Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Dolly, why are you like this? Can you act..." At the filming location of Steel Magnolias, Herbert Ross began to attack Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts again.

"Ahem..." Ronald, who had just arrived, spoke up and interrupted this unpleasant lecture.

"I mean, you can act better..." Herbert Ross was still a little afraid of Ronald, so he didn't say any offensive words, but instead criticized the acting skills of the two actors from a technical point of view.

"Hey..." Ronald sighed and sat on the chair. Diane next to him handed him a thermos cup with his favorite wolfberry black tea.

Ronald, who rushed to the crew, first went to Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine to find out the situation. In the evening, he talked to Diane for a long time about the problems of the crew.

This matter was actually a problem in the selection of actors and directors. Herbert Ross was a stage actor, and he was actually full of disdain for those actors who did not have the so-called "acting skills" of the traditional stage.

Among the six main actresses, he admired Diane and Olympia Dukakis the most because they were Broadway actors before. His attitude towards Shirley MacLaine and Sally Field was neither good nor bad. These two were Oscar winners and had also performed in Broadway plays in their spare time.

Herbert Ross was full of discrimination only towards Julia Roberts and Dolly Parton. He often scolded them on the scene for not being able to act, having only pretty faces and explosive bodies, and nothing else.

When Ronald was on the scene, Ross would not be too harsh on several actors because Ronald himself was also a professional director. But after Ronald left, he returned to his old ways after a long time and continued to treat the actors with abusive attitude.

At the beginning, MacLaine, Dukakis, Sally Field and others would also protest, but after all, they were actors, not indispensable stars like Harrison Ford. So Herbert Ross was still the only one who respected himself on the scene.

This was determined by the nature of the director's work. If you don't listen to the director, then nothing can be filmed. Only a producer like Ronald, who has grasped Herbert's weakness and has the qualifications of a director, can suppress Ross from both professionalism and authority on the scene and prevent him from messing around.

If Ronald can stay on the scene until the film is finished, he can keep Herbert Ross from being rude and retain his professional ability to do his best.

However, Ronald wants to take advantage of the end of the strike to promote more projects. It is impossible for him to stay with the group for a long time. The female stars can't help but worry that they will cause trouble after leaving.

"Come and drink some hot tea. I have biscuits based on plant fiber. They taste good and have low calories..."

During the break in shooting, Ronald invited six female stars to come and enjoy the healthy snacks he brought. Female stars can't eat too much food to manage their body shape. Ronald got some biscuits made of low-calorie oats and aloe vera to trick their nerves and encourage their morale, which was a little low due to Herbert Ross.

"Ronald, you are such an angel. I am ten years younger and I must get you into bed." Shirley MacLaine is a straightforward person. After eating this slightly sweet cookie, she almost fell in love with Ronald.

"Hahaha, if you say that, be careful that someone will be unhappy." Sally Field also picked up a piece and tasted it with black tea.

"Oh, don't say it, this cookie is really delicious. It's not impossible to sell your body for it." Dolly Parton and Dukakis also came to tease Ronald.

Diane laughed beside her and ignored the jokes of these people. After all, it was she who really tasted the deliciousness.

Only Julia Roberts did not dare to joke with the producer like this. She just held the cookie and looked at Ronald from the outside. Although her personality is also unrestrained and casual, she thought all directors were serious after being teased by such a strict director like Herbert Ross. I don't know if I have reached the point where I can joke with people of Ronald's status.

"Julia, you come and have another piece. It's low in calories." Ronald waved his hand and invited Julia Roberts to come over and talk to her alone.

"Herbert and I have already talked. He will reduce his comments on your acting in the future. Although he may have a bad temper, he is a very qualified director. I have seen the sample films in the past few days. Your performance is full of spirit. Don't get angry because of personal offense."

"I know that southern girls are not so fragile." Julia Roberts used the accent and tone of the character to tell Ronald that she was fine.

"Very good. In 1985, I went to Alaska to see your brother Eric's performance. He mentioned to me at that time that there was a sister with excellent acting skills at home."

"I don't want to talk about this person." Julia waved her hand, indicating that she didn't want to talk about her brother Eric.

