"The Mid-Autumn Festival in foreign countries is quite fun, but why do they eat turkey? We don't seem to have this kind of chicken in China..." Director Huang got up to exercise the next day and talked to Xiao Yan about last night's event.
banquet.
"It's called Thanksgiving. I heard it's a festival for our ancestors who immigrated back then to thank their God for their harvest. We eat turkey on Thanksgiving."
"This turkey is quite delicious...tastier than my domestic chickens."
"That's because my chef uncle is willing to put in the ingredients. You can see that the outside of the turkey is wrapped in bacon. The juices of the pork seep into it. It is also roasted twice in a special oven. After it is cooked, the bacon is not used. It is eaten exclusively.
That smoky meat flavor. The turkey my classmate made in college was like chewing cardboard, very woody.”
"Xiao Yan, why don't you come to New York and study hard..." Director Huang is old enough to be Xiao Yan's aunt, so he gave the instructions on behalf of Lao Yan.
Ronald also got up early, and happened to overhear some snippets of the conversation upstairs. Thanksgiving, for the American people, is a festival full of family reunions.
In addition to what Xiao Yan said about being grateful to God, my aunt said that she was also grateful to the Indian tribe who gave some food to the immigrants.
Therefore, there are many elements of gratitude during this holiday. Many people will write letters or make phone calls to those who have helped them during this holiday.
Ronald thought about it, returned to the room, took out a pen and paper, and began to recall the people in this industry who had been crucially helpful to him.
Of course, Roger Corman helped him at the beginning, as well as the Camerons, the director Woody Allen, and the women in the casting studio who helped him... Soon, Ronald wrote a
Make a list and start writing letters to everyone.
"Dear Roger, on this day of gratitude, I..."
Ronald wrote a few sentences and seemed to feel something was wrong.
There is no shortage of stars in Hollywood who, after winning Oscars, would like to thank everyone, including their hairstylists. However, in this cruel industry, there are very few people who can help in times of need.
The power of words is still not as good as actions to express your emotions.
Ronald folded the paper with the list in two stacks and put it in his notebook. Then he called Roger Coleman in Los Angeles.
"Julie, this is Ronald. Happy Thanksgiving. Is Roger here?"
Roger Corman's investment in stocks accounted for the majority of his wealth. The stock market crash caused serious losses to him who used some leverage. He had to withdraw some cash from the film department.
To temporarily make up for the losses in the stock market.
"Ecstasy," a joint venture between Coleman and Ronald, was also delayed in filming because Coleman's company could not come up with the agreed investment of US$3.5 million.
Ronald proposed that this part of the cash should be advanced by his Daydream Pictures, and after Coleman's cash situation eases next year, part of it would be returned to Ronald. The rest can be obtained from the distribution of the film and the sale of video tapes.
Deducted from dividends.
"Business is business, why do you think this way?" Of course Roger Corman was very happy to hear Ronald's generous conditions. But a veteran who has worked hard in the film industry for thirty years and has never lost money
The producer didn't understand Ronald's actions very much.
"Roger, have you noticed that no one is working in Hollywood now? I'm not talking about the big projects from the Big Seven. Even the medium-sized productions of independent producers and those with small budgets of around one million US dollars are shrinking.
Very powerful.”
Ronald talked about some of his observations.
After the stock market crash, the film industry experienced a strong contraction. In the short term, funds were largely withdrawn from the Hollywood production business. We don’t know when it will come back. The number of projects approved and started this year has shrunk a lot compared to the same period last year.
Several major industry unions have also encountered great difficulties in paying membership dues. The Actors Guild and the Directors Guild have begun to temporarily defer the payment of membership fees for one quarter for some members who are encountering difficulties in life.
.
Ronald also received invitations from the Directors Guild and the Screenwriters Guild to attend a charity party. Props and costumes from old movies involving some old stars would be put up for auction. In fact, he was begging these wealthy members to use the auction as an excuse.
, to raise funds for low-income groups in the union.
"Hey, these are difficult times now," Coleman also understood what Ronald meant and expressed his willingness to accept the young man's kindness.
This is not a personal charity for Coleman, he just has a temporary cash flow problem. As long as his vision is still there, it only takes half a year to get out of the predicament.
Ronald wants to step up work and give middle- and low-level workers in the industry a chance to make a living. If they are unable to work in the past six months, some workers with average abilities may have to receive relief. And
What is even more regrettable is that many young people with potential may give up this profession and go to do other things.
