Exploiting Hollywood 1980

There is a kind of black magic in the movie title "Ghost". All male stars who saw this title rejected the project without exception.

On the one hand, Ronald's films have a reputation for highlighting heroines, and on the other hand, it is Niceta who clears up Ronald's doubts.

It turns out that since the golden age of Hollywood, male protagonists who play a ghost are usually classified as lacking masculinity.

This is a cultural difference. Ghost movies in Xiangjiang have female ghosts, male ghosts, and Taoist priests who catch ghosts as the protagonists. Hollywood ghost movies are relatively very feminine, which may be related to the fact that ghosts are a very unpopular role in American film culture.

For example, in Hollywood's earliest ghost movie classic "Phantom of the Opera", the leading actor Lon Chaney was the makeup master at that time and was called "The Man with a Thousand Faces". As you can imagine, he could only play some weird male roles. Apart from the ghost in The Phantom of the Opera, there are only ugly men like "Quasimodo" in Notre Dame de Paris.

This started a tradition that the male protagonists in ghost movies were not played by handsome celebrities.

After the 1950s, ghost movies, which were movies with a female audience, were robbed of the market by TV dramas. Therefore, the tradition that ghost movies have nothing to do with male hormones has been inherited to this day.

Among the male stars who were invited to audition, only Tom Cruise expressed interest and hoped to interview him about the entire cooperation format.

"But the ghost hero in this movie has nothing to do with the feminine image of The Phantom of the Opera... These people will regret it..."

As the casting director, Ronald hired Julia Taylor, who he had worked with many times. Paramount responded to his requests, and all the cast and crew were equipped according to high standards.

"If you don't tell me now, you won't regret it later. You'd better think about it for me. There are also those stars, even those who have passed, to play this role." Ronald said to himself, don't talk about them, I feel a little regretful now. I didn’t expect that Hollywood still discriminates against ghost movies.

"Don't worry, Ronald. With your current appeal in Hollywood, there will always be male stars who want to work with you."

The speaker was Polly Platt, the producer Ronald sent to the set of "Dances with Wolves." Kevin Costner shot at a very slow pace, partly due to his inexperience as a director, and partly due to Costner's sequential shooting method, which often moved the crew back and forth between locations.

However, Polly Platt had a lot of experience and the crew's costs were still under control. The film is shot forward bit by bit, and the film is accumulated foot by foot.

Polly Platt missed her daughter, and her health was taking a toll on her long-term business trips in pristine terrain like national parks. Ronald simply transferred her back to Los Angeles to work as an art director for his new film, and at the same time enjoy the nine-to-five working hours.

The person who took over Pratt's work was Rachel Talalay, another strong woman who was spotted by Ronald on the set of "Hairspray". Later, she also helped Ronald produce the "Fighting World" filmed in Hong Kong, and The action film crews of those movies are also very tough to work with and have great working ability.

Talalay had just finished handing over work to Pratt, and she came over to ask Ronald what the boss had to say to supervise the production of a western film that was all on location.

"Ha, that's all what Polly said to you." Ronald would not interfere with the work of a mature producer. "I only give you a promise as a last resort."

Rachel Talalay had her share of challenges taking over such a large cast midway through the show. But Ronald is very confident in her. She can even handle the Xiangjiang martial arts, which she doesn't understand, and some fake Indians shouldn't have any difficulty.

"What promise?" Rachel Talalay has to face a star like Kevin Costner this time. She has more authority from Ronald, which makes it easier to work. After all, unlike Polly Platt, who is a senior in Hollywood, Costner also has to respect the three points.

"If anyone doesn't listen to you, call me and tell them that if they don't follow your plan, come to me and reason with them face to face. Let them choose one... …”

Ronald imitated Michael Ovitz's method, letting Talalay play the bad Cop, and himself playing the even worse Cop... to intimidate the crew not to go beyond the shooting schedule.

On the one hand, Ronald is a major investor, and on the other hand, he is also somewhat famous in Hollywood. Many people know the legend of the tyrant on the set. He can be kind to the male and female protagonists and coax them as much as possible to achieve good results.

However, he has little patience with ordinary staff and supporting actors, and he always attaches great importance to progressing according to the script shooting schedule. There are some shots that are not completed to 100 points, and he rarely delays them. He often would rather reduce the number of scenes to ensure the progress.

Kevin Costner may still have room to bargain with the two female producers. If it were Ronald, he would definitely pass with 60 points and then catch up on the progress.

"I understand, I will use you as a nuclear deterrent..."

"Bingo, nuclear deterrence is most effective only when there is a threat. It's best not to let me go...hehe." Ronald is used to commuting to and from get off work on time, and now he is not very keen on business trips.

