Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

"I guess I didn't perform well in today's play. The director didn't invite me to the restaurant for dinner."

That night, Melanie Griffiths complained to her manager, Phyllis Carlyle, at a payphone near the set.

"I waited for them to call me, and waited until the crew was gone, but Ronald and Harrison Ford left first, and I thought I would be invited to go with them. Ugh..."

"Come on, be strong, Melanie. I don't think it's because of good or bad acting. I heard that Harrison Ford's wife also went to that restaurant. I think it's star wife syndrome..."

The manager, Phyllis Carlyle, has been helping Melanie Griffiths to find out information. Now is the most important stage of filming. This client should not have any psychological problems.Not inviting her seems to be just star wives' hostility towards actresses who play husbands and lovers in movies.

"Oh my God. How is that old woman like this... You say it, it makes me more depressing than the director hates my performance... I specially used my mother's look in the Hitchcock movie today, Back then, even a fat old man like Hitchcock could be tempted..."

"Stop being sentimental, Melanie, what you need now is a strong heart like Tess. Just stick to it, and you will become a star because of this movie. I asked someone to ask Ronald about your performance, and he I really like your performance."

Behind the scenes, Phyllis Carlyle has been silently protecting Melanie Griffiths, an actress who is talented in acting but has a messy life and is not very good at making money.From before the filming started to the present, there have been people working at Twentieth Century Fox, trying to replace her.

Fortunately, Director Ronald has always been very affirmative of her and said good things to the film crew.Now the filming is about one-third over, as long as this period of time is passed, it is practically impossible to change roles.

Because Harrison Ford's schedule is limited, the more such scenes with his opponent are filmed, the more secure Melanie Griffith's position will be.

"Hi, Melanie..."

The next day, Alec Baldwin was cast as an ex-boyfriend.He came to the shooting location of Staten Island early in the morning to say hello to Griffiths.

"Hi, Alec...you look very handsome today." Melanie Griffiths was not invited to the dinner and was rather disappointed. Seeing Alec Baldwin, whom she hadn't seen for a week, she thought again. One eye begins to discharge.

"You look good too, where's our director?"

"Set up in the bar..." Melanie Griffith approached, teasing Baldwin's upper body with her fingers.

"I'll go in and say hello to Director Ronald." Baldwin politely refused.

"Oh, God, have I lost my allure to seduce men?" Griffiths was a little embarrassed, and did not respond to the continued courtship of the male actors.She cleared her throat, opened the door and walked into the bar where the set was built.

"Ricky (Lake), be yourself and enjoy the atmosphere, OK?"

Ronald is instructing the ensemble performer's position. He has tried it twice before. The ensemble performers from Broadway are a little bit inaccurate of the charm of the disco dance.Ronald had to call in the heroine of "Hairspray", Ricky Lake, to play a fat secretary enjoying the bar atmosphere and dancing disco.Anyway, she happens to be in "Hairspray," doing a great disco pre-swing dance.

"Action!"

With Ronald's order, the speakers played the Pointer Sisters, a disco hit from a few years ago, "I'm So Excited (I'm So Excited)"

"I'm so excited.

I just can't hide it.

i'm about to lose control

And I think I like that. "

The camera was pushed all the way on the guide rail, and many actors who could dance the disco charm in the previous dance rehearsals were put together in pairs.

Ronald learned the key points of dance scenes when he was filming "Dirty Dancing". The dance partner doesn't have to be good-looking and sexy. As long as the two people's movements have characteristics, they can match each other to produce good results.

Ricky Lake and a fat actor made a couple, and they danced the best of all the ensembles.Ronald also arranged a pair of middle-aged dance partners on the camera movement route, and several other young people with explosive hairstyles.

"Cut!"

In this unimportant cutscene, Ronald still arranges it seriously.The biggest difference between a first-line big production and a mid-to-low-cost B-movie lies in these shots.

All extras, even if only for a few seconds, are carefully cast.All the scenery, even if it only appears for a few seconds, will be done in full accordance with the needs of the plot.

This is a tacit agreement between the audience and the producer, a contract that does not need to be written.If it's a B-level movie, then the audience will tolerate supporting characters that don't match the plot, special effects that don't fit, and scenes that don't match, because before they watch it, they know that they can't delve into it.

As for the big production of "Working Girl", the audience wants to fully immerse themselves in the plot, and follow the director's arrangement to have an interesting dream that is impossible in life.For this kind of movie, directors who know how to shoot will pay great attention to details.Prevent something from not being careful enough and let the audience play.

