Early the next morning, Ronald saw the script that Ang Lee had brought to him in the office. Except for the title and the synopsis of the first dozen pages, which were translated into English, the content was all written in Chinese, and the English was also a bit bad.
This story tells the story of a Chinese male international student who lived with another young Western man. In order to cope with his parents' expectations, he had a fake marriage with a female international student from Xujiahui. The female international student could also get a green card through this.
Who knows that as family disputes and cultural conflicts continue to develop, their plans gradually become more and more complicated...
Ronald read quickly and also read the Chinese part at the back. Then he closed the script and put it on his desk. After hesitating for a moment, he asked Ang Lee opposite:
"Are you going to shoot with English dialogue or Chinese dialogue?"
"The main thing is Chinese, and a few can speak English." Ang Lee was still wearing the suit that he went to see Broadway yesterday. In order to celebrate his wife's success in getting a teaching position, the two of them spent money to watch a musical.
Thinking of meeting Ronald by chance.
"Well..." Ronald sighed, knowing that this was the case.
"We have known each other for a long time, Ang. If I have anything to say, I will speak directly. In fact, judging from your script, the cost of this movie will not be very high. But as an investment in the company, I am also responsible for the company's board of directors and employees.
, the market for Chinese films in America is very small."
"I understand, and many people have told me that there is no future at the box office in America, but I feel that this story can touch me. This is a script I started writing at the beginning of the year. My wife is very annoyed that I am not working at home.
, I ran to my friend Feng Guangyuan and discussed with him while writing. "Many of the plots in it are my own experiences. So if I change it to English dialogue, I will lose my original idea of writing the script."
"Tsk..." Ronald knew as soon as he heard that Ang Lee was someone who insisted on his own artistic opinions, and artistically speaking, his opinions were not unreasonable. This was originally a story about the conflict between Eastern and Western cultures.
"Well, let's do this. I'll make the final decision and sign the option on your script. I'll ask my colleagues to ask if any American Chinatown Cinema Distribution Company likes your story. If so, my Daydream can finance half of it.
If you can find someone else willing to invest during this period, we can also transfer it at the original price. It would be great if this movie can be made."
Although Ronald said he was talking about business, his feelings about the script told him that although the film had a sensitive subject matter and language barrier, it could be an artistic breakthrough.
"Thank you, Ronald." Although Ang Lee didn't get a promise to shoot immediately, he was even happier inside.
Previously, Samuel Goldwyn Jr. was talking about making money and praising himself very high, saying that he would become a blockbuster in Hollywood, but when the heroine was already settled on Julia Roberts, he suddenly said that he would withdraw funding and not make the film.
In contrast, Ronald's approach of putting on a front and speaking frankly about his reasons and reasons is what a righteous Hollywood producer would do.
"By the way, do you have other jobs now?" Ronald glanced at Ang Lee's leather shoes and asked casually.
"I just co-wrote a script called 'Mail Order Bride' with Joel Roth, and I was working on it for him. He had a vacation home on Long Island, and I could go out and work every day to avoid being disliked by my wife."
Ang Lee speaks very slowly, his spoken English is worse than his writing, and he is a bit introverted and shy. Although they are classmates, Ronald has made great progress in his career after not practicing for many years, so the two of them always talk a little awkwardly.
"If that script can be solved as soon as possible, I would like to ask you to help my daydream be an expert in the script department, help with selection, and do some rewriting work as a script doctor if necessary. When you are not busy at work, you can also
You can join the work of other crews and get familiar with the set."
Ronald was still very concerned about Ang Lee's face and asked him to come to his company to help, "We are a small company and cannot afford big prices, but we can give you a salary based on industry standards. If you are willing..."
"Of course I do." Ang Lee was very happy. Ronald was worthy of being the influential figure in Tisch College of New York University who promoted the Delta Omega Epsilon fraternity. It was still like a timely rain.
Although he dropped out of school after one year, the legend of this guy spread throughout New York University, including other universities in New York - a fraternity that invited Playboy cover girls to be party girls.
