Exploiting Hollywood 1980

On Christmas Eve morning, Ronald walked out of his apartment.

I bought two professional Hollywood newspapers, "Daily Variety" and "Hollywood Reporter", plus a copy of the Los Angeles Times at a newsstand not far from my apartment.

"Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!"

After greeting the stall owner, Ronald looked on the way home. He wants to study three newspapers and place some advertisements for portrait photography in them.

Ronald flipped through two professional newspapers. There were very few advertisements. It was probably not cheap and he couldn't afford it. I picked up the Los Angeles Times again and flipped through the classified ads.

There is a thick stack of classified ads, and these columns are all for individuals to post, and each person only has a piece the size of dried tofu. Weddings, obituaries, marriage proposals, and finally turned to the service page.

"Hollywood portrait photographer, 120 yuan, available on the day."

"10 years of experience in portrait photography, good at guiding subjects"

"If you're good looking, have no cash, and want an audition photo, please call..."

…

Ronald felt that the market was good and there was a lot of potential.

After finding out the hotline for publishing classified ads, Ronald found a phone booth to call and asked for the address of the nearest agency office. It was not far away, so Ronald simply walked there.

As I walked, I flipped through daily variety shows and newspapers that specifically reported on Hollywood. Of course, the content was filled with the news that a certain crew was starting production, there were rumors that the female lead and the director were at odds with each other, and a certain actor fell in love with an actress from the same drama and was openly in a couple. , etc. Gossip news.

"Jane Fonda's new film The Wedding Ring is causing controversy. Is it appropriate for a married woman to cheat in a movie?"

This is talking about this year's blockbuster "Cog Ho".

Jane Fonda plays the wife of a Vietnam War officer in the film. While her husband was serving in Vietnam, she still wore her wedding ring and had an affair with a former high school idol who is now a disabled soldier.

Ronald remembers Aunt Karen disliking the movie and complaining on the phone that "Hanoi Jane" was tarnishing the honor of their Vietnam War wives.

"The Deer Hunter has been well received. Can it gain a head start in the Oscar nomination race?"

This article is about the new movie "The Deer Hunter" that Demi Moore wants to see. Reports say that the studio only released the film for seven days, which was intentional to meet the minimum screening requirements to participate in the Oscars.

Not many people have seen the film, everyone just talks about it. It seems that those who have seen it are the ones who have connections and friends, and are real insiders.

This is marketing, raising the audience's expectations. Ronald secretly admired it. Now that the movie has received a lot of praise, it is expected to be nominated for an Oscar.

When he arrived at the agency that posted classified ads, Ronald asked about the price and bought four spots in a row.

"What do you want to publish? You can write it here." The staff handed over a piece of paper.

Ronald picked up the pencil:

"A formal member of the Directors Guild, explains how to take audition photos to win the favor of the director."

"The author has worked as a screenwriter, assistant director, stills photographer and other positions, and is rich in experience."

"Contrary to what most people think, the prettier the audition photos are, the better."

"Indoor or outdoor? Black and white or color? The author will analyze it in detail."

“The basic package is 99 yuan, and the upgraded package is 149 yuan.”

"Please call for details..."

"Can I show a photo?" Ronald asked.

"Yes, but it can only be printed in black and white."

Ronald took out a small reprinted photo of Demi Moore and handed it to the staff, "Put it in the upper left corner. The text starts below the photo."

The staff took the photo and asked, "How many days do you want to send it?"

"Three days."

It happens to be a holiday and people are at home, so more people will read newspapers. And there are very few weddings held on Christmas, so there are many vacancies in newspapers to choose from. Ronald wanted to take the opportunity to work for three days in a row.

Taking the receipt given by the staff with the publication date of the advertisement on it, Ronald returned to the apartment.

It was Christmas Eve, and after Ronald hung up the phone to say hello to Aunt Karen, he found himself with nowhere to go.

Thinking that after the advertisement was published, many people might call to inquire, and since he was going to work after the vacation to study editing, Ronald considered whether to buy an answering machine.

I took out the phone book and looked up the number of the electronics store RadioShack. The Ruishal staff said that the cheapest one was $1,000, which frightened Ronald and immediately hung up the phone.

It's better to pay someone to answer the phone.

