Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1528: Barbara Streisand Humiliated by Ovitz
This mid-term election was called the Elephant Party Revolution. The Elephant Party won the majority in both houses, and Gingrich became the Speaker of the House of Representatives as he wished. His "Contract with America" ​​action has become a term that every newly elected Elephant Party member has been talking about.

The president was in a very awkward situation. Two years after taking office, he lost the support of both houses of Congress. In the next two years, if he wanted to be re-elected, all his bills and executive orders would be constrained by Congress.

It's funny to say that the original Elephant Party was actually an urbanized party associated with big cities, capital, factories, and large enterprises, while the Donkey Party was a party in the South, the Midwest, and trade unions that cared about the little people and towns.

Since former President Richard opened up the South, the entire structure of the two parties has been reversed. The original Southern Donkey Party (Southern country folk who supported racial segregation and slavery) gradually changed to the Elephant Party. It was officially reversed during the presidency of former President Ronald Sr., and the Southern Donkey Party became a historical term.

However, in the elections of the southern states, including governors and congressmen, many Donkey Party members were elected out of inertia. Until Gingrich's revolution, all the local political forces in the South voted for the Elephant Party.

The same thing is also happening in the big cities where the Democratic Party is entrenched. Since Roosevelt, the Democratic Party has been closely associated with the labor unions. With the subsequent southward movement of the Democratic Party and the Civil Rights Movement, the ideology of the big cities has become more and more accepted by most people.

The two parties just switched places. Because of this, although the Elephant Party won a landslide victory in this election, New York and Los Angeles, where Ronald often lived, became more Donkey Party-oriented.

Only Staten Island, where Ronald was registered, maintained the Elephant Party's lead, and that congressman was once again elected without much suspense.

Ronald looks at the election analysis Roger Ailes sent him and has some thoughts about the future of Hollywood.

First-tier big productions are increasingly dependent on the box office in big cities. In the past five years, many traditional cinemas in big cities have been renovated or demolished and rebuilt, and many multi-hall cinemas have appeared in new shopping malls.

The national box office structure has gradually shifted towards these new cinemas. The proportion of box office revenue occupied by old-style cinemas in small towns has been declining year after year. Not to mention, these old-style cinemas can often only get copies of second or third-round releases, and their share of the box office revenue is much lower than that of the first round.

This also brings up a problem, that is, the new Hollywood commercial films are increasingly catering to the aesthetics of audiences in big cities - that is, they tend to be more like the Donkey Party, where women can work independently and have complete control over their bodies; there is equality among ethnic groups, and there are good and bad people in every ethnic group; they tend to think that the Bible is outdated knowledge, and they rarely go to church...

The tastes of audiences in second-tier markets have diverged from those in big cities. In the past two years, some B-level genre films have given up on the big city market and focused on the small town market.

These films are also getting closer and closer to the party's aesthetic sense: white people created this great country; people should go to church every week; what the Bible says is true; women are better off returning to their families to take care of their children; and abortion is immoral.

Judging from the absolute box office figures, the audience population of multiplexes in big cities is slightly larger than that of traditional cinemas in small towns, but the difference between the two is not that big. So why do big productions generally adopt the aesthetic rules of the former to write scripts and stories?
This has to do with an increasingly obvious trend since the end of the Cold War in 1991, which is Hollywood's invasion of the overseas film market.

Whether it is old allies like Western Europe, former enemies like Eastern Europe, or fast-growing emerging markets like Asia, they all prefer the story aesthetics that favor the donkey party.

This is also related to the fact that the proportion of movie box office revenue is increasingly biased towards first-run screenings, so production studios must pay attention to the first-run big city market that brings them more revenue.

Even in a new market like China that has just opened the door to revenue sharing, "The Fugitive" achieved impressive box office results in the six major cities where it was screened on trial.

On the one hand, it pleases the working-class audiences in big cities around the world, and on the other hand, these profits also feed back into Hollywood's production funds. In the future, this de facto review of scripts will only become more and more obvious under the influence of the Matthew effect.

On the other hand, are there some market opportunities in those markets that are ignored by Hollywood big productions? After all, small-scale B-grade films, which are specifically for the southern market, with stories that are offensive to the hardcore fans of the Donkey Party, may also be able to gain profits from this market segment.

Anyway, moviegoers in big cities are unlikely to watch a story that audiences in small southern towns like to watch.

……

"Attention, attention, give me a copy of every script, memo, or printed thing you've ever received from your agent or producer. One copy per sender, every year. Ronald's direct order is that we establish a modern filing system, and all future office work will be paperless. All of this must be entered into the computer..."

Meanwhile, the office of Bai Daydream was in a state of chaos. Yang Yanzi was in charge and asked everyone in all departments to send a copy of the printouts they had received in the past few years to the large conference room that was specially allocated to her. Soon, several large boxes of scripts and memos were gathered here.

"This is a copy we made ourselves. No, I want the original, the original..."

"This is handwritten, what do you need it for? I just want it printed by the printer..."

