v2 Chapter 689: Factors that determine pay

"Me? Let me give you a name?"

Scarlett pointed to herself and asked, "Is it really possible?"

Duke said with a smile, "Of course, my dear, this is your right."

With one hand on his chest and one hand on his chin, Scarlett Johansson thought about it seriously. After thinking for a few minutes, he said a rather uncreative name, "How about'Duke'? I think it's good."

The corner of his eye twitched slightly, and Duke saw it. In terms of naming, Scarlett has no talents like him, but the Duke is also good, better than the Octopus or the Chief. Kind of nice.

Following the spiral staircase in the living room, Scarlett took Duke onto the top deck, hid under a parasol, stood by the guardrail, looked at the sea in the distance, and suggested, "Shall we go out to sea?"

Since I came to see the yacht, I must go out to sea, Duke pressed the intercom and notified the captain, but it is not easy for such a long boat to go out to sea. The Duke did not leave the port until the sun turned to the west. Leaving the coastline along the channel.

Even at sea, the weather was still very hot. Not long after staying on the top deck, Scarlett pulled Duke back below, and when it got dark, the kitchen delivered the veal steak that the two had ordered.

Sitting by the glass window, enjoying the night view of the sea and tasting delicious food, the two of them will not return to the manor in Malibu tonight and plan to spend the night at sea.

"The yacht is big enough."

Scarlett quickly put down the knife and fork in her hand, "We can have parties here in the future."

Picking up the knife and fork, wiping her mouth, she asked again, "You said you were going to travel around the world last year, did you plan your time?"

"Honey." Duke reminded her, "it seems your time doesn't allow it?"

"The top management of Marvel Pictures is crazy." Scarlett put down the tissue and couldn't help complaining, "The screening of "Captain America" ​​has not ended yet, and preparations for "Iron Man 2" have already begun.

Speaking of which. She couldn't help asking Duke, "Will you still be the director of this series?"

Duke shook his head, "I have rejected Marvel Pictures."

He couldn't tie himself to the Marvel series forever, and also recommended Jon Feiru to Marvel to take over the project. "Iron Man 2" is about to start, and Black Widow is an essential part of it. Scarlett is currently negotiating with Marvel Pictures on this project. Nancy Josephson and she are not very interested in Marvel's offer. satisfaction.

"How is the negotiation going?" Duke asked.

Scarlett shook her head slightly, "It's not very smooth. Kevin Fitch has been using the remuneration practices of actors and actresses in the circle to talk about things."

Because of Scarlett’s self-esteem, Duke did not intervene, and could not help but tentatively asked, “Do you need me to call the people at Marvel?”

"Not for the time being." Scarlett is not someone who doesn't know how to adapt. She just doesn't want to let Duke come forward to solve the problem so quickly, and even she has her own pride, "If it is really needed, I will I told you."

Duke could only reach out and pat her hand lightly.

This kind of game between actors and producers is extremely common in Hollywood. The huge difference in remuneration between actors and actresses is also a practice in the circle.

Remuneration represents not only money, but also status. In Scarlett’s own words, she was extremely disappointed when she learned of the gap between herself and Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man 2".

It's not that she was disappointed with money. Scarlett's disappointment was mostly due to the status of women in the circle and the fact that she was discriminated against.

Scarlett has always been keen on politics and social activities, and is also one of the advocates of Hollywood feminism. Naturally, she would not easily sign such a contract.

But Duke is very clear, looking at Hollywood's nearly 100-year history. This is just the most normal situation. If he does not intervene, it will be difficult for Marvel Studios to compromise.

It's just that Duke needs to think carefully about how to intervene. After all, we have to take into account Scarlett’s feelings.

In fact, from Marilyn Monroe to Meryl Streep, Hollywood has many enduring actresses, and the film industry brings them countless honors and praises. But when it comes to salary, Hollywood treats women The care of her is a little insufficient, sometimes extremely insufficient.

Not only are there few female roles in movies, television and comedies. Their income is often not as good as that of male actors who play together.

In Hollywood, apart from being determined by fame, status and appeal, there is another key factor: gender!

If you are also a second-tier star who plays the leading actor and actress in a film, the actress's pay is often only half of that of the male actor, or even less than one-third.

