Capítulo 271: Input
Lucas paced the halls of Warner Bros. Studios, the heels of his dress shoes clicking against the polished marble floor.
He'd been spending time with the creative team for days now, getting a feel for the project and gauging his input. He knew better than to dive headfirst with his suggestions, especially since he was still trying to find his footing with Alfonso, the writer and director.
After all, in the creative team's eyes, Lucas was just a rising star and a great young actor, not someone who could meaningfully contribute to the creative direction of the project.
Little did they know, Lucas's input would be the very key to the project's success.
Lucas sank into the cushioned leather couch, the pages of the "Gravity" script fluttering in his hands. Usually, he wouldn't nitpick over the science in a sci-fi film, but after simulating the story in his Mind Workshop, plot holes had opened up like stars in the night sky.
He closed his eyes, mentally transporting himself back to the realistic space world he had created. There, the astronauts struggled against the vacuum of space, their bulky suits and the air resistance they created making even the simplest maneuvers a Herculean effort. In the script, however, they flow through the void like weightless ballerinas.
He flipped through the pages, his heartbeat accelerating with each new flaw he discovered. The spaceship, according to the script, changed course on a dime, as if the laws of inertia and momentum didn't apply. In his mental space, however, he knew better. Orbital maneuvers were complex, time-consuming endeavors.
Lucas's Mind Workshop had been a cheat, a secret edge that not only elevated his acting game but also sharpened his storytelling senses. He'd come a long way since he first started using it two years ago, and now, the once-crude simulations felt as real as the leather under his jeans.
He sighed, returning to the present. This cheat of his, as he'd come to think of it, had both its perks and its drawbacks. He knew the creative team would balk at his suggestions, but he couldn't sit by and let "Gravity" become another generic space movie.
No, he had to speak up.
Finally, the door creaked open, and Alfonso stepped in. The air between them thickened as they exchanged pleasantries, but Lucas knew he couldn't stall any longer.
"Alfonso, I want to talk to you about the script," he blurted out, his heart pounding in his chest.
Alfonso's eyebrows shot up, but he gestured for Lucas to continue. "What's on your mind?"
Lucas took a deep breath. "Well, the concept is... it's interesting, don't get me wrong, but I think we can improve it, make it more realistic."
A tense silence followed his blunt statement, only broken by the ticking of the clock on the wall. "I'm sorry if I'm being too forward, Alfonso," Lucas added, "but I just want to help."
Alfonso sighed, setting the script pages he'd been perusing down on the table. "It's alright... Actually, you're not the only one who's mentioned it..."
He studied Lucas for a moment, his expression betraying a hint of surprise. "I'm just surprised you noticed it. Did you just now realize it or wait to tell me?"
Lucas smiled uncomfortably. "I didn't want to offend you, since we're still getting to know each other..."
Alfonso chuckled, but there was a note of challenge in his voice. "Now that you've called my baby 'weak,' do you have a better story in mind? Something more realistic and plausible for the astronauts to go through?"
Lucas chuckled, trying to diffuse the tension. "Don't be offended, Alfonso. I just think we could write a better story, one that's more realistic and plausible for the astronauts' ordeal."
Alfonso's expression hardened. "What's wrong with the story as is? It's already fine the way it is." A hint of defensiveness crept into his voice. "And so what if it's not 100% realistic? As long as it moves the audience, it's done its job."
"I know," Lucas said, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "But I think we could affect the audience even more if the story were more realistic."
Alfonso frowned, leaning back in his chair. He stared at Lucas for a long moment, sizing him up. "Yeah, but to pull this off, we'd need a phenomenal performance from the actors..." He met Lucas's gaze, his eyes conveying both honesty and concern. "Look, Lucas, I've seen your work in those indie films. I know you're talented, but... this is a big-budget film with high stakes. The studio won't risk it all on a hunch."
Lucas flashed a reassuring smile. "I'll deal with the studio, I promise. You're worried for nothing. Trust me, I've got this."
Alfonso's brows furrowed, his hesitation palpable. He knew focusing solely on acting rather than the story and visuals was a gamble, no matter how talented the cast was. Directing this film had always been about showcasing his visuals and directing skills. But Lucas had a point about the script's weakness, which left him torn.
After a full minute of contemplation, Alfonso sighed. "Alright, fine. We'll call the team and workshop a better story for the script."
Lucas's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you for listening."
"Don't mention it," Alfonso said with a half-smile, "Truth is, if it wasn't for you, this project might've been doomed from the start."
