Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 851 A New Journey
"Walter", Ronald went to a relatively remote editing room in West Hollywood, where Walter Murch was editing a new movie for Orion Pictures.

Murch has been working on this project for a long time, Ronald estimated that he should have almost finished editing, so he came to ask him for help, and asked Murch to continue editing the next film for himself.

With the help of this editing master on the scene, Ronald can control the shooting time to be shorter.How to deal with certain shots, and what kind of pictures can be accepted in editing.You can let Murch give opinions on the spot.

In this way, Ronald does not have to take more insurance shots to match the editing.

"Ronald, you're here." Murch held his hands under his new pair of Japan-made glasses. These glasses are made of light alloy, which are lighter than the heavy frames he used to wear. .These two cooperations with Ronald have made his financial situation a lot easier, and he has changed a lot of outfits.

"I'm here to ask you for help... oh, what is this? Tsk tsk."

Before Ronald could say what he wanted, he saw a very sexy scene appear on the playback screen of the editing machine made in West Germany.Two beautiful women with very good figure are taking pictures of each other while chasing each other naked in an old house with a camera.

Ronald looked at Murch, why has my brother been editing this kind of "love you for nine and a half weeks" pornographic films for the past few months?

No way, Walter Murch was quite an aspiring professional.His tape business paid good dividends, and after editing two films for Ronald with a high salary, the financial difficulties caused by the failure of the filming of "Return to Oz" have been greatly alleviated.

All three children went to good high schools, and their future college tuition is also covered.

Murch is more of a hippie in character, and he still chooses his favorite film work, not all about the salary.What he said before is that he is adapting a famous book and editing a heavyweight work that is expected to be nominated for an Oscar.

"This is my job these past few months. It is very difficult. It is the most difficult and challenging job I have taken over since I started my career."

As Walter Murch spoke, he turned the button on the console, and the screen moved forward quickly, to the screen 10 minutes later.

"Why are there still black and white shots?"

Ronald saw a picture of war appearing on the screen.What a movie this is, quite a sprawling and convoluted feel.There is love between men and women, sexy scenes between women, and black and white scenes of war. What masterpiece can have such a capacity?

Tolstoy's "War and Peace"?This is not right, the weapons in the picture are all like modern warfare.

"Did you find something?" Walter Murch still looked like a technical expert. He showed Ronald the screen for a few minutes, and then a kind of "Do you see the difficulty?" appeared on his face. smile.

"Huh?" Ronald looked at it for a while, "It seems that these are 16mm film, no, here is 8mm film, and then 35mm film, these lenses are so complicated, and they look like amateur shooting."

"By the way, this is the real scene when the Soviet army entered Prague, Czechoslovakia." Walter Murch revealed the mystery.

"In this movie, I found a lot of black-and-white live films shot by Western tourists with portable cameras. They should be cut together with the professional photographer's pictures in the movie to give the audience an immersive effect. "

"It's quite difficult." Ronald turned the knob back and forth, carefully watching the picture for a few minutes.Various formats, various scenes, and various shots have to be cut together so that the audience can't see the flaws.

Especially the newly shot color images are very different from the black and white images of the year.The new film has very fine grain, while the old 8mm film is enlarged and full of coarse grain.When switching, keep the audience out of the play.It is a great test for the editor.

"Do you know where the most troublesome thing is?"

"where is it?"

"Right here," Walter Murch tunes in to the prettier of the two beautiful protagonists, who is taking pictures with a tiny Leica.On the screen is her subjective shot.A Souville officer confronted her and told her to stop taking pictures.

"That's the point of the material back then, and I couldn't catch it later. I almost contacted the director Philip Kaufman to reshoot."

"Then what did you do afterwards?"

Ronald observed carefully, the very temperamental and very beautiful heroine, and the long-faced male protagonist with an obscene temperament often appeared in black and white pictures.

If Ronald's guess is correct, these passages were filmed with the current set and group performances.Then deliberately make it old, cut it together with the live video of that year, deliberately create an effect that the protagonist seems to be at the historical scene.

If Ronald himself encounters the problem of lack of material, even if he spends money to rebuild the set and call back all the extras, he still has to complete the shot.Movies cannot present such a scene without beginning and end.

"Look," Walter Murch smiled and hit the play button.The close-up of the actor playing the military officer was frozen into a photo, which turned into black and white in the next second, and then the camera zoomed out. It turned out to be a picture on the front page of a newspaper the next day.

"You are a genius." Ronald was amazed.It's like filming a guy running into a dead end, and when he gets to the end, the audience is watching to see what tricks he can do to escape.As a result, he snapped his fingers suddenly, and the camera flew up with him.

This is a special solution unique to film art.Television can never be so fine, and it takes a very skilled editor to grind slowly to achieve this kind of magical touch in editing.

"How long do you want to cut?" Ronald pondered for a moment, but asked.

"It will take about 2-3 months, and the black and white film gives me a headache. But that's not the worst, the heroine is the biggest trouble."

