After the exhausting and wonderful work trip, they were ready. More than anything, they were ready to help Ian with his next project. Help; is an understatement. For the amazing moments they got to experience, every one of them was ready to help with Avatar.
Currently, the bunch of travellers, who had thrilling adventures for almost a month, were ready to head back to Los Angeles.
The trip made each one of them go through different lives individually.
Lucas, who had become closer to Ian opened up completely and Ian finally considered him a friend. Ian sympathized with him due to how Lucas shared many stories he faced in the industry.
“Ian, thank you so much for the pseudo vacation you were able to give my crew. For how they had been working for the past few years, I think they totally deserve this vacation,” Lucas said while they were seated in the airport waiting for their flight to call in.
“It’s really no problem, I hope everyone else feels the same, considering how they got to experience a completely different experience apart from just looking at computer screens and making the invisible visible the whole day,” Ian said.
“Yeah… Well, it had been truly a great pleasure to meet you and know you, Ian. This actually was like a huge escape from the death-wishing work we get daily, and the past two weeks were just…. So good,” Lucas said walking with Ian and dragging his luggage behind him.
“Well, this was work too. I’m looking forward to working with you more in the upcoming years. The thing is that this would not be the last project we both get to work on. Instead, this would be the first for many more, and the team you have is really talented, would be of great help,” Ian said walking towards the checkpoint.
-
Finally, they returned to Los Angeles and what Ian had in mind was achieved. Throughout the trip, Ian wanted to show how fun even the work can be, and it was successful considering Raelynn decided to join Renner Studio permanently—yes, it was an initial shock for everyone, but then, it made a hell lot of sense.
“What do you mean by joining Renner Studio? Didn’t you sign the deal with Goofy?” Lucas questioned in front of everyone.
Raelynn was tying her shoelace, and when she released the bomb on the news, everyone was dumbfounded. Everyone including Ian.
“No. Before I join, Max over there had told me how they con about the document. So I made my lawyer go through it. And as we predicted—” She stood up from the seat. “As we predicted, there were two clauses including how I should work for five years. I had them cut it off, and honestly, I’ve been hating what I was doing for the past couple of months. I think this can be a good opportunity,” Raelynn said looking at Ian.
Max shrugged when some pairs of eyes turned towards him, “I couldn’t lie to her, she is such a sweetheart. So I just said the truth because it would be great if at least one person would not get trapped,” he said being honest.
“Well then, if she thinks so, I think we could make arrangements, right Niko?” Ian questioned for which Niko agreed immediately.
“Yeah, welcome to Renner Studio,” Mason who heard the story said and walked away because their flight was called.
Just like that, Raelynn changed her decision about working in Goofy for any longer—for good.
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The VFX department head wanted the same opportunity to knock on his door. Not just the head, but also everyone else. But due to the fact he had to work in Goody, he couldn’t. Yet, to his luck, he made good friends with Ian. This also means that all the VFX-requiring movies that Ian makes with Goofy would be done by Lucas and his team.
Knowing the stress, exhaustion and everything, Ian gave one week off to all the people who had the trip. Knowing that the CEO of Goofy would not allow the team to have a break, Ian had to talk to him about it personally.
[At Goofy CEO’s office]
“What do you mean by a break? They just came from a break?” Jeff, the CEO questioned.
“Well, Mr. Sanson, even right now I’m pretty tired after the trip. And trust me when I say they did more work than I ever did on trip. In every destination, they had to build so many things and shoot everything that was important for the movie. And regarding that, I think we’ll start the shootings right away after a week. I’d need the VFX department to work day and night because of that,” Ian explained and gave a hint that they would not get any more free time.
“Ah! I see, yes yes sure then, hope you had fun, Ian, how about the casting?” He questioned right away.
“It’s settled. Don’t worry about it,”
“Hmm… So, does this mean that the shooting will begin?” He questioned.
“Yes, things would start as I said.”
-
After a week, they were finally settled to start shooting Avatar. Mason had finalized the deal with Zoe Saldana as she adored the character she was going to play, and she had mentioned that even the theme of the movie was fresh and unique which would increase her fan base more.
Although there was the screen test to do, Ian had mentioned that Zoe would suit the role nevertheless based on her first-day performance, and the contract was given right after.
The VFX department had built the motion and emotion capture suits for the actors so that their emotions can be imprinted on their final Avatar renditions.
For Jake Sully, also known as Tommy in Avatar, Ian chose an A-grade actor for the role. He had the smile of Sam Worthington and was unbelievably talented in the audition he gave. Liam Greyson was a thirty-year-old man who had so much experience in the field, but this was the first time he was going to act in a movie where the VFX process was longer than the filming process.
[Day of Screentest]
The studio was prepared to get the screentest of Liam and Zoe. There was another hour left till Ian was about to come to the studio, and at that time, Liam and Zoe had already become friends.
In the studio, Mason, Niko, Raelynn and a few other people from the crew were present to make sure the screen test would go smoothly. During the screen test, if either one of them didn’t match the chemistry of another, the casting director—Ian might have to make decisions on changing the actor or actress.
“I actually find this part interesting,” Liam said and showed the script to Zoe.
“I know right, this is such a unique storyline and I’m quite confident that I could pull off the character,” She said with a smile.
“Hope so too,”
“Good morning everyone!” Ian said walking inside the studio with a bunch of papers in his hand.
“Didn’t expect to see you sooner, Good morning!” Mason greeted.
“Yeah, it was quicker than I had expected. Anyway, let’s start in 30 minutes, Zoe, Liam, practiced the part?” Ian asked, walking closer to them.
[...] After a few seconds, it started and they were in front of the camera acting the part that was given by Ian; Ian gave the part which Sam Worthington himself had acted for the screentest.
He had hoped that the actor would fit the male lead, considering how similar he looked to Sam. Nevertheless, right after the command was given he took off as the character, surprising everyone.
He looked straight at the camera lens and practiced his dialogues first.
“Look, um, I know you probably don't understand this. But -- thanks. Thank you. I owe you.” Liam said looking at the camera and looking down during times.
“I would have been screwed if you hadn't come along –”
“That’d be enough! Liam, good going! So the thing is, next we’d take a test where both of you can get into the role and act it. With the dialogues… In the first part, Liam should bend down, look at the creature who is already on the floor, and sound very cautious yet grateful for the help she did. Okay? You should look at the girl like… ‘What on Earth is this creature’… And you understand what I’m saying right? Let’s take a shot and see how it goes…!” Ian said while Liam got ready and Niko was already rolling the camera.
“Action!”
As soon as Ian’s word slipped out, Liam kept looking at Zoe with his back bent at 90 degrees angle, and eyes looking confused, cautious, and scared.
“Look, um, I know you probably won’t understand this. But–thanks you yeah- Thank you. I would have been screwed if you hadn’t come along—”
“Okay, cut! That’s a good one, next, let’s test Zoe and Liam both on the screen. Zoe, I explained to you before right… This is going to be exactly like that, and I want the interaction to feel strange and totally from two worlds, are we clear?”
Thus, the project of Avatar began.