Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"I guess I didn't perform well in my performance today. The director didn't invite me to the restaurant for dinner."

That night, Melanie Griffith complained to her manager Phyllis Carlisle at a pay phone near the set.

"I waited for them to call me, and waited until everyone on the set was gone, but Ronald and Harrison Ford left together first. I thought I would be invited to go with them. Alas..."

"Don't be like this, be strong, Melanie. I don't think it's because of the acting quality. I heard that Harrison Ford's wife also went to that restaurant. I think it's celebrity wife syndrome..."

Manager Phyllis Carlisle has been helping Melanie Griffith to gather information. Now is the most important stage of filming. This client must not have any psychological problems. Not inviting her seems to be just the star's wife's hostility to the convention of actresses playing husbands and lovers in movies.

"Oh, my God. What's wrong with that old woman? It's more frustrating for me to say that than if the director hated my performance... I specifically used my mother's look in the Hitchcock movie today, Back then, even a fat old man like Hitchcock would be tempted..."

"Stop being sentimental, Melanie, what you need now is a strong heart like Tess. As long as you stick to it, you will become a star because of this movie. I asked someone to ask Ronald about your performance, and he Love your performance.”

Behind the scenes, Phyllis Carlisle has been silently protecting Melanie Griffiths, an actress with great acting talent but a mess in life and not very good at cheating. From before filming started until now, there have been people at 20th Century Fox trying to replace her.

Fortunately, director Ronald has always been very positive about her and said good things to the film crew. We are now nearly a third of the way through the filming, and as long as we get through this period, changing angles is virtually impossible.

Because Harrison Ford's schedule is limited, the more scenes like this opposite him, the more solid Melanie Griffith's status will be.

"Hi Melanie..."

The next day, there was another scene with Alec Baldwin playing his ex-boyfriend. He came to the Staten Island filming location early in the morning to say hello to Griffith.

"Hi, Alec... you look handsome today." Melanie Griffiths was not invited to the dinner and was feeling quite disappointed. When she saw Alec Baldwin, whom she hadn't seen for a week, she started to think about him again. One eye started to discharge.

"You look fine too. Where is our director?"

"Decoration in the bar..." Melanie Griffiths came closer and teased Baldwin's upper body with her fingers.

"I'll go in first and say hello to Director Ronald." Baldwin politely refused.

"Oh, God, have I lost my allure to seduce men?" Griffiths was a little embarrassed and did not respond to the continued advances of the male actors on the set. She cleared her throat, opened the door and walked into the bar where the scenery had been set up.

"Ricky (Lake), be yourself and enjoy the atmosphere, okay?"

Ronald was directing the positions of the extras. He had tried it twice before. Those extras from Broadway were a little unsure of the charm of disco dancing. Ronald had no choice but to call the heroine of "Hairspray", Ricky Lake, to come to the rescue and let her play a fat secretary who enjoys the atmosphere of the bar and dances disco. Anyway, she happened to be in "Hairspray" and did a great job doing the swing dance that was the precursor to disco.

"a!"

Following Ronald’s command, the venue’s speakers played the band’s “Pointer Sisters” disco hit single a few years ago, “I’soexcited.”

"I'm so excited.

I just can't hide it.

I'm about to lose control

And I think I like that. "

The camera was pushed all the way on the guide rail, and many actors who could dance with disco charm in previous dance rehearsals were put together in pairs.

Ronald learned the key to dance scenes while filming "Dirty Dancing". The dance partner does not have to be good-looking and sexy. As long as the two people's movements are unique and matched with each other, good results can be achieved.

Ricky Lake and a fat actor became a couple, and they danced the best among all the extras. Ronald also arranged a pair of middle-aged dance partners and several other young people with explosive hairstyles along the path of the camera.

"cut!"

In this unimportant cutscene, Ronald still arranged it very seriously. The biggest difference between a big-time A-list production and a mid- to low-cost B-level movie is in these shots.

All extras, even if they only have a few seconds of footage, will be carefully selected. All the scenery, even if it only appears for a few seconds, will be done in full accordance with the needs of the plot and meticulously.

This is a tacit understanding reached between the audience and the producers, a contract that does not need to be written out. If it's a B-level movie, then the audience will tolerate it if they see supporting characters that don't fit the plot, bad special effects, distracting scenes, etc., because before watching it, they know they can't go into details.

