Reborn America, this is my time

Chapter 159
"Oh George...Steven...Ethan..."

"That's how it goes..."

"Ronald is a traitor! He betrayed me!"

Two hours later, in the office of the founder of Industrial Light and Magic.

Xiao Si and Xiao Yi seemed to be humming two generals, one on the left and the other on the right beside Xiao Lu.

The three of them gathered behind the desk and stared wide-eyed. In front of them sat a middle-aged man with brown glasses on the top of his nose and a beard like Santa Claus.At this moment, this guy's eyes were burning, and he looked at the three of them angrily. That shock was so real that it could even knock the roof off.

And the identity of this middle-aged man in his thirties...

It is another screenwriter of "Alien", Dan O'Bannon.

In fact, when Spielberg found out that he had already read the script Ethan brought, he hurriedly took Ethan to Dennis where Industrial Light & Magic was located.After briefly explaining the matter to Lucas, the guy who had nothing to do to get off work immediately called Dan O'Bannon to ask about the specific situation.Following Dan O'Bannon's narration, the three finally understood why the script of the visual effects director of "Star Wars" bypassed all insiders and appeared in front of Ethan, an outsider.

If I had to sum it up, it would be two words—Dream Realization.

Dan O'Bannon was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He loved science fiction and horror stories since he was a child. What he wanted to do most was to become a film director.But it's a pity that being a film director is not so easy. Spielberg is the only one in Hollywood who can be picked by a big factory and raised for seven years when he was a student.So even if he got into USC and managed to get a BA in film, that didn't mean he could direct.In order to enter the film industry smoothly, he cooperated with his friend John Carpenter and applied for a film production fund from the university. At a cost of [-] US dollars, he worked out a film called "Dark Star "movie of.

Since the movie "Dark Star" is their feature-length debut, the results are a little green, but they did not become unknown because of this, but let Lucas see the bright spot, because in "Dark Star" , they designed an unprecedented animation effect, that is, the interstellar transition of the spacecraft.In the future, all movies and games where the spaceship travels through the stars, that is, the spaceship remains still and the background stars in space turn into light bars, will all be copied from him.And this scene also surprised Lucas, and directly pulled the original designer Dan O'Bannon to Industrial Light and Magic, asking him to create special effects for "Star Wars".

Although Dan O'Bannon has shown great talent in special effects, he doesn't like special effects. The reason why he makes special effects is because he wants to put the pictures in his mind on the screen. What he wants to do most is , that's still making a movie.So after the success of "Star Wars", seeing that science fiction films had a future, he continued to sell his scripts to outside studios, but unfortunately, none of the studios could accept his condition, that is, to invest money in him. , and let him be the director.

As for the reason...

it's actually really easy.

"His directing skills can't handle long-form stories."

After briefly comforting Dan O'Bannon and letting him leave first, Lucas, who closed the office door, said directly: "With his technology, it must be no problem to shoot a short film within half an hour. But if it’s a nine-and-ten-minute movie, it’s bound to be a disaster.”

"I don't know if he will change in the future, but at the moment... he doesn't tell a story with the camera."

'Fuck! '

Ethan was shocked by Xiao Lu's comments.

Hollywood's most recognized director who can't tell a story dare to say that others can't tell a story?
How bad is Dan O'Bannon's camera level!

Xiaosi also nodded in agreement, and said to Ethan: "His visual effects ability is top-notch, and his fantasy ability is also top-notch, but his narrative ability..."

"That's really worse than George!"

"At most... half of his level..."

'Well! '

'George Lucas has become a unit of measure for directors? '

Although Xiaosi's words were a bit unpleasant, Xiaolu didn't care, because no matter whether "Star Wars" was successful or not, he always called his brother's director level the number one in the world.

As it should be, after Spielberg nodded in agreement, Lucas, who gained support, turned his attention to Ethan and said: "So, the thing now is that Dan O'Bannon wants to write and direct himself, but He didn't get approval from the studio, so he still wanted to seek opportunities, and Ronald Shusett, who co-scripted with him, hoped that the script of "Star Monster" could be made into a movie soon, so he found you without authorization. , I hope you will be interested in this story and hand over the script to us."

Lucas's words are a bit twisted, and the meaning expressed may still have logical errors in the eyes of outsiders, because they have already read this script a few years ago, and Ronald Shusett took great pains. Going around in a circle seems to be doing some useless work, but after the communication just now, Ethan at this moment has been able to get what he meant.

Because Dan O'Bannon became famous, but he Ronald Shusett did not.

It's that simple.

After the explosion of "Star Wars", Dan O'Bannon, the visual effects director of the film, directly entered the vision of Hollywood studios by riding a rocket.Although the executives of the studio these days don't know what the visual effects director of a film can do, but he has become famous and has opportunities that ordinary people can't match, so he can wait slowly with the script and wait for others investment, waiting for that hard-won directing opportunity.

And Ronald Shusett, who co-wrote the script with him, couldn't afford to wait.