Lucas chuckled and nodded. Together, they headed towards the writers' room.
In the writers' room, the summoned creative team of the "Gravity" project filed in one by one. Lucas and Alfonso took the lead, ready to overhaul the script's storyline.
Lucas provided his first suggestion, "Instead of the Hubble Telescope being hit by debris, what if they were struck by an extremely powerful solar flare?"
The crew exchanged glances upon hearing that.
Lucas continued, "The flare could fry the telescope's sensitive electronics, even with its solar flare defense in place. Critical systems like communication, navigation, and power generation would be rendered inoperable."
The writers around the table nodded, scribbling down notes.
"The solar flare could also damage the Life Support System circuits and sensors, causing a malfunction and reduced efficiency," Lucas added.
Alfonso stood and started pacing, his director's mind whirling with the new scenario. "So, the astronauts are stranded in space, and since the communication was damaged, they'll have to find a way to survive and use their knowledge to at least repair the communication equipment for a chance at rescue."
Lucas nodded, "And even when they do manage to call for help, it'll take a while before reinforcements arrive. They'll have to ration their limited resources while they wait, and the isolation and tension of their dire situation will be palpable."
The creative team around the table couldn't help but nod in approval.
"That's a great concept..." one of them said, excitement in his voice.
Another chimed in, "Not only is it more realistic, it's also more tense."
Alfonso looked at Lucas, pleasantly surprised. He initially thought Lucas would suggest a story that focused solely on his acting, which, while it could yield a good and touching performance, would only interest a niche audience. A film with an ensemble cast, on the other hand, would resonate more with the general audience, and whoever stood out would still be noticed.
However, what Lucas had suggested was for a film not wholly focused on him alone, or even just two actors. It was about several cast members working together, each with their own arcs and struggles.
"I like where this is going," Alfonso said, a rare smile playing on his lips. "Let's flesh this out more. We've got a movie to make."
The team dove back into their notebooks and laptops, building upon Lucas's idea, energized by the new direction of their project.
With the new direction in place, the "Gravity" project team set to work on fleshing out the storyline. They knew they'd need more cast members to create a compelling ensemble piece, and the stakes were immediately raised with a group of astronauts stranded in space, their chances of survival hanging by a thread due to limited oxygen.
The writers huddled together, brainstorming ideas and bouncing off each other's suggestions. Some scrawled notes in their notebooks, while others tapped away on their laptops.
"We'll need to establish the characters quickly," one writer said. "We don't have much time to waste in space."
Another agreed, "And their backgrounds should inform their decisions, their strengths, and weaknesses."
"We could even have a subplot about the ground team trying to establish contact and mount a rescue mission," another writer chimed in.
"We'll need to work on the dialogue, polish the story beats, and fine-tune the details," Lucas said, addressing the room. "But I think we've got something good here. And most importantly, it's more realistic."
***
The change of the script's plot was met with cautious optimism by Jeff, the Warner Bros. Pictures Chief handling the project. Although the original script had its merits, the new direction that Lucas had pitched resonated more with their vision of a film that would appeal to a broader audience. The casting department was already on it, scouting for C-list actors who would be more than capable of filling the shoes of the new characters that would be added to the story.
In just a few days, the team had completely overhauled the original script, treating it as a rough draft, and expanding upon the new storyline. They worked tirelessly, meticulously weaving the stories of the new characters into the narrative, ensuring that each personality was distinct and brought something unique to the table.
Lucas's input was invaluable during the rewriting process. He not only provided insights from an actor's perspective but also helped iron out some of the story's kinks, earning him the respect from the team.
Initially, the creative team had their reservations about Lucas. Sure, he was a rising star with an ever-growing fanbase, but they couldn't help but wonder if his fame had eclipsed his talent. They reluctantly invited him to their meetings, figuring it couldn't hurt to placate the studio's latest golden boy.
However, as the days went by, Lucas's consistent attendance and thoughtful insights began to slowly chip away at their skepticism. He wasn't just another pretty face; he genuinely cared about the project and its success. And when he began to offer suggestions that improved the script leaps and bounds, they couldn't deny that he had a knack for storytelling.
As the filming date loomed closer, the team buckled down, reworking the dialogue and fine-tuning the story. They had enough time on their hands, and they were determined to make the most of it.
Meanwhile, Lucas took a well-deserved break from the creative meetings. His highly-anticipated role in "The Hunger Games" was about to hit the silver screen, and the premiere in Nokia Theatre was just around the corner.
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