Miss Lindsay Dole's strategy is very powerful, but it comes with the risk of guessing wrong.
Ronald thought about it all night and finally decided to go ahead. The worst outcome would be to lose $3,000 and not have the chance to be signed.
Compared with the shortcut to the director's dream, there are no risks that cannot be taken.
Ronald first called producer David DaSilva.
"David? I'm Ronald. Yes, I figured it out. This matter really needs a solution."
"Very good, Ronnie, you have finally matured. I will arrange a time for you, Allen, to sit down with me and sign the script doctor's agreement."
"No, I want to talk to you first. I don't trust Allen, and his promise to me is like a fart."
"It's best to bring the crew's lawyer with you, David. I hope this matter can be resolved once and for all. No problem, it will be at 4 o'clock this afternoon. See you then."
Ronald dug out the phone book again, found the number of the Writers Guild of the West, and dialed: "Hello, I would like to check the contact information of an author. Christopher Gore, yes."
Taking the piece of paper with Christopher Gore's contact information on it, Ronald closed his eyes again and reviewed the planned strategy twice in his mind.
Set off!
"This is Mickey Kanter, a lawyer from the Los Angeles law firm of Manat & Phelps & Phillips. He is a senior lawyer hired by the president of MGM. He happened to be on a business trip in New York. I asked him to help me.
I'm busy and have modified your contract."
Producer David Da Silva introduced a middle-aged man in a suit and tie opposite.
Like his name, Mickey Kanter has a pair of cunning eyes and a pair of striking ears. Two gray eyes are looking up and down at Ronald.
"Hello, I'm Mickey." He took the initiative to reach out and shake Ronald's hand.
"When I heard David talking about you, I was very curious and wanted to meet this bold young man like you."
"I hope I didn't disappoint you Mr. Kanter."
"No, just call me Mickey."
The president of MGM hired a senior lawyer, so that today's negotiations would be more favorable. Ronald welcomed this surprise.
"Let's settle this matter quickly, Ronnie." Producer Da Silva was very happy and handed over a contract.
"We have agreed upon it, $3,000, plus you voluntarily give up your signature and all the rights derived from it."
When Ronald heard the second half of the sentence, all the rights derived from it made him even more convinced that the lawyer's judgment should be correct.
He gently put the contract aside and said, "David, I want to talk to you about the signature first."
"Hey, what's wrong with you? Don't waste everyone's time."
"On the contrary, I will save you a lot of time."
Ronald glanced at lawyer Mickey, who seemed to be very curious about the unexpected development of the matter.
"This is the signature rule of the Writers Guild. I got the latest copy from the lawyer." Ronald said, taking out two copies and handing them to the producer and lawyer across the table. He held them for himself.
On the other hand, I started reading.
"The 'Story' byline belongs to anyone who comes up with a minimal complete story for the first time, or writes a complete outline for the first time.
The 'script' credit belongs to the writer who personally wrote the drafts or scenes included in the final version of the film, and may not exceed a total of three.
The ‘Original Screenplay’ award is given to the screenwriter who wrote the most outstanding original screenplay that year.
Oh, no, this is the Oscar nomination description."
Ronald vaulted his horse lightly, general!
David da Silva's expression changed from happy at first, to boredom, and now to surprise.
"Here's also the contact information we got from the Writers Guild of the West. He belongs to Christopher Gore. If you want, David, we can call him together and ask him what he thinks about this typo."
Ronald stretched out his hand and tapped the words "Original Screenplay" on the cover of the script a few times.
"That's enough!" David da Silva stood up and stopped Ronald from continuing.
"Mitch, please give Ronald and I some private time."
Lawyer Mickey Kanter's gray eyes stared at David for a long time. Ronald, as a bystander, also felt that the atmosphere was a little tense. Then he looked at Ronald and suddenly smiled and said: "Ronald, this
This house is yours." Then he walked out of the door and closed the door.
"What do you want to do? Ronald Mickey is the lawyer personally hired by the president of MGM. Do you want to embarrass me by saying this in front of him?"
"David, before I came here, I didn't even know who he was."
"Actually, I have no ill intentions. I just want to get my signature back. Of course, I have no intention of getting a 'story' or 'writing' that does not belong to me. I just want to sign a name with a 'script'. After all, I wrote it.
I deserve more than a third of the key plot, don't I?"
"How did you know about the deal between Christopher and me? Did Chris tell you?"
"No, but I have my channels and I'm not completely new to Hollywood."
"Okay, I'll talk to Chris again and give you a credit for the script. It's not a big deal."
Ronald smiled slightly, now the benefit from solving this problem of his was greater than that of another problem.
"However, Allen is also involved in this matter. There is another clause in our deal. Allen can change Christopher's script at will, provided that only Chris is signed. If Chris and I sign a new contract, this matter cannot be hidden.
