Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Yes, Confucius said: rare goods can be held for a long time." Ronald blurted out a sentence.

"Do you know how to deal with politicians?" Ronald only voted for the president and had not participated in deep political activities.

"I don't know," Douglas shrugged, "but I know who knows."

"Come with me, I'll take you to see grandpa."

Both good friends knew that this kind of friendship from the top political family in America was not so easy to obtain. Ronald and George had an opportunity that ordinary people could not encounter, which made two people with very different origins, backgrounds, occupations, etc. become good friends who could talk about their hearts.

Such opportunities should be managed well. And Doug didn't know how to deal with these people, but fortunately he was in the family and knew who to ask for advice when he encountered difficulties.

Douglas's grandfather, Douglas Hansen, was a veteran of World War II, the largest local landowner, and an old-fashioned gentleman. He was also one of the biggest supporters of local congressional elections.

In the big house where he lived, old Douglas was reading a book alone. In the whole house, there was only a secretary and a nurse to accompany him.

He politely complimented Ronald on the good filming of "Top Gun", which reminded him of the documentary filmed by director John Ford on aircraft carriers in the Pacific battlefield. He also said that Ronald's air combat shots were more exciting than Ford's shots of fighting Japanese turkeys.

Ronald had never met old Douglas except for a few Veterans Days. This time, he found that he was quite kind. Little Doug looked very similar to him, perhaps the most similar one among his grandchildren.

The old man knocked on his pipe and took Ronald to visit the honor room of photos of family members who had joined the army for generations in their family, wearing military uniforms. He was very satisfied with his grandson as a friend.

Back in the smoking room, old Douglas asked Ronald to try his pipe. The mellow taste of Virginia tobacco made Ronald feel better than cigars. Little Douglas relayed what the deputy commander's eldest son said to his grandfather.

After listening to his grandson and good friend Ronald, old Douglas put down his pipe. He nodded and smiled happily.

"It is a shortcut for celebrities to help presidential candidates endorse in local areas. It is easy to tie their fame to the votes needed in politics and test their quality. However, if they fail, they will have to pay a great price. Ronald, are you confident in your appeal?"

"I'm afraid not," Ronald thought seriously. When he participated in the film promotion, many fans did not know him, and the fans who were crazy about stars were more than ten times those who were crazy about directors.

"If that's the case, you might as well help him from other places. For example, help him contact the endorsement candidates he wants to find, or... I remember that you have shot commercials, and you can help the campaign team do some work in this regard. Generally speaking, the interests of the campaign team are also presided over by the campaign manager of the team."

Ronald nodded. This was the same as what he guessed. George Jr. probably asked him to help in this regard.

"Then do I need to endorse the candidate? I saw that Frank Sinatra got a lot of benefits in the last presidential election?" Ronald remembered that Sinatra endorsed his old friend. After the president took office, he not only gave him a medal, but also pardoned him from the hidden danger of being investigated by the FBI. He regained the ownership of a casino in Las Vegas.

"This is a good idea, but do you really support the Elephant Party?"

"What does it matter? I personally like the vice president's family." Ronald didn't understand.

"That's not how American politics works, young man." Old Douglas worked hard on politics for his family's political career and to support the local congressman in the 13th district of New York.

"First of all, if you endorse a candidate, it means that you support his political ideas, not that you like this person. Do you support all the political ideas of the current vice president?"

"Uh..." Ronald didn't know how to answer, "I don't know, I haven't had time to ask."

"You have to ask clearly, your support for any politician is a consumption of your most valuable asset-"reputation in the eyes of others". If the politician you support is inconsistent with your own ideas, then this investment will not be rewarded."

Ronald understood what the old man meant. If a celebrity endorses a candidate, it means that he uses his reputation as a guarantee and calls on followers to recognize that candidate. If there is any problem with the candidate, his followers will also be angry and even hate this celebrity.

"And this is not just your business. Your friends and circles around you, how they feel about the candidate, will also affect voters' views on you..."

That is to say, if most people in your industry circle stand on the side of another candidate, your unique endorsement will be disliked by most people in the industry, which may not be a good thing for a celebrity who is not a professional politician.

