Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Hi, Ronnie. How was your trip?" Helen Slater drove more than two hours from her mother's home in Long Island to Teterboro Airport, the closest business airport to Manhattan, to pick up Ronald.

"It's very good. The business jet flies to the airport in New Jersey. It's very close to Manhattan, and the noise on the plane is very light. I finished reading the book." Ronald waved the "Nothing Is Forever" in his hand to Helen. Smiling and hugging Helen.

"It would be great if you parked at JFK Kennedy Airport. It's very close to Long Island. It was troublesome for my car to drive here. I almost stalled on the road." Helen wanted to help put Ronald's suitcase into the trunk of her car. , and then drove Ronald to the hotel in person.

"Business jets are parked at commercial airports, and the parking fees are too expensive." Ronald said to himself, "I am not your father Gerald. I have the support of PBS TV station to pay for it."

"Miss Slater, I have arranged a pick-up car for Ronald. You can give me the car key and I will have someone drive it back to your home or hotel tomorrow." Little Bud, who came on the same plane as Ronald, He said to Helen with a smile. He took Helen's car keys, put them in an envelope and sealed them.

"Oh, Bud, you have helped me a lot. I have been worried about what if the car stalls on the way back." Helen became happy.

A black Lincoln stopped in front of several people. A driver got out of the car and helped Ronald put his luggage.

"You go back to Staten Island for a few days, and we'll take you with us when we go back." Ronald smiled and waved to Little Bud, and got into the Lincoln luxury car with Helen.

"Bye...little Bud" Helen was friendly to everyone.

"You come back this time..."

"You have been recently..."

The two people in the back seat of the car spoke to each other at the same time.

"You speak first……"

"You speak first……"

Ronald held Helen's hand and smiled, "I came back this time to work on the video tape factory and to look for the next project. In addition, I also have a small task to help choose the heroine for Paramount's new film.

"Why? Do you want to direct?"

"No, they said that the female characters I photographed have unique characteristics and they just trusted my vision."

Ronald talked about the selection of the heroine for "The Robbery of Pear Blossoms".

"This role sounds interesting," Helen Slater said after hearing that it was a film advocating for women's rights.

"The script is in my briefcase," Ronald smiled and took out the script and handed it to Helen.

"What have you been busy with in New York lately?"

"Well, Helen (Hunter) and I are busy with drama club affairs, and the film project still needs more time. Hey... this is a... victim. One, two, three, four... ninety."

Helen turned on the reading light in the back seat and eagerly read the script, but she soon lost interest.

There are a total of more than a dozen scenes of flashbacks and memories of the crime scene in the script. This movie is aiming for an R rating, mainly for these scenes. If you shoot them all, it will take five minutes.

Helen is not averse to appropriately explicit scenes, but such a heavy-handed performance is a psychological difficulty for any actress.

"If you direct it, I can still act, but..."

"Why?" Ronald was quite happy to hear Helen say this. Not to mention Helen's acting skills, it is actually not able to support the role in this movie. Moreover, even if Director Ronald lets her play with McGillis, it would be too...

"You are a director who treats actors very well. We actresses will not worry about being cheated by the director and being edited in a mess."

Ronald and Helen looked at each other and smiled.

What she said is not uncommon in Hollywood. Many directors coaxed actresses into shooting explosive scenes, such as Phoebe Cates, the "fast-paced" actress Ronald had worked with before.

In her debut film, the director and producer were coerced and coerced by the director and producer, who deceived her into acting in many scenes that "wouldn't be edited into the finished film". In the end, they were all edited into the final copy, making it look like an X-rated film. .

As for the nudity scenes in Ronald's "Fast Pace", Phoebe was allowed to make her own choices, and the final scenes were not excessively showy, and were all within the scope of the plot. After her performance, Phoebe Cates received rave reviews from film critics and audiences, and eventually won the leading role in two of Spielberg's films.

So shooting nude scenes is something that actresses have to face on a daily basis in Hollywood. At this time, having a director she can trust is one of the biggest reasons for the actress to agree to star.

Lincoln drove into the Essex Hotel adjacent to Central Park in Manhattan. It was specially selected by Ronald's agent. It was a very old hotel with many business people and few entertainment reporters.

Ronald and Helen entered the hotel. The front desk professionally checked Ronald in under a pseudonym. A concierge in a tuxedo style took them to the top-floor suite with their luggage.