"Why, I think she plays very well." Ronald pointed to the actress on the screen who looked a bit like a fox fairy in a traditional Chinese novel, with a pointed chin and a pair of charming eyes.When she was being chased by another heroine to take a photo, the shy emotions that ordinary actors could not perform.It's very natural that the audience will trust her and fall in love with her character.

"Look at this..." Murch wrote down the number, found the number on the shelf behind him, and replaced it with another film. Here is another same shot taken by the heroine.

"Oh...how did she do it?" Ronald looked at this article, the heroine completely changed her acting, which was completely different from the previous article.

"This is my favorite good actor. Each of them brings infinite possibilities to the editor. I have to think for a long time before deciding which one to cut and where to put it together."

Ronald understood why Walter Murch took this movie so seriously.These clips cannot be completed without a skilled master.Artists all understand this kind of mentality of being happy when they see each other.

But in this case, Murch will not have the energy to help him make new films.

Or find another director to shoot?Retired behind the scenes as a producer?
"Ronald, there are some things I shouldn't be telling you, but someone does need to tell you. We met when you worked for Roger Coleman." Walter Murch handed a glass of Home brewed honey water over here.

"Yeah, if you weren't willing to teach me, I wouldn't be able to get into this business."

"But have you ever wondered, are you going to spend your whole life making Roger Corman movies?"

"Huh?" Ronald turned his head and looked at Murch. What do you mean by that?
"Of course, I'm not saying that Roger's movies are not good. His movies have given many talents in the industry a chance to debut, and the box office revenue is also very good.

But a director, affirmed by time and remembered by the audience, still has to come up with a work that goes beyond ordinary stories. "

Seeing that Ronald didn't listen to the advice of a loser himself because his only film failed at the box office, Walter Murch continued.

"Your 'Top Gun' and 'Dirty Dancing' will certainly be remembered by many viewers, but if they didn't specifically mention it, they wouldn't quote lines from the movie every day and imitate the dresses in the movie..."

"But that's just a movie. It's just a 90 or 120-minute dream. Can anyone really love movies to this extent?" Ronald was a little bit unconvinced by what Murch said.He himself is very lucky to be able to make a lot of money from movies, and the audience likes them.

Maybe before the 50s, there would be such movies, right?At that time, television was not popular, and the main entertainment for many people was watching movies.

"Yes, Francis (Coppola) 'The Godfather' is an example." Walter Murch sternly said.

"That's true, but it's a great masterpiece, and most people can't shoot it. Mr. Coppola will do it again, and it will be very difficult to shoot it." Ronald thought, you really think highly of me, I will shoot alone Exploitation films, you ask me for a film that must be in the top five in film history.

"Don't you want to be famous in film history? Don't you want to conquer the film critics? Don't you want the audience in America to talk about your movie actively when chatting?"

"Hey, who doesn't want to make a movie..." Ronald thought to himself, I must have the same luck.This kind of movie is not something that can be made with hard work. The right time, the right script, and the right casting are all indispensable.

"But you have a good chance. Francis (Coppola) and I talked on the phone a while ago, we talked about the future development of Hollywood, and we all agreed that you are the young director who is most likely to break through that ceiling.

Even when you choose a script, you can't all look at the prospects of the box office.Sometimes, the script of a movie moves you, and you have an urge to create, so you must choose it decisively instead of another one that can bring you more box office results.

Besides your current strength, scripts with box office potential can be directed by other directors, and you monitor the quality in the editing room..."

Walter Murch said a lot, but Ronald didn't listen to a word. He only thought about one question, do I really have the potential to make a movie that will be famous in history and will be constantly mentioned in the future? ah?

"I know it's hard, but you have to hold yourself to a higher standard, and you have that chance, Ronald. When the time comes, I hope to edit your masterpiece for you."

Ronald's fighting spirit, which seemed a little slack because of the easy money he earned, was rekindled.Repeating some template-like stories every time lacks new stimulation for Ronald.He hopes to find the feeling of excitement that made him feel when he was making a movie for the first time.

Regardless of whether or not I can make a film that is famous in film history, I do have the capital to put forward higher requirements in terms of artistry and story quality.

While making the audience like it, it does not prevent me from making some challenging movies that I also like.

"Thanks, Walter," Ronald had better ideas for the new film.

"We are very optimistic about you, and the one named Cameron. You may change Hollywood."

Ronald was a little embarrassed when he was praised, "By the way, what's the name of the movie you edited?"

"Milan Kundera's 'Prague Love', why, haven't you seen it?"

"No, I like to read suspense, detective, or romance novels." Ronald has little appetite for such literary novels, or even movies.

"It's a very good novel, take a copy and read it."

"Who is this heroine?"

"This one?" Murch looked back at the screen that Ronald was watching. "That's the Chinese actress, Juliette Binoche. She's been nominated for a César for two previous films. It's a rookie, Philippe Cooper." Fenman was pleased with her performance."

"Oh", Ronald thought, it's no wonder that Chinese actresses are indeed different in temperament from those in Hollywood and Britain, as if they can convey the atmosphere of the story just by standing there.They are not the same as Lushu, and the method of Anglo-American emphasis on using stories to create characters.Even many movies can't say that there is a complete story, but the atmosphere is fascinating.

