Chapter 165: Not absent

Time gradually entered March. After the trivial matters were temporarily handed over to Nancy Josephson, Duke and the editor Mike Dawson regrouped at Warner Studios to start the post-production work of "Saving Private Ryan". In addition to the post-production staff, he also brought Zach Schneider and Sofia Coppola, who had ended their short vacation.
These two people are also quite willing to participate in the post-production of the film, after all, they can accumulate experience for their future.
In fact, Duke knows very well that he cannot keep Zach Schneider and Sophia Coppola for a long time. As long as those who enter this circle and want to become directors, few are willing to serve as assistants to others forever, as long as there are suitable ones. Opportunity is bound to fly solo.
This is something that neither James Cameron nor Steven Spielberg can avoid. Duke can only plan ahead and ask Nancy to find a suitable replacement. At the same time, Sophia announces the recruitment, although Zach Schneider And Sofia Coppola will not have a very suitable opportunity in the short term, but we must give newcomers some time to exercise and run-in.
At the beginning of this month, Duke finished another thing, after paying a certain fee, he officially became a member of the Directors Guild. The reason why he has been delayed until now is not for other reasons, but he forgot.
Although Hollywood also has George Lucas √♀, he was angry and quit the Directors Guild, and did not join and become a director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences until retirement, but Duke did not intend to learn George Lucas and joined the director. The benefits of the association are far more than the restrictions.
Like not going to touch cults, Duke never thought about staying away from mainstream movies.
In the editing room, Duke gathered Mike Dawson, Sophia Coppola, Zach Schneider, and several other assistants together to prepare a brief meeting.
Duke first reiterated the concept of editing, which is completely different from the past.
"Completely give up the fast and sharp editing method! Cut the shots with traditional techniques! There will be a lot of long shots in the film, and a lot of hand-held photography is used when shooting. I want the almost real sense of lens shaking, we want Treat it as a documentary-type war documentary!"
If you still use the editing methods of the first three films, then this film is bound to become a disaster.
With the addition of Zach Schneider and Sofia Coppola, Duke was relatively relaxed, and for the next ten days, several people worked together under Duke's leadership. Finished 5 and a half hours of initial cut samples, and then more tedious fine cutting work.
At the same time, special effects that were outsourced to Industrial Light and Magic began to be produced.
Since more than 99% of the footage of the film was taken in real scenes, the places where computer special effects were needed were extremely limited. The special effects team of Industrial Light & Magic did not join until then to complete a few computer special effects scenes.
For the soundtrack, Duke found John Williams, and the other party didn't want to work with him. After all, Duke's movies did not meet the old man's appetite. But after watching the movie script and the remuneration offered by the studio, coupled with the long-term partner who is busy opening DreamWorks, John Williams still signed a contract relatively happily.
Determine the editing concept and have a team that cooperates fairly well. The special effects production and soundtrack are all taken care of by the top people in the industry. The entire post-production is much smoother than the "Independence Day" that dragged on for more than four months.
The relatively smooth work also made the atmosphere of the studio a lot easier, during breaks. You can also sit and talk about gossip in the circle.
"Have you heard, Duke?"
Sitting together and enjoying afternoon tea. Zach Schneider squeezed his eyes at Duke suddenly, "Sophie Marceau has come to Los Angeles, and I heard that she wants to shift her career focus to Hollywood."
"I saw her once."
Putting down the teacup, Duke nodded, "It seems to have happened two weeks ago."
The other three people, including the new assistant Tina Fei, looked at him. As an insider, I seem to know Duke very well.
"Don't look at me with that look."
Inadvertently poured black tea for himself, Duke turned a blind eye to their eyes, "I just met at PricewaterhouseCoopers and just chatted a few words."
"Is it possible?" Sophia doubted.
"I think it's possible."
The defender for Duke turned out to be Zach Schneider. He explained, "It is said that Sophie Marceau will sign caa, and her main agent will be Martin Bob."
No wonder! Duke murmured with a voice that he could only hear, when he wondered when Sophie Marceau, who was known for his bold and unrestrained nature, became a chaste woman in a loyal marriage. It turned out that the problem was here.
His disagreement with Caa is not a secret in Hollywood. Sophie Marceau must have used Caa as an aid to his development in Hollywood, not wanting to get too close to his enemy of Caa.
"I think this is her loss!"
Mike Dawson used a completely ridiculous tone, "Right, Duke?"
"Everyone has the right to choose, right?"
