Exploiting Hollywood 1980

The full name of RSA is Ridley Scott and Associates Film Advertising Production Company (RidleySttAssociates). His bosses and founders are the Scott brothers Ridley and Tony.

RSA has recruited a group of British film and television production talents, and famous film directors include the Scott brothers and Alan Parker. But now Ridley Scott and his brother Tony are still busy with a big project, adapting the science fiction masterpiece "Dune" into a movie. Alan Parker is busy with post-production on "Famous."

It just so happened that among the directors in the New York branch, only Hugh Hudson was available. He served as a second unit director on Alan Parker's last film, "Midnight Express."

Dan, the creative director of BBDO, hired Hugh Hudson to shoot a Chewels chewing gum commercial to compete with Ronald, "What we want to highlight is that the sandwich fruit flavor in Chewels chewing gum will make you forget that this is Sugar-free gum tastes just as good as sugary gum.”

Hugh Hudson has messy hair and looks a bit like a rock star. "It's not difficult, but is it necessary to take such a large-scale advertising for this new product?" He saw that the plan included shooting a large outdoor billboard, and he couldn't help but The budget is not low.

"Yes, I have to defeat Darcy Maguire's idea." Dan pointed to the top, "The old guy would rather promote Darcy, because a woman cannot threaten his position."

“As long as the budget is sufficient, anything can be said.”

…

The American Ballet Company, which has concluded its San Francisco tour, heads to Los Angeles. Ronald learned the lesson this time and called Director Makarova directly.

"Ms. Natalia Makarova, I am Ronald. Ronald Lee, Antonia's friend."

"Hi, Ronald." Makarova answered the phone with a happy tone. "Our schedule is very tight, and Antonia is still rehearsing. Do you have anything? I can tell her."

Ronald knew in his heart that this was to prevent them from talking to each other. Many times couples do not see each other or talk to each other for a long time, and their relationship gradually fades away.

"No, I don't have anything special. It's just that I haven't heard Tonya's voice for a long time, and I want to say a few words to her."

Hearing that Makarova wanted to persuade him to rush for time, Ronald simply made it clear:

"I have no intention of persuading Tonya to give up her ballet career. It's just that you didn't let us talk for a long time. I want to make it clear whether this is Tonya's personal wish. If she is determined to put her career first, we'd better friend.

There's no need to create any drama to prevent us from being friends, what do you think? Ms. Natalia Makarova? After all, this is free America, and everyone has the freedom to choose. "

Makarova was silent for a while, "Well, you are a different young man. I believe you will not say anything detrimental to Antonia. I will go find her and you can speak for yourselves."

After a while, Antonia answered the phone, "Hi, Ronnie. It's great to hear your voice."

"Me too, Tonya. How is your life at the ballet? Are you happy?"

"I like the dance troupe very much, and I also have the opportunity to dance during the tour, but the time is very busy. In addition to keeping in touch, performing, studying, and then traveling and resting..." Antonia stopped and said nothing.

It was Ronald who broke the silence, "I'm very happy for you. You have found a career that you are talented in and you like. You must remember to come back to New York next year and have a famous premiere. But Aunt Karen and Donna I’ll go see it too.”

"Ronald, we..." Antonia's voice was obviously sad, and she couldn't say anything.

"Of course we are still friends, very good friends. Don't forget our agreement, I will also be the sponsor of your dance company." Ronald made an old joke pretending to be relaxed.

Antonia laughed twice and then stopped. The two talked about some daily things, and finally the phone receiver was transferred to Makarova.

"Ronald, our tour will end in half a year, and Antonia will go back to attend the graduation ceremony of the American Ballet School. You will meet then."

"Thank you, Ms. Makarova, for taking care of Tonya for me."

…

Ronald hung up the phone, feeling a little sad. A man was walking on the streets of New York, wandering aimlessly.

He saw a small shop, bought a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes that he didn't usually smoke, lit one with a match and started smoking.

Wandering to New York University Tisch College, Ronald saw many classmates and acquaintances. Everyone greeted him one after another, and some people held a party and invited him to join, but Ronald refused. He walked into the warehouse where the photographic equipment was stored and looked at the equipment silently.

"It's you, Ronald, are you here to borrow photography equipment too?"

Ronald looked back and saw that it was his black classmate from the last classic film appreciation class, Sheldon Jackson Lee.

"Hello, Sheldon. I'm just here to see what equipment is available."

"Call me Spike. That's the nickname my mom gave me. My friends all call me Spike."

"Okay, Spike, have you found any money for your movie?" Ronald remembered wanting to make a short film and was looking for money.

"Yes, the Black Equality Foundation in New York gave me part of the money. Although it is not enough, I plan to start filming first and wait for more money later."