Frank Sinatra is old after all, and he can make a good living from the casino. Ronald still has a bright future in the industry. Everyone knows that after the shameful war of Vietnam, most of the Hollywood practitioners are supporters of the liberal left-wing Donkey Party.

"I understand. Thank you for your teaching."

Ronald was very satisfied with the advice of old Douglas and stood up to say goodbye. Little Douglas wanted to go with him, but was stopped by his grandfather.

"Doug, shouldn't you consider marrying a wife who conforms to traditional values?"

Seeing little Douglas being scolded by his grandfather, Ronald was not convenient to be present, so he slipped out first.

"Grandpa, am I not looking for one? It is not easy to find a woman who meets my taste, has received higher education, has traditional values, and is willing to live in Staten Island."

"Life is like a battle. I don't want to listen to your excuses... Good girls are also very scarce. You have to keep attacking!"

"Grandpa, why did you persuade Ronald not to endorse the deputy commander? I thought this was a good opportunity." Little Douglas nodded and agreed to continue the attack. He changed the subject and asked another question that he found interesting.

"This is for your friend's good, kid. American politics is a feudal system. Congressmen and senators from all over the country are the lords of fiefdoms of all sizes.

Your friend's career is based in Hollywood, California. It's not a bad thing to let him get closer to the current president who is loved by the whole nation. Old Ronald is an anomaly. Only JFK Kennedy was like him before. As long as he spoke to the TV camera, voters would fall in love with him. This is a wholesale campaign method.

But not every politician can win the election without the endorsement of local powerful factions. The current vice president is similar to Richard, who was impeached that year. It seems that the establishment relies on carefully weaving a network of relationships with local powerful groups to get to the top.

Their strength lies in the art of retail with the local powerful groups that control votes, constantly blending and exchanging. And you, my child, can be a powerful person on Staten Island, whether you run for Congress in the future or support a politician with traditional values.

I don’t want Staten Island to be assigned to those districts in Brooklyn after I die, and some parasites who only want subsidies will be elected to represent us. "

"I understand, Grandpa." Little Douglas nodded. His roots are all on the island. The old man is preparing to train him to take charge of the family's direction in the future.

"Only if you have such a friend can you have a chance to establish a relationship with the deputy commander's family. This is also the reason why I let you go to a public high school. The friendship formed in youth does not contain any interests.

Ronald values ​​you as a friend, and you treat him well. You can be lifelong friends. Such a true friendship needs to be carefully nurtured and should not be damaged because of any short-term interests."

...

"What took so long?" Ronald asked Douglas, who seemed to be worried when he walked out of the big house.

"Hey, it's the same old thing. Grandpa will scold me. It's still early today. Where are you going? Go back to your aunt's house?"

"I have to buy some gifts for Donna. She is now on Wall Street and is a little despised. In addition, she gave me good investment advice, which saved me from a lot of losses. I must reward those who saved me from losses."

"Together..." Douglas drove his sports car, let Ronald sit in it, and went to the ferry terminal to return to Manhattan.

"Donna!" Ronald waited for Donna on the ground floor of Building 1 of the World Trade Center. It takes several minutes to wait for the elevator here.

"Ronnie, are you done?" Donna was very happy that her busy cousin could come to meet her, but there was a nasty guy behind him.

"What you said to me that day was very helpful to my decision. I have to thank you. Are you okay next time? Come with me. I will give you some gifts to help your career development."

"Yes, yes, yes, you really need some nice clothes. People here on Wall Street are all dressed up."

Douglas Jr. echoed on the side.

"Huh..." Donna didn't give him a good look and walked forward with Ronald. "Really? Did my advice really help you?"

"Of course, I always follow the traditional American virtues, equal exchange, this is what you deserve." Ronald replied with a smile.

"My car is parked in the parking lot!" Douglas Jr. immediately took two quick steps and went forward to get the car.

Several people first came to a buyer's store on Fifth Avenue, which was filled with all kinds of beautiful office suits, women's clothing for social occasions, and some brand-name bags and accessories. In New York today, buyers' stores that rely on the owner's taste to match everything and provide one-stop shopping are popular.

