148 lights, camera & action

March 5.

Slowly, the Pokémon game starts to take shape, the creation of a company devoted to crafting games. And Nintendo has had it easy. Nintendo uses Pokémon, a game that costs no more than a few thousand dollars to produce but brings in a hundred times that. It's a solid business no matter how you look at it. In the next 20 years, game production will run a minimum initial cost of $70 million. But now, crafting games for under $3 million is a reality, especially for RPG franchises.

– Yes, we did. Just as you asked. We utilized the old factory near your place to set up a small video game production studio. We're calling it ID SOFTWARE RPG Platforms. – said Anne.

-Have you distributed all the flyers? - asked Billy.

-For now, we've called for RPG game creation with its unique approach and features. The impressive rules encompass creativity, originality, and playability. The flyers are spreading across northern California. There won't be a place unaware of the company's call, although I'd prefer some sort of application process, we'll run a similar deal, only it'll be a contract for nine games. – Anne replied robotically, having repeated these words numerous times.

-Great. I've got a friend who's a numbers whiz, we graduated in the same class. Joseph Blinky, he's got some brilliant ideas and is quite an interesting thinker. - Billy mentioned.

-The resume arrived three days ago. Let's hope it's worth it. - Anne replied.

-Oh, it will be, if only for this little company, let's build a team of five or six and start producing Pokémon and special RPG games. I'll take care of drawing the stories. And if I can, I'll hire good scriptwriters. - Billy stated.

-Let's stick to the plan. Stop getting excited; your father is already sorting out all the legal procedures with Carson & Associates. We hope Nike keeps bringing in people; our series is in a different light now. Warner has released a statement that they'll be starting the Slam Dunk series. - Anne added.

-Everything sounds good. Rest up, Anne, and hire another assistant; we need another Rachel. - Billy suggested.

-That's not true. -

-It is. We need someone ready for Lux Channel, a perfect liaison to guide our series to the product we're looking for. - Billy reaffirmed.

Warner hasn't been generating astonishing content, and even though they're trying to create a new series, they can only rely on the old Hanna-Barbera, DC, and Lux Comics series. The creative proposition lacks the essence that it will embody in a few years, which Warner won't maintain. Billy will absorb all the series Warner will have in the future as a greeting. It's hard to hijack certain things like DC, HBO, and Warner Entertainment films.

Hence, two franchises will be his at all costs, the magnificent Harry Potter series and The Lord of the Rings. The former hasn't yet been published, and the latter hasn't been offered. As they follow the copyright timeline, the total purchase of the film rights is in the hands of the Saul Zaentz Company, purchased from United Artist Company, which will once again be negotiated by Steve Parks. Parks will also negotiate with Christopher Tolkien to produce excellent books, generate good movies, illustrations, comics, and of course, what the Tolkien books represent, a community of people who love Middle-earth.

-I hope so, - said Anne.

-It will be, Anne. It's better to plan, just like you do, - said Billy. - Wait, I have to hang up; someone has just arrived. Tell Raimon to create a Pokémon report, and inform him that he has limited time to create his own Pokémon for the second generation. Even though the game designs are already set, we can add two extra Pokémon. -

-I'll send your regards, - said Anne.

Billy picked up the apartment phone.

-Yes. -

The euphoric voice of Jim Waitt reached Billy with lightning speed.

-Billy, you got the part. You need to be at the studio immediately. I'll see you in thirty minutes; some scenes have already been filmed, so hurry, they'll have the outfit chosen by the director. Bring your glasses, but apart from that, it's not important. You'll have to get ready; they'll film some scenes in the Yuma desert, some in Nevada, at a national park. For now, they'll shoot in the studio, but they'll take different shots of similar scenes. It'll be a hectic four to five months, so we'll coordinate a few things to keep your publications going, but you'll have to leave writing for another time, - said Jim Waitt.

-Great, I'll be there in thirty minutes. Can you let my father know? - said Billy.

-I've already sent a fax to his office, but I'll try to contact him, - said Jim.

Billy hung up the phone, excited.

He tidied up the room, grabbed his jacket, phone, and keys, then rushed out, in search of a taxi or some form of public transportation to help him get there. Unfortunately, taxis were scarce in this area, and waiting for the bus was his best option, though it would feel like an eternity when he needed it.

*******************************************************

March 5

-Who was it? - said Ivanova, her hair disheveled, completely sweaty, and disheveled, she rested her arms on Thomas's back, pressing her breasts against him.

