America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM

Chapter 258 257. The sniper begins

On the set of "Inception", there was a lot of clattering sounds, and several tables of mahjong were being played.

Since the last time he brought board game cards, Eric dared to think and act, and soon came to the set with mahjong.

What surprised him was that there were many enthusiasts among these people, and among them, Nicole was a quite skilled hemp rubr.

Everyone was working hard while filming. Fortunately, they are all highly professional and can get into work as soon as they start filming.

It was originally a fight between a few fans, but after a few days, the entire studio break was filled with crackling sounds.

Theron, Daniel Brühl, and Tom Hardy have all joined the hemp army.

Mahjong is something that makes me feel itchy just watching other people play it. Moreover, the director personally quit the game, so of course he wanted to join in.

"Ninety thousand!" Eric picked up one and threw it away.

"What a fool!" Theron immediately pushed Changlong down excitedly, and it turned out to be Hu Jiuwan.

"Wait a minute, I'm crazy too!" Nicole yelled out excitedly shortly after.

Then the two women high-fived happily: "Yes!"

"What? Ninety thousand can still make two shots!" Eric looked at them speechlessly.

"Uh, director, it's actually one shot and three shots. I'm also fooling around!" Neil raised his hand weakly.

Eric glared at him without even a wink. He didn't understand how to fire cannons, but he still dared to eat nonsense!

Neil laughed a few times, thinking that for the sake of my movie, I would do anything wrong! Even in full view of the public, you have to admit your fault.

The on-screen record recorded the results on the side: "Neil invested an additional US$1 million in his next film, and Nicole and Theron received priority casting rights for Eric's next film."

"It's time for me, it's time for me!" Ken Watanabe rubbed his hands and was eager to give it a try.

Neil patted him on the shoulder and said comfortingly: "Mr. Watanabe, if you continue to lose, you will have to supply all the fruit snacks for the entire crew until the movie is finished."

Ken Watanabe's face darkened. He couldn't understand why he was so unlucky. Everyone else had losses and wins, but he kept losing.

The more he loses, the more he wants to win a game, but mahjong seems to be born against his luck.

He never messed up a single card, even though he got four joker cards, he still lost.

Because in that round Eric opened with five joker cards, and the cards he opened were straight up!

Although Mahjong was invented in China, it has spread all over the world and evolved into a variety of different ways of playing.

The United States has naturally improved the American version, such as adding nine joker cards, which are universal cards, equivalent to the Laizi of Landlords.

At this time, a reporter from Yahoo Entertainment walked in with a camera and was guided by the staff.

Movies need publicity and popularity. During the filming, they often ask the media to pretend to visit the studio and send out some tidbits.

In the past, television interviews were used to increase exposure, but now we can only rely on online media.

Seeing the director, assistant director, leading actors, and supporting actors all touching, reading, and playing cards on the set, the reporters and cameramen couldn't help but look confused.

She has interviewed countless film crews, but this is the first time she has encountered this situation. What is the operation of playing mahjong on the set?

"Is this really a studio? Is it the director's studio where "Transformers", "Adele's Life" and "House of Cards" were filmed? I must have gone to the wrong place!"

With self-doubt in mind, the reporter came to the card table where Eric was and took a closer look. Yes, it was him.

"Wait a minute, I'm about to cheat! Ninety thousand!"

"I caught you!" Nicole stood up suddenly and shouted excitedly.

"Is there any mistake? The last one was Hu Jiuwan, how come this one is Hu Jiuwan! Madam, I suspect you are targeting me!" Eric looked at Nicole's cards speechlessly.

"Hahahaha. I'm willing to admit defeat. I won your investment share in your next movie. I can't default on it."

Eric sighed and stood up: "No fight, no fight. I'm so unlucky today. I haven't won a single card yet. I need to find a psychic to help me."

The cameraman pointed the camera at Eric, and the reporter looked at him very strangely: "Hello Director Cooper, although I saw you guys playing mahjong, I still can't believe my eyes."

"Seeing is believing. What you see is what you see. What can't you believe?"

