Exploiting Hollywood 1980

In the third week of the release of "Dirty Dancing", two movies were released in America.

The seven major mainstream studios did not participate in this bleak schedule. New movies in the off-season are always so strange.

One is "Hamburger Hill", which was independently financed and produced like Ronald, and then found Paramount to distribute it.

This movie is also set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. Unlike Oliver Stone's "Platoon" and Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket", it is a story from the perspective of the US military. And unlike the previous two movies, which were both about the North Vietnamese attack and the US military defense, this movie is about the US military attack.

The new soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division arrived at the battlefield in Vietnam and launched an attack on a hill. The soldiers, who were originally of different races and classes, united together in the battle. After 11 attacks, they finally captured Hill 937.

The other is the spy film "Northern Lights" produced and distributed by Britain. The two leading actors of this movie are Ronald's old acquaintances, British actors Michael Caine and Pierce Brosnan.

Brosnan plays a spy of the Suvir Alliance who arrives at a US military base in Britain and tries to detonate a nuclear bomb. The plan is ruined by a British spy played by Michael Caine.

To be fair, both films are well-made, with smooth stories and exciting scenes. But they are a bit out of place in today's America.

One of them stands from the perspective of supporting the Vietnam War, and critics say that it not only shows the audience the scenes of war, but also tries to dictate what the audience should think when seeing these scenes. The other one seems to be the one who makes decisions in NATO, and the reason why America was not dragged into the failure of the Cold War is all thanks to the British spies.

Both films received more than 3 million weekend box office results, far behind "Dirty Dancing".

Ronald was of course very happy when he looked at the box office rankings in "The Hollywood Reporter". It's a good thing that the new film is not a threat. It's a foregone conclusion that they will win the championship until Labor Day weekend.

"Pierce Brosnan, Michael Caine." Ronald began to write names on the cards. Although their movies can't compete with his own, he still has to invite them to the party.

The box office performance of "Dirty Dancing" can be said to have exceeded Ronald's most optimistic estimate. Such a super happy event should make the company's employees feel happy as well, so as to maintain the unity of colleagues.

After discussing with his agent Niceta, Ronald decided to hold a big party as a celebration. This time he wanted to invite as many friends in the industry as possible, and employees had the opportunity to meet the real stars, which was also a disguised welfare treatment.

After collecting the various guest lists scattered on the bed, Ronald called Bud and sent the cards to CAA. Richard would hand over to the public relations company responsible for the party to ensure that everyone who should be present came.

…

On the night of the party, Ronald arrived early at a rented mansion in Beverly Hills. This place originally belonged to Samuel Goldwyn, one of the three founders of MGM. Now it is lived in by his son Samuel Goldwyn Jr.

It is very close to the Hollywood studio, which is convenient for guests to come and go. The former owner often walked to work at MGM.

Katharine Hepburn and Gary Cooper were frequent guests here. Two presidents have stayed here. Ronald was able to borrow this mansion to hold the party because Michael Ovitz, president of CAA, stepped in to smooth things over.

"Ronald, I'm glad to finally meet you." The host, Samuel Goldwyn Jr., came to greet him in person. His living area was on the other side, and today he was renting the park where the party was originally held.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Goldwyn." Ronald stepped forward to shake hands. Samuel Jr. inherited his father's business, but his business was mediocre and his reputation was not prominent. Only because of his father's relationship, he became the producer of the Oscars ceremony this year.

"Call me Sam. You have a good chance of being nominated for an Oscar next year. I see many reviews saying good things about your new film."

"Ah, that depends on the opinion of the nominating association." Ronald actually knew that it was unlikely that he would be nominated for Best Director because of "Dirty Dancing". Not to mention the critics, Jews have a knot with themselves. Even in the 1940s and 1950s when musicals were thriving, this type of film was not favored by the Academy.

"Will you still produce next year's awards ceremony?"

"Yes, I look forward to seeing you next April." The host, Samuel Jr., who is also sixty years old, said a few words to Ronald and went to the lounge to smoke.

Ronald was led to the main venue by the party company. This is a large hall that can hold large-scale dances. The old wooden decorations, coupled with the buffet table covered with snow-white tablecloths, sparkled under the light.

