Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"What do you mean by what you said on the phone? How can I get an Oscar nomination for Best Director?"

Ned Tanning refused to disclose the details on the phone, so Ronald had to come to Paramount's president's office to interview him.

An Oscar nomination for Best Director is a great temptation for any Hollywood director. Ronald was no exception. After entering Tanin's office, he asked directly.

When it comes to box office, Ronald is confident, but when it comes to awards, he is less confident.

"Dirty Dancing" continues to surge at the box office, earning a massive $4.45 million at the weekend box office in its fifth week of release, ranking third on the box office list, trailing only two newly released major productions.

Ranked second is 20th Century Fox's "The Pickup Guy," starring Robert Downey Jr. and Molly Ringwald. This movie was shown in more than 1,120 theaters, surpassing "Dirty Dancing." One hundred thousand dollars to win the runner-up spot.

The box office winner was Paramount's new film "Fatal Attraction" starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. Although it was only shown in more than 700 theaters, the box office was as high as 7.6 million U.S. dollars. The box office of a single theater exceeded 10,000 U.S. dollars, which was more than twice that of "Dirty Dancing" and "The Pickup Expert."

The reviews of this movie are also very good, and it is both well-received and well-received. Adrian Lyne, who worked with Ronald as the director of "Flashdance" at the time, had great experience in making such erotic films, and he was very smart, always condemning cheaters and marriage destroyers at the end.

This kind of condemnation was also liked by film critics, who said that Ryan showed the destructive power of immoral lust to the audience on the screen and warned people who have such thoughts.

Audiences can also use this as an excuse to go to the cinema to watch passionate performances.

This kind of acclaim and box office is exactly what Ronald's works lack.

If there was an award in Hollywood that was judged based on the box office of the movie, "Dirty Dancing" would undoubtedly be the nominated film. If there were another award that was awarded based on the film's return on investment, then "Dirty Dancing" would have a very high chance of winning the grand prize.

But the Oscars are different. They are voted by members of the American Academy of Motion Picture Technology and the Arts on a one-person-one-vote basis. "Dirty Dancing" does not have particularly outstanding performance in terms of directing techniques and actors' performances. Even if it is qualified to be nominated, it is not an easy task.

Ronald knows this from his experience in judging awards for many commercially successful movies such as "Famous", "The Kid" and "Top Gun", and "Dirty Dancing" can win a Best Original Song The nomination is amazing. This award has the greatest relationship with the popularity of the song.

These three films that Ronald participated in all received good results in this award.

Therefore, Ronald is self-aware of the film path he has chosen. Next year's Oscars and other awards are just looking forward to winning Best Original Song.

Ned Tanning suddenly said that he could help him get an Oscar nomination. Ronald didn't believe it, but out of respect for Paramount's past award-winning history, he came to the office to hear the idea in person.

Although the biggest winner at the Oscars in recent years has been mid-sized producer Orion Pictures, last year they produced and released Oliver Stone's "Platoon" and Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters" Winning many awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Actor.

However, Paramount can still make the successful small-budget commercial film "Children of God" unexpectedly win the Best Actress. They are good at making commercially successful films win Oscars at the same time. This is Orion's way of using Oscars to win. The route to boosting movie box office is completely different.

Maybe Tanin has some tricks up his sleeve that can make "Dirty Dancing" work miracles as well?

"Relax, Ronald," Ned Tanin was in high spirits and very satisfied. Ronald has always been a loner and was unwilling to sign a long-term contract with any studio. Now he finally found his weakness. It turns out that you are not so noble. You want to win awards after making a successful movie, right?

"Hahaha, I'm just curious, can you get Dirty Dancing nominated? If you

If I can do it, what will it cost me? "Ronald realized that he had lost his temper, but since Tanin was willing to offer a price, it was not nonsense, so he simply spread his words.

Did Tanin want him to direct a movie for Paramount, or was there some other request? You can talk about everything.

