Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 727 Operating Three Movies Simultaneously
Jennifer Connelly collected Ronald's business card solemnly, but she did not leave, but accompanied Ronald and art director Ryan Weaver to watch various locations in the Catskills.

Every time Ronald went to a place, he took pictures with the camera he brought, and planned to choose the scene according to the appearance when he returned.

"Don't you guys take exterior shots here? Then why don't you find a studio to set up shots?" Jennifer Connelly heard that Ronald took pictures because the cost of emptying the Catskills was too expensive, so she asked his own doubts.

"It's too expensive. There are a lot of tourists here. We have to shoot for 20 to 450 days. We can't work overtime here, so it takes three to four weeks. As for the scenery, it's even more expensive. My budget for the whole movie is only [-] million. Dollar."

Ronald found an ice cream place, bought three double-scoop chocolate ice cream cones, and offered Connery one.

"I won't eat it." Connery refused. She couldn't escape the baby fat common to American girls, and she was fat all over.She rejected Ronald's offer, but kept her eyes fixed on the ice cream, "You are so famous, shouldn't the studio give you a budget of 3000 to [-] million?"

"For some reason, I can only finance the filming myself." Ronald took the ice cream and ate it by himself, "Do you still make movies now?"

"Shooting, when I was filming 'Once Upon a Time in America', it was equivalent to taking an advanced research class in film shooting. Originally, my mother asked me to be a model, but now I became an actor before I realized it.

I did "Labyrinth just came out, did you see it? I did it with David Bowie."

"I haven't seen it yet, but I will."

Jennifer Connelly heard that Ronald only had a budget of 450 million, and her attitude was not as eager as before to recommend herself.

Ronald also understands her thoughts. I heard that The Maze is a blockbuster movie with a budget of 3000 to [-] million. Connery has cooperated with a big director like Leon since his debut, and it is a big production. Hearing his own small film, It is abnormal not to be disappointed.

After bidding farewell to Jennifer Connelly, Ronald and art director Ryan Weaver began to figure out what to do next.

The problem of fallen leaves limited the shooting time of "Dirty Dancing" to summer and autumn. If you can't find a cheap location this year, you have to postpone it until next year.

Ronald felt that the problem was big. He first asked Ryan Weaver to find other suitable locations to see his location results before deciding whether to shoot this year.

"On the east coast, the leaves change color and fall as you go south. We have to go south. Based on the photos you took today, look for a Jewish resort with a similar architectural style and camera position." Ryan Weaver concluded .

"It's not us, it's you. I have to go back to Los Angeles soon, and there are two film projects waiting for me to deal with." Ronald didn't have time to accompany him to continue scouting.

"Okay, but I have to find someone to help me. I can't handle the framing by myself. The framing of this movie is more complicated, and I may have to use film for a trial shot. I must at least find someone to help me carry the camera."

"You can recommend a personal choice, but I don't have much budget, you have to take economy class to go to the deep south."

"Then find David Chapman, he is a very reliable location production designer. He has rich experience and is very suitable for handling small-budget productions like yours, but also needs to meet a specific era. If you agree, I will bring He comes to meet you, and then we're going to find locations around Virginia and North Carolina that fit the bill."

"I'm not free, you can decide." Ronald waved his hand, Ryan Weaver's ability has been proven, just look at the results, "But why don't you go to Florida or Georgia? Where is the climate? Isn't it warmer?"

"Although the trees there don't shed their leaves, the tree species are completely different from those in New York State. You don't want palm trees to appear in the Catskills plot."

"Oh, I'm confused. It's up to you. I won't interfere. I just want to see the results. When I get back, I'll see your photos and test footage."

After Ronald finished his explanation, he quickly called a taxi and rushed to the airport. Richard and Little Bud, who were waiting for him there, had already helped him prepare his luggage, took the plane ticket and went to the boarding gate.

"When we arrived in Los Angeles, we first made an appointment with Disney's Mr. Katzenberg to meet and chat with the two director candidates they recommended for 'The Nanny'. Then we were the production director of Twentieth Century Fox, the production director of 'Spirited' The work hasn't started yet, and unlike Disney's professionals, they don't seem to be making any progress, and you have to decide many details."

"You and Nisita will go with me to meet the top executives of two companies. I have no skills at all, and I need someone to help me share the work. You must grow up as soon as possible. You can't just be my work assistant." Ronald now accepts I have done the preparatory work for the three films, and there is a shortage of manpower around me, so I have to let out immature people as my eyeliner.

Anyway, neither of these two films intends to direct them themselves, as long as they can guarantee that they will not overtime or overspend on the set.

My main scenes are still on "Dirty Dancing" and "Moonlight" which will start filming next year.

"Well, I will take a good look at the studio." Richard pushed his glasses. He has been a junior partner of CAA for several years, and it is time to upgrade his work content and the title on his business card.

……

"These two director candidates are all acquaintances of yours, right?"

Katzenberg, Disney's vice president of production, attached great importance to Ronald's project "Adventures of the Nanny" and personally participated in the project meeting.This production meeting is mainly to determine the candidate for the director.

