Exploiting Hollywood 1980

The days of waiting were tense and boring. Ronald called back to the university, canceled all his summer electives, and concentrated on staying in Los Angeles, waiting for the verdict of his fate.

Soon Niceta came to find him again. For the past two days, he concentrated on searching for information around the world, but found nothing. Except for Tom Mount, no one seemed to have heard anything about what would happen in two weeks.

But today Niceta brought another good news.

"Remember Patricia Burch, the choreographer of the original Grease musical and movie? Paramount and Starwood decided that she would take over the directing duties for Grease 2, and she was the first one who thought of you and wanted you to go. Doing revision work on the script.”

Why?

Ronald's mind flashed back to this small woman in her late 50s. When "Grease 2" was still called "Sons of Grease", I visited her in order to learn script writing for musicals, and received her selfless help and learned how to organically nest songs and dances with other plots. together.

"Okay, I'm willing to meet her." Although Ronald had made up his mind to become a director this time and was not interested in screenwriting work, Birch returned the favor and spared an hour or two to spend an hour or two with her. It is appropriate to meet and discuss the script.

"Hi, Ronald. It's nice to see you again. Let's work together. You will be responsible for revising the script and composing the songs. I will choreograph the dance and choose the music. Let's have a great time."

Patricia Birch was very energetic and no longer suffocated as she had been at home.

With the success of "Unprecedented and Unparalleled", the Zach brothers decided to take a break and shied away from directing Grease 2. Paramount searched for many directors, and finally hired Burch, the original choreographer who had a deep knowledge of musicals.

Speaking of which, like herself, she was also a director for the first time.

Patricia Birch's voice was still as strong as ever. She told Ronald that she had read all versions of the script and decided that it would be better to abandon the version that had been revised during the Hutton period and use the original Ronald script.

After the script was rejected by Hutton, Ronald signed a supplementary agreement that did not allow Hutton's crew to use his script. But since Birch took a fancy to it, there was no problem in letting her use it himself.

"If Paramount buys the script back, then it will be paying for all the revisions of the script, including the two versions I revised. You can completely delete and revise it based on my script."

"But you signed a supplementary agreement, and latecomers cannot use your plot and dialogue.

If possible, I would like you to sign away this power. ” Burch said.

Ronald glanced at Niceta.

"Paramount will pay for the development of your script," Niceta added.

"I have no problem. Just ask them to give the documents to Rick and I will sign them."

"Great", Burch was very happy, "Mr. Sternwood and I both liked your two versions of the script. He even planned to film Grease 2 first and then revise it, and then turn your earlier version of 'Grease' into It is set further back in time, telling the anti-war version of the 1960s, as a script reserve for Grease 3.

Come on, Ronald, let's do something big. "

"I could sell the script to Paramount, but I have my own directing project..." Ronald explained.

"Are you really not considering it? Paramount and Mr. Streetwood will invest a total budget of 12 million US dollars. And your project is only 3 million. I have participated in the shooting of many movies, and insufficient budget means that in many places A compromise must be made.

The costumes had to be second-hand goods used by others, the sets had to be picked from other crews that had not yet been dismantled after filming, and there were various wages and benefits.

The last time I communicated with you, I felt that you knew how to write scripts. After reading your scripts, I found that you also have a good grasp of musical scripts.

You help me polish the script, I'll give you the treatment of an assistant director, and then when it comes to Grease 3 or Grease 4, you can be the director independently.

That is a large-scale production with a cost of more than 10 million. How's it going, Ronald? "

Ronald was very happy that Burch gave him this opportunity, but he was determined to focus on being a director. "Thank you very much for the invitation, Patricia, but please understand the persistence of a young man."

Moreover, the script of Grease 2 does not have the male and female protagonists from the first part to join, nor does it have the original musical to polish the script and accumulate reputation. It is difficult to say whether it will be successful at the box office. It's not like "Fast-paced Richmond High", which released a commemorative video 15 years after its release.

Ronald stood by his choice and said sorry to Birch.

"Okay, Ronald. I know it's hard for you to turn down this directing opportunity. I wanted you to help me."

Now that John Travolta, and Olivia Newton-John, both declined to star in the sequel, I had to start from scratch with the right actors.

By the way, how about your ex-girlfriend? My name is Antonia. She danced very well in Grease 1. Let her try out for the heroine Stephanie? I've seen her in Fame and she can act and is perfect for the role. "

"She went to the New York City Ballet to realize her ballet dream. She may be touring somewhere now." Ronald said with a smile, but Antonia was born in a poor family in Little Italy, and her background was somewhat similar to Stephanie. The script also arranged for her to work at a gas station.

