"Huh? Madonna? She can't do it, right? She can only act in her true colors. She can't play well in roles that are not very similar to her own experience."
Ronald thought to himself, I know Madonna's acting skills, but that's about as good as none.
When she auditioned for "Famous" before, Ronald discovered that she couldn't empathize with other people's emotions. Later, he succeeded in filming the MV for "Material Girl" because she had always admired Marilyn Monroe.
That outfit of wearing Monroe's famous low-cut fan dress, and the scene of going around among the macho men was perfect.
"No, I saw her previous film 'Mysterious Date', and even New York film critic Pauline Carr praised his performance very much. But if I check again, maybe you are right, it seems that she also filmed
Both movies did not receive high box office and critical reviews."
"Where is your audition pool? Don't you have any information about Madonna?" Ronald remembered that Julia Taylor had made files for many actors, recording their performances on stage and in film and television. Generally speaking, it was Julia Taylor who
Taylor made recommendations to directors, instead of the other way around like today, Ronald told her whether a certain actor was suitable.
"Like you, I don't have much experience in dealing with big stars. I still have to make a few calls to ask colleagues." Julia Taylor hung up the phone and started calling her friend who was also a casting director to inquire about Madonna's performance.
.
Ronald hung up the phone. Taylor was right. Although he had directed some actors who were now stars, such as Tom Cruise and Kevin Costner, when he directed them, they were still
Before they became very popular and became big stars.
Needless to say, Tom Hanks, "Top Gun" made him step into the threshold of a big star. Ronald also introduced Kevin Costner to his debut, and he got the first male lead in a theatrically released movie.
, and then had the opportunity to star in Lawrence Kasdan's "The Great Battle of Silverado", and became a slightly famous Western actor in one fell swoop.
Julia Taylor's previous castings only considered whether the actor's characteristics were suitable for the role, and whether the actor himself was a star was not considered.
As expected, Ronald and his casting director still had to learn this method of choosing stars to play leading roles as they went along.
A few hours later, Julia Taylor called again. Ronald's impression was still reliable. Madonna later collaborated with her husband Sean Penn in "Shanghai", which not only failed at the box office, but also received praise from film critics from all over the world.
Unanimously negative reviews.
They all said that this is simply putting the Pan couple's daily fights on the screen. If it is made into a documentary about Madonna's life, I believe more people will watch it.
Moreover, after calling Madonna's agent, the other party told her that Madonna was currently filing divorce proceedings and had suspended all career work. In this way, Madonna no longer even had the chance to prove herself through auditions.
"Sorry, I have a lot of things here and they are all urgent. We can talk now." Ronald put down the phone and told several people who were waiting in the hotel lobby after the premiere, hoping to see him.
The Chinese said.
They were unfamiliar with the place, and unlike in New York, where they had Xiao Yan to help them, they waited in the lobby like looking for a needle in a haystack for Ronald to show up.
If Ronald hadn't gone to a nearby boutique to prepare a few ties for the upcoming small awards party, they would have been disappointed.
The Hilton Hotel is extremely concerned about the privacy of its guests, and several Chinese people did not know the pseudonym Ronald used to register. If Ronald had not taken the initiative to say hello when he saw them, they would not have found anyone until dawn.
After confirming with the lobby manager that these Chinese people were really here to see him, Ronald took them upstairs and planned to ask them why they came to him. However, before they started chatting, he called them several times.
I made a phone call and put several people on hold for a long time.
"Director Luo is very busy, so we should wait a little longer."
"Your Excellency, are you busy?" Ronald turned back to look at a translator who was also here, thinking that the flattery was a bit too much. I am not your leading cadre.
"What Director Huang means is that you are a famous director in Hollywood and have a lot of things to do. We are taking the liberty to disturb you and cannot interfere with your arrangements. So we should wait."
"Why do you come to see me? It seems to me that you are not artists in the film industry." Ronald said to the translator.
"Let's visit Director Luo..."
"Actually, when you come to America, you should have seen a lot of places. Our philosophy here is that as long as your products are of good quality and cheap, you can sell them. You see, Japan used to be our enemy, but now their
Home appliances, cars, and even computers are all sold well in America."
Director Huang nodded, took out a pen and wrote down in his notebook. It is true that the TVs in the hotel are all Japanese Sony or Hitachi brands. In the light industry, America only wants high-quality and low-price products, and does not care who produces them.
.
"Actually, our lightning lamp factory in Minhang is not because of any leading technology, but because long-arc xenon lamps can only be mass-produced in China. You are an American businessman. The only factory that can purchase in large quantities has certain technology.
Monopoly."
Director Huang continued to jot down a few more notes. Director Luo was very sincere and spoke truthfully. It seems that after returning home, he will have to look at the investment purposes of foreign capital from a different perspective. Breaking out of the original perspective will broaden the world.
"The key is not how to introduce new projects, but to understand what the American market needs."
After chatting for a while, Director Huang also understood that except for the long-arc xenon lamp, which has a different technological development path, resulting in the formation of an exclusive monopoly industry, China currently only has some relatively low-cost products that do not require high technical levels of labor.
Only products can be competitive.
However, this time, the Economic Committee took advantage of the film studio's favor. "Empire of the Sun" made a reservation for the Holiday Inn Hotel for the visiting Chinese delegation. Since it was inconvenient for them to move away from the main force, they still had to go back to rest.
Ronald called the hotel car to take them back. He knew that these people who went abroad generally had a tax-free purchase quota for home appliances. So Ronald called Richard to arrange it, including Director Huang.
Each member of the delegation will be given a TV or video recorder made in Japan for them to choose.
