"What do you mean by what you said on the phone? How can I get an Oscar nomination for Best Director?"
Ned Tanning refused to disclose the details on the phone, so Ronald had to come to Paramount's president's office to interview him.
Being nominated for an Oscar for Best Director is a great temptation for any Hollywood director. Ronald was no exception. After he entered Tanin's office, he asked him directly.
When it comes to box office, Ronald is confident, but when it comes to awards, he is less confident.
"Dirty Dancing" continues to surge at the box office, earning a massive $4.45 million at the weekend box office in its fifth week of release, ranking third on the box office list, trailing only two newly released major films.
Ranked second is 20th Century Fox's "The Pickup Guy," starring Robert Downey Jr. and Molly Ringwald. This movie was shown in more than 1,120 theaters, surpassing "Dirty Dancing."
100,000 US dollars to win the runner-up spot.
The box office champion was Paramount's new film, "Fatal Attraction" starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. Although it was only shown in more than 700 theaters, the box office was as high as 7.6 million U.S. dollars in a single theater.
The box office gross exceeded $10,000, more than twice that of "Dirty Dancing" and "The Pickup Expert."
The reviews of this movie are also very good, and it is both well-received and well-received. Adrian Lyne, who worked with Ronald as the director of "Flashdance" at the time, has great experience in shooting such erotic films, and he is very smart, always
At the end, it condemns cheaters and marriage destroyers.
This kind of condemnation was also liked by film critics, who said that Ryan showed the destructive power of immoral lust to the audience on the screen and warned people who have such thoughts.
Audiences can also use this as an excuse to go to the cinema to watch passionate performances.
This kind of acclaim and box office success is exactly what Ronald's works lack.
If there was an award in Hollywood that was based on the box office of the movie, "Dirty Dancing" would undoubtedly be the nominated film. If there was another award that was based on the movie's return on investment, then "Dirty Dancing" would win.
The probability of winning the jackpot is very high.
But the Oscar is different. It is voted by members of the American Academy of Motion Picture Technology and the Arts based on the principle of one person, one vote. "Dirty Dancing" has no particularly outstanding performance in terms of directorial skills or actors' performances.
Even getting the nomination qualification is not an easy task.
Ronald knows this from his experience judging awards for many commercially successful films such as "Famous", "The Kid" and "Top Gun", and "Dirty Dancing" can win a Best Original Song
The nomination is very remarkable. This award has the greatest relationship with the popularity of the song.
These three films that Ronald participated in all received good results in this award.
Therefore, Ronald is self-aware of the film path he has chosen. Next year's Oscars and other awards are just looking forward to winning Best Original Song.
Ned Tanning suddenly said that he could help him get an Oscar nomination. Ronald didn't believe it, but out of respect for Paramount's past award-winning history, he came to the office to hear the plan in person.
Although the biggest winner at the Oscars in recent years has been mid-sized producer Orion Pictures, which last year produced and released Oliver Stone's "Platoon" and Woody Allen's "Hanna and Her Sisters"
Won many awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Actor.
But Paramount can still make the successful small-budget commercial film "Children of God" unexpectedly win the Best Actress. They are good at making commercially successful films win Oscars at the same time. This is Orion's way of using Oscars to win.
The route to boosting movie box office is completely different.
Maybe Tanin has some tricks up his sleeve that can make "Dirty Dancing" work miracles as well?
"Relax, Ronald." Ned Tanin was in high spirits and very satisfied. Ronald had always been a loner and was unwilling to bind a long-term contract with any studio. Now he finally found his weakness.
It turns out that you are not so arrogant. You want to win awards even if you make a hit movie, right?
"Hahaha, I'm just curious, can you get Dirty Dancing nominated? If you can do it, what do I need to pay?" Ronald realized that he had lost his temper, but since Tanin was willing to offer a price, compared to
It's not nonsense, just spread it out.
Does Tanin want him to direct a movie for Paramount, or has some other request? We can discuss it.
"Wait a minute, let's wait for one more person." Ned Tanin was not in a hurry and slowly lit a cigar, then poured a glass of brandy and handed it to Ronald.
