"Go to the Peninsula Hotel."
Ronald arrived in New York, got off the plane, and little Bud drove to pick him up.
Reunited with his mother and sisters at home, little Bud enjoyed a few days of family happiness. This time he was going to Los Angeles with Ronald, serving as his driver and informal bodyguard.
With him came Ronald's entire team of agents, Niceta, Paola, and Richard. This time they were nominally here for the first MTV awards show.
The music video "Girls Just Want to Have Some Fun" directed by Ronald and sung by Cyndi Lauper was nominated for six categories including "Best Female Video".
This is the most nominated singer and song at this award ceremony, with Michael Jackson ranking behind her. As a director, Ronald was also invited to attend the awards night.
Of course, this is the first time this award has been held. Even if it means something to those in the music industry, Ronald doesn't have to come, at least it doesn't require the entire team of managers to be present.
The real reason they came was to contact Michael Eisner.
Eisner and Katzenberg formed an alliance, and during negotiations with Gulf West President Martin Davis, Ronald was specially invited to come to New York for a secret meeting.
I heard that Martin Davis wanted to cut Barry Diller's original position into two. A job offered as Vice President of Gulf Western and CEO of Paramount, making Eisner take over. Another copy was given to Frank Mancuso, president of Simon & Schuster Publishing Company, and chairman of Paramount, who was now Paramount's executive vice president in charge of acquiring and distributing films from other independent producers.
At the moment when Eisner was negotiating with the other party, in addition to winning over Katzenberg and forming a team, an even more powerful card was the 200 million production budget of the "Screen Fund" introduced by Ronald.
With only 200 million funds allocated to him, he will be the trump card that determines the outcome. The deputy commander's son had a close relationship with Ronald, so Eisner planned to hide this card until the end and play it out at the most critical moment.
Being able to directly discuss major issues that will determine the future direction of the industry with an industry boss like Michael Eisner made several agents very optimistic about Ronald's future. Together, they dropped everything and came to New York to help Ronald deal with this relationship.
As long as they can sign Eisner's favor, both Ronald's future and the status of the three of them in CAA will be guaranteed.
The three agents crowded into the back seat of the Honda Accord, and Ronald got into the passenger seat and drove toward the Peninsula Hotel, where Eisner and Katzenberg were staying.
"Mr. Eisner," Ronald quietly came to Eisner's executive suite, hugged him and said hello. Three agents lined up, forming a supporter line behind Ronald.
"How about your pilot movie? What are your thoughts on the script?" Eisner knew the tempers of these artists and started talking about their favorite movies.
"I think the flight technical expert should be rewritten as a female naval officer, and the protagonist should be changed from a photographer to an ace pilot. Those good technical details are used as materials to fill in this romantic story.
In fact, the air combat shots of fighter jets are not very good-looking. In order to shoot a commercial, I once found all the air combat shots in Hollywood and looked at them. It is difficult for today’s audiences to cheer for this kind of old air combat.
How about we add some romance. "
"I support your opinion, but only you." Eisner acted like Ronald's best friend.
"Only you can make those boring technical details beautiful and romantic. Whether it's break dancing or karate sparring. On one side is the exciting fight that is romanticized in the industry, and on the other side is the romantic love that matches the development of the plot. It doesn't overwhelm others, but it can be integrated organically. I don't think there is anyone in Hollywood who can do as well as you."
"Thank you. I appreciate the compliment."
Ronald thought to himself, is Eisner asking for something from himself? Why do you boast that you don't need money? Not to mention the masters like Lucas, who made Star Wars, "Flashdance" director Adrian Lane is a master of romanticizing plots, and he has borrowed many lessons from him.
It is very easy for a person like Eisner to please a young director. The same words, spoken by him as the president of seven major studios, have an effect that others do not have. The two talked about film art for a while, and their previous interactions. Niceta and Paula cooperated and complimented each other at every opportunity, and the host and guest enjoyed themselves for a while.
"Ladies and gentlemen, can you give me and Ronald some private time?" Eisner stopped immediately and offered to have a private chat with Ronald.
Several agents stayed outside the door while Eisner and Ronald entered the inner room.
"Barry's sudden departure was very sudden. Although there were many signs before, I didn't expect to choose to change jobs in the middle of the year. Maybe Fox's losses in the first nine months have reached a level that the oil businessman can't bear." reached the point.”
Ronald nodded to express his understanding. Generally, when such high-level managers change jobs, they will leave room for it and give the previous company a buffer at least six months in advance. It's rare that someone has to run away in less than a month.
"I was at Paramount, and Jeff [Katzenberg] and I were in charge of the direct-invested production side of things, and Frank Mancuso was just buying films from independent producers to fill Paramount's distribution slots.
So I am determined to win in this competition. "
Ronald also understands some of the current competitive situation. Maybe Martin Davis, the president of Gulf West, wants to take advantage of Eisner.
"So" Eisner moved his legs forward and leaned closer from his sofa, his knees almost touching Ronald's knees who were sitting on the sofa next to him. "
"You will definitely support me, right, Ronald? I rarely promise, but when I make a promise, I will definitely fulfill it. As long as you can support me, I can make you the next Spielberg, America, etc." The most successful young director of the decade."
Ronald smiled, just listen to these words. He didn't know how Eisner wanted to gain his support and take the opportunity to exchange some good things, so he also answered softly:
"How do you want me to help you, Mr. Eisner?"
"Call your friend. I need the right to use the money from the Screen Fund. I have the final say on which movie to release and how much to release." Eisner's eyes flashed. In fact, no matter what position he was in, it was all about me. False reputation, as long as he firmly controls the use rights of more than 200 million funds, sooner or later he will climb to the power that Barry Diller once had.
