Exploiting Hollywood 1980

What no one wanted to see still happened.

The lower-middle-level members of the Writers Guild who were fanned by negotiator Walton could not accept the dream of commanding producers, determining directors, and flirting with heroines. The voting results defeated the upper-middle-level screenwriters who had real experience in cooperation with Hollywood by a large margin.

For a time, the medium-sized producers in Hollywood and the people in charge of the three major wireless TV stations seemed to be crazy. They opened fire in the news reports, attacking the negotiators of the Writers Guild for not being able to convey goodwill to the members, resulting in the bad consequences of the continued strike.

In an interview with the host of his own news program, the manager in charge of screenwriter affairs of ABC cursed the negotiator Walton quite viciously. He fanned up those screenwriters who had never written a successful script, and now they succumbed to their fantasies and dared not advocate the great goodwill of the Producers Guild.

In the future, those low-level screenwriters who have no jobs and no income, can only rely on relief from actor donations and pawning their property to live, and are also banned from working by the union, will vote to eat Walton alive, just like voting against the passage today.

ABC suffered the most serious loss by criticizing the negotiating opponent directly on TV. Their hit drama "Growing Pains" finally surpassed the ratings of "Family Ties" starring Michael J. Fox, which they copied, last year, becoming the highest-rated drama in the family-friendly TV series genre.

However, if the strike continues, it is unknown how long it will last, and the new season this year will inevitably be affected.

Although the three major wireless TV stations must stand on a neutral position according to legal regulations, and even political commentary programs must have one guest from each side, they still have biases in private.

Except for CBS, which has always been conservative and stable and does not easily reveal its bias, among the remaining two, NBC leans towards the left wing, and "Family Ties" is the most popular among the audience with the conservative eldest son Alex (played by Fox). Alex is also a supporter of the current President Ronald in the play, and he always talks about Ronaldo's economics.

ABC, which tends to be liberal, launched the tit-for-tat "Growing Pains" in 1986. The father, Jason Silver, is a practicing psychologist in a big city. He is liberal and never commands his children, but rather talks to them.

The mother, Maggie Malone, is a live reporter for a TV station. For the convenience of work, she uses her maiden name as her work name. These are all deviant actions in the eyes of conservatives.

Not to mention the eldest son, Michael, who is a troublemaker, poor in academics but strong in social skills, which runs counter to the conservative values ​​of hard work.

His good friend, Boner (meaning stupid), ended up serving in the Marine Corps. The values ​​of big city liberals are fully revealed in the backgrounds and stories of each character, subtly influencing the audience's perception.

Compared with the eldest son Alex in "Family Ties", he is both hard-working and popular, but he sometimes likes to debate and promote conservative ideas.

It just so happens that this year is an election year, and the ratings of the two TV series have been up and down. It was just the time to show off the political influence behind the TV station, and suddenly this damn strike happened... Now I can only use the 1960s "The Boss and the Boss" to take the blame. Fortunately, this Cold War spy series was rebroadcast and the ratings were actually good.

On the one hand, NBC's "Family Ties" ratings fell badly because Michael J. Fox shifted his focus to movies. Their evening ratings are still the pillars of the late show and late night talk shows, and the opposition to the strike is not so strong.

The news on their TV station is more tolerant of screenwriters, and they also interviewed some screenwriters on the spot. There was a father with two children in high school. He had no income and just wanted to pawn his watch.

For a while, the reporters were also very sad. This news aroused a response from the audience. Hollywood stars also broke through the resistance of the Producers Union with a fundraising gala for screenwriters. Organized by veteran actors such as Elizabeth Taylor, it will be held next week.

The worst hitter in NBC is David Letterman. During the strike, he really had no other choice but to talk to a few regular guests and the band about meaningless things every day, and perform shaving, shoe polishing, and haircutting in the studio... He really had no other choice.

The worst hitter is Larry King, who can answer hotline calls from viewers from all over the world, so he can at least get by. But Letterman's show only has letters from viewers, and according to the definition of the Writers Guild, this kind of written text that constitutes the main part of the program content also belongs to the category of scripts.

David Letterman was so worried that he called Ronald to ask for someone to fill the time on the show. It just so happened that Brooke Shields still needed the opportunity to appear on camera to maintain her popularity and make money. One person chatted awkwardly with Letterman all night.

However, the Writers Guild did not make no concessions this time. Letterman is making a request through the union (he is also a member of the Writers Guild) to hire writers to write for the show in his personal name, so as to bypass the terms of the strike (union members cannot be hired by members of the Producers Guild, and Letterman is not a member of the Producers Guild). ”

The Hollywood projects that have already written scripts are also relaxed. While the Producers Guild is using tactics to split the Writers Guild and let the upper and lower members fight each other, the Writers Guild is also trying to split the Producers Guild.

Everyone knows that it is very common to modify the script on the spot during filming. However, the Writers Guild turns a blind eye to producers who meet the conditions and apply. As long as the exemption is approved, work can start, and supervisors will no longer be sent to supervise these crews.

