Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"The Mid-Autumn Festival in foreign countries is quite fun, but why do they eat turkey? We don't seem to have this kind of chicken in China..." Director Huang got up to exercise the next day and talked to Xiao Yan about last night's event. banquet. \u003c/p\u003e

"It's called Thanksgiving. I heard it's a festival for the ancestors who immigrated back then to thank their God for their harvest. On Thanksgiving, turkey is eaten."\u003c/p\u003e

"This turkey is quite delicious...tastier than my domestic chickens."\u003c/p\u003e

"That's because my uncle, the chef, is willing to put in the ingredients. You see that the turkey is wrapped in bacon. The juices of the pork seep into it. It is roasted twice in a special oven. After it is cooked, the bacon is not used. It is eaten exclusively. That smoky meat flavor. The turkey my classmate made in college was like chewing cardboard, very woody."\u003c/p\u003e

"Xiao Yan, come to New York and study hard..." Director Huang is old enough to be Xiao Yan's aunt, so he gives instructions on behalf of Lao Yan. \u003c/p\u003e

Ronald also got up early and happened to overhear some snippets of the conversation upstairs. Thanksgiving is a holiday full of family reunions for the American people. \u003c/p\u003e

In addition to what Xiao Yan said about being grateful to God, my aunt said that she was also grateful to the Indian tribe who gave some food to the immigrants. \u003c/p\u003e

So in this holiday, there are many elements of gratitude. Many people will write letters or make phone calls to those who have helped them during this holiday. \u003c/p\u003e

Ronald thought about it, returned to the room, took out a pen and paper, and began to recall the people in this industry who had been crucially helpful to him. \u003c/p\u003e

Of course, Roger Corman helped him at the beginning, as well as the Camerons, the director Woody Allen, and the female generals of the casting studio who helped him... Soon, Ronald wrote a Make a list and start writing letters to everyone. \u003c/p\u003e

"Dear Roger, on this day of gratitude, I..."\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald wrote a few sentences, something seemed wrong. \u003c/p\u003e

There is no shortage of stars in Hollywood who, after winning an Oscar, want to give it to everyone, even their hairstylists. But there are very few people who can help in this cruel industry. \u003c/p\u003e

the power of words,

It's better to express your emotions through actions. \u003c/p\u003e

Ronald folded the paper with the list twice and put it in his notebook. Then a call was made to Roger Corman in Los Angeles. \u003c/p\u003e

"Julie, this is Ronald. Happy Thanksgiving. Is Roger here?"\u003c/p\u003e

Roger Coleman's investments in stocks accounted for the majority of his entire wealth. The stock market crash caused serious losses for him who had used some leverage. He had to divert some cash from the film department to temporarily make up for the losses in the stock market. \u003c/p\u003e

"Ecstasy," a joint venture between Coleman and Ronald, was also delayed because Coleman's company couldn't come up with the agreed-upon investment of $3.5 million. \u003c/p\u003e

Ronald proposed that this part of the cash be advanced by his Daydream Pictures, and then part of it would be returned to Ronald next year after Coleman's cash situation eased. The remainder can be deducted from dividends from film distribution and video tape sales. \u003c/p\u003e

"Business is business, why do you think this way?" Roger Coleman was of course very happy to hear Ronald Kang's conditions. But a veteran producer who had never lost money in the film industry for thirty years did not understand Ronald's approach. \u003c/p\u003e

"Roger, have you noticed that no one is working in Hollywood now? I'm not talking about the big projects from the Big Seven, even the medium-sized productions from independent producers and the small-budget ones with a million dollars or so. It's shrunk very much."\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald shared some of his observations. \u003c/p\u003e

After the stock market crash, the film industry experienced a strong contraction. Funds have withdrawn significantly from Hollywood's production business in the short term. I don’t know when I will be able to come back. The number of projects approved and started this year has shrunk significantly compared to the same period last year. \u003c/p\u003e

Several major industrial unions have also encountered great difficulties in paying members' dues. The Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild have begun to temporarily defer the payment of membership fees for one quarter for some members who are encountering difficulties in life. \u003c/p\u003e

