Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 858 Improve Marketing Plan
Ronald greeted Director Huang, Xiao Yan, and a comrade of the delegation at the gate of his aunt's house on Staten Island.

"Thank you, thank you, this is really a very beautiful gift." Director Huang sent several prepared gifts as soon as he came in. A small bag tied with silk thread contained spices, which were said to ward off evil spirits.

Ronald smelled it and felt a sense of comfort.He welcomed a group of people in and introduced Aunt Karen and Donna who came back specially.Aunt Karen's boyfriend served the roasted turkey, the champagne was opened, and chopsticks were specially prepared for the friends in Huaguo.

My aunt's boyfriend Eric carefully prepared a Thanksgiving feast, wrapping a specially selected turkey with raw bacon, and smearing butter, black pepper, lemon, sage leaves and other special seasonings in the turkey belly.

It is baked in the oven twice, and the turkey meat is still rich in juice. It tastes like an aroma of pork and bacon, and it is not firewood at all.Coupled with the sauce made of chestnut and cranberry, all kinds of flavors match just right.

After dinner, under Xiaoyan's translation, everyone watched TV and chatted together, feeling the life of the middle class in America.My aunt also took out her own baked biscuits and distributed them to friends from China.

Donna chatted quietly with Ronald. Diane had already signed with Paula Wagner, and she was also happy for her childhood friend.But hearing that Ronald invested in Helen Slater's film project, I was a little worried.

"Is that script really good? You invested a lot." Donna asked.

"I don't know, who can predict the box office of a movie in advance? The same script, a different director, or a different actor may change from a popular movie to a box office bomb that no one cares about. I just think that this The script does have some commercial potential, even if the box office in theaters is not good, it can still make up for it in the video tape market.”

Ronald is telling the truth, no matter how artistic the film is, it is still a business after all, and in the end the audience must pay the bill in order to continue doing it for a long time.The well-known classical oil paintings on the market today and the works of the three masters of the Renaissance were all sold as commodities at that time, and the selling prices were quite high.

"Do you mind if I go and see how you make movies? When I was still in high school, my mother and I went to Los Angeles to see you make a movie. At that time, I thought it was amazing. I keep going to the set to see." Donna casually He proposed to go to the set of the movie hosted by Helen Slater.

"We haven't decided on a candidate for the director, but if you want to go, just go and see it on the weekend." Ronald didn't care, and agreed. Donna had been an intern in Daydream before, and the family members had a lot of respect for her. Interest in your business is a good thing.

The guests appreciated the standard of living in America, and chatted with each other. Ronald suggested that Director Huang and the others should stay at his aunt's house.Anyway, there were people in the delegation headquarters, so they called back to ask for instructions. The team leader heard that the great director Ronald, who was valued by the vice minister in China, was staying as a guest, and he quickly approved it.

"What kind of TV show are you guys talking on? Are you just chatting on TV?" Director Huang was about to go to rest after chatting until late at night, when he saw the program on the TV in the living room.

"Yes, this is a kind of talk show on our TV station. You see Johnny Carson. He hosts the Tonight Show four or five nights a week, chatting with different guests, and has an average audience of tens of millions. watch."

"Just chatting with people like this, and there are so many people watching?" Director Huang was very surprised. The Spring Festival Gala has the highest ratings in China, but it is a once-a-year celebration, and all stars and wonderful programs are invited.There are so many people watching two people chatting like this, American people are really idle.

Surprised by the very different habits of the Chinese and American people, Director Huang went upstairs to rest in the guest room, Ronald returned to his room, followed Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, and then watched the rest of the night Talk Show, a late-night show hosted by David Letterman.

"Our first guest is an artist. He once had five songs in the top [-] at the same time, and only the Beatles shared this record with him. He is also an actor, a Palm Springs Candidate for Mayor, let's welcome Sonny Bono!"

A man in a floral shirt and a moustache came up.His hair is not as thick as it was when he was young, and his walking gait also looks a little unconfident.

