Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Walt," Ronald arrived at a relatively remote editing room in West Hollywood, where Walter Murch was editing a new movie for Orion Pictures.

Murch had been working on this project for a long time, and Ronald estimated that he had almost finished editing it, so he came to ask for his help and asked Murch to continue editing the next movie for him.

With the help of this editing master on set, Ronald can control the shooting time to be shorter. How should certain shots be processed, and what kind of images are acceptable in editing? You can let Murch give opinions on the spot.

This way Ronald doesn't have to take more insurance shots to match the editing.

"Ronald, you're here," Murch said under his new pair of glasses made in Japan. These glasses were made of lightweight alloy and were lighter than the heavy, large frames he originally wore. . These two cooperations with Ronald made his financial situation a lot better and he changed a lot of clothes.

"I'm here to ask you for help... Oh, what is this? Tsk tsk."

Before Ronald could express his intention, he saw a very sexy shot appear on the playback screen of the West German editing machine. Two beauties with good figures were chasing each other naked in an old house with cameras, taking photos of each other.

Ronald looked at Murch, bro, why have you been making this kind of "I love you for nine and a half weeks" pornographic movies these past few months?

No, Walter Murch is a very ambitious professional. His tape business paid good dividends, and after editing two movies for Ronald with a high salary, the financial difficulties caused by the failure of the filming of "Return to Oz" have been greatly alleviated.

All three children have gone to good high schools, and their future college tuition fees have also been secured.

Murch is more of a hippie in character, but he still chooses to work in movies that he likes, not all based on the pay. What he said before was that he was editing a heavyweight adaptation of a famous novel that was expected to be nominated for an Oscar.

"This has been my job these past few months, and it is very difficult. It is the most difficult and challenging job I have ever taken on."

Walter Murch said and turned the button on the console, and the screen quickly advanced to the screen 10 minutes later.

"Why are there still black and white shots?"

Ronald saw images of war appear on the screen. What a movie this is, it feels pretty big and complicated. There are also love scenes between men and women, erotic scenes between women, and black and white scenes of war. What famous novel can have such a capacity?

Tolstoy's "War and Peace"? This isn’t right either. The weapons in the picture all look like modern warfare.

"What did you find?" Walter Murch still looked like a technical expert. He let Ronald watch the scene for a few minutes, and then a look appeared on his face, "Do you see where the difficulty is?" smile.

"Huh?" Ronald looked at it for a while, "It seems that these are 16 film. No, here is 8 film, and then there is 35 film. These lenses are so complicated, and they look like amateur shots."

"By the way, this is the real footage of when the Soviet army entered Prague, Czechoslovakia." Walter Murch revealed the answer to the mystery.

“In this film, I found a lot of black and white on-site footage taken by Western tourists with portable cameras. I wanted to edit it together with the footage of professional photographers in the film to give the audience an immersive effect. "

"This is quite difficult." Ronald turned the knob back and forth and watched the screen carefully for a few minutes. Various formats, various scenes, and various shots must be cut together so that the audience cannot see the flaws.

Especially the newly shot color images are very different from the black and white images from back then. The new film has very fine grain, while the old 8 film has coarse grain after being enlarged. The transition should be done so that the audience is not distracted. It is a great test for editors.

"Do you know what's most troublesome?"

"Where?"

"Right here", Walter Murch tuned to the two beautiful heroines, the more beautiful one, she was holding a compact Leica camera and was taking pictures. On the screen is her subjective shot. A Sewell officer faced her and told her to stop taking pictures.

"That's what the material was at that time, and it couldn't be picked up later. I almost contacted director Philip Kaufman to remake it."

"Then what did you do next?"

Ronald observed carefully that the very elegant and beautiful heroine and the male protagonist with a long face and a wretched look often appeared in black and white pictures.

If Ronald guessed correctly, these scenes were filmed on current sets and with extras. Then it was deliberately old-fashioned, and edited together with the live video from that year, to deliberately create an effect where the protagonist seemed to be at the historical scene.

If Ronald himself had encountered this problem of lack of material, even if he had to spend money to rebuild the set and call back all the extras, he would still have to complete the shot. Movies cannot have this kind of scene without beginning or end.

"Look," Walter Murch smiled and pressed play. The close-up of the actor playing the officer was frozen into a photo, and changed to black and white in the next second. Then the camera zoomed out, and it turned out to be the picture on the front page of a newspaper the next day.

"You are a genius." Ronald was amazed. This is like filming a person running into a dead end. When he runs to the end, the audience is watching what tricks he can use to escape. As a result, he suddenly snapped his fingers, and the camera flew up with him.

This is a special solution that only film art can have. Television can never be so precise, and it requires a very skilled editor to slowly polish it to achieve this kind of editing genius.

"How long will it take you to cut?" Ronald pondered for a while, but still asked.

"It will take about 2-3 months. The black and white film gives me a headache. But this is not the worst. The heroine is the biggest trouble."

