Hollywood Road

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Compared with the previous preparation for "Chain Saw", although the investment and shooting scale of "Planet Terror" this time is larger, Murphy is only the screenwriter and director, and no longer concurrently as the producer who coordinates all things of the crew, but it is much easier , at least not be disturbed by some trivial chores.

All his energy was put on preparing for the shooting.

This is a black absurd comedy in which beauties, handsome guys and sluts fight zombies together. It doesn't require the actors to perform brilliantly, nor do they need to show whether they have superb acting skills, nor do they need breakthrough genius-like performances .

Therefore, according to Murphy's request, from the day the actor contract was signed, James Franco, Robert Downey Jr., Seth Rocco, Jonah Hill and Carey Mulligan began to have to work together. rehearsal so that it can go through faster when shooting.

Especially Robert Downey Jr. and Carey Mulligan. They have a lot of action scenes in the film. Besides rehearsals, they also have to do certain fitness and physical training.

Murphy doesn't need to worry too much about this. Quentin Tarantino specially invited Yuan Heping's action team for his new project "Kill Bill". "The project has been unable to enter the actual operation stage. Harvey Weinstein simply mobilized some people from Yuan Heping's team here to be responsible for the guidance of the action scenes of "Planet Terror".

Murphy also communicated with two of Yuan Heping's apprentices. In the script, Robert Downey Jr. and Carey Mulligan are set as killers. They must not play fancy Chinese kung fu. He asked to design a close combat scene for the two It is more concise and practical, especially highlighting the characteristics of a fatal blow.

In the first two films, Murphy didn't shoot much action scenes. There will be a lot of action scenes in this film. He is also very modest, knowing that he is a beginner in this field. As long as he can spare time, he will also be with those The two action directors discussed the shooting of the action scenes.

As we all know, Hong Kong movies have indeed declined, but Hong Kong-style action movies are very distinctive. In recent years, they have also swept Hollywood and the entire North American film market. Even though they gradually withdrew from North America, they have profoundly affected the entire Hollywood action movie production style.

Just like Hollywood's eclecticism, Murphy has just started and has never let go of the perfection of his own abilities.

Moreover, Murphy is also thinking about cultivating an action director team that suits his own style. In the future, he will definitely enter the mainstream film industry. Action scenes are an extremely important part of many large-scale production films, and action directors are not just a random team. adapted to his production style.

Every director has his or her own style.

Even directors like Spielberg who involve multiple types of films are no exception. There are no directors in this world who do not have their own style, and Murphy is certainly no exception.

What he used to study most was noir-style films, and now he is good at this aspect, and other elements added to the film must conform to this overall style. The hodgepodge of films is not only popular in North America, but also in the whole world. .

"Philip, you've read the proposal,"

In the director's office, Murphy looked at the director of photography Fili Raschel and said, "For this film, I need a photography style that tends to be dark yellow."

Philip Raschel nodded, and was about to say something when someone shouted from the next door.

This is the warehouse on the outskirts of the small town of Venice. After completing the lease procedures, the crew not only started to build the scenes Murphy needed, but also made appropriate modifications, dividing several rooms with wooden boards, including the director's office.

Next to Murphy's office is a makeshift gym, where Carey Mulligan and Robert Downey Jr. are training.

The overall condition of the crew cannot be compared with the big Hollywood productions, but it is also much better than when filming "Chain Saw".

They are not newcomers in Hollywood either. They know that when a film project enters the formal preparations, it will always face various difficulties.

After Robert Downey Jr.'s voice next door became softer, Murphy said again, "The whole film takes place at night, but the shooting will be done during the day. You need to pay attention to coordination."

Fili Raschel frowned slightly, thought for a while, and said, "In this way, I will do some special processing on the film, and shoot some experimental shots first, to see if it can meet your requirements."

Murphy nodded, "Yes, I will let Paul assist you."

Not only the director of photography Philip Raschel, but Murphy then called the prop artist Jedi Hutson, the art director Helena Espora and the lighting engineer David Robbie successively, and proposed a lot of specific details. requirements.

These are more based on the most basic production concept of the film. In the follow-up, Murphy will take these people out to view the scene and discuss the setting of the scene. The specific situation needs to be treated in detail.

The preparation period for the film is more than two months, and it will last from now until around the new year. Murphy plans to start filming in 2002, because he will participate in the screening of the Cannes Film Festival in mid-May. It will be completed before the end of the month, and the time is relatively abundant.