"Oh," Julia Roberts felt that her action seemed disrespectful to Ronald, "I didn't mean that. Eric made a mess of himself. He was also very bad to his daughter and girlfriend. He often didn't care about their lives when he was high. He drove after getting high, and when he was in a trance, he crashed into a big tree on the side of the road and almost killed himself. I brought my niece home and raised her myself. It's better not to say that this man is an extremely irresponsible person."

"I don't know his current situation. You are a good girl." Ronald said that he didn't mind. "Movies are different from dramas. You will know if you have come into contact with more directors in the industry. More film directors are not like Herbert used dramatic standards like that.

How can I put it, we hope that actors can give full play to their personalities, especially girls like you who are favored by the camera. You can rest assured and try to use your own intuition. "

Ronald saw that Julia Roberts was a typical movie actress, sensitive and approachable, but in fact introverted and shy.

For such actors, the most important thing is to make them feel that the filming scene is safe. They can try their best to get part of their own personality out of the safety shell and show it to the camera lens without worrying about being harmed. .

Seeing that Julia Roberts' mood improved significantly, Ronald said goodbye to her with a smile and invited him to go back and chat with everyone. It was obvious that Roberts was no longer so defensive when speaking and responding this time.

"Hahaha..." several actresses burst into bursts of laughter. As soon as Herbert Ross rested, he returned to his trailer. The six female celebrities who stayed at the scene had a relatively harmonious atmosphere.

This is extremely rare in movies dominated by women. Ronald invited three Oscar winners to play supporting actresses, a strategy that worked out well. There isn't much of the usual drama between the female stars on the set.

Because those who have won Oscars have achieved the highest honors in terms of reviews and awards. The benefits that getting another statuette will bring to oneself are incomparable to the earth-shaking changes that the first statue brought.

There is actually no big difference between saying that a female star is an Oscar winner and saying that she is a double award winner. The same goes for audiences, and so does Hollywood. And there is a huge gap between a person who has not won an Oscar for acting, or even been nominated, and a movie queen.

Too many people have won the statuette. In fact, everyone has the same perception as no one has. Those who have won the most awards can show off their qualifications when chatting together.

This good atmosphere may have been partly due to the fact that they were all offended by Herbert Ross's bad attitude. With a common enemy, their relationship is much better than the average movie crew.

"You have worked hard here, and Herbert will not attack you. I will let Mr. Michelle Cannold, the most senior person in the company, stay as a co-producer. In my absence, he will be the sole representative My attitude on the set.”

Ronald reassured the actress and hid in the trailer with Diane to whisper. Diane was still familiar with him, and when he was with her, Ronald didn't have to think about how to speak. Even if he was tired and didn't want to talk, Diane wouldn't think that he was deliberately neglecting her and had any thoughts.

After taking the trouble to deal with these artists so that they could work better, Ronald felt a lot more relaxed. "It seems that Herbert quite approves of your acting skills and doesn't seem to have any bad words towards you. I'm very pleased, otherwise I would have to consider other methods."

"Well, I know, Herbert didn't have anything bad to say about me, and he was a professional director. He just had such a bad attitude towards Dolly and Julia that even I couldn't stand it anymore.

Shirley (McLean) said that he was not like this before. Maybe the death of his ex-wife had a great psychological impact on him. "

Diane sat obediently in Ronald's arms, holding Ronald with both arms and talking. She felt that Herbert Ross was kind to her because of Ronald's relationship.

"Think carefully about your performance. This movie will be a small opportunity for you." Ronald stroked Diane's hair. She always wanted to make movies and play interesting roles.

"I know, brother Ronnie", Diane hugged Ronald's neck and smiled.

Daydream's most senior executive, Michelle Cannold, also rushed to the set. He watched director Ross stop his personal attacks.

Cannold, who had no professional authority but could only stop Herbert from swearing, could not resolve his complaints about Dolly and Julia's inability to act. However, Ronald himself has to go to New York to discuss the script with Nora Ephron and Rob Reiner, so this can only be done temporarily.

…

"Writers received a modest revenue improvement, receiving a higher share of the cut when an hour-long program was sold internationally, but the original terms were maintained for programs shorter than an hour.

