Exploiting Hollywood 1980

  Chapter 608 Musical Draft Conference

  Mancuso went to UCLA that night. After the doctor completed a comprehensive physical examination for him, he told him that there was no serious problem, and it was probably due to excessive anxiety. But he was still suspicious. It is impossible for a CEO of a major seven studios to be anxious. He still insisted that he had a problem with his heart. .

  The doctor had no choice but to give him some cardiac emergency medicine, and then told him not to put too much pressure on himself and try not to get angry.

   "Don't be angry! Don't put too much pressure!" Mancuso looked at the doctor's order angrily and swept him into the drawer.

  After sneaking back from the hospital, Mancuso felt that many subordinates had problems with the way he looked at him. It seems that they don't respect themselves as much as they used to, and they all want to speak ill of themselves behind their backs.

   He didn't want to see that **** Ronald or the crew again, and buried himself in the pile of papers. Spend all day in the office through the secretary handing out all kinds of memos full of correct bullshit. Basically do not directly intervene in the affairs of each crew.

   On the contrary, the VP of production, Ned Tanning, was in a good mood, and he took back control of Paramount's film production business. He's been active lately, taking advantage of Mancuso's temporary retreat to seize the moment to expand his influence.

   Every crew has his presence, and he gets along well with all the main creators. Hollywood has changed, and Eisner's high-concept movies have proven to be big box office hits over the past decade.

  Tanin does not have the same pressure as Mancuso to urgently remove the influence of his predecessor. He could have managed the production business in Eisner's way.

   On this day, he came to the "Top Gun" crew that brought him unexpected luck, to see how the producer and director were progressing.

   "Gentlemen, we have a total of fifteen episodes. Except for the opening theme song, you can choose any one you want and submit your works."

  The screening hall is full of musicians, and below are all songwriters and singers who have written the top 50 songs on the charts.

  Don Simpson clapped his palms and cheered the contestants who came to bid for the "Top Gun" soundtrack.

   If you talk to them one by one, these musicians will definitely talk about their feelings, thoughts on movies, etc.

  The two producers and directors did not have a strong ability to distinguish music, so Simpson used his trick to get everyone to bid on the same field.

  In this way, each of them will show their true skills, and they will also crush the price to the lowest.

   "What you will see is the scene shot in the early stage. We have already hired someone to synchronize the audio and video, but we haven't finished editing it yet." Ronald motioned the projectionist to start playing a dozen samples.

   "This is the opening scene of the aircraft carrier taking off and landing and fighting the enemy." Ronald explained to everyone after finishing the first demo. The footage of the aerial combat is not yet complete, and this is a reference to John Ford's documentary on the Battle of Midway during World War II.

   "This is a scene where the male and female protagonists are attracted to each other and fall in love. I need a romantic melody here."

  Ronald showed Charlie and the Lone Ranger, who kissed on a motorcycle after the dumb goose's wife pierced the window paper that they loved each other.

"This is……"

   "Coax..." Everyone below laughed, and some people screamed, "You don't need to tell us what this is."

   There are still four strong men on the screen, sweating profusely on the beach and playing volleyball shirtless.

   Among the musicians who came to bid below, there were also two men with delicate hairstyles and eyebrows. They were infected by the plot. After looking at each other, they held hands together.

   "This theme, I'm going to call it 'playing with the boys'."

  Ronald insisted on saying the theme of the music in his laughter, "Hahaha", he couldn't help laughing himself.

   "Jerry, you help me continue the introduction."

   Ronald saw Ned Tanin walking in at the door. He handed over the task of hosting to Bruckheimer and went up to meet him.

  Tanin is essentially a high-level bureaucrat in the office, and he does not have any conflicts with his boss for the sake of the producer.

   Of course, it is precisely because he is a bureaucrat who sees the wind and the rudder, so now is the time for him to give the greatest support to the crew.

   "How about it, if you encounter any difficulties in shooting, you can call me directly."

   "Everything is good, except that Fang Kilmer is a little bit resistant to taking cockpit shots in the sky." Ronald took the opportunity to file a complaint, and this guy still doesn't cooperate 100%.

   "Don't worry, I will put pressure on his agent. In the crew, the director's words should be authoritative." Tanin patted his chest and assured that he would support Ronald's work 100%.

   Sending away Tanin, who had come to express his support, Ronald returned to the bidding site.

   "I signed up for the theme of 'playing with boys'", a young musician stepped forward and submitted his letter of intent.

"Oh?" Ronald looked at his signature on the document, "Kenny Loggins", he turned out to be a member of the duo of Loggins and Messina, and also wrote his own songs, the style of which was disco host. After the decline of disco in the early 1980s, it gradually transformed into rock.

   "Why did you choose this song?" Ronald knew that many musicians were vying for the soundtracks on the themes of "Fighter Dogfight" and "Romantic Love".

   "I'm almost out of breath, so I picked a less competitive topic." Kenny Loggins didn't hide it, and revealed his thoughts.

"It's a sensible choice," Ronald praised him. In the face of fierce competition in the soundtrack of popular episodes, choosing a less prominent theme, getting a contract and advance payment is a good choice for an out-of-date musician .

