9. Hiring the Dream Team (ll)
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works. If you recognize it from somewhere else, surprise, it isn't mine.
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Recap of the previous chapter -
Mark calls his uncle to set up a meeting regarding his studio establishment; he uses Vani's Head Hunting feature to help him find the hidden gems of Hollywood. He decided on 3 screenwriters whom he will immediately recruit. And one other that is shelved for later.
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~ Third Person POV ~
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April 11th, 1990, same day, 04:48 pm, in his apartment.
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Done with deciding on whom to recruit in his core team of screenwriters. Mark ended up with 3 screenwriters whom he will immediately work on recruiting. And one other that was shelved for later.
They are -
1. Benjamin Parker, with a screenwriting ability score of 98. He is a small-time book writer who also worked as a librarian for UCLA.
2. Howard Stark, another screenwriting genius with a score of 95. He now works as an EIC for a small magazine.
3. Tony Kushner, an author, playwright, and screenwriter with a screenwriting ability score of 91.
'Hmm, now I should look into recruiting some people with good stats in the Market Analysis and Project Evaluation skill.' Mark thought.
'Vani, can you please pull up all the information you have on the current industry personnel with Market analysis skill in focus and arrange them numerically based on just the score of their Market analysis skill score from high to low.' Mark asked in anticipation.
[Understood Mark, command is being executed, please wait ….]
Soon Mark found just the person he was looking for, Joseph Rogers, with an astonishing score of 95 on his Market analysis skill. His score was the only score above 90 in the list.
But his stats in other productions category Skills lagged behind, with his second-highest being Project Evaluation with a score of 72. And the rest were just abysmal and better left unsaid.
'Hmm, he is currently unemployed, so it should be easier to hire and get him to join my team. If he performs well and develops his project evaluation skill to a high degree, maybe I can even promote him as the Chief Market Analyst in the future.'
Mark thought, hoping that his employees can also grow along with him and become even more proficient in the jobs.
'Hmm, thinking about how I will be having two different studios in the future. I would need to hire another market analyst in the future.' Mark thought, maybe I should ask Vani to remind me so that I don't get behind on the recruitment.
'Vani, can you please remind me, when I am almost done with my filming of my first film I need to do a second round of hiring human resources for the studio.'
[Sure, Mark, I will remind you to do a second round of recruitment after you finish filming your first movie.]
'Ok so screenwriters check, a really great market analyst also checked. Now I just need some people with great literary poignancy and artistic communication.'
'They will help me in writing scripts that can not only move the audience but also impress the critics. These people will be the foundation for the films of Nirvana Pictures along with, Kushner.' Mark was already planning for the future.
Now, why does Mark even need a Market analyst or these literary & artistic comm. people in his team. Doesn't he already know the future?
Well, it's because, Mark is thinking about his studio development and growth in the long run. He only has information about the next 30 year so and also from an alternate timeline.
The key word here is alternate. The important thing is that, this is an alternate timeline in which he lives now. Maybe some movies that were super hit blockbusters in his previous timeline might turn out to be a bust in his current world.
He can't just leave things to chance, his future success can't just be left in the hands of lady luck, because he knew from experience that she was a cruel bitch.
So every movie that he is going to produce, direct or write the screenplay of will have to pass through a rigorous testing and market analysis to see its viability and see whether it fits the current audience demands.
'Vani, can you please pull up all the information you have on the current industry personnel with literary poignancy and Artistic Communication skill in focus and arrange them numerically based on just the score of their skills' score from high to low.' Mark asked
[Understood Mark, command is being executed, please wait ….]
Very soon, Mark had his premier art analyst in sight. Margaret Elizabeth Carter with a score of 98, she currently works as an intern in an apprenticeship, learning the art of film criticism under Andrew Sarris, a veteran film critic.
He is a leading proponent of the auteur theory of film criticism. He writes on and off for The Village Voice.
'What a phenomenal talent, if I want to win Oscars for myself, she will be a must have on my team.' Mark thought.