Yang Yanzi also gathered five or six secretaries to sort out the printouts in the conference room. After Dr. Henry Lee gave them the sample, they began to carry out secret operations within Daydream and Cruise's CW Films.

Yang Yanzi managed to get hold of all the printed documents that had been received, because Ronald believed that the people who knew Tom Cruise's secrets were most likely his agent or producer, who had worked closely with them. In other words, there was a high possibility that the files printed by the same printer were still lying quietly somewhere in Daydream or CW Films.

"To be precise, we want to print it with a laser printer, not the old dot-matrix printers... nor inkjet printers... If you can't tell the difference, let Maria take a look. She is the most senior secretary in our office and prints the most documents. Nothing escapes her eyes..."

These people were allowed to stop their other work and concentrate on sampling every script and memo. They randomly picked a sample, put it in a plastic file bag, put it in a special box, and sent it to Ronald's home.

There, a specially hired doctoral student majoring in criminal investigation from Connecticut was hired by Ronald at a high salary to do printer trace comparison.

"Honey, Barbara called and said she wanted to visit..."

Ronald had just returned home with some documents waiting to be read when Diane came up to tell him that someone important was looking for him.

"That Barbara, could she be George's mother?" Ronald's heart trembled. Barbara favored her youngest son Jeb. Jeb was not elected governor, but George was elected instead, which made her very embarrassed and awkward. In the end, she didn't even go to the celebration party for her eldest son, and didn't know what to say when they met.

According to Roger Ailes who just arrived, Barbara cursed everyone at Jeb's place in Florida. Jeb's campaign team, Jeb's Latino wife, and George Jr. snatched Roger Ailes, an important strategist, away for the limelight (actually Jeb didn't want him), and also accused George Sr. of being partial. In short, it was shocking.

Barbara also vowed to get Jeb elected governor of Florida...

An old lady who favors one son like this always reminds people of a certain empress in Chinese history... It's chilling.

"No, she's called Barbara in Hollywood. Who else?" Diane was stunned by Ronald's association. Of course, she was talking about the famous Hollywood singer and actress...

"Oh, Barbra Streisand, why did she look for me?" When Ronald thought of her ordinary face with only a big nose as a prominent feature, he felt that Streisand was more suitable for the music industry.

She was able to get into the film industry and play the leading lady, thanks to her Jewish identity...

"I said I have a script that I want to talk to you about..."

"Chatting with me? Ah, she won't take it seriously, will she?"

Ronald recalled that at the Oscars that year, Barbra Streisand felt that she was not nominated for Best Director due to sexism. She saw him at the party and urged him to work with her on a movie.

Ronald felt that Barbra Streisand would not be so shameless. Hollywood is a place that praises hyperinflation. When people say they want to work with you, it is basically just a courtesy.

"I want to work with you" in Hollywood is like a guy in Ohio saying good morning to you enthusiastically while jogging in the morning, or a person in New York giving the middle finger to the driver who took his parking space. It has no special meaning, it's just a daily courtesy.

"Barbara... I'm Ronald. I heard you had something to ask me?"

However, the other party is still a representative of female stars. There are many handsome stars in Hollywood who have benefited from her. She is also a force of considerable size and is an object worthy of public relations in order to win the award.

"Ronald, I never thought that you have such a beautiful garden in your house... Diane, the layout of your living room is really beautiful. Whose living room did you refer to? Do you mind if I learn how to match your sofa and coffee table? It's really unique..."

After making an appointment over the phone, Barbara Streisand came to Ronald's house and started to show her courtesy to Ronald and Diane as soon as she entered the door.

"She definitely needs something from me..." Ronald made a face at Diane.

"I'll let you two talk about serious matters. I still have lines to memorize..." Diane smiled and walked away, leaving the room to Ronald and Streisand.

"any drinks?"

"Bali mineral water is the best..."

Ronald didn't have any in his room yet, so he went out and asked the servant to bring a few bottles. The traces of beauty treatment on Barbara Streisand's face were still quite obvious. She also paid attention to maintaining her voice and didn't drink any stimulating drinks.

"Bali mineral water, is there anything I can do for you today, Barbara?" Ronald sat down and opened a bottle of Coke.

"Let me be frank. The last time we met, I invited you. I have always wanted to work with you on a movie. I will be the lead actor and you will be the director..."

"Ah...oh..." Ronald thought, you really came?
"I don't expect you to have the time to direct a female film that I'm interested in, but I'm here to ask you to make this film happen..."

Ronald touched his chin. Does this mean that he should settle for the second best and let himself invest?

"Barbara, what is your story? No one in Hollywood invested in your script? The script in which you starred? Even if no one else tells you, Ovitz from CAA will definitely chase you for investment..."

Ronald teased the other party. Ovitz always treated other people's projects as business, but when it came to Jewish stars like Barbara Streisand, he would take the initiative to invest and hold a relatively large share. It would be best if he would recommend the best package candidates.

"Especially Ovitz, he makes me angry..."

When Barbara Streisand mentioned Ovitz's name, there was some resentment in her words, and some annoyance at being talked about.

It turns out that when Barbra Streisand got the script, the first person she thought of was Michael Ovitz.

