Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"I thought of it, I thought of it..."

As soon as Ronald returned to Los Angeles, Tom Cruise came to talk to him about the "sugar-coated trap".

"Who are you thinking of?" Ronald smiled as he watched Diane serve him coffee.

"Ahem, there are two candidates, Gene Hackman, and Robert Duvall. They have acting skills, but they don't know how to... you know..."

"Huh?" Ronald also took a sip. This is the latest model of automatic coffee machine made in Japan. It is equipped with matching coffee. It tastes good. Maybe it was Cruise who blatantly said that he wanted to use it to set off himself. I feel a bit embarrassed about the names of the two prime supporting actors in acting.

"Both of the candidates you mentioned are good. Personally, I prefer Robert Duvall." Ronald glanced at the smiling Diane, who finally got rid of her reputation as a coffee geek. Robert Duvall had acted in a TV series with her before and was very friendly to her. When Ronald said this to Diane, he thought it was because of his own reasons.

Of course, this is one of the reasons, but more importantly, Gene Hackman offended Ronald over the "Silence of the Lambs" script. Now that Anthony Hopkins has won the Best Actor, Hackman must I regret it very much, and maybe I don’t want to participate in a movie directed by Ronald.

"Of course..." Tom Cruise also glanced at Diane, and he could think of this reason. Paula Wagner said that Ronald would most likely choose Robert Duvall. However, Gene Hackman is more famous for his supporting roles. He has acting skills and is not worried about his image being damaged. The image of Luthor, the villain in the Superman series of movies at that time, is also deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Can such a person better set off the What about your extraordinary acting skills?

Moreover, Robert Duvall had previously collaborated with him on the box-office failure "Thunderbolt". Although it is not necessarily his problem, after all...Hollywood is still a bit superstitious.

"I actually have other reasons..." Ronald hugged Diane's waist and kissed her on the face. Then he said seriously to Tom Cruise, "Do you like the movie The Godfather?"

"Of course..." Tom Cruise made a gesture of praying to his godfather for help.

"Yes, this movie is the bible for American men, especially those who watch movies. Just like The Love Story is the bible for female romance movies. As soon as people see the casting in this movie, they know who they are. …

This is typical of actors whose character's charm overflows. The key to the sugar-coated trap is that your performance must be convincing. I think, in addition to your own acting skills, we need all the resources we can use, such as using some old faces from the Godfather movies and borrowing their brilliance.

It's not surprising that your character, Mitche, makes some wrong choices under the pressure of such a gang. It also allows the female audience to identify with the shock and vulnerability you showed, and also allows them to identify with your wife's understanding of Mitche in the end.

If you use some actors who are not easily reminiscent of gangsters, it will be more difficult to make the audience empathize and understand your performance.

Tom, your acting skills have been honed over the years and now it's time to shine. I won't miss an opportunity to help. "

"Huh?" Tom Cruise thought Ronald was trying to show off as the godfather of the younger generation in Hollywood, but he didn't expect that this old friend would actually consider this matter from the perspective of winning an award.

How rare. Such a noble person who helped him debut and made himself a star of commercial films, when it comes to the most critical moment of winning awards, he would rather put the box office second and show his acting skills first.

"Diane, do you remember when we played Francis (Coppola)'s urchin outside the world together? At that time, we didn't expect that today..." Cruise suppressed his inner excitement and deliberately told Diane some old stories.

"Stop talking, I was... ha..." Diane glanced at Ronald, meaning that I didn't expect to get married to the director's assistant.

"Okay, then send them an invitation to audition, and my casting director Julia Taylor will make the right choice..." Ronald smiled and drank the coffee. Although the audition has been made, the normal audition process still has to go through.

"What do you know? I have some internal gold bases in Scientology that process good coffee. Our own people farm it there. There is nothing bad. I will give you some when the time comes..."

"Uh..." Tom Cruise, I dare you, dislikes that his coffee is not certified by Scientology, and uses their multimeter to remove the painful trauma and memories left by the criminals sent to the earth by the Emperor of the Universe...

This guy, I have to remind Paula Wagner, it is obviously not a good thing to fall into too deep.

…

"I'm very careful about balancing his religious life and professional life. Tom is not an idiot, and Nicole doesn't care much. It's just that sometimes, a star needs some people's blind worship and uncomplaining consideration. . Neither I nor his wife can do this. Don’t worry, it’s still limited to the weird beliefs that some Hollywood people often have.”