'She will also be a tough one to recruit though as I don't have any Hollywood accolades.' Mark thought, slightly worried about how to win over Ms. Carter, as she didn't seem like the woman that could be pulled over with just money.
[Mark, don't worry, you may not have any Hollywood accolades yet. But you have something better than that to win her over. She is a huge fan of two of your novels, The Boys and Invincible.]
'Wow, that great news Vani, then I think I got my artistic eye as well.' Mark thought in happiness.
'Hmm, I would need a good casting director for my films as well.'
'Vani, can you please pull up all the information on people with the Character Casting skill in focus and arrange them numerically based on just the score of their skills' score from high to low.' Mark asked
[Understood Mark, command is being executed, please wait ….]
At the very top of the list was an oddball. Just like the rest of the hidden gems he had found till now.
Mark found Wendell Rand, a down on his luck producer with only 2 DTV movies to his name and currently out of business. No surprise that his other production skill stats were very bad.
'He can be my lead casting director for now. Hmm, but I will need to give him strict standards and guidelines to follow.' Mark thought about how he can make this person's talent work in his favor.
'Hmm, let's look for my DOP now.' Mark asked.
'Vani, can you please pull up all the information you have on the current industry personnel with Aesthetic Cinematography skill in focus and arrange them numerically based on just the score of their skills' score from high to low.' Mark asked.
[Understood Mark, command is being executed, please wait ….]
Soon, Mark had his Director of photography selected. With a score of 94 in Aesthetic Cinematography, Dean Thomas had been selected.
Along with him, Mark selected over two other people as his core camera crew, With Dean as their lead.
Let's find some assistant directors and line producers now.
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After spending the whole evening just looking up people and sifting through them to find the most suitable candidates for his core film team. He had finally created his dream team:
• Analytical Department •
Art Analyst/Critic: Margaret Elizabeth Carter [98]
Market Analyst/Researcher: Joseph Rogers [94]
• Production Department •
Executive Producer: Mark Spencer [70]
Director: Mark Spencer [70]
First Assistant Director (AD): Jon Favreau [86], Todd Phillips [83], Bryan Singer [88].
Casting Director: Wendell Rand [95]
Second AD: Chris Kepler (Mark's Friend), Janet Lynn (Mark's Friend),
Supervising Producer: Nina Jacobson [86]
Line Producer: Kevin Stacy (Mark's friend), Sarah Walker (Mark's friend).
Production Assistants: Billy Wagner [84], Will Turner [82], Teresa Thurman [87].
On set transportation: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
• Script & Continuity Department •
Script Supervisor: Jessica Lichtner (Mark's friend)
Screen/Script-writer: Benjamin Parker [98],
Howard Stark [95], Tony Kushner [91], Melissa Cline (Mark's friend).
• Camera Department •
Director of photography: Dean Thomas [94]
Camera operator: Shane Warne [88]
First Assistant camera (AC): Eric Sand [87]
Second AC: Matthew Perry [80]
• Electric Department •
Gaffer: Darwin Smith [81]
Assistant electric: Jake Orville [80]
Electricians: Blake Thompson [78], Carl Steven [76].
• Grip Department •
Key Grip: Jim Halbert [92]
Assistant Grip: Kelvin Harris [86]
Dolly Grip: Dwight Howard [83]
• Sound Department •
Production sound mixer: Nancy Hart [85]
Boom mic operator: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Sound utility: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Sound editor: George Hall [83]
Foley artist: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
• Makeup & Costume Department •
Key makeup artist: Charlotte Tilbury [89]
Key hair stylist: Jen Atkins [84]
Assistant. Make artists: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Assistant Hair stylists: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Special effects make-up artist: TBD, will be hired as per the requirement of the film being shot.
Costume designer: Edna Mode [99]
Wardrobe manager: Gina Torres [85]
Set costumer: Eva Torres [79], Claire Stoemer [78], Sam Smith [75].
• Props & Set Department •
Production designer: Billy Joel[93]
Props master: Edward Black [89], Brian Cavallaro [87], Corey Curtin [83].
