Exploiting Hollywood 1980

The second confirmed important supporting actor is Rose Castorini, the mother of Loretta played by Cher.

Compared with Loretta's casualness and her father Cosmo's cunningness, mother Rose is the backbone of the Castorini family.

After she married Cosmo, she was a typical good Italian wife and always took the greatest responsibility for the family. She took care of the grandfather who lived with them and gave her daughter the best support. After Loretta's husband died unexpectedly, she always wanted to leave the house to her poor daughter.

In addition to being responsible, she is also very wise. She was the first family member to see that her daughter fell in love with someone else, and she was also the first to discover that her husband had an affair with a lover outside.

However, for the sake of this big Italian family, she has been forbearing and did not expose her husband's philandering.

After discovering that her husband and his lover went to the opera without her, Rose was full of confusion. During the meal, she met Perry, a university professor who got along well with her.

After enjoying a wise conversation and the company of a man of high social status, she did not destroy the family's morality, but sent Perry away and returned to her family alone.

This role can be said to be the key figure that connects all the stories. If her performance is not credible, the structure of the story will fall apart.

The first person Julia Taylor recommended was Olympia Dukakis, an unsuccessful Broadway actor.

"She is not Italian, right?" Ronald looked at the resume behind the other person's photo and handed it to the screenwriter Shanley.

"No, she is Greek. One good thing is that you don't have to worry about her familiarity with the atmosphere of an Italian-style large family. Greeks are also famous for their large families." Julia Taylor knocked on the table.

"Oh, she played "Dragon" in 1974, which is earlier than you entered the industry." Screenwriter Shanley studied Dukakis's resume line by line and exclaimed.

"Then why hasn't she become popular in Hollywood after so many years?" Ronald also leaned over to take a look.

Julia Taylor pointed at her face, and then made a spherical gesture on her chest.

"She has a face that is too mature, and her figure is not the type that Hollywood likes. So although she has always been loved by film critics, there are no leading roles for her to play. When there are no movies or TV series to act in, she still stays in New York for a long time. Her husband is also a Broadway actor. The two of them just play minor roles on Broadway."

"John and Mary?" Shanley seemed to have discovered some great secrets. "Is it the romantic love movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow? She and Dustin are about the same age, right? She can play Dustin's mother?"

"She was only 38 years old at that time, so she could play the mother of 32-year-old Dustin Hoffman?" Ronald secretly calculated the age difference between the two when they filmed "John and Mary" in 1969.

"It seems that she is a professional mother. I am more interested. You must let her try." Ronald became interested, and Julia Taylor happily called Dukakis and asked her to come quickly.

…

“I’m Greek, not Italian.”

Olympia Dukakis has an ordinary face, but she looks like a wise person.

Ronald asked her to shoot an audition clip and was very satisfied with her appearance. He talked to her about the role and had to admit that Julia Taylor’s vision for selecting actors was much better than his own.

Dukakis not only has an outstanding appearance, but also has a lot in common with the character of Ross in terms of personality and inner qualities.

“It doesn’t matter. Cher, who plays your daughter, is of Armenian descent. And our screenwriter Mr. Shanley said that after a certain age, everyone is of Italian descent.”

“Hahahaha…”

Olympia Dukakis put the back of her hand to her mouth and laughed.

Ronald was even more satisfied with this action. This is a gesture that women with old-fashioned education usually use to cover their mouths when laughing. It fits Ross’s background in the script very well.

"If you are willing to come, I won't audition other actors. Julia highly recommended you, and I also think she is right after meeting you. You are the perfect match for this role."

"Interesting, I have to say, I never thought you were such a director, Ronald."

Olympia Dukakis couldn't help but recall that when she talked about this opportunity with her husband at home, she still had doubts about Ronald.

After all, he was a director who started out by making v-rated and low-cost exploitation films. Although he was very successful commercially, and the hit "Top Gun" is still showing in theaters, it is about to win the annual box office champion.

But after all, he is a serious drama actor, and Dukakis doesn't really want to play the role in the kind of popcorn movie.

