"What do you mean by what you said on the phone? How can I get an Oscar nomination for Best Director?"

Ned Tanning refused to disclose the details on the phone, so Ronald had to come to Paramount's president's office to interview him.

Being nominated for an Oscar for Best Director is a great temptation for any Hollywood director. Ronald was no exception. After he entered Tanin's office, he asked him directly.

When it comes to box office, Ronald is confident, but when it comes to awards, he is less confident.

"Dirty Dancing" continues to surge at the box office, earning a massive $4.45 million at the weekend box office in its fifth week of release, ranking third on the box office list, trailing only two newly released major films.

Ranked second is 20th Century Fox's "The Pickup Guy," starring Robert Downey Jr. and Molly Ringwald. This movie was shown in more than 1,120 theaters, surpassing "Dirty Dancing."

100,000 US dollars to win the runner-up spot.

The box office champion was Paramount's new film, "Fatal Attraction" starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. Although it was only shown in more than 700 theaters, the box office was as high as 7.6 million U.S. dollars in a single theater.

The box office gross exceeded $10,000, more than twice that of "Dirty Dancing" and "The Pickup Expert."

The reviews of this movie are also very good, and it is both well-received and well-received. Adrian Lyne, who worked with Ronald as the director of "Flashdance" at the time, has great experience in shooting such erotic films, and he is very smart, always

At the end, it condemns cheaters and marriage destroyers.

This kind of condemnation was also liked by film critics, who said that Ryan showed the destructive power of immoral lust to the audience on the screen and warned people who have such thoughts.

Audiences can also use this as an excuse to go to the cinema to watch passionate performances.

This kind of acclaim and box office success is exactly what Ronald's works lack.

If there was an award in Hollywood that was based on the box office of the movie, "Dirty Dancing" would undoubtedly be the nominated film. If there was another award that was based on the movie's return on investment, then "Dirty Dancing" would win.

The probability of winning the jackpot is very high.

But the Oscar is different. It is voted by members of the American Academy of Motion Picture Technology and the Arts based on the principle of one person, one vote. "Dirty Dancing" has no particularly outstanding performance in terms of directorial skills or actors' performances.

Even getting the nomination qualification is not an easy task.

Ronald knows this from his experience judging awards for many commercially successful films such as "Famous", "The Kid" and "Top Gun", and "Dirty Dancing" can win a Best Original Song

The nomination is very remarkable. This award has the greatest relationship with the popularity of the song.

These three films that Ronald participated in all received good results in this award.

Therefore, Ronald is self-aware of the film path he has chosen. Next year's Oscars and other awards are just looking forward to winning Best Original Song.

Ned Tanning suddenly said that he could help him get an Oscar nomination. Ronald didn't believe it, but out of respect for Paramount's past award-winning history, he came to the office to hear the plan in person.

Although the biggest winner at the Oscars in recent years has been mid-sized producer Orion Pictures, which last year produced and released Oliver Stone's "Platoon" and Woody Allen's "Hanna and Her Sisters"

Won many awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Actor.

But Paramount can still make the successful small-budget commercial film "Children of God" unexpectedly win the Best Actress. They are good at making commercially successful films win Oscars at the same time. This is Orion's way of using Oscars to win.

The route to boosting movie box office is completely different.

Maybe Tanin has some tricks up his sleeve that can make "Dirty Dancing" work miracles as well?

"Relax, Ronald." Ned Tanin was in high spirits and very satisfied. Ronald had always been a loner and was unwilling to bind a long-term contract with any studio. Now he finally found his weakness.

It turns out that you are not so arrogant. You want to win awards even if you make a hit movie, right?

"Hahaha, I'm just curious, can you get Dirty Dancing nominated? If you can do it, what do I need to pay?" Ronald realized that he had lost his temper, but since Tanin was willing to offer a price, compared to

It's not nonsense, just spread it out.

Does Tanin want him to direct a movie for Paramount, or has some other request? We can discuss it.

"Wait a minute, let's wait for one more person." Ned Tanin was not in a hurry and slowly lit a cigar, then poured a glass of brandy and handed it to Ronald.

"e On!", Ronald was still putting on airs when he saw Tanin, but he was eager to know how to operate Oscar, so he had to sit down and slowly drink and chat with him.

"Then what's going on between you and Shirley Lansing? She called me and scolded me for no reason." Ronald took a sip from the wine glass, then looked around on his table, looking around.

Look at Tanin holding the expensive-looking cigar in his mouth.

"Here", Tanin opened the drawer, took out one, cut it for Ronald himself, then struck a special extended poplar match and lit it for him.

"Wonderful!" Ronald took a puff and spit it out without letting the smoke enter his lungs. It was indeed the finest Ashton cigar, produced in Philadelphia, and a good thing only for the old money in America.

"You know what? She and her partner, Stanley Jaffe, have been eyeing my seat for a long time." Ned Tanning watched the match burn slowly, and then said leisurely.

"Shxt, are they worthy? Besides, your performance is so good, it's not the turn of two independent producers to threaten your position, right?" Ronald squinted his eyes, no wonder Taning wanted to borrow his name

, to suppress Lansing’s new film.

"Huh..." Ned Tanning gently blew out the match. This kind of poplar match only has a refreshing fragrance when burning. It will not contaminate fine cigars with the smell of burning kerosene like low-end products like Zippo lighters.

.

"Actually, I don't want to stay in this position anymore, but I don't want someone like Lansing to take over Paramount after me."

