HWI 106

Hollywood What If Chapter 106

"Okay, let's reshoot this scene. Harold your expression is a bit nervous. Just act like you are talking casually."

"O- Okay."

Fremont Smith was the one sitting on the director's seat this time. 

Kazir promised that he would give the man a chance to hone his skill. So far, Fremont was doing well. He had what it takes to control the crew and he had composure despite the pressure. He chose the right person. 

'Or more I say, Salvatore chose the right person.'

Fremont Smith was one of Salvatore's clients. The young African-American man still had not stepped into the status of being a director, but he had enough ability to control the crew. 

'If Director doesn't work, he can be a Producer.'

Well, it all depends on the future. One thing was for sure, Kazir was the type to make sure that his crew would rise from the rank. 

Right now, Kazir Grey and Harold Witsend were joining the cast as cameos.

There was a scene where Bryan Mills entered a shop to buy a gift for his daughter. While at it, Kazir decided to insert this scene. 

"Harold, just think that you are extra. You don't have to be nervous. We only have three seconds of screentime at best."

Kazir added.

"I- I understand."

"Okay, Scene 1, Act 8, Start!"

Fremont announced and the surrounding became quiet. The cameras were rolling and Liam Neeson entered the scene as Bryan Mills. 

He walked for a few seconds and passed a table where two people were talking. 

"Kazir, we don't have enough budget to add this scene. I think the car chasing scene is already enough." 

Harold did his best and kept his expression. He showed a few documents to Kazir. 

"I think it's viable."

"Viable? We don't have enough money!"

Harold slammed his fists against the table. 

"Cut!"

Fremont announced. 

"Let's see." Fremont watched the shot again and deemed it worthy. 

"Okay, let's wrap it up."

"Phew..."

Harold sighed in relief hearing the approval. 

"You had 8 NGs. Not bad." Kazir praised him.

"Not bad my ass. Anyway, are you sure you want to add this cameo in the final editing?"

"It all depends." 

Kazir was not sure, to be honest. He knew that Stan Lee had cameos in many Marvel movies... Kazir was copying these tidbits too. 

"But what about our conversation? Why did you even add these nonsense lines?"

"I'll just lower the volume and mix it to the background."

"Okay, you're the director, not me. Sigh... I really want to return to the Props team and make props again." 

"Sorry, you are probably going to stay in this position for a long time."

"Just make sure that my salary is right."

Producers could have a share of the profit, it all depends on the contract. Kazir would never cheat his friends. 

As for the cameo, he might have to decide once the post-production started. If Taken became a box office hit, he had to keep having a cameo to entertain the audience. 

'When I watched Black Panther in the cinema, the audience started happily screaming when they saw Stan Lee's cameo in the casino. I hope to get this reaction.'

There was a trend in MCU to find Stan Lee's cameo in every movie.

'I'm not sure what movie Stan Lee's cameo started, but it's indeed entertaining.'

After their cameo scene ended, Kazir took over the director's seat and restarted the shoot. They only need to shoot a few scenes and the filming would end. Perhaps two weeks from now, they could start the post-production. 

They have enough money to hire an editor and sound director. Maybe hire a film composer on the way too. Although hiring Hans Zimmer would be impossible. The budget was not enough...

'Harold is definitely not lying when he said that the budget is not enough.'

He chuckled. 

"Kazir, there's someone who wanted to contact you."

Erica Mendez had a phone in his hand. This was a business phone for people who wanted to inquire about Kazir. 

"... Who is it this time?"

Based on Kazir's question, this was not the first time that this thing happened. 

Today, more than three people contacted him about his script. Some of them wanted to hire him as a scriptwriter for their upcoming movies. However, all the project was comedy related. Kazir's talent for comedy was cemented after Napoleon Dynamite II. 

Almost two weeks(June 16, 1997) already passed and Napoleon Dynamite II currently generated $70.19 million. 

As for its rival, Con Air, grossed $51.74 million. The two movies were released on the same day yet the difference was obvious. 

The $80 million movie got trashed by a $10 million movie. While Napoleon Dynamite II was generating profit, Con Air was still hoping the pass the threshold. 

"... It's Chairman Michael Eisner of Walt Disney."

Speaking of Walt Disney, Michael Eisner was definitely disappointed in the result of Con Air. Casting a superstar like Nicholas Cage caused the budget to increase high up. 

'In my opinion, 51 million dollars is not bad for a two-week result. It's a success. However, because Napoleon Dynamite II was released at the same time, they could not help but compare the two.'

In this regard, Napoleon Dynamite II was better. 

"Give me that phone."

Kazir could not let the Chairman of Walt Disney hang on call. 

"Hello, Mister Eisner."

"Kazir, I hope I'm not disturbing you. I heard you are filming right now."

"No, you are not disturbing me.'

Kazir lied. 

"Haha, that's good to hear. By the way, we have a party tomorrow, I hope you can attend."

"I can't decline an invite from someone like you, Mister Eisner."

"Hm, that's good to hear."

The call ended. 

"Party? But I didn't know the reason why they are going to have a party. Are they going to celebrate Con Air? Perhaps it's a celebration party for Ransom that was released last year."