Just as she was thinking about her business, Mrs. Weber from next door knocked on the door, "Ronald, are you there? Come to my house for Christmas dinner today. I cooked turkey."

Mrs. Weber is also a single mother. Her daughter is in the 12th grade of high school. Mrs. Weber used to work as a waitress in a restaurant and now works as a secretary in a small company. With similar family backgrounds, Mrs. Weber and Ronald usually communicate more. Knowing that Ronald was alone in Los Angeles, he invited him to have Christmas dinner with him on Christmas Eve.

Ronald was very happy because he had nowhere to go today.

Cameron went home to be with his wife, Sharon. This workaholic usually doesn't come home, and his wife has a lot of objections. Gail returned to his parents' house. Other colleagues and friends were also natives of Los Angeles. Ronald hadn't gotten to know them well enough yet. He hadn't received an invitation to the family dinner and couldn't go.

He was invited to various young people's rave parties, but Ronald didn't want to go. Alcohol and drug abuse kept him away.

He went out and bought a bottle of red wine, wrapped it in a paper bag, and gave it to Mrs. Weber as a gift.

When she entered, Mrs. Weber was coming out of the kitchen carrying a roast chicken. Ronald stepped forward to help. The three of them sat down at the dining table:

"For our hungry food,

In order for us to rest peacefully,

For the home where memories linger,

We are grateful for these.”

Mrs. Webber spoke the prayers, folded her hands together, and prayed to God.

"Amen," Ronald and her daughter responded, and the three of them crossed themselves and started eating Christmas dinner.

"Ronald, what have you been doing lately? I see that you are rarely at home."

After the meal, Mrs. Weber brought coffee, and the three of them were chatting, waiting for the TV station to broadcast the annual Christmas Eve program: the movie "It's a Wonderful World."

"I work on a film crew, but next I will start a portrait photography business. If I make enough money, I may go to college. It depends on the admission results in February next year."

"Ronnie, can you take pictures? Can you take one for me?" Mrs. Weber's daughter asked.

"Of course, you and your mother come to my apartment tomorrow and I will take a picture of you both."

"That's very kind of you, Ronald," said Mrs. Webber.

"That's okay. We working-class people in Venice Beach need to help each other."

"Yes, we help each other." Mrs. Weber nodded. "We are still from very close places. My parents' family is in New Jersey, very close to Staten Island."

"Really? That's such a coincidence." Ronald picked up the coffee and took a sip.

"Yes, in fact, your Staten Island is closer to New Jersey and is connected by an interstate highway. However, you have to take a ferry from Stanton to Manhattan, the center of the universe."

"Yeah... A few years ago, Aunt Karen took her on a ferry to see a doctor in Manhattan. Donna was also clamoring to go, which made Aunt Karen very distressed..." Ronald thought of the past, and suddenly his heart moved, and he looked towards Mrs. Weber's daughter is in grade 12.

"Mrs. Weber, I placed an advertisement for portrait photography in the newspaper, but I don't have a suitable operator. During the holidays, would your daughter be willing to be my temporary operator? I can pay you $5 a day."

"What do I need to do?" the little girl asked eagerly.

All you have to do is write down the name and phone number of the person calling while I'm taking the photo, and I'll call them back when I'm done taking the photo. "That's when you can rest.

Mrs. Weber thought about it and agreed. If her daughter worked in a fast food restaurant, she could earn the minimum wage of US$2.65 an hour, but it would be much harder.

The next day, Christmas, it was time for the classified ads to go out.

Ronald got up early and converted the living room into a reception and front desk. He placed a table and pulled out the phone. A large notepad was spread out on the table, with two ballpoint pens parked next to it. everything's ready.

Oh, yes, and this. Ronald took out copies of the audition photos of Demi Moore and Natasha Kinski, put them in wooden frames, and placed them on the table. He adjusted the position repeatedly to make sure that customers could see them at first sight when they entered the door.

The daughter of neighbor Mrs. Weber also came to help, which was considered her first day at work. As a high school student, she really wanted to be called Miss Weber, so she picked up the phone and put it down again, simulating it many times.

"Good morning, this is Ronald's portrait photography studio." Ronald taught the little girl how to say it. Then let her practice a few times.

Just after 9:50, calls started coming in. Ronald motioned to Miss Weber not to move, and he would answer the first call himself...

"Ring ring ring ring..."