From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Since works like "Star Wars", "Jaws", and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" officially formed the concept of genre films, Hollywood has developed a system over two decades, an industrialized industry—

The script is the same.

From formatting to font, from dialogue to annotations, everything has a template, so the format has been established, often one page of script corresponding to one minute of film.

There may be slight differences depending on the director's style, but for commercial genre films, the overall picture is like this.

Naturally, the length of the film can be judged from the number of script pages. A script can be as short as ninety pages or as long as one hundred and twenty pages, and reading it all is not an easy task.

What's more, there are five scripts in front of him.

In Hollywood, not to say the vast majority, but 51% of actors do not carefully read the script before signing a contract, which has become a trend.

Before determining their intention to perform, actors often hand over this task to agents or managers, or even assistants, public relations staff, family, and friends, waiting for their feedback and deciding whether they are interested based on their summaries or judgments.

In other words, if the agent or manager has terrible taste, the actor's choice of work may also be a complete disaster.

Audiences often wonder, why would an actor appear in a strangely bad movie playing a strange role?

But don't be surprised, maybe it's just the assistant's taste.

Precisely considering this point, Edgar has already gone through the first round of screening and finally selected several projects worth reading and considering to bring over.

Now?

Could it be that Anson is also too lazy to read the script and is going to hand it over to Noah?

A surprise!

Edgar turned to look at Noah, unable to hide his surprise.

This scene made the smile on Anson's lips fully bloom.

Obviously, Edgar misunderstood.

How should Anson explain?

“Hey, Captain, actually, I traveled back from the future. I only need to flip through these scripts to make a judgment. There's no need to waste time.”

“Wait a moment, I'll do some on-site elimination using a matching game method, and the result will come out.”

No, Anson is not going to answer like that.

One sentence made Edgar feel a little more at ease.

“Have you heard this saying? Reading a book, you only need to read the first three pages to know if it's worth continuing.”

Edgar was stunned, “Hollywood also has this saying, a movie must have a hook in the first three minutes.”

Therefore, some commercial blockbusters often create a small crisis at the beginning, which the protagonist solves, not only throwing out a small climax to attract attention but also shaping the protagonist's image through the crisis.

Especially in the crime and action genres.

“Heh heh.” Anson chuckled, “Yes, and no.”

“If it's just about looking for hooks, Hollywood's industrialization is so perfect now that almost all screenwriters know this golden rule, and they will all set up a climax at the beginning to attract attention; but a well-written hook doesn't mean the entire script is excellent.”

“The script is like a novel, look at the beginning, mainly look at the framework, look at the bones.”

“How to construct a story, the language style, the writing image, the atmosphere and tone created by the opening, these can often highlight a person's style.”

“Then, look at the ending on the last two pages. Although genre films often have happy endings, different expressions also represent the creator's personal touch.”

“Approaching from these angles, you can simply construct a character outline and story tone in your mind, which is often the core of a script.”

“Of course, this cannot determine whether a script is good or bad, nor should it determine the fate of a script, but at least it can distinguish your own interests; then, decide the order of reading, or even whether to read, based on the level of interest.”

In the first half, Edgar was still a little confused, but he didn't interrupt Anson and continued to listen patiently.

In the second half, Edgar's eyes gradually brightened—

Is this an iron rule?

No.

But at least, this is a new possibility.

Edgar looked at Anson, “You mean, read the first three pages and the last two pages, complete a preliminary judgment, and then decide whether to continue reading.”

Anson revealed a smile, “See, this is why we need to communicate.”

“I think, now that I have some choices, and we will face more unknown choices in the future, if fate is in our own hands, then we should start communicating and reach a consensus on the direction of development.”

“Which scripts I like, which ones I don't like.”

“Which scripts you like, which ones you don't like.”

“What are the preferences and reasons for each, and current communication can make future work more efficient and ensure that we are moving in the same direction.”

“What do you think?”

While saying this, Anson raised the script in his hand to signal.

Edgar's tense heartstrings relaxed again, and a smile returned to the corner of his mouth, “Of course.”

After a pause, “To be honest, just reading the first three pages and the last two pages, I'm also a little curious about what feelings you can get and whether they match mine.”

Before this, they had no choice but to passively fight for opportunities; of course, "Spider-Man" and "Catch Me If You Can" were indeed won through their active efforts. To some extent, this can also be considered a choice.

Now, the situation is different.

They have the initiative, and personal taste and vision will play a more important role. The clear selection of works will also determine the upper limit of the actor's development. Edgar is a little curious about Anson's choice. This is a new area that they need to work together and communicate in.

And so.

Edgar sat down again, looking forward to Anson in front—

Admiring Anson reading.

This is also… a kind of experience.

In just a short while, Anson raised the first script in his hand.

“I don't like this one.”

Edgar blinked, “Why?”

Anson tilted his head, “High school student? Again?”

Edgar couldn't help but touch his nose. This is also the biggest limitation of a pretty boy. Once you successfully play a type of character, all the roles after that will be the same, so that the actor is always playing the same character.

Matthew McConaughey has always played playboys, Sandra Bullock has always played sweet and innocent girls, and Hugh Grant has always played refined scholars.

And so on and so forth.

Over time, they are stereotyped, and other role proposals will not come to them at all.

Now, Anson is also facing a similar situation. He should be the most famous high school student in Hollywood. He has played all the high school students in different types, different styles, and different scripts, and the stereotype is deeply rooted in people's hearts.

This is a good thing, at least Anson already has a label; but it is also a bad thing, because the framework and shackles are imprisoning Anson.

Edgar cleared his throat, suddenly being caught by Anson's fatal point. He still tried to defend himself, “This is different, the same high school students, different feelings.”

The huge script in Anson's hand is impressively—

“The Day After Tomorrow”.