Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"What should we do if we find an actor whose personality and experience are very suitable for the role, but he does not match the appearance description in the script?" Ronald asked Margaret, who was sorting out the audition materials together.

"This is a good question. The founder of our studio, Marion Dorotti, actually changed the general view of the industry on this issue." Margaret explained.

"In the 1967 movie "The Graduate", the protagonist in the script was a tall, handsome blond man, who looked a bit like you, Ronnie."

"But Marion discovered Dustin Hoffman and persuaded director Michael Nichols to choose him as the protagonist, and changed the tall blond man in the script to a short Jewish man."

"That movie was very successful. Since then, some directors have begun to pay more attention to the fit between the actor and the character's personality, rather than just looking at the appearance. You know, in the era of big studios, casting directors are almost like secretaries, and they just need to select actors who look like the description in the script from the actor's photos."

"Margaret, look at this photo?" Ronald took out a photo of Gene from his notebook and handed it to Margaret.

"What? Is there anything special about him?"

"He dances very well, and his experience is very similar to Leroy, the protagonist of "Hot Lunch". He also came from a poor family in Harlem, attended a performing arts high school, and was expelled from school for his undisciplined and outrageous behavior. The most interesting thing is that he, like Leroy, can hardly read."

"The only problem is that he is black, and Leroy is Latino."

"What's his name? You can have him audition tomorrow."

"Gene Anthony Ray, of course I told him that he was auditioning for a dance group, but I always feel that he is Leroy."

Ronald picked up the phone and dialed.

"I'm looking for Gene,...Gene Anthony Ray...Is there no such person?...The number he gave me is...Wait a minute, he is Joan's son,...Yes, that's the one who often wears a top hat."

After a while, Gene answered the phone. He was very happy to hear that he would audition tomorrow, and he sang on the phone.

"Does this kid not go to class every day? Has he been expelled again?" Ronald thought to himself.

Gene's audition was very successful. His ballet was mixed with many elements of floor dance and mechanical dance. He looked like a dancing genius who had not received systematic training and had blended various dances by himself.

Only this kind of dancing genius could impress the teacher in the entrance interview, reject the main actor, and make an exception to admit Leroy, who was dancing with his friend.

"We need to let producer David Da Silva and director Alan Parker take a look." Margery had been convinced by Gene's audition and agreed with Ronald's point of view, recommending him as a candidate for Leroy.

"No, no, there will be too many black people in this way. Three of the eight protagonists will be black." After watching Gene's audition, the producer rejected it categorically.

"Leroy is a boy from the dance department, CoCo is a girl from the music department, and there is also CoCo's rival Lydia." Ronald calculated that there were indeed a little more, with a total of only eight protagonists.

"But he is Leroy, we can't give up on him. He is so suitable. He will make the whole movie a higher level." Director Parker supported Gene to play Leroy.

"NoWay, American audiences are used to the ratio of protagonists in movies, two blacks, one Latino white, one Jewish white, and the other four are European whites. No distribution company will agree to put so many black protagonists."

"Does the movie need such a strict racial ratio?" Ronald asked Margery secretly.

"You are still young, Ronnie. In Hollywood movies, there are racial quotas for roles." Margery said.

"In the era of big studios, Hollywood basically has white roles. Few blacks can play, and those who do are supporting roles."

"After Dr. King's equal rights movement, blacks began to have their own place in the entertainment industry. If it is a movie reflecting New York, blacks, Latinos, Italians, Jews, and other common races in New York, will be allocated some roles according to the population ratio. It is a default rule for everyone."

"What about Chinese?"

"Chinese? They don't have enough influence. At most, there is a supporting role. In the admission interview scene in the hot lunch, a Chinese violinist appeared, but that's it." Margery explained to him.

"What do you two think?" Director Parker and the producer were arguing and asked Margaret and Ronald for their opinions.

Ronald felt that the director was looking for support. Gene was originally recommended by Ronald and Margaret. Asking them for their opinions showed obvious bias.

"Ronald, why do you want to change the skin color of the protagonist? This is a casting that is 'obviously inconsistent with the script.'" Producer Da Silva put the emphasis on the words "obviously inconsistent with the script", reminding himself not to forget the original agreement.

"Mr. Da Silva, my idea is very simple. Gene's background is very similar to Leroy. If you and Mr. Parker agree, I think he is a good choice. If not, he can also be a dancer."

"Ronnie and I tried his play. Gene's acting skills are very explosive, and his background is almost the same as Leroy. It is rare to find such an actor who can perform in his true colors.

The audition situation also shows that it is difficult to find teenage actors now, and it is worthwhile to change the script for him." Margaret also began to chime in.

"Perhaps we can consider changing the races of the other two black girls and keep the proportion of blacks among the protagonists?" Ronald suggested in a low voice.