Her husband is a Croatian immigrant. After marrying Dukakis, the two couldn't afford a house in Manhattan, so they settled down in New Jersey.

After learning that the call was from Julia Taylor, her husband still urged her to audition.

"Julia is Woody Allen's casting director, she won't recommend a bad role for no reason. And I heard Ronald has a good relationship with Marty Scorsese, he won't be a director who always shoots exploitation films."

"But..." Dukakis still wanted to shirk, she still felt that the Broadway role was exciting.

"Dear, our eldest daughter Christina will go to college next year. Can you really bear to pay her tuition with a credit card? Even if we use our credit cards to pay the tuition next year, what about our eldest son Peter the year after? And the third son Stephen..."

"Oh... don't say it, I will sell my soul once." Olympia Dukakis and her husband are both good actors who pursue acting skills, but in this era, their income is not enough. The income of the two, after paying off the mortgage, is just enough to raise three children.

College tuition is expensive now, and the two are really unable to afford the three children who have grown up one after another.

This time, Julia Taylor said that Ronald's film budget is not large, but the script has high requirements for supporting roles. The price Ronald gave is very generous for a supporting role. Julia knew that Dukakis was the most suitable candidate, and she also knew that she was short of money now, so she specially asked her to audition first.

The couple had a deep affection for each other. For the future of their children, Olympia Dukakis made a decision that went against her career pursuit. She wanted to succumb to the magic of money and act in an exploitation film.

I didn't expect Ronald to value me so much when selecting people. This method of selecting actors based on temperament and first impression is similar to those Broadway directors who pursue the highest level of acting.

Dukakis suddenly felt that it seemed that the tens of thousands of yuan in salary was not so bad to make people feel sorry for the god of acting.

"I thought you were a typical Hollywood director..."

"Hahaha, Hollywood directors are very strict, you have to hurry up. You should know Julie Boisseau, right? Yes, she plays your sister, and she will also serve as the accent coach of the crew. I hope to see you speak fluent Brooklyn Italian accent as soon as possible."

...

The next thing to confirm is the role of the father, Cosmo Castorini. Ronald looked at Julia Taylor.

"Vincent Gardenia is a real Italian actor this time. He starred in "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" on Broadway before and won the Tony Award for Best Actor."

Taylor put a photo on the table and handed it to Ronald.

"Hahaha, I hired you. It's really the best decision I've made so far in this movie."

Ronald laughed out loud as soon as he saw the person in the photo.

This casting is wonderful.

Vincent Gardenia has a very interesting face. At first glance, he looks honest, but the smile that slightly emerges has a little more cunning.

When you see him, you can think of the owner of the hardware store in the community. He looks reliable, but when selling you things, he often sells you some things that look good, but you don't need.

When Ronald saw the real person, he felt that this casting was very good.

In addition to the natural mixture of cunning and honesty, the real Vincent Gardenia also has a kind of lust that is unique to Italian men when communicating.

That's not the lustful type who wants to pursue beautiful women when he sees them, but the Italian type, who wants to cling to beautiful women and pester them, while boasting and bragging about his own strengths.

His slightly fat face also makes him look a bit like a lustful person.

"Oh, Ronald, why do you want me to play Cosmo? When I was young, I played the leading role. Can't you let me play Cher's fiancé Johnny?"

"Hahaha, no. I think you are playing her father."

"Oh, it really makes me sad when you say that." Vincent Gardenia pretended to be saddened by Ronald's words, "I think I can come one or two more times."

Ronald was very satisfied. These few lines of performance on the spot were very suitable for the character of Cosmo.

"No, you play Cosmo."

"Let's discuss it. How about letting me play the sanctimonious university professor? At least I can fall in love with Rose, the mother. Look at me, such a handsome guy, it's a waste if I don't fall in love with the heroine."

"As for Cosmo, you can have a lover to play against, and you play Rose's husband in the movie. Isn't it better."

"How is that the same? How are love and marriage the same thing?"

Ronald was very persistent. Julia Taylor was right about this person, and she played a slick taste. A natural choice for Cosmo.

Vincent Gardenia chatted a few more words half-jokingly, and seeing that Ronald insisted on not changing, he put away his Italian style.