"Wait a minute, let's wait for one more person." Ned Tanin was not in a hurry, he lit a cigar slowly, then poured a glass of brandy and handed it to Ronald.

"!" Ronald saw Tanin putting on airs, but he was eager to know how to operate Oscar, so he had to sit down and drink and chat with him slowly.

"Then what's going on between you and Shirley Lansing? She called me and scolded me for no reason." Ronald took a sip from the wine glass, then looked around on his table, looking Look at Tanin holding the expensive-looking cigar in his mouth.

"Here", Tanin opened the drawer, took out one, cut it for Ronald himself, then struck a special extended poplar match and lit it for him.

"Onderful!" Ronald took a breath and spit it out without letting the smoke enter his lungs. It is indeed the finest Ashton cigar, produced in Philadelphia, and a good product only for the old money in America.

"You know what? She and her partner, Stanley Jaffe, have been eyeing my seat for a long time." Ned Tanning watched the match slowly burn, and then said leisurely.

"Shxt, are they worthy? Besides, your performance is so good, it's not the turn of two independent producers to threaten your position, right?" Ronald squinted his eyes, no wonder Taning wanted to borrow his name , to suppress Lansing’s new film.

"Huh..." Ned Tanning gently blew out the match. This kind of poplar match burned with only a refreshing fragrance, and would not contaminate the fine cigars with the smell of burning kerosene like low-end products like Zippo lighters. .

"Actually, I don't want to stay in this position anymore, but I don't want someone like Lansing to take over Paramount after me."

"How do you say this?" Ronald suddenly heard a big gossip. Because he filmed "Top Gun" and handed over a report card that was no less than that of Michael Eisner, why didn't he do it? Already?

"I heard that you also established your own production company, Ronald." Tanin changed the topic to Ronald again.

"Yes, my company is a small company, and all the funds are only enough to produce a medium-sized movie..."

"But the success of Dirty Dancing means you have more than this." Tanin interrupted Ronald's false politeness. Nowadays, no one in Hollywood knows that Ronald has made a fortune. This guy is very loyal and paid dividends to the main creative staff, which caused a sensation among the artists.

"I mean, who do you think would be more enjoyable for me as the president of Paramount or for you as the boss of a small studio?"

"This..." Ronald stopped and thought for a moment, and he somewhat understood what Ned Tanin meant.

Unlike his predecessor, Michael Eisner, Ned Tanin's ascension was not a popular choice but a compromise between several candidates. This left him with a lot of problems within Paramount. He does more of a balancing act, so independent production companies like Shirley Lansing who have signed a long-term distribution contract with Paramount are probably not very respectful in front of him.

"But, after all, he is the president of Paramount." Ronald still said what was in his heart. Having been in Hollywood for decades, the president of the prestigious Paramount is better than his own small production company, right? .

"Do you know that Frank Price, the president of Columbia who promoted you back then, resigned from the position of president of Columbia and Universal twice, and how much severance package he received?"

"ah?"

"And in our position, we can also sign a long-term distribution contract with the company. We can establish a small production company ourselves and have limited distribution rights for the films we shoot."

"If you put it that way, it's not bad." Ronald took another puff on his cigar. This kind of golden parachute is given to the departing president. It comes with a large severance package, investment in their personal production company, and priority for future movies. issued

right. In fact, in the final analysis, it is all to seal their mouths and prevent them from telling the dirty deals during their tenure.

"Do you think this is a good seat to sit in? More and more film company presidents are occupied by people from TV stations. I take advantage of the fact that the box office of the few movies you helped to shoot and produce is within..." de Tanin half said,

Twentieth Century Fox was taken over by a former ABC TV executive. Ned Tanin took advantage of the success of movies such as "Top Gun" to get the coveted golden parachute and leave, no longer having to sit in this hot seat. Sitting on the throne was exactly what he had dreamed of when he came to power, and it was a wise choice.

The position of president of a film company is becoming less and less attractive now. Everyone just wants to work for two or three years, make a hit movie, then retire immediately with severance pay and enjoy life.

