Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Cher," Ronald opened his arms to welcome the heroine Cher at the Twin Theater where the premiere of "Moonlight" was held.

"Uh..." Ronald opened his arms halfway and didn't hug him. Cher is addicted to wearing see-through clothes. Since she wore it once on Letterman's show, the effect is very good. She wears black gauze see-through clothes everywhere.

It's still a little chilly in Los Angeles at night today, but she is not afraid. She puts on a mink coat, a see-through dress inside, and a short leather skirt and fishnet stockings on the lower body, looking like a rock star.

"Ronald, you are really my lucky star, hahaha..." Cher also opened her arms. She didn't care about that. She came up and hugged Ronald tightly.

Cher is in a good mood now. She sang a famous song with her ex-husband on David Letterman's late night show. The ratings of that show broke several ratings records in the history of Letterman's show.

When it was replayed the next day, the ratings were higher than those of the general live broadcast. American audiences suddenly saw the golden boy and girl from 20 years ago singing old songs. They were excited and responded strongly.

Major media began to broadcast the clips of the two singing together in the program. Cher and Sonny Bono's popularity suddenly seemed to return to the past.

Cher's new album "Cher" soared on the charts with the popularity, and sales began to rise rapidly.

"Rob, do you remember?" Cher introduced her baker boyfriend to Ronald again.

"Thank you for coming." Ronald didn't like this bagel baker who lived off his wife, but he had one good thing, that is, he never concealed that he was with Cher to find opportunities in Hollywood.

"Mr. Li, Cher and I are very happy to come to the premiere... I really want to see her performance on the big screen. We have discussed a lot of acting techniques and..." Rob Camiletti began to get close to Ronald, wanting to show that he was also a professionally trained actor.

"Sonny, you're here too?" Ronald turned around and saw Sonny Bono, and greeted him by the way.

"Ronald, this is my and Cher's daughter, Chaz." Sonny Bono brought his daughter.

"Hello, Ronald," Cher's daughter Chaz's voice was a little rough, and she was a little fat, and she didn't look like her parents in the entertainment industry.

"Am I going to call you Mr. Mayor soon?" Ronald greeted them.

Sonny Bono's campaign in Palm Springs has become very promising because of this appearance. Many voters will vote for him just to get his signature.

"Hahaha," everyone laughed happily, only Rob Camiletti, who was baking bread, looked embarrassed as if he was ignored.

"Let's take a photo," Ronald gestured to the photographer in charge of taking photos under Michael Gray, and he came over immediately and asked the two ex-husbands and ex-wives to take a family photo around Ronald.

"Rob also learned acting from the teacher at the former actor studio," Cher said after a burst of flashes. She saw her unhappy boyfriend and introduced him to Ronald.

"Actually, he doesn't need to learn. Learning from you is enough. I think your acting in "Moonlight" may win a few critics awards." Ronald likes Cher's acting very much. He has not learned it systematically, but it is very fresh and natural. Some people can act without learning, as they have been recognized by the Oscars and Cannes.

Besides, what he hates most is the actor studio led by Lee Strasberg. Every actor is taught to be a video player, and they can't act without their own tragic memories.

"Hahahahaha... Don't joke," Cher patted Ronald's arm and laughed heartily. This is the movie? This kind of romantic comedy about a middle-aged woman, plus a group of mothers and grandfathers, I don't know what kind of comedy it will be edited into.

"Little Rob, let's go in together." Cher looked back and saw the jealous eyes of her boyfriend Rob Camillati, and took his hand and walked into the cinema.

"Hehe..." Ronald also laughed. Cher still doubted her ability. After the master's editing, Cher's performance in "Moonlight" was still very good, although it was still a little behind those supporting roles on Broadway.

However, his new marketing consultant's plan was very powerful. He edited the best clips of Cher and Olympia Dukakis, who played her mother, grandfather and others, into videotapes, made into electronic marketing packages, and sent them to film critics associations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas, Texas early.

There are not many people with high levels. With such a highlight collection, many people will be guided to take these clips and write film reviews. Ronald likes this the most.

And the nominations and awards of the film critics associations in each major city will also be important indicators for Oscar nominations. Anyway, the Academy members will go to see the movies that the critics say are good. This line is a very important award public relations channel.

Goldberg, the president of 20th Century Fox, also kept his promise and secretly passed the message to the critics through an intermediary. This kind of subtle praise gradually added up, creating an atmosphere where you could not vote for Cher, who was "Moonlight", but it would be too outrageous not to include her in the nomination.

Cher will also participate in a series of TV talk shows arranged by Ronald for her. She is the biggest star in the promotion of this movie.

In short, it is a foregone conclusion that Cher will get two or three Best Actress nominations from the Film Critics Association. It is not impossible for her to get one by then.

"Ronald," the next one is the male lead Nicolas Cage.

"Nick... um..." Ronald was speechless by Cage's outfit.

He wore a dark red suit that was too big and didn't fit him. He wore a white shirt with a black bow tie, and his hair was messy, as if he was more than ten years older.

Ronald quickly signaled to the photographer not to take pictures, and pulled the person next to him to tear off Cage's bow tie, "Did you just come back from being a bartender in the club?"