"Joan, Alec, it's your turn."

Ronald then filmed a scene where Joan Cusack's Sheen and Alec Baldwin's ex-boyfriend Mick are talking together.

The scene recorder restarted the music, and continued where it was paused just now, to facilitate editing afterwards.The two actors sit together, Mick is drinking from a glass of schnapps, next to Ricky Lake, who plays Sheen's friend, is looking the other way, flirting with the off-screen actor of men and women.Make a qualified human flesh background.

"Tess will come, right?" Alec Baldwin raised his neck, drank a glass of spirits, and asked his mutual friend with Tess, Xin who was engaged today.

"Of course, today is my engagement party. If she dares to come, she will be dead to me in the future."

Filming continued, and Melanie Griffiths walked in wearing the same clothes and hairstyle as yesterday, carrying a leather briefcase.Because the plot just continued yesterday, the scene record recorded the detailed attire.

Xin told Tess that Mick was in a bad mood today, and asked her to give a bone to make the old dog happier.Tess walked over and sat beside Mick.

"Tess..." Mick saw Tess, and this was the first time the two met after he was caught cheating.

"Bastard..." Tess still couldn't forgive the other party.

"You look different today..."

"Yes, I am no longer the poor, credulous wretch I was a few days ago."

Tess was sharp and ordered whiskey to the bartender.

Mick came to Xin's engagement party today to find a chance to win back Tess.Seeing Tess with a new look made his reunion even warmer.

"I mean your outfit...your hairstyle, you look very classy today. Are you going to court for traffic fines?" Mick's last sentence spoiled the atmosphere, which didn't help his idea of ​​getting back together at all. .

He felt that Tess was a blue-collar worker like him, and dressing up like this kind of boss was a kind of betrayal of the class, and it was impossible to realize her dream.When you get angry, you blurt it out.

"I just got off work from the company. In the past two days... well, I've been promoted." Tess was very angry. This ex-boyfriend never had a good word for her dream, and she would be sarcastic whenever she had the opportunity.

Mick also knew that Tess could not be won back like this, so he poured two glasses of wine and toasted. "Well, for Xin and Tim, for your promotion, for the fishing boat loan I got..."

"You got it? That's great..." Tess was happy for him. It was Mick's dream all along, to have his own fishing boat to go fishing on Long Island.

The atmosphere between the two changed from embarrassment and confrontation to joy.Mick's well-prepared rhetoric had an effect. The two had talked about the dream that this blue-collar should have many times before.Today Mick's dream came true, so that the two can at least have a drink as happy as friends.

"Hmm... woo..." The disco music stopped, and a soft music came.It's Chris DeBerg's Adult Ballad, "Lady in Red"

"I've never seen you so cute as tonight.

I have never seen your light shine so brightly.

I've never seen so many men ask you if you want to dance.

Given the slightest chance, they're looking for a little romance. "

Both Mick and Tess let out a long breath, and the romantic feeling returned.The two got up and jumped together, their heads gradually approaching until they could smell each other's breath.

"Cut!"

The tacit understanding between the two is very high. If I can insist on letting Alec Baldwin play the leading actor Jack Trainor, it may be a better choice.Ronald shook his head to get rid of this useless thought.Twentieth Century Fox still has the final say on the important casting of this kind of big production.

Melanie Griffiths and Alec Baldwin looked at each other, the stare at each other in the plot, and the slow dance afterwards, made her feel that the other party also had feelings for her, but she didn't know whether it was into the play or...

"Next is the proposal scene, we will rest for two hours."

With lights and cameras in place, Ronald ordered:
"Action!"

Joan Cusack, with her lion-like haircut, and the actor who played his boyfriend, were unwrapping their engagement presents together.

"Short time together, enjoying the whole family life... Love you Mick and Tess."

The actor is reading the card that came with the gift.After taking it apart, it is a set of women's sexy underwear, stockings, and garters, a full set of equipment.

Melanie Griffiths looks at Alec Baldwin, and the camera captures a ambiguous and awkward look.

Ronald kept nodding behind the camera. Mick was still a low-level man who didn't know how to give gifts that made people feel respected. All gifts were related to men and women.

Melanie Griffiths no longer voluntarily excused Mick as she did when she received the same birthday gift, but looked at Baldwin's Mick with a little scrutiny, and there was a little sexy desire in her eyes, The psychological transformation of the characters is well deduced.

