"Thank you, Jonathan. Thank you very much for letting the heroine come to my place for an afternoon audition." Ronald called Jonathan Demme, his senior at Roger Corman Film School, on the phone, thanking him for being able to film him.
Michelle Pfeiffer, the star of "Married to the Mob," took a few hours out of her filming schedule to audition for Ronald's "Working Girl."
"It's nothing, just a small mutual help between directors." Demi's approach to directing is different from Ronald's, but they both like each other's craftsmanship. "Married to the Mob" is filming in New York, and Ronald
De came to New York and could only stay for a short period of time to participate in the New York Film Critics Circle Awards. For everyone's convenience, he readily agreed.
"Thank you so much. My schedule is too tight recently, so I can only ask you for help. But don't worry, the audition will not take too long. I will have someone arrange the venue and transportation, and the heroine will be released after the audition.
go back."
"By the way, you are very busy now running around for film critics and industry union awards." Jonathan Demme entered the industry more than ten years earlier than Ronald, and of course he knows what Ronald is busy with now.
"Hey, to be honest, my chances are very small. I mainly fight for the supporting actress and supporting actor. Their performances are really great. It would be a shame if they are not nominated. Besides, if they are nominated or they are lucky enough to win the award,
If so, my box office sales will be much better."
"Haha, where did you find so many good actors? I watched 'Moonlight' and thought the supporting actors were very good. Many of the supporting actors gave original performances." Jonathan Demme on Ronald
Video quality is more interesting.
"Hahaha, I found them on Broadway. They all want to enter Hollywood and their acting skills are very good."
"I heard that you gave them a chance..."
Ronald's schedule is gradually becoming more intense. He has to attend all minor awards in person, so that the judges with voting rights will feel that you value them, and they will have less chance of voting for you in the Oscar nomination voting.
There will be a lot more.
In this way, the audition of Tess, the most important heroine of "Working Girl", was reduced to pieces.
Of course, in addition to Ronald's reason, there is another reason, which is that famous female stars appear in many more movies than male stars. This is because most female characters have far fewer roles than male characters.
Therefore, the female stars they are looking for who can play Tess are either filming a movie or preparing to join the cast.
In addition to Michelle Pfeiffer, who is currently filming a Jonathan Demme movie, Mel Streep, another actor who Julia Taylor thinks is suitable, is filming a classical film in Australia. Even if she auditions well, she may not be able to make it in time to start filming.
.
This frustrated both Ronald and Julia Taylor, and Goldberg often called to get information.
Ronald is also a well-known director now and has a certain degree of control over his schedule. Moreover, these are matters that the Hollywood industry will not interfere with and are related to winning awards. Ronald has not been under too much pressure yet.
However, a courtesy visit was still necessary. Ronald took his agent Richard and casting director Julia Taylor to the Fox Building where "Die Hard" was being filmed.
President Goldberg is waiting for him in the office.
"Hi, Ronald, I didn't expect to see you here. Goldberg's secretary said he had a VIP guest, and it couldn't be you."
Female director Penny Marshall, whom she had just met at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, was also sitting in the lounge outside the president's office.
"Penny, you go first, we are all directors, there is no VIP, you come before us..." Ronald had seen the fierce side of this female director, and scared his ex-husband Bob Reiner.
He dared to meet her and denounced her as Mr. Bastard. Ronald was also afraid that she would spread rumors that he did not respect other directors, so he quickly greeted Goldberg's female secretary and asked Penny to go first.
"Hahaha, I'm kidding. I don't have anything important to do here this time. The casting has been confirmed, but I heard that you haven't chosen the heroine yet?" Fortunately, Penny has a very good impression of Ronald and likes him.
Feminist movies.
"Okay, then I'll take the lead, thank you."
The door was opened by his secretary, and Goldberg stood up to greet Ronald and his entourage. After learning about the arrangements for his audition trip for the leading actress, Goldberg responded positively, "Very good, just let go of the prize competition."
Anyway, after the nominations come out, you will have more time to devote to the project."
After a small talk, nearly twenty minutes passed. Ronald saw Goldberg bringing cold coffee, so he took his leave. Penny Marshall was coming later.
After leaving the office, Ronald stopped by the "Die Hard" set above to see if director John McTiernan had made any messy decisions recently.
After Joel Silver learned his lesson, he kept a very close eye on the crew. In addition to McTiernan, he often made temporary changes to the script on set. The shooting schedule was not delayed much, although it cost three times the extra overtime pay.
In exchange for the time he spent revising the script.
Problems that can be solved with money within the budget are not big problems. Ronald patted his partner on the shoulder and asked him to continue to watch the director who was about to cause trouble when no one was watching.
In order not to alarm anyone on the crew, Ronald, Richard, and Julia Taylor took the stairs down and switched to the elevator on the floor of the president's office.
