Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Woo woo..." The noise of the projector penetrated the seats in the front screening room through the small opening in the projection room, swirled a few times, and together with the dust floating up and down in the white light of the projector, it drilled into the ears of Goldberg, the president of 20th Century Fox.

"Ka la la..." The film reel was played to the end, and the editing symbol with black background and white text appeared on the screen. Goldberg used his fingers to pick his ears. The other side of the screening room was an undecorated area because of "Die Hard", and there was a lot of dust every day.

"Is this the Melanie Griffith you are interested in? It seems that her acting skills are indeed much better than when she was a child star." Goldberg looked at Griffith's sexy appearance on the screen, but in his mind, the blonde in Hitchcock's "The Birds" appeared in his mind-the style of Melanie Griffith's mother Tippi Hedren.

Ronald stood up first and raised his hand to signal the projectionist to turn on the light. After returning to Los Angeles, Ronald spent a lot of effort to convince Goldberg, the busy president of 20th Century Fox, to take time to watch Griffith's performance in "Shotgun Lulu".

"Look at her performance in the three scenes before and after. She was dressed like a street girl at the beginning, the dignified typical beauty of a southern town when attending a high school alumni meeting, and the housewife who was gaslighted (gaslight, the name of a movie starring Ingrid Bergman, used to refer to psychological control of others) after being kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend. Our movie needs such an actress who can switch between different roles and psychological states."

Ronald quickly seized the opportunity to speak well of Melanie Griffith. She had not released any good works for many years. "Shotgun Lulu" did not cause much response in the industry due to marketing reasons. If Ronald hadn't taken over the copy, Goldberg would not have known that there was such an excellent performance at the level of an Oscar winner.

Goldberg waved his hand to stop Ronald from further selling. "I know she's a good actress. I can tell by her performance. I'm considering other issues."

Although Goldberg started his career in television and then moved to Fox's film department, he can still distinguish good and bad acting after years of work.

"Are you worried about the star issue? In fact, Sigourney Weaver is still well received by the audience." Ronald took a document from Richard who followed him and handed it to Goldberg. It was a survey commissioned by EA SRES.

Although there is still a big gap between Sigourney Weaver and stars like Cher in terms of popularity, Cameron's "Alien 2" still made a high proportion of the audience like this star. Many people who know her said they would go to the cinema to watch her new film.

"Ronald, this is a $20 million production. I have to be responsible to the chairman and the shareholders." Goldberg took off his glasses and wiped them. Sure enough, he was worried that there would be problems with the marketing of this movie with only one star, Weaver.

20th Century Fox likes to bet on those high-cost blockbusters. In addition to "Working Girl", there are also "Die Hard" and "Grown Up" starring Diane will be released next year. As the CEO and president of a listed company, Goldberg has only one idea, that is, to do everything possible to reduce the uncertainty of the project.

Hollywood executives are like this. They talk a lot, but few really understand why a movie is a hit. Don't look at them and the main creators. When facing the media, they can give a lot of reasons. When it comes to making a decision, it still comes back to a hard indicator. How many stars are there in your movie?

As one of Fox's three major productions next year, Goldberg is actually most confident in Ronald's "Working Girl". But Fox still cannot get rid of Wall Street's bridge loans and channel financing to raise funds for the company's filming and publicity.

Those bankers, when they evaluate film works, don't understand what movie directors are and the suitability of casting. They obviously don't understand, but they have to find a way to mass-produce box office winners. Wall Street analysts, many graduates from prestigious universities, worked behind closed doors in front of whiteboards in their offices and did a lot of analysis. The only thing they were sure of was two points:

First, it is best to look for plot models that have been proven by the market for big investments. For example, if ET Aliens is a hit, then make some family movies that young children like. For example, if "Ghostbusters" is good, then continue to invest in this type of horror and comedy.

Second, look for big stars that have been proven by the market, especially male stars. Various industry surveys show that the biggest reason for audiences to go to the cinema now is to see a certain star.

The two reasons have become the gold standard for Jewish capital on Wall Street to measure the return on investment of movies, and have also become the investment model of the seven major studios that are also controlled by Jews.

The two reasons are also the favorite movie model of investors and producers. Needless to say, it is the sequel to a successful box office blockbuster. That's why there are "First Blood" and "Rocky series" that are filmed one after another.

"But if we change the actor at the last minute, the stars won't have time to prepare their schedules, right?" Ronald began to find excuses. He wanted to convince Goldberg that changing Melanie Griffith would not affect the box office potential of the movie.

"You don't mind if I change the male lead? Find a more famous star?" Goldberg turned his head and looked into Ronald's eyes, as if to confirm whether this was Ronald's true idea.

"If you can find a big-name male star to play the leading role, such as Harrison Ford or Warren Beatty, to play the role of Jack Trainor, I certainly have no objection. In fact, their star images are quite suitable for Trainor's temperament."

Ronald began to make excuses for himself. Alec Baldwin, who he and Julia Taylor chose, was good. His acting skills were acceptable, and his appearance was actually the type of male hormones that exploded, with a wide and powerful chin.

