Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   Chapter 280 Ask Helen Slater for help

   "Borgy Shields came over to shoot for the day. She doesn't do any drowning shots, the intimacy shots are limited to hugs and a kiss on the cheek."

  Ronald sits in front of the mixing desk and introduces Brooke Shields to Cameron Crowe and his girlfriend Nancy Wilson, who came to help.

"Hey, that's Brooke Shields. We can invite her to make a cameo, will the box office make a lot of money?" Cameron Crowe was very excited. As the author of the original novel, he couldn't think of the character Spiccoli in the book. , can actually end with saving Brooke Xiaosi.

   "The negotiated price is 150,000 US dollars. Whether it is a profit or a loss depends on the final box office results."

   "150,000 a day? This appearance fee is not much different from the most popular Van Halen band now." Nancy Wilson said in surprise.

"We also invited the Van Halen Band to make a cameo, but they've been busy on tour in the past few years, and they don't even have time to release a record. Fortunately, Azov has obtained the right to use the video clips of their concert and will edit them into Spiccoli's birthday party."

   "Oh, so he paid a fortune?" Crowe, a former columnist for rock magazines, knew that video rights for popular rock bands weren't cheap.

   "Yes, it will cost about $300,000 in total." Ronald nodded, "And the host of NBC's Tomorrow Show promised to make a friendly cameo, so that our movie might be upgraded."

"When I started discussing the script with you, I didn't expect this movie to be made on such a scale. Well done, Ronald!" Crow came up and gave Ronald a high five, "If Amy Hecklein If you become a director, you won't be able to invite Brooke Shields."

  Ronald grinned, "But the soundtrack she chose for us is still pretty good. GoodBye, GoodBye in this ending song fits the ending of each protagonist very well. "

   "Where is she now? I haven't seen her in a long time." Crow's girlfriend, Nancy Wilson, didn't know that Ronald was competing with her for the director, thinking Heckling was just an ordinary associate producer.

   "She said that she wrote the script and was going to write a comedy parodying a gangster movie after imitating 'Unprecedented'."

  When Ronald and Crow were chatting, the sound engineer was beside him, and he also wrapped OingoBoingo's single tape on each reel and started playing. The ending screen of each character is matched with the rhythm of the four-bar music, and the explanation is short and powerful.

   The level of the singing voice is adjusted with the recording, and when it reaches the appropriate volume, it is mixed into the audio track of the live radio.

   "Ronald, give me some advice." The sound engineer asked Ronald after listening to the remixed music, "You are the Oscar winner for Best Original Song, and I know you are also an expert."

   "I trust you, I don't have any opinion on this paragraph." Ronald himself knew that this Oscar was copied, and it did not mean that he had any professional level in music.

   "Well, if you have any ideas, be sure to let me know." The sound engineer put on the monitor headphones again, "By the way, hasn't the Led Zeppelin IV album been finalized yet?"

"No, it's the best album they've ever sold. Producer Azov put in a lot of effort, but they're asking too much. In the end, they sold Cameron Crowe's face before agreeing to authorize us to use another The first single 'Cashmere' instead."

   "You're the boss." Ronald gave Crow a high five again.

  Cameron Crowe glanced smugly at his girlfriend Nancy. Nancy Wilson also gave Crow an admiring and loving glance.

  Ronald watched their couple look at each other affectionately, and a little ripple appeared in his heart. He seemed to think of a girl, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"This is the list of copyrights purchased by the TV version. You replace these songs in the TV cut version. Cameron, please look at it for me. I'll go to the producer, Mr. Linson." Ronald took a list Handed it to the recording engineer, got up and walked.

  The copyright of each soundtrack purchased by Azov in coordination can only be played in theaters. TV stations are reluctant to buy the copyright of so many songs, and in some places, the soundtracks are replaced by popular goods with low copyrights or no copyrights.

   Ronald walked out of the mixing room. Went to the office where producer Lin Sen was, and before he even knocked on the door, he heard Lin Sen talking on the phone inside.

   "What? When did it happen? What about the cameo he promised us?"

   "What's the matter?" Ronald pushed the door and entered.

   "Tom Schneider, the host of the Tomorrow Show, was just fired from NBC this morning for subpar ratings. His agent called me."

   "What should we do then?" Ronald also froze for a while. Is it such a coincidence? As soon as he agreed to make a cameo appearance, he was fired by the owner.

   "Let's find him at the entrance of the studio where NBC is located." Lin Sen picked up the coat on the hanger and put it on.

  NBC's Universal Pictures has extensive cooperation, and many NBC TV shows are filmed in Universal's studios.

  Ronald's Lin Sen came to the outside of the "Tomorrow Show" studio, just as the host who just got fired came out. The reporters waiting outside immediately stepped forward to ask questions.

   "Tom, what do you think about NBC firing you?"

   "No comment."

   "Will you go to other TV stations to continue your career as a talk show host?"

   "Yes, but I need to rest for a while."

  …

   "What's your question?" After the host answered several reporters' questions, he saw Ronald and Linsen standing behind, no photographers following, maybe the newspaper media?

   "Mr. Schneider, we're from 'Fast-Paced Richmond High School' and we'd like you to play a cameo role as a host in the movie."

   "Oh, I remember you guys, I was very depressed today and just wanted to find a pub to get drunk, but thank you for remembering me."