Later, representatives from the guarantee company approached and discussed with Murphy the expenses of some scenes.

"Can the action scenes be less?"

These people came here with only one purpose, to reduce expenses as much as possible, "There are still a few explosion scenes, the scale is too large, and the risk is not easy to control. If the explosion spreads to the set, it may cause other losses."

"Jin, the crew hired the most professional pyrotechnics team!" Murphy put down the carbon pencil on the drawing board, looked at the old man across the desk, "The remaining explosion scenes are the key, and it is impossible to reduce them!"

"What about cars?" This man named Kim Kleinman is conservative and stingy, and he is a natural candidate for this industry. , and an extra $10,000 in expenses.”

Murphy really wanted to drive this guy out, but he took a deep breath and said, "What do you think is suitable?"

"Settings!" Kim Kleiman looked very professional, "The way of adding props to the sets can save at least half of the expenses."

"But that didn't achieve the shooting effect I wanted." Murphy spread out his hands, "Jin, can blowing up the set and real vehicles be an effect in the shot?"

"Murphy, this will overrun the budget!" Kim Kleiman said with a serious face, "If one scene overruns, the next few scenes will continue to overrun, and then the entire film will be over budget. You spend $8 million I can't finish this movie!"

"Have you read the proposal?" Murphy pointed to his forehead, "All the scene settings were carefully thought out by me and the production team. Not only will it not exceed the expenses, but I also purposely spent 500,000 to 800,000 dollars. Dollar buffer!"

Kim Kleiman wanted to say something, but Murphy stopped him by raising his hand, "Kim, if you have any objections, you can talk to Erica or Miramax instead of arguing with me here."

"Okay then," Kim Kleiman stood up, "I'll meet with Harvey Weinstein this afternoon."

Murphy waved his hand casually in that direction, and didn't bother to say anything, these guys are really annoying.

For the first two films, he himself had the final say. Now that these people have been added, differences between them are unavoidable. Murphy, the director, mainly spends money, while the guarantee company represented by Kim Kleiman has to do everything possible. In order to ensure that the film can be completed within the budget of 8 million US dollars, there is a natural point of conflict between the two parties.

Kim Kleiman is a serious and responsible person, which is a good thing, but for Murphy, it is a certain trouble.

Fortunately, although Murphy is young and energetic, he also understands the principle of appropriate compromise, and Harvey Weinstein and Miramax are still very supportive of him until now, even if Kim Kleiman finds Harvey Wein Stan, basically doesn't do much.

The most important point is that the film Murphy plans is not exactly the same as the previous one. As long as there are no huge accidents, $8 million is enough.

In the production of the first two films, he is definitely a typical example of thrift.

Just as Kim Kleiman walked out, someone knocked on the door of the office. Carey Mulligan pushed the door and walked in. She was wearing a white exercise suit, and her short blond hair was wet with sweat and turned into wisps. Yihui, while gently fanning the wind with one hand, walked over.

"Drink water?" Murphy poured her a glass of water. Carey Mulligan sat on the chair opposite him, took a sip from the water glass, looked back at the door, and asked, " Is that old man looking for trouble again?"

Murphy shrugged, "It's just work."

They don't have personal conflicts, it's all about work.

Carey Mulligan pouted, but couldn't say anything, changed the subject, and asked, "I heard you rejected Jenna Jameson? Want to change the heroine."

"That's right." Murphy took out a fruit plate from the cabinet next to it, took a banana, pulled out the skin and handed it over. Carey Mulligan took a bite and asked, "Is there any suitable candidate? "

Murphy picked up a grape and threw it into his mouth, "We are going to hold an audition."

"Ah, so..." Carey Mulligan rolled his eyes, "Do you remember Liz, my friend from acting school?"

"Elizabeth Banks?" Murphy had an impression.

"That's her." Carey Mulligan took another bite of a banana and said grumblingly, "I went shopping with her yesterday, and she is also interested in this role."

"Yeah." Murphy nodded, "Let her agent contact Paul and come to audition."

Carey Mulligan laughed, "I've wanted to be in a movie with Liz for a long time."

Murphy smiled, "She has to meet the requirements, we can wait until the audition is over."

Walking out of Murphy's office, Carey Mulligan couldn't wait to dial Elizabeth Banks' number, "Liz, I have good news for you..." (To be continued.)