"Oh, Shxt! Why do I encounter so many weird things when I make a movie?"
As soon as he reached the elevator lobby, Ronald found Penny Marshall lighting a cigarette and smoking hard against the ventilation window.
"What's wrong, Penny? Is everything okay?"
Ronald went over to say hello.
"Oh, Ronald, it seems that I have to take back the boast I just made to you. I have encountered a big problem this time. Robert, a coward, actually quit a week before rehearsals. He didn't even have the courage to directly
Tell me face to face, this one has no balls."
"Robert De Niro?" Julia Taylor went over and took Penny Marshall's arm.
Everyone in the casting director circle knows that Robert De Niro is such an actor. He often regrets repeatedly before agreeing to act. He is an actor who is very afraid that he will not perform well.
Sometimes this tension helps the performance, and sometimes it makes the performance terrible. What's more troublesome is that De Niro himself can't tell the difference between the two.
Ronald decided to stay and chat with Penny Marshall. Richard next to him had already told Ronald the specific background of this woman. Not only did she have a background in TV dramas, but she was also a screenwriter and a director. She was good at everything.
, and what’s even more interesting is that several brothers and sisters in her family are all working in the film industry.
"What are you going to do, Penny?" Ronald saw that Penny was just irritable and not too alarmed, so he asked directly.
"I probably got some extension time, and I have to reorganize the casting. The male lead has been changed, and the female lead has to re-audition to see the chemical reaction. Damn it, in order to cooperate with this damn Italian, don't mind, I am Italian
I hired a dozen actresses to accompany him.
After all, it’s hard to find an actress who can play an adult man who falls in love with a 13-year-old kid inside."
"No, that's really embarrassing." Ronald also scratched his head. Less than a month before the start of filming, he suddenly couldn't play the leading role. Isn't this a joke? He secretly made a note in his mind to add De Niro to his blacklist.
"I don't even know where to choose the right one. This movie is a story about a child suddenly growing up. Adult actors need to be able to portray the innocence of a child... Maybe I should go to London and try."
Ronald looked into Julia Taylor's eyes and knew what she was thinking, and then said, "Why don't you ask Ms. Julia Taylor for her opinion? She is the best casting director I have ever worked with, but you can't talk to me."
Grab it...hahaha."
"Really? Do you have a suitable candidate? I won't compete with you, Ronald. I just want her to recommend some male protagonists, and she will be the casting director of my new film."
Julia Taylor's style is to only recommend one actor, and then if the director is not satisfied, she will recommend a second one. When she saw this, she immediately named one person...
"Do you still remember the movie 'Mermaid' a few years ago? Tom Hanks, who played the leading role, was very suitable. Although he played the role of a pier in New York, between him and the mermaid, it seemed that he
He is the one who believes in fairy tales more."
"Ha..." Of course Ronald remembered that it was because of her father's interference that Diane Lane didn't get a role in the movie. Diane gave up the role that made Daryl Hannah famous in one fell swoop.
Instead, he chose "Streets of Rage" which had a mediocre box office.
"Ha, I should have thought of him. The worst I can do is change the age at which the male protagonist becomes older..."
Penny Marshall also remembers seeing Tom Hanks perform.
"What do you think, Ronald?"
"I think he's very good. In fact, I invited him to audition for my first movie. If it weren't for schedule issues, I think I would have chosen him." Ronald told the truth.
"Ahem..." Ronald suddenly felt Richard gently kicking his leg.
He covered it up with a cough and leaned back, only to hear Richard whisper two words behind him, "Heroine, Diane."
"I just don't know if it's presumptuous to say that I may have an actress here, who may be suitable for what you said, the feeling of falling in love with a man who is as pure as a child at heart."
"who?"
"Diane Lane."
"Ha, it's her," Julia Taylor echoed with a smile beside her. "I heard that the original mermaid wanted to hire her. She had just finished filming The Naughty Girl at that time. She is indeed more suitable for such a rich-hearted woman.
role. Maybe she is indeed more suitable to work with Tom Hanks."
"You know what? When I'm done, I have to thank you very much. Now I have to ask my assistant to contact the actors quickly. I will have the assistant call you to sign the contract, Julia."
…
"Thank you, Richard." After Ronald returned to the CAA office, he specifically thanked his agent Richard. If he hadn't been familiar with the situation in Hollywood and well aware of his own situation, he might have asked Dai Dai today.
Ann missed another opportunity.
Although Richard is not Diane’s agent, Ronald decided to reward this loyal agent himself. According to the share that Diane’s agent deserves after successfully getting the role, Ronald will let Daydream
Write him a check for consulting work.
"Who funded him in that action movie?" Ronald turned to ask Niceta about the details of Steve Seagel's new movie that offended him at the premiere of "Empire of the Sun."
"It was invested and distributed by Warner Bros., but..." Niceta hesitated.
