Exploiting Hollywood 1980

The name of the movie "Ghost" has a kind of black magic. All male stars who saw this title rejected the project without exception.

On the one hand, Ronald's movie is famous for highlighting the heroine. On the other hand, it was Niceta who solved Ronald's doubts.

It turns out that since the golden age of Hollywood, male protagonists who play a ghost are usually classified as lacking masculinity.

This is a cultural difference. In Hong Kong's ghost movies, there are female ghosts, male ghosts, and Taoist priests who catch ghosts as the protagonists. Hollywood's ghost movies are relatively feminine, which may be related to the fact that ghosts are a very niche role in American film culture.

For example, the earliest Hollywood ghost movie classic "The Phantom of the Opera", the male protagonist Lon Chaney was the makeup master of the year, known as the "Man of a Thousand Faces". It is conceivable that he can only play some strange male roles. In addition to the ghost in the Phantom of the Opera, there are only ugly men like "Quasimodo" in Notre Dame de Paris.

This started a tradition that the male protagonists in ghost movies are not handsome male stars.

After the 1950s, ghost movies, which are aimed at female audiences, were taken over by TV series, so the tradition of ghost movies that have nothing to do with male hormones has been inherited to this day.

Among the male stars who gave audition invitations, only Tom Cruise expressed interest and hoped to discuss the whole form of cooperation with him.

"But the ghost male protagonist in this movie has nothing to do with the feminine image of the Phantom of the Opera... These people will regret it..."

As the casting director, Ronald invited Julia Taylor, who had worked with him many times. Paramount responded to his requests and equipped all the cast and crew according to high-end configurations.

"Let's not talk about whether you will regret it later. You should help me think about those stars, even those who are out of date, to play this role." Ronald thought to himself, let alone them, I am a little regretful now, I didn't expect Hollywood to discriminate against ghost movies.

"Don't worry, Ronald, with your appeal in Hollywood now, there will always be male stars who want to work with you."

The speaker was Polly Pratt, the producer sent by Ronald to the crew of "Dances with Wolves". Kevin Costner's filming speed was very slow, half because of his lack of director experience, and the other half because Costner used a sequential shooting method, often moving the crew back and forth between locations.

However, Polly Pratt was experienced, and the crew's costs were still under control. The film was being shot little by little, and the film was accumulating foot by foot.

Polly Pratt missed her daughter, and her body was a little tired of long-term business trips in primitive terrain such as national parks. Ronald simply transferred her back to Los Angeles to be the art director of his new film, and by the way, she also enjoyed the nine-to-five working hours.

The one who took over Pratt's work was Rachel Talalay, another strong woman who was favored by Ronald in the "Hairspray" crew. Later, she helped Ronald supervise the "The King of Fighters" shot in Hong Kong. She was also very tough in cooperation with the action movie martial arts of those movie crews and had strong working ability.

Talalay had just handed over her work to Pratt, and she came to ask Ronald if the boss had anything to say about supervising a western film that was all on location.

"Ha, what Polly said to you is all the key points." Ronald would not interfere with the work of a mature producer. "I will only give you a promise of one last trick."

Taking over such a large crew midway, Rachel Talalay will experience challenges. However, Ronald is very confident in her. He can even deal with the Hong Kong martial arts who do not speak the language, and it should not be difficult to deal with some fake Indians.

"What promise?" Rachel Talalay will face a star like Kevin Costner this time. She has more authorization from Ronald, which makes it easier for her to work. After all, he is not like Polly Pratt, a Hollywood senior, and Costner has to respect him.

"If anyone doesn't listen to you, call me and tell them that if they don't follow your plan obediently, I will go to talk to them face to face. Let them choose one..."

Ronald imitated Michael Ovitz's method, letting Talalay play the bad Cop and himself play the worse Cop... to deter the crew from exceeding the shooting plan.

On the one hand, Ronald is the main investor, and on the other hand, he is also somewhat famous in Hollywood. Many people know the legend of the tyrant on the set. He can be kind to the male and female stars, and try to coax them to get good results.

But he has little patience for ordinary staff and supporting actors, and always attaches great importance to the progress of shooting according to the script. Some shots that have not been completed 100 points are rarely delayed, and often prefer to reduce the role to ensure the progress.

Kevin Costner may still have room for bargaining in front of the two female producers. If it were Ronald, he would definitely pass with 60 points and then catch up with the progress.

"I understand, I will use you as a nuclear deterrent..."

"Bgo, nuclear deterrence is most effective only when it is a threat, it is best not to let me go... Hehe", Ronald is used to going to get off work on time, and now he is not so keen on business trips.

...

