Made in Hollywood

"Director Rosenberg has no intention of promoting violence."

Standing in the Fox newsroom, Penny Kelly, as Duke's press spokesman, refuted some of the criticisms of the film as too bloody and violent to many media reporters, "Duke hates anything that makes violence look funny or depicts violence. A rendering of the subjectivity of the game, all he showed was to objectively reflect the violence of war."

The reason why such a press conference is held is not only to refute, but also to raise the topic. While the criticism of the other party brings trouble, it can also be used for hype.

Under the maintenance of Fox's staff, the order of the press room has been very good. Probably stimulated by the excellent first-day box office results, Fox's CEO Tom Rothman appeared here in person and said a few words.

"Saving Private Ryan" is a war film made with documentary techniques. The war scenes in the film occupy about one-third of the time, and there are many bloody, brutal and violent scenes, but it is by no means a violent film. !"

Tom Rothman's voice was exceptionally loud, "If you have seen this movie, you will find that none of the violent scenes in the movie are for no reason. When people watch the movie, they will definitely think that this is a The most realistic war film, it will be the most realistic war film ever made."

Although these words are suspected of boasting, Duke, who is hiding behind the news room, knows that with Fox's ability to unite the other two, it will guide public opinion later, which will not pose too much threat.

It would be too naive to just rely on these means to fight "Saving Private Ryan" and turn "Braveheart" over.

Ignoring the press conference over there, Duke walked to the window and looked at the blue sky. Yesterday's single-day box office has made it clear that even if "Saving Private Ryan" is hit, "Braveheart" can't be hot. Freedom is indeed the most popular slogan in the United States, but Mel Gibson is in that extremely exaggerated way. Shout it out, maybe it will please Oscar's old men. But not necessarily popular with the public.

If a movie can be a big hit by borrowing a few suitable scenes and shouting 'freedom' at the right time, and it can make the original box office hit 100 million yuan or more, it is simply mocking Hollywood for decades. A sophisticated industrial production model that was only created over time.

Film companies don’t have to carry out tedious pre-assessment and market research, and directors and screenwriters don’t have to work hard and shout ‘freedom’ together.

Look back. Duke looked down and saw the small square in front of the main entrance of the Fox Building. He saw a sparse crowd gathered from all directions, gradually forming a dense crowd, some of whom were holding signs and slogans. . Because it was too far away, he couldn't see what was written on it.

But this has aroused Duke's vigilance. After all, he never minds looking at this circle with the worst mentality, not to mention a group of... black people gathered below!

moment. He remembered the protests of some black organizations in the media against "Saving Private Ryan"!

"Tina, go to the press room." Duke turned to look at Tina Fey, who was also looking down. "Call Townsend and Panney over."

The dark skin was particularly dazzling in the bright sunlight. Nearly 500 black people gathered in front of the Fox Building. Fox's security personnel immediately notified the high-level and called the police. After all, they are in this country. Most people think the black uncles are the unsettled factor.

What's more, the black riots in the Greater Los Angeles area in 1992 have just passed.

Those black people were not stupid, they didn't do any excessive actions. Instead, under the leadership of Luther, they raised signs and slogans for protest, and occasionally shouted a few words in groups, as if they were carrying out a non-violent non-cooperation. sports.

"The people who went to the Town Hall Cinema to protest are already in place."

Someone came to inform Luther, Luther nodded, and then raised his voice, "Hold up our slogan and sign."

At this moment, another group of people came over, no less than them. Judging from their appearance, it was clearly a group of Latinos. These people stopped at a distance from the black group, and then raised a similar slogans and signs.

"Protest against racism in Hollywood!"

"Saving Private Ryan Discriminates Against Minorities!"

"Duke Rosenberg ignores the contribution of minorities in WWII!"

"Calling on Black Brothers to Boycott Saving Private Ryan..."

The goal of these people's protests is very clear, and that is "Saving Private Ryan"!

As if they had made an appointment, protest slogans were raised on both sides and a few slogans were shouted. The OB van of the CBS TV station affiliated to Viacom drove over, and several large cameras were aimed at the protesters. The reporters got together at the right time.

"There were actually white people in the Omaha landing scene!" Luther spoke into the reporter's microphone, "Saving Private Ryan unilaterally denied the contribution of black people to World War II! This is unfair to the entire black community, black people. This movie should be boycotted..."

