Ch 08. Choosing the Male and Female Lead

Hollywood: King of the Commercial Films

Ch 08. Choosing the Male and Female Lead

As the night got darker, thick fog rolled in around the seaside neighborhood, and salty mist seeped in through the window gap and tickled the nose of Duke who was sitting below.

"Achooo,"

Duke paused after sneezing and turned off the air conditioner, his gaze shifting back to the drawing board. He stretched for a moment before finally picking up a pencil to outline a scene for the movie.

**An ellipse and four straight lines form a pattern representing the hero.

With time, his imagination transformed into a beautiful masterpiece.

He loves making shots like this, and lots of young directors picked it up a few years later. The scene depicted in the artwork is conveyed with a concise and direct style, allowing for a clear interpretation. In this era, it can be regarded as a futuristic design method.

However, the effect is actually quite good. Duke often talks to crew members from different departments about his design. Most people think this design is simple and clear, and we can use it in the future.

Duke carefully placed his freshly drawn creation alongside the others in his file bag, bringing his design session to a temporary close.

If he's got any fresh ideas down the line, he can change it whenever he wants.

Duke cleared his desk and headed over to his mom's study. He gave the door a light knock and, just as he thought, was invited inside.

"Hey, Mom..." Duke pushed the door and walked in.

"Do you need help with something?" As he approached the desk, Mrs. Leah removed her glasses and gave him a scrutinizing look.

"As you can see," he directed his finger towards the clock on the wall, "it's late. It would be best if you rested early."

"I guess it's time for me to leave."

Upon seeing his mother nod, Duke finally uttered the words, "Good night."

"Sleep well."

Duke went back into the room and laid down to rest, but he wasn't feeling sleepy. "Speed" consumed most of his thoughts as he prepared for that movie.

Despite the initial preparations going smoothly, the crew has not made any surface mistakes, which could be attributed to their years of accumulated experience. Despite his abundant confidence, the pressure of making and directing his debut film made everything challenging.

When the opportunity did not appear, all he could do was look forward to the future; when the opportunity had come now, he is afraid of failing because of being unable to grasp that opportunity.

This is a problem that plagues most people, and Duke is no exception. It's a common struggle. Even if he were to come back to life, he would still be just an ordinary individual.

He cannot afford to fail in this rare opportunity. Duke is fully aware of this fact. If he makes a mistake, he won't get another chance for a very long time.

It is possible to turn stress into a source of motivation. While it may be simple in words, the actual execution is not as effortless.

Reflecting on the wise words of motivational speakers, Duke eventually drifted into a peaceful slumber.

Getting a good night's sleep may be the most effective method for reducing stress. When Duke wakes up in the morning, he maintains a strong and confident posture, his tough expression showing his unwavering determination, as if he is invulnerable.

He took a stroll along the seaside promenade, returned home to enjoy a homemade breakfast prepared by his mother, and then returned to his room to change into formal attire. Duke took his Chevrolet and drove to West Hollywood.

The crew will conduct a second audition today for the female lead, and Duke has a significant role in the decision-making process.

Duke and Robin Grand were not part of the initial audition for the actor and actress. Duke wasn't too bothered about whether Keanu Reeves, who accepted the audition invitation, would be removed or Accepted. Even Meryl Streep, as talented as she is, can be replaced by another actress in Hollywood.

When it comes to the movie 'Speed', does the identity of the protagonist, Jack, make a difference? We're just looking for a good-looking white guy with a bit of edge and some basic acting skills.

Duke thought of Keanu Reeves for the role because he's a rising star and doesn't ask for a lot of money and did a good job in 'Speed' before his Transmigration.

After becoming famous, Keanu cannot be hired without half a million dollars.

Since the majority of the budget will be allocated to special effects and shooting, only $2 million has been set aside for the actors' remuneration. Even Duke and Robin Grande reached a consensus to reduce his salary.

No matter what, we'll have to shell out one-third of the cast's money once the movie is released in North America.

The crew, including Duke, is unfazed by the question of whether the film can be released in North America. Lucasfilm is widely regarded as one of the leading studios in the entire industry.

Finding a distributor is a breeze for them, and they are currently considering 20th Century Fox, with whom they have already established contact.

It's important to note that the latter has been actively persuading George Lucas to reboot the 'Star Wars' series, and signing the release contract won't be an issue.

Of course, the specific release conditions will not be determined until after 20th Century Fox has seen the Test Screening.

When Duke got to the 'Speed' studio, he was surprised to see that many actors who had auditioned were already present, adding to the anticipation in the air. It is to be expected. In Hollywood, the circle of actors is renowned for its cutthroat competition. Even the most famous directors of this era are only partially recognized. Stepping onto the stage, actors become the epitome of Hollywood glamour.

The majority of individuals who enter Hollywood with aspirations dream of achieving stardom as an actor, to be more specific, as a superstar.

No mention was made by the crew about the need for a female lead. In Hollywood, the news will surely spread to those who are interested.

These actresses, who have only had minor roles and lack significant recognition, will undoubtedly seize this opportunity.