"When do I need to join the group?"

"Some non-Italian actors are still learning accents. When we start the script reading and rehearsal, you can come and join us."

Hearing that Ronald also arranged rehearsal time, Vincent Gardenia was even more satisfied.

Many Hollywood movies do not have rehearsal sessions, but put the performance on the spot. Although I acted mostly for the pay, no actor wants to have no room for acting in the movie.

…

Then, the actor who played the university professor was found by a sanctimonious actor, John Mahoney. There were also some other minor supporting roles, and Julia Taylor also found very suitable candidates.

Among the remaining major supporting roles, there was only one Loretta's grandfather, and the old man was not easy to deal with.

This character is usually confused, but very smart at critical moments. He usually keeps a large group of dogs, and often secretly feeds the steaks that Ross cooked for him. It is a very distinctive character. If there is an old Italian actor, it will add a wonderful style to the movie.

This role requires a relatively high level of performance and unique appearance. Ronald has great confidence in Julia Taylor's casting skills, "Julia, who did you find for me this time? Which old Italian actor?"

"No, I found you a Russian, Fedor Chaliapin."

"Ah? Russian?"

...

Ronald met this old Russian actor. He was very thin, but it can be seen that he must have been a handsome guy when he was young.

Ronald learned from Julia that Fedor Chaliapin's father was the most powerful bass in the opera world in the 1920s. He was also a great Russian nobleman during World War I.

Although his property and apprentices were confiscated later, he did not hate the leaders at the time very much. Instead, he maintained sympathy for the workers and peasants.

Unlike his father, Fedor Chaliapin made his debut as an actor and made many films in the European film industry.

This year, Fedor Chaliapin is already 81 years old and his legs and feet are a little unsteady. Ronald asked him to sit down and then wanted to chat with him for a few words to see the effect.

"I noticed that you made a lot of movies in Italy and worked with Fellini?"

Ronald started by talking about one of his greatest achievements, his collaboration with the legendary Italian director Fellini.

"What did you say?" Fedor Chaliapin asked in confusion.

"I said, did you...work with...Fellini..." Ronald had to raise his voice.

"Ah...yes, I have acted in many movies with him. He is a very talented director, just like you."

Fedor Chaliapin's breath was already a little insufficient when he spoke, and both hands were covered on the cup of coffee to warm them.

"Then how is your Italian accent? ...Italian accent?"

Ronald had no choice but to speak loudly for a few simple questions so that the other party could hear them.

"Ah... I can speak Italian, but not as well as real Italian."

Fedor Chaliapin stretched one ear over with great effort. His hearing had deteriorated greatly, and he could only hear clearly if he was very close.

"Thank you for coming today, Mr. Fedor Chaliapin."

After talking about a few issues, Ronald had to stand up to see him off. His agent was a young man who helped him stand up. When Fedor Chaliapin turned around, he smiled at Ronald.

"This smile..." Ronald was originally planning to change someone else. It would be difficult to match the role with such hearing conditions.

But the other person's smile in the end was very similar to those old people who were sometimes sober and sometimes confused. Their wisdom in life is deep and unfathomable, but because of old age and frailty, sometimes they pretend to be confused, so as not to cause excessive disgust among young juniors and add inconvenience to their lives.

"How is it? Is it very suitable for the role of an old man?"

Julia Taylor was attracted by this trait of Fedor Chaliapin.

"But he's too deaf."

"It's not a serious problem, he doesn't have many scenes."

"But every scene is important", Ronald and Julia Taylor had a different opinion on casting for the first time.

Next, Ronald asked Julia to recommend a few elderly actors, none of whom had the characteristics of Fedor Chaliapin, who was usually confused and occasionally wise.

He wanted to use Fedor Chaliapin, but the other party's hearing made him hesitate.

"Nicita, how did you play the heroine Marlene Matlin in the movie "Children of God"? How can a deaf person play the opposite role?"

Ronald asked his agent Nicita who came to see him.

This movie reflects the life of a deaf girl, and many characters in it are played by real deaf-mute people. It was just released in New York, and Ronald went to see it. The story and performance are very good.

