"But why, Aunt Karen? None of my college classmates can direct a studio feature film yet?" Ronald was a little puzzled why his aunt still wanted him to go back to college even though he was already very successful.
.
"Ronald, movies are a very risky industry. The day before yesterday, your agent Eddie from New York came and said that your teacher Marty Scorsese was depressed. He is such a successful director, but no one is looking for him now.
He filmed it."
"Huh?" Ronald didn't know that something like this had happened to Marty Scorsese, and secretly thought about going to see him in two days.
"But aunt, this is different. The movie I am directing is very popular, and now is the time when studios come to me to make movies. You also heard what Richard said, several studios have offered me
An invitation was sent.”
"I can't understand today's young people. But I think the movies you make are noisy and there is nothing touching about them.
Movies are a daydream, a kind of comfort for poor people when they can't breathe. When I was a waiter in a restaurant, I had to raise Donna and treat you. I encountered many difficulties, so I thought
I can't hold it any longer.
At that time, my friend gave me a movie ticket. It was Mr. Scorsese's movie "Alice doesn't live here anymore". It was this movie that made me regain my courage. I must
Hang in there and let you grow up.
Although your movie has been watched by many people, what kind of experience did it give them? And there are too many nudity scenes..."
"Hey, today's audience just likes to watch..." Ronald hesitated. So it turns out that in the eyes of his aunt, his movie is just a farce?
"I shouldn't say this to you, dear. But I really hope you can make a movie that soothes the soul.
Your luck is obviously very good this time, but can you guarantee that your luck will continue to be good in the future? Even Mr. Scorsese..."
"this?"
Ronald actually disagreed, but Aunt Karen was very kind to him, and it was for his own good that he said this, so he nodded.
"Auntie, even if I don't become a director, I will still save enough money."
"But you haven't graduated from college yet." Aunt Karen still hoped that Ronald could get a college diploma.
"I don't know much about your father's family situation, but he definitely hopes that you can graduate from college.
My maiden name is Parker, and there has never been a college student in the Parker family. You are the first in your family to be admitted to college."
"Oh, don't worry. Donna will definitely pass."
The aunt finally smiled and said, "Ronnie, you always know how to make me happy. Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Do you remember what you promised me at that time?"
"I remember. I will definitely graduate, I promise. Now is the time to have the opportunity to make a few more movies. If no one sees the movies I make one day, I will go back to college and get a degree."
Early the next morning, agent Richard came and brought several offers from studios to discuss with Ronald.
"Universal gives you a film contract, so you can choose the subject yourself, or choose Universal's existing script. What they mean is that the subject of the next film is a teen sex comedy exploitation film."
Ronald did not comment, "Are there any more? I want to see other invitations."
Universal's internal strife is serious, and it's clear that it won't completely change with Tom Mount's resignation for a while. It's better to listen to other options first.
"Producer Art Linson admired the script you and Cameron Crowe wrote. He wanted to invite you and Crowe to work together again. He felt that the theme of growing up was well performed by you. Obviously you
He has the sensitivity of his peers and understands the mental state of teenagers."
"Is there any more?" Ronald felt that Lin Sen must still cooperate with Universal.
"There are also offers from other companies, all of which are teen sex comedy exploitation films." Richard took out a bunch of script outlines. Now Hollywood thinks you are good at making this kind of movies, and they are facing the transition of major studios to the teen market.
."
Ronald was a little surprised, "So many? Are they all optimistic about my director?"
"Yes, several major studios have tried to enter the youth market this year. So far, you are the only one who has succeeded." Richard was very happy that his client had achieved a small monopoly in the market.
"Grease 2 has been released. It has a box office of 11 million, but it has not even reached the so-called investment in filming. It is estimated that Paramount did not make any money. In addition to praising Michelle Pfeiffer's heroine, the film critics praised Michelle Pfeiffer's leading role.
It’s a bad word for everyone else.”
"Disney's live-action movie 'The Texas Man' has also been released. Matt Dillon, plus Meg Tilly, only made just over 7 million at the box office. Although the movie received good reviews."
"On the market right now, you are the only one who can make a blockbuster teen exploitation film. Yesterday's box office was still growing. I estimate that sooner or later your film will reach ten times the opening weekend box office."
Ronald sat and thought quietly for a while. This movie had brought him many opportunities. What would those women say if they saw his status as a blockbuster director today?
"Which one do you suggest I choose? Richard." Ronald asked.
"I shouldn't be giving you advice, Ronald. It's obvious you know what you're doing." Richard joked.
"My suggestion is not to choose for now. Your box office is still growing, let's wait and see. Nisita also estimates that in two weeks, more studios will join the competition for you. You will get more
Quality script.”
"Okay, that's it." Ronald thought it was a good idea to wait.
"I went to see Marty today. I heard that his new movie is not going well."
"I'm going to rent a car. During this period, I will be your driver." Richard stood up to make a call.