In the TV broadcast van on the other side, an editor-like person was shouting, "Tell Lelys to interview more people and take more shots. The editor-in-chief explained that this is the key news that will be in prime time!"

Later, the police in Los Angeles arrived, and some of the media who had attended the press conference at the Fox Tower also ran out and snapped the camera shutter at the protesters.

In the upstairs office, Duke put down the phone and looked indifferently at the cluttered entrance of the Fox Building with a calm expression on his face.

It has been confirmed that this protest rally composed of blacks and Latinos is aimed at "Saving Private Ryan".

"We all made mistakes."

Standing by the window, Panney Kelly frowned tightly, "ignoring their protest in the media yesterday."

"So does Fox."

Although the slogan of eliminating racial discrimination in the mainstream society is loud, but from other industries to Hollywood, they are consciously ignoring the voice of black people. Townsend Rothman also frowned, "Since Viacom's CBS No. 1 I rushed over at a time, and it must have something to do with Paramount Pictures."

"We should now consider how to make up for the mistakes we made," Duke said calmly.

No one is omnipotent, and even he did not pay attention to the voice of some black organizations yesterday. Now that things have happened, how to solve it is the top priority.

There was a brief silence in the office, and after about a minute, Penny Kelly, who has extensive experience in dealing with public relations, spoke up.

"I have a suggestion." She thought for a moment and said, "We are looking for authoritative experts on World War II history across the United States. Let their voices appear in the media and restore the real history of the Omaha landing."

Townsend Rothman nodded in approval. After all, as long as you are not a fool, you will know that no black people were directly incorporated into the several fighting teams in the film.

"It's better to find black people," Duke added. "That's the persuasive way to offset the negative impact of the protests."

There is no need to worry about finding a black expert to stand up, a black person who can break into the mainstream society in North America. Could it be black skin and white heart.

"The troubles brought by Latinos are not very big, and their composition is very complicated." Panney Kelly said solemnly to Duke, "Even if there is a black authority to stand up, we will lose a part of the black audience. , you have to be mentally prepared."

Behind every black protest. There can always be a chain reaction, big or small. Duke has lived in this land for more than 20 years, and naturally understands this.

"I thought 'Saving Private Ryan' would hit the record for 'Independence Day' in its first week."

Shaking his head, Townsend Rothman said regretfully. "If some black people really boycott this film, it will be impossible to break the record."

He looked at Panney Kelly. "Fox will cooperate with you!"

Now that the common interests of the two sides far outweigh their differences, they will naturally stand together.

"Townsend, we can't just react passively."

It's not Duke's style of doing things that come and go. "We also have to create some negative effects for "Braveheart". At least it can involve CAA, Paramount and Mel Gibson. Part of the energy, you didn't get Mel ? Some information on Gibson's father? Let the tabloids go out and hype it up!"

"I will contact the group company later."

The news that "Saving Private Ryan" denied the contributions of black people in World War II was spread at the fastest speed through the rendering of CBS and other media, which affected the ticket purchase choices of some black audiences to a certain extent, fortunately The three producers and the mainstream media led by the three major newspapers, as in the past few years, basically ignored the voices of black people and fully praised and praised the film. The worthless debate has gradually formed a hot topic in society.

Although mistakes were made in the response to minorities such as blacks, the public relations work of the film was still quite good overall.

The Los Angeles Times even put the paradox of Saving Private Ryan on the front page.

"Why save Private Ryan!"

This is the title of the article, which can be said to be the epitome of the value orientation of mainstream American society.

"Eight mother's sons for one mother's sons, eight lives for one life, of course, at first glance, the gain outweighs the gain. But think about it, are eight people returning only one life? In fact, they are using life to maintain American tradition—the family protects the state, and the state protects the family.”

"Maybe many people think the same as the team members in the film - why exchange our lives for other people's lives, don't we have no mothers, no brothers and sisters? Don't we fight to the death on the battlefield? Why does he have this privilege? "

"Director Duke Rosenberg must also understand these questions that the audience will have, so his intention is not to discuss the value of this case, but to tell everyone an eternal morality by showing such a historical saving event. Truth - Cherish life and help others."

"The rescue team knows the warmth of family and the value of life because of helping Ryan; and Ryan, because of Captain Miller and the rescue team, realizes that he will use his life to protect and take care of more people who need to be saved and helped. The outbreak of war is for everyone You can't choose and control, but helping others is something you can choose and make." (To be continued~^~)

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