Exploiting Hollywood 1980 Chapter 883

  Chapter 883 Two Bodyguards

   After finishing the three-minute strike, Ronald ran back to the hotel to rest for a few hours, and then waited for Daydream's general manager, Eddie, to come and report the situation.

"The Television Actors Union and the Film Actors Union, the two major actors' unions in the film and television industry, have begun a new round of agreement negotiations with the Producers Union. They are very encouraged by the conditions of the directors' union. I guess they will Propose the same remaining dividend conditions." Eddie began to talk about the news from the Producers Union.

"It's a good thing anyway. Their conditions will eventually cut off a piece of meat from the three major wireless TV networks and the small cable TV networks. Presumably there will be no major problems in the negotiations. The actor's strike in 1980 It won't happen again," Ronald replied.

  Ronald knew that in this negotiation, all trade unions united to ask for more benefits from the TV station and make the cake bigger. The new media channels have achieved very good returns. After everyone talked happily, the increase of the minimum wage will pass. This is not like the last round of negotiations, when the labor union united to demand benefits from the producers, so the negotiations were difficult and a long strike was triggered.

  Just like the remaining dividends insisted on by the directors' union this time, the internal materials of the union said that the dividends received from the TV station this year totaled more than 50 million US dollars, and it is expected to exceed 100 million under the new contract next year. Under such a big cake, it is easier to pass the terms of raising the minimum wage for low-level directors.

   "What about the other unions?" Ronald asked. The Producers Union is different from a union of a single type of work. It has to negotiate labor contracts with all unions, and if there is one less, it cannot start work.

"The technicians behind the scenes, all kinds of unions have no problem, they don't enjoy dividends, and the increase in the minimum wage is expected to be acceptable. There are also screenwriters' unions for artistic online positions. Negotiations can also start in January next year, and it is expected to be the same as the actor's union The proportion of dividends through salary increases."

   "Great, the current film production business is not easy." Ronald breathed a sigh of relief. The aftermath of the stock market crash has not yet passed. This drop was comparable to the stock market crash of the Great Depression, which gave a very bad impression to the public. There are calls to strictly investigate the illegal activities of Wall Street predators, and various loose financial market regulations are probably coming to an end.

  The financing ability of various studios on Wall Street has also been gradually restricted. For many studios that have taken on heavy debts, if their ability to borrow new debts is affected, there will be problems with their ability to repay old debts. If this situation continues, it will one day affect the entire industry.

   But the problem with daydreams, unlike those companies that have borrowed a lot of debt, they mainly don't have a good script worth investing in.

  The time in the industry is relatively short, and all the daydreams get are small production exploitation film scripts. When Eddie comes this time, he also wants to urge Ronald to use his connections in the industry to get more scripts that can be produced for his company.

   "Hey, it takes time and money. Our Daydream is not an old brand like Seven, nor is it a newcomer like Cannon, so let's take our time." Ronald scratched his head, this matter is not so easy.

  Many of the scripts that are actively sent now are aimed at Ronald himself. If he doesn't agree to direct or produce, then many screenwriters will not sign Daydream and instead seek support from other studios.

   The two chatted about the company's business for a while, and finally ordered takeaway pizza for a quick lunch.

  Eddie turned on the TV, watched the noon news while eating, "Your acting skills are really good," he joked, pointing to Ronald's performance at the strike scene in the morning.

   "Hahaha..." Ronald also ate his pizza and drank Coke.

   "The China Securities Regulatory Commission is starting a series of investigations on Cannon Pictures, whether there are any violations."

   "Huh?" Both of them were attracted by the news that was coming, and Eddie went over and turned up the volume.

   "As of today, in my opinion, the company is no longer profitable." A female accountant in charge of auditing is interviewing a TV station, expressing her opinion.

   "Cannon's movies are unsatisfactory at the box office. On their accounts, there are incomprehensibly huge expenditures on the subject of 'sales and management expenses'. And the $400 million they raised through junk bonds on Wall Street before is also constantly generating high interest. "

   "Cannon has a financial crisis?" Ronald couldn't help being surprised when he heard the interview on the news. Will Minahan, an old slicker, go bankrupt because of the unsatisfactory box office of several big productions such as Superman IV and Leap to the Peak?

   "It's unlikely. Cannon still has a lot of production plans in the industry. I met Minahan when I went to the Producers Union. He didn't look like he had a big problem."

   "But it's all on the TV news, there must be something wrong." Ronald thought about the script shortage he encountered in his daydream, "Let me make a few calls..."

  The first call was to accountant Ed Bastian.

