"If this continues, we have to sit back and wait for death. We must work hard, at least to prevent the release of that youth exploitation film." Tom Mount's eyes were red. After learning that the ET box office continued to rise, and "Fast Pace" got back the R-level rating standard After that, it became a bit hysterical.
John Landis, who had been discovered by himself before and was now in a desperate situation, asked him to come out and bite Spielberg and drag him into the water, so that he would not have to pay the compensation alone for the one large and two young children who died in the accident.
As for my "friends" in the news field, with Spielberg's negative news, they can hedge against ET's unparalleled popularity and make ET's box office growth less scary.
Then he found a few retired old men and complained to the MPAA in the name of conscientious film workers who had watched the internal test screenings. Successfully reduced the movie "Fast-paced Richmond High" to an X rating.
The board of directors evaluates the performance of studio executives based on the decision whether to film each film project. I voted against both of these movies, and the box office results will become negative KPIs for my year-end assessment. Now that Shenberg's power on the mca board of directors has increased significantly, he can just take advantage of this opportunity...
If he can drag the two movies that Sheinberg is pushing to make as expected and prevent them from setting box office records, he will be able to keep his position at the mca board of directors meeting at the end of the year with the support of some of mca's top executives.
As the president of a large studio, he can decide the life or death of other people's projects with just one word. After experiencing this, he was asked to resign and start his own production company, and then look at other people's faces. Think about this kind of life. All terrible.
However, these two counterattacks were unsuccessful.
He asked Landis to read the eulogy at Vic Morrow's funeral, and Spielberg went into the water. It was expected that Steven's black material would be released.
But who knew that Spielberg, an artist like a big boy, would actually become mature, ignore Landis's dirty water, and move forward in a roundabout way.
He gave Landis his own advice, but his trap failed. Spielberg did not confront Landis directly, and focused the discussion on whether he was as responsible for Vic Morrow's death as Landis. Responsibility comes up.
After a few days of cold treatment, several newspapers and television media controlled by the Jews restarted, focusing the discussion on who was the culprit, Landis, the pyrotechnician, and the helicopter pilot.
Landis's public relations action by attending the funerals of several victims brought him more notoriety, but it did not harm Spielberg's golden body at all.
The box office of et Alien is also rising day by day. Three hundred more printed copies have been sent to theaters across the country. Not only has the number of theaters increased to 1,500, but the box office of a single theater has not dropped. Instead, it has increased from two thousand US dollars per day to more than 3,000 US dollars. .
This abnormal phenomenon fully demonstrates that "ET" will be a phenomenal movie. It is very likely to break the North American box office record and go down in history forever.
Why didn't I see it at first?
Not to mention that he was opposed to the release of ET and had a hard time. Even Frank Price, the president of Columbia, who transferred the filming rights of ET to Universal and signed a contract to let Columbia share 5% of the net profit, was also rejected by the new owner. Meng, the vice president sent by Coca-Cola, criticized him verbally and in writing.
He scolded him for letting go of the biggest fish in the 1982 film market, and his position as president was in jeopardy.
Although he is different from Price, the senior script reviewer, he has the support of the parent company's board of directors, MCA. But if you miss a series of phenomenal movies, you will inevitably be abandoned by your own supporters on the board of directors. They are not their only option to check Sheinberg.
Who would have known that Hollywood, an industrial base that is already over 70 years old and entering its twilight years, would show any signs of coming back?
It's all the fault of that young director, Ronald. He stopped Landis at the funeral and did not let reporters capture this point of strength. As a result, Landis suffered from neurasthenia and gave up the opportunity to save himself.
There is also "Fast-paced Richmond High", which was originally my favorite project. Whether it was David Lynch or later Amy Heckerling, the success of this film should be regarded as my own merit. .
And now if this youth film is a hit, it will become the opponent Shenberg's discerning eye for people.
Giving it an x rating has already declared the movie a doomed box office failure. Who knows that Ronald cut the film cleverly through some method, passed the MPAA's third review, and regained the R-rated release permit.
He didn't choose to reshoot? The more Tom Mount thought about it, the angrier he became, and the follow-up package he had prepared for Ronald was all in vain.
The prepared counterattack plan was missing the most critical link - a second-generation Jewish star who was oppressed, and his father had just died in an accident.
But no matter what, no plan can be executed perfectly. This is the last effort to save his fate.