"I'll try to contact her." Birch refused to give up.

"The difficulty in musicals is to find the right actors. Many people think that dancing in musicals comes first. In fact, that is completely wrong. Being able to perform for the camera is the real criterion for casting in musicals.

You did a great job writing the character of Stephanie, who is so conflicted. Known as the Pink Lady's gang leader, she has status in the school social circle, but in reality she is just a poor kid working at a gas station.

She likes the motorcyclist who came to her rescue on a motorcycle wearing a helmet, and also likes Michael who helps her complete her Shakespeare homework, but she doesn't know that they are actually the same person.

It's difficult to play such entangled and lingering emotions well. I need an actress who can look beautiful in the camera even when she is embarrassed. "

Awkward and beautiful, Ronald was reminded of Michelle Pfeiffer. When I wrote the script, I just broke up with her. Did I subconsciously add some of Pfeiffer's appearance and personality into the character of Stephanie when I wrote the character?

"Do you have a suitable candidate in mind?" Birch keenly noticed a smile on Ronald's lips, as if he was thinking of someone.

"No, no, casting cannot be completed in one go. I can recommend casting studios in New York to you. They are very professional."

"Come on, don't lie to me Ronald, your expression just now is exactly the same as when you talked about Antonia. Is she also your ex-girlfriend?"

Birch took Ronald's hand and said, "The success of Grease 2 depends largely on the casting of the male and female protagonists. Are you willing to let your script fail? Tell me who she is..."

Ronald was dumbfounded by Birch, so he had to take out his notebook, find the phone number of his agent Ed Limato, copy it on a piece of paper and hand it to Patricia Birch.

"Do you know William Morris' agent Limato? He has a client named Michelle Pfeiffer, who acted in a Lux soap commercial..."

"Her dancing is not as good as Antonia's. She was originally rejected for the role of the famous ballet student because of this, but her acting skills are not as good... Forget it, you can see for yourself, I shouldn't talk too much." Ronald shook his head, This is actually none of my business.

"Also, it's best not to tell Limato that he got the information from me. I don't want to have anything to do with his client."

"Hi, Ronald, it's me, Ed. Ed Limato." Unexpectedly, that night, Limato found the hotel room number where Ronald stayed and called.

"Hi, Ed, long time no see." Ronald thought to himself. Is this Birch's mouth so careless?

"I am very grateful for your recommendation to Pfeiffer. In fact, she has not had many movie opportunities recently. Grease 2 is already the best audition opportunity she has participated in in the past six months."

"You are probably mistaken, Ed. It has nothing to do with me." Ronald replied casually while sitting on the sofa drinking black tea.

"Don't take me for a fool, Ronald. I've been in this business for over 20 years.

Grease 2 is being rebooted, with Patricia Burch as the director. I submitted an application for Pfeiffer to audition. I called several times but got no response. Today Burch personally called to ask Pfeiffer to audition and told him about the new version of the script. Stephanie's character is similar to her.

I asked around and found that the new version of the script was written by you..."

"Okay, I told Burch Pfeiffer. But whether she can be selected depends on her." These agents are really pervasive, and they can restore the situation to almost everything in just a few clicks.

"Ronald. We are friends, and Pfeiffer is like my child. I...I am grateful for your care of her, but I...I can't..."

"What exactly do you want to say?" Ronald listened to his hesitation.

"Although you were once a couple, I will not encourage her to do immoral things for the sake of casting. You know, she just got married to her boyfriend and is on her honeymoon."

"Oh, that's good. Congratulations to her." Ronald wondered, was Pfeiffer in such a rush to get married so soon? It seems that she really wants to have someone by her side.

"Wait a minute, what is immoral?" Ronald said to Limato, "Why is it immoral if I recommend her to audition?"

"When you just said, 'It depends on her whether she can be chosen?', were you implying something...?" Limato asked cautiously on the other end of the phone.

Limato is a rare old-school agent. Although he will not stop his actresses from exchanging roles for roles, he will not actively seek such opportunities for his clients. He treats every client as a family member and hopes that they will be satisfied in their careers and lives.

"fxck you, why do you think so?" Ronald laughed. He was not a producer or director with casting power.

Oh... maybe Limato misunderstood and thought that since he was also a screenwriter and had a good relationship with director Birch, he really had some influence on the casting.

"Listen, I wasn't on the cast of Grease 2, Burch just bought the rights to my script. She did ask me to join the cast, but I didn't say yes because I had a chance to direct another movie.

