Miss Lindsay Dole's strategy is powerful, but it comes with the risk of guessing wrong.
Ronald thought about it all night and finally decided to go ahead. The worst outcome was to lose $3,000 and no chance to be signed.
Compared with the shortcut to the director's dream, there are no risks that cannot be taken.
Ronald first called producer David DaSilva.
"David? I'm Ronald. Yes, I figured it out. This matter really needs a solution."
"Very good, Ronnie, you have finally matured. I will arrange a time for you, Allen, to sit down with me and sign the script doctor's agreement."
"No, I want to talk to you first. I don't trust Allen, and his promise to me is like a fart."
"It's best to bring the crew's lawyer with you, David. I hope this matter can be resolved once and for all. No problem, it will be at 4 o'clock this afternoon. See you then."
Ronald dug out the phone book again, found the number of the Writers Guild of the West, and dialed: "Hello, I would like to check the contact information of an author. Christopher Gore, yes."
Taking the piece of paper with Christopher Gore's contact information on it, Ronald closed his eyes again and reviewed the planned strategy twice in his mind.
Set off!
"This is Mickey Kanter, a lawyer from the Los Angeles law firm of Manat & Phelps & Phillips. 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 to help me. I’m busy and have modified your contract.”
Producer David Da Silva introduced a middle-aged man in a suit and tie opposite.
Like his name, Mickey Kanter has a pair of cunning eyes and a pair of charming ears. Two gray eyes were looking Ronald up and down.
"Hello, I'm Mickey." He took the initiative to reach out and shake Ronald's hand.
"I was very curious to hear what David said about you and wanted to meet this bold young man like you."
"I hope I didn't disappoint you. Mr. Kanter."
"No, just call me Mickey."
The president of MGM hired a senior lawyer, so that today's negotiations will be 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 have agreed upon it, $3,000, plus you voluntarily give up your signature and all the rights derived from it."
When Ronald heard the second half of the sentence, all the rights derived from 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 wrong 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 to be very curious about the unexpected development of the matter.
"This is the signature rule of the Writers Guild. I got the latest copy from the lawyer." Ronald said, taking out two copies and handing them to the producer and lawyer across the table. He took another copy and began to read.
"The 'Story' byline belongs to anyone who comes up with a minimal complete story for the first time, or writes a complete outline for the first time.
'Screenplay' credit 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 has written the most outstanding original screenplay that year.
Oh, no, this is the Oscar nomination description. "
Ronald vaulted the horse gently, general!
David da Silva's expression changed from happy at first, to boredom, and now to surprise.
"And here's a contact from the Writers Guild of the West, who belongs to Christopher Gore, and if you want, David, we can call him together and ask him what he thinks about this typo."
Ronald reached out and tapped the words "Original Screenplay" on the cover of the script a few times.
"That's enough!" David Da Silva stood up and stopped Ronald from continuing.
"Mitch, please give Ronald and I some private time."
Lawyer Mickey Kanter's gray eyes stared at David for a long time, and Ronald, as a bystander, also felt that the atmosphere was a little tense. Then he looked at Ronald, suddenly smiled and said, "Ronald, this house belongs to you." Then he walked out of the door and closed the door.
"What do you want to do? Ronald. Mickey is the lawyer personally hired by the president of MGM. Do you want to embarrass me by saying this in front of him?"
"David, I didn't even know who he was before I came here."
"Actually, I have no ill intentions. I just want to get back my signature. Of course, I have no intention of getting a 'story' or 'writing' that does not belong to me. I just want to sign my name with a 'script'. After all, I wrote it I deserve more than a third of the key plot, don’t I?”
"How did you know about the deal between Christopher and me? Did Chris tell you?"
"No, but I have my channels and I'm not exactly new to Hollywood."
"Okay, I'll talk to Chris again and give you a credit for the script, no big deal."
Ronald smiled slightly. The benefits of solving this problem for him now would exceed that of another problem.
"However, Allen is also involved in this matter. There is another clause in our deal. Allen can change Christopher's script at will, provided that only Chris is signed. If Chris and I sign a new contract, this matter cannot be hidden. Him. Together we have to convince him to sign the script for you, Ronald."
The lawyer lady was right, and now the producers are on his side.
