Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Of course, of course I'm interested. I don't know what the script is? I've participated in a lot of acting training classes. In fact, this time I also played a lot of roles."

When Kevin Costner was casting for "Flashdance," the carpenter who worked at Paramount and played with each of the female leads claimed to be a part-time actor.

Ronald did not expect that he was a real actor and was selected into the crew of "The Big Chill" to play a leading role. That proves that his acting skills indeed meet the requirements of theater movies.

Although all the scenes were eventually cut by director Kasdan, they may have been crimes other than war, part of the overall conservative strategy adopted by major studios after the verdict in the videotape case.

"Get in the car, I'll take you home, and we'll talk."

"How did your scene get cut?" Ronald asked Costner, who got into the passenger seat. .

"They said they wanted to reduce the total length of the movie, but the director finally decided to delete all of Alex's flashback scenes and his relationship with his college classmates. Some scenes of Chloe recalling her boyfriend were also deleted. I don't know why. The last desperate opportunity left only one foot..."

Kevin Costner didn't complain too much and still maintained a certain sense of humor, which Ronald appreciated very much. A person who can still laugh in the face of adversity is bound to become a great person... but not necessarily.

But it must be suitable for your own small-budget production. Sometimes you don’t have enough money and you need actors to fool around, so you have to have this mentality.

"I have a script in the back seat of my car. Take a look. Then we can sign a contract. It won't be a lot of money, but it will have a lot of scenes and it will be released in theaters."

Kevin reached back and reached for the script. He took it and turned it over, "Thank you. I'll call my agent when I get home and ask him to contact you."

The car quickly drove into downtown Los Angeles. Ronald asked Costner, "Do you live here? The security here is not very good. There are people stealing money in broad daylight." He couldn't help but think of the time when he wanted to take a Greyhound. The experience of the bus being robbed.

"Fortunately, I found a piece of land next to an old city renovation project. No one lives here. As long as you don't walk far at night, it will be fine." Costner opened the door. "Most of my income from being a carpenter is They are all attending acting training classes, so I can only choose this place. I’ll call my agent first.”

"Ed, I have a new script, and the director is interested in me. Budget? Budget?" Costner turned to look at Ronald

"Around a million."

"The budget is about one million. It's not the kind of exploitation film I made before. It's a famous director. Yes, Ed, I have the ability to judge. Okay, the director is here with me. I'll wait for you to come over."

Costner made a cup or two of coffee and handed one to Ronald, "I got a new agent. He's very well-connected. It was he who directed "The Big Chill" directed by Kasdan. But his There are so many customers that sometimes they can’t take care of me.”

The two waited for a short time before Ronald heard a familiar voice shouting outside the door, "Kevin, you little bastard, all scripts must be contacted through agents, you forgot what I told you Have you? How many times have I told you that we are a big family..."

Kevin Costner answered the door and brought in his agent.

"I said, Mr. Ed Limato, how come every time the talents I like are poached by you, are you signing contracts behind my back?"

"Ronald, hahaha, if it's you, it doesn't matter at all. You're looking for Kevin for the 'Night of the Comet' movie, right? Let me tell you, Kevin is very suitable for this movie. He has been cast before. Lawrence Kasdan likes..."

Costner's agent turned out to be Ed Limato. Nicolas Cage, Kevin Costner, plus Michelle Pfeiffer, this guy has so many clients, and they are all handsome guys and beauties with unique screen qualities and a wicked eye.

"Let's pay Nic Cage's price this time." Ronald began to bargain with Limato.

"No, Kevin's stardom is much better. He has been spotted by big productions. Although he did not appear in the final film, he is recognized by the Hollywood circle."

"You are talking about the small circle that is also involved in drama. In Hollywood, where commercial films are made, no one knows him."

"In any case, Kevin's price cannot be so cheap. He has played major roles in big productions, and he must be given corresponding respect and treatment."

"What kind of treatment do you want?"

"Dedicated trailer, dedicated makeup artist, reasonable compensation."

"Nothing at all. If we share the trailer and dressing room, the pay can be higher."

The two bargained for a while and settled on Kevin Costner's treatment.

"Kevin, you are a lucky man. The leading actor Ronald originally fancied was also my client. Due to schedule conflicts, he had to look for someone else. Make good use of this opportunity." Limato pulled Costner over. On the side, he warned carefully.

"Don't worry, I know what's going on." Costner still looked calm.

"That's it, I have to rush to deal with other things. I won't worry if my car is parked here for a long time." Limato agreed to draw up the contract and left anxiously.