"Then what do you mean by coming to me? What can I do for your retirement arrangements? And who are we waiting for?" Ronald felt that Tanin came to him to confide his concerns, and he must have wanted to help and protect himself. Let’s talk about his retirement arrangements in exchange for giving himself an Oscar nomination.

"These two things are actually the same thing." Tanin laughed, and then started talking about romantic things.

"Tuk Tuk..." A knock on the door interrupted the meaningless conversation between Ronald and Ned Tanin. A tall, handsome man walked in. His suit was tailored to fit, and he had long hair and a beard. There is a kind of charm of a movie actor.

"Sid, you know Ronald." Tanin sat and nodded to the person, then turned to Ronald, "Ronald, this is Sid Ganis, Paramount's director of marketing and public relations."

"I have long admired you, Director Ronald. I am honored to meet you." Sid Gannis is personable. As a senior management talent in charge of marketing and public relations, he is really suitable for the film industry. If no one introduces him, he will Most people would think he is an actor.

"Sid was responsible for the entire marketing of "Top Gun," and he was responsible for the promotion of the first two Indiana Jones films, which was impressive.

In addition, he is also responsible for the entire Paramount awards public relations. "The Children of God" is his handiwork." Ned Tanning smiled and introduced Gannis's achievements to Ronald.

Unlike Ronald, everyone in the industry knows that his movies are hits. Sid Gannis's abilities are only known in a very small circle.

"The honor belongs to me." Ronald stood up and shook hands with him. Pulling out the chair and asking Ganis to sit down, Ronald also took a special look at Tanin, who was sitting behind the desk. It was obvious that it was a special arrangement to invite this prize-winner over today.

"The youngest movie queen in history? Huh? Impressive." Ronald turned back to show his kindness to Ganis. It seems that today he can hear what the award-winning experts have to say.

"Ronald is a very good director, but the film critics don't like him very much. He wants to cooperate with us at Paramount. The next film will focus more on artistry, so I came to you to explain to him Paramount's Oscar manipulation," Tanin said to Sid Ganis, then gave Ronald a hint.

"Actually, director Ronald's current movies have great potential to win awards." Sid Gannis immediately became interested when he heard that it was to win Ronald over to Paramount.

"I brought both ears, Mr. Ganis." Ronald looked at Ganis with interest. "Is it still too late to operate "Dirty Dancing" now? "

"Your new film "Moonlight", which has not yet been released, is actually more in line with the taste of the Oscars. As long as the distributor is MGM..." Sid Ganis paused.

"Ronald is one of our own, you can tell him how we won the PR award for the new movie "Fatal Attraction." "What Ned Tanning wants in his heart is that his confidant Sid Gannis is promoted to take over the position of president, so that his retirement benefits can be guaranteed.

Ronald was his biggest supporter during his time at Paramount. After he left, Ganis also needed such commercial film talents to help achieve good results. Now it's time for them to get to know each other.

"To

"The Attraction of Life", Sid Ganis smiled. This movie is a new work from the production company of Stanley Jaffe and Shirley Lansing, and it has good box office potential. The heroine, Glenn Close, plays a perverted woman who had an extramarital affair with Michael Douglas and tortured their family when they couldn't force a marriage. There is hope of becoming an Oscar-winning actress.

"I will talk about our operation of this kind of film with the potential to win awards, and Director Ronald can understand our influence in the film critic circle and the technical and artistic academies."

Ganis began to talk about his standard winning moves. In fact, it was impossible for him to go all out to win prizes for Jaffe Lansing Production Company, who was vying to be the next president, but he just took this opportunity to hint to Ronald how he could talk to MGM to help win prizes.

"First of all, your film needs to be recognized by industry associations."

Ganis opens up about the secrets of PR for the Oscars.

To be eligible for nomination, the film must have been screened in more than 10 theaters in America for at least two weeks before the end of 1987.

