ALL NOVEL Exploiting Hollywood 1980.
Chapter 191 The Arkoff Movie Formula
Chapter 191 The Arkoff Movie Formula
"How do you rank the three movies?" Roger Coleman was sitting in the president's office, discussing the three movies he liked with Ronald who had returned from Montreal. "
"My thinking is that 'God Is Crazy' has the highest market potential in the American market, if the protests can be addressed. Next is the Academy Award-nominated 'Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears', which has the potential to gain in art theaters Some box office. Finally, Japan's 'Call of the Mountain' is too culturally different from America."
"So this is your recommendation ranking?" Coleman read the plot synopsis of the three movies written by Ronald, and asked about the market analysis.
"Yeah, I think 'God Is Crazy' is worth the risk."
"You know American International Pictures, Ronald." Roger Corman said an unrelated name.
"Uh, I seem to have seen this name in the titles of old movies in New World." Ronald recalled that when he was studying editing in New World Production, he had seen many videotapes of movies shot by New World over the years.
"Yes, AIP was a rare low-cost film distributor in America at that time. My long-term partner. Before founding New World Productions, most of the films I produced and directed were distributed by them." Roger A nostalgic look appeared on Coleman's face.
"I used to make a lot of money for AIP until their president, Samuel Arkoff, edited my film 'The Trip' without my consent, and I started my own. New World Publishing Company, and set foot in the distribution business myself. As a director, I don’t want anyone to do anything to my film, do you understand?”
Ronald nodded. His script had been modified, and he felt the same way.
"But after all, AIP used to be the strongest film distribution company outside of the five major studios with their own distribution channels. Who knew that they were rumored to be bankrupt last year, and they were just acquired by FilmWays this year."
Ronald was a little confused as to why Roger Corman was suddenly bringing up these old stories.
"Alkov once invented the Alkov formula, which is very famous in the American film industry. Using this formula to make low-budget exploitation films is always profitable. Most movies can make money."
Ronald adjusted his sitting posture. He felt that what Coleman told him would be a very important principle.So I took out my pen and prepared to record.
"It's actually very easy to remember, no special memorization is required. You just need to remember Alkov's name." Coleman indicated that he didn't need to memorize it specially.
The six letters of Arkoff represent the characteristics of a blockbuster movie.
Action (thrilling, exciting, dramatic)
Revolution (novel, controversial subject or idea)
Killing (a certain degree of violence)
Oratory speech (impressive lines)
Fantasy (an exaggerated fantasy that fits the audience's imagination)
Fornication sexy (moderately sexy content for teen audiences)
"I've never failed to make a low-budget teen-oriented exploitation film according to this formula." Roger Corman waved his hand. Most of the six principles.”
"Alkov is the inventor of this principle. Doesn't he understand this? Why is he still bankrupt?" Roger Coleman didn't intend to ask Ronald to answer, and he gave the answer himself:
"Because he doesn't want to be called a B-movie tycoon anymore, and he wants to invest in big productions, which is a risk. Big-budget movies are big risks. After several failures, the company got to where it is today."
"We are not the eight major studios, and we don't have the strength to take too many risks. In the past few months, I invested 200 million US dollars to shoot 'Clash of the Stars', and most of the cost was recovered because of the pre-sale revenue. If you want to gain a foothold in Hollywood If so, Ronald, remember one principle, don’t lose money.”
Ronald understood that "God Is Crazy" has a lot of risks after all. New World can't guarantee the smooth release of the movie in America, so it's better not to do it.
"So we can try 'Moscow doesn't believe in tears'?"
"Of course, it's a gamble without cost." Roger Coleman chuckled a few times. "Whether or not you win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film is just a matter of winning more and winning less."
"Dangdang..." Following the knock on the door, Coleman's wife Julie came in, "Hi, Ronald, nice to meet you." Then she turned to her husband Roger and knocked on her watch:
"Roger, you promised me to buy that toy for the kids. Don't forget."
Coleman was a little reluctant, "Don't we already have tape recorders at home? Why should we buy another one for each child?"
"Roger, this is love for children, not your business." Julie was unhappy.
"Okay, okay, I'll go shopping with you, one for each person." Coleman is still a good father and husband in front of his wife and children.
"What kind of toy?" Ronald didn't understand.
"It's a small tape recorder made by Dongying Company. You can wear it on your body and listen to tape music with headphones. It's very popular among teenagers now." Julie said with a smile.
"Is that so?" Ronald thought of his cousin Donna. It is estimated that among the teenagers, one of these toys can become a social queen.If you have money, you can buy one for your cousin as a gift from Canada.
"By the way, there is also Diane Lane who lives with my cousin. I have to buy two more."
Ronald left and went to CAA to meet his agent.
Looking at Ronald's back, Julie said to her husband Roger, "You value Ronald very much? I rarely see you spending time on young people."