Pointing to these guys, Duke didn’t bother to listen to their teasing. He didn’t have that kind of—you don’t stand on my side, you stand on the opposite side of me—thoughts, and there is no mental retardation in him. Halo, it is normal for Sophie Marceau to choose caa, which seems more beneficial to her future development.
These actresses, especially those who have worked hard for many years and have become famous, none of them are simple goods. Maybe they will have with others because of goodwill, but when it comes to their own interests, they will definitely choose the best for them. The side.
Under Duke's intentional guidance, the topic of several people turned away from women and discussed the upcoming Oscars.
"Unfortunately, the person sitting here," Mike Dawson joked with a serious tone. "I am the only one who has been nominated for an Oscar."
"Cut!" Zach Schneider waved his hand in disdain.
"Don't forget, Zach!" Mike Dawson stretched out and shook them in front of Zach Schneider. "I have been nominated for best editing twice."
Everyone laughed. Mike Dawson is indeed the only person in this team who has won an Oscar nomination. He won two best editing nominations for "Life and Death" and "Break into Death Island". But in the end they all returned empty-handed.
As for the others, let alone the Oscar statuettes, I haven't even touched the nominated side.
"If we finish this movie well." Sophia's eyes seemed to light up a lot. "Will I be nominated for a few Oscars? Or even bring back a few Oscars? This year is the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II!"
"Then make the film more in line with the taste of the college." Mike Dawson seems to have some experience, "to reduce explosions and war scenes, increase the display of personal emotions and narrative shots. It is best to slow down the pace."
"No, we won't do this!" Duke directly shook his head and vetoed it, "This is a war commercial film. No matter what the award season, it must first meet the viewing needs of the summer file. My narrative rhythm has been slow enough. If you slow down, it will seriously affect the viewing effect."
"I agree with Duke!"
In this regard, Zach Schneider and Duke obviously have more common languages. "If our film market does not have enough influence, we will soon be eliminated by Hollywood!"
"But the Oscar is the most authoritative award in the industry!"
Sophia raised her voice slightly, Duke shook his head, and changed the subject, "Or tell me which film you are most optimistic about won."
It is difficult to reconcile ideological differences, and this kind of dispute has always existed.
Mike Dawson had a tacit understanding and said immediately, "I think "Forrest Gump" will become the biggest winner."
"I am also optimistic about "Forrest Gump." Sophia echoed.
"I think "Forrest Gump" has a great chance of winning."
The opinions of everyone are surprisingly unanimous. Zach Schneider added, "I think Quentin Tastino's "Pulp Fiction" is also good."
"How about you. Duke?"
"Forrest Gump!" Duke said.
This can be said to be the opinion of most people outside the industry on this Oscar. "Forrest Gump" is definitely the biggest hit. Even the most cautious forecasting agency thinks "Forrest Gump" will win two to two. Three heavyweight awards.
"Why is no one optimistic about "Shawshank's Redemption"?"
The person who asked the question was Tina Fei, who had never spoken much. She blinked her eyes full of curiosity, "This film has won nine nominations second only to Forrest Gump."
Duke did not answer. Instead, he looked at Sophia. As a veteran from a film family, Sophia Coppola briefly explained.
"This Oscar is likely to be upset, but the upset will definitely not appear in "Shawshank's Redemption". Even the gangster film "Pulp Fiction" is more likely to win than it! That's right. "Shawshank's Redemption" "It is about the college's favorite theme of freedom and hope, but it has chosen to use a most unpleasant theme and method to tell this theme!"
After drinking a cup of black tea, Sophia said unhurriedly,
Compared with Forrest Gump, it won’t have any advantage in the eyes of the judges of the college, just like Duke’s Independence Day. The award season is as unreliable as the Academy Award nomination."
She gave Duke an apologetic smile and continued, "I think even if it is not in this edition, even if there is no big hit "Forrest Gump", "Shawshank's Redemption" will be postponed or appear in the Oscars a few years earlier. The most likely thing is to accompany you."
Tina Fei made a suddenly realized expression, and Mike Dawson and Zach Schneider nodded in agreement, apparently agreeing with Sophia's opinion.
Duke retracted the corner of his eye from Tina Fei. This is a very clever woman who knows how to please these senior people and is also actively participating.
That's good, if you find an idiot as an assistant, Duke will not be able to stand the first one.
Looking at his watch, the break was almost over. Before entering the editing room, Duke remembered one more thing, "This Sunday afternoon, I will have a party after I move."
"We will not be absent." (To be continued...)
ps: I'm a bit busy lately. I have to go to other places in the past two days. I can only update automatically. It's still two updates a day!