I’m in Hollywood

Bahamas, capital Nassau International Airport.

Around the empty venue, several high-power strong lights illuminated the enclosed area of ​​the airport as bright as day. This is the third day that the crew has been stationed at Nassau International Airport for filming. The members of the Casino Royale crew are nervously preparing for the next day. A play sets the scene.

The scene filmed at this time is Gao Chao in the first part of the story of Casino Royale. Bond traces all the way to Miami International Airport and smashes the terrorist's conspiracy against Sky Arrow Airlines.

This part of the scene involves thrilling scenes such as car chases, gun battles, explosions, etc. The shooting is relatively difficult. In order to avoid accidents in the middle of the filming process, Eric arranged the shooting of this part of the scene in the middle two weeks of the Bahamas shooting cycle. After the filming of this scene, the crew will continue the unfinished literary drama.

Because this episode is a night scene, in order not to affect the normal operation of Nassau International Airport, after negotiation with the Bahamas, the crew can shoot for eight hours in the designated area from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. the next day.

The airport scene lasts for about ten minutes in the script. Among them, the six-minute action scene in which Bond stops the bomber from driving the fuel truck into the Sky Arrow prototype is a classic in the car chase scene.

In the short six-minute scene, various branch lines such as Bond's fight with the bomber, the Tianjian prototype leaving the warehouse, the police's interception of the refueling truck, and the rioting of the airport crowd are perfectly integrated through fast and sharp camera cuts. In the exciting soundtrack, as the refueling truck approaches the Tianjian prototype step by step, the minds of all the audience will be firmly suspended in this situation. In the end, as the bomber detonates the bomb that Bond hangs on him, Bang—the sound, like a repressed and refreshing vent, makes people involuntarily have a hearty feeling of pleasure.

Of course, although this car chase scene looks very cool, it is extremely cumbersome to shoot. A large number of difficult scenes usually take hours to prepare. In addition, in order to create a sense of reality, various planes, cars and extras are used on the scene. The scheduling is a major test of the director's ability to control the field.

Before filming, Eric and the team had entered the airport several times to study the shooting plan, and at the same time fine-tuned the shooting plan based on the footage in his memory. Only two weeks after the filming started, the crew officially entered the Nassau International Airport for filming. .

On one of the airport's runways, Eric and Nickel Frank discussed where to shoot the next shot with special effects artists in the digital realm.

This is a shot of a passenger plane that is diving and landing in the process of the refueling truck rushing towards the Tianjian prototype.

This shot is definitely not a real shot, and the landing passenger plane will be fully CG produced in the later stage. Nickel just went into battle in person and was hanged in the air. After two hours of repeated use, he completed the shooting of the dive shot from the subjective perspective of the passenger plane pilot.

In the later stage, this shot will also be modified by the special effects team to the interior view of the cabin.

What is about to be shot now is a shot of a police car being blown and thrown by the terrifying reaction force of the passenger plane engine at the moment when the passenger plane dives.

Looking at the police car that has been installed on the pop-up device by the special effects engineer, although it has been tested in other places before, there is no intuitive effect on the spot after all for reference.

Eric discussed with Nickel and the special effects team for a while, and he was a little uncertain. He hoped that a camera could be placed on the route where the police car was thrown. After the police car was thrown, the effect of rushing towards the camera was on the big screen. It looks more visually stunning. But it is also very easy to cause the expensive camera to be crashed by the flying car. After hesitating for a moment, Eric said: Stop shooting temporarily, pop the car once to see the effect, and let someone adjust another prop car. Come here for backup.

The cheapest cameras on the crew are also worth more than $100,000, while the average cost of GM's custom-made prop vehicles for filming is actually only $5,000. While Eric doesn't mind if a camera or two gets damaged on set if necessary, it's something to avoid.

Following Eric's decision, the assistant producer in charge of the props left the crowd to prepare a spare vehicle, while Eric and Nickel stepped back to safety.

After the effects artist confirmed that everything was in place, he pressed the ejector's remote control button.

With a muffled sound, everyone nearby felt the ground under their feet tremble slightly. The police car on the elastic device flew into the air, and after being thrown seven or eight meters away, it crashed to the ground. It rolled away, and when the scene completely stopped, the police car that was selling well had turned into a scrap of iron, and various parts were scattered on the ground.

Eric didn't have the intention to feel any emotion about this kind of scene. He walked over with Nikkor and others in a hurry, and saw a shallow pit was smashed into the concrete floor where the car landed.

Recalling the trajectory of the car flying just now, Eric took a few steps near the shallow pit, then stood still and asked the person in charge of the special effects team behind him: Toby, you can determine the trajectory of the car every time it is thrown. Are they all the same?

