Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1503 I also want to be old friends

"Famous movie star Kim Basinger and Main Line Pictures have reached an out-of-court settlement, with Main Line Pictures no longer seeking compensation for damages caused by Basinger's resignation from the role in 'Helena in the Box'."

The amount of the settlement was not disclosed, but is believed to be far less than the $10 million verdict in the first trial, which was criticized by some senior legal scholars for violating the First and Thirteenth Amendments.

Kim Basinger also withdrew her bankruptcy application. She thanked the boss of Main Line Pictures, Christopher B. Stewart, for his understanding. The two sides cleared up the misunderstanding after a face-to-face meeting. Kim Basinger also told the media that her top priority is to change an accountant. Her previous bad investments and wrong decisions are the reasons why she got into this farce.

As for those who wanted to take advantage of Kim Basinger in this wrongful trial, the famous Hollywood porn star responded, "Some people like movies, and some people just like the pleasure of manipulating others in Hollywood..."

Jennifer Lynch was interviewed by a reporter and cursed at these people for not understanding the rules of Hollywood. Her criticism of the "Boxed Beauty Helena" who broke the taboo was full of the stench of a moralist defending the male power in Hollywood.

As a young "creator", she will definitely shoot more films with a female-centric perspective...

Her father, a well-known director who is also suspected of being deeply involved in the dispute, refused to respond and said that he is now devoting more time to the practice and dissemination of "Transcendental Meditation", which gives him more creative freedom. It can be expected that after Hollywood learns and uses this method on a large scale, more new innovative films will emerge, rather than the current boring situation where commercial genre films are popular.

"Hahaha……"

Kim Basinger saw the news report in the suite of Chatworth Beverly Hills Hotel. She knew Ronald was resting here in the afternoon and had several film projects to approve from him, so she came to thank him.

The Chatworth Beverly Hills Hotel is a hotel that pays great attention to the privacy of its guests, and it may be the most private hotel in Los Angeles. There are many trees and gardens blocking the view, as well as single-family villas surrounded by walls.

But outsiders can be protected, and sometimes guests inside can recognize other guests. So Kim specially wore a windbreaker with a hood, navy blue with a gold hood, which completely covered her face, leaving only a few strands of naughty blonde hair exposed.

When they got to the room, Ronald was on the phone in the inner room. She sat in the reception room outside and watched TV. She took off her hood, revealing her carefully groomed, casual-looking golden curly hair.

This time, the settlement with Main Line Pictures only cost her a little over a million dollars, and she could save millions of dollars in expensive lawyer fees. She was able to keep most of her assets worth more than five million dollars, and she could afford her personal hairstylist and costume designer again.

"Are you happy?"

Ronald had just finished a phone call and came out to see Basinger wearing a windbreaker that was the same material and color as pajamas, and asked with a smile.

After this sudden blow from the legal community, the parties involved who understood the situation all admitted defeat.

Mainline Films knew that the appeal would definitely result in a ruling that the first trial was invalid and the verdict would be reversed. In this case, not only would he not receive any compensation, but he would also have to pay for all of Kim Basinger's expenses. In addition to the lawsuit and appeal, there would be lawyer fees that would surely be more than two million. If he had to bear all of this, he would have to file for bankruptcy.

David Lynch also knew that he was finished. What he did to Kim Basinger was now exposed to the public in front of all Hollywood people. Everyone has been in the industry, signed the memorandum, and knows what it is.

He used this kind of thing that could happen to anyone to distort the facts and wanted to make actresses become debt slaves to make those disgusting movies for his own profit. No actress in Hollywood is willing to work with him anymore.

Although he still has a certain influence in Europe and can continue to use the scripts of bizarre B-level movies to obtain financing based on previous cases, American distributors are unlikely to release their own films for at least five years.

His reputation was ruined, and not only did the industry avoid him, but even the audience was affected. His previous "Blue Velvet" had a high rental rate in videotapes, and many male audiences liked to watch Isabella Rossini's nude scenes, but now these white male audiences who did not go to college and black audiences who grew up on the streets would rather watch Sharon Stone or Sherilyn Fenn's videos.

After all, watching a video tape directed by a "perverted director" still involves the risk of being ridiculed by your friends.

Not only did Lynch lack the most critical link in his film projects - American distribution, but he also didn't have many opportunities for TV series. The reputation of high TV ratings that "Twin Peaks" earned him was now completely ruined.