In the eyes of Ronald Shusett, Dan O'Bannon at this moment should accept the olive branches thrown by the major studios, and take advantage of the east wind of "Star Wars" to put the script of "Star Monster" on the stage. The screen, because only in this way, Ronald Shusett, who has no works, can quickly enter the field of vision of major studios.If the movie is successful, he who provided the idea for the movie will get more opportunities in the future, and even if it fails, it doesn't matter, because a movie with a million-dollar investment can already add a lot of color to his resume. pen.In the future, when he submits scripts to other studios, the recognition he has received will allow him to go further.

That's why Ronald Shusett came to Ethan.

Because now all of Hollywood knows that those studios want to replicate the success of Star Wars!And in this case, whoever gets his approval from Ethan Jones will get endless green lights from major Hollywood studios!When the major studios can't wait to work with him Ethan Jones... If Dan O'Bannon wants to continue to wait?Still want to continue directing?

Oh--

Even if he agrees with Ronald Shusett, the major Hollywood manufacturers will not agree!
They who want to make money have countless ways to make Dan O'Bannon give up his stubbornness!Accept the truth!
"So this is Hollywood?"

Ethan Jones, who had figured everything out, laughed, "Is this how you compete in Hollywood? Can two people who co-operate on the script fight for the advancement of the project?"

Although Ethan in his previous life had heard that the competition in Hollywood was quite fierce, but that fierceness all happened on the red sofa. resulting in fierce fighting.

Fights between screenwriters like today...

It was indeed the first time he had heard of it.

"Hmm." Lucas spread his hands and shrugged, and said, "You are not in our line of work, so you will think their fight is exaggerated, but what I want to say is... there are more exaggerated ones."

"Yeah~ Because the screenwriter can also win an Oscar~"

Spielberg nodded with a smile, and took over the conversation, "In Hollywood, the easiest way to sign a movie script can be divided into three types, one is the story (Story by), one is the script (Screenplay by), and one is the script. It is the author (Written by), the former is the source of inspiration for the entire film, the person who provides the core basis for the existence of the film, the middle one is the person who turns the inspiration into the final script, and the author is the one who has done both at the same time. people who do things."

"There are actually very few real authors in Hollywood. The birth of a script often goes through the hands of many screenwriters. In order to distinguish their work, the corresponding signatures will be different."

"Because the Screenwriters Association stipulates that a script can be signed by up to three screenwriters, so often screenwriters will fight over the issue of signatures."

"Because no one likes being unknown, right?" Ethan asked with a smile.

"Of course!" Spielberg and Lucas nodded with a smile.

"Who wants to be a shooter when they can be a gold medal screenwriter?" They asked back.

Although Ronald Shusett was a bit clever in the advancement of "Alien", and his behavior could even be said to put Dan O'Bannon on fire, but Ethan didn't care.

Because what these people do is in line with America's core values ​​of the jungle, right?

When win-win is win twice in the American dictionary, running around for one's own interests is a matter of course.

So, regardless of how Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett fight, Ethan doesn't care. What he really cares about is the script of "Alien".

"If I want to win the script now, what should I do?" he asked.

This question made the two people who were full of emotion put away their smiles.

"Do you want to make a movie?" George Lucas asked, "Or do you want to make a movie?"

"Is there any difference between these two questions?" Ethan was puzzled.

"Of course there is."

Spielberg said: "Ethan, if you just think this script is great and you want to make it into a movie, then I personally suggest that you just buy this script and cooperate with other studios. The studio invests in filming, announces and releases, and you can enjoy the box office dividends of this movie without you having to take care of yourself."

"If that's the case, I don't own all the rights to the movie, do I?"

Ethan is not stupid.

"Yeah~"

Spielberg nodded and continued: "If you do this, according to industry practice, what you enjoy is the copyright of the story, that is to say, the story of "Star Monster" is yours, but the film made out of it is the producer's copyright." The studio has the right to decide its release time, and if the results are good, the studio also has the right to decide whether to re-screen it, whether to shoot a sequel, whether to release a video tape, and the derivative products produced by the movie are all related to it. It doesn't matter to you, what you enjoy is only the dividend of the "Star Monster" movie, and then... At most, it is the box office dividend of all subsequent sequels."

"But if it's a movie..."

George Lucas took over.

"Then you need to establish a film company of your own just like I established Lucasfilm. You invest your own money, shoot it yourself, and at most find a big company to distribute the film. The former, which is what Steven said, is actually It’s just for fun. The latter, our kind, is to enter Hollywood.”

Having said that, the two stopped.

They stared at Ethan without hesitation, wanting to get an answer.

The staring of the two made Ethan laugh.

Asked back: "Oh - do you think I will make a special trip to make a movie?"

"No." Xiao Si and Xiao Lu shook their heads directly.

The next second, Stoudemire became even more excited, "So, are you inspired?"

This question made Ethan laugh out loud, "Guess?"

"hiss--"

The two took a deep breath.

Because they understand what it means.

