Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 870 Stepping on Other People's Toes

"Why did you CAA put Demi Moore in the A-list? Is she popular now?" Ronald asked Nisita on the phone.

If a female star wants to be in the top position, she must rely on the power of the characters in the big-selling movies.When the audience remembers a star, it actually remembers their glamorous roles in the movie.

After all, Michelle Pfeiffer has become a sexy cat with her stunning performance in "Scarface", and Kelly McGillis has become the imagination of male high school students nationwide for female teachers because of "Top Gun".What is Demi Moore's masterpiece?Her boyfriends?

"Hehehe, you have to ask yourself this, Ronald. It was you who pushed her to this list based on popularity and appeal." Nisita laughed endlessly on the phone.

"Me? I'm not... her boyfriend."

"It's the Coca-Cola ad you shot for her. When it aired on TV, her stunt became such a hit that a lot of teens taped her ad and played it repeatedly at parties.

Besides, you took her so beautifully, this kind of sexy and sensual, her eyes are like a stunner who discharges electricity to you even through the TV, it is the type that high school boys like most, she looks like a beautiful girl who just graduated from college , It can arouse the desire to conquer those boys who are full of hormones.Besides, her characters in 'St. Elmo's Fire' and 'Last Night's Love' movies are very consistent..."

"This..." Ronald scratched his head, he didn't expect that the advertisement he shot accidentally would make Demi Moore's popularity rise so quickly.No wonder she's desperate to find her way out for a potential box-office hit, "Die Hard."

No matter what kind of star they are, their image is established by a well-known movie.Demi is missing a movie right now that will show a national audience who she is.

"And now Demi and TV star Bruce Willis often show their affection in front of the media. Her public relations manager is quite good. As long as there are photos of Willis in the Los Angeles newspapers, they will take her..."

"It really is like this..." Ronald was very clear about Demi Moore's ambitions, and this way of falling in love with a popular star was also her old trick.Many actresses want to take a shortcut, finding a male star to fall in love with is a good way.

Of course, on the other hand, there are many cases like Xueer's little boyfriend.

"What do you think? Is it a good idea to use Demi Moore as Tess?" Nisita asked Ronald.Unlike his boss, Michael Ovitz, Nisita prefers not to interfere with the casting decisions of his directors.Although this will reduce short-term benefits, in the long run, it will be more able to maintain cooperation with the director.

"I think she would be a good candidate for an audition. However, this is not the time to think about it. I have to finalize the directing contract with Goldberg first. I don't want to get a lot of calls from people recommending auditions. .Besides, Mike Nichols has not officially quit, and I don't want to be misunderstood."

"Alright, let's make some preparations now. I'll go find out the schedule of the star you want to work with. That's good to know."

"Then let's talk one by one." Ronald began to discuss with Nisita on the phone, which star might play the role in "Working Girl".

……

"Hmm... You really want to find female stars to play the role, and then let less famous male actors match them? Why?"

After more than an hour of discussion, Nisita suddenly discovered that Ronald's tendency was clearly to want a female star to play the role.

"This is a very different movie. The perspective revolves around the heroine. It is similar to Dirty Dancing and Moonlight Sultry. I just think so from the convenience of casting and narrative."

"Really? Hahaha... Then let's do this first. I will go to the office to sort out the audition photos of your favorite stars, and then communicate with Mr. Goldberg. When you come back from New York, I will go to Fox with you to finalize contract."

Nisita heard Ronald's insincerity.In fact, Ronald didn't say anything, but he might be paying attention to Mike Nichols in his heart.

Except for those big commercial productions where big-name male stars must participate, Ronald, like Nichols, does not want to have a star who cannot fully obey the director's assignment.

Hollywood male stars, in terms of influence and ability to drive box office, are about ten times that of female stars, just like their salaries.Naturally, the number of times they lost their temper and made their own claims on the set was about ten times that of female stars.

And for a big production, if it wants to be successful at the box office, there can only be one or two stars in the lead role, plus ordinary actors. Otherwise, there will always be conflicts between the two tigers in the crew, which will hinder the performance.

Instead of casting a big-name male star as Jack Trainor, two female stars would play Tess and Catherine.

This is why Ronald is reluctant to follow the casting of his dream and let Harrison Ford be the male star.

……

"Ring ring ring ring..."

After a while, Ronald's phone rang quickly.

"I'm Ronald." Ronald put down the pencil for revising the script and picked up the microphone.

"Ronald, you leaked? Why did I just get back to the office and all the agents called me and asked if I was going to direct that 'Working Girl'? All the female stars in Hollywood have their agents on Call me and Paula."

It was Nisita's urgent voice on the phone. The news that Ronald wanted to direct the movie seemed to have been revealed through some channel.

