NOVEL WEB Exploiting Hollywood 1980.
Chapter 19 Regulations of Directors' Union
Chapter 19 Regulations of Directors' Union
"Don't say you can't sign the director, not even Joe Dante." Roger Coleman took Joe as an example.
"Because the Directors Guild (DGA) stipulates that, unless there are very special circumstances, a film can only be signed by one director. This is to prevent the studio from exploiting the director. Let him shoot most of the shots first, and then wait until the filming is finished. If you fire him, you can add your own name and be the director alongside him."
Roger continued to explain: "Not only that, the director who wants to sign a film must go through the review of the directors' union, and at least two-thirds of the original shots are taken by this director."
"As long as you are a registered member of the Hollywood Directors Guild, your interests are quite guaranteed. The producer may not give you the final editing rights, but he cannot deny your signature. What you shoot is what you shoot."
"Because of this, the directors' union is very strict about the signature review. They don't accept applications, they only actively invite new directors to join. If I put a new person on the list of 'Rock High School' directors, then the union will come and invite him to join. And this opportunity is what I left for Alan Aikush."
"Oh, Mr. Coleman, you misunderstood me. I don't have the idea of signing the director. I just want to appear in the subtitles at the end of the film. I know that crew assistants generally don't have the opportunity to do subtitles."
"I can add your name in the assistant column at the end of the film, but why do you want to put subtitles?" Roger Coleman was a little strange, Ronald also had the naive idea of leaving his name, "Generally The audience can’t read the subtitles, and a person’s name only appears for a few seconds, and they can’t see it without paying attention. In Hollywood movies, the names of important members are released at the beginning.”
"It's like this, Mr. Coleman." Ronald explained, "My current income mainly depends on taking audition photos for actors, and the price is 30 dollars a set.
If my name was on a movie that was going to be shown in theaters, then I could raise my offer, at least to $50, and then I could work as a cinematographer and pay for college at the same time. "
"Is it so important that your name appears in the subtitles?" Roger Coleman was a little curious.
"Yes, Mr. Coleman. Almost all the actors who asked me to audition have never done a movie. They want to appear in a movie, but they often have a lot of hearsay cranky ideas about how to audition.
If I have been in a film, then my words have more authority.Not only can the price be higher, but it can also save a lot of trouble when shooting. "
"Oh, that's a good idea. You have to keep it up. It's good business thinking. Many good directors don't understand business. But great directors always find a balance between business and art."
"Mr. Coleman, I don't know if you need a stills photographer? I can take stills for 'High School of Rock' for free, as long as the film and printing money are enough." Ronald took the opportunity to promote his services.
"Do you have a sample?"
"Yes, here, look." Ronald took out a stack of photos from the folder and handed them to Roger Coleman.They were portraits taken in New York.
"Very good, you go to the location of the crew to take some stills next week, remember to keep the receipt."
"Thank you, Mr. Coleman, then I'll go out first."
"Let Jim in by the way."
Ronald closed the door and walked slowly to where Gale was. He had an intuition that Roger Coleman didn't want to sign him as a director.What he said about the directors' union is not necessarily the whole truth.
First of all, it is impossible for all members of the directors' union to be directors.What about the assistant director?What about the second group of directors?Their rights also need to be protected by trade unions.Isn't it impossible to be a member of the directors' union without being credited as the director of a film?Roger said that Aaron Aykush was going to rely on High School of Rock to get his directors union status.The qualification here probably refers to the level of a film's signed director.
Second, Roger Corman pays his employees very little.A college graduate with decent family conditions like Gail is fine.Why are Joe, Alan, Jim and other family members willing to take such a low salary?This shows that Roger is exploiting their skills, allowing these talented professionals to work for him almost for free. After completing a movie, he can enter the labor union, and when he becomes famous, he can go to the eight major studios to make movies.Then Roger Corman recruited a new batch.
Before watching the sample, Ronald heard Roger Coleman say to Jerry Zucker, "If you make this movie well, you will never have to work for me in the future", so he made this calculation It is very clear.
In turn, they, the professionals, are exploiting Roger Corman.Hollywood unions are very hard on newcomers like Ronald or Jim.If you are a member of a union, you can enjoy good treatment, and movies registered by the union will give you priority.If you are not a union member, you must work for a certain number of days in the film registered by the union before you can apply for membership (except for the director union, which is an invitation system).The problem is that in Hollywood, non-union members have almost no chance to make movies with union records.
This is like the novel "Catch-22" that Ronald read in high school. When making movies, union members are preferred. To join a union, you must have made a movie. This is a logical deadlock, and no one can join the union.The only way to break the situation is that a boss like Roger is willing to hire a non-union newcomer like Ronald in a union project.
Ronald raised his hand in greeting to Gail.Let Jim, who was already waiting outside, go in. Jim is very relaxed, and he was still flirting with Gail just now.
Seeing that Gail wasn't very busy, Ronald tentatively asked, "I brought my camera today, and I want to take some group photos with Jim. If you want, I'll take some portrait photos for you too." He took out the samples again and spread them out on the table for her to see.