"That's great. We have an office in New York, and the script department is yours to use. You can work until any time you like. If you want to rest, just ask the secretary to get the key. We have two apartments next door for your convenience." Luo
Nader stood up and shook hands with him, "Welcome to join..."
"Thank you, thank you." Ang Lee also held Ronald's hand very hard now. He was at his worst moment, with only a few dozen dollars in his body and could only work as a househusband at home. "Then what...I
I have a question about the company's treatment." Ang Lee's face turned a little red. Ronald gave him such treatment, but he still had to make demands.
"Please tell me..." Ronald raised his hand to signal him to speak.
"Can Daydream Company help me apply for a green card? If it's not convenient for you, I will have to take the route of my wife's partner, which will have to wait a few years after she officially enters the university teaching position..." Ang Lee's personal paragraph
The experience was also included in the script he wrote.
"Ha, no problem, my lawyer will help you write a letter of recommendation. We have a good relationship with Congressman Mr. Molinari of Staten Island. With his recommendation, your green card will be approved soon."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Ronald smiled. If Ang Lee did not get the green card, he would not be able to return to his hometown. He would also have to apply as his wife's accompanying student. Now he can get the green card based on his own ability.
He also has a job in the Hollywood industry, which has greatly improved his family status.
"The head of our script department is David Simkins. I will introduce him to you when he comes to New York. You have to read all the scripts here, and then write your comments and estimate the shooting costs. I am here.
I need someone like you to help me in the future."
Ronald seemed to be encouraging his old classmate, "In addition, your comments and evaluations must be written in English. You can practice your English. Hollywood scripts, if there are problems in English, will be difficult to send to the real decision-makers."
.This is also a preparation for you to make movies in the future."
Ang Lee has been in America for so many years and has a wife and children, but his English is still very bad? How can he communicate complicated meanings on the set and guide the actors?
Ronald was not only helping an old classmate, Ang Lee's script's talent was visible to the naked eye. The four-act structure of the script was very compact, and the ending of the reconciliation between father and son also moved him very much.
Judging from Ang Lee's graduation work as a student and his ability to help him shoot commercials, this person not only has artistic talent, but also knows various techniques on the set. Once he has a good opportunity, he will definitely succeed, and he can be considered a good person.
edge.
…
"This is your classmate's green card application materials. This is the recommendation letter written by Congressman Molinari. This is the certification material written by her daughter, Councilor Susan. This is your certification material, saying that Mr. Lee is a possessor.
An extremely talented director..."
Private lawyer Lindsay Dole quickly helped Ronald handle all the materials. Now, as a single mother of a one-year-old child, her work pace has slowed down than before, and she concentrates on serving Ronald, including
of several large clients.
The strong woman who once graduated from Harvard Law School has now become a happy mother. After talking about her work, she started to show Ronald the photos of her son that she took.
Ronald liked it very much and took an unopened Sony home video recorder from the office and gave it to Lindsay, "Children grow up very quickly. You can keep more images of their childhood so that they can watch more when they grow up."
interesting."
Lindsay Dole opened it. This video recorder was so small that she, a woman, could hold it with one hand and shoot. The video tape was neither VHS nor Sony's BetaMax, but a format called Video 8.
This videotape technology was inherited from movie cameras. The video quality is high, and the video recorder can also capture stereo sound. The video tape is small in size, so the video recorder is also compact. Unlike VHS recorders, which are all shoulder-mounted.
The only drawback of this video recorder is that it cannot be played on a VHS recorder (now the most common home video recorder in America). It can only be played directly through an external TV and then transcribed onto a VHS tape.
However, partner lawyers like Lindsay Dole would not care about these extra costs. As expected, she happily handed over the gift.
"By the way, I have helped you find a suitable target for what you told me last time." The lawyer lady took out several documents from the leather briefcase and handed them to Ronald, "This is the most suitable target."
The mid-sized Hollywood production and distribution company you requested is now in financial trouble and has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy."
