Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Annette..." Ronald came to Annette Bening's apartment and brought a bottle of red wine from Joel Silver as a door-to-door gift.

"Ha... here we come." Bening, wearing a light green apron, came out and opened the door. "I'm glad you came. I made something delicious." Then he kissed Ronald gently on the corner of his mouth.

"My favorite Bordeaux red wine." Bening looked at the red wine and put it on the table. "You watch TV first. I'll be ready soon."

"Okay, you go ahead." Ronald felt very comfortable and sat on the sofa. This conversation was very much like the feeling between familiar friends and lovers, although Ronald had only met Annette Bening once.

From the back, Annette Bening's waist is very thin, and she wears a white round-neck T-shirt scatteredly tucked into black pants. The amorous feelings in the front, which were covered by the apron, were constantly exuding as she walked into the kitchen with her back twisting.

Ronald turned on the TV. The local TV station Channel 5 was reporting entertainment news.

"Following the final offer made by the Producers Alliance in early March, yesterday the Producers Alliance made a 'final final offer.' Walton, a negotiator for the Writers Guild, said that the union's bargaining committee will carefully consider this offer, At this stage, when the negotiations are about to reach a breakthrough, union members need to be united even more..."

"You know you've given in now?" Ronald looked at the negotiator who looked like a magician on TV and felt funny in his heart. The Producers Alliance held an emergency meeting the day before yesterday and added some concessions to the last final offer. The new settlement agreement was voted through with the approval of the majority of representatives.

In addition to tens of millions of dollars to the Writers Guild as compensation for the previous three years, it also softened two terms. The first is to agree to a unified regulation that all film and television programs broadcast on TV stations for more than one hour will automatically receive the remaining dividends.

In fact, the TV station bosses are the most unhappy about this. They complain that the ratings of some programs are very poor. If those programs can enter the dividend pool based on time rather than ratings, they will have to pay for a bunch of garbage.

But within the producers' union, the network's voices are in the minority. Although they are rich and powerful, in terms of votes, a large number of small and medium-sized production companies still occupy the majority of the voting rights. In addition, the most uncomfortable thing about the writers' strike is the television production department, which has the greatest demand for scripts.

Therefore, this article was passed without any doubts.

The second article is proposed by the Writers Guild, which requires screenwriters to have the right to negotiate the selection of actors and directors for certain projects. This article has been opposed by most producers. Many small producers were established by directors like Ronald.

They don't want any screenwriter to dictate their casting choices.

But league president Nick Kuant came up with an additional clause that would give producers more power to decide the number of signed writers on the show. In other words, producers can have greater power to determine the authorship rights of persons other than the original screenwriter (who must be credited by law), such as script doctors and revisers.

In other words, after giving the screenwriter some vague powers, the producer was given greater power to decide who can sign the script. In this way, experienced producers know how to play the game here and nullify the screenwriter's power to influence casting on paper.

As long as the two clauses are bundled and must be passed together, then there is nothing wrong with agreeing to the whimsical powers of the Writers Guild.

If there is a screenwriter whose influence is so great that directors and producers cannot check and balance it, then in most cases he is also a strong best-selling author or a Broadway dramatist. This kind of person would have been involved in the casting of the play. of.

The strike has been going on for a long time. Many screenwriters have no income, their savings are almost exhausted, and the little relief provided by the union is almost gone. Hollywood actors will soon hold a charity auction to extend the lives of screenwriters.

Ronald looked at the TV with a smile, thinking that the strike would end soon, and now he must seize the time to finalize the script of "Steel Magnolias".

Ronald contacted Shirley MacLean and Olympia Dukakis, two actresses. They had not made any new films after the strike. It happened that Ronald brought this blockbuster with female characters, and they were very happy. Can participate.

Of course, the most important thing is to get the heroine. Ronald listened to some opinions from his agent Niceta. The most popular female stars in Hollywood now are Michelle Pfeiffer and Sean Young. With the crazy Sean Young out of the way, it's time to ask Michelle Pfeiffer to come out and direct her own movie.

"Okay, we can eat."

I was thinking about having the opportunity to direct Michelle Pfeiffer, fulfill a wish I had back then, and let Hollywood see that Pfeiffer is actually more than just an attractive and pretty face. Annette Bening came out with several plates.

