Once you have your confirmation, you feel like you can sleep through the rest of the meeting and let George Lucas takes care of the rest. These people are your seniors and part of his team after all.
Furthermore, aside from George himself, nobody really takes your suggestions seriously due to your young age. And George alone cannot go against everyone in his team in favor of you.
As you listen in, you understand that the preparation and post-production is more cumbersome than the shooting of the film, especially for a film with many big and often expensive scenes.
Speed is an action film, so having big and expensive scenes is unavoidable. To prevent the movie going over budget, you will have to think of ways to minimize the expenditure. It isn’t too difficult since you have many never-had-thought-before techniques from your previous world.
Those techniques are groundbreaking and had never been used here before in this world. However, you know words are cheap and actions speak more loudly. You will prove yourself when directing and editing your movie.
In the end, you have absolute no say in the matter of filming preparation and scheduling.
You didn’t mind. Everyone here has the experience and qualification in their respective field and you don’t. Telling them how to do their job will only get them to dismiss you and hate you for it.
You rather spend your time and energy practicing and learning about your power.
You peek into each person’s status, attributes, and skillsets. You try to not look closely at their naked body. Thankfully, it wasn’t too hard. Except for Kathleen, everyone is male and old.
You wouldn’t want to bang her. Her feminism is very contagious. You might just lose your dick if you try. You feel somewhat sorry for her husband.
Lunch is served when it is time. George left the room with Kathleen and another man to draft up the contract. When they return after lunch, they handed a copy of the contract to everyone.
You have a quick read of the contract, finding the terms and conditions acceptable. You will get 1% of the profit. You have the power the decision to cast the actors as well as special privileges during the post-production and final editing of the film.
After everyone have sign the contract and understand their responsibilities, the meeting continues to discuss about photography, scenery, lighting, makeup, clothing, art direction and so on. You eventually zone out since most of these aren’t your field of expertise.
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“Have you thought of a name?”
The person who ask this was the marketing executive, Howard Roffman. He had also zone out of the discussion alongside with you. Through the system, you can tell he has no opinion of you one way or another.
You are a bit confused. “What name?”
“The name of your studio.”
It is a standard of Hollywood companies to set up subsidiaries to help coordinate the film preparation, advertisement, sponsorship, finances, and personnel. This way, the staff knows exactly what their job involve and who they answer to.
“Ah.”
You think for a moment about the name of your company. It would need to be registered. It will also be on your business card.
While you do love filmmaking, you wouldn’t want your studio – and company – to be stuck in the film business only. It is evidence that you could excel greatly in the Music Industry as well. Your knowledge about other industries such as telecommunication and gaming also give you a great advantage.
“How about Delight Entertainment?”
Howard nods and writes down the name along with your contact information. You talk to him about registering your company and trademarks until the meeting is over.
It is late in the afternoon.
When George accompanies you outside, he talks to you a bit more.
“Have you had any thought about your film crew?”
George isn’t referring to the production team or the filming team. They are provided by Lucasfilm. He is talking about the experts in various field that required for your film. As Speed is an action film with explosion, you would need an explosion expert. If you want a custom theme song, you would need a composer.
These are people you must negotiate on your own. George could help in this regard, but you will have to do it yourself if you ever want to produce your own movie one day.
“Yes. I have, uncle George. I will gather them up as soon as possible.”
George simply nods. “See that you do. Once the casting and preparation is done, the filming will begin. These are the easy part.”
You agree with him wholeheartedly. Marketing and distribution sound easy for those outsiders, but it is extremely complicated and difficult, especially for someone like you, who has little to no connection.
Without George Lucas and his company, Lucasfilm supporting you, your filmmaking career will hit a roadblock. This the reason why major companies like 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros can make or break a director.
You talk to George Lucas more about your responsibilities before he bids you farewell. Unlike you, he has a lot of work and coordination to do.
Since George is investing 5 million in your movie plus 10 million for its marketing and distribution, he is treating this like a serious business.
You are thankful that he did.
You head to your car while thinking about who you should go fetch first. You would like the people on your team to be around your age. If they too much your senior, they will treat you like a kid. You also like to continue working with them after your first film becomes a box office success.
They could help you build your company and share in the glory.
You decide to fetch Mark from Ocean Way Recording. You have work with him recently, and he seems to have a very good ears for music.
Once you are in your car and left Lucasfilm. Your mobile phone starts to ring. You check who is calling and almost let out a snort.
You decide to pick up the phone in the end.
“Hello. What can I do for you Mr. Robinson?”