Chapitre 54: Chapter 54: The Director's Bribe
As soon as dawn broke, Ronald went out and bought some newspapers at the kiosk. He wanted to find out if the movie he dreamed about last night was Alan Parker's *Hot Lunch.*
He picked up a copy of the *Hollywood Daily Variety* and *The Hollywood Reporter.* There are many plays and musicals on Broadway here in New York, and there are also several magazines focused on Broadway.
He also got *Backstage* and *Actors' Career.*
When he returned to the apartment, Ronald spread four newspapers and magazines on the table and scanned the news one by one.
"The director of *The Deer Hunter*, Oscar-winner for Best Director and twice for Best Picture, Michael Cimino, has signed a new contract with United Artists to direct the new film *Heaven's Gate.*"
Well, forget about that for now.
"British director Alan Parker and producer David Da Silva said that the resurgence of musicals has arrived. After last year's *Saturday Night Fever* and *Grease*, MGM has launched another musical. The film *Hot Lunch* is in the casting process and is expected to start filming in July."
After flipping through four newspapers and magazines, Ronald only found reports on *Hot Lunch* and no news about *Famous Worldwide.*
He only remembered three dance scenes from last night's dream but didn't recall who the director was in the opening credits.
Perhaps there would be a revival of musicals in the future? Another high school musical with a similar name called *Famous?* But Meg was very young in the dream, probably not more than 20 years old. Perhaps it was also *Hot Lunch.*
*Ring ring ring ring...*
The phone rang, and Ronald picked up. It was director Alan Parker.
"Ronald? This is Alan Parker. Come to Feuer & Ritzer on West 48th Street near Broadway today. The exact address can be found in the phone book. 10 a.m. See you there."
After that, he hung up with force.
Ronald suddenly woke up. Isn't this the competitor Julia asked about yesterday? I'd better inform Julia about what's going on here.
"Is Julia there? This is Ronald Lee. I have something important to talk to her about."
"Ronald? It's me."
"Today, Director Parker said he'd go to a company called Feiure & Ritzer for casting." Ronald spelled the name awkwardly as it was written in the book; the German pronunciation was truly accurate.
"I'm Feiure; I get it. Be sure to let me know if anything changes."
He looked through the dusty yellow pages at home and found the address of Fair and Liezel, at the intersection of 6th Avenue and 28th West, not far from Broadway.
I should tell Meg first. Ronald dialed his girlfriend's phone number.
The line was always busy.
After rushing to Meg's place, her roommate opened the door for him.
"Yes, Jennifer, I already got the contract. I don't know yet... still have to wait for the director to continue with the audition. The director asked me to enroll in an acting training class."
When Ronald came in, Meg was holding the phone and said, "Ronnie, this is my sister Jennifer. I'm sharing the good news with her."
"I'm going to the director's place to help with the audition. Go ahead, I'll let you know."
Ronald grabbed the camera and film and took the subway to his destination.
Howard Fair, a partner of the studio, personally welcomed him at the door.
"How did you meet Director Alan Parker?" he indirectly asked about Ronald's background.
"I'm a photographer specializing in audition portraits. I've taken photos of Natasha Kinski before. Director Parker wanted me to audition for his new film and take some photos for reference." Ronald was flawless.
"Not many photographers are as young as you."
"Everyone says I have some talent…"
As he spoke, Director Parker entered the office as well.
"Hi, Howard. Here's the rundown. I need 600 extras, high school students studying dance, music, and acting. I also need 8 lead actors and 16 minor roles. These are the casting requirements," Director Parker said in a gruff voice, throwing folded documents onto the table.
"Ah, Ronald, you're here too; good. Let's get started."
The two began discussing audition requirements, and Ronald took out paper and pencil to jot down notes.
Director Parker told Howard Fair to look for more common, less successful, and less exposed actors.
After a simple lunch, Director Parker pulled Ronald aside.
"I want you to come to all auditions with me, to take Polaroids during auditions, and to record them. You know, not all audition photos are as real as the ones you take. Some have been retouched."
"Of course, Director Parker," Ronald said happily. He had a temporary job and could learn how directors choose actors.
"I see dozens or even hundreds of actors every day, so I might not remember them all by the end of the day. Remember to take Polaroids to capture their look and also to record my assessment at the same time. Parker was pleased with Ronald's shorthand skills; they were high and quite satisfactory. If you hire an assistant, you can use it for two people.
"One more thing, I hope you won't tell Julia or Margaery at the casting studio about our visit to Fair." Alan Parker finally made his stance clear, expecting Ronald to pledge loyalty.
Ronald thought for a moment, then expressed his stance with a hint:
"I'm not an employee of the casting studio, and Julia isn't my superior, so I have no obligation to inform them of your whereabouts, Mr. Parker."
"You're a smart young man. Let's do this. I'll be busy with auditions this month. I can ask the producer to hire you as my temporary assistant and driver and to rent your car."
"But I don't have a car right now."
"Why are you acting foolish again?" Alan Parker smacked Ronald on the forehead. "The daily rental and driver's fee is 200 yuan. If you buy a new car, you can pay it off in a month."
