Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Ronald, we are old friends. Just tell me the truth. Isn't the movie not good enough? The other two test screenings I organized had mixed reactions from the audience..."

Kevin Costner said worriedly to Ronald. This movie with Whitney Houston is a project he directed. Although there is no director named, he made most of the filming decisions.

After filming "Dances with Wolves," Costner had unrealistic expectations about his directorial abilities. However, after the editing of "The Bodyguard" was completed, he was a little doubtful whether he was the one who won the Oscar for his debut film. What a genius director...

Perhaps the main advantage of that movie lies in its description of Indian life and culture, and its portrayal of the vast landscape of the western wilderness. It really made the American audience miss it for too long. In the past, only those Western films shot by John Ford in Memorial Valley could make people feel the greatness of the Wild West.

Instead of switching to this ordinary melodrama "Bodyguard", a love-action thriller about a simple female singer who falls in love with her bodyguard, you can find yourself directing, why is it so careless?

Compared with several of Ronald's romantic films, whether he was directing or acting, there was a deliberate feeling, and he could not capture the kind of chemical reaction between him and Whitney Houston.

There was no moment of spiritual connection between the two of them, but rather the emotion between a man and a woman who coveted each other's sexy body.

"Actually, it's pretty good, but..." Ronald shook his head. This person who had left his own guidance really had strong shortcomings. He might really be more suitable as an actor... But damn those judges, Why do you like this...forget it...

Ronald looked at Costner, who looked sincere next to him, and decided to tell the truth and point out the problem. The movie was a $25 million-plus production and was shot on location in Beverly Hills, Florida Beach, and Lake Tahoe, but none of the money was spent in the right place.

In this very expensive shooting scene, the shots still have the feel of a B-movie. It's better to save one or two expensive filming locations and shoot all the real scenes like a big A-level production.

The texture of the movie is actually accumulated by details one by one. The biggest problem with The Bodyguard is that some scenes, such as the shots at the Oscars awards show, look very shabby. Maybe even the awards show at the University of Southern California is more luxurious.

Try to do every detail well, and every supporting role must be properly cast. This is the idea of ​​​​a large-scale A-level film production. For example, this is the case with "Sugar-Coated Trap" that Ronald just finished filming. Even an unscrupulous producer is played by Weintraub himself.

Try to make the climax as good as possible, and the part of the type of film that the audience likes to watch the most, and just make the rest passable at a passable level. This is the idea of ​​​​a B-level film.

For example, in The Bodyguard, the explosion at the award ceremony resembles a welder's spark. The exciting scene of celebrities cheering before and after appearing, and tens of thousands of people asking for autographs is a bit like the reception received by a has-been female star at a comic exhibition.

"So, I used the money from an A-level movie to make a B-level movie?" Costner was anxious. This really hurt his self-esteem a bit, but he also believed in Ronald's judgment. After all, the feedback from the internal test screenings was not very good.

"Actually, I don't criticize the director's approach to this movie. To be honest, I appreciate this approach. This movie will probably do well at the box office, especially the song at the end. If I heard it right, it's Dolly ·Parton’s song?”

"Hey, yes. But I changed my singing method..." Whitney Houston expressed her gratitude there.

"Indeed, if Dolly Parton hadn't given me a set of her records, I might not have been able to listen to it." Ronald gave a thumbs up. To be honest, Whitney's singing style on this song is better than The original singing is much better. The original country music has now become a majestic lyrical song. To put it bluntly, the vocal chords of white singers can rarely support such a passion that requires a huge volume of voice.

"It's a pity that they won't let me put this song on my new album..."

"Are they sick?" Ronald sneered, "Let me tell you something, in fact, the money this song may bring you may not necessarily be less than the box office..."

"Oh?" Everyone's eyes lit up...

"However, I have a condition, that is, Dolly Parton must also participate and get a share of what she deserves..." Ronald did not forget his old friends. Of these two people in front of me, Costner didn’t know about the possibility of soundtrack records, and Whitney Houston didn’t know about the addition of songs to movies...