"Why, I think she acted very well." Ronald pointed to the actress on the screen who looked a bit like a fox fairy in Chinese tradition, with a pointed chin and a pair of charming eyes. When she was chased by another heroine to take a photo, the shy emotion she felt was not something that ordinary actors could act out. It was very natural, and the audience would believe her and fall in love with her role.

"Look at this..." Murch wrote down the number, found the number on the shelf behind him, and replaced another film. This is another shot of the same actress.

"Oh... How did she do it?" Ronald looked at this one. The actress completely changed her acting style, which was completely different from the previous one.

"This is my favorite good actor. Each of them brings infinite possibilities to the editor. I have to think for a long time before deciding which one to cut and where to put it."

Ronald understood why Walter Murch valued this movie so much. These edits cannot be completed by a master with perfect skills. Artists understand this mentality of being happy when seeing the prey.

But in this case, Murch will not have the energy to help him shoot a new film.

Or should he find other directors to shoot it? Retreat behind the scenes and become a producer?

"Ronald, there are some things that I shouldn't tell you, but someone really needs to tell you. We met when you worked for Roger Corman." Walter Murch handed over a glass of homemade honey water.

"Yes, if you hadn't been willing to teach me, I wouldn't have been able to get into this business."

"But have you ever thought about whether you would shoot Roger Corman's kind of movies all your life?"

"Hmm?" Ronald turned his head and looked at Murch. What did he mean by that?

"Of course, I'm not saying Roger's movies are bad. His movies have given many talented people in the industry the opportunity to debut, and the box office revenue is also very good.

But a director who wants to be recognized by time and remembered by the audience still has to come up with a work that goes beyond the ordinary story."

Seeing that Ronald didn't ignore his advice as a loser because his only movie failed at the box office, Walter Murch continued.

"Of course, many audiences will remember your "Top Gun" and "Dirty Dancing", but if they don't mention it specifically, they won't quote the lines in the movies every day and imitate the clothes in the movies..."

"But that's just a movie. It's just a 90 or 120-minute dream. Can anyone really love movies to this extent?" Ronald didn't believe what Murch said. He was lucky to make a lot of money from movies and be liked by the audience.

Maybe there were such movies before the 1950s? At that time, televisions were not popular, and the main entertainment for many people was watching movies.

"Yes, Francis (Coppola)'s "The Godfather" is an example." Walter Murch said seriously.

"That's right, but it is a great masterpiece, and ordinary people can't make it. Even if Mr. Coppola comes again, it will be difficult to make it again." Ronald thought to himself, you really think highly of me, I am a man who makes exploitation films, and you ask me to make a movie that must be in the top five in film history.

"Don't you want to leave your name in film history? Don't you want to conquer film critics? Don't you want American audiences to take the initiative to talk about your movies when they chat?"

"Hey, who doesn't want to make movies..." Ronald thought to himself, I have to have this luck. This kind of movie cannot be made by hard work, the right time, the right script, and the right casting are all indispensable.

"But you have a good chance. Francis (Coppola) and I talked on the phone a while ago. We talked about the future development of Hollywood and both agreed that you are the young director who has the most hope of breaking through the ceiling.

When you choose a script, you can't just look at the box office prospects. Sometimes, a movie script moves you and you have an urge to create. You should decisively choose it instead of another one that can bring you more box office results.

Besides, with your current strength, you can let other directors guide the script with box office potential, and you can monitor the quality in the editing room..."

Walter Murch said a lot, but Ronald didn't listen to a word. He only had one question in his mind: Do I really have the potential to make a movie that will go down in history and will be mentioned constantly in the future?

"I know it's difficult, but you have to hold yourself to a higher standard. You have that chance, Ronald. When the time comes, I hope to edit your masterpiece for you."

Ronald's fighting spirit, which seemed a little slack because he made easy money, was rekindled. Repeating some template-like stories every time lacked new stimulation for Ronald. He hopes to recapture the excitement he felt when he first made a movie.

Regardless of whether I can make a movie that will leave a mark in film history, I do have the capital to put forward higher requirements in terms of artistry and story quality.

While making the audience like it, it does not prevent me from making some challenging movies that I also like.

"Thanks, Walter," Ronald said, having a better idea for the new film.

"We're all very optimistic about you, and that guy named Cameron. You guys might change something in Hollywood."

Ronald was a little embarrassed to be praised, "By the way, what's the name of this movie you edited?"

"Milan Kundera's 'Love in Prague', what, haven't you seen it?"

"No, I like to watch suspense, detectives, or romance." Ronald had no appetite for this kind of literary and artistic genre, or even movies.

"Very good, take a copy and read it."

"Who is this heroine?"

"Is this one?" Murch looked back at the screen that Ronald was looking at. "That's the Chinese actress Juliette Binoche. She was nominated for the César Award for her two previous films. It's a rookie, Philippe Couleur. Fuman is very satisfied with her performance.”

"Oh," Ronald thought. No wonder. The actresses from China are indeed different in temperament from those in Hollywood and Britain. It seems that just one stop there can convey the atmosphere of the story. They are different from Lu Shu and the British and American methods that focus on using stories to create characters. Even many movies cannot be said to have a complete story, but the atmosphere is fascinating.