"How do you say this?" Ronald suddenly heard a big gossip. Because of his filming of "Top Gun", Tanin handed over a report card that was no less than that of Michael Eisner. Why didn't he do it?

Already?

"I heard that you also established your own production company, Ronald." Tanin changed the topic to Ronald again.

"Yes, my company is a small company, and all the funds are only enough to produce a medium-sized movie..."

"But with the success of Dirty Dancing, you don't have more than this capital." Tanin interrupted Ronald's false politeness. Nowadays, no one in Hollywood knows that Ronald has made a fortune, and this guy still gave it to him very loyally.

The main creative staff shared dividends, causing a stir among artists.

"I mean, who do you think would be more enjoyable for me as the president of Paramount or for you as the boss of a small studio?"

"This..." Ronald stopped and thought for a moment, and he somewhat understood what Ned Tanin meant.

Unlike his predecessor Michael Eisner, Ned Tanin's appointment was not a popular choice, but a compromise between several candidates. This caused him to have many problems within Paramount.

He does more of a balancing act, and I guess independent production companies like Shirley Lansing, who have signed a long-term distribution contract with Paramount, are not very respectful in front of him.

"But, after all, he is the president of Paramount." Ronald still said what he really thought. Having been in Hollywood for decades, the president of Paramount, a prestigious company, is better than his own small production company.

.

"Do you know how much severance package you received when Frank Price, the president of Columbia who promoted you, resigned from the position of president of Columbia and Universal twice?"

"ah?"

"And in our position, we can also sign a long-term distribution contract with the company. We can establish a small production company ourselves and have limited distribution rights for the films we shoot."

"If you put it that way, it's not bad." Ronald took another puff of his cigar. This kind of golden parachute is given to the resigning president. It comes with a large severance package, plus investment in their personal production company, plus priority for future movies.

Distribution rights. In fact, in the final analysis, it is all about sealing the record to prevent them from telling the dirty deals during their tenure.

"Do you think this is a good seat to sit in? More and more film company presidents are occupied by people from TV stations. I take advantage of the fact that the box office of the few movies you helped shoot and produce is..."

De Tanin said half of what he said, and Ronald must be able to understand the following words.

Twentieth Century Fox was taken over by a former ABC TV executive. Ned Tanin took advantage of the success of movies such as "Top Gun" to get the coveted golden parachute and leave, no longer having to sit in this hot seat.

Sitting on the throne was exactly what he had dreamed of when he came to power, and it was a wise choice.

The position of president of a film company is becoming less and less attractive now. Everyone just wants to work for two or three years, make a hit movie, then retire immediately with severance pay and enjoy life.

"Then what do you mean by coming to me? What can I do for your retirement arrangements? And who are we waiting for?" Ronald felt that Tanin came to him to confide his concerns, and he must have wanted to help and protect himself.

Let’s talk about his retirement arrangements in exchange for giving himself an Oscar nomination.

"These two things are actually the same thing." Tanin laughed, and then started talking about romantic things.

"Tuk Tuk..." The knock on the door interrupted the meaningless conversation between Ronald and Ned Tanin. A tall, handsome man walked in. His suit was tailored to fit, and he had long hair and a beard.

He has the charm of a movie actor.

"Sid, you know Ronald." Tanin sat and nodded to the person, then turned to Ronald, "Ronald, this is Sid Ganis, Paramount's director of marketing and public relations."

"I have long admired you, Director Ronald. I am honored to meet you." Sid Gannis is personable. As a senior management talent in charge of marketing and public relations, he is really suitable for the film industry. If no one introduces him, he will

Most people would think he is an actor.

"Sid was responsible for the entire marketing of 'Top Gun,' and he was responsible for the first two Indiana Jones films, which was impressive.

In addition, he is also responsible for the entire Paramount awards public relations, and "The Children of God" is his handiwork." Ned Tanning smiled and introduced Gannis' achievements to Ronald.

Unlike Ronald, who is known to everyone in the industry for his blockbuster movies, Sid Gannis' abilities are only known in a very small circle.

"The honor belongs to me." Ronald stood up and shook hands with him. He pulled out the chair and asked Gannis to sit down. Ronald also glanced at Tanin who was sitting behind the desk. Obviously, he was invited to sit down today.

It was specially arranged that some high-ranking officials come here for prizes.

"The youngest movie queen in history? Huh? Impressive." Ronald turned around to express his goodwill to Ganis. It seemed that he could hear what the award experts said today.

"Ronald is a very good director, but the film critics don't like him very much. He wants to cooperate with us at Paramount. The next film will focus more on artistry, so I came to you to explain to him Paramount's

Oscar manipulation," Tanin said to Sid Ganis, then gave Ronald a hint.

"Actually, director Ronald's current movies have great potential to win awards." When Sid Gannis heard that it was to win Ronald to come to Paramount, he immediately became interested.

"I brought both ears, Mr. Gannis." Ronald looked at Gannis with interest. "Is it still too late to operate "Dirty Dancing" now?"

"Your new yet-to-be-released film 'Moonlight' is actually more in line with Oscar's taste. As long as the distributor is MGM..." Sid Ganis paused.

"Ronald is one of our own. You can tell him how we won the PR award for the new movie 'Fatal Attraction.'" Ned Tanin's heart is with this man who promoted his confidant Sid Gan.

Nice, take over the position of president so that your retirement benefits can be guaranteed.
To be continued...