Jerry Weintraub was a Jew who came from a poor background. He relied on his daring to think and act. He called Elvis Presley’s agent day after day for more than a year and finally convinced Elvis Presley to quit.
He came back from retirement, held a national tour, and made his first pot of gold.
He later became the tour promoter of Frank Sinatra, the famous Hollywood "rat pack" boss, and the tour promoter of Bob Dylan. In addition, he also worked for the Carpenter Band,
The Beach Boys and others are engaged in organizing and planning large-scale concerts.
In addition, he is also the manager of the famous singer John Denver. But his most famous management business is his wife Jane Morgan.
The famous female singer was thirteen years older than him. Two hours after meeting Jerry Weintraub for the first time, the two rolled into bed. Soon Jane Morgan divorced her husband and married Weintraub.
Cloth combined...
This is Jerry Weintraub, a shrewd, greedy, street-smart, yet friendly Jewish businessman with many friends.
What Ronald came to was Jerry Weintraub's mansion in Beverly Hills. The huge living room had floor-to-ceiling windows on one side, allowing for a bird's-eye view of the mountain scenery. The custom-made leather sofa was very large, and the person sitting on it was
Jerry Weintraub is a tall man with a typical Jewish big nose and a shrewd face.
"My dear, I won't disturb you any more about business." Jane Morgan stood up from the sofa and went to another room.
"Mr. Weintraub, I wonder what story you want me to write through Mr. Frank Price?"
"It seems Frank didn't lie to me. You are indeed a talented and capable young man." Jerry Weintraub stood up and shook hands with him. Growing up in the Bronx, New York, he had a past
Human intuition, no matter who he is, can quickly tell whether he is a friend or an enemy as soon as he meets him. This intuition has allowed him to survive the ups and downs and become a tycoon in the music industry.
"I once had my name in the film 'Nashville' directed by Altman, but my real entry into the film industry and production of a film was 'diner', which was released last year. It had a budget of five million and finally made a film.
14 million box office results.
At the beginning, the distributors were not optimistic about the movie, and even fell asleep while watching it. I threatened them to buy the movie and distribute it myself, and then they started to take it seriously, and finally made a lot of profits.
This made me very interested in the film industry. I think many Hollywood producers have lost their judgment on audience tastes and trends, so I wanted to give it a try."
Ronald listened quietly. Weintraub was obviously a very ego-conscious person, and he had to dominate any conversation. Especially when facing a young director like Ronald, in his view
It’s better to understand the secrets of movies yourself. If it weren’t for the fact that I can’t write movie scripts and need an expert to do it...
"Frank recommended you to me, and I also checked your resume. You participated in the recent "Flash Dance" and I am very satisfied. Because the story I want to shoot is also adapted from a true story that was published in the newspaper."
"Get it for me," Jerry Weintraub handed the wine glass in his hand to Ronald, then stood up and searched for a while on the huge desk, and took out a copy of the newspaper.
"I always pay attention to the news, and there are great opportunities out there. The day my wife and I went to see 'Flashdance,' this report caught my attention." Weintraub handed over the copy.
Ronald.
Ronald took it and read it, "This is the story of a child who was constantly beaten by bullies in his neighborhood. His mother was a single mother, and after begging her, he went to participate in karate training.
After long-term training by a Japanese instructor, he developed practical fighting skills. He eventually won the championship in a local karate competition. Because of his ability to defend himself, the gangster who beat him took the initiative to apologize, and never again
People dare to bully him.
"My biggest feeling about learning karate is that once I learn how to protect myself, I won't have to hit others with karate in life. Martial arts is not for bullying others, but for self-defense." At the end of the interview, the child said,
Said something like this.
"Do you think this little martial arts story could possibly be expanded into a movie script?" Jerry Weintraub looked into Ronald's eyes and asked the question.
"I'm afraid I'm a little thin and need to add different elements, Mr. Weintraub," Ronald said. "The core of the story here is actually a weak boy who defeated his enemies and himself through martial arts training.
The process, this is actually our favorite story in America.”
In the American context, karate is not only the Japanese karate, but the Chinese Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do can also be included in the category of karate, as long as it is a skill of bare-handed fighting without using weapons. So in fact, this word
The scope can be expanded to all empty-handed martial arts.
"But this story alone is not easy to move the audience and develop the characters. I feel that since he is a young man, he definitely needs a romantic love. Martial arts kills two birds with one stone here, not only helping him defeat the bully, but also helping him win the favor of the beauty.
"
Ronald simply took out a pen and drew a schematic diagram on the back of the copy.