Secondly, the nominations are voted on by the industry union in which the award is held and senior film critics. For example, nominations for the Director Award are selected by the Directors Guild. Nominations for the Actor Award are selected by the Screen Actors Guild. Best photography, best screenplay, that's all.

Therefore, before the nominations are announced early next year, awards from many important film critics associations and unions such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles will be announced one after another. These Guild Awards and Film Critics Association Awards are the bellwethers for nominations. Because essentially, they are selected by a group of people.

After the nominations are selected, winning depends on luck. Because when it comes to winning the award, it is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Technology, all voting members, who unanimously vote for it.

In other words, everyone, whether they are actors, photographers, screenwriters, or directors, as long as they have the right to vote, can vote for all awards and ultimately decide the winners.

At the 69th Oscars this year, Paramount's "Children of God" was able to make the heroine Marlee Matlin the youngest actress in history because of Sid Ganis. A public relations operation to hype up her identity as a deaf-mute.

In the end, it resonated with the actor group with the most votes, defeating the outstanding former actresses Jane Fonda, Sissy Spacek, and nominees Kathleen Turner and Sigourney Weaver. and others, won the youngest Best Actress title on the first nomination.

As for actor Paul Newman, because although his acting skills have been recognized by the industry and the audience for many years, he has never won the championship. He received many sympathy votes and got what he wanted.

"So, the most important thing is how the actors feel about you." Finally, Sid Ganis summarized his operational ideas.

Ronald secretly wrote down the key points. These are all based on experience. How to deal with the Film Critics Association, how to secretly convey benefits reasonably and legally, and how to make those old judges have a better impression of him. Many of them are The secrets of major movie studios.

If you have the numbers, at least you will not be cheated by the publishers you cooperate with in the future. At least this time, we will have an idea of ​​how much resources MGM has invested in helping "Moonlight" win the award next year.

"Thanks, Sid. I think Ronald has fully understood the capabilities of Paramount, and he will take him into consideration as to who to cooperate with for the next movies."

"Thank you, Mr. Gannis."

The two sent Sid Gannis away tacitly, and then looked at each other and smiled.

Ned Tanin was unwilling to let Jaffe and Lansing, the boss of Paramount's semi-independent production company, become the successor, so he used Ganis to wake up Ronald and told him to try his best to win the Oscar next year and not let the recently popular "Fatal Attraction" be a big success in the awards and become the bargaining chip for the succession of those two people.

Ronald learned the key points of Oscar public relations through Ganis' introduction, and Sid Ganis himself was also a strong contender for the next president of Paramount. This kind of conflict of interests, as long as Ganis knows how to do it, seems to weaken the public relations strength of "Fatal Attraction"...

With both sides combined,

Ronald's "Moonlight Temptation" looks like a really good chance.

"I hope your movie can be loved by Academy members and film critics." Tanin sent a sincere blessing to Ronald.

"Thank you", Ronald accepted his kindness, and he actually benefited from being his pawn to weaken the strength of Jaffe-Lansing Production Company.

"Also, just out of curiosity," Ronald stood up and said goodbye, then pretended to ask casually about "The Robbery of Pear Blossoms," "What do you think about the casting of the female victim?"

Anyway, I was unhappy with Shirley Lansing, so I wanted to see if Ned had any ideas to suppress her, and by the way, help Jodie Foster and Kelly McGillis fulfill their wishes.

"Do you really not want to direct that movie?" Tanin confirmed Ronald's wishes.

"Actually, I'm preparing an action movie. I'm not interested in this kind of movie for the time being. The script makes me physically uncomfortable."

"Well, you know Lansing's personality." Ned Tanin nodded in agreement.

In this male-dominated industry, women like Shirley Lansing must be tougher than men in everything to succeed.

Ned has been confronted by Lansing several times. This former actress who had filmed a dozen minutes of scenes with John Wayne always likes to argue with the qualifications of an expert. Her theories were all heard from other directors or producers, and she often made specious arguments.