"What are you thinking about?" Bening put the plate on the table. "This is a dish I cooked when I was a chef on a yacht...I have wanted to cook a table of dishes for my loved ones since I was a child." Bening took off his apron and sat down. Next to Ronald, his hands were wrapped around Ronald, and a warmth suddenly came through the thin trousers and T-shirt.

"Have you really been a cook on a ship? That's awesome." Ronald looked at the shiny British bone china on the table, which looked very good. But the food inside is...

Although Bening's words are very nice, and the role she plays as a good wife and mother is also very appealing to Ronald. But the dishes on these plates still exposed her bottom.

Slightly overcooked scrambled eggs, oatmeal toast, a tomato sandwich, and then a big green salad with Kraft's classic American salad dressing.

Although it was understandable that the actor's expertise was not in cooking, Ronald had been bragging about his cooking skills for most of the day beforehand, and the table of simple American meals that he cooked for breakfast or lunch still made Ronald almost unable to hold back.

"Of course, I was only fourteen years old at that time, and I had a friend who took me to learn diving. In order to earn money for diving lessons, I worked as a cook on a fishing yacht for ten dollars a trip. I became a chef on the third time. As a chef, in addition to these, I can also cook barbecue and fry steaks. Later, I became a diving instructor and took pictures. I earned enough money to go to college and pursue my favorite career as an actor."

"Try the vegetable salad I made. The fishing bosses on those boats said it was delicious." Bening took a piece of it with a fork and fed it to Ronald.

"So, do you have olive oil?" Ronald was not too keen on this strong salad dressing. He thought of Nora Ephron's way of eating it.

"Yes." Bening twisted in Ronald's arms, and then went to get olive oil.

"Well, it tastes better this way." Ronald added some olive oil, which really diluted the taste of the salad dressing and left it with a bit of fragrance.

"I was interested in drama when I was in college, but there weren't very good drama clubs in public universities. It took me longer to get a foothold on Broadway."

Annette Bening shared some of her own struggles, and Ronald felt the same way. This woman is very sophisticated and can always find Ronald's emotional resonance.

"I wonder what project you are preparing now?" Bening asked casually while slowly stroking Ronald's face with his fingers in his arms.

"The story of a southern woman..." Ronald saw Bening's eyes light up and said slowly, "There is no role suitable for you."

"Oh?" Bening raised his head and smiled, "What kind of show is it?"

"It's the 'Steel Magnolias' currently on Broadway, a 'Virgin,' and four 'Moms.'" Ronald didn't mention the remaining "slut" types, but Bening understood what he meant.

"Hehehe..." Sure enough, Annette Bening understood. Her eyes turned seductive, and she touched Ronald's waist invitingly with one hand.

"There is a script shortage in Hollywood right now. Do you have any favorite roles?" Ronald looked at Bening's mature temptation, which was different from what he had experienced before. My heart is melting.

】

"I like Broadway dramas, but I'm not very good at comedy yet." Bening felt that it would be best for him to start from a movie adapted from Broadway and become famous. After all, you are no longer young, and you cannot make mistakes in every step. She said while slowly rubbing Ronald's shirt.

"Which one do you particularly like?" Ronald was so excited that his whole body was filled with enthusiasm. Helping this beauty was actually also discovering talents for Hollywood.

"You know 'Dangerous Liaisons'?" Annette Bening finally reveals the movie she wants to be in.

"I persuaded Aaron (Rickman) to come to Hollywood..." Ronald kissed Bening.

"Hahaha... you tickled me..." Bening beamed, now he finally had hope of becoming famous.

"I can't guarantee anything, but you can go see my agent Niceta. He's from CAA. He should be able to help you arrange an audition opportunity. The rest is up to you."

"Dear... um..." Bening tried his best to cater to her.

…

"Ugh..." The Ferrari stopped in front of the hotel where Ronald was staying. He stretched out. The mature woman's interest came, and it was also very crazy.

"Mr. Li, Ms. Nora Ephron is waiting for you." The hotel lobby manager saw Ronald coming in and immediately informed him.

"Nora, why are you here?...Shall we go to the bar to chat?" Ronald saw Nora Ephron sitting on the sofa opposite. She also had a suitcase with her, as if she had just gotten off the plane.

"Ronald, is the news that the strike is about to end true? Our movie will start casting soon. If the strike ends, there will not be a shortage of scripts, but a shortage of stars. I discussed it with Rob. I'll come to Los Angeles to see you right away, and he'll convince Billy Crystal."

