Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1461 Ronald's Base

"MJ has no money? Who would believe this?"

Ronald was just being polite, but who knew that Michael Jackson would really get into trouble a few days later. A rumor has been circulating in the entertainment industry these days that MJ needs cash.

"This is true. I've heard some rumors that MJ's cash flow is tight. His Pepsi advertising endorsement was canceled, a perfume brand that had already agreed to a deal also went back on its word, his signature was removed from Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog 3 game, and the theme song for another Addams Family movie, which he had already completed, was also returned." Richard said that this was not groundless. MJ's endorsements and invitations were in the process of a complete collapse.

"That's not necessary. It's only 23 million. MJ can just borrow it from anyone... um..."

Ronald sighed. MJ is not going to ask me for money, is he? I don't have any money right now. My personal and company cash are all frozen in two big projects. How can I pay you for the out-of-court settlement?
Moreover, people like MJ know a lot of wealthy people, such as those in Japan and the Middle East, and anyone they approach will be happy to give him face.

"You've probably figured it out, right? MJ is under a lot of pressure in the Middle East and Japan. The concert that was originally scheduled for Dubai has also been banned by the government. People there are distributing pamphlets accusing MJ of being immoral..."

Richard misunderstood and talked about MJ's predicament. His eagerness to reconcile did not have any positive effect. Although the settlement agreement contained a clause that MJ was not responsible for anything, many media, especially tabloids, did not read these legal documents at all.

From MJ's former butler, driver, bodyguard, maid to his own sister, all came out to say that he had this kind of behavior, so under the media's pervasive propaganda for sales, the public directly equated his reconciliation behavior with MJ being guilty and a rich man who wanted to use money to appease the victim.

"look……"

Ronald picked up today's newspaper, glanced through it quickly, and suddenly saw the news about MJ's criminal case.

After the civil case was settled out of court, Los Angeles District Attorney Garcetti announced that he supports amending a law that prohibits forcing sexual assault victims to testify in criminal proceedings. The amendment, which is introduced in the state legislature next month, would immediately allow Garcetti to compel Jordan Chandler to testify.

"What exactly happened? If he does this, then MJ's settlement of more than 20 million would have been in vain?" Ronald shook his head. If his behavior was really innocent and spotless, and it was a complete false accusation, he might as well be tough to the end and go to court to clear his name.

Even though he paid the money, he still didn't get the approval of the public, and the criminal prosecutors were keeping a close eye on MJ. It's hard not to think of it in the direction of racial discrimination.

If MJ had not had plastic surgery and did not have a disease like vitiligo that made his skin turn white, black people all over the United States would definitely stand on his side now. If the prosecutors really brought charges, I'm afraid large-scale riots would break out in Los Angeles again.

Unfortunately, after becoming famous, MJ did not particularly stand on the side of black people. In the MV of the famous song "Black and White", black people, white people, and people from all over the world were swapped out, but the black people in the audience did not feel that they liked MJ more.

"Never forget your basics."

After talking about MJ, Ronald came up with this idea. Those families that are truly well-established in America must hold on to a base of a certain number of people.

These people may not make you a lot of money, nor help you increase your popularity, but if you are in trouble, they will definitely stand in front of you and take bullets for you.

Because those movie fans, music fans, and fans have gained more happiness after having you. But these basic fans will lose everything without you.

Where was Ronald's base? Apart from the people on Staten Island, who remembered his kindness, was there anyone willing to lend a hand when he was in trouble?

After much thought, those minority groups, radicals calling for gender equality, and the people cared for by Elizabeth Taylor's foundation cannot be his base.

David Geffen is the one who can monopolize the base of minority orientations. He has been committed to speaking for these people since he made his orientation public. After President William finally gave them an executive order of innocence, these people only remember Mr. Geffen who has been advocating for them for more than ten years. How many people will be grateful to Ronald?

The call for equal status for women. Although Ronald and Cameron can be said to have created the genre of female-led films with their own hands, those women who are discriminated against in the workplace and in daily life are still grateful to Alice Paul and Ginsburg, who was nominated by William to become a Supreme Court judge last year.

