Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1321 No One is Irreplaceable

"You want to be the director, but Emil Adolino is interested in this project. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't start filming..."

Ronald received a call from Barbra Streisand, who wanted him not only to star in the film but also to direct it, or to use his name as the director.

"But no one is irreplaceable, right? I want to talk to you in person..."

"All right……"

Ronald felt that Streisand was a well-known American Jewish singer and actress, and that it would be insincere to reject her over the phone, so he agreed to meet her in New York.

……

"I like this script very much, but there are many details that need to be changed, such as the dancer's mental state, which should be the core of the movie, not her love affairs..."

Barbra Streisand did a lot of homework. She proposed to use the social mentality of women in the conservative era of the past who gave extraordinary performances and were openly despised by society but secretly everyone competed to watch them.

With this as the background, the film depicts a woman’s struggle and entanglement.

"I like it too, but this is Emil Adolino's project. If you are willing to work with him..." Ronald still used the same old rhetoric and refused to give in.

"Oh, why don't you understand? I need a chance to be a director to prove my ability..." Barbra Streisand could no longer tolerate Ronald's confusion. Am I someone who is in need of a script? I am in need of a chance to prove my ability as a director!
"I think what you want is an opportunity to express your inner self. You've suffered all those grievances in Hollywood for many years. In those male-dominated industries, a female star is seen as just a pretty face (Ronald also felt a little guilty about saying this)..." Ronald could see that Barbra Streisand actually had great ambitions.

The feelings she brought up were all internal dramas. She had to start with the external plots and scenes to show the character - that is, the incarnation of herself - how things felt in Hollywood and the record industry over the years. She wanted to convey these feelings to the audience.

"Oh, Ronald. I'm falling in love with you. No wonder they say you're the director who understands female stars the best. I've talked to so many people, but you're the only one who understands my heart right away..."

Sure enough, Ronald did hit on Streisand's psychological level. Rather than wanting to win an award, she wanted to be recognized, a recognition that she was not just a "pretty face" but also had brains.

"But I think you understand that it is difficult for Hollywood to make a promise. I have already promised Emil Adolino. You don't want this movie to end up in your hands like this, do you? As for the script, I will keep an eye out for you. If there is a suitable one, we can work together. I always think that it is easy for a good actor to be a director..."

"My dear, you are really a director who understands actors, just like Kevin Costner. I paid special attention to the cause and effect of his film Dances with Wolves. If it weren't for you...his talent would not have been able to be brought into play..."

"Ah, hahaha..." Ronald got goose bumps when he heard the word "dear". Jon Peters, now the vice president of Columbia, became a producer just by helping her "comb her hair".

"Well, I like you very much..." Barbara Streisand rarely personally got a bottle of mineral water for Ronald.

"Huh?" Ronald felt even more uncomfortable after hearing this.

"If you have any problems in Hollywood, just come to me." After saying that, Streisand stood up and saw him out.

"Oh, so you're not trying to seduce me..." Ronald breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, what else could be my problem in Hollywood?
……

"I heard that Barbara Streisand wants to be a director?" Emil Adolino also heard the news and came over to discuss it with Ronald.

"I've already turned her down. You have to choose another heroine... Let's see which actresses in Hollywood are good at singing and dancing. I'll ask someone to invite them..." Ronald told the other party the "bad news" that Barbara Streisand would not be acting and the investment in this movie might be downgraded.

"But why? There's a saying in Hollywood that no one is irreplaceable..." Emil Adolino has been losing weight recently, probably because he was too busy filming The Nutcracker.

"Yes, no one is irreplaceable, so Barbara was replaced... You are one of our Daydream's most valuable assets, and to us, you are the one who cannot be replaced..."

"I... This has been my wish for many years, to shoot a film like a backstage musical. Don't worry, after I finish these two films, I will go back to shooting commercial productions..." Emil Adolino was obviously a little moved. It is not easy for a studio owner to say such words.

