"What should you do if you find an actor whose personality and experience are very suitable for the role, but his appearance does not match the description in the script?" Ronald asked Margery, who was sorting out the audition materials together.
"This is a good question. The founder of our studio, Marion Dorotti, actually changed the general view of this issue in the industry." Margery explained.
"In the 1967 movie 'The Graduate,' the protagonist in the script was a tall, handsome guy with blond hair, who looked a bit like you, Ronnie."
"But Marion discovered Dustin Hoffman and convinced director Michael Nichols to cast him as the protagonist and change the tall blond guy in the script to a short Jewish guy."
"The movie was very successful. From then on, directors began to pay more attention to the fit between actors and characters, rather than just looking at appearance. You know in the big studio era, casting directors were like secretaries, choosing looks from actor photos.
Just as long as it’s similar to what’s described in the script.”
"Margery, look at this photo?" Ronald took out Gene's photo from his notebook and handed it to Margery.
"What? Is there anything special about him?"
"He dances very well, and his experience is very similar to that of Leroy, the protagonist of "Hot Lunch". He was also born poor in Harlem, attended an acting college, and was expelled from school for his unruly behavior. The most interesting thing is
But he, like Leroy, is illiterate."
"The only problem is he's black and Leroy is Latino."
"What's his name? You can ask him to come for an audition tomorrow."
"Gene Anthony Ray, of course I'm talking about auditioning for a dance ensemble, but I always think he's Leroy."
Ronald picked up the phone and dialed.
"I'm looking for Jean,...Gene Anthony Ray...there's no such person?...The number he gave me is...wait a minute, he is Joan's son...yes, the one who always wears a top hat
.”
After a while, Gene came to answer the phone. He was very happy to hear that he would be auditioning tomorrow and started singing on the phone.
"Does this kid not go to class every day? Has he been expelled again?" Ronald thought to himself.
Gene's audition was very successful. His ballet mixed a lot of elements of floor dance and mechanical dance, much like a dance genius without systematic training, who combined various dances by himself.
Only this kind of dancing genius can impress the teacher in the entrance interview, so that he can reject the main actor and admit Leroy as a backup dancer for his friend.
"We have to let producer David Da Silva and director Alan Parker take a look." Margery had been convinced by Gene's audition and agreed with Ronald's point of view, considering him as a candidate for Leroy.
People recommend it.
"No, no, there will be too many black people. Three of the eight protagonists will be black." After seeing Gene's audition, the producer categorically rejected it.
"Leroy is a boy from the dance department, CoCo is a girl from the music department, and there is CoCo's competitor Lydia." Ronald did the math and found that there were indeed a little more. There were only eight protagonists in total.
"But he is LeRoy, and we can't give up on him, who is so suitable. He will bring the whole movie to a higher level." Director Parker supported Gene's role as LeRoy.
“No Way, American audiences are used to the proportion of protagonists in movies. There are two black people, one Latino white, one Jewish white, and the other four are all European whites. No distribution company will agree to put so many black protagonists.
of."
"Does the movie need such a strict racial ratio?" Ronald asked Margery secretly.
"You're still young, Ronnie. In Hollywood movies, there are racial quotas for roles," Margery said.
"In Hollywood during the big studio era, basically all roles were played by white people. There were very few black people who could star in them, and some of them were in supporting roles."
"After Dr. King's affirmative action, black people began to have their own place in the entertainment industry. If it is a movie that reflects New York, black people, Latinos, Italians, Jews and other common races in New York will allocate some roles according to the proportion of the population.
It’s everyone’s default rule.”
“What about the Chinese?”
"Chinese? They don't have enough influence. At most they have a supporting role. In the entrance interview scene in Hot Lunch, a Chinese violinist appeared, but that was it." Margery explained to him.
"What do you two think?" Director Parker was arguing with the producer and asked Margery and Ronald for their opinions.
Ronald felt that the director was looking for support. Jean was originally recommended by Ronald and Margery. When asked for their opinions, the tendency was obvious.
"Ronald, why do you want to change the skin color of the protagonist? This is a casting choice that is 'obviously inconsistent with the script.'" Producer Da Silva put the emphasis on the words "obviously inconsistent with the script." This is
It's a reminder to myself, don't forget the original agreement.
"Mr. Da Silva, my idea is very simple. Gene's background is very similar to Leroy. If you and Mr. Parker agree, I think he is a good candidate. If not, he can also be qualified as a dance group actor.
"
"Ronnie and I auditioned for his role. Gene's acting skills are very explosive, and his background is almost the same as Leroy. It's rare to find an actor who can perform like this.
The audition situation also shows that it is difficult to find young actors now, so it is cost-effective to change the script for him." Margery also started to support.
"Perhaps we can consider changing the races of the other two black girls to maintain the proportion of blacks among the protagonists?" Ronald suggested in a low voice.
Da Silva was at a disadvantage. Ronald and Margery all sided with the director and agreed to change Leroy's background and choose Jean as the protagonist.
Of course, casting is not about choosing a leader or counting votes. But producers also have to be reasonable. Da Silva generally cannot veto director Parker's decision without sufficient reasons.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Da Silva frowned:
"No, CoCo's scenes cannot be deleted. She is the only student who spans the three departments of dance, comedy, and music. She needs to connect many of the protagonist's scenes." Producer Da Silva said.
"Is that the other one that can be deleted?" Ronald thought to himself.
"Then delete Lydia's scene," director Parker made the final decision. "The plot between Lydia and CoCo is too repetitive, and the competition between the two in their singing career is actually quite useless. CoCo itself was not successful, and Lydia fought to win.
Well, the best outcome is just to make adult movies."
Margery taped Gene's Polaroid photo on the whiteboard under "Leroy's" name: "Ronald remembered to take a picture of Gene; he is now one of the main characters."
"The first protagonist of the whole play." The director continued, "How are our other protagonists doing? Where are the auditions?"
"It will be placed at the Ambassador Hotel, which has several large business conference rooms. We generally recommend it."
"Ronald, come here, let me talk to you." Seeing that the director and Margery were chatting enthusiastically, producer Da Silva pulled Ronald out of the office alone and talked in the corridor.
"What did I tell you? I asked you to keep an eye on the director and not choose actors who are obviously inconsistent with the script. How did you do it?" Da Silva lowered his voice, but veins popped out on his face, looking very angry.
.
"I'm sorry, Mr. da Silva, I just wanted to give him a chance to perform as an extra, but his background..."
Ronald suddenly felt that something was not going well. The producer was like a strong bat that kept hitting the air, unable to attack the pitcher director in the distance, so he began to complain about the catcher Ronald next to him.
Da Silva made a stop gesture and said, "Stop talking anymore. Your credibility with me will be deducted by one point. Don't do this kind of thing against my will again in the future." Da Silva is also very tall and has both eyes.
Looking straight at Ronald, "Don't think that because the director likes you, I can't fire you."
"Okay, Mr. da Silva, I apologize to you..." Ronald thought, wondering what his total score with the producer was?
"Also, Allen will be mainly sitting at the Ambassador Hotel soon, interviewing audition actors. Your job as a driver will end here." Da Silva was still angry and interrupted to apologize.
"Yeah, the monthly bonus is gone. The cost of recommending someone is really high." Ronald was a little unhappy.
"Don't forget what I told you, Ronnie. You have to remember who is the one who pays your salary in the crew." Producer Da Silva poked with his finger.
Touching Ronald's chest.
Ronald took two steps back after being poked, and his ears began to itch a little.
The result of this matter violated the producer's instructions. However, Ronald did not exceed his authority. He immediately found Margery, who then reported it to him and the director. In the end, the script was changed, which can be said to be the producer's
The person himself did not suppress the director.
Besides, you are doing it for the entire crew, right?
"This will help you deepen your memory." Da Silva pointed to his head, "Don't forget what you promised me." After saying that, he turned to leave.
"I have one more thing, Mr. Da Silva." Ronald stopped the producer. "I heard that 'hot lunch' is a bad slang in black slang in Harlem. The name of the movie would be like that."
Any questions? Their slang for hot lunch is..."
Da Silva interrupted Ronald again: "You are overthinking, Ronnie. This movie is not for black people. The fact that two of the main characters are black does not mean that the main audience of the movie is black. You
Understand?"
"Forget it, you don't understand the distribution and marketing of movies, and I don't understand what I'm telling you. I know you are very motivated, little Ronnie. But on the crew, the most important thing is to take care of what you should take care of."
It seemed like someone had said this to him before, Ronald scratched his ears.
Ronald, who had lost several thousand dollars in foreign currency for no apparent reason, was in a bad mood. He poured a cup of coffee and drank it in the corridor.
"Ronnie, how was my audition?" Gene was still waiting outside. When he saw Ronald, he hurriedly came up to find out the news.
"Margery hasn't informed you yet? The director appreciates you and will give you an important role." Ronald smiled, "Come with me, and I will take you to see the director."
"Hey, brother. I will never forget you. We men in Harlem have a clear distinction between grudges and grievances. From now on on the set, I will be yours." Gene began to express his loyalty.
"Remember to listen to the director. Act well and don't lose your reputation in Harlem." Ronald introduced him into the conference room, "Director, Gene is here."
"Aha, Gene, you're here." Director Parker hugged him happily.
"You will play one of the protagonists, Leroy from Harlem. This is your script. During this period, you have to memorize it and ask Ronald about the parts you don't understand. Then starting next week, you will go to the Ambassador Hotel every day.
Go, we will start auditioning other actors. Some roles require you to play with them."
"Play well, Gene, and don't let me live up to my $6,000 a month price."