Even the people who represent the female image in the film industry are female stars such as Sigourney Weaver and Susan Sarandon who play independent female images, rather than the directors behind the scenes.

As for those unfortunate people..., they too, in the end, what they remember is the character played by Tom Hanks, the social activist who, after the movie was released, came out to say that the Philadelphia Story was not tragic enough.

After spending a whole morning thinking about this, Ronald finally got the idea. To be the spokesperson for a certain group of people, one must be a member of that group of people in order to have the appeal to find a base of people who will take the bullet for him.

The only group of people he could influence were those living on that often-forgotten island in New York, not only because Ronald had secured job opportunities and social welfare for them, but also because Ronald himself was a person who came out of Staten Island.

When someone looks puzzled after hearing that their hometown is Staten Island, New York, the fellow Staten Islanders will proudly say that Ronald Lee is from our Staten Island.

Then, there is another group that can proudly say that Ronald Lee is one of us, and they are highly united and organized, with members spread all over the United States. That is the veteran group.

To become one of them, all Ronald has to do is to publicly say that his father and grandfather are all one of them.

It is easy to gain the favor of these people because most veterans have health, psychological and income problems for various reasons, making it difficult for them to raise children who make them proud and who are respected by them.

In this way, Ronald can become a symbol, a representative of the children of veterans who are particularly promising. The next time someone dares to ridicule veterans, they can just cite Ronald's example and laugh it off.

"Aunt, I have an idea..."

After thinking about how to operate, Ronald immediately invested resources. Although a lot of money was invested in two major projects, it was still no problem to take out a few hundred thousand to do some charity.

On Friday, two Boeing 757 charter flights carried many veterans and their families from all over the country to Los Angeles and New York.

Ronald was in charge in Los Angeles. After the veterans, who were in wheelchairs, leaning on crutches, or supported by their juniors, got off the plane, they were taken by bus to the Hollywood Palms Holiday Inn near the Walk of Fame.

The rent here is not expensive, and there are very good facilities. Except for the old rooms, there are no disadvantages. Many veterans got off the bus and were very happy after checking into the rooms. They usually don't have the money to stay in such a hotel.

The rooms are all suites, large enough for grandchildren to run around and play, and the children also have separate rooms. Ronald also arranged for nurses to help take care of several lonely veterans.

These veterans will spend a happy and relaxing weekend in Los Angeles and New York. Veterans with physical and mental illnesses will also have the opportunity to receive sponsorship from the foundation led by Aunt Karen and receive treatment in the best hospitals in the two cities.

The veterans in New York went to Helen Hayes Memorial Hospital, a hospital sponsored by Ronald. The veterans in Los Angeles were sent to different hospitals for treatment according to their physical conditions.

Most people still go to specialized hospitals to update their prostheses, have some surgery on their eyes, and, perhaps most importantly, spend a rare family vacation with their veteran brothers, make their families proud of them.

After a sumptuous dinner, Ronald held a small ceremony in the banquet hall to welcome the veterans to Los Angeles. Most of them were veterans from World War II, but there were also many from the Vietnam War, and one was an old grandfather who had fought in Europe during World War I.

"Everyone, I know that what you want most is to experience the battlefield again, so that your grandchildren can understand how brave their grandparents and fathers were. But we also have to consider the interests of children. We will arrange a tour of Disneyland and see pandas at the zoo..."

"Yeah..." As soon as the words fell, the children cheered, and the whole scene was filled with a joyful atmosphere. The veterans looked very happy. At this age, they can still bring the children to Los Angeles for free. Just because they are veterans, there are rich people to pay for it. They also have a rare opportunity to make the children proud.

"Everyone will be taken to the hospital tomorrow by the kind Sister Louise for the appropriate checkups. You will gather here and be accompanied by someone."

After finishing the arrangements, Ronald also found some clowns and magicians to entertain the veterans and their families. Finally, there were Elvis and Frank Sinatra impersonators who came to sing some of the music they liked when they were young.

