"Hey, so much money," Ronald sighed and signed his name on the check.
I have to pay taxes next month. I have made a lot of money in the past year, but there are not many tax avoidance projects. I have to pay a large amount of cash to the IRS. Ronald's cash is starting to be tight...
Fortunately, the new installment of royalties from the "famous" lyrics writer and "Word Star Book for Dummies" has arrived, so I can take a break, otherwise I would have to sell the stock.
After checking the taxes and signing the check with accountant Lawrence Wang, Ronald went to CAA to talk to Niceta about new projects. The income in the film and television industry is relatively high, but it is also unstable, and you have to take jobs in order to live.
"Good news, Stallone wants you to write a script. He is going to develop a sequel to 'First Blood'."
"Oh? Doesn't he like my script?" Ronald was a little surprised when he heard that it was Stallone's invitation.
"He is still satisfied with your script, otherwise he would not modify it based on yours. He just likes to highlight his star status."
"Okay, what's the name of the movie? Second Blood?"
"It's funny," Niceta said funny, without a smile on his face. He knew that Ronald was dissatisfied with Stallone's revision of his script for "Dragon Dance".
"Stallone can offer one hundred thousand dollars plus a second signature. I came to you because you recently wanted to take on script work. You know that Sly, my fellow Italian, is not easy to talk to. Mr. Ovitz's project proposal was also
He refuted it. If you are not happy, then tell me earlier and I will find someone else."
"Okay, okay, I'm just complaining in front of you." Ronald took the summary of the story from Niceta's hand and read it.
"Rambo: First Blood Part 2" Ronald looked at the name, and it turned out that it was in the style of Raiders of the Lost Ark. After the first part started, the second part directly added the name of the protagonist Indiana Jones to become
Series of movies.
The story written by Stallone is very simple. Rambo was imprisoned in prison. Later, America and Vietnam ceased war. Some prisoners of war were not released. His old boss, the colonel, came and asked him to secretly rescue his comrades.
"Oh, this is completely different from the first part." Ronald was amused. The exposure of the scars of the Vietnam War and society's indifference towards Vietnam veterans in the first part of "First Blood" were all abandoned and replaced by
Enter the tiger's den as the hero Rambo alone and rescue the prisoner-of-war veterans who were abandoned by the country.
"As you know, after the commander-in-chief took office, he was very tough on the outside world. He also visited China and continued the grand strategy of allying with China to fight against the Soviet Union. So the people gradually began to have a good impression of the tough heroes. Sly believes that we can develop in that direction.
Besides, the producer is a conservative like the Party."
"OK", Ronald accepted the synopsis of the story. I will write it slower this time, as there is still film distribution to deal with.
"No problem. Stallone gave you three months. Of course you'd better write faster."
Niceta handed over this document again, "This is the idea of the studio Carloco Pictures. They hope that Stallone and John Travolta will partner up. This time it will be a story of two heroes. Rambo will be responsible for playing, and Travolta will play the partner."
I am responsible for high-tech weapons and writing beautiful battle scenes. Don’t be afraid of insufficient budget. This time I raised more than 25 million."
"Of course." Ronald knew in his heart that if the "Dragon Dance" directed by Stallone and starring Travolta was a big hit at the box office, then it would be a big gimmick for them to collaborate again and appear at the same time. The producer of "First Blood"
Rocco Films certainly doesn't want to give up such a golden partner, and it deserves a big production.
"In addition, your visit to the cast of 'Dragon Fei Feng Wu' has also been arranged. It just so happens that their filming is about to be completed and a reporter is going to interview them. It's just a good time for you to go and enjoy the popularity."
"Thank you, I really don't know what I would do without you." Ronald thought to himself, if he didn't answer, would he not have this opportunity?
"You should return to the mainstream film industry as soon as possible. By then there will be professionals who will spend a lot of money to help you solve these problems." Niceta also feels that if Ronald's film has an excellent return on investment this time, it will be
Many people will come to invite you.
After two consecutive films with different themes, different budgets, and different production models have made money, Ronald can be said to be a wizard worthy of long-term investment.
The big studios will give him one or two medium-sized productions to practice his skills. If he can handle big scenes or get the performances of big stars, then they can safely give him a big production of more than 15 million yuan and turn him into a great actor.
Hollywood's money-making machine.
"Ronald, you're welcome." Stallone, who was on the set of The Dragon and the Phoenix, called out after stopping the filming of one line. After seeing Ronald who was visiting the studio, he stretched out his arms and hugged him.
The staffing of large-scale productions is also the best. Stallone handed over the guide tube to the first assistant director and had his own professional staff to direct the lighting and positioning of the next scene. He was only responsible for directing the performance part.
"This is my brother Frank, and this is Cynthia Rhodes." Stallone introduced several leading actors on the set to Ronald.
