America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 235 Treasure Boy

New York, known as the world's largest open-air film studio, was the first city to be creatively destroyed by Hollywood movies.

The production team chose to film here instead of on location in Boston because New York promised a large tax refund.

Even directors of Martin Scorsese's caliber have to compromise when faced with huge commercial interests.

Filming began at the studio located at the border of Brooklyn and Queens.

Inside a phone booth set up on the exterior wall of the film studio, Martin was rapidly reciting his lines over the phone.

The sound engineer crouched outside, securing the recording microphone and bending as low as possible.

Cinematographer Michael manipulated the camera, slowly sliding it along the track that circled the phone booth to film.

"Cut!" Director Scorsese called for a halt.

Martin put down the phone and turned around.

Scorsese, with a wireless headset around his neck, strode over and said directly, "Your tone is off, your emotions are okay, but I think you can do better."

This was Martin's first scene, and he wasn't fully in character yet, saying, "Shall I try again?"

Scorsese cautioned, "Pay attention to Colin's relationship with Frank. Colin has been instilled with Frank's values ​​since he was 12 years old. Frank is, in a sense, his father, and a very strict one at that."

Martin listened attentively, displaying utmost professionalism.

Scorsese added, "Colin has wanted to get rid of Frank for some time now, but he lacks the courage and the action to do so."

Martin nodded repeatedly: "I understand."

The camera was back in place, and filming resumed.

Martin returned to the phone booth, picked up the phone, dialed, and began his one-man show.

His tone was sincere, without the slightest hesitation, but his expression showed a hint of helplessness and annoyance, as he had had enough of the constant pressure from the other party.

"Stop! Well done!" Scorsese shouted encouraging Martin, "Get your emotions and focus in the game! You've pushed yourself to the limit, let's do it again!"

Returning to his forte, gangster films, this renowned director has high standards for every aspect, especially the actors' performances.

Amid Scorsese's praise, the shot was filmed three more times, with Martin's performance improving each time.

When the director finally yelled "cut," Martin even took a few deep breaths.

Although he is very familiar with playing the role of a two-faced person, it is not an easy task to actually perform it on screen.

Scorsese approached him and said directly, "When I first worked with Robert De Niro on Meadows, he wasn't as good as you."

Whether this was meant as encouragement or genuine, Martin was quite confident at that moment: "Director, you'll find that choosing me was definitely not a mistake, but one of the best decisions you made in making this film."

Scorsese nodded. "I'm looking forward to seeing how you do." He waved his hand. "Go take a five-minute break, then we'll shoot the next take."

Martin didn't leave the set; instead, he went to the set for the next scene to familiarize himself with his blocking and lines.

Scorsese saw all of this, and although he didn't say anything, he felt that choosing Martin was the right thing to do.

Not far from here on the beach, Warner Bros. project executive Daniel and film producer Graham King were sitting under a parasol having coffee together.

The latter added sugar to his coffee and asked, "I heard the schedule is set?"

Daniel said, "The North American premiere will be next September during the Toronto International Film Festival." He took a sip of coffee. "The film has a high budget, and we're under a lot of pressure to break even at the box office. We need to come up with some ways to promote it."

Graham, however, said, "Leonardo Gascoigne has enough appeal that even if the box office doesn't break even, the subsequent DVD and television rights market will be enough to make us a profit easily."

Daniel said, "No one doubts their appeal."

Graham added, "Jack is getting old, but he still has a large following of longtime fans, and Matt Damon is good too."

Daniel reminded him, "Don't forget, there's also Martin Davis."

"Look at me, I almost forgot about this newcomer." Graham asked, "I remember he's been working with Warner Bros., how's that going?"

Daniel simply stated, "The best performing film was 'The Hills Have Eyes,' which was re-released after the Burbank incident. It ultimately grossed $1.15 million in North America, and its overseas screenings have basically ended, bringing its global box office to $2.07 million."

Even veteran producers like Graham were taken aback by these box office figures: "A blockbuster!"

Daniel smiled and said, "The DVD sales in North America have reached $5000 million. Martin is the absolute male lead. He and the film complement each other. The popularity of The Hills With Eyes has even extended to another film, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Warner Bros. originally expected the North American box office to be around $4000 million, but now the cumulative North American box office has reached $7200 million. Most of the extra amount is thanks to Martin."

Graham said, "He's a real gem."

"Who says otherwise?" Daniel said. "Martin's new film, 'Wanted,' has just finished its rough cut. Do you know our internal estimates?"

Graham was surprised: "It's hard to tell the quality of a film from a rough cut."

Daniel shook his head and said, "As long as the film isn't particularly bad, with Martin's reputation and Angelina Jolie's presence, it shouldn't be difficult for it to gross over $100 million in North America."

