Hollywood Production - Chapter 16

Although he has not witnessed it himself, Duke has heard many rumors in this regard, and 90% of these rumors have been proved to be true.

For example, the assistant director of the crew of “Captain Hook” mentioned to him that if there is fierce competition among several actresses in a crew, they will start to be careful, especially when it comes to their diet–they will only trust their personal assistants. Often a bottle of mineral water is unscrewed and taken a sip, and they would never take another sip from that water bottle again if it left their hands or their sight.

It’s not that someone has to do something, but it is the most basic sense of self-protection.

After getting a cup of coffee from his office, Duke went into the audition room, greeted Robin Grande, nodded to the assistant director Crone, and then walked directly behind the monitor connected to the camera, and sat on the chair in the middle.

The audition began shortly. It was very much like a Hollywood production line, with the audition being mostly stylized. The incoming actress would briefly introduce herself, read a line, perform a scene from the script according to the interviewer’s request, and then talk about her understanding and perception of the role.

If you can make it past the first audition, you must have at least some talent for acting and meet the basic requirements for appearance.

A total of six actresses entered the audition room in the morning, including many names that Duke had an impression of. For example, Uma Thurman, Naomi Watts, and a black actress, Halle Berry.

The film’s requirements state that the heroine must be white, which means that black people will not be able to audition for the heroine role. Duke did not know who hosted the first audition, she does not meet the film’s requirements at all.

Other then the heroin the other roles can be of any skin color, but For the film to be successful, the heroine in the driver’s seat must be white.

This is the simplest movie political correctness.

After a simple lunch, the few people who had a say in the selection of the hero and heroine returned to the audition room and gathered together to watch the morning audition video, to decide the heroine candidate as soon as possible.

“Duke, you are the director.”

Robin Grande, asked Duke, who was standing next to the monitor, “What’s your opinion?”

After taking a videotape, Duke put it into the video recorder, pointed to the tall woman on the screen and said , “Uma Thurman, she is the best Anne of all people.”

“I do not think so.”

Deputy Director Crone stood up, and walked over to the monitor, “She is only twenty-one years old, she is too young, her acting skills are relatively young, and she is not beautiful enough.”

Saying that, he took a videotape and replaced the one that was playing, “I think she’s good, Naomi Watts is more likable in terms of image.”

Turning his head to look at Crone, Duke frowned a little and said directly, “I don’t agree!”

He turned around and took two steps to the left, and stood opposite the assistant director, “I need a typical American big girl. A silly big sister with a bit of a wild temperament. Not a sweetheart!”

“I stand by my opinion!” Crone did not back down.

“How about you, Robin?” Duke asked. “What’s your opinion?”

With George Lucas not intervening, the real decision making rests with Robin Grande.

“That’s it,” said Robin Grande. “for now Naomi Watts will take the role of side character in the back of the bus, and Uma Thurman will take the lead role for now.”

“I agree.”

Walking back to his seat, Duke sat down. Although Robin Grande was supporting him, his move was smooth enough, and with his outstanding ability, it was not unreasonable for George Lucas to choose him to control the crew.

Duke took the lead in making a compromise, and Crone naturally no longer insisted on his own opinion. As long as the crew signed a formal contract with the actors, they would send the script belonging to the character to their respective hands.

The next day, Duke and Crone had another disagreement during the male lead audition, while Robin Grande once again expressed in an indirect way his support of Duke. and Keanu Reeves took the role of Jack.

In the face of these actors who are eager to become famous and do not have much capital themselves, the crew will definitely not offer high salaries.

After some back and forth, Keanu Reeves’ agent was offered $400,000, and another major actor, Dennis Hooper who will play the villain, was paid $200,000.

In Hollywood, where female actors are paid significantly less than their male counterparts, Uma Thurman only receives $80,000.

In the end, They managed to keep all actors’ salaries under $1.5 million.