After an entire month and a half, they were now shooting the final bits of the movie. The end of the movie includes how Mia and Sebastian are being portrayed as husband and wife in their imaginations, but Ian was very smart during the shootings of scenes that needed to be included in the movie-like story in the end.
La La Land is something that has a very sad ending. Which can crush one's heart and longings because of how good their love story is. But also, in reality, it is true that not every lover gets a happy ending. In the movie, Mia who becomes a successful actress marries David, who in the end is shown with Mia and her three-year-old kid.
The film literally enters 'La La Land' at the very end. When Sebastian is playing his and Mia's tune on the piano, both he and Mia imagine what their relationship could've been. The audience gets to see what the film would've been like if it were a traditional, full-blown musical. The atmosphere is larger-than-life and dreamlike. Both of the leads get what they want (including each other). Everything is happy and perfect. When the melody ends, the audience is brought back to reality and reminded that the 'epilogue' they just witnessed was all a daydream.
Now, they were trying to shoot the scene where David and Mia come out of the car and see Sebastian playing (Mia's and His) theme song.
"This is the final scene you have to do, as Sebastian and Mia's ending has already been shot. Let's all focus on David, our famous actor, Niall Austin," Ian said while everyone clapped and some others smiled.
Niall Austin was a top actor who decided to take part in the last scene at the request of Ian Renner. Since Ian was now famous, Niall willingly agreed. It would only bring more fame to La La Land even though the role was small. Even if people complained how Niall, the famous comedy-romance actor should be Sebastian, Ian knew it wouldn't have been any better than how it is, with Ryan's acting skills.
"So the scene is, our Sebastian will be playing the piano inside, and David and Mia will 'coincidently' stumble upon the jazz club. David, you should look more than enthusiastic to listen to good jazz, but Mia, your facial expressions should show sadness, with a slight hint of happiness, because Mia is proud of Sebastian, but most importantly, I want Mia to hold her ground. She is not the same at first, and we all saw it during all the scenes how she faced so many things, the camera focus will be more on Mia than Sebastian," Ian said while they all nodded.
"Let's start in 10," Ian said while telling them to get ready. As they have already shot scenes from the road traffic, they only had to do the part where they get into the club.
[....] "Action!" Ian said and everyone got into the role.
The cameras were set everywhere and Ian was expecting them to shoot the scene as quickly as possible since it was getting late, and he wanted to talk to the crew.
The scene started, Mia and David parked the car. Mia stepped out wearing a black dress and David in a nice black matching suit gets out as well. A leafy street. A few open restaurants and bars, and a few other closed storefronts. They started walking, arm in arm. All was quiet.
Then -- Mia's ears perk up. David looked at Mia, then at the club, they both shared a smile that they knew. She heard something. Music… So does he. She looked around and saw people standing in front of the bar but doesn't see where the music is coming from.
The irony of the story is how it led to Mia and Sebastian meet. The first and last time Mia and Sebastian meet are both because of traffic, one of the most recognizable things about LA. They pass by each other in a traffic jam at the beginning of the film. The last time they meet is also due to a traffic jam; Mia and her husband miss a friend's premiere because of traffic and decide to go to dinner instead, followed by a visit to Sebastian's jazz club.
Mia was walking with David. They head to the end of the block and then saw a few people entering a store just up ahead. It seemed to be where the music was coming from... She heads over, curious, David was following from behind. The music grew louder -- a JAZZ COMBO... Mia peeked in through the doorway. David looked at her, and while she turns back to look at him again, Mia smiled showing her teeth.
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"Do you wanna check it out?" David asked.
"Sure," Mia replied.
"Cut!" Ian shouted. "Nuh huh, Mia should keep looking at the bar, curiosity at its peak. The 'sure' should sound almost in a whisper. Take it lightly where two people who love anonymity go into a bar, to see where the music comes from, are we ready? One more shot?" Ian said while the others nod their heads and clap. It has become a thing to clap and cheer for the actors who are on the set to do their part nicely.
