Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Don't be depressed, Ronald." Cameron patted Ronald on the shoulder. Kathryn Bigelow found him the more interesting director between the two directors, which made Cameron very proud.

"Huh? No, it's just that the casting for my new film didn't go well." Ronald replied. He talked about how he couldn't find a suitable female secondary villain for his new film "Working Girl."

"What kind of actor do you need?" Cameron and Bigelow both found it interesting. Ronaldo was known for using unknown actors in his films, and there was never a single miscast for the main role in any of his films. Can't find a suitable actor now?

"I need an audience who will think of her as a tough, sophisticated woman as soon as they see her. It's best to be a famous female star." Ronald explained, and now both people on the opposite side understood.

Whether an actor fits the role during casting has a lot to do with the actor's reputation. Use unknown actors, try to find the one with the most similar temperament. But this time Ronald needs a star that is familiar to the audience, so there will be much less room for searching.

"You might as well try Sigourney Weaver." After listening to Ronald's request for the role of Catherine, Cameron recommended to Ronald the heroine of "Alien 2" directed by him.

"Huh? Sigourney Weaver?" Ronald didn't expect that Cameron would recommend a female officer in the Space Force. Do you think she can play the kind of rich woman who is sophisticated on the outside but superficial on the inside?

"Sigourney is a very malleable actor. You might as well take a look at her previous works." Cameron smiled but said nothing. This actor has played comedy (Ghostbusters) and serious themes (Age of Danger). , a middle-class New York romantic comedy (Annie Hall) also acted.

"Then I'll ask my agent to find a copy." Ronald found it hard to imagine that an actress who prefers action movies could actually make Cameron think she could play a Wall Street elite. Sigourney must be an extraordinary one. actor.

"Ah ha, she is indeed the director's favorite kind of actress." Ronald finally watched Sigourney's masterpieces in the small screening room of the Fox Building. She has played an official of the British Embassy and a New York girl. She is the kind of actor who is particularly good at capturing the outstanding characteristics of different characters. People can believe that she is the kind of person she plays.

And she has a quality that makes the camera love her more. Her expressions and movements in the camera allow the audience to take part in the story from her perspective. This kind of actor is the favorite of directors of low-concept literary films. The plot is not intense and they can also attract the audience's attention with subtle expressions.

Ronald immediately called casting director Julia Taylor and asked her to contact her agent to see if she would be interested in auditioning.

…

"Hi, hello, Ronald. I got a call from Jim (Cameron), and I didn't expect you to invite me." Sigourney Weaver came to the audition room with a smile on her face and greeted Ronald. .

"I didn't expect that a female officer of the Space Force could grasp the yuppie temperament of Wall Street so well. Please have a seat."

Ronald looked at the bright red jacket and black pants that the other party specially wore, and knew that Sigourney Weaver was very interested in his movie. This whole set of clothes looks to be expensive and high-quality, and the other party specially wore trousers. The whole person shows a kind of charm that is different from that of a female officer, but represents a professional woman in a specific profession.

"Please read this line to the camera." Ronald took out the script and handed it to Sigourney.

Sigourney Weaver watched for a while, then gathered her emotions and read the lines:

"Some basic rules. In my opinion, you are my contact with the outside world. People's impression of me starts with you. You have to be tough when necessary; you have to be considerate to clients and important people; record Be accurate and on time; don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

Ronald and Julia Taylor looked at each other and nodded. This is the scene where Catherine first meets Tess and sets the rules for her in the office. Sigourney Weaver reads this boss' slightly mean emphasis very well.

"I drink black coffee and my lunch is at one o'clock. Keep a pack of Lux (high-end cigarettes) in your desk. I'm never on another phone, I'm always in meetings (when it's not convenient for Katherine to answer the phone) excuse).