"When can we have your engagement wine?" Xin's boyfriend thought about his old friend Mick and helped him create opportunities. "To seize the opportunity, you have to ask the woman..."

"Mick, Mick, Mick, Mick..." The group performers in the audience were all cheering for Mick, they thought that Mick just missed the goal.

Only Xin, who knew that Mick had been raped, covered his face with his hands, and something went wrong.

Mick, played by Alec Baldwin, got down on one knee, took Tess's hand with both, and was about to ask that classic question.

Tess, played by Melanie Griffiths, pulled her hand hard, but she didn't pull it out, and then heard Mick ask "Will you marry me?"

"Maybe……"

"Maybe? That's your answer?" Alec Baldwin's Mick, with an expression on his face, seems to be saying: I've prepared so much, don't you want to?

"If you want other answers, you can ask other girls..." Tess has completely changed in the past two days. She is no longer the woman who only caters to her boyfriend.Pretending to be a colleague of her boss, she had a smooth negotiation with the best broker on Wall Street, which gave her a lot of confidence.

"Cut!"

Just in time to record the embarrassing reactions of the group performers upon hearing this answer, Ronald stopped with satisfaction.

The next thing to do is to shoot the exterior scene of a bar, so that Mick and Tess will break up completely. Today's scene is considered to be completed with high quality.

"Alec, do you want to have a drink tonight? I have a good Scotch whiskey, we can just refill what we didn't drink in the scene just now." Melanie Griffiths stopped Alec who was going to rest · Baldwin.

Griffiths, who was rejected by Harrison Ford's wife for dinner, feels good chemistry with Baldwin today, and she wants to try again...

"Melanie, as I said last time, my principle is not to be with colleagues... You know, it will be troublesome, you are a very attractive woman, but I'm sorry."

Alec Baldwin politely rejected Griffith's attempt again.

"Principle...huh..." Melanie Griffiths was a little annoyed. The other party obviously didn't like her. The look in her eyes when she was filming just now was just another actor's performance by an outstanding actor.

Then what is he? He threw himself into his arms and was rejected so indifferently twice. He was just greedy for Baldwin's beauty, and he didn't want to get married like in the movie.

It was getting dark in the evening, and Ronald was outside the bar, looking at the headlighted back door of the bar, and called Action.

The back door was pushed open, and Melanie Griffiths put on her windbreaker and walked down the wooden steps slowly, Alec Baldwin was behind her, there seemed to be a wall of gas between the two, and their heads were facing Two directions, no eye contact.

"This design is very good." Ronald nodded vigorously. Both of them are good actors. They were affectionate just now, but now they parted as soon as their eyes crossed. This kind of performance must be enjoyable for the audience.

"You just fucking humiliated me in front of so many people," Alec Baldwin said.He was being harassed by Melanie Griffiths again, and he felt bad, and he brought that emotion right into the show.

"That's what you asked for! What do you expect me to say? Lying in front of so many people?" Melanie Griffiths was not too angry. She invited herself and was rejected like this. Actresses don't want Is it face-saving?
"I didn't want you to lie, I thought you wanted me to propose like this."

The photographer used a stabilizer to fix the camera, stepped back quickly, and the focus follower next to him operated carefully. The lens always tightly grasped the close-ups of the faces of the two actors, capturing all the subtle expressions on the film.

"Three days ago, I found you and Doreen in bed, today you buy me a drink, dance, and then Duang, you want me to make a decision for the rest of my life?"

Melanie Griffiths' face was contorted with anger.People like Baldwin, it's just too bad.Today I am not dressed like the secretary when I took the initiative last time, but today is the costume of the character Ugly Duckling transformed, so temperamental, this person just doesn't want to...

"Well, it's just the two of us now, and I'll ask you again, would you like to?" Alec Baldwin's voice rose.

"Does this have to be decided now? I said maybe..." Melanie Griffith's voice also rose, and the scene was like the conversation they had just had was reversed.Taking the initiative himself, Baldwin always objected.

"Christ Jesus, what else do you have to think about, yes, maybe not."

"I need time to think about it...you don't treat me like this."

"Fuxk, I need an answer now," Mick's voice suddenly increased, and he began to curse. "Who the hell is talking to you about your attitude? Who do you think you are? Grace Kelly?"

