Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   "Dolly, why are you like this? Will you act..." On the location of Steel Magnolia's filming, Herbert Ross began to attack Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts again.

   "Cough..." Ronald, who had just arrived, hurriedly interrupted the unpleasant lecture.

   "I mean, you can play better..." Herbert Ross was still a little afraid of Ronald, and instead of using offensive words, he criticized the acting skills of the two actors technically.

   "Hey...", Ronald sighed, and sat on the chair. Diane next to him handed over the thermos cup, which contained his favorite wolfberry black tea.

  Running to the crew, Ronald first asked Dukakis and Shirley McLean to find out about the situation. In the evening, I listened to Diane talk about the problems of the crew for a long time.

   This matter is actually a problem in the selection of actors and directors. Herbert Ross was born as a stage actor, and he was actually full of disdain for those actors who did not have the so-called "acting skills" of the so-called theater stage in the traditional sense.

   Among the six main actresses, he admired Diane and Olympia Dukakis the most, because they were former Broadway actors. There were mixed feelings about Shirley Maclean and Sally Field, Oscar winners who also acted in Broadway plays in their spare time.

  Only treating Julia Roberts and Dolly Parton, Herbert was full of discrimination. He often scolded the two of them for not being able to act, they only had beautiful faces and explosive figures, and nothing else.

  When Ronald was on the scene, Rose would not be too harsh on the actors because Ronald himself is also a professional director. But after Ronald left, over time, he reverted to his old ways and continued to treat actors with abusive attitudes.

  At the beginning, McLean, Dukakis, Sally Field and others would also protest, but after all, they are actors, not indispensable stars of the crew like Harrison Ford. So Herbert Ross was on the scene, and I was the only one.

   This is determined by the nature of the director's work. If you don't listen to the director, you can't shoot anything. Only a producer like Ronald, who pinches Herbert's weakness and has director qualifications, can suppress Ross from the professionalism and authority of the scene at the same time, and prevent him from messing around.

  If Ronald can stay on the set until the filming is over, then he can keep Herbert Ross on the basis of keeping his professional ability and doing his best.

  However, Ronald wants to take advantage of the end of the strike to promote more projects, and it is impossible to follow the group for a long time. The actresses can't help but worry that they will cause trouble after leaving.

   "Come and drink some hot tea. I also have plant fiber-based biscuits here, which taste very good and have no calories..."

  Between filming, Ronald invited six female stars to enjoy the healthy snacks he brought. Female stars can't eat too much food to manage their body. So Ronald got some biscuits made of oatmeal and aloe vera, which were lower in calories, and let them trick their nerves and cheer up the morale that Herbert Ross had made a little bit low.

"Ronald, you're such a little angel, I'm ten years younger, I'm sure to get you into bed." Shirley Maclean is a straight-talking person, and she almost fell in love with this slightly sweet biscuit Ronald too.

   "Hahaha, if you say that, be careful that someone will be upset." Sally Field also picked up a piece, and tasted it with black tea.

   "Oh, don't tell me, this biscuit is really delicious. It's not impossible to sell yourself for it." Dolly Parton and Dukakis also came to tease Ronald.

   Diane giggled beside them, ignoring the jokes of these people. After all, really taste delicious. Yes she is not.

  Only Julia Roberts didn't dare to make such a joke on the producer, she just took the cookie and looked at Ronald in the outer circle. Although her character is also unrestrained and casual, but being teased by a strict director like Herbert Ross, she thought that all directors are very serious, and she wondered if she was a person who could be in the same position as Ronald To the point of joking.

   "Julia, come and have another piece. It doesn't have any calories." Ronald beckoned, asking Julia Roberts to come over and talk to her alone.

"I have already talked with Herbert, and he will reduce his comments on your acting skills in the future. Although he may have a bad temper, he is a very qualified director. I have seen the samples of the past few days, your performance Be spiritual and don't get offended by personal offenses."

   "I know that southern girls are not so fragile." Julia Roberts used the character's accent and tone to express to Ronald that she was fine.

   "Very good. I went to Alaska to see your brother Eric's performance in 1985. He mentioned to me at that time that there is a younger sister who is very good at acting at home."

   "I don't want to talk about this person." Julia waved her hand, signaling that she didn't want to talk about her brother Eric.