"Drive mine." Ronald threw the keys to his Honda.
It seems that CAA has become nervous about itself. When the director makes achievements, it is also the time for other economic companies to start poaching.
Richard drove Ronald to where Marty Scorsese worked in his Honda.
In an editing room, the two found Scorsese.
Scorsese was wearing an oxygen mask and discussing something with an editor in front of the editing machine.
"Marty, what's wrong with you?"
Ronald was surprised. After not seeing him for a while, Marty's health had deteriorated to such an extent that he needed oxygen to work.
He still remembers that when Scorsese gave him the director's viewfinder, he had a cough. Could it be pneumonia? I don't know if it is contagious.
"Oh, Ronald. I'm so happy to see you." A muffled voice came from behind Scorsese's oxygen mask.
"I'm fine. It's just that when I was filming 'The King of Comedy', my body couldn't stand it anymore and I started having an asthma attack. Now I can only edit with an oxygen mask."
"Oh, you'd better rest more." Ronald was relieved when he heard that it was asthma.
After staying for a while, Marty Scorsese finished explaining to the editor, took Ronald out of the editing room, and the two found a cafe to catch up on old times.
"It's really boring to wear this thing." Scorsese took off the oxygen mask and started drinking coffee.
Except for a mark on his face from the mask, Marty seemed to be in good physical condition, not as weak as when he was wearing a mask.
"This thing is very useful. After I wear it, they will pity me and respect my decision more. After I finished filming "The King of Comedy", I have been wearing it at work."
Scorsese winked at him.
Ronald found it interesting. Scorsese's acting skills seemed to be pretty good too. But he seemed to have encountered some difficulties in editing. Even a director like him, who had just received an Oscar nomination, had to pretend to be pitiful?
"Did the movie encounter any difficulties?" Ronald asked.
"Why……"
Scorsese may not have had a fellow director to complain to for a long time, so he began to talk about the various troubles he encountered during filming.
Directors must be confident when facing producers and investors. When dealing with actors, they must be patient and persuasive, and sometimes they must get angry in order to complete the filming of the movie.
Perhaps the only person in the world who understands the work of a director is another director.
It turned out that the filming of the movie "The King of Orgedy" was not going well. At first, the distributor refused to invest after reading the script.
Later, the project was saved by an Israeli producer Arnon Milchan who found funds.
However, during the filming process, Scorsese's old partner Robert De Niro, a well-known Method actor, used anti-Semitic language to arouse the reaction of Jerry Lewis, the other protagonist.
Although the antagonistic scenes were very realistic and exciting, the recording was heard by producer Arnon Milchan, who believed that De Niro was a real anti-Semite and threatened to replace him.
Scorsese was caught in the middle, and in the end both sides were unhappy. The producers also found fault with everything during editing. Both parties had lost basic trust.
"When you take on new movies in the future, you must stay away from them as much as possible. There are too many of them, and I can't help it."
Ronald offered some words of comfort. He understood what Scorsese meant when he said they were Jews.
This circle is indeed surrounded by Jews. The two heroines of my first film, the producer, Universal President Sheinberg, director Spielberg, etc., are all Jewish.
After chatting for a while, Ronald stood up and said goodbye. "Marty, I wish you good luck." This sentence was a sincere blessing.
"How is Isabella? Say hello to her for me."
"Oh, she should be fine. Thank you."
The weekend passed quickly, and the weekend box office of "Fast-paced Richmond High" grew astonishingly, with the total weekend box office exceeding 3.5 million. The overall box office has exceeded the 15 million mark, and is still growing strongly.
"Paramount has also sent an invitation to negotiate a film deal with you." Richard arrived at Ronald's house again.
"And Spielberg's Amblin Studios."
This time he has brought a lot of film appointments, including various youth movies.
"You're keeping an eye on me, Richard." Ronald was half-joking. Richard spent an unusually large amount of time in front of him in the past two days.
"I have to keep an eye on you, your other producer Eddie is also here to see you."
"Oh, he's here to talk about advertising business, it has nothing to do with movies." Ronald waved his hand.
"I already regret not signing your full financial contract at that time." Richard said.
"It's not good news. Vans canvas shoes gave me a lifetime free qualification. They give me a few pairs of new canvas shoes every year, which is valid for life."
"Oh, they are really stingy. I see that the black and white checkerboard style canvas shoes that Sean Penn used to slap himself on the head when he got high are very popular. I see people wearing their brand of shoes on the road."
"Yeah, I heard that that model has sold hundreds of thousands of pairs." Ronald also regretted a little. Why didn't he sign the contract and receive a share of the sales volume or a bonus? Moreover, the sponsorship he attracted did not go to him.
They were all used in movie shooting.
"If our CAA were to operate it, it would never be like this."
"Maybe. Eddie said that he has already contacted new advertisers, but I don't particularly want to shoot commercials. Movies are still interesting."