The female reporter choked for a moment: "In my imagination, you should be conducting professional training or filming, which is a bit unexpected."

Eric laughed: "Playing mahjong is a way of recreation. You can't keep playing. People need to rest."

"I've always been very particular about humanity. Only when I'm relaxed can I work better. Besides, playing mahjong is also a way to enhance our relationship. When we're in a relationship, the shooting will go more smoothly, isn't it?"

"It seems reasonable." The female reporter nodded.

"What's your bet? How big will the game be?"

"We don't play with money. Gambling is a bad behavior." Eric replied righteously.

"But there is another lucky draw. I won the right to choose the role and the investment share in Eric's next drama." Nicole smiled so hard that she couldn't close her mouth.

"I also won the right to first choose the role in Eric's next play, and also got a recommendation for a supporting role." Theron also said cheerfully.

The cameraman pointed his camera at the others.

Bell smiled and shrugged: "I lost half a month's food expenses for the crew, but I was very happy."

Ken Watanabe's face was dark: "Don't film me, I am the worst. I will be responsible for the crew's fruit snacks for the next month."

Tom Hardy showed two rows of big white teeth: "I won party invitations from two Oscar-winning actresses."

Looking at everyone's harvest, the female reporter couldn't help but feel shocked.

Yes, you did not directly play with money, but it cost more than playing with money.

If these are released to the public, there will be countless actors and companies willing to spend money to buy them.

Queuing up invitations may seem useless, but they actually represent connections.

The party of the Oscar-winning actress is not something that just any young Karami in the industry can go to. There are many investors and directors who come to attend. Being familiar with them will be of great benefit to the development of your career.

As for the investment share, it's even better. Eric Cooper's movies are almost synonymous with guaranteed profits.

A niche literary film like "The Life of Adele" can sell more than 200 million yuan. The market has proven his vision, and there is nothing else that can be difficult for him to get.

Even if the share is not large, it can at least bring in tens of millions of dollars in income. Normally, you can win so much by playing mahjong!

The female reporter was a little emotional: "Director Cooper, if this interview is released, I think people who are willing to play mahjong with you can circle around Los Angeles."

"Hahahaha. Welcome, but I only play with friends, not strangers. I'm a bit of a social person, so you'd better ask about movies."

The female reporter was speechless. The rhythm of the interview she had originally planned was completely messed up. She was obviously a reporter, but she was led by the other party. What a shame for your society!

"Okay, how far along is Inception?"

"60% has been completed, and many of the remaining scenes need to be completed in front of a green screen."

When she heard about green screen shooting, the female reporter's eyes lit up: "Does that mean a lot of special effects will be used?"

"Yes, and it is a relatively shocking special effect. I think it will give the audience a very novel visual enjoyment."

"Like Transformers? When I watched it in the cinema, I must admit that the expressions and textures of the Autobots really scared me."

"No, the use of special effects in "Inception" and "Transformers" are completely different experiences, but I can guarantee that it will be more gorgeous than the latter. This movie will lead the audience into a strange dream."

"Wow. It sounds a bit like Alice in Wonderland."

"Hahahaha. But it's not so childlike. It will be an exciting journey."

The female reporter pointed the camera at other people.

"Bell, how was it working with Director Cooper?"

Bell hesitated. Eric gave him the impression that he was talented from the first day they started shooting.

But his frequent departure from the crew to become the boss made Bell very uncomfortable. Bell is the kind of actor who loves to study the role very much, but after studying, he must communicate.

Of course, the best people to communicate with are directors and screenwriters. Eric shouldered these two positions, so Bell often couldn't find anyone to talk to.

"Eric is a very powerful director. You can't see the immaturity of a young director from him. He always has a way to solve various problems. Working with him gave me a very fresh experience."

"How is your role? Is it a difficult challenge?"

"Cobb is a complex man. He is a dream thief with an unforgettable past. I'm sorry I can't say more, but he is a very exciting character."

"Dream thief? Sounds like a cool profession, how do you feel Theron?"

Theron pointed to the shadow of the female reporter: "My character is the Phantom, the person who specifically opposes Cobb."