…
Wearing a newly purchased tie, Ronald arrived at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards Ceremony early the next morning.
This is the first of several prestigious American Film Critics Association awards.
The awards are more like a gathering of old friends. This kind of film critics award is more about adding some luster to the film critics association than making the winners feel glorious.
However, they also have a reason to ask the winners to attend as much as possible, because most of the members of the film critics association in various places have the right to nominate and vote for the Oscars. Therefore, directors, producers, actors, and screenwriters who want to compete for the Oscars every year have become
, a series of opportunities to canvass votes.
Ronald and Spielberg sat together again, neither of them was nominated for best director. Ronald's "Moonlight" only won one gold medal, that of Olympia Dukakis
Best Supporting Actress. In addition, screenwriter John Patrick Shanley won the Silver Award for Best Screenplay.
Perhaps because it premiered too late, Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun" didn't win a single award, which really made the great director feel a little uncomfortable.
"It seems that the Film Critics Association's awards still like to be awarded to those dramatic films." Ronald also muttered. Not only did they not win the award, even "The Last Emperor", which had a high reputation among the audience, did not win.
The gold awards for Best Picture and Best Director were only given to a few technical awards such as Best Cinematography and Best Sound Effects.
These film critics always deviate from the aesthetic taste of ordinary audiences to a certain extent. An important reason why the TV show of two Chicago film critics, Sisko and Albert, has become popular across the country is also
The reason is that they often give good reviews to some commercial films, which are reliable reviews that real audiences can use as a reference for whether to go to the cinema to watch them.
Those who pay attention to film reviews in these places, such as the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the New York Film Critics Association, are mainly young literary and artistic people in the city. Only they have the leisure to make movie viewing guides.
But who lets the people from these two cities lead the trend and have the loudest voice?
"Hey, I should have known it would have been a waste of time, but my agent said I would come even if I didn't win the prize." A fat bald man walked towards Ronald and Spielberg, got down, and then
Loosen the tie.
"Hahaha..." Ronald agreed with Fatty's words. He was also urged to come by his agent Niceta.
"Ha, Bob, let me introduce you." Spielberg introduced the two of them.
Ronald stood up and shook hands with the fat man who was also a director. What movie are you participating in?
"A live-action fairy tale movie, 'The Princess Bride,' I thought they would be more lenient with children's movies, hahaha."
The fat man named Bob smiled sincerely, and his uneven teeth gave him a sincere feeling.
This nonchalant yet happy temperament reminded Ronald of an acquaintance.
"Bob, I want to ask, you and Mr. Carl Reiner..."
"It's my father." Bob Reiner smiled. I heard my father talk about you and said your movies looked interesting.
Ronald had not seen Bob Reiner's movie "The Princess Bride" and was going to watch it. He discovered that one advantage of participating in such a small award was that he could get to know many directors.
When working in different crews, actors will always run into actors they have worked with before, and directors will also run into directors they have worked with before. However, it is difficult for directors and directors to meet during filming.
Moreover, in Hollywood today, there is no mentoring system like in the past. It is difficult for directors to establish a relatively close relationship and provide each other with advice.
Except for a few go-getters in New Hollywood, such as Spielberg, George Lucas, Martin Scorsese, and Brian De Palma, they were all college talents who entered Hollywood by chance.
The old-fashioned directors with higher education have been ostracized and have been together for a period of time. Directors will not make any direct comments on the works of other directors.
But thinking that Director Huang was willing to cross the Pacific to hear the real voice with his own ears, Ronald felt that he had to find some peers to listen to criticisms that were not mixed with flattery and flattery, and learn from each other.
"Bob", Ronald was about to get to know Bob Reiner better when he suddenly jumped up, "I have to leave first because I have something to do. Don't tell me you've seen me here."
Then he squeaked and ran out of the room at a speed that didn't match the fat man's stature.
"It's Penny, Penny Marshall" Spielberg explained to Ronald, "Reiner's ex-wife, they still have some disputes over child support."
"Hi, Penny." Penny Marshall is an actress who was directed by Spielberg in the failed comedy "1941."
"It's so funny, Reiner is really a worthless man." Penny Marshall was very straightforward. She scolded her ex-husband, defaulted on alimony, and dared not see her.
"Let me introduce to you, this is Ronald Lee, Penny Marshall." Spielberg introduced again.
"Oh, you are the director of 'Dirty Dancing'? That's awesome. I haven't seen such a good movie in a long time about women breaking through the constraints and pursuing their own liberation and progress."
"I hope you like it." Ronald smiled and exchanged business cards with her again. Getting to know more directors was actually a good thing for his production business.
The two chatted, and by the way, they relieved the unhappiness of their ex-husband's escape.
"What movie are you working on right now?" Penny Marshall asked Ronald.
"Don't you know? A modern version of Tess, putting her into a financial company in Manhattan and progressing from secretary to investment manager."
Ronald laughed at himself, "I thought Hollywood knew about this?"
"Ah, I've been too busy recently. I finally found the leading actor for my new movie, Robert De Niro. It's hard to imagine that I can hire him to be the leading actor."
"Oh...it's rare. I wonder what movie you invited him to make?"
"A fairy tale about a little boy who suddenly grows up into the adult world and uses his innocence to understand the adult world."
"Ha..." Ronald applauded. As expected, the two ex-husbands and ex-wives had very similar tastes. They even made movies with similar themes.
"However, they both film stories with fairy tale themes. Is it really a coincidence that they have the same aesthetics, or has there been some change in recent film trends?"
Ronald turned around and saw Spielberg, who seemed to be asking this question too. The two nodded, thoughtfully, and seemed to be able to do some research in this area.