A lady with good taste came out to greet the three people, "Hello, gentlemen and ladies, how can I help you?" She quickly scanned the place and then took the initiative to ask Ronald.

Little Douglas looked very rich, but his clothes were all customized and he would not buy these branded clothes. The beautiful girl's clothes were not expensive enough, and she dressed like a secretary and a workplace rookie. Only Ronald, who was handsome and had a hairstyle that looked expensive, was generally the most willing to spend money on appearance.

"You guessed wrong, it's not for me, it's for my cousin Donna." Ronald let Donna out, then took out his wallet from the bag behind his buttocks, took out a large VIP credit card from Wells Fargo, and handed it to the other party. "

"Let my cousin shine, that's all I ask."

"Sparkle?" The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, she took the credit card, called two assistants to help Donna choose, and went to the back to call the bank to verify the credit card.

"Sir, may I venture to ask, how bright do you want Miss Donna to be?" The shop owner quickly finished the call. The quota number had already doubled her enthusiasm. She didn't know how much of the quota she could fight for. .

"Very sparkly!" Ronald said to look for nice clothes.

"Add this one to me." Little Douglas also took out his credit card and gave it to the other party, "and find some ladies' handbags to match with beautiful clothes and some nice watches."

Donna picked out two formal suits for work and some matching pairs of shoes. The shop owner tried his best to persuade her to buy another dress for social occasions that highlighted her feminine charm.

"Oh..." When Donna came out wearing a black skirt with a very thin waist and small pleats, little Douglas exclaimed.

Donna was wearing a skirt, holding an elegant small bag, and a low-key luxury watch. She immediately transformed from a young college graduate into a charming workplace veteran.

"Isn't this a bit... um, ostentatious?" Donna glared at Douglas Jr. and asked Ronald for his opinion.

"No...it's confidence." Douglas Jr. wasn't praising her this time. Donna did have a capable temperament, and this outfit well highlighted her temperament that was different from the average women on Wall Street. Calm and rational, yet charming.

"Indeed, it's very simple and elegant. This outfit seems to say that you are a confident person who doesn't mind the attention of others, and then conquer them with your intelligence." Ronald felt that this outfit made Donna that The contradictory temperament of rationality and sensibility in this MIT science major beauty is well reflected.

"Okay, then add this set." Donna was happy.

Several people were holding boxes containing clothes and shoes, with Douglas Jr. acting as the driver in the front. The group arrived at the appointed BMW dealer.

"This is a gift for you. Didn't you say that people often see the car you drive and don't want to give you time? Now they should give you time."

A red BMW imported car was lying there quietly.

"Go and try." Ronald liked to see the light in Donna's eyes. This time his cousin's words really woke him up, and he should repay those who have helped him a lot.

Donna happily got in the car, started it, and took it for a test drive.

"Thank you", she kissed Ronald on the cheek as soon as she got out of the car.

"What about me? I found this dealer." Douglas Jr. smiled beside him.

"Okay, thank you too." Donna held Ronald in one hand and little Douglas in the other, happily letting them get into the car and drive back to Staten Island to show her mother.

Back at Aunt Karen's house, she and her boyfriend cooked a sumptuous dinner for Ronald and little Doug. I heard that Donna helped Ronald avoid the loss. Aunt Karen still didn't believe it, but in the end it was little Douglas who vouched for Ronald. Nader smiled happily because what he said was true.

…

In the evening, Ronald received another call from the Chinese actor Chao Li.

"Ronald, I got in touch with my brother in China. There are also different opinions on this matter in China. Some people think that this is a normal business and artistic exchange and can be started slowly. Some people think that it can be done all at once. Too much foreign exchange will be lost. This is a conspiracy of some people in America. They want to hear your opinion."

"I think their concerns are reasonable. China is still a country that has just begun to develop and has great potential. In fact, there are not many movies worth watching in Hollywood in a year. There is a choice, which may be a better choice for you. "

Ronald had no ideas anyway, so he could look at the problem more objectively. This country is willing to spend money to show free movies to farmers. In fact, it is more attentive than the American government.

