Chapter 14: Chp 14 : Sightseeing?
Premiere was a success, after the credit scene roll up the audience gave standing applause. Can't be denied that Lucas and Spielberg made another classic series, that's what the fans and Hollywood's citizens thought.
After the premiere was done, they held a party banquet and Al has to attend it, if not, he can be considered impolite by breaking Hollywood's tradition.
Al having a further discussion with four great directors, although some of them asked for leave because of a filming schedule tomorrow. There are also some people Al didn't recognize who greet Al politely, after seeing him interact with those directors, they can't disregard Al as newcomers anymore. Having a nice talk with famous directors, everyone thought he must have a unique background.
Fortunately, he can say farewell earlier because he is still considered as minor, if not, how many people will ask about his origin.
You see having close ties with not only the directors but also their associate will increase their opportunity to be cast on films, therefore many scammers who claimed they are the directors or producers acquaintance hoodwink these actresses to sleep with them. The point is for fame and glory, they could sacrifice their body and dignity for it.
Summer blockbusters still going, <Indiana Jones> made $8 million North America box office and becomes champion that day, expert predicted that final box office will be exceeding $100 million box office.
The next week, <Superman 2> landed on theatre and their response is quite good with critics and fans. It got $14 million box office in the first week, and the next week only down by 23% earning more than $10 million for Warner Bros.
So they definitely squeezing this cash cow and <Superman 3> is announced their preparation and will be in theatre in 1983.
Al watch this with his family, although Al has watched this in the past. But a costumed seeing superhero blockbuster in his era, seeing bad CGI and humorous tone of this Superman made Al felt uncomfortable. What he knew was in the next sequel, Superman will be a box office flop and got awful reviews so they will put Superman IP in the freezer and focus on developing the Batman series.
Al sigh and complaint in his heart, too bad all the DC Super Heroes IP is owned by Warner Bros, their profit oriented operation rush the Justice League project and ruin their movies.
The summer schedule is ended in mid-August when the summer holiday is over. Bad news comes from Hollywood downtown, Adam Walsh, a 7-year-old boy was abducted at the end of July in a Hollywood shopping mall and only his severed head was found two weeks later.
This made Mrs. K become paranoid and never permit anyone outside without accompanied by adults. Al also thinks they need more security measures so Al suggests Mary hire some securities in some companies.
Finally, they hire security in a security service company, a man named Jason Barnes, a 40 years old tall Caucasian man with black and some grayed hair. He was retired from the army and also fought in the Vietnam War. The contract involved housing, food and 5 days work 2 days vacation.
When he heard he was hired by an orphanage, he thought it was a prank, a retired soldier from Vietnam war was still treated as second class citizens because they are labeled as killers in those unnecessary wars so he thought someone wanted to give him a hard time.
Technically, a regular orphanage always has monetary problems. But they didn't have Al with loaded cash in his hands.
Soon September has come, his time has come. Shooting will begin in early September and end in mid-December.
Fortunately, almost filming location in Los Angeles and a few parts were located somewhere in California so he can still go home when they're on holiday.
As per Spielberg's briefing last meeting, the shoot will take in chronological order to ensure all of the emotion from the actor and actress are in place.
This kind of shoot usually takes more time and cost, so regular film usually takes all of the scenes that include that place and then move to another location and film all of them and so on.
Al comes to the shooting location a day before the take began. For all crew, they have given a motel near the shooting location. Al was accompanied by Ari because he is his only client and Al is still a minor.
After he went to his room in a motel that the crew rent, he put the luggage and go to see the filming location. He meets with Steven and the other crew.
Steven is talking with someone, and he knew this person. This is Robert Zemeckis, one of the technology freak directors besides James Cameron.
Because he was a screenwriter of the film <1941> that Steven directed, he has a close friendship with him. Not only that, in the future when everybody doubting him for the <Back to The Future> film, Spielberg is the one who puffs his chest up and convinces Universal Pictures and lets him become the producer.
When Al came, Steven introduces him to Al. He was also curious about this kid who made the four great directors interested in him.
Surprisingly, he was also fascinated by him. After just a few conversations with him, he knew this kid can become a great director in the future.
"So you believe that computer technology will change the way of filming."
"Yes, Mr. Zemeckis, but not in near future. You can see that green screen technology has become a commodity in today's filming but it is only restricted to one or two scenes." He continued
"But what if we shoot all of the scenes on a green screen, while the actor wearing a motion suit that record all of their movement and expression and then project it all to the computer. But unfortunately, even the current supercomputer has no graphic processing card that can render high resolution, high frame rate, and high pixelate pictures. Their screen probably becomes blue at the time we process it."
"Hahaha, I lost your kid when you reach the computer part. You know, even Steve Jobs will be stunned when he heard you said that. But your idea is brilliant, I can't believe you are only 11."
Spielberg also piqued interest after heard what Al said.
His idea could revolutionize the filming industry but Steven himself thought that although this E.T. will use CGI from Industrial Light and Magic from Lucasfilm, the result was far from shooting the scene directly.
For your information, Industrial Light and Magic is currently the number one special effects film company in the world.
This will take a lot of time before the technology could replicate a real-life shoot.
Spielberg was in deep thought, whereas Al and Robert Zemeckis continue to talk about filming technology.
If you see this scene from an outside perspective, it looks like that Al and Zemeckis were ignoring Spielberg and Spielberg is look like outsiders who want to join the conversation.
If Spielberg heard this, he definitely scolding whoever said that.
Luckily nobody from the set seemed to want to say anything until someone from the prop department called Spielberg and he woke up from his trance.
"Director, we have finished the adjustment of room decoration, do you want to see it?"
"I'm coming! you two continued to talk, I will check out some things first."
"No Steven, I think I need to go now. My purpose going here is to ask your opinion and I've done it. Thank you, Steven, I really appreciate it. See you kid, I'm really interested in your idea. Maybe if I shoot any children or teenagers movie, you are the first one I invite, bye you two!" Robert said and extending his hand.
The real reason why Robert Zemeckis comes here is to ask Steven Spielberg for his recommendation.
Last year, his film <Used Cars> was screened in North America Theatre, with a budget of $8 million only receive box office $11.7 million. A box office flop.
Although it received a positives response from critics and audiences, black style humor and R-rated comedy styles restrict ticket sales.
You see in the 80s, the peripheral sales are not too profitable like in the 2000s. So most movies depend on box office and ticket sales to sustain their operation.
This made Robert Zemeckis in an uncomfortable position with most of Hollywood production company so he needs Steven Spielberg's help.
"Bye, Mr. Robert!" Al said while shaking his hand.
Al continue his adventure in the filming location, he saw the legendary alien E.T. model and their actors. a 2'11" tall man and the 7-year old kid who was born with no legs and commonly used his arms to walk.
Al sympathizes with this kid, and this kid has a strong will. After greeting them and giving him a few candy collection he has, he meets with his dear friend.
"DREWIE!!!" Al screamed and ran into her.
"AL!!!" She also screamed, and hug the incoming missile.
Al hugged her until her legs departed from ground and spin her around.
To Be Continued.....
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone