Agent Rick Niceta was holding the phone some distance away from his ear to avoid the outpouring of profanity, but suddenly his voice became barely audible.
He put the receiver over his ears, leaned his upper body against the back of the chair, changed into a comfortable position, and then slowed down his speech, trying to make his voice sound as magnetic as possible.
"Universal President Thom Mount is also very dissatisfied with Timothy Hutton's threats. He is not yet Hollywood's golden boy, but he is just a candidate for golden boy and is dictating film projects.
But now he's very likely to get a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Universal needs him to finance. You know, Ronald, those bankers only recognize Oscar-nominated actors.
He admires your script very much. It just so happens that another project of Universal, "Fast-paced Richmond High" also needs a screenwriter to revise the script, and Mount promised to have you come..."
"Hi!"
Ronald laughed angrily, "I was originally helping the novelist Cameron Crowe revise the script. Are you using what I already have in exchange for me giving up the screenwriter for the Grease sequel?"
"No, no, listen to me, Ronald... don't hang up the phone." Niceta straightened her body again and quickly denied this exchange.
"I raised your expectations to Tom Mount. You want to participate in film shooting and learn to be a director. So Mount agreed that you can participate in the entire filming process as a director's assistant or producer's assistant."
Ronald was silent for a moment, thinking about the validity of this promise and the extent to which it would accelerate his dream of becoming a director.
"Are you still there, Ronald? I think it's worth considering Mount's offer. You'll be paid the same amount, but you'll be rewriting the script for 'Fast-paced Richmond High' and quit writing the Grease sequel..."
"Nisita began to talk into the microphone.
"The rules of Hollywood are very simple. Whoever can get the money has the right to speak. The bankers saw that Jane Fonda was willing to star, so it was easy to get a loan of 8 million, and she could get a guaranteed salary of 2 million.
.
Timothy Hutton is at the moment of his popularity, "Everyman" is both a hit and a hit, and bankers are willing to mortgage him a loan of 3 million, so Universal can get the project started."
"So in this 'fast-paced Richmond High', who does the banker value?" Ronald asked, "How can I guarantee a foothold in this new crew? It's hard to guarantee that the guy the banker values, he
Or maybe she didn’t like me. In the end, I changed the script, but there was still no room for participation.”
"Haha, this is the wonderful thing about this plan, Ronald." Niceta finally relaxed. Ronald has begun to seriously consider giving up the Grease sequel. In this case, Ronald will not agree to modify the contract and have a dispute with the president of Universal.
Stiff trouble.
Niceta continued: "Universal approved this movie because of its director. They have invited the emerging director David Lynch to direct this youth film. Director Lynch proposed to read the completed script before making a decision.
Do you want to sign a contract?"
"It's not that the big shots in these studios don't understand the rules of artistic creation, Ronald. Sometimes they are forced to do nothing. Stars will propose to modify the script to make it fit their own image, but they are the guarantee of the box office. Banks
Investors must see the star's signature before agreeing to financing.
But every once in a while, they will also have an opportunity to let the creative staff create movies completely in accordance with the laws of art. For example, this is the case with your teacher Scorsese's "Raging Bull".
This requires stars to be willing to sacrifice their own image for the overall artistic effect of the movie, such as Robert De Niro, who gained 60 pounds to play the boxing champion. It also requires the director himself to be recognized by producers and bankers, such as having made "Taxi"
Driver” by Scorsese.
David Lynch is such a cutting-edge director. After his new film "The Elephant Man" was released, the critics were very optimistic about it. He hopes to compete with your teacher Scorsese in the awards season next year.
Lynch is a director who puts his art first. You don't have to worry about him revising the script because of any stars. As long as your script satisfies him, he will faithfully make it into a movie."
Ronald was a little moved, "Of course I am confident that I can write a script that satisfies him, but can he guarantee that he will be faithful to the original intention, not blindly change the script, and can he allow me to participate in the entire filming process?"
Niceta covered the microphone with her hand and couldn't help but smile. Young people often like to accept challenges. Let them choose in the direction you want. Sometimes you just need to challenge their self-esteem in the areas they are good at.