For them, a crew and a minimum-wage job can sustain them until the market recovers.
"Is the current industry so bad already?" Donna put on Saint Laurent's work clothes, looking capable and elegant. She listened to Ronald's phone call for more than ten minutes and learned some details.
"Actually, the box office has not dropped significantly. I think it is just like the impact of the stock market crash on America's economy. It will have no impact in the long run. It's just that people in our industry are still very weak in resisting risks.
"
Ronald told his cousin about the financing structure of a typical small Hollywood production company. They first have to convince a star to star in a movie, and then use the star's name to sell the pre-sale distribution rights of the movie.
After obtaining the distribution rights, you can mortgage it to make a bank bridge loan to raise funds for filming. The insufficient part of the mortgage will be filled by attracting many small investors. Finally, the film will be shot, released, and then sold to overseas distributors.
Broadcast rights are given to television stations, as well as video rentals, which are now becoming popular.
These links are like a taut clockwork. When all the conditions are met, it will take two years to recover the funds. If something goes wrong during this period, or is delayed for several months, it will
Project failure may occur.
"It seems that making movies is not a good business." Donna looked at the financial documents of Helen Slater's "Sticky Fingers" movie that she was about to take over, and found that it also involved a heavy investment.
, a business with a long repayment period and uncertain profitability. On Wall Street, bankers don’t like this kind of project.”
"Unless you can sell the goods, you can really make a lot of money." Donna then thought about it, no wonder Wall Street always invests in Hollywood and bets with producers or directors who have proven themselves.
Movies are a very strange product. Out of ten movies, about seven lost money, two were tied, and one made all the money. In the context of most movies not making money, the return on investment of the one that made money was
But it's super high.
"let's go……"
Ronald and Donna got in the car together, and Little Bud took them to Daydream's office in New York. Today they were taking over the "Sticky Fingers" set.
"Helen", the first thing Ronald saw was Helen Slater wearing a white sweater, a floral skirt and little leather boots.
"Ronnie, Donna", Helen came over to hug them both, "This is Melanie Mellen, the screenwriter of the script and another leading actor.
"Hello, Melanie", Ronald greeted her. Melanie looked at Ronald with wide eyes, but she didn't expect that the financial sponsor Helen mentioned was actually this commercial blockbuster film director.
"Do you have to fire Catlin Adams? She taught me a lot about acting." Helen was still a little uneasy and walked to the side of the conference table with Ronald to ask if she could continue to use that acting teacher as a director.
"This is more of a business decision, Helen. Just leave this matter to me." Ronald smiled and hugged her, letting Helen sit next to him.
"However, Melanie (Melan) and I are both convinced by her inner analysis of the characters." Helen was hugged by Ronald around the waist, and her voice suddenly became softer, remembering the previous conversation between the two of them.
Lingering, cheeks are a little red.
But Catlin Adams' understanding of the script gave Melanie a lot of revision suggestions, and both she and Helen felt it was very beneficial.
"Hey, Helen, Melanie, I heard that you found a bad guy to invest in? Our movie will start shooting soon?"
A woman about forty years old walked in with several handsome guys and beauties. She was the original crew director and acting coach Catlin Adams.
"Who are you?" Catlin Adams saw Ronald sitting carelessly at the head of the conference table, holding Helen in his arms, and thought that it was his mistress who had invested, and this Helen had made a big deal without saying a word.
"I'm the one who took advantage of you." Ronald frowned, this Catlin looked a little familiar.
Melanie next to her noticed the trend and took the initiative to introduce to Ronald, "She is a senior coach at the Actors Studio. She entered the studio when she was 14 years old and worked as an assistant to Lee Strasberg. Now she
She mainly provides acting training for film actors, and her clients once included Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas.”
"Did I meet this woman in Jane Fonda's house?" Ronald was not sure. This self-conceited artist style made Ronald dislike her.
"Now that the money has been received, we can start casting right away. You see, here is my student, the friend who lives with me in the script, we can let her play..." Catlin Adams was unaware of this
It was Ronald, who directed Dirty Dancing and Top Gun, who started delegating work.
"Ma'am, we are investors. Before casting, should you talk about your ideas for the movie?" Donna couldn't help it. This kind of person looks like a teacher in school and has no understanding of real practice.