"I heard that the male lead, William Hurt, has a deaf mother, so he knows sign language. He and Marin communicate with each other through sign language. I heard that they met because of the movie and officially lived together."

Nicita told what she knew.

Movie performance is actually acting your own reaction to the other person's reaction. Before the filming, the two male and female protagonists spent a long time getting familiar with each other and communicated with sign language every day. When it came time to start filming, they naturally developed a tacit understanding and had natural reactions to each other's subtle body and expressions.

So in the movie, the couple played by the two people are particularly believable. Especially the temper of deaf people is more impatient, Ronald thinks the restoration is very accurate.

"You are worried about Fedor Chaliapin's hearing, so has he acted in any movies recently?"

"Yes, he has." Ronald suddenly thought that Fedor Chaliapin has been acting in movies frequently recently. If deafness really affects his performance, then soon no one should ask him to act.

I don't know how long he has been severely deaf.

"Why don't you ask the directors or actors who have worked with him before?" Nisita reminded.

"I don't know him, do you know him?" Ronald thought, if he could talk to his colleague from the last movie in private, maybe he could find the truth.

"I know him, he co-starred with Sean Connery in the last movie, The War of the Demon Palace. And Sean is our CAA's number one star." Nicita took out the phone book and called back to Los Angeles to contact Ronald.

The so-called number one star is not actually referring to Sean Connery's popularity, but because when Michael Ovitz, the chairman of CAA, started his business, Sean Connery was the first star actor he signed. In the CAA office, a large office was also reserved for Connery.

"Hello, Ronald, I heard from Michael that you have something to ask me?" Sean Connery spoke with a strong Scottish accent, and spoke arrogantly.

It's not that he can't speak other accents that are easier to understand, but he deliberately shows his Scottish origins and deliberately speaks this dialect that is not easy to understand.

"Um, yes, Mr. Connery. I want to ask, are you familiar with Fedor Chaliapin? I want to find him to act in the movie, but I am worried that his hearing will be affected."

"Young man, if you ask me, my answer is, you should sign him quickly."

"Why?" Ronald barely understood Connery's opinion, but what he actually wanted to know was some details about Fedor Chaliapin's work in the crew, not an arbitrary judgment.

"Don't you believe me, young man?"

"I just want to know more details. This role is crucial to the movie. I need a good actor."

"Let me tell you, sign him quickly. He is old and deaf, but as long as he appears in front of the camera, he will steal all my scenes."

Sean Connery did not give any details. After saying this, he urged Ronald to sign Fedor Chaliapin and hung up the phone.

"Mr. Bond is a man with a bad temper, but he has given his opinion, hasn't he?" Nicita listened to the whole conversation and nodded to Ronald, indicating that although Connery was a jerk, he wanted to speak the truth about acting.

This bald Bond who had to wear a wig to act was quite conceited about his acting skills. It was not easy for him to say such compliments on other people's acting skills.

Ronald went to the cinema again and watched "The Palace War" which had not been released yet. Sure enough, in this movie shot last year, Fedor Chaliapin's acting was very outstanding, and Sean Connery was overwhelmed.

In this case, Ronald agreed with Julia's judgment and signed a contract with the last major supporting actor, Fedor Chaliapin.

In this way, all the important roles have been determined. Ronald rested for half a day on the weekend, waiting for everyone to gather together to read the script for the first time, and then began to practice and correct the Brooklyn Italian accent with the help of Julie Boisseau.

Diane Lane returned to New York and came to see Ronald. The two sat together in the hotel, watching TV.

Ronald needed such daily life to relax the director's tense nerves during the filming of the movie.

"I always feel that I am a bit like the heroine Loretta in this movie. It seems that I have bad luck. Every time a big production, as long as I participate, the box office is not very good."

Diane hung Ronald's arm around her neck, then leaned in Ronald's arms, one foot across the back of the sofa.

When there were no outsiders, Diane had never sat properly.

"Don't say that. If you think too much about this idea, it may really happen. Knock on the wood and get rid of the bad luck."

