Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   Chapter 370 Huge Check

   On January 2nd, 1983, Ronald got up early to go to the New World Company to discuss the shooting arrangements for "Night of the Comet".

  Roger Coleman is a person who does not like vacations and likes to work. This year he did not go on vacation with his wife Julie and three children. So Ronald made an appointment with him to go to the office today to talk about the "Night of the Comet" arrangement.

  Although there are still some funds that are not in place, it does not prevent the preparation from the early stage and the establishment of the crew. Also find the most important director of photography, and art director, two key people who must be included in the early stage.

   In addition to notifying the major brokerage companies and starting auditions for supporting roles, all of this requires some investment in the early stage, and the first thing to do is to talk about it.

  Ronald wears a tie in front of the mirror, and the ABC morning news comes on the TV.

   "According to the TASS news agency, the Cosmos 1402 nuclear-powered satellite of the Sower Alliance has lost control and is falling into the earth uncontrollably.

   This is the second time something like this has happened since Cosmos 954 crashed into Canada in 1978, causing nuclear contamination. NASA in America said it will fully monitor the trajectory of satellite 1402 to ensure that a similar disaster does not occur. "

   "Huh." Ronald was about to go out. Hearing this sensational news, he couldn't help but take a second glance at the news.

   "Should be alright? The earth is so big that it won't fall to America."

   In a world where two major 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, the public was infected with allergies. Anything with the word "nuclear" will trigger an automatic defensive response.

   Putting on his coat, Ronald drove to New World's office.

   The place is still as low-key as a few years ago, there is no corporate sign outside the door, but the red and white exterior wall is a bit shabby compared to the memory.

   "I'm here to find Mr. Roger Coleman and make an appointment with him." Ronald whispered to his secretary.

   "Mr. Coleman has a guest temporarily, please sit here for a while." The secretary led him to the lounge.

   Coleman's failure to stick to the schedule is a rare occurrence. Ronald sipped 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 he looked up.

  Roger Coleman's office opened a crack, and Coleman stuck a head out of the office door, smiling. He ordered champagne to the secretary, as if there was something good to celebrate.

   "Ronald, have you arrived?" Coleman looked at Ronald who was walking out of the lounge, and hurriedly gestured to him, "Wait for a while, I'll talk to you when I'm done here."

   Ronald nodded and sat back on the sofa again. This time he waited for a long time. After half an hour, he saw Roger Coleman deliver three men in suits and ties.

   "In the future, we also hope that you will often come to the new world to sit and sit, and we also want to put up a sign at the door." A man with glasses, headed by the three men in suits, said to Roger Coleman.

"Larry, Harry, Larry, the new world is already your three in theory, and you can do whatever you like with her, my friends. This office will be yours next time." Cole Man hugged the three of them one by one and said goodbye.

"We will take over the company after the New Year's holiday, and we will invite a good CEO to manage the company. We also hope that Mr. Coleman will continue to make more exciting movies for the new world. We have great confidence in your production ability. of."

   "Who are you going to hire as CEO?"

   "There are several candidates, all of whom are senior management talents from the seven major studios..."

   Coleman escorted three well-dressed men all the way out.

   "Huh?" Ronald thought, "What's going on here?"

   "Mr. Coleman sold the company?" Ronald walked over and asked Coleman's secretary in a low voice.

   "They talked a few times last year, and this time it took a while to get a deal. Maybe they made a very high price. Ronald. I know you've worked here before, so it's okay to talk to you.

  I read the agreement last time, and they said they would introduce a new management. I wonder if the new management will respect us as much as Mr. Coleman. Or give us a raise? ' The secretary chatted with Ronald quietly.

   "Ronnie, I'll talk to you about the next arrangement." Roger Coleman returned to the office after sending off the three men, and he beckoned Ronald into the office.

   "You sold the company? Mr. Coleman." Ronald asked straight to the point. What he wanted to ask most was how the distribution agreement he signed with Coleman would be fulfilled.

"Yes, those three Hollywood lawyers, who were actuated by Wall Street accountants, thought my new world was worth a lot of money and gave me a price I couldn't refuse. I don't think my distribution network is worth that much. many."

