Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Hey, so much money," Ronald sighed and signed his name on the check.

He has to pay taxes next month. He has made a lot of money in the past year, but there are not many tax avoidance projects. He has to spend a large amount of cash and turn it over to the IRS. Ronald's cash is beginning to be tight.

Fortunately, the new installment of royalties from the "famous" lyrics and "Word Star Book for Dummies" has arrived, so I can take a break, otherwise I would have to sell the stock.

After checking the taxes and signing the check with accountant Lawrence Wang, Ronald went to CAA to talk to Niceta about the new project. The income in the film and television industry is relatively high, but it is also unstable. You have to take jobs to make a living.

"Good news, Stallone wants you to write a script. He is going to develop a sequel to 'First Blood'..."

"Oh? Doesn't he like my script?" Ronald was a little surprised when he heard that it was Stallone's invitation.

"He is still satisfied with your script, otherwise he would not modify it based on yours. He just likes to highlight his star status."

"Okay, what's the movie called? Second Blood?"

"It's funny," Niceta said funny without smiling, knowing that Ronald was not satisfied with Stallone's revision of his script for "Father of the Dragon".

"Stallone can offer one hundred thousand dollars plus a second signature. I came to you because you recently wanted to take on script work. You know that my Italian fellow Sly is not easy to talk to. Mr. Ovitz's project proposal was also He refuted it, if you are not happy, just say it earlier and I will find someone else."

"Okay, okay, I'm just complaining in front of you." Ronald took the summary of the story from Niceta's hand and read it.

"Rambo: First Blood Part 2" Ronald looked at the name, and it turned out that it was in the style of Raiders of the Lost Ark. After the first part started, the second part directly added the name of the protagonist Indiana Jones to become Series of movies.

The story written by Stallone is very simple. Rambo was imprisoned in prison. Later, America and Vietnam ceased war. Some prisoners of war were not released. His old boss, the colonel, came and asked him to secretly rescue his comrades.

"Oh, this is completely different from the first part." Ronald was amused. The exposure of the scars of the Vietnam War and society's indifference towards Vietnam veterans in the first part of "First Blood" were all abandoned and replaced. Enter the tiger's den as the hero Rambo alone and rescue the prisoner-of-war veterans who were abandoned by the country.

"As you know, after the commander-in-chief took office, he was very tough on the outside world and visited China, continuing the grand strategy of allying with China to fight against the Soviet Union. So the people gradually began to have a good impression of the tough heroes. Sly thinks that we can develop in that direction. Besides, the producer is a conservative like the Party."

"OK", Ronald accepted the synopsis of the story. I will write a little slower this time, and there is still film distribution to deal with.

"No problem. Stallone gave you three months. Of course you'd better write faster."

Niceta handed over this document again, "This is the idea of ​​the studio Carloco Pictures. They hope that Stallone and John Travolta will partner up. This time it will be a story of two heroes. Rambo will be responsible for the fight and Travolta will play the partner. Responsible for high-tech weapons and writing beautiful battle scenes. Don’t be afraid of insufficient budget. This time we raised more than 25 million. "

"Of course." Ronald knew in his heart that if the "Dragon Dance" directed by Stallone and starring Travolta was a box office hit, then it would be a big gimmick for them to collaborate again and appear at the same time, and the producer of First Blood would be Of course Rocco Films doesn’t want to give up such a golden partner, and it deserves a big production.

"In addition, your visit to the cast of 'Dragon and the Phoenix' has been arranged. It just so happens that their filming is about to be completed and a reporter is going to interview them. It's just a good time for you to go and enjoy the popularity."

"Thank you, I really don't know what I would do without you." Ronald thought to himself, if he didn't accept it, would he not have this opportunity?

"You should return to the mainstream film industry as soon as possible. By then there will be professionals who will spend a lot of money to help you solve these problems." Niceta also feels that if Ronald's film has an excellent return on investment this time, it will be Many people will come to invite you.

After two consecutive films with different themes, different budgets, and different production models have made money, Ronald can be said to be a wizard worthy of long-term investment.

The big studios will give him one or two medium-sized productions to practice his skills. If he can handle big scenes or get the performances of big stars, then they can safely give him a big production of more than 15 million yuan and turn him into a great actor. Hollywood's money-making machine.

"Ronald, you're welcome." Stallone, who was on the set of "Fengfeifengwu", stopped filming and saw Ronald who was visiting the studio, stretched out his arms and hugged him.

The staffing of large-scale productions is also the best. Stallone handed over the guide tube to the first assistant director and had his own professional staff to direct the lighting and positioning of the next scene. He was only responsible for directing the performance part.

"This is my brother Frank, and this is Cynthia Rhodes." Stallone introduced several leading actors on the set to Ronald.

