Chapter 113113. The word "La" is in power

Time flies and it is Thursday. All work is proceeding in an orderly manner.

The only thing that made Eric a little unhappy was that there were still MJ's haters who came to MGM's official website to leave abusive messages.

Moreover, many classic films produced by MGM have been maliciously given bad reviews recently, such as "Gone with the Wind", "Ben-Hur", "Tom and Jerry", etc.

Some local TV stations even received boycott letters when they broadcast these movies.

It’s a pity that these uneducated guys don’t understand the situation, because most of the boycotted movies no longer belong to MGM, but now belong to Warner, which is also laughable.

The casting for the low-budget thriller "Hold Your Breath" has been completed, and the British trio have all participated in the audition. The audition roles are two male thieves.

These two roles actually don't have any special features, and most young male actors can play these roles.

There is absolutely no need to select the actors according to the original movie. If you feel that the actors do not fit the character, you can just change the character.

This kind of character is not like Hannibal, a highly intelligent criminal, nor is he like a powerful robot like T800. He is a character that will not give the audience any psychological hints and is not irreplaceable.

Finally, Tom Hardy, who has a bit of a gangster and ruffian vibe, successfully auditioned as Alex, the bootlicker among the three thieves.

Michael Fassbender successfully auditioned for the somewhat reckless Minor, who was also the first to die.

The female thief Loki was captured by Evangeline Lilly. She is not as famous now as she will be in later generations. She still has more than ten years to go before she can play the Marvel heroine Wasp. Currently, she is just a small role in the industry.

He only started to get involved in the small screen last year, and has only played minor roles on the big screen. However, he did appear in a very famous movie "Freddy vs. Jason", playing the role of little Karami who was killed by Jason with a knife.

Being able to play the leading role in "Hold Your Breath" will keep her excited for a long time.

All three have signed contracts with MGM for four films.

Signing the contract is equivalent to being tied to MGM. For the three people who are currently playing small roles, having a movie to shoot is actually a good thing.

The most important role in "Don't Breathe", which is also the real male protagonist, the blind veteran, was played by Dolph Lundgren.

It’s a bit inaccurate to say that he got the role. In fact, the crew sent the script and audition invitation to Lundgren, and the veteran tough guy finally accepted the role.

His salary was also the highest in the entire series, at $1.8 million. Fassbender and Tom Holland both received $70,000, and Evangeline Lilly received even less, at only $20,000.

Some people might think that it is too cheap for a veteran action star like Lundgren to take on such a low-budget horror film.

This is a case of not seeing the market situation clearly. The era of tough guy action movies like Lundgren's is over. The 1980s and 1990s were the golden age.

Lundgren is currently 46 years old, and the films he takes on cannot even be shown on the big screen. They are either made into TV movies or go directly to DVD.

Of that group of tough guys back then, only a few, such as Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone, are still able to play leading roles and star in blockbusters.

Sir, times have changed! As for the director of the film, there were many candidates relatively early on, with more than a dozen applicants, all of whom were new directors.

The producer also sent invitations to several famous directors who specialize in thrillers, but when they saw the investment amount, they did not respond.

It's not even enough to cover the $10 million production cost, so you can't even make a dent in the money you earn.

As for dividends, that requires someone to believe that this movie will become the next "The Blair Witch Project" or "Saw."

Compared with the time cost, it is not worth it.

The director finally confirmed was Tim Miller, who just released his first short film last year.

Although he hasn't grown up yet, he will become the director and producer of excellent works such as "Deadpool" and "Love, Death and Robot" in the future.

At the MGM studio, the crew of "Blue Is the Warmest Color" are filming the scene where Emma and Adele first meet on the street today.

The two's stunning glimpse is hailed as one of the classic shots in the lesbian world, enough to make them famous in film history.

This shot is very important, but not very long, and it would be a waste to close the road for actual filming, so we simply rented a location at Universal Studios.

Although MGM has a studio, it does not have a filming base of the size of a movie studio.

Andrea clapped her hands and walked around, asking about the preparations of each group. After a few days of adjustment, she had adapted to Eric's rhythm.

There was a half-day scene that Eric directly gave to her to direct. She then took a phone call, gave a few instructions and then left.