"Oh," Julia Roberts felt disrespectful to Ronald again, "I didn't mean that, Eric made a mess of himself, he was also terrible to his daughter and girlfriend, and he often ignored it when he was high Their life and death. He was still driving when he was high, but when he was in a trance, he ran into a big tree on the side of the road and almost killed himself. I brought my niece to my house and raised it by myself. This person is extremely irresponsible responsible person"

"I don't know his current situation, you are a good girl." Ronald said he didn't mind, "Movies are different from dramas, you will know if you have contacted more directors in the industry, more film directors are not like Herbert used theatrical standards.

  How should I put it, we hope that actors can give full play to their individuality, especially a girl like you who is favored by the camera. You can rest assured and use your intuition as much as possible. "

  Ronald saw that Julia Roberts was a typical movie actor with a sensitive heart and first-class affinity, but she was actually shy in character.

For such actors, the most important thing is to make them feel that the shooting scene is safe, and they can try their best to get a part of their own character out of the containment and show it to the camera without worrying about being hurt .

  Seeing that Julia Roberts' mood had obviously improved, Ronald said goodbye to her with a smile, and invited him to go back and chat with everyone. Obviously, Roberts is no longer so defensive when he speaks and responds this time.

   "Hahaha...", several actresses burst into laughter. As soon as Herbert Ross rested, he returned to his trailer. The six female stars who stayed at the scene had a relatively harmonious atmosphere.

   This is extremely rare in women-dominated movies. Ronald tapped three Oscar winners to play supporting actresses, a strategy that worked well on the spot. Among the female stars of the crew, there are not too many common crews running on each other.

  Because those who have won Oscars have already won the highest honor in terms of reviews and awards. The benefits brought to him by another statuette are not comparable to the earth-shaking changes brought about by the first statuette.

   There is actually no big difference between saying that a female star is an Oscar queen and saying that she is a double actress. As is the case with audiences, so is Hollywood. And a person who has not won an Oscar for acting, or even nominated, has a huge gap with the actress.

  Too many people have won the statuette. In fact, no one has won it. Everyone's perception is similar. Those who have won the most prizes can show off their qualifications when chatting together.

  This good vibe may also be partly due to the fact that they were all offended by Herbert Rose's bad attitude. With a common enemy, their relationship is much better than the average film crew.

"You have worked hard here, and Herbert will not attack you. I will let Mr. Michelle Cannold, the most senior in the company, stay on as a co-producer. When I am away, he will be the plenipotentiary My attitude in the crew."

   Ronald comforted the actress, and then hid in the trailer with Diane and whispered. It's better that Diane is familiar with herself, and Ronald doesn't need to think about how to speak when she is with her. Even if he was tired and didn't want to talk, Diane wouldn't feel that he was deliberately ignoring her and had any thoughts.

   After dealing with these artists so that they could work better, Ronald felt a lot more relaxed. "I think Herbert seems to approve of your acting skills, and doesn't seem to have any bad words towards you. I am very relieved, otherwise I will consider other methods."

   "Well, I know, Herbert doesn't have any bad words for me, and he is very professional as a director. He just treats Dolly and Julia badly, and I can't stand it anymore.

  Shirley (McLean) said that he was not like this before. Maybe the death of his ex-wife had a great psychological impact on him. "

   Diane sat obediently in Ronald's arms, holding Ronald with both arms while talking. She felt that Herbert Rose spoke kindly to her because of Ronald.

   "You think about acting carefully, this movie will be a small opportunity for you." Ronald stroked Diane's hair. She always wanted to do movies and play interesting characters.

   "Got it, brother Ronnie", Diane put his arm around Ronald's neck, smiling.

  Daydream's most senior executive, Michelle Cannold also rushed to the crew, and he watched the director Rose stop making personal attacks.

  Cannold has no professional authority, he can only stop Herbert from swearing, and there is no way to resolve his complaints about Dolly and Julia not being able to act. However, Ronald himself has to go to New York to discuss the script with Nora Ephron and Rob Reiner, and this can only be done temporarily.

  …

   “Screenwriters have received a modest benefit improvement, allowing them to receive higher dividend rates when hour-long shows are sold internationally, but maintaining the original terms for shorter-than-hour shows.