"After careful consideration, I feel that Universal is sincere. Ronald Lynch's 'The Elephant Man' is also adapted from a novel. It tells the story of a man with a deformed skull who performs a freak show in a circus and is later killed by a
The story of the kind-hearted surgeon who saved the life.
Critics say the movie is very much in line with the spirit of the original work. Did you know that Ronald Lynch had only directed one feature film before, and before the producers approached him, he was making a living by repairing roofs for people? Universal
Mr. Mount, the president of the company, is a discerning person and he gave the green light to the project.
All you lack is experience, Ronald. In this movie, you can take your pick of director's assistant and producer's assistant positions. If you continue to learn the art of directing from Lynch, you might be able to find someone who will appreciate you next time.
people."
"I've got to think about it, Rick. In Hollywood, words mean nothing."
"Of course, the relevant terms will be written into the contract. Would you rather choose a director's assistant or a producer's assistant?"
To Niceta's surprise, Ronald preferred the producer's assistant. The reason he gave was also very simple. The director's assistant was very busy on the set, while the producer's assistant just checked the shooting progress every day and had a lot of time.
You can observe the director's approach.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "I will coordinate. The actual producer of this film is Art Linson, who also has a strong sense of direction.
I am interested in learning directing skills by observing Lynch's shooting.
You will have a common language. I will find a way to arrange for you to meet and ask him to arrange as little work as possible for you and focus on studying on the set." Rick Niceta said.
"Your main task now is to come up with the script, so that David Lynch can see the script earlier and finalize the matter earlier."
"I will, don't worry." Ronald put down the phone.
The director's assistant is a position that is very closely related to the director and is usually designated by the director. Any position with the word director on the set, such as the first assistant director and the second assistant director, are positions where the director has greater power to decide on the candidate.
Rather than asking the studio to fight for this position for yourself, it is better to be an observer. In fact, it doesn’t matter what the job title is, as long as you can stay on the set, watch how the director makes every decision, and then have the power to see every decision.
Today’s samples, look back at the consequences of the director’s decisions.
Ronald believed that he could learn from it the short version of directing skills that he urgently needed and how to train actors.
Aunt Karen watched the worried Ronald come out and asked what happened.
Ronald briefly said that his screenwriting work had suffered a setback and that he would lose the opportunity to work on the "Grease" sequel. The agent may compensate for the screenwriting revision work of another movie.
"Don't worry, Ronnie." Aunt Karen hugged him, "No matter what you choose, we will support you and we will always be proud of you, Ronnie."
"Thank you, Auntie." Ronald sat down. The TV debate was over.
He felt that he needed to think about this matter carefully and then ask his main agent, Richard Lovett, for his opinion.
CAA's policy of multiple agents also means that each agent can contact him independently. They independently negotiate business for Ronald. Sometimes they themselves have differences, depending on which agent the client trusts more.
Compared to Rick Niceta, who had multiple clients and was more nervous about working with major studios, Ronald believed more in Richard Lovett, who had only one client of his. His interests were highly consistent with his own.
"Don't worry, Ronnie." Auntie asked Donna to take out a box of VHS tapes from the video recorder. "I've recorded it all. You can take it back and read the content of the debate and decide which candidate you want to vote for. This is the first time in your life.
Voting for general office is exciting, and I also participated in President Kennedy's Peace Corps that year."
Ronald took the videotape and thought, "Don't watch it. I will vote for anyone who supports tax cuts. The taxes in the film and television industry are too high. But in this way, the governor of California, who is a film actor, will be elected after he is elected.
Give some preferential policies to the film industry?"
"ABC TV station took over a sample phone survey during the debate. More than two-thirds of the viewers believed that the former California governor won the debate. Especially in three areas: solving the Persian hostage crisis, lowering inflation, and cutting taxes.
We have achieved an overwhelming advantage on issues such as social security. The leadership’s advantage on issues such as social security is not as obvious as expected.”
The results of a telephone sample survey were printed on the screen.
"We really need to reduce taxes. We should take a closer look when we go back." Ronald looked at the video tape in his hand.