Made in Hollywood

In front of the Santa Monica Commercial Plaza, a group of young people in their twenties are walking towards the theater. One of them is holding the "Los Angeles Times" and is telling his companions about the entertainment edition by asking and answering questions. The interview report on the front page headline.

"What do you think of the critics' bashing of 'Independence Day'?"

"Looking at the film industry for nearly two decades, you can see that critics always like to attack the movies that the public likes as a way to differentiate themselves, and they like to attack people who have had great success in movies, whatever. "

"So, Duke, you don't care about critics?"

"Why should you care? Miss Sarah, let me ask you a question, how many professional film critics are there in North America?"

"More than three hundred people."

"What about movie fans who have the habit of watching movies?"

"There are always four or five million or more."

"Then the question is very simple. As a director, should I first consider the viewing experience of tens of millions of people, or the viewing experience of hundreds of film critics? As far as I know, the comprehensive rating of the film critics of "Independence Day" Only 3.1 points, and the audience's favorable rating is as high as 86%, this is the evaluation given by 100,000 ordinary movie fans who participated in the survey, who should I pay attention to?"

"So, you don't agree with the critics' criticism?"

"Why should it be recognized? Film critics only represent themselves, can they represent the audience? Their tastes are always contrary to the audience, why should I care about their criticism? In this world, the foundation of the existence of the film industry is a large number of ordinary people. Audiences, not a group of professional film critics who attack others with vicious language all day long! This industry will collapse without audiences, and without professional film critics, it will still move forward, even faster!"

When approaching the theater, the young man finished his vivid description, put the newspaper in his bag, and looked at his companions around him.

"I think Duke's words are very reasonable. The audience is the foundation of the film industry. Without the audience like us, can the film industry survive?"

"Yeah!" Someone echoed, "From Duke's words, it can be heard that he is a director who considers the feelings of the audience, not a director who is touted by film critics but always shoots some inexplicable things."

"Who is more important between film critics and audiences?" Someone else said.

"Of course it's our audience!" Several people answered in unison.

"I originally watched Roger Albert's show last night, and I still had some concerns." The person at the beginning said, "I thought 'Independence Day' was really a bad film, but now I realize it's just a bad film according to the critics. , It turns out that the audience's rating is so high, why don't film critics mention this? Is it for fear of embarrassment?"

"Haven't you heard a word?" the person next to him said mysteriously, "Movies praised by film critics are films that audiences can sleep while watching, and films criticized by film critics are all popular. Movie!"

Although this is an exaggeration, it has been nodded and approved by many people. These young people completely put the show they watched last night behind their heads, went into the theater to buy tickets, and aimed directly at "Independence Day"!

The same scene is being staged in many parts of North America. It seems that young people are not affected by the overwhelming criticism of last night's TV shows and media critics, and they still go into the theater to buy movie tickets for "Independence Day".

However, some things are inevitable, such as those audiences in their 40s and 50s who have experienced the most glorious era of film critics, many originally planned to watch "Independence Day", but finally chose other movies.

The competition in the summer season is extremely fierce, and there are too many factors affecting the audience's choice. If you want the film to be released in a quiet and peaceful world, it may not be realized until the day when the film industry completely collapses.

After two consecutive days of hot screenings with a single-day box office exceeding 20 million, the attendance rate of "Independence Day" on Sundays dropped significantly. This is an inescapable rule of commercial films.

"Duke, there is an invitation."

As soon as he walked into the Independence Day studio, Sofia Coppola greeted him, "Jeff Robinoff is calling, Time Magazine wants to do an exclusive interview with you."

"Oh, that's good news."

Walking into the office with Sophia, Duke sat behind his desk, "This seems like a treat for superstars, right?"

Sophia didn't take Duke's self-joking at all, just shrugged and sat opposite.

"It's going to be a big interview," Sofia Coppola said, flipping through the work log. "Time Warner means that the interview will involve friends and colleagues around you."

"Their response was really fast." Duke immediately understood Warner's intention. "Want to stir up the public opinion war between me and the film critics? To create a hot spot and drive the curiosity of fans into the theater?"

"Nancy thinks so too." Sophia nodded.

Duke put his left hand on the table, raised his chin, and asked, "What's Nancy's opinion?"