You can play it like this? Ronald quickly nodded and agreed.
The director took Ronald back to the audition studio from yesterday.
Julia and Margery were already waiting in the conference room.
A semi-bald man was also present, whom Director Parker introduced as David Da Silva, producer of *Hot Lunch.*
Ronald quickly got up and greeted him.
After introductions, Director Parker started the casting meeting solo: "Let's see what kids you're bringing today."
Ronald felt that Director Parker didn't take producer Da Silva seriously. Speaking of producers and directors, who has more power?
Margery spread out dozens of photos: "These were recommended by agents after hearing the news. We selected five actors for each lead. Let's take a look together."
"The first is Hillary, a girl from the dance department. This character is a rich girl who specializes in ballet, and her dream is to join the New York City Ballet." Margery pasted Hillary's background on the board and used a magnet to attach it.
Ronald could barely contain his laughter. Isn't this the image of the second-generation wealthy who bought the New York City Ballet that Meg sneered at yesterday? It seems the script is grounded in reality.
But at this point, it's basically confirmed that *Hot Lunch* is the *Famous* from my dream last night. Hillary's background aligns well with the practice scene in the dream, and the name is correct too.
"What do you think of these photos?" Margery asked, pointing to the five photos spread out on the table.
Director Parker shook his head. "They're still too American, with a winner's expression on their faces."
"What do you think, Ronald? You're about the same age as them and have more common sense." The director asked for his opinion.
"I think this one's good; she's worth a try," Ronald pointed to a photo of a beautiful woman. The blonde beauty looked a bit like a cat.
The actor in this photo looked the most like the one from my dream last night.
"Why?"
"Intuition? I think she has the temperament of a wealthy girl, and her slender figure resembles that of a dancer."
"I agree. Michelle was specially recommended by William Morris's agent. She placed sixth in Miss California last year." Producer Da Silva expressed his opinion for the first time.
"Alright, I'll give... well, Michelle an audition," Director Parker said.
Margery glanced at the director and placed the photo of this beauty under the "Hillary" label.
Then there's the character of Montgomery, a sensitive boy with low self-esteem whose mother is a mentally ill actress.
"Who do you think is suitable?" Director Parker asked Ronald again.
Ronald couldn't remember the storyline for Montgomery's character, so he simply pointed at one randomly, relying on his intuition.
"Alright, blonde hair, your smile looks a bit fragile, your teeth are crooked, and you probably have low self-esteem."
"Very well, I think he's suitable too." This time it was Margery from the casting studio who agreed and placed his photo under the character of Montgomery.
The director nodded in agreement as well.
More than ten candidates were selected for the lead role, but it still wasn't enough. We decided to go to a performing arts high school in New York the day after tomorrow to speak with the school and arrange a large-scale audition for the students.
After finishing up, Julia and Margery from the casting studio served sandwiches and Coca-Cola. Everyone replenished their energy while chatting, and Ronald ate a lot.
"Ronald, I think you'd be perfect for casting. Did you know that our studio's founder, Marion Dorotti, is now a vice president at Paramount?"
"She always emphasized the importance of choosing people based on intuition, and your intuition is very sharp. Would you consider joining us?"
Julia asked Ronald.
"Me? I still want to go to college first to see if I can become a director," Ronald said.
"Yes, who doesn't want to be a director?" Julia smiled, changed the subject, and continued:
"Next, I'll mainly handle the casting for Woody Allen's new film, and Margery will primarily oversee auditions for the high school acting students."
"What, Julia, you're leaving me for that Jewish dwarf Woody?" Director Parker exaggeratedly gestured to express his pain.
"No, his film requires a total of around 600 actors. This can't be managed by a single casting company. We should find several more casting companies and hold joint auditions."
Alan Parker was silent for a rare moment. "You're right. I'll ask the producers to contact casting companies in New York and Los Angeles and publicly issue casting invitations."
"We've scheduled a meeting with all the casting companies to hold a large joint audition in a big venue. Ronald, you should come too; we all like your instincts."
"Alright, thank you, director." Ronald was very happy. Maybe the director noticed that he was the same age as the character in the script and had a good sense of people?
It takes a certain amount of time from when an invitation is sent until recommendations are received, and everyone began discussing how to organize a joint audition.
Julia Taylor called Ronald outside, leaving Margery and the director to discuss the details of the joint audition.
"Ronald, your report was timely. We reached an agreement with Howard Fehr that they'd handle Woody Allen's new movie, and we would give in and conduct a joint audition with them for *Hot Lunch*."
"But if a third audition company gets involved, remember to notify Margery immediately. The rest of our deal remains the same, understand?"
"Alright, I understand." It just so happened that the two audition companies made a commitment and formed a joint audition. Ronald didn't have to hesitate between them and the director, using a car as a test of his integrity.
He took the opportunity to ask about Meg. "Ms. Taylor, if Meg wants to take an acting training class, do you have any recommendations?"
"Aren't you from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts? Why ask me? The best acting coach in New York is at your school."
"Well, I haven't started school yet."
End of Chapter
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