"e On!", Ronald was still putting on airs when he saw Tanin, but he was eager to know how to operate Oscar, so he had to sit down and slowly drink and chat with him.
"Then what's going on between you and Shirley Lansing? She called me and scolded me for no reason." Ronald took a sip from the wine glass, then looked around on his table, looking around.
Look at Tanin holding the expensive-looking cigar in his mouth.
"Here", Tanin opened the drawer, took out one, cut it for Ronald himself, then struck a special extended poplar match and lit it for him.
"Wonderful!" Ronald took a puff and spit it out without letting the smoke enter his lungs. It was indeed the finest Ashton cigar, produced in Philadelphia, and a good thing only for the old money in America.
"You know what? She and her partner, Stanley Jaffe, have been eyeing my seat for a long time." Ned Tanning watched the match burn slowly, and then said leisurely.
"Shxt, are they worthy? Besides, your performance is so good, it's not the turn of two independent producers to threaten your position, right?" Ronald squinted his eyes, no wonder Taning wanted to borrow his name
, to suppress Lansing’s new film.
"Huh..." Ned Tanning gently blew out the match. This kind of poplar match only has a refreshing fragrance when burning. It will not contaminate fine cigars with the smell of burning kerosene like low-end products like Zippo lighters.
.
"Actually, I don't want to stay in this position anymore, but I don't want someone like Lansing to take over Paramount after me."
"How do you say this?" Ronald suddenly heard a big gossip. Because of his filming of "Top Gun", Tanin handed over a report card that was no less than that of Michael Eisner. Why didn't he do it?
Already?
"I heard that you also established your own production company, Ronald." Tanin changed the topic to Ronald again.
"Yes, my company is a small company, and all the funds are only enough to produce a medium-sized movie..."
"But with the success of Dirty Dancing, you don't have more than this capital." Tanin interrupted Ronald's false politeness. Nowadays, no one in Hollywood knows that Ronald has made a fortune, and this guy still gave it to him very loyally.
The main creative staff shared dividends, causing a stir among artists.
"I mean, who do you think would be more enjoyable for me as the president of Paramount or for you as the boss of a small studio?"
"This..." Ronald stopped and thought for a moment, and he somewhat understood what Ned Tanin meant.
Unlike his predecessor Michael Eisner, Ned Tanin's appointment was not a popular choice, but a compromise between several candidates. This caused him to have many problems within Paramount.
He does more of a balancing act, and I guess independent production companies like Shirley Lansing, who have signed a long-term distribution contract with Paramount, are not very respectful in front of him.
"But, after all, he is the president of Paramount." Ronald still said what he really thought. Having been in Hollywood for decades, the president of Paramount, a prestigious company, is better than his own small production company.
.
"Do you know how much severance package you received when Frank Price, the president of Columbia who promoted you, resigned from the position of president of Columbia and Universal twice?"
"ah?"
"And in our position, we can also sign a long-term distribution contract with the company. We can establish a small production company ourselves and have limited distribution rights for the films we shoot."
"If you put it that way, it's not bad." Ronald took another puff of his cigar. This kind of golden parachute is given to the resigning president. It comes with a large severance package, plus investment in their personal production company, plus priority for future movies.
Distribution rights. In fact, in the final analysis, it is all about sealing the record to prevent them from telling the dirty deals during their tenure.
"Do you think this is a good seat to sit in? More and more film company presidents are occupied by people from TV stations. I take advantage of the fact that the box office of the few movies you helped shoot and produce is..."
De Tanin said half of what he said, and Ronald must be able to understand the following words.
Twentieth Century Fox was taken over by a former ABC TV executive. Ned Tanin took advantage of the success of movies such as "Top Gun" to get the coveted golden parachute and leave, no longer having to sit in this hot seat.
Sitting on the throne was exactly what he had dreamed of when he came to power, and it was a wise choice.
The position of president of a film company is becoming less and less attractive now. Everyone just wants to work for two or three years, make a hit movie, then retire immediately with severance pay and enjoy life.
