Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Well, the first time Bob Odenkirk wrote in to discuss RUN RONNIE RUN: THE RONNIE DOBBS STORY, A MR. SHOW MOVIE, he took a sort of silly approach to talking about the film. This time out, though, he's written a fairly cutting commentary about the way contracts are negotiated here in Hollywood. I'm surprised he's gone public and gotten vocal about such private matters, but I think it takes courage. Here's hoping that Bob is rewarded for his honesty... not punished. New Line, Dakota Films, and G.C.I.E. have a combined total of over $160 million invested in RUN RONNIE RUN, and I'd hate to see anything jeopardize that. Here's Bob with the cold hard truth.
Our contract
By Bob Odenkirk
Look, the important thing is we’re doing the movie. No matter how bad the contract may seem, we’re actually shooting it, and it’s going to be damn funny and that’s all that matters... right?
Below are some segments of our contract for writing and starring in “Run, Ronnie, Run: The Ronnie Dobbs Story”. The Independent Company that is financing the film is a division of Globo-Chem International Entertainment, or “G.C.I.E.”
“The following is an agreement between G.C.I.E. and Bob and David over the rights and control of the story, characters, etc. of the movie to be called “Run, Ronnie, Run”.
Upon signing, Bob and David agree to the following conditions:
G.C.I.E. shall own, in whole and in part, the entirety of the script, characters and associated creations of the movie, “Run, Ronnie, Run: The Ronnie Dobbs Story”. Bob and David will retain no rights of control or approval over said film, its contents and characters, or extraneous product thereof.
Ownership of likenesses. Since Bob and David portray the main characters in the movie, and since G.C.I.E. owns these characters and their likeness, it is implied that G.C.I.E. heretofore will own the likenesses of Bob and David. Bob and David will not perform any professional tasks under these likenesses, without the express consent of G.C.I.E.
Limits on personal use. Bob and David will not appear as themselves in photos, videos, or other media, without the prior approval of G.C.I.E., nor will they contract beachfront caricaturists to render this property, nor look into mirrors without written approval.
Rumpelstiltskin Clause. If, and when, Bob and David pass their genetic code on to another generation, thereby replicating these likenesses, then this “generation” of the previously owned likeness, will also be owned by G.C.I.E. G.C.I.E. will be consulted on the naming of these re-generated likenesses or “children”, but in the interim the company orders that all, male or female, shall be named “Ralph”.
So, that’s it. I’d say we got a fair shake. Hopefully it’s for a good cause, we’re going to make a lot of people laugh, and some of those people will knowingly or unknowingly have cancer, and that’s pretty damn nice of us, right? Maybe that laughter will cure their cancer. If so, that’s the kind of cancer I hope I get, ‘cause that shit is weak.
Special thanks to Virginia, Bob, and everyone at Dakota Films for their work on this and future reports. Until then...
"Moriarty" out.
