Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 207 A Fast-paced Trip to Los Angeles

"Ronald, nice to meet you again."

"Nice to meet you, Jane."

Ronald was back in Los Angeles again, and now he was in Jane Fonda's big house in Hollywood. After a few months, nothing had changed here, except for the daytime hours, which were not filled with party guests.

Jane wore a yoga suit, a sweater around her waist, and a headband in her hair. It seemed that she had just finished exercising.Super Red Star is very busy. This time, he specially invited Ronald to his home for a talk. He didn't know what to say to him.

"I just came back from Squam Lake, New Hampshire, and just finished filming 'Golden Pond'. Catherine forced me to jump into the lake without a double, which was a challenge for me." Jane Fonda said some shooting first gossip.

Ronald was not interested in agreeing, but the agent Nisita who accompanied him was very supportive, as if he was a movie fan, and laughed out loud after hearing some funny stories about Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda's filming.

"I'm sorry for Director Bridges' decision to rewrite the script, I've been filming so hard during this time, I don't have time to think about 'my brother's protector'..."

"It should be called 'her brother's protector' now." Ronald said with a smile.

Jane Fonda also smiled when she heard the complaint in Ronald's words.In fact, there are many such things in Hollywood, and young screenwriters have not yet realized the cruelty of this industry.

"Rick, please let Ronald and I have a few words alone."

Manager Rick Nisita stood up and patted Ronald on the shoulder before walking out of the room, leaving Ronald alone with Jane Fonda.

"Ronald, when this happened, I was filming on location at Golden Pond. I bought this script specially for my father, and I invited Katharine Hepburn to play it together. Henry's body is moving at a speed that everyone can see this year. On the decline, the Academy has begun considering a lifetime achievement award for him.

It's the consolation prize given out to movie stars who haven't won Oscars when they are physically able to attend.

But I am not reconciled, Henry deserves an Oscar winner.This is why I devoted myself to filming. I hope to win an Oscar winner for him. This is his regret.

can you understand meRonald? "

Ronald did not expect Jane Fonda to say such a thing to him.At New York University, the first old movie he saw was "The Grapes of Wrath" played by Henry Fonda.Thinking that the handsome young man back then was also getting old now, Ronald couldn't hate Jane anymore.

He nodded, "I understand you, Jane. In fact, you don't owe me anything in this matter. I got the money. It was also on the New York Times. My subsequent screenwriting business and commercial shooting business also benefited from the The prestige that this script has brought me."

"No, but you have lost the most precious opportunity to become famous." Jane Fonda stood up, "I am an actor, my younger brother is also an actor, and my father is also an actor. I understand the pursuit of an artist. If you could use that $35 in exchange for the chance to direct a movie, I think you would say yes without hesitation."

Ronald didn't speak.Of course, the debut can direct the big production of the big studio, who doesn't want to.

"I was so busy on set, with a tight shooting schedule, a strike, and cost overruns, I was so focused on the shoot. When Bridges called me, I thought he was just talking to you Some details of the script have been revised.

As for the other little tricks, I don't know who did it, and I'm not interested in investigating.Hollywood is full of struggles every day, and if you're not used to it, you might as well focus on being a screenwriter. "

Ronald understood what Jane Fonda meant, and there was nothing to complain about at this point. Jane was able to specially invite him to explain the situation, which was already a model of principles among Hollywood movie stars.So he said, "I understand that you were filming and didn't know the specific things. This matter is in the past tense."

"Good boy, I'm really looking forward to seeing your director's work." Jane smiled and took something from the side.

"This is my photo, for the fans. I heard that your aunt asked you to write this script and appointed me to play it. You can't appear on the subtitles. She will be very disappointed. I will send one Give her a signed photo so that she can relieve her regret."

Ronald snorted and couldn't hold back his laughter. It would be funny if Jane knew that Aunt Karen hated her role as the returning military wife, "Well, she will be happy... Her name is Karen"

"To Karen,

Your friend Jane Fonda. "

Jane signed the photo with a quick dry pen and sealed it in an envelope. "I still have to continue to exercise, homework for actresses."

Jane turned on the record player, a burst of music sounded, and several technicians came out from inside.Started setting up lights and TV cameras.

"This is?"

"I'm going to release a video about doing aerobic exercises at home. Now the studio alliance is in a lawsuit with the Japanese manufacturer. The film cannot be sold as a video, so they come up with some other content for sale."

"Yoga mats are there..."

Seeing that Jane Fonda's schedule was really tight, Ronald took his autographed photo and left.

Nisita greeted him and got into the BMW, "We'll meet Mr. Robert Sternwood in the afternoon. He has reached some new consensus with Universal, and see what he thinks about the sequel to 'Grease'."

Robert Sternwood met them both in their pajamas.

This middle-aged handsome guy's daily job is to enjoy life, and take care of his business by the way.

"Andy Gibb disappoints me. His three older brothers in the Bee Gees are moderate, but he's lost in the Hollywood lusciousness."

Ronald knew that Sterwood was talking about Andy's drug abuse and being sent to rehab, but surrounded by a room full of handsome men and women, Sterwood said this seemed a little funny.

Sternwood didn't notice Ronald's attitude at all, and continued, "Universal's Simberg helped me a lot. He bought the entire project after Paramount withdrew. So he has the right to speak about the protagonist.

But that's actually a good thing.Well, are you right?Ronald. "

The air conditioner in the mansion was turned on very loudly, and the handsome guy in cool clothes delivered cocktails to Sterwood.Another beauty also gave Ronald and Nisita a glass each.