Ronald has already approved the project, given the green light, and the script has been locked up and sent to the Writers Guild for preparation. Only Emile Adolino's Return to the Twilight Zone (ces are), anyway, take advantage of it, Ronald's exemption The application was quickly approved and became one of the first film projects in Hollywood to resume filming.

…

On the edge of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., is the colonial-era Georgetown. The scenery here is pleasant, and there is also the famous Georgetown University. "Back to the Twilight Zone" was filmed here.

The female entrepreneur played by Sybil Shepherd has a house here. Today is the first day of filming, and Ronald came over specifically to support director Emile Adolino.

The producer had no seats on set, so Ronald wore sunglasses and stood up an apple box far behind the camera as a stool.

Already waiting for the lighting at the scene is Ryan O'Neal, who plays the role of the heroine's friend, Philip, who has taken care of their mother and daughter for twenty years after her fiancé died in a car accident.

This Peter Bogdanovich's favorite has been filming movies for many years that have failed at the box office. They no longer have the power of the top three male stars in Hollywood. The conflict between him and his daughter Tatum O'Neal is also well-known to the public and is difficult to explain. This handsome guy has a long list of love affairs, in addition to the real Farrah Fassett, there are also Jacqueline Bisset, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, and even the heroine of Ronald's last movie , daughter Tatum’s good friend Melanie Griffiths also had an affair with him.

But now he was down and out. When he saw Ronald, he immediately came up to say hello, "Peter (Bogdanovich) has told you many times. Only when I saw you in person did I feel that your reputation is not enough to express your strength."

"This role is very suitable for you. Emil recommended you to me. I trust him very much." Ronald shook hands with him and hugged him, and supported the director Emil by the way. "I haven't seen Peter for a while. He is still here." Okay?"

"Not bad. The last time I called him, he was very dissatisfied that De Laurentiis had withdrawn funding from the new film before it started shooting. But he needed the money and finished the film."

The two of them stood chatting in the sun. The two handsome guys stood there very seductively, attracting constant glances from some crew members.

"Sybil..." Ryan O'Neal saw the belated heroine, the most famous Sybil Shepherd. I worked with her many times in Bogdanovich's films back then, and slowly fell into decline along with Bogdanovich. Now that Shepard has become popular again with the Blue Moonlight TV series, the gap between him and his opponent has widened.

"Ronald is here..." Ryan signaled Ronald's presence to Sybil.

"Oh, Ronald..." Sybil Shepherd changed her expression and came over to chat with Ronald enthusiastically, "I have done a lot of research on the heroine..."

"Don't tell me, I came today purely to complete my work. Emil is a great director, and his interpretation of the character is the best."

Ronald doesn't get involved in this kind of thing. All the actors in the crew are vying for the right to speak, especially the female stars. An extra close-up in front of the camera can make the audience's impression of themselves more profound.

Build a good relationship with the producer, especially a strong producer. Once you sit down on set, the director has to obediently give himself more camera time.

Ronald made up his mind that he was here to give Emil a platform, and Emil would decide all the shooting matters.

Emil Adolino and Masterson, who played the daughter, also came in. What he was most worried about was Masterson's lack of acting experience. He chatted with her for a while and tried to make her relax.

Ronald hugged and exchanged greetings with the two. He liked actors like Masterson very much. He focused entirely on character creation, listened to the director's arrangements, and didn't care much about anything else.

After Emil stood still, he negotiated with the lighting team. After everything was ready, he began to pull out the measuring tape to measure the focus.

"Where's little Robert?" Emil asked loudly when he realized that one person was missing.

This scene is the scene where Robert Downey Jr. comes to meet his girlfriend's mother and Uncle Philip. Everyone has finished walking, but Robert Downey Jr. is missing.

"Here it comes, here it comes." Robert Downey Jr., who was still a little staggered because of his hangover, ran in, and the makeup artist walked quickly behind him while touching up Downey's makeup.

"The opening party last night was so exciting..." Donnie made a drinking gesture.

The scene fell into silence, and everyone didn't know what to do with this actor who caused trouble on the first day of filming. They all turned around and looked at Ronald.

Ronald put on his sunglasses, folded his arms naturally and said nothing.

Seeing that he did not comment, everyone turned their attention back to director Emile Adolino.

"Can you perform now?" Emile Adolino did not blame him for getting angry, but calmly asked Robert Downey Jr.'s current state.

"I don't have any problem. It's better to drink a little on the set...hehe...uh...uh..."

Downey wanted to make a joke at first, but when he saw Emil Adolino's sharp eyes, he was a little scared...

Robert Downey Jr., who just won the title of "Hottest Actor of the Year" by "Rolling Stone Magazine", has a bit of capital to be proud of. He comes from an acting family and has delicate acting skills and a sexy appearance. So he doesn't take this movie performance too seriously, and it's not difficult for him.

He followed everyone's gaze and looked back at Ronald behind him, feeling annoyed. This is the big boss that his girlfriend Sarah Jessica Parker has to try hard to curry favor with. Today's mistakes were all seen by the producer, and it would be troublesome to be recorded.