"Yeah, Cameron Crowe and I have known each other for a long time, he was the writer of my first film. Chris Columbus, I met him a few times at Steven (Spielberg) We hit it off very well this time."

"Do you have a preference among the two director candidates?" The two women next to him asked Ronald.

"No, what about you? Deborah, Linda?"

Ronald asked about two female producers who represented Disney's Touchstone Films to participate in the project and also had the title of producer.At that time, the tracking and budget control of the scene will be handed over to the two female futures, and Ronald is more inclined to grasp the overall creativity.

Deborah Hill, who leads the duo, replied, "We've talked to both of the last two candidates, Chris Columbus is more ambitious and I'm leaning toward him.

It was a small production, with a budget of only 600 million, and we needed someone who had the appetite to fight against all odds, sleep only a few hours a day, and still have fun doing it.

This job is very challenging. "

Linda Obst is the slightly later character between the two, "Cameron actually has a lot of good ideas, but he is not aggressive enough. The first debut novel, which is not afraid of hardships but also to achieve the goal This momentum is more important than artistic ability.”

"Hmph... what you said makes sense, let's meet both of us."

"Hi Cameron, how are you doing? How is Nancy?"

Ronald hugged and greeted his friend Cameron Crowe, and then began to talk about directing the script with him.

"I just think that the temperament of this movie is very mixed, including love romance, secret love, cheating, and adventure, and a deep yearning for family life. This is a very clever screenwriting method, but there are also It eliminates the risk of audiences being confused about what genre the film is.

If I were to write the screenplay, I would probably reduce the content of one direction and emphasize the other direction more. ..."

"Hmm..." Ronald and Cameron Crowe chatted for more than half an hour. The two female producers had a good point, and Crowe still had the habit of thinking from the perspective of a screenwriter.

What he said is actually not unreasonable, but now Touchstone Pictures does not need a screenwriter to revise the script, but a screenwriter who can advance the project and shoot the satisfactory script according to the will of the producer. director.

"I'll call you with the results." Ronald sent Crowe out the door.

"Thank you, Ronald. Actually, I don't know if I want to be a director and if I'm ready."

Ronald shook his head. Fortunately, the honest man among the artists didn't say that during the interview.Although Crowe and himself are buddies, this is an important juncture in determining the director candidate. Doesn't it seem that he has no confidence?
Maybe after he married the rock star Nancy Wilson, he didn't lack money, so he didn't have a strong will to fight.

"Hi, Ronald."

When Chris Columbus came, he was much more nervous.

"Being a director has always been my dream, and if I have such an opportunity, I will do my best.

I'm very satisfied with the script. It's very good for teenagers and children's psychology. I like it very much.

I can't think of any scenes that are extra difficult, except for the climbing of tall buildings, which requires the design and implementation of special effects personnel.

I think there will be unavoidable, unforeseen difficulties when shooting, but as long as you have a trusted team, I can't think of anything that can't be solved.

I want this movie to be a light-hearted undertone that kids and parents can watch together.At the end of the final part, I hope to add a little lesson to let the children know the risks of going out and wandering if they don't listen to the nanny.

I think parents will be happy to pay their naughty children to watch this kind of movie..."

Obviously, Chris Columbus's desire is much stronger than Cameron Crowe's.He worked as a screenwriter for Spielberg for many years, but never had the opportunity to be a director.

He also didn't get much money from those Amblin movies.With a wife and kids to support, he was much better prepared for this movie than Crowe.

"Please go back first. If there is any further news, we will notify your agent." Ronald sent Columbus out of the conference room.

"Thank you, Ronald. I didn't expect you to remember what I told you. It means a lot to me. I'll try."

"This is Touchstone's trust in you. Disney and the others came to you by name." Ronald didn't take the credit.

"I know, I know, but I'm so glad you gave me a chance."

The two director candidates are both a bit bookish, and they speak in a very orderly manner without being aggressive.

The three people in the touchstone are satisfied with the two candidates. Of course, they prefer Chris Columbus.

"Then Columbus, I'll call Crowe." Ronald decided on the director.

"Next is scouting, and casting. Do you have any recommendations?" Katzenberg asked Ronald.

"This needs to be discussed with the director, and it requires a girl with an independent temperament, and the audience can believe that she will stand up and fight against the gangsters in order to protect the children in care.

The key to the success of this movie lies in whether the protagonist, the nanny Chris, can convince the audience and look at the whole story from her perspective. Children should also find her amiable and a nanny who makes people approachable.

The parents who hire him should feel that this is a mature and responsible nanny, and when they go out by themselves, they are very relieved to leave her at home to look after the children.

Boys should find her sexy and beautiful, the kind of girl next door that they fall in love with at first sight..."

Seeing the two female generals, Ronald and Katzenberg looked at him and stopped talking.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with what I said?"

"Hollywood legend, you, like Hitchcock, have many scenes in your mind before you are a director. When you arrive on the set, you shoot the scenes in your mind. It seems true. We regret that we did not invite you to direct this film. .”