"No, I only spend my time on people with potential." Roger Coleman replied, "He will soon taste the ruthlessness of Hollywood. Now, after all, it is not my business, forty-five thousand dollars can shoot It's time for a movie.
After he tried to be a director and failed several times, New World would become his choice.Young people always aim high, especially a young man who has just sold a script with a sky-high price. "
"Richard, do you know where I can buy Sony's portable tape recorder? It's the one called the Walkman." Ronald sat on the sofa of CAA and asked his manager Richard.
"I don't know, what is this? Is it not in electrical stores or department stores?"
"I went to several stores, and they were all sold out."
"Let me ask for you." Richard stood up and went to find a relationship to make a phone call. Helping customers buy some in-demand goods is also an essential part of a qualified broker's work.
"Hi, Ronald. Long time no see." Nisita came over to say hello in a thin suit. "I just talked to Director Bridges' agent, Lapke. Director Bridges had major surgery on your script. He brings Jane's character to the center..."
"Stop, stop, I don't want to discuss this script anymore, it's not in my scope of work anymore." Ronald immediately called to stop, the feeling of discussing the script after being changed randomly by others is very bad, just like his girlfriend married other men , I have to go to a wedding.
Ronald swore to himself that in the future, with status, he would never allow others to change his script blindly.
"Well, I recently contacted you for some script rewriting jobs. Generally speaking, the remuneration for script rewriting is higher than that for selling scripts." Nisita changed the subject and talked about his search for new scripts for Ronald. work thing.
"Of course, ordinary scripts can't be sold at your high price. Tens of thousands of dollars is already considered high. The script revision work I find for you is usually in the range of [-] to [-] dollars."
"What type of script?"
"Your scripts are mainly Vietnam War themes, youth themes, group dramas, and musicals. We plan to use these labels to help you sell to the studio. I don't know which theme you prefer?" Nisita happened I want to talk to Ronald about the future positioning.
"Let's get rid of the Vietnam War first. I went to the Montreal Film Festival and watched some good movies that really reflected the lives of middle-aged people. I found that I still can't grasp the love mentality of middle-aged people."
"Okay, Nisita took note of Ronald's request."
"Other types of scripts, I am willing to accept revision work, but I need to read the script first, at least the outline of the script before further contact."
"Of course, that's a normal request. Unless it's Spielberg or George Lucas asking you to change the script." Nisita joked.
Ronald smiled. By limiting his creative direction to a certain range, he could accumulate more experience and help himself write a complete script.
It just so happens that the theme of teenage movies is on the rise, and I am of the right age. I have just graduated from high school, and I can still remember the psychology of some high school students.Coupled with the Arkoff movie formula taught by Roger Corman, Ronald still has great confidence in himself.
"Get your check ready, Ronald," the manager Richard rushed over excitedly, "My friend will deliver the goods to your door later."
"Is this the one?" Ronald picked up a small tape recorder the size of a palm and looked at it carefully.Above the blue metal body is a yellow button.
Richard's scalper friend opened the fuselage, put in a new tape of the "Air Supply" band, and motioned for Ronald to put on the yellow headphones.
"I lay alone in bed with my head on the phone
thinking of you until it hurts
I know you're hurt too, but what else can we do?
tormented, torn apart
......"
The clear and high-pitched voice of the Australian band's new song "All Out of Love" came, and Ronald glanced at the Walkman in surprise, as if he felt like he was actually there.
"It's stereo," the other said, pointing to a 'Stereo' logo on the lid of the Walkman."
"There are two headphone jacks here," the other party continued to explain the function, "You know that among the teenagers, the tape recorder is not only a tool for listening to music, but also a social tool. So you can plug in two headphones here and share it with good friends .”
Ronald was an eye-opener. The product design of Dongying people is really interesting.I am always thoughtful about the details, and the Sony TV I bought is the same. The color reproduction is more vivid than those produced in America or West Germany.
"Then what is this yellow button for?" Ronald pointed to a bright yellow button above.
"This is the call button." The other party motioned Ronald to put on the earphone, then took out another earphone and plugged it into the earphone jack B, and pressed the yellow button, "Hey, so when the two of us are listening to the song, You can listen and talk at the same time.”
"Very good, I want two, no, three. How much is the total?" Ronald decided to buy one himself, so that he can use it to isolate outside interference while writing.
"The market price is $160, and I have it in stock here for $180."
Ronald took out his checkbook, signed a check and handed it over.
"This machine uses three AA batteries. I'll give you a set." The scalper happily took the check and left. Checks issued by CAA's customers generally do not bounce.
"what is this?"
Ovitz, the president of CAA, happened to pass by and saw Ronald holding a machine and listening happily with headphones.
"Walkman, a Japanese product that is in short supply now. Ronald is coming to make a gift, so I asked my friend to bring it."
