Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 61 Black Community Film
Early morning at Aaron's apartment in West Hollywood.

On the bed in the bedroom, Jennifer Connelly lay weakly in Aaron's arms. "You seem to be very optimistic about Ridley Scott's Thelma and Louise?"

Aaron rubbed the girl's back and said, "At this stage, works about women's rights, racial discrimination, and homosexuality are all very valued in the independent film circle;"

"It's easy to win the favor of film critics. The great director Ridley Scott experienced a few years of decline, but the crime action film "Black Rain" released last year was relatively successful and can be regarded as a revival work;"

"The two leading actresses, Geena Davis won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress last year, and Susan Sarandon is also a well-known actress who has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress!"

With a good script, a famous director, and talented actors, "Thelma and Louise" has received a lot of attention.

Jennifer Connelly smiled and kissed Aaron on the lips. "So, besides developing Ghost, will you have other scripts next?"

"Of course, if we come across a suitable script, Shuguang will also support it." Now Shuguang has 500 million US dollars in cash in its account!
"Okay, get up."

As he said that, Aaron patted the sexy Jennifer Connelly on his body.

It wasn't long before the two found themselves at Dawn Pictures in Burbank.

"Aaron, it seems the company has received quite a few project applications?"

Jennifer Connelly came into Aaron's office with a screenplay idea that had been mailed to her.

"Yes, nowadays many new directors mail their projects to me, and the company's employees review them and then send them to me!"

As Aaron spoke, he began to look through the script.

In the afternoon, Aaron found a script for a crime film called "Boyz on the Hood" that takes place in a black neighborhood!
Director John Singleton, a 22-year-old black student who just graduated from the directing department of the University of Southern California this year;
The screenplay is based on the song of the same name by Compton rapper Easy-E.

"Connery, have someone call this young man named John Singleton and tell him that Dawn Pictures is interested in his film 'Boyz n the Hood.'"

"Oh well!"

The chaotic and poor black neighborhoods in Los Angeles are filled with gang violence, drug crimes and other activities.

"Okay, he'll come to Dawn Pictures tomorrow for a detailed discussion."

Soon after, Jennifer Connelly returned to Aaron's office.

"Is it a story about black gang members?"

"Yeah," Aaron smiled and pulled Jennifer Connelly to sit in his arms.

"This kind of story is a reflection of the current black communities in various cities. It's very realistic!"

As for black directors, Aaron's impression is that Spike Lee is the most representative. Last year, the movie "Do the Right Thing" written and directed by Spike Lee was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay at the 62nd Academy Awards this year.

The next day, Aaron met John Singleton in Dawn's office.

"Your play, 'Boyz n the Hood,' doesn't have many scenes of black-white confrontation. It focuses on the disturbing life in black ghettos, guiding the audience to pay attention to the various problems faced by black youth growing up, such as broken families, racial discrimination, community crime, and teenage parents;"

“Not only that, the film also attempts to propose the possibility of changing destiny and has a strong expectation of changing the fate of young people in the black community;”

“Very educational!”

John Singleton's eyes lit up. "Is Shuguang willing to invest?"

"I started preparing this script when I was in college. All the ideas are in my head!"

As a new director, and a black man, John Singleton's desire for opportunities was extremely strong.

Aaron looked at the other person and knocked on the table. New director, new actors, a violent crime film set in the black community!
"Shuguang is willing to invest, but the budget will be very low."

John Singleton stared with his eyes wide open, his dark skin radiating a glow. “I plan to shoot right here in the neighborhoods of South Los Angeles, without much set construction;”

"As for the actors, we can choose some cheap black actors, it won't be a problem." "How about this, you go back and make a complete plan for me, and Shuguang will formulate the relevant film shooting budget;"

"Shuguang bought your script!"

"Okay, I'll definitely prepare a complete plan soon..."

After John Singleton presented the plan for "Boyz n the Hood", Dawn Pictures also paid for his script;
At the same time, a production budget of no more than $500 million was prepared for the film.

In the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jack Wells accompanied Aaron and followed John Singleton to scout for a filming location.

"John, are you sure you want to shoot here?"

Aaron must be a little worried, after all, there are too many gang members in Compton.

"Aaron, some of the exteriors are here, and my primary filming location is the Crenshaw neighborhood," John Singleton said, continuing to explain.

"I'm still selecting the male lead in the movie, but I've been approached by other actors. Ice Cube will play an important role in it;"

"He's very famous in this area and can handle a lot of things!"

"Ice Cube?"

Jack Wells, who was standing nearby, said in surprise, "He's one of the former NWA members, right?"

Ice Cube teamed up with Dr. Dre and Eazy-E in 1987 to form NWA, representing the rise of West Coast rap music;

Unfortunately, Ice Cube left NWA in 1989 due to financial disputes and began a solo career.

And "Boyz on the Hood" is originally a song by Eazy-E!
"Yes, Ice Cube is very supportive of my script!"

John Singleton smiled.

"It's really not easy to be a young black male protagonist. Any ideas?"

Aaron looked at John Singleton and asked, "Does the leading actor have any ideas?"

"I'm still in the audition process. I'm sure we'll find the right one soon."

Aaron nodded. This was originally a black film, so he didn't have many suggestions on who to use.

Denzel Washington is a good choice, but he just won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and is too old to be suitable.

"John, pay attention to the budget. Dawn Pictures is just a small newly established company and we don't have much money;"

“If we exceed the budget, it will be very troublesome!”

Aaron was worried that the new director would not shoot according to the budget.

John Singleton nodded seriously and said, "Don't worry, Aaron, I won't do anything rash. We should all be grateful to you for supporting such a film."

“Many filmmakers have offered to help, which can save us some money!”

In the evening, after Jack Wells and Aaron left.

"Aaron, does this kind of movie have commercial value?"

Aaron smiled and said, "Don't worry, there is one! Trust my vision, I have already sent this project to Sony Columbia;"

“They’re interested in publishing it!”

(End of this chapter)