Nowadays, David Lynch has no choice but to practice "Transcendental Meditation" which sounds even less reliable than Tom Cruise's Santerism. Many beautiful women who want to be actresses want to join this meditation group to meet more people in the industry in anticipation of their first opportunity to appear on camera.

Maybe Lynch could find a few country girls there who are willing to work for him and are desperate for fame.

Only Jennifer Lynch still couldn't figure out the situation and continued to make a fool of herself in the media. Her career as a director and screenwriter was officially over before it even began.

"I feel relieved and grateful. I don't know how to thank you. Whenever you need me and want me to do something, I will come here the first time..." Kim Basinger put her arms around Ronald's thighs and pressed her whole body against him. Her body movements seemed to express a meaning of submission.

Kim Basinger's reputation, on the contrary, has risen. Her agent has begun to receive script proposals from some major Hollywood studios. All signs indicate that Basinger has benefited a lot from this matter. The result of a better reputation among the audience is that there is more box office potential.

"Kim, you don't have to do this..." Ronald motioned for Basinger to sit down. "I didn't do this just for you. Paramount's Sherry Lansing, independent producer Gail Hurd, and other female producers in the industry are all very concerned about this matter. They don't want such bad things to happen again in Hollywood.

In addition, many producers and star agents also support you. If this precedent is established, the Hollywood star market will undergo tremendous changes. Studios will have to pay more and sign more restrictive agreements. This is something that the entire industry, whether directors or actors, do not want to see.

I like you, and you also want to thank me, which is great, but we can end this matter here. From now on, you don’t owe me anything except a favor…”

"I owe you a big one..." Kim Basinger felt relieved when she heard Ronald tell her that he did not ask for the kind of personal dependence that David Lynch wanted, but at the same time, she felt a little lost. Has her sexiness weakened?

She slowly took off the pajama-like coat, revealing a backless evening dress underneath, which was the classic outfit of Hollywood actresses in the early 20th century. Sexy but not too formal, it was full of temptation to men. In Hollywood at that time, actresses would change their clothes after dinner and attend parties that were held until late...

The skirt was very short, revealing a pair of Cuban-heeled, non-elastic retro stockings with a backline, which were held up by sexy lace garters.

She had studied Ronald and knew his aesthetic preferences. Today's interview with the two makeup artists and costume designers was about this outfit. If Ronald liked it, she could officially hire them when she returned.

"Gu..." Ronald swallowed a big mouthful of saliva, and even Basinger heard the sound. She smiled with satisfaction and licked her lips with her tongue...

……

"I really have to go. There are guests waiting in the villa next door. You can stay here until tomorrow. You can tell them if you need anything. You can stay a few more days if you want. You have Richard's phone number."

It was getting late, and Ronald indulged himself a bit. After the long exercise, he felt a little hungry, but he was still in good spirits.

Kim Basinger was lying on her stomach. She was very tired and could hardly open her eyelids. She mumbled a few words in a half-asleep state to indicate that she understood.

Ronald left with a smile and went to a house next door. This kind of very private hotel is not only suitable for dating female stars, but also for meeting people with sensitive identities.

"Mr. Counselor, no, now I should call him Mr. Minister..."

"Director Luo... now you should call me Boss Luo."

Ronald shook hands and hugged his old friend from China, then ordered the banquet to begin. The Cantonese chef who was specially invited from another restaurant began to serve the dishes.

Mr. Minister's great leader will be visiting America soon. In addition to meeting with President William, Trade Representative Mickey Kantor and others in Washington DC, he will also meet with big entrepreneurs who are committed to the economic and trade relations between the two countries and representatives who are promoting friendship between the two peoples in Los Angeles and New York.

So the Minister came here to prepare for the trip and meet in advance with some important Chinese people and several entrepreneurs who are called panda lovers and like to do business there.

Ronald is of course a very important contact for him.

After three rounds of drinks, the Minister got straight to the point, hoping to use Ronald's influence to create a good atmosphere during the leader's visit to the United States. The focus was on economic and trade relations and the issue of most-favored-nation treatment. The annual review involved a lot of diplomatic bargaining chips.

"I also want to contribute to the friendly relations. As your old friend, I can also introduce more entrepreneurs to invest there..."