"Then what do you mean by coming to me? What can I do for your retirement arrangements? And who are we waiting for?" Ronald felt that Tanin came to him to confide his concerns, and he must have wanted to help and protect himself.
Let’s talk about his retirement arrangements in exchange for giving himself an Oscar nomination.
"These two things are actually the same thing." Tanin laughed, and then started talking about romantic things.
"Tuk Tuk..." The knock on the door interrupted the meaningless conversation between Ronald and Ned Tanin. A tall, handsome man walked in. His suit was tailored to fit, and he had long hair and a beard.
He has the charm of a movie actor.
"Sid, you know Ronald." Tanin sat and nodded to the person, then turned to Ronald, "Ronald, this is Sid Ganis, Paramount's director of marketing and public relations."
"I have long admired you, Director Ronald. I am honored to meet you." Sid Gannis is personable. As a senior management talent in charge of marketing and public relations, he is really suitable for the film industry. If no one introduces him, he will
Most people would think he is an actor.
"Sid was responsible for the entire marketing of 'Top Gun,' and he was responsible for the first two Indiana Jones films, which was impressive.
In addition, he is also responsible for the entire Paramount awards public relations, and "The Children of God" is his handiwork." Ned Tanning smiled and introduced Gannis' achievements to Ronald.
Unlike Ronald, who is known to everyone in the industry for his blockbuster movies, Sid Gannis' abilities are only known in a very small circle.
"The honor belongs to me." Ronald stood up and shook hands with him. He pulled out the chair and asked Gannis to sit down. Ronald also glanced at Tanin who was sitting behind the desk. Obviously, he was invited to sit down today.
It was specially arranged that some high-ranking officials come here for prizes.
"The youngest movie queen in history? Huh? Impressive." Ronald turned around to express his goodwill to Ganis. It seemed that he could hear what the award experts said today.
"Ronald is a very good director, but the film critics don't like him very much. He wants to cooperate with us at Paramount. The next film will focus more on artistry, so I came to you to explain to him Paramount's
Oscar manipulation," Tanin said to Sid Ganis, then gave Ronald a hint.
"Actually, director Ronald's current movies have great potential to win awards." When Sid Gannis heard that it was to win Ronald to come to Paramount, he immediately became interested.
"I brought both ears, Mr. Gannis." Ronald looked at Gannis with interest. "Is it still too late to operate "Dirty Dancing" now?"
"Your new yet-to-be-released film 'Moonlight' is actually more in line with Oscar's taste. As long as the distributor is MGM..." Sid Ganis paused.
"Ronald is one of our own. You can tell him how we won the PR award for the new movie 'Fatal Attraction.'" Ned Tanin's heart is with this man who promoted his confidant Sid Gan.
Nice, take over the position of president so that your retirement benefits can be guaranteed.
Ronald was his biggest supporter during his time at Paramount. After he left, Gannis also needed such commercial talent to help achieve good results. Now it is time for them to get to know each other.
"Fatal Attraction", Sid Ganis smiled, this movie is a new work of the production company of Stanley Jaffe and Shirley Lansing, with good box office potential. The heroine Glenn Close, in it
She plays a perverted woman who has an extramarital affair with Michael Douglas and tortures their family after forcing her to marry him. She is looking forward to becoming an Oscar-winning actress.
"I will talk about our operation of this type of film with the potential to win awards, and Director Ronald can understand our influence in the film critic circle, as well as the technical and artistic academies."
Ganis began to talk about his standard operation for winning awards. In fact, it was impossible for him to go all out to win awards for the people of Jaffe Lansing Production Company who were vying to be the next president, but he just took this opportunity to hint at Ronald.
How could he talk to MGM and help win the prize?
"First of all, your film needs to be recognized by industry associations."
Ganis opens up about the secrets of PR for the Oscars.
To be eligible for nomination, the film must first be screened in more than 10 theaters in America for at least two weeks before the end of 1987.
