Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Scorsese was very depressed, so Ronald invited him to his home to relax. He ate and drank a lot of delicious food, and his mood improved a little.

Ronald has rich experience in wanting to win an award after being nominated. The more you think about it, the more disappointed you will be. If you don't think about it at all, you won't be disappointed. If you are lucky, you can also experience the feeling of being overjoyed.

Besides, there are many prelude awards for the Oscars. Scorsese won many other small awards except the Directors Guild.

And Kevin Costner, it was more of a public relations Best Actor award. Both of them had the first good opportunity to win an award in many years, and they participated in all the awards without stopping, wanting to get familiar with the members who have voting rights.

Sometimes, the public relations Oscar awards are similar to elections. If you appear around them a few more times, they will naturally remember you when they vote.

After being comforted by Ronald and seeing the cute little Roger again, Scorsese let go of some of his heart. He also stopped cursing the damn Jews.

In the next few days, Ronald did not go to the editing room to deal with "other people's money". Instead, he called Douglas and Donna every day at home using the anti-eavesdropping line.

After the start of Operation Desert Storm, it seemed to progress very quickly. The 1st Cavalry Division and the 1st Infantry Division broke through Iraq's defenses on the first day of the ground operation and widened the passage.

Iraq's front-line troops seemed vulnerable. And the Republican Guard, which the Soviet major general said was very powerful, did not perform well.

"Should we bet on our positions? Why doesn't the expected increase in crude oil prices seem to be?"

Ronald was a little scratching his head. The crude oil market had experienced a wave of increases before Iraq invaded Kuwait because the international market was worried about the reduction in crude oil production.

But after the US military entered Saudi Arabia, the price stabilized. Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern oil-producing countries, under the mediation of America, took the initiative to increase production and maintained price fluctuations. The expected increase in crude oil prices caused by ground operations did not occur.

"This is a short-term business. We have to wait for the right time." Donna expressed her thoughts. She would rather lose the opportunity to make a small profit than put herself in a risky situation or have no position to continue when the big opportunity comes.

Douglas had no opinion and just agreed with Donna. Ronald felt that he was an outsider to speculation and decided not to interfere with his cousin's affairs. The fund of her company had a return rate of 55% last year, and Douglas was also timid when talking about making money in front of Donna.

Ronald didn't want to argue with Donna. His own investment performance was not bad. Coca-Cola, which he had the largest holding, split its stock in 1990 and had good sales. His holdings have risen by more than 20%.

Another company that has also invested a lot in Microsoft, its stock price soared last year with the huge sales of ord and excel software. After the stock split, the stock price almost rose to the level before the stock split.

Ronald made more than 70% profit from this part of his investment. This kind of joy of making money is completely different from the income from making movies. Movies require a lot of energy and time, as well as some luck and courage to reap the rewards.

But stocks like Microsoft, after buying them, just leave them there and they will sleep all the way, and they can also increase your wealth every day.

Taking advantage of the new tax law of the President, which did not cancel the tax benefits of stock investment. Ronald simply invested some of the movie income he made this year to buy a lot of Microsoft stocks.

Ronald did not tell anyone about the news of making money, but after counting with the accountant, he secretly grinned and laughed. Diane thought Ronald was very confident about the Oscars, and found an opportunity to secretly ask him what award he was so confident about?

"Oh, I think Whoopi Goldberg's Ghost has a good chance." Ronald quickly fooled, "You don't know, Whoopi won all the best supporting actresses in all the outposts. Almost one person occupies more than half of all the awards. I am almost a professional director who has won the supporting actress award.

"Oh? "Diane counted and found that Ronald had won the Best Supporting Actress award for several consecutive years. She looked at Ronald eagerly without saying anything.

"I haven't decided yet whether to apply for Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress for this movie. Let's see after it's released." Ronald understood what Diane was thinking and expressed his thoughts.

In today's Hollywood movies, supporting actresses have fewer opportunities to shine, so it's easier to get nominated. But it's difficult to win the award because they have to compete with actresses of all ages. The Best Actress award faces a fierce nomination battle, but after being nominated, the votes will be more divided, and it's possible to win unexpectedly (such as Cher's award).

"I don't have any extravagant expectations, I just want a nomination to comfort my father's expectations. "Diane replied with a smile. She had been an actress since she was a child, and she was very clear about the saying that nominations depend on strength, and winning depends on luck.

…

Ronald still paid attention to the progress of Operation Desert Storm every day. On the third day, the 1st Cavalry Division and the 1st Infantry Division had opened a breakthrough in the enemy's position and put in all their efforts.

The Soviet major general repeatedly said on TV that the elite Republican Guard did not appear, there was no counterattack against the coalition forces, and there was no effective artillery or aircraft counterattack. Everything was under the control of the coalition forces.

The market speculation plan was postponed again. Without accidents, there would be no opportunities for speculation. Ronald had to wait patiently.

