From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

"In a moment, you guys will walk from east to west, and you guys will walk from west to east. You, you, you, move a little faster, as if you're in a hurry; you, you, you, chat as you walk, as if it's just a normal Wednesday morning."

"You, on the other hand, will be here buying fruit with the kids. The kids can be a little mischievous, they can look towards the pizza place, it doesn't matter, but when you're picking out the fruit, show some professionalism, as if you're selecting pearls."

"You guys are preparing to cross the street, waiting for the traffic light..."

Blah blah blah.

The filming is being prepared in an orderly manner.

Filmmakers from Europe and Asia once went to Hollywood to learn from their experiences, witnessing Hollywood's work firsthand, hoping to learn from their experience, but they quickly realized that they couldn't replicate it—

Because Hollywood's work is fully prepared, not letting go of every little detail, completely built with money. European and Asian film companies can't come up with that much funding to complete the arrangements in such detail.

No wonder the essence of Hollywood is a Wall Street capital game.

What's happening before our eyes is exactly that.

"Spider-Man 2" is preparing to start filming a simple and normal scene, a slice of everyday life on the streets of Manhattan, Peter Parker returning to the pizza place, only to be scolded by his boss for being late with the delivery.

In Europe and Asia, due to a lack of funds, the crew goes to the actual location to film, often setting up a camera and filming directly on the street; if they hire extras, they are often cheap temporary workers, and the crew has limited control over the extras.

But in Hollywood, the extras are also "professional," all registered with the Screen Actors Guild, and the daily pay is all regulated.

So, when filming on location, the crew will perfectly recreate the entire scene.

Who goes where, at what speed, in what posture, and with what movements; who is doing what, in what state, with what emotions, volume, and expression; when the vehicles pass by, whether there is a traffic jam, and the driver's emotional state, etc.

Every detail, down to every person appearing in the shot, is a professional extra, and properly arranged according to the crew's arrangements.

Because of this, the crew needs to block off at least three streets to film, and all the vehicles coming and going are arranged by the crew; so filming in big cities like New York and Los Angeles is even more difficult.

Some directors, like Steven Spielberg, have such images in their minds and have such control that they can perfectly present scenes from real life; but most directors can't, so the resulting visual effects show a clear difference.

But regardless, this is a huge and complicated task, and also a major expense—

Only Hollywood can do it.

Occasionally, some top-tier crews in Europe and Asia also spend money on filming, but they often focus on costumes, sets, visual effects, explosions, etc., and few crews are willing to spend money on these trivial details.

However, in Hollywood, it's the norm.

Later, the increasing trend of genre films towards studio shooting is also due to this reason. Everything can be created with computer special effects, saving time and effort, and most importantly, saving money.

However, there are still a group of directors who insist on filming on location and believe that computer special effects can never bring the visual effects and performance experience of filming on location.

Sam Raimi is one of them.

Now, the crew is setting up for the first scene, hoping for a successful start.

John Landis is also standing in the crowd, attentively listening to his task.

Although the extras' biggest dream is to appear in the movie and be filmed head-on; but professionalism is professionalism, they will not and cannot cross the line in order to be seen—

In Hollywood, there are countless situations where extras who cross the line to get a shot end up being completely cut out by the director's scissors; and it's even more of a fantasy for extras to be appreciated by the director for their efforts and get acting opportunities.

Professionalism, maintaining professionalism, is the basic rule for extras to survive in Hollywood.

In the distance, John caught a glimpse of a figure approaching in a hurry.

Low-key, restrained, simple, no different from ordinary young people; but always inadvertently catches the eye.

If there was still some doubt just now, not daring to believe everything he saw, then now he can be 100% sure, exclaiming out loud.

"Anson..."

John immediately realized his unprofessionalism and quickly closed his mouth.

But unexpectedly, one stone stirred up a thousand waves, and whistles, cheers, and jeers came one after another from all corners.

In an instant, they connected into one piece.

Ah ah ah, roar roar roar, woah woah woah.

Sweeping the entire scene, even accompanied by applause, instantly surging and roaring.

"Anson, handsome!"

"I love you!"

"Anson ah ah ah ah ah ah..."

All kinds of shouts surrounded Anson, the crew transformed into an ocean, not only the extras, but also all the staff without exception.

Even Anson himself was full of astonishment—

What kind of treatment is this?

So, Anson also cheered along, clapping and shouting.

Roar roar roar, the crew became even more noisy.

Then, Anson said something, and everyone around him laughed collectively.

Hahaha.

Roaring with laughter.

Others couldn't hear and quickly asked, "What, what did Anson say?"

"Anson said, 'Thank you for your attention, New York's 14th District, please vote for Anson Wood.'"

Is he joking that the scene is like an election rally?

Laughter spread and diffused wave after wave at the intersection.

This is Anson's appeal now, even within the film crew, he is undoubtedly the focus of attention, with thousands of eyes gathered on him, not only envy and jealousy, not only exploration and scrutiny, but also admiration and respect.

For a young pretty boy, such treatment is really incredible.

But this scene, people are not surprised, and not too shocked.

After easily mobilizing the atmosphere, Anson had already arrived at the corner pizza shop and was greeting everyone, immediately seeing the middle-aged man.

"Hey, John, how's it going, is everything going smoothly?"

John blinked his eyes, his heart on the verge of exploding, completely unable to speak.

Don't look at how he usually talks freely in private, confidently giving directions, as if he's on a first-name basis with those top superstars; but in reality, he's only seen them from afar, and hasn't even gotten close.

But what about now?

John? Anson is talking to him? Anson remembers his name?

In his mind, witty remarks and lively conversations.

In reality, John said, "Yes."

Yes?

Just one word, not even a sentence? Why is his throat so dry?

Anson didn't seem to care, the smile in the corner of his eyes overflowing, "Breathe, breathe, I don't want the whole of New York to spread rumors tomorrow that Anson is actually a demon, in that case I can only silence you."

Hahaha, a burst of laughter.

John: Hehe. Hehe. His laugh is not a laugh.