"Actually, I've heard of you for a long time, Cindy Lauper told me about you, you're the best person in Hollywood, you don't discriminate against people in the music industry, you're happy to work with us, and you're willing to listen to our music People's opinions and thoughts on MV shooting. Many directors think that we can only sing and know nothing about video. She said your MV is the best."

   "How did you meet?" Ronald was also surprised when he heard the name of an old acquaintance.

   "In the January recording of America for Africa, I participated in the recording of MJ's 'WeAretheWorld' benefit song with her, and I also sang a short segment."

   "Then you are by no means an outdated singer." Ronald laughed, being able to sing in the chorus at MJ's benefit performance was still a solo part, not a chorus singer, and would not be as down-to-earth as he said.

   "I just took advantage of the record company, I signed to Columbia Records."

   Ronald patted Kenny on the shoulder and walked over to see the situation over there.

  George Morod, who is in charge of the overall music control, still spoke with an Italian accent, "Look, there are many people signing up for this romantic love song. I think it will definitely produce a very popular song."

"You still have to invite the songs yourself. Good songs are not so easy to catch in the record industry." Bruckheimer held on to Morod. The gold-medal producer has many contacts in the music industry. Fire, grab the most potential golden song.

"Don't worry, I will do my best." George Morod still has confidence, "You should know when you see what it looks like today, how much a good movie will add to the song. I can guarantee that, As long as there is a good song, all the female rock singers will come to Los Angeles to sing this song."

"Songs and movies are indeed mutually accomplished." Ronald nodded, marketing each other, adding to each other, fans and fans transforming each other, everyone benefits, he knew this when he was filming "Night of the Comet" .

   After processing the bidding for the soundtrack episode, Ronald hurried back to Naval Station Miramar.

  The male actors here, the adaptive training has been completed. Ronald smiled and greeted Barry Tab, who played "Wolfman," and Rossovich, who played "Slider."

   They were more convinced by Ronald, not least because Ronald was the only cast member who didn't vomit in the back seat of "Bozo". What impressed them even more was the fact that he made Paramount CEO Mancuso deflated.

  Apart from Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, everyone else doesn't really know the inside story of how he won the battle with Mancuso, and he accidentally played a movie for the first family. It was fortunate that he was praised by the public speech of the great commander.

   But Ronald enjoyed this admiration very much, which made him a lot less resistant when directing the shooting. He gave these guys a high five to congratulate him one by one.

   The familiar feeling of deja vu struck, Ronald felt as if he had returned to the night he dreamed of "Top Gun" last year. It seemed that there was such a scene before the air combat scene when he was woken up.

   When Ronald was touching his palm, trying to catch that hint of inspiration, the director of photography, Kimball, came over.

   "Ronald, Val Kilmer refuses to shoot."

   "What?" Ronald waved his hands angrily, not only because Val Kilmer had a problem again, but also interrupted his thoughts of recalling the aerial combat scene in his dream.

   "Van Kilmer refused to take off in the back seat of an F-14A Tomcat to shoot inside the cockpit," Kimball repeated.

   "Bring him here, I'll ask him in person."

   Ronald took out the stainless steel thermos cup, poured a cup of black tea into the lid, and drank it slowly.

   "Director, I can't shoot in the sky." Fang Kilmer did not challenge Ronald's authority this time, but said to Ronald with a careful smile.

   "Can you condescend to tell me why, Mr. Kilmer?" Ronald blew on the black tea and lowered the temperature.

   "I..." Fang Kilmer's expression changed a little, he couldn't tell the real reason why he didn't want to take off in public. He leaned closer and said in a low voice, "Can I talk to you alone?"

   "I'm short on time. If you can say it, say it here, or let your agent explain it to Mr. Ned Tanin."

   Ronald didn't bother to be angry with him.

  "Me", Fang Kilmer's face turned red all of a sudden, "Every time I go up...you can ask Bozo, I can't tell."

   After he finished speaking, he turned around alone, lowered his head and walked towards his car.

   "Hey, I said, what's the problem with you?" Ronald looked at Fang Kilmer, who refused to give reasons and slapped his face in public.

   "He might be scared." One of the pilots who came to watch the fun, Lloyd Abel with the callsign "Bozo Bozo", whispered in Ronald's ear.

   "What?" Ronald looked back at Bozo, an answer he didn't expect.

"It's very normal. Some of the pilot recruits who come to join the army every year are on the advanced jet trainer, fighter air combat, aircraft carrier take-off and landing, and aircraft carrier take-off and landing at night. They cannot pass the psychological fear level and are eliminated. ' Bozo shrugged.

   "Oh," Ronald nodded. It turned out that Fang Kilmer was afraid of sitting in the back seat and going through those tactical maneuvers with the pilots. Some people were afraid of heights.

   But in this way, his cockpit shot is missing, and he is the second protagonist besides Cruise.

   "It seems that we can't rely entirely on live-action shooting," Ronald thought to himself, "Moreover, I am not sure what effect the real-life shooting lens cooperated with the Navy can achieve. From this perspective, there must be a plan B."

"Bud, Bud," Ronald called Bud Jr., who was his personal assistant on the set, "Call James Cameron and ask him when he's free, I want to meet and talk with him. ."

   (end of this chapter)