-My son's agent. He got the lead role in a production, and he might be away for a few months, - said Thomas.

-Don't worry, Thomas. The boys need to spread their wings, and that's where you have to let them go, - Livy smiled. - Although if you want to take care of another kid, I'm here for you. You haven't held me the way you used to in a long time. -

Thomas grunted as Livy's hands roamed.

-This is the energetic man I like, - said Ivanova, laughing as she was pulled into Thomas's arms.

*************************************

Billy arrived at the studio, brimming with energy. Although he knew the bosses and that Billion Darwin and Carson were the same people, his arrival always brought a fresh vibe to the Sony subsidiary, Caralco Pictures.

I can help polish the translation, maintaining the essence of the conversation but making the language more natural and fluid:

-Billy, I just spoke with your father. He mentioned how proud he is of you. We need to take care of getting your papers for your work as an artist and writer, -- said Jim, walking up to Billy. -- I negotiated a salary of $300,000. That's all they're willing to offer a newbie, but if you perform the way Ronald Emmerich mentioned you did in the audition, it won't be hard for me to get you more roles. Speaking of which, there's a producer who sent me two new roles, one is for 'Little Women,' and the other is for a TV series. But for now, you should focus on the 'Little Women' movie. You'll need to practice the accent and posture of that era. -

-'Little Women,' - said Billy.

-It's an adaptation of a novel, distributed by Sony Pictures. So far, only the director has been confirmed. But you have a shot at landing a second role in another major production. The other roles don't match up. You'll have to do the 'Lion King' dubbing in June. I've spoken with the producer, and they'll allocate ten days for the dubbing while they shoot other scenes, - said Jim.

-Let's go; you'll have to film the first part of the movie tonight, - said Jim.

-Wait, we're filming the first part today? - asked Billy.

-Yes, you'll be filming everything about the military base and the interstellar journey. Pay attention, Billy. I know it's sudden, but that's how this industry works. Lastly, if you're going to have sex, drink, or do drugs, do it in your room. I'll visit you in these days, but when you go to the UK, I won't be able to visit, - said Jim as they walked towards the production site.

-Alright, so it's better that you prepare mentally from now, - said Jim.

-Of course, - said Billy.

-For now, you're a minor; you need to take care. And beyond that, you must pay attention to everything around you. Plus, Cameron sends his regards and congratulations, James and Ronald Emmerich are acquaintances, and James is looking forward to your performance. Opportunities are opening up, so put on a great smile, laugh at silliness, and don't fight, - Jim noted, remembering what to tell Billy.

-Relax, Jim. Everyone will appreciate my work, - said Billy.

Jim stopped.

-Well, bear in mind, everyone talks here. Your words will be used against you. This industry is ruthless. You can only survive by being smart or completely dumb, or by having a big support system—friends, uncles, siblings, - said Jim.

Billy nodded until they reached a location resembling a military base, where many people were scurrying about.

-They've been setting everything up for half a month. One of the significant factors is production, something you're likely familiar with. But for routine procedures, things can evolve differently, - Jim explained.

A man arrived and, with no concern other than taking Billy away, grabbed his hand firmly and dragged him. Jim could only smile and remain in the studio for a while to watch his client's performance.

--Here he is, to make, and get him his costume. Please, someone, bring a script. Your agent said you have a memory like an elephant, so you better put it to use. We're setting the stage for the first scenes, -- said a man, about thirty years old, speaking quickly, barking orders until he took Billy to a small dressing room. -- By the way, call me Nigel. -

As soon as he sat down, two makeup artists arrived to powder his skin and deliver the closest clothes to what he had worn during the audition.

-Here's the script. The scene goes from page 34 to page 55, -said Nigel, handing him the script. Everyone was rushing around, and Billy calmly observed the stress etched on people's faces; they were frantic.

Billy read the script, which was identical to what Jim Waitt had given him, but it had some annotations made by the director, all very detailed and straightforward. In less than half an hour, he was entering a military base for his role as an archaeologist. Nerves were on edge; the first scene was in a car.

-Mr. Darwin, follow me. We'll start the shooting shortly, - said a production assistant, sweat glistening. It was different from Nigel, who seemed nowhere to be found.

Billy followed him to a classic car. -- Well, the journey will be slow, heading towards this small square you see, ten meters away, -- said the assistant.

-Yes, - nodded Billy.

-Any problems? You have 10 minutes to prepare, - said the assistant.

Billy shook his head.

-Well, Mr. Darwin, good luck, - said the assistant.