Casting director Julia Taylor pointed to a pile of audition photos on the table. These were all actors recommended by various agents through their connections after hearing that Ronald was going to shoot this love drama with Paramount.

"Ah, no, we can't use newcomers in this movie..." Ronald waved his hand vigorously, indicating to his Julia Taylor to throw all the photos of Julia Taylor into the box next to her.

The male star's audition didn't go well, and Ronald didn't want to go back and choose a new guy to play the role. This kind of commercial film needs stars, so everyone can save trouble.

The most important publicity cost is that if there are no stars to participate, then the money Paramount and Ronald themselves will have to invest in marketing may be twice as much as inviting stars to perform.

So in some cases, hiring celebrities is cheaper than not hiring stars. There aren't many opportunistic ways to make this kind of romantic love movie between a man and a woman. Unlike Working Girl, which could capitalize on successful female secretaries, When Harry Met Sully could capitalize on word-of-mouth among middle-aged audiences.

This play is aimed at a very broad public, men and women who yearn for love. For the ghost plot involved, it is impossible to get the church to endorse it and help with marketing and promotion. There is no opportunistic way, the only way is to use a sledgehammer to hit it, and you must find a star, preferably a male star that the female audience particularly likes.

"What is this?" In the middle of a large number of audition photos, there was a copy of the audition photo materials. It looked very thick and was specially wrapped in an envelope. Julia Taylor found it very interesting and opened the envelope. In addition to a resume and audition photos, there was a videotape inside.

"Take a look?" Julia Taylor was a little interested in this kind of actor who could make his self-recommendation so grand. This at least shows that this person has a profound background and can bring his connections to his assistant...

"I'm not interested. Such a person is definitely not a star."

"Ah, it turns out to be Godwin's grandson." Julia Taylor had opened the envelope over there, and what fell out was an audition photo of a very strange-looking person. His nose and forehead looked like he was from Eastern Europe. Jews.

"Which Goldwyn?" Ronald took the audition photo from Julia Taylor and turned it to the back. There are biographies of the actors on it.

"Tony Goldwyn?" Ronald read out his name, and looked at his resume again. Sure enough, he was the founder of MGM, the grandson of Samuel Goldwyn, the then Hollywood production tycoon, and the presenter of previous Oscar awards ceremonies. Son of producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr.

"If he doesn't inherit his grandfather and father's family business, why is he coming here to join in the fun? He still wants to be the leading actor?" Ronald threw the audition photos into the box.

"No, Tony Goldwyn seems to be the villain supporting actor he is targeting." Julia Taylor has inserted the videotape into the machine, and what pops up is Tony Goldwyn's self-introduction and many of the villains he has played in the past. Editing of characters.

"Okay, let's keep him here and give it a try. I think this person looks very evil."

Ronald took his resume out of the trash bin and handed it to Taylor. Not only does this man look like a villain, but he also has a weak spirit unique to a boy from a rich third-generation family.

In the movie Ghost, the villain is the hero's good friend. He has always coveted the hero's career and wife, but usually only follows the hero's lead. Tony Goldwyn looks like the kind of character who looks like a good boy at first glance, but will do very evil things behind his back if given the chance.

"Yes, that pair, there are still some actors in Hollywood, and they haven't seen this script yet, so they simply changed the name of the script to a pseudonym, and called it... The End of Love..."

Ronald sighed in trouble when he thought about the male protagonist.

Let’s put aside the male lead and start auditioning the female lead first. Ronald has arranged for Nicole Kidman and Demi Moore, who he thinks are the most promising, to audition tomorrow.

The next morning, Nicole Kidman auditioned first. Her acting skills are not mature enough, and having grown up in Australia, there is something unnatural about how some girls in America should react to certain situations.

"Very well, Miss Kidman, we will let you know when we have news..." Ronald personally filmed Nicole Kidman's audition clip. That reddish blond hair, in the camera lens, the facial lines are even more flawless.

Although the acting skills are still lacking, the audience's feelings in the camera are enough to cover up any unnaturalness.

More importantly, if Kidman decides to star, he will have the opportunity to find Tom Cruise to co-star. In this case, it will be a very significant benefit to the box office.

"Ronald, do you have a chance to chat?"

Kidman auditioned with her boyfriend, Tom Cruise. After Kidman left, Tom Cruise's head popped out from behind the door and he wanted to talk to Ronald.

"Of course..." Ronald motioned to the audition director to go out first, then closed the door. The two sat there and chatted alone.

"The movie I am a screenwriter will start shooting before the end of the year. I would really like to appear in the movie with Nicole and play a couple. If your movie can be postponed for a while..."

