Exploiting Hollywood 1980

“But why, Aunt Karen? None of my college classmates can direct a studio feature film?” Ronald was a little puzzled. Why did his aunt still want him to go back to college when he was already very successful?

“Ronald, the film industry is a very risky industry. The day before yesterday, your New York agent Eddie came and said that your teacher Marty Scorsese was depressed. He was such a successful director, but now no one wants him to make a movie.”

“Huh?” Ronald didn’t know that Marty Scorsese had such a thing, and secretly thought that he would go to see him in two days.

"But aunt, this is different. The movie I'm directing right now is very popular, and now is the time for studios to come to me to make movies. You also heard what Richard said, several studios have sent me invitations."

"I don't understand today's young people. But I think the movies you make are noisy and there is nothing touching about them.

Movies are a daydream, a kind of comfort for poor people when they are breathless. When I was a restaurant waiter at that time, I had to support Donna and treat your illness. I encountered many difficulties and I felt that I was about to collapse.

At that time, my friend gave me a movie ticket. It was Mr. Scorsese's movie "Ali't Live Here Anyore". It was this movie that gave me courage again. I must hold on and let you grow up.

Although many people watch your movies, what experience do they give them? And there are too many nude scenes..."

"Hey, today's audiences love to watch..." Ronald hesitated. So in the eyes of my aunt, my movie is just a farce?

"I shouldn't say that to you, dear. But I really hope you can make a movie that can comfort people.

You are obviously very lucky this time, but can you guarantee that your luck will continue to be good? Even Mr. Scorsese..."

"This?"

Ronald actually didn't agree with it, but Aunt Karen was very kind to him, and it was for his own good, so he nodded.

"Aunt, even if I don't become a director, I will save enough money."

"But you haven't graduated from college yet." Aunt Karen still hopes that Ronald can get a college diploma.

"I don't know much about your father's family, but he certainly hopes that you can graduate from college.

My maiden name is Parker, and there has never been a college student in the Parker family. You are the first in the family to be admitted to college."

"Oh, don't worry. Donna will definitely be admitted."

Aunt finally smiled, "Ronnie, you always know how to make me happy. Well, let's not talk about this. Do you remember what you promised me at that time?"

"I remember. I will definitely graduate, I promise. Now is the time to have the opportunity to make a few more movies. If one day no one watches the movies I made, I will go back to college and get a degree."

The next morning, agent Richard came. He brought several invitations from the studio and discussed with Ronald.

"Universal has given you a film contract, so you can choose the subject matter yourself, or choose Universal's existing scripts. They mean to use the teenage sex comedy exploitation film as the subject matter for the next one."

Ronald did not comment, "Anything else? I want to see other invitations."

The internal struggle of Universal is very serious, and it is obvious that it will not completely change because of Tom Mount's resignation for a while. It is better to listen to other options first.

"Producer Art Linson really likes the script you and Cameron Crowe wrote. He wants to invite you to work with Crowe again. He thinks you have done a good job with the theme of growing up. Obviously, you have the acumen of your peers and understand the psychological state of teenagers."

"Anything else?" Ronald thought that Linson would definitely work with Universal.

"There are some invitations from other companies, all of which are sexual comedy exploitation films for teenagers." Richard took out a bunch of script outlines. Now Hollywood thinks you are good at making this kind of movie, and it just so happens that the big studios are transforming the youth market. "

Ronald was a little surprised, "So many? Are they all optimistic about my directing?"

"Yes, this year, several major studios have tried to enter the youth market, and so far, only you have succeeded." Richard was very happy that his client had achieved a small monopoly position in the market.

"Grease 2 has been taken off the screen. The box office of 11 million did not even reach the so-called investment in the filming. It is estimated that Paramount did not make any money. The film critics praised Michelle Pfeiffer's heroine and gave bad reviews to everyone else. "

"Disney's live-action film 'The Texan' has also been taken off the screen. Matt Dillon and Meg Tilly only made a little over 7 million at the box office. Although the reviews were good."

"You are the only one in the market who can make a hit teen exploitation film. Yesterday's box office was still growing. I estimate that your movie will sooner or later reach ten times the first weekend box office."

Ronald sat and thought quietly for a while. This movie brought him many opportunities. If those women saw his identity as a hit director today, what would they say?

"Which one do you recommend me to choose, Richard." Ronald asked.

"I shouldn't give you advice, Ronald. It's obvious that you know what you are doing." Richard made a joke.

"My suggestion is not to choose for now. Your box office is still growing, we will wait and see. Nisita also estimates that in two weeks, more studios will join the competition for you. You will get more quality script.”

"Okay, that's it." Ronald thought it was a good idea to wait.

"I went to see Marty today. I heard that his new movie is not going well."

"I'm going to rent a car. During this time, I will be your driver." Richard stood up to make a call.

"Drive mine." Ronald threw the keys to his Honda.