The income of Staten Island residents is low. Because the island's movie theaters don't have much box office revenue, they can only buy some movies from the past two or three years to show. Now Ronald's "Break Dance" is still shown in the island's movie theaters. The copies of the second screening have gradually become scratched. And new movies like "Dirty Dancing" have not yet had their turn to be released in Staten Island.

Speaking of which, this dragging release speed is not much different from the progress of Breakdance's release in China.

In a country like this, it is very difficult to earn back billions of dollars in copy rentals, and I was really fascinated by Kerkorian's sales skills.

"Is this what you really think? I will convey it to the other side." Chaoli replied on the phone.

"Yeah, actually I think that importing more of the best movies every year is a window for cultural exchanges between the two countries. After all, movies are not ordinary commodities. If you watch them once, it doesn't prevent me from watching them again and enjoying them. So as long as you focus In several well-received movies, the effects are not much different from large-scale imports.”

"Your idea is very interesting, and I will convey it, especially the communication you mentioned, rather than the one-way output from one party to the other."

"Yes, if you have good movies, you can export them. America is open to movies from all countries."

After hanging up the phone here, Chaoli immediately called the country. Over there, his brother's department and the leaders of the cultural department all valued Ronald's opinion this time.

"It's rare that such a Hollywood director can give such direct and pertinent opinions. I think Director Luo is very pragmatic." A leader wearing glasses commented.

"Old Yan, he is not only a director, but also a capitalist who makes his own movies. His movies have earned more than 100 million box office." said a deputy minister who looked like an actor. He is very good at English and has been to America. He knows a lot of details there and Ronald's box office ability.

"More than 100 million? US dollars? Wow, this is more than the exports of several of our strong provinces..." A comrade who was seconded from the foreign trade department to assist in this matter exclaimed.

"This shows that they are really working for the friendship between the two peoples. Not all capitalists are just thinking about making money."

"That's right. He also has a joint venture in Xujiahui. Every year, he produces equipment for export to Hollywood, earning us a lot of foreign exchange."

"Is there such a thing? We can export to Hollywood? Then I have to call their mayor and ask Boss Luo to keep Lilan in the country and invest more. In the future, it will be considered an achievement of our department on the economic front."

"You don't need to tell me. This is the treasure of the city. Every time people from the Xujiahui factory come to report, they can't miss that lightning lamp? As a technology that has reached the world's leading level in our country, it is quite proud. Lao Xu and Lao Shen always put it at the end and report it as a great achievement."

"What you said makes sense. How can this person be friendly to China? What is his connection with China?" The leader with glasses was also amazed. How can such world-leading technology be produced in China?

"I heard that he happened to see the performance of the women's volleyball team at the 1984 Olympics, and he became a fan of our women's volleyball team on the spot, and then he fell in love with China."

"I heard that there is a rumor in Xujiahui that his ancestors were Chinese, so he looked at us differently." Another leader in a Zhongshan suit interrupted.

"Well? That's a good thing. I will ask the comrades in the relevant departments to check it out. People like this are our wealth. The president of the American Film Association, named Valenti, always says good things every time he comes, and never says a word of opinion. When you ask him, he will say that Chinese culture is very good, the people are very kind, and the scenery is very beautiful.

And those who like America say how good it is there every day, as if there is no disadvantage there.

Only people like Director Ronald, who speaks truthfully about good and bad, are true friends of our business."

Ronald, who has become a true friend of the Chinese people, is being scolded by his agents Niceta and Richard at his home on Staten Island.

"Ronald, you must never run away without saying a word again. We are so worried in Los Angeles. We have received so many calls looking for you."

"Yes, Ronald, we have been working together for many years. You should believe in our loyalty to you. As long as it is your private life, we will keep it strictly confidential.

We just need you to leave your whereabouts and contact information. As an agent, it is very unprofessional not to know where your clients are."

"In short, I was wrong in this matter, but I also have my special reasons. This matter is not in the Hollywood circle, nor is it my personal matter. I have a compelling reason to act on my own. Wait for me I will discuss it with you in detail when I return to Los Angeles.

