Before the iPhone made its debut in the US market, there was a palpable sense of anticipation in the busy KiShin Studio. Actors dressed in motion capture suits were immersed in their roles, delivering lines for "American's Dream," a game project spearheaded by KiShin. Unknown to them, they were contributing to what would soon be unveiled as part of the iconic Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas saga.
The actors were thrilled about their involvement, knowing they were contributing to a video game project under the banner of KiShin, a leading powerhouse in the gaming industry.
The cast and crew of "American's Dream" were currently just focusing on their work, driven by the generous salaries provided by KiShin.
In the vibrant heart of KiShin Studio, Christopher Bellard fully embodies the main character of the "American's Dream" project. Immersed in the role of CJ, he strides confidently across the set, engaging seamlessly with fellow actors donned in motion capture suits. As he locks eyes with the actor portraying Sweet, the scene begun.
CJ's voice cuts through the air with urgency, "Hey, Sweet!"
Sweet, attired similarly, responds with a casual, "Wassup?"
"It's time for Smoke," CJ declares with resolve.
"Alright, let's roll," Sweet agrees, embodying the loyalty and readiness that defines his character.
The two, now the Johnson brothers, articulate their mission with conviction: "Johnson brothers fittin' to take that fat fool down."
In the studio, a prop car mimics the gritty streets of East Los Santos, the illusion of movement created by the cleverly designed set. "You sure he's in East Los Santos?" CJ inquires, as they pretend to navigate the city's treacherous roads.
"Yeah, right above the edge of Los Flores - some old apartments and a warehouse," Sweet confirms, the backdrop lending authenticity to their simulated journey.
As they approach their imagined destination, the air thick with tension, CJ critiques the vehicle choice, adding a touch of levity, "He as good as dead then. Can't believe you bought that same bucket ass car, man!"
Sweet's reply is pragmatic, tinged with humor, "Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Their banter continues until they reach the climactic moment of their confrontation.
"So this is it huh? Johnson boys sorting this stuff out. Nervous?" Sweet probes, their characters now at the precipice of their virtual ordeal.
"Yeah!" CJ admits, the weight of their fictional undertaking palpable.
"Me too, me too," Sweet concedes, sharing in the gravity of the moment.
Still inside the studio environment, the tension escalates as they arrive supposedly outside the crack den, the prop car coming to a standstill. Sweet, embodying the moment, pulls out his Desert Eagle, the sense of impending action heightening.
CJ's response is swift, lowering Sweet's gun with a firm hand, "Look, I know you down for this, but I gotta go in there alone."
The scene played out under the watchful eyes of the cameras capturing every moment for the game's production and behind-the-scenes footage.
As the game's production neared completion, the actors remained engrossed in their roles, oblivious to the true nature of the project they were part of. They were unaware that their performances were contributing to the next installment in the "Grand Theft Auto" series, a franchise notorious for its depiction of violence and the controversies it often sparked in the media.
After completing the scene, the cast members gathered, exchanging thoughts and impressions. Christopher initiated the conversation, "I'm really curious about how 'American's Dream' will turn out in KS2."
Laughing, another actor chimed in, "Man, I'm actually eager to play it myself. Imagine seeing your own character in the game—that would be incredible."
"Hehe, I feel the same way," Christopher replied with a grin.
He then turned thoughtful, "Based on the scenes we've done, it seems like the game might have a pretty intense theme, huh? It feels like we're delving into the grittier, more tumultuous side of American life."
The actor portraying Big Smoke weighed in, "True, we kind of expected that from the beginning. But it's ironic, isn't it? The title 'American's Dream' hardly sounds like it matches the violent undertones."
Christopher laughed, then quipped, "Yeah, it's like calling a horror movie 'Sweet Dreams'—misleading, but definitely grabs your attention!"
After taking a break, the cast and crew resumed their recording, diving back into their roles for the "End of the Line" saga. This signaled that they were nearing the completion of the "American's Dream" game project, a milestone that meant the end of shooting wasn't far off.
Soon, the cast would discover that they were part of the popular Grand Theft Auto series, a flagship title for KiShin. However, due to confidential reasons, KiShin had kept the true nature of the project under wraps until the game was officially ready to be released. The revelation would come as a surprise, altering their perception of the work they had been contributing to and the context of their performances, transforming their understanding of the characters they portrayed and the narrative they helped to bring the game to authencity.