A few days later, Ronald was talking to Paula Wagner on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"Then I'm relieved." Ronald looked back at the star Tom Hanks who was surrounded by everyone. This Tom doesn't have this type of problem.

"Hi……"

Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, sat on the ground of the Avenue of Stars, showing very happy expressions. Today is the dedication ceremony of his exclusive star, a bronze star made by the Avenue of Stars Committee, with Tom Hanks' name engraved on it and a small icon in the style of a movie camera next to it.

They took leave from the crew of "Sleepless in Seattle" to attend the dedication ceremony of Tom Hanks' star. A brick on the sidewalk was pried out and replaced with a star with Tom Hanks' name.

Then there were interviews and photos from various media.

Of course, in addition to Tom Hanks' own feelings and thoughts, the most important thing is to promote the movie "A League of Pink".

Although the name is the Avenue of Stars, it does not mean that you will automatically have your own star if you are a star.

Except for those stars of the older generation who unfortunately passed away (you need to have a certain degree of star fame), they will be automatically added by the Avenue of Stars Committee. Other stars need to actively contact the committee to have their own stars.

In addition to actively contacting, living stars also need to be nominated. Film companies and fan groups can nominate, and as long as the nominees are approved, the list of new stars for the year will be selected at the committee meeting of the year.

In addition to this nomination, which is almost not difficult, there is also a one-time payment of tens of thousands of dollars for installation and maintenance costs.

It is this high cost that prevents most stars from landing on the Avenue of Stars. Not many stars are narcissistic enough to pay out of their own pockets to install stars with their own names, and then let fans look for their names among thousands of stars.

So, generally speaking, the cost of this star installation ceremony is based on the marketing expenses of the stars' new movies, new TV series, new records, etc. when they are launched.

Tom Hanks is no exception. He took advantage of the weekend when the crew of "Sleepless in Seattle" rested and came to participate in the promotion of "Pink Alliance".

"Tom, Rita, you make a star together, let us take a few photos..." The photographer called the two celebrity couples and asked them to make a move.

"Is this OK? Hahaha." Tom Hanks showed his comedy skills again. He and his wife made exaggerated gestures together, pointing at their stars and cooperating with the media's publicity.

"Congratulations..." After taking the photo, Ronald went up and hugged Tom Hanks again. Such a dedicated male star should be cherished. Whether on the set or cooperating with publicity, Tom Hanks is very professional.

Not only did he fly back to participate in the promotion during his break according to the contract, but he also brought his wife to appear on the screen. It can be said that it is buy one get one free, and the cost performance is very high.

Of course, this is operated in the name of Rita Wilson supporting her husband. A small part of the questions from various media reporters are also focused on how the two of them support each other and help each other's careers.

"Diane, Diane... Take a picture with Ronald in your arms..."

The star dedication ceremony for Tom Hanks has just been completed here, and Diane Lane, who also plays an important role in "Pink League", has also become the focus of the media. Today is also the dedication ceremony of her star on the Avenue of Stars.

"Hey, today is Diane's big day, you have to take more photos of her, I'm just a director behind the scenes, you have to distinguish who is the protagonist on the Avenue of Stars..."

Ronald smiled and acted as Diane's prop for a while, then half-jokingly asked the photographers he knew to take more photos with Diane as the center.

"Hahaha..." The photographers laughed in unison. If you hadn't come, would we have taken so many marketing photos to show our face?

"Hehehe..." Diane was very happy. Having her own star on the Avenue of Stars is an important symbol of sitting on the same level as the stars of the golden age.

She was dressed very down to earth today, like an ordinary woman in Los Angeles, with a long skirt, a pair of sandals, and a tilted hat, and covering it with her hands, that was a very typical Bohemian style.

Anyway, this kind of ceremony can't be as formal as an award ceremony, it's all about being playful, so that fans can recall her most popular look in the early 1980s.

Ronald also looked at her with a smile, his wife was very happy today, and this action achieved a better effect than expected. It's still killing two birds with one stone...

Afterwards, both stars accepted interviews from reporters, while Ronald and Paula Wagner talked about the "Sugar Coated Trap" project.

"What do you think of the heroine?"

"Now many people are asking for it, and I always reply that I will choose according to the requirements of the plot. But there are three people who recommended it, and I am a little moved."

