Chapter 135: The Letter D
Chapter 135: The Letter D
Eric returned to his seat. Two minutes later, filming began again.
This acting scene opposite each other lasted more than three minutes. Of course, it could not possibly be filmed in one breath. Eric divided the three-minute scene into seven shots, each averaging less than thirty seconds, and he strove to make every shot reach a perfect state. As a result, the number of NGs far exceeded the other shots filmed over the past few days.
Cruise and Hanks also gradually seemed to realize something. Their demands on their own performances became stricter and stricter. By the end, they were clearly competing with each other. Sometimes, when Eric felt the effect was already acceptable, Cruise or Hanks would take the initiative to point out flaws in their own performances and request another take.
Eric was very happy to see this. The next time the two stars collaborated, who knew how long they would have to wait? Perhaps there would never be another chance to work together again. Therefore, Eric also wanted to leave behind a perfect scene between them in this film.
“Cut…”
After another NG, Eric looked at his watch. Since the final scene started, more than an hour had passed, and only five of the three-minute scene’s seven shots had been completed. The two most important final shots, Andy’s one-minute persuasion, had not yet been filmed.
But it was already quitting time. Looking at Cruise and Hanks, who were still sparking fiercely off each other, and Joe Pesci, who had waited almost an hour to play the Head Inspector of the Major Crimes Unit, Eric reminded them, “It’s already quitting time, gentlemen.”
After saying that, Eric looked expectantly at Cruise and Hanks. As someone who was Eastern at heart, he had no aversion to overtime. He even felt it was somewhat natural. He also wanted to work an extra hour and finish all of these shots, so he hoped the two would take the initiative to propose extending work to complete this scene.
But Eric discovered he had seriously underestimated Europeans and Americans’ obsession with the eight-hour workday. After hearing him say this, Cruise and Hanks, who had originally still been eager to continue, immediately left character. They stood up and shook hands with a smile, their expressions carrying the feeling of having met a worthy opponent. Then they each greeted Eric and began packing up to leave. From beginning to end, they had absolutely no intention of working overtime.
Eric silently complained, but could only shrug helplessly and announce that the crew was wrapping for the day.
Only afterward did Eric finally find time to walk over to Joe Pesci. “Sorry, Joe. I made you wait for nothing for an hour.”
Joe Pesci shook his head without minding at all and said in his distinctive voice, “It’s nothing, Eric. I also watched a whole hour of brilliant acting from the side just now. I’m even starting to worry my performance won’t be satisfactory.”
“You don’t need to worry about that at all. I think the one who should be worried is Hanks. I feel he could be upstaged by the character you play at any time. Your character’s lines and action design are too funny.”
“That’s true. But I haven’t acted in a comedy before. You know, the films I appeared in before, Raging Bull, Once Upon a Time in America, and the more recent Man on Fire, weren’t comedies.”
“Joe, I actually think you’re more suited to comedy. Perhaps after this film, you’ll discover your comedic talent. To be honest, you know Home Alone, right? When I was filming that movie, the actor I thought would best suit the older burglar, Harry, was you.”
Joe Pesci’s eyes widened slightly. He felt Eric had no reason to deceive him over such a small detail. That was Home Alone, a Home Alone whose box office was about to break three hundred million dollars.
“Then, then why…” Joe Pesci made a meaningless gesture in disappointment. Of course he understood what missing Home Alone meant.
Eric understood what he meant and helplessly spread his hands. “Because I couldn’t afford you at the time. Home Alone’s budget was too small.”
“Maybe… you could have tried inviting me first.”
“You know that was impossible. If I had offered you the twenty-thousand-dollar pay that Harry’s actor in the current film received, you definitely would have rejected it without even thinking.”
Joe Pesci understood that this was indeed the truth. Although he was not an especially famous actor, he had at least received a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Unless he could predict the future, he definitely would not have accepted a twenty-thousand-dollar salary. Shaking his head, Joe Pesci finally said, “That… really is a pity.”
“Alright, let’s not talk about this. Aren’t we already getting a chance to work together now?”
“This is really… Eric, bringing this up now is completely making sure I won’t sleep well tonight. I actually missed such a good opportunity.”
“Everyone misses thousands upon thousands of opportunities in their life, so this doesn’t count for much. Go back, wash your face, brush your teeth, take a bath, and if that still doesn’t work, have a little drink. Sleep once, and you’ll forget it.” Eric patted Joe Pesci’s shoulder to comfort him.
“How could I possibly forget?” Joe Pesci rolled his eyes at Eric, then shook his head. “Forget it, I’m going back first. This really is…”
Seeing Joe Pesci leave in disappointment, Eric began to regret telling him this news. He had originally only wanted to use this small matter to get a little closer to Joe Pesci.
Hopefully, for the next period of time, Joe Pesci would not transform into Xianglin’s Wife and repeatedly mutter things like “I actually missed Home Alone.”
After arranging everything, Eric was about to leave when he saw Martin Brest, the director of Scent of a Woman, at the soundstage entrance. The assistant behind him was holding a thick stack of folders.
Eric knew what was inside with one glance. After greeting him, Eric asked, “Martin, didn’t we agree the shortlist would only be confirmed the day after tomorrow? Why so soon?”
“Sorry, Eric. The original plan was indeed the day after tomorrow, but for various reasons, the screening was finished two days early. Al also wants to start filming as soon as possible, so I could only wait for you here.”
“Why didn’t Al come?” Eric asked curiously.
Martin explained, “Al has already started studying the role. These few days, he’s adapting to the living habits of a blind man. He specifically told me not to disturb him.”
Eric nodded to show he understood. After thinking for a moment, he pointed at a Passat parked not far from Martin. “Is that your car?”
Martin nodded.
“Then let’s talk in the car. I happen to be going to Malibu. Is it convenient to send me there?”
“Of course, no problem.”
Several people got into the car. Eric gave the address, and Martin’s assistant started the vehicle.
In the back seat, Eric first opened the shortlist for one of the most important protagonists, high school student Charlie Simms.
Martin explained beside him, “Eric, these are all excellent young actors who passed two rounds of auditions. Because there are many high school student roles in the film, there are thirty candidates in total. After you choose Charlie Simms’ actor, we can directly select Charlie’s classmates from the remaining list.”
“Mm.” Eric pulled the thick stack of documents out of the folder and casually asked, “Right, how is Miss Gabrielle Anwar, the one I introduced?”
Martin felt that the petite girl might have some connection with Eric, so he explained in detail. “After her role was confirmed, the girl went back to England for a few days, but she returned very quickly. She’s currently staying at a hotel on Wilshire Boulevard. Right, when you unexpectedly fell unconscious that day, she also went to visit you. Eric, do you need her hotel address?”
“No need.” Eric had only asked casually. He scanned the list. The thirty candidates were arranged alphabetically by surname, so among the names beginning with D, Eric immediately saw two Hollywood superstar names side by side.