He. We must work together to persuade him to agree to sign the script for you, Ronald."
The lawyer's judgment was correct, and now the producer is on his side.
"You know he has always had some opinions about you because of what happened last time."
"Um?"
"Let me talk to Alan first, Ronnie," the producer said to Ronald.
Director Alan Parker did not agree to give Ronald a credit.
"Can you guarantee that Christopher Gore will not tell anyone? At that time, you... bought the script from Christopher Gore for $5,000 and sold it to MGM for $40,000."
"I'm tired of this matter. Don't drag it out any longer. Let's solve him. I'll convince Chris." The producer wanted to solve the matter quickly and even used his own money to make up part of the money to the original producer.
author.
"You know, there is actually a solution. The scene Ronald wrote is only about one-third of the way. What if it is less than one-third? Then even the Screenwriters Guild will not support him.
Signed."
"you think……?"
"Have you forgotten? I am also a screenwriter."
The two took apart a script and removed two pages of scenes written by Ronald. Then Allen typed and added two pages. They bound the script again and returned to the room with Ronald.
negotiation.
"This is the latest script approved by the director, Ronald." Producer David Da Silva regained his composure. According to our statistics, you contributed less than one-third of the script, so you cannot be included in the script.
Sign it."
The queen moved from the diagonal line to capture the knight, turning back!
Ronald flipped through it and found that the latest plot he had written, printed on a blue paper card, was missing two pages, resulting in the total being just under one-third.
"But this is the final version." Ronald picked up the script in his hand and pointed to the words on the cover and told them.
My lawyer told me that this has legal significance."
"Then it's the lawyer's job." The producer opened the door and let in lawyer Mickey Kanter.
Mickey motioned for them to leave the room first: "Let Ronald and I talk alone."
"Actually, I admire you very much, Ronald." Mickey stared at him and said.
Ronald felt uncomfortable being stared at by these gray eyes.
"What do you mean, Mickey?"
"You are a newcomer, not yet 20 years old, and you can find and take advantage of the slight gap between the director and the producer, get in and find a chance to make a comeback. But your luck is still a little bit worse.
On the set, if the director and producer join forces and try to stop you, it will be difficult for you to win."
"What if I insist on filing a lawsuit?"
Mickey smiled:
"Let me run a bill for you, Ronnie. Can I call you Ronnie?"
"You can get a remuneration of US$3,000 from this contract as a script doctor. If you hire a lawyer who handles copyright lawsuits in the entertainment industry, even if he is a newcomer to a law firm after graduating from college, the hourly rate will be
$250.”
"My request is only $150." Ronald thought to himself.
"There are also court litigation fees, lawyers' fees for preparing materials, and court fees. The case may take several months to a year. If by chance you win, we at MGM will definitely appeal, and you will have to pay all the fees.
The process is going through again.”
"Two years later, you may still not get a dollar and lose your signature. Why not take these 3,000 US dollars of hard-earned money and make good use of it in one or two years to do what you should do?
In a year or two, you can write several scripts. Who knows if one of them can be approved and made into a movie, which will help you get enough points to apply for the Screenwriters Guild?"
Ronald felt that what lawyer Mickey Kanter said was not unreasonable. But in the final analysis, he was the one who was deceived in this matter...
"You think about it carefully, two years is a very short time. I will stay in New York for two more days. As long as you agree before 5 pm tomorrow, I can guarantee that the contract given to you is valid. No one can infringe on your interests.
.”
After speaking, Mickey patted Ronald on the shoulder and walked out.
The disappointed Ronald also walked out of the room. Outside were Jean, Antonia, and the black girl Lucy.
"What happened Ronnie? Why are they saying the director won't let you sign the script?" Gene asked.
"You are right, I have some disputes with the director and producer, and we are still solving the problem."
"Hey, you brought me into the crew, and I'm forever grateful. How do you want us to support you?" Gene said.
Ronald looked at Lucy and Antonia. In fact, he had another way, which was to mobilize his own actors to threaten them with a strike. However, doing so would implicate others, and it would also be too difficult.
"Don't be impulsive, Gene. I just have some disputes with them about my signature. They will pay my salary. It's not easy for you to have a chance. After acting in this movie, you can join the Screen Actors Guild. The road ahead will be
Just go wider."
"I have already been a member of the trade union, we can..." Antonia rushed to say.
"No!" Ronald interrupted hastily, "Don't say that, Antonia, this movie is a rare and big opportunity for everyone. Don't take risks easily."
"I'm grateful to you, but things are not that bad yet."
After persuading the three actors to leave, Ronald returned home and immediately called attorney Lindsay Dole:
"Lindsay, this is Ronald. Things are going very badly. I'm afraid I have to prepare for the worst."