"Wow, you took a good photo. I wear this kind of clothes today, will it look good in the photo?" Gail immediately began to look at the matching of his clothes and shoes.
After Gail finished watching the photos, Ronald also pulled up a chair and sat down, "Gail, you've seen a lot in the film business, do you know what's going on with the Directors' Union?"
Gail raised his head and glanced at him, took a piece of paper from the table, picked up a pen and wrote while saying, "The directors' union is by invitation only, you don't need to apply if you want to join, as long as you can leave your name in the project, the directors' union You will get a list and send you an invitation letter.”
"Members of the directors' union are divided into three levels: film director, assistant director, director assistant/second group director. Each level should have a different membership fee. You can go to the library to check the specific information."
As he said that, he folded the paper in half, and handed the written director's union-level materials to Ronald.
"Is Alan Aikush a member of the directors' union?"
"Of course, he's an assistant director at the second level. Joe Dante directed "Piranha" last year and was promoted to the highest level of directing."
Ronald took the paper written by Gail, put it in his pocket, and thought: It seems that I have judged well. The reason why Roger Coleman can produce ultra-low-cost films is because of his insight and talent, and the use of Trade union membership qualification card holder.
Similarly, the two paths that Roger Corman chose for himself would have to be exploited by him for several years before he could have the opportunity to direct a low-budget movie independently.If I go to university, Roger has nothing to lose, but if I am addicted to the dream of making a movie and want to direct a movie by myself, then it is difficult to refuse a visible path given by Roger.
No wonder Roger saw himself, the first question was to ask about dreams.This set of sales skills, as long as there is a movie dream, and people who are born at the bottom and lack opportunities, who can stop it?
Ronald shook his head. Even if he went to college, if he hadn't forgotten his dream, he would have to come back to find Roger in all likelihood. It's too difficult to get into the film industry.
At this moment, three people came up the stairs suddenly, rushing towards Roger Coleman's office.
One of the people who came was Jerry Zucker. Of the other two men, one had similar features to Jerry, and the other was a little taller.The three wanted to go directly to Roger's office.
Gail hurriedly got up and stopped them, "I'm sorry, Mr. Zacks, this... Mr., Mr. Coleman is receiving guests, please wait outside."
"No, please don't stop me, Gail. This is between me and Roger." Jerry Zucker pushed Gail's hand away, wanting to continue walking inside.
Seeing that the three were emotional, Ronald hurried forward, trying to help Gail stabilize them.
Jim also opened the door and came out to check. It seemed that Roger Coleman had also heard the movement outside.
The accident happened suddenly...
(End of this chapter)
"Don't say you can't sign the director, not even Joe Dante." Roger Coleman took Joe as an example.
"Because the Directors Guild (DGA) stipulates that, unless there are very special circumstances, a film can only be signed by one director. This is to prevent the studio from exploiting the director. Let him shoot most of the shots first, and then wait until the filming is finished. If you fire him, you can add your own name and be the director alongside him."
Roger continued to explain: "Not only that, the director who wants to sign a film must go through the review of the directors' union, and at least two-thirds of the original shots are taken by this director."
"As long as you are a registered member of the Hollywood Directors Guild, your interests are quite guaranteed. The producer may not give you the final editing rights, but he cannot deny your signature. What you shoot is what you shoot."
"Because of this, the directors' union is very strict about the signature review. They don't accept applications, they only actively invite new directors to join. If I put a new person on the list of 'Rock High School' directors, then the union will come and invite him to join. And this opportunity is what I left for Alan Aikush."
"Oh, Mr. Coleman, you misunderstood me. I don't have the idea of signing the director. I just want to appear in the subtitles at the end of the film. I know that crew assistants generally don't have the opportunity to do subtitles."
"I can add your name in the assistant column at the end of the film, but why do you want to put subtitles?" Roger Coleman was a little strange, Ronald also had the naive idea of leaving his name, "Generally The audience can’t read the subtitles, and a person’s name only appears for a few seconds, and they can’t see it without paying attention. In Hollywood movies, the names of important members are released at the beginning.”
"It's like this, Mr. Coleman." Ronald explained, "My current income mainly depends on taking audition photos for actors, and the price is 30 dollars a set.
If my name was on a movie that was going to be shown in theaters, then I could raise my offer, at least to $50, and then I could work as a cinematographer and pay for college at the same time. "
"Is it so important that your name appears in the subtitles?" Roger Coleman was a little curious.
"Yes, Mr. Coleman. Almost all the actors who asked me to audition have never done a movie. They want to appear in a movie, but they often have a lot of hearsay cranky ideas about how to audition.
If I have been in a film, then my words have more authority.Not only can the price be higher, but it can also save a lot of trouble when shooting. "
"Oh, that's a good idea. You have to keep it up. It's good business thinking. Many good directors don't understand business. But great directors always find a balance between business and art."
"Mr. Coleman, I don't know if you need a stills photographer? I can take stills for 'High School of Rock' for free, as long as the film and printing money are enough." Ronald took the opportunity to promote his services.