Those who arrived first were all unimportant people, including colleagues who were busy with distribution work in Daydreams, the dancers who played supporting roles in "Dirty Dancing", the scriptwriter Eleanor, assistant director Emil Adorino, and the staff of the set, props, makeup, etc.

As soon as Ronald arrived, he naturally became the focus, and everyone came up to greet Ronald. Some colleagues also remembered that Ronald had promised to give bonuses if the box office was good, and now they looked at Ronald like looking at a checkbook.

"My fellow Daydreamers, I have good news for you. I will deliver on my promise and distribute bonuses before Labor Day. Please keep your salary checks carefully when you sign them. The numbers on them will satisfy you."

"Yeah!" All the Daydreamers shouted happily, and some even applauded.

"Cheers to Ronald!" After a few seconds, everyone raised their glasses and toasted Ronald.

"Cheers to Dirty Dancing!" Ronald took a sip of the wine in the glass. He had many people to meet tonight and couldn't drink too much.

Colleagues were not allowed to know each other's salary and bonus. They would get their two-week salary at the weekend, and then they would know how much bonus Ronald gave them.

But Ronald was very confident that when they saw the number on the check that was several times the average monthly salary, everyone would be satisfied.

"All of you come with me."

Then Ronald pointed to the dancers and went into the small room next door with Eleanor and Emil.

Ronald signaled his agent Richard to close the door, and then took a stack of envelopes from him.

"This is yours, this is yours..." According to the names on the envelopes, Ronald gave one envelope to each of the choreographers, screenwriters, assistant directors, and others who participated in the creation of "Dirty Dancing".

"Open it and take a look..." Ronald saw them holding thin envelopes, looking eager to try, and smiled at them.

"Oh, this is too much..." A fat female dancer opened the envelope and saw the number on the check and couldn't help but shout out. She immediately picked up the envelope and carefully looked at the name on it to confirm that it was correct.

"Not much," Ronald laughed, "This is not the regular remaining dividends given to you by the Screen Actors Guild, but the dividends I paid specifically. 'Dirty Dancing' is an independent film, and we unexpectedly achieved success.

I think all this is inseparable from your hard work. There is a convention in Hollywood that the salary of the main creator is determined by his performance in the previous film. I think this is not good. Many of you will go back to take some projects with high returns but low artistic value because you did not get the pay you deserve for this film.

I don't want to see you waste your talents like this, so I will take out an extra part of the film income as dividends to you, so that you can do what you want to do, write some scripts you want to write, and shoot some movies you want to shoot."

Ronald's eyes swept across the faces of screenwriter Eleanor and assistant director Emil in turn. As long as they are interested in working with him again, they can submit their own scripts next. Ronald was ready to give them a bigger stage and more opportunities.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ronald." The fat female dancer came up and hugged Ronald tightly without letting go.

The biggest feature of her and other group dancers is that their figures are not as standard as those of normal dancers. This time Ronald gave such a big check, and he and his partner will have their own dance studio in the future, so they will have start-up funds.

"I think you must be very happy, choreographers Kenny Ortega and Miranda Garrison, tell me that your dance studio business is very good now." Ronald gently patted the fat dancer on the back, he knew that the other party must be excited.

"Oh, yeah, yes. I also want to thank you, Ronald. The photos you took of us on the set proved that we were the actors of Dirty Dancing. I enlarged the photo with Patrick Schweitzer and put it outside the rented venue, so there are so many students."

"I'm happy for you..." Ronald patted her, then raised his glass and said to them, "This shows that we can make money in this industry in Hollywood!"

"Great..." Everyone present was very happy, put the check safely, and filed out. Tonight is a perfect night for them.

"Eleanor," Ronald said to the screenwriter, "This is just the first dividend, and we will have a lot of money to make together in the future. If you have any scripts, you can always find me."

"I don't know, Ronald, I don't know, maybe this money is enough for me to spend." Eleanor's two thick eyebrows kept flying up and down, betraying the owner's excited heart.

"Take some more time off, take your time, you have plenty of time to think."