Sonny Bono, the chart-dominating pop guru of the '70s and '[-]s, has had a tough time of late.In addition to starring in the super-budget film "Hairspray," Ronald's singing career has hit rock bottom.

In recent years, apart from guest appearances in film and television dramas, Sonny Bono's main business has actually turned to a Hollywood star, or the most common occupation of a singer after his death-running a restaurant.

Regardless of whether the dishes are good or not, whether they are high-quality and cheap, celebrities have an inherent advantage in opening restaurants, and many fans of music and movies will come to eat in order to support idols.And celebrities generally have other celebrity friends, and if they often come to join in, they will also bring their fans.

In short, if you have ever been as famous as Sonny Bono or Cher, it is still a more reliable meal ticket for a star to open the restaurant for two or three years, and then sell it after earning enough.

"You look great, I hear you've been shooting a movie lately?" David Letterman began to channel.

"Ah, yes, I'm playing a supporting role in a musical. I just flew back from the set." Sonny Bono knew it was the promised promotional opportunity for "Hairspray", and immediately praised the film A pass, "I think this may be a black song and dance version, which took place in Baltimore' Dirty Dancing, and you will be able to see it next year."

"Oh, Baltimore's version of 'Dirty Dancing.' But in recent years, we have rarely seen you appear in movies, or have any new songs. Instead, you have often appeared in political circles."

"Hey, that's right. Ever since Cher and I separated." Sonny Bono touched the pants prepared by his pregnant current wife. After Xueer separated, it wasn't that I stayed away from the entertainment circle, but the entertainment circle left me. I still want to continue in the entertainment circle."

"Hahaha..." The audience liked this kind of self-deprecating guest very much.

"I heard that you have found a new direction in the political circle, and you are now preparing to run for the next mayor of Palm Springs, California?" Letterman's role is to guide guests to talk about various topics of interest to the audience.

"Yes, I have a restaurant in Palm Springs. You know, singers, movie stars, want to open restaurants. It seems that if you open a restaurant, you can meet old lovers like Humphrey Bogart did in 'North Africa'." ..."

"Hahaha……"

"Then why are you running for mayor?"

"I have a business in Palm Springs, I like that place, but the government there is very bureaucratic, I want to change it... The small towns around us are developing rapidly, but Palm Springs seems to be stagnant..."

Sonny Bono does have a unique charm that makes people like him. Perhaps the Grand Commander has given all the past stars of the show business a little confidence, and they are all looking to continue their acting careers in front of voters.

In his restaurant in Palm Springs, people in the government made things difficult for him, and he didn't even let him put up a big sign with neon lights.Sonny Bono felt that the population of the town was not large, and many of them were elderly people.His popularity among them is not bad, so he simply started preparing to run for mayor.

"Okay, let's stop talking about politics." David Letterman pulled the topic back, "Let's talk about something happy, what happened? Why did you just..."

"Hahaha..." The late-night audience liked Letterman's funny style very much, and Ronald was also amused.

"Seriously, what's going on? You're still singing, acting, writing songs, and all of a sudden..."

"Uh... becoming famous is very difficult for Xue'er and I. We wrote songs together, sang together, became popular together, and then we have to continue this kind of life..."

Sonny Bono had been prepared for a long time, and tried his best to lead the topic to Xueer, who was more popular than himself.

"You and Xueer are now..."

"We are still good friends, and we will call when we have something to do, but we have a bit of a disagreement. We can call to talk about problems in life, or things about lawyers, but we can't meet. It's a bit awkward when we meet..."

Sonny Bono tried to be as tactful as possible. Only when Cher met her daughter and called her mother crying to complain that her father was not responsible, or that Bono's support was not paid on time, would she ask her lawyer to call and threaten him not to Self mistake.

"Okay then, tonight we'll have our next guest, who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in 'The Skowoo Incident' and later won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for 'The Mask'. Leading role award, plus she's still in this studio, calling me Axxhole..."

"Hahaha", this kind of late-night talk show just wants all kinds of vulgar jokes to amuse everyone.

"This is her first album 'Cher' in six years, let's welcome Cher!"

