Hollywood What If

[Shout out to Wanja A., Marcelo M., and Chris C!]

Hollywood What If Chapter 106

"Okay, let's reshoot this scene. Harold, your expression is a little nervous. Just act like you are talking casually."

"O- Okay."

Fremont Smith was the one in the director's chair this time. 

Kazir promised to give the man a chance to improve his skills. So far Fremont was doing well. He had what it took to control the crew and he was calm under pressure. He had chosen the right man. 

Or rather, Salvatore chose the right person.

Fremont Smith was one of Salvatore's clients. The young African-American man had not yet reached the status of a director, but he had enough ability to control the crew. 

If being a director doesn't work out, he can be a producer.

Well, everything depends on the future. One thing was for sure, Kazir was the type to make sure his crew would rise from the rank. 

Right now, Kazir Grey and Harold Witsend were joining the cast as cameos.

There was a scene where Bryan Mills entered a store to buy a gift for his daughter. While he was there, Kazir decided to insert this scene. 

"Harold, just think of yourself as an extra. You don't have to be nervous. We only have three seconds of screen time at best."

Kazir added.

"I-I understand."

"Okay, scene 1, act 8, begin!"

Fremont announced and the set fell silent. The films rolled and Liam Neeson entered the scene as Bryan Mills. 

He walked for a few seconds and passed a table where two people were talking. 

"Kazir, we don't have enough budget to add that scene. I think the car chase scene is enough." 

Harold did his best to keep a straight face. He showed Kazir some documents. 

"I think it's feasible."

"Feasible? We don't have enough money!"

Harold pounded his fists on the table. 

"Cut!"

Fremont announced. 

"Let's see." Fremont watched the shot again and found it worthy. 

"Okay, let's wrap it up."

"Phew..."

Harold sighed in relief at the approval. 

"You had 8 NGs. Not bad." Kazir praised him.

"Not bad my ass. Anyway, are you sure you want to include this cameo in the final cut?"

"It all depends." 

Kazir was not sure, to be honest. He knew that Stan Lee had comeos in many Marvel movies... Kazir copied those tidbits as well. 

"But what about our conversation? Why did you add those nonsense lines in the first place?"

"I'll just turn the volume down and mix it into the background."

"Okay, you're the director, not me. Sigh... I really want to get back on the props crew and make props again." 

"Sorry, you're probably going to be in that position for a long long time."

"Just make sure my salary is right."

The producers could have a share of the profits, depending on the contract. Kazir would never betray his friends. 

As for the cameo, he might have to decide once post-production started. If Taken became a box office hit, he would have to do cameos to keep the audience entertained. 

'When I saw Black Panther in the theater, the audience started screaming with joy when they saw Stan Lee's cameo in the casino. I hope to get that reaction.'

There was a trend in the MCU to find Stan Lee's cameo in every movie.

'I'm not sure which movie Stan Lee's cameo started, but it's really entertaining.'

After their cameo scene ended, Kazir took over the director's chair and resumed filming. They only had to shoot a few scenes and the filming would be over. Maybe in two weeks they could start post-production. 

The crew have enough money to hire an editor and a sound director. Maybe they could hire a movie composer along the way. Although it would be impossible to hire Hans Zimmer. The budget was not enough...

'Harold is definitely not lying when he says that the budget is not enough.'

Kazir chuckled. 

"Kazir, there's someone trying to contact you."

Erica Mendez was holding a phone. This was a business phone for people who wanted to inquire about Kazir. 

"Who is it this time?"

Based on Kazir's question, this was not the first time this had happened. 

Today, more than three people contacted him about his script. Some of them wanted to hire him as a screenwriter or director for their upcoming movies. However, all the projects were comedy related. Kazir's talent for comedy was cemented after Napoleon Dynamite II. 

Almost two weeks (June 16, 1997) have passed and Napoleon Dynamite II has currently earned $70.19 million at the box office. 

As for its rival, Con Air, it grossed $51.74 million. The two movies were released on the same day, but the difference was obvious. 

The $80 million movie was crushed by a $10 million movie. While Napoleon Dynamite II was turning a profit, Con Air was still hoping to cross the threshold. 

"It's chairman Michael Eisner of Walt Disney."

Speaking of Walt Disney, Michael Eisner was definitely disappointed with the performance of Con Air. Casting a superstar like Nicholas Cage caused the budget to go way up. 

'In my opinion, $51 million is not bad for a two-week gross. It's a success. But with Napoleon Dynamite II coming out at the same time, they could not help but compare the two.'

In that respect, Napoleon Dynamite II was better. 

"Give me the phone."

Kazir could not leave Walt Disney's chairman hanging on the phone.

"Hello, Mr. Eisner."

"Kazir, I hope I'm not disturbing you. I heard you were filming."

"No, you are not disturbing me.

Kazir lied. 

"Haha, that's good to hear. By the way, we are having a party tomorrow, I hope you can come."

'... Did I hear it right? The chairman of Walt Disney personally invited me to a party?'

"I can't refuse an invitation from someone like you, Mr. Eisner."

"Hm, that's good to hear."

The call ended. 

'Party? But I didn't know why they were having a party. Are they celebrating Con Air? Maybe it's a party to celebrate Ransom, which was released last year.'