Ronald also received invitations from the Directors Guild and the Screenwriters Guild to attend a charity party. Props and costumes from old movies involving some old stars would be put up for auction. In fact, he was begging these wealthy members to use the auction in the name. , to raise funds for low-income groups in the union. \u003c/p\u003e

"Hey, these are difficult times now," Coleman also understood what Ronald meant and expressed his willingness to accept the young man's kindness. \u003c/p\u003e

This isn't a personal favor for Coleman, he just has a temporary cash flow problem. As long as his vision is still there, he can get out of the predicament in just half a year. \u003c/p\u003e

Ronald wants to speed up the work and give the middle and low-level practitioners in the industry a chance to make a living. If they are unable to work in the next six months, some workers with average abilities may have to receive relief benefits. What is even more regrettable is that many young people with potential may give up this profession and go to do other things. \u003c/p\u003e

For them, a crew and a minimum-wage job can sustain them until the market recovers. \u003c/p\u003e

"Is the current industry so bad already?" Donna put on Saint Laurent's work clothes, looking capable and elegant. She listened to Ronald's phone call for more than ten minutes and learned some details. \u003c/p\u003e

"Actually, the box office has not dropped significantly. I think it will be just like the impact of the stock market crash on America's economy. It will have no impact in the long run. However, people in our industry are still very weak in resisting risks. ”\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald told his cousin about the financing structure of a typical small Hollywood production company. They first need to convince a star to star in the movie, and then use the star's name to sell the pre-sale distribution rights of the movie. \u003c/p\u003e

After obtaining the distribution rights, you can mortgage it to make a bank bridge loan to raise funds for filming. The part that is under-mortgaged has to be filled by attracting many small investors. Finally, the film is shot, released, sold to overseas distributors, broadcast rights are sold to TV stations, and video rentals are now becoming popular. \u003c/p\u003e

These links are like a taut clockwork. When all conditions are met, it will take two years to recover the funds. If something goes wrong during this period, or is delayed for a few months, the project may fail. \u003c/p\u003e

"It seems that making movies is not a good business." Donna looked at the financial documents of Helen Slater's "Stigers" movie that she was about to take over, and found that it also involved a heavy investment. A business with extremely long repayment periods and uncertain profitability. On Wall Street, bankers don't like this kind of project. ”\u003c/p\u003e

"Unless you can sell the goods, you can really make a lot of money." Donna then thought about it, no wonder Wall Street always invests in Hollywood and bets with producers or directors who have proven themselves. \u003c/p\u003e

Movies are a very strange commodity. Out of ten movies, about seven lost money, two were tied, and one made all the money. Under the background that most movies do not make money, the return on investment of the ones that do make money is extremely high. \u003c/p\u003e

"Let's go..."\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald and Donna got in the car together, and Bud Jr. drove them to Daydream's office in New York. Today they're taking over the set of "Sticky Fingers." \u003c/p\u003e

"Helen", the first thing Ronald saw was Helen Slater wearing a white sweater, a floral skirt and little leather boots. \u003c/p\u003e

"Ronnie, Donna", Helen came over and hugged them both, "This is Melanie Mellen, the screenwriter of the script and another leading actor.\u003c/p\u003e

"Hello, Melanie," Ronald greeted her. Melanie looked at Ronald with wide eyes, and she didn't expect that the financial sponsor Helen mentioned was actually this commercial blockbuster film director. \u003c/p\u003e

"Do you have to fire Catlin Adams? She taught me a lot about acting." Helen was still a little uneasy, and walked to the side of the conference table with Ronald to ask whether she could continue to use that acting teacher as a director. \u003c/p\u003e

"This is more of a business decision, Helen. Just leave this matter to me." Ronald smiled and hugged her, letting Helen sit next to him. \u003c/p\u003e

"However, Melanie (Melan) and I are very convinced by her inner analysis of the characters." Helen was hugged by Ronald around the waist, and her voice suddenly became softer, remembering the previous relationship between the two of them. Lingering, cheeks are a little red. \u003c/p\u003e