"But what? I'm not trying to mess with him. I just think why would anyone invest in a B-level action movie at this point in time? Is this kind of low-cost action movie starting to gain the audience's love again?"
"Okay", Niceta came closer, as if she was afraid of being overheard, "Actually, this project is run by Michael Ovitz himself. Except that he is not named, he is the actual producer of the project, and it will be a hit in the end.
Get the biggest share."
"I remember there is a law that your agent cannot directly serve as a producer, right?"
"That's why, what I mean is, in essence, he is certainly not a producer in name."
Okay, Ronald leaned back. The ability of the Jews to exploit loopholes in the law is indeed second to none. If it is a project arranged by Ovitz himself, then he really cannot mess with it. Of course, Ronald will not be offended for no reason.
The kind of person who doesn't care.
"Is this movie really worth investing in? Or is it just a prank by Ovitz to repay the aikido coach?" Ronald couldn't understand why Ovitz would invest in such a movie. Action movies nowadays are becoming more and more popular.
The bigger the shooting budget, can such a small production make money?
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "If you are interested, you can go and see the set? They will start shooting soon. Ovitz must be very happy for you to go."
"If you have a chance, you can go and take a look." Ronald touched his chin. Facing Steve Siegel, who had served as the bodyguard of two big shots, Stallone and Ovitz, he had to get a powerful-looking bodyguard to support the scene.
Just fine.
"What about movies about children? I think there seem to be more and more movies about children. Is it my misunderstanding?" Ronald asked again about children's movies.
"No, your intuition has always been great. I did some research and found that all major studios are now looking for movie scripts with children or even babies as the theme."
Niceta took a document to Ronald, "Look, movies with children as protagonists have always been successful at the box office. They have the power of family entertainment. A small audience needs at least one parent to accompany them. But because of this
It’s difficult to make movies, and Hollywood always thought it was Spielberg’s patent.”
Ronald nodded, the power of "ET aliens" is still unmatched by anyone.
"However, after the appearance of this movie, this stereotype was overturned. Spielberg is no longer the patent monopoly who can make blockbuster children's films..."
"What movie is it?" Ronald took a movie poster, which showed three men surrounding a naked baby boy who was peeing on the clothes of the middle man.
"Three Dads and One Baby", Ronald saw the title and recognized the middle-aged actor who was peed on as the famous TV actor Tom Selleck.
"Leonard Nimoy", Ronald's eyes moved up to the director's name, "This is the one I know..."
"Yes, it's the alien Spock in Interstellar..." Niceta said with a smile. This is the reaction of everyone who just saw the name of this movie director.
Although Leonard Nimoy has directed several "Interstellar" movies, this is his first time directing a movie with a different theme, and it is recognized as a very difficult children's movie.
"This movie has just been released for two weeks and has already exceeded 25 million at the box office." Niceta said softly again.
"Huh..." Ronald frowned, "Coupled with the upcoming Christmas season, it's easy for this movie to break over 100 million. It's still a family-friendly movie that makes a lot of money..."
"This Leonard Nimoy, hasn't he ever photographed children's subjects before?" Ronald knocked on the table.
"It has nothing to do with him. The reason why people don't think Leonard Nimoy is the second genius in children's films to be a box office hit is for a very simple reason. This film was bought a few years ago.
It is a remake with the copyright of the film of the same name.
That movie also had a good box office success in China."
"Uh-huh..." Ronald understood. This meant that two movies, with different languages, different actors, and different directors, both achieved box office success. Excluding all factors, it was because the scripts were well written.
Sure enough, in this industry, no one knows what (elements) are reliable.
"Moreover, if you have watched this movie, you will find that it is not an orthodox children's movie, and it is not as difficult to shoot as Spielberg's movies." Niceta took something from the drawer of her desk.
He handed over a copy of the original VHS tape from Laiguo.
"I don't understand French, so let's watch the English remake first." Ronald picked up the video tape and put it in his bag.
I see……
After coming out of the cinema, Ronald understood what Niceta meant.
Baby films are indeed different from children's films. The expressions of babies are very simple. As long as through editing, these expressions can be expanded into completely different meanings through up and down shots. In fact, it is difficult to shoot baby actors.
Much younger than a teenager.
As for Penny Marshall's new film "Big", a major part of the plot is for adult actors to play the mentality of children. The child actors only have dozens of scenes before and after.
Her ex-husband Bob Reiner's "The Princess Bride" has a similar structure. From the framework of a grandfather telling stories to his children, it actually performs an anti-traditional princess and prince story core.
These are all opportunistic so-called children's films that attract children to watch but do not rely on the performances of child actors.
The Hollywood business machine has still found various ways to circumvent the monopoly of children's film wizards like Spielberg.
Ronald figured it out, so he called Daydream's assistant and asked him to collect movie scripts from two directions, opportunistic movies that told stories from the perspective of children, or baby movies.