles, the oppression of black people by white people, and the acute racial conflicts.
"You know, there is no rating agency like the MPAA over there. There is too much gun violence in your movie..."
"Is that so?" Michael Douglas was very convinced of Ronald's judgment in this regard. After all, he was someone who could accommodate the people who rented pandas, and his understanding of China may be better than all of them.
"However, the movie Black Rain that you co-produced with Japan a few years ago is more to my taste." Ronald threw out another movie. Previously, Michael Douglas and Japanese star Ken Takakura co-produced a movie about the victims of the atomic bomb, and
The film "Black Rain" with contradictions between Japan and the United States.
"Takakura Ken is already a very popular tough guy in China, and you are also a tough guy in Hollywood. The audience there likes this kind of masculine leading actor the most. In addition, there are plots such as conflicts between Japan and the United States... I see
It may be introduced through the buyout of our small and medium-sized producers..."
Ronald analyzed it, and he still looked at it from the perspective of a small and medium-sized studio. Michael Douglas also felt that it made sense. He drew inferences from one example to another, such as "Emerald" and "Treasure of the Nile" that he had filmed many years ago.
Movies may also be released through buyouts.
…
"Bon Voyage……"
A few days later, Ronald said goodbye to his distribution director Michelle Cannold at the airport. He would first go to Xujiahui Film Studio, where he and Xiao Yan would listen to some opinions, and then go to the department and many major Hollywood studios.
People gathered together to participate in the negotiations led by the MPAA.
Ronald gave him two requirements. First, he should try to raise and promote distribution possibilities outside the sub-account system. Second, he should explore the possibility of opening new multiplex cinemas in places such as Xujiahui and the Pearl River Delta.
Although this market is still in a closed stage, it has always welcomed joint ventures or partners who bring advanced technologies.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Not to mention that he was also a member of the Foreign Experts Committee back then. Ronald specially reminded him to keep in touch with his old friends.
Such a delegation of Hollywood studios would certainly attract the attention of the press.
Soon, newspapers began to report on this negotiation trip aimed at opening up the Chinese film market, adopting split-bill contracts, protecting intellectual property rights, and other topics of interest to the United States.
Before departure, MPAA President Jack Valenti also accepted a brief interview, saying that this time it was China that took the initiative to invite and proposed negotiations on intellectual property protection issues that had been stalled before.
Along with this news, there was also a strong protest from the agricultural product association. Many farmers produce goods that are sold to China. After all, that is the place with the fastest economic development in the world, and people are very concerned about meat, oil, and soybeans.
, etc. America’s cheap agricultural products have seen a surge in demand year after year.
These agricultural associations also have many representatives in Congress. Their protests will actually determine the results of the next election for many members of Congress.
Along with the Agricultural Association, the American Chamber of Commerce, more than 300 large multinational companies, and dozens of industry associations also made their voices heard. They jointly issued an ultimatum to the leader, asking him to fulfill his campaign promises and open up overseas markets for companies.
Immediately and unconditionally approve the extension of most-favored-nation status for China, and no human rights excuses may be used to delay or veto the extension.
Politics in America are like this. Sometimes the competing interests of two interest groups, the increase in employment from agricultural exports and the increase in employment from multinational corporations' expansion into China, may not be less than the votes brought by those hard-line labor unions.
Now, whether to approve the extension of most-favored-nation status will mainly be reflected in China's efforts to protect copyrights, trademarks, and reduce import tariffs.