This kind of outfit is indeed often worn by bartenders and waiters in the bar, and people will mistake it for a valet parking boy.

Ronald took out a portable travel comb from his pocket and combed Cage's hair back in a few strokes. It just looks like the hairline has receded a little, but now it's hard to find a hairdresser.

With a slicked-back hairstyle and an unbuttoned shirt, he finally doesn't look like a waiter anymore. Ronald put away his comb, which is a must-have for successful people in the entertainment industry who respect the audience. "Where is your agent Limato? Why didn't he arrange it for you?"

"I don't want to work with him anymore. He always picks some stereotyped commercial films for me, leaving no room for my favorite German Expressionist acting skills..."

Ronald looked at the nephew of Francis Coppola, who had promoted him in the past, and he had no choice. He had helped promote the most promising actors of the next generation of the Coppola family several times, but unfortunately he was also obsessed with acting. Why didn't he become a star?

"After your premiere, go and apologize to Mr. Limato immediately, understand? This is the minimum respect for your audience and your own star status." Ronald lectured his younger brother Cage like an elder brother.

"There will be a premiere in New York later. I want to see a brand new Nick with a star style." Ronald looked at Cage who was a little unhappy and said, "In this industry, if you want others to listen to you, you must first respect yourself and the audience! Be a star first, then you can act however you want."

"Huh?" Cage heard this and found that Ronald encouraged him to use his unique acting method.

"No problem, I will go and apologize to Limato later." Cage felt that this route of becoming famous first and then acting like a big shot was suitable for him, and he immediately became very cooperative.

"You have to find a female companion in New York, preferably a star. You are a star, how can you let the media reporters write gossip about you like this?"

"Don't you have a female companion too?" Cage is a loner and doesn't like to bring a fixed female companion to such occasions.

"You kid..." Ronald didn't expect it to fall on his head, "Look, isn't that it?" Ronald waved to Diane who was talking to the supporting actors in the distance.

"Ronnie," Diane smiled sweetly and came over to greet Cage, who had worked with her before, "Hey, Nick, did you enjoy your performance this time?"

"Ronald, you snatched away the most beautiful girl in the crew that year." Cage smiled with his teeth showing.

"No problem, I'll find the most beautiful girl in New York." When Diane went back to greet the new guests, Cage figured it out and whispered to the desk.

"Come on," Ronald hugged Nicolas Cage and posed in front of the reporters so that they could take enough photos.

Then came some of Ronald's old acquaintances.

For example, the Jewish comedy master Carl Reiner, who met at the premiere last time. He was dressed very decently, a navy jacket with brass buttons, ironed tightly. The pants fit very well and the leather shoes were polished. This is the qualified style of Hollywood stars.

"Ronald, I've heard a lot of friends talk about you recently. You won't let me down this time, will you? I gave up my time to watch TV with my wife in the evening and came to watch your premiere." Carl Reiner smiled.

"You believe in Cher and Cage, they are both very good actors. I like their performances very much. This movie is about family. I hope you like it."

Carl Reiner showed an expression that I knew you were a good guy.

Ronald and Diane also took a photo with the handsome old man and sent him to the cinema.

Next was Cassandra Peterson, who played "The Ecstasy". She recently learned from Roger Corman that Ronald would advance money to start filming her movie before the end of the year. She was so grateful that she couldn't express it in words.

All Cassandra could do was to come and support Ronald. With wavy golden-red hair and a great figure, she deliberately violated her usual dressing habits and showed off her natural sexiness that she rarely showed in daily life to the reporters who came.

Anyway, there will be a photo of Cassandra Peterson at the premiere of Ronald Lee's new film tomorrow. It can not only help Ronald get more space in the film promotion, but also give me some space.

The next person to appear in the group photo is Jim Cameron.

He has a big beard. Although his clothes are not as dazzling as those of stars, his spirit is indeed different. Standing with Ronald, they are like two sharp swords unsheathed, causing reporters to snap photos non-stop.

"Fox and I have signed a contract. I know it was you who helped, Ronald." Cameron came up and thanked Ronald for putting the last weight on the "Abyss" project for his successful establishment.

"That's your own history that proves you can exceed your promises. I didn't help much." Ronald hurriedly replied. He didn't help Cameron by speaking up. He just thought it was a good thing that he could realize his childhood dream.

"Gail went to Fox and talked to Goldberg. She wanted to be a producer. Goldberg told her about you." Cameron shook his head. "If it weren't for what you said, this project might not have been able to get the green light successfully."

"Anyway, it's a good thing." Ronald interrupted Cameron to express his gratitude. "By the way, where's Gail?"

"She will come in later, after I go in, so we don't have to appear in the photo together." Cameron's aura suddenly retracted, as if he was in pain.

"Huh?" Ronald raised his eyebrows.

"She and I separated to give each other some space and time to think about our long-term relationship." Cameron didn't have anyone to share this with, so he told Ronald, their old friend.

It turned out that Gail was dissatisfied with Cameron for not shooting a commercial film with great potential to make money, but for making such a special effects blockbuster that exceeded the current technical level of Hollywood. The two of them started from Coleman's company, and they didn't make much money along the way, and they didn't live in a particularly high-end apartment yet.

