Exploiting Hollywood 1980

   Chapter 471 Chapter 102 You've been fired, Okun

   On Wednesday, Ronald began filming the scene at Daniel's house. Moved to the apartment with three palm trees at the gate.

  When Daniel was fighting with Johnny on the beach, one of his eyes was beaten into a panda eye, and he wore sunglasses at breakfast the next day, trying to avoid being discovered by his mother Lucille.

   The lighting in the room took a long time. Ralph Mazio's right eye socket was painted black by the makeup artist, and there were some red bruises.

   "Ronald, is this okay?"

   "Okay, not bad." Ronald looked at Mazio's panda eyes, the level of makeup was really good, and it looked like a real red, swollen and bruised in the medium shot.

   "Don't you think we have to exaggerate his swelling? That's a karate master." Associate producer Charles Okun began to object again.

   "No, I said yes, Johnny is just a boy and not a real martial artist." Ronald looked at the makeup artist who was looking at him and repeated his order with a bit of annoyance.

   "Can we talk alone?" Charles Okun saw this and extended an invitation to Ronald.

   Ronald got up from the director's chair with his name written on the back and walked out of the apartment where he was filming with Charles Okun.

   "Ronald, I made those suggestions for the overall effect of the film," Charles Okun said first.

   "What do you want?" Ronald took a step forward and approached him. The tall body gave Okun some pressure.

   "Don't be naive, the film industry is created by an artist, and my position is a producer. If I see any flaws in art, I should point it out." Charles Okun took a step back from Ronald's muscles.

   "I remind you that in a big studio like Columbia, the producer is in charge. No matter what position you are in, you can be replaced."

   "Who told you about these 'blemishes'? I don't think you are an 'artist'." Ronald made a double-quote gesture with both hands. What was the reason for Charles Okun to attack with all his strength?

   "My partner is an Oscar winner for best director...I don't have to tell you. Also, don't think Susan Atkins can talk to you, she's not coming back."

  Charles Okun was a little scared when he saw Ronald take another step forward, "As long as you can listen to your opinions humbly, you can still name the director here."

   "Don't challenge me in public in front of the crew, Charles." Ronald tapped his chest, "You're right, everyone can be replaced!"

   Ronald turned and walked into the apartment.

  Although he knew that Weintraub was on a personal business, he could return on the weekends. But it's really annoying that Charles Okun challenges his authority on a daily basis. After that, even if he was let go, the damage to the crew's trust in him had already been done.

   And who is the best director Oscar winner he said? Is it John Evelson? He was originally Weintraub's first choice, and when he watched the demo on the weekend, there were high-level Colombians participating. Did he gain their support again?

  Ronald became suspicious. I have to figure out a way to kill him today.

  According to the rule in the filming that whoever has the right to hire someone has the right to fire them, neither he nor Charles Okun could fire the other.

   But... Now anyway, the crew is in a state of no owner, and no rules are used. As long as you can get the support of the main actors and staff, you can open it.

  Noriyuki Morita, William Zebka, Elizabeth Shue, and action director Pat Johnson, action assistant Daryl Vidal, they will definitely be on their side.

  Director of Photography and Art Director, hired by Weintraub, happy to work with him, and can be regarded as neutral for the time being.

   Among the remaining people, the ones who can speak out on this matter are Ralph Mazio and those second-generation actors. As long as we can win their support, we can simply end it.

   After filming the scene in the apartment, the crew moved to Charles Evans Hughes Jr. High School. I chose here because this public high school has a good quality football turf.

   Ronald first found the second generation of the three stars headed by Chad McQueen, "Hey, how are you feeling these days?"

   Several second-generation stars have already changed into T-shirts and sports trousers, waiting for the scene where Ali and Daniel meet for the first time. They are making trouble and deliberately excluding Daniel.

   "Your motorcycle training is really good, Debbie Evans is such a strong woman." Chad began to babble. Debbie Evans trained them for three days, and finally let these boys learn how to drive motorcycles on dirt roads.

"But we all have acting skills. Is such an exploitative film a waste of us, Ronald? When will we be able to make an Oscar-nominated film?" Chad McQueen changed the conversation, he Among these second-generation stars, I have the most knowledge and feel that "Longwei Kid" is just a teenage exploitation film, just for fun.

"You bastards," Ronald laughed angrily, "You don't know the value of this movie, it will sell well at the box office, it's your luck that you can participate in the film, thirty from today Years, your most famous characters are not necessarily more than in this movie."

   "Hey? You're not lying to us, are you? I think it's just a movie where young people pick up girls." Seeing Ronald's seriousness, Chad was a little suspicious. Could it be that he really wants to become famous like his father?

"Let me tell you, this movie is the first karate martial arts movie in years, and it contains a dream of all teenage men, being trained by a master like Master Yoda, and then learning martial arts to defeat a formidable opponent. , to win the championship, to be with the beloved girl."

   Ronald saw a few second-generation stars listen seriously, "Think about it, when was the last time you were envied by everyone because of your hard work?"

