Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   Chapter 78 General

   Miss Lindsay Dole's strategy is powerful, but at the risk of guessing wrong.

  Ronald thought about it all night, and finally decided to go for it. The worst outcome is nothing more than losing $3,000 and no chance to sign his name.

   Compared with the shortcut to the director's dream, there is no risk that cannot be taken.

   Ronald first called producer David Da Silva.

   "David? I'm Ronald. Yes, I figured it out, this thing does need a solution."

   "Very well, little Ronnie, you are finally mature, I will arrange a time for you, Alan, to sit down with me and sign the script doctor's agreement."

   "No, I want to talk to you first. I don't trust Alan, his commitment to me is like a fart."

   "It's best to bring the team's lawyer, David, I hope this matter can be resolved once and for all. No problem, it's just 4 pm today. See you then."

   Ronald dug out the phone book again, found the phone number of the Western Screenwriters Guild, and dialed: "Hello, I want to check the contact information of a writer. Christopher Gore, yes."

   took the slip of paper with Christopher Gore's contact information, Ronald closed his eyes again, and mentally reviewed the predetermined strategy twice.

Set off!

"This is Mitch Kanter, a lawyer from the 'Manat & Phelps & Phillips' law firm in Los Angeles. 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 Do yourself a favor and amend your contract."

  Producer David Da Silva introduced a middle-aged man in a suit opposite.

   True to his name, Mitch Kanter has sly eyes and a pair of beckoning ears. Two grey eyes were looking Ronald up and down.

   "Hello, I'm Mickey." He reached out and shook hands with Ronald.

   "I was curious to hear David talking about you, and wanted to meet you, a bold young man."

   "I hope I didn't disappoint you. Mr. Cantor."

   "No, just call me Mickey."

  Senior lawyer hired by the president of MGM, so today's negotiation is more favorable. Ronald welcomed the surprise.

   "Let's settle this matter quickly, Ronnie." Producer Da Silva was very happy and handed over a contract.

   "We're still negotiating, $3,000, plus you voluntarily give up your attribution, and all the rights derived from it."

   Ronald heard the second half of the sentence, and all the derived rights brought about by it made him even more convinced that the lawyer's judgment should be correct.

   He put the contract aside gently, "David, I want to talk to you about the signature first."

   "Hey, what's the matter 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 curious about how things were going unexpectedly.

   "This is the authorship rule of the Screenwriters Guild. I got a copy of the latest version from the lawyer." Ronald said, took out two copies and handed it to the producer and lawyer across the table. Take another copy for yourself and start reading the sermon.

   "The 'story' attribution belongs to anyone who first comes up with the smallest full story, or the first full outline.

   'Script' attribution belongs to the writer who personally wrote the drafts or scenes included in the final version of the film, no more than three in total.

  'Original Screenplay' is awarded to the screenwriter who wrote the most outstanding original screenplay of the year.

   Oh no, this is the Oscar nominations award description. "

  Ronald's vaulting, General!

  David Da Silva's expression changed from happy at first to bored, and now to surprise.

   "Here's also a contact from the Writers Guild of the West. He belongs to Christopher Gore, David, and we can call him together if you want. Ask him what he thinks about this typo."

   Ronald reached out and tapped the words "Original Script" on the cover of the script.

   "Enough!" David Da Silva stood up to stop Ronald from continuing.

   "Mitch, please give me and Ronald some personal time."

   Attorney Mitch Kanter's grey eyes stared at David for a while, and Ronald, as a bystander, also felt a little nervous. Then he looked at Ronald, suddenly smiled and said, "Ronald, this house is yours." Then he walked out the door and closed the door.

   "What do you want to do? Ronald. Mitch is a lawyer hired by the president of MGM. Are you trying to embarrass me by saying this in front of him?"

   "David, before I came, 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 taking the 'story' or 'writing' that doesn't belong to me, I just want to sign a name with the 'script'. I wrote it after all More than a third of the key plot, I deserve it, don't I?"

   "How did you find out about Christopher's deal with me? Did Chris tell you?"

   "No, but I have my channels, I'm not exactly a Hollywood newbie."

   "Okay, I'll talk to Chris again and give you a byline for the script, not a big deal."

  Ronald smiled slightly, now the benefits of solving one of his own troubles outweigh the other troubles.

"However, Allen also has a share in this matter. There is another clause in our deal. Allen can change Christopher's script at will, on the condition that only Chris is signed. If I sign a new contract with Chris, this matter will not be concealed. He. Together we have to convince him to agree to sign the script for you, Ronald."