"Call your friend back, we will also purchase a batch, many customers' children will need it."
(End of this chapter)
"How do you rank the three movies?" Roger Coleman was sitting in the president's office, discussing the three movies he liked with Ronald who had returned from Montreal. "
"My thinking is that 'God Is Crazy' has the highest market potential in the American market, if the protests can be addressed. Next is the Academy Award-nominated 'Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears', which has the potential to gain in art theaters Some box office. Finally, Japan's 'Call of the Mountain' is too culturally different from America."
"So this is your recommendation ranking?" Coleman read the plot synopsis of the three movies written by Ronald, and asked about the market analysis.
"Yeah, I think 'God Is Crazy' is worth the risk."
"You know American International Pictures, Ronald." Roger Corman said an unrelated name.
"Uh, I seem to have seen this name in the titles of old movies in New World." Ronald recalled that when he was studying editing in New World Production, he had seen many videotapes of movies shot by New World over the years.
"Yes, AIP was a rare low-cost film distributor in America at that time. My long-term partner. Before founding New World Productions, most of the films I produced and directed were distributed by them." Roger A nostalgic look appeared on Coleman's face.
"I used to make a lot of money for AIP until their president, Samuel Arkoff, edited my film 'The Trip' without my consent, and I started my own. New World Publishing Company, and set foot in the distribution business myself. As a director, I don’t want anyone to do anything to my film, do you understand?”
Ronald nodded. His script had been modified, and he felt the same way.
"But after all, AIP used to be the strongest film distribution company outside of the five major studios with their own distribution channels. Who knew that they were rumored to be bankrupt last year, and they were just acquired by FilmWays this year."
Ronald was a little confused as to why Roger Corman was suddenly bringing up these old stories.
"Alkov once invented the Alkov formula, which is very famous in the American film industry. Using this formula to make low-budget exploitation films is always profitable. Most movies can make money."
Ronald adjusted his sitting posture. He felt that what Coleman told him would be a very important principle.So I took out my pen and prepared to record.
"It's actually very easy to remember, no special memorization is required. You just need to remember Alkov's name." Coleman indicated that he didn't need to memorize it specially.
The six letters of Arkoff represent the characteristics of a blockbuster movie.
Action (thrilling, exciting, dramatic)
Revolution (novel, controversial subject or idea)
Killing (a certain degree of violence)
Oratory speech (impressive lines)
Fantasy (an exaggerated fantasy that fits the audience's imagination)
Fornication sexy (moderately sexy content for teen audiences)
"I've never failed to make a low-budget teen-oriented exploitation film according to this formula." Roger Corman waved his hand. Most of the six principles.”
"Alkov is the inventor of this principle. Doesn't he understand this? Why is he still bankrupt?" Roger Coleman didn't intend to ask Ronald to answer, and he gave the answer himself:
"Because he doesn't want to be called a B-movie tycoon anymore, and he wants to invest in big productions, which is a risk. Big-budget movies are big risks. After several failures, the company got to where it is today."
"We are not the eight major studios, and we don't have the strength to take too many risks. In the past few months, I invested 200 million US dollars to shoot 'Clash of the Stars', and most of the cost was recovered because of the pre-sale revenue. If you want to gain a foothold in Hollywood If so, Ronald, remember one principle, don’t lose money.”
Ronald understood that "God Is Crazy" has a lot of risks after all. New World can't guarantee the smooth release of the movie in America, so it's better not to do it.
"So we can try 'Moscow doesn't believe in tears'?"
"Of course, it's a gamble without cost." Roger Coleman chuckled a few times. "Whether or not you win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film is just a matter of winning more and winning less."
"Dangdang..." Following the knock on the door, Coleman's wife Julie came in, "Hi, Ronald, nice to meet you." Then she turned to her husband Roger and knocked on her watch:
"Roger, you promised me to buy that toy for the kids. Don't forget."
Coleman was a little reluctant, "Don't we already have tape recorders at home? Why should we buy another one for each child?"
"Roger, this is love for children, not your business." Julie was unhappy.
"Okay, okay, I'll go shopping with you, one for each person." Coleman is still a good father and husband in front of his wife and children.
"What kind of toy?" Ronald didn't understand.
"It's a small tape recorder made by Dongying Company. You can wear it on your body and listen to tape music with headphones. It's very popular among teenagers now." Julie said with a smile.
"Is that so?" Ronald thought of his cousin Donna. It is estimated that among the teenagers, one of these toys can become a social queen.If you have money, you can buy one for your cousin as a gift from Canada.
"By the way, there is also Diane Lane who lives with my cousin. I have to buy two more."
Ronald left and went to CAA to meet his agent.
Looking at Ronald's back, Julie said to her husband Roger, "You value Ronald very much? I rarely see you spending time on young people."