Gail couldn't stand Cameron's practice of going all in for his dream, not taking the opportunity to improve his life and insisting on pursuing his dream.

Of course, at the same time, she didn't give up the role of producer. When the two were together, they were partners of director and producer. Now they are separated. As an important stop on the producer's career path, Gail Hurd wanted to give up.

So, after Cameron received an invitation from Fox, she went to the senior management of Fox to discuss whether it was possible to postpone the filming of this movie and find another movie to shoot first.

And after learning that Cameron wanted to play the role of producer part-time, she was furious and went back to insist on taking out the agreement signed by the two when they were shooting "Terminator", asking Cameron to abide by the agreement and to be the producer of all the film projects co-produced by the two, and to obtain the production rights.

For this movie, the two parted unhappily. The next day, Cameron received a separation notice from Gail's lawyer.

"Why do you want to be a producer yourself?" Ronald touched his chin. He felt that this was the crux of the conflict between the two.

"You know, I want to control all the details when I make movies." Cameron was very frank. "And Gail wants to control everything. She didn't write a word in the script, but she wanted to be named as the screenwriter. Most of the work of the producer on the set is also done by me..."

...

"He wants to dump me. The position of producer was agreed upon by us back then. At that time, he had nothing, and I negotiated the "Terminator" project for him. Now he wants to take back the production rights and let me be a housewife in the future?

I have to prove to everyone, Ronald, that it is also good for women to be producers. I will never allow the fruits of my own planting to be taken away by him."

But later, Gail Hurd came to take a photo with Ronald, telling another story.

Gail Cameron wanted to kick herself out and monopolize the production rights of the movie. The previous two films did not make much money, and the pay was not used to improve life. Gail would never allow Cameron to break the contract now that he was about to get a big contract, and use the reputation he had made in the previous two films to dominate the future movies.

Watching the two of them in the cinema, still looking at each other with hatred. Ronald felt that they seemed to have really reached a point where they could not be controlled.

"Hey, they quarreled, right? I guess they will reconcile soon." Diane, sitting next to them, also saw Cameron and Gail sitting separately.

"Why?" Ronald found that Diane's understanding of the matter was completely different from his.

"My father and mother were like this. After they divorced, they still quarreled with each other on the phone, and brought up things that happened more than ten years ago. But in the end, as long as my father said "dear", she would stop quarreling.

Maybe my mother was waiting for this "dear."

"I hope you are right." Ronald did not want the two old friends to separate or even divorce.

"Oh oh... Whew... Whew..."

The premiere of "Moonlight" ended, the lights came on, and when veteran star Carl Reiner saw the end of the film, the camera slowly withdrew from the kitchen where everyone was holding champagne with sugar cubes in it, drinking and laughing happily together.

Then the camera lens shot the furniture and furnishings of the old house, and finally stopped at the grandfather and grandmother on the wall, stopping at a close-up of the first generation of ancestors of this Italian immigrant family.

This is a historical snapshot of countless American families. As an immigrant country, America is full of such immigrant couples, who have branched out and passed on the original national traditions in the land of New Babylon full of milk and honey.

Everyone was moved by the acting skills of Cher and a group of gold medal supporting actors, and also by the scene in the end where Nicolas Cage's Ronnie proposed to Cher's Loretta.

The audience stood and applauded for three minutes.

"You know what? I've never had this feeling before, like this character of Loretta is completely different from me, completely separate, and when I'm watching her, it's like I'm watching another person's life story."

Cher came to thank Ronald. She edited herself beautifully. She didn't look out of place when acting with those old Broadway actors.

...

"Reviews of this movie often make it sound like a crazy national comedy, and it is. But there's more here, a kind of bittersweet desire, an unspeakable romance, and a magical quality... This is the silhouette of millions of American families."

Roger Ebert's review the next day was full of praise, as if he was reviewing a real drama directed by Billy Wilder in the golden age of Hollywood.

"The script by screenwriter John Patrick Shanley is humorous and puts eight New Yorkers under a lunar spell on a romantic night. Cher is the most dazzling of all."

The film critic of Time magazine, who is Ronald's old family, also praised the "moonlight".

"Very good, very good," Ronald was in the office the next day, browsing the photocopies of all the film reviews that had just been delivered from all over the country.

"Michael, you did a great job. Our PR activities were very effective. This is the first time that I have been so consistently appreciated by film critics. This is the first time that Albert gave me four stars."

Ronald admired the methods of marketing consultant Michael Gray. If he did it himself, he would definitely spend a lot of money and the effect would not be so good.

"Why don't we sign a long-term cooperation agreement? In the future, your consulting company will be responsible for the formulation of marketing plans for my movies and the movies produced by my company."

Ronald knew that Gray insisted on his dream of starting a business, so he did not ask him to work for Daydream, but tied him with a generous long-term agreement.

"This is also my wish." Michael Gray is very happy to have such a client who listens to his opinions completely and pays readily. Moreover, the movies produced and directed by Ronald are of high quality. Marketing such movies can make money and gain reputation. He is an ideal client.