"Hey..." Ronald called out.

At the entrance door over there, Xue Er wore a leather jacket unbuttoned, rushed onto the stage, and started a live performance of the title song from the new album.

Under her leather jacket is a set of one-piece translucent leather underwear, matched with black garter belts and leather boots, and Cher's instant noodle hair, which is simply eye-catching.

"Is this a new song from your new album?"

After the commercial, Xue Er quickly changed into a white coat, and the camera switched to a close-up shot, so she couldn't be so revealing.

"Yes, it's a new song." Cher replied with a smile.On the left is a trash ex-husband, and on the right is a trash host, but for the sake of new songs and new movies, they have to face each other with a smile.

"You sang very well tonight," Letterman said sincerely. Cher wearing such see-through outfits on her show must have a high ratings.

"Thank you..." Xue Er turned her back on her ex-husband Bono who was going to come over, and braced herself to deal with David Letterman.This moderator is not easy to deal with.

"What the fuck are you wearing today?" Letterman yelled in surprise, pretending to have just seen her outfit.This is to draw the audience's attention back on purpose, in case someone didn't see it just now, "Did there be a fire in the hotel and burned holes in your clothes?"

"Hey, like you said, I can wear it to Darth Vader's funeral" Cher passed by last time, and now knows how to fight back.

"Hahaha……"

The two tacitly did not mention the Axxhole incident in the last show, and then began to chat about Cher's new album and her new movie.

"My new movie is directed by Ronald Lee, in which I play Loretta, an Italian divorced woman... Yes, it will be released on a small scale this year, will you watch it?
I?I haven't seen the finished film yet, and I'm looking forward to it just like you..."

After the pre-arranged chat, David Letterman is ready to release the biggest suspense of the night.

"Look at you, will this remind you of the past, the conflicts between the two of you in the past? Or..."

The biggest stunt of the night was to have Cher and Bono re-sing their famous song, "I Got you Babe", which finally brought the topic to the point.

Ex-husband Sonny Bono took the opportunity to lean over, held Cher's head, and interlaced his fingers.Anyway, if the host asks, I will cooperate, and the media will definitely bring it up tomorrow.

"I don't feel it, not at all." Xue'er glanced at her ex-husband, this was the first time she looked at him directly today.She agreed to come tonight because of her new album and new movie, so as not to let her ex-husband get too much heat.

"Do you still maintain a friendly relationship?" Letterman continued to make trouble.

"You know David, my relationship with Sonny is a strange relationship. We talked on the phone before. I think no one can understand our relationship, and sometimes I don't understand..."

Xue'er looked at her ex-husband again, in fact, it's quite understandable, isn't it just for money, for the chance to show up.It's good for both of them, so here it is.

"You hold hands now, look at each other, do you sometimes wake up in the morning and think...what if..." David Letterman seized the opportunity to continue to make trouble.

"You know what, David. I think you should pay for our late-night talk show together." Cher interrupted Letterman's question, kicking him with her eyes, signaling him to stop playing around the corner, otherwise my mother It's about to go crazy.

"Sometimes, I wonder, will you guys wake up in the morning and want to get back together?" Letterman doesn't care about this set. For the sake of ratings, this question must be asked.

"Get back together, what do you mean?" Xue'er still managed to maintain a smile.

"Get back together and remarry?"

"I thought Mary, Sonny's wife, would be upset that you said that. She's pregnant."

"What about you? Sonny, do you also think that you will be sorry for Cher's boyfriend if you get back together?"

"Rob? I think he's a nice guy." Knowing he couldn't offend Cher, Sonny Bono spoke well of Cher's young teenage baker boyfriend, Rob Camilletti.

"Have you seen him?" Cher turned her head.

"I've talked with him on the phone, and he's a good guy, although I haven't met him yet." Sonny Bono thought to himself, why not play cards according to common sense?When I was speaking with you yesterday, he answered the phone and said a few words, a typical Italian bull, a very arrogant young man.

"You guys..." Letterman was about to play the ball.

