Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"This was once a house booked by two big-name Hollywood male stars. Coincidentally, they both canceled their reservations. Mr. Li was lucky. It was not easy to get two connected units in Area A."

"Oh, yeah?" Ronald adjusted his sunglasses, disapprovingly.

On this day, he had arrived at the foot of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and was preparing to buy a house in Beverly Park. The real estate agent was the same one I met last time, and he kept praising Ronald's vision and luck.

If one person unsubscribes, it might be luck, but if two big stars unsubscribe, it cannot be explained by coincidence.

Area A happens to be the best area of ​​Beverly Park. It is in the center of all the houses. In addition to the large trees surrounding the entire area blocking the view of visitors, there are also bushes around Area A, blocking the eyes of curious neighbors. look.

There are two large houses, one large and one small. The larger one covers an area of ​​2,500 square feet and has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The smaller one is also 1,800 square feet and has three bedrooms and one bathroom. If you are not satisfied, you can modify it according to Ronald's opinion.

The most eye-catching outdoor feature is the large swimming pool, which is 100 feet long and 50 feet wide. The California sun is a great place for a pool party.

The two large houses also have various other exercise facilities, including an outdoor basketball court, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor tennis court, an indoor tennis court, a gym, a yoga room, a small library, and an audio-visual room. .

"The audio-visual room attached to the big house is a bit small. I have some copies of old movies. It needs to be redesigned and renovated according to the standards of new cinemas. The two garages next to the audio-visual room have also been converted into warehouses with constant temperature and humidity for storage. Celluloid copy. There is a grassy pond here. Build me a Chinese-style pavilion and an arch bridge to connect the two houses on the pond... Let Lao Wang and others come over. "

Ronald's time was precious, so he just put forward ideas for these things and asked Richard to help him find someone to implement them. The celebrity who originally ordered the big house obviously liked luxury cars. There were six garages for sports cars alone. Ronald conveniently converted two of them into places for business study.

Rich people pay attention to efficiency when doing things. Ronald made the decision and plan, left the matter to a private lawyer and a private accountant, got in the car and ran to CAA to meet Niceta with Richard.

"Aren't you interested in who is the original owner of these two houses?" Richard didn't care about his role as an assistant, and was a little happy. The client asks you to handle some personal matters, which shows that the trust between the two parties is still at a very healthy level.

"I don't want him to find a reason to raise the price..." Ronald is not very interested in this kind of gossip. No matter which big star you are, you are not as rich as me.

"So who is it? You must have some news about CAA, right?" Ronald looked at Richard's expression of trying to flatter him but had no chance, so he asked in passing.

"The big one is Stallone..."

"Pfft, hahahaha... let me laugh for a while." Ronald heard the name and couldn't hold back his laughter.

"Hehe... The artist who is the best at managing money in Hollywood may be you... Ronald, I don't think I've heard that you have failed in your investment." Richard adjusted his glasses, and this asshole looked for opportunities on his own. It's been a long time.

"Hey...that's all good luck..." Ronald was proud for a while, but when he thought about the Andy Warhol painting he bought from David Geffen, he regretted it and invested in the undefeated gold. The body is broken here.

"Ronald, you're here just in time. Do you want to go on vacation in the Aegean Sea?" Niceta enthusiastically pulled out her chair as soon as she saw him in the CAA office.

"Why should I go there?" Ronald sat down and took the coffee that his secretary had brewed. "I'm here to promote the release of Working Girl. How many of your clients can help with the promotion? "Ronald's movie "Working Girl" has already booked various female secretaries' stage shows, but just the secretary is not enough. If it can be paired with some big-name stars, the publicity will have the best effect.

"Because among our CAA client list, three directors are all in Greece. If you can go and talk to them..."

"Who is it?" Ronald asked curiously. It was normal for three star actors to be on the same location. What were three directors doing together? Why don't we start a fight?

"It's Francis (Coppola), Marty (Scorsese), and Woody (Allen)..."

As soon as Niceta explained the situation, Ronald understood. These three directors are often praised by film critics, but their box office performance is inconsistent, with one film often being a hit and the other losing money.

After the writers' strike ended, surprisingly, not all producers resumed filming immediately. Many of them were fine during the strike. Once the strike ended, the true financial situation was revealed, and many medium-sized studios started to work again. A wave of bankruptcies.

The three directors wanted to make projects, but no one was willing to invest in them. They also had problems with their own financial situation, so they had no choice but to join forces and co-direct a movie in order to tide over the difficulties.

This kind of platter-style movie (each person directs a story) was originally an investment channel for wealthy movie fans. Allowing them to invest in their favorite directors and actors and "fulfill their dreams."

However, halfway through the filming, two of the four co-investors have already started the bankruptcy liquidation process. The end of the screenwriters' strike not only did not allow them to survive, but because of the establishment and shooting of a large number of commercial films, the box office expectations of the three-person co-production were not good, and there was a risk of a bad ending.

Nicita just wanted Ronald to take a look. These people were all people who had helped him in his early years as a director. If he was willing to invest...

