Exploiting Hollywood 1980

The atmosphere of sunset is different from that of sunrise, at least it is obvious in the camera.

The light of sunrise is light blue, giving it a mysterious and quiet feeling. As for the sunset light, after a day of hustle and bustle, the air is filled with dust, and the scattered sunlight is orange-red, warm and earthly.

If it were in the hands of a very particular director, maybe the sunrise and sunset scenes couldn't be shot together. But Ronald, the true successor to Roger Corman, the master of fast-paced cinema and a temporary director of low-budget exploitation films, had no such concerns.

Finally, after 4 pm, the sky starts to get dark, and the magic light that filmmakers love most is coming again. The staff and actors had already resettled, and the director of photography lay in front of the viewfinder and looked at it for a long time before finally sending the OK signal.

Ronald took a deep breath and issued the command.

"recording?"

"opened."

"camera?"

"full speed."

"Ms. Voronov?"

"I'm ready."

"'High School Life' Scene 135, first shot, first line!"

"A!"

Ronald no longer roared with all his might at the beginning of the morning, and became much gentler. Maybe my voice was tired from shouting too much, or maybe I was a little reluctant to take these last two shots.

Mary Woronov, who played the headmistress, began to walk towards the camera with her head held high. Behind her were two followers, one fat and one thin. They were complete buffoons. On both sides are two sexy beauties, Chrissy and Marla.

Ronald gave them another chance to appear. The two changed their clothes and dressed up as ordinary students, but the dance and posture were still very sexy, even in the mid-shot.

However, Mary is shown from the front, and the two beauties are only shot from the side. When Mary passes between them, the audience's attention will focus on Mary.

Actors attach great importance to their screen time. Only by performing well can the director and editor be merciful and retain more of your scenes.

Mary Woronoff is amazing and seems to make the camera fall in love with her. Ronald hid behind the camera to watch her performance, and his eyes were involuntarily attracted to her. I imagine that after the film is over, the audience in the cinema will look at her face inexplicably like him.

Why is this? Maybe the composition puts her in the middle? Maybe it's because she is taller? No, PJ Soles and Day Young also enjoyed this treatment, but they seemed to lack this magic.

It should be Mary’s energetic expressions and movements, right? It looks very real, and people always respond to real expressions and movements. Anyway, there's something about this Mary, Ronald thought to himself.

"Cut!"

Only one final shot remains.

"I want a panning shot. The two people walk in front of the camera from left to right, and the camera keeps following. Kate, played by Dai Yang, is a little unhappy after being punished by being detained in school. Liv, played by PJ, has been comforting her. Making faces, playing music, and jumping forward, I kept following the photo, passing the tree, and kept going until I told him to stop."

After understanding Roger Coleman's secrets, Ronald came up and gave specific instructions.

The camera focused on PJ Soles and Dai Young on the grass. The camera started with the two of them standing in the east, with the sun shining on their faces, making them look youthful and lively. Then the two of them slowly walked towards the west. The setting sun shone slantly on them and outlined a golden outline on them, which made them feel a little sad inexplicably. It just fits Kate's change in mood after hearing the punishment. If we change the direction, and the close shot of the two people is backlit at the beginning, but when they move further away, it is the direct light, it would be inconsistent with the mood of the whole scene.

Ronald was a little proud. It seemed that I knew a little bit about using light. It was his foundation as a portrait photographer. Watching the two actors walking away, Ronald felt a little sad, as the days of the temporary director were coming to an end.

"Cut!"

Director of photography Dean Candy signaled that everything was captured, and Ronald picked up the electric horn:

"Everyone, I announce that today's filming is finished."

After a pause, Ronald resumed his assistant's tone and began to announce next week's shooting schedule:

"We're done now and have a rest tomorrow. The meeting time for the day after tomorrow is 07:00 a.m., and the group meeting time is 08:00. The location is Mount Carmel High School, 7011 South Hoover Street. The map is attached to the announcement the day after tomorrow. For the first time People who go there can get familiar with it first. This high school is closed, so don’t be surprised to find no students or teachers when you arrive at the school on Monday.”

"Oh, by the way, thank you everyone! Thank you for your cooperation today, thank you!"

Everyone started to leave, and Ronald walked over to thank director of photography Dean Candy alone. He wanted to shake Dean's hand.

But Dean pulled him over and gave him a hug. "Well done, Ronald. Well done, kid." After saying that, he patted him hard on the back.

Ronald thanked several actors individually, including President Assistant Gail, Recorder Jenny, Makeup Artist Gigi, and Dancer Siana, and finally it was Jim's turn.

"Hey Jim, good job today!"

"You too, Ronnie."

The two hugged tightly.

"You go first, Ronald. I will stay and watch the camera crew load the equipment into the truck. I will also sign the actors' work orders."

Normally, this is the work of the first assistant director directing the crew assistants. Jim knew that Ronald was in an emotional and tired day, so he offered to do these chores.

"Let's go together, it'll only take ten minutes."

…

The two began to watch the camera crew pack up their equipment. When they finished packing, the location shooting of Van Nuys High School was officially over.

"Where is Ronald?"

Roger Corman's voice came from the school gate behind him.

"I'm here, Mr. Corman."

"Ah, good. I was worried that you had left. Help load the film into the car later."

"Okay, Mr. Corman."

The film needs to be developed before it can be shown. "Rock High School" uses MGM's "Metropolitan Color" processing plant, which is cheaper than the "Seven Arts Color" used by big companies. In addition, in order to save money, Roger Corman does not develop samples every day like the big crews, but twice a week. Today happens to be the day for development.

Ronald and the red-haired photography assistant moved the film into the trunk of the crew's van and greeted the driver Chris. Chris came back from the hospital in the afternoon and heard about Ronald's temporary director. He reached out from the cab and shook hands with him.

After Ronald moved the film, Roger Corman and driver Chris gave him some instructions and asked him to follow them to the photo processing factory, and then he got into his BMW. He leaned out of the cab and said to Ronald: "Ronald, before 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, you and Jim should come to the New World office together, and we will see the developed samples."

The samples were originally for the director, assistant director, producer, actors, and director of photography, and the assistants were not qualified. This was the first time Ronald had the opportunity to see them.

Roger Corman's BMW drove out of the school gate, accelerated and turned left onto Victory Avenue, and the van followed.

Ronald turned back and walked towards his "Volkswagen Hare" and saw Jim starting his Harley motorcycle. Ronald often joked that it was "Hardly Move".

The quality of the motorcycle was worrying, and it would always break down and stop. But Jim knew a lot about mechanics, and small problems could not stump him.

Before getting on the bus, Ronald looked back at the gate of Van Nuys High School, and his mood was just like the song played by Dancing Sienna...

"I am electrified,

This current is accumulating.

I am losing control,

Because you electrified me,

I was "electrified" by your eyes

..."

It was a long day. But no matter how long the dream is, it will end...

That's all for today, bye.