Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Whether it was directing a teen film to prove his ability or earning some extra money to invest in the production of "Night of the Comet," Ronald was eager to get to work.

He notified CAA's two agents and began to resume accepting script invitations and director invitations. The economic situation has improved in the past two years, and a lot of money has begun to flow into Hollywood. Even a barmaid can sell her debut screenplay for $250,000.

"Ronald, your decision is very good. If we don't take advantage of the 'fast pace' to take on some new projects for you, Hollywood is very good at forgetting."

Niceta was very happy that his popular director finally figured it out and no longer required priority in promoting his so-called science fiction films. A large number of youth film scripts were waiting for Ronald.

"This is a long-term apartment for you. Let Richard take you to see it in the afternoon. The conditions are good, with security and a swimming pool. If you feel you need it when writing, we can also ask the producer to provide a chef and maid ." Niceta threw a bunch of keys.

"There is also a car, which is a BMW that I have eliminated. You can take it and drive it." By signing Coppola, Niceta's acting business has also been greatly improved and she has made a lot of money.

"Thank you." Ronald accepted with a smile.

Arriving at the apartment chosen by Niceta, Ronald deeply felt the film industry's preferential treatment of people who could bring them profits. This apartment was very similar to the one where he went to take audition photos for Natasha Kinski and Demi Moore. It was not far away, but the size of the room was slightly smaller.

"Helen, I have something to do and I won't be able to go back to New York soon." Ronald called his girlfriend and informed her of the number of the new apartment.

"Ronnie. I miss you...but it's okay, I'm probably going to Los Angeles soon."

"oh?"

"Reeve has withdrawn from the Supergirl project. They have to re-revise the script and write out Superman's part. I'm going to Los Angeles to talk to the producers..."

The two chatted about their longing, and more than an hour passed in the blink of an eye. After hanging up the phone, Ronald shook his head. It seemed that his phone bill still couldn't be reduced.

A few days later, Ronald was reading various scripts in the apartment. Since accepting the script for the youth film, he has received many invitations from economic companies.

"Have you ever filmed a music video for Paramount?" Suddenly, manager Niceta came running to see Ronald excitedly.

"Oh? It's actually the end of the movie.

Ronald was reminded of Diane Lane's "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Amazing Stains." "

"I talked to the director, Mr. Lou Adler, and he needed to add an ending. I filmed a live ending for Diane Lane and Laura Dern, but it didn't do well at the box office."

"You may not know that the music video, which is the ending of the movie you mentioned, had very good ratings on the TV station. The movie was eventually sold to the late-night cable channel of Paramount Television Network, and the ratings were not bad.

Paramount is so pleased with your directorial approach that they want to invite you to discuss a musical adaptation. This time it's Mr. Eisner himself who calls your name. "

"Huh? Why does Mr. Eisner remember me?"

"You made blockbusters, Ronald. And have you forgotten? You wrote them the sequel to 'Grease' and they were impressed."

"Didn't that movie do poorly at the box office?"

"The poor box office performance had little to do with the script. It was choreographer Patricia Burch's first time as a director, and the set was a mess.

I heard that when Paramount saw the fast-paced finished film, they held an internal meeting to discuss you. At that time, it might have been much better if they had asked you to direct the film. "

"What were you doing earlier?" Ronald muttered. Of course, at that time, I was not qualified to take on such a large project worth more than 10 million yuan.

No matter what, it's nice to have someone appreciate you, and the person who appreciates you in particular is the boss of Paramount's production department.

"What script is it?"

"In a small town in Utah, the pastor banned rock music and dancing. A transfer student from Chicago fell in love with the pastor's daughter and changed everything."

"I think I've heard this story somewhere. What's the name of the script?"

"Footloose".

Soon, Ronald and Niceta came to Paramount's office together, waiting to be received by Mr. Eisner in person.

Michael Eisner was a pushy man who, as the head of Paramount Productions, insisted on interviewing the artists on every project. According to his own statement, his intuition is very good, and it is easier to assess the other person's true ability when meeting him.

Ronald and Niceta sat on the waiting seats for a long time. Eisner's secretary pretended not to see their curious glances.

I don’t know who Eisner’s current guest is, but they are “discussing” loudly inside, and the sound leaks out faintly from time to time.

"For Christ's sake, it's almost the start date and the heroine hasn't been decided yet."

In the president's office, Eisner was speaking loudly and discussing issues intensely with two middle-aged men across from him.

"This is because Brian De Palma was dissatisfied with his treatment and went to pick up a new film shortly before the start of filming. We spent too much time looking for a new director." Of the two middle-aged men, the one with shawl long hair replied, As if to argue that this is not our responsibility as producers.

"No matter what, the heroine must be decided today."

"Mr. Eisner," the other of the two middle-aged men with a beard replied, "we still think we should choose a sexier heroine."