"I'll leave early too. After the contract is signed, you can try on the makeup and then act with the heroine to get a feel for it."

Ronald also said goodbye and left. The security situation here is really worrying. It would be terrible if the nice car that Niceta borrowed was stolen...

Kevin Costner was drinking coffee alone in his room. Today was a day of ups and downs. From the anger of being laughed at to the joy of unexpectedly winning the leading actor, it was really like a roller coaster...

"Bang bang bang... I'm Ronald, open the door quickly, Kevin."

A sudden knock on the door woke Costner from his smile. Could it be that Ronald's car was stolen?

"What's wrong, Ronald?"

"What's the name of the neighborhood opposite where you live? Is it the old city renovation area you mentioned?"

Ronald pulled him out and pointed to a newly built block across the street. There were two skyscrapers that had just been built there, and another one was being built across the street.

"It's called Bunker Hill. It has just been renovated and has not yet been moved in on a large scale, so there are usually not many people. The security here is better than other neighborhoods in the city center. Do you want to buy a house here too? ?”

"Damn, you're such a blessing. You helped me solve a big problem."

"This is it, what do you think?" Early the next morning, Ronald dragged the director of photography, Arthur Albert, and the art director, John Muto, to see the scenery.

"It's very good. The skyscrapers, commercial buildings, residences, schools, hospitals and other supporting facilities in this neighborhood are all complete, and there has not been large-scale occupancy. It is just suitable for shooting the deserted scene in the end of the world." Art director Muto first started Feel satisfied.

"Shooting from this angle, does it look like a city skyline?" Ronald was also very excited. He took the director's viewfinder and looked at the opposite side. Then he found an angle and showed the viewfinder to the director of photography, Albert. .

Arthur Albert took the viewfinder, looked at the lens, and then at the actual scene, "It's not bad, it's not bad. This saves a lot of trouble."

Then he took out a filter from his pocket and placed it over the viewfinder lens. "Look at this, Ronald."

Ronald squatted down and looked into the viewfinder. Albert's filter was a dark red upper semicircle and a transparent lower semicircle UV filter. The skyscrapers he looked at seemed to be shrouded in the bloody sunset.

Slowly adjust the filter so that the dividing line is parallel to the skyline. The dark red will just cover the blue sky, and the scene of flying ashes will appear.

"Good stuff, where did you get it?"

"It has been around for a long time. The Mexican film industry often uses it to shoot sunset shots. It can produce sunset effects in broad daylight."

"Very good, it seems we have enough budget and we can start shooting right away."

Ronald was very happy. This filter was very fake when used to shoot the sunset, but it was very good at simulating the dark red sky of this apocalyptic world. Just pay attention to the position of the dividing line when shooting.

Ronald excitedly went to Atlantic President Thomas Coleman with the revised shooting plan and budget.

"You see, we found a place in Bunker Hill that was perfect for shooting outdoor scenes, so that for a very small amount of money, we could shoot a convincing apocalyptic scene. Coupled with the modified comet annihilation plot, I think now With the money, we can already start filming.

As long as Atlantic has the 500,000 yuan filming fee in place, then we can make a filming plan. It only takes 12 to 15 working days to complete the shooting. "

"Very good, Ronald. I've always been pleased with your talent." President Thomas Coleman nodded in approval, "But our 'Valley Girl,' directed by Martha Coolidge, was released at the end of April. Now that it can be released, why not wait until we recover the box office costs and then make some additional investments to make the movie better?”

"This? How much additional investment can be made?"

"We can go from half a million to one hundred to one and a half million, depending on the final box office performance of Valley Girl."

Ronald thought for a moment, and if it could be increased to more than two million, it would be possible to add the explosion scene again, and he would have to calculate it carefully with Cameron.

“Then when can we invest more?”

"It will be released at the end of April, and about 60% of the funds will be recovered by the end of the year."

"Forget it, you know, the special effects director I'm looking for also has a movie to direct. He has received a large investment from Orion, so he can't wait for me for so long.

Besides, my male lead has already been replaced due to financing issues. If it is postponed further, the female lead may not have a schedule. With an additional production budget of 500,000 yuan, there are not many special effects scenes that can be achieved. How about we stick to our current plan..."

"Okay, Ronald. I understand what you mean. In this way, you can go back and think about it today, and I will also discuss it with my team. If we still insist on this idea tomorrow night, then we will use your Shooting is scheduled to begin.”