"Well, how are you preparing for your new movie? Are there any difficulties?" Ronald hugged Helen and kissed her as soon as he walked in. Helen has been trying to produce her own movies recently and has not accepted any new scripts.

"I have tried it myself and realized that it is really difficult to attract investment in movies. I admire you even more. It seems that everyone is rushing to make movies with you."

Helen put her arms around Ronald's neck. When contacting several investors arranged by her father Gerald, they all hinted or made it clear that if Helen could get Ronald to join, money would not be a problem.

"But I want to deal with all the problems before and after a movie by myself, so I don't want you to help me with this matter."

After all, with a father who has a lot of connections in the TV station, Helen is not unable to accomplish the feat of producing her own film. It's just that without Ronald's intervention, she still has to discuss and negotiate with investors a lot, and their trust in a slightly famous female star is limited.

"If, I mean if, you need any help, don't forget to call me." Ronald knew that Helen Slater had her own views on movies. It would be bad to persuade her about this kind of thing, so let reality teach her.

"I won't forget it," Helen smiled and kissed Ronald, which felt really good.

"By the way, do you think Helen (Hunt) has a chance to get this role? She doesn't have many plays now?"

After the happy reunion, the two of them dispelled some of their longing for each other. Helen suddenly remembered the heroine of "The Rape of the Pear Blossom" and began to think about her best friend.

"Of course, but I'm worried..." Ronald stroked Helen's blonde hair. Helen's point of view just now was indeed very representative. Any actress with a promising career would not be willing to play such a role.

"I'll ask her when she's free?"

"I have to go to the video tape factory tomorrow morning to deal with the video tape production contract for my movie. Well, the day after tomorrow. If she's interested, come and talk."

"Okay, how about we go to Broadway tomorrow night?"

"Okay, what new plays are there?"

"There are a lot of good ones, just listen to me." Helen is very familiar with the new plays on Broadway. She is very familiar with the actors on the stage. The actor troupe she is busy with often goes to watch performances of first-class drama companies such as Shakespeare Company.

"I'll follow your instructions..." Ronald's hand began to wander around Helen's waist again.

"You're great..." After this time, Helen relaxed completely. Ronald was still as obsessed with her body as before. The two did not become estranged because of the distance between them. They still needed each other as much as they met.

"Which actor do you want to meet this time?" Lying in Ronald's arms, Helen once again confirmed their feelings for each other. She was not so cautious and asked the question she wanted to ask directly.

"Rosanna Arquette, who acted in a movie with Madonna before. There is also a Kristen Davis..."

"Rosanna?" Helen smiled.

"Why, do you know her?"

"Her mother is Jewish, I know her and her sister well, do you want me to call her for you?"

"Okay, I'll ask Richard to meet them, if you can talk to me in private, everyone might tell the truth."

"Okay," Helen got up from the bed and called Rosanna Arquette, "Hello, Rosanna, this is Helen.

I heard that you are auditioning for the heroine of Paramount's new film? Who told me? Hehe, isn't it Ronald? He wants to meet you to talk, and I just mentioned our relationship.

He... He is next to me, do you want to..."

"Hello, Rosanna, this is Ronald." Ronald picked up the phone receiver handed over by Helen, 'Okay, we will meet and talk when the time comes, you can tell me anything you think. "

"Do you know this Kristen Davis too?" Ronald looked at Helen.

"The name is familiar, maybe she is a new member of the troupe? I will ask for you. "

"Okay, I'm going to sleep first, I have to go to the VCR factory tomorrow. ”

…

“Very good, Michelle, our videotape production has started. I am very satisfied with the packaging, printing, and quality of the videotapes.”

The next morning, Ronald drove to the videotape factory in New Jersey very early. His distribution manager Michelle Cannold was waiting for him in the factory. This was the videotape production base of Weston Pictures, where he used to work. Recently, Weston entered the cinema market, and the factory’s production capacity has been vacated.

“With our profit this time, it is not a problem to acquire this medium-sized videotape factory. For videotapes, the most important thing about cost control is to keep the production line from stopping. If we can achieve full-load production, the cost can be reduced by more than 15%. ”

“In this case, we need a lot of videotape sources, and we also need to understand which movies sell better in videotape rental stores. "Ronald has the idea of ​​owning his own factory, but the success of "Dirty Dancing" is a one-time thing. What source of films can he rely on to keep full capacity in the future?