…

Casting director Julia Taylor pointed to a pile of audition photos on the table. After hearing that Ronald was going to start filming this romantic drama with Paramount, various agents came through the relationship. Recommended actors.

"Ah, no, we can't use newcomers in this movie..." Ronald waved his hand vigorously, indicating to his Julia Taylor to throw all the photos of Julia Taylor into the box next to her.

The male star's audition didn't go well, and Ronald didn't want to go back and choose a new guy to play the role. This kind of commercial film needs stars, so everyone can save trouble.

The most important publicity cost is that if there are no stars to participate, then the money Paramount and Ronald themselves will have to invest in marketing may be twice as much as inviting stars to perform.

So in some cases, hiring celebrities is cheaper than not hiring stars. There aren't many opportunistic ways to make this kind of romantic love movie between a man and a woman. Unlike Working Girl, which could capitalize on successful female secretaries, When Harry Met Sully could capitalize on word-of-mouth among middle-aged audiences.

This play targets a very broad public, men and women who yearn for love. For the ghost plot involved, it is impossible to get the church to endorse it and help with marketing and promotion. There is no opportunistic way, the only way is to use a sledgehammer to hit it, and you must find a star, preferably a male star that the female audience particularly likes.

"What is this?" In the middle of a large number of audition photos, there was a copy of the audition photo materials. It looked very thick and was specially wrapped in an envelope. Julia Taylor felt very interesting and opened the envelope. In addition to a resume and audition photos, there was a videotape inside.

"Take a look?" Julia Taylor was a little interested in this kind of actor who could make his self-recommendation so grand. This at least shows that this person has a profound background and can bring his connections to his assistant...

"I'm not interested. Such a person is definitely not a star."

"Ah, it turns out to be Godwin's grandson." Julia Taylor had opened the envelope over there, and what fell out was an audition photo of a very strange-looking person. His nose and forehead looked like he was from Eastern Europe. Jews.

"Which Goldwyn?" Ronald took the audition photo from Julia Taylor and turned it to the back. There are biographies of the actors on it.

"Tony Goldwyn?" Ronald read out his name, and looked at his resume again. Sure enough, he was the founder of MGM, the grandson of Samuel Goldwyn, the then Hollywood production tycoon, and the presenter of previous Oscar awards ceremonies. Son of producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr.

"If he doesn't inherit his grandfather and father's family business, why is he coming here to join in the fun? He still wants to be the leading actor?" Ronald threw the audition photos into the box.

"No, Tony Goldwyn seems to be the villain supporting actor he is targeting." Julia Taylor has inserted the videotape into the machine, and what pops up is Tony Goldwyn's self-introduction and many of the villains he has played in the past. Editing of characters.

"Okay, let's keep him here and give it a try. I think this person looks very evil."

Ronald took his resume out of the trash bin and handed it to Taylor. Not only does this man look like a villain, but he also has a weak spirit unique to a boy from a rich third-generation family.

In the movie Ghost, the villain is the hero's good friend. He has always coveted the hero's career and wife, but usually only follows the hero's lead. Tony Goldwyn seems like the kind of character who looks like a good boy at first glance, but will do very evil things behind his back if given the chance.

"Yes, that pair, there are still some actors in Hollywood, and they haven't seen this script yet, so they simply changed the name of the script to a pseudonym, and called it... The End of Love..."

Ronald sighed in trouble when he thought about the male protagonist.

Let’s put aside the male lead and start auditioning for the female lead first. Ronald has arranged for Nicole Kidman and Demi Moore, who he thinks are the most promising, to audition tomorrow.

The next morning, Nicole Kidman auditioned first. Her acting skills are not mature enough, and having grown up in Australia, there is something unnatural about how some girls in America should react to certain situations.

"Very well, Miss Kidman, we will let you know when we have news..." Ronald personally filmed Nicole Kidman's audition clip. That reddish blond hair, in the camera lens, the facial lines are even more flawless.

Although the acting skills are still lacking, the audience's feelings in the camera are enough to cover up any unnaturalness.

More importantly, if Kidman decides to star, he will have the opportunity to find Tom Cruise to co-star. In this case, it will be a very significant benefit to the box office.

"Ronald, do you have a chance to chat?"

Kidman auditioned with her boyfriend, Tom Cruise. After Kidman left, Tom Cruise's head popped out from behind the door and he wanted to talk to Ronald.

"Of course..." Ronald motioned to the audition director to go out first, then closed the door. The two sat there and chatted alone.

"The movie I am a screenwriter will start shooting before the end of the year. I would like to appear in the movie with Nicole and play a couple. If your movie can be postponed for a while..."