Ronald said hello to his brother Frank Stallone. Cynthia was an old acquaintance of his on the set of "Flashdance" and he introduced her to Stallone for an audition. Unexpectedly, she got the female lead.

"Hi, Ronald, I heard Cynthia always talking about you." Frank Stallone put his arm around Cynthia and said to Ronald.

"I hope it's not my scandal in Pittsburgh." Ronald laughed.

Cynthia leaned slightly to the side, away from Frank's arm. After she got the leading female role, she realized that it was the director's brother who chose him.

Frank Stallone used to be in the music industry. He did some music for his brother's "Rocky" and released a single, but it didn't get much response.

This time, his brother became the director and immediately called him up. Not only did he make him responsible for all the movie's interludes and music, but he also gave him a supporting actor role, that is, Jackie played by Cynthia. After being hurt by Tony Manero played by Travolta, he asked the character played by him to be a spare tire boyfriend.

"No, she said you took good care of the extras and she wanted to find a way to thank you." Frank Stallone looks a bit like his brother Sylvester, but he doesn't have the male hormones that his brother has.

"Let me introduce you, this is Ronald Lee, who also participated in the screenwriting of this movie and is my good friend." Brother Stallone hugged Ronald and introduced him to the reporter who came to interview.

Then he whispered in Ronald's ear, "Smile," and pressed Ronald's shoulder down.

Ronald squatted slightly to make the height difference less obvious. Then he tilted his head back slightly, letting Stallone make the famous Rocky punch and posing as if he was hit in the chin by the heavyweight boxing champion Rocky, so that reporters could take pictures.

This famous action movie star always showed who was the master here on the set.

"Hey," Ronald, who was in a daze, was poked by Stallone.

Stallone rolled up his sleeves again and put his fist on his chin

Ronald understood, squatted slightly, and imitated that posture and made the same action.

"Good boy," Stallone finished posing, sent the reporters away, and patted Ronald, "You look like an Italian. Do you have Italian ancestry?"

"I'm an orphan, I may or may not have it."

"It must be, otherwise Niceta wouldn't sign you," Stallone was in high spirits, pulling Ronald to the trailer to have a drink with him, and talked about the power of Italians in Hollywood along the way.

Ronald was annoyed. This star was obviously a little too confident. However, with two super-selling male protagonists in hand, no one could say anything. They could only deal with it with humming and ah.

"Don't be like this, Frank, we are friends, but..."

Just when it was awkward, a female voice came from the trailer next to them. Ronald and Stallone looked back and saw Cynthia Rhodes walking out of his brother Frank's trailer.

"Frank!" Stallone called his brother who was entangled with Cynthia behind him.

"I, Sly, Cynthia she..."

"Italians don't need to force girls like this, understand?" Stallone was not satisfied with his brother's performance.

"Cynthia, my brother said you are his girlfriend?" Half of Stallone's facial muscles were not very movable, so when he spoke seriously, he had a lot of intimidation.

"I, I..." Cynthia Rhodes was a little scared and couldn't speak clearly. Of course, she felt what Frank Stallone meant to her, but this was just a normal reaction of a girl facing pursuit, and she didn't agree to exchange herself for the role.

"Cynthia, did you promise Frank something before you got the role?" Ronald stepped forward and stood beside her. "Don't be anxious. Talk slowly."

"I... I was just recommended by you to audition for the group. There are many dancing roles in this movie. The audition director asked me to go back and prepare to play the dancer behind the song and dance line, but he called the next day and asked me to try Jackie. I was called back to audition for Jackie. There were videos at the time. You can go and see them."

"Frank?" Stallone looked at his useless brother. This kind of thing should either be discussed openly, or you have the ability to pursue it yourself. What's the point of it being like this today. "

"It's a misunderstanding, Cynthia. I think Frank probably drank a little wine just now, and he was a little drunk, so his movements were a little big." Ronald saw the mystery. Maybe Frank Stallone took a fancy to Cynthia Rhodes and let her audition for the protagonist.

The two did not make this favor clear during the filming. Frank might want to pursue Cynthia with his charm, but he didn't succeed when the filming was about to end, so he was a little too bold today.

"I'm sorry. Cynthia. "Frank whispered.

Sylvester Stallone was uncomfortable. When Ronald interrupted him, his brother admitted his mistake. This kind of weak behavior was not like an Italian. Being obsessed with a woman and helping her get a role was also a bit embarrassing for the name Stallone.

"Ronald, you're great."

Sylvester Stallone patted Ronald on the shoulder, then said to Cynthia Rhodes:

"Quit the film industry before you do anything that will bring shame to your parents in the South."

"Me?" Cynthia couldn't help crying when Stallone threatened her.