But Catlin Adams' understanding of the script gave Melanie a lot of revision suggestions, and both she and Helen felt they benefited greatly. \u003c/p\u003e

"Hey, Helen, Melanie, I heard that you found a bad guy to invest in? Our movie will start shooting soon?"\u003c/p\u003e

A woman about forty years old walked in with several handsome guys and beauties. She is the original crew director, acting coach Catlin Adams. \u003c/p\u003e

"Who are you?" Catlin Adams saw Ronald sitting carelessly at the head of the conference table, holding Helen in his arms, and thought that it was his mistress who had invested, and this Helen had made a big deal without saying a word. \u003c/p\u003e

"I'm the one you said was taken advantage of." Ronald frowned, this Catlin looked a little familiar. \u003c/p\u003e

Melanie next to her saw the trend and took the initiative to introduce to Ronald, "She is a senior coach at the Actors Studio. She entered the studio when she was 14 years old and worked as an assistant to Lee Strasberg. Now she She mainly provides acting training for film actors, and her clients once included Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas."\u003c/p\u003e

"Did I see this woman in Jane Fonda's place?" Ronald was not sure. This self-conceited artist style made Ronald dislike her. \u003c/p\u003e

"Now that the money has been received, we can start casting right away. You see, here is my student, the friend who lives with me in the script. She can play..." Catlin Adams was unaware of this It was Ronald, who directed Dirty Dancing and Top Gun, who started delegating work. \u003c/p\u003e

"Ma'am, we are investors. Before casting, should you talk about your ideas for the movie?" Donna couldn't help it. This kind of person looks like a teacher in school and has no understanding of real practice. Understand, before you have determined your position, you have started assigning students' roles. Is this a middle school drama club? \u003c/p\u003e

"Little girl, directing is a complicated art. I have talked a lot with Helen and Melanie. If you are willing to listen, you can come to the crew to do odd jobs...Brad, you can take care of her then." \u003c/p\u003e

A handsome guy with long hair came out from behind, "Miss, while the creative staff are chatting, would you like to talk to me about something else?"\u003c/p\u003e

This handsome guy has a big chin and is full of a wild sense of power. Ronald glanced at him. He was another actor who didn't know how to read the wind, but he looked very good. \u003c/p\u003e

……\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald, who was expecting Donna to fight back, unexpectedly found that Donna was stunned and did not respond. \u003c/p\u003e

"Donna, Donna..." Ronald turned around and found that his cousin was looking at the actor blankly, as if he was a big star. \u003c/p\u003e

"Ah, oh, what, I am one of the representatives of the investor, Donna. According to the investment agreement, we have the right to listen to the director's views and make the final decision before filming starts." Donna came back to her senses and concluded As he said the words, he couldn't help but look at the handsome guy. \u003c/p\u003e

"What's going on?" Ronald turned his head to look at the handsome guy again. Except that his chin was stronger, there was still a gap between him and himself. \u003c/p\u003e

Hey, Ronald turned around and found that not only Donna, but also the actress Melanie seemed to have affectionate eyes. This actor's gaze seems to have a magical power. Looking at that woman can make people lose their composure. \u003c/p\u003e

Ronald looked at Helen again. Well, luckily, Helen's wonderful eyes still only stayed on him. \u003c/p\u003e

"Yes, are you a relative of the investor? You can come to the set to learn, and I will ask Brad to explain the whole process to you." Catlin Adams understands the mentality of outsiders very well, and the appearance of stars is placed in the circle of ordinary people. , is very magical. \u003c/p\u003e

"As for the core of this drama, it mainly relies on Helen and Melanie. You need to practice more emotional memory methods. This is the essence of the Actors Studio Method." \u003c/p\u003e

"Emotional memory method..." Ronald finally remembered that he had seen this woman there. When he and Meg Tilly went to the Actors Studio to study, it was because of this infamous emotional memory method that he collapsed. Isn't this Catlin Adams the acting coach who was working as an assistant to Lee Strasberg in the studio at that time? \u003c/p\u003e