Ronald wiped his mouth and said, “However, my film and the industry I work in have been treated very unfairly even though a detailed cooperation agreement has been signed. In this case, it would be irresponsible for me to recommend anyone to invest.

What we American entrepreneurs care most about is whether you keep your promises."

Seeing that he still seemed to be quite "valuable", Ronald pretended to be angry and said some harsh words.

The reality is indeed frustrating. The framework agreement signed between the head office and the Hollywood MPAA encountered an unexpected situation in the first film to be distributed, "The Fugitive".

The branch in the capital actually violated the agreement and banned its affiliated cinemas from showing more screenings. Some people even threatened that if anyone dared to show the film, the copies would be confiscated.

The head office there is different from that in Hollywood. Leaders have administrative levels, and the head office cannot fire subordinates just because they disobey orders.

For a while, there was really no good way to force the branch to make concessions. Originally, only six cities joined the pilot program of Hollywood movie revenue sharing, and this time one of the three largest markets was missing, as well as some places that acted as weathervanes.

Ronald himself tried his best to promote the potential of the Chinese market to the MPAA, and he was embarrassed to encounter such a problem with his first film.

Apart from this film, Ronald's "Speed" and "Forrest Gump" were both intended to be screened in the next year. For a while, it seemed that this was just his one-sided enthusiasm, and others might not appreciate it.

This made Ronald, as the boss of a listed media company, lose a lot of face. In the Chinese market, face is very important. If you can't show your ability to get things done, then you have no face, and no one will cooperate with you in the future. Everyone is afraid of problems and financial losses.

"These are all decisions made by leaders with rigid thinking. They do not represent our attitude. At least the head office is still very willing to cooperate with you. I hope this incident will not affect our friendship." There was no expression on the Minister's face, but his legs felt a little uncomfortable and he changed several positions, which still betrayed his inner dissatisfaction.

"Come on, let's have a drink. This is the Moutai liquor that the Chinese women's volleyball team gave me when they won the championship in Los Angeles ten years ago." Ronald persuaded them to drink a glass of wine and continued, "I think this will certainly not affect our personal friendship. But doing business is another matter."

Ronald explained the interests involved. Not everyone in Hollywood wants to explore the Chinese market. People like them who are attracted by a huge market of more than 10 billion people are nicknamed panda lovers.

This shows that there is another group of people who actually hate the market behind the panda. So this matter is not only related to the revenue share of one or two movies, nor is it just a problem of the Hollywood industry.

On a smaller scale, the MPAA chairman, Jack Valenti, who led this collaboration, and even larger issues such as the trade treatment negotiations between the two countries, will use this as a pretext to oppose the other side's non-compliance with trade rules.

"I understand. I will make a detailed report to my leader. This matter is related to the main purpose of his visit to the United States. I believe it will be resolved satisfactorily."

The Minister, standing at the height of cultural exchange between the two peoples, gave Ronald a promise in an implicit way.

"It also has something to do with the content of the film. Some of us are old-fashioned and can't get used to the plot of the fugitive winning the final victory. If it were a film directed by Luo, I'm sure it would be 100% popular."

The Minister said something half complaining and half flattering, and then asked Ronald what new project he was working on recently.

"One is a new film by Hong Kong action star Jacky Chan, who is about to finish filming in Tokyo and will come to New York to complete this film.

As for the other one, we are currently preparing the latest installment in the 007 series of films.”

Ronald mentioned that after Forrest Gump and Speed, he hopes to develop a project that will enter the Chinese market.

The Minister did not comment on 007, but praised Jacky Chan highly, saying that his films are all positive and uplifting, and that he is a Hong Konger who is about to return, so there is no problem in including it as a co-production.

Ronald nodded. It seemed that there was no chance for 007: Iron Man vs. Golden Eye.

"Hey, if we can't release it, can we go there to shoot the scene?"

Ronald had a sudden idea, 007 GoldenEye, which continued the pattern of the previous 007 series of movies. It was filmed all over the world. The story began in Britain, where the latest British armed helicopter was stolen, the bad guys were in St. Petersburg, and the final battle took place in Puerto Rico. If one or two plots could take place in Hong Kong or even in the mainland, it would be an action scene that Hollywood has never had before.

"Well, this may still take some time. In a few years, when Hong Kong returns to China, it might be more appropriate to film such a scene." The Minister thought for a moment and replied.

"Then wait for the next one. Come on, let's eat some food..."