American Entertainment: Starting with playing the role of Little Beaver

Chapter 16 Cut, Good.

Compared to normal families, life in a single-parent family is generally more difficult, but as long as you have sunshine in your heart, you will surely encounter poetry and distant places. Hmm... that sounds a bit too poetic.
Since Isabella's academic knowledge was sound and Vivian agreed to her self-study, the production team submitted the application for self-study to the regulatory body after reviewing her exam papers. The education department verified it the next day, and Isabella's ability to redo two papers and achieve perfect scores in both sections earned her self-study permission. However, before leaving, they also stated that they would periodically check Isabella's self-study progress, and if they found any significant decline, she would have to return to the classroom.

A small certificate brought about a dramatic change in Isabella's life. Before, no matter how outstanding she was, she always sat at the children's table on set. But now... well, she still sits at the children's table, but life is much easier.

For example, after she no longer needs tutoring, Isabella's day looks like this:
I get up at 7 a.m., leave home at 8 a.m., arrive at the film set before 9:30 a.m., and enter the big room where I hold a tea party at 10 a.m. sharp.

Before filming officially begins, the child actors would gather here every weekday morning from 10:00 to 12:00.

Initially, Columbus gathered everyone to foster camaraderie, but it later became about satisfying curiosity. After he explained the differences between the script and the original work, he also made it a priority to pay special attention to during filming.

However, the precautions mentioned here are not about the rules and regulations of the film crew, nor are they about the children restraining themselves and not making loud noises after filming officially begins. Rather, they refer to the fact that the wording of Harry Potter novels varies when they are published in different countries.

For example, the title of Harry Potter 1 was "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" when it was published in the UK, and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" when it was published in the US.
In British books, lemon candy is called 'sherbet lemon', but in the United States it's called 'lemon drop'.
In Britain, a baked potato is called a 'jacket potato', but in America it's called a 'baked potato'...

If the film's audience is adults, then these differences are negligible, because adults can understand it.

But HP is for young adults. When British children are used to Philosopher's Stone and American children are used to Sorcerer's Stone, the wording in the movie must be differentiated. Otherwise, those who are not familiar with it will be taken out of the movie.

The method was simple. In the past, the most common way Hollywood avoided this was by dubbing. They would dub the entire British version as the Philosopher's Stone and the entire American version as the Philosopher's Stone, and that would be fine. But Harry Potter did not follow the usual practice. All the different shots had to be filmed on location.

That's right, the special rule in the Harry Potter production team is that all scenes involving differing word choices must be filmed! Two rules!
Isabella was completely stunned when she heard this.

This was not only because she had heard of Harry Potter's "difference theory" in her previous life, but she thought it was solved by dubbing, but also because this approach was too exaggerated. Why would they film two versions for a single scene with a difference? What kind of outrageous move is this?

Chris Columbus also gave his reasons for filming the actual movie:

1. It is about respecting the lifestyle habits of all fans.

2. HP records sound live, so having children dub is not as good as filming. Many children can't find the right feeling when recording.

To be honest, both reasons were reasonable, but Isabella was still speechless after hearing them.

Regarding this extravagant behavior, all she can say is that Warner is just too rich.

Then--

Dear!
If you have so much money you can't spend it all, then give me a raise!

300,000 is really too little. How about you raise it to 30 million and I'll stop?
Because of cultural differences, it needs to be explained in detail. English is really complicated and tedious. Sometimes even adults can hardly understand it if you only talk about words without pictures. Therefore, the process of explaining the precautions can be very long.

However, this doesn't stop everyone from leaving get off work on time.

Then we waited until the afternoon...

With the makeup and costumes confirmed, the children didn't have much to do in the afternoon.

Tutoring starts at 1 PM, and free time afterwards.

Compared to the first few days after joining the crew, everyone is indeed much more relaxed, but...

Since Isabella could study on her own, after lunch, she chatted with everyone and waited until they all went to class before heading home with her mother. If there was no traffic, she could even get home before 2 p.m.

To be honest, whenever she left early with a flourish, she could feel countless resentments gathering behind her.

This kind of antisocial behavior is really hateful!

To avoid being nagged by everyone, the commuting girl would occasionally bring small gifts for everyone.

I'll deliver a cake today, buy some baking supplies tomorrow, and if the young master's favorite singer releases an album the day after, I can buy it for you too...

Their main selling point is using money to win people's hearts.

When everyone realized that Isabella's early departures brought them a lot of convenience... because many people stayed after joining the crew, within a few days, everyone's way of addressing Isabella changed.

When they first met, she was seen as the 'Queen of Running Away' by everyone;
After playing the spot-the-difference game with Columbus, everyone affectionately called her 'Isa';
When she wasn't in class, people liked to call her 'the devilish academic genius in the group';
Now, whenever someone asks her for a favor, her first offer is—

"Is Miss Haywood here?"

"Is something wrong?"

"Could you help me with my homework?"

"roll!"

"Oh, Isa, you've really broken my heart."

"Rupert, stop with that sarcastic attitude, or I'll shove your homework in your mouth!"

"Hahaha—" The people around burst into laughter.

And Rupert?

"Oh! You idiot! Rupert! Get your lousy notebook away from me!"

He secretly switched his own notebook with the young master's.

He really dislikes doing homework.

After get off work, no matter what time she gets home, Isabella will practice the piano for two hours without fail to maintain her musicality.

Next, she looked at books about music, which was something she liked.

Or scan my older sister's textbooks; she wants freedom.

At six o'clock in the evening, she would have dinner with her mother and sister, and then go back to her room to go online.

Check out Yahoo for current events to avoid becoming out of touch with society. The biggest world event recently is the start of the Sydney Olympics.

She would watch until around eight o'clock, then wash up and go to bed.

Of course, I don't go straight to sleep; instead, I lean against the headboard and watch a movie.

This is still what Maggie Smith said before: accumulation...

In the entertainment industry, becoming famous certainly depends on luck, but how can one remain famous without making sacrifices?
Even if you are talented, are you more talented than Cameron?

That person's record as the best film in history was earned after ten years of hard work!
Even if you are talented, are you more talented than Spielberg?

It took them a full eighteen years from first touching a camera to making "Jaws"!

On the surface, Isabella's daily life was quite orderly, even somewhat boring, but she felt that each day of continuous improvement was quite fulfilling. This leisurely life came to an abrupt end on September 29, because HP officially started.

The sun shone brightly on the 29th.

The production team held a small opening ceremony in Leavesden, without inviting the media. Producer David Heyman, author J.K. Rowling, and director Chris Columbus gave brief speeches, wishing the film a successful completion, and that was it.

Furthermore, on the first day of filming, the director didn't rehearse with the child actors. Instead, he had the professors from the adult group set an example for everyone, just to bring good luck. If there were a lot of retakes on the first day, everyone would be in a bad mood.

Just when the children thought it would be their turn the next day, oh dear~
They went on a business trip the next day.
The crew left Leavesden and headed to North Yorkshire, two hundred miles away.

The Goslan train station here was the filming location for the children's first scene.

Anyone familiar with film and television production knows that no film or television series is shot according to the plot. What is filmed today and what is filmed tomorrow depends on many factors such as the actors' schedules and the opening hours of the filming locations.

On days like October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, the Goslan train station would be specially cleared for them, so naturally they would come here to take pictures.

Today's most important task is to film the ending of the first Harry Potter movie, showing the end of the school year and the children going home.

The specific plot is as follows:
At the train station leaving Hogwarts, Harry handed Hedwig over to the staff for safekeeping, then boarded the train with Hermione and Ron. During this time, they suddenly spotted Hagrid seeing them off. Hermione waved to him, while Harry, delaying his boarding, excitedly ran over to say goodbye. The two would then have a long conversation, after which Hagrid would let Harry board, and with his blessings and farewell, the train would pull away into the distance.

The entire plot, marked as being about two and a half minutes long in the script, involves thirty-two camera changes, making it quite complex. Under the direction of Chris Columbus, the first shot focused on the trio as a group.

“Daniel, when you call ‘Action’ later, you need to hand Hedwig to the train conductor, then turn around and get on the train. While Daniel is handing Hedwig over, Isa and Rupert, you two need to head back.”

“Ron got on first, and he didn’t see Hagrid.”

"Hermione was the second to go up. She happened to see Hagrid and greeted him, and Hagrid waved back."

"Harry was the third to go up. He didn't see Hermione waving at Hagrid and thought Hagrid was calling him, so he stopped. His hesitation made Hermione turn around and call him to get in the car. Then Harry said wait and ran over to find Hagrid."

"This segment can end when Harry runs out of the frame."

"I've finished speaking. Do you have any questions?"

Isabella had never acted before, so she didn't know if Columbus's directing style was standard practice in the industry.

But she knew immediately what she had to do when Columbus waved the script in his hand and personally played three roles by the train, performing the scenes to be filmed through language and body language.

