I’m in Hollywood

Chapter 103: Director's Choice

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After sending Amy Pascal home, Eric took Jonathan Demme to find a nearby coffee shop at random. After ordering two cups of coffee and some snacks, Eric took the lead and said, "Jonathan, let's talk about your understanding of the script of "Small Island Cry" first."

Jonathan Demme, like a student taking an examination, straightened his mind and said: "Compared to those movies that rely on violent plasma, mysterious sound effects, or weird and hideous makeup to achieve horror effects, "Small Island Cry" " will undoubtedly create a new type of psychological thriller horror film. The script is full of Hitchcockian suspense settings. Although the plot is not complicated, it can always firmly grasp the curiosity of the audience, and finally It is even more surprising when the truth at the end reveals the big reversal of human beings upside down. Eric, many people think that your current success is due to the blessing of God. But if they read this script you created, I I believe that no one would think so, your talent is simply amazing."

As he spoke, Jonathan Demme couldn't help but compliment him. Eric saw that the other party was really praising from the heart, not to please himself, and smiled: "Thank you for your praise, Jonathan, you are very grateful for this The understanding of the script is in place. However, this is not enough for me to hand over this film to you. Although I have not had time to pay attention to the replies of the other two director candidates, I believe that the other two director candidates will also be very interested in this film. Yes. What do you think are your strengths compared to Wes Craven and William Friedkin, two horror masters?"

"Plastic," Jonathan Demme replied without hesitation. "Eric, I'm more malleable than they are."

Eric looked at the middle-aged man in his forties in front of him, wondering: "Plasticity?"

Jonathan Demme explained calmly: "Yes, Eric, just because I have never shot a horror film, this is my biggest advantage. I have been in the industry for almost twenty years. I believe My professional level as a director is definitely fine. I can shoot according to the psychological thriller concept of this script you wrote. But if "Small Island" is handed over to two long-established horror masters to direct, both of them People will definitely bring their own personal shooting style to the movie. It may not be their personal intention, but the force of habit is very powerful. So they will probably bring "Island Cry" back to "The Exorcist", "The Exorcist" In the traditional horror film mode of "A Nightmare on Elm Street", it will certainly have a good scaring effect, but it will inevitably weaken the sensational effect brought by the reversal of the ghost at the end of the script."

After Jonathan Demi finished speaking, he noticed the looseness in Eric's expression, and quickly took out a thick stack of prepared materials from the backpack he was carrying, but handed it to Eric without thinking. He knew that if he did this, the other party might not have the patience to watch it. So I just picked the most important pages and handed them to Eric.

"Eric, look, these are some of my thoughts on the shooting of "Small Island Cry", and some of the storyboard scripts I envisioned. I think that the film should focus on the creation of horror and suspense, and throw it out in stages. The suspense that arouses the audience's curiosity one after another can cover up the weakness of the script's scenes and plots to the greatest extent, and will not make the audience feel dull. In terms of atmosphere creation, more emphasis should be placed on the psychological oppression rather than the senses Stimulus."

Eric lowered his head and carefully read through Jonathan Demme's list of shooting ideas, and carefully looked at a few shot design drafts, and unconsciously tapped his fingers on the table a few times.

Jonathan Demme knew that the most critical moment was coming, and his right hand under the table was tightly clenched into a fist.

Compared with Eric's smooth directing experience, Jonathan's career in Hollywood was much more bumpy. He has shown a strong interest in movies since he was a child. Therefore, although I studied veterinary medicine in college, I didn’t take that path. Instead, I entered the United Artists, which was still in its heyday, without hesitation, and started as a handyman at the bottom.

It was not until the age of thirty that he had the opportunity to participate in the production of some low-cost B-movies. In 1977, Jonathan finally got the opportunity to direct a film for the first time, but although the satirical drama about civilian radio life won the praise of film critics, But it did poorly at the box office.

To be precise, there was no box office at all. In order to let more people appreciate his work, Jonathan had to pay for it out of his own pocket to let a theater in New York show the movie to the audience for free, but there were still very few viewers.

