Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"More than 100 million viewers? Oh, that's unimaginable."

"Yeah, the last episode of 'Military Hospital' is the most watched TV show in history. It surpassed last year's NFL Super Bowl final, the TV series 'Roots', and the year before last 'The Family'. This record may be difficult to break. CBS's advertising fee is $450,000 per 30 seconds."

Ronald's agent and partner Eddie in New York said with great joy, "Burger King's new version of the ad, the one with Sarah Michelle Gellar, was played on the show. I heard from Darcy Maguire that the effect is very good."

"Hey, listen Eddie, I'm sorry for not taking the Burger King ad business, but this will bring me unnecessary legal risks..."

"No, no, it's okay, it's really okay. I'm not complaining that you didn't take that business, but I think we should continue to expand in advertising and V business. You are already well-known in this industry. When you are not making movies, we should shoot some if there are suitable scripts. In fact, this will not hinder your film business, and it may bring you some unexpected opportunities. "

"You know what? I think you are right. . "Ronald thought about it and felt that Eddie's idea was good. This kind of short-term and fast project can not only make some quick money, but also train your own team, which may be useful in the future.

After sending Eddie away, Ronald went to see Diane Lane and told her his recommendation.

"Ah? I thought you wanted me to play the rock singer in that unnamed movie. I told Bert. "

Diane was shocked to hear Ronald's statement.

"Why do you think so?" Ronald was also shocked.

"Don... of course I'm just guessing," Diane took out two scripts, "Why? Why do you want me to play a mermaid? Is it because a mermaid has a better ending? The rock star didn't end up with the person he loves most?"

"Well, what you said makes sense. Our American audiences like heroes and beauties to be together in the end, and don't want them to make do with losers. In addition, I think this movie requires more acting skills. Has the male lead been decided?"

"Tom Hanks, if I agree, I will go back and audition with him." Diane said.

"I auditioned with him, his acting is really good, and he is really good at comedy and romantic themes." Ronald remembered the performance of the thin actor in the dream, which was far better than the acting of the unknown female lead.

"Okay, I called Bert. I think what you said makes sense. The plot of the rock singer movie always makes people feel weird. The director told me on the phone that the plot is not important, what is important is the atmosphere and the costumes. He has been preparing for a long time."

"Oh yeah?" Ronald thought to himself, I don't know which idiot said such a stupid thing. How can a movie not pay attention to the story and plot, but put the atmosphere first? Maybe some movies are not capable when shooting, so the story is not outstanding.

"Ronald, my dad wants to talk to you." Diane handed Bert's phone.

"Hi, Bert."

"Ronald, we need to talk. I finally persuaded Diane to take on that unnamed project. You can't mess with me."

"Uh, why? Bert, I really think that mermaids are more suitable for her."

"It's hard to explain over the phone. I came to talk to you."

"Ronald, I have a comprehensive plan for Diane's career. You know, the most difficult step for a child star is to transform from a child star to a young girl. This step is very difficult, but Diane has starred in two consecutive Coppola feature films and has crossed the biggest hurdle.

You have also seen her performance, which is enough to convince the audience and Hollywood that Diane is already a grown-up girl."

Bert quickly came to Diane's apartment and looked at his daughter lovingly. Picking up the coffee in his hand, he talked to Ronald about his plan for his daughter. He must convince his daughter with reason, especially Ronald in front of him. If he agrees with his point of view, Diane will be more convinced.

"No doubt." Ronald turned his head to look at Diane. Diane, who had a ponytail and dressed like a college student, was listening carefully to their discussion.

"But if you want to go further in Hollywood, you can't just rely on movies like this from big directors. After your acting skills are up to par, Hollywood needs a successful commercial blockbuster, just like Natalie Wood needed a box office hit West Side Story after her acting was recognized in Rebel Without a Cause."

"I think the commercial prospects of Mermaid are not bad?" Ronald looked at the two scripts on the table, wondering why Burt was optimistic about that movie.

Burt saw Ronald's confusion, "You don't know Walter Hill? He is the producer and director of this project. Last year, his "48 Hours" was sweeping competitors in theaters and may eventually exceed 70 million box office. It also made the male lead Eddie Murphy, a black actor, famous.

This year, Eddie Murphy may star in the "Beverly Hills Cop" that Stallone turned down. He is the director that Hollywood is very popular with now."

"Hmm..." Ronald felt a little underestimated. He is also a director with a box office of 40 million.

"Do you choose movies for Diane based on the director? But I think this Mermaid won't be a bad movie at the box office."

"You must be kidding, hahaha." Burt laughed.

"Ron Howard got his start in Roger Corman's exploitation films. His films don't have much dramatic conflict, and there's room for his acting to shine... Well, I'm not talking about you, Ronald."

Diane quickly poked her dad in the back when she saw that Burt had revealed what the Hollywood upper class and the New York theater community really thought about Ronald, a director who made exploitation films.

"It doesn't matter, I know what they think of me. I just think that the movie box office is not only determined by the actors' performances and drama conflicts, but also other important reasons." Ronald saw everyone talking and said. He did not shy away from talking about his own opinions.

"Ronald, I really don't mean to look down on exploitation films, but to be officially recognized by Hollywood, it must be this kind of blockbuster. Walter Hill is a director who has already proven himself with his previous films. He has made several hits in a row. In fact, you There are only one or two successful movies between us.”

