On January 2, 1983, Ronald got up early and prepared to go to New World Company to discuss the filming arrangements for "Night of the Comet".
Roger Coleman is a person who doesn’t like to take vacations and likes to work. This year he did not go on vacation with his wife Julie and their three children. So Ronald made an appointment with him to go to the office today to talk about "Night of the Comet"
"s arrangement.
Although there are still some funds that have not been received, it does not prevent us from making preparations from the early stage and establishing the crew. We also need to find the most important director of photography and art director, two key people who must join in the early stage.
In addition, notifying major agencies and starting auditions for supporting roles requires an initial investment of some money. Let’s get things started first.
Ronald was tying his tie in front of the mirror, and the ABC morning news came on the TV.
"According to the TASS news agency, the Soviet Union's Cosmos 1402 nuclear-powered satellite has lost control and is falling into the earth uncontrollably.
This is the second time a similar situation has occurred since Cosmos 954 crashed into Canada in 1978 and caused nuclear contamination. NASA in America stated that it will fully monitor the trajectory of satellite 1402 to ensure that a similar disaster does not occur."
"Oh." Ronald was about to go out. Hearing this sensational news, he couldn't help but take a second look at the news.
"Should it be okay? The earth is so big, it won't fall to America."
In a world where two powers are competing for hegemony, "nuclear" is a nerve-wracking word. In addition, after the accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in America, people have become allergic. Anything with the word "nuclear" will trigger
Automatic defensive response.
After putting on his coat, Ronald drove to the New World office.
This place is still as low-key as it was a few years ago. There are no corporate signs outside the door, but the red and white exterior walls are a little more shabby than in memory.
"I came to see Mr. Roger Coleman and made an appointment with him." Ronald announced his home address softly to his secretary.
"Mr. Coleman has a temporary guest, please come and sit here for a while." The secretary led him to the lounge.
Coleman didn't stick to his schedule, which was rare. Ronald drank his coffee and thought about some of the points he was going to discuss with Roger today.
"Mary, open a bottle of champagne for us." Ronald, who was thinking about something, suddenly heard Coleman's voice and looked up.
Roger Coleman's office opened a crack, and Coleman stuck his head out of the office door with a smile on his face. He ordered the secretary to open champagne, and it seemed that he had something good to celebrate.
"Ronald, are you already here?" Coleman looked at Ronald walking out of the lounge and hurriedly signaled to him, "Wait for me for a while. I'll talk to you when I'm done here."
Ronald nodded and sat back on the sofa. This time he waited longer. It took a full half an hour before he saw Roger Corman sending three people in suits and ties out.
"We hope you will come to New World often in the future, and we also want to put up a signboard at the door." The leader of the three men in suits, a man wearing glasses, said to Roger Coleman.
"Larry, Harry, Larry, the new world technically belongs to you three. You can do whatever you like to her, my friends. This office will belong to you next time you come here." Cole
Man hugged the three of them one by one and said goodbye.
"We will take over the company after the New Year holiday and will hire a good CEO to manage the company. We also hope that Mr. Coleman will continue to produce more exciting movies for New World. We have great trust in your production ability.
of."
"Who are you going to find as CEO?"
"There are several candidates, all of whom are senior management talents from the seven major studios..."
Coleman escorted three well-dressed men out.
"Huh?", Ronald thought, "What's going on?"
"Mr. Coleman sold the company?" Ronald walked over and asked Coleman's secretary in a low voice.
"They talked several times last year, and this time they concluded the deal after a while. Maybe they offered a very high price. Ronald, I know you have worked here before, and it doesn't matter if I talk to you.
I have read the last agreement, and they said they would introduce new management. I wonder if the new manager will respect us as much as Mr. Coleman does. Or give us a salary increase?" the secretary quietly asked.
Ronald chatted for a while.
"Ronnie, let me talk to you about the next arrangements." Roger Coleman returned to the office after seeing off the three men. He waved Ronald into the office.
"Did you sell the company? Mr. Coleman." Ronald asked straight to the point. What he wanted to ask most was how to fulfill the distribution agreement signed between him and Coleman.
"Yes, those three Hollywood lawyers did the calculations through Wall Street accountants. They thought my new world was worth a lot of money and gave me a price I couldn't refuse. I myself didn't think my distribution network was worth so much.
many."
