America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 71, Section 72. Difficult Heaven?

Sa.

In the Nevada desert, seven V-22 Osprey aircraft, fully loaded with American soldiers, flew towards a military base.

Actually, even an empty plane would be fine, but military advisor Lieutenant Colonel Freeman professionally stated that the feeling of flying an empty plane is different from that of a fully loaded plane. Ordinary people can't tell the difference, but professionals can.

So Eric simply demanded that the planes be fully occupied, with more than 20 people loaded into each plane, and nearly 200 heavily armed American soldiers were deployed at once.

Fortunately, they were all free laborers; if they were extras, it would have been another expense.

These soldiers were also very happy, firstly because they had never filmed a movie before and it felt very novel; secondly, because participating in filming meant they wouldn't have to train.

These soldiers probably felt like underachievers being called upon by their teachers to do chores during class – something they'd been eagerly anticipating, a win-win situation.

In front of the Osprey, a Black Hawk helicopter was flying, with Eric and the cameraman inside.

Meanwhile, above and to the left and right of the Osprey, a Black Hawk helicopter hovered, carrying the film crew's cameramen.

The sky is not like the ground, so you can't use multiple cameras; you can only use the most basic method to shoot.

Looking at the Osprey aircraft group not far away, Eric felt that something was missing.

"Joe, tell V5012 to slow down a bit, and tell him to stay one camera position behind V5013. V5015, move forward a little more."

The driver, a man in his early thirties named Joe West, relayed Eric's request over the communication channel.

Upon receiving the aircraft, the Osprey formation immediately adjusted its position, and it looked much better this time.

"Alright, Transformers, Scene 1, Action!"

Meanwhile, the scene was being set up on the ground.

Under Colonel Adams's orders, the entire base coordinated its efforts, with dozens of M60 and M1 Abrams tanks neatly lined up on both sides of the road, and numerous armed helicopters and military vehicles scattered across the open area.

On the tall robotic arm, assistant director Patty Jenkins was directing the operation on set with a megaphone.

"Over there, unload the props and place them where the flag is planted."

As she spoke, a truck pulled up, and then the door was pulled open, revealing wide, movable tracks that extended from the cargo bed to the ground.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, an 8-meter-tall Transformer with a metallic finish slid out of the carriage.

The prop team members rushed over, helped the large object stand upright, and activated the hidden anchors under its feet, allowing it to stand successfully on the ground.

This Transformer is none other than the Decepticon Stun, who destroyed the US military base at the beginning of the movie.

In order to make a good movie, in addition to Weta Digital's special effects, MGM's props department also put in a lot of effort, creating a complete set of Transformers to scale according to the requirements.

This not only makes filming easier, but also saves on special effects costs.

Props is one of the few departments at MGM that is currently at the top of the industry.

The moment the dizziness appeared, the scene erupted in an uproar. Apart from the props team, everyone stared intently at the Decepticon.

Gal Gadot's mouth dropped open in astonishment: "No way, this is the person we're supposed to work with?"

"I think so, I'm going to touch it, aren't you going?" Chris Evans said as he ran over.

The people around him shared the same thought, and even many soldiers dropped what they were doing and ran over.

They circled around the dizzy person, occasionally touching them. If it weren't for the military's ban on cell phones, they would have only been able to take photos today, and wouldn't have been able to do any work.

"There will be many opportunities to take group photos, so please be patient and let us finish setting up the scene first!"

Patty Jenkins shouted into the loudspeaker, but the group of 20-somethings who had grown up watching Transformers were too excited to listen to her until a lieutenant came to maintain order.

"You are soldiers, don't do such shameful things. Obey orders, do you hear me?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Now, as instructed by the female director, everyone proceed to the designated location!"

"Yes, sir!"

Under the lieutenant's authority, order was restored at the scene.

Patty Jenkins let out a sigh of relief, looking at the lieutenant, giving her the feeling of watching "Full Metal Jacket".

At that moment, the roar of propellers sounded from above. Eric led 11 planes and flew back and forth in the sky three times before finally getting a decent shot.

As the Black Hawk descended, Eric and the cameraman both felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Pilot Joe noticed the problem: "This flight has been too long. You need to lie down and rest. You should be able to recover in about half an hour."

As the seven Ospreys landed, the roar of their propellers forced Patty Jenkins to shout into the loudspeaker at full volume: "Transformers 2, action!"

A crane arm suddenly rose, and a cameraman stood on it, aiming his lens at the opening aircraft door. At the same time, cameras mounted on the roofs of two SUVs filmed from the left and right sides.

As the Osprey hatch opened, a close-up shot revealed Ryan Reynolds, holding an M1, as he was the first to jump out. His face and body were covered in dust, giving him the look of someone who had just finished a mission.

The actors Fassbender, Tom Hardy, and Ben Foster, who followed, also displayed a tired yet resolute side.

Unfortunately, they were professionals, while the soldiers around them all had excited expressions, not at all like they had just fought a battle.

"Cut! That expression is wrong!"

Patty Jenkins shouted, and the assistant director rushed over to talk to the soldiers about the scene. A few minutes later, they reshot the scene of the soldiers leaving the warehouse.

Patty Jenkins yelled "Cut!" again.

"Guys, you have no acting experience, so try your best to imagine what it feels like to have practiced all day. If you really can't do it, just keep your head down and don't show any expression."

"Alright, let's do it one more time, Transformers Scene 2, Action!"

Using this somewhat opportunistic method, the shot was indeed filmed successfully.

Patty Jenkins continued filming; she was quite capable, and more importantly, Eric had drawn up extremely detailed storyboards. As long as they followed the script, there wouldn't be any mistakes.

More than half an hour later, feeling less dizzy, Eric finally lifted his head off Gadot's lap.

He touched and scratched the other person a few times before leaving the lounge.

It's already February. In just over two more months, I'll be able to completely devour this beautiful young woman. Just bear with it a little longer, and hopefully Crocevini will join the cast soon.

Once outside, it was already dark. Eric went to the monitor and looked at the footage he had just filmed. It was perfect and matched his vision.

"Well done, Patty!"

Patty Jenkins chuckled. "It's your camera work that's so good. I just had to follow the instructions. I'm curious, you really haven't studied directing?"

"Heh. You suspect I'm lying? The media has already investigated; my school doesn't even have a film program."

"Okay, I don't understand. Are there really geniuses in the world?"

Eric pointed to himself: "Am I not?"

"It's a pity this is a military base; we can't let reporters in. Otherwise, we could have asked them to help clarify things and see who dares to question us!"

"Don't worry, you'll have your chance once you leave here."

(End of this chapter)