Grace Kelly?Melanie Griffiths was completely ignited by this improvisation.Sure enough, I still feel disgusted that I am not beautiful enough. It is everyone who loves me, and I am not looking for a wife. Why do I have such high requirements for appearance?

"Please don't yell at me, I'm not a steak, you can order (Order) anytime, anywhere..." Melanie also said impromptu lines.

"Fantastic," Ronald exults behind the camera, a line so clever it's almost as if it's been written beforehand.The lower class people in America like to compare handsome men and beautiful women to steaks (Beef), and "Order (Order)" has a double meaning of "Order (Order in English)".

Today is like a godsend!

"Listen, I don't accept this from you, think about your priorities, maybe we can talk again. Now we're officially over."

Alec Baldwin saw the contempt in Melanie's eyes, and his reaction was great. He said a few hard words, turned his head, and walked in the opposite direction of the camera without looking back.

The camera operator pans the camera slightly to the left and follows his leaving back.

The focus officer immediately adjusted the hyperfocal distance, and the depth of field was infinite. All the images captured by the camera, whether it was Baldwin nearby, fields in the distance, cars in the distance, the road and the The pipes and deep-focus lens are all clear.

At this time, Melanie Griffiths at the edge of the screen turned her head, facing the camera at a 45-degree side. She, who was originally on the edge, suddenly occupied more than one-third of the width of the viewfinder frame.

The focus follower is an old hand, he turned the focus knob as fast as a flywheel, adjusted from infinity to the closest close-up in less than a second, and with a click, the focus was on the tip of Melanie Griffith’s nose place.

Melanie Griffiths let out a breath, her shoulders relaxed.The features on her face and the details of her hair are all clear, while Alec Baldwin behind has become a blurred out-of-focus background outside the depth of field.

Melanie Griffiths swallowed, as if Tess was saying goodbye to Mick's past history.

"Cut!" Ronald was very happy, this shot was done in one go, the technical staff of the camera crew worked perfectly, and Melanie Griffiths' performance was also excellent.

"Great! I love this shot."

Ronald is going to invite Melanie and Alec to dinner next, as a celebration of today's extraordinary performance.

"I have an appointment with someone, so I have to go first." Alec Baldwin proposed to go first, he didn't want to mess with Melanie.

"I'm going back too, Director." Melanie Griffith couldn't hold back, and offered to leave first.

"Okay then, remember to come early tomorrow, we're going to shoot the scene of Mick's marriage." Ronald agreed with a smile, the actor was tired from working overtime at night, "You have to wear ugly green bridesmaid dresses, come early to try on clothes."

"understood……"

In the early morning of the next day, Ronald came earlier than all the actors.

This is a church on the South Side of Manhattan, where Sheen and her boyfriend got married.Tess, as a best friend, will be one of four bridesmaids at her best friend's wedding.

This episode happened when Tess's manager, Catherine came back from the resort, and in the meeting between him and Tusk Enterprises to discuss the acquisition of the radio station, it was revealed that Tess was just a secretary and took the idea as her own.

Tess has nothing in her career, and she saw Mick again at Xin's wedding. He has been with Doreen who was caught in bed and is about to get married.

This is the part where Tess falls to the bottom of the plot, and is about to enter the third act, heading towards the finale in one go.Ronald put this scene in the middle of the shoot, mainly to coordinate everyone's schedule, coupled with Melanie's performance, this scene will be more emotionally coherent after breaking up with Mick, which will help the performance.

Not only the technicians and actors who appeared on stage, but even the top executives of [-]th Century Fox also came to visit the filming.Wedding scenes are always regarded as a symbol of good luck. Those high-level executives usually choose this time to check the progress and shooting quality, so they won't be annoying.

"Why hasn't Melanie come?" Ronald looked at his watch. It was already time for actors to put on their makeup. If they didn't come, the magic light in the morning would not be able to catch up.

"Called her room, but no one answered..." After a while, the assistant came to report.

"Look for her manager, fuck it, today just happened to be Fox's high-level executives, isn't this making yourself unhappy? Find Melanie's manager for me," Ronald had already started yelling.

"Phyllis Carlyle..." The assistant took a telephone in the church and handed the receiver to Ronald.Over there was the manager who was in a hurry when he found out that Melanie didn't show up on the set.

"I don't care what you can do. Bring her to me within half an hour. Today is Fox's high-level visit. You don't want him to see this scene. Let her go and change roles?"