Ronald was talking about the role of Abby, Tom Cruise's wife in the play. Because this is a shortcut to fame with Tom Cruise, many people came to ask for it, and he seriously considered three of them from the perspective of personal connections and suitability.

The first one is Jane Tripplehorn, who was recommended by Michael Douglas. She plays a supporting role in "Basic Instinct", and is the psychiatrist and lover of the detective played by Michael Douglas.

According to Douglas, Jane Tripplehorn is an actress from Broadway with solid acting skills. And she has an advantage, she looks a bit like JFK's wife Jacqueline. She is very suitable for the protagonist of the Harvard law school in the script.

Michael Douglas did not strongly recommend her, but Jane Tripplehorn still found a very important recommender who made him call and found the key points of the role.

The second one is Robin Wright recommended by Bob Reiner. This actor was discovered by him in "The Princess Bride".

Reiner's main recommendation point is that Robin Wright can switch seamlessly between innocence and sexiness, which is very suitable for this kind of housewife who goes to the company to seduce her boss after her husband is threatened.

Reiner's "The Princess Bride" is his favorite directorial work, and he has always maintained a good relationship with the actors of that year. According to him, Robin Wright should have become a star as early as two years ago in "Robin Hood (starring Kevin Costner)". It was only because she was pregnant with Madonna's ex-husband Sean Penn that she gave up the opportunity to become a star.

Reiner felt that such a qualified actor should not be wasted, so he strongly recommended his old subordinate to audition with Ronald, and guaranteed that Ronald did not need to spend much time on Robin Wright's professionalism and acting skills.

As for the third candidate, it was Ronald's niece, Bridget Fonda, who was recommended by Jane Fonda, the noble person Ronald met when he debuted.

She agreed to film Ronald's script and made him a new star screenwriter. Later, she acquired his leg warmer factory and made her first pot of gold. Now she is married to Cable TV tycoon Turner.

Ronald has to take special care of the person she specially recommended. The advantage of Bridget Fonda is that she is the one with the temperament closest to American housewives among the three candidates.

She was able to give up her life in Boston and work hard with her husband in an unknown law firm in a small southern town. Later, her husband encountered a gangster business and couldn't get out of it. She was able to seduce her husband's boss. In the end, she forgave her husband's cheating because of love. The two gave up the money and status that were within their reach and went back to Boston to find a small law firm to start over.

This plot requires Abby, the wife, to love her husband very much in order to convince the audience, especially the recognition of female audiences. Although the husband is played by Tom Cruise, if Abby's appearance and temperament are not convincing enough, it will easily cause the audience to dislike her.

From the audition photos of Bridget Fonda, she has inherited the fragility of her grandfather Henry Fonda's appearance and the energy that can burst out from fragility.

"Tom has no preference. He said he believes you can choose the most suitable Abby for him..." Paula Wagner conveyed Cruise's idea to Ronald. It is rare nowadays for a film project that can make him give up the active influence on casting.

"Ronnie, I'm so happy today. You don't know how excited my father will be when he sees my stars..."

Diane ended the interview and came over to hug Ronald and didn't want to let go. Today, she has accomplished another goal in her life.

"When will the ceremony for placing your star be held? I'm sure many friends will come to celebrate for you."

"Me? I'm not there yet. Director's star is very rare." Ronald said with a smile. Unlike stars, directors are generally not the focus of marketing activities, so not many people get stars. Most of them are old directors in the golden age.

Now even Spielberg, Lucas, Scorsese, Coppola and others don't have stars.

Ronald smiled and decided to take advantage of the opportunity of "Bram Stoker's Dracula" to be released in the second half of the year to let Coppola's star land first.

Then he will also put up Roger Corman's star. It is impossible for him to get ahead of them.

...

"Francis, what do you think about the star I told you about?"

"It always feels inappropriate for a director to be on the Walk of Fame. Besides, what's the point of bragging about having your name stepped on by others."

Afterwards, Ronald called Coppola, and as expected, Coppola, as a director, was not very interested in this.

"Think about the marketing of the movie, think about the box office this star can bring you, Francis. I know it's a bit against your habits, but for the box office..."

"Hey, what you said makes sense, I can't argue with you. Just do as you say..." Coppola thought of the money he still owed to the bank, so he had to cooperate obediently.

"Okay, I'll write a letter to nominate you..." Ronald laughed. He still had something to ask Coppola for help.