"I have a few ideas, I'll talk to you about them in Daydream later." Emil, who was the assistant in charge of the filming, had his own plan to direct a movie, and he made an appointment with Ronald to talk about it.

Everyone got their share, and everyone walked out with a smile. Ronald was also very happy. Money still needs to be made by everyone. His company was getting involved in the distribution business for the first time, and he needed to build up his good reputation.

"Richard," Ronald finally called out to his agent Richard Lovett who was about to leave.

"What?"

Ronald took out the last envelope from his pocket, which he had prepared himself, and quietly handed it to Richard.

"I can't. Agents have industry rules and can only collect the share specified in the contract." Richard smiled and refused. His share would definitely be generous enough after the box office settlement of "Dirty Dancing" was completed.

"This is the share you get as my assistant on the set." Ronald handed it over. "I know you spend most of your time on me now, you deserve it." Richard's big check will not be available until next year when he gets paid as a director, and he is still driving a cheap Toyota car, so he should improve it.

"Thank you, I don't know what to say..." Richard looked at the number on the check in the envelope, which was more than double his income last year.

"Just thank you. You deserve it." Ronald smiled and hugged Richard's shoulder, "Rick (Nisita), I also paid him for the movie he helped with."

…

When we arrived at the lobby outside, many guests had already arrived.

Ronald is now naturally the focus of any party, and many people he knows and doesn't know gather around him. Some spoke to him, and some nodded in agreement.

At this moment, Ronald happened to be chatting with Pierce Brosnan and Michael Caine, who had just collaborated on a Coke commercial.

"Pierce, I watched your new movie, and let me tell you, should you and Michael switch roles? Watching you play a Soviet Union agent is always a bit confusing."

"Do I just look like an Alliance agent?" Michael Caine still pretended to protest with an East End accent.

"Yeah? You obviously acted more convincingly."

"Hahaha……"

"Where's Diane? Why didn't you see her?" Brosnan thought of Diane, who worked together in advertising.

"She is promoting her new film and has already flown to New York for the premiere."

"It's a pity...seriously, do you think I'm suitable to play a British agent?"

"no doubt……"

…

"Hi, Patrick..."

After chatting with several guests, Ronald saw "Dirty Dancing" actor Patrick Schwytz and his wife walking into the party hall.

"Hello Ronald," the two hugged each other.

Jennifer Gray's neck is still recovering, and Cynthia Rhodes is on vacation in her hometown. Only Schwytz happened to be in Los Angeles and came to attend the celebration.

"I heard you were posting..." Patrick Schwytz made a motion of twisting paper with his fingers. He had already seen several crew members outside who started dancing happily. After asking them about it, I found out that Ronald was paying dividends.

"You have to come to my office tomorrow and sign another document. In addition to the movie, your episode is also one of the soundtrack albums, so you still have the record's dividends."

"Congratulations to us..." Patrick Schwytz was very happy. This movie is unlikely to get him much praise from critics, but in addition to the salary of hundreds of thousands, there are still several times that amount of dividends to get. , my wife’s ranch can start to add some facilities. "

"I'm really happy that we can add a stable to our pasture."

"If I were you, not so fast. The overseas box office and video revenue is expected to be very good. You may be able to buy a new racecourse by then."

"This..." Patrick Schwytz couldn't believe that Ronald would share the overseas box office and video revenue with him.

The eyes that looked at Ronald were full of questions, and faint excitement and desire.

"This is our joint creation, and we should share it together." Ronald called a waiter, took two glasses of champagne, and drank it with Schwyz.

"Hahaha..." The two of them laughed wildly and happily. It looked like the laughter of a successful person.

People around him asked what was going on. After getting the answer, they looked at Ronald with envy and the desire to cooperate with him.

Ronald smiled even more happily. This part of the dividend was small money, but the big part still fell into his pocket. As Ronald who owns the production rights, he has the power to decide how to distribute the dividends.

According to legal requirements, Ronald does not actually need to give these creators additional income. He is paid entirely based on photo remuneration. If he goes to court, he will win.

