Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Is Jackie okay over there? I heard he was injured again?" Ronald asked the Chinese director who came to Los Angeles again.

His visit this time was nominally to promote the release of the "Boxing World" video, and to settle the director's commission given to him by Ronald. The film played in America for six weeks and grossed $22 million.

The reporter played by Brooke Shields and Monk Gwenton's neat fighting moves that are rare in Hollywood made the audience who like kung fu movies very happy to watch. The exaggerated plot of a B-movie made this movie unpopular with critics, but it did make money at the box office.

Ronald was so inspired that he made a special trip to ask him to continue filming Hong Kong-style Kung Fu movies starring white people.

"He suffered a broken finger while filming 'The Mighty Dragon'. It was not a big deal. Jackie has been very careful since he suffered a serious injury in Yugoslavia a few years ago."

After filming "The Mighty Dragon", I was called by JA and asked a lot about the details of filming in Hollywood. He was filming here in Hollywood, and many things were more formalized than in Xiangjiang. For example, Ronald's company produces stunt wire, which is of very good quality and top-notch safety.

It’s just that the price is much more expensive than the ones made in Xiangjiang. No one can afford it except Jackie’s crew. JA simply asked him to go back to the family class and become the assistant director of "Dragon Detective" and the next "Police Story 2". Assistant director hung kam-po added a safety factor to many action designs.

"Why don't you see Jean-Claude Van Damme?" After chatting with Ronald for a while, I remembered that the leading actor of the movie hadn't arrived yet.

"He went to film the big-budget film "Cyb" for Cannon. He starred opposite Dolph Lundgren. It was a science fiction film with kung fu. It was a very interesting movie. I also have a lot of budget here. Do you want to try it? As long as you can come up with a script, we can shoot it. "

Ronald chuckled and started to seduce, "You don't know, right? All the screenwriters here are on strike. It's when we are short of scripts. As long as you have a suitable script, I can do it with a budget of less than five million with my eyes closed." If it’s more than 8 million, I’ll vote for you if I agree.”

My eyes bulged when I heard this number. With such a large budget, few people in Xiangjiang would invest in it. Except for those movies that have a market in Japan, how can any boss be willing to invest in other action movies?

"I'm talking about dollars," Ronald added another swipe. The success of "Fighter" shows that there is a market for movies like this in America. As long as the mature routines and talents from Xiangjiang are moved to Hollywood, and the main actors are replaced by white people, and the master, companions, villains, etc. are played by Chinese actors, the efficiency of mass production will be very high.

While drinking black tea, I almost spilled the cup when I heard the word dollar. Can you shoot a five million dollar movie yourself? That's more expensive than any movie made by JA.

He thought for a long time and finally told the actual difficulties. "This...Boss Luo, we in Xiangjiang only write a rough outline, and then there are screenwriters who work on the scene to write the lines. I really haven't learned the production rules of Hollywood."

"This... why don't you just ask a screenwriter to help..." Ronald said halfway and realized something was wrong. The strike is not over yet. "Forget it, it is probably almost over. You wait here, let's start work. It’s easy to find the right person to help you change the script. This is a professional division of labor in Hollywood. Some people polish it, and some people modify the structural framework. When the time comes, it will be recorded in the company’s account.”

"Among the people who make movies in Xiangjiang, there are also some talented people who studied in America. I'll go find them..." He adjusted his glasses. He could overcome any difficulty for money.

"Then you stay here for a few days and see more of Hollywood. If you need anything, just tell my assistant, Miss Laike."

A celebration party was arranged, and after staying there for a few days, I was ready to go back to Xiangjiang to gather people to write the script.

Ronald went to meet Cannon's Minahan Golan. Cannon was responsible for the overseas distribution of "Boxing World", and Ronald also went to see how the sales were going.

In addition, Jean-Claude Van Damme is starting to become more famous. He doesn’t want to make Ronald’s low-budget B-level movies, so he and Lundgren are involved in a new project called Cannon, which is said to combine the concepts of Terminator and Queen’s Excalibur. A Schwarzenegger-style kung fu science fiction movie.

"Ronald, you're here. Great, everything can go back to normal again. Quack." Minahan Golan looked proud. Cannon, which has temporarily overcome the financial crisis, can once again invest in blockbusters with a production cost of more than 20 million.

"Congratulations, you can start shooting your favorite comic-style blockbusters again." Ronald hugged Minahan, who was in much better spirits.

"I know why you are here. Yoram has already gone to Paris to discuss our cannon project plans for this year and next with EMI's senior management. Your 'Boxing World' will also be put on the shelves at the Cannes exhibition. Not me To brag, Cannon Operation’s overseas distribution accounts for the bulk of Cannes’ sales every year.”

Minahan is a fat man who is happy as long as there are movies being made. He finished Ronald's concerns in a few words. Although the production capacity has declined significantly, Cannon is still quite powerful in the European distribution market.

With large advertisements at the Cannes Film Festival every year, many film buyers in Europe and other places regard Cannon as the largest wholesaler in Hollywood. Yoram's genius sales ability has created a good reputation over the past few years. Now many people go to Cannes to buy movies, and the default choice is to buy a batch of Cannon movies.