Tom Mount pulled off his tie forcefully, threw it aside, picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Beep...beep..." After two beeps, an old but powerful voice answered the phone, "Hello, it's me."
"Call those old fogies, I need their help now."
"It's time to consider resigning honorably, Tom. I sent you to Universal Production to contain Sheinberg's power, not to do those..."
"The movie market is declining...the future is cable TV...no one will go out after 1990...people in the film industry can move to make TV...remember? Who said these things to me at the time?"
"Okay... for the sake of my daughter Nicola, I will support you one last time. This is the last time." The old man put down the phone and called in a subordinate, "Give it to our old guys at Universal Make a call and ask them to support Mount."
After speaking, he shook his head gently, pinched the root of his nose between his eyes with both hands and rubbed it twice. This Mount is still too young, and maybe it was a mistake to let him go to Universal at that time.
The key to Sheinberg's success in MCA is that he tied up with Spielberg. Executives who can make money are the executives that the board of directors likes.
Whether it's movies or cable TV, as long as you make money, those capitalists don't care what you do.
"Mr. President, this is a joint letter from current and retired Universal Pictures executives and stars who want to stop the release of 'Fast Richmond High.'"
Shenberg was sitting in his office, looking through the latest box office data from ET. His thoughts were interrupted by his secretary.
"What's the reason?" Shenberg asked his secretary directly without reading the joint letter. He opened the drawer, took out a cigar, lit it and started smoking. The box office of et Alien continues to rise, and all the resources of the company are invested in this epoch-making work.
Whether "fast pace" is a hit or not has become irrelevant.
"It's still the same old thing, excessive promotion of love between men and women, not in line with American values, too much exposure, and exploitation of young Jewish actors..."
"Vic Morrow's daughter?" Sheinberg flicked the ash from his cigar into the ashtray. "That's a fresh reason."
"But it's all the same old stuff. I promised Steven that I would let that director's movie be released as scheduled. What's so special about this time that you should come in and tell me.?"
"Because this time there are more than 20 signatures." The lady who has been Sheinberg's secretary for a long time handed over the last page of the joint letter.
Xinberg's face became a little more solemn, he put down his cigar and accepted the joint letter.
More than two dozen people, including current and retired executives from various divisions, and star actors from Universal's history.
"Are they going to have a one-and-done showdown?"
"I'm afraid, yes, they said they heard a lot of rumors and asked for a preview meeting to discuss whether the movie should be released."
"Shxt!" Shenberg cursed after reading the letter. This ill-timed joint letter ruined my good mood to celebrate that the ET box office is about to exceed 100 million US dollars in box office.
"Get Mr. Spielberg for me." Shenberg gestured to his secretary.
"Hey, Steven. Tom Mount has assembled twenty retired executives and retired stars to demand a review of 'Fast Time,' and I'm afraid I can't protect your little friend."
"Yes, they gathered more than 20 retired executives and celebrities, and they were very vocal. I had to agree to their suggestion and hold an internal film viewing meeting."
"Of course, all the results will be decided at the issuance meeting of the five voting executives. I have two votes in hand, and Mount also has an executive who takes orders from him. Maybe the fate of Ronald Jr. depends on Ned. That’s what Tanin meant.”
Ronald, who learned that the film was going to be collectively reviewed by several retired executives, was preparing for a national marketing tour to prepare for the premiere in two weeks. He was a little confused when he suddenly learned the news.
"Why do they have the power to decide the fate of my movie?"
"Because twenty retired executives and stars of the Golden Age jointly wrote to Sheinberg, asking for a review of the decision to release the film. If he didn't agree, they threatened to publish the letter in the newspaper, completely ruining the film. The film’s release.”
Richard, who hurried over, said to Ronald, "Mr. Spielberg called me personally. He said that he will personally arrange your next project after ET's celebration party is over. There is a person over there at Amberlin." There’s a new teen movie waiting for you to revise the script, and once it gets the green light from the studio, he’ll ask you to direct it.”
"Thank him for me, Richard." Ronald walked quickly to Universal's large screening room, where old guys rarely set foot since Universal shrunk its film production business in the 1960s.
"Hi, Linda."
"Hi, Mr. Smith."
Many retired executives and celebrities have reunited in this place that brought them glory and memories. Some stars have filmed scenes with James Stewart or Marlene Dietrich, and they brought their grandchildren.