The videotape market is expanding year by year. Now the annual sales of video recorders in the world have exceeded 10 million units. The videotape industry that followed has also begun to grow rapidly. American production companies engaged in the videotape business are now growing like sprouting corn.

In such a market where many people are pouring in, being able to get some easy-to-sell film sources may be a shortcut to success.

"I think we can find film sources from about three aspects." Michelle Cannold's main business in Weston is actually to shoot movies that are directly released on videotapes. Compared with theater movies, he is actually more familiar with this business.

"One source is the movies shot by Daydream for the video market. They are not shown in theaters, so we can use some low-cost equipment and scripts. As long as the genre is right, they can sell well."

Ronald nodded. He also looked at the video rental store these days. Many viewers came to spend time with family and friends on weekends, so horror movies and comedies sold well, regardless of the quality.

"The second source is some cult movies with fans. These fans like some movies with a narrow audience, but they are very loyal. As long as the video can be published, they will spontaneously follow them."

"Like the Rocky Horror Picture Show?" Ronald remembered the play-within-a-play when filming "Famous". Indeed, a cult classic that can be watched repeatedly for many years as a midnight movie does not need too much publicity, and fans will buy it themselves.

"Like the Rocky Horror Picture Show", Michelle Cannold is familiar with this movie, and he has also seen it in the cinema. "The third source is some of the Sleeping Beauty movies that have been box office hits. At that time, many viewers had not seen the original version due to the schedule and publicity. Now they can see it in the video store. It is very cost-effective to spend three dollars to make up for it or review it."

"Very good, you make a plan, and after our Dirty Dancing video tapes are on sale, we will start preparing for this business line."

Michelle Cannold agreed with a smile. He still has some old connections in Weston. Now he can acquire an idle production line of Weston at a suitable price. As long as he can find the right source of film, this will become a stable source of profit and power for him in Daydream Pictures.

...

Cannold was full of confidence to prepare for a big fight, while Ronald took a car back to Manhattan.

Agent Richard arrived here in advance and contacted Kristen Davis to talk to Ronald about "The Robbery of Pear Blossoms".

"Director Ronald, can I ask, will you direct this movie?"

Kristen Davis is an actress in her early 20s and has no real film experience. However, she is a graduate of Rutgers University. After reading part of the script, Ronald thinks that she has good background analysis of the heroine.

In addition, her appearance is very good, which is suitable for filming. For the movie "The Pear Blossom", if a newcomer is used, it will also be a good choice.

"No, I just help Paramount to talk to you. You know, this protagonist needs a special actor, and we have encountered some difficulties. If you are willing."

"I'm afraid I can't. If you are the director, I think any actress will jump on the chariot without hesitation. But..."

"Okay, I understand what you mean. Good luck."

Kristin Davis comes from a wealthy family, and her stepfather is a university professor. And in the chat, Ronald also learned that after graduating from college, she had her own yoga studio in New York, and her income was good, which is not comparable to those actors who usually graduate from high school and work part-time as restaurant waitresses.

The same is true for another candidate, Rosanna Arquette. If Ronald is not a director, she is unwilling to play such a role.

"Dirty Dancing" is Ronald's reputation guarantee in front of all Hollywood actresses.

For such a small production, there are a hundred reasons for female actors to play exposed scenes to attract audiences.

However, the actresses in "Dirty Dancing", Jennifer Grey and Cynthia Rhodes, were well protected by Ronald. There were only beautiful love scenes, no outrageous sex scenes. Now both of them are worth more and have continuous film contracts.

Hollywood actresses all think that the two have won the lottery. Such a movie not only performs the beautiful plot that the audience loves to watch, shapes the characters, and gains fans, but also does not have those exposed scenes.

The audience who likes to watch it are all housewives and working girls. There are not many middle-aged male audiences who go to the movie just for the exposed scenes of the actresses.

In addition, Ronald's dividends to the actors and staff are also widely spread in the circle. For such a thing of fame and fortune, the actresses will pay money and pay people to do it.

But if Ronald is not the director and he is not the producer, hey, aren't there enough repeated stories in Hollywood? Being deceived to shoot some exposed scenes is still good. There are many actresses who lose both money and money.