"And this karate gym also needs a mentor to teach this young man the role of a master. Plus some villains that need to be defeated, in this way, a solid story can be formed."
Of course, Ronald didn't want to spend his life making R-level exploitation films, so he kept watching Hollywood classics, especially studying the works of screenwriter master Billy Wilder. It also helped him figure out some tricks for himself, so in Jerry
· He talked eloquently in front of Weintraub and seemed very convincing.
"What do you know? You just convinced me that I am willing to hire you to help me write this movie script." Jerry Weintraub respects people with professional abilities. He always only focuses on the key points and pays attention to the details.
Leave the responsibility to someone with more ability. Even though I didn’t quite understand what Ronald said, it was obvious that Ronald knew how to write a script.
"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Weintraub." Ronald was very happy and ate another two hundred thousand dollars.
"Call me Jerry, Ronald. Would you like some brandy, too?" Jerry Weintraub was very happy after confirming the screenwriter candidate after the interview. He took out another cup and poured Ronald a cup as well.
"This is the first time I plan a movie from a story. Before, others came to me with scripts. Do you need any help? You can ask me."
"I think I need some advance money and I can do some research. I do high school wrestling myself, and I also know a little bit of Chinese wrestling, which is also an ancient skill.
In addition, karate once flourished in America in the 1970s, but with the death of Bruce Lee, it gradually declined. I would find some friends who knew karate, and then study the moves carefully.
You know, this kind of kung fu movie is actually the same as a musical. You have to design good-looking moves in advance to make the movie good-looking. Some moves are practical, but they don’t look good in front of the camera. And some moves have no real effect, but they are very good in front of the camera.
And visual effects.”
"I'll listen to you. Let your agent come and talk to me about the signing."
The two clinked glasses.
"Do you know why I like this story? Because I admire the Japanese people very much. Their management ability and hard work spirit are amazing. Just like the art of karate, it is fast, direct and powerful." Jerry Wentlaw
Bu put down the glass and imitated Bruce Lee and hit it twice.
"Actually, karate did not originate in Japan. It is an empty-handed martial art from Ryukyu. This martial art was passed from China." Ronald had played in a karate gym in Los Angeles several times before and chatted with the coach.
Learned a lot about the history and techniques of karate.
By the way, that coach is no longer in that gym. Try to talk to him, maybe we can learn more details. What is his name? I have to go back and look for his business card.
"It's very good. This is the plot I want to see in the movie. It's historical, ancient, mysterious, and one hit." Jerry Weintraub became happier as he talked.
"But now we still have to make this master a Japanese. Now when Americans talk about Japanese, they are awesome, admired, and afraid. We have to take advantage of these emotions and make him a Japanese. This will make sense."
"Jerry, you may not know that Ryukyu is the ancient name of Okinawa. We can just let the master be born there, which is also in line with the historical facts of karate."
"Very good," Jerry Weintraub drank the brandy in one gulp.
When Ronald returned home, he began to rummage through the business cards he had accumulated over the years. Finally, in the corner of a shoe box, he found the karate coach he had competed with, Darryl Vidal.
"Do me a favor, Richard, look for this guy. He is a karate instructor. He used to have a gym in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, but he moved away a few years ago. Maybe you can learn about him from the Karate Association.
information."
Ronald went to CAA and handed over the job of searching for the missing person to his agent Richard.
Niceta has already received the signed contract and the advance check of US$20,000.
Ronald thanked him and took it.
"Do you know who wrote the script for Rambo 2?" Niceta asked with a smile.
"who?"
"Your friend Jim Cameron. Stallone heard about the reputation of his robot script and thought of him."
"Hahaha, just in time, he is short of money, I will give him a call."
…
Jim Cameron had originally received a business as a screenwriter for the "Alien" sequel script. He also had his own "Terminator" that needed to be constantly revised and perfected. He was very busy at home. Now the characters from the third script have also arrived.
Now he is even busier.
Now he puts the three scripts in different locations, and then sets the time. Each script is allocated four hours a day, and then he breaks down the writing and revision of the script. Every time the time comes, he changes the location and continues writing.
"Jim, I brought something for you." Ronald handed a book he wrote to Cameron.
"What is this?" Gale helped to take it.
"When I wrote Rambo 2, I wrote some plots and ideas. If you think they can be used, use them."
"Oh, I don't know how to thank you. I was already very busy, and now I have picked up another book."
"You don't even take a break."
"Hey, I have to support my family, and Sarah has agreed to divorce me, so I still have to pay alimony." Jim said in a low voice.
"Then you have to do it. Stallone has fallen out with me anyway, so just don't let him know it was my idea."