"Haha, Sister Act will definitely have a sequel. If you want to do it, then do it. If not, we can slowly pay attention to other scripts... You may not be able to catch up with Kevin Costner's new film, but Tom Cruise and Bruce Willis both have new projects in preparation. I will support you in the competition..."

Ronald was very happy. This was the best commercial film director that Daydream had recruited. Anyway, the timing was right and good words were worthless, so he just had to say them. Giving directors a certain degree of freedom was actually a very good way to win them over. After they finished shooting a film that was mainly about personal expression, they would feel guilty and miss the convenience brought by commercial production, which would be more conducive to making money.

"You know what? It's a real pleasure to work for you." Emil Adolino was also happy. For a somewhat introverted person like him, it was very lucky to have such a boss. He only needed to do his best job, directing, and he didn't have to worry about anything else.

……

"shxt..." It was also a last resort to win over Emil Adolino. Daydream's recent production business has suffered some setbacks.

With the reputation of winning two consecutive Oscars, Ronald was discussing cooperation with some popular movie stars.

Including Harrison Ford, who, after trying the romantic love plot of "Working Girl", felt that this kind of movie that mixed multiple genres and highlighted his beauty was the direction he should transform in the future.

So he is happy to work with Ronald on the next movie. The two sides have had many in-depth discussions on the elements that the script must contain, but just last week, Harrison Ford's screenwriter wife, Melissa Matheson, suddenly informed Ronald that Harrison Ford will work with the famous Jewish producer Arnold Kopelson next.

Another person he discussed cooperation with was the movie star Dustin Hoffman, who is famous for his classic method acting skills, and directors who work with him are often very upset.

But as a producer, it is not painful to work with him. As long as you can grasp his desire to change the script, as a star, he can save the producer a lot of trouble. Especially since the few films he produced after Rain Man failed at the box office, his salary, the right to speak in the project, etc., have all reached an extremely weak position. Only the audience remembers him, and he can rely on this to get money from investors.

Although it was the first time working with him, Dustin Hoffman was relatively low-key this time. He personally visited Ronald twice and showed a very sincere attitude towards cooperation.

The two had talked a lot about the script and admired each other, but a few days ago, something went wrong. Dustin Hoffman suddenly said that he was not confident in his acting skills and wanted to take a break and perform in a Broadway play to regain his confidence as an actor.

Ronald was so angry that he threw his Coke. Are you treating me like a fool? I also talked with you about the pros and cons of many scripts and which ones might be suitable for him. Isn't it all in vain? I gave it to this actor for free.
Fortunately, Tom Cruise's relationship with him is still solid. After the filming of "A Few Good Men" was completed, Cruise was willing to work with Ronald again, have him direct and play the leading role, to re-shoot a movie similar to Top Gun to consolidate his position among the audience.

Kevin Costner has no problem with him and is still inviting him to join his new project, a story about a popular singer and his bodyguard. According to him, this movie was written by the famous director Lawrence Kasdan, imitating another script of Kurosawa's "Yojimbo". Of course, Kasdan only referred to the structure and plot, and did not copy it completely like the Red Dead Redemption did.

With these two stars, plus Tom Hanks' upcoming "Sleepless in Seattle", Daydream's big productions have not been interrupted for the time being. But the dream of expanding the scale of production has not yet been realized.

On the other hand, many small productions also encountered problems. Some actors refused to cooperate with Daydream for various reasons. As a result, they had no choice but to continue to bet on two second-tier action stars, Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Of course, what worries Ronald the most is the script. He hasn't been dreaming much recently, and many of the scripts he had previously considered are in the hands of major studios, so the price to buy them is too high.

Especially the movie "Forrest Gump" which he had dreamed of twice. He asked intermediaries to send him the request many times, but Warner Bros. rejected it outright every time.

You know, the main reason why Spielberg's Amblin Productions has been successful for many years is that he can attract enough high-quality scripts. Whether he directs himself or supports young directors, there is no problem.

So if he can hold on for another year and produce a movie with better box office and better reviews, then some people in Hollywood studios will be unable to resist. It is already a stretch to say that Ronald relied on luck this year. If he can produce one or two hit movies next year, those who want to refuse Ronald's cooperation will have to be prepared to step down.