For a movie with a strong sense of drama, the first shot of the character's appearance should give the audience a firm hint that this is a Hollywood hero who is more extraordinary than life. Baldwin has no shortcomings except that he is not famous.

"Interesting, you also like Harrison Ford..." Goldberg chuckled.

"What? You can invite Harrison Ford?" Ronald was shocked. Wouldn't such a big star have arranged the project schedule for the next year a year in advance?

"Harrison wants to change. His previous screen image was limited to a humorous action star. He wants to try the path of a romantic comedy. Michael Ovitz of CAA called me last week to express Harrison's intention, so I recommended this script to him.

Besides, Harrison himself is also very interested in working with you..."

Goldberg smiled happily. Ronald came here himself to propose a change of the heroine, so it was natural for him, as the producer, to propose a change of the hero. With a production cost of more than 20 million, there must be a super male star to play the leading role, or two female stars will barely do.

If Demi Moore hadn't had an "accident", I don't know how much time and effort it would take to persuade Ronald to change the role. One of the things that directors hate most is to force them to change roles.

"Are you kidding?" Ronald's face was full of an expression that this would work.

"I'm not kidding. Isn't this a coincidence? Harrison had a good impression of you before. Although the box office of 'Witness' he and Kelly McGillis worked together was very good, the film critics were quite critical of the chemistry between him and McGillis in their love scenes.

And you in 'Top Gun' aroused a new standard of aesthetics among the audience. McGillis has become a new sexy idol among high school boys. Her love scenes with Tom Cruise also made female audiences buy in..."

"I..." Ronald glanced at Richard. Was there any contribution from his boss Ovitz? Richard shrugged, indicating that Ovitz's grasp of CAA information was accurate and comprehensive.

"Okay, I'll arrange an audition for Harrison." Ronald touched his chin. In fact, when screenwriter Kevin Wade wrote the script, Jack Trainor also wrote it based on Harrison Ford, Warren Beatty, and other Hollywood top male stars. Maybe it really works?

"Hahaha, Ronald. Harrison doesn't audition..." Goldberg laughed, "Harrison either acts or doesn't act. Harrison doesn't audition and compete with others for a role."

Ronald glanced at Richard and got a nod of affirmation. He had to say to Goldberg, "I mean, ask him to read the script and talk about his ideas about the character."

Goldberg raised his chin and gestured to Richard.

"I will communicate with Mr. Ovitz." Richard closed his notebook and kept smiling.

"What's the budget of the movie?" Ronald asked Goldberg.

Harrison Ford's salary is now slightly higher than other first-line stars among Hollywood male stars. Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson and other big names have proposed to be like Stallone since Cannon broke the unspoken rules of salary, so their salaries are all 6 million US dollars.

Since the 1980s, Harrison Ford has had two Indiana Jones series and the last Star Wars, three movies with hundreds of millions of dollars in North American box office, and the critically acclaimed and commercially successful genre film "Witness". His salary has risen to about 7.5 million.

"20th Century Fox will increase the budget accordingly. After deducting the salary, the original production costs will remain basically unchanged." Goldberg is very generous. Anyway, with Harrison Ford joining, there is no need to worry about no one investing.

"I need more, the pomp and circumstance of the big star on the set, all of which must be paid from the crew." Ronald insisted that the production budget for filming must remain unchanged.

Big stars like Harrison Ford need to stay in the best hotels, have separate RVs, several assistants, masseurs, bodyguards, exclusive hairstylists, makeup artists, costume designers, and bring their own publicity and promotion staff and stills photographers.

In addition to these, some stars also require special food and chefs. Some also need to bring pets, pet sitter and veterinarian.

All this money is finally paid from the crew's filming account. It adds up to a lot of money. If the production budget remains unchanged, it means that there will be less money for filming.

Goldberg whispered to the assistant beside him, and then promised, "Add one million to the crew budget to meet Harrison Ford's requirements. There is also a reserve fund. If it doesn't work, we can add more."

"That's 28 million to 30 million?" Ronald and Richard looked at each other and agreed.

...

"How much involvement did Ovitz have in this matter?" After leaving Goldberg's office, Ronald and his agent Richard said nothing. The two took the elevator downstairs and started talking after getting in the car.

"I'll go to the company to find out," Richard pushed his glasses, "but from what I know about Ovitz, it's most likely that he pushed for this."

"Well..." Ronald was a little angry, and he leaned back and didn't say anything.

Ovitz is a businessman. He signed contracts with some screenwriters and directors, but his real purpose was to pack up star actors and stuff them into the crew of the director's client.

Relatively speaking, the pay of stars is much higher than that of directors, and the commission that CAA can get is also much higher. So the director's artistic preferences, complete film narratives, and appropriate castings all have to be put aside, and give way to the clients who bring the most money, male stars.

As the boss of CAA who owns more than half of the shares, Ovitz is required to report all the movements of all agents' clients to him according to regulations. This is not like the last time Ronald deliberately leaked the "Working Girl" incident, which was a "spy". This is in line with the agency's system on the surface.