Understand, before you have determined your position, you have started assigning students' roles. Is this a middle school drama club?
"Little girl, directing is a complicated art. I have talked a lot with Helen and Melanie. If you are willing to listen, you can come to the crew to do odd jobs...Brad, you can take care of her when the time comes."
A handsome guy with long hair came out from behind, "Miss, while the creative staff are chatting, would you like to talk to me about something else?"
This handsome guy had a big chin and was full of a wild sense of strength. Ronald took a look at him and saw that he was an actor who didn't know how to read the wind, so he looked pretty good.
…
Ronald, who was expecting Donna to fight back, unexpectedly found that Donna was stunned and did not respond.
"Donna, Donna..." Ronald turned around and found that his cousin was looking at the actor blankly, as if he was a big star.
"Ah, oh, what, I am one of the representatives of the investor, Donna. According to the investment agreement, we have the right to listen to the director's views and make the final decision before filming starts." Donna came back to her senses and concluded.
As soon as he said the words, he couldn't help but look at the handsome guy.
"What's going on?" Ronald turned his head to look at the handsome guy again. Except that his chin was stronger, there was still a gap between him and himself.
Hey, Ronald turned around and found that not only Donna, but also the actress Melanie seemed to have affectionate eyes. The actor's eyes seemed to have a kind of magic. Just looking at that woman could make people fall in love.
Gaffe.
Ronald looked at Helen again. Well, luckily, Helen's wonderful eyes still only stayed on him.
"Yes, are you a relative of the investor? You can come to the set to learn, and I will ask Brad to explain the whole process to you." Catlin Adams understands the mentality of outsiders very well, and the appearance of stars is placed in the circle of ordinary people.
, is very magical.
"As for the core of this drama, it mainly relies on Helen and Melanie. You need to practice more emotional memory methods. This is the essence of the Actors Studio Method."
"Emotional memory method..." Ronald finally remembered that he had seen this woman there. When he and Meg Tilly went to the Actors Studio to study, it was because of this infamous emotional memory method that he collapsed.
Isn't this Catlin Adams the acting coach who was working as an assistant to Lee Strasberg in the studio at that time?
"Ahem..." Ronald coughed twice, focusing the woman's attention.
"What, what do you have in mind?" Catlin Adams turned to Ronald Lee, "You are..."
"My name is Ronald Lee, and you're fired."
"Ronald Lee, how come this man's name is the same as that of a Hollywood director, but it is also a very common name. There are probably hundreds of people in New York with this name.
No...fired, what fired? Who did you say was fired?"
"You are fired, Ms. Catlin Adams." Ronald looked at her, motionless, until Catlin started to back away.
"Why? You have no power..."
"I'm sorry, I have the right... You don't have the production rights to this script, and you only made a verbal agreement with Melanie. I invested most of the money in this movie, so of course I have the right to fire you.
As for why? You don’t need to know that in New York, this kind of creative contract is an at-will employment, which means I can fire you without any reason.”
Ronald hated this kind of "emotional memory method" that disturbed people's emotions and mental state. Helen Slater was already unstable. If this method was used, wouldn't it be very likely to induce her illness?
"You are discriminating. I can report it to the Screen Actors Guild."
Catlin Adams' momentum remains unabated. As a well-known acting coach in the New York actor circle, she has always advocated equality between men and women. This accusation of sexism against Ronald is still a bit intimidating.
"Who in Hollywood would believe you that I would be sexist?" Ronald felt that this acting coach was mentally abnormal. There have been so many feminist films like "Dirty Dancing" and "Night of the Comet", but there is no
People will believe this woman's nonsense.
"Well, I'll give you a chance to explain to me how you plan to shoot the opening scene?" Ronald gestured to Donna to turn on the portable Japanese-made mini recorder and conduct a live assessment of Catlin Adams.
"Donna?"
"Oh", Donna hurriedly took out the recorder from her bag and pressed the red record button.
"Do you want some time to prepare?" Ronald looked sideways.
"No, I've already thought about it." Catlin Adams realized her weak position, put the script on the table, and said her understanding, "Helen and Melanie came on stage side by side from here, and then discovered
Got the bag on the floor..."
"That's it? What about your camera movement? What lens are you using here? What focal length? How many lenses are you going to shoot at the same time? How many reaction shots are you going to put in? How many over-the-shoulder lenses are you going to put in, and where is the position of the main lens?"