She wanted Ovitz to lead the film, not only to star in it, but also to direct it. This time, she had to make a film that would be recognized by the market and awards. Robert Redford was a popular star like her at the time, and Redford won the Oscar for Best Director for his first directorial debut, so there was no reason why she couldn't do the same.

But Ovitz kept trying to hold back and refused to invest. Finally, when he was pushed into a corner, he said something that made her very angry and painful.

"What happened?" Ronald took the few pages of plot summary handed to him by Barbara Streisand.

The name of the script is "Double-Sided Mirror", which tells the story of a literature professor named Ross (Barbra Streisand) who has never been married. There is a mathematics professor named Gregory in the same school.

With the help of Ross's sister, the two fell in love and got married, but they still maintained a platonic relationship after marriage.

In the last chance, Rose learned that it was her undecorated appearance that made her husband lose interest in her. In pain, she decided to change her appearance and vowed to wipe out the bad image of herself in her husband's mind.

And Ross's mother, who was beautiful when she was young but had a bad relationship with the ugly Ross, also came to Ross's home.

This story doesn't seem to have much meaning. Movies with female themes, female perspective, a lot of psychological descriptions, mother-daughter conflicts that only women understand, and how ugly women perceive themselves have never had many viewers, and naturally exclude half of the moviegoers (males), because no man can understand the love, hate, and emotions between women.

For example, the complex relationship between the mother and Ross, sometimes they are in conflict, and sometimes they are very good. The man can only shake his head.

However, there is one interesting thing about this play, that is, Barbra Streisand actually plays the very ordinary (a little ugly) heroine Rose. Does this mean that she still has a correct understanding of her appearance?
When Ronald thought of this, he chuckled, and his resentment towards Barbara Streisand always playing the role of a beautiful woman was no longer so strong.

"Why, do you like this story?"

"Oh, I like it quite a lot. You know I like stories from a female perspective. I've never seen such a perspective on family relationships before. This is a groundbreaking story, and it's most appropriate for you to direct and star in it."

Ronald sneered secretly again, this kind of ugly girl is the one you should play...

"Oh, Ronald, I can't tell you how happy I am to hear your comments. Ovitz, he broke my heart."

Barbra Streisand just spoke out about the humiliation she suffered at the hands of Ovitz.

She had been arguing with Ovitz about her power and compensation. The premise for Ovitz to agree to invest was that Barbra Streisand would receive a $4 million acting salary, plus a $2 million director's salary, plus a share of the profits (cooperating with a major studio means there would be no profit in the account).

Barbra Streisand cited Robert Redford, who was as famous as her in the 1960s and 1970s, as an example, saying that she wanted more, including remuneration, the right to decide on casting, and the final right to edit the film.

Ovitz said that was impossible, especially for a fifty-two-year-old actress.

Finally, he told a vicious joke, "Do you know my 15-year-old son? He and his friends think about beautiful girls from the moment they open their eyes in the morning to the moment they close their eyes at night, but you are no longer on their list..."

Just this joke completely broke down Streisand, who was already very sensitive about her age and appearance. She was willing to look for Ronald to discuss investment rather than cooperate with someone like Ovitz who laughed at her ugly looks.

"This..." Ronald didn't know what to say. He didn't expect that Streisand, at 52, still had such a strong obsession with her beauty.

"I am willing to invest here, but I also have some requirements. First, you must star and direct. If you change to someone else, I will have to withdraw..."

"That's no problem..." Barbra Streisand was flattered. Such a request was undoubtedly the best compliment to her charm. The best Hollywood actress in women's movies is Ronald, not you Ovitz...

"Second, I don't want to interfere with your casting, but I saw it says that Jeff Bridges plays Gregory. As a director, I have some opinions to express. It's a discussion between directors..."

"Oh, please, please, I was afraid you wouldn't say it..." Barbra Streisand was very pleased with Ronald's two flatteries. A director of Ronald's level also treated her as a colleague... "Do you think Jeff is not suitable?"

"Jeff Bridges is great and very suitable for this role, but he has a problem, he is a female killer... Of course it's fine if you want him to play a dull math professor, but we directors all know that sometimes the actor's true nature will be revealed involuntarily."

"Yes, yes, our director knows...but I saw his appearance, he looks a lot like the Gregory in my mind."

"You like to act with handsome guys, everyone in Hollywood knows it." Ronald laughed in his heart, but said something else, "What do you think of Kurt Russell? He looks very similar to Jeff, but he has played this kind of dull role..."

"I'll think about it..." Barbara Streisand suddenly felt that what Ronald said made sense... She was directing and acting in the film herself, so there would definitely be times when she wasn't paying attention on the set. What if Jeff Bridges' true nature was revealed?
"Okay, I'll ask my colleague to find your agent to sign the contract. When the time comes, you can give me the script and I'll have to read it. This is my work habit."

"Don't wait, I'll give it to you right away..." Barbra Streisand said as she took out a wrinkled script from her bag and placed it on the table. "I've been reading this and even taken it to talk about cooperation with many investors. Sure enough, it ended up in the hands of the most suitable owner."