I think we are a team. Therefore, we have to wear the same style of clothing. Be simple, elegant and impeccable. Wear tasteless clothes and they will notice the clothes themselves. Dress impeccably and they will notice the woman in the clothes. For example: Coco Chanel? "

Sigourney Weaver continued reading the next paragraph, hiding the rich girl's contempt for Tess, who came from a poor family, well into the lecture. Tess's family background makes it impossible to afford Coco Chanel clothes. Saying this is undoubtedly a bigger stab.

"How do I look?" Julia Taylor read one of Tess's lines as an audition stand-in. She found that her boss Catherine was dissatisfied with her clothes, so she had to carefully ask her what she didn't like about her.

“Get rid of the over-the-top jewelry,” Sigourney Weaver continues…

"I want your advice, too, and welcome your ideas. I love seeing hard work rewarded. On my team, we have a two-way communication path. Am I clear?" Sigourney Way Fu entered the state, and his expression of looking down was very realistic.

"Yes, Catherine." Julia Taylor was brought into the scene by her. At this time, Tess felt heavy. This new boss was not easy to serve.

"And" Sigourney Weaver put on an understatement and deliberately put away her dissatisfied expression, "you can call me Catherine."

Ronald couldn't help but stand up and applaud. This deep-seated contempt for secretaries was a common problem among certain classes of people on Wall Street. Sigourney Weaver did not let Ronald direct her and acted out this subtle feeling naturally, which is the performance of a very powerful actor.

"How did she do it?" Ronald was very satisfied with the performance of this actress whom he had met only once. He called Cameron and said that he would probably choose Weaver as the second female lead. He recited Sigourney Weaver's lines in the audition and couldn't help but admire Cameron's ability to recognize people.

"She comes from an acting family, and her husband is a Broadway director. She lives in Manhattan, New York..." Cameron reported several background keywords of Sigourney Weaver.

"Stop talking, I understand, thank you, Jim." Ronald thought to himself, presumably in addition to the actor's own ability, there must be something gained from living in Manhattan, New York, and observing those company executives.

I took the audition video to show it to Goldberg of 20th Century Fox, who also recognized Sigourney Weaver's acting skills and was very satisfied with Ronald's choice.

Sigourney Weaver's previous roles in "Ghostbusters" and "Alien 2" were both very good at the box office. American audiences are very familiar with her. The addition of such a star will be very beneficial to the promotion of "Working Girl".

"Sigourney, did my audition director call your agent?" Ronald called Weaver afterwards.

"Yes, Ronald, I'm glad to have the opportunity to work with you." Ronald's previous film "Top Gun" and the heroine of "Dirty Dancing" have achieved star status after working with him. A leap in improvement. That's why Weaver wanted to work with Ronald.

"I'm calling you to ask about your schedule. I've found two real female executives on Wall Street for you and the heroine Demi Moore. After Christmas, you have to shadow them for a period of time and observe how they usually behave. How to speak, how to arrange work, how to participate in meetings, how to communicate with customers.”

"That's great, I have no problem with my time, I've just finished filming 'Gorillas in the Mist,' a film about naturalist Diane Fossey (an expert on gorillas in Rwanda who was murdered by poachers in 1985) ), Jim (her husband) would be happy to go back to Manhattan for Christmas.

"Then it's settled." Ronald was also very happy. The main roles have been decided, and then he can move to New York and start preliminary preparations.

…

"Ronnie, it's been a while since you spent Christmas with your aunt." Ronald was busy auditioning for other roles in New York, as well as getting a crash course in Demi Moore's secretaryship with Theresa Kate. In addition, I also met with two senior female executives from Wall Street investment banks recommended by Steve Bannon.

Both of them speak and act like the female bankers that Ronald imagined. The biggest difference between them and the actors who play them is that they are not as beautiful as the actors. Of course, choosing beautiful women to star in commercial movies is a very necessary beautification.

Another difference is that these two female executives are both chain smokers, which Ronald does not want to repeat in the movie. Recently, big cities like New York and Los Angeles have begun to divide smoking and non-smoking areas in public places, driven by the calls of many Hollywood stars and the appearance of anti-smoking advertisements. The intensity of enforcement has also begun to increase under public pressure.

