On Christmas Eve morning, Ronald walked out of his apartment.
I bought two professional Hollywood newspapers, "Daily Variety" and "Hollywood Reporter", plus a copy of the Los Angeles Times at a newsstand not far from the apartment.
"Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!"
After greeting the stall owner, Ronald looked on the way home. He wanted to study three newspapers and place some advertisements for portrait photography in them.
Ronald flipped through two professional newspapers. There were very few advertisements. It was probably not cheap and he couldn't afford it. He picked up the Los Angeles Times and flipped through the classified ads.
There was a thick stack of classified ads, and these columns were all for individuals to publish. Each person only had a piece the size of dried tofu. Weddings, obituaries, marriage proposals, and finally turned to the service page.
"Hollywood Portrait Photographer, 120 yuan, available on the day."
"10 years of experience in portrait photography, good at guiding subjects"
"If you're handsome, have no cash, and want an audition photo, please call..."
…
Ronald felt that the market was good and there was a lot of potential.
After finding out the classified advertisement hotline, Ronald found a phone booth to call and asked for the address of the nearest agency office. It was not far away, so Ronald simply walked there.
As I walked, I flipped through the daily variety shows and newspapers that specifically reported on Hollywood. Of course, the content was full of the news that a certain crew was starting production, there was a rumor that the female lead and the director were at odds with each other, and a certain actor fell in love with an actress from the same drama and openly had sex with her.
, and wait for the gossip news.
“Jane Fonda’s new film The Wedding Ring has stirred up controversy. Is it appropriate for a married woman to cheat in a movie?”
This is talking about this year’s blockbuster "ing home)".
Jane Fonda plays the wife of a Vietnam War officer in the film. While her husband was serving in Vietnam, she still wore her wedding ring and had an affair with a former high school idol who is now a disabled soldier.
Ronald remembered that Aunt Karen disliked the movie and complained on the phone that "Hanoi Jane" had tarnished the honor of their Vietnam War wives.
"The deer hunter has been well received. Can it win the Oscar nomination battle?"
This article is talking about the new movie "The Deer Hunter" that Demi Moore wants to see. Reports say that the film will only be released for seven days, which is intentional and meets the minimum screening requirements to participate in the Oscars.
Not many people have seen this movie, everyone just talks about it. It seems that only those who have seen it have connections and friends, and are true insiders.
This is marketing, it raises the audience's expectations. Ronald secretly admires it. Now that the movie has a huge reputation, it is probably possible to be nominated for an Oscar.
When he arrived at the agency that posted classified ads, Ronald asked about the price and bought four spots in a row.
"What content do you want to publish? You can write it here." The staff handed over a piece of paper.
Ronald picked up the pencil:
"A formal member of the Directors Guild, explains how to take audition photos to win the favor of the director."
"The author has worked as a screenwriter, assistant director, stills photographer and other positions, and is rich in experience."
"Contrary to what most people think, the prettier the audition photos are, the better."
"Indoor or outdoor? Black and white or color? The author will analyze it in detail."
“The basic package is 99 yuan, and the upgraded package is 149 yuan.”
"Please call for details..."
"Can I put a photo?" Ronald asked.
"Yes, but it can only be printed in black and white."
Ronald took out the small reprinted photo of Demi Moore and handed it to the staff, "Put it in the upper left corner. The text starts below the photo."
The staff took the photo and asked, "How many days do you want to send it?"
"Three days."
It happened to be a holiday, and people were at home, so there would be more people reading newspapers. And there were fewer weddings on Christmas, so there were a lot of vacancies in the newspapers to choose from. Ronald wanted to take the opportunity to do it for three days in a row.
Taking the receipt given by the staff with the publication date of the advertisement on it, Ronald returned to the apartment.
It was Christmas Eve, and after Ronald hung up the phone to say hello to Aunt Karen, he found that he had nowhere to go.
Thinking that after the advertisement was published, many people might call to inquire, and since he would have to go to work after the vacation to study editing, Ronald considered whether to buy an answering machine.
He took out the phone book and looked up the phone number of the electronics store Radioshack. The staff at Radioshack said the cheapest one was $1,000, which frightened Ronald and immediately hung up the phone.
It would be better to pay someone to answer the phone for this money.