Scene.

They had arrived at the military base. Two infantrymen were on either side, looking unamused, armed with guns in hand.

-I'm Daniel Jackson, - the driver said, his words fading as he saw their doubtful faces. Inside, Billy was amazed by Hollywood, everything within a studio. How did they make it as real as possible?

-Identify yourself, please... -

Billy made a sudden move, and the members tried to move their weapons, but he sneezed. He had a bit of pepper on his hands, a small trigger that caused a sneeze, a slight nudge, and an odorous sensation as the snot began to flow.

-You have a pretty good cold, Doctor Jackson, - the soldier pointed out, inspecting the dirty interior of the vehicle.

-A cold? No way, it's just an allergy. It always happens when I travel, - replied the doctor. Billy/Daniel.

Billy continued straight ahead, reaching the metal buildings, which were nothing more than cardboard covered in aluminum, rubbed with coal, and polished with pitch, according to the set designers.

Daniel parked and glanced around, not fully attentive, seeing only an open mountain. At this moment, Billy was Daniel. If he were asked something, he'd probably just sneeze.

Billy went to the trunk, as described in the scene, old-fashioned brown leather suitcases. He acted out someone who'd never lift a suitcase or someone simply minimal in their movements.

-Daniel Jackson? - a sweaty military man asked, but before Daniel/Billy could respond, the man approached. Billy let out a slight choking cough but listened intently.

-I'm Kawalsky, Lieutenant Adam Kawalsky. Where have you been? Dr. Langford thought you'd changed your mind, - said the army soldier

-I decided to drive, but it took me longer than expected, - replied Daniel/Billy, looking the officer up and down with a slightly superior expression.

cut

-Cut! - Ronald Emmerich shouted. It was astonishing how, in a minute, everyone started talking, turning what was previously a desert into a recording studio. Billy stayed in character, hunched and negligent.

-Who, in their right mind, fixed the uniform of the corporal? We'll start with the approach. Please, Scene 23, take 2, - said Ronald Emmerich. The suit was torn.

The scene was repeated.

-I decided to drive, but it took me longer than expected, - Billy's careful language was a marvel for the close-ups, from the movement of the lips triggering nerves to the slight twitch in his right hand. -So, is this a military base? -

-I'm not authorized to talk about that, - was the automatic response from the soldier.

Billy/Daniel smiled despite the bad weather, seeking some humor.

-No, seriously, is it a field for army specialists, a cave of gray eminences? -

-I have no idea what level of clearance you have, sir. Until I know, I can't talk about that matter. -

Daniel began taking books out of the trunk, and the guard kept watching him, and Daniel/Billy gave an awkward side-eye glance.

-May I? - said Kawalsky, stepping forward. Daniel wanted to prevent it, but the soldier didn't respond. Greg, who played the soldier, was somewhat stressed by Daniel/Billy's stupid, cheerful look, inadvertently taking on the military role in response to Billy's treatment.

-Be careful, these books are heavy, - Kawalsky said, lifting the bag of books with one hand and slamming the trunk shut with the other. -- Very... –

Got it, let's resume. Daniel was left somewhat breathless and a bit startled by how easily Kawalsky managed to lift the entire load. Following him to the tunnel entrance, Daniel had a face as if it were an amazing feat.

-Cut! - Ronald yelled again.

They returned to normal, Ronald scanning the cameras, content with the scene but feeling like it needed more.

-Camera 3, get closer shots of Daniel Jackson's face. Camera four, be careful with the angle. It's just a few shots but sets up the next scene. And set up a camera to follow Bill more closely when he's driving the car; I want to see his face, - Ronald ordered, barking instructions, an assistant nodding and bustling around to implement the director's directions.

-We're going to repeat the scene, - said the assistant. Billy simply nodded.

There something wrong? - Billy inquired.

-Mmmm, the director wants more shots. Camera 3 is slightly off. No big deal, young man. We'll be ready in half an hour. Practice your lines, - mentioned the assistant director, Taylor Noah.

-Alright, I'll do that, - said Billy/Daniel. Giving a smile akin to the character's, he walked to the dressing room. He didn't notice it, but he missed the assistant. Upon arrival, two makeup artists were there to touch up his face.

-The candelabras aren't pretty, - Billy/Daniel remarked.

-Oh, uh, sure, they're nice, - replied the makeup artist.

Billy continued reading the script while humming, engrossed in it until he heard his name. He repeated the scene three more times that day and later performed scenes up to scene 29, without any changes.

...