  The lawyer's judgment is right, and now the producer is on his side.

   "You know that because of what happened last time, he has always had some opinions on you."

"Um?"

   "Let me talk to Alan first, Ronnie," the producer said to Ronald.

   Director Alan Parker disagreed with Ronald's signature.

   "Can you guarantee that Christopher Gore won't say anything? You were... You bought the script from Christopher Gore for $5,000 and sold it to MGM for $40,000."

"I'm already very tired of this matter, don't drag it on, let's solve him, Chris will convince me." The producer wanted to solve this matter quickly, and even paid part of the money out of his own pocket to pay the original author.

"You know, there's actually a solution. Ronald wrote the scene, it's just going to be one-third of the way. If it's less than one-third? Then even the Writers Guild won't support him. signed."

"you think…?"

   "Did you forget? I'm also a screenwriter."

  The two took apart a script, took out two pages of scenes written by Ronald, and then Allen typed and added two pages. After rebinding the script, the two returned to the room to negotiate with Ronald.

"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 can't be in the script. sign on. "

  The queen moved from the slash and ate the horse, and turned back!

  Ronald took it and flipped it over. The latest plot he wrote, printed on a blue card, was two pages short, making the total 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.

  My lawyer told me that this is legally recognized. "

   "Then it's the lawyer's job." The producer opened the door and let in lawyer Mitch Kanter.

  Mickey motioned for them to leave the room first: "Let me and Ronald speak alone."

   "Actually I admire you, Ronald." Mitch stared at him and said.

   Ronald felt very uncomfortable being stared at by the pair of grey eyes.

   "What do you mean, Mickey?"

   "You are a newcomer, and you are less than 20 years old this year. You can find and take advantage of a little gap between the director and the producer, and get in and find an opportunity to make a comeback. But your luck is a little bit worse.

   On the set, if the director and the producer join forces to stop you, it is very difficult for you to win. "

   "What if I insist on suing?"

  Mickey smiled:

   "Let me do a bill for you, Ronnie. May I call you Ronnie?"

"You get paid $3,000 from the script doctor's contract. You go to a lawyer who is involved in a copyright lawsuit in the entertainment industry. Even if he is a newcomer to a law firm after graduating from college, the hourly rate is $250."

   "I asked for only $150." Ronald thought to himself.

"There are also court fees, lawyers' fees for preparing materials, and court fees. The case may be scheduled for several months to a year. If you are lucky enough to win, we MGM will definitely appeal, and you will have to pay all The process is going through again.”

   "Two years later, you may still not get a dollar, and you have lost your signature. Why not take the hard-earned $3,000, make good use of this year or two, and do what you need to do?

   In a year or two, you can write several screenplays. Who knows if one of them can be approved and made into a movie to help you get enough points to apply for the Screenwriters Guild? "

   Ronald felt that what Attorney Mitch Kantor said was not without merit. But in the final analysis, I was the one who was deceived in this matter...

"You think about it, two years is very fast. 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 for you will be valid. No one can harm your interests. ."

   After finishing speaking, Mickey patted Ronald on the shoulder and walked out.

  The disappointed Ronald also walked out of the room. Outside are Gene and Antonia, and the black girl Lucy.

   "What happened to Ronnie? Why are they all saying the director won't let you sign the script?" Gene asked.

   "You are right, I have some disputes with the director and the producer, and we are still working out this issue."

   "Hi, you brought me on set, I'm forever grateful, how do you want us to support you?" Gene said.

  Ronald looked at Lucy and Antonia. In fact, he still had another way, which was to mobilize his own actors to threaten to strike. However, doing so would involve others, and it would be too difficult.

"Don't be impulsive, Gene. I'm just having a bit of a dispute with them about my signature, and they'll take my salary. You guys have a chance, it's not easy, after this movie, you'll be able to join the Screen Actors Guild, and the road ahead Go wide."

   "I'm already a union member, we can..." Antonia said hurriedly.

   "No!" Ronald interrupted hastily, "Don't say that, Antonia, this movie is a rare opportunity for anyone. Don't take it lightly as a risk."

   "I appreciate you guys, but things haven't gotten that bad yet."

   persuaded the three actors to leave. Ronald returned home and immediately called lawyer Lindsay Dole:

   "Lindsay, I'm Ronald, things are going badly, and I'm afraid I'll have to plan for the worst."

   Then ask for a monthly pass, thank you

   (end of this chapter)