Mia and David went back into their positions where they started and walked back towards the camera again.
"Sure," Mia whispered and went inside the bar followed by David.
"Cut! Let's move on to the final parts, shall we?" Ian said and smiled. Everyone went inside the bar and the audience filled up with actors and actresses.
[..] After explaining what the scene was going to be like, they started to shoot. It was about Mia and David, her husband who was in his mid-thirties. They both come inside following the music they hear and after they come down the stairs, Mia looks shocked.
SEB'S
It was in a huge neon light decorated font in front of the club. She knew what she needed to expect once she went inside. She and Sebastian had talked over and over about what the name of the club that Sebastian starts should be. It was all part of the plan, where Mia understood whose club that is, the second she saw it.
Once they started going in, Mia heard different people saying.
"I love it,"
"It's so good,"
She still looked bewildered. Then the camera focused on people who seemed to be enjoying themselves. The door opens. A man with a drumstick bag in hand hurried in. The place has gotten more crowded. Piano, drums, bass set up, and a trumpeter was ready with his horn. Quite a few of the seats were then occupied. Young jazz fans, older players, and more passers-by were trickling in from the outside.
After a half spin, it focused on Mia's X strapped dress back. David gave Mia a drink and they both sat down in the third row.
After they got seated, there is a round of applause and everyone looked happy with what they got to listen to. They were feeling good and it was prominent that everyone was enjoying themselves.
It was a cool, excited crowd -- with a range of ages and styles. Sebastian nodded to the musicians, then addresses the audience. Yes, it was Sebastian's appearance for Mia after ages.
Sebastian who walked toward the stage stood right in front of the mic and announced,
"Cal Bennett on sax!
Javier Gonzalez on trumpet
The lovely Nedra Wheeler on Bazz!
The one and only Clifton 'Fou-Fou' Eddie on drums!
so good he's gonna own this place if I'm not careful, Khirye Tyler, everybody." Sebastian said as he pointed at the piano player.
Everyone clapped at the introductions and Sebastian, who was focused on the artists in his band, turned his head to look at the audience. That was when he saw Mia, his smile slightly wilting.
"On Mia," Ian said and Niko focused the other camera on Mia's face. Mia seems petrified. Like she doesn't know what she's doing here, or if she should be here at all. She averts her gaze again.
"Uh… Welcome to Seb's." Sebastian said and took his seat in front of the piano. Camera-02 was still focused on Mia and was capturing her every emotion. Eloise was perfectly playing her role.
Sebastian looked back down at the keys. Time for the next tune. He seemed uncertain -- perhaps unsure what to play. He looked at Mia and took the sight in. Then he looked at his fellow musicians and whispered something to them. Then he turned back to his keys -- and finally started playing. A quieter tune, just piano, soft and tender and melancholic. A melody instantly recognizable to the audience and to Mia…
It's Mia and Sebastian's song.
"Cut!" Ian interrupted. "Can we get it one more time, because…"
[After the shooting, they were talking in the club itself]
"Now that it's over, tomorrow there'll be a wrap-up party, the details should already be in your inbox," Ian said and smiled. Everyone was feeling very emotional. The moments, days, and every second they spent were full of joy, but some part of them was glad it was finally over because it was tiring.
"Can I ask you something?" David or else Niall asked.
"Shoot," Ian replied, writing things on his notepad. Special notes related to the next step, editing.
"Why is it, 'La La Land'?" He asked.
"Hmm… The origin of the title is because of two reasons. Firstly the city the film is set in is Los Angeles, or in short form: LA. Hence the city is evident in the title 'La La Land' Secondly the film challenges the stereotypical view of Hollywood by labeling it a dream. This is also seen through the abstract cinematography. "La-La Land" is also a long-standing nickname for Hollywood, L.A. because of the faux-reality feeling of a city filled with so many films & shows being made (constantly creating faux-realities), and because it is populated by so many actors and actresses there for the same reason: to fulfill a dream. It is often used to differentiate it from other places, "more" rooted in reality."