"When will you shoot Cyb?" Ronald was relieved and began to ask Minahan about his favorite aspect of filmmaking.

"Filming will start early next month. Jean-Claude Van Damme and Lundgren will become the Stallones and Schwarzeneggers of the new era. I am asking the screenwriter to revise the script every day, and each version will be better than the last. We will soon reach this point. my request."

"Huh?" Ronald felt something was wrong, "Why can your screenwriter start working? Did you find him from Israel?"

"No, he is a Japanese screenwriter and director from Hawaii. I am very optimistic about his level. Like you, he is also a young man with unlimited enthusiasm for movies. He started as a screenwriter and has made five movies, although the box office is not particularly good. , but it can never stop his enthusiasm.

I have already signed two movies with him. In addition to this "Cyborg", there is also "Journey to the Center of the Earth" which is also a science fiction theme. "

Seeing Ronald still confused, Minahan chuckled and explained, "Albert Pine has made low-cost movies before, non-union projects, so he is not a member of the Writers Guild yet. .”

"So this guy named Albert Pine used to make extremely low-budget movies?"

Ronald couldn't help but be stunned by Minahan's boldness. Although we don't have a script to start working on now, you can't just grab anyone.

“There are diamonds buried in these rocks, just like John Waters, the director of ‘Hairspray’ that you promoted, this Albert Pine was a guy who knew what he wanted to shoot and had an unyielding passion.”

"Uh..." Ronald didn't know what to say when he heard Minahan use himself as an example. But he didn't dare to invest in a director who had made five movies and had yet to make a breakthrough.

The work of directing is all about talent. Although training is also important, some aesthetics and some characters are innate. Just like Ang Lee, although he has never become a director, many people are willing to bet on him based on his graduate work.

However, now that there is hope that the union will stop the strike, Ronald knows that many medium-sized production companies have been without projects for several months and have already suffered from problems. Getting some projects approved now does not mean that they will be put up for auction, but it will definitely allow the company to continue to raise funds.

Like insects that have been sleeping for several months, they eagerly emerge and scream loudly after a summer thunderstorm. The shooting assembly line of a medium-sized company may never be able to continue if it stops.

Ronald and Minahan had a great time chatting, and by the way, he introduced Dolly Bernstine to Minahan. This time, she led the Daydream team to Cannes, taking the opportunity to become familiar with the channels and methods of overseas distribution. .

For capable subordinates, let them gradually take over the company's work. But some work had to be done by Ronald himself.

For example, communicating with celebrities and convincing them to join their film projects. It would be inconvenient for a subordinate like Michelle Cannold to come forward in this kind of thing.

First, stars may not be willing to talk about this kind of thing with a producer who has no successful works. Second, directors have a natural aura when chatting with celebrities, and it is easier for them to trust the director.

So Ronald came to Michelle Pfeiffer's home in Los Angeles with "Steel Magnolias," his untitled romance with Nora Ephron. Hopefully she can be persuaded to star in at least one.

"Oh, hello, Ronald." Michelle Pfeiffer is familiarizing herself with the script at home. She has agreed to play the leading role in the movie adapted from Broadway's "Dangerous Liaisons" proposed by Warner Bros.

When she was at home, Pfeiffer wore a white top and soft pants underneath. The home-style dress could not hide her stunning beauty.

"Ah...Hello, ah...", Ronald first stepped forward to shake hands, and then realized that Pfeiffer wanted to hug. When he changed to a hug, the other party changed to a handshake.

"Hahaha", the two of them laughed. After a warm hug, they sat down in the living room and started talking about the two scripts that Ronald had brought.

Since the breakup, the two of them have made rapid progress in their careers, and there is no unpleasantness. When they meet again, they are like friends they have not seen for many years.

"You two talk first, I want to make a phone call." Limato, the manager who accompanied him according to the rules, saw that the two were very happy to meet, so he offered to borrow Pfeiffer's phone in the room.

"I didn't expect you to change your acting career and act in a costume drama." Ronald looked at the script Pfeiffer was reciting and smiled.

"Ha... I've always wanted to act in a costume script. We talked about it before..." Michelle Pfeiffer felt something was wrong again, changed her posture and cleared her throat, "Show me your script. I’m about to fly to the Kingdom of Mao to film a movie, so I’ll watch it on the road and when I have free time during filming, and then I’ll tell you which one I like.”

"Are you so anxious? Do you have an exception for your movie?" Ronald was surprised, as if he had just heard that the movie was going to be shot, but he was about to go to the country to shoot.

"Well... Warner Bros. submitted a lot of evidence. The script was adapted from a Broadway play. It was finalized a year ago. They were afraid of further problems due to the strike, so they got an exception and will start filming soon. I am now I’m very nervous when memorizing lines.”

Michelle Pfeiffer waved the script in her hand to Ronald, her expression a little nervous.

"I remember that your line skills have always been very good." Ronald said, feeling a little embarrassed.

