Exploiting Hollywood 1980

On Wednesday, Ronald began filming the scenes at Daniel's home. They moved to the apartment with three palm trees at the gate.

Daniel's eye was hit and turned into a black eye when he was fighting with Johnny on the beach. He wore sunglasses at breakfast the next day to avoid being discovered by his mother Lucille.

The indoor lighting took a long time. The makeup artist painted Ralph Mazzio's right eye socket black and some red bruises.

"Ronald, is this okay?"

"Yes, not bad." Ronald looked at Mazzio's black eye. The makeup level was really good. It looked like real redness, swelling and bruises in the middle distance.

"Don't you think we should make his swelling and pain more exaggerated? That was caused by a karate master." Associate producer Charles Okun began to object again.

"No, I said it was okay. Johnny is just a boy, not a real martial artist." Ronald looked at the makeup artist who was looking at him and repeated his order a little annoyed.

"Can we talk alone?" Charles Okun saw this and invited Ronald.

Ronald stood up from the director's chair with his name on it, and walked out of the apartment where the filming was done with Charles Okun.

"Ronald, I made those suggestions for the overall effect of the film..." Charles Okun said first.

"What do you want?" Ronald took a step forward and approached him. His tall body put some pressure on Okun.

"Don't be naive. The film industry was created by artists. My position is a producer. When I see artistic flaws, I should point them out." Charles Okun was intimidated by Ronald's muscular figure and took a step back.

"I remind you that a big studio like Columbia is under the responsibility of the producer. No matter what position you are in, you can be replaced."

"Who told you these 'flaws'? I don't think you are an 'artist'." Ronald made a double quotation mark gesture with both hands. What was Charles Okun relying on to attack with all his strength?

"My partner is an Oscar winner for Best Director... I don't need to tell you. Also, don't think Susan Aikins can speak for you, she won't come back."

Charles Okun saw Ronald take another step forward, and was a little scared, "As long as you can listen to opinions humbly, you can still be a nominal director here."

"Don't challenge me in public in front of the crew, Charles." Ronald tapped his chest, "You are right about one thing, everyone can be replaced!"

Ronald turned and walked into the apartment.

Although he knew that Weintraub was going to deal with personal affairs and would be back on weekends. But Charles Okun's daily challenge to his authority in the crew was really annoying. Even if he was asked to leave, the damage to the crew's trust in him had already been done.

And who was the Oscar winner for Best Director he was talking about? Could it be John Avildsen? He was Weintraub's first choice, and there were senior Columbia executives attending the weekend sample viewing. Did he get their support again?

Ronald began to be suspicious. He had to think of a way to get rid of him today.

According to the rule in filming, whoever has the right to hire someone has the right to fire someone, so neither he nor Charles Okun can fire the other.

But... now the crew is ownerless, so no rules can be used. As long as he can get the support of the main actors and staff, he can fire the job.

Noriyuki Morita, William Zebka, Elizabeth Shue, action director Pat Johnson, and action assistant Daryl Vidal will definitely stand on his side.

The director of photography and art director were hired by Weintraub, and they worked happily with him, so they can be considered neutral for the time being.

Among the remaining people, the only ones who can speak out on this matter are Ralph Mazzio and the second-generation star actors. As long as they can win their support, they can get it over with.

After filming the scenes in the apartment, the crew moved to Charles Evans Hughes Jr. High School. They chose this place because this public high school has a high-quality football turf.

Ronald first found the three second-generation stars headed by Chad McQueen, "Hey, how are you these days?"

Several second-generation stars have changed into T-shirts and sports pants. They will be there to make trouble in the scene where Ali and Daniel meet for the first time, deliberately squeezing out Daniel's role.

"Your motorcycle training is really good. Debbie Evans is really a strong woman." Chad began to talk nonsense. Debbie Evans trained them for three days and finally let these guys learn how to drive motorcycles on dirt roads. Their driving skills have greatly improved. In the future, they will definitely be able to pick up beautiful girls in the circle of celebrity children in Beverly Hills.

"But we all have acting skills. Isn't this an exploitation film a waste of us, Ronald? When can we act in a movie that can be nominated for an Oscar?" Chad McQueen changed the subject. He has the most extensive experience among these second-generation stars and thinks that "The Karate Kid" is just a youth exploitation film, shot for fun.

"You bunch of brats," Ronald laughed angrily, "you don't know the value of this movie. It will be a big hit at the box office. You guys are lucky to be able to star in it. Thirty years from now, your most famous role may not be better than the one in this movie."

"Huh? You're not lying to us, are you? I think this is just a movie about teenagers picking up girls." Seeing Ronald's seriousness, Chad felt a little suspicious. Could it be that he really wanted to become famous like his father?

"Let me tell you, this movie is the first karate martial arts movie in many years, and it contains a dream of all teenage males, to be trained by a master like Master Yoda, and then learn martial arts to defeat powerful opponents. , win the championship and be with the girl I love.”