The middle-aged white man in his forties named Toby probably also saw Eric's intention and said, Although I can't guarantee it, I think your position should be considered relatively safe, and we can adjust it. Look at the force point of the chassis of the car, so that the trajectory of the car can be slightly deflected, and the aircraft position will be safer.

It doesn't need to be skewed, just install it according to the position just now, Eric decided decisively, and then ordered all departments to prepare for the official shooting.

The special effects team began to install a new prop car on the elastic device. The field staff quickly cleaned up the wreckage of the original car, and temporarily repaired the shallow pit that had just been smashed out.

Eric and Nikkor arranged several cameras together. In addition to the camera that was thrown towards the police car, there were two other cameras that recorded the scene from different angles.

It has been forty minutes since everything was ready.

Eric stood in front of the monitor, checked the layout of several cameras for the last time, and made an OK gesture towards the field recorder.

Casino Royale, Act 54, Scene 7,!

On the side plane, the refueling truck and another police jeep moved at the same time. A few seconds later, with the familiar tremor under the feet, the police car on the pop-up device was thrown out again.

Eric stared at the most critical seat No. 3, and saw the car flying towards the camera. Then, the monitor screen suddenly went black as the rear of the police car approached infinitely.

The banging sound of the police car rolling over after landing not far away continued, and Nikkor, who was standing beside Eric and also stared at Seat 3, couldn't help but blurt out, Oh, my God, my Bonnie.

After the monitor screen went dark, Eric had already looked up, because the shooting at camera 3 was more dangerous, the photographer did not operate it himself, but fixed the camera on the corresponding camera. At this time, the camera and the fixed bracket have been knocked apart, and it is estimated that it is difficult to repair. In this case, the insurance company will not compensate.

Although he also felt sorry for the $150,000 Kodak professional camera, Eric looked at Nikkor and said in pain, Is this camera still named?

Nikkor and Eric walked towards the camera together, wanting to see if the camera could be rescued, and the tone was still sad: Of course, every camera I've used has a name.

Oh, then I'm really sorry, but you should know that the first law of the end of the world, don't name anyone or anything around you, it will make you weak.

Nickel came to the scene, picked up the camera lens that fell on the ground, and said to Eric: Don't tell me that you will often see the end of the world in the filming scene of your future films, then I will go crazy.

Others gradually gathered around, Eric patted Nikki on the shoulder soothingly, and said apologetically, Toby, the head of the special effects team: Accidents are always inevitable, everyone, please prepare again, I hope We can successfully complete this set of shots next time.”

Nikkor found the film box on the camera from the mess, checked it, and said, Eric, although the camera is broken, the film just shot should still be usable.

Eric took it over and took a look. There was no damage to the outside of the film box. However, Eric looked at his watch. It was already 2:40 in the morning. Except for the front, several sets of shots planned for today have been completed. So he said, Let's take another shot, and we'll call it quits when we're done. Everyone can go back to rest early today.

After a burst of cheers, everyone quickly became busy.

Although Eric did not adjust the camera position, there was no camera damage accident in the next shooting, and the lens effect was satisfactory.

Although it was nearly half an hour before four o'clock, Eric still announced the end of work in advance.

After all, night shooting is a very exhausting thing. After simply arranging the studio affairs, Eric took a speedboat back to his residence on Paradise Island, and fell asleep just after sticking to the big bed.

Wake up at twelve noon.

After a brief shower, I changed into a casual shirt and trousers before leaving the residence and heading towards the resort restaurant.

At noon, the sun is shining on Paradise Island, and the white sand beach not far from the resort is deserted. Although summer is a good time for vacations in the Bahamas, tourists rarely stay outdoors after ten o'clock in the morning.

While a large part of the crew was still resting, other shift crew members showed up on time for lunch at the restaurant.

Eric walked through the trails of the resort, greeting passers-by from time to time, just walked into the restaurant, Miranda, who was chatting with Ivanka and her daughter, immediately waved to Eric excitedly.

After the release of the new issue of VOGUE, Giselle quickly became famous in the fashion industry with her outstanding talent and qualifications, and soon received a series of cooperation invitations.

A few days after the shooting of that scene, Gisele and Alexander left the Bahamas in a hurry, only Ivanka and Miranda remained here, because the shooting schedule was reversed these days, and Eric hadn't seen each other for a few days. After a few of them, it is estimated that they went to other islands in the Bahamas to play.

Eric walked over, rubbed Miranda's little head in a pale pink dress, asked the waiter for a lunch, sat down and asked the opposite Ivana Zelnikova: Recently Did you have fun?

Of course, thank you for your hospitality, Eric, Ivana Zelnikova said, and added: By the way, Ivanka and I are leaving this afternoon, and this time I bid you farewell. of.