"Oh! Sxxt! Ethan, how did your brain grow?"

George Lucas exclaimed.

"I can think for two or three years for a script!"

"But you can make two games within half a year?"

"Oh—even if you came to the inspiration after seeing the movie, isn't that too exaggerated?"

And Spielberg's reaction was even more excited, "What game? MFxxk—I haven't finished writing the strategy of "Star Wars" yet! You are going to release a game again?"

"Oh - your speed will drive all players crazy!"

"No! It will drive your colleagues crazy! Make those spectators who want to enter the venue crazy!"

"Hahaha—" Ethan liked their reaction.

Because finally someone regarded him as a genius, instead of questioning whether he was pretending to be an alien~
It's such a good feeling to be sought after~
After laughing, Ethan also asked about the business.

"So, is it difficult to take this script and make it into a movie?"

"I don't know anything about the film industry, so if you say no..."

"Then I'll forget it."

"Anyway, my inspiration can be changed, instead of science fiction, other themes are also suitable."

"Of course it's not difficult!" Before Ethan's voice fell, George Lucas yelled loudly, "Is there anyone in this world who understands movies better than us?"

"no!"

"If you want to cast, we can be your producer!"

"We've been in this business for over ten years and no one can fool us! No one!"

Ethan likes Xiao Lu's attitude.

Or, that's what he came here for.

When a person wants to operate across borders, the best choice is to find an industry leader and hold his thigh, because in this way, many detours can be avoided.

Although the current George Lucas and Steven Spielberg are not the kind of capital tycoons in the Hollywood circle in the future, they are just world-renowned directors who have just reached the top, but in Ethan’s view, the latter’s identity is actually It is more valuable than the former, because the latter means that they can bring benefits to other companies. Even if there is a conflict with the studio, those Hollywood giants who are eager for benefits will still lick their faces and coax them back, while the former, that is, players Well, when players who are chess players use chess pieces to crazily grab benefits, the contradictions in many cases are really irreconcilable.

While Xiao Lu took over the job, he also rubbed his hands and said, "Ethan, I can be your project producer, but there is one thing I have to declare in advance, that is..."

"Don't worry, follow the normal cooperation process, and you can take as much as the producer should."

Ethan understood what he meant, and he didn't care about money in this regard.

In his view, a movie like "Alien" is a big advertisement.

When the audience is frightened by the horrible alien creatures in the movie theater, they only need to buy the game, and then they can go home and blow up those strange creatures, which perfectly realizes a virtuous circle...

hiss--

its not right--

How does this kind of thing sound cheap?

"Oh Ethan, with your words, I'll be fine." Lucas snapped his fingers, then picked up the script and walked out, "Give me 10 minutes, and I'll help you talk about the script right now! "

Ethan smiled and shook his head watching the flurry of movements.

And when the bang sound appeared, Spielberg also sighed, and said: "George has this character, and outsiders may think he is noisy, but we know that he is full of passion."

After explaining, he said again: "Ethan, although I support you as much as George and are willing to act as the producer of this movie, there is one thing I want to communicate with you in advance."

"Right now, all the companies in Hollywood are staring at you, they are eager to cooperate with you, eager to get the game made by you. It seems that your behavior must contain the meaning of invasion."

"What you convey to them is the meaning of wanting to take all the benefits."

"From movies, to accessories, to games..."

"You want it all."

Spielberg looked at Ethan with straight eyes, and said, "Do you understand what I mean?"

"Of course!" Ethan nodded with a smile, "Oh Steven—of course I understand what you mean!"

"But so what?" He spread his hands.

"I found a project, thought it was good, and wanted to make it, is that wrong?"

"When I'm willing to put my energy into this project..."

"Why should I share the proceeds with others?"

"They think I'm invading? Then let them feel better!"

Ethan raised his voice and said, "Are they my sons?"

"And I have to pin them to my waistband to make money?"

"I, Ethan Jones, have never been afraid of things! Whoever is particularly dissatisfied, just come here!"

"I want to see if their mouths are tough or my fists are tough!"

Ethan waved his fist out of thin air.

Spielberg was taken aback by the whirring sound.

After finishing speaking, Ethan also left Lucas' office.

With the sound of bang dong, Spielberg also came back to his senses.

He turned his head to look at the closed office door, and laughed hehehe.

"Smash Six's head?"

"Wow—Cool—"

He was a little excited and even more envious.

　Note: ① In reality, Dan O'Bannon had conflicts with the people around him because he wanted to direct a movie but failed. It was not until 1985 that he made his first movie, "Return of the Living Dead". ②After the explosion of "Star Wars", Steven Spielberg and George Lucas discussed the purchase of Hollywood Studios, because neither of them wanted to work for the Big Six.So whether it is Amblin Entertainment or DreamWorks, it is the result of Spielberg's struggle, but unfortunately, if Hollywood companies do not do global distribution before the 80s, then they will never be able to do it again, and the cake will be It's so big, and after the six majors stand firm, no one else is allowed to sit on the table.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)