Ronald saw several second-generation celebrities listening attentively, "Think about it, when was the last time you were envied by everyone because of your efforts?"

Sparks flashed in the eyes of several star second-generation stars. Of course, star second-generation stars are admired by others, but they have never experienced that they can do things that others can envy with their own efforts.

"You mean, if we perform well, fans will recognize us on the street in the future?" Ron Thomas was the most sensible among the trio, and he understood the prospect that Ronald described to them.

"Oh, damn, are you serious?" Chad McQueen was also excited. They have all seen their parents being signed by movie fans, and they have dreamed of becoming a star since they were young.

Gu Bai

"Of course, I wrote this script, of course I understand. If it were another person, even an Oscar-winning director might not be able to understand how to make the character stand out and be remembered by the audience."

"Hi, Ronald. Whatever you didn't say, we will listen to you." The three second-generation stars were so happy that they dragged three chairs, glued their printed names on the backs of the chairs, and started taking pictures of each other and playing.

"A!" Ronald arrived on the football field, and Ali, wearing a traditional green school uniform, began to rehearse cheering moves with other cheerleading girls.

Here Daniel saw the football field and wanted to go up and try his skills.

Elizabeth Sue came over from the cheerleading team and passed the football in her hand to Daniel.

"Hey, I haven't had a chance to thank you yet..." Ali put her hands in her pockets and spoke to Daniel proactively.

"It's okay. Your recorder broke. I'm sorry."

"Oh, your eyes?" Ali saw panda eyes.

"It's nothing. It looks a little worse than it actually is. It doesn't hurt that much."

"Ali, we're going to practice..." The cheerleader's friends started to call Ali over.

Ali turned and left.

"Hi, do you have a name?" Daniel reacted and asked quickly.

"Ali, bring an i." Elizabeth Su ran away with the camera on her back, turned around and said with a smile, "Where's your name?"

Ronald cheered in his heart. Ali is a girl from a rich family. She has a special interest in Daniel, who has a bit of inferiority in front of her and is very strong. She has never seen such a boy.

"Daniel...take me (L)" Ralph Mazio was slightly sluggish in the middle of speaking.

There is an interesting detail here. Daniel thought it was a popular saying for Beverly Hills girls to have a letter in the middle of their name, so he said "L". But in fact, Ali said that just because of this. The spelling is not common, so she just said it to make it easier to distinguish.

This kind of behavior of responding to girls made Ali very happy. She smiled and ran towards the cheerleading team.

"Cut!"

Ronald was very happy. During the rehearsal, this part was repeated many times. The two actors had very good understanding, especially Elizabeth Su. , understanding very well. In addition, she is a football girl herself, so she seems to be acting in her true colors. This formal introduction under the bright sunshine was perfectly shot.

"Ronald, don't you think we should let Daniel see Ali more enthusiastically?"

Associate producer Charles Okun came over again. He had just been threatened by Ronald and went to talk to Michael Cimino on the phone. After the two discussed it, the most important thing now was to constantly challenge Ronald's decisions on the set, so that the crew and actors would have a sense of distrust in Ronald.

On the one hand, while watching the samples over the weekend to get into trouble, Columbia executives and Weintraub were bound to seek the opinions of some crew members. On the other hand, disrupting the mutual trust between Ronald and the crew will also allow him to make as many mistakes as possible in the next two days of filming.

"You're fired, Oaken," Ronald said coldly.

"This scene is the first official meeting between Ali and Daniel. Shouldn't it be more lively... No, what did you say?" Charles Okun reacted. What Ronald just said was to fire him.

The actors and crew around him all looked at him.

"You don't have the power to fire me."

"Of course I have. I say it again, you are fired, effective now." Ronald waved to his best friend Daryl Vidal.

Vidal understood and came over to pull Charles Okun and asked him not to stay on the set any longer.

"Hey, you are just a director. You don't have the right to fire me. I will find Weintraub, and I will bring an Oscar-winning director to replace you... Just wait for me..."

"Ugh...someone can't afford to lose." Chad McQueen, the second generation of stars, took the lead in booing Charles Okun.

"What do you know? Ronald is the screenwriter. He knows best how to make our...movie well."

After that, the three buddies began to applaud and whistle.

Vidal, the action assistant, also let go of Charles Okun and made a gesture of invitation.

Charles Okun saw that no one spoke for him, and everyone in the crew turned to Ronald and walked out dejectedly.

"We are not done yet, see you this weekend." He said as he passed by Ronald.

"Okay, let's continue. Mr. Charles Okun wants to be a director too much. I'll let him calm down." Ronald clapped his hands to everyone and prepared for the next shot.

"Ronald, we all support you. Okun has destroyed the morale and trust of the crew too much." Seeing this, the director of photography James Crabbe also came over and said a few words.

"Thank you, prepare for the next shot." Ronald walked to the director's chair with his name on it and sat down easily. He picked up the stainless steel thermos, poured a cup of black tea, blew it, and slowly drank the black tea.