This was the first time Andrea had seen such a director, and she was truly amazed.

And this is also her first time directing a feature-length film, which makes her feel nervous and excited.

After she finished shooting according to the script, Eric thankfully gave her a positive attitude and praised her for the details she had added on her own initiative.

Andrea Arnold, who was already in her early forties, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although she was twice as old as Eric, the difference in status and her experience in the entertainment industry still made this woman with no background always cautious.

After that successful shoot, she finally relaxed and became more comfortable with her work on the crew.

"James, what have you been doing lately? I haven't heard from you." Eric asked.

James McAvoy pointed to the east and said, "Director, I returned to England after finishing my scenes in Transformers. At that time, Director Patty was in charge of the filming. You were not there, so I didn't disturb you."

"After returning, we rehearsed a play, but unfortunately, we performed it three times in a small theater, but not many people watched it."

Zhan Yimei lowered her head in shame as she spoke.

"It's okay. Drama is the best way to hone your acting skills. The results may not be good, but at least this step is right," Eric consoled.

"Yes, I think so too. Director, does MGM have any new movies recently? Is there a role suitable for me?"

"Actually, I don't have to act in movies, TV shows are also fine. The Walking Dead is very popular, and I watched every episode."

McAvoy looked at Eric hopefully. He had heard from Tom Hardy that both he and Fassbender had signed contracts with MGM, so at least for the time being they wouldn't have to worry about filming and would have exposure.

Unfortunately, I didn’t pass the audition, and after my guest appearance in "Blue Is the Warmest Color", I will have to go back to the UK.

Maybe after Transformers is released at the end of the year, some crew will ask him to film, but what about the six months in between? Does he really have to stay in school and the temporary drama group all the time?

Zhan Yimei knew that she might only have two or three days, and whether she could have more opportunities all depended on the handsome young man in front of her.

Eric thought about it, but no role came to mind that would be suitable for McAvoy.

The male lead in "Happy Death Day" was okay, but he had already been taken by Benjamin McKenzie and the contract had been signed.

"Sorry James, I can't think of any role suitable for you at the moment."

McAvoy was a little disappointed: "There are not many directors. This is Hollywood. There are so many crews working every day. I can always find a suitable one. Even if there is no one, I can go back to the UK to perform in a drama."

Eric patted him on the shoulder: "If there is a suitable role, I will keep it for you."

"Thank you, Director."

Neil Blomkamp came over and said, "Director, we can start now."

James McAvoy left consciously and returned to his own stool.

"Blue Is the Warmest Color, Scene 9, action!"

The originally still square suddenly started moving, cars started to drive by, and the extras actually talked and walked like passers-by.

At this time, Adele was just in the stage of awakening to her sexual orientation, but she was fooled by a female friend who played with her feelings.

She felt extremely empty inside and looked dazed as she walked on the street.

The camera follows Ashley as she walks out of the revolving door carrying a common shoulder bag and walks quickly into the distance.

In the close-up, the footsteps are first shown, and the hurried pace shows Adele's impatience and haste at the moment.

The camera then moved up to her face, and she began to look around with an impatient look.

"Ku! Ashley, your eyes are wrong. Lose your focus. What I need is a confused and helpless look. Yours is too sharp."

Ashley made an OK gesture and the camera reshot.

On the surveillance screen, Ashley's eyes became much more unfocused this time, as if she had just woken up and felt confused.

"Ku! That's too much again. You're just confused, not awakened in the middle of sleep. You look too stupid right now. Also, frown slightly. I need your brows to show a hint of sadness."

In another retake, Ashley's expression changed again, but the force was too great, making her look too sad.

"Cut! This one is okay, but try to tone down your expression a little bit. Also, what's wrong with your makeup? Your hair is too smooth. Make it messy for me."

"Mary, your hair needs some work too. I need it to be neater."

"Disorganized and neat, this is the contrast between your living conditions, do you understand?"

Four people from the makeup team hurried over and fiddled with the two people's hairstyles. After a few minutes, this detail was perfected.

Art films are so difficult to make, and are completely different from commercial films. If he was shooting "Transformers", Eric wouldn't care about such small problems.

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Finally, after constant stucking and repetition, Ashley shot a walking shot 19 times before Eric finally let her pass.