"Is there anyone in Hollywood who is more suitable to allocate this money than me?" Eisner added when Ronald didn't say anything, "As long as I win the CEO of Paramount and the CEO of Gulf Western Vice President, I can sign a three-movie deal with you, and all scripts are open to you."
"Including Sidney Pollack, does Spielberg want that kind of script?" Ronald also had a clue.
“You can compete.”
"I'll give him a call."
Ronald got satisfactory conditions and dialed the number of Barbara's eldest son, a beer and barbecue enthusiast, in Eisner's room.
"Hi, George. It's me, Ronald. When you come to New York or Los Angeles, let's go have some good beer."
"Hey, Ronald. I'm so happy to hear your voice. I have contacted my classmates at Yale. The Jerome family also has members in our fraternity. Our ancestors did arrive on the Mayflower. New England, do you want to visit your great-grandfather some time ago?"
"Of course, I'm always at your call, George. I have something to ask you about, about the screen fund..."
Eisner heard the conversation between the two about family history next to the phone. Although he was prepared, he was also frightened. There are no kings or nobles in America. These earliest pioneer families in New England are the nobles of America.
"Yes, my friend Mr. Eisner would like to know how you allocate the budget for each movie."
"I don't care about the details, Ronald. Like I said, I just want the best producers. If Eisner wants to do it, he'll have the final say on all the investments. We'll just take the fixed income priority." . Roland Bates and I said that Wall Street investors think that Hollywood investment returns are good, and they just want to get returns that are higher than the industry average return.
Well, when Eisner becomes CEO, Roland Bates will go and talk to him alone. The first tranche of screen funds was given to HBO productions, and the returns were not satisfactory. Hopefully Eisner gives us a good score. I'll hang up first..."
Ronald looked at Eisner who was listening behind him, "Did you hear everything, Mr. Eisner? I think your idea is exactly what they expected."
"Call me Michael," Eisner said, grabbing Ronald's arm and laughing.
…
The three agents were also overjoyed and went back to report the latest news to CAA's partners. Only Richard was left to accompany Ronald to deal with things.
"Welcome to the first annual MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall, and I'm Dan Aykroyd."
"I'm Bette Midler"
The two hosts opened the first MTV Music Festival, and many big names came. There were hundreds of guests and viewers, but the atmosphere was relatively relaxed. The two hosts went up wearing T-shirts and big glasses.
"The award for Best Video Director was given to John Landis, the director of MJ's Thriller"
Ronald applauded below. The MTV awards deadline is early May. Landis was selected by Quincy Jones to direct MJ's Thriller music video in the second half of the year. He can only be an award guest.
"I wonder if how much money he can make is enough to compensate Jennifer Jason Leigh for her father's loss." Ronald thought with some malice.
In order to promote this new award, MTV spent a lot of money and invited Lord Stewart, David Bowen, Tina Turner and others to serve as guest performers.
Diana Ross, Quincy Jones and other big names have served as award guests. Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, also specially recorded a video to introduce the band "The Police", the winner of the Pioneer MV Award.
"The winner of the best female video is, girls just want to have fun!"
Two British musicians presented the award.
Ronald took Cyndi Lauper to the stage to accept the award. She had not received the previous nominations, which was a very sad time.
"Most of this award should be awarded to Cindy. Her energy, imagination, and enthusiasm are the biggest factors in the success of the MV." Ronald held a trophy in the shape of an astronaut who landed on the moon and raised it with Cindy. rise.
Anyway, for me as a film director, this award is not particularly important, so it doesn’t hurt to say a few nice words.
"Thank you, thank you. Ronald is the most talented MV director I have ever come across. You have all seen break dancing."
Hahaha, the audience laughed and applauded Cyndi Lauper's introduction.
"I'm telling you, girls really want to have fun, especially when they're writing with Ronald." Cyndi Lauper only made one of her six mentions, happily and angrily slapping the awards table.
"Oh, Shxt. It's him. Why didn't my manager ask him to direct my music video?" A female singer preparing to perform in the background heard Cyndi Lauper slamming the table. , come and take a look.
She saw Ronald holding the trophy and embracing Cyndi Lauper passionately, and her heart was filled with seeds of jealousy.
"The next person to perform for us is..." Dan Aykroyd pointed with his hand, "Madonna... Like A Virgin"
"Like a virgin,
Being touched for the first time...
like a virgin,
With your heartbeat by my side..."
When Ronald reached the audience, he looked up and saw the next performer.
She was wearing the bride's white wedding dress, sitting on a stage and singing.
"Isn't this Madonna?" Although Ronald was far away, he still recognized this little girl who failed to audition for "famous all over the world".
Madonna sang as she removed her white veil and waved one hand...
She got more and more excited as she sang, and walked to the edge of the stage, waving her veil.
"Oh God," Ronald and Cyndi Lauper next to him both saw clearly that Madonna's wedding dress was hollow and there were two words "boy's toy" on a belt.
"Bitch," Cyndi Lauper cursed secretly, is this bitch trying to steal her halo moment? Obviously I am the winner of the Best Female Singer MV.
"The Romance of Fairy Wood"
Madonna walked in the direction of Ronald, turned the hand holding the white veil in a circle, and pointed at Ronald.
"You are so beautiful, you are mine,
I will be yours until the end of time because you make me feel,
Yes, you make me feel like I have nothing to hide..."
These words seemed to be sung to Ronald.
Then something even more exciting happened. Madonna knelt down on the stage, pointed in the direction of Ronald, and then twisted her body forward and back, up and down.
"Like a virgin...
You feel so good inside
When you hold me, your heart beats, you love me."
"Oh, Shxt!" Ronald, like everyone else, was stunned by this bold "dance move."
"Madonna recognized me and danced towards me, right?" Ronald covered his face.
