My Hollywood System

Chapter 71:

“Are you sure we should go with Robert’s demand? You do know it will complicate things if he gets hurt.”

Jeffrey reminded Will again. Almost all the scenes have been shot with just the fight club scene and the ending.

There was an uproar on the set when people heard that Robert wanted to fight the boxer for real. Most thought that it was a good but risky idea as this would add a realistic edge to the scene but had the risk of halting the shoot for weeks if some incident happened.

Will had agreed to the idea after Robert’s persuasion because most of the time, the director and not the actor came up with such ideas to make the film realistic. Usually, the director would have to pursue the actor to do the scene, not the other way around.

Will looked at Jeffrey, who had asked if it was fine to go with what Robert had asked. He then shifted his gaze towards staff members preparing the set and Anthony, who was busy talking with the extras involved in the role and directing them on how to do what and what the scene was like.

Just for this scene especially, they had hired a famous wrestler of this world. He looked like a show-off giant hunk who could shatter any tables and glasses with a single elbow strike.

“Don’t worry about that since the decision is already made. Robert can take a punch or two, and trust me when I say this; this will help a lot later on as an advertising stunt.”

Will reassured Jeffrey. Jeffrey didn’t talk anymore about this matter. The director had the final say in such issues, and Jeffrey was just worried that in case of an incident, the whole shoot might get delayed and would cost more than it was supposed to.

After all, every extra day they stayed in London, it cost them thousands of dollars for the whole crew to live here.

As this matter was solved, Will started talking to Jeffrey about how he wanted to shoot the scene.

There are a few ways one can build tension in a movie scene through music, pacing and camerawork. One of such scenes was the fight scene in [Sherlock Holmes].

These scenes were used to build tension and highlight the characters’ individual traits. However, it had to be shown cinematically within a structure that leaves one with a feeling that they now understand the character better and look forward to a similar scene in the same style.

The scene switches from Sherlock saying something inappropriate to Watson’s fiance, which changes his emotions and leads to the reason why he is fighting in the next scene.

It’s linked by using a J edit where the next scene’s music fades in slowly with a loud thud. The crowd shouts, introducing the next scene. The atmosphere changes with the use of colour, music and camera movements with close-ups and shots through the crowd both by the ring and further back.

This builds Sherlock’s character for the audience, as one can see that he’s not particularly fighting, just keeping his mind occupied. This all changes, when he sees Irene Adler strategically, placing a handkerchief, linking him to the character, but directing where the scene goes next.

“Remember to make a hand sign when you want us to stop the scene. A bit of risk is good, but I don’t like being a careless gambler.”

Will was currently giving directions to Robert and telling him not to be careless during the shooting.

David Garrick, the wrestler in the scene, was also a nice guy, and he kept telling Robert to give him a sign as to when to stop fighting. He didn’t actually want to hurt a person who wasn’t even a wrestler.

“Alright, everyone, it’s time to shoot the next scene.”

The preparations were complete with all the setup in the place and the extra’s placed outside the ring in Anthony’s direction. The Cameramen and the shooting team were ready as everyone got in position. The scene where the actual fight would take place was before Sherlock sees Irene Adler, after that, they would make a scripted K.O. move by Sherlock Holmes, which was one of the cool points of the movie.

“Action!”

Will gave the signal, and the scene began with Robert– Sherlock smashing on the side of the ring.

The extras outside the ring started shouting as they were directed to and made the atmosphere more lively and fight club-like.

From here on out, the fight with David Garrick and Robert would be real until he sees Irene Adler.

“Heh, C’mon.”

David gestured with his hands, and Robert went ahead to throw a punch, which David easily parried and punched towards Roberts’s abdomen. Robert backed off and avoided the punch, and as he was about to make his move, a heavy feeling struck on the right side of his head, and before he could make out what happened, his vision blurred, and he passed out.

***

“Miss Roberts, as much as the image of an innocent actress, is ingrained in the mind of the audience regarding you, this movie needs the lead actress to look sexier and more open.”

Terry Thompson was one of the established Indie directors of Hollywood. Currently, he is in the process of auditions for his new movie. The movie’s budget was low, and that’s why he wanted the actresses of the movie to look as sexy as possible.

In Hollywood, if someone wanted to earn, either they had to have especially good talents or especially sexy actresses. Terry was the type who took advantage of the latter. He had less budget, so he took small-time actresses and basically made a strip show out of them.

“I don’t mind it; after a bit of make-over and look change, I would look sexy enough. So it shouldn’t be a problem.”

June said nonchalantly. Every bit of skin shown in Hollywood guaranteed more popularity after all. It was not like she was asked to be nude.

“No, no. I don’t think it will work that way, and your image can’t be changed just like that.” Devin Perry, the producer of the movie, said. He smirked and said, “Maybe there is some other way you can help us.”

June looked at him apprehensively as Devin immediately cleared his throat.

“It’s not what you are thinking. Actually, the film is a little tight on budget. You can ask your boyfriend to invest a bit in the movie. What do you say? It will be a win-win for the both of us.”

Everyone knew that Will was a multi-millionaire right now and that June was his girlfriend. As his girlfriend, she could at least get him to invest in their movie, which would increase their budget and popularity.

June’s face hardened a bit as she heard that.

“No, I can’t ask him to do that.”

She gave a straight answer, and Devin couldn’t help but ask.

“Can’t he do at least that much for you?”

In fact, if June asked, Will would do it. But June didn’t want him to do it, and she wasn’t in a relationship with Will because of his money.

“Thank you for your offer, but I’m afraid I can’t take it.”

June left after saying that.

As she got out of the studio, her agent, John, was waiting for her. She told him what happened and he couldn’t help but sigh.

“Consider this a common occurrence as everyone knows you’re dating a multi-millionaire.”

John had long since changed his opinion about Will and now thought of him as a successful director. He no longer objected to anything that June decided and mostly just gave advice to her when necessary. Otherwise, he would have been kicked by the MCA long ago.

“I get where they are coming from, but I don’t want to use Will’s name and fame to get myself roles. I want to stand on my own and get roles based solely on my capabilities.”

June said in a determined voice.

***

In one of the tallest buildings in Los Angeles, the office of Z studios was located. As one of the Big 6 studios of this world, they were high in the hierarchy.

Currently, in the office of the chairman of Z studios, Chester Sullivan, a meeting was taking place.

All the important heads of the various departments were here. The meeting was to decide which one of their movies would be released in the latter part of April.

“So, any suggestions?”

Chester asked, his eyes looking around. He was the type of chairman to ask ideas from his subordinates most of the time and let them do most of the work.

“I think we should release [Sleepless in L.A.] in this period. It’s a romantic comedy, and Jared Morgan is a huge star, and this role is his rediscovery as an actor. I’m pretty sure it will go well.”

The head of the distribution department, Mobil Rodriguez, said, and besides him, The PR department head also nodded his head.

“Yeah, out of the movies we have, this one’s the safest, and although the female lead isn’t very famous, she’s pretty enough, so if we send her to some talk shows with Jared, it will be enough. ICM wants to change Jared’s image before getting him more projects, so they are willing to help us market the movie too. We can even create a fake publicity stunt saying they are in a relationship.”

“What about the other movies releasing at that point? I heard Foxstar was going to get a movie out at that time?”

“It’s a movie by a horror director. Against a rom-com, it won’t work.”

Mobil said and shrugged his shoulders.

Hearing that, Chester felt the same too. He looked around again and asked.

“Anyone have any other ideas?”

No one said anything, and he smiled in satisfaction.

“Then, we will go ahead with [Sleepless in L.A.].”

….

//DreamNote//

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