HWI 21

Hollywood What If Chapter 21

"Everyone! I want to announce that the shooting of Napoleon Dynamite ends here!"

"Woo!!"

"Nice!"

Seeing that their job had ended, everyone celebrate. The whole shooting was fast, but it didn't change that everyone was tired. Especially Harold Witsend. He was the Props Master.

To keep up with Kazir's fast shooting, Harold and his team did their best to maintain their best. They kept dismantling props and setting props for the shooting. They were the most tired of all.

"I want to thank everyone for your hard work. Just like I promised, I will treat you once we returned to Los Angeles."

They spend almost 400 thousand dollars, and the remaining 100 thousand dollars would be used to pay the remaining balance of the crew and for the post-production of the movie.

There was enough for them to spend celebrating the completion of the movie. After that, Kazir would focus all of his attention on editing the movie.

"Director Kazir, thank you for casting me as Napoleon Dynamite."

Ed Helms approached him. He was thankful that Kazir trusted him. Furthermore, while filming, Ed Helms realized that Kazir was a talented Director with his fast shooting. At least, unlike other Directors who had a bad temper, Kazir was amiable and easy to talk to.

"I believe that you will achieve your dreams, Ed."

They shook hands.

Then, Pedro Pascal and Reese Witherspoon approached him and said their gratitude. Both Pedro and Reese were young and they didn't have opportunities to show their acting.

Napoleon Dynamite was their first project with important roles. Especially for Pedro Pascal, as a Chilean- American, his race gave him a hard time finding a suitable role.

"Reese, I recommend you to apply for an acting school. You need it very well."

"T- Thanks, Director."

Reese nodded her head. It might sound like an insult but she understood Kazir's opinion. As an actress, she had to take acting seriously. Joining an acting school would help her career.

"I believe that you guys will have a successful life."

He was not lying. These actors would be recognized by the masses.

The two thought that Kazir was just praising them, but they were still happy hearing his recognition.

"Um... Director..."

"What is it, Reese?"

"N- Nothing, don't mind me."

Reese left with a dejected face.

This whole time, she started seeing how serious Kazir was in his job. Almost every day, he would stay up late to check every footage.

It would be a lie if Reese didn't admire someone like him. Kazir was handsome while doing his job. Perhaps a person who does what he loves is shining.

Anyway, Reese wanted to invite Kazir to dinner. However, seeing that Kazir was seriously doing his job, Reese decided to ask him later.

As for her purpose, only Reese Witherspoon knew the answer.

The team packed their belongings and returned to Los Angeles. Everyone dispersed, they were tired and need rest.

Kazir took a day off to rest. They have a small celebration three days from now, and the crew and actors would officially end the project that day.

As for Kazir, he rented a small studio and hired an editor to edit the film. Of course, Kazir hired someone he knew.

Kazir had worked with Rector once and he knew that Rector was good at his job. Unfortunately, Hollywood had a lot of talented editors and it was hard to join large production companies. Connection was an important part to be hired by those companies.

"Rector, use J-cut here to show that someone is having a conversation a few meters away from Napoleon."

"Okay."

Movies were first invented around the 1880s and a century already passed. Almost all types of cuts and transitions were already invented.

The most common cuts were the straight cut and jump cut. Directors used these cuts all the time.

After watching the effect, Kazir decided to use J-cut in that certain scene.

"By the way Kazir, I heard your birthday is next week. Belated happy birthday, then."

"Thank you. But we will see each other on my birthday anyway so you don't have to greet me early." He chuckled.

"You don't plan to take a day off?"

"I will call my brother on the phone, that's it."

"Wow."

Kazir's birthday was on September 9. He was going to be 27 at that time.

"Let's check the next scene."

"Okay."

Kazir had taken almost 800 minutes worth of shots. Kazir had to combine the shots first and make a movie. Then, he would cut the length of the movie until it became less than 100 minutes.

Nobody would watch a long movie in the cinema anyway. A long movie would be detrimental and people would get bored.

'120 minutes is already long, as much as possible, Napoleon Dynamite should be maintained under 100 minutes.'

While editing, Kazir heard his cell phone ringing. He realized that his friend, David Fincher, was calling. His brother begged him to buy one so that he could call him anytime.

Kazir left the editing room and answered the call.

"Hello, David? How's your job?"

"I'm doing fine. I asked you because of it. Kazir, Se7en is already done. We will have a small screening in the New Line Cinema tomorrow. I want to invite you to watch it with us."

Based on his hoarse voice, it seemed that David didn't have proper sleep these days.

"Of course I will attend. Tell me the time and I'll be there."

Kazir took the importance of Se7en became his future was dependent on it.

The call ended after they have a few conversations.

"It seemed that I have something to do tomorrow."

He was quite excited to see the complete movie. Se7en was a cult classic, it almost ended the entire murder mystery detective genre.

'Of course, let's not forget "Primal Fear" and "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".'

There were other movies too, but it was hard to topple Se7en.