Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Ronald, you are great." Brooke Shields was lying on Ronald's right side. She was hugging Ronald and hanging one foot on Ronald. She said with happiness on her face, and the blush on her face was still there. .

"Well, Brooke." Ronald kissed her too.

"Get down, it's my turn." Helen was on the left, raising her leg to push Brooke's leg off Ronald, and then pulled Ronald over.

"Well, Helen, are you here too?" Ronald was surprised, but seeing that the two women didn't show any concern, he turned to the left, stretched out his arms to hold Helen, and kissed her. .

"Sir, sir, we are going to the airport soon. Please straighten your chair back."

The stewardess pressed her hands against Ronald's and touched his hands, and her professional voice reached Ronald's ears.

After waking up, Ronald put down his hand holding the beautiful flight attendant's arms and said, "Sorry, I had a dream. How is the weather in Los Angeles today?"

"It's a sunny day." The flight attendant went to call the next passenger.

Ever since Brooke Shields escaped from her room, Ronald was a little embarrassed to see her. Brooke was also busy filming and didn't have much time to face Ronald. When Ronald left for home, the two just hugged and wished each other good luck.

However, this kiss was very unforgettable for Ronald. When he slept on the plane back home, he actually had an erotic dream. Anyway, he had everything in his dream, and he didn’t have to take responsibility. Ronald still missed it a little bit.

After returning to Los Angeles and sleeping for two days to relieve fatigue and get over the jet lag, Ronald went to Atlantic to discuss preparations for the release of "Night of the Comet".

Atlantic president Tom Coleman (To an) told him that "Valley Girl" is scheduled to premiere at the end of April, and if all goes well, promotion for "Night of the Comet" can begin in May.

However, the specific release time will depend on the box office revenue of "Valley Girl" and the box office performance of other movies. Small distribution companies are unable to set release dates a year in advance, so they are always waiting for new films when the theater box office needs them.

This May saw the latest installment of Star Wars, the blockbuster sequel renamed from "Revenge of the Jedi" to "Return of the Jedi." June also has the latest episode of 007, "Ocsy." It is expected that his movie will be released in the gap between these two blockbusters at the earliest, and later it will hit the summer season, where the competition will be even more cut-throat.

However, before confirming the schedule, Ronald still had to send the film to the MPAA for ratings and conduct two test screenings.

Atlantic was responsible for submitting it for review, and Ronald organized test screenings. General test screenings are divided into internal test screenings for insiders and external test screenings for general audiences.

With the help of the new tape, Ronald was able to do two test screenings with working copies. Based on the audience's reaction, I make some final changes, then edit the film and develop a copy.

The first thing held was an internal preview. Ronald invited people he knew well in the industry to give him opinions.

Cameron and Gale, Roger Corman were friends over there in the New World. Several leading actors from the "Fast Pace" crew, including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates, and screenwriter Cameron Crowe, were all present. Kathryn Bigelow and Willem Dafoe were friends from New York, and they happened to be at the Los Angeles International Film Festival, so he invited them to watch the film.

Except for Tom Cruise and Diane Lane who are busy working on their new movies, almost all the friends in the industry who could be invited came to watch "Night of the Comet".

"Kala..." The last sound of the reel ended, and the movie with traces of editing was played. Ronald asked his assistant to bring wine, drinks, and snacks, while he walked among the people to ask their opinions.

"The stunt part is very good. I think our 'Terminator' also needs this style." Cameron and Gale praised Ronald's special effects performance.

"How much did you spend on that title?" Cameron was very concerned about these details. The title and subtitles seemed to cost a lot to make.

"It's free. The AMEX company I found makes it. Their ADO special effects machine wants to enter the film market. If you are interested, you can talk to their representatives." Ronald pointed to the AMEX company who was inventing films everywhere on the set. the sales representative said.

"It seems to be working well."

"Yes, I heard from Helen that the opening of 'Supergirl' is also a special effect, and it will probably cost one million US dollars to produce in the end. Although the effect of this one is not that good, it only costs tens of thousands of US dollars at most."

Cameron also asked in passing. He has a much deeper understanding of special effects than Ronald.

"By the way, how's the financing for your 'Terminator' going?" Ronald asked them.

Upon hearing this question, Cameron and Gale began to smile bitterly and shake their heads. They approached more than a dozen companies for financing, but they still had the same problem. The scripts written by Cameron were very good, but he couldn't trust him as a director. They are still working hard on Jim's debut novel.

"Okay, let's find time to talk then. I have an Israeli friend who owes me a favor. When he returns to Los Angeles, I will introduce you to talk to him."

