"What should you do if you find an actor whose personality and experience are very suitable for the role, but his appearance does not match the description in the script?" Ronald asked Margery, who was sorting out the audition materials together.
"That's a good question. The founder of our studio, Marion Dorotti, actually changed the general view of this issue in the industry." Margery explained.
"In the 1967 movie 'The Graduate,' the main character in the script was a tall, handsome guy with blond hair who looked a bit like you, Ronnie."
"But Marion discovered Dustin Hoffman and convinced director Michael Nichols to cast him as the lead character and change the tall blond guy in the script to a short Jewish guy."
"The movie was very successful. From then on, directors began to pay more attention to the fit between the actor and the character's personality, rather than just looking at the appearance. You know in the big studio era, the casting director was like a secretary, selecting actors from photos. Just as long as it’s similar to what’s described in the script.”
"Margery, do you see this photo?" Ronald took out Gene's photo from his notebook and handed it to Margery.
"What? Is there anything special about him?"
"He dances very well, and his experience is very similar to that of Leroy, the protagonist of "Hot Lunch". He was also born poor in Harlem, attended an acting college, and was expelled from school for his unruly behavior. The most interesting thing is But he, like Leroy, is illiterate."
"The only problem is he's black and Leroy is Latino."
"What's his name? You can ask him to come for an audition tomorrow."
"Gene Anthony Ray, of course I'm talking about the audition dance group, but I always thought he was Leroy."
Ronald picked up the phone and dialed.
"I'm looking for Jean,...Gene Anthony Ray...there's no such person?...The number he gave me is...wait a minute, he is Joan's son...yes, the one who always wears a top hat .”
After a while, Gene came to answer the phone. He was very happy to hear that he would be auditioning tomorrow and started singing on the phone.
"Does this kid not go to class every day? Has he been expelled again?" Ronald thought to himself.
Gene's audition was very successful. His ballet mixed many elements of floor dance and mechanical dance, much like a dance genius without systematic training, who fused various dances by himself.
Only this kind of dancing genius can impress the teacher in the entrance interview and reject the main actor, while making an exception and admitting Leroy as a backup dancer for his friend.
"We have to let producer David Da Silva and director Alan Parker take a look." Margery had been convinced by Gene's audition and agreed with Ronald's point of view, considering him as a candidate for Leroy. People recommend it.
"No, no, there will be too many black people. Three of the eight protagonists will be black." After watching Gene's audition, the producer categorically rejected it.
"Leroy is a boy from the dance department, CoCo is a girl from the music department, and there is CoCo's competitor Lydia." Ronald did the math and found that there were indeed a little more. There were only eight protagonists in total.
"But he is LeRoy, and we can't give up on him being so suitable. He will bring the whole movie to a higher level." Director Parker supported Gene's role as LeRoy.
"No Way. American audiences are used to the proportion of protagonists in movies. There are two black people, one white Latino, one white Jewish, and the other four are white Europeans. No distribution company will agree to put so many black protagonists. of."
"Does the movie need such a strict racial ratio?" Ronald asked Margaery secretly.
"You're still young, Ronnie. In Hollywood movies, there are racial quotas for roles," Margaery said.
"In Hollywood during the blockbuster era, roles were basically all played by white people. There were very few black people who could star in them, and some of them were in supporting roles."
"After Dr. King's affirmative action, black people began to have their own place in the entertainment industry. If it is a movie that reflects New York, black people, Latinos, Italians, Jews and other common races in New York will allocate some roles according to the proportion of the population. It’s everyone’s default rule.”
"What about the Chinese?"
"Chinese? They don't have enough influence. At most they have a supporting role. In the entrance interview scene in Hot Lunch, a Chinese violinist appeared, but that was it." Margery explained to him.
"What do you two think?" Director Parker was arguing with the producer and asked Margery and Ronald for their opinions.
Ronald felt that the director was looking for support. Jean was originally recommended by Ronald and Margery. When asked for their opinions, the tendency was obvious.
"Ronald, why do you want to change the skin color of the protagonist? This is a casting choice that is 'obviously inconsistent with the script.'" Producer Da Silva put the emphasis on the words "obviously inconsistent with the script." This It's a reminder to myself, don't forget the original agreement.
"Mr. Da Silva, my idea is very simple. Gene's background is very similar to Leroy. If you and Mr. Parker agree, I think he is a good candidate. If not, he can also be qualified as a dance group actor. "
"Ronnie and I auditioned for his role. Gene's acting skills are very explosive, and his background is almost the same as Leroy. It's rare to find an actor who can perform like this.
The audition situation also shows that it is difficult to find young actors nowadays, so it is cost-effective to change the script for him. "Margaery also started to help.
"Perhaps we can consider changing the races of the other two black girls and keep the proportion of blacks among the protagonists?" Ronald suggested in a low voice.