   Screenwriters also won the right to create some original scripts and TV movies. The union's reshuffled board approved the new deal in a 26-6 vote. Union members will go to a national vote tonight. Screenwriters in Los Angeles and New York are rallying to union locations. Could this be a turnaround in the protracted strike? Will the strike end? It will all be revealed tomorrow morning. "

   "Huh?... What time is it?" Ronald was soundly asleep, and was awakened when he heard the strike was over. He flew continuously and fell asleep in the car from exhaustion.

   "At half past six in the evening, I saw that you were tired, so I didn't call you." Little Bud started the car as soon as he turned the key, "Where are we going?"

   "Go to Nora Ephron." Ronald rubbed his face, and had to discuss the movie soon. During the flight from Louisiana to New York, he dreamed a little bit of that movie again.

  In the movie, Sally, played by Meg Ryan, has an emotional breakdown after completely cutting off her long-standing hope of marriage because her ex-boyfriend is about to get married. Eventually Billy Crystal's Harry goes to comfort her. The two of them were already in a situation beyond ordinary friends, but lovers had not yet arrived.

  This time Harry gave Sally a comforting shoulder as a friend. The two people who had a crush on each other suddenly opened their hearts and finally fell asleep in bed. And this time sharing the same bed, Sally, who was picky about all kinds of things, was extremely satisfied. It turned out that what Harry had bragged about was true.

  Since it was the last movie that was shot, it must be a happy ending. Ronald came over this time to see what changes the new Carrie Fisher would bring to the script. In short, a good ending is what Ronald must insist on.

"Carrie (Fisher) appreciates the clips we interviewed the elderly couples. She thinks that these clips can also be added to the movie, which will add a little documentary temperament to the movie and make Harry and Sally feel happy together. People’s stories are more believable.”

  As soon as Nora Ephron saw Ronald, she started chirping about her latest thoughts on the script.

"Huh? Your idea is very good. I think it can be. Originally, this movie is a segmented story. Harry and Sally meet each other, then separate for a few years, and then reunite. It needs a little psychological difference. Let the audience accept the passage of time. I think it is very good, each interview can have a thematic echo with the following story.

   Well, also, have to find professional actors to act these stories. The Italian uncle talked about how many girlfriends and wives he had, and he boasted so shamelessly. "

  Nora Ephron admires this kind of producer who can adopt her own reasonable suggestions.

   "Hmm, yes, you have a good idea, Ronald."

   "What about Billy Crystal? Is he finalized?" Ronald was concerned about the casting of the leading actor. Tom Hanks would have been a good fit, but he has other projects. Billy Crystal is another dream cast, and he's great in the role, and Ronald really wants him in as soon as possible.

   "Billy would love to, but I don't think it's convenient", Rob Reiner, the director of the reservation, began to awkward again.

   "Why? Is he not on schedule?"

   "No, I think it's wrong..." Rob Reiner didn't know what to say, but he still told Ronald the real reason.

  Because he still felt that the happy ending of the movie was to forcibly reverse the direction of the story for the box office. Billy Crystal would be great, but it would ruin him. Critics will definitely say bad things about him because he played Harry and ended up with Sally against the logic of reality.

  This is very bad for Billy Crystal, whose career is on the rise. When a male star is climbing a position, he most taboos such interruptions. I'd rather have a bad box office than bad reviews.

"I don't think there is any problem. Could it be that a positive ending won't win the likes of film critics? You see how beautiful Jimmy Stewart's life was before, and it ended with a happy ending. It's not because it was a success at the box office and in reviews... Forehead…"

   Ronald stopped in the middle of speaking. He was misled by the movie that the TV broadcasts every Christmas. When I was in college, I knew that the film's initial box office was a failure, which made director Capra disheartened. Taking this example, I just agree with Reiner's opinion.

   "No, let me use another example."

   "No, Ronald. I don't think this movie can't have a good ending. It's just that Billy is not suitable. If we find another actor, it can still be filmed." Rob Reiner laughed.

   "No, what's the problem?" Ronald was in a hurry. This kind of movie depends on the acting skills and the chemical reaction of the leading actors and actresses. Originally a good partner, if I don't act in this, wouldn't I be sorry for the classic movie in my previous life?

  "You see, Harry is a divorced man. He experienced the process of being in love at the beginning, then the love faded, and finally divorced his wife. Sally and his experience inevitably made him have some concerns.

