Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Mancuso went to UCLA Hospital that night. After the doctor completed a comprehensive physical examination for him, he told him that there was nothing serious and that he was most likely suffering from excessive anxiety. But he was still suspicious. It was impossible for a CEO of one of the seven major studios to be anxious. He still insisted that he had a heart problem. .

The doctor had no choice but to prescribe him some emergency heart medicine, and then told him not to put too much pressure on himself and try not to be angry.

"Don't be angry! Don't put too much pressure!" Mancuso looked at the doctor's order angrily and swept him into the drawer.

After secretly returning from the hospital, Mancuso felt that many of his subordinates had problems with the way he looked at him. It seems that he doesn't respect himself as much as before, and he wants to say bad things about himself behind his back.

He didn't want to see Ronald, that bastard, nor the crew, so he buried himself in a pile of documents. Spent all day in the office sending out memos full of correct nonsense through my secretary. Basically, I don’t directly interfere in the affairs of each crew.

By contrast, vice president of production, Ned Tanen, was in a happy mood and had regained control of Paramount's film production operations. He has been very active recently, taking advantage of Mancuso's temporary retreat to seize the time to expand his influence.

He is present in every crew and gets along well with all the creative staff. Hollywood has changed. Eisner's high-concept films have been proven over the past decade to bring high box office results.

Tanin does not feel the same pressure as Mancuso to purge his predecessor of his influence. He could have managed the production business the way Eisner did.

On this day, he came to the "Top Gun" crew that brought him unexpected luck to see the progress of the producer and director.

"Gentlemen, we have a total of fifteen interludes. Except for the opening theme song, you can choose any one you want and submit your work."

The screening room was packed with musicians, hands.

Don Simpson clapped his hands and encouraged the contestants who came to bid for the "Top Gun" soundtrack.

If you talk to them one by one, these musicians will definitely talk about their feelings, their thoughts on the movie, etc.

Neither producer nor director had a strong sense of music, so Simpson resorted to his trick of letting everyone bid on the same spot.

In this way, each of them will show their true skills and keep the price to the lowest.

"What you will see are scenes shot in the early stage. We have already found someone to synchronize the audio and video, but the final editing has not yet been completed." Ronald gestured to the projectionist to start playing a dozen sample clips.

"This is the opening scene of the aircraft carrier taking off and landing, and fighting the enemy." Ronald explained to everyone after showing the first sample video. The footage of the air battle has not yet been completed. This section is based on the documentary of the Battle of Midway shot by John Ford during World War II.

"This is the scene where the male and female protagonists attract each other and establish their love. I need a romantic melody here."

Ronald showed the scene where Charlie and the Lone Ranger kiss and seal their love on a motorcycle after Goose's wife breaks the window of their mutual admiration.

"This is……"

"Coax..."? "

There is still a scene on the screen of four muscular men, sweating profusely on the beach, playing volleyball shirtless.

Infected by the plot, after looking at each other, they held hands together.

"I'm going to call this theme 'Playing with the Boys'."

Ronald still insisted on saying the theme of the music despite his laughter, "Hahaha", and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Jerry, please help me continue the introduction."

Ronald saw Ned Tanen walking in the door. He handed over the hosting task to Bruckheimer and went up to meet him.

Tanin is essentially a high-level bureaucrat in the office. He will not conflict with his boss for the sake of producers.

Of course, precisely because he is a bureaucrat who adapts to the changing circumstances, now is the time for him to give the crew the greatest support.

"How about it? If you encounter any difficulties during filming, you can call me directly."

"Everything is good, except that Val Kilmer was a little bit reluctant to shoot cockpit shots in the sky." Ronald took the opportunity to complain, but he still didn't cooperate 100%.

"Don't worry, I will put pressure on his agent. On the set, the director's words should be authoritative." Taning assured that he would support Ronald's work 100%.

After seeing off Tanin, who came specifically to express his support, Ronald returned to the bidding site.

“I signed up for the theme of ‘Playing with the Boys.’” A young musician stepped forward and submitted his letter of intent.

"Oh?" Ronald looked at his signature on the document, "Kenny Loggins." He was originally a member of the duo Loggins and Messina. He also wrote his own songs, and his music style was disco. host. After the decline of disco in the early 1980s, it gradually transformed into rock music.

"Why did you choose this song?" Ronald knew that many musicians were competing for the soundtracks of "Fighter Dog Fight" and "Romantic Love".

"I'm almost done, so I picked a less competitive topic." Kenny Loggins didn't hold anything back and shared his thoughts.

"This is a sensible choice," Ronald praised him. In the fierce competition for popular episode soundtracks, choosing a less outstanding theme and getting a contract and advance payment is a good choice for a has-been musician. .

"Actually, I've heard of you a long time ago. Cyndi Lauper told me about you, saying that you are the best person in Hollywood. You have no discrimination against people in the music industry. You are also willing to cooperate with us and listen to our music. People’s opinions and thoughts on the shooting of v. Many directors think that we can only sing and know nothing about images. She said that your v is the best.”

