Alan Parker stared into Ronald's eyes for a few seconds and nodded.
"Okay, Ronald. I underestimated you. If you can ask this question, you are already a qualified Hollywood filmmaker, so let us solve this matter in a Hollywood way."
"Go and call the producer, Mr. Da Silva." Parker asked his assistant to call the producer.
After a while, da Silva came to the director. After sending the assistants out, he whispered a few words to the director. The two sat down opposite Ronald, and then Da Silva said:
"Well Ronald, we had an agreement with Christopher Gore, the original screenwriter. He would have exclusive credit as the writer of the movie.
As for your contribution, we will consider compensating you with money and signing a supplementary contract with you as a screenwriter doctor. The total price is $3,000. "
"Can I join the Writers Guild with this screenwriter's doctor contract?" Ronald asked.
The producer and director looked at each other, showing that this was indeed the case.
"I'm afraid that won't work, Ronald." Da Silva took out a cigarette, lit it, took a puff, and explained slowly.
"The Screenwriters Guild needs you to write the script of a union-registered film before it can accept you. The screenwriter doctor can modify the script without signing his name, and there are no points, so he cannot join the union."
"You are still very young. With this contract as a screenwriter, it will not be difficult for you to find a job related to screenwriting, whether it is Broadway in New York or Hollywood in Los Angeles.
In the next three years, as long as one of your scripts is made into a movie, it will be released in theaters or broadcast on TV stations. Then you can join the Writers Guild. From now on, the door of Hollywood will be completely open to you. "
$3,000, a stepping stone to future opportunities. Ronald thought for a moment. If he hadn't already been qualified by the Directors Guild and had a fixed income as a portrait photographer, he might have agreed.
But now, he wants more.
Ronald shook his head:
"No, this won't work. I need to sign the script. My goal is to be a movie director. Only being a screenwriter is the shortcut for people like me to direct movies. I've heard that major studios are no longer like they were in 10 years. Before, we trained new directors.
If you join the Screenwriters Guild as a screenwriter, you will have the opportunity to write movie scripts. If the script is picked up and made into a movie, you will become famous and become a director in the future. If you are lucky, it only takes two or three years.
Unlike those kids whose families have an acting background, I can easily get into the industry. It’s not like children from rich families can make movies with their own money. "
Da Silva leaned back, brushed the few hairs he had left, and showed a "really troublesome" expression.
"Ronald, you are a young man, don't be so stubborn. You can ask the people you know in the entertainment industry how difficult it is for them to get into the industry.
This contract as a screenwriter doctor provides you with a very good opportunity. You can directly submit your resume and it will not be difficult to find a job related to screenwriting.
The opportunity may be next month, maybe half a year from now, maybe a year from now, two years from now, who knows, as long as you are lucky once and your script is picked up by a studio, you will have a chance to be accepted by the Screenwriters Guild. .
Then continue writing scripts, and a studio will take a fancy to you and realize your dream of directing. "
Ronald said:
"Six months from now, next year, the year after that, of course that's great, but why not now? I want to join the Writers Guild now. This is your promise. It's not me who made the mistake, and I shouldn't be punished."
"And you're changing the subject. We're not talking about when can I join the Writers Guild? We're talking about, why didn't you keep your promise?"
"Promise?" Da Silva laughed, "What promise? I don't remember signing any screenwriting contract with you."
Ronald looked at director Alan Parker, "Are you planning to deny your credit? Mr. Parker, you promised me personally. As long as the plot I write is good enough and is included in the script, you will let me sign the script. "
"Think about it, young man, think about it." Alan Parker nodded his big head with his hand, smiled and nodded to Ronald, "Since you chose to handle this matter in a Hollywood way, then You have to abide by the rules of the Hollywood game."
"Think about it and give us an answer in the next few days." Allen knocked on the table. "Remember Ronald, I don't have to have your script. Doris' plot is not just yours." You can imagine it. The same goes for the drama involving the other three protagonists."
The implication of these words is a bit vicious. It is not difficult to find a screenwriter to change the plots he has written.
Ronald, who was a little angry, said loudly:
"I have evidence. I wrote the scenes of the three protagonists. I can sue you for infringement of intellectual property rights."
"You can give it a try, Ronald. We have lawyers from MGM. Haha, let's see which New York law firm will come to the West Coast to challenge." Da Silva was a little disdainful.
Ronald was silent.
The only fault is that I trusted them both and took the verbal promise seriously. I thought Hollywood was full of people like Roger Corman who kept their promises.
The director and producer got up and walked out of the room. Before leaving, producer Da Silva said:
"Think about it, Ronald. We're not being too hard on you. You don't know what the real evil people in Hollywood are like. If you sign this contract within three days, the $3,000 reward is still your."