"Ahem..." Ronald coughed twice, focusing the woman's attention. \u003c/p\u003e

"What, what do you have in mind?" Catlin Adams turned to Ronald Lee, "You are..."\u003c/p\u003e

"My name is Ronald Lee, and you're fired."\u003c/p\u003e

"Ronald Lee, how come this person's name is the same as that of a Hollywood director, but it is also a very common name. There are probably hundreds of people in New York with this name.\u003c/p\u003e

No...fired, what fired? Who do you think was fired? ”\u003c/p\u003e

"You are fired, Ms. Catlin Adams." Ronald looked at her, motionless, until Catlin began to back away. \u003c/p\u003e

"Why? You have no power..."\u003c/p\u003e

"I'm sorry, I have the right... You don't have the production rights to this script, and you only have a verbal agreement with Melanie. I invested most of the money in this movie, so of course I have the right to fire you.\u003c/p\u003e

As for why? You don't need to know that in New York, this kind of creative contract is an at-will employment, which means I can fire you without any reason. ”\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald detests this "emotional mnemonics" that disrupts people's emotions and mental state. Helen Slater was already unstable. If this method was used, wouldn't it be very likely to induce her illness? \u003c/p\u003e

"You are discriminating. I can report it to the Screen Actors Guild."\u003c/p\u003e

Catlin Adams' momentum remains unabated. As a well-known acting coach in the New York actor circle, she has always advocated equality between men and women. This accusation of sexism against Ronald is still a bit intimidating. \u003c/p\u003e

"Who in Hollywood would believe you that I would be sexist?" Ronald felt that this acting coach was mentally disturbed. There have been so many feminist films like "Dirty Dancing" and "Night of the Comet" that no one will believe this woman's nonsense. \u003c/p\u003e

"Well, I'll give you a chance to explain to me how you plan to shoot the opening scene?" Ronald gestured to Donna to turn on the portable Japanese-made mini recorder and conduct an on-site assessment of Catlin Adams. \u003c/p\u003e

[By the way, the best app for reading and listening to books is Yeguo Reading. Install the latest version. 】\u003c/p\u003e

"Donna?"\u003c/p\u003e

"Oh", Donna hurriedly took out the recorder from her bag and pressed the red record button. \u003c/p\u003e

"Would you like some time to prepare?" Ronald looked sideways. \u003c/p\u003e

"No, I've thought about it a long time ago." Catlin Adams realized her weak position, put the script on the table, and said her understanding, "Helen and Melanie came on stage side by side from here, and then discovered I picked up the bag on the floor..."\u003c/p\u003e

"That's it? What about your camera movement? What lens are you using here? What focal length? How many lenses are you going to shoot at the same time? How many reaction shots are you going to put? How many over-the-shoulder lenses are you going to put in, and where is the position of the main lens?"\u003c/ p\u003e

As soon as Ronald heard this, he knew that Catlin Adams didn't understand film shooting at all, and she had no idea about the abilities required of a film director. She would fix the camera to the side and use the acting method of a drama to shoot the movie. In other words, she was so stupid that she didn't realize her ignorance. \u003c/p\u003e

"This..." Catlin Adams was stunned by the question. She didn't have much experience as a movie actress. Most of her experience was in supporting roles that required camera shots. Her main energy was on studying her acting skills, so she couldn't answer any of these. \u003c/p\u003e

"You can go..." Ronald waved his hand and asked her to leave. \u003c/p\u003e

"I..." Catlin Adams turned back in shame and anger, facing the handsome boys and beauties who came with her. Now she regretted bringing the students to show off, because their embarrassed appearance was all seen in their eyes. \u003c/p\u003e

"Well, see you all...bye, Donna." The handsome guy named Brad stayed at the end. He looked at Ronald and wanted to ask for a role, but looking at Ronald's sarcastic eyes, he opened his mouth and turned away. Saying goodbye to Donna. \u003c/p\u003e

"Bye, Brad." Donna greeted him, causing everyone present to suppress their laughter. \u003c/p\u003e

