Chapter 2: Ch 2: Planning {Edited}
{1st Person POV}
As I delved into the heart of the list of potential movie scripts, I couldn't help but feel a sense of destiny guiding my hand. It was there, sitting at the 26th spot, a slasher gem amidst a sea of cinematic titles. The lone representative of its genre in the top 50, "Halloween" beckoned to me. The closest contender was "A Nightmare on Elm Street," lagging far behind at the 73rd spot.
Yes, it was Halloween. That's the movie I would bring to life. The decision was made, and a new question arose.
"Oh, right. Uh, system, how do I get a script?" I inquired, a tinge of confusion coloring my words.
In response, another screen materialized beside the existing one, offering a straightforward solution: [User just needs to click on the film/book/TV show, and the [Buy Screenplay/Novel] option will be present near the bottom. The User also needs to buy the Screenplay/Novel using the Entertainment Coins.]
"The coins? Do I already have them?" I asked.
[Yes. The User has 50,000 coins as a reward for being chosen.]
"That's quite generous of you," I mused. With a newfound sense of purpose, I clicked on 'Halloween,' and a new page unfurled to replace the list.
The page was an elaborate repository of information, including a synopsis, credits, ratings, budget, and box office figures. My attention, however, gravitated toward a specific option.
[Buy the Screenplay]
[Cost: 1,500 Entertainment Coins]
Without hesitation, I clicked on [Buy Screenplay], only to be presented with two further choices:
[Yes]
[No]
Opting for [Yes], I felt a sudden, intense pressure mounting within my skull. A searing cry of agony escaped my lips as I clutched my head.
'It hurts! It hurts so goddamn much!'
The entirety of the movie's plot, from dialogue to background settings, from characters' clothing to hairstyles, even the most trivial details like their height, weight, and eye color, all flooded into my consciousness. I writhed in pain, gripping my head as the deluge of information overwhelmed my senses. For what felt like an eternity, I endured the ordeal, waiting for the relentless pain to subside.
Finally, with a victorious "Aha..." I emerged on the other side of the pain, greeted by a triumphant smile. "Ahahahaha! I can remember everything from the movie!" I exclaimed with unbridled excitement, leaping around my room in sheer jubilation. But the euphoria was short-lived; exhaustion and the remnants of my earlier headache reasserted themselves.
"This... is amazing. I can make movies that I've only ever dreamt of. Masterpieces in filmmaking like 'The Godfather' and 'Goodfellas.' I can finally create a great film."
Fully onboard with the System, I disregarded its origins. Who cared if it was a parasite or if I was mere entertainment for some godly being? If it meant realizing my dream of becoming a great director, I was willing to embrace the role.
Roughly half an hour later, I had calmed down and regained my composure. The path forward was clear. I needed to transpose the entire movie, script, and vision into a screenplay.
With unwavering determination, I headed for my laptop, fired up Chrome, and embarked on a search. "Screenplay software" was my query, and the results presented me with a plethora of choices. After considering recommendations from various sources, I settled on one and began my work.
My screenwriting journey had commenced, and I knew it would be a laborious process. Crafting the script for "Halloween" would demand every ounce of my dedication, a commitment of two to three weeks at the very least.
...
{14th May, 2007}
"It's done! Finally!" I exclaimed, the sense of achievement washing over me. It had been two and a half grueling weeks of tireless writing, fueled by an insatiable urge to ensure every word was perfect.
This final draft of the script had undergone numerous revisions and rewrites. Now, it stood as a testament to my unyielding determination.
As I sank back into my creaky chair, I couldn't help but reflect on the irony. "Final Draft," I thought to myself, reminiscent of the screenwriting software back in my world. My attempt at humor garnered only a faint chuckle from me, and I shook my head.
Wasting no time, I considered the looming future. I wasn't certain when I would begin filming, but time was of the essence. My goal was to have "Halloween" released in October, a mere five months away. Finding actors would take approximately a month, and the actual filming process could span three to six weeks.
However, an insurmountable hurdle lay ahead of me. "I don't have the money to make this..." I sighed in frustration. Having already spent $4,000 in the past month, I was left with a meager $31,000. A sum that paled in comparison to the monumental cost of producing a full-fledged movie, which could easily surpass $500,000.
My hand propped my chin as I sank into deep thought. Moments passed, and in the solitude of my contemplation, a glimmer of hope emerged. I remembered the stash of Entertainment Coins in my possession, a precious currency bestowed by the enigmatic System.
"The coins!" I exclaimed inwardly, a ray of realization piercing through the clouds of uncertainty. "I can convert them!"
I swiveled away from my laptop screen, my gaze set firmly on the empty air. "Show me the System Bank," I ordered.
A familiar blue screen materialized out of thin air, but this time it displayed the contents of the System Bank.
[Total Coins: 48,500.]
[Convert: ?]
Verbalizing my intent, I commanded the System to perform the conversion. "Convert amount: 3,500 Coins."
The response was nearly immediate. "Converting 3,500 Entertainment Coins into USD," the System reported.
My phone buzzed, signaling the arrival of a notification. I glanced at the screen to find a message detailing the arrival of a substantial sum: $350,000. The astonishment that swept over me was profound.
"I really got the money," I muttered, still grappling with the reality of the situation. Yet, as impressive as $350,000 was, it remained insufficient for my grand cinematic endeavor.
The original "Halloween" had been produced on a budget of $325,000 in 1978. Adjusted for inflation, that sum translated to approximately $1 million in the present day. With less than half of that amount in my possession, the obstacle before me loomed large.
