Chapter Three Hundred and One Stars Bright Premiere
Three months passed quickly.
This day is May 12th. At the Los Astor Plaza Theater on Broadway Street in New York City, a large "Top Gun" billboard was installed on the top of the theater foyer. All the people passing by the busiest Broadway street,
Everyone will see this billboard.
In Times Square, Paramount also placed sky-high advertisements, and many Manhattan theaters and restaurants also put up posters.
All of this cost Paramount a budget of millions, just to increase the audience for the opening of "Top Gun."
The protagonist on the poster is Kelly McGillis, who is standing behind and hugging Tom Cruise who is sitting. The title of "Top Gun" and the words "Ronald Lee's Work" are also prominent below.
Cruise's height is a drawback, and Paramount's marketing department took a long time to select this photo, which cleverly conceals the fact that the heroine is taller.
Kelly McGillis has curly blond hair, exactly like the one on the poster, and her hair has grown longer. McGillis stood under a large poster of her own, holding Ronald's arm in front of the foyer, the two of them
Here in the foyer, we welcome the arrival of celebrities from all walks of life.
"Tom," Ronald went over to shake hands with Tom Cruise, who was the first to arrive.
Cruise wore an Italian-style outfit today. Under the gray suit was a Japanese-style printed silk shirt.
"A lot of celebrities are here today, it seems we will be very popular." Cruise looked around, and some photographers were snapping photos.
"No problem, there will be a lot of reports tomorrow."
"I know, Cher..." Cruise whispered in Ronald's ear. He also took the opportunity this time to go on a date with his girlfriend Cher.
"Cher is already inside." Ronald also said something in his ear. Paula Wagner specially said hello, and Cher was even more anxious than Cruise and entered the cinema long in advance.
"Thank you." Cruise turned around and raised his hands to greet the fans, then went up to sign a few autographs, took a few photos for photographers, and then happily walked into the theater.
Ronald wore a dark blue suit with a white shirt, which was clean and neat. It was in perfect contrast to McGillis' white coat and dark shirt.
McGillis and Ronald looked at each other and smiled. The good news continues. During this period, American audiences have regained their interest in movies like "Top Gun" in which they fight Soviet Union pilots in air combat.
Over the past few months, the Challenger accident has experienced ups and downs like a roller coaster. The accident investigation committee wants to shirk responsibility and hope to conclude that the explosion was an accident. They also want to point out the real cause of the accident before launch.
Engineers silenced booster O-ring seals that failed at low temperatures.
Unexpectedly, the engineer secretly found Nobel Prize winner Feynman. At a press conference in February, the physicist Richard Feynman, who was regarded by the outside world as a window dressing for the investigative committee, gave other committees
members, and NASA suddenly struck a blow.
He was sitting at the edge of the rostrum at the press conference, holding an O-ring sealing material for the space shuttle booster in his hand. After asking for a glass of ice water, he used a pair of pliers to clamp the sealing material, and then removed the material.
Soak in it.
After waiting for more than ten minutes, when the reporter finally asked Feynman politely about his views on the cause of the accident, everyone thought he would say something ambiguous.
Unexpectedly, Feynman directly took the sealing ring material out of the ice water and opened the clamp. The material is designed to rebound to seal the booster. In a low-temperature environment, it cannot rebound for dozens of seconds.
There was no way to fulfill the designed function of sealing the booster fuel leakage, which eventually caused the fuel to leak into the external fuel storage tank, causing a big explosion.
Everyone saw the scene on TV of the material being removed from the pliers. The white sealing material did not rebound. Public opinion was in an uproar, and NASA was immediately questioned. It ignored the risks of the astronauts in order to complete the scheduled number of launches to save the space.
Funding was used to force the Challenger to be launched in sub-zero temperatures.
The commander-in-chief ordered a thorough investigation into NASA's responsibility. During this period, the space shuttle launches were suspended.
This dramatic scene was beyond everyone's expectation. However, what is even more surprising is that the American people have more trust in the country.
Feynman's experiment on television proved from another perspective that America is a free country. Some people make mistakes, some point them out, and some correct their mistakes and move on.
Compared with the nuclear power plant accident that occurred in Solvay Union last month, the contrast is too clear, and it is exactly in line with the views of most American people on the two countries.
One country is transparent and has free media. The other country is opaque and the government wants to cover up a huge accident.
If the monsoon had not blown Chernobyl's radioactive materials to the Nordic countries of Sweden and Norway, where they were detected by scientists, the Soviet Union might not have planned to disclose the actual explosion of Unit 4.
The people's confidence in the country has been restored, which makes Ronald and the two producers very happy. The Soviet Union's nuclear accident caused panic in other countries in the world, and the fear of the Soviet Union's powerful force has returned. This month's
On TV, there are endless reports about the horror of nuclear power plant explosions.
