Chapter 12: Don't Ask Too Much
Burbank, Disney Studios.
Since Disney was on the verge of bankruptcy a few years ago, with the support of Walt Disney's nephew Roy Disney and major shareholder Sid Bass, former Paramount executives Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg were hired from outside. Disney began to revive and became one of the six major Hollywood studios!
Touchstone Pictures, founded by Michael Ovitz, is a production company that specializes in developing adult works;
Disney is no longer just developing children's and cartoons.
Now, Disney has established another live-action film label, Hollywood Pictures, to form internal competition with Touchstone, domestic distribution is in the name of Disney Films, and international distribution is handled by Buena Vista International Films!
Jeffrey Katzenberg is currently the chairman of Disney Films, responsible for the general production of Disney animation and live-action films.
Gary Marshall, the director of "Pretty Woman", producer Steven Reuther, and screenwriter J.F. Lawton are all clients of CAA!
In the corridor, Aaron was talking to Disney's executive producer Gary Goldstein, "Are you still considering the actors?"
"Yes, for the male lead, Gary is optimistic about Christopher Reeve, and for the female lead, we have also invited Karen Allen and Molly Ringwald;"
"So far, we haven't received a reply!"
Listening to Gary Goldstein's words, Aaron really felt that he had no face at all, because he had no say at all, he was just discussing the script revision with the screenwriter J.F. Lawton.
Christopher Reeve, the male lead of the four "Superman" series, is needless to say, and Karen Allen and Molly Ringwald are also experienced actresses, and they are all artists with suitable prices. The Waterloo of "Superman 4: Peace Mission" released two years ago was a big blow to Christopher Reeve.
Aaron shook his head, "No news, probably just don't want to play such a role!"
"Pretty Woman" was originally a low-cost romantic comedy, and the story is quite childish for many male stars, if they can invite Tom Cruise, Disney is certainly willing to increase the budget, but this script was rejected before it was even delivered to Tom Cruise.
"Next, we will continue to send invitations. If it doesn't work, we will select some young actresses from the newcomers!"
After hearing Gary Goldstein's words, Aaron certainly understood that the current target of the touchstone must be those actresses with a certain resume, if there is no suitable one, they will look for one among the new young actresses.
Nicole Kidman will have to compete with other batches of new actresses at that time. With Aaron Anderson's current situation, of course there is no way to decide to let the producers choose her as the heroine, after all, Aaron just accelerated the progress of "Pretty Woman", and producer Steven Reuther and project leader Jeffrey Katzenberg were indeed developing this script!
Afterwards, Aaron said a few words to screenwriter J.F. Lawton and left. Now there are basically no problems with the script of the movie, and he received $300k cheque for this script.
Aaron is an agent, so there is no need to stay here and waste time
In early April, "Over the Horizon" starring Nicole Kidman began to be released. It is a low-cost thriller, but Nicole Kidman's performance in it is also acceptable!
At the same time, Quentin Tarantino also sent Aaron a script, "Fatal Romance", Aaron also signed a contract with Quentin Tarantino as a screenwriter and director.
"Strong postmodern black humor style!"
After Aaron got the first draft of the script, he was absolutely patient to read it through. The sloppy strokes, not to mention the grammatical errors in the sentences, Quentin Tarantino was able to spell some words correctly, which was considered good.
However, Aaron really can't have too high expectations for Quentin Tarantino, who didn't even graduate from high school!
"I'll find someone to proofread it first, and then help you sell it to Hollywood directors and producers," Aaron said to Quentin Tarantino on the phone.
"Thank you, Aaron!"
After returning to CAA, Aaron asked the typist in the editorial department to proofread it.
The female staff in the editorial department looked through the manuscript and widened her eyes in surprise, "I just flipped through a few pages, and I can find at least 9 grammatical errors on each page."
"Well, it's okay. This client's cultural level is a bit low. You just need to spend more time proofreading it," Aaron was helpless. This script was not directed by Quentin Tarantino himself, otherwise there would be no need to proofread it.
After finishing the script, Aaron received a call from Miramax and asked him to go to their company to discuss Steven Soderbergh's plan to go to Cannes!
Afterwards, Aaron drove his Chevrolet to Miramax's office in Los Angeles and made a special call to Steven Soderbergh.
"Steven, where are you?"
"On vacation in Florida, do you want to come over?"
"Oh, no, I'm just telling you that I'll probably be going to Cannes at the end of the month. I'm going to Miramax to discuss plans for the trip to Cannes!"
"At the end of the month? OK, I'll arrange my schedule..."
After hanging up the phone, Aaron let out a sigh of relief. He was busy, but Steven Soderbergh went to Florida for vacation!
Miramax is now also a small distributor. They go to Cannes to buy new films to bring back to the country for release.
Miramax also has high expectations for "Sex, Lies, and Videotape".
"Harvey, I heard that you were quite satisfied with "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" at your internal screening?"
Aaron chatted with the other party in his office.
"1.2 million dollars, plus the various costs of publicity and promotion, the investment in this movie may exceed 3 million dollars," Harvey Weinstein looked at Aaron,
"I hope my vision and yours are correct!"
Aaron smiled, "If this movie was my own, I would never sell it at this price;"
"You should have confidence in the Cannes Film Festival. When Sex, Lies, and Videotape is full of honors, you will know how wise the decision was at that time!"
"Okay, remember to remind Steven Soderbergh to cooperate with us when he goes to Cannes," Harvey Weinstein emphasized.
"Don't worry, newcomers are very eager for the platform!"
After leaving Miramax, Aaron received another call from Nicole Kidman, "A director asked me to go to the Culver Hotel tonight to discuss a script..."
END OF THE CHAPTER....