   "Ed, I want to ask you to do an audit, right...not my daydream, it's Cannon Pictures, I need an appraisal, how much are they worth?"

"Do you want to buy them? It's an ambitious move, but I want to remind you that financing on Wall Street is very expensive now, unless you have additional financial sources..." Ed Bastian was very satisfied with the customer's aggressiveness, As long as the source of funding is resolved...

"No, no, no, Ed, I don't want to buy Cannon yet. I want to settle accounts and try to be as clear as possible. Cannon is a listed company, and I just want to understand the situation through the public financial statements. You know Generally, if Hollywood companies go bankrupt and sell, they will pack their assets into different packages, and I want to see if there is any chance to pick up a bargain.”

   "That's easy, but because of the delay in financial disclosure, you won't get a very accurate estimate."

   "It's okay, I just want an overview, you send me the bill..."

   Then Ronald called Minahan again.

   "Hello, I'm looking for your chairman, Mr. Minahan Golan."

   "Hi hi, Ronald, I'm Minahan, why did you call me today?"

   Ronald frowned, why didn't the secretary answer Minahan's call first?

   "I saw in the news that you cannon..."

"It's all a trick of those bankers. They just want to make some noise to lower our further financing amount. They are all actions that can't be put on the table. I'm preparing a new big production here. If you don't believe me, you can come here Look at... quack quack..."

  Minahan's laughter was as hearty as ever.

   "Why not? We haven't seen each other for a long time. You know my movie is doing well. I'll come over and talk to you? Maybe we can co-produce a few movies."

   "Quack quack, then I'll wait for you to come, when will you come..."

   Soon, Ronald arrived at the Cannon office not far from CAA, opposite the new building of Minahangai, which will become the office of Cannon after it is completed.

   "It seems to be almost finished? When will you move in?" Ronald hugged and greeted Minahan who came out to greet him. When he arrived at his office, he pointed to the new building opposite.

   "About next spring, about the same progress as Fox and the others..." Minahan smoked in the office with a cigar in his mouth.

   "That's great. Don't forget to invite me to attend the inauguration ceremony." Ronald was honestly envious of such a company that had the money to repair the building itself.

   "Then I must not forget you..." Minahan took out a new cigar and handed it to Ronald.

   "Hmm..." Ronald lit up and took a sip, not as good as those in the offices of the seven presidents.

   "I'm just curious, who will have trouble with your cannon?"

   "Isn't it those jackals who are trying to snipe us in the capital market... I will leave these things to Yoram. He will be interviewed by reporters and make a statement. Now I only care about next year's film project."

   "What big production do you have?" Seeing that Minahan didn't want to talk about financial issues in the news, Ronald took advantage of the opportunity to inquire about the other's film project.

"I'm going to continue to make a movie sequel with a budget of 30 million dollars." When Minahan heard Ronald asking about the movie, he immediately regained his spirits, "Do you remember the comic 'Seaman' adapted from the movie Universe King? I Will make its prequel or sequel, this time with the copyright owner Mattel, the name is tentatively called 'Seaman'."

   "Sounds interesting, who will play the leading role?" Ronald remembered the box office hit "He-Man-Universal Emperor", starring Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren who played the villain of Rocky 4. His acting skills are really bad, I don't know if Minahan will continue to use it.

"I'm thinking of Stallone, or Chuck Norris. Why, who do you have?" Mina rarely asked Ronald so detailed and interested, and his mind turned, "Do you want to play yourself? No The problem...you're tall enough for Seaman."

   "No..." Ronald hurriedly dismissed, "I just watched Seaman's cartoons, and wanted to know who played the live-action version." Seaman was a muscular man wearing underwear, and he didn't want to play it.

   "Stalone is a little short, but he is a star and can help a lot in distribution."

  The two were chatting nonsense when the door of the office was pushed open with a "click".

   "Mr. Golan, you promised me to make me a movie star, why haven't you given me a chance yet?"

  A blond hunk rushed in, "I'll show you my abilities, Uncle..."

  I saw the person jumping, with both feet in the air, and then crossed, and the right foot rubbed Minahan's nose, and then there was a back kick in the air..."

   "Jean Claude, how many times have I told you, don't use this trick in front of me..."

   Minahan didn't have time to react, so he was taken aback by a sweeping kick in the air. This actor has a good level of movement, and he looks much better in fighting than Stallone, but he always likes to scare himself.

  He is very familiar with this move, and he won't kick himself, but no one can stand being frightened by him like this.