Secondly, nominations are selected by the industry union where the award is held, and senior film critics vote together. For example, nominations for the Director Award are selected by the Directors Guild. Nominations for the Actor Award are selected by the Screen Actors Guild. Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay
, it’s all like this.
Therefore, before the nominations are announced early next year, there are many important film critics associations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc., as well as awards from their unions. These union awards and film critics association awards are the weather vane for nominations. Because in essence
Yes, they were selected by a group of people.
After the nominations are selected, winning depends on luck. Because at the winning stage, it is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Technology and all voting members who vote unanimously.
In other words, everyone, whether they are actors, photographers, screenwriters, or directors, as long as they have the right to vote, can vote for all awards and ultimately decide the winners.
At the 69th Oscars this year, Paramount's "Children of God" was able to make its heroine Marlee Matlin the youngest actress in history because of Sid Ganis.
A public relations operation to hype up her identity as a deaf-mute.
In the end, it resonated with the actor group with the most votes, defeating the outstanding former actresses Jane Fonda, Sissy Spacek, and nominees Kathryn Turner and Sigourney Weaver.
and others, won the youngest Best Actress title on the first nomination.
As for actor Paul Newman, because although his acting skills have been recognized by the industry and the audience for many years, he has never won the championship. He received many sympathy votes and got what he wanted.
"Therefore, the most important thing is how the actors feel about you." Finally, Sid Ganis summarized his operational ideas.
Ronald secretly wrote down the key points. These are all based on experience. How to deal with the Film Critics Association, how to secretly convey benefits reasonably and legally, and how to make those old judges have a better impression of him. Many of them are
The untold secrets of major movie studios.
If you have the numbers, at least you will not be deceived by the distributors you cooperate with. At least you will have an idea of how much resources MGM will invest this time to help "Moonlight" win the award next year.
"Thank you, Sid. I think Ronald has fully understood the strength of Paramount, and he will take him into consideration as to who to cooperate with in the next movies."
"Thank you, Mr. Gannis."
The two sent Sid Gannis away tacitly, and then looked at each other and smiled.
Ned Tanning was unwilling to be the boss of Paramount's semi-independent production company, and Jaffe and Lansing were the candidates to take over, so he used Ganis to specifically remind Ronald that he should try his best to win next year's Oscar award.
, we cannot let the recent hit "Fatal Attraction" be a great success in awards and become a bargaining chip for those two people to take over.
Ronald, through Gannis's introduction, understood the key points of Oscar public relations. In addition, Sid Gannis himself is also a strong contender for Paramount's next president. This kind of interest entanglement can only be solved by Gannis.
Do it, seemingly or not, to weaken the public relations efforts on "Fatal Attraction"...
Superimposed on both sides, Ronald's "moonlight sultry" looks like a really good chance.
"I hope your film will be loved by Academy members and film critics." Tanin sent his sincere blessings to Ronald.
"Thank you." Ronald accepted his kindness. As his pawn to weaken the power of Jaffe Lansing Production Company, he actually benefited.
"Also, out of complete curiosity," Ronald stood up to leave, and then pretended to casually ask about the "Pear Robbery" incident, "What do you think about the casting of female victims?"
Anyway, I'm not happy with Shirley Lansing, so let's see what Ned has in mind to suppress her, and help Jodie Foster and Kelly McGillis fulfill their wishes.
"You really don't want to direct that movie?" Tanin confirmed Ronald's wishes.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Actually, I am preparing for an action movie. I am not interested in this kind of movie for the time being. The script makes me physically uncomfortable."
"Well, you know Lansing's character." Ned Tanning nodded in agreement.
In this male-dominated industry, in order for a woman like Shirley Lansing to succeed, she must be tougher than men in everything.
Ned has been contradicted by Lansing several times. The former actress, who filmed more than ten minutes of scenes opposite John Wayne, always likes to argue as if she is an expert. Her theories are all based on other opinions.
What I heard from the director or producer was that they often used strong words to make excuses.
It is not a good thing for such a person to be in power to ensure his own interests. After retirement, if Lansing becomes president, he will be questioned by her about his film project. Ned Tanning must try his best not to let this happen.