It is not good for his own interests to have such a person in power. After retirement, if Lansing becomes the president, he will be questioned by her about the film project. Ned Tanin must try his best to prevent this from happening.

Therefore, it is better for "Fatal Attraction" led by Lansing and his partner Jaffe not to win too many Oscars, especially the five most valuable awards: Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay.

"Molly Ringwald, her new hairstyle cost $2,000, and now all high school girls want to be like her." Ned Tanin is a little worried about Lansing's desire to use Ringwald, who is still the hottest pop idol. Although the box office of the new film "The Pickup Artist" is average, her personal acting skills are still praised by film critics.

More film critics mainly criticize the performance of the male lead Robert Downey Jr., who has no chemistry with Ringwald in the romantic comedy.

With such an idol starring in "The Robbery of Pear Blossoms", whether it is the box office growth brought about or the critics' pursuit of Molly Ringwald's transformational role, the film will gain an advantage in both box office and reviews.

"Your choice Jodie Foster is obviously better. After all, she is a mature woman. Ringwald in The Pickup Artist is obviously not convincing enough to play a mature woman." Ned Tanin said that he could support Ronald's choice.

"But the production rights are in Lansing's hands. She called me yesterday and was very rude." Ronald shrugged.

"Yeah, I can't stand her either. I have to think of a way."

"By the way, you just said that Ringwald is still an idol of high school students? How old is she this year?"

Ronald suddenly found a blind spot.

"Let me see," Tanin pulled out the folder of "The Robbery of Pear Blossoms" from the drawer of his desk and found Molly Ringwald's audition resume. "She was born in 1968 and is not yet 20 years old."

"You know what? It's completely unrelated to this matter. I remembered something in the past." Ronald touched his chin.

"Oh? What's the interesting thing?" Ned Tanin replied in a playful way.

"When Tom Cruise's famous work "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" was first intended to find Diane Lane as the heroine, I was in the crew of Coppola's "The Little Brats" at the time, and I saw it with my own eyes. Tom invited Diane. "

"What happened later? Why did it change to Rebecca De Mornay?" Tanin was really interested now.

"Diane's father said he would never let his daughter play a prostitute. Diane was not even 20 at the time, so..."

"Ah, a completely irrelevant statement... It's really a pity. Diane Lane should have deserved a better career." Ned Tanin laughed dryly and shook hands with Ronald.

...

"Molly Ringwald announced her withdrawal from the casting of "The Rape of the Dragon" before filming began. Her mother claimed that this decision was made by her daughter herself. After they saw the complete script, they would not let their daughter play a victim of being violated, especially since the script contained more violent scenes than usual..."

The next evening, Ronald saw the news of the cast changes of "The Rape of the Dragon" on the gossip page of "The Hollywood Reporter".

Ned Tanin's speed of action was still so fast...

Hahaha, Ronald wanted to laugh out loud. Ms. Lansing, if I really intervened in the casting, that would not be the result.

"Ronald, Ronald, you are God! I come to you to fulfill my promise, uh... uh..."

In the evening, Jodie Foster called, and her slightly magnetic voice was very nice. She had just received a call from Lansing, which immediately made her the leading lady choice.

Jodie Foster was so excited that she threw away the GRE test materials in her hand, rushed into the bathroom and started to dress up.

"Where are you going? You already know you've been chosen, right?" Kelly McGillis entered the room and was about to tell Foster the good news when she suddenly noticed that Foster had put on alluring eye shadow and was wearing a The office girl's outfit, black pants and high heels, exudes a strong sexy charm before going out.

"Hehe, I have to thank the biggest contributor."

"Ha..." McGillis was also wearing a light gray office girl coat. This was to prepare her for the lawyer image of the district attorney.

"Ronald? Just ask him to come over."

McGillis lay lazily on the sofa in the living room, took off the phone, and broadcast the speed dial number, "Hey, Ronald, there are two ladies here who are feeling hot. Can you come and put out the fire?"