This is a common practice for students to make films. How much money do they have and how much film is shot? If they can find more money from the film, they will make the film into a film. If they can't get the money, they will cut it into a short film and submit it. Graduation is over.

"That's great. What are you going to shoot?"

"I planned to shoot a black barber shop, where customers of all colors came and went, and everyone discussed the issue of racial equality. However, the protagonist barber was also coerced by gangs and forced to sell underground lottery tickets, and eventually died. I wanted to show the kind of feeling in the black community. Even if you try hard, it’s hard to escape the atmosphere of that place..."

Spike began to talk at length about his movie ideals, but Ronald didn't want to hear anything and just used his mouth as a white noise generator.

"Will you come and help me? I know you have experience in Hollywood filming."

"Sure, Spike, sure," Ronald replied casually.

"Great, I knew as soon as I saw you that you are different from those second-generation Hollywood people. You have no discrimination against us black people and treat us equally. They always pretend to care about the equal rights of black people, but in fact they always regard us as insufficiently intelligent. race.”

Ronald was not interested in listening to the long speech anymore and interrupted Spike Lee's lecture: "Do you know there is a fun place there where you can relax? Spike?"

"What? Want to meet some girls?" Spike smiled, "I know Club 54 is popular right now, but I can't go with you, I'll be considered a faggot. You have to find a girl to go with. With your Looks won’t be rejected.”

"Club 54? What is that place?"

"It was a disco club next to Hell's Kitchen. A lot of celebrities would go there and there was a lot of good stuff. It was at 254 West 54th Street in midtown Manhattan. There was a long queue at the door. You can't mistake it. Remember. Take a girl and drive with you."

After thanking Spike, Ronald began to think about his female friends and gave Madonna a call.

"Madonna, I'm Ronald, remember?"

"Hi, Ronald, I'm so happy to hear your voice. I thought you forgot about me." Madonna seemed very happy on the phone. "I just joined a band and came back from a European tour. I just didn't have anywhere to go." , do you want to have dinner together?”

"Forgot you? How could that happen? I want to find a female companion to go to Club 54 with me. Do you want to go?"

"Club 54! That's great. I want to go there so much. Are you willing to take me there? That's great."

Madonna's volume suddenly increased, and Ronald put the phone away from his ear, waiting for the other party to finish her emotion.

"Which regular there do you know? Grace Jones? Or Tina Turner?"

Ronald thought to himself that I didn’t know anyone, “Why do I need to know people to get in?”

"You don't know? Then we have to try our luck at the door. Do you drive a car? The chance of having a car is higher."

Ronald had a question mark on his forehead, but he couldn't ask in detail on the phone, "Okay, I'll pick you up. Do you want to go after dinner together? Madonna?"

"Dinner? No, why don't we go to Club 54 for dinner? Let's go quickly. It will be more difficult to get in if we go late."

Ronald drove to Madonna's house, picked up the girl and drove to the location of Club 54.

Along the way, Madonna was still chattering about how many singers, movie stars, and celebrities would appear at the 54 Club. If she could hook up with a few, she would be able to enter the recording industry and release records.

Ronald said that he was a little doubtful that he had found the wrong person and came to the wrong place. I just wanted to find a place to relax, but why did I feel like I had come to a vanity fair?

When we arrived at the door of Club 54, we saw a large group of people blocked at the door. A tall gatekeeper let one or two in from time to time. Those who entered were elated, while those who did not were dejected, but continued to wait at the door. I hope a celebrity will take a fancy to them and take them in together.

As soon as Ronald stopped the car, Madonna jumped out, "Howie! Howie Montague! It's me, Madonna, I came here with Mick Jagger last time, do you remember me?" ?"

The janitor named Howie Montague saw her and shook his head, "Who did you come with today?"

Madonna pointed to Ronald who had just gotten out of the car. I came with him, Ronald Lee. He is the director of a Hollywood crew that is "famous".

Howie looked at Ronald and said, "I've never heard of it. You can only be candidates for ordinary couples." He pointed to a group of people lining up next to him.

Ronald had no choice but to queue at the back of the line with Madonna. After a while, another young man and woman came. Howie, the janitor, began to let people go.

"You, you, you, Madonna, and you..." He pointed at Madonna, and then the boy in the pair, you can go in.

"What about me?" Ronald and the girl in the pair behind shouted at the same time.

"I'm sorry." Howie shrugged, meaning not to let them in.

Madonna happily hugged Howie, kissed him, rushed in, and then said to Ronald, "Honey, let's meet again next time!"

The boy whose name was called also rushed in. The girl behind was so angry that she stamped her foot, "Howard, what if you leave me like this and let me take the subway at night?"

Ronald turned around and saw a tall young girl with brown hair: "It's not safe to take the subway here in Hell's Kitchen at night. If you want, I can drive you back first."