"If you want "Independence Day" to get more box office, maximize profits, accept the invitation, and completely detonate this war."

Sitting opposite, Sophia, in order not to affect Duke's judgment, just repeated the words of Nancy Josephson in a monotonous manner, "If you value academic awards very much, then reject them, and keep a low profile during the release of "Independence Day", Even if Roger Albert and others point at your nose and attack, you have to endure it."

Where do film critics have the greatest influence on the film industry? In fact, the industry is well aware that it is an academic award.

Maybe other directors will be very cautious about this kind of problem, but for Duke, it is not a problem, and he will not give up the practical benefits at his fingertips for a few trophies. If the film critics can bring enough benefits, he does not mind compromise. , Now the film critics have violated his interests and will continue to do so, that is his enemy!

In fact, it is not difficult to consider these, it is enough to see which one is more in line with his interests.

"Notify Nancy." Duke said lightly, "Accept the invitation from Time Warner."

The war has actually started a long time ago, and escaping is by no means the best solution, and Duke will not escape either. Sometimes there are difficulties that must be met!

Of course, he will not ignore that behind the film critics, there must be other people's shadows.

"Are you sure?" Sophia frowned slightly, seemingly worried.

"Sophia..." Duke suddenly laughed, "Don't overestimate them, I will help you get revenge!"

Sofia Coppola rolled her eyes and showed a helpless smile. It seemed like yesterday that "The Godfather 3" was viciously scolded by film critics.

At the beginning of the lanterns, Burbank became more lively, showing the prosperity of the world's media capital. According to his mother's instructions in the morning, Duke picked up Scarlett from Andrews Acting School and took her home by the way.

"Goodbye, Duke!"

Carrying a big schoolbag, Scarlett lowered her head, got out of the car and walked towards the door. It seemed that there was a scary monster in the house and she was very reluctant to go back.

She looks pitiful, like being abandoned. Unfortunately, Duke knows her acting skills and is not fooled at all.

Pushing open the floral door in front of the lawn, Scarlett looked back at the Bentley, lowered her head again, and walked towards the home full of quarrels and indifference like a defeated chicken.

Why doesn't she want to go home? Why would you rather live in your godmother's house during the holidays?

Because when she moved to Los Angeles from New York, she no longer felt the warmth of her family, nor her father's concern for them.

"I'm not a little kid who lacks fatherly love!"

After muttering, Scarlett pouted and knocked on the door.

Through the floral fence, until Scarlett Johansson walked into the house, Duke started the car, turned the steering wheel, and drove towards the road. After entering downtown Burbank, he did not return to Santa Monica, but turned to They went to Nancy Josephson's office, and during the evening, they had to discuss specific interview matters.

For any media interview, the interviewee will do a lot of preparatory work, and the most unreal side is shown on the media, and only a fool will expose his true side to the media and the public.

For example, Sean Connery, whose gentleman image is completely created by CAA, is now exposed, his status has plummeted, and he has not received any job for more than a year.

"Sean, this is Mel Gibson's invitation."

On Monday morning, Martin Bob, who was busy with CAA's internal competition, suddenly appeared in Sean Connery's mansion, "Paramount Pictures passed the project approval for the film, this will be CAA's new packaging project , although you are not the protagonist, but you are also a heavyweight..."

Sean Connery was sitting on the sofa and seemed to be thinking. He had just flipped through the character setting. This is the role of a not very glamorous Scottish nobleman. If it was the past, he would definitely not take it.

"Mel will be directing the film." Martin Bob knows his client well. "It's a story about Scottish independence, haven't you been working on Scottish independence? You and Mel have something in common... …”

Listening to the agent's words, Sean Connery remained silent. He once swore that he would never return to his hometown until Scotland became independent.

"When will the film start shooting? About when will it be released?" he asked slowly.

"Mel is choosing a suitable location, and it will definitely start before the end of the year." Martin Bob breathed a sigh of relief, even if Connery was finished, it would still squeeze out the last value, "Paramount accepted CAA's package service, the film is tentatively scheduled to be released next year's Memorial Day."

Sean Connery nodded slowly, and his publicist Jack suddenly pushed open the door and walked in, "I got the data for the first week of "Independence Day"!"

Hearing this, Sean Connery and Martin Bob immediately threw away the topic just now, and looked at them with concern at the same time, looking very concerned.