"Of course..." The two of them didn't think too much and agreed on the spot.

Ronald called Dolly Parton, who happened to be driving down the road and pulled over, thinking Ronald was looking for him to film a movie with. When I heard that there was going to be an acoustic record, I immediately agreed. It is a very old country music. Nowadays, except for some bars in the South, there is no place to play this song.

Ronald got her a share of the original song that far exceeded the one-time transfer. Although the ratio was very low, it would satisfy her. After all, Dolly Parton was the one who first started making noise on the set of "Steel Magnolias" and revealed his relationship with Diane. To a certain extent, she can also be said to be a matchmaker.

Ronald then called Tommy Mottura at Sony Columbia Records to secure the soundtrack. Whitney Houston's recording, arranging, and marketing resources must be appropriately tilted towards this original album. It will not be on an equal footing with Whitney Houston's new album, but it must also be consistent with a music-based album. Specs for the winning film's soundtrack.

Relying on the persuasiveness of his two "Dirty Dancing" albums, this matter was quickly accomplished.

Both of them thanked him profusely and begged Ronald to go to Japan to promote the movie. They both knew that he had a wide network of contacts in Japan. But none of them were mentally prepared for the possible success of the soundtrack album...

Ronald also agreed with a smile. He actually didn't do anything, but relied on his connections to get a potentially good profit. The two celebrities had to say thank you to themselves.

"Thank you, Ronald. By the way, that private jet you mentioned, which model is better?"

Both stars became interested in private jets. Ronald explained to them the benefits of a good rest that business jets can bring to people who fly frequently. He said that Whitney Houston was very happy and asked to find them on the spot. Discuss with broker.

Costner's Ego is so popular that he not only wants to buy it, but also wants to be a pilot and fly his own plane.

Ronald was really surprised that all these male celebrities wanted to be pilots. Although he had a license for the simplest small plane, he didn't want to fly it at all. Wouldn't it be more reassuring to have a navy fighter pilot to fly the plane for him? ?

…

"You don't understand, for a male star, being able to fly a plane is an important part of showing their masculine charm..." After returning home, Diane explained to him.

In Hollywood, the ranking of male stars is like competing for hormone concentration. You have a sports car, and I want a sports car with a thicker exhaust pipe than yours. If you have a private jet, I have to fly it myself. It would be better to fly a World War II-era fighter jet...

"Really? What kind of method is this? Do you want to show your male charm through this?" Ronald hugged Diane and joked with her.

"Dear, Ronnie, you are the sexiest when you are smart. I just like your wisdom...it makes my heart surge every time..."

"Hahaha..." The old couple flirted with each other, and then sat down to watch TV. Today is the second TV debate between the leaders. I wonder if old George has made any serious adjustments.

"He really memorized a lot of manuscripts..." Ronald nodded while watching the live TV broadcast. Old George's performance was much better this time. It can be seen that many of the answers were memorized in advance. At least it was difficult to find out the deduction items until...

A black woman stood up and asked the leader, George Sr., a question. She wanted to ask the three candidates whether their lives had been affected by the excessive national debt deficit. If their own personal lives were no longer affected, what should voters do? Do you believe that they will work hard to reduce the deficit?

The questioner is obviously a supporter of Perot, because among the three, he is the only one whose main political opinion is to reduce the deficit. George Sr. focused more on what I had done well in the past, while the governor focused on investment and employment.

"Well, of course, the deficit will affect all of us..." Old George was obviously stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer. He was born as a young man and had never worried about loans in his life, so he could only make general remarks that everyone would be affected.

"I mean your personal impact, because if you don't experience it firsthand, you can't understand how much we ordinary people are affected by the deficit..." The black female questioner didn't want to let go of old George.

"What's the problem? The national debt deficit obviously affects all of us. I certainly don't want to see my grandchildren living in an era where the national debt deficit is soaring. Also, how do you say you are affected by the deficit? Come on, help me. Let me understand your question..."

"HolyShxt!"