"Phantom! Wow, that sounds like another cool code name. Do you all have code names?"

"I'm a pharmacist."

"Codename Pretender!"

"Sentinel!"

"Dream Builder!"

The female reporter looked at everyone with excitement: "Just hearing these code names gave me the feeling of a superhero team. I have already developed a strong interest in the movie."

Then Neil took the other party to visit the actual set of MGM. She looked in surprise at the rotating corridor space in front of her, where several stuntmen were testing the safety.

"OMG! What is this used for? Doesn't it mean special effects?"

Neil shrugged: "Sometimes real scenes are more efficient and cost-effective than special effects. We were filming on the streets of Los Angeles a few days ago."

"It was a scene on a rainy day, but there won't be heavy rain in April anyway, so we had to rent a sprinkler truck to make artificial rainfall."

"That's interesting, can I get a feel for this rotating corridor?"

"no problem!"

After this interview was released, it indeed received a lot of discussion from the audience.

In particular, the emergence of titles such as Dream Builder, Dream Stealer, Pretender, Outpost, and Phantom have stirred the imaginations of many fans who pay attention to the movie.

Speculations about the plot of "Inception" have appeared in major forums and chat rooms.

The more than 20-meter-long revolving corridor also opened the eyes of many movie fans, and they all praised MGM's props department for being really great and still maintaining the world's top standards.

But the most discussed part was actually Eric and his friends playing mahjong, which not only made the audience laugh with joy, but also attracted the ridicule and envy of many celebrities.

Julia Roberts: "They really should invite me. Everyone knows that I was a master of mahjong at the age of 16. Even when I am 80 years old, I can't help but play, but I can't stop playing mahjong."

Tobey Maguire: "Yes, I watched the interview video. To be honest, I am quite envious of the atmosphere on the set. I don't know if Director Cooper is interested in filming. I am a good poker player. We can discuss and learn from each other."

DiCaprio: "I can't play mahjong, but this kind of moderate relaxation should be good. Me? I like swimming, maybe playing water gun games is also good."

Martin Scorsese: "What? Playing mahjong on the set? I don't know, I've never thought about it that way. Anyway, I don't want it to happen on my set."

Different from the ridicule and hilarity of the audience and celebrities, TV stations and many newspapers launched verbal criticisms of this phenomenon.

Many film critics also joined the criticism, calling out that Eric was leading a bad crew and actors, saying that he was messing up Hollywood.

Scholars and professors from Yale School of Drama, Juilliard School of Music and other major universities also jumped out to scold Eric, criticizing him for setting a bad example for students who love acting and intend to engage in related industries. Many people demanded that he apologize immediately. .

The purpose of these remarks is naturally to tarnish Eric's image, and those guys will seize any opportunity to attack him.

This incident also sounded the alarm for Eric. His personal image represented not only himself, but also the huge business empire behind him.

When a person's bad reputation accumulates, everything around him will be affected.

Meanwhile, Lionheart has released its second batch of shows, this time featuring American Horror Story and Keeping Up With Hilton.

"American Horror Story" samples a mix of classic urban legends and real cases, which should be familiar to many viewers.

Although the filming of "Walking with Hilton" is very simple, in theory, it should be more popular than "American Terror".

Because "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" is very popular, it created that family's huge buttocks, and also led the trend of enlarged buttocks for American girls.

Just before Eric traveled through time, the Kardashian family's buttocks suddenly shrank. It seemed that the big butt trend was going out of fashion, and it was bad luck for those girls who followed the trend.

On the big screen, "Shark Tank" is invincible in killing everyone. After all, big companies and big productions have changed their schedules. The quality of the film itself is excellent, so it is naturally invincible.

DreamWorks can make a lot of money, and MGM, which is responsible for overseas distribution, can also make a lot of money. Spielberg privately thanked Eric for helping them attract all the firepower and create a vacuum schedule.

As time enters May, the global box office of "The Passion of the Christ" has finally been settled at US$690 million.

This result is quite impressive. Last year, it would have ranked seventh.

The second battle between MGM and the Big Six has officially begun. Can "Million Dollar Baby" break through?