But doing so neither conforms to the rules of creation nor is it conducive to collaboration with other artists. On the contrary, it is more beneficial to your business to give 10% of the money you earn to everyone and spread your reputation for sharing.

"Ronald," Tom Cruise arrived with his wife Mimi Rogers. In addition to "Dirty Dancing" this time, Ronald also invited stars he has worked with before, not only for a party, but also to explore new cooperation opportunities.

"Ah, Tom, Tom..." Ronald hugged him, Mimi Rogers still looked at Ronald and Cruise chatting with a crooked mouth.

"A few words alone?" Tom Cruise asked Ronald.

"Of course..." Ronald put down his wine glass and went to the small room next to him.

"Honey, wait for me." Mimi Rogers also wanted to come in, but was blocked by Cruise.

"Can you please consider the Rain Man project again? The original director, Barry Levinson, has dropped out again."

"Because of Dustin Hoffman again?"

Ronald heard Niceta talk about the farce on the Rain Man crew two days ago. Dustin Hoffman kept changing the script, which made director Barry Levinson very angry, so he quit the crew because he had other projects.

Tom Cruise shrugged helplessly, indicating that Ronald was right.

"I was the easiest to perform in the projects you directed. So I thought we could work together again."

‘Seriously, Tom, let me ask you a question and you give me your answer truthfully. If your answer meets my requirements, I can consider it. "

"What's the problem?" Seeing Ronald's attitude softening, Tom Cruise immediately became energetic and looked at Ronald with all his attention.

"Did you make this movie to win an Oscar?"

"Uh...I..."

"Think carefully before answering. I want to hear your real answer." Ronald stared at Tom Cruise without speaking.

"Yes, I want to be nominated for an Oscar and win an award." Tom Cruise was moved when he thought about Ronald's kindness in helping him to audition outside the audition room, and the time when he took him to the dentist. Next, I spoke my mind. "

"Very good. It's a good thing to want to win an award, but you have to play the fool. If you play the fool, I can direct it."

"This..." Tom Cruise was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Ronald's condition to be this. He thought it was a request for final editing rights or compensation. Before coming, he and Paula Wagner, who was pregnant and inconvenient to move, had discussed how to agree to Ronald's request.

"I can't. Dustin is already guaranteed to sell the movie project. I can't squeeze him out."

"Nonsense! Now your security with the banker is much better than that of Hoffman. As long as you ask to play a fool, he can't compete with you. You can let them choose one of the two."

Bankable is a term used to obtain financing for a film project. No one can predict the box office of a movie. When a banking institution wants to invest in a project, it can only look at which star will star in it. All they know is that movies with stars have a much greater chance of repaying their money. At least theater chains are willing to give screenings to these movies during popular times.

So stars are like mortgages for movie projects. With stars, banks are willing to lend money, and theater chains are willing to sign distribution agreements. With these, you can raise money by going back to pre-sell some copies abroad. The seven major studios are also willing to invest part of this project.

Therefore, this ability to guarantee sales is unique to celebrities. In terms of box office, Tom Cruise, who just became the box office champion with "Top Gun", is worth much more to the bank than Hoffman, who became a box office poison after winning the Best Actor.

"I can't", Tom Cruise thought for a while, but still rejected Ronald's proposal. "This project was done by Mr. Ovitz himself. He was the de facto producer of the film, and without him there would be no film.

He insisted that Dustin Hoffman play the role. Paula and I discussed it and decided to play the younger brother. This role might also get him nominated for Best Supporting Actor. "

"Brother, this is very difficult. In the script, the younger brother is the one who leads the plot, and the test of acting skills is greater than that of the mentally retarded older brother. This is a good chance for you to win an award." Ronald also wants to try.

"Now it's not mentally retarded, but autism. Dustin changed the script." Tom Cruise smiled bitterly. I have discussed with Paula and Niceta that this road is not feasible now. I still need the support of CAA and the Seventh National Congress.

"Okay, then let's wait and see if there are other opportunities to cooperate." Ronald felt that a good opportunity was missed by Tom, but the reason he said was not to shirk. Ovitz is indeed the two of them at this stage. Unchallengable.