"This is Daniel Day-Lewis. Philip Kaufman also likes him very much and says he has the potential to be an actor... Hey, Ronald, are you leaving? This is honey made by my wife. She specially asked me I want to give it to you.”

"Ah, thank you. I relied on it to moisturize my throat when I was filming. Yes, I have an appointment with other people, so I have to leave first. By the way, my aunt asked me to bring you some baked cookies. I'll give them to you later. Little Bud brings it to you."

"Really, that male lead has such a frustrated donkey face. What's the use of good acting skills? I have no interest in directing him." Ronald felt that Murch recommended the wrong person, but it was the man named Binoche. Beauty, she is really photogenic..."

…

The next night, in Joel Silver's office, he looked at Ronald and said, "What are you willing to give for Sybil Shepherd?"

"It's you who negotiated terms with her, not me, Joel. But I can tell you a piece of news, free of charge. I heard that she really wants to return to the film industry." Ronald smiled, and Silver had to feel sorry for him. To contribute to new projects, you cannot rely solely on your own connections and commitments.

"Okay, hehe." Joel Silver is like that person who takes advantage first.

"I've talked to her and she does want to get back into movies. 'Blue Moonlight,' whether she makes it to the end of the season or not, the audience is starting to grow a little tired of her.

Last year she also won the Emmy Award for Best Actress for this role. Human ambition always grows with success. "

Ronald thought, this evaluation makes sense.

"Do you have any projects for her? Or is it suitable for her to star in?" Ronald looked at the proud Silver and wondered if he was trying to get benefits from both sides again.

"Fox has a lot of female-themed movies in development. Sybil will be renewed for at least one season next year, and she will need time to get back in shape after giving birth. In short, as long as we can make this movie successfully, we can get it Greater power.”

"Joel, today I have new considerations. I will not direct this movie."

"What?" Joel Silver jumped up from the sofa.

"Don't worry, I will still serve as the producer and will be responsible for the overall quality of the movie."

"Can you join me and watch the daily samples as much as possible?" Joel Silver understood that Ronald was not planning to withdraw funds, and he was already relieved.

A successful director like Ronald will have such a day sooner or later. Spielberg and Lucas have many projects, and they will find other directors who are capable but have no chance to handle them.

Anyway, for this kind of commercial film project, the most important thing is the script and casting. What is needed is the kind of director who can complete daily shooting work according to quality and schedule. Finally, in the editing room, it is the producer who enjoys greater power.

“I’ll try to come when I’m here, but I have my new film ‘Moonlight’ and promotion work.”

"That's no problem, hehe. In fact, I have several director candidates here. You and I can interview them together."

"Okay, while I'm here. You should focus on the male lead. Bruce Willis should sign the contract as soon as possible. If you have any questions, remember to come to me. I have a special channel of influence on Bruce."

"Great, ready to work!"

Joel Silver made an obscene gesture of thrusting his crotch. Very excited to get the project off the ground.

"Want a glass of wine? Where's your good wine?" Ronald started looking in Silver's cabinet.

"I'll come, I'll come." Silver rushed into the desk and bent down to touch the good wine in the wine cabinet.

Ronald picked up the TV remote control on the table and turned on the TV.

"Next up is local news, in brief."

What popped up on Silver's TV was Local Channel 5, with a young female anchor speaking a text message.

"Famous Hollywood actress Sybil Shepard, the heroine of Blue Moonlight, gave birth to twins in childbirth!"

"Dong...Ahh..." Joel Silver heard the news and hit his head on the corner of the table when he stood up quickly.

"Pacific time this evening, Cybill Shepherd's publicist said that the actress who played Maddie Hayes in the TV series "Blue Moonlight" gave birth to a boy and a girl, and all three are in good health.

Sister Ariel Shepherd Oppenheimer, weighing 4 pounds and 11 ounces, was born at 1:06 pm. Eight minutes later, brother Zakaria was born, weighing 5 pounds and 2 ounces...

Shepherd had won wide acclaim for her outstanding performance in her debut work "The Last Movie"...Now the audience is more impressed by her TV series..."

"Mother and baby are very happy and healthy," Oppenheimer, who was hospitalized with Shepherd, appeared on TV, "The baby's lungs are good, they are healthy."

"Damn, why did she give birth today?" Joel Silver's tears were about to flow out in pain. I don't know whether the blow on my head hurts more or I feel sorry for the price I paid Shepard for stopping the TV show.

"What's going on? She's not full-term yet, right?" Ronald was also surprised. Demi found out that Sybil was pregnant after the filming started this spring, so it was considered a premature baby.

"You don't have children, Ronald. It's very common for twins to be born prematurely." Silver touched his belly, which was not small.

"I didn't expect it to be twins. Sybil will need more time to recuperate and more time to get back in shape. Hey, what if he gave birth yesterday? Wouldn't we have to pay any exchange?"

"Forget it, who knows?" Joel Silver also let it go. After all, it was a promise to the future, and such things could change easily.