Chapter 54: HWI 54
[Shout out to Conor H and ABDI A!]
Hollywood What If Chapter 54
"We already talked to the city of Las Vegas and they agreed to let us shoot in the streets. However, we have to make sure that we never disturb the public."
"That's good to hear. We will shoot the street scenes as quickly as possible so that we do not cause any traffic."
As they walked to their next destination, Kazir and Salvatore had a conversation about the Las Vegas shooting.
"As long as we don't make a movie that makes Las Vegas look bad, we'll be fine."
They reached the room where there was a small television and a VHS player.
"Director Grey."
A young black man greeted them. He had an Afro haircut. A very eye-catching hairstyle.
"Fremont Smith? So you're the one Salvatore was talking about?"
Kazir remembered Fremont Smith because of his hair. The Afro definitely rocks.
Unfortunately, Kazir didn't have the hair strength to try the style. Instead, most of his hair grew around his mouth. His beard usually grew quickly. Sometimes he didn't have time to trim it because he was busy.
"That's right. I sent my experimental film to Salvatore and he gave me a contract."
"I see."
Kazir didn't have a problem. He had heard that Fremont Smith got good grades in college. He was one of the top graduates.
Many students graduated from the UCLA film school. But only a very small percentage made it. The only director Kazir remembered graduating from UCLA was Francis Ford Coppola. He is the director of The Godfather.
Kazir witnessed Fremont's work on the crew during the filming of Napoleon Dynamite. He was good at his job. He was one of the people who adjusted lighting and camera angles with Renner.
He clearly knows what he's doing.
"How long is your experimental film?"
"45 minutes, Director Grey."
"Since there's a TV and a VHS player here, I assume you came prepared."
"That's right."
Fremont nodded enthusiastically. He knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Joining a major production crew after graduation was important for his resume. Especially if his position would be as an assistant director.
To be a successful director, Fremont Smith needed experience. The best place to get experience was on big budget movies like The Hangover.
"Let's see it."
"Thanks."
Salvatore sighed with relief after seeing Kazir's reaction.
They sat down and watched the movie.
Based on the color palette of the movie, the tone of the movie was dark and bloody.
Just as Kazir expected, the movie was about a person who kills people...
The plot was simple, the shots were simple, and even the dialog was too monotonous.
One thing was for sure. It was too bloody. Red blood here, red blood there, red blood everywhere.
But he respected the fact that Fremont successfully finished a movie. As long as the movie was completed, it was a good movie.
He knew so many movie projects that were stopped before they were finished.
"It's good."
"This is our school project before we graduate. All the actors are my classmates."
"That explains their acting."
"So what do you think?" Salvatore joined in.
"I have no problem hiring him as my assistant director, but I have one last question."
Kazir looked at Fremont Smith.
"Director Grey, I will answer your question as best I can."
Fremont nodded.
"Fremont, how do you feel about action movies?"
"Action movies? I think action movies are man's romance."
"You're hired."
"T- Thank you, Director Grey!"
Kazir held out his hand and Fremont shook it.
"Salvatore, contact producer Enrico Pusi later. Tell him to sign a contract with Fremont as my assistant director."
"I understand... But I'm just wondering, why did you ask Fremont about action movies?"
Kazir just chuckled.
"I want to know Fremont's opinion about action movies. Simple as that."
"And you like his answer?"
"That's right."
Kazir wanted to know if Fremont was interested in making action movies.
Kazir was already preparing his plan to make an action movie if all went well.
If his Continental Cinematic Universe became successful, Kazir would need a partner to help him make the franchise.
If things went well, Kazir would make Fremont Smith his partner to create the action universe.
'It is impossible for me to make two or three movies a year. I need someone to take over some of the projects.'
Just like Marvel Studio did when their movies became popular.
Marvel Studio hired many directors to make dozens of movies and TV shows every year.
The next day came and Fremont officially became Kazir's assistant director.
"Today is the script reading and all the actors are here."
Fremont told Kazir before entering the room.
"Okay."
Script reading is an important part of pre-production. To make sure the actors know their parts. To make sure they have an idea of what they're going to do.
'You can see whether an actor has read the script or not by attending the script reading.'
To be honest, Kazir didn't like actors who would casually act without even reading the script.
'Maybe people call this method acting, adlib, or improvisational acting. Some people may call it explosive acting... But please have the goddamn professionalism to read the script.'
Kazir had no problem with adlib acting... As long as they knew what they were doing.
Especially actors who forgot their dialog. They were annoying. There are so many actors who have trouble saying their lines.
"Good morning, Director Grey."
Ed Helms was the first to get up and greet Kazir. Then the actors began to greet him one by one.
The script reading began.
The cast were:
Phil: Bradley Cooper
Stu: Ed Helms
Alan: Jack Black
Doug: Pedro Pascal
Mr. Chow: Enzo Park
Jade: Reese Witherspoon
Of course, Kazir would never forget to include Reese Witherspoon in the cast. As long as the role was appropriate, he would try to squeeze Reese into it.
That's how Hollywood works.
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Chapter 55: HWI 55
[Shout out to michael, TheFuzzySamurai, Apathetic Loner, Hyuga Tobirama, and DreuxX!]