"Then who's directing now?" Ronald and Cruise asked casually as they walked out.

"I haven't found the right candidate yet. I will take on another commercial production." Tom Cruise said later.

"By the way, that movie still lacks a heroine. Do you want Diane to try it out?"

"Huh?" Ronald turned and looked at him.

"You know, I invited her when I was crazy about filming Guaizi. She is yours now, so I think I might as well give it a try. It's an opportunity."

Ronald understood that Cruise wanted to give him a favor, so he nodded, "I'll talk to Diane. What's the name of your movie?"

"cocktail".

"Tell Paula to give me the script, no, give it to Diane."

Ronald felt that it was better not to let himself affect Diane's judgment. She was an actor who had ideas about what roles she would take.

However, who would refuse to star alongside the popular Tom Cruise?

"Mimi", Ronald opened the door and saw Mimi Rogers waiting outside. She was very socially gifted. She stood in a position to talk to others and could take care of the door here. She didn't look like someone. Keeping an eye on her husband and other women.

"Ronald."

Or men, Mimi Rogers thought, had better take up Cruise's social time and put their own stamp on it.

"Ronald", another acquaintance came over to say hello, "Tom, Mimi..."

None other than "Top Gun" actress Kelly McGillis.

"Kelly", Ronald stepped forward and hugged her, still as touching as before.

A few people chatted about the past filming of Top Gun together. McGillis talked about Cruise's thrilling car ride. Ronald joked that McGillis had startled him by closing the Ferrari door.

"Miss McGillis..."

Several people were chatting and laughing when a woman came over and interrupted them, about to talk to Kelly McGillis.

"Ms. Lansing, I've said it before, I don't want to play that role."

"No, I still think this role is very suitable for you."

Ronald looked up and saw that it was Shirley Lansing, the former president of Twentieth Century Fox who felt sorry for him back then.

Since being fired by the oil tycoon who discriminated against female executives, Shirley Lansing has been working as a producer on her own in the past few years, working in her own small production company. In fact, she is in the same line of business as Ronald. .

"Ms. Lansing," Ronald stretched out his hand to stop her, "I think Kelly has made her thoughts clear. If you don't mind..."

"Ronald", Shirley Lansing looked over and realized it was Ronald.

"Shirley," Ronald said, not to be outdone. This act of calling each other's names is a common way in Hollywood to express "I remember you" provocations and responses.

"Oh, she's been pestering me for a long time." Kelly McGillis finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Shirley Lansing gone.

"You're in demand right now," Ronald said to McGillis with a smile.

"Really? Do you also think I'm popular?" McGillis quietly held Ronald's hand and scratched his palm a few times.

…

"oh……"

McGillis let out a long breath on the big bed in the Hilton Hotel. The two had discovered at the party that they were still very passionate about each other's body, so after the party, they both went to the best hotel in Beverly Hills.

The two people, who were familiar with each other, were passionate, and their young bodies kept asking for each other, and finally fell on the bed exhausted.

"Why is that Lansing pestering you?" Ronald slowly stroked McGillis' back.

"She said I was the best candidate for this role and that I might be nominated for an Oscar." McGillis happily accepted Ronald's caress.

"However, her project actually requires me to be bankable as collateral."

"I'm not surprised at all." Ronald leaned over and kissed McGillis' arm.

"Actually, the script was good. It was based on the assault case of Cheryl Araujo."

"Oh? Then why don't you want to act?" Ronald knew this woman. She was the victim of a home invasion case, but in court, the suspect's defense lawyer attacked her for having an inappropriate private life. A woman who was flirting with a strange man in a bar before the crime.

This case was highly controversial in the media at the time, but he was eventually found guilty.

It’s a good subject for women’s movies.

"Hmm..." McGillis accepted Ronald's gentle touch and felt much more at ease.

She turned over, faced Ronald, and looked into his eyes, "If I tell you, can you keep it a secret?"

Seeing the seriousness of her question, Ronald put away his smile and nodded solemnly, "I promise you."

"Actually, I only talked about this matter with the prosecutor of my case and a psychiatrist. I was also the victim of a home invasion case..."