"Why don't you and your girlfriend come to film my movie first?" Ronald looked at Tom, who seemed to be fascinated by this Australian girl. So much so that he gave up his habit of finding older girlfriends and stayed with Kidman, who was younger than him, every day.

And judging from what he means, he wants to personally bring Kidman into the Hollywood circle, star in romantic movies with him, and use his own fame to help Kidman become famous quickly.

"Ah, I don't know, Ronald. This movie is a new attempt for me. You know I have dyslexia, and I spent a lot of effort to make this movie..."

"Okay, I understand, then you go and shoot your racing movie first. I have to find other male and female stars, and I will tell you if there is any result..."

"Thank you, Ronald." Cruise smiled happily and sweetly. It seems that this girlfriend means a lot to him.

...

In the afternoon, it was time to audition Demi Moore. Ronald and Julia Taylor sat in the audition room, each with a cup of coffee, and talked about whether to wait for Kidman.

"If Nicole Kidman is used, then Tom Cruise must be the male lead. I'm not saying Cruise is bad, but if he plays this role, the whole script may need to be modified..."

"Yes, he is too beautiful, and the audience has to believe in such a man. He will love a woman wholeheartedly and have an obsession not to go to heaven, which really needs some preparation and modification."

"Right, you have this feeling too? In fact, I think this script needs an actor who doesn't look the most handsome, but is very manly, like..." Julia Taylor's words have not been finished, and the door of the audition room was knocked.

"Come in..."

"Good afternoon, Ronald..." It was Demi Moore who came in for the audition.

"Ah? Shxt!"

Ronald stood up from his chair in surprise. He looked at Demi Moore who came in and had cut her long black hair short to ear-length hair.

"Are you wearing a wig? Tell me, you are wearing a wig!" Ronald jumped from behind the audition table to the front, approached Demi Moore to take a closer look, and even reached out to pull her hair.

"Ah! It's real hair..."

Demi Moore expected to shock the audition director and Ronald, but she didn't expect his reaction to be so big.

In addition, her hair was a little painful when it was pulled, so Demi Moore took the opportunity to fall into Ronald's arms, and then her whole chest pressed against him... Her two black eyes looked up at Ronald smartly and made a playful face.

Ronald pushed Demi Moore away from him, his eyes widened, and he looked up and down. It was indeed cut into short hair, and there was no chance to remedy it.

"Why did you cut your hair short? Why didn't you ask me before cutting it?" Ronald shook Demi Moore twice, and felt that he had lost his composure. He took a chair with a backrest from the side and pushed it to Demi, and then sat back on the audition chair.

"I just felt it was right, I didn't think much about it. When I read the script, I felt that Molly should have a short-haired image..."

"Well, for such a big decision, you should consult the director first..." Ronald was not in the mood to continue the audition. He asked Demi Moore to take two photos and a confession, and then asked her to go back and wait for news.

"Ronald, I really want this role, I really want you to guide me, I am willing to pay any price..." Demi Moore was relentless, at the door, she turned around and hugged Ronald, whispering in his ear.

"Believe me, in two days, you will feel that my intuition is right..."

"Really?" Ronald didn't know what to say. Was Demi Moore's judgment really right? He seemed to have grasped something, but couldn't remember it.

"Let's go back first, I'll think about whether Demi's statement makes sense in the evening..." Ronald looked at Julia Taylor, explained it, and prepared to go home.

"I think it's OK. Do you remember? When they were casting according to the script, they should have asked Robert Redford to play the role, but they finally found Dustin Hoffman.

If the character of Jasmine is like Demi Moore with short hair, so gentle on the outside and strong on the inside, then the candidate for the male lead I just wanted to talk to you about would have a basis. Even the most hormonal man will fall for this kind of short-haired, gentle and strong woman.

Female audiences have no doubts about their love.

"Who are you talking about?"

"How about Patrick Schwitz?" Julia Taylor mentioned a candidate that Ronald didn't expect, the male lead of Dirty Dancing, the Irish dancing king.

"Is he okay? "Ronald has worked with him before and knows that he is an actor with overflowing hormones. It is no problem for you to let him perform the passion of the hot dance.

But this script contains a lot of tenderness and twists and turns in expressing love, and it requires some real acting skills. Ronald is not sure whether Patrick Schweitzer can still perform well without the dance scenes he is good at, which is why he did not think of this person at the beginning.

"Of course, I recommend him to you because I have seen the video of his interview. In that interview, he missed his father and cried so sadly. "

"Ah, really? Do you still have this video? Let me see it?" Ronald has not seen this interview, which is a pleasant surprise. If Patrick's crying scene is good, then Ronald will have more confidence in playing the male protagonist Sam.