HWI 174

Hollywood What If Chapter 174

Palenque Simone rubbed his eyes as he watched the movie on the huge screen. 

Usually, watching movies was entertaining and relaxing, unless the movie was a horror movie. 

In this situation, the movie in front of Palenque Simone was a horror movie. However, he didn't feel scared. In fact, he was bored and sleepy. 

'It fucking hurts my eyes watching a movie like this! The camera is swaying so much that my head hurts! Besides, I feel like this is not a movie at all. It's like a footage! Not a professional movie at all.'

In this era, the found footage genre was non-existent. The Blair Witch Project was the first kind in this genre that became successful. It basically popularized the genre. 

Except for Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity and Cloverfield were found footage movies as well. 

Anyway, Palenque Simone didn't know why his boss told him to watch this movie and try to buy the rights. 

Palenque Simone was an intern five years ago. He graduated from San Diego State University, majoring in Psychology. However, he didn't fancy going to a hospital or becoming a counselor and such. 

Instead, he was interested in the minds of movie characters. He loves studying the thoughts of movie characters. 

He studied Catherine Tramell, a fictional character from Basic Instinct. Particularly, he loves studying Hannibal Lecter. 

Of course, he was not insane. He just wanted to know how psychopaths think. 

Because of this hobby, he decided to work in Hollywood. The first project he participated in was a huge success. It was none other than Napoleon Dynamite. 

Recalling his life in Hollywood, Palenque Simone felt like he had it better. At least he had a constant job and the salary and bonus were amazing. Because all of the movies that Director Grey made were successful, the bonus he received was considerable as well. 

Furthermore, his job was now the assistant of the director after his friend, Fremont Smith, started his own movie. 

In this regard, Palenque could not help but sigh. It would be a lie if he said that he was not jealous. 

Palenque and Fremont started in the same starting line but his position was higher than him. 

Well, Fremont Smith had an experience in filming because he graduated from a filmmaking university. 

On top of that, he signed a contract with Salvatore Barlowe, making his path easier. One of the reasons why Kazir Grey decided to help him. 

'At least my salary increased...'

To be honest, Palenque was interested in making a movie but his experience was not enough. He needed more time to accumulate experience and knowledge to be a director. Not that it was easy to be a director. 

Before he became an assistant director, Palenque was part of the props team, responsible for making/preparing background scenes. 

Suddenly, he realized that the movie was over and he stood up. He was still confused about why he was here and why he had to buy the movie. 

'Director Grey watched the movie two days ago while concealing his identity. He then called me and said that I have to buy the movie, but I must not show any intention that I'm interested in the movie so that the price won't be high.'

For that to happen, Director Grey told him to buy the movie on the last day of the screening.

Sundance Film Festival lasted for ten days and this was the last day. 

The audience clapped tiredly and left the place. In fact, only a handful of people watched the movie. The answer was obvious, the movie was not good at all!

Still, Palenque Simone decided to face the director of The Blair Witch Project just to end this job. 

With a business smile, Palenque found the director and opened his mouth. 

"Hello, are you the director of this movie?"

"Me? Yes, I'm one of the directors of this movie. I'm Daniel Myrick."

Palenque nodded. Most of the time, only one director would be credited in a movie. This might be related to the rules of the Director's Guild that only one director would be credited in a movie. 

Still, others have co-directors in movies such as the Coen brothers and Wachowski sisters. 

In the Blair Witch Project, two directors could be credited since they were not registered in the Director's Guild of America. 

"I'm Palenque Simone, and I'm interested in buying your movie."

Director Grey said that Palenque must not say his affiliation at the beginning, to keep their information hidden. 

Hearing Palenque's words, Daniel Myrick was stunned at first. However, he bitterly smiled and shook his head. 

"I'm sorry but I can't, not anymore. Someone already bought the movie yesterday... I apologize."

Daniel Myrick thought that this movie was nonsense. So when he heard that someone was interested in buying his movie, he didn't think twice and sold it for 15 thousand dollars. 

He thought the buyer would back out so he sold it fast. 

Now that someone was interested, he could not help but be helpless. 

"... I see. Then can I know the company who bought it?"

"I apologize but I'm not allowed to say it."

Palenque sighed. In this case, he wasted his time here. He was not even sure how to explain it to Director Grey. 

Left with no choice, Palenque Simone left the Sundance Film Festival and found the chance to call his superior. 

"I'm sorry director but the movie is already sold."

"It's alright. You can return now."

"Yes."

Kazir was not super interested in the movie. He was interested in the profit but scamming the whole country using viral marketing was quite dirty in his opinion. It was different from his fake relationship with Cameron Diaz. Well, their relationship was not technically fake since they were indeed dating, albeit, with an expiration date. 

"I wonder who bought the movie..."