Chapter 118 American theme blockbuster
After the funds from 20th Century Fox arrived, Gilbert Jr. took a part of the crew to San Francisco to scout locations.
At the same time, Charles Rowan applied for support from the Pentagon. After the script was reviewed, the Pentagon quickly supported the film.
"Speed" gained the support of the Los Angeles Police Department by promoting the Los Angeles Police Department.
The military spirit and patriotism promoted by "The Island" are very much in line with the tastes of the Pentagon officials, so the crew easily gained support.
This support is also very strong. The Pentagon not only provides F-18 fighter jets, M16 assault rifles, military uniforms, body armor and other advanced equipment in active service.
The Pentagon venue was also lent to the crew for filming, military advisors and liaisons were dispatched, and a Navy SEAL team was dispatched to directly participate in the filming.
The Pentagon and Hollywood film crews have a long history of cooperation. Tom Cruise's famous film "Top Gun" is an example of cooperation between the Pentagon and Hollywood.
All of these equipment are sponsored for free, and the crew only needs to pay for labor expenses and fuel for the fighter planes.
In other words, "The Island" is almost an American-style blockbuster with a main theme, which shows that various American institutions attach great importance to publicity.
Standing on the famous Golden Gate Bridge, the morning fog has not dissipated, leaving the entire Golden Gate Bridge looming in the clouds and mist.
Little Gilbert communicated with the Pentagon liaison officer: "Major, can you let the F-18 fighter jet pass under the Golden Gate Bridge?"
Major Hall thought for a while and said, "I will communicate with the pilot and give you an accurate answer later."
Little Gilbert nodded. If it doesn't work, just use special effects. It's not impossible to make do.
San Francisco in September entered the most scenic time of the year, and little Gilbert told the director of photography Duerr: Randolph: "Duel, starting from tomorrow, your photography team will come here every day to shoot.
Remember, I need lots of sunset and sunrise views. "
"Don't worry, little Gilbert, I'm personally responsible for this." Duer Randolph promised.
Afterwards, Little Gilbert took people to inspect several streets in San Francisco. Some scenes that needed to be filmed also needed the support of the San Francisco city government.
Then, the crew took a boat to Alcatraz Island for inspection.
Alcatraz Island is less than two miles from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco and was originally named Pelican Island, derived from the Spanish La Islade Los Alcatraces.
It is better said to be an island than a huge reef. There are many pelicans living on the island.
The name Alcatraz Island comes from the fact that it was once built by the federal government as a prison because it was surrounded by cliffs and deep water, making external transportation difficult.
During World War I, a man named Philip Grosser was imprisoned here for refusing to perform military service.
After he was released, he wrote a book about his miserable imprisonment experience in Alcatraz Prison, called "Uncle Sam's Alcatraz", from which Alcatraz Island got its name.
However, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was closed in 1963 and became history. Now, together with the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf, it has become part of the scenery of the San Francisco Bay Area.
It is worth mentioning that there is a real Alcatraz Island in French Guiana, South America, and a prison was once set up there. It is much scarier than Alcatraz Island in San Francisco.
After landing on Alcatraz, Major Hall and several Pentagon consultants talked to the crew about how to lay out positions, special operations and other professional militarized knowledge.
This military knowledge happens to be something that the crew does not understand.
Although it is a highly entertaining commercial film, Gilbert Jr. did not want the film to make some common sense mistakes that would make people laugh.
It is feasible to shoot some of the above-ground scenes on Alcatraz Island, but it is difficult to shoot the underground scenes.
Therefore, little Gilbert asked the art director Serena to set up a scene in the studio to shoot.
After the visit to San Francisco, Gilbert Jr. returned to Los Angeles.
At Alcatraz Studios, he reviewed Sofia Coppola's notes and shooting schedule, and looked at Anne Burton's storyboards and scene compositions.
At the same time, we also have to discuss the shooting techniques with the director of photography Doyle Randolph, and discuss the overall style of the film with the art director Serena Hafey, and then finalize each one.
Sofia Coppola recommended her cousin John Schwartzman to the young Gilbert as the cinematographer, and after reviewing several of Schwartzman's shots, the young Gilbert readily hired him.
At the same time, the audition work was almost in progress, and the cast was basically finalized.
In mid-September, the crew of "Bravely Entering the Island" announced the cast.
Roger Moore plays Captain John Mason, Nicolas Cage plays biological and chemical weapons expert Danley Goolsby, and Ed Harris plays General Fran Hammer.
The appeal of the three leading male actors may not be nearly as good, and may not even be as good as that of Gilbert himself. But the acting skills are there and the hardness is enough, so it’s pretty good
This is Roger Moore’s first time working with Gilbert Jr. When being interviewed by the media, he said bluntly: “Gilbert Jr. sent me An invitation, I immediately agreed.