"What? Leak? I was very cautious and never told anyone. I told you to keep it secret, do you remember?" Ronald frowned.He has always been careful not to step on other people's toes in this kind of thing.

Mike Nichols was haggling with Goldberg under the pretense that he had other personal affairs.If the news of Ronald's taking over is spread, although it is not theoretically considered stealing, but the director is a very small circle, and it is very inappropriate to start posting news auditions before he has officially signed a contract.

"Someone among us leaked the secret, I'll check it carefully, and you also check it. You told those people that you intend to direct 'Working Girl'." Nisita hung up the phone in a hurry, and went to deal with the remedy.This matter itself is not very serious, but if there is a traitor in the communication channel between him and Ronald, this is a very serious problem.

Ronald put down the phone and began to wonder who he had told the news to.In addition to my two agents and screenwriter Kevin Wade, there are only two close female friends.

Kevin Wade is an industry insider and knows the rules, so he may not leak much here.

Diane knew she had a script, but she didn't know the details, and it wasn't very likely.But her agent is Paula, could it be Nisita's wife for the benefit...

Only Helen... She has read the script of "Working Girl" in its entirety... However, she is a person with a very simple mind.But simple-minded people are often easily used by others...

Ronald felt a little uncomfortable thinking about it, and his chest was a little suffocated. He knew in his heart that no matter who leaked the news, he didn't want to delve into it.Who doesn't have a little ambition of his own?
Moreover, leaking information so easily is not conducive to getting this role.Ronald is a man who is soft on the outside and strong on the inside.If he doesn't cooperate, no one can force him to submit by releasing materials.

It may not be very difficult to find out. I have the trump card of private detective Frank McPeak, a former elite of the law enforcement department, who is very efficient in handling such things.

It's just that these people who might leak the secrets are all people close to me. No matter who they are, if I know who did it, I'm afraid they will develop a grudge in the future.

Distraught, Ronald put on his coat and left the apartment, intending to go for a walk.

"Mr. Li, where are you going?" The elevator operator was a Puerto Rican, and Ronald usually gave generous tips.Therefore, he is also very concerned about Ronald's service here and tries his best to do his best.

"Where are you going?" Ronald was stunned for a moment, he had nowhere to go.You can discuss with your agent about matters in the entertainment industry.For business and important social matters, you can consult Douglas Jr.But this kind of matter involving his private life, he couldn't find anyone to confide in for a while.

"If you want to use a car, I can help you call the luxury car driver in our building. He can take you anywhere in New York and New Jersey. Our tenants have discounts, and other tenants use them a lot."

"Oh", Ronald himself usually has little Bud to drive, and the service of the building is not used much. This time he asked for leave to visit relatives in Staten Island before the premiere.

"Call me a car, I'm going to Staten Island."

"Staten Island, then I'll find a smaller car, the ferry has restrictions on the size of the car, sir."

……

"Mr. Li, we're here..." The driver drove the car to the gate of his aunt's house on Staten Island, waking up Ronald who was in a daze.

"Thank you, you can go back, I want to stay here for one night." Ronald got out of the car and walked towards the gate.

"Happy to serve you, the bill will be delivered to your apartment," the driver called from behind.

"Ronnie," Aunt Karen opened the door and was pleasantly surprised to see it was Ronald. "It's a big surprise. I thought you wouldn't come home this time, son, you've been so busy recently that you haven't seen your aunt for a long time."

"Aunt," Ronald stepped forward and hugged Aunt Karen.

Aunt Karen's boyfriend was not at home, so she and Ronald went back to the time a few years ago, and they went in and sat down.Aunt Karen could see that this nephew was worried, but she didn't ask about it. Instead, she brought him some baked biscuits as usual, and then poured a cup of black tea for Ronald.

"Well, I can't forget this smell. It seems that I will come back to see you more often in the future." Ronald felt a little more relaxed all of a sudden, and the irritability in his heart was much less.

"You don't need to come back, Ronnie. My aunt is not so fragile. I have my own life now, and I have a lot of things to do. You also have a career, and so does Donna. As long as the family has each other in their hearts, when you encounter difficulties, don't forget that there is Donna and I are here."

Ronald smiled. My aunt was right.Don't think too much about those close to you.Just ask straight, even if one of them leaked the news, it was probably unintentional.

Dispelling the idea of ​​finding a private detective to investigate, Ronald talked a lot with his aunt at home, and even ate dinner prepared by his uncle-to-be.

"Helen, the news that I intend to direct 'Working Girl' has been leaked." In the evening, Ronald went to his room and called Helen Slater first.

"Ah? How did this happen? Did you communicate with director Mike Nichols? He is very respected on Broadway." Helen knew Nichols' status in the New York circle, and he was the most authentic Ashkenazi Jews, Holocaust survivors, and Einstein's distant cousin all gave him face in Jewish circles.