Even if the director is not well-known, it's important to note that the film is produced by Lucas Pictures, headed by George Lucas.

From where these actresses sit, we can feel the tension in the air and sense their fierce determination to outshine one another.

They sat in silence, each occupying their own space, without exchanging a single word. Even when sent by the agents, they maintain a strong sense of self-protection. 

Many people employ astonishing tactics in their quest for fame, particularly in the cutthroat world of actresses, where the battles can be both fierce and cunning.

While Duke may not have seen it with his own eyes, he has heard an abundance of rumors on this topic, and an astonishing 90% of them have been confirmed.

The Assistant director of the crew of "Hook" gave him an example, explaining that in a situation where there is intense competition between actresses, everyone becomes extremely careful, especially regarding food.

Their personal assistants are the only individuals they trust implicitly.

They have a strict rule of only drinking water from unopened bottles, and once they've had some, they immediately dispose of it. The small-time actress will never drink from the same bottle during the audition, as they fears it may be compromised.

It's not merely about someone taking action, but rather a fundamental instinct for self-preservation.

After stopping by his office for a cup of coffee, Duke entered the audition room, where Robin Grand greeted him with a warm smile and he gave a nod to Kone. Walking with purpose, he made his way behind the monitor, where the camera was connected, and took a seat in the middle of the chair.

Without any delay, the audition kicked off with a fast tempo. Just like the Hollywood assembly line production of the movies, the audition is similarly styled.

The actress enters the room and proceeds to introduce herself, deliver a line, perform a scene from the script as requested by the interviewer, and articulate her understanding and interpretation of the role.

If they are able to successfully pass the initial audition, taking into consideration their acting abilities and physical appearance, their performance is deemed quite satisfactory.

Six actresses showed up in the morning for the audition. In fact, Duke could recall a few of them from memory.

Take Uma Thurman as an example. She is the second taller figure in the group, easily recognizable by her distinct Germanic traits.

Another familiar face he knew was Naomi Watts, and the last recognizable one was Halle Berry.

According to him,Halle Berry will definitely be eliminated. Duke had no idea who was in control of the initial audition, as he had personally singled her out to advance to the second stage. Unfortunately, she didn't meet the criteria set by the film.

While the people on the bus can be of any color, the success of the film hinges on having a white heroine in the driving seat.

He wasn't about to take any chances with Halle Berry, especially when his future was at stake - what had worked in his previous life was not worth experimenting with.

Following a simple lunch, the select few involved in the heroine's casting reconvened in the audition room. They eagerly gathered around to watch the morning audition footage, hoping to swiftly determine the perfect candidate.

"Duke, you run the show."

Robin Grand, with his hands resting on the oval desk, turned to Duke, who stood by the monitor, and asked, "What's your take on this?"

After selecting a videotape from the collection, Duke swiftly placed it in the video recorder and directed his finger towards the screen. He freely stated, "Look, Uma Thurman is the one who best matches the image of Annie among everyone."

"I'm not convinced," a skeptical voice arrived.

Assistant director Kone got up and went to the monitor, saying, "She's only twenty-one, too young for this role, her acting skills are still developing, and she's not that attractive."

As he said, Kone took a videotape and swapped it wiht the one that was being played, "I think Naomi Watts is beautiful and looks pleasing to the eye for the audience."

Duke turned his head to look at Kane, his brows slightly furrowed, and he said directly, "I don't agree with you!"

Duke stood opposite the Assistant director, his voice filled with determination. "What I need is a typical American girl, someone with a silly elder sister vibe and a hint of wild temperament - definitely not a sweetheart!"

"I firmly stand by my opinion," Kane also did not back down.

"What about you, Robin?" Duke took a quick look behind the desk. "Got any thoughts on this?"

Without intervention from George Lucas, the real decision-making power is still in the hands of Robin Grand.

"No worries," Robin Grande said, giving the table a little tap. 'Naomi Watts' position can be shifted further back. The image of Uma Thurman sitting in the driving seat of the bus would be quite good."

"I share the same view."

Duke returned to his seat and sat down. Although Robin Grand was supporting himself, it was still tough to make other see his view. Robin may have been selected by George Lucas to aid him because of his particular skill set.

Duke proactively initiated a compromise, leading to Kone no longer stubbornly sticking to his own opinions.

The actors would only receive the scripts for their roles once they signed a formal contract with the crew.

On the subsequent day, an audition was held for the Male Lead. Duke and Kone found themselves in yet another disagreement, with Robin Grand offering ambiguous support to Duke. In the end, the role of Jack went to Keanu Reeves.

Since these actors are desperate for fame and don't have much power in the industry, the crew won't pay them much.

After a seesaw-style negotiation, Keanu Reeves's agent won him a salary of 400,000 US dollars, and another major actor, Dennis Hopper, was paid 200,000 US dollars.

As for the heroine, Uma Thurman has only $80,000 in Hollywood, where there is a huge pay gap between actors and actresses.

The crew managed to fit the salaries of all the actors into a tight budget of 1.5 million US dollars.

***---***

[~2113 Words]