"So, who do you want to be the director?" Melanie came back to her senses and asked Ronald. \u003c/p\u003e

Originally, this movie had a very good gimmick. The producer, screenwriter, starring, and director were all women. You can get into the feminism trend and participate in the selection of the women's section at the Los Angeles Film Festival. \u003c/p\u003e

Helen also turned to look at Ronald. The all-female team was indeed in line with her wishes. Great publicity stunt too. \u003c/p\u003e

"She should be arriving soon," Ronald looked at his watch. \u003c/p\u003e

I originally wanted to find Emil, who was filming an advertisement for Vice Commander George. But after reading the script, Emil said that he didn't like this type of farce-style movie, and he wasn't good at it either. \u003c/p\u003e

Ronald respected his opinion and thought of director Howard Deutch, whom he had mentored "incredibly well." He is good at comedy and can direct youth movies, so he is a good choice. \u003c/p\u003e

However, after Daqi answered the phone, he also declined. He is already fully preparing for a comedy film "Into the Wild" with a budget of tens of millions. Two Canadian comedy stars, John Candy and Dan Aykroyd, are joining the cast. It is obviously impossible for him to direct this small project. . \u003c/p\u003e

Finally, Ronald also thought of the attention of this all-female team, found an acquaintance from the contact book, and sent out an invitation. \u003c/p\u003e

"Ronald", a tall woman knocked on the door and came in, "Are you here?"\u003c/p\u003e

"Yes, come in, Catherine."\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald turned to Helen and others to introduce his candidate, beautiful director Kathryn Bigelow. \u003c/p\u003e

Everyone looked at this long-limbed, tall but elegant beauty, and they were a little confused whether she was an actor or a director. \u003c/p\u003e

The beauty of Ronald's coaching of Bigelow made those present somewhat underestimate her ability. \u003c/p\u003e

"Catherine, we are discussing how to shoot the first scene. Do you have any ideas?"\u003c/p\u003e

"Of course," Catherine found the script for that scene, "I will set up a camera here, and then as Helen and Melanie are talking, let the camera rotate 45 degrees here to bring out the money on the floor. package.\u003c/p\u003e

The audience's attention will be naturally brought to the focus we want..."\u003c/p\u003e

"Helen, you should focus on the conversation with Melanie. Don't worry about the bag. This way, the movement of the bag when you accidentally touch it will appear more natural..."\u003c/p\u003e

Ronald watched Kathryn Bigelow start coaching the actors on the spot. This beautiful director who raised her own funds to make movies, participated in film festivals, and lost all her investment, her aura was not comparable to that of an amateur acting coach. of. \u003c/p\u003e

Several actors were immediately impressed by her confident tone, full preparation and experience. \u003c/p\u003e

"That's it, I'll save the rest until after the official signing and production start, you guys can get to know each other first." Ronald was very satisfied that Bigelow got the approval of the screenwriter and the starring actor, and finally decided on the director. \u003c/p\u003e

Kathryn Bigelow has not been filming for several years. This opportunity is an opportunity for her to return to the director's position. A woman who wants to be a director in Hollywood has to calculate her chances based on years. \u003c/p\u003e

"Can we leave?" Ronald looked at Donna, who was still a little distraught. Bigelow could now control the entire crew, and they could leave first. \u003c/p\u003e

"Well..." Donna collected the documents and left with Ronald. I'm still thinking about that handsome guy Brad just now. He looks so handsome when he smiles! \u003c/p\u003e

"Donna, um...Mr. Li..."\u003c/p\u003e

As soon as they went out, the handsome guy named Brad ran over. He didn't go back with Catlin, he was still here waiting for the big opportunity in his life. \u003c/p\u003e

"You want to play a role?" Ronald asked. \u003c/p\u003e

"Of course, Mr. Li, of course I want to."\u003c/p\u003e

"Leave your resume and audition photos to Director Bigelow inside," Ronald reminded him. \u003c/p\u003e

"Thank you, thank you." Brad turned to Donna with a charming smile, "Miss Donna, can you have dinner with me?"\u003c/p\u003e