In Hollywood, no one would refuse an invitation from a talented director. "
In fact, the media are all curious about where little Gilbert got Roger Moore from. Isn’t he still half alive?
However, it turns out that the film was discontinued just to sound good. In fact, it was because no one was looking for Roger Moore to act.
No, once the crew invited me, they would rather have Roger Moore star if the pay was not high.
His pay cut was also exposed by the media. "Los Angeles Business Journal" reporter Sarah commented: "Roger Moore made a wise choice.
If the film is a success, he will earn back a hundred times the salary he reduced today. "
And will Little Gilbert's film be a flop? No one can guarantee that. But judging from past results, the probability of success is high.
Nicolas Cage did not mention that he used a dozen long-legged models to seduce little Gilbert, but said: "I invited him to my home and we talked for half an hour.
He told me the whole story in a eloquent manner, and I was immediately attracted and agreed to participate. "
Naomi Watts played a guest role this time, and she also said: "Actually, I watched the whole story take shape, and I fell in love with it at that time.
Although there were not many roles, I still decided to play a role, and little Gilbert agreed to it. "
This kind of interview is more about mutual business flattery.
The purpose is to attract the attention of the media and movie fans, telling them that a film is about to be shot, who is the director, who are the starring actors, and how much everyone is looking forward to it.
This kind of publicity is all arranged by the producer, and the crew must of course cooperate.
After the cast was announced, preparations for "Bravely Entering the Island" accelerated.
Although he was satisfied with the scorer of "Iron Steel", little Gilbert was too impressed by the original score.
So he invited Hans Zimmer, who had just finished scoring "The Lion King", to score the film.
Before scoring the score, Little Gilbert told Hans Zimmer a general story about the entire "The Island", and then gave Hans Zimmer free rein to start composing the score.
This is the first time Hans Zimmer has scored a Hollywood commercial blockbuster. Most of the films I have scored music for before were independent films, or animated films like "The Lion King".
It is worth mentioning that the movie "The Lion King" will meet North American audiences in October. This will be a landmark animated movie.
Seeing the cast list of "The Island" announced in the newspaper, Sean Connery was stunned again. He vented his anger and smashed the film.
His wife and son had already fled, so he had no one to beat.
Martin Bob is eyeing Michael Bay's "Bad Boys" and Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" project, and rarely has time to see Sean Connery.
After he found out, Martin Bob spoke.
"Sean, wake up, Hollywood no longer needs a outdated 007, stop having those stupid ideas." Martin Bob was quite rude.
Facing other CAA superstars, Martin Bob wants to say nice things to keep his smile on his face, for fear that they will be unhappy.
But facing Sean Connery, who needed to be supported by CAA, Martin Bob returned to his original strength.
Sean Connery's chest rose and fell, and it was obvious that he was suppressing his anger. He could not offend Martin Bob.
"What do you think we should do?" Sean Connery asked.
If you hit a stick, you have to give a sweet date to eat.
Martin Bob said: "On Mel's side, preparations have begun for Braveheart, which will tell the story of Scottish independence.
Haven't you always wanted Scotland to be independent? Participating in this film is a good way to promote your ideas. "
Sean Connery knew that there was no other way, so he had to agree to Martin Bob's plan and join Mel Gibson's new project to star in "Braveheart".
Little Gilbert is unaware of the changes in Sean Connery.
After holding countless preparatory meetings and reviewing the progress of various tasks, Little Gilbert finally took the crew to San Francisco to start filming.
On the way to San Francisco, Roger Moore and little Gilbert were riding in a car.
On the way, Roger Moore asked: "I heard that the original choice of the crew was Sean Connery?"
Little Gilbert admitted: "Indeed, it's just that his request was too excessive and the crew couldn't agree to it, so he chose you."
Roger Moore was very happy. He patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I will prove that this choice is correct."
Putting this matter aside, let’s pay attention to the screening of Little Gilbert’s movie in mainland China.
It seems to be the first time to see a Hollywood blockbuster, especially a blockbuster like "Iron Fist", which amazed the mainland audience.
Not long after it was launched in the film commercial market, the film took in a box office of 11.25 million RMB from July to September, creating good results.
More importantly, this movie inspired many Chinese audiences to realize that the movies they made on the other side of the world look like this.
But this is not the end. Next, there are "The Fugitive", "Speed", "True Lies" and other films that will meet the domestic audience.
Especially "True Lies", I heard that it has not been cut yet.
If it were released in the mainland, it would probably shock the young minds of Chinese audiences who have never seen the world.
The introduction of Hollywood blockbusters has impacted the original model of Chinese-language films. Where Chinese-language films will go in the future depends on the choices of Chinese-language filmmakers.
If you don’t want to code, can it be messed up?
(End of this chapter)