Or perhaps, in her view, such a detailed explanation would make filming the movie much simpler.

The food is already right in front of your mouth, so just open your mouth!
So easy!

Daniel and Rupert shared similar thoughts, so the three of them nodded in agreement.

With their confirmation, Columbus clapped his hands and let them perform first.

With a click, the sound of clapperboard roused the three of them to action, and they began rehearsing the scene following the director's instructions.

Harry handed the cage containing Hedwig to the conductor, and at that moment, Ron and Hermione also turned around.

Because the luggage compartment was right next to theirs, they boarded the train in no time. Just as Ron got on first, Hermione waved in the direction of Columbus, mistaking him for Hagrid. Isabella, who had just finished her performance, was about to follow Ron onto the train when she noticed Columbus shaking his head as they were looking at each other…

"Click——"

Columbus called a halt.

"You all stay still."

He commanded, "Isa, Rupert, turn around."

The two turned around in confusion, their eyes meeting... Well, well, the luggage compartment and their compartment were only four people apart, and then what? There was an entire universe between the three of them.

Even though Columbus didn't say anything, they knew they were out of the picture.

And this disharmony...

They're practically the epitome of everyone playing their own part.

Embarrassment crossed the faces of the three, but Columbus smiled and said:
"It's okay. This is the first time the three of you have worked together, so you're not familiar with each other yet. You'll get used to it after a few more times."

The three of them felt a little better, apologized at the same time, and did it again, and then...

"Cut."

He still didn't get on the train, and as he waved goodbye, Columbus shouted "Cut!" once again.

This time, before he could even speak, the three of them had already noticed the problem.

Although the three were in the same frame this time, Rupert and Isabella walked slowly, while Daniel walked quickly. They took less than three seconds to cover a distance of four body lengths, causing Harry to pace behind them.

If I had to describe it, they were like people getting food in a cafeteria at that moment.

If those in front are indecisive and hesitant, won't those behind just sway and stagnate?
and so……

"Come again."

Columbus smiled and waved his hand.

They tried several more times.

Even though the three of them were trying their best to pay attention to each other, they still received one "No Good" after another.

It wasn't that Rupert and Isabella were walking too fast; Daniel was trying to catch up, so he took a few big steps, which made them look out of place.
Rupert and Isabella were walking normally when Daniel turned around too quickly and almost bumped into Isabella.

The three of them weren't working together normally, but because they were too focused on each other, their behavior was very awkward and stiff.

The three of them finally got along well, but thinking it was too late, Isabella forgot her lines.

These actions made everyone on set burst into laughter; everyone noticed that their teamwork was practically nonexistent...

That's not how you can film it.

"Okay, okay, let's take a break and talk."

To be honest, Columbus had a pretty good attitude; even so, he wasn't angry.

The three were called to the rest area, and the fact that the video cut out as soon as it was taken left them somewhat frustrated.

Columbus, however, didn't dwell on these things. "Can any of you analyze for me what exactly happened just now?"

The three looked at each other for a few moments, and Daniel and Rupert simultaneously focused their attention on Isabella.

They desperately wanted this seemingly invincible guy to save them, and Isabella…

She actually had no clue either.

"I'm sorry, director, I didn't know."

She shook her head.

'oh--'

Daniel and Rupert were a little disappointed.

Isabella is the crew's undisputed genius! If she doesn't know this, then they...

It won't explode anymore?

'Don't ask me! Don't ask me! Don't ask me!'

The two prayed silently in their hearts.

Columbus observed their ostrich-like behavior, and, granting their wish, smiled and said, "If you're still stuck, I can give you a hint. Isa, Daniel, Rupert, your performance just now was actually fine; you acted out everything I described. But when you put yourselves together, it became a little disjointed."

"Furthermore, this discord isn't because you don't pay attention to each other, but rather... something else..."

"So, what is it?"

Daniel and Rupert felt like they were getting completely confused.

In their eyes, there is only one reason for repeated takes during filming: that the actor did not perform well.

But now, Columbus says their performance was fine, and that the discord wasn't due to mutual indifference.

Are you sure this statement isn't a conflict between your left and right brain?
While they were silently complaining, Isabella asked Columbus for the script. This didn't mean she understood Columbus's meaning, but rather that when Columbus said their imitation was fine, their problem wasn't with their performance.

The problem must lie in the script or the plot.

I took the script and read through the two and a half minutes of the plot.

Then, Isabella suddenly felt as if ants were crawling on her back.