   Ronald and Lin Sen had to say goodbye to him, and now the host is gone.

   "What?" Ronald asked. "Are there any other candidates on your list?"

   "There is a way, but NBC's is gone. It's very troublesome to find people from other TV stations, why don't we find the hosts of their sports programs?"

   "Only some teenagers who like sports know the hosts of sports channels, and the effect is not as good as that of talk show hosts."

   "But Johnny Carson has refused, David Letterman's agent has also refused, and even Tom Schneider, NBC is the three talk show hosts."

   "Wait, you said Letterman was rejected by his agent? What is his attitude?"

   "He generally respects his agent's choice. Letterman is a very private person. We couldn't find him on the phone, only his agent could contact him."

   "I remember you said that Letterman once had the opportunity to participate in "The Unprecedented". After his agent refused, he also regretted it?"

   "Yes, many people know about it."

   "Can we think of a way to talk to Letterman himself..."

  Ronald and Linson both felt there was hope in this matter. David Letterman is a man with a great sense of humour, and he might be happy to make a cameo of himself in the movie.

   It’s just that the host hosts the show every day, unlike movie actors who have rest time. Their day-to-day affairs are generally handled by brokers. Otherwise, the daily live broadcast status is delayed, which is very troublesome.

   So they disappear every day at the end of the show, go home and enjoy their private lives, and get ready for the next day's super challenge to amuse millions of viewers. One hour at a time, five days a week.

   So the agent's preference, instead of Letterman himself, became the principle for Letterman to attend other things.

  Ronald and Lin Sen each found ways, hoping to contact Letterman himself and bypass the agent to attract his attention.

   Ronald's first thought was his agent.

   "Yes, Letterman and Mr. Ovitz himself are old acquaintances. But David is a very private person, and no one can find him during his breaks except his agent.

   And recently NBC is going to switch his show time from morning to evening, right after Johnny Carson's show, to do a new show "The Late Show", he may not be free to guest in your movie. "

   Nisita's voice came on the phone, and he was familiar with Letterman's business. In CAA's offices, there is a large whiteboard that tracks the recent movements of all the stars in Hollywood and TV.

   "I'm not asking for your help in selling the idea to Letterman, just a chance to connect with him," Ronald replied.

   "I don't think I can help you. The agent's first loyal customer is his client. You don't want me to go against your will and tell others your phone number, right?"

   Ronald is right when he thinks about it. This is the basic conduct of an agent. If he makes an exception to tell him Letterman's phone number, the agent will probably be fired soon.

   "Okay, I'll think of something else."

"Just to give you a hint, Letterman was a CBS writer for many years before he came to NBC to write jokes about Johnny Carson, and had a good relationship with a lot of CBS hosts. They might have his contact information. ." Nisita still gave Ronald a hint.

  CBS host? It's like I know one myself.

  The eldest daughter of movie star Ingrid Bergman, Pia works as a host on CBS New York. However, he is not very familiar with her, and can only speak to her half-sister Isabella Rossini, who is the wife of his teacher Scorsese.

   This kind of thing is not necessarily convenient, after all, they were not born by a father, and Bergman also abandoned Pia who stayed in New York for Isabella's father.

   He should know another relationship, Ronald couldn't help but smile when he thought of the figure of a girl.

  The first time I went to Pia's house, it was brought by Helen Slater. They were all left at the door of Club 54 by their respective male and female partners. Later, Helen took out the invitation and went to Pia's mansion on the Upper East Side of New York.

   called the number Helen had given him, and Ronald heard a female voice over there picking up the phone.

   "Hey, this is Alice Jean"

   "I'm looking for Helen, is she home?"

   "Helen, someone is looking for you." The lady covered the phone and called her daughter, "Who are you?"

   "My name is Ronald. I once filmed a commercial for Helen. I asked her to do me a favor and introduce a host of CBS TV."

   "Oh, are you the director who shot her the chewing gum commercial? I've seen the version you shot, Helen sings the Carpenter song."

   "Yes, that's me..."

   "Hi, Mom, don't talk nonsense with my friends." Helen came and answered the phone.

   "He's all yours." Helen's mother patted her daughter and walked out of the living room.

   "Helen, it's Ronald. I want to ask you a favor..." Ronald told Helen Slater what he thought.

   "It's fine, I'll call Pia, and you can talk to her yourself. Make a note of her phone number."

   "Thank you, Helen. How are you doing?"

"It's not bad, my agent arranged several auditions for me. But I didn't get selected. I want to listen to you and find another agent, but no agent is willing for a while, and my mother has nothing. resource."

   "If you need, I can introduce my agency..."

   "Forget it, I like theater, so I want an agent in New York who has some connections to Broadway."

   "Then I can't help, I only know Eddie in New York, he's just an advertising model agent."

   "Hee hee, was he the one who filmed the chewing gum commercial?"

   "Yes, that's him. What cast have you auditioned for recently?"

   "It's all auditions for TV shows and TV movies. How about you? Have you got a new movie? Don't forget me if you have a new character."

   "I was looking for Pia for a cameo movie with David Letterman, and I heard they used to be colleagues."

   The two chatted for a long time about each other's current situation, and then said goodbye.

   Ronald smiled and looked at Pia's phone number on the paper, and called her later.

   (end of this chapter)