Looking at these old people wearing outdated old-fashioned dresses and watching movies, Ronald seemed to be looking at actors walking out of some period drama set.
Ronald, who was not qualified to talk to them and interrupt their reminiscing, sat at the edge of the screening room and watched the audience's reactions.
The lights dimmed, and when MCA's Universal title appeared on the screen, there was a sigh from the audience.
When the movie enters Spicoli eating in class, being scolded by Mr. Hand, and walking out of the classroom indifferently, the chairs on the scene begin to creak. Ronald could imagine the embarrassment of these old men.
When Linda taught Stacey how to put a carrot in her mouth in the high school cafeteria, the squeaking of the chair began to come out more frequently and intensively.
Brad was at home imagining Stacey's head emerging from the swimming pool like a lotus. During that dreamlike episode, there were two retired executives who couldn't bear the sound of the springs of the chair being bounced. Got up and left.
"No, Grandpa, let me watch it again." His grandson refused to leave and wanted to stay in his seat to watch this fun movie.
After the screening was completed, Robert Raimi, the senior vice president in charge of production, walked out angrily, "This is an immoral movie. If our young people in America grow up watching this kind of movie, will it be okay?" ?”
He has the vote that Tom Mount relies on.
Retired celebrities and executives are beginning to leave with their grandchildren, who value more than respectable invitations and gatherings with old friends. As for the movie, it's secondary. They have made too many similar low-budget exploitation films in their lifetime, and this one is no exception.
However, their grandchildren enjoyed standing and watching the ending scene when the subtitles rose. Spicoli and Brooke Shields, who appeared at the end of David Letterman's talk show, were cheered.
"I want to tell my friends that the bikini photo taken in the swimming pool is so beautiful..."
"Yeah, it was so funny that Spicoli saved Brooke Shields at the end. If only I could be like him..."
Ronald noticed that his grandchildren were discussing several plot points in the movie.
The old people began to leave. Only an old lady, who had played many supporting roles in the golden age of Hollywood and later married a film company executive, came over to say goodbye to Ronald.
"To be honest, I don't like this movie. It has too many sexual implications. But you are a capable director, but you still need to watch more classic movies.
I didn't understand the new Southern California dialect, but my granddaughter seemed to enjoy it, and the cheerleaders spoke in the same grammatical way she did.
Also, good luck to you. "
"If there's nothing else to say, let's start voting," Sheinberg said, presiding over the ensuing meeting.
"I object. This movie should not be released. In the future, it is best to hold a meeting to vote before our movies are released." Robert Raimi, senior vice president, first expressed his attitude.
Tom Mount got one vote and Remy is a very conservative guy.
"The issuance plan has been made, and if it is withdrawn now, we will lose a lot of money."
Sheinberg received the vote of vice president for distribution.
Eyes focused on Ned Tanin.
Tanin was undecided.
If you agree, you can bet on your own vision. At that time, I also agreed to Ronald's additional budget for reshoots. The box office can be counted as your own performance.
But if the "fast-paced" film does well at the box office, Sheinberg may gain greater authority and be the most powerful voice within Universal Pictures. It is highly likely that Tom Mount's power will be reduced.
Then it seems that I will have to report to Xinberg in the future?
Don't agree? If you don't agree to the release, you may be regarded as Mount's accomplice afterwards.
“I heard from a retired actor who said that many of the characters in the movie speak in Southern California valley accents, and that people from other places sound disabled.”
Tanin finally spoke.
"This movie isn't suitable for a simultaneous national release, but it has a decent audience on the West Coast. We can show it for a week or two, see how it does at the box office, and if it does well, sell the movie to Universal Television.
If it can achieve good box office results and stay in theaters for more than four weeks, it can be sold to NBC. "
…
Ronald waited outside the door for the decision from the top brass who would decide the fate of his debut film.
"Why can't I show up at the meeting where my fate will be decided?"
Ronald, who was thinking randomly, saw Shenberg, Tom Mount and others coming out.
"It's not the best result, nor the worst." Shenberg nodded to him and said.
"Let Mr. Taning explain to you." Tanin's last-minute compromise made neither party very satisfied.
"With nationwide screenings canceled, we will be replacing the original schedule with Dolly Parton's film 'The Finest Chicken Room in Texas.' Your film has been moved to the first weekend of August, on the West Coast for May." Opening in 100 theaters. Good luck."
multiple copies