"My agent is dealing with it. I will call Director Nichols. I also want to ask you if you told someone unintentionally? If this matter becomes serious, it may be involving you."

"Huh? No... I didn't even mention my agent."

……

"Diane, the news about the new film I want to direct has been exposed."

"Ah? You've signed a contract? Didn't you just get in touch when you were in Los Angeles last time?"

"No, it was accidentally exposed. Fox has another candidate, Mike Nichols, so it's a bit complicated. I'm dealing with it. I'm calling to ask you, you haven't talked to anyone else, have you?"

"No, I know the rules. If I want to audition, I will definitely not tell anyone. Hehehe..."

……

It doesn't seem to be Diane either.Ronald was relieved, he no longer thought about who leaked the news, but prepared to deal with the next impact.

"My movie will be released in New York this weekend. You and Donna will both watch it? This time it's a middle-aged love story." Ronald prepared to go back to Manhattan the next morning and bid farewell to his aunt.

"Then I'll go and see, Donna, and I'll call her."

Ronald didn't rent a car, took the express train to the ferry, and then took the subway back to his apartment on Fifth Avenue.

"Ronald, Mike Nichols was interviewed by CBS Morning News. Look, there is a replay on Channel 25." Richard, the agent who came from Los Angeles overnight, and Ronald explain.

Turn on the TV, the replay of the CBS morning news, and the two hosts are connecting with director Mike Nichols.

"Okay, let's not ask you and our colleague Diane any more questions. I heard that you are preparing a new film now? After finishing the filming of 'Genius Soldiers', are you going to pick up another one soon?"

"I originally had some intentions to cooperate with Fox, but they want to use star strategy, and I prefer to find people with the right script. So, I will not continue this project... now? Now I will take a period of time off."

"Who's going to take over? I hear they've got commercial director Ronald Lee, I love his work, especially the recent one with Cher. Yeah... I'll wait until then to see the stars The version that participated in, this is a very good book, Ronald will not let us down."

"Wedding? Haha, you must be asking for Diane. We have enough time to prepare for the wedding now. Is it Jewish? It depends on Diane's opinion..."

Mike Nichols' fiancée is CBS host Diane Sawyer.On the show, he took the opportunity to turn the topic to his married life with the Puritan fiancée, and his topic of the suffering of the Jews.

"Huh, he gave up." Richard wiped his sweat, "But in theory, we have stepped on his toes, and in terms of etiquette, you have to take the initiative to call him a favor and explain the situation.

"Call his agent. I'll talk to you when I get through." Ronald shook his head. Richard didn't understand the business of directing. Nader is a junior fighting for opportunities.

In fact, Mike Nichols is unwilling to succumb to [-]th Century Fox's star strategy and does not want to use poor acting stars to star in his script.As a great director who lives both in Hollywood and Broadway, he has very high requirements for actors.

Moreover, such a public statement is tantamount to restricting one's own choices. After Ronald took over the film, it is impossible not to find a star to take the commercial route.

"Hi, is that Mr. Nichols? This is Ronald, Ronald Lee."

"Hi Ronald, can I call you Ronald? I'm glad you called me."

"Of course, I want to explain the situation to you. When Fox's Goldberg sent me the script, I didn't know that you were interested. As for the subsequent leaks, it's not my problem."

"Ronald, this is a good script, I hope you don't make too many concessions because of the star. You will taste the privilege of the star soon. I wish you luck, hahaha, anyway, I just happened to prepare my This is my fourth wedding... I hope the wedding will be more comfortable, you know, the wedding is what American girls like the most..."

It could be seen that Nichols still cared a little about Ronald sabotaging his plot against Fox.However, he has achieved fame, and now he is in love with Diane Sawyer, the writer of Commander Richard and the current host of CBS, and he lost the opportunity to direct "Working Girl" according to his own ideas. Not very disappointed.

"Rick (Nisita)?" Ronald put down the phone and asked Richard how the investigation was going.

"No clues were found. Rick replaced his two assistants with other reasons. Several junior agents under him did not move them immediately. Rick was going to find someone to investigate secretly."

Richard was sweating a little. If he and Nisita leaked the secret, it would be a very unprofessional performance of Ronald's service.

"I usually organize the files by myself, and lock them in the safe when I'm off work. I can guarantee that it's not accidentally leaked here. Even if it is, it is a professional commercial espionage method."

"It's not that exaggerated, I trust you." Ronald patted Richard on the shoulder.

"You are here with me, the New York premiere of 'Moonlight' is on the weekend, you help me deal with it, someone will definitely come to recommend yourself, you help me deal with it..."

"No problem, I will block all the people who are not related to 'Moonlight Seductive' at that time." Richard quickly said that there is no problem.

"I have complete confidence in you and Rick, just continue to track down, don't let this little episode spoil our rhythm."

(End of this chapter)