Fortunately, there was not no good news at all. The Silence of the Lambs continued to be the champion on the weekend box office list. This movie seemed to be very popular with the audience. Operation Desert Storm did not have any World War II plots that people liked to watch. For example, the enemy counterattacked and was bravely repelled by our side. Or a lone hero saved the company, and the aircraft carrier fleet fought back and destroyed the Japanese joint fleet.

On the other hand, there was no negative news like the Vietnam War. There was no news of the dead soldiers at the front, and no photos or videos of the body bags transported back to the newspapers and television.

Since the Vietnam War, the federal government has revised the wartime news law. Many reports must be approved by the US military press officer before they can be broadcast. CUU and ABC both made some of the same video clips.

Some multiple rocket launchers whizzed and fired rockets, and then a voice-over said that the enemy suffered serious losses.

Only the shots of Apache helicopters firing weapons made Ronald very interested. "Firebird", which was released during the US military's actions, also achieved good results.

All the plots that can't be seen on TV are completed in the movie. What helicopter was shot down, the beauty in military uniform removed the Stinger missile and shot down the enemy's fighter. What lone hero operated the helicopter, let the enemy's helicopter pass by, and then shot him down.

Although the plot is old-fashioned, it's just a re-skin of the plot of "Top Gun" and installed on the helicopter. But when the audience faces the live broadcast of the rolling yellow sand and can't see anything clearly, don't they have to go to the cinema to find some fun?

For a time, Daydream's movies temporarily took up two of the top three places in the box office list. Daydream's employees received bonuses again...

"Good guy, the Iraqis were defeated just like that?" On the fourth day, the news in CUU was wrong. The ground forces began to set out from the breakthrough point and launched a long-distance raid to encircle the Iraqi army's rear stronghold.

Whether it was the National Defense Forces on the front line or the Republican Guards waiting behind, they all lost their fighting spirit.

Many conscripts in the National Defense Forces surrendered on the spot and waited for the US military to take over. The Republican Guards in the rear drove the Soviet Union's advanced tanks one by one and fled towards Iraq.

The three most elite guard divisions of Tawaklna, Medina and Hamrabi were beaten and abandoned. Hunted by the coalition's attack aircraft along the way, a total of more than 600 tanks, only a few of which were able to successfully escape from the highway connecting Iraq and Kuwait.

In the news report, these shots were broadcast one day later. The host pointed to the road full of wreckage and named it "Death Highway".

The two divisions of the US Army in the coalition and the 7th Armored Division of the British Army pursued along the highway. On the other side, the 101st Airborne Division airborne and raided the rear of Iraq, using 400 armed helicopters to penetrate 150 miles into Iraqi territory, cutting off the Iraqi army's retreat in one fell swoop.

"It seems to be a win?" Billy Crystal was also stunned. He came to discuss things with Ronald. After a few words, the two men were attracted by the CUU live broadcast. They sat in front of the TV, like children, watching the war scenes with relish.

"That must be a win. The airborne division fought beautifully. The Iraqis put their main forces on the Kuwait border. Basra was not prepared at all. Hahahaha..." Ronald danced with joy and drew a line on the map on the TV, as if he was commanding the troops.

Billy Crystal also drew an arc in the air, "Cut in from here, like Tyson's left hook, find a gap, and it will be fatal in an instant..."

"Don't mention it, that guy is not good now."

The two gestured twice in boxing postures, sat down and continued to talk about business.

Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars last year very well. Originally, the producers of this year wanted to find someone else, but the audience's feedback still liked him. So Billy was asked to host this year's Oscars again.

Ronald didn't have the opportunity to produce this year because several of his movies were on the final nomination list. So in order to avoid suspicion, he cannot participate in the production of the Oscars.

"Do you think it's okay for me to tease like this?"

Billy Crystal needs to be the host, which is actually similar to a stand-up comedy talk show, and he needs to make fun of the guests on the scene. But he can't say too much, so he has to talk to the person he is teasing about the scale.

"Okay, okay, as long as you don't make fun of my wife." Ronald saw that there was no problem. Anyway, I didn't get nominated for Best Director this year, so I won't get angry no matter how you tease me.

"Why, you still want to invite Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster?" Ronald saw that the person he was teasing also included the male and female protagonists of "The Silence of the Lambs" he produced.

"They are so popular now, how can we not invite them? Hey, actually you are at a disadvantage." Billy Crystal also felt regretful. If this movie was released in December last year, it would definitely be a favorite to win the award.

"Don't say it, how could I know it would be so popular?" Ronald thought to himself, if I knew that the quality of this movie was so high and the audience liked it so much, I would...

It would also have to be postponed to the end of this year. Dances with Wolves has a good nomination result, and it's not good for two movies to fight each other.

"How is the new movie you mentioned last time?" Ronald asked about Billy Crystal's project.

"I have already found the protagonists to play together, three white-collar workers in the city. They go on vacation together every year. This time they went to the ranch in the west to experience the life of a real cowboy."