"David, I think you are a person with connotation, and I expect more from you." Xue Er clearly threatened.

"Don't do it again, don't do it again..." David Letterman understood that Xue Er was going to swear again, this woman should stop calling herself Axxhole, it's all the effect of the show.

Xue'er covered her mouth, indicating that she was no longer talking.Then he turned his head to the audience, made a mouth shape, and said softly "Axxhole!" Isn't it the effect of the show?Who wouldn't?
"Hahaha..." The audience began to laugh loudly under the direction of the director on site.Save Letterman.

"You know, NBC put me on another talk show, who, Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, and I told them, I'm going to be on Letterman." Cher looked at Letterman's face uncomfortably, Say something nice about him right away.

"Ahaha, thank you." Letterman stepped down and quickly turned over this article.

The show continued to chat about some gossip, and finally Letterman turned the topic back, "Is it possible for you to get back together again..."

Xue'er saw that this was about to explode.

"Wait, I'm talking about getting back together and singing a song together? We didn't agree in advance, we didn't rehearse, but the atmosphere is here, and the audience loves it..."

The audience started yelling "I Got You Babe"

"You didn't say it beforehand? Before I came on TV, Director Ronald warned me that Letterman would let you sing. I still didn't believe it. I told him that if you want me to sing, Letterman Better take your pants off on the spot and show what you know..."

Xue Er has more and more experience in participating in talk shows, but this time she went back to tease David Letterman.

"Hahaha..." Amid the laughter of the audience, the live band played the prelude to the famous work of the duo.

"Should I sing first?" Xue'er hadn't sung this song for a long time, and almost missed the beat.

"They said we were too young.

We grow up to find out.

We don't know if they're right,

'Cause I own you and you own me"

"They say love can't pay the rent,

We spend the money we earn,

But I own you and you own me"

Now that things have changed, the two former couples and partners sang this sweet song again.

After all, it was a song that was full of difficulties and sweetness at that time. The two were 27 and 16 back then. Sonny Bono composed this song on a piano with more than a dozen broken keys.

This is a song that belongs to the memory shared by both of them.The eyes of the two of them looked at each other, and there was some relaxation.

……

"The ratings are the highest this year. It has already broken the record. There are more than 700 million viewers watching." The assistant sent David Letterman the latest ratings survey.

"David, how's it going? I didn't cheat you, did I?" Ronald heard the new high ratings from his assistant on the phone.

"Xue'er almost left me hanging on the stage, but luckily it turned out well..." Letterman wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.You can't sweat on the stage, otherwise it will damage the makeup, but after being baked by the headlight for more than an hour, after getting off, it seems to flow out after brushing the floor.

By the next day, all the American TV stations, and newspapers, were reporting on Cher and Sonny Bono, who re-sang this song that young people in the 60s remember together on Letterman's late-night show matter.

There are also many viewers who were interviewed and told their past stories of playing this song at their wedding.For Sonny and Cher, who are already a bit old, to be able to sing this song again is a very good comfort to them, especially in this economy that has been hit hard and everyone is a little worried about the future on time.

"Ronald, we should adjust the marketing strategy of Moonlight Sultry," Michael Gray, the marketing consultant hired by Ronald for the film, called early the next morning.

"Xue Er's popularity is very high, and now everyone is talking about this woman, her good songs before, and the see-through outfit she is wearing now. Our movie marketing, it is best to focus on the heroine. Only in this way can we use the same resources to get the best results."

"You're right, you faxed the adjusted plan to me for a look."

Ronald was very satisfied with this suggestion, and the consulting fee he spent was worth it.

Like "The Last Emperor" and "Empire of the Sun", his own "moonlight sultry" also relies on awards to bring word of mouth.

Originally, MGM felt that the quality of the film was very high, and intended to compete for the best film nomination with public relations.Now that Xueer has come out to raise the popularity, it is a good plan to focus on letting Xueer be nominated for Best Actress.

Anyway, audiences don't know much about the importance of Oscar awards. In their opinion, it is worth going to the cinema to see what a queen's performance is.

(End of this chapter)