Are you in such a hurry to go back, why don't you play for a few more days?

Ivana Zelnikova said: Ini's father called and said that she was going to take her to Europe for a vacation, so I had to send her back in advance.

Oh, that's a pity, Eric looked at Ivanka and said, Where are you going to go to Europe? We are going to Europe next month. Maybe we can meet again?

Ivanka smiled shyly and said, Norway, Dad said he would take us to go rafting.

Norway, Eric shrugged regretfully, then we may not meet.

Ivanka casually picked up the ice cream in front of her, looked at Eric, and whispered, It's okay, Eric, you can come to my house next time you are in New York.

Eric could feel a little hope in the girl's eyes, but he also realized that this invitation was more ordered by Donald, and he didn't care, nodded and said, Okay, if I have time, I will definitely go there. .

Eric and Ivanka's mother and daughter said this, Miranda listened obediently, but her eyes couldn't hide her envy.

Ivanka is about the same age as her, but it's only a summer vacation, but the other party can go around the earth half a circle, almost wherever she wants to go. Moreover, looking at the diamond-studded sterling silver bracelet on her wrist, Miranda sighed in her heart. It was an ordinary sterling silver bracelet that Ivanka gave her in recent days. Of course she didn't mind, but This bracelet has a 'Double C' logo on it. This is Chanel. Such a bracelet is estimated to cost thousands of dollars. It is said that it is just a very common one for her twelfth birthday.

Alas, when will I be able to live such a life.

Miranda glanced at Eric beside her, thinking with some resentment.

The flight of Ivanka and her daughter was at 6 o'clock in the afternoon. Although they were also boarding at Nassau International Airport, Eric couldn't take the time to send them off in person, so he didn't rush back to his residence after lunch. Talked to them for a while.

It was already two o'clock in the afternoon when we returned to the house.

Miranda followed Eric to his residence like a little tail. Eric sat down on the sofa in the living room, turned on the TV, and waited for the assistant to deliver the documents after a while.

Looking at Miranda who ran to the refrigerator to pick up two bottles of juice, Eric took a sip of the juice, put it on the coffee table in front of him, and said, They've all left, you should come back too. Los Angeles?

It's summer vacation now, Eric, and the TV series has already been filmed, so I don't have anything to do when I go back.

Miranda said, with a pitiful look on her face, and took off her shoes and curled her two nine months long legs on the sofa, rubbing her knees against Eric's legs.

Then go back to Australia, your parents must miss you very much.

No, I don't want to go back, Miranda shook her head immediately, realizing that it might be inappropriate to say that, as if she didn't want her parents at all, although it's true, after a while, Miranda added quickly : It's winter in Australia now, and I'm afraid of the cold.

Then you can't stay here all the time, everyone is so busy, there's no reason for you to be dangling around all the time.

Miranda rolled her eyes, stretched her arms around Eric's arm, leaned her body close, and said, Then, Eric, I want to go to Miami, and Orlando, I haven't been to Disneyland yet.

Both cities are located in Florida, United States, which is close to the Bahamas, and the airport scene being filmed is set to be Miami International Airport.

However, Eric still frowned slightly and said, I don't worry about you running around alone, and I won't be able to explain to your parents at that time.

Of course I'm not alone. Claire can accompany me.

Eric wondered: Who is Claire?

Miranda pouted in dissatisfaction: Claire is the assistant assigned to me by the company. She came to the Bahamas with me. You have seen it before, how could you forget.

Eric recalled, and then vaguely remembered the brown-haired white woman who looked to be in her twenties with Miranda the other day. Although Miranda was personally arranged by Eric at ICM, the girl is not well-known after all. It is impossible for ICM to provide her with a long-term assistant, and Miranda herself cannot afford it. I think this time is special, and ICM specially sent her. Someone came over to take care of her.

After thinking about it, Eric was about to say something when the doorbell rang.

Getting rid of the entanglement of Miranda, Eric got up and went to open the door. His assistant Peter Rich stood outside the door with a stack of documents.

Come in, Eric turned sideways and let Peter Rich into the room.

However, just as Peter Richie walked in, he glanced at the sofa in the living room, and his footsteps were obviously hesitant.

Eric looked at him suspiciously. A certain little goblin was pretending to be in a hurry to tidy up a pink dress that was not messy at all. There was a faint look of panic in his eyes, as if he was afraid that others would not misunderstand what she and Eric were doing just now. Ashamed things are the same.

Hey, Peter, next, good afternoon, Miranda said with these little gestures, not forgetting to say hello to Peter Rich, when Eric discovered Miranda in DOLLY magazine, Peter Richie personally rushed to Brisbane dealt with it.