"Comedy?" Ronald knew as soon as he heard it that this was a comedy technique using identity crisis.

"I still like comedy..." That's where Billy Crystal's interest lies. Although he has been successful in romantic comedies, his appearance is not that of a typical romantic movie actor.

"Do you need any heroines there?" Ronald thought of Diane's nomination.

"It lacks a beautiful heroine, but she has very few roles. She is the nominal heroine, but she actually has less roles than supporting roles. This is actually a movie with a traditional western structure. I chose the worst villain in the western movies of that year. Actor Jack Palance was invited.”

"Oh, it's him..." Ronald remembered this face that had played the villain in countless Western movies and looked very evil.

Ronald asked a few more questions. Since the heroine is a role that rarely appears, there is no point in casting Diane. But Helen might be interested. She likes to act with actors best.

Jack Palance is a veteran villain who has played classic Western movies such as "Into the Wild". He also played a role in Batman before, and his sword is still young, which is impressive.

"I have an actor here who I would like to recommend to you for an audition. She is very beautiful and would be perfect for a role in a western movie." Ronald recommended Helen Slater to him.

Billy Crystal heard that it was Helen who had starred in two blockbuster comedies. He liked it very much and immediately agreed to arrange an audition.

Another day passed, Ronald's driver, Little Bud, honked the horn several times at the gate, "Didi..."

"It's coming, stop fucking pushing..."

Ronald's roar came from above.

Just today, the Commander-in-Chief announced the end of coalition military operations in Kuwait and Iraq. No further penetration into Iraq. He said that the original goal of the coalition was to restore Kuwaiti territory and expel the Iraqi army, and that goal had been achieved. We did not intend to invade Iraq and overthrow the rule of madmen.

Who would have thought that the arduous battle predicted by the Soviet major general before the war started ended in just four days?

This time, I was caught off guard. The war ended quickly, and the main oil-producing areas were not affected by the war. Although Kuwait lost most of its oil wells, when the Iraqi army retreated, many oil wells were ignited, and production would not be restored for a while. The increased production by Saudi Arabia and other countries has completely covered this damaged output.

And not entering Iraq means that Iraq, a large producer in the crude oil market, will not have problems. There are absolutely no opportunities for speculation in the crude oil market.

The opportunity that Ronald and Douglas Jr. had coveted for a long time was just gone...

"Ronald, if you don't go to the airport, won't Director Huang be left alone? Why don't you just watch TV here and I'll pick him up for you?" Diane also came in. Today, Ronald was supposed to go to the airport to pick up the special agent. Director Huang who came here to inspect Hollywood.

"Oh, I'll go, I'll go. I originally asked Xiao Yan to go to the airport, so he can't lose it." Seeing this, Ronald had no choice but to hang up the phone and get in the car. He was still muttering along the way, "Why is it so useless? Didn't you say that Iraq can hold on for a long time? The commander-in-chief is also true. Why didn't he fight when the gate was opened?"

"Director Huang, Director Luo is here." Xiao Yan was sharp-eyed at the airport and saw Ronald coming over.

"Sorry, sorry, I had something urgent to do and kept you waiting." Ronald saw Director Huang and immediately came up to say hello.

"Director Ronaldinho is a busy man. I watched several of your new films in Xujiahui. They are very exciting films."

"Haha, Director Huang, I also found a video tape to watch your new TV series. It's very charming... Let's go, let's catch up with you at my house..."

"Okay, let me say hello to that old lady." Director Huang went back to say goodbye to a fat Chinese lady.

"Who is this?" Ronald asked Xiao Yan.

"Hi, I met at the airport. He said he was farming in his hometown in Shandong. He didn't speak a word of English so he came here to visit relatives."

"Oh..." Ronald didn't take it seriously. America is a country of immigrants, and there are many adventurers who come here just for a dream.

"You're staying at my house today, and I've prepared Chinese food. The Oscars are coming soon, and Hollywood is very busy. Director Huang wants to go wherever he wants to go, and I'll have someone make arrangements for you."

Director Huang's visit this time is an opportunity for inspection. Sino-US relations began to pick up this year, and Ronald sent her an invitation letter so that she could come to Los Angeles and have more contacts with the filmmakers here.

"I am a guest and host as I please... I have only one wish if I have to say what I want to say." Director Huang came to accept Ronald's invitation, and by the way, he could also see his old friends from his father's generation.

"What wish?" Ronald thought to himself. Could it be that he wanted to go to the Oscar Awards party? This year's awards show went to the Temple Theater again. The venue was much larger than last year's, and you could still get a ticket.

"I just have one wish. I really want to see Gregory Peck..."

"Huh?" Ronald turned his head in surprise, looked at Director Huang, and saw the smile on her face. Unexpectedly, Gregory Peck is also an idol for middle-aged and elderly women in China.

(Remember to bookmark it for next time reading!)