Paramount conducted two subsequent test screenings, and the audience returned to their interest in beating Alliance MiG fighters on the screen, and the response was very good.
Paramount was encouraged by the test screening results and specially approved this grand opening ceremony. Ronald used up all his contacts at once and invited all the stars and friends he knew in the industry to attend the "Top Gun" opening ceremony.
Supported the premiere in New York.
If all goes well, it can spark a huge amount of discussion in the media one week before the official opening.
"We're covering the premiere of Paramount's new film 'Top Gun' on Broadway in New York..."
A cable television host was still broadcasting entertainment news to the theater door.
"We're looking at 'Flashdance' star Jennifer Beals, along with her Yale classmate, former child star and Academy Award nominee Jodie Foster.
Waving to the fans across the street, Jodie Foster and Jennifer Beals appeared on the scene together. They looked close and were a pair of good sisters.
"Jennifer, Judy! This is Kelly, Kelly, Judy and Jennifer." Ronald stepped forward to welcome them and introduced McGillis and them to each other.
The three beauties hugged happily, and then placed themselves on both sides of Ronald, allowing photographers to take pictures. These are reporters managed by Paramount. All photos will be reviewed by Paramount first, and then distributed to the media as appropriate.
.
McGillis and Jodie Foster were on both sides of Ronald. They looked at each other secretly, as if conveying some secret signal.
Jennifer Beals and Jodie Foster took photos and entered the theater hand in hand.
"Spike! Katherine!"
Those who arrived first were some not-so-famous insiders. Ronald stepped forward to say hello to two friends from the New York University circle.
McGillis didn't recognize them, so she and Ronald whispered a few words and went to the theater.
"How are you doing?" Ronald hadn't communicated with them for a long time. This time, he was also using all the connections he could to get the box office results for the opening. The two of them were somewhat unknown in the college film circles in New York.
We can mobilize some college students majoring in film and drama to support us.
"It's not bad, man, it's not bad."
Spike Lee's graduation work won some small awards from the African American Foundation, and also won the Outstanding Graduation Work Award from New York University. With this award, he also won the first commercial feature film.
Investment, in progress.
"I'm still looking for opportunities."
Kathryn Bigelow did not fare so well. Her movie didn't make any waves, and there are no new movies to be made. As a female director, there are not many opportunities in this male-dominated industry.
"Let's talk about it after I'm done." Ronald had an idea. He could win over such a high-quality director with good value for money.
"What opportunity is it?" Bigelow immediately became interested.
"Ronnie!"
Another group of stars came over again.
It is the director Cameron, producer Gale Hurd, and actress Sigourney Weaver of the "Alien 2" crew.
"Let me introduce to you, these two are my good friends, Jimmy and Gale. These are the talented directors I met at New York University, Spike Lee and Kathryn Bigelow."
Several directors and producers started chatting together.
"Hello, Ronald. Congratulations on your new film, I'm Sigourney."
"Ha, Lieutenant Ripley needs no introduction." Ronald recognized the middle-aged actress who played the alien-fighting character in the Alien series.
Cameron always likes to arrange such a strong heroine in his movies. He seems to have a special interest in this kind of women, and his wife Gail is also a strong female type.
"If I have the chance, I really hope to make a movie with you."
"Arnold! Long time no see."
Next came Cameron's former "Terminator" actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and with him came New York socialite and niece of the Kennedy family, Maria Shriver.
"Hello, Ronald. I'm looking forward to your new movie." Schwarzenegger winked at Ronald.
"Welcome, is this your beautiful wife, Ms. Shriver? I have watched your show."
"Hello, Director Ronald."
Maria Shriver is a television journalist.
Ronald knew what Schwarzenegger meant. He had a heated relationship with Danish actor Brigitte Nielsen before, and after dating Maria Shriver, he used scheming to dump Nielsen to Stallone. So Ronald didn't mention it.
Stallone and Nelson.
Paramount also extended invitations to newlywed Stallone and Bridget Nielsen, but neither of them had any intention of attending.
Shriver recently wanted to use his family's influence to enter the film industry, and wanted to chat more with Ronald. However, new stars were coming one after another, so he had to ask his husband to ask Ronald for a business card and contact him later.
"Helen, Betty, Danny!"
The next ones came over were the three leading actors from the cast of "The Evil Husband".
Helen Slate lives in New York, and Bette Midler and Danny DeVito both act on Broadway and in Hollywood and also have residences in New York.
They finished filming "The Evil Husband" and came over to support producer Ronald.
"Ronnie", Helen hugged Ronald hard. Her acting career has improved. After all, "The Evil Husband" is the work of the famous director Jerry Zucker.
"Congratulations, you're on your way." Bette Midler and Danny DeVito, two veteran actors, were very uneasy. There were some problems during the filming of "The Evil Husband".