  Colman took a champagne glass and poured a glass for Ronald.

   "Congratulations, Mr. Coleman. It looks like they're offering a good price, and you can retire and enjoy life." Ronald stepped forward to meet him.

"Yeah, I can retire," Roger Coleman picked up a check on the table and flicked it, "It'll be in the papers tomorrow anyway, seventeen million, one **** seven million . My new century has been in business for ten years, and I haven't made so much money."

   "Oh," Ronald opened his mouth wide in surprise. Seventeen million was a lot of money for Ronald, the equivalent of two mid-range Hollywood studio productions, or the cost of one large production.

   Or even simpler, you can make three Cameron's "Terminator" and a dozen of his own "Night of the Comet".

   "Lawyers are really rich now." Ronald sighed.

"Hahaha, you're wrong, Ronald. That's not their own money, it was lent to them by Wall Street. The Fed cut interest rates very low last summer, and now that inflation is low, many banks are willing to Lend money to these lawyers who are familiar with the situation to invest in the film industry."

  Colman put his feet on his desk, his joy beyond words, "17 million just bought all the distribution networks in the new world, and I can also have a library of all the movies I've made in the past.

I reserve the right to show them again, sell them to TV stations, or make them into videotapes, etc. derivative rights, including the 'Rock High School' that you helped me sell, I will probably sell it to MTV, and then you can get a share 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 them, I like the price they gave this time, hahaha. "

"Stop talking about that." Coleman saw Ronald's smile a little anxious, and quickly changed the subject, "The distribution contract of your movie is included in the transaction scope, you don't have to worry about it, it won't affect your other financing."

   "That's great, congratulations again, Mr. Coleman." Ronald poured Coleman another glass of champagne. He was also happy for his former boss. He worked hard to make exploitative films for half his life, and finally earned enough money to retire.

   "Hmm", Coleman took another sip and unbuttoned his shirt. "My sale agreement with 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. The distribution fee is a very cheap 15%. I have included your film in this year's One of the five."

   "By the way, what's the budget for your new film?"

   "I'm still at least $200,000 short of $200,000. I'm still looking. I asked Gail to help find the money too."

   "Well, the half a million investment in you should stay the same. When they take over the company, I'll arrange for them to see you again.

The new owner of the New World Company may be optimistic about your movie. When you come back to discuss the release date with them in two days, I will ask you if they intend to cast more to fill the gap in this part. superior. "

   "Thank you so much, Mr. Coleman."

   "Don't say that, I'll make more money when your movie is released, hahaha..."

  …

   "Gail, guess what I saw today? Coleman retired and sold the company to three lawyers for $17 million."

   Ronald immediately called Gal when he got home.

   "How much? Seventeen million?" Gale exclaimed on the other end of the phone. "I have to go see him, maybe that's enough money to invest in Jim's new movie."

   "Would he invest so much money? Coleman never made big investments. And I heard him say that Roger is going to retire with this money."

"Don't listen to him, don't you know Mr. Coleman's character? How can such a person be idle. And he started complaining very early on that no one wants to release low-budget movies now, and drive-in theaters are getting more and more Less and less, now shopping malls, department stores, each with a movie theater.

   His old multi-hundred-thousand-dollar laser gun, BiuBiuBiu, no longer works. Let me tell you, Roger has long said that he also wants to invest in sci-fi movies of two to five million dollars, comparable to Lucas' Star Wars. "

   "Hahaha, let's see what he thinks. Now maybe he'll shoot Jim's six million dollar laser BiuBiuBiu," Ronald replied.

"Yeah, I'll go to the new world with you, just to introduce your project to the new manager of the new world, and maybe make up the investment. Now it happens that Roger and them are on their honeymoon, and they You should still trust Roger's vision."

   "Yes, Roger told me the same. Let's go and ask."

   hung up the phone, Ronald fell on the bed and started thinking wildly.

  17 million, who said there is no money to make exploitative films? If I could have 17 million, what would I use it for?

   (end of this chapter)