Therefore, in the movie, Ronald also has to follow the trend of public opinion, and his smoking is limited to scenes where a few characters undergo drastic changes and feel depressed.

"Fortunately, my new movie is being shot in New York." Ronald chuckled and brought back gifts for his aunt, her boyfriend, and Donna, which he took out just in time.

"Thank you, thank you." My aunt received embroidered jewelry from China, her boyfriend received a set of high-end kitchen utensils, and Donna received an authentic cashmere scarf, which was light and warm.

"Is that all the gifts?" Donna looked at the scarves this year compared to the previous gifts from her cousin, such as cars and jewelry. Her own salary is quite high, so saying so is completely a coquettish act towards her cousin.

"If you have any wishes, you can tell me." Ronald rubbed his nose and looked like Santa Claus.

"Hahaha... I'm happy with whatever you give me," Donna smiled at Ronald, then took out a small box from her bag and handed it to Ronald, "Your gift."

"Oh, I didn't expect to receive a gift from you." Ronald opened it and saw a Montblanc signature pen inside, with a white Mont Blanc logo and a thick black pen. The body and gold nib feel good in the hand.

"This is a gift from your aunt." Aunt Karen also took out a small box. Ronald opened it and saw that it was a European pilot's watch that was the same as the one handed down from his ancestors. The scales under the large dial are also luminous, which is very suitable for Ronald's identity as a director and is also very practical.

The family happily finished their Christmas dinner when little Douglas ran over and chatted with Ronald.

Donna said hello to him and went to her room. Douglas Jr. shrugged and told Ronald about the election for deputy commander.

"I have been accompanying George Jr. during this time. They are now in the leading position in the party's primary election and are very likely to be nominated at the Elephant Party convention next year. His brother Jeb also resigned from public office in Florida and came back. Join dad’s campaign.”

"Huh... our friend little George..." Ronald knew that his friend was not as favored by his mother Barbara as his brother, and it seemed that his influence in the campaign team would decline.

"Now is a critical moment. George Jr. and his brother Jeb are both responsible for fundraising. If George Sr. is elected, these two sons have political ambitions."

"Little George wants to join politics?" Ronald was a little surprised. This man has always been like a Texas cowboy, without any big ambitions, and he doesn't seem to have the uncle look that everyone has in their family.

"Joining the campaign team, he must have seen the benefits of being in politics." Douglas Jr. actually learned a lot of internal secrets while working with George Jr. on the campaign.

"Okay, how much do you want to donate to him? How much should I contribute?" Ronald understood that Douglas Jr. said this, and his meaning was very clear. They were already bound to George Jr., their son, in the George family. If they could participate in the fundraising activities , let little George perform better than his younger brother...

Moreover, Barbara has always taken good care of her family. If George Sr. is elected, these sons may all hold important positions.

"Individual donations should not be too large. In addition to legal provisions, in New York State, all Elephant Party figures must respect their seniority and donate an appropriate amount." Douglas Jr. gave Ronald Kopp the rules for political donations.

Ronald knew the amount of Douglas' donation, so he also took out his checkbook, wrote a check with a similar amount and handed it to him.

"However, although we don't have to donate too much personally, we can also donate to the political action committee that supports George Sr." Douglas Jr. collected Ronald's check and took out a promotional material and handed it to Ronald.

"Continuing Action for Jobs and Prosperity," Ronald looked at the name above. "What does this mean?"

"The new election law stipulates that people in America can organize various action committees voluntarily. There are no legal restrictions on the money here, and it cannot be used for the election of a specific candidate.

These political action committees (PACs) are established to achieve certain goals. Support the election of any candidate who pledges to advance these ends..."

Douglas Jr. explained that this kind of PAC is not subject to the supervision of election laws, and there are no donation caps for various organizations. But in fact, it is indeed used in TV, newspaper ads, or on the ground in order to support a certain candidate.

