The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 988 Building the Framework
As a bystander, it is not difficult to point fingers and say that the script should be like this or the movie should be like that. Everyone has a mouth.

But as a real participant, you will soon find that things may be more difficult than you imagined.

How to establish a structure and how to set up the plot within the framework without appearing clichéd or exaggerated; how to effectively combine the plot with the characters while complementing the main line; and most importantly, to ensure the narrative rhythm and ensure that the popcorn thrills are not forgotten.

To some extent, creating commercial genre films is more difficult than art films.

For art films, it is enough to focus on the creator's own expression. If it is not good, it means that the creator did not express it clearly or failed to arouse resonance. But this is not the case with genre films. How to find a balance between one's own characteristics and popular trends is an eternal theme.

So, there is a saying in Hollywood.

Everyone thinks that the script of "Titanic" is simple and not difficult at all. Even Hollywood screenwriters with a little self-pursuit look down on it; but the point is that no one can write a second "Titanic".

Think about it carefully, twenty years later, the global box office champion has changed hands. "Avatar" and "Avengers 4" have both surpassed "Titanic"; and this is even more so in North America. The box office figures of "Star Wars 7", "Spider-Man: No Way Home", "Top Gun 2", "Black Panther" and other works have also surpassed "Titanic" in all aspects. The benchmark that was once thought to be unsurpassed has finally been surpassed.

However, none of them is "Titanic", at least from the script level, and only "Avatar" is neither a sequel nor an adaptation.

So, is the script of "Titanic" simple?

Simple, yet not simple.

At least, Anson believes that writing a script is not such a simple thing.

During the production phase of "The Butterfly Effect", Anson had a rough experience, but at that time, the parts that needed to be modified were limited and did not require any major changes. Although it was difficult, it was not beyond imagination. However, at present, although the framework has not been changed, some major parts will inevitably need to be touched.

Difficult, difficult beyond imagination.

Even if you are mentally prepared, the actual process of advancement is still extremely difficult.

Over the past few months, Anson has been working with the screenwriter team to try to find a balance to improve the quality of the film.

Until the last moment when the crew was ready to start filming, the script was still not 100%.

However, such things are common in Hollywood. Anson experienced it once when filming "Eternal Love" not long ago, so he is now experienced.

Sam Raimi pushed the script in Anson's direction.

"Would you like to read it yourself, or should we discuss it?"

Anson reached out and touched the script. He could still feel the temperature on it and knew immediately that these scripts must have just been printed.

Anson looked at Sam, "A little uneasy."

"From your tone, it sounds like my opinion was not adopted in the end. It seems that my weight is still not enough."

knock knock.

Someone was knocking on the door again.

Noah looked at the door and asked, "Do you need me to guard outside?"

Anson laughed, "You are not a door god, there is no need to worry." Then he said loudly, "Please come in."

"Wow, am I showing up at a bad time? The boys are partying?" Kirsten Dunst poked her head out of the door and looked left and right.

Anson waved his hand. "Just right, timed it right. Much smarter than James."

On the side, the shameless James had already sat down cross-legged beside them, looking at Anson and Sam curiously as if nothing had happened.

Hearing Anson's words, James turned to look at Kristen, "Anson has been discussing the script with the crew. Did you know about this?" Kristen also came in and took a quick look at the space inside the trailer. It was more spacious and brighter than she had imagined. She showed a satisfied expression and answered, "No, I don't know, but it's not surprising. He is Peter Parker, isn't he?"

Then, Kristen sat down next to Anson and gave him a fist bump.

After "Nuan Nuan Bu Xuan Guang", the two started working together again in a blink of an eye, and it was obvious that their relationship was much more familiar.

"Also, Anson gave Charlie Kaufman his suggestions on the script before, and Charlie agreed with them all. He thought Anson was his muse."

Kristen teased.

Anson spread his hands and admitted frankly, "There is no way, the charm is irresistible, don't be envious, if you are envious you will lose."

James was howling beside him.

Anson looked at Sam. "It will take at least thirty to forty-five minutes to read now. We are running out of time. Let's just get started."

"So, is my guess correct?"

Sam didn't hesitate, "That's right, but not entirely right."

Kristen looked over in confusion.

James lowered his voice and explained, "The latest version of the script is out."

Christen suddenly realized.

Sam continued, "We streamlined Peter's part. Although Sony Columbia was not very happy and their leading actor actually asked to reduce his role, we discussed it and finally thought you were right."

James' eyes widened in disbelief, "Anson, are you okay?"

Kristen was not surprised. She knew Anson was willing to make adjustments for the sake of the movie, and that Anson's wise understanding of the character and the script always brought surprises. "Why simplify?"

Anson shrugged lightly. "First of all, Peter needs others to enlighten him every time he awakens psychologically. The first time was from a psychiatrist, the second time was from Aunt Mary, and the third time was from Mary Jane. I understand that Peter is a young man and lacks life wisdom, but it is too straightforward to do this every time. He hardly has time to think for himself, and every conversation is chicken soup for the soul——"

"Sorry, Sam, I didn't mean to say that Chicken Soup for the Soul is bad."

Sam adjusted his hair with a slightly awkward expression.

"Secondly, Peter's growth storyline fills up the plot of the movie, but it often goes on in circles. Instead of repeating the same thing over and over again, it's better to change the way of expression. Sometimes it can be expressed through lines, sometimes it can be left blank, and sometimes it can be shown through the plot."

Since "The Princess Diaries", Anson has insisted on exploring the characters within the framework of the script and giving them expressiveness based on his own understanding, but this time it is slightly different. He finally put forward some constructive suggestions on the existence of the characters.

He hopes that the growth arc of the character of Peter Parker will be clearer and more concise. Through such slimming down, the film will become lighter and the length will be shortened to ensure the audience's attention.

As for the results, only the audience can judge.

Sam sat beside him in a daze. "To put it simply, he hopes that the script will reduce the drama of some youth campus movies."

Is this... a complaint?
Anson waved his hand. "Director, youth campus movies are also divided into categories. There are 'School Rush' and '10 Things I Hate About You', 'American Pie' and 'The Princess Diaries', and 'Dead Poets Society' and 'The Breakfast Club'. There are also completely different developments under the same type. We just need to find our own position."

James looked at Anson, and Kristen also looked at Anson, thinking carefully.

Sam was silent for a moment. "So we're the Breakfast Club kind?"

(End of this chapter)