"Why don't you and your girlfriend come to film my movie first?" Ronald looked at Tom, who seemed to be fascinated by this Australian girl. So much so that he gave up his usual habit of finding older girlfriends and stayed with Kidman, who was younger than him, every day.

And judging from what he means, he wants to personally bring Kidman into the Hollywood circle, star in romantic movies with him, and use his own fame to help Kidman quickly become famous.

"Ah, I don't know, Ronald. This movie is a new attempt of mine. You also know that I have dyslexia. This movie took a lot of effort on my part..."

"Okay, I understand, then you go ahead and make your racing movie. For my part, I have to find other male and female stars. I will tell you if there is any result..."

"Thank you, Ronald." Cruise smiled happily and sweetly. It seemed that this girlfriend meant a lot to him.

…

In the afternoon, it was time to audition Demi Moore. Ronald and Julia Taylor were sitting in the audition room, each having a cup of coffee and chatting about whether they should wait for Kidman.

"If Nicole Kidman is used, then the male lead must be matched by Tom Cruise. I'm not saying that Cruise is not good, but if he plays this role, the entire script may need some work. Modifications……"

"Yes, he is so beautiful. The audience has to believe in such a man. He will love a woman with all his heart, but he has the obsession not to go to heaven. It really needs some preparation and modification."

"Really, do you feel the same way? In fact, I think this script needs the kind of actor who doesn't look the most handsome, but is very masculine, like..." Julia Taylor's words Before he could finish speaking, there was a knock on the door of the audition room.

"Please come in..."

"Good afternoon, Ronald..." The person who walked in was Demi Moore who was here for the audition.

"Huh? Shxt!"

Ronald stood up from his chair in surprise. He looked at Demi Moore who came in. She had cut her long black hair into ear-length hair.

"Are you wearing a wig? Tell me, you are wearing a wig!" Ronald jumped directly from the back of the audition table to the front, approached Demi Moore to watch carefully, and reached out to pull her hair.

"Ouch! It's real hair..."

Demi Moore expected to shock the audition director and Ronald, but she didn't expect his reaction to be so big.

Coupled with the pain of having her hair pulled, Demi Moore took the opportunity to fall into Ronald's arms, and then pressed her whole chest against him... Her two black eyes looked up at Ronald smartly. , making a playful face.

Ronald pushed Demi Moore away from him. His eyes were wide open and he looked up and down. He realized that his hair had indeed been cut short and there was no chance of remedying it.

"Why did you want to cut your hair short? Why didn't you ask me before you cut it?" Ronald shook Demi Moore twice, feeling out of character. He took a chair from the side and pushed it to Demi, then sat back on the audition chair.

"I just felt right and didn't think much about it. When I was reading the script, I felt that Molly should have short hair..."

"Well, with such a big decision, you should consult the director first..." Ronald was not in the mood to continue the audition and asked Demi Moore to take two photos and a confession before letting her go back first. wait for news.

"Ronald, I really want to get this role. I really want you to guide me. I am willing to pay any price..." Demi Moore was reluctant and hugged Ronald at the door. In his ear, he said softly.

"Believe me, after two days, you will feel that my intuition is right..."

"Really?" Ronald didn't know what to say. Is Demi Moore's judgment really right? He seemed to have caught something, but couldn't remember it.

"Let's go back first. I'll think about whether Demi's statement makes sense tonight..." Ronald looked at Julia Taylor, explained, and was about to go home.

"I think it's okay, do you remember? When they were looking for The Graduate, they should have found Robert Redford to play the role according to the script, and in the end they found Dustin Hoffman.

If the character Jasmine is similar to Demi Moore with short hair, soft on the outside and strong on the inside, then there will be a basis for the choice of the male lead I just wanted to tell you. No matter how hormonal a man is, he will fall for this kind of gentle and strong woman with short hair.

Female viewers don't have much doubt about their love.

"Who are you talking about?"

"How about Patrick Schwytz?" Julia Taylor mentioned a candidate that Ronald had not thought of, the leading actor of Dirty Dancing that year, the King of Irish Dance.

"Is he okay?" Ronald had worked with him before and knew that this man was the kind of actor with overflowing hormones. You would have no problem letting him perform the passion of Dirty Dancing.

But this script has a lot of tenderness and twists of love in it, and it requires some real acting chops. Ronald was not very sure whether Patrick Schwytz could still perform well without the dance scenes he was good at. This was why he didn't think of this person at first.

"Of course, I recommend him to you because I have seen the video of his interview. In that interview, he missed his father and cried very sadly."

"Ah, really? Do you still have this video? Let me take a look?" Ronald has not seen this interview, which is a surprise. If Patrick's crying scene passes the test, then he plays The male protagonist Sam and Ronald will have a little more confidence.