She discovered what mistake the three of them had made—

Just now, Columbus did indeed very seriously tell them how to film the scene where they get on the train.

It was precisely because Columbus explained things in such detail that the three of them copied it without thinking.

Yes, their scenes are very simple: handing over their luggage and getting on the bus. But what about their inner thoughts?
That's all!

All gone!

Once the psychological activities are lost, the plot falls apart.

This plot point is where the script differs from the original novel; it was a story ending that the screenwriter and Rowling specifically changed after discussing it.

In the novel, the ending sees everyone return to Platform 9 at King's Cross Station, not saying goodbye at Hogwarts.

Why was it set up this way in the movie?
As Columbus mentioned earlier when discussing the differences, this is because the Dursleys make an appearance at the end of the novel, and they are the kind of people that children hate. Therefore, in a family-friendly commercial film, disgusting scenes should be minimized.

Since the movie's ending aims to convey a heartwarming feeling, Isabella felt she understood the order in which they got on the bus.

Was the script's order of Ron going first, Hermione following, and Harry last, because Harry wanted to say hello to Hagrid?
of course.

That's one reason.

The problem is, can't the three of them say hello to Hagrid just because they're all on the platform together?
How is this possible!
and so……

"Director, I think I understand what you mean."

"You mean to say that the order in which the characters get on the bus in the script is based on their emotions, right?"

After reading the script, Isabella realized that they had overlooked two small details in the entire plot:
One instance is when Harry runs to Hagrid and the two talk privately, Hagrid gives Harry a family photo.
Another instance is when Harry says goodbye to Hagrid and gets into the car, Hermione asks him how it feels to be home.

These two passages made her lift her head.

Make eye contact with the director—

"The reason Ron and Hermione walked ahead of Harry is because they both had families, so leaving Hogwarts meant that they would soon be reunited with their loved ones."

"At this time, they are in a relatively happy mood."

"Especially Hermione, her family is happy, which is why there's a line in this scene where she tells Harry to get in the car."

"In her world, Harry should want to go home, just like herself."

"That's why the screenwriter put her in the middle when she gets on the bus, right?"

"But in Harry's eyes, it's different. His parents are gone, and Hogwarts is his true home. But now, he needs to go from a happy home to a sad place?"

“Oh—no—that’s why he’s at the back, isn’t it? He doesn’t want to leave Hogwarts.”

"The parting was a little sad for him."

"So, our biggest problem just now was that we didn't bring our brains?"

"Because as long as our emotions are right, our pace and rhythm will be right."

"This part of the story is about going home, but also about leaving home."

"The steps home are light, the steps away are sorrowful."

Isabella stopped speaking at this point.

Although her summary was very unpleasant, Columbus nodded in satisfaction.

Playing yourself doesn't mean blindly acting!

Just because your image and the character fit the storyline doesn't mean your behavior conforms to the plot!

The script requires you to portray the sadness of leaving home, but you insist on thinking you're going on vacation—wouldn't that be disastrous?
Previously, none of the three had realized this.

This is normal, because none of them can be considered professional actors.

But once the three realized the problem, they had a sudden realization and found a way to solve it.

Stupid people won't be chosen, right?

Not to mention, Daniel has acted in movies before, and Rupert has performed in stage plays.

Only Isabella is an adorable newcomer.

After several rehearsals, the director finally let the cameras start rolling, and then...

In the scene, Harry smiles as he hands Hedwig over to a staff member, but as he turns away, it seems he realizes their parting is imminent? His smile vanishes instantly. At the same time, Ron and Hermione board the car one after the other.

Ron got in first, and as he got in, he glanced back at his friend and held the door open for Hermione.

Hermione followed closely behind, but as she closed the car door, she caught a glimpse of a tall figure out of the corner of her eye.

The familiar feeling made her instinctively turn her head, and the kind-hearted Hagrid made her smile. She happily raised her arm and waved.

This is the best way to say goodbye to teammates you've fought alongside.

Meanwhile, Harry, who was still feeling down, also saw Hagrid. Just as he stood there, unsure of what to do, Hagrid's response to Hermione made him happy, and he instinctively let go of the door handle he had been holding for Hermione to get into the car.

The train door snapped open, causing Hermione to turn her head to the side.

"Aren't you getting on the bus?"

"Wait a moment."

This question was a helpful assist for Harry.

Without hesitation, he ran towards his real family.

"Okay~~~"

Columbus's voice took three turns.

She grabbed Daniel, who was rushing towards her, and said with a smile, "Cut—"

"Good."

(End of this chapter)