My mind raced, evaluating every possible avenue. "Sure, you might say, 'Just convert more coins!' but who knows what I'll need them for?" I mused. The coins represented a limited resource, and I was keen to conserve them for unforeseen challenges. Exhausting them prematurely was not an option.
To address the financial shortfall, I needed to take decisive action.
Suddenly, an idea crystallized in my mind. "I'll sell a screenplay!"
No, I wasn't planning to part with "Halloween's" script. Instead, I considered selling the screenplays of other films as a means of acquiring the necessary funds. My fingers danced across the keyboard as I conducted a search to identify the most popular film genre of the moment, one that would assure a significant return.
The results confirmed my hunch – "Adventure" was at the forefront. It made sense; adventure was a genre that permeated countless successful films. It was a genre with universal appeal.
My System guided me once more, and I embarked on a quest to acquire screenplays that aligned with the demands of the market. However, I was cautious in my selections, opting to refrain from selecting films I harbored a deep desire to direct in the future.
I chose "Night at the Museum" as the first candidate, a script from a movie franchise that promised to be both accessible and budget-friendly. The "Mummy" series, while appealing, held a special place in my heart, and I wanted to direct those films myself.
Next, I turned my attention to the genre of "Romance," the third most affordable genre behind horror and comedy. I skimmed the list, recognizing numerous titles from my world, but my eyes ultimately landed on "Ticket to Paradise." It was a recent film, unknown in this world, and it felt like the right choice.
With both scripts selected, the transaction proceeded. "Night at the Museum" cost me 2,000 coins, while "Ticket to Paradise" required an expenditure of 1,500. A total of 3,500 coins were committed.
"That was quite an expensive shopping spree," I remarked as I considered the digital currency spent. Yet, these screenplays held the potential to secure my dream.
Rather than consuming both scripts simultaneously, I chose to proceed methodically, commencing with "Ticket to Paradise."
The weeks that followed were a whirlwind of frantic typing as I transcribed the scripts into screenplays. A grueling three weeks of tireless work lay ahead, but I couldn't afford to falter. Every word needed to be impeccable.
...
{1st June 2007}
I slumped into my chair, drained and victorious. A grueling three weeks had led me to this moment. The screenplays for "Night at the Museum" and "Ticket to Paradise" were complete, a testament to my unwavering commitment.
My next step was to sell these scripts, and I knew just the person for the job – David Moore, my father's closest friend and now a significant figure in my life. As a producer working for SkyMount Studios, he possessed the necessary industry connections and insights to help me navigate this new venture.
With conviction, I reached for my cellphone and dialed his number. The phone rang, and a hoarse voice answered, undoubtedly David's.
"Hello, uncle. It's me, Oliver," I greeted.
-Oh, Oliver? I haven't talked to you in a long time! Is everything okay?- David responded.
"Everything's fine, Uncle. I've called for something important."
-Important? What is it?
"Uh, I want you to buy two scripts from me," II revealed.
-Scripts? And two at that? You wrote them or something?-
"Yes, I did. I want you to take a look at them and possibly buy them."
-I see. I know you studied in a Film school, but that doesn't mean they are any good. And also, Oliver, just because you're the son of my best friend, that doesn't mean I'll just buy these scripts of yours, y'know?-
"Uncle, that's why I want to meet with you. I want you to see them for yourself and then judge if they're worthy of being turned into a film or not," I asserted.
-Alright, fine. But remember, I won't go easy on you. If I find some problem, I'll critique it. You can meet me tomorrow at the SkyMount studio. By the way, is there anything else you wanted to say?-
Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile. This was the response I had been hoping for. "Thanks, Uncle! I'll be there tomorrow! And no, that was all. See ya!" I concluded the call.
Sighing in relief, I couldn't help but grin. "Phew. That went pretty well," I remarked to the room at large.
My life was on the brink of a momentous change, and I couldn't help but wonder about the path that lay ahead as I prepared to step inside SkyMount Pictures.
***
The sun's golden rays gently bathed the room as I awakened to the hum of my alarm clock. I silenced the intrusive ringing and began the morning ritual, gearing up for a momentous day that would undoubtedly shape my future. I donned a suit, not merely for appearances but to project the image of a professional, a director-to-be who knew his path.
Stepping out into the world, I hailed a taxi to take me to my uncle David's home. With each passing moment, my anticipation grew, and I felt the weight of this pivotal juncture in my life.
As the cab pulled up to the imposing structure of SkyMount Pictures, I couldn't help but ponder my future. If "Halloween" became as successful in this world as it had in mine, it would be the talk of the town for months. Yet, I had to think beyond the confines of a single film. What came next?
A stream of possibilities flowed through my mind. Perhaps an Oscar bait or a critically acclaimed work that would solidify my reputation as a director who knew how to make great films. Prestige was the currency of the industry, and it granted a measure of freedom to shape one's creative vision.
Lost in contemplation, I found myself at the entrance of SkyMount Pictures, and as I stepped inside the building, I couldn't help but feel that my life was about to undergo a profound transformation.
~~~~
Author here! Hope you're liking this story! Please vote with Power Stone (Idk what they do, but everyone asks for it, so yeah, do it.)
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Le_Meme_Man
Le_Meme_Man Got the 2nd chapter done! :D
However, don't expect the updates to be like this. I'm a lazy mf, so the updates will be infrequent. However, I'll TRY to update weekly.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone