Made in Hollywood

"Duke, this is Robin Grande."

In the conference room of Lucasfilm, George Lucas was introducing a middle-aged man to Duke, "Robin is the production manager hired by Lucasfilm for "Speed ​​of Life".

"Hello, Duke."

The other party stood up first and extended his hand, "I've seen the video you edited, it's impressive."

"Nice to meet you, Robin."

Duke also stood up and shook hands with him across the long conference table, "I believe this is a pleasant cooperation."

As a company with a mature system and a perfect production system, Lucasfilm has officially started preparatory work in just over a week since notifying Duke to participate in the first meeting. Even the important crew members There are also suitable candidates for the positions, and the confidence of senior Hollywood companies is evident.

As the future spokesperson of producer George Lucas on the crew, Robin Grande undoubtedly has a great voice. Since Duke has not signed a formal director contract with Lucasfilm, he will focus on saying The issue is Duke's treatment and power.

"Your director salary is $120,000."

He looked at Duke, saw that he didn't say anything, and continued, "We will pay $50,000 up front; after the filming is completed, another $50,000 will be paid, and the final $20,000 will be paid after the film is pulled from North America. "

Duke knew it was the Hollywood convention, "I have no opinion."

Later, Robin Grande talked about a series of director's rights and obligations. Combined with Duke's own requirements, he will participate in the preparation of the crew, the pre-production of the film and many other affairs, but like most new directors, He has the right to speak and advise, but not the final say.

There is also the right to select the main actors. Duke also has the right to advise, but not to decide.

"I hope that you will carefully consider my suggestions on the actors." Within a reasonable range, Duke will definitely fight for the appropriate power for himself, "I asked to participate in the post-editing of the film, and the same in the final editing. Take my advice into consideration."

Editing can completely determine the fate of a film. Duke knew that he could not get the final editing rights, and only hoped to make the film as much as possible to achieve the editing effect he wanted.

These demands are beyond the scope of Robin Grande's power, and he looks at George Lucas sitting in the first place.

"As long as your suggestion is reasonable." George Lucas didn't mean to refuse at all.

Duke breathed a sigh of relief. It is very rare for a rookie director to get such power. Under the Hollywood production model, not to mention the final editing rights, quite a few directors will be excluded from the editing work.

"there's one more thing."

When the meeting was about to end, Duke tentatively put forward a request, "Uncle George... well, George, discount my $100,000 upfront payment into the production cost of the film..."

"And then you get a proportional share of the film's revenue?" George Lucas tilted his head to look at him.

Probably knowing that his request was excessive, Duke made a few meaningless gestures and completely gave up these unreliable ideas.

But what he didn't expect was that when he signed a formal director contract with Lucasfilm, accompanied by his mother's lawyer in the afternoon, this clause was added to the additional terms of the film...

Of course, this is a little bit of money after deducting various expenses such as theaters and publishers.

After signing his name on the contract in duplicate, Duke suddenly had a strange feeling that he seemed to have gained more power, right?

But that's a good thing, isn't it?

As a producer, George Lucas is only responsible for the general direction, and the specific matters are basically handed over to the production team headed by Robin Grande. During the preparation, shooting and production stages of the film, he will be the representative producer. The filmmakers, the people who deal with Duke and the entire crew in the future.

"The tentative budget for the film is $15 million, and the $10 million upfront funding has already arrived."

When he came out with Duke, Robin Grande was still talking about the preparations, and he was apparently asked by George Lucas to teach Duke some lessons through language and work, "the remaining $5 million. Lucasfilm will be raising funds soon, and our studio will be located in West Hollywood, near Santa Monica, the main location."

"Does the studio have a name?" Duke asked.

"Not yet." Robin Grande shrugged.

"How about 'speed'?"

"not bad……"

The two walked to the parking lot while talking, got into their respective cars, and left separately.

Duke had long since quit his temp job, and for the rest of the day, he would report to the 'Speed' studio in West Hollywood on time every day.

The studio system can be said to be the practice of major Hollywood companies. Whenever a film with a high investment is approved, the production company will set up a corresponding studio to coordinate the film’s funds, preparations, personnel, shooting, advertising, sponsorship and surrounding areas. Depending on the work, some studios that sell big movies can often exist for several years or even a dozen years.