Set decorator: David Schlesinger[90], Grant Gustin[86].
On set dresser: Chris Carnes[86], Bradley Groleau[82].
• Art department •
Art director: Jeremy Woodward [93]
Construction coordinator: David Crank [92]
• Food department •
Caterer: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Food stylist: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
• Location Department •
Location Manager: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Location Scout: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
• Misc. Roles Department •
Editor: Bob Ducsay [88]
Post Production Assistant: Meghan Guilfoyle [84]
Assistant Editor: Steve Yedlin [88]
VFX artist: John Nelson [91]
Stunt coordinator: TBD, will be hired as per the requirement of the film being shot.
Choreographer: TBD, will be hired as per the requirement of the film being shot.
Armourer: TBD, will be hired as per the requirement of the film being shot.
Fight Choreographer: TBD, will be hired as per the requirement of the film being shot.
Fly rig operator: TBD, will be hired as per the requirement of the film being shot.
Supervisory Editor: TBD, will be hired as per the requirement of the film being shot.
Animal Wrangler: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA
Child Actor: will be hired from CAA or other similar agencies.
Stand-ins: will be hired from CAA or other similar agencies.
Background Artists: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Still Photographer: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Videographer: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Safety Officer: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Dialect Coach: TBD, currently to be hired from CAA.
Science advisor: TBD, will be hired as per the requirement of the film being shot.
Dramaturg: TBD, will be hired as per the requirement of the film being shot.
On set interpreter: TBD, will be hired as per the requirement of the film being shot.
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He finally has a list of names, there are 52 people named on this list. Not including him and the actors that he will need for his first film.
The rest he doesn't immediately need or just couldn't find a good enough person to fill in, so Evelyn, his agent will fill the gaps, with her contacts through the CAA.
But first he will need to call Evelyn and arrange a meeting for tomorrow.
*Ring*
*Ring*
"Hello"
"Hi, Evelyn, it's, Mark. How have you been, is the estate decor coming along properly?" Mark asked in a happy tone.
"Yeah, it's almost done, Mark. I am doing good as well, an actress under me recently played a supporting role in a hit film. The artwork you commissioned will be delivered by tomorrow morning. Is the plan still on?" Evelyn replied, thinking about what wild goose chase he is going to send her on now.
"Yeah, it's still on, but we need to accelerate it by quite alot. Listen I am in L.A. now, I arrived yesterday by flight."
"Well, I have a list with me for you, it's for my future core film crew list. I want you to hire them for me, I hope you wont let me down here, Eve." Mark said with a serious tone, trying to convey the importance of the matter at hand.
"Of course not, Mark, I will use all the resources that CAA possesses to ensure that all people on the list will at least come along to listen to your pitch. Whether you are able to hire them or they refuse your offer, will be on you." Evelyn replied with sass.
"Sure, then let's meet tomorrow morning at my estate, Eva, I want you to spread the word that the Spector is here in Hollywood. I want everyone in Hollywood to know that I AM HERE." Mark said making she understood that he wanted her to spread the word.
"Also If someone at the CAA, asks you more details, dont tell them much but you are allowed to say that movie will be Knives Out with a budget of $35 million. Try to keep it out of the news though only industry insiders are to know."
You know they are going to jump after you like a wolf that smelled blood. You have been eluding them and teasing for far too long, Mark. I hope you're ready for getting a call for hundred different john and joes by tomorrow.
"Well, its you who will dealing with that. So not my problem." Mark said teasing her.
"Argh! Fuck you Mark!" Evelyn replied back exasperated.
"Well, if its with a beautiful lady like you, then sure. Ahaha." Mark replied back, teasing her.
He couldn't see but Eva was blushing red at his reply and was at a loss of words.
So, I will meet you at 10 am tomorrow morning at estate. Does that time works for you?" Mark asked bringing the conversation to an end as he wanted to start working on his projects.
"Yeah, my schedule is free, I will meet you at the estate at 10 and dont worry I will spread the word of your arrival. Lets see which fish takes the bait." She replied in affirmation.
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