"You know he has always had some opinions about you because of what happened last time."
"Um?"
"Let me and Alan have a word first, Ronnie," the producer said to Ronald.
Director Alan Parker did not agree to give Ronald a credit.
"Can you guarantee that Christopher Gore will not tell anyone? At that time, you... bought the script from Christopher Gore for $5,000 and sold it to MGM for $40,000."
"I'm tired of this matter. Don't drag it out any longer. Let's solve him. I'll convince Chris." The producer wanted to solve the matter quickly and even used some of his own money to pay the original producer. author.
"You know, there is actually a solution. The scene Ronald wrote is only about one-third of the way. What if it is less than one-third? Then even the Writers Guild will not support him Signed.”
"you think……?"
"Have you forgotten? I am also a screenwriter."
The two took a script apart and removed two pages of the scene Ronald had written, and then Allen typed it himself and added two more pages. After binding the script again, 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 cannot be included in the script. Signature. "
The queen moved from the diagonal to eat the knight, and turned back!
Ronald flipped through it and found that the latest plot he had written, printed on a blue paper card, was missing two pages, resulting in the total being 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 and told them.
My lawyer told me that this has legal significance. "
"Then it's the lawyer's job." The producer opened the door and let in lawyer Mickey Kanter.
Mickey motioned for them to leave the room first: "Let Ronald and I talk alone."
"I actually admire you, Ronald." Mickey said, staring at him.
Ronald felt uncomfortable being stared at by these gray eyes.
"What do you mean, Mickey?"
"You are a newcomer, not yet 20 years old, and you are able to find and exploit the gap between the director and the producer, and get in and find a chance to make a comeback. But you are still a little unlucky.
On the set, if the director and producer join forces and try to stop you, it will be difficult for you to win. "
"What if I insist on filing a lawsuit?"
Mickey smiled:
"Let me run a bill for you, Ronnie. Can I call you Ronnie?"
"You can get a remuneration of US$3,000 from this contract as a script doctor. If you hire a lawyer who handles copyright lawsuits in the entertainment industry, even if he is a newcomer to a law firm after graduating from college, the hourly rate will be $250.”
"My request is only $150." Ronald thought to himself.
"There are also court litigation fees, lawyers' fees for preparing materials, and court fees. The case may take several months to a year. If by chance you win, we at MGM will definitely appeal, and you will have to take all The process is going through again.”
"Two years later, you may still not get a dollar and lose your signature. Why not take these 3,000 US dollars of hard-earned money and make good use of it in one or two years to do what you should do?
In a year or two, you can write several screenplays. Who knows if one of them can be approved as a project and made into a movie, which could help you get enough points to apply for the Screenwriters Guild? "
Ronald felt that what lawyer Mickey Kanter said was not unreasonable. But in the final analysis, I am the one who was deceived in this matter...
"You think about it carefully, two years is a very short time. 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 given to you is valid. No one can infringe on your interests. .”
After speaking, Mickey patted Ronald on the shoulder and walked out.
Disappointed, Ronald also walked out of the room. Outside are Jean and Antonia, and the black girl Lucy.
"What happened Ronnie? Why are they saying the director won't let you sign the script?" Gene asked.
"You are right, I have some disputes with the director and producer, and we are still solving the problem."
"Hey, you brought me into the crew, and I'm forever grateful. How do you want us to support you?" Gene said.
Ronald looked at Lucy and Antonia. In fact, he had another way, which was to mobilize his own actors to threaten them with a strike. However, doing so would injure others, and it would also be too difficult.
"Don't be impulsive, Gene. I just have some disputes with them about my signature. They will pay my salary. It's not easy for you to have an opportunity. After acting in this movie, you can join the Screen Actors Guild. The road ahead will be Just go wider.”
"I have been a member of the trade union for a long time, we can..." Antonia rushed to say.
"No!" Ronald interrupted hurriedly, "Don't say that, Antonia, this movie is a rare and big opportunity for everyone. Don't take risks easily."
"I appreciate you guys, but it's not that bad yet."
After persuading the three actors to leave, Ronald returned home and immediately called attorney Lindsay Dole:
"Lindsay, this is Ronald, things are going very badly and I'm afraid I have to prepare for the worst."
