Chapter 138: Scream Premiere

"Hmm, awake so early?" Early in the morning, Sophie Marceau woke up together with Arthur, holding him in their bed.

"Scream is going to premiere. Today is the grand opening in Los Angeles," Arthur patted the French Kiss in his arms. "This is the script I wrote myself!"

"Almost forgot, you are also a gold-script writer," Sophie Marceau smiled and then kissed the man's chest.

"From now on, I'm staying here. When I'm in Los Angeles, you can come over whenever you want."

In August, the sun radiated intensely over every corner of the City of Angels. As a city full of vitality and charm, Los Angeles's film allure attracts tourists and travelers from all over the world.

Scream, being Galaxy's first independently developed film, didn't have a high investment. It's a teen horror-comedy, fitting well with the positioning of an independent film company.

At Universal Studios Hollywood, Scream held its premiere. Director Sam Raimi, along with Winona Ryder, Sandra Bullock, Naomi Watts, and other main creators, attended the event.

"The feedback from New York's promotion was quite good. As a new style of horror film, Scream has a very positive effect on redefining horror movies," Arthur attended the promotional event and also accepted an interview.

"So, Arthur, you previously had an R-rated teen sex comedy script, and now suddenly you're working on a horror script. Do you see any connection between the two?"

Universal's American Pie script was also written by Arthur Smith.

"As for connections, both are essentially in the category of teenage comedies," Arthur smiled.

"Of course, Scream can be said to be a comedy with horror elements!"

"Arthur, Scream can only be considered a horror film with comedic elements. Its core theme is a terrifying psychopath's murder spree," the reporter pressed on.

Arthur shrugged, "Well, saying it that way isn't incorrect."

No choice, Scream was almost rated NC-17 by the MPAA, with its many thrilling and bloody scenes.

Galaxy could only keep emphasizing that it's a comedy with horror elements, while cutting just enough violent and bloody scenes to meet the R-rating standard.

With this type of film, if you let the seven MPAA members review it, it would definitely get an R rating. Independent companies like Galaxy just have to spend time polishing it.

In the backstage lounge, Winona Ryder nudged Arthur with her head after an interview, "I only had a cameo, but I did the work of a lead."

Arthur smiled and affectionately patted Winona's shoulder, "You have a big name! Emma is almost ready to start shooting. Are you prepared now?"

Winona Ryder nodded, "I'm ready. Currently learning the accent, I heard filming will take more than four months?"

"Well, the director is quite strict about the movie's details," Arthur explained.

"I also agreed to add $3 million to the budget to make the costumes and props more stunning."

"Although it won't match the budget of Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula, at least we can't skimp on costumes!"

Emma has a lot of rural exteriors, unlike Coppola's film which required building some medieval structures, making the set expensive.

"Arthur, these days I need to do a cameo in a literary film, Night on Earth. I'm playing a taxi driver. Won't it interfere?"

Night on Earth consists of five short stories happening simultaneously in different countries, each depicting a brief encounter between a taxi driver and a passenger.

Winona Ryder plays a female driver in Los Angeles, who has a conversation with a passenger who's a casting director.

"Emma starts filming officially next month. How long do you need?" Arthur asked.

Winona Ryder felt relieved, "I can finish in a week!"

"Alright, the movie is about to start. Let's go to the theater hall," Arthur suggested, noting that once the Los Angeles premiere ended, the movie would officially be released.

"Are you leaving?" Winona Ryder knew Arthur wouldn't stay until the movie ended.

Arthur nodded, "Want to come to my new villa tonight?"

"I like the house in Palisades. I have feelings for that place. If not for the many reporters in West Hollywood, I'd stay there," Winona Ryder whispered.

"Alright, I'll go to Palisades to look for you tonight. Later, I have a meeting with Steven Spielberg about Schindler's List," Arthur reminded Winona. "Filming of that movie is expected to start at the end of the year. Next year, you might need to go to Poland for filming. Being part of this project will be beneficial for you!"

"Got it. Jessica will arrange the time well for me," Winona Ryder had no objections.

After Winona Ryder left for the theater hall, not long after, Arthur was pulled to a small meeting room on the second floor by a suddenly appearing Jennifer Aniston.

"What's going on, dear?" Arthur saw her looking somewhat serious and quickly asked.

"I got an offer for a miniseries from Playboy, called Erotic Confusions," Jennifer Aniston seemed embarrassed. "It's four pieces, each with about ten short stories, each around ten minutes long," she explained.

Arthur rubbed his forehead, "Playboy's investments always have some erotic gimmicks. Don't get involved in these."

"Oh, I didn't plan to accept," Jennifer Aniston hugged Arthur, "It's just the first role not arranged by you, so I took notice."

"After Scream is released, your popularity will surely grow a bit," Arthur comforted her. Her acting skills were indeed still too immature now.

Not to mention comparing to Winona Ryder, even Naomi Watts in Scream completely outperformed Jennifer Aniston!

"Be careful of those producers and directors inviting you to hotels to discuss scripts," Arthur joked, pinching Aniston's cheek.

"Don't get taken advantage of!"

Jennifer Aniston laughed, "I'm your woman now, who dares? Anyway, don't they exchange roles too? I won't lack roles with you around!"

Saying this, Jennifer Aniston rubbed Arthur's waist, "Can you be with me tonight?"

Arthur kissed her forehead, "Later, I have to meet with Spielberg. Tonight, just head back to the villa in Bel Air."

"I'll meet you there!"

"Hmph, remember to submit your homework tomorrow," Jennifer pinched Arthur, "Otherwise, I'll pick on Winona when I'm in England..."

*****

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