"A compilation movie...ah..." Ronald pinched his eyebrows. This form of movie has always been a taboo for commercial movies. Every director has his own style. The more famous and praised by film critics, the more unique the style. It is easy to split when three people are put together.

The last time Hollywood made such a big director compilation was "Twilight Zone", which killed Jennifer Jason Lee's father.

"I have to get the consent of the partners of Daydream to invest in the movie. The return on investment of this kind of movie will not be very high." Ronald put down his hand and quickly but firmly rejected it.

"Okay, I'm just making a suggestion," Nicita took back her thoughts. Ronald was his most important customer. It's just that Ronald has always been nostalgic, and I thought he would help.

"But maybe I can find someone to help." Ronald himself didn't pay, but that didn't mean no one was willing to invest in the joint work of three famous Hollywood directors.

"Who? I've asked everyone in Hollywood..." Nicita was surprised.

"Who said Hollywood?" Ronald laughed. He called Michel Cannold of Daydreaming and asked him to help contact the executive of Credit Lyonnais, whom he met in Cannes, the banker who likes to invest in the film industry and finance the new films of Oliver Stone and Michael Douglas, the Dutchman Frans Afman.

Anyway, his investment philosophy is to keep an eye on the projects of big directors, and he would rather have a lower return on investment. Now that he was introduced to three big directors at once, he would be very happy.

Credit Lyonnais quickly approved the injection of funds into the projects of the three big directors to save the crew that ran out of money in the middle. Frans Afman liked it very much. The vulgar Hollywood didn't know how to cherish their treasures. These great artists' projects needed the support of the Bank of France...

"Ronald, thank you so much, not only because you helped introduce Mr. Frans Afman to invest in the crew. Moreover, we felt the respect for artists here." After getting the check, Coppola was finally able to pay the hotel bill and start serving all kinds of delicious European food. He learned that it was Ronald who made the connection, so he called to thank him.

"You are respected a lot in Europe, which is not something that money can buy. If I have to thank you, it is also your good artistic reputation that makes Credit Lyonnais trust you."

"Hahaha, the money is in place, we can finish the filming next month, and then the three of us will go to the premiere of your new film separately."

The three directors were very happy. Ronald's words made sense. The reputation of an artist can be exchanged for money!

"Thank you, dessert..."

Ronald put down the phone and handed it to the waiter. He was having dinner with Helen Slater in a Greek restaurant. The Mediterranean diet not only caters to carnivores like Ronald, but also has many vegetarian dishes with olive oil for Helen.

Even the special dessert baklava has a high-calorie version with honey, eggs, and whole milk, and a low-calorie version with only yogurt and chopped nuts.

"So, are there really many stars in Hollywood with financial difficulties now? Even these three directors have no one to invest in, which is really a sad thing."

"Uh... it's not that sad." Ronald didn't say anything. Helen likes to discuss these social and moral issues, but as far as Ronald knows, these three directors are not favored by big producers. Only some medium-sized producers are willing to gamble on them.

"Hollywood can't only have genre films with commercial film frameworks, but also have many artistic explorations, otherwise the whole Hollywood will become stagnant." Helen took a bite of the dessert (actually it was a healthy version, yogurt has very little sugar after fermentation), and then began to talk about some of her and her friends' ideas.

"That makes sense," Ronald said, following Helen's words. Indeed, Hollywood cannot just repeat the proven commercial film model, but also has to have bold exploration and breakthroughs, so as to form a new type of film model, so that those practitioners who are not so talented can also make profitable works.

If Coppola made "The Godfather III", producers would definitely line up to give him money. But if he had not broken all the conventions and made "The Godfather" Part I, then today's gangster films would still repeat the black film model of the 1930s.

But compared to letting these famous directors make exploratory art films that are not cheap. Ronald prefers to invest in those low-cost exploitation film directors who have never had the opportunity to complete this mission of exploring new types.

"Are you unhappy?" Helen discovered Ronald's distraction, "Did I say something wrong? I just had some thoughts when I was chatting with my friends, ah... I didn't say you are a commercial film director who can only repeat..." Helen waved her hands anxiously, and mindlessly relayed the thoughts she usually had when chatting with Helen Hunt and some Broadway actors, as if she was blaming Ronald.

"Of course, honey, I know what you mean." Ronald held her hand and comforted her and said, "I was just wondering if there is any way to help those talented people who are ignored by the big studios. Directors come and shoot what they want to shoot.”

"Really?" Helen's eyes sparkled, and Ronald looked so charming when talking about this kind of industry and social responsibility.

"Of course, um... Also, before you go to Canada to continue filming, I also want to spend some time with you. We haven't seen each other for a long time."

"whee……"

The two spoke softly and quietly, getting closer and closer, and finally kissed each other.

"Please leave our table, Mr. Stallone." A man with a British accent shouted a scolding voice, interrupting Ronald and Helen's warm moment.

"Tsk...hey...can't you just calm down for a while?" Seeing that the eyes of the surrounding diners were all focused on a few tables away from Ronald, Ronald was not happy that his good mood was interrupted.