Da Silva was at a disadvantage. Ronald and Margery all sided with the director and agreed to change Leroy's background and choose Jean as the protagonist.
Of course, casting is not about choosing a leader or counting votes. But producers also have to be reasonable. Da Silva generally cannot veto director Parker's decision without sufficient reasons.
Da Silva frowned:
"No, CoCo's scenes cannot be deleted. She is the only student who spans the three departments of dance, comedy, and music. She needs to connect many of the protagonist's scenes." Producer Da Silva said.
"That's another one that can be deleted?" Ronald thought to himself.
"Then delete Lydia's scene," director Parker made the final decision. "The plot between Lydia and CoCo is too repetitive, and the competition between the two in their singing career is actually quite useless. CoCo itself was not successful, and Lydia fought to win. Well, the best outcome is just to make an adult movie."
Margery taped Gene’s Polaroid photo on the whiteboard under “LeRoy’s” name: “Ronald remembered to take a picture of Gene, who is now one of the main characters.”
"The first protagonist of the whole play." The director continued, "How are our other protagonists doing? Where are the auditions?"
"It will be placed at the Ambassador Hotel, which has several large business conference rooms. We generally recommend that place."
"Ronald, come here, let me talk to you." Seeing that the director and Margery were chatting enthusiastically, producer Da Silva pulled Ronald out of the office alone and talked in the corridor.
"What did I tell you? I asked you to keep an eye on the director and not choose actors who are obviously inconsistent with the script. How did you do it?" Da Silva lowered his voice, but veins popped out on his face, looking very angry. .
"Sorry, Mr. da Silva, I just wanted to give him a chance to perform as an extra, but his background..."
Ronald suddenly felt that something was not going well. The producer was like a strong bat that kept hitting the air, unable to attack the pitching director in the distance, and began to complain about the catcher Ronald next to him.
Da Silva made a stop gesture and said, "Stop talking anymore. Your credibility with me will be deducted by one point. Don't do things like this against my wishes in the future." Da Silva is also very tall. Looking straight at Ronald, "Don't think that because the director likes you, I can't fire you."
"Okay, Mr. da Silva, I apologize to you..." Ronald thought, wondering what his total score with the producer was?
"Also, Allen will be mainly sitting at the Ambassador Hotel soon, interviewing audition actors. Your job as a driver will end here." Da Silva was still angry and interrupted to apologize.
"Yeah, the monthly bonus is gone. The cost of recommending someone is really high." Ronald was a little unhappy.
"Don't forget what I told you, Ronnie. You have to remember who is the one who pays your salary on the set." Producer Da Silva poked with his finger. Touching Ronald's chest.
Ronald took two steps back after being poked, and his ears began to itch a little.
The outcome of this incident was contrary to the producer's instructions. However, Ronald did not overstep his authority. He immediately found Margery, who then reported it to him and the director. In the end, the script was changed. It can be said that the producer himself did not suppress the director.
Besides, you’re doing it for the entire crew, right?
"This will help you deepen your memory." Da Silva pointed to his head, "Don't forget what you promised me." After saying that, he turned to leave.
"I have one more thing, Mr. Da Silva." Ronald stopped the producer. "I heard that 'hot lunch' is a bad slang in black slang in Harlem. The name of the movie would be like that." Any questions? Their slang for hot lunch is..."
Da Silva interrupted Ronald again: "You are overthinking, Ronnie. This movie is not for black people. The fact that two of the main characters are black does not mean that the main audience of the movie is black. You Understand?"
"Forget it, you don't understand movie distribution and marketing, and I don't understand what I'm telling you. I know you are very motivated, Ronnie. But on the crew, the most important thing is to take care of what you should take care of."
It seemed like someone had said this to him before, Ronald scratched his ears.
Ronald, who had lost several thousand dollars in foreign currency for no apparent reason, was in a bad mood. He poured a cup of coffee and drank it in the corridor.
"Ronnie, how was my audition?" Gene was still waiting outside. When he saw Ronald, he hurriedly came up to find out the news.
"Margery hasn't informed you yet? The director appreciates you and will give you an important role." Ronald smiled, "Come with me, and I will take you to see the director."
"Hi, brother. I will never forget you. We men in Harlem have the most clear-cut grievances. From now on on the set, I will be yours." Gene began to express his loyalty.
"Remember to listen to the director. Act well and don't lose the reputation of Harlem." Ronald introduced him into the conference room, "Director, Gene is here."
"Aha, Gene, you're here." Director Parker hugged him happily.
"You will play one of the protagonists, Leroy from Harlem. This is your script. During this period, you have to memorize it. If you don't know the part, ask Ronald. Then starting next week, go to the Ambassador Hotel every day. , we will start auditioning other actors. Some roles require you to play with them."
"Play well, Gene, and don't let me live up to my $6,000 a month price."