"This is the scoring result of the secretaries, and you have seen it."

Eisner pointed to the poll on the table. In order to choose a favorite among the three heroines, he had asked all the secretaries at Paramount to rate the three actors. The final result was the one named Les. The girl with the best score.

"She's not suitable, Michael," Bearded replied.

"I don't fucking care which one is suitable. Anyway, it must be decided today. The results of the poll are here. I don't know what else you are dissatisfied with. Do you still like that Demi?"

"Demi Moore, she is sexier than Leslie and more suitable for this movie." The long shawl hair started to get excited again.

"Mr. Eisner," the secretary finally came in and knocked on the door, "the next customer has been waiting for half an hour. Do you want them to come back tomorrow?"

"No, let them come in." Eisner motioned to his secretary to bring Ronald in. "You two, we must decide on the heroine today. You discuss it first. I will discuss it with them and then I will make the decision with you. thing."

"orge on", the shawl-length hair began to exhale excitedly, "Seventy percent of the charm of this movie lies in the heroine who dances in the bar. Leslie has no sexual attraction at all."

"Stop!" Eisner gestured to the two of them, indicating that he wanted to see other guests and would come back to discuss with them later.

"If you're not optimistic about the future of this movie, please tell us honestly. Brian De Palma ran away because he wasn't given the respect he deserved, and ended up with a guy in a fucking jeans commercial. Be a director.”

"Are you talking about me?" Ronald walked into Eisner's office and heard the last words of the shawl-haired man.

"You? No, I'm talking about Adrian Lane. He is famous for his jeans commercials in the UK." The shawl-haired man saw Ronald and Niceta walking into the office and knew that he had misunderstood, so he quickly stepped forward to clarify.

"Don Simpson, this is my partner Jerry Bruckheimer." The man with long shawl hair and beard introduced himself.

"Ronald Lee, I did shoot a CK jeans commercial." Ronald shook hands with Don Simpson, "Mr. Eisner, should we talk later?"

"No, you came just in time, Ronald." Eisner said hello to Ronald pleasantly.

"You are also a film director, why don't you come and take a look at this little problem." Eisner asked him to step forward and look at the three audition photos.

"Here are the final three candidates for the heroine of a musical film. Which one do you think is suitable?"

Don Simpson and his partner Jerry Bruckheimer looked at each other. They knew Ronald's name, the new blockbuster teen film director.

"Yeah, what do you think? We need some expert advice."

Ronald looked at the three photos. The middle one was Demi Moore's audition photo. It was no longer the one he took back then. Demi, who was two years older, was even more attractive.

On the left is an actress with slightly darker skin and very attractive eyes. The name under the photo is Jennifer Beals.

The beauty on the right has a slightly longer face and a temperament that is more in line with a traditional Hollywood beauty. Her name is Leslie Wing.

"What kind of movie is it?" Ronald guessed that there might have been a debate in the room about the choice of the heroine just now, and he couldn't express his opinion rashly. He picked up the three photos and looked at them carefully.

"The musical is about a welding girl who dances striptease in a bar and goes to ballet school." Jerry Bruckheimer, a bearded man, answered.

"What is this?" Luo found the rating form under the photo.

"These are the scores given by the secretaries at Paramount to the three candidates. Leslie Wing was their favorite," Eisner replied.

Ronald smiled. Isn't this the method bbdo used when deciding on advertising creative ideas?

This may not necessarily work. The secretaries are all women, and their aesthetics may not be the same as the target audience of the movie.

However, these secretaries may also be the most convenient candidates for investigation. It seems that Paramount also likes to use this method.

"Excuse me, Mr. Eisner. This movie..."

"Dance", Don Simpson felt that this tall young man didn't seem to like Leslie Wing either.

"Yes, who is the target audience for this Flashdance?"

Eisner looked at Don Simpson.

"This is a story about an ugly duckling that turns into a swan. The heroine Alex is a welding worker. She is sexy and beautiful and dances in the bar. We expect that the target audience is those blue-collar men and some urban teenage men. "

Don Simpson planned them out and said, "Ronald, based on an artist's intuition, which one do you think is the most beautiful and sexiest in their minds?"

Ronald looked down at the three of them again. Leslie Wing was obviously the kind of good girl who was deeply loved by the middle-aged female secretary. However, the other two are very sexy and attractive. I have a relationship with Demi Moore, so I can't express my opinion directly.

"What I said does not represent the audience." Ronald raised his head and glanced at Don Simpson. He didn't seem to like Leslie Wing either.

"Mr. Eisner, why don't you find some of the movie's target audiences to vote for? Paramount should have a lot of blue-collar workers, such as camera pushers, lighting engineers, and truck drivers?"

"Damn, what you said makes sense." Eisner pressed the call button on the table, "Tell all the camera crews, lights, and truck drivers in the nearby studio to come to the big fucking conference room. Come."

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