Who has been contacting me these two days? "

"Okay, Ronald. We all know that you are the most exemplary client in Hollywood. You must have a major reason. If there is such a thing in the future, you can designate a contact person and find you through him."

"These two days, Tom Pollack of Universal and Ned Tanin of Paramount have been contacting you continuously. They both said that they have urgent matters."

"I will call them back immediately. It is a matter that should be handled with me." Ronald reacted. Kerkorian deliberately pointed out his competitors in order to prevent him from contacting the presidents of the other two companies too early. In this way, he can monopolize the information and get more benefits from Ronald.

"There is also Joel Silver. He said that the male lead of the new film needs your confirmation and asked you to call back as soon as possible."

"Okay, didn't he say Schwarzenegger? I think there is a clue."

"And the chairman of MPAA, Jack Valenti, said he needs to talk to you about the overseas market of Hollywood."

"I know, I will contact him." Valenti has been committed to developing overseas markets for many years. This time, he probably heard rumors and wanted to talk to Ronald in detail.

"Finally, your Dirty Dancing music producer, Jimmy Reiner, said he would go to New York to talk about the record."

"Oh, I know." Ronald wrote down the phone numbers of all the people who contacted him and called them back one by one.

"Ronald, are you in New York?" The first person to call was Jimmy Reiner. He was very excited on the phone. The record of "Dirty Dancing" sold very well. RCA notified us to go to the second settlement and discuss the release of another album. "

"Aha, hahaha, good news. I'm in Staten Island. I'll go to Manhattan tomorrow. Come and find me. "

Then Ronald called back one by one. Tom Pollack and Ned Tanin both came to ask Ronald about his role as the head of the World Media Distribution Group.

Ronald denied his intention and came to New York for other things. They were a little skeptical, but since they had contacted Ronald, they didn't have to worry about being manipulated by Kerkorian.

Then Joel Silver called and said Schwarzenegger had other ideas and hoped to meet Ronald to discuss the role in person.

Demi Moore also agreed to talk to Bruce Willis to see if there was a chance to change her boyfriend's mind.

Ronald agreed to go back to Los Angeles to deal with it.

Finally, there was another call to make.

"Hello, Mr. Kerkorian."

"Ronald, how is it? What progress have you made in New York? Any news from the Deputy Commander? Does he support our plan?"

"Mr. Deputy Commander has other things to do, he shouldn't ask about this matter." Ronald replied.

"Oh, this is very important for our American cultural output and the development of overseas markets..."

"Mr. Kerkorian..." Ronald interrupted the casino owner's telephone sales, "I haven't finished yet."

"...", Kerkorian didn't seem to expect Ronald to talk to him like this.

"I have some friends in China. According to what they have learned from the top leaders, there is almost no chance that this matter will be approved there. Therefore, I cannot agree to take this position..."

"Oh?" Kerkorian did not expect Ronald to have connections in China. He was silent for a while, "Ronald, we are real friends, right? If it is not convenient for you to join in this matter, I hope you will keep silent in front of others."

"Real friends will help each other, Mr. Kerkorian, right?"

"What do you mean..."

"Speaking of something else, the 'Moonlight Temptation' I shot at MGM will be released at the end of the year. I wonder if I can increase the What about the investment in publicity and promotion? People who have seen the sample film said that the quality of the film is good and it is likely to get a high box office. "

"Speaking of which, I also want to see the performance of the Armenian female star, Cher."

"Then Mr. Kerkorian, I am afraid that my next work will be very busy. I regret that I have to refuse that job opportunity. I can only appreciate your kindness.

I accept your proposal. In order to prevent embarrassment to other candidates, I think both parties should keep silent about this. In this way, it will be fairer to all other people in this competitive game."

"Very good, that's it." Kerkorian put down the phone, rang the doorbell, and called the secretary in.

"Call the vampires on Wall Street and speed up the issuance of bonds. Call both banks."

Ronald also called Bannon, "I quit, and that thing is cancelled."

"I know, Ronald. I was about to call you. The atmosphere on Wall Street is a bit wrong recently. It's a good thing for us to wait and see."