"This is Daniel Day Lewis. Philip Kaufman also likes him very much, saying that he has the potential to be an actor... Hey, Ronald, you are leaving? This is the honey made by my wife. She specially told me I want to give it to you."

"Ah, thank you. When I was filming, I relied on it to moisten my throat. Yes, I have an appointment with other people, so I have to go first. By the way, my aunt asked me to bring you some baked cookies. Little Bud brought it to you."

"Really, that male lead has such a donkey face, what's the use of good acting skills, I'm not interested in directing him." Ronald felt that Murch recommended the wrong person, but it was the hairy country named Binoche. Beauty, she is really photogenic..."

……

The next night, in Joel Silver's office, he looked at Ronald, "What are you willing to give for Sybill Shepard?"

"It was you who negotiated with her, not me, Joel. But I can tell you a piece of news, it's free. I heard that she really wants to return to the film industry." Ronald smiled, and Silver also had to Contributions to new projects cannot be exchanged solely on your own connections and commitments.

"Okay, hey," Joel Silver said again in his take-it-yourself style.

"I've talked to her and she really wants to come back to the movies. 'Blue Moonlight', whether or not she makes it to the end of the season, audiences are starting to get a little tired of her.

Last year, she also won an Emmy Award for Best Actress for this role.Human ambition always grows with success. "

Ronald thought, this evaluation makes sense.

"What project do you have for her? Or is it suitable for her to act in?" Ronald looked at the very proud Silver, wondering if he was trying to get the best of both worlds.

"Fox has a lot of female-themed movies, and they are currently establishing projects. Sybil will be renewed for at least one season next year. After she gives birth, she will also need time to recover. In short, as long as we can make this movie successful, we can get it. Greater power."

"Joel, today I have new considerations, I will not direct this movie."

"What?" Joel Silver bounced off the couch.

"Don't worry, I will still be the producer, and I will be responsible for the overall quality of the movie."

"Can you come with me and watch the daily sample as much as possible?" Joel Silver understood that Ronald didn't intend to withdraw his capital, and he was relieved for the most part.

A successful director like Ronald will have such a day sooner or later.Spielberg and Lucas have many projects, and they will find other directors who are capable but have no chance to work on them.

Anyway, for this kind of commercial film project, the most important thing is the script and casting.What is needed is the kind of director who completes the daily shooting work according to the quality and schedule.In the end, in the cutting room, it is also the producer who has more power.

"I'll try to come when I'm around, but I have a new film 'Moonlight' and promotional work."

"That's no problem, hehe. In fact, I also have a few director candidates here. You can interview them with me."

"Okay, while I'm here. You'd better focus on the leading actor, Bruce Willis, try to sign the contract as soon as possible, if you have any questions, remember to find me. I have a special channel to influence Bruce."

"Great, ready to work!"

Joel Silver made a lewd hip-thumping pose.Excited to be able to start the project.

"Have a glass of wine? Where's your good wine?" Ronald began to search in Silver's cabinet.

"I'll come, I'll come." Silver rushed into the desk, bent down to touch the good wine in the wine cabinet.

Ronald picked up the TV remote control on the table and turned on the TV.

"Local news next, newsletter."

From Silver's TV came the local channel 5, a young hostess, with a text message on the mouth.

"Famous Hollywood actress, the heroine of Blue Moon, Sybill Shepherd, gave birth to twins at the maternity house!"

"Boom... ah..." Joel Silver hit his head on the corner of the table when he got up quickly after hearing the news.

"This evening Pacific Time, Sybill Shepard's publicist said the actress who played Maddy Hayes on the television series 'Blue Moonlight' gave birth to a boy and a girl, and all three are in critical condition. very good.

The older sister, Ariel Shepard Oppenheimer, weighing 4lb 11oz, was born at 8:5pm. Eight minutes later, brother Zakaria was born, weighing 2 lbs [-] oz...

Shepard has received widespread acclaim for her outstanding performance in her debut film 'The Last Movie'... Now the audience is even more impressed by her TV series..."

"Both mother and baby are very happy and healthy," said Oppenheimer, who was hospitalized with Shepard on television. "The baby's lungs are fine, they're healthy."

"Damn, why did it happen today?" Joel Silver's tears were about to flow out of pain.I don't know if the impact on the head hurts more, or I regret paying Sheppard to stop filming TV series

"What's the situation? She's not full-term yet, right?" Ronald was also very surprised. Demi found out that Sybil was pregnant after the filming started this spring. This is considered a premature baby.

"You don't have children, Ronald, it's very common to have twins who are premature." Silver touched his belly, which was not small.

"I didn't expect it to be twins, so Sybil will need more time to cultivate and recover. Hey, what if he was born yesterday? Don't we have to pay anything in exchange?"

"Forget it, who knows?" Joel Silver also let go, anyway, it is a promise to the future, and this kind of thing can easily change.

(End of this chapter)