Knowing whether their performances were too childish or not, the Zak trio's directing style was very superficial, and they all felt that their film acting careers were about to suffer.
"You guys go in first, I have to wait for the important guests here." Ronald whispered to Helen quietly.
"Okay, I'll go in first." Helen looked at the reporters outside. She hadn't been watched by so many people for a long time. She took the opportunity to pose a few times for photographers to take pictures.
"John!"
"Ronald!"
Ronald welcomed a new group of stars, John Hughes, and the actors of two new films directed and produced by him.
"Pretty in Pink" was the movie that Ronald proposed as an inspiration. The heroine is Molly Ringwald, and the two people beside her are Jon Cryer who plays a friend, and Andrew McCarthy who plays a crush.
Andrew originally appeared in a Burger King commercial with Ronald.
"Congratulations, Ronald." John Hughes, still wearing the big frame glasses, came up to congratulate Ronald first.
"Congratulations to you too. When will your Pink Family be released?"
"The test screening went poorly. I may have to change the ending."
"I told you..."
Ronald smiled.
The plot I proposed at the time was about two women pursuing a man. American audiences can accept a girl next door falling in love with her childhood sweetheart boyfriend, but they can't accept a beautiful woman failing to pursue a handsome guy and instead marrying a 'friend' boy next door.
In order to continue to praise his muse Molly Ringwald, John Hughes changed the story into a mess. In the end, he did not direct it himself, leaving it to Howard Deutsch, the original assistant director when filming "The Breakfast Club".
"Let me introduce to you, these are the two leading actors of my director's "Spring Is Not a Day to Read".
Behind Hughes are two more young actors. The male is Matthew Brodick, the protagonist of the movie "War Games" that made Ronald buy a computer and connected to the Internet. The female is Matthew Brodick, who has worked with Tom Cruise.
Mia Sara in a fantasy film 'Legend'.
"Hello, hello" Ronald was busy shaking hands and hugging the five young actors.
Mia Sara is very beautiful, with black hair. I don’t know if she is of Italian or Chinese descent.
"Hello, Ronald, I like your movies very much." Mia Sara was still very innocent. She wanted to have a chat out of her love for Ronald's movies.
"I also loved your collaboration with Tom on 'Legendary'"
There was little opportunity for in-depth conversation in the foyer, as Ronald continued to receive bigger celebrities who were arriving one after another.
"The next thing is...is..." The TV host did not recognize the next pair of celebrities who came over.
"Paul, Linda!"
Here came Paul Hogan, who was wearing a crocodile leather jacket, and his girlfriend Linda Kozlowski. They fell in love on the set of "Crocodile Dundee" and became a couple in real life.
"Howdy!"
Hogan still has an Australian accent. Their movie "Crocodile Dundee" has been released in Australia and broke the local box office record, so he wants to come to Hollywood to promote it.
"This is my business card. Let's talk in depth in two days."
Ronald knew Hogan and Linda's thoughts from the agent and welcomed them in first.
"Next up is the Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress, Goldie Hawn, and her boyfriend Kurt Russell."
The host finally recognized the next star.
Ronald chatted with the two of them for a few more words. The production of "The Monster in Chinatown" has been completed, and a lot of Diane's scenes have been retained. It will premiere in two months. Goldie Hawn and Russell took over
They were going to collaborate on a movie, and they wanted to see if Ronald was interested in directing it.
"Here's Oscar nominee for Best Screenplay, Oliver Stone."
"Oliver," Ronald hugged him.
Stone's new Vietnam War film has been filmed in Southeast Asia. Behind are two actors, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen.
Ronald looked at Charlie Sheen and laughed again, remembering the movie that was a spoof of "Top Gun" in his dream.
Charlie Sheen also laughed. He used Ronald to prevent his brother Emilio from having any new opportunities. Now he is directing and starring in a new movie with his girlfriend Demi.
Many people from the "Platoon" crew came to cheer, including Willem Dafoe, Tom Bellinger who almost played "Top Gun", Johnny Depp, an actor dressed in a feminine and weird costume, and his girlfriend.
This actress looked a bit like an old-school Hollywood movie star, and her eyebrows were very similar to those of female stars from the golden age. Ronald took a second look.
"Let me show you my new tattoo." Johnny Depp saw Ronald's gaze and quickly showed his new tattoo to his girlfriend.
"Sherilyn Fenn?" The girlfriend saw the tattoo, realized it was her name, and sweetly hugged Depp's arm and went in.
"Next is star William Hurt, and his co-star Mary Matlin in the new film 'Children of God'." The TV reporter continued.
"Welcome, William" Ronald stepped forward to hug.
"Hello, Ronald. I just heard Katherine Turner talk about you and she spoke very highly of you."
"Hahaha, I also like your performance very much."