   "I just want you to see my level, so that you don't forget me, Mr. Golan." The blond hunk smiled, obviously not the first time he did this.

   "Jean-Claude...do you remember me?"

  Ronald was also taken aback by the kick in the air, but he knew who it was when he saw the appearance of the person.

This is the Jean-Claude Van Daan who backflips and steals the spotlight at the beach hip-hop scene during "Breakdance". He used this kick in the air and used it against himself back then. I haven't seen him for a few years. more sophisticated...

   "Ah... Ronald... No, Mr. Li, hello, hello." Seeing that it was Ronald, Jean-Claude immediately came up to shake hands and greeted, "Let me show you..."

   "Jean-Claude, don't bother Ronald, I promise you, I will give it to you. But you have to be patient now, be patient..." Minahan continued to fool the action actor.

   "Mr. Golan, but I have to survive in Hollywood. Acting coaches are also expensive. I have to make movies to survive. Otherwise, I have to participate in karate competitions and become a coach to make money."

   "Are you making a movie now?" Ronald asked Jean-Claude suddenly.

   "Not now, I'm looking for opportunities, Mr. Li..."

   "Just call me Ronald. If you are not busy, you can work for me for a while. Minahan is very optimistic about you. If you have the opportunity, you will definitely be cast as the leading actor."

   "What, you want Claude to act in your new movie?" Minahan seemed to have an old toy of his own, which was suddenly taken by other children, and found that this toy was really fun, so he immediately asked Ronald.

"No, no, it's not filming. I have some other temporary work here. I want to invite Jean-Claude..." Ronald remembered the former bodyguard seat with five people and six people at the premiere of "Moonlight" Geer.

I'm going to see his new movie shooting site, and learn about the new trends in action movies. Siegel will definitely provoke me at the scene. Although I'm not afraid of him, it seems inferior to fight with him. This Jean-Claude Fan Dan's skill is good, karate is a martial art with actual combat ability, and he can act as his bodyguard.

   "Excuse me, what kind of job is it?" Jean-Claude was overjoyed, it was a rare opportunity to work for Ronald.

   "I want you to be my bodyguard." Ronald talked about the conflict with Segel.

   "No problem, I have worked as a bodyguard for big people before, I know Aikido, it can be played very well against ordinary people... against real martial arts, such as karate..."

"Very good, you go to help Ronald first, and when I have a new movie ready, you will play the leading actor for me." Minahan Golan suddenly became more and more pleasing to Jean-Claude Van Daan, It is also a gimmick to act in a movie after being Ronald's bodyguard.

   "Who are you going to give the protagonist to? Mr. Golan, you promised me first..."

   While talking, another blond man walked in. He heard Minahan's last conversation with Jean-Claude Van Daan, both actors of the same type, and immediately stepped forward to question him anxiously.

"Duff? Don't worry, I'm talking about another movie. Your Unicron's box office is not good, so it's normal for President Yoram to have doubts about the candidate for the sequel. I'm on your side. You just have to Improve your acting skills a little..."

   Ronald took a look, and it turned out to be Dolph Lundgren, the star of Seaman's adaptation of "Unicron".

   "I have worked hard to improve my acting skills, Mr. Golan, but acting coaches in Hollywood are too expensive. I have to find a job first. Can you give me some work as a stand-in or a supporting role?"

   "Hehehe..." Both Ronald and Jean-Claude laughed.

"What are you laughing at? What's so ridiculous? Oh, Ronald, no...Director Li." Longer recognized Ronald and immediately stepped forward to apologize, "I'm sorry, I just hope to gain a foothold in Hollywood , I hope you don't mind."

   "What do you study?" Ronald didn't know him very well.

   "I majored in chemical engineering and completed my master's degree in New York." Longer replied.

   "No, I'm asking what martial arts you learn..."

   "I can learn karate, Goju-ryu karate. I can also do a little judo."

   "Gongju-ryu", Ronald thought, isn't it the genre of Master Miyagi in "The Ryuki Kid"? Definitely can fight.

   "I need a few temporary bodyguards recently, who can fight, can you work for me?" Ronald extended an invitation to him.

   "No problem. I came to America to work as a bodyguard for Gracie Jones. I am very familiar with this business." Lundgren also knew that it was a good opportunity to be a bodyguard for a big man like Ronald. Anyway, it's my old business, and I can still make money.

"Welcome to join..." Jean-Claude and Lundgren shook hands, and the two naturally retreated behind Ronald, one on the left and one on the right, and the two blond men immediately entered the role and became Ronald. Germany's bodyguard.

  (end of this chapter)

Chapter end