"Do you mean Timothy Hutton, Mr. Sternwood?" asked Ronald.

"You, you are very business-minded." Pointing to Ronald's nose, Sterwood said to agent Nisita, "Rick, you signed a very promising client."

"Of course, Ronald was my first scriptwriting client. He is the best." Nisita raised his cocktail and expressed his full agreement. Signed Ronald.

"Timothy will be the next golden boy in Hollywood. We are lucky." Sterwood drank his cocktail. "His agent is giving him activities everywhere, and Timothy is also attending parties everywhere. Next year He must have his share of the Golden Globe Awards, and the Oscars are also preparing to nominate him for Best Supporting Actor, I think it is very promising."

"Isn't he the protagonist?" Ronald asked suspiciously. "Isn't the story in Ordinary People a story about a young man who survived a sailing accident and how he reconciled with his parents after losing his brother unexpectedly?"

Sterwood put on a big cigar, pointed at Nisita, and motioned for Nisita to explain.

"Oscars are not just about acting, Ronald. Next year's Oscar nominations are very fierce, including your teacher Scorsese's "Raging Bull" actor Robert De Niro. Although United Artists has no money for public relations, but De Niro's Italian identity has made Hollywood's Italians publicize for him, including Sly and Stallone.

There is also veteran British Shakespeare actor Peter O'Toole, this is the fifth time he has been nominated for best actor.

Other competitors include Jack Lemmon and Robert Duvall.Timothy Hutton has no chance of winning even if he is nominated. It is better to switch to Best Supporting Actor, the chance is much better. "

"Will the famous Barry Miller also be nominated?" Ronald thought of the famous actor who was slapped by director Alan Parker and unexpectedly performed a good crying scene. .He also wants to date the director's chick, Maureen Tiffy.

"MGM's situation is also very bad, I heard they have been reduced to distributing movies for two Israelis." Sterwood took the conversation.

"No one is doing PR for Barry Miller, and he probably won't even get nominated for a Golden Globe, let alone an Oscar."

Ronald was silent.

There is an old saying in Hollywood, "It's not what you know, but who you know." What happened to him and Barry Miller recently made Ronald clearly understand the meaning of this sentence .

"Is it really hopeless to be famous all over the world to be nominated for an Oscar?" After a moment of silence, Ronald asked this question.To be honest, I still fantasize about being nominated for this film, and then there are investors who are willing to try their luck on me.

"There is no hope for the best picture and director. There is no possibility for performance awards." Sterwood denied the possibility of being famous all over the world.

"There's hope for Best Original Song, that producer Da Silva is jumping up and down for his future Latina star, Erin Cara. Her singing career is booming, and she's always on TV. Play her 'Fame'."

"Your screenwriting award... well, there are several strong competitors. If you are particularly lucky... maybe there is hope."

Ronald shook his head, his luck is best used at the most critical time.Compared with the best original song, he hopes that his screenwriter can be shortlisted.

"In short, the plots of the Vietnam War, demonstrations, and debates must be deleted." Sterwood said back to the topic.

"The overall temperament of the script is still that of the 50s, the upward atmosphere of the post-war golden age. Grasp the optimism, the unemployment rate is low, there are many jobs, and blue-collar jobs can afford a house and support a wife and children. It was the golden age of America, and it's an era that people living in the recession now miss."

Ronald nodded. Universal hopes to make a version of the musical with the same temperament as the original "Grease". The formula for success will not change. In the 50s, old-fashioned singing and dancing, young people, male and female protagonists belonging to different gangs.

"Finish it as soon as possible, Ronald." Nisita sent Ronald back to CAA, "Timothy Hutton's agent also proposed that he want to read the revised script."

"I see." Ronald frowned, no one wanted to give some advice on the script.Why don't you just ask the screenwriter how to position the camera, how to arrange the director's scheduling, and how to raise the recording rod.

Is it because they think they can type and read scripts, so they have the illusion that they can also write scripts?
"Ronald, here's another script modification offer, do you want to see it?" The main agent Richard was waiting for him in the office, and when he saw him and Nisita came back, he handed over a document.

"Modification? Where's the original screenwriter?"

"It's a youth drama based on a novel. The original screenwriter is the author of the original novel. Universal agreed to release their film, but the producers were not satisfied with the script. They thought the novel was well written, but the author was not good at writing scripts. I want to find a veteran to modify it."

Ronald frowned and refused to accept the documents.

I also felt that the screenwriter was not good enough and wanted to intervene by myself.I can't write it myself, so I asked a screenwriter to change it according to their ideas.How sad the original author is.

"I don't want to accept it. Why didn't they discuss it with the author? I always feel that the author's writing is not good, and the screenwriter should get more respect."

Richard rubbed his hands, "Ronald, the film crew agreed because they were very optimistic about your fame. This is also the first offer I found for you. Take a look."

"Okay." Ronald liked Richard as an agent, he didn't have other interests like other agents, he was always on his side.

"But I have one condition."

"You say." Richard was very happy.

"I want to meet with the writer. If he agrees to me joining and revising his 'baby', I will. I don't want what happened to me to happen to other screenwriters."

"That's no problem. The production company has talked with the author. The author also feels that his script writing skills are not enough. He proposed it on his own initiative. I will arrange for you to meet."

"Okay." Ronald looked down at the outline of the script. This script has a very long and strange name:

"Fast Times at Ridgemont High"

　"Fast Times at Ridgemont High", generally translated into Chinese as "Open American University"

　
(End of this chapter)