"Hahaha..." Ronald laughed, "If you have no doubts, we can start auditioning when Chris Columbus joins the crew.

……

Ronald called Crowe, who was unsuccessful, and informed Columbus of the good news. He only rested for one night, and the next day he went to [-]th Century Fox non-stop to discuss another movie "Spirit".

The preparatory meeting for this film was very different. Only one person from [-]th Century Fox came to talk.

"I have a director, Michael Gottlieb, what do you think?"

Speaking was Joseph Farrow, an executive producer at Twentieth Century Fox.Now that Fox's production business is shrinking, and the fragmentation left over from the era of oil tycoons, everyone's practice of dividing spheres of influence has not changed.

Farrow is a high-level executive who is acquainted with Barry Diller. The project was handed over to him, and he told Ronald to let the agent go out, and the two chatted privately to share the benefits that could be distributed.

"What movies has he directed before?" Ronald frowned. Fox's style was completely different from the rigorous, meticulous, and professional style of Disney's Touchstone.

"No, I haven't directed a movie. But he is the younger brother of the screenwriter of 'Jaws', my man, give me a chance? I can give you the right to decide the heroine."

"Gottlieb, like Farrow, is a typical Jewish name," Ronald thought about it.Now Fox's main focus is on the acquisition of the cable TV network. The film production here is tantamount to a paradise for the major executives and project producers to share their profits.

The other party brought up the heroine to talk about things, and it seemed that he thought he would like to communicate with the actress.

"Who are you going to use as the male lead?"

Since it is a fat distribution, Ronald thought I would too.

This movie is very childlike when it is dreamed in a dream. It doesn't look like a serious movie. Anyway, Fox pays for it, so they can play as they like.

A movie with a nominal producer and no real production rights will not have any impact on the reputation of its core business in the industry.

"I'm going to pick one from the Brat Pack. These people have a bad reputation, but they are very well-known. Our movie can use their popularity for free and get a lot of pages for free."

"I think what you said makes sense, which one are you going to use?" Ronald liked the idea of ​​a free ride.

"What do you think of Emilio Estevez? He's the president of the Kid Gang."

"I don't think he can act, the kid is a fucking hunchback."

"What about Andrew McCarthy? He's done a lot of Pepsi commercials, and he's the best looking."

"He's not bad." Ronald remembered the actor who played Hughes' "Pretty in Pink", the actor who played the leading role in this movie in his dream, so he went along with the flow, not to ruin other people's "good deeds".

"Who do you want to use as the heroine?"

"I'm optimistic... Wait, isn't the actor's union going to interfere with the casting? Can you make an appointment?"

Ronald thought about it for a while, and felt that Kim Cattrall in his dream was a good actor, and he had also taken care of Diane in the crew of "Demon Brain Chinatown" before.I kind of don't want her to get caught up in this doomed trash movie.

"This kind of small production, that is, the production cost of more than 700 million, plus we did not release the news of you as the producer, there will not be many actors to audition. As long as you like the recommendation, I will She can be arranged to be selected."

"Let's follow the standard audition procedure." Ronald thought for a while, and couldn't trick Kim Cattrall.

"Are you serious?" Joseph Farrow was surprised that Ronald gave up his "power".

"Do you want to meet some new people? Or the life you know."

Farrow thought about it, and suddenly realized, "But it's fun, don't promise too much, lest too many people want to play the leading role, and I won't end well. This drama is a female protagonist drama with a female perspective. There will be many different things. Famous actors come here."

"Um...you have the final say." Ronald had no intention of distinguishing, he just wanted to finish what he was supposed to do, and then let this unlucky crew stay far away.

"Dangdang, Dangdang..."

Joseph Farrow happily sorted out the files and hummed a ditty.

"Do you really want to be confident in this movie?" Ronald couldn't help asking.

"Of course, haven't you noticed? Hollywood is now full of weird romances. There have been a lot of interracial romances in recent years."

"What do you mean?" Ronald found that Joseph Farrow didn't seem to be joking, and wanted to hear his opinion.

"It's human beings falling in love with non-human creatures or non-living things.

It seems audiences love all kinds of weird pairings these days.For example, in 'Mermaid', Tom Hanks falls in love with a mermaid. Lea Thompson falls in love with an alien duck in 'Howard the Duck' and Ellie Sheedy falls in love with a robot in 'Thunderbolt Five'.There is also a movie this year about a girl who falls in love with her car.

Audiences love that now, so Ronald, you've got a very good script for us.A cute nerd fell in love with a beautiful wooden model.

The audience is going to love it, and we have a 50.00% chance of being a hit. "

"So for the four examples you gave, the two movies are 50.00%, right?" Ronald complained in his heart.

"Well, Mr. Farrow, your idea is an eye-opener. From this perspective, it is true that this movie has the potential to be a 'big hit.' Good luck."

"I wish us good luck, hahaha..."

　There is only one chapter of two in one today

　
(End of this chapter)