Hi, Miranda, Peter Ritchie greeted awkwardly, wondering if he should leave for now.

Eric glared at Miranda, and quickly made up his mind that he would not let the girl stay in the Bahamas. She was extremely happy and sad, and she was extremely idle. Who knows what kind of mess this little goblin will make.

He's been too busy lately to find time to adjust this wild and untamable little goblin.

Let's go to the study, Eric said to Peter Ritchie, who was hesitating in his footsteps.

Passing by the sofa, looking at Miranda who was curled up on the sofa in the shape of a cute kitten, Eric tapped her head casually, and said in the girl's pained voice: Call that... Claire, wait for me. Talk to her.

When he came to the study, Eric sat down at the desk, Peter Ritchie handed some documents to Eric, and said, The box office for the first week of Brave Island has already come out, and the company has An analysis of the film's box office performance.

From the first day of Brave Island, Eric has been aware of the news that the film's box office was suppressed by Eddie Murphy's black comedy The Fat Professor.

At the beginning, Eric wondered if John Wu suffered the curse of his previous life again. After several successful films, he was exhausted in Hollywood. However, looking at the weekend box office data table in his hand, Eric realized That's not how things should be.

In the weekend three-day box office rankings, Professor Fat Man won the top spot with a box office of 30.13 million US dollars in three days, but followed by Brave to the Dead Island with a box office of 28.38 million, followed by the third Named, The Matrix experienced a 37% box office drop to $25.76 million over the weekend as several new films hit the shelves.

It can be seen from this data that although the box office is at a disadvantage, the box office difference between Brave the Dead Island and Professor Fat Guy is only more than one million US dollars. The firefly distribution department made a prediction based on this data. , Brave Island should be around $42 million in its first week.

Looking at the box office data in his hand, Eric asked Peter Ritchie: I remember, Brave to the Dead Island has a good reputation in the preview stage, right?

Yes, the overall media score of Brave on the Dead Island is around 7.5, and in the audience survey we arranged, the word-of-mouth is also very good. The media score of Professor Fat Man is only 5.6, Peter Li said. Qi did not comment too much on Professor Fat Man, after all, if the box office loses, he loses, and he continued: The distribution department has probably figured out that the box office of Professor Fat Man is not as good as that of Professor Fat Man The reason, the information is in the following one.

Eric found the information, looked up and noticed that Peter Ritchie was still standing respectfully across from the desk, glanced around and found no second chair, so he gestured to the sofa diagonally opposite, saying: Sit down first, and I'll talk after reading it.

Peter Rich nodded, took a few steps back and sat down on the sofa.

Eric opened the information, it turned out to be Firefly's distribution department's statistics on the age distribution of the audience of Brave to the Dead Island, as well as a detailed comparison with the previous films directed by John Wu and the same period films in the summer program. .

After reading these statistics, Eric generally understands why the box office of Brave Island is relatively mediocre.

The reason why the summer season has become a popular season lies in the fact that a large number of young people have entered the cinema during the holidays. According to statistics, in the annual summer box office data, the box office contribution from students under the age of 22 accounts for 40%. It is this additional demand for movie viewing, coupled with the stimulation of the market by high-quality summer movies. , only to create a summer season that is equivalent to an average of two to three times the total box office of other unpopular seasons.

It is precisely because of this that a film can achieve box office success in the summer, which largely determines whether it is loved by the teenage group.

And this is precisely the short board of Brave the Dead Island.

Although Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage, the two male protagonists of Brave to the Dead Island, are both Hollywood first-line superstars, their two old men are not so attractive to teenagers, and there is no other in the film. A vase heroine that appeals to teenage audiences. On the other hand, Breaking the Dead Island discusses the serious theme of the unfair treatment of retired soldiers by the US government, and does not have the thrilling and eye-catching scenes of blockbusters such as the Mission Impossible series.

Therefore, these have created the main reason why Brave to the Dead Island has a good reputation, but it fails to attract young audiences.

In various comparative data, among the audience of Brave to the Dead Island, only 17% of the audience are under the age of 22, which is even far lower than that of The Matrix and The Matrix rated R. The proportion of the audience in this movie audience is 35%. At the same time, the proportion of moviegoing audiences in Brave to the Dead Island is also lower than that of several movies such as Mrs. and Mrs. Smith directed by John Wu.

Even so, Brave to the Dead Island is definitely not a failure. Firefly's distribution department has made a box office estimate of 130 million in North America and 200 million in overseas based on data such as word-of-mouth and box office after its release. In terms of production costs, Firefly can roughly recover the cost at the box office.

Then, we lost after all, so, Eric looked up at Peter Rich and asked after reading the information, Now, what is the reaction from Hollywood? (To be continued.)