Graham asked, "Does Warner Bros. have that much confidence in him?"

Daniel pointed out a key point: "He's not only an excellent actor, but he also always comes up with unexpected moves in publicity and marketing. The unconventional marketing campaigns like Madame Tussauds and The Hills Have Eyes originated from his ideas, and the jeans were a direct beneficiary of the Burbank High School incident. I believe in Martin's ability to create buzz, and he has proven it three times in a row."

He downed his now-cold coffee in one gulp: "I think that in the marketing and promotion of this film, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson were relegated to the back, and Martin Scorsese was listed after Leonardo DiCaprio among the actors."

Graham said, "Damon's appeal..."

Daniel pointed out, "He has too little screen time."

The two seemed to be having a casual chat, but they actually reached a consensus on their marketing and promotion strategies.

Filming continued until 11:30, when the crew temporarily wrapped up work and went to the food truck to collect their lunch.

Martin has his own rest trailer where he has lunch with Bruce.

Bruce said as he ate, "I just found out that Matt Damon is coming to New York next week." He then remembered something important: "Menez is also coming next week. He spent a lot of time and effort on Allen, and it's pretty much confirmed that Meryl Streep is the only one who's been in and out of contact with Jack Nicholson for decades."

Martin felt a sharp pain in his teeth: "An Oscar-winning actress."

Bruce's words, however, were on a completely different wavelength from Martin's: "I remember Meryl has been married for a long time, and she still shows off her role as a virtuous wife and mother from time to time, but she's so promiscuous in private. I now completely agree with what you said: marriage is definitely a nightmare for Hollywood men."

Martin pondered for a moment and said, "As far as I know, Meryl Streep and Harvey Weinstein have a close relationship."

Bruce stopped rambling on: "In that case, it's not surprising. Sophia and Harvey had a conflict. With Harvey's abilities, it wouldn't be difficult for him to find out that you have a connection with Sophia."

Martin added, "I turned down Weinstein's invitation, which he used to disrupt my audition for this film, probably for Damon's sake."

"Congratulations to you, no, congratulations to us." Bruce was quite enlightened: "Enemies are everywhere."

Martin didn't take it seriously, pinching out five centimeters with two fingers, then reducing it to one centimeter after thinking for a moment: "The opportunity is so small, do you think it will fall into our laps if we don't fight for it? We might as well go back to Atlanta and be a gigolo."

Bruce reminded this troublemaker, "If you have no grudge against him, try to improve your relationship as soon as possible."

Martin nodded: "The ones with the most screen time are Leonardo, Jack Sparrow, and me." He picked up an apple and tossed it in his hand: "Leonardo will join filming this afternoon. I need to ask him, what about the promised Victoria's Secret Angels?"

Bruce was very curious, and also wanted to learn: "Have you decided on a party theme?"

Martin couldn't help but laugh: "I could find a hundred of them at random."

At 2 p.m., Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson arrived on set one after the other.

The three took turns filming.

Compared to Martin, who was in good shape by the morning, and the talented veteran actor Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio had the most takes.

An actor's fame and status actually have little to do with how good their acting skills are.

During a break in filming, Nicholson approached Scorsese, pointed towards Martin, and said, "This kid has good talent; he's only a step behind me back then."

Scorsese didn't hold back at all: "At his age, you wouldn't have such good acting skills."

At the other rest area, Martin approached Leonardo: "Leo, we've been in New York for two days now, where are the Victoria's Secret Angels you mentioned?"

Leonardo said, "It will take a while for the news of my arrival in New York to spread." He was quite confident: "If nothing unexpected happens, someone will be calling this afternoon."

He asked Martin, "Is the theme ready?"

Martin nodded and asked, "A yacht or a villa?"

Leonardo said, "Let's go on a yacht. We can sail out to sea and escape those boring paparazzi and entertainment reporters."

As the two were talking, Jack Nicholson came over: "Did you forget something?"

Leonardo asked Martin, "What's your opinion?"

"As long as there are enough beautiful women, I don't mind bringing this old bastard along." Martin said, based on the other party's behavior during their last meeting. "Old Jack, you have to listen to me when it comes to the party theme."

Nicholson grinned wickedly: "We've already tried all the tricks we could. I'd like to see what new tricks you can come up with."

The assistant then came over and said to Leonardo, "Miss Naomi called, inviting you to dinner tonight."

Leonardo said, "Have her bring a few more people out with her, and tell them I'm going with the great American hero Martin Davis."

Nicholson got impatient and nudged Leonardo's arm.

The latter added, "There's also an old bastard named Jack Nicholson."

(End of this chapter)