The two chatted and then left early. Ronald sent them off and returned to the screening room to continue looking for someone to talk to for feedback.

Ronald struck up a conversation with his writing partner, Cameron Crowe. Crowe was very excited after watching the movie, "Did your movie really cost 1.2 million US dollars? Why does it look like it cost more than fast pace?"

"Hahaha, of course there are some tricks. Spend enough money on some shots, and be more casual about some scenes."

"That's great. I have the opportunity. I also want to learn to be a director. It's really interesting to turn the screenplay into images."

"What are you busy with now?" Ronald asked Crowe.

"I'm still busy with Art Linson's project. He still wants to make a sequel to Fast Pace, a story about high school students graduating and entering the society and becoming independent. This time he wants to be the director himself. Maybe he has some inspiration and inspiration after watching your directing work. I am revising the script now."

"Good luck to you. What do you think of my movie?"

"Not bad. I think your screenwriting skills have improved again. Several elements in this movie are actually well combined with the stories of the two protagonists. It doesn't feel like the fast pace is not well connected."

"Nancy, what do you think?" Ronald asked Crowe's girlfriend, the female singer of the rock band Nancy Wilson.

"I think this story is good, better than your last movie. The two heroines are cool, rock-and-roll, decisive, and can fight zombies, fight evil scientists with guns, and finally have a romantic love story. I think it's good."

Ronald laughed, this is the feedback from ordinary audiences.

He then asked the two heroines of "Fast Pace" Jennifer and Phoebe.

"Well, I think the two protagonists don't have much room for performance. The characters here are relatively flat." Jennifer Jason Lee criticized as soon as she opened her mouth.

"I enjoyed it very much." Phoebe Cates hurriedly pulled her good friend's hand, "This is not that kind of drama. Anyway, I was very involved in watching it from beginning to end. It's just that there was no big explosion at the end, and those evil scientists were not severely punished. I feel a little unhappy."

"Hey, I don't have money." Ronald laughed. Actors always look for the level of performance in advance, but this exploitation film is not a complicated performance. No wonder Jennifer, who comes from an actor family, feels that there is no challenge.

"In fact, there are still good performances. The scene where the two heroines reunite at home still shows a good rhythm." William Dafoe joined in and started chatting with the two actresses about the details of the acting.

"Ronald, I want to ask you a question about the script."

"Please go ahead."

Kathryn Bigelow also came over, "What day did the comet come?"

"Huh?" Ronald didn't expect Bigelow to pay so much attention to such details.

"In the radio station where the two protagonists went, the recording mentioned that there were eleven shopping days before Christmas. If we count Christmas Eve on the 24th as the last shopping day, it means that the comet came on December 14th." Bigelow calculated it for Ronald.

"Ah, yes," Ronald nodded in agreement.

"But when Regina convinced Samantha that everyone was dead, she said, 'It's Saturday morning now, where are the children?', so the comet passed on Friday night."

"Ah, this, you are right." Ronald didn't care much about this question.

"But December 14th this year is a Wednesday, which means your movie doesn't take place this year?"

"Ah, how do you know what day of the week December 14th this year is?" Ronald was surprised.

"I have a calendar at the back." Catherine picked up the notebook, turned to the last calendar, checked it and said to Ronald.

"It doesn't matter, right?"

"Although it's a science fiction film, it's better to make the details as accurate as possible."

Ronald scratched his head, not understanding Bigelow's pursuit of details. Movies don't have to be so realistic, right?

But he still asked someone to check it out. December 14th, 1984 was a Friday. So maybe the original movie will be released next year? These two details were copied by him according to the lines in his dream.

"Ronald, your movie is so good. When can you give me a role?" The person who asked him was Mare Jahan, a hairy Chinese who was the dance double for the heroine Jennifer Beals in "Flashdance".

"Haha, Mare, when your Flashdance is released, you won't lack opportunities." Ronald chatted with her for a few words.

"Flashdance" was produced very quickly, and the copies have been made and are ready for release in April. The two producers, Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, are busy with distribution, so they didn't invite them to watch their movie preview this time.

"I hope so too, will you come back to attend the premiere?"

"Yes, I got the invitation. Will you go too?"

"Well, my husband and I will go back. Many people in our crew have become the leading actors. Cynthia Rhodes, who played the bar dancer, went to Stallone's project to be the leading actor. We all envy her and wonder what high branch she has climbed."

"Hey, as long as "Flashdance" is a hit, you will definitely become famous, don't worry about not having a chance."