The writers also acquired the rights to create a number of original screenplays and television movies. The union's revamped board of directors approved the new agreement by a vote of 26 to 6. Union members will go to the national vote tonight. Screenwriters in Los Angeles and New York are rallying to union headquarters. Could this be a turnaround in this long-running strike? Will the strike end? All will be revealed tomorrow morning. "

"Huh?...What time is it?" Ronald was sleeping soundly and was awakened when he heard the strike was over. He flew continuously and fell asleep in the car from exhaustion.

"At six-thirty in the evening, I saw that you were very tired, so I didn't call you." Little Bud turned the key and started the car, "Where are we going?"

"Go to Nora Ephron's place." Ronald rubbed his face, he had to discuss the movie soon. On the plane ride from Louisiana to New York, he dreamed about a little bit of that movie.

In the movie, Sally, played by Meg Ryan, has an emotional breakdown after her ex-boyfriend is getting married and her long-term hope of getting married is completely lost. In the end, Harry, played by Billy Crystal, goes to comfort her. The two of them were already in a situation that was beyond ordinary friends, but they had not yet reached the stage of being lovers.

This time Harry gave Sally a comforting shoulder as a friend. The two people who already liked each other suddenly opened their hearts and finally fell asleep in bed. Moreover, this time sharing the same bed made Sally, who was picky about all kinds of things, extremely satisfied. It turned out that everything Harry had boasted about was true.

Since this is the final movie, it must be a happy ending. Ronald came over this time to see what changes the newly added Carrie Fisher would bring to the script. In short, a good ending is what Ronald must insist on.

"Kelly (Fisher) liked the clips we shot of interviewing the elderly couples. She thought that these clips could be added to the movie, which would add a documentary style to the movie and make Harry and Sally Human stories are more authentic and believable.”

As soon as Nora Ephron saw Ronald, she started chattering about her latest ideas for the script.

"Huh? Your idea is very good. I think it is okay. Originally, this movie was a segmented story. Harry and Sally met by chance, then separated for a few years, and then reunited. This pattern requires a little psychological distinction. I think it's good to allow the audience to accept the passage of time. Each interview can have a thematic echo with the following story.

Well, also, we have to find professional actors to act out these stories. The Italian uncle talked about his many girlfriends and wives, and the way he boasted about them was outrageous. "

Nora Ephron admires producers who can adopt her reasonable suggestions.

"Yeah, okay, your idea is good, Ronald."

"What do you say about Billy Crystal? Is he confirmed to star?" Ronald was concerned about the casting of the leading actor. Tom Hanks would have been a good fit, but he had other projects tied up. Billy Crystal is another dream choice and does a great job, and Ronald hopes he can join as soon as possible.

"Billy is willing, but I don't think it's convenient," Rob Reiner, the booking director, started to feel awkward again.

"Why? Doesn't his schedule work?"

"No, I feel it's inappropriate..." Rob Reiner didn't know what to say, but he still told Ronald the real reason.

Because he still felt that the happy ending of the movie was a forced reversal of the story for the sake of box office. Billy Crystal would be great, but this would also ruin him. Critics will definitely say bad things about him because his performance as Harry ended up with Sally, contrary to the logic of reality.

This is very bad for Billy Crystal, whose career is on the rise. When a male star is ascending to a position, this kind of interruption is the most taboo. I would rather have a bad box office than get bad reviews.

"I don't think there is any problem. Can't a positive ending win the love of film critics? Look at how wonderful life was in the past when Jimmy Stewart played, and it had a happy ending in the end. Wasn't it a success at the box office and in reviews... …Forehead……"

Ronald stopped mid-sentence. He was misled by the movie that the TV station plays every Christmas. When I was taking classes in college, I learned that the film's initial box office failure made director Capra frustrated. Using this example, I just agree with Reiner's opinion.

"No, let me give you another example."

"No, Ronald. I don't think this movie can't have a good ending. It's just that Billy is not suitable. If we find another actor, we can still make it." Rob Reiner laughed.

"No, what's the problem?" Ronald was anxious. This kind of movie all depends on the acting skills and the chemical reaction between the male and female protagonists. They were a good partner, but if they didn't act, wouldn't they be sorry for the classic movie in their previous life?

"You see, Harry is a divorced man. He experienced the initial incompatibility, then the love faded, and finally divorced his wife. Sally's experience with him will inevitably make him have concerns.