"Sorry, Kelly. I've talked to both of them, and they don't want to. I'm going to meet an actor who plays Helen Hunt in the next two days. It's said that he has some acting skills and is from the Broadway Actors Club in New York.

Yeah, don't be too discouraged. Everything has a chance to turn around."

Ronald called Kelly McGillis and informed her of the progress of contacting the actress candidate. The other party's disappointment was still evident on the phone, but Ronald was unwilling to direct this kind of movie, and McGillis understood.

...

"Helen", Lincoln's special car drove to the vicinity of Helen's father's home in Central Park again. Here Ronald and Helen Slater made an appointment to go to Broadway to watch a new play performed by the British Royal Shakespeare Company.

Next to Helen Slater was her best friend Helen Hunt.

"You two talk first", Slater met in a cafe, and she asked Ronald and Hunter to discuss the movie first.

"How is it?" After less than ten minutes of chatting, Ronald came over and took Slater to the famous Music Box Theater at the intersection of Broadway and 45th Street.

"Same old routine," Ronald was already discouraged. I'm afraid no sensible actress would agree to such a movie plot.

"Let's go to the play first."

Helen Slater didn't regret that Ronald didn't reach an agreement with Hunter. Seeing that Ronald looked a little frustrated, she quickly introduced a new play she had chosen.

"Wait a minute, the gift I arranged should be here." Ronald pulled Helen Slater and smiled at Hunter who was watching the play next to him.

"What gift? For me?" Slater smiled happily. Today was not an anniversary, but Ronald still remembered to give a gift.

"Richard," Ronald saw a BMW sedan driving over, and his agent Richard got out of the car, and he quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"The keys and documents are in the box in front of the co-pilot."

"Thank you," Ronald patted the other person's shoulder and thanked him for the arrangement for him.

"Oh, is this your gift?" Hunter came up and walked around the red BMW. His eyes changed when he looked at Slater.

"Yes, Helen went to the airport to pick me up yesterday. The car almost broke down on the highway. I think for safety, we should change to a new car." Ronald took Helen Slater's hand, handed her the key, and asked her to get on the driver's seat.

Buzz...

As soon as Helen started the engine, the engine made a soft and steady roar. Then Helen gently shifted gears, and the car started smoothly.

"Very good, the documents and insurance are here. You just need to go through the formalities." Ronald opened the drawer in front of the co-pilot and checked that the documents were complete.

"Sit tight," Helen stepped on the accelerator and the car sped away.

"Oh, be careful." Ronald was frightened by the pressure from the backrest.

"Hahaha, I'm a New York girl, we all drive like this." Helen happily turned the steering wheel. In New York, where everyone is driving for traffic lights and parking spaces, having such a German imported car is indeed a bargain.

"We're here," Helen slammed on the brakes, and the car just cut into the precious parking space on the Broadway street.

"Look, it's this play," the three got out of the car, and Slater pointed to the large poster at the entrance of the theater and said to Ronald.

There was a photo of a man and three women, four of them wearing ancient aristocratic costumes and wigs.

"What is this about?" Ronald didn't expect that Helen took him to see a classical play.

"This is written by playwright Christopher Hampton, adapted from a 1782 play about the country. After it was performed in the West End of London, it was widely acclaimed and won the Laurence Olivier Best New Play Award. This time, the original cast came to Broadway." Helen knew the situation of the play like the back of her hand.

When Ronald heard that it was a play about the country, he was a little disapproving. The movies he had seen about the country did not have any good theatrical tradition. Especially the postmodern dramas in Cannes, he was embarrassed to fall asleep after watching them.

"What is the plot?" he asked quickly.

"It's about a Don Juan-like playboy, Count Valmont, who, under the arrangement of the Marquise de Merteuil, seduces the fiancée of Count Bastide, who abandoned her lover, and destroys her reputation to avenge her lover for not marrying her."

"Hmm? It sounds good, and it fits the three unities of drama." Ronald was not worried about looking bored when he heard that it was a plot of conspiracy and love triangles.

"By the way, what's the name of this play?"

"Les Liaisons Dangerees," Helen said in French.

"What?" Ronald felt that his knowledge level was challenged again.

"It means dangerous relationships." Helen reacted and quickly explained it in English.

"Let's go in, the show is about to start."