"How did you meet?" Ronald was surprised when he heard the name of an old acquaintance.

"In January, during America's recording session for Africa, she and I participated in the recording of J's 'wearetheworld' charity song, and I also sang a short solo."

"Then you are definitely not a has-been singer." Ronald smiled. A singer who was able to sing the chorus at that charity show was still singing the solo part, not the harmony, and would not be as washed-out as he said.

"I just took advantage of the record company, and I signed to Columbia Records."

Ronald patted Kenny on the shoulder and walked over to see what was going on over there.

Giorgio Moroder, who is responsible for the overall control of the music, still speaks with an Italian accent, "Look, there are many people signing up for this romantic love song. I think it will definitely produce a popular song."

"You have to invite the songs in person. Good songs are not so easy to catch in the record industry." Bruckheimer held on to Moroder. This gold medal producer has many connections in the music industry, so he must let him put the best songs into his hands. Fire, grab the most potential hit song.

"Don't worry, I will definitely try my best." George Moroder is still confident, "You should know how much a good movie will add to the song after seeing what it looks like today. I can guarantee that, As long as they get a good song, all the female rock singers will come to Los Angeles to sing the song.”

"Songs and movies do achieve each other." Ronald nodded, marketing each other, adding to each other, fans and movie fans transforming each other, everyone benefits. He knew this when filming "Night of the Comet" .

After finishing the bidding for the soundtrack episode, Ronald rushed to the Miramar Naval Base.

The adaptive training for the male actors here has been completed. Ronald smiled and greeted Barry Tubb, who played "The Wolfman," and Rosovich, who played "The Slider."

They were all more convinced of Ronald, and not just because he was the only cast member who didn't vomit in the back seat of Bozo. What impressed them even more was how he frustrated Paramount CEO Mancuso.

Except for Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, no one else actually knew the inside story of his victory in the fight with Mancuso. They accidentally showed a movie to the first family. Only then was he lucky enough to be praised by the commander-in-chief in his public speech.

However, Ronald enjoyed this admiration, which made him feel much less resistant when directing the shooting. He high-fived and congratulated the boys one by one.

A familiar feeling of deja vu came over him, and Ronald felt as if he had returned to the night when he dreamed about "Top Gun" last year. It seemed that he had dreamed of such a scene before he woke up from the air combat scene.

While Ronald was touching his palms, trying to grasp that glimmer of inspiration, director of photography Kimball came over.

"Ronald, Val Kilmer refused to take off for filming."

"What?" Ronald threw his hands away angrily, not only because Val Kilmer had another problem, but also because this interrupted his thoughts of recalling the air combat scenes in his dream.

"Val Kilmer refused to take off in the back seat of an F-14A Tomcat and shoot footage from the cockpit." Kimball recounted.

"Bring him here, I want to question him face to face."

Ronald took out a stainless steel thermos cup, poured a cup of black tea into the lid, and drank it slowly.

"Director, I can't shoot in the air." Val Kilmer did not challenge Ronald's authority this time, but carefully smiled and said to Ronald.

"Can you deign to tell me why? Mr. Kilmer?" Ronald blew on the black tea and lowered the temperature.

"I..." Fang Kilmer's expression changed a little. It was impossible for him to tell the real reason why he didn't want to take off in public. He leaned closer and lowered his voice and said, "Can I talk to you alone?"

"My time is very tight. If you can say it, say it here. Otherwise, let your agent and Mr. Ned Tanning explain it."

Ronald didn't bother to get angry with him.

"I", Fan Kilmer's face suddenly turned red, "every time I go up... you can ask Bozo, I can't tell."

After saying that, he turned around alone and walked towards his car with his head down.

"Hey, let me tell you, what's your problem?" Ronald looked at Fang Kilmer in astonishment, who refused to give the reason and even looked down on him in public.

"He might be scared." Lloyd Abel, one of the pilots who came to watch the show, whose nickname was "Bozo," whispered in Ronald's ear.

"What?" Ronald turned back to look at Bozo. This was an answer he didn't expect.

"It's normal. Every year, some of the new pilots who come to join the army cannot pass the psychological fear level in the four major stages of advanced jet trainers, fighter aerial combat, aircraft carrier take-off and landing, and aircraft carrier night take-off and landing, and are eliminated. Bozo shrugged.

"Oh," Ronald nodded. It turned out that Val Kilmer was afraid to sit in the back seat and experience those tactical actions with the pilot. Some people are afraid of heights, so this cannot be blamed on Val Kilmer.

However, this means that his cockpit shots are missing, and he happens to be the second protagonist besides Cruise.

"It seems that we can't rely entirely on real-life shooting," Ronald thought secretly, "and I am not sure what effect the real-life shots with the cooperation of the Navy can achieve. From this point of view, there must be a plan B."

"Bud, Bud," Ronald called Little Bud, who served as his personal assistant in the crew, "Call James Cameron and ask him when he is free. I want to meet him and talk."