Such a man has been through a lot and cannot just believe in fairy tales. He will definitely back down. And his withdrawal would hurt Sally. Our lives are always interrupted by random events. "

"Hey..." Ronald felt that being a producer was so tiring. These artists all have temperament and their own artistic opinions. Even if you get them to agree on the surface, you won't be able to make a good movie if you have doubts in your mind.

"No, why can't this work? At the end of the third act, we can arrange another twist to bring them together?" Ronald felt that this analysis made sense, but love was unreasonable. A look, a hesitation, maybe the two of them realize that they can't survive without you?

The most important thing is that the audience wants to see such a finale!

"Of course this is possible in theory. But the story has reached the end, and the charm is not enough to arrange a reasonable reversal that will satisfy the audience and bring the story to the finale. If you want it to be satisfactory, you may have to go to war with the comprehensive plot.

Usually the problems in the third act have their roots in the first act, and you have to do major surgery. "

"This is all metaphysics, I don't think so." Ronald looked at Nora Ephron. Obviously, Reiner was talking about some correct experiences in creation, which made Efron's balance deviate again.

"Let me put it this way. I can't write a good twist that makes Sally change her mind and accept Harry again. This is a very difficult twist. Unless you ask Billy Wilder to write the ending third act, it will be difficult."

"No, I can definitely find one." Ronald thought to himself that I have dreamed of the movie, and it must have a happy ending. "Even if I have to find Mr. Wilder, I will find him."

"I am just making an analogy, Ronald. You insist so much, I don't know what you think, maybe you can write an ending, and you can direct the movie? You also understand that creation and criticism are not from the same perspective. Maybe if you try to write an ending, you will understand my difficulties."

"You..." Ronald was uncomfortable. What Rob Reiner said was not a fallacy, but the law of creation. But Ronald didn't believe that this was the real reason why he resisted a happy ending in his heart. Maybe he and Ephron were unhappy in their marriages, so they were subconsciously opposed to a happy ending.

Nora Ephron shrugged, meaning that this was a "you can do it" card, and I had nothing to say.

"I'll write it, I think the movie is good, I'll write the ending, I'll direct it." Ronald didn't believe it, what's so difficult to write.

"Huh..."

Rob Reiner actually breathed a sigh of relief. He had no confidence in this kind of dialogue-based movie that spanned a long period of time. It was because it was similar to his own life that he wanted to heal his trauma through filming.

But the more he wanted to avoid this kind of thing, the more uncomfortable it was. Helping Ephron to revise the script later, Reiner simply wanted to escape from it all. Ronald was provoked by himself and took it over. Isn't it just right? His Castle Rock can be regarded as an investor.

"You are just as stubborn as Herbert Ross." Ronald complained. Artists always have all kinds of weird ideas.

"What's wrong with Herbert?" Rob Reiner and Herbert Ross are quite familiar with each other. His father Carl Reiner and Ross are old actors who worked together on Broadway.

Ronald briefly explained the matter, and Reiner nodded in agreement. This old-fashioned directing style is no longer suitable for the current star-based movie world.

Moreover, movies nowadays require actors to give their best efforts. It is better to discuss with actors in a working method that can stimulate their potential and make masterpieces. At least the two movies made by Rob Reiner, "Stand by Me" and "The Princess Bride", are not movies with excellent scripts. With his working method of respecting actors and giving them a certain degree of freedom, both movies are both well-received and popular.

Otherwise, he would not be so confident in front of Ronald. For ordinary directors, they would accept whatever Ronald said.

"How about this, you go to Louisiana to help me as a producer and look after Herbert. I will take over and write the script for you. Whether you are willing to direct the movie or not, our original agreement will not change."

"Why not?" Rob Reiner originally wanted to relax. His ex-wife Penny Marshall always came to him for trouble, and the child support has not been completely sorted out.

"Huh..." Ronald also breathed a sigh of relief. Reiner agreed to be a producer and rushed to the crew of Steel Magnolias to supervise Herbert Ross there, which was much better.

Reiner is also a Jewish director with some successful works in the industry, and his father is also a very famous Jewish actor. In addition, Reiner is eloquent and a director who treats actors very well. So no matter how much Herbert Ross scolds people, he should not be able to beat Reiner.