"Business is business. As long as you sign the contract, come and write a script for me. Don't hurt your temper, Ronald, this is the rule of the game in Hollywood." Allen added, and the two walked out of the room, leaving Ronald behind. A man is sitting on a chair.
There was a sudden "pop" sound, and Ronald slapped his palm on the table.
No, you must not give up your right to sign so easily. We cannot surrender without a fight just because of the opponent's tricks.
Ronald hurried back to the rehearsal room and found Antonia and Jean.
The two of them saw that he had a strange look on his face and asked what was going on.
"I have some minor disputes with the director and producer, and I need a final version of the script."
Antonia handed her script over without asking anything specific:
"Take this copy of mine. Gene's copy in your hand has his phonetic notation on it. I can share one copy with him."
"Thank you, I will remember your help today."
Ronald grabbed the script and drove home in a hurry, taking stock of his cards.
The final draft of the script, various original manuscripts I wrote, several possible witnesses.
Jean and Lucy, and perhaps Antonia, would attest to themselves that it was he who came up with those conversations.
Ronald put down his pen dejectedly, and that was all.
Maybe your brain needs some alcohol stimulation to concentrate.
I opened the Jack Daniel's I bought at the grocery store downstairs and poured myself a small glass. Feeling very strong, Ronald opened the drawer and searched, took out a bottle of honey, scooped a little of it with a spoon and mixed it with the whiskey. The taste was much milder.
Honey was given by Walter Mersey, the editor of Peep Show Company. He is also a very experienced industry veteran. I don’t know if he will win an Oscar this year.
I still know many senior people in the industry, why not ask their opinions?
Ronald put down his cup, picked up his address book, and started flipping through it.
"Gail? I'm Ronald, is Mr. Coleman here??
"He has negotiated a big deal and went on vacation with Julie and the children. Do you have anything to do with him?"
Ronald thought for a moment. Gale came from a wealthy family and his father was an investor. Maybe he could ask her opinion.
"That's it, Gale, I got into a very embarrassing dispute..." Ronald told Gale exactly what happened on the phone.
"Oh, Ronald, you are too careless and start writing the script based on only verbal promises. Not every boss is like Roger."
"If you are a member of the Screenwriters Guild, you can apply for arbitration with them and let the union help you come forward. The result of union arbitration is mandatory. It's a pity that you belong to the Directors Guild."
"Can I go through legal proceedings?" Ronald remembered his angry words about suing.
"There is little hope. The legal departments of the eight major studios are very strong. They cooperate with the top law firms in Los Angeles. Even if you hire the top law firms on the East Coast, they are not familiar with legal cases in the entertainment industry, so you will probably lose. Besides, the legal fees from top law firms..."
"I know, I still want to give it a try. Can you give me the phone numbers of some law firms that deal with intellectual property rights? I'll consult first."
"Okay, I have the phone numbers of several East Coast law firms that specialize in the entertainment industry. Please wait a moment."
“Pawea & Hackett…, Case & Whiteman…, Cochran & Peterson….Okay, thank you. Should I call first to inquire?…Yes, I haven’t entered yet. Through a law firm”
"In your situation, you will probably be stopped at the secretary's office when you call. I think you should go to the front desk of the law firm and ask. Maybe a lawyer will be interested in your case. But don't get your hopes too high. "
"Also, when Roger comes back, I will tell him about you."
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Ronald was stopped again at the front desk of the last law firm, Cochran & Peterson. Gale was right. The law firm was not interested in a young man like him who was not a member of the Writers Guild and wanted to fight with the eight major Hollywood studios.
"I just want to talk to a lawyer and I can pay for the consultation."
"Sorry we only accept clients by appointment, our lawyers are very busy."
The front desk blocked him from entering and wasted the lawyer's precious time.
"Kate, what's going on?" A middle-aged man wearing glasses walked out of the elevator.
"Mr. Peterson, this gentleman walked into the law firm without an appointment. He must talk to a lawyer. There is a dispute over the script's signature. He is not a union member and it is an MGM film." The front desk quickly summarized.
"Hello, I'm Peterson, the named partner at the law firm. How about this, I'll give you a free piece of advice. Please don't pester me at the front desk of my law firm in the future. How about that?"
Ronald motioned for him to continue.
“Just take the $3,000 and just think that you have suffered a loss and gained experience.
This little money is not even enough to hire a senior lawyer from our law firm. Even for a new law school graduate, the hourly consulting fee is $250.
Attorney fees are paid regardless of whether you win or lose the case, and your chances of winning are slim. No, this case will never go to court. The opposing lawyer will most likely ask the judge to dismiss the prosecution due to insufficient evidence. "
"Are you satisfied with my free advice?" Peterson said. Even lawyers have to show kindness sometimes.
"My aunt said don't trust free advice from strangers. I would consult with a fee-based attorney."