"Have you chosen a heroine?" Ronald ordered a glass of orange juice, drank it in one go, and then asked for another glass. He was embarrassed to explain, "It's easy to get dehydrated in the spring in California. ..."

"Hmph..." Nora Ephron sniffed a few times, "The most suitable candidate is Michelle Pfeiffer."

"Her again? Why?" Ronald was a little overwhelmed. The concentration of female stars was even more terrifying than that of male stars. Although there are more female stars than male stars, at a certain moment, Hollywood often only thinks of two or three candidates for the heroine.

"This is a very artistic young woman. Pfeiffer's kind of soft-on-the-earth and strong-on-the-earth look is the most suitable." Nora Ephron glanced at Ronald in confusion, "Do you have any other suitable candidates?"

"Hmm..." Ronald thought for a long time. It is true that Pfeiffer is more suitable for such a literary and artistic heroine.

"How about Helen Slater?" Ronald thought for a moment. This kind of character is young and full of fantasies about life learned from books. It seems that Helen is closer to the character around him.

"She?" Nora Ephron thought for a while, "She lacks a passion that makes people feel real. Although the heroine is naive, she is full of expectations for romance. Helen is a cold beauty."

Ronald touched his lips. Isn't childishness the right type? I was about to ask Diane whether it was appropriate or not. I’ve never seen her play that kind of artistic and coquettish type.

"Let her try it out?" Nora Ephron felt uncomfortable refuting Ronald's face.

"I'm here to call Michelle Pfeiffer's agent Limato. If she is interested, it will be easier for us publishers. You are right, we need to strike first."

…

Pfeiffer's agent, Limato, called shortly after and arranged a time to visit Ronald. The two exchanged pleasantries and sat down again.

"I have two scripts here, both of which are very suitable for Pfeiffer. Do you want to see which one is more suitable for her? She is also willing to star in it." Ronald got straight to the point.

"Ha, the Broadway adaptation of Steel Magnolias, I know this play, it suits Pfeiffer very well. This one is also good, obviously a New York style script."

Limato was now in front of Ronald, and he had to pay attention to his technique when speaking against his opponent. He first praised Ronald's vision and was still thinking about how to refuse.

"Both scripts are very suitable for Pfeiffer. Take a look, which one is more suitable for her? ... Well, or which one is she willing to star in?"

Ronald noticed that Limato didn't look well and thought that he had spoken rudely. Pfeiffer was also a popular star now, so she could not accept all the roles. Limato may not have had that much influence on her anymore.

When Limato heard Ronald speak politely, his hands shook and he was shocked. He suddenly understood that for a director like Ronald, everything should be made clear. He always overlapped him with the fledgling screenwriter seven or eight years ago. For a person of this status, don't deceive him. The best strategy.

"I think Pfeiffer will definitely like it. She always wants to work with you once. But now, you may need to arrange the schedule. She has recently planned to take on another movie adapted on Broadway, which may be very urgent. "

"Did anyone get there first?" Ronald sighed. He still had no experience. Looking at others, he immediately started to work as soon as he saw the trouble in the union.

"It's not like that. This started long before the Writers Guild restarted negotiations. You know, the union has exemptions for those scripts that have already been formed. That's why off-the-shelf scripts on Broadway are so popular."

"Okay, let's see it again. Can you show Pfeiffer the script? We'll find time to talk."

"Of course", Limato accepted the script respectfully and put it in his briefcase.

"What movie is she taking?" Ronald asked casually. To estimate Michelle Pfeiffer's schedule, if it is an action movie, it will take a long time to shoot.

"Do you know 'Dangerous Liaisons'? It was a touring play in the West End of London. It was performed in New York for a year last year and was very well received." Limato explained immediately because he was afraid that Ronald would not know about this kind of classical drama.

"I hired Alan Rickman to play Die Hard." Ronald waved his hand. He had made too many commercial movies, but everyone thought he was ignorant and didn't understand Broadway.

"Then I can rest assured. You know that the filming of period films will take a little longer. Michelle and I will go and talk. She will definitely like your script..." Limato patted his briefcase and stood up.

"Don't forget to arrange an interview for us." Ronald stood up and shook hands with him to say goodbye.

"Now that everyone is moving quickly, we have to speed up the release of video tapes in our daydreams. It's best to go on the market before the strike ends and don't worry too much about the production costs." Ronald sent Limato away and hurriedly talked with him. Daydream's videotape department called.