Ronald said hello to his brother Frank Stallone. Cynthia was his old acquaintance on the set of "Flashdance" and he introduced her to Stallone for the audition. Unexpectedly, she got the female lead.
"Hi, hello Ronald, I heard Cynthia always talking about you." Frank Stallone put his arm around Cynthia and said to Ronald.
"I hope it's not my scandal in Pittsburgh." Ronald laughed.
Cynthia leaned slightly to the side and left Frank's arm a little bit. After she got the female lead, she realized that it was the director's brother who had taken a liking to him.
Frank Stallone was originally from the mixed music industry. He did some soundtrack work for his brother's "Rocky" and also released a single, but there was no response.
This time, my brother became the director and immediately called him on. Not only did he be responsible for all the film's episodes and soundtracks, but he was also given a supporting actor role, Jackie, played by Cynthia, who was injured by Tony Manero, played by Travolta.
After you get married, find his character to be your backup boyfriend.
"No, she said you took good care of their extras, and she wanted to find a way to thank you." Frank Stallone looks a bit like his brother Sylvester, but he doesn't have the testosterone-filled feeling of his brother.
"Let me introduce to you, this is Ronald Lee. He also participated in the screenwriting work of this movie and is a good friend of mine." Brother Stallone hugged Ronald and introduced him to the reporters who came to interview.
Then he whispered in Ronald's ear, "Smile", and pressed Ronald's shoulders down hard.
Ronald knowingly squatted down a little to make the height difference less obvious. Then he tilted his head back slightly and asked Stallone to do the famous Rocky punch. He pretended to be hit in the chin by heavyweight boxing champion Rocky and let the reporter
Photograph.
This famous action movie star always wants to show who is the master here on the set.
"Hey", Ronald, who was in a daze, was stabbed by Stallone.
Stallone rolled up his sleeves again, put his fist under his chin, and made a gesture to show off his biceps.
Ronald understood, and squatted down slightly, imitating that posture and making the same movement.
"Good boy." After Stallone finished posing, he sent the reporters away and patted Ronald, "You look very much like our Italians. Do you have Italian ancestry?"
"I am an orphan, which may or may not be true."
"There must be, otherwise Niceta won't sign you." Stallone was very excited and pulled Ronald towards the trailer to have a drink with him. Along the way, he talked about the power of Italians in Hollywood.
Ronald was irritated when he heard this. This star was obviously a little overconfident, but with two leading actors in a super hit series, no one could say anything, so he had to deal with it.
"Come on, Frank, we're friends, but..."
When they were embarrassed, a female voice came from the trailer nearby. Ronald and Stallone looked back and saw Cynthia Rhodes walking out of his brother Frank's trailer.
"Frank!" Stallone called to his brother who was struggling with Cynthia behind him.
"I, sly, Cynthia, she..."
"Italians don't need to force girls like this, understand?" Star Stallone was dissatisfied with his younger brother's performance.
"Cynthia, my brother said you are his girlfriend?" Half of Stallone's facial muscles cannot move very much, so when he speaks seriously, he has quite a bit of intimidation.
"I, I..." Cynthia Rhodes was a little scared and couldn't speak clearly. Of course she felt what Frank Stallone meant to her, but this was just a normal reaction of a girl facing pursuit, and she did not agree to use it.
Make the exchange yourself to get the role.
"Cynthia, did you promise Frank something before you got the role?" Ronald took a step forward and stood next to her, "Don't be anxious and speak slowly."
"I...I was just recommended by you to audition for an extra role. There are many dance roles in this movie. The audition director asked me to go back and prepare to play a dancer behind the singing and dancing line, but the next day he called and said, let me audition
Audition for Jackie. I was just called back to audition for Jackie. There was a video of it at that time, you can watch it."
"Frank?" Stallone looked at this incompetent brother. Either you have to negotiate this kind of thing openly, or you have the ability to pursue it yourself. It doesn't matter if you end up like this today."
"It's a misunderstanding, Cynthia. I think Frank just drank some wine, was a little drunk, and acted a little louder." Ronald saw the mystery. Frank Stallone probably took a fancy to Cynthia Rhodes and asked her to enter.
auditioned for the lead role.
The two did not mention this favor during the filming. Frank may have wanted to use his charm to pursue Cynthia, but he failed to do so at the end of the filming, so today's drunkenness was a bit excessive.
"I'm sorry. Cynthia." Frank whispered.
Stallone was very uncomfortable. When Ronald interrupted him, his brother admitted his mistake. This kind of weak behavior was not like an Italian. Being obsessed with a woman and helping her get a role also kind of disgraced the name Stallone.
.
"Ronald, you're fine."
Stallone patted Ronald on the shoulder, and then said to Cynthia Rhodes:
"Quit quitting the film industry before you do anything that will embarrass your parents in the south."
"Me?" Cynthia couldn't help but shed tears when Stallone said something threatening.