Ronald knocked on the wooden coffee table twice on behalf of Diane.

"Hehe, why didn't you find me for this movie."

"There is no suitable role. This is a love story of middle-aged people." Ronald thought for a while, "There is only a scene where Ronnie works in a bakery. There is a young girl who also works in the bakery and has a crush on Ronnie. Would you like to make a cameo appearance?"

"If I don't want to, I don't have any scenes to play."

Diane twisted on the sofa twice, picked up the remote control and changed the channel. This is how Hollywood works. The less you can make hit movies, the less good scripts you will get.

"Look at this late show. Tonight, Cher will be on David Letterman's show." Ronald asked Diane to stop and watch NBC's late show together. His friend Letterman will invite Cher as a guest today.

After a round of welcome applause, Cher, wearing a white round-neck top, black tights, and a conservative hairstyle, hugged David Letterman.

The two sat down separately. After the applause from the audience died down, Letterman usually asked an ice-breaking question to let the guests relax and get into the state.

"You are the guest I want to invite most since my show started. You have never agreed to be on the show. Why are you willing to come to the late show after four and a half years of our continuous invitations?" David Letterman asked Cher according to the words he had chosen.

"Ha... hehe..."

Cher suddenly burst into laughter, "I don't know, I think there may be a reason... I have to pay my hotel rent."

The audience was amused by Cher's humor.

David Letterman followed up on her statement, "You mean, you're living in a hotel in New York City and you don't have enough cash to pay the hotel rent?"

"Oh, yes, because the rent bill is huge." Cher sat up straight and answered very formally.

"Hehehe..." David Letterman was a little surprised. Cher's answer was beyond his expectations.

"So, I thought, why not go meet this handsome guy, and then..." Cher continued to answer.

David Letterman couldn't figure out for a moment whether Cher was serious or joking.

"Well, if you want the Late Show crew to pay your hotel bill, I think you must have been greatly misled." David Letterman frowned and formally rejected this idea.

"Like I said, our previous time slot, Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, is very rich, and they can spend money to invite guests. But our Late Show program is very poor, even a paper clip has to be reused."

The audience laughed again.

David Letterman cleverly made the audience laugh, but quietly told Cher the real situation of the program crew. He really couldn't afford the other party's so-called "sky-high hotel bill."

"So, are you living back and forth between California and New York now?" He changed the subject.

"No, I live mainly in California. But I've been staying in a hotel in New York for the past few months, and I just went back. You wanted me to be on the show, so I flew over." Cher continued to half-jokingly ask the program crew to reimburse.

"So, our program crew agreed to reimburse your airfare?" David Letterman asked

"Of course," Cher nodded to Letterman on the stage.

"No, we didn't agree."

"Oh, God, this is going to happen." Ronald looked at Cher's face and changed. Is she really short of money? Did she take on three consecutive movie performances in order to make money as soon as possible?

David Letterman certainly found something wrong, and he had to look back quickly.

"Let's put the joke aside. I want to ask, you must have a reason. We have been looking for you for four and a half years, but you don't want to be on my show. You must have a change of mind, right?"

"No, in fact, I always thought that I would never be on your show." Cher's tone was already very bad.

"Why?" David Letterman thought Cher had another witty remark and quickly followed up.

"Because, because you are a big asshole."

"Hey, hey..." David Letterman's face immediately fell. He lit his cigar and took two puffs.

"Hey, the audience is not booing me, they are cheering for Cher..."

After ten awkward seconds, David Letterman's professionalism still let him continue the show.

"If the audience in front of the TV didn't hear it, I will repeat it again. Cher thinks I am a good person, yeah... Cher... a famous singer and movie star. Everyone applaud..."

David Letterman was still angry. He didn't give Cher a chance to continue speaking and ended the show hastily.

"Rick, have you watched TV? What's going on with Cher?" Ronald quickly picked up the phone and called his agent Niceta. His wife Paula Wagner, to some extent, formed an alliance with Cher's agent to break up Cher and Tom Cruise, and may know something about the situation.

Xue Er is the most important character in "Moonlight". No matter what happened to her tonight, it is not good news for the crew.

7017k