"Ronald, may I ask why you do such a thing?"

A reporter from the Los Angeles Times also came to interview. There has been a lot of news about the military recently, and the policy of "don't ask, don't tell" has caused a lot of discussion. This time, a rich man actually paid for the veterans to see a doctor, travel, and watch movies, which can be regarded as a hot news.

"It's simple. When I was filming my new movie Forrest Gump, I met a lot of veterans. They were all well taken care of by the VA hospital, but after all, resources are limited. Some of the wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs are decades old. I wanted to pay tribute to these people who have served their country, so I invited them to Los Angeles and New York for treatment and replacement with the latest technology prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs.

When I contacted them, I also knew that some of the veterans' families were not in good condition, so I came up with the idea of ​​letting them come with their families to enjoy a normal American family trip to Los Angeles. Disneyland, pandas, delicious food, beaches, the Avenue of Stars, etc...."

"Oh, that's really touching. Is this charity also intended to promote your new movie?"

"Yes, I don't deny it. I hope these veterans who have actually been to the battlefield and their families will come to see my movie and see if they agree with the portrayal of veterans. You know, Forrest Gump is also a veteran of the Vietnam War."

"Yes, I've read the novel. So, will this kind of charity be held again in the future? Or is this a one-time event for now?"

"It will be held in the future. You may know that my aunt has a foundation that provides emergency charity activities for these disabled or sick veterans. These people are fighting on the front lines for the country and should not fall into trouble because of a little misfortune."

"Oh, why does your aunt pay special attention to the veteran community?"

"Her husband unfortunately died in the Vietnam War, and my father was also a Vietnam War veteran. They were in the same company."

"So, this is your wish too?"

"Of course, I have no idea what war brings to Americans. Like most people, I think some wars are just and some are not so good. But the soldiers fighting on the front lines of the war are brave, and we should be nicer to them. My family are all veterans, and I know what they fear most is not dying heroically on the battlefield, but not being recognized by their families and the public after returning..."

"Oh, I understand. You just want to do something for the veterans."

"Yes, yes. Actually, I am a bit like Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump. My father is a veteran of the Vietnam War, and my grandfather was a pilot serving in Europe during World War II. He died fighting the enemy over the Atlantic Ocean. As for my great-grandfather, I don't know much about him because he died young. I heard that he was also a pilot and was buried in the country of Mao. I'm just not very clear about the specific details..."

"Oh, I didn't expect that we would see a real Lieutenant Dan..."

"Yes, I am from a lucky generation. When I graduated from high school, there was no major war. We, America, are the beacon of... Go, America."

……

"Thank you, Director Li. I don't know how to thank you."

On the third day, Ronald showed the guests an internal screening of "Forrest Gump". This was the first time the film was open to external audiences after it was edited.

"Don't say that. We are all family. If any of your retired friends are facing difficulties or need to update their equipment, you can write to apply for our assistance program. We have two assistance programs every year, on Memorial Day in May and Veterans Day in November..."

The preview of Forrest Gump has ended. In addition to the beneficiaries of the charity project, the audience were also veterans.

After watching the movie, Ronald personally communicated with them one by one, asking them not to spoil the story and asking them for their opinions on the movie.

"Ronald, the movie you shot is the most realistic of all the movies I have ever seen. Forrest Gump was walking slowly in the heavy rain one second, and the rain stopped the next second, and he was immediately hit by enemy fire. This was what happened to me in Vietnam..."

Regardless of the audience's feelings about the movie itself, they all praised the Vietnam War scenes.

"thanks, thanks!"

Ronald's veterans thanked each other, and suddenly Yang Yanzi waved at him.

"Ronald, I received a call from New York. They said that the outcome of this game of chess might be decided tonight..."

Ronald understood the code word, which was about the acquisition of Paramount, and a winner would emerge in the evening.

At 50.1: in the evening, Ronald's phone finally rang. "This is Shirley. The accountants are still calculating, but it is a foregone conclusion that Redstone's shares will exceed %."