Therefore, "Fatal Attraction" directed by Lansing and her partner Jaffe, it is best not to win too many Oscars, especially the five most valuable awards: Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Actress.
Best Actor, and Best Screenplay.
"Molly Ringwald, her new haircut cost $2,000, and now all the high school girls want to be like her." Ned Tanen was a little worried about Lansing wanting to use Ringwald.
, this girl is still the most popular pop idol. Although the box office of the new film "The Pickup Expert" was average, her personal acting skills were still praised by film critics.
More film critics mainly criticized the performance of the leading actor Robert Downey Jr., who had no chemistry with Ringwald in the romantic comedy.
With this kind of idol starring in "Pear Blossom", whether it is the box office growth it brings, or the film critics' pursuit of Molly Ringwald's transformational role, the film will gain an advantage at the box office and reviews.
.
"Your choice of Jodie Foster is obviously better. She is a mature woman after all. Ringwald in The Pickup Expert is obviously not convincing enough to play a mature woman." Ned Tanning said that he
Someone who can support Ronald.
"But the production rights are in Lansing's hands, and she called me yesterday and was very rude." Ronald shrugged.
"Yeah, I can't stand her either. I have to find a way."
"By the way, you just said that Ringwald is still the idol of high school students? How old is she this year?"
Ronald suddenly discovered a blind spot.
"Let me take a look." Tanin dug out the "Pear Blossom Robbery" folder from his desk drawer and turned to Molly Ringwald's audition resume. "She was born in 1968 and is not yet 20 years old."
"You know what? It's completely unrelated to this matter. I remembered something from the past." Ronald touched his chin.
"Oh? What's the interesting thing?" Ned Tanin answered in a playful tone.
"When Tom Cruise became famous for his hit movie 'It's Crazy', he initially wanted Diane Lane to be the heroine. I was on the set of Coppola's 'The Kid' at the time, and I saw with my own eyes that Tom
Invited Diane."
"Then what happened next? Why was it changed to Rebecca Demony?" Now Tanin was really interested.
"Di An's father said that he would never let his daughter play a call girl. At that time, Diane was not yet twenty, so..."
"Ah, to say something completely irrelevant... it's really a pity. Diane Lane should have deserved a better career." Nedtanen smiled evilly and shook hands with Ronald to say goodbye.
…
"Molly Ringwald announced her withdrawal from the casting of 'Pear Blossom' before filming started. Her mother claimed that this decision was her daughter's immature decision. After they saw the complete script, they would not cast her daughter in the role.
Playing a victim of assault, especially if the script contains scenes of violence beyond what is usually necessary..."
On the evening of the next day, Ronald saw the news about the cast changes in "The Pear Blossom" in the gossip section of the "Hollywood Report".
Ned Tanning is still so fast...
Hahaha, Ronald wanted to laugh out loud. Ms. Lansing, if I really intervened in the casting, this would not be the result.
"Ronald, Ronald, you are God! I came to you to fulfill my promise, ah... ah..."
In the evening, Jodie Foster called, and her slightly magnetic voice was very nice. She had just received a call from Lansing, and she was directly chosen as the heroine.
Jodie Foster was so excited that she threw away the GRE test materials in her hand, rushed into the bathroom and started to dress up.
"Where are you going? You already know you have been selected, right?" Kelly McGillis entered the room and was about to tell Foster the good news when she suddenly discovered that Foster had put on alluring eye shadow and was wearing a
Dressed like an office girl, with black stockings and high heels, she exudes a strong sexy charm before going out.
"Hey, I have to thank the biggest contributor."
"Ha..." McGillis also wore a light gray office girl coat with neat pants underneath. She also styled her long hair into big waves and wore bright red lipstick. This is her image as a lawyer for the district attorney.
prepare for.
"Ronald? Just ask him to come over."
McGillis lay lazily on the sofa in the living room, took off the phone, and broadcast the speed dial number, "Hey, Ronald, there are two ladies here who are feeling very hot. Can you come and put out the fire?"