   Sparks flashed in the eyes of the second generation of stars. The second generation of stars is of course admired, but with their own efforts, they can do things that others envy, which they have never experienced.

   "You mean, if we play well, some fans will recognize us on the street in the future?" Ron Thomas was the most sensible of the trio, and he understood the prospect Ronald gave them.

   "Oh shit, are you serious?" Chad McQueen was also excited. They have all seen the scene where their parents are signed by fans as the main autograph, and they have dreamed of being a star since they were young.

   "Of course, this script was written by me, of course I understand. If someone else, even the best director at the Oscars, may not be able to understand how to make the character stand out and be firmly remembered by the audience."

   "Hi, Ronald. You didn't say anything, we all listened to you." The second generation of the three stars was so happy that they dragged three chairs, glued their printed names to the backs of the chairs, and began to take pictures and play with each other.

  "Action!" Ronald went to the football field, Ali wore a traditional green school uniform, and began to rehearse cheering moves with the other cheerleading girls.

  Here, Daniel saw the football field and wanted to try his hand at it.

   Elizabeth Shue came over from the cheerleading team and passed the football in her hand to Daniel.

   "Hey, I haven't had a chance to thank you yet..." Ali put her hands in her pockets and spoke to Daniel.

   "It's okay, your recorder broke, I'm sorry."

   "Oh, your eyes?" Ali saw panda eyes.

   "It's nothing, it looks a little worse than it really is, and it doesn't hurt that much."

   "Ali, we're going to practice..." The cheerleader friend started calling Ali over.

  Ali turned and left.

   "Hi, do you have a name?" Daniel responded and asked quickly.

   "Ali, bring an i." Elizabeth Sue was running with the camera behind her back, turned back and said with a smile, "Where's your name?"

   Ronald applauded in his heart. Ali is a rich girl. She has a special interest in Daniel, who is a little inferior in front of her, but also very good and strong. She has never seen such a boy before.

   "Daniel (Daniel)...take a (L Ralph Mazio was a little sluggish in the middle of his speech.

Here's an interesting detail, Daniel thought it was a popular saying for girls in Beverly Hills to have a letter in the middle of his name, so he said an "L", but in fact, Ali said that, just because of this The spelling is uncommon, so she just said it for the sake of distinction.

   This kind of behavior in response to the girl made Ali very happy, she smiled and ran to the cheerleading team.

   "Cut!"

Ronald was very happy. During the rehearsal, this section was repeated many times. The two actors were very savvy, especially Elizabeth Shue, who was worthy of being a top student who went to Wesleyan and Harvard. , well understood. In addition, she is a football girl herself, and she means to act in her true colors. This official introduction under the bright sunshine was perfectly shot.

   "Ronald, don't you think we should let Daniel see Ali more warmly?"

  Associate producer Charles Okun came again. He was threatened by Ronald just now and went to Michael Cimino to call again. After the two discussed it, the most important thing now is to constantly challenge Ronald's decision on the set, so that the crew and actors feel distrust of Ronald.

   On the one hand, when watching the demos on the weekend, Columbia executives and Weintraub must ask for the opinions of some crew members. On the other hand, disrupting the mutual trust between Ronald and the crew also allowed him to make as many mistakes as possible during the next two days of filming.

   "You're fired, Okun," Ronald said coldly.

   "This scene is the first official meeting between Ali and Daniel. Shouldn't it be warmer... No, what did you say?" Charles Okun responded, Ronald said just now that he was fired.

  The surrounding actors and crew all cast their gazes.

   "You have no right to fire me."

   "Of course I have. I repeat, you have been fired, effective now." Ronald beckoned to his best friend Daryl Vidal.

  Vidal understood, came over and pulled Charles Okun, and asked him not to stay on the set any longer.

   "Hey, you're just a director, you don't have the right to fire me, I'll find Weintraub, and I'll bring an Oscar best director to replace you... You wait for me..."

   "Ugh... Someone can't afford to lose." Chad McQueen took the lead in booing Charles Okun because of the second generation of stars.

   "What do you know? Ronald is the screenwriter, and he knows how to make us... this movie well."

   After finishing speaking, the three buddies began to applaud and whistle.

   Action assistant Vidal, also letting go of Charles Okun, made a please gesture.

  Charles Okun saw that no one was speaking for him, everyone in the crew turned towards Ronald and walked out dejected.

   "We're not done, see you at the weekend." He also said as he walked past Ronald.

   "Okay, let's continue, Mr. Charles Okun wants to be a director too much, I let him calm down." Ronald clapped to everyone, still preparing for the next shot.

   "Ronald, we all support you, Okun has damaged the morale and trust of the crew too much." The director of photography James Crabbe also came over and said a few words.

   "Thank you, ready for the next shot." Ronald walked to the director's chair marked with his name and sat down easily. He picked up the stainless steel thermos cup, poured a cup of black tea, took a breath, and drank it slowly.

   (end of this chapter)