"That seems to be Meg Tilly..." Helen recognized the person on the table over there, "I heard that she and her husband are divorcing. I don't know if this is... No, this is the person who was rumored to be with her on the set. There are scandals about men, I remember Zinnemann’s father is over 70 years old, this man is not the right age.”

"The accent isn't right either..." Ronald whispered. The man was clearly Colin Firth, one of the two cheating couples he met at the Palace of Versailles in Paris.

Like Ronald, they came to this Greek restaurant for a date. I just happened to meet a Hollywood star, Sylvester Stallone.

This hormonal male star suffered heavy losses due to his divorce from his ex-wife. But Stallone has not changed his habit of attacking beautiful actresses everywhere and not knowing how to attract Hollywood actresses.

When Meg Tilly was dating her boyfriend, he showed Rambo-like courage and invited Meg Tilly to his house to play on the spot.

Colin Firth, who was provoked, of course stood up and protected Tilly behind him, separating her from Stallone. But the good higher education that Britain received made him not know how to deal with a fool like Stallone.

"Meg, why do you always hang out with these Losers? So does Zinnemann. So does he. Let me tell you the secret to success in Hollywood. Stay with Wner so you can Can become Winner."

"Oh, God...", hearing this earthy confession, Ronald almost dug his toes into the ground in embarrassment.

"Look at me, then look at him." Stallone stepped forward and pressed Colin Firth on the chair. Then he made a posture that showed off his muscles and continued his earthy attack. "I'm a Wenner. I'm here." Hollywood Park, there is a big house in the most popular area now, where is your little boyfriend..."

"Uh..." Ronald had no choice but to deal with such fools. The larger house he bought was reserved by Stallone. Cannon had no money to make a movie for him, and with the heavy losses in the divorce, he couldn't pay for the rest of the house. If the deposit is not returned, he is in danger of going bankrupt.

In order not to go bankrupt, Stallone had no choice but to change to a house in District D, which is the smallest and worst, close to the road. Let’s talk about mortgage loans first. With the future income of his two movie series as collateral, there are still banks willing to lend money.

That place is easily visited by Hollywood tourists, gossip reporters, movie fans and so on...

However, speaking of it, Stallone might be wishing for people to watch him, as this would prove to some extent that he is not done yet.

"Hey, this is so rude..." Helen couldn't stand it anymore and stood up to protest to Stallone. To bully Colin Firth, a British actor, in such a arrogant and low-level manner is too embarrassing for Hollywood.

"What little baby is this..." Stallone turned his anger into joy. This actress is more beautiful than Meg Tilly.

"Ahem..." Ronald stood up and walked out of the dark corner. Originally, they had reserved a seat in the back because they wanted to have more privacy.

Ronald is tall, and although his muscles are not as good as Stallone's, he has a well-proportioned body that he has practiced wrestling for many years. In addition, he is half a head taller than Stallone. He is condescending, but he is not too far behind.

"Ah..." Stallone saw clearly that it was Ronald, and his arrogance was poured cold water on. He had boasted a lot just now, and now he was facing a man who bought a luxury house that he couldn't afford...

"I, the house, you, hey...", even for a fool like Stallone, it is rare for him to feel ashamed because he is not gentle enough and turned into Luther, and he no longer pesters Meg Tilly. Without saying anything, he turned around and left.

"Thank you, Ronald...Director Li..." Colin kept saying thanks.

"It's okay, we are not all like that in Hollywood. I have always had a good impression of British actors, and Alan Rickman and I have a great time working together." Ronald ignored Tilly, who was sitting next to him with a pale face, and pulled Holding Helen's hand, the two of them left.

"Meg, this Ronald is such a good man..."

"..." Tilly didn't know what to say. Various emotions came over her. She suddenly lowered her head, covered her face with her hands and started crying.

"Meg, let's not live in Hollywood anymore. Why don't we live somewhere else? Life outside Hollywood is more normal, unlike here where everyone is obsessed with fame and fortune..." Colin Firth thought that Stallone's rude humiliation just now made Tilly very sad.

"But, Zinnemann used the excuse of visiting the children as an excuse. He said that I could only live in Hollywood, New York, and British Columbia in Cannes before he agreed to divorce and let me get custody of the children."

Meg Tilly knew that such conditions were very vicious. Living in Hollywood or Manhattan, New York, the two of them did not have enough savings, and Canada was too far away from the entertainment industry, so the careers of both actors might be ruined.

The best option for the two of them was to live in a small town in California near Los Angeles, which was quiet, low-cost, and they could come for auditions and socializing at any time...

"British Columbia..." Colin Firth also hesitated. He came to Hollywood to make a name for himself.

"Woo woo..." Meg Tilly saw that the two of them were at a loss because of money, and she couldn't help but feel even more sad. She lowered her head and cried. If it were back then... Now the big house in Hollywood Park should be mine!

"Dear, let's go to Canada, to British Columbia. For you, I can be a middle school drama teacher. It's no big deal..." Firth, who thought that Tilly was sad because he didn't want to go to Canada with her, hurriedly made an oath.

"Ah... wuwu..." Tilly cried even more sadly this time.