"Do you have a sample?"
"Yes, here, look." Ronald took out a stack of photos from the folder and handed them to Roger Coleman.They were portraits taken in New York.
"Very good, you go to the location of the crew to take some stills next week, remember to keep the receipt."
"Thank you, Mr. Coleman, then I'll go out first."
"Let Jim in by the way."
Ronald closed the door and walked slowly to where Gale was. He had an intuition that Roger Coleman didn't want to sign him as a director.What he said about the directors' union is not necessarily the whole truth.
First of all, it is impossible for all members of the directors' union to be directors.What about the assistant director?What about the second group of directors?Their rights also need to be protected by trade unions.Isn't it impossible to be a member of the directors' union without being credited as the director of a film?Roger said that Aaron Aykush was going to rely on High School of Rock to get his directors union status.The qualification here probably refers to the level of a film's signed director.
Second, Roger Corman pays his employees very little.A college graduate with decent family conditions like Gail is fine.Why are Joe, Alan, Jim and other family members willing to take such a low salary?This shows that Roger is exploiting their skills, allowing these talented professionals to work for him almost for free. After completing a movie, he can enter the labor union, and when he becomes famous, he can go to the eight major studios to make movies.Then Roger Corman recruited a new batch.
Before watching the sample, Ronald heard Roger Coleman say to Jerry Zucker, "If you make this movie well, you will never have to work for me in the future", so he made this calculation It is very clear.
In turn, they, the professionals, are exploiting Roger Corman.Hollywood unions are very hard on newcomers like Ronald or Jim.If you are a member of a union, you can enjoy good treatment, and movies registered by the union will give you priority.If you are not a union member, you must work for a certain number of days in the film registered by the union before you can apply for membership (except for the director union, which is an invitation system).The problem is that in Hollywood, non-union members have almost no chance to make movies with union records.
This is like the novel "Catch-22" that Ronald read in high school. When making movies, union members are preferred. To join a union, you must have made a movie. This is a logical deadlock, and no one can join the union.The only way to break the situation is that a boss like Roger is willing to hire a non-union newcomer like Ronald in a union project.
Ronald raised his hand in greeting to Gail.Let Jim, who was already waiting outside, go in. Jim is very relaxed, and he was still flirting with Gail just now.
Seeing that Gail wasn't very busy, Ronald tentatively asked, "I brought my camera today, and I want to take some group photos with Jim. If you want, I'll take some portrait photos for you too." He took out the samples again and spread them out on the table for her to see.
"Wow, you took a good photo. I wear this kind of clothes today, will it look good in the photo?" Gail immediately began to look at the matching of his clothes and shoes.
After Gail finished watching the photos, Ronald also pulled up a chair and sat down, "Gail, you've seen a lot in the film business, do you know what's going on with the Directors' Union?"
Gail raised his head and glanced at him, took a piece of paper from the table, picked up a pen and wrote while saying, "The directors' union is by invitation only, you don't need to apply if you want to join, as long as you can leave your name in the project, the directors' union You will get a list and send you an invitation letter.”
"Members of the directors' union are divided into three levels: film director, assistant director, director assistant/second group director. Each level should have a different membership fee. You can go to the library to check the specific information."
As he said that, he folded the paper in half, and handed the written director's union-level materials to Ronald.
"Is Alan Aikush a member of the directors' union?"
"Of course, he's an assistant director at the second level. Joe Dante directed "Piranha" last year and was promoted to the highest level of directing."
Ronald took the paper written by Gail, put it in his pocket, and thought: It seems that I have judged well. The reason why Roger Coleman can produce ultra-low-cost films is because of his insight and talent, and the use of Trade union membership qualification card holder.
Similarly, the two paths that Roger Corman chose for himself would have to be exploited by him for several years before he could have the opportunity to direct a low-budget movie independently.If I go to university, Roger has nothing to lose, but if I am addicted to the dream of making a movie and want to direct a movie by myself, then it is difficult to refuse a visible path given by Roger.
No wonder Roger saw himself, the first question was to ask about dreams.This set of sales skills, as long as there is a movie dream, and people who are born at the bottom and lack opportunities, who can stop it?
Ronald shook his head. Even if he went to college, if he hadn't forgotten his dream, he would have to come back to find Roger in all likelihood. It's too difficult to get into the film industry.
At this moment, three people came up the stairs suddenly, rushing towards Roger Coleman's office.
One of the people who came was Jerry Zucker. Of the other two men, one had similar features to Jerry, and the other was a little taller.The three wanted to go directly to Roger's office.
Gail hurriedly got up and stopped them, "I'm sorry, Mr. Zacks, this... Mr., Mr. Coleman is receiving guests, please wait outside."
"No, please don't stop me, Gail. This is between me and Roger." Jerry Zucker pushed Gail's hand away, wanting to continue walking inside.
Seeing that the three were emotional, Ronald hurried forward, trying to help Gail stabilize them.
Jim also opened the door and came out to check. It seemed that Roger Coleman had also heard the movement outside.
The accident happened suddenly...
(End of this chapter)
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