"Well, I hope you're right. We all want Diane to succeed. Personally, I'm more optimistic about another movie."

Seeing what Ronald said, Bert looked at his daughter, thought about it again, and still felt that he needed to convince Ronald with reason, so he told a secret.

Gu Zhi\u003c/span\u003e "Actually, you are right. Movie box office is difficult to predict. The reason why I don't advocate that Diane should play the mermaid is actually another very important reason. Warren Beatty is preparing Universal is willing to distribute a movie that is also about mermaids.

You know, Disney is only a small company, and they have not made any achievements in live-action movies. Producers often use them as their last choice, and Disney is not picky. As long as they are willing to cooperate with them, they are willing to give the green light.

You know how scary car crashes are in movies, and I didn’t want Diane’s first female lead movie to have to go head-to-head with Warren Beatty. "

"That's right." Ronald stopped arguing and said in his heart that it was a pity that his relationship with Disney's president Ron Miller was very bad due to the instigation of Meg Tilly's husband Zinnemann, otherwise he would have financed the filming. There are so many twists and turns in the movie.

"Well, you are Diane's father." Ronald thought for a while and replied, feeling a little confused. The thing he dreamed about last night shouldn't be Warren Beatty's project, right? Warren Beatty generally directed and acted, and his reputation as a philanderer...

"Ronald, please tell me your secret." After seeing Bert off, Diane grabbed Ronald who was going out together and said she still had something to ask him.

"What's the secret?"

"It's the secret of auditioning. I heard from Donna that you have a secret. After Helen Slater listened to your secret and followed it, she defeated so many girls and got the role of Superwoman. You won't favor one over another, no. tell me?"

Diane took Ronald's arm and patted it a few times, "Come on, tell me the secret, I really want to play this role. There is another candidate for Walter Hill, and she is also auditioning for the mermaid. candidate, I must defeat her.”

"Ah..." Ronald couldn't laugh or cry when he heard that Donna actually said that she had the secret to auditioning. This cousin is very smart, but sometimes she tends to overdo it and imagine that her cousin is too powerful. If there was a secret, I would have used it in project financing long ago.

"Actually, there is no secret. I asked Helen to wear a Supergirl costume for the audition. Aunt Karen also changed her cape. I think if the actor dresses up like the character during the audition, on the one hand, it can give the director a The imagination of the character in the finished film also shows your determination to get the role.

An actor who really wanted to play the character, and an actor who treated the role as just another ordinary character in another ordinary movie. If I were a director, I would also like the former. "

"Huh? What you said makes sense. Why didn't I think of it before?" Diane said suddenly.

"Then you think it would be better for me to imitate the singer's dress? Huh? Huh?" Diane began to pat Ronald's arm again.

"Hey...I'm not familiar with this. The one you played in The Dirt Band last time looked good." Ronald took his arm back from Diane's hand and touched it.

"Okay, okay, I think so too. Can I wear it for you? I always like rock music, and it's really great to be able to play a female rock star this time." Diane was very happy.

"Didn't I watch it when I was reshooting the ending scene of The Dirt Band? I still have to finish editing the v. When you come to Los Angeles, I'll visit your crew." Ronald was about to leave.

"Is this untitled project of yours filmed in Hollywood?"

"Yes, I heard that they will set up a studio to shoot the streets of Chicago." Seeing that Ronald was in a hurry to leave, Diane got up to see him off.

"By the way, someone gave me two tickets to the Motown 25th Anniversary Concert. If you are in Los Angeles then, please go too." Ronald heard that Diane said that he likes rock and roll, and thought of the two tickets J gave him. Concert tickets.

"Okay, okay, I'll call you when I go to the Los Angeles premiere of 'The Kid'. Don't forget to come."

…

A few days later, Walter Hill met Diane Lane at a hotel for an audition. The lower body is red pants and the upper body is a black jacket.

"Oh, you look very rock and roll."

"How about it? Mr. Hill, do I look like a rock star?"

"Very good, very good. I will ask someone to redesign your costume according to the color and style of this costume."

"Oh yeah? Do you mean I passed?"

"Of course, I still need you to shoot some audition shots with the male lead to see the chemistry. But seeing you in this outfit, I think it's almost like this."

Walter Hill praised this look and dedication in front of Diane and Bert.

"Yeah, Ronald's secret seems to be very effective." Diane hugged Bert and kept patting his arm.

"Have you decided to use Diane Lane?" Producer Joel Silver asked director Walter Hill.

"Who cares? Coppola has used her as the heroine twice. We just need to take advantage of him. His "The Untamed" is about to be released. Isn't it free advertising for us to use Diane?" Walter Hill took out a bag of "good stuff" and shared it with Joel.

"You make sense. Let's call Daryl Hannah's agent and tell him to give up on her."

...

"Ah? OK, OK, I get it." Ron Howard was a little disappointed when he learned on the phone that Diane Lane had decided to act in another movie. As the heroine of Coppola's movie, Diane could bring some newspaper coverage to the medium-sized production "The Mermaid".

"Call Daryl Hannah and tell her to audition with Tom Hanks." There was no choice but to use the second choice. Moreover, Daryl Hannah was tall and strong, and he couldn't play the feeling of a weak mermaid with Hanks.

Fortunately, she had long blond hair, which was more convenient than Diane's dark red short hair.

....