As long as you don't directly state your support for a particular candidate in the ad, it's okay to advertise. For example, the "Continue to Promote Jobs and Prosperity Action" action committee can advertise that we support continued prosperity and employment for America. We feel that George Sr. is the perfect person to achieve this goal.

This kind of deception is legal and used on a large scale by candidates in elections at all levels.

"Okay", Ronald looked at the number that was many times larger than the previous donation, frowned, but took out his checkbook and signed another one. This money can be used to buy several of the latest luxury cars imported from Germany for myself and my family.

"Don't be like this. If George Sr. is elected, the money will be well spent." Little Douglas knew that Ronald was not familiar with these political operations, so he opened the promotional materials of "Continue to Promote Employment and Prosperity Action" and pointed at Ronald was shown an inconspicuous item in the action plan.

“Support continued reform of the federal tax system that makes sense…” What does that mean? Ronald didn't quite understand this statement.

"Hehe, it means suspending investment income and imposing personal tax reform." Douglas Jr. laughed.

"Aha?" Ronald became interested, that's it.

The current president has carried out drastic reforms to personal income tax. While the overall tax rate has dropped, regulations on tax collection have also become more stringent. One of the biggest reforms is that there will no longer be any preferential tax rates and delayed taxation for income from securities, real estate, and other investments.

After the tax reform, the profits from the stocks Ronald bought after the stock market crash were subject to nearly 20% federal personal income tax. This kind of tax reform is obviously a reform trend that expands the tax base by reducing the burden on the middle class while strictly imposing strict taxes on the wealthy class.

But on Wall Street here in New York, there are rich people many times richer than Ronald, and they don't want to pay so much income tax in vain. Therefore, many PACs aiming to suspend the collection of personal income tax on investment income have been established one after another. They are waiting to see who can become the candidate for the leadership of the Elephant Party, and then provide huge funding to ensure that the new leadership can continue the golden age policies of the past seven years. .

"Is it enough? If it's not enough, I'll add more." Of course, the PAC, headed by Ronald and Douglas Jr.'s family, placed bets in advance and began to give blood to George Sr.'s campaign team during the primary stage.

"Don't worry, there are still many rounds of fundraising. If you donate more, you can have dinner with Barbara and take photos with old George."

"Hehe, I have all of this." Ronald put away his checkbook with a smile. Although the temporary donation was a bit painful, the benefits that Old George could bring if he was elected were also huge. A tax-free policy could save himself... ...well at least millions of dollars spent.

"Don't worry, there is another one here..." Little Douglas smiled and took out the third donation information and handed it to Ronald.

"what is this?"

"The biennial federal representative election will also be held at the same time. This year, we support the candidate for the 14th District of New York State."

Ronald looked at the white man in the promotional materials, about sixty years old, with gray hair. He has firm eyes and looks very imposing wearing glasses.

"Guy Molinari, his father, Robert Sr., was my grandfather's comrade in World War II. He was the first Italian congressman in New York. Guy himself is also a veteran of the Marine Corps, and he is a die-hard member of the Elephant Party."

"I donate about the same amount as old George, right?" Ronald took out his checkbook again.

"You've already started, hahaha." Little Douglas picked up the check and kept it.

Ronald looked at the list of representatives of the last New York State House of Representatives in the promotional materials and found that there were all skin colors in it. In several districts in northern Manhattan and several districts in Brooklyn, many members were black or people of color. .

Like the 14th District, which represents the Wall Street area of ​​Lower Manhattan and the entire Staten Island, the skin color of the members is also similar to the race of the voters.

"It's good for you to support him. Your piece of land where you plan to build a Chinese-style garden will be cleared by Guy Molinari, and the procedures for approving land use changes from the Staten Island government and New York City Hall will also be cleared." Faster."

"Of course, I will call his office." Ronald thought to himself, the top leader would benefit from tax cuts, while the congressman can be regarded as a local snake. This man has been re-elected three times. As a federal congressman, he can help you solve various administrative problems in your hometown.