The pre-preparation and post-production of a film are often more tedious than shooting, especially for commercial productions full of big scenes.

Lucasfilm has a profound background and has a strong appeal in the industry. The 'Speed' studio has only been established for more than ten days. Some of the people who work with Lucasfilm on a regular basis.

For many positions, Lucasfilm can also digest it internally. For example, the soundtrack was handed over to Skywalker, and the special effects production was handled by Industrial Light and Magic.

The entire preparatory process is closely related to the director. What kind of lens language is needed, the possible influence of the actors on the film, the inspection of the studio and other departments to determine the lighting and scenery, clarifying the post-editing ideas, and exchanging the sound effects with Skywalker. This is what Duke must have prepared in the early stage.

Renting props, making sets based on Duke's advice, contacting cheap rental cars, finding suitable roads and locations, etc., will all be done by professionals. Hollywood's production line is both cooperative and highly specialized.

In the following month, Duke completed most of the sketches for the split shots, and the preparatory work for the film was only more than halfway through. According to Robin Grande, the film will definitely not be able to start shooting before mid-September. .

"There will be at least five large explosions during filming."

In the meeting with the crew, Duke said of his request, "The two explosions in the opening scene of the film, and the scene of the bus colliding with the plane, we can use a scale model to shoot on set..."

He has to save money, there is no way to do it. "The bus exploded on the street and the house exploded, and as much as possible, it was filmed on the spot."

"Duke..."

One of Robin Grande's subordinates said at this time, "The approval for the street explosion has been passed."

"I'm looking for the right home," another said. "We've got people looking at city hall records looking for detached homes in the greater Los Angeles area waiting to be demolished."

"Model making is in progress..."

When Duke looked over, the head of ILM's special effects team said, "It will never affect your shooting plan."

The atmosphere of the meeting seemed to be good, at least on the surface. Duke knew that he couldn't convince the crowd at all. The cast mostly used Hollywood veterans. These people were very shrewd. Whatever thoughts you have in your heart will not be shown on the bright side.

Duke also doesn't care what these people think. Except for the support of George Lucas, he has no capital. In this circle of seniority and powerful eyes, he doesn't think that he can deter these people by showing his ability at work. Mixed into elite people, it is not realistic at all, and their inner doubts will probably accompany the disbandment of the crew.

In particular, it took them several years or even more than ten years to get to where they are now, but he has risen to the sky and become a director with an investment level of tens of millions of dollars. What kind of imbalance will occur in the hearts of many of them , as can be imagined.

None of this is important to Duke. As long as he can maintain the working relationship on the surface and does not affect the production of the film, he doesn't care about it. What he needs most now is a successful qualification!

One success can change a lot of things in Hollywood. He will not be like before, and no one will care about it. He also has the capital to set up his own production team. In the future shooting, he will try to reduce the inevitable internal friction of each crew as much as possible!

After discussing some special effects production issues, the dominance of speech was gradually taken away by Robin Grande, who is the most powerful person in this office.

As the film's early preparations entered the final stage, the selection of suitable main actors was naturally put on the agenda.

The others quickly left the office, which temporarily served as a conference room, leaving Duke, two associate directors, and a handful of producers, including Robin Grande.

"I recommend Keanu Reeves for the male lead."

After Robin's assistant changed the coffee for everyone, Duke was the first to say, "Although his acting skills are not outstanding, it is enough to deal with such a sullen role from beginning to end, and he has a certain reputation, The pay is also low enough.”

"I've seen his movies and I've seen him in person."

This is the first assistant director called Corne, who has nearly ten years of experience in the industry, and at this time raised a different opinion, "Keanu Reeves is too skinny! Don't forget, this is an action movie, he doesn't Strong muscles!"

The eyes flicked across Corne's face quickly, Duke was not in a hurry to refute, this was not the first time the other party objected to his opinion.

"Well, include Keanu Reeves in the scope of the audition and send an invitation to his agent." Robin Grande took over the topic, "In the next two weeks, our main work is to finalize the hero and heroine. And a few main supporting roles."