"No, I only spend my time on people with potential." Roger Coleman replied, "He will soon taste the ruthlessness of Hollywood. Now, after all, it is not my business, forty-five thousand dollars can shoot It's time for a movie.
After he tried to be a director and failed several times, New World would become his choice.Young people always aim high, especially a young man who has just sold a script with a sky-high price. "
"Richard, do you know where I can buy Sony's portable tape recorder? It's the one called the Walkman." Ronald sat on the sofa of CAA and asked his manager Richard.
"I don't know, what is this? Is it not in electrical stores or department stores?"
"I went to several stores, and they were all sold out."
"Let me ask for you." Richard stood up and went to find a relationship to make a phone call. Helping customers buy some in-demand goods is also an essential part of a qualified broker's work.
"Hi, Ronald. Long time no see." Nisita came over to say hello in a thin suit. "I just talked to Director Bridges' agent, Lapke. Director Bridges had major surgery on your script. He brings Jane's character to the center..."
"Stop, stop, I don't want to discuss this script anymore, it's not in my scope of work anymore." Ronald immediately called to stop, the feeling of discussing the script after being changed randomly by others is very bad, just like his girlfriend married other men , I have to go to a wedding.
Ronald swore to himself that in the future, with status, he would never allow others to change his script blindly.
"Well, I recently contacted you for some script rewriting jobs. Generally speaking, the remuneration for script rewriting is higher than that for selling scripts." Nisita changed the subject and talked about his search for new scripts for Ronald. work thing.
"Of course, ordinary scripts can't be sold at your high price. Tens of thousands of dollars is already considered high. The script revision work I find for you is usually in the range of [-] to [-] dollars."
"What type of script?"
"Your scripts are mainly Vietnam War themes, youth themes, group dramas, and musicals. We plan to use these labels to help you sell to the studio. I don't know which theme you prefer?" Nisita happened I want to talk to Ronald about the future positioning.
"Let's get rid of the Vietnam War first. I went to the Montreal Film Festival and watched some good movies that really reflected the lives of middle-aged people. I found that I still can't grasp the love mentality of middle-aged people."
"Okay, Nisita took note of Ronald's request."
"Other types of scripts, I am willing to accept revision work, but I need to read the script first, at least the outline of the script before further contact."
"Of course, that's a normal request. Unless it's Spielberg or George Lucas asking you to change the script." Nisita joked.
Ronald smiled. By limiting his creative direction to a certain range, he could accumulate more experience and help himself write a complete script.
It just so happens that the theme of teenage movies is on the rise, and I am of the right age. I have just graduated from high school, and I can still remember the psychology of some high school students.Coupled with the Arkoff movie formula taught by Roger Corman, Ronald still has great confidence in himself.
"Get your check ready, Ronald," the manager Richard rushed over excitedly, "My friend will deliver the goods to your door later."
"Is this the one?" Ronald picked up a small tape recorder the size of a palm and looked at it carefully.Above the blue metal body is a yellow button.
Richard's scalper friend opened the fuselage, put in a new tape of the "Air Supply" band, and motioned for Ronald to put on the yellow headphones.
"I lay alone in bed with my head on the phone
thinking of you until it hurts
I know you're hurt too, but what else can we do?
tormented, torn apart
......"
The clear and high-pitched voice of the Australian band's new song "All Out of Love" came, and Ronald glanced at the Walkman in surprise, as if he felt like he was actually there.
"It's stereo," the other said, pointing to a 'Stereo' logo on the lid of the Walkman."
"There are two headphone jacks here," the other party continued to explain the function, "You know that among the teenagers, the tape recorder is not only a tool for listening to music, but also a social tool. So you can plug in two headphones here and share it with good friends .”
Ronald was an eye-opener. The product design of Dongying people is really interesting.I am always thoughtful about the details, and the Sony TV I bought is the same. The color reproduction is more vivid than those produced in America or West Germany.
"Then what is this yellow button for?" Ronald pointed to a bright yellow button above.
"This is the call button." The other party motioned Ronald to put on the earphone, then took out another earphone and plugged it into the earphone jack B, and pressed the yellow button, "Hey, so when the two of us are listening to the song, You can listen and talk at the same time.”
"Very good, I want two, no, three. How much is the total?" Ronald decided to buy one himself, so that he can use it to isolate outside interference while writing.
"The market price is $160, and I have it in stock here for $180."
Ronald took out his checkbook, signed a check and handed it over.
"This machine uses three AA batteries. I'll give you a set." The scalper happily took the check and left. Checks issued by CAA's customers generally do not bounce.
"what is this?"
Ovitz, the president of CAA, happened to pass by and saw Ronald holding a machine and listening happily with headphones.
"Walkman, a Japanese product that is in short supply now. Ronald is coming to make a gift, so I asked my friend to bring it."
"Call your friend back, we will also purchase a batch, many customers' children will need it."
(End of this chapter)
Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.