NAKED DEALS : Golly, They Have Fun in Hollywood

When it comes to signing up one of Hollywood’s hottest producing-writing-directing teams, gross percentage points, office suites and strategically placed parking spaces may be good, but they’re not enough. These days, you need something extra.

At least that’s what executives at Columbia Pictures Entertainment figured when they sent bottled-air samples to David and Jerry Zucker in the studio’s effort to woo the sought-after and environmentally minded duo, currently riding high with “Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear,” which David Zucker directed and co-wrote.

Before the Zuckers signed a long-term deal to produce, direct and write movies for CPE, the brothers received dirty and hazy air samples from the locations of the other studios competing for the Zuckers’ services, including Burbank, home of Warner Bros. and Disney; Universal City, location of Universal, and Century City, home of 20th Century Fox. The Zuckers also received a sample from Culver City, where Columbia’s studios are located. Naturally, it contained nothing but pristine air.

The studio also sent over a photograph of the famous Irving Thalberg Building, with the words “Zucker Building” superimposed on top.

According to CPE executive vice president Sid Ganis, the campaign was hatched by several of Columbia’s production executives. “It was all part of the energy that went into getting them to the studio,” says Ganis.

“They showed a real sense of humor,” says Jerry Zucker, who directed “Ghost,” which has raked in more than $500 million worldwide for Paramount.

The Zuckers also have been promised that they can install solar panels on top of their offices. “All I need is a place for my electric car,” says David Zucker. “I have to make sure I have a parking space with a plug.”