Ronald took over the document. He had previously entrusted Lindsay to help him keep an eye on the Hollywood courts. The Screenwriters Guild continued to strike, and the original projects continued to be suspended, and they had to pay high interest rates. Many medium-sized companies that were already running with high debts
Small producers and distributors are all doomed. This is a good time to pick up bargains.
Chapter 11 is a number in the American bankruptcy law. A company that applies for this bankruptcy method can also seek investment from investors to restructure its business and debts while operating the company. It is very suitable for companies like Hollywood.
The information from Hollywood producers and agents was not accurate in terms of timeliness, so Ronald found another way and asked the lawyer to keep an eye on several bankruptcy courts in Los Angeles. Once he received the information from the court clerk, he
You can act in advance.
"Twenty-first Century Pictures?" Ronald couldn't help but laugh. Isn't this a mistake? Twentieth Century Fox is the merger of two old film companies, Twentieth Century and Fox. This company was only established in the 1970s.
A small company that just plays tricks on its name is still a century older than others.
But as he watched, Ronald's expression gradually calmed down and he stopped smiling. I have to say that the lawyer's professionalism was very good. Now the bankruptcy court receives new applications every day. The conditions of this company are very suitable for Bai Bai.
Daydream’s expansion needs.
When this company first opened in the 1970s, it was also a Roger Corman-style production and distribution company for small-budget exploitation films.
In addition to producing horror action films such as "The Devil" and "Blood Tide", this company also introduced many foreign films like Corman and put them on the market with English dubbing.
These include the sequel to the Italian "Imanu" series, and many action films from Hong Kong. Among them are Bruce Lee's Wing Chun documentary, and Jackie Chan's "Tricky Man" before he became famous.
Ronald smiled. Isn't this just in line with his strategy? With the copyright of these films, he immediately reorganized the video tapes, and then in the 21st century, he became familiar with Hong Kong Kung Fu films, Italian pornographic film purchase channels, and one-stop dubbing.
All talents can be put to my use immediately.
"How much do you estimate it will cost to restructure this company?"
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! "It won't be expensive. They are now in debt. After Chapter 11 goes bankrupt, you don't have to pay the full amount, but work with them to negotiate a compensation with the creditor.
The plan will do. They still have a distribution contract with EMI, which can also be worth some money. As for the copyright of these old films, I guess no one except you thinks it is valuable. The total amount of funds is only one or two million, which can be obtained.
Already."
"Very good, I'm now asking you, my accountant Ed Bastian, and Gray-Eyed Mickey from Los Angeles to form an acquisition negotiation team, and then go buy 21st Century Pictures."
"I still have to spend time with my child, so I can't serve you the whole time." Lindsey Dole shook her head. Now her son is a more important part of her life. "I can't travel more than three days a week. You have to be responsible for me."
Travel and babysitting expenses.”
"Everything is easy to talk about. You are the person I trust most in the negotiation team. Just help me keep an eye on the entire negotiation process." What Ronald needs is a trustworthy person to represent him.
"In addition, I suggest you find a consulting firm. They may not be as smart as Mickey Kanter, but a team with different interests can come in and give you a second opinion."
"Very good, you can help me take care of this, so I won't bother you with anything."
An acquisition team was soon formed, with lawyers as the main core, and issued an invitation for acquisition and reorganization to 21st Century Pictures. Under the coordination of the bankruptcy court, they were about to negotiate with 21st Century Management and creditors.
They sat down together and discussed (quarreled) about the debt restructuring plan.
Ronald also happened to be back in Los Angeles, and he had other things to deal with.
Corey Yuen returned to Xiangjiang this time. When he explained Ronald's conditions, many dragon and tiger martial arts masters became excited. They went to Jinshan to make money by making movies and sleeping with foreign girls. How majestic and elegant?
Similarly, because Ronald insisted that he come up with a complete script before filming started, he found Tsui Hark, a talented person in the industry who had studied in America, Ronald's translator during his time in Hong Kong, and invited him to come to Hollywood to discuss cooperation.