Hollywood What If Chapter 55
The official filming of The Hangover started.
At the Caesars Palace, dozens of reporters started taking pictures for the press conference of The Hangover.
Producer Enrico Pusi and Kazir Grey faced the cameras and let the reporters ask them bunches of questions.
Of course, the Producer and Director had to answer them the best as they could.
Thankfully, most of the questions were mild. Someone actually tried to ask about Kazir's past relationship but Kazir answered it well.
"As long as it's not related to The Hangover, I will not answer it."
"Director Grey, is it true that Ed Helms tried to ask for a salary of 5 million dollars."
"That's right."
There was no reason to keep it a secret. Most people in the circle knew what happened.
These reporters were under Time Warner. Time Warner was one of the media giants in the world. So Warner Bros had a strong influence with the backing of Time Warner.
Kazir understood that some of the reporters' questions were for the purpose of attracting attention.
Such as 'Kazir's new love life' or 'Friction between the Napoleon Dynamite actor and Director.'
These articles would be published by the paparazzi. As long as it could help the movie to attract attention, then everything was fine.
Kazir was already informed about the questions that might be asked.
'Of course, I don't have any problem with Ed Helms. He is a hard-working person. This is nothing but publicity.'
Publicity was the main factor in having a successful movie. So film companies would invest so much money just to advertise their movies. As long as the movie was worth it, companies would invest in publicity.
The best example might be the last year's Batman Forever... The overall publicity cost of the movie was $100 million.
With the $100 million production cost plus $100 million publicity... The movie was a clear disappointment.
'However, I heard that the videotapes are selling well. Many kids are dreaming to become like Superman or Batman.'
With the invention of VCR and VHS player, the Hollywood industry gained power and their profits every year were astronomical. So Warner Bros decided to make another Batman movie next two years.
'Batman and Robin... That's right, the infamous Batman suit with nipples.'
Many people said that Batman's suit was ugly because of the nipples, which was right to be honest.
Clearly one of the reasons why Warner Bros kept the Batman series hidden for almost ten years.
'If not for Christopher Nolan, Batman might be forever stayed in their film libraries.'
The press conference ended and the reporters dispersed.
Kazir and the crew started their shooting.
"Scene 36: The Elevator. Lights, Camera, Action."
The one who was holding the clapperboard was Fremont Smith.
-------
With the four actors inside the elevator(three adult men and a baby), the camera started rolling.
"... Why can't we remember a Goddamn thing last night."
Stu(Ed Helms) said while putting a towel on his mouth. He was confused about why he was missing a tooth.
"Because, obviously we had a great fucking time."
Phil(Bradley Cooper) replied, leaning against the wall.
"Why don't you stop worrying for just one minute?" Phil slightly raised his voice.
"I don't Phil, maybe because I'm missing a tooth. Or maybe, it's because we have a tiger in our hotel room. Oh, wait, wait, wait, I know! Maybe because we found a baby in our room! A human baby! That's it. That's it. It's because we found a fucking baby!"
"I don't think you should curse around the child."
Alan(Jack Black) faced Stu. Alan was wearing a baby carrier and the child was on his chest.
"Really? I don't think you should be around a child."
The elevator opened.
------
"Cut! Ten minutes rest. Let's reshoot this scene. Jane, call your team and retouched their makeup."
"Okay."
Kazir could say that the first scene was good.
"How's the baby?"
"He's cute... Although I felt like he peed on me."
Jack Black bitterly smiled as he sat down. That's right, the baby that he was holding was a real baby.
For a close-up scene, it was impossible to use a prop(fake baby).
"I'm sorry about that."
The mother apologized and held her child. She was a friend of Producer Enrico Pusi. They audition after hearing that the crew needed a baby.
"Hush, hush, baby~"
"Hehe~"
Because of the giggling of the baby, the atmosphere was calming.
"Ed, I want you to deliver your line in a more exhausted way in the first half. Although you still have to raise your voice at the latter."
Kazir approached Ed Helms who was currently receiving a makeup.
"I understand Director."
Ever since they cooperated in Napoleon Dynamite, Ed Helms realized that Kazir took importance in line deliveries. The dialogues should be taken seriously.
Then, Kazir nodded at Bradley Cooper.
"Keep yourself in good condition."
"Thank you, Director."
In the crew, Bradley Cooper and Jack Black were part of the newcomers. They didn't have any idea of how Kazir used his position.
Was he a tyrant? A pacifist? Or a silent madman?
Because Jack Black and Bradley Cooper were the protagonists, they didn't want to cause trouble on the set. So they were doing their job well.
Once the ten minute break was over, Kazir started the shooting again.
Unfortunately, a few seconds after the camera began rolling, the baby started crying and everyone was caught off guard.
"Cut..."
Kazir sighed. He already expected this.
He knew this was going to happen, so he decided to shoot all of the scenes in which the child was part of within three days.
"... Ten minutes rest."
He muttered after the first NG.
It was impossible to talk to a baby. Perhaps the only one who could do that was the mother.
[Author's Note: I'm at the funeral right now, I'll stay here for a week and my update schedule might be inconsistent. Still, I will update everyday.]
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