That blow made Jonathan silent for three full years. In 1980, another work of Jonathan won two Oscars, which made his career pick up again. But until now, his works have not done much commercially. The box office is generally only a few million, and the highest one can barely break through 10 million.

In Hollywood, it is impossible for a director to gain recognition without a movie that hits the box office. When researching Eric's personal experience before, Jonathan discovered that the reason why the three films related to Eric were able to sell well at the box office has one thing in common, that is, the three films are all scripts written by him.

Although it is not clear why Eric Williams sent himself the director invitation of "Small Island Cry", this does not prevent Jonathan from wanting to seize this opportunity.

After receiving the invitation, Jonathan Demme stayed up all night and reread the script many times, more than once he was overwhelmed by Eric's exquisite reversal setting. Early the next morning, he replied to Jeffrey Hanson, expressing his willingness to direct the film.

Originally, I thought that the other party would contact me soon to discuss things like signing a contract, but after waiting patiently for a few days, nothing happened.

Jonathan Demme hurried to the headquarters of Firefly and found Jeffrey. After learning the whole story, Jonathan realized that compared with the other two long-established masters of horror films, he, a director with no experience in shooting horror films, Seems to be the least competitive one.

But Jonathan did not give up on this. Although Jonathan Demme's personal film performance is not very good, but his vision is not bad. He keenly feels that if the film "Small Island Cry" is shot, it will have a huge impact on the box office and awards. All will do something. Therefore, it is even more urgent to desperately want to get this opportunity.

It took a few days before Jonathan racked his brains to come up with a set of arguments to persuade Eric. At the same time, he also conducted a more in-depth analysis of "Small Island", and made a lot of meticulous preparations. In order to hurry up and prevent the script director from being decided in advance, Jonathan has not slept more than three hours a day for a week.

The reason why he can still sit in front of Eric with vigor and talk, is probably because of the faint breath.

Eric didn't notice Jonathan Demi's uneasiness. He knocked on the table and thought for a while, before he raised his head and said, "Jonathan, can you wait a moment? I'll make a call."

"Of course no problem." Jonathan didn't understand the intention of Eric's move, but still nodded. Eric didn't make a direct decision, which made Jonathan feel a little more hopeful.

Eric got up and walked to the counter of the coffee shop, talked to the waiter a few words, picked up the phone on the counter and dialed the number of Jeffrey's office.

"Jeffrey, it's me... there's something I forgot to ask, about the director of "Small Cry"... yes, Wes Craven and William Friedkin, have they responded... umm... Hmm... ok, I see... Actually Jonathan Demme came to me personally, I think he has a good idea, and he is very enthusiastic about this movie, I think I can give him a chance... Yes, no He, that's it, then I'll hang up... I know, I have a sense of proportion."

After hanging up the phone, Eric returned to his seat.

Knowing that the last moment must be coming, Jonathan sat up slightly involuntarily, looking at Eric expectantly.

"Jonathan, when I sent out the invitation before, I said that the heroine of this movie has been decided by default. Do you have any opinions on this?"

Jonathan Demme had an unconcealable look of joy on his face. He knew that Eric would hand over the film to him by asking: "No, I have no objection. The choice of actors is the producer's right." After hesitating for a while, Jonathan still couldn't help asking: "Eric, the heroine is... Is it your girlfriend named Jennifer Aniston?"

Eric shook his head and said, "No."

Jonathan Demi asked because he couldn't let go of his concerns. After receiving a negative answer, he decisively closed his mouth. It would have been better if it hadn't been Jennifer Aniston. Jonathan Demi was worried that Eric would mention this on purpose. The condition is to make his girlfriend famous.

But the girl was too young after all, to play the single mother Grace in the script, the makeup alone was difficult enough.

As for the relationship between the real heroine and Eric, that's not what Jonathan needs to pay attention to.

"So, Eric, is it..."

Eric nodded: "Yes, Jonathan, you got the chance to direct this movie. Mr. William Friedkin just happened to be directing another movie, so he naturally declined the invitation. Mr. Wes Craven was right This script also showed a strong interest. But I had concerns about the default heroine, and what you just convinced me did have some truth, so I asked Jeffrey to reject him."