"Okay, take a five-minute break."

Instantly, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Ashley rubbed her face and said, "This guy seems to be particularly serious today. My facial muscles are about to cramp."

"Is it because your acting is too bad? We just recently hired a professional teacher to teach us these things." Mary complained with a smile.

Ashley glared at her sister. "Really? Then I want to see how you perform next."

At this time, Judy popped up from nowhere: "Ashley, are your facial muscles a little sore? Let me help you relax. I have learned professional nursing massage."

Ashley quickly took a step back: "No, I can do it myself."

She had learned about Judy's hobbies from the staff, and finally understood why she always looked at her strangely.

"It's okay, let me help you."

Judy said as she already pressed her hands on the other's cheeks, rubbing them gently.

"I'm right, I'm a professional. I used to work in a gym, and this is my main business."

Ashley narrowed her eyes and felt quite comfortable. It seemed like it would be nice to let the other person help her relax.

“Uh-huh.”

The five minutes passed quickly and the shooting continued.

"Blue Is the Warmest Color, Scene 10, action!"

As Ashley walked to the edge of the road, a blue-haired girl on the opposite side caught her attention, because she was hugging another girl without any scruples, and the position of their hands and the expressions of the two clearly showed that they were lovers.

The camera zoomed in, and Mary first lowered her head and whispered a few words to the extras, then raised her head and smiled brightly.

"Good, this is the smile I want. Give me another one, and this time be more enthusiastic."

The second time, Mary smiled more freely and relaxedly. Her short blue hair and blue jacket made her smile full of sunshine and confidence.

The camera turned to Ashley, who showed a slightly surprised expression, as if she was wondering why the other party dared to be so bold as to show his sexual orientation in public.

"Good job, this one passed, next shot!"

It was done in two takes, and Mary couldn't help feeling secretly proud of herself.

"It's nothing. Ashley actually took 19 takes. It's tiring to watch."

What follows is the classic look back as the two people meet and pass each other, with multiple cameras directly surrounding the two of them.

The props team controlled the green light and the two men walked towards each other. However, they had only taken a few steps and before they could look back, Eric stopped them.

"Mary, your expressions and actions are the key in this scene. Don't just walk away. Give me a hair-lifting gesture."

The second time, Mary did as she was told and moved her hair behind her ears, revealing her smooth, pointed chin.

"Ka! No, no, there's something wrong with your face."

Once again, he was stopped before he could even look back.

Mary looked at Eric in confusion: "Director, what's the problem?"

Eric stared at the surveillance screen for a while and then said, "Change the earrings. You are the active party in love. This earring is too gentle. Change it to a sharper one."

The props team rushed forward and, with the joint selection of Eric, Andrea and others, replaced the earrings with a new one.

Is such a shot important? Actually, it is not necessary to be so strict in an art film.

For example, in the dinner scenes and school scenes, Eric’s requirements were not as high as they are today.

The main reason is that this picture is so representative that even if he doesn't nitpick, he won't be able to get over it in his heart. The details and omissions are just right.

Of course, he wouldn't be as crazy as Wes Anderson. "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is really torturous.

Mary put on new earrings and filming resumed.

This time, I finally captured the moment of looking back, and then as expected, I was called to cut.

"Mary, your eyes, there is no temptation in them. You have discovered that Adele is the same type of person as you."

"Mary, put your hands in your pockets and be cool."

"Mary, take your hands out of your pockets and be cool."

"Mary, look back a little longer, you're moving too fast!"

"Mary, what about your expression? Give me an arc at the corner of your mouth, but not too big. I want the arc of a smile."

"Mary, are you looking at me like you want to eat me? Be gentler."

"Mary."

"Mary."

"Mary."

When the scene was shot for the 25th time, Andrea reminded, "Director, take a break and let everyone get back into shape."

Eric looked at the surveillance screen. Mary's cheeks had begun to twitch unconsciously. He realized that she had almost reached her limit.

"Ten minutes of rest!"

Thanks to Lao Ma for the 500-coin reward, Luciferhx for the 100-coin reward, and handsome Woliang for the 300-coin reward. The boss is very generous. Thank you all my readers!

Tomorrow will be the time for the plot that everyone loves to see.

(End of this chapter)