Coleman took a champagne glass and poured Ronald a glass.
"Congratulations, Mr. Coleman. It seems that their offer is very good, and you can retire and enjoy life." Ronald stepped forward and clinked a glass with him.
"Yeah, I can retire." Roger Corman picked up a check on the table and flicked it, "Anyway, it will be reported tomorrow, seventeen million, one thousand fucking seven million
.I have been operating New Century for a total of ten years, and I have not made so much money."
"Oh," Ronald opened his mouth in surprise. Seventeen million was a lot of money for Ronald, equivalent to two medium-sized productions from major Hollywood studios, or one large-scale production.
the cost of.
Or to be simpler, you can make three of Cameron's "Terminator" movies and a dozen of your own "Night of the Comet" films.
"Lawyers are really rich these days." Ronald sighed.
"Hahaha, you are wrong, Ronald. That is not their own money, it was lent to them by Wall Street. Last summer, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates very low. Now coupled with the low inflation today, many banks are willing to
Lend money to these lawyers who are familiar with the situation to invest in the film industry."
Coleman put his feet up on his desk, and his joy was palpable, "Seventeen million just bought all the distribution networks of New World, and I can also own the film library of all the movies I have shot in the past.
I have reserved the derivative rights to re-release them, sell them to TV stations, or make them into video tapes, etc., including the 'Rock and Roll High School' you helped me sell. I will probably sell it to MTV, and you can still get a share of it by then.
Pen.
They are very optimistic about my distribution network and think that is the most valuable part of the company. Although I don’t agree with their view, I like the price they offered this time, hahaha.”
"Let's not talk about this anymore." Colman saw Ronald's slightly anxious smile and quickly changed the topic, "The distribution contract for your movie is included in the scope of the transaction. You don't have to worry about it. It won't affect your other
Financing.”
"That's great. Congratulations again, Mr. Coleman." Ronald poured another glass of champagne for Coleman. He was also happy for his former boss. He had worked hard for half a lifetime making exploitation films and finally earned enough.
Money is available for retirement.
"Well," Coleman took another sip and unbuttoned his shirt. "The sale agreement between me and them includes that I will continue to serve as a senior consultant for two years, and I will produce five films a year for them to distribute and distribute.
The fee is a very cheap 15%, and I have included your movie as one of my five this year."
"By the way, what's the budget for your new movie?"
"I'm still at least two hundred thousand dollars short, and I'm still looking for it. I asked Gale to help me find the money."
"Well, your five hundred thousand investment should remain unchanged. When they take over the company, I will arrange for them to meet you again.
The new owners of New World Company may like your movie. When you come back to discuss the release schedule with them in two days, I'll help you ask if they intend to invest more in order to make up for this gap.
superior."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Coleman."
"Don't say that, I will make more money by helping your movie to be released, hahaha..."
…
"Gale, guess what I saw today? Coleman retired and sold his company to three lawyers for $17 million."
Ronald returned home and immediately called Gail.
"How much? Seventeen million?" Gale exclaimed on the other end of the phone, "I have to go see him. Maybe with this kind of money, I can invest in Jim's new movie."
"Will he invest so much money? Coleman has never made big investments. And what I heard from him is that with this money, Roger will retire."
"Don't listen to him. Don't you know Mr. Coleman's character? How can such a person be so idle? And he has long started to complain that no one is willing to release low-cost movies now. The drive-in theaters are becoming more and more popular now."
There are fewer and fewer of them. Nowadays, shopping malls and department stores are equipped with movie theaters.
His old laser gun biu of hundreds of thousands of dollars has long since stopped working. Let me tell you, Roger has long said that he also wants to invest two to five million dollars in science fiction movies and Lucas's Star Wars.
Bibi.”
"Hahaha, let's see what he thinks. Now maybe he will shoot Jim's six million dollar laser biu." Ronald replied.
"Yes, I will go to New World with you at the right time, and I will promote your project to the new managers of New World, and maybe I can make up for the investment. Now Roger is in the honeymoon period with them, and they
I should still trust Roger’s vision.”
"Yes, Roger told me the same thing. We will go and ask together then."
After hanging up the phone, Ronald fell on the bed and began to think wildly.
Seventeen million, who said there is no way to make money from making exploitation films? If you could have seventeen million, what would you use it for?