Da Silva was at a disadvantage. Ronald and Margery all sided with the director and agreed to change Leroy's background and choose Jean as the protagonist.

Of course, casting is not about choosing a leader or counting votes. But producers also have to be reasonable. Da Silva generally cannot veto director Parker's decision without sufficient reasons.

Da Silva frowned:

"No, CoCo's scenes cannot be deleted. She is the only student who spans the three departments of dance, comedy, and music. She needs to connect many of the protagonist's scenes." Producer Da Silva said.

"That's another one that can be deleted?" Ronald thought to himself.

"Then delete Lydia's scene," director Parker made the final decision. "The plot between Lydia and CoCo is too repetitive, and the competition between the two in their singing career is actually quite useless. CoCo itself was not successful, and Lydia fought to win. Well, the best outcome would be to make an adult movie.”

Margery taped Gene's Polaroid photo on the whiteboard under "LeRoy's" name: "Ronald remembered to take a picture of Gene, who is now one of the main characters."

"The first protagonist of the whole drama has been confirmed." The director continued, "How are our other protagonists doing? Where are the auditions?"

"It will be placed at the Ambassador Hotel, which has several large business conference rooms. We generally recommend that place."

"Ronald, come here, let me talk to you." Seeing that the director and Margery were chatting enthusiastically, producer Da Silva pulled Ronald out of the office alone and talked in the corridor.

"What did I tell you? I asked you to keep an eye on the director and not choose actors who are obviously inconsistent with the script. How did you do it?" Da Silva lowered his voice, but veins popped out on his face, looking very angry. .

"Sorry, Mr. da Silva, I just wanted to give him a chance to perform as an extra, but his background..."

Ronald suddenly felt that something was not going well. The producer was like a strong bat that kept hitting the air, unable to attack the pitching director in the distance, and began to complain about the catcher Ronald next to him.

Da Silva made a stop gesture and said, "Stop talking. One point will be deducted from your credibility with me. Don't do things like this against my will in the future." Da Silva is also very tall and has both eyes. Looking straight at Ronald, "Don't think that because the director likes you, I can't fire you."

"Okay, Mr. da Silva, I apologize to you..." Ronald thought, wondering what his total score with the producer was?

"Also, Allen will be mainly sitting at the Ambassador Hotel soon, interviewing audition actors. Your job as a driver will end here." Da Silva was still angry and interrupted to apologize.

"Yeah, the monthly bonus is gone. The cost of recommending someone is really high." Ronald was a little unhappy.

"Don't forget what I told you, Ronnie. You have to remember who is the one who pays your salary in the crew." Producer Da Silva poked with his finger. Touching Ronald's chest.

Ronald took two steps back after being poked, and his ears began to itch a little.

The result of this incident was contrary to the producer's instructions. However, Ronald did not overstep his authority. He immediately found Margery, who then reported it to him and the director. In the end, the script was changed. It can be said that the producer himself did not suppress the director.

Besides, you’re doing it for the entire crew, right?

"This will help you deepen your memory." Da Silva pointed to his head, "Don't forget what you promised me." After saying that, he turned to leave.

"I have one more thing, Mr. Da Silva." Ronald stopped the producer. "I heard that 'hot lunch' is a bad slang in black slang in Harlem. The name of the movie would be like that." Any questions? Their slang for hot lunch is..."

Da Silva interrupted Ronald again: "You are overthinking, Ronnie. This movie is not for black people. The fact that two of the main characters are black does not mean that the main audience of the movie is black. You Understand?"

"Forget it, you don't understand movie distribution and marketing, and I don't understand what I'm telling you. I know you are very motivated, Ronnie. But on the crew, the most important thing is to take care of what you should take care of."

It seemed like someone had said this to him before, Ronald scratched his ears.

Ronald, who had lost several thousand dollars in foreign currency for no reason, was in a bad mood. He poured a cup of coffee and drank it in the corridor.

"Ronnie, how was my audition?" Gene was still waiting outside. When he saw Ronald, he hurriedly came up to find out the news.

"Margaery hasn't informed you yet? The director appreciates you and will give you an important role." Ronald smiled, "Come with me, and I will take you to see the director."

"Hi, brother. I will never forget you. We men in Harlem have the most clear-cut grievances. From now on on the set, I will be yours." Gene began to express his loyalty.

"Remember to listen to the director. Act well and don't lose the reputation of Harlem." Ronald introduced him into the conference room, "Director, Gene is here."

"Aha, Gene, you're here." Director Parker hugged him happily.

"You will play one of the protagonists, Leroy from Harlem. This is your script. During this period, you have to memorize it. If you don't know the part, ask Ronald. Then starting next week, go to the Ambassador Hotel every day. , we will start auditioning other actors for some roles that require you to play with them.”

"Play your part, Gene, and don't let me down for paying you $6,000 a month."

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