Ronald muttered something bad. This guy, old George, was hit in a vital point. He became anxious and began to speak rudely. The camera turned around and it was obvious that Perot was sitting upright, not wanting anyone to see that this was his arrangement. The governor smiled proudly, as if to say that dog bites dog and the fortune is good...

"I have a lot of black friends who are unemployed and one is a pregnant woman, so I'm really concerned about our country's national debt deficit because it's a big deal in our lives..."

This questioner went a bit too far. Career, unmarried pregnancy, do these really have such a big relationship with the national debt deficit? In fact, most people are insensitive to the national debt deficit, which also reveals that she is really Perot's trustee. These are the statements that Perot is trying to instill in voters.

But old George is indeed a "noble" who doesn't understand the lives of ordinary people. No wonder someone gave him the nickname King George. Feeling a little bit offended, he started talking nonsense.

Old George had no choice but to talk about some things. For example, he often answered calls from ordinary people in the White House, read letters from ordinary people, and understood their concerns (this is obviously nonsense... Only Lincoln and Old Ronaldo were the previous great commanders. Nader and a few others have a tradition of replying to voters).

For example, he went to a black church in DC to visit the black people there (actually, he went to try to gain votes by supporting black pastors), and saw many black people talking about pregnancy on the message board.

Sweating profusely, he raised his wrist and looked at his watch several times. Why is it that the time for me to answer the question has not come yet?

"I'll tell you what the deficit means to us. When I was governor of Arkansas, the tax increases went to the federal government in Washington, and the services provided to us were downgraded... I know what it's like when voters lose their jobs, and I know what it's like when business owners go bankrupt because of high interest rates... For the past four years, ordinary people in our state have been taxed, and only the rich are continuing to cut taxes..."

"Oh, Shxt!"

Ronald was speechless. When George Sr. heard this question, his face was full of confusion. Turning to Mr. Governor, he looked concerned and caring, with red eyes, as if some friends really lost their jobs and went bankrupt during this increase in the national debt deficit...

To be honest, these politicians are all talking nonsense. But one is seen as talking nonsense, while the other makes people feel that he understands, cares, and will bring about changes...

George Sr. obviously lacks personal charm and lacks common language with ordinary people. His strengths are, on the contrary, his deep understanding of international politics and his accurate grasp of the national trend. But who gave him the bad idea to participate in the three-way debate? And there are so many that he has to debate three times?

Perhaps, after three terms and two presidential elections in which the presidents of the Elephant Party pursued efficiency and economy for twelve years, America has returned to the Donkey Party's pursuit of fairness? Without external threats, a tough father is no longer as useful as a mother who takes care of the family. Has the pendulum swung back?

Taking advantage of his concerns about future tax law changes, Ronald talked to his former accountant, Ed Bastian, now the general manager of the TV business, and bought a lot of Berkshire Hathaway stocks with this year's earnings.

Coca-Cola and Microsoft, the two major stocks he invested in, have risen a lot. Ronald, who really didn't know what to buy, chose to trust the vision of the big investor Buffy...

However, what he is most concerned about now is to find a movie that uses special effects. In this way, he can make enough money by taking advantage of the shortage of special effects talents.

Cameron is already negotiating with Schwarzenegger, and Ronald has also authorized Schwarzenegger to use the rights of himself and some of his action heroes in the new film. For example, The Karate Kid and others will appear in that movie.

However, Ronald was not very optimistic about such a movie. It is not that action movies cannot be made now, but such sad and nostalgic works of action movies in the golden age of the 1980s seem very artistic and pretentious.

Ronald was not interested in the invitation of investment. He felt that the future direction would either be action movies with a lot of special effects and big scenes that cannot be seen in ordinary small and medium-sized productions. Or, there must be action movies that meet the new aesthetics of female audiences in the 1990s.

After all, the basic market of the film market is teenage males who want to date their girlfriends, and the male stars that women like determine what kind of movie tickets teenage males will buy.

All of a sudden, Ronald's daydream of collecting action movie scripts in the market also spread.