"Where's Richard?" Ronald finished his work and was about to chat with Richard about the latest news as usual every Monday, but found that he was not there, which was unusual for him.

"I called him, and his secretary said CAA was holding an emergency meeting, apparently to welcome a new big client."

……

"I am very pleased to announce that Mr. Spielberg has officially become a member of CAA, and I will personally serve as his agent...

As for who he is, I won't introduce him in detail. There is no one in Hollywood who doesn't know him. Because his project is very busy, we won't hold any more welcoming ceremonies. We will hold a decent wrap-up celebration for him after his project is finished..."

Ovitz held a meeting on Monday morning, and the announcement was to welcome the great director Spielberg to officially become a signed client of CAA.

This move really made many agents feel that Ovitz is still the same Ovitz, the godfather of Hollywood.

"Is Steven crazy about winning an Oscar? Is he paying the director's share so easily?"

The agents below were all whispering. The agents who had not taken Spielberg on before were all regretting it. Now that Spielberg had become the boss of Amblin, it was unlikely that he would find another agent to share his money.

What agent nowadays can give Spielberg something that he cannot get himself?
Therefore, the industry generally believes that Spielberg will no longer work with powerful agents. He has become a holy grail in the Hollywood agent industry, the kind that everyone wants but no one has.

That's why this news shocked the employees within CAA. It is conceivable that after this news spreads, other talent agencies and major studios will have to re-evaluate Ovitz.

“In addition, I want to emphasize that all agents must relearn my CAA credo.

The package model is the foundation of our success. From today on, all projects must strictly abide by this model. Any agent who does not put CAA’s interests first does not conform to our values..."

"But..." Nicita interrupted Ovitz's speech, he wanted to put forward his own opinion. For a successful person like Ronald, it might not be a good thing to restrict him in a packaged way. If such a director is willing to cooperate, it is a very good opportunity to promote other contracted actors. If he is not willing to do a package, he can also cooperate in their way.

"There is no but. Hollywood is a business. No one is irreplaceable..."

After saying this, Ovitz looked deeply at Niceta, Richard, Paula Wagner, and the other agents sitting next to them. Then he turned around and looked at the only remaining founding father, Ron Meyer.

"CAA is still Ovitz's CAA..." he thought with some pride. Finally, he got Spielberg, although it cost a lot...

But Ace is Ace, with him, the actors at CAA will go crazy. With him, the actors have an expectation that they can make Spielberg's movie.

As for Ronald, since he is not a packaged actor, there are fewer opportunities for CAA actors, so he has regained his initiative in the company. With the trump card in hand, many things that went wrong in the past year can be gradually sorted out.

I believe that among those people, Niceta knows that the overall situation is important, and his Jewish wife is even more so. Jews can always communicate. As long as the young man who sticks closest to Ronald is kicked out, everyone will know that they should give up their fantasies. And the only founding partner behind him... Hehehe, he should also retreat and support himself again, just like he has done many times before...

"Watch the ball..." After the meeting, Ovitz swung his baseball bat in the office again. A good slugger is like this, when he stands on the base, he can threaten everyone on the field...

……

"Is this his trump card?" Ronald then waited for the visit of the three agents.

"Yes, once Spielberg comes, it will give great hope to the contracted actor clients. It can be said that this is his nuclear weapon..." Richard also had to admit that this chess game was actually very effective.

"Be happy, it's no big deal..." Ronald did not look depressed at all.

"What can you do?" Paula Wagner was under a lot of pressure. She was no longer Ronald's agent, so if her client wanted to change jobs, she would have no chance of retaining him.

"I don't have many options now. Let's just follow the emergency plan we made earlier. But I've heard that nuclear weapons are only effective on the launch pad. They will no longer have a deterrent effect after they are launched.

The last time the prince of Kuwait came to see the construction of the cinema, we chatted together and he told me an Arabic proverb...

Don’t use your real skills easily. Once you use your real skills, others will know that your real skills are terrible…”

(End of this chapter)