Sexism is too common in this circle.

When actresses learn about the pay of actors in the same film, they often find that their pay is much lower than those of the lucky ones who are born males.

Not only the salary figures, the extreme shortage of female roles on the big screen has also resulted in actresses having fewer opportunities to make money. Reese Witherspoon once raised a question at an award ceremony-women make up 50% of the population, and female roles should also account for half of screen roles.

But all clear-headed people know that this is just wishful thinking.

The imbalance between men and women in the work behind the scenes is even more serious. From the perspective of director, screenwriter and producer positions, the proportion of women is less than 2%, just over 10% and less than 3%.

"Why does this happen?" Scarlett knew Duke had seen more than her.

"This is due to a concept that is gradually becoming obsolete." Duke briefly explained, "Most people in the industry think that movies starring women will not sell well."

Scarlett’s eyes flickered, as if Hollywood’s films were completely female-dominated, and there are really few big-selling films, and since Julia Roberts, Hollywood has no representative figures in this area, even Julie A Roberts, her success also followed the path of finding love for the silly older sister who pleased the male audience.

This has to be said to be a frustrating fact.

"My dear, don't be discouraged." Duke added, "When the audience proves that there are audiences and markets for stories led by women and driven by women, then as an industry that pursues commercial interests, Hollywood must pay attention to female actors. "

Strictly speaking, the situation faced by white actresses like Scarlett Johansson is not serious, and the problems faced by non-white female actors, including those of the European Big Six, are even more serious.

Although generally speaking, American women's income is only 78% of men's, but for American African American and Latino women, this figure is only 62% and 57% respectively. .

This imbalance also exists in the number of non-white characters in the film.

Duke has seen a research data published by the Anlong Burger School of Communication. In 2007, the Indians and Latinos with lines or names accounted for less than 5% of the top 1oo movies in North American box office revenue. On the big screen The roles representing this group of people are seriously under-represented, even though more than a dozen of these 1oo movies are starring these minority actors.

Of course, this is an issue that affects the entire United States, not just Hollywood.

In Hollywood, those who can earn a six-figure, seven-figure or eight-figure salary are affected, while in other areas of the United States, women who are struggling to support themselves and their families are affected.

However, Hollywood has a high degree of attention and can always attract public discussion.

Just wanting to change this situation, even in Hollywood, which is receiving attention, is not easy to achieve.

Beckoning the service staff to remove the plates and knives from the table, Scarlett poured a glass of water for each of them, took a sip, and said, "You are not going to make a female-oriented Video?"

Duke thought for a while and said, "There is such a plan, but it is not the time yet."

In fact, he has long been fond of a feminist representative role, but this role is too sensitive. If the film appears too early, it may be difficult for male audiences to accept it.

When the feminist movement becomes more prosperous, and the status of women is higher, it is the right time.

Thinking of this, Duke couldn’t help but look at Scarlett. If she hadn’t played the role of Black Widow, she would undoubtedly be a very suitable actor candidate, but Agent Natasha Normanoff would have a hard time jumping into another world. accept.

But these are not in a hurry. The continuous high-intensity work for several years has also made Duke feel tired. After the "Transformers" is over, he intends to take a good rest for a while, and it is not too late for new projects to wait until autumn arrives.

Moreover, the most important heroine of the film had a suitable candidate as early as last year. Charlize Theron did not consider long before he decided to self-destruct the image to take over the role in the film...

As for the actor, Duke mentioned to Tom Cruise last year when he was hunting in Australia. When he returned to Los Angeles, he could be formally contacted.

Although there are rumors of abnormal beliefs in the newspapers, Liangtang has not been scandalized as before, nor has it acted too far away or out of line. In the past few years, even if the media has been hacking him, it is not like it. The image used to be that bad.

His appeal is strong enough, and like Leonardo DiCaprio, he firmly occupies one of the few a's in Hollywood.

The male protagonist of the new project is slightly weaker than the female protagonist in terms of settings, and with Charlize Theron’s strong personal aura, if you don’t use a strong enough actor to play with her, it will definitely be the same as before. Cause a serious imbalance between the hero and heroine.

The aura is something you can't touch or see, but it can be clearly reflected through the camera lens and the big screen.

...