Just as she was thinking about her business, Mrs. Weber from next door knocked on the door and said, "Ronald, are you there? Come to my house for Christmas dinner today. I cooked turkey."
Mrs. Weber is also a single mother. Her daughter is in the 12th grade of high school. Mrs. Weber used to work as a waitress in a restaurant and is now the secretary of a small company. Their similar family backgrounds allow Mrs. Weber and Ronald to communicate more often.
.I knew Ronald was alone in Los Angeles, so I invited him to have Christmas dinner with me on Christmas Eve.
Ronald was very happy because he had nowhere to go today.
Cameron has gone home to be with his wife Sharon. This workaholic usually doesn't come home, and his wife is very dissatisfied. Gail has returned to his parents' house, and other colleagues and friends are also natives of Los Angeles. Ronald has not yet met
They are so familiar with each other that they cannot go to a family dinner without being invited.
He was invited to various young people's rave parties, but Ronald didn't want to go because alcohol and drug abuse kept him away.
He went out and bought a bottle of red wine, wrapped it in a paper bag, and gave it to Mrs. Weber as a gift.
When they entered, Mrs. Weber was walking out of the kitchen with a roast chicken. Ronald stepped forward to help. The three of them sat down at the dining table:
"For our hungry food,
In order for us to rest peacefully,
For the home where memories linger,
We are grateful for these.”
Mrs. Webber spoke the prayer, folded her hands together, and prayed to God.
"Amen," Ronald and her daughter responded, and the three of them crossed themselves and started eating Christmas dinner.
"Ronald, what have you been doing lately? I see that you are rarely at home."
After the meal, Mrs. Weber brought coffee, and the three of them were chatting, waiting for the TV station to broadcast the annual Christmas Eve program: the movie "It's a Wonderful World".
"I work on a film crew, but next I will start a portrait photography business. If I make enough money, I may go to college. It depends on the admission results in February next year."
"Ronnie, can you take pictures? Can you take one for me?" Mrs. Weber's daughter asked.
"Of course, you and your mother come to my apartment tomorrow and I will take a picture of you both."
"You're too kind, Ronald," said Mrs. Webb.
"It's okay. We working-class people in Venice Beach have to help each other."
"Yes, we help each other." Mrs. Weber nodded. "We are still from very close places. My parents' family is in New Jersey, very close to Staten Island."
"Really? That's such a coincidence." Ronald picked up the coffee and took a sip.
"Yes, in fact, your Staten Island is closer to New Jersey and is connected by an interstate highway. However, you have to take a ferry from Stanton to Manhattan, the center of the universe."
"Yeah... A few years ago, Aunt Karen took her on a ferry to see a doctor in Manhattan. Donna was also clamoring to go, which made Aunt Karen very distressed..." Ronald thought of the past, and suddenly his heart moved, and he looked towards
Mrs. Weber's daughter is in grade 12.
"Mrs. Weber, I placed an advertisement for portrait photography in the newspaper, but I don't have a suitable operator. During the holidays, would your daughter be willing to be my temporary operator? I can pay you $5 a day."
"What do I need to do?" the little girl asked eagerly.
All you need to do is write down the name and phone number of the person who called you while I'm taking the photo, and I'll call them back when I'm done taking the photo." Then you can rest.
Mrs. Weber thought about it and agreed. If her daughter worked in a fast food restaurant, she could earn the minimum wage of $2.65 an hour, but it would be much harder.
The next day, Christmas, is the time for classified ads to be published.
Ronald got up early and transformed the living room into a reception and front desk. He put a table on, pulled out the phone, spread a large notepad on the table, and two ballpoint pens parked next to it. Everything was ready.
Oh, yes, and this. Ronald took out copies of the audition photos of Demi Moore and Natasha Kinski, put them in wooden frames, placed them on the table, and adjusted the position again and again, making sure to let the customers
The first thing you see when you enter the door.
The daughter of Mrs. Weber, the neighbor, also came to help. It was her first day at work. As a high school student, she really wanted to be called Miss Weber. She picked up the phone and put it down again, simulating it many times.
"Good morning, this is Ronald's portrait photography studio." Ronald taught the little girl how to say it. Then he asked her to practice it several times.
Just after 9:50, calls started to come in. Ronald motioned to Miss Weber not to move, and he would answer the first call himself...