"These are very old English expressions. It was very troublesome for me to memorize them, and there was no one to play with me."

"How about I come and confront you?" Ronald asked out of nowhere.

"Okay, Peter is always away from home, and I don't have a good partner." Pfeiffer handed another script to Ronald, turned it over for him, and began to read the lines of "Dangerous Liaisons" .

"I hope you understand how much you have changed me." Ronald read the lines of the male protagonist "Love Saint" Vicomte Valmont, a playboy whose life goal is to seduce various women.

"My friends in Paris could tell at a glance that I had become a more considerate, upright, and kind person..." As Ronald read, he thought that this conversation seemed to be very consistent with his and Pfeiffer's experience. of.

"A more upright, merciful... more ascetic person than a monk." Ronald almost laughed when he read this line, which was unlike this line.

"Hehehe..." Michelle Pfeiffer didn't know whether she was following the script or laughed out loud when she heard Ronald's words, "More ascetic than a monk..."

"Well...you know, there are a lot of rumors about me in Paris."

"Hahaha..." Michelle Pfeiffer burst out laughing. This conversation really resembled Ronald's personality. There are also many legends in Hollywood about Ronald's abilities and character. There are also friends who are also actresses who came to her specifically to ask for confirmation...whether Ronald is as powerful as the rumors say.

Pfeiffer couldn't hold back his laughter and slapped Ronald on the leg.

"Hahaha..." Ronald also reached out to scratch Pfeiffer. The two laughed and laughed for a few seconds, then realized something was wrong. Pfeiffer was now married.

However, actors are emotionally invested, and it’s not a big problem if they can’t help themselves when they are in the scene. She and Ronald were both decent people and quickly returned to their normal state.

"Where's Peter? Why didn't you see him?" Ronald subconsciously asked about Pfeiffer's husband, Peter Horton.

"He went to negotiate a new film. You know that Peter has always had the dream of being a director, so he invested a lot. The films I am now participating in all have bigger production budgets than his. He has always wanted to do something big. In the acting class At that time, he always taught me acting skills.

But he was unlucky, now he is more like a director...like..."

"Well, when you go to the country to film, take your time and read these two scripts. If you have any ideas, call me anytime." Seeing that the conversation was getting more and more wrong, Ronald stood up and said he wanted to leave.

"Okay, let me see you off..." Michelle Pfeiffer also stood up, naturally took Ronald's arm and saw him out.

"I heard the test screenings of your movie Working Girl were really good and I was a little jealous of Melanie Griffiths." Pfeiffer was filming Jonathan Demme's "Join the Gang," and Ronald was there. Talk to Demi about Griffiths.

"That's not a very pretty role, and it's not suitable for you. Both of them are full of beauties." Ronald smiled and sold his script again.

"Hehe... Actually it would be great if you could direct. I've always wanted to be directed by you." Pfeiffer said half-jokingly. On the one hand, the two have indeed discussed this idea before, and on the other hand, Ronald's current movies are all about female stars.

"I may not be able to direct. Southern dramas are too unfamiliar to me. I can't tell about Nora's drama either. Let's keep in touch. If you have any ideas from Laiguo, please call me. No need. Regardless of the time difference, I will return your call promptly."

Pfeiffer watched Ronald get into the car, and he lowered the window and waved to her. With a smile on his face, Pfeiffer lowered his head and walked into the room, his eyes still a little gray.

"Ah...Michelle..." Limato, who had finished the "phone call" long ago, apologized to Pfeiffer again. Limato, who persuaded Pfeiffer to break up with Ronald, treated Pfeiffer like his own child.

This choice is definitely a mistake. Peter Horton, who was on the list of the sexiest men alive back then and was hailed as one of Hollywood's 30 future stars, is now reduced to filming TV series. But Ronald soared into the sky.

"Don't say that, I'm fine." Michelle Pfeiffer shook her head. She usually likes to stay at home when she has nothing to do. She is completely different from Peter Horton's personality of taking the initiative to look for opportunities. She needs people's company.

A director like Ronald would stay away from home for months whenever he has a project. They may not be able to get along for a long time.

…

"Where are we going next?" Little Bud, who was sitting in the driver's seat, noticed that Ronald was a little depressed and turned up the jazz radio.

"Go to the hotel. Turn on your mobile phone and switch to the entertainment news on Channel 5. The result of the strike should be announced tonight."

"I'm Anna Horowitz, and I'm bringing you live coverage from the doorstep of the Writers Guild in West Los Angeles."

The Sony in the car was watching the TV with me, and the voice of the TV host came from it. Ronald looked closer.

"There's little good news to report tonight regarding the film and TV writers' strike. Despite news that separate contracts with some producers may be approved at a union meeting, there's still no sign of the strike ending.

For the networks, that could make for a somewhat late fall season this year.

Our union affairs experts say the strike could continue into June if the union does not ratify the final terms of the Producers Alliance. This is the deadline for the new season of TV series. After June, for every additional week of strike, the new season of TV series will be delayed by one week.

Let’s hope this doesn’t happen…”