For a big production like "Working Girl", the audience is meant to be completely immersed in the plot, and follow the director's arrangements to have an interesting dream that is impossible to have in life. Directors who are good at making this kind of movie will pay great attention to details. Just in case something is not careful enough and the audience will be disappointed.

"Joan, Alec, it's your turn."

Ronald then filmed the next shot, a scene where Joan Cusack's character, Sheen, and Alec Baldwin's ex-boyfriend, Mick, were talking together.

The script supervisor played the music again and continued from where it was paused just now, so that it would be easier to edit later. The two actors sat together, Mick was drinking from a glass of liquor, and Ricky Lake, Sheen's friend, was looking to the other side, flirting with a male actor outside the screen. Be a qualified human background.

"Tess will come, right?" Alec Baldwin tilted his head back, drank a glass of liquor, and asked his and Tess's mutual friend, Sheen, who was getting engaged today.

"Of course, today is my engagement party. If she doesn't come, she will be a dead person in my eyes in the future."

The shooting continued, and Melanie Griffith walked in wearing the same clothes and hairstyle as yesterday, carrying a leather briefcase. Because the plot just happened to be a continuation of yesterday, the script supervisor recorded the detailed dress.

Xin told Tess that Mick was in a bad mood today and asked her to give the old dog a bone to cheer him up. Tess walked over and sat next to Mick.

"Tess..." Mick saw Tess. This was the first time they met after he was caught cheating.

"Asshole..." Tess still couldn't forgive him.

"You look different today..."

"Yes, I'm no longer the pitiful and gullible poor wretch I was a few days ago."

Tess's words were sharp and she asked the bartender for whiskey.

Mick came to Xin's engagement party today to find a chance to win back Tess. Seeing the new look of Tess made him more eager to get back together.

"I mean your dress...your hairstyle, you look very elegant today. Are you going to the court for traffic fines?" Mick's last sentence ruined the atmosphere, which did not help his idea of ​​getting back together at all.

He felt that Tess was a blue-collar worker like him. Dressing like a boss was a betrayal of her class and it was impossible to achieve her dream. He blurted out when he was angry.

"I just got off work, these two days... well, I 'sort of' got a promotion." Tess was very angry. This ex-boyfriend never said a good word about her dream, and he would mock her whenever he had the chance.

Mick also knew that he couldn't win Tess back this way, so he poured two glasses of wine and toasted. "Well, for Sin and Tim, for your promotion, for the fishing boat loan I got..."

"You got it? That's great..." Tess was happy for him. This was Mick's dream all along, to have his own fishing boat to go fishing in Long Island.

The atmosphere between the two changed from awkwardness and confrontation to pleasure. Mick's carefully prepared speech worked. The two had talked about this dream that blue-collar workers should have many times before. Today Mick's dream came true, so that the two could at least have a drink like friends happily.

"Well... woo woo..." The disco music stopped, and a soft music came. It was Chris DeBerg's adult ballad, "Dyred"

"I've never seen you as lovely as tonight.

I've never seen you shine so brightly.

I've never seen so many men ask if you want to dance.

As long as there's a chance, they'll look for a little romance."

Mick and Tess both let out a long sigh, and the romantic feeling returned. The two stood up and danced together, their heads gradually approaching until they could smell each other's breath.

"Cut!"

The two had a high degree of tacit understanding. If he had a way to insist on Alec Baldwin playing the male lead Jack Traynor, it might be a better choice. Ronald shook his head to get rid of this useless thought. For such an important casting of a big production, 20th Century Fox still has the final say.

Melanie Griffith and Alec Baldwin looked at each other. The look in the plot and the slow dance afterwards made her feel that the other party also had feelings for her, but she didn't know whether he was into the role or...

" /\u003eAfter the lights and cameras were in place, Ronald ordered:

"A! "

Joan Cusack still had a lion-like hairstyle. She and the actor who played her boyfriend were opening the engagement gifts sent by everyone.

"A short reunion, enjoying the whole family life... Love you Mick and Tess."

The actor was reading the card attached to the gift. After opening it, it was a set of women's sexy underwear, stockings, and garters, a full set of equipment.

Melanie Griffith looked at Alec Baldwin, and the camera captured an ambiguous and awkward look.

Ronald kept nodding behind the camera. Mick was still the lower-class man who didn't know how to give gifts that made people feel respected. All the gifts were related to matters between men and women.

