Hollywood in 1940 has many essential differences from Hollywood in its early days.

If you analyze it carefully, the star system is definitely one of the biggest differences.

In the early days of Hollywood, audiences were interested in movies, largely because they thought it was not funny whether a movie was good or not. On the basis of satisfying their emotional pleasure, they went back to pay attention to the performances in the movie.

As Hollywood movies gradually mature, on the one hand, the audience's aesthetic standards have rapidly improved, and a very complete judgment system has been developed for the film. On the other hand, Hollywood film companies, especially those film workers, have also figured out the audience's thoughts and racked their brains to choose actors, which has produced a result: the first batch of stars were created.

For example, Mary Bickford, the representative of the first generation of Hollywood stars, joined Hollywood at a young age and became Griffith's official actress and one of the most popular actresses in the American silent film era. She had blonde hair and a sweet appearance, conquered the entire United States almost overnight. The films she shot were widely popular, making the film company make a fortune.

The emergence of stars is a good thing for Hollywood. To some extent, it marks the maturity of Hollywood movies.

Celebrities have created great value for film companies. Sometimes, even a bad movie can be rich as long as big stars participate. The stars themselves, with this audience resource, are no longer the lowest and most miserable roles in the early film industry, and can completely bargain with film companies.

This is a win-win situation. For big film companies, how many popular stars are the best manifestation of their strength. Paramount once said that they have "more stars than the stars in the sky!"

The cooperation between large companies and big stars has created a virtuous cycle, but for small companies, this is fatal.

The reason is simple: Hollywood produces at least a few hundred movies every year. Among these movies, the audience will naturally choose the works of big productions and big stars, and those movies that are cheap and have no stars at all, rarely receive attention unless the story itself is very exciting.

If a movie has few audiences and cannot make money, the film company behind it will naturally be in trouble. It doesn’t matter if a big movie company is, but too many small movie companies have closed down because of a movie.

Because of this situation, large companies are getting bigger and bigger, and small companies are becoming more and more difficult to survive.

If you want to be popular, you can find celebrities! This has become the survival rule for Hollywood filmmakers in this period.

This is also the reason why John Ford is worried.

"We can't afford to spend money to find big stars," John Ford said in pain.

In Hollywood in 1940, there were many stars, Mary Bickford in the early days, and Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Gary Grant, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Vivien Leigh, etc., these biggest stars in Hollywood movie history were like stars blooming at this time.

They are radiant and respond to every call, but their wealth is also ridiculously high.

Take Bickford, who was no longer in 1940, for example, her movie would definitely not be able to be starred without $500,000. As for those popular stars, you can imagine it.

"Then find some little stars, also called them." Leo said.

John Ford shook his head firmly: "It's not cost-effective. If you want to find one, look for the big ones, and if you want to find ones, don't look for those little stars. Those little stars will not spend less money, at least tens of thousands of dollars. After they are shot, the effect of the movie will not be much better."

Victor agrees with John Ford's opinion: "Everyone, I have already thought about the actors. We will not invite any stars this time."

"This is an adventure. Without a star, it is very likely that no matter how good the movie is, the audience will not pay attention to it." Nicholas said.

Victor smiled and said, "Celebrities are created, and there are no natural stars. We have no money now and can't afford to hire them. Our main task is to make this movie solid. If it is filmed without anyone caring about it, it can only be said that we are not lucky."

"I support you, Victor." Nicholas said seriously.

Looking at the depressed look of the people in the room, Victor smiled: "Actually, there is no need to be discouraged by not being able to hire a star, because there may be the biggest Hollywood star here in the future."

Victor looked at Gregory Parker next to him.

Damn, this person is the super potential stock in the future!

"Stop kidding." Leo, who has always regarded himself, said angrily.

"I've thought about the actors. There are not many characters in this script. The most important ones are three, Leon, the little girl Marda, and the villain police chief. The others are all drizzle. The villain police chief, Uncle John, come and play. Although you are not a big star, you are the most awesome director in Hollywood now. This is also a gimmick, and the ruthlessness of this character is very suitable for you."

Nicholas snapped his fingers: "This is a good idea! John Ford acts in the movie, fresh!"

John Ford is about to collapse: "I have never acted in a show!"