As soon as Ronald heard this, he knew that Catlin Adams didn't understand film shooting at all. She had no idea about the abilities required by a film director. She would fix the camera to the side and use drama acting to shoot the film.
.In other words, she is so stupid that she does not know her own ignorance.
"This..." Catlin Adams was stunned by the question. She didn't have much experience as a film actress. Most of her experience was in supporting roles that required a lot of camera work. She mainly focused on studying her acting skills and couldn't answer any of these questions.
"You can go..." Ronald waved his hand and asked her to leave.
"I..." Catlin Adams turned back in shame and anger, facing the handsome boys and beauties who came with her. Now she regretted bringing the students to show off, because their embarrassed appearance was all seen in their eyes.
"Well, see you all...bye, Donna." The handsome guy named Brad stayed at the end. He looked at Ronald and wanted to ask for a role, but looking at Ronald's sarcastic eyes, he opened his mouth and turned away.
Say goodbye to Donna.
"Bye, Brad." Donna greeted him, making everyone present couldn't help but laugh.
"So, who do you want to be the director?" Melanie came back to her senses and asked Ronald.
Originally, this movie had a very good gimmick. The producer, screenwriter, starring, and director were all women. It could catch on to the feminism trend and participate in the selection of the women's section at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Helen also turned to look at Ronald. The all-female team was indeed in line with her wishes. It was also a good publicity stunt.
"She should be arriving soon," Ronald looked at his watch.
I originally wanted to find Emil, who was filming commercials for Vice Commander George. But after Emil read the script, he said that he didn't like this type of comedy-style movie, and he wasn't good at it.
Ronald respected his opinion and thought of the "wonderful" director Howard Deutch whom he had supported. He was good at comedy and could direct youth movies, so he was a good choice.
However, after Dutch answered the phone, he also declined. He was already fully preparing for a comedy film "Into the Wild" with a budget of tens of millions, with two Canadian comedy stars, John Candy and Dan Aykroyd, joining the cast.
It is obviously impossible to direct this small project.
Finally, Ronald also thought of the attention of this all-female team, found an acquaintance from the contact list, and sent out an invitation.
"Ronald", a tall woman knocked on the door and came in, "Are you here?"
"Yes, come in, Catherine."
Ronald turned to Helen and others to introduce his candidate, beautiful director Kathryn Bigelow.
Everyone looked at this long-limbed, tall but elegant beauty, and they were a little confused whether she was an actor or a director.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Ronald's beauty in coaching Bigelow made everyone present underestimate her ability.
"Catherine, we are discussing how to shoot the first scene. Do you have any ideas?"
"Of course," Catherine found the script for that scene, "I will set up a camera here, and then as Helen and Melanie are talking, let the camera rotate 45 degrees here to bring out the money on the floor.
package.
The audience's attention will be naturally brought to the focus we want..."
"Helen, you should focus on the conversation with Melanie. Don't worry about the bag. This way, the movement of the bag when you accidentally touch it will appear more natural..."
Ronald watched Kathryn Bigelow start coaching the actors on the spot. This beautiful director who raised her own funds to make movies, participated in film festivals, and lost all her investment, her aura is not comparable to that of an amateur acting coach.
of.
Several actors were immediately impressed by her confident tone, full preparation and experience.
"That's it. I'll save the rest until after the official contract signing and production start, you guys can get to know each other first." Ronald was very satisfied that Bigelow got the approval of the screenwriter and the starring actor, and finally decided on the director.
Kathryn Bigelow has not been filming for several years. This opportunity is just a chance for her to return to the position of director. For a woman to be a director in Hollywood, her chances must be calculated on a year-by-year basis.
"Can we leave?" Ronald looked at Donna, who was still a little distraught. Bigelow could now control the entire crew, and they could leave first.
"Well..." Donna put away the documents and left with Ronald. She was still thinking about the handsome guy Brad just now. He looked so handsome when he smiled!
"Donna, um...Mr. Li..."
As soon as they went out, the handsome guy named Brad ran over. He didn't go back with Catlin, he was still here waiting for the big opportunity in life.
"You want to play a role?" Ronald asked.
"Of course, Mr. Li, of course I want to."
"Leave your resume and audition photos to Director Bigelow inside," Ronald reminded him.
"Thank you, thank you." Brad turned to Donna and showed a charming smile, "Miss Donna, can you have dinner with me?"