"I'm fine, you can try to rehearse my scene." Downey began to please the director. As long as Emil approved of his performance, he could still get away with it.

"Let's go through the scene once."

Emile waved his hand, and the mother played by Sybil Shepherd felt familiar when she saw the boyfriend of her daughter played by Downey for the first time, because he was the reincarnation of her dead fiancé.

This scene is not easy, because after all, it is the mother-in-law who sees the prospective son-in-law and suddenly thinks he is a deceased lover, which is a very embarrassing emotion. Robert Downey Jr. has to strike a delicate balance between a romantic comedy and an attractive male lead in a serious drama.

Opening with this scene shows that director Emil is confident and uses this scene to kill the actor's arrogance. But it is also possible that... this rookie knows nothing...

Ronald did not speak and pushed his sunglasses with his hand. The producer's job is to judge the director's work results, not to jump to the front and take over everything.

Sure enough, Emil asked Sybil and Robert Jr. to rehearse several times and actually shot two shots, but the effect was not good. Either it was too comedic and frivolous, or it was too dramatic and embarrassing.

Robert Downey Jr. seemed to be affected by something. After two NGs, he began to lose his temper. He kept sniffing and walking around the set, mumbling something that others could not hear clearly.

Everyone fell silent again. The actor was dissatisfied with the director in the first shot, which was not a good thing.

Emile did not say anything. He just waited there for Robert Downey Jr. to sober up. At this time, the director should actually do something, or reprimand, or comfort, or let him go back to the trailer, anyway, he should not wait on the scene.

Everyone turned their eyes to Ronald again.

"Ahem..." Ronald coughed twice and cleared his throat. Now everyone was quiet, waiting for Ronald to give orders.

Picking up the stainless steel thermos, slowly unscrewing the lid, and pouring out a cup of warm wolfberry tea, Ronald sipped it and made a pleasant sound.

"Hey... delicious... um", Ronald looked at everyone, "Why are you looking at me?" Then he pointed at Emil, indicating that everyone should listen to the director's arrangements.

"Take a ten-minute break, let Donny get a feel for it." Emil reacted, took over the crew, and immediately arranged for the male lead to take a break.

Sybil saw who was the real boss of the crew. She glanced at Ronald and then walked to Robert Downey Jr., "Robert, look at me. You don't have to think about the lines every minute. As long as you look at me for five seconds and say nothing, you can get into the role."

Sybil Shepherd was well maintained and seemed to be just over 30. Downey looked at her and was also attracted by this beauty with pale green eyes. He forgot that Ronald was observing his performance on the scene.

Sure enough, everything went smoothly in the next play. Ronald watched from behind for a whole morning. The result of the evaluation was that Emil was very competent. Although he was a little shy and introverted, his technical and performance guidance was in place.

Ronald was relieved and said goodbye to Emil: "That's right. Everyone in the crew has to listen to the director, no matter who it is." The two shook hands and said goodbye.

Different directors need different encouragement. Emil is good, but he lacks confidence and experience. Ronald was in charge on the first day of filming and supported him once, which straightened out the power order of the crew, making it easier to film later.

】

……

When he arrived in the capital, Ronald visited the deputy president, George Sr., and his wife Barbara in the evening. After George Sr. won a big victory on Super Tuesday last month, other people in the party withdrew from the election, and he was already the natural candidate for the next president. So he didn't have to make speeches and canvass for votes at every stop, and could go back to the official residence to rest for a few days.

Barbara was very happy about Ronald's visit and talked to him for a long time. When she heard that Ryan O'Neal was filming in the capital, she was familiar with the older generation of male stars and showed the enthusiasm of a housewife.

Ronald said that he could wait until O'Neal had no scenes, invite him to the dinner, and introduce Barbara to him.

"Ronald, you have to stop. The last time John Travolta came to the White House, Barbara almost abandoned me." George Sr. joked beside him.

"Hahaha...hateful." Barbara hit old George's arm. The couple are both very old, with a lot of grandchildren, and on the surface they are still very loving.

"Seriously, can you invite him to the White House dinner? The president is about to visit the Suvil Union and a series of European countries, which is a farewell tour before his term. The White House will also hold many dinners..." Barbara turned around and climbed Ronald's arm, "The president has not publicly endorsed my husband. I need a chance to go to the White House and talk to him face to face. You know that Nancy and I don't get along well..."

"Is that so?" Ronald knew that the First Lady, Nancy, was also a former Hollywood actress and was very interested in dancing with male stars.

If he could arrange for Ryan O'Neal to go to the White House, then Barbara would have the opportunity to talk to the President face to face about this matter. Just like Barbara and Nancy, Ronald Sr. and George Sr. also had some secret knots in their hearts. This kind of thing needs a woman to mediate.

"I happen to be staying in the capital for a few days and am willing to serve you."

"Hehe, I knew you were a good kid. Little George always told me that your commercials were well shot... During the next election, George Sr. and I will continue to rely on you."