Melanie Griffith no longer volunteered to excuse Mick as she did when she received the same birthday gift. Instead, she looked at Mick played by Baldwin with a little scrutiny, and there was a little sexy desire in her eyes. She performed the character's psychological transformation very well.

"When can we drink your engagement wine? "Sin's boyfriend was thinking about his old friend Mick and helped him create an opportunity, "To seize the opportunity you have to ask a woman..."

"Mick, Mick, Mick, Mick..." The extras in the audience were cheering for Mick, they thought Mick was just one step away from success.

Only Sin, who knew that Mick was caught cheating, covered his face with his hands, and something went wrong.

Mick, played by Alec Baldwin, knelt down on one leg, held Tess's hands with both hands, and was about to ask the classic question.

Tess, played by Melanie Griffith, tried to pull her hand out, but failed, and then heard Mick ask again, "Will you marry me?"

"Maybe..."

"Maybe? Is that your answer?" Mick, played by Alec Baldwin, had a very accurate expression on his face, as if saying: I have prepared so much, are you still unwilling?

"If you want other answers, go ask other girls..." Tess has been reborn in the past two days. She is no longer the woman who only caters to her boyfriend. Pretending to be her boss's colleague, she had a smooth negotiation with the best broker on Wall Street, which gave her great confidence.

"Cut!"

Ronald stopped the embarrassing reactions of the extras when they heard this answer, and he was satisfied.

Next, we will shoot a bar exterior scene to make Mick and Tess break up completely. Today's play is considered to be completed with high quality.

"Alec, do you want to go for a drink tonight? I have some good Scotch whiskey. We can just make up for the one we didn't drink enough in the scene just now." Melanie Griffith stopped Alec Baldwin who was going to rest.

Griffith, who was refused dinner by Harrison Ford's wife, felt that she had a good chemistry with Baldwin today, and she wanted to try again...

"Melanie, I said last time that my principle is not to have sex with colleagues... You know, this will be troublesome. You are a very attractive woman, but I'm sorry."

Alec Baldwin politely rejected Griffith's attempt again.

"Principle... Humph..." Melanie Griffith was a little annoyed. The other party obviously didn't like her. The look in his eyes during the filming just now was just an excellent actor's performance to another actor.

Then what was she? She was rejected so coldly twice when she threw herself into his arms. She was just greedy for Baldwin's beauty, not like getting married like in the movie plot.

At night, it was dark. Ronald was outside the bar, looking at the back door of the bar illuminated by the headlights, and called a.

The back door was pushed open, Melanie Griffith put on a windbreaker and slowly walked down the wooden steps. Alec Baldwin was behind her. There seemed to be a wall of gas between the two of them, and their heads were facing two directions, without eye contact.

"This design is very good," Ronald nodded vigorously. Both of them are good actors. They were affectionate just now, but now their eyes are separated as soon as they meet. Such a performance must be enjoyable for the audience.

"You just humiliated me in front of so many people," Alec Baldwin said the lines. He was harassed by Melanie Griffith again, and felt very bad, and just brought this emotion into the performance.

"That's what you asked for! What do you expect me to say? Lie in front of so many people?" Melanie Griffith was not too angry. She took the initiative to invite, but was rejected like this. Doesn't the actress have face?

"I didn't want you to lie. I thought you wanted me to propose like this."

The photographer used a stabilizer to fix the camera and stepped back quickly. The focus puller next to him operated carefully. The lens always tightly grasped the close-up of the two actors' faces, recording all the subtle expressions on the film.

"Three days ago, I found you and Doreen in bed. Today you invited me to have a drink and dance, and then duang, you want me to make a decision for the rest of my life?"

Melanie Griffith's face was twisted with anger. People like Baldwin are simply terrible. Today, I am not dressed like a secretary when I took the initiative last time. Today, I am dressed like the ugly duckling after the transformation. How elegant, this person just doesn't want to...

"Okay, now it's just the two of us. I ask you again, are you willing?" Alec Baldwin's voice rose.

"Do we have to decide now? I said maybe..." Melanie Griffith's voice also rose. This scene is like the conversation they just had reversed. I took the initiative, and Baldwin always opposed.

"Christ Jesus, what else do you have to think about? Yes or no."

"I need time to think about it... Don't treat me like this."

"Fuxk, I want an answer now," Mick's voice suddenly increased, and he cursed. "Who the hell wants to discuss the attitude towards you? Who do you think you are? Grace Kelly?"