Nicholas waved his hand and said, "That's it! If the news spreads, our movie will first attract Hollywood attention, and your Western fans will also watch it. A good thing, John, you can contribute your debut."

John Ford was about to cry: "I have a bitch. For my 300,000 pension, I have to take off my pants even if I should."

Everyone laughed.

Victor smiled and looked at Gregory Parker: "Pike, you are the hero, you will play Leon."

"I'll do it!" Gregory Parker almost threw the cup out of his hand: "No!? I'm absolutely incompetent!"

"Why can't you be competent?" Victor squinted his eyes and looked at Parker.

Parker was extremely nervous and his face flushed: "You know my situation. Although I have learned some performances, there are only some dispensable supporting roles on the theater stage. In such a big scene, I will play the male lead, I..."

"I have seen your performance. Although it is a bit young, your acting skills are still quite good. Also, your image..." Victor was interrupted by Parker himself before he finished speaking.

"I think my killer Leon doesn't match his temperament very well. He was a silent killer. You asked me to play the good guy, but I did that..." Parker shook his head vigorously.

Victor smiled and said, "If you let you play, you will play. Good actors can be competent for any role. Gregory, why don't you challenge yourself?"

Parker said: "I can challenge it, it's okay. I'm afraid! If such an important movie is ruined by the legendary film company because of my failure, then I can't bear this responsibility even if I die."

"That's my business." Victor spread his hands and looked at Nicholas Sink.

In fact, when Victor nominated Parker as the leading actor, Nicholas' eyes did not leave Parker's face.

"I think, yes." Nicholas Sink looked at Parker with a smile: "This kid is the material for fast-stars."

Nicholas Sink made the final decision, so the others naturally had no objection.

Victor rubbed his head and said, "The most troublesome thing about actors is the little girl Marda in the film! At the age of a teenager, he must have mature and vicissitudes of life. He must have good looks, good acting skills, and good temperament. It will be difficult for adult actors to pick out good ones, let alone such a little girl."

"I wish I could have Shulan Deng Boer acted," John Ford sighed.

Xiulan Deng Boer is the most famous child star in American film history. She started to star in movies at the age of six in 1934 and was a great success. Since then, she has been popular films and has been warmly welcomed by the audience. She is known as the "angel that warmed everyone's hearts during the Great Depression in the United States". In 1940, Xiulan Deng Boer was twelve years old and had become the most popular star in Hollywood, and it is unique.

If Xiulan Deng Boer can be cast in this movie, it will definitely have a bright future, and neither box office nor reputation will be bad.

But now, I am a small company!

For the first time, Victor felt that it was easy for a large company to do things, while a small company was so hard to do!

"If you can't afford to hire a big star, then look for someone in Hollywood. There are still many child actors in Hollywood, and it may take some effort." Nicholas said.

John Ford drank a glass of wine and said, "This actor cannot be found casually! The quality of this movie is crucial. If you find a bad one, the whole movie will be smashed! We would rather have nothing than be too bad!"

"Leave this matter to me and I'll find it." As a director, Victor knows more than anyone what kind of girl he should find.

"Okay, the actor's matter is settled. Let's talk about the others." Nicholas took a deep breath and said, "John will take charge of the shooting equipment, and the post-production editing and printing will be left to you."

"It's OK." John Forddow.

"I will do the cinema matters. With my old face, I can still win dozens of cinemas. We can go from point to face. As long as these dozens of cinemas respond well, countless people will come to us later. The key is to open the market. In addition, the promotion of the movie must be launched immediately. John, you have a good relationship with the media such as the Los Angeles Times and the Citizens. You can ask them to report on it." Nicholas's considerations made Victor admire him. It was so thoughtful.

"How could they report such a small thing?" John Ford didn't think so.

Nicholas smiled: "You bitch is so stupid! Just call them and say that you, a big director, are going to be acting in a movie for the first time. What a great piece of news, and then our movie will be promoted."

"William Fox be so angry that he vomited blood?" John Ford smiled.

"You signed a director contract with him, not an actor contract." Nicholas knew everything well, and then patted his thighs: "Things are settled, starting tomorrow, we will do our own things."

"What about me!? I have to do something!?" Anthony, who had been neglected, stood up.
Chapter completed!