Although compromises in all aspects are often encountered in film projects, Ronald is still very unhappy. After all, film directors are control freaks, trying to control everything in the crew, no matter how big the laugh is.

Once a superstar like Harrison Ford joins the crew, it's hard to say who has the final say on many things.

…

"Harrison Ford is interested in playing Jack Traynor?" Casting director Julia Taylor frowned when she heard the news relayed by Ronald.

There are many places in the role of Jack Traynor that require delicate acting skills, such as his psychological activities of weighing the pros and cons between Tess, Catherine, and an important client, and finally choosing to betray Tess. That is a great test of acting skills.

This kind of inner activity cannot be fully reflected through lines. The audience must understand it clearly. It all depends on the actor's body movements, expressions and other small movements in front of the camera. Harrison Ford... He is not bad at all for smiling with a crooked mouth...

"Don't complain, at least it's a step forward, isn't it? Fox has agreed to let Melanie Griffith play the leading role."

"The third-ranked leading actress..." Julia Taylor smiled without saying anything. In this movie, Harrison Ford is definitely the top star, Sigourney Weaver is the second, and Melanie Griffith, the main character with the most scenes, is actually the third. She has to be in the second row on the poster, below the names of the two stars.

"She won't mind..." Ronald thought to himself. Griffith is lucky to have such an opportunity. How can she care about these?

"But it's a pity for Alec Baldwin. Do you want to talk to him or should I?" Julia Taylor thought of Baldwin, the actor who was originally scheduled to play Jack Traynor. His acting skills are very suitable for Traynor, but when the stars come, they have to give way.

In the casting of film projects, before filming, and sometimes even after filming, the situation of changing roles is very common, and those who are replaced can only think that they are unlucky.

"What do you think about letting him play Tess's ex-boyfriend, Mick Dugan?" Ronald suddenly had an idea. He also liked Baldwin's acting skills.

"Let me talk to him. Alec's acting skills are certainly acceptable, but he was suddenly demoted from the leading actor to the supporting actor..." Julia Taylor didn't know what Alec Baldwin would think.

"Invite him over and we'll explain it to him together." Ronald felt that he should show his importance and sincerity at this time. No matter what Baldwin thought, he should not misunderstand and let him think that he was fickle.

...

"Melanie, I have good news for you. Working Girl will find Harrison Ford to play opposite him." Phyllis Carlisle, Griffith's manager, came to tell Griffith the good news after hearing the news.

"Phyllis, I'm so distressed, look..." Melanie Griffith took out a document and handed it to her manager, who cared about her very much and was also her friend Phyllis.

"What?" Phyllis took the document and opened it. It was a contract document sent by another crew that Melanie had auditioned earlier.

"The atal tourist? Has director Lawrence Kasdan confirmed it?" Phyllis Carlisle unexpectedly took the document. She had already given up hope for this audition.

"Yes, director Kasdan just called me." Melanie Griffith bit her lip. "Shotgun Lulu" not only conquered Ronald, but also conquered another famous director Lawrence Kasdan.

Coincidentally, Lawrence Kasdan was also the main screenwriter of Harrison Ford's two blockbuster movies "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Indiana Jones". This time, his "The Atal Tourist" brought back many stars he had worked with before, which was considered his personal show.

For example, William Hurt, the male lead, and Kathleen Turner, the female lead, had starred in his director's **** "Body Heat". And he was interested in Melanie Griffith's role as the second female Muriel, who had a lot of scenes and was comparable to Kathleen Turner - the woman who ended up with the male lead Macon.

"What should I do? The filming schedules of the two movies are similar, both are directed by famous directors, and both are starring female characters. It would be great if the two movies were made one after the other..." Melanie Griffith was about to cry. She hadn't received any good scripts in the past five or six years, but now she has received two at once.

"What do you think?" Phyllis Carlisle thought for a moment and decided to ask Melanie what she thought first.

"I... I don't know. I called my mother (Tippi Hedren) and my ex-husband (Don Johnson), one said Kasdan, the other said Ronald..."

Melanie Griffith held two scripts in her hand, looking at this one and then the other. They were both very suitable for her and the role. She loves acting and feels that it is very enjoyable to play any of them. She really wants to take them all for herself.

Phyllis Carlisle knows this client very well. She is an actor who is very interested in acting. In fact, it is redundant to talk about the salary and treatment. Both roles are challenging and have a good future if they are played.

"Look at me, Melanie," Phyllis Carlisle grabbed Griffith with both hands, stared at her, and said seriously, "Whoever plays Muriel in "The Accidental Tourist" will win an Oscar. Whoever plays Tess in "Working Girl" will become a star. Tell me, Melanie, who do you want to be?"

Melanie Griffith took both scripts in her hands, "I'll go up and think about it carefully," and then went upstairs and locked herself in the bedroom.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

About an hour later, Melanie Griffith came down and said, "I have made a decision."

Phyllis Carlisle said, "Who to play?"

"I want to try Tess in "Working Girl". I think this role is very similar to my experience and it is the one that suits me at this stage. The Accidental Tourist, well, I am not ready for the role of Muriel yet."

"Then, this is the final decision."