   Such a man has experienced a lot, it is impossible to just believe in fairy tales. He will definitely back off. And his withdrawal would hurt Sally. Our lives are always interrupted by some accidental events. "

   "Hey...", Ronald felt that being a producer was exhausting. These artists are temperamental and have their own artistic opinions. Even if you make them agree on the surface, if you have doubts in your heart, you can't make a good movie.

   "No, why can't this work? At the end of the third act, we can arrange another turning point and let them be together?" Ronald felt that such an analysis made sense, but love was unreasonable. A glance, a hesitation, maybe the two of them realize that they can't do without you?

  The most important thing is that the audience wants to watch such a finale!

  "This is certainly possible in theory. But the direction of the story has reached the end, and the charm is not enough to arrange a reasonable reversal, satisfy the audience, and bring the story to the finale. If you want to be successful, you may have to fight against the overall plot.

  Generally, the root cause of the problems in the third act is in the first act, and you have to undergo a major operation. "

   "It's all metaphysics, I don't think so." Ronald looked at Nora Ephron. Obviously, what Reiner said was also some correct experience in creation, which made Ephron's balance a little bit off again.

"Let's put it this way, I couldn't write a good twist that ended up getting Sally to change her mind and accept Harry again. It was a very difficult twist, unless you got Billy Wilder to write the third act at the end. Disaster."

  "No, I can definitely find one to be awarded." Ronald thought to himself that I had dreamed about the movie, and it must have a happy ending. "Even if I want to find Mr. Wilder, I will find it."

"I'm just using an analogy, Ronald. You are so persistent, I don't know what you think, maybe you can write an ending, and you will direct the movie? You also understand that writing and criticism are not at the same angle. Maybe you try to write Just look at the ending and you will understand my difficulty."

   "You..." Ronald felt uncomfortable. What Rob Reiner said is not a fallacy, but a law of creation. But Ronald does not believe that this is the real reason for his inner resistance to a happy ending. Maybe both he and Ephron are unhappy in their marriage, so they subconsciously oppose a happy ending.

  Nora Ephron shrugged her shoulders, which means that this is the "you can do it" card, and I have nothing to say.

   "I write it as I write it. I think the movie is good. I write the ending and I direct it." Ronald didn't believe it, there was nothing difficult to write.

   "Hoo..."

   Rob Reiner was actually relieved. He didn't have enough confidence in this kind of dialogue-based movie that spans a long time. It is because it is similar to my own life that I want to heal my wounds through photography.

  But the more you want to avoid this kind of thing, the more uncomfortable it will be. Helping Ephron change the script to the end, Reiner almost wanted to escape it all. Now Ronald was excited by himself and took it. Exactly isn't it? Your own Castle Rock is counted as an investor.

   "You're as stubborn as Herbert Ross," Ronald complained. Artists always have all kinds of weird ideas.

   "What's wrong with Herbert?" Rob Reiner is quite familiar with Herbert Ross. His father, Carl Reiner and Ross are veteran actors who worked together on Broadway.

   Ronald briefly explained the matter, and Reiner nodded in agreement. Such an old-fashioned directorial style is no longer suitable for the current star-based movie world.

  Besides, the current movies require the actors to give full play. It is better to discuss the working methods with the actors, so as to stimulate their potential and make masterpieces. At least two of Rob Reiner's films, "Walk with Me" and "The Princess Bride", are not well-written films. With his respect for actors and allowing them a certain degree of freedom to work, Both films were both well-received and well-received.

   Otherwise, he wouldn't be so confident in front of Ronald. Ordinary directors, they will accept what Ronald says.

"Otherwise, you go to Louisiana to help me as a producer and watch Herbert. I will take over and write the script for you. Whether you are willing to direct the film or not, our original agreement remains the same .”

   "Why not?" Rob Reiner originally wanted to relax. His ex-wife, Petunia Marshall, was always coming to find out about him, and the child support hadn't been fully figured out yet.

   "Huh...", Ronald also let out a long breath. Reiner agreed to be a producer and rushed to the production of Steel Magnolia, where he oversaw Herbert Ross, which was much better.

  Reiner is also a Jewish director with certain successful works in the industry, and his father is also a well-known Jewish actor. In addition, Reiner is eloquent and a director who treats actors very well. Therefore, if Herbert Ross curses people, he should not be able to say that to Reiner.