America 1987

Chapter 24 Invitation

"The Unyielding? Have you even seen the rough cut of this movie? How come I didn't know that?" Michael Ovitz asked in surprise.

It's no wonder he was surprised. In Hollywood of this era, the rough cut of a film completed before its release is a core copyright asset and must be kept strictly confidential. Once leaked, it will cause irreparable box office losses and copyright disputes.

At this point in time, the digital age had not yet begun, and rough cuts of films typically existed in the form of physical media.

Film or videotapes used to store movies are usually stored in the studio's vault or editing room after rough cut.

In 1992, a film called "All's Well, Ends Well" on Hong Kong Island had its rough cut stolen by members of the Sun Yee On triad when post-production was not yet complete.

This incident later became the catalyst for the massive protests across Hong Kong's entertainment industry against violence in the film industry that shocked the world.

This shows just how important the rough cut of a movie is.

"No way, how could I have seen that? I just said that because I have faith in 'Ghost'." David realized he had misspoke and quickly laughed it off.

In this era, the number of people who could access film stock was limited to directors, producers, editors, and a small number of core post-production staff—basically, a handful.

Even for internal screenings before the premiere, the number of attendees is kept to a certain limit.

By intentionally controlling the scope of movement, it is possible to avoid the situation where the culprit cannot be found after a leak.

"Really?" Michael Ovitz looked at his nephew with some oddness, feeling that he seemed a little guilty when he spoke. "Since you've said that, why don't you go to the premiere of 'The Untouchables'?"

I happen to have something to do that day, and the invitation is on your right.

Yes, yes, that one with the gold foil stamping. Remember to take it with you when you leave.

David Ovitz casually picked up an envelope that had already been opened. He took out a thick piece of coated paper with gold foil stamping. The paper showed signs of being mounted, giving it a good texture and a sense of ceremony and collectible value.

"Is it really appropriate for me to go?" David scratched his head, sounding somewhat unsure of himself.

He was indeed lacking in confidence, after all, he had only been in the industry for a few months and hadn't even fully completed his debut film. At that time, he was a complete newcomer and rookie in Hollywood.

Sean Connery, after all, was the original Bond who became famous in 1962. With such a deep background and experience, and with "The Untouchables" being personally tailored for him by the chairman of CAA, the premiere will definitely be a star-studded event.

It's rather conspicuous for an unknown person like him to go there.

"What's inappropriate about it?" Michael Ovitz said with a hint of pride. "You're a man of the Ovitz family. It's just a premiere. What's inappropriate about it?"

Besides, didn't you tell me that you wanted to surpass Spielberg and become Hollywood's number one commercial director?

Consider it a good opportunity to familiarize yourself with the process and your future partners, David!

"OK, OK," David Ovitz shook the envelope in his hand, "I'll go, I'll go, you don't need to provoke me anymore."

"Oh, right." David, who had already grasped the doorknob and was about to leave, seemed to suddenly remember something, turned back, and shook the envelope. "How many people can this invitation let in at most?"

"Mine can fit two people in, what's wrong with that?"

"Oh, it's nothing, just asking. You go on with your work, I'll be going now."

"Bang!"

This time, David Ovitz left quite decisively, so much so that the door slammed shut with a dull thud.

Hollywood premieres are highly controlled social occasions with a very clear hierarchy of guests. Moreover, due to the limited capacity of the venues and the lack of seating, it is impossible to invite all relevant personnel.

Therefore, whether someone with an invitation can bring one more person in will be specifically indicated on the invitation.

If the invitation says "and guest", you can bring a companion; if it says "invitation-only" or "strictly personal", you cannot bring a companion.

As for the companion David will bring, that goes without saying.

"How about it, Cathy? I told you beige suits you better than black, and you didn't believe me."

Catherine pursed her lips, remained silent, and simply looked at herself in the mirror.

The beige dress fit her figure perfectly, with a hem that reached her knees, and the satin fabric shimmered softly under the mall lights.

Catherine's short hair, which was cut into a bob for filming, hadn't grown out yet. She had planned to wear a wig, but David wouldn't allow it. Now, with the ends of her hair reaching her chin and her bangs parted to the side, it actually makes her face look smaller, and she certainly doesn't look much worse than when she had long hair.

The nude patent leather high heels had a moderate heel height. She turned slightly to the side to make sure the heels were stable. Her shoulders were straight, her chin slightly tucked in, and she held her black clutch lightly in both hands, creating a harmonious look.

"Not bad." Catherine turned to the side, her rose-red lips moved slightly, and the faint smile at the corner of her lips became more obvious.

"Not bad?" David pressed one hand against the glass wall, took a step closer to Catherine, and looked down into her alluring cat-like eyes. Her light eye makeup looked refreshing. He feigned displeasure and said, "Cathy, this isn't the answer I wanted."

"So what kind of answer do you want?" Catherine obediently took a step back and leaned against the glass wall, then defiantly licked her lips. "A rose-scented lipstick?"

"A simple 'very good'?"

"Come on, Cathy, you're trying to seduce me again," David said, wrapping his arm around her waist and pressing his palm against the satin fabric of her dress as they left the women's clothing section of the mall. "You know perfectly well that if I linger any longer, I'll be late."

"Then why didn't you come earlier to try on the clothes? Why did you have to come two hours before the premiere to choose?"

"We're confident in your figure, so it's okay to buy it on short notice."

David Ovitz listened to the sound of high heels lightly tapping on the tiles and laughed, "And this department store has a very complete selection of clothes, all sizes and styles available. I bought my tuxedo here; the quality is decent, no worse than those handmade in a tailor shop."

David wore a tailcoat suit with a black bow tie and a white dress shirt underneath, a very classic cut and style.

They are in New York now, on their way to the premiere of "The Untouchables".

After his uncle gave him the invitation, in order to finish most of the work before the premiere, he plunged into the editing room and began working day and night, putting in extra hours for post-production editing.

After finishing up, he realized he had forgotten to prepare a special outfit for Catherine to wear to the premiere, so he had to fly to New York and find a shopping mall he had frequented before to pick one out.

Fortunately, Catherine's body proportions are indeed good enough; she's a perfect clothes hanger, so she easily found clothes that fit her well.

Although Hollywood premieres in the late 80s did not yet have the strict dress codes that would become so later, the basic etiquette framework was already well-established, and casual wear and loungewear were definitely not acceptable.

Wearing overly revealing or bizarre clothing to attract attention, as is done on the Cannes red carpet, is also not allowed.

Incidentally, in order to curb this trend, Cannes issued a "nudity ban" in May 2025, which prohibits nudity on the red carpet and in any other area of ​​the film festival for reasons of decency.