I just said it casually that Pfeiffer auditioned for Stephanie, and I don’t want to have anything to do with it from now on. The results of your audition have nothing to do with me. "

"Which movie is the director's job?" Limato ignored the rest and only heard this key piece of information, and immediately asked on the phone.

Ronald said nothing.

"Ronald, we are friends, right? Although Pfeiffer did not go out with you, I did not exert any bad influence on her." Limato heard that Ronald had the opportunity to direct so soon, and he was heartbroken. I am also very anxious to win opportunities for customers.

"You are a genius, Ronald. I admit that I did not discover your genius before. This may be the biggest mistake of my career. But the success of a movie requires more than just one genius. It requires the joint efforts of different geniuses, not ?"

The film market is currently in a slump, and many of Limato's clients are out of work. Many in the industry are discussing whether film will slump, with some clients considering a switch to television. There are still some people in the industry who want to re-launch 3D movies from the 1950s to save the tired box office.

"All I can say is that it's a small production, and I'm afraid it's not suitable for your customers."

"Small production, which company is it from? Warner Brothers? Fox? Paramount? Universal?"

"Uh, don't guess."

"Universal, right? Universal? I heard they're preparing a teen movie adaptation."

"I don't want to discuss this anymore."

"Okay, let's not discuss this issue." Limato agreed to change the subject.

"Tell you a funny thing, today a beautiful young woman walked into the WMA office trying to find an agent to represent her business.

This woman named Amy Heckerling actually claimed that whoever signs a contract with her will get the first commission for free. She said that she would definitely get her first directing contract, and she could pick up a client as long as she signed a contract within 2 weeks.

Do you think this is an interesting thing? If she said she got an actress contract, I think someone would try their luck, but a 27-year-old beauty said she would be a director...

Hahaha. "

"Ed, you're not very good at telling jokes." Ronald was not interested in listening to the gossip in the brokerage industry.

"That's it, don't ask Pfeiffer to audition under my banner. She wants to live a life with others and stay in Los Angeles to be her actor. I respect her choice and continue like this. Don't disturb each other's lives. "

"This is Hollywood. Everyone knows everyone. You will meet sooner or later. I will talk to you again. I was optimistic about your screenwriting ability back then. You will definitely become a good director." Limato said and hung up. Got the phone.

Ronald also hung up the receiver, turned around, poured a glass of whiskey and tasted it slowly. Things are unpredictable, and Limato is right, Hollywood is a small world. Unexpectedly, I would soon reach a position where I could decide the fate of an actor like Pfeiffer.

Should we continue to be kind to others in the future? Or use the power in your hands to do something?

Ronald sat down and drank his dry whiskey slowly, without ice.

wrong! Ronald jumped up from the sofa in surprise. Why did Limato specifically emphasize the time period of 2 weeks?

The story Limato told him was tipping him off!

It took 2 weeks to find an agent to sign a contract, beautiful woman, everything fell into place. Tom Mount's secret choice was her. It was not convenient for him to decide on the director himself, so he let the time to confirm the director drag on for two weeks.

This woman named Amy Heckerling doesn't even have an agent, but she is sure that she can get the qualification to be a director. There is no doubt that he has a strong background.

Limato was returning a favor for recommending Pfeiffer for auditions. But it was not convenient for him to directly tell him the private thoughts of the Universal President, so he hinted to himself by telling jokes.

The information I left with that bastard Tom Mount might... no, it would definitely be leaked to Heckerling, and two weeks later I would be discarded like a lemon that has been squeezed dry.

Ronald immediately called his agent Niceta to tell him the news.

"shxt, how dare this bastard Mount do this to our CAA. Does he think that being interviewed by Time Magazine means he is really a tycoon? This bastard climbed up by licking his vagina.

Looks like we're going to use our trump card early, Ronald.

I will immediately ask Mr. Ovitz to contact Paramount and get you an internal preview ticket for the new film "The Lost Ark of the Covenant" produced by Lucas and directed by Spielberg. Then we will...

We need to resolve the historical issues with Tom Mount once and for all. "

"Okay, I believe you again, Rick. This thing is so disgusting, you guys will let me get what I want this time, right?"

After hanging up the phone, Niceta said to Paula Wagner in her arms, "If I disappoint him again this time, Ronald will definitely fire me. And my long-term efforts to win over Spielberg may also be dismissed." Total failure.

Get my clothes, Paula. I'll go see Mr. Ovitz right away. "

multiple copies

Please remember the first domain name of this book: . :