Hurt and Turner co-starred in the erotic thriller "Body Heat" a few years ago and are friends. Not long ago, Ronald went to the set of Coppola's "Peggy Sue Getting Married"
, Kathryn Turner hated the acting of the leading actor Nicolas Cage, and the two were very at odds with each other. Ronald and Cage had a few words, and he improved later on.
So Turner had a good impression of Ronald.
"Ronald, he is a very good director..." William Hurt explained in sign language to Mary Matlin next to him.
"I've seen his movies and I like him very much." Mary Matlin replied in sign language.
"Children of God" is a movie about deaf-mute people. The heroine Mary Matlin is a real deaf-mute. William Hurt specially learned sign language in order to act well in the movie. He and
Marie Matlin also fell in love because of acting, and the two are now dating.
"Tom Hanks, and Rita Wilson, and John Candy..."
"Hello", these three are the trio who just co-starred in "Volunteer".
"Noriyuki Morita and Ralph Marzio, Elizabeth Sue..."
"Hey, it'll be up to you in two months." This is Ronald's direct lineage.
"Isabella Rossellini, and director David Lynch..."
"Hello, Isabella, hello, Director Lynch." This is the mistress, uh, the former mistress and her new boyfriend.
"Michael Douglas, Kathryn Turner..."
"Hello...Hello..." The two co-produced "The Jewel of the Nile", the sequel to "Emerald".
"Jane Fonda..."
"Jane, nice to meet you..."
"Ronnie, good job."
The following stars became bigger and bigger. The host was happy and could easily announce their names.
Ronald stood at the door for more than half an hour, his smiling face a little stiff. The arrival of these celebrities was equivalent to bringing him free news reports. In tomorrow's entertainment edition, these celebrity trends can occupy at least two or three pages.
Report.
The opening box office of a movie depends entirely on the marketing resources invested by the distribution company and the stars who attend the premiere. After that, it depends on the reputation. If it can open well, it will have a strong horsepower, which is much better than making a Sleeping Beauty-style movie.
Already.
These stars, on the one hand, are looking for Ronald's face, and on the other hand, Paramount has given a lot of support. Many of them don't live in New York, and they came to attend the premiere, which is very face-saving.
"Ronald, congratulations!"
The last two most important ones to come are Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, the two major directors who were the most influential directors in the 1980s and monopolized some of the highest-grossing film series.
"George, Steven, Ronald, look over here!"
The photographer shouted to the three people.
Ronald stood to the left of the two directors, stepped back slightly, put on a smile, and posed for them.
"Please come in, I'm glad you can come and support me, thank you!"
"Steven said your new movie is very interesting, I'll come and watch it too." Lucas said with a smile as he walked away. He had gained a little weight after the divorce and was in a good mood. "My new movie will be released soon. You will also want to watch it by then."
come."
"Thank you, thank you, definitely." Ronald saw the two heavyweights, so of course he personally accompanied them and entered the theater with them.
"Have you contacted them there? What did they say?" Inside the theater, Spielberg came over and whispered to Ronald.
"I conveyed your intention to them. In principle, they agree with any crew that goes there to shoot scenes, but they have to hire some professionals from their factory. The level is very good, and the wages are not expensive."
"Very well, I'll ask Catherine to follow up."
Spielberg purchased the rights to adapt J.G. Ballard's novel and planned to shoot a new film in the mysterious East. Ronald helped contact the film studio in Xujiahui, and they reported that they were very welcoming to Hollywood visitors, but
Request to hire local technicians and pay bills in US dollars.
After letting the big guys sit down, Ronald quietly walked to a seat next to the aisle.
"Ronnie", it was Aunt Karen who held his hand and gently comforted Ronald, who was a little nervous.
The premiere was held in New York for marketing reasons by Paramount. It is easier to market the film on the West Coast, while the East Coast needs more exposure opportunities.
This arrangement made it convenient for Ronald to go home and see his aunt.
"I hope the audience doesn't hate it too much," Ronald whispered to his aunt.
The editing pace of this movie is very fast, breaking the traditional narrative rhythm of Hollywood. Many storylines are not fully displayed, and it is up to the audience to figure it out.
And unlike previous films that reflected the Vietnam War, "Top Gun" did not "reflect" on the Vietnam War at all. The entire story showed the power of naval pilots. It was only in the dialogue between the Lone Ranger and the top gun flight instructor "Viper",
Only then did he touch on some of the unfair treatment suffered by the Lone Ranger’s father during the Vietnam War.
Ronald didn't know what viewers of his aunt's age would think of his head-on handling of the war.
After the host's brief speech, the movie was quickly shown.
"When...when..." the bells from the "Top Gun" theme song rang again.
Hundreds of spectators who had spent a lot of money to buy tickets sat behind the stars and watched the premiere of "Top Gun" together.