It seems that CAA has become nervous about itself. When the director makes achievements, it is also the time for other economic companies to start poaching.

Richard drove Ronald in his Honda to where Marty Scorsese worked.

In an editing room, the two found Scorsese.

Scorsese was wearing an oxygen mask and discussing something with an editor in front of the editing machine.

"Marty, what's wrong with you?"

Ronald was surprised. After not seeing him for a while, Marty's health had deteriorated to such an extent that he needed oxygen to work.

He still remembers coughing a little when Scorsese gave him the director’s viewfinder. Isn't it pneumonia? I don't know if it's contagious or not.

"Oh, Ronald. I'm so happy to see you." A muffled voice came from behind Scorsese's oxygen mask.

"I'm fine. It's just that when I was filming 'The King of Comedy', my body couldn't stand it anymore and my asthma started to attack. Now I can only edit with an oxygen mask."

"Oh, you'd better rest more." Ronald was relieved when he heard that it was asthma.

After staying for a while, Marty Scorsese finished explaining to the editor, took Ronald out of the editing room, and the two found a cafe to catch up on old times.

"Wearing this thing, it's really boring." Scorsese took off the oxygen mask and started drinking coffee.

Except for a mark on his face from the mask, Marty seemed to be in good physical condition, not as weak as when he was wearing a mask.

"This thing is very useful. After I wear it, they will pity me and respect my decision more. After I finished filming 'The King of Comedy', I have been wearing it at work."

Scorsese winked at him.

Ronald found it interesting, and Scorsese seemed to have good acting skills. But it seems that editing has encountered some difficulties. Even a director like him who has just received an Oscar nomination has to pretend to be pitiful?

"Did the movie encounter any difficulties?" Ronald asked.

"Why……"

Scorsese may not have a fellow director to complain to for a long time, so he began to talk about the various troubles he encountered during filming.

Directors must be confident when facing producers and investors. When dealing with actors, you have to be patient and coaxing, and sometimes you have to get angry. Only then can the filming of the movie be completed.

Perhaps the only person in the world who understands the work of a director is another director.

It turned out that the filming of the movie "TheKing of Comedy (thekgofedy)" was not going smoothly. At first, the distributor refused to invest after reading the script.

Later, the project was saved by an Israeli producer Arnon Milchan (arnonil) who found funds.

But during the filming process, Scorsese's old partner Robert De Niro, a famous method actor. To elicit a reaction from another protagonist, Jerry Lewis, he was hurled anti-Semitic slurs at him.

Although the rivalry was very real and exciting, the recording was heard by producer Arnon Milchan, who believed that De Niro was a real anti-Semite and threatened to replace him.

Scorsese was caught in the middle, and ended up being unhappy with both ends. The producers also found faults everywhere when editing. Basic trust has been lost on both sides.

"When you take on new movies in the future, you must stay away from them as much as possible. There are too many of them, and I can't help it."

Ronald offered some words of comfort, understanding that Scorsese meant they were Jewish.

This circle was literally surrounded by Jews. The two heroines of his first film, the producer, Universal President Sheinberg, director Spielberg, etc., are all Jewish.

After chatting for a while, Ronald stood up and left. "Marty, good luck to you." This sentence is a sincere blessing.

"How is Isabella? Say hello to her for me."

"Oh, she should be fine. Thanks."

The weekend passed quickly, and "Fast Richmond High" had an amazing weekend box office growth, with the weekend's box office exceeding 3.5 million. The overall box office has exceeded the 15 million mark and is still growing strongly.

"Paramount also sent an invitation to negotiate a film deal with you." Richard arrived at Ronald's house again.

“And Spielberg’s Amblin Studios.”

This time he has brought many film appointments. Ditto for various teen movies.

"You're keeping an eye on me, Richard." Ronald was half-joking. Richard had appeared in front of him an unusually large amount of time in the past two days.

"I have to keep an eye on it, your other producer Eddie is also here to see you."

"Oh, he's here to talk about advertising business, it has nothing to do with movies." Ronald waved his hand.

"I already regret not signing your full financial contract at that time." Richard said.

"It's not good news. Vans canvas shoes gave me a lifetime free qualification. They give me a few pairs of new canvas shoes every year, which is valid for life."

"Oh, they are so stingy. I think the black and white checkerboard canvas shoes that Sean Penn used to hit his head when he was high are very popular now. People can be seen wearing their brand shoes on the street."

"Yeah, I heard that the shoes have sold hundreds of thousands of pairs." Ronald also felt a little regretful. Why didn't he sign a contract to share the profits according to the sales volume or give bonuses? Moreover, the sponsorship he brought in did not belong to him, but was used for the filming of the movie.

"If our CAA was in charge, it would never be like this."

"Maybe. Eddie said he has contacted new advertisers, but I don't really want to shoot commercials. Movies are still more interesting."