Grace Kelly? Melanie Griffith was completely ignited by this improvisation. Sure enough, she still disliked that she was not beautiful enough. It was originally a matter of mutual consent. It was not like looking for a wife. Why did she have such high requirements for appearance?

"Please don't yell at me. I'm not a steak. You can order it anytime and anywhere..." Melanie also said the improvisational lines.

"Great," Ronald was very excited behind the camera. This line was very clever, as if it was written in advance. The lower-class people in America like to compare handsome men and beautiful women to steaks (beef), and "order" has a double meaning of "command (also order in English)".

Today is like a divine help!

"Listen, I don't accept your words, you should figure out your priorities, maybe we can talk again. Now we are officially over."

Alec Baldwin saw the contempt in Melanie's eyes, and his reaction was great. He said a few hard words, turned around, and walked away in the opposite direction of the camera without looking back.

The camera operator tilted the camera slightly to the left, following his back as he left.

The focus puller immediately adjusted the hyperfocal distance, with infinite depth of field. All the images captured by the camera, whether it was Baldwin in the near distance, the fields in the distance, the cars in the farther distance, and the roads and pipes in the background, were all clear under the deep focus lens.

At this time, Melanie Griffith at the edge of the picture turned her head and faced the camera at a side angle of 45 degrees. She, who was originally at the edge, suddenly occupied more than one-third of the width of the frame.

The focus puller was an old hand, and turned the focus knob as fast as a flywheel. In less than a second, it was adjusted from infinity to the closest close-up. With a snap, the focus was fixed on the tip of Melanie Griffith's nose.

Melanie Griffiths let out a breath and relaxed her shoulders. Her facial features and hair details were all clear, while Alec Baldwin behind her had become an out-of-focus background in the depth of field.

】

Melanie Griffiths swallowed her saliva, as if Tess was saying goodbye to Mick's past.

"Cut!" Ronald was very happy. This shot was done in one go. The work of the camera crew technicians was perfect, and Melanie Griffiths' performance was also excellent.

"Great! I like this shot very much."

Ronald will invite Melanie and Alec to dinner as a celebration of his extraordinary performance today.

"I have an appointment with someone, so I have to go first." Alec Baldwin suggested leaving first. He didn't want to get involved with Melanie.

"I'm going back too, director." Melanie Griffith couldn't hold back her face and also suggested leaving first.

"Well, remember to come early tomorrow, we are going to shoot the scene of Mick's wedding." Ronald agreed with a smile. The actor was tired from working overtime at night. "You have to wear an ugly green bridesmaid dress, come early to try on the clothes."

"Got it..."

The next morning, Ronald came earlier than all the actors again.

This is a church in the southern part of Manhattan, where the scene of Xin and her boyfriend's wedding was filmed. As the best friend, Tess will be one of the four bridesmaids and attend the wedding of her best friend.

This plot happened after Tess's manager, Catherine, came back from the resort. At the meeting where he and Teske discussed the acquisition of the radio station, she revealed that Tess was just a secretary and took the idea for herself.

Tess had nothing in her career. At Xin's wedding, she met Mick again. He was already with Doreen, who was caught in bed, and they were about to get married.

This is the part where Tess fell to the bottom of the story. It is about to enter the third act and rush to the finale in one go. Ronald filmed this scene in the middle, mainly to coordinate everyone's schedule, and in addition to Melanie's performance, this scene was placed after the breakup with Mick, which would make the emotions more coherent and help the performance.

Not only the technicians and actors, but also the senior executives of 20th Century Fox came to visit the filming. Wedding scenes are always regarded as a symbol of good luck. Those senior executives usually come at this time to check the progress and shooting quality, and they will not be annoying.

"Why hasn't Melanie come yet?" Ronald looked at his watch. It was time for the actors to put on makeup. If he didn't come, he would miss the magic light in the early morning.

"I called her room, but no one answered..." After a while, the assistant came to report.

"Find her manager. Damn it, it happened that the senior executives of Fox came to see me today. Isn't this making me unhappy? Find Melanie's manager for me," Ronald had already started yelling.

"Phyllis Carlisle..." The assistant took a telephone in the church and handed the receiver to Ronald. The manager on the other side was very anxious after knowing that Melanie didn't show up in the crew.

"I don't care what you can do, bring her to me within half an hour. The senior executives from Fox are visiting today. You don't want him to see this. Let her go and change her role, right?"