Made In Hollywood Chapter 713: The Opening Film

A knock suddenly sounded on the door. David Ellison’s eyes left the monitor screen, and after saying "Co in," his assistant quickly walked in.

"Boss..." The female assistant placed a docunt on David Ellison’s desk and said, "Warner Bros. just announced the release date for Fury Road. It’ll hit theaters in North Arica on May 22nd, during the sumr box office season."

David Ellison opened the docunt and glanced at it. He couldn’t help but ask, "Are they sure they want to attend the Cannes Film Festival?"

The female assistant nodded and said, "Yes, I’ve already confird with the Cannes Film Festival organizers. Fury Road will be competing in the main competition section."

"That doesn’t sound like Duke Rosenberg’s style." David couldn’t help but frown.

After thinking for a while, he waved his hand at the assistant. "You can leave for now."

Once the assistant had left the office, David Ellison’s gaze returned to the docunt in front of him. Duke Rosenberg was actually going to enter the competition section at Cannes? What on earth was he thinking? Had the world changed?

In his understanding, Duke Rosenberg was a typical big-budget comrcial film director. His movies were exactly the kind of work that Europe’s Big Three film festivals naturally rejected. And this particular film had a production budget of $120 million. Why would a blockbuster like this go to the Cannes Film Festival?

With these doubts in mind, David Ellison left his office and headed to Disney Studios in Burbank, where he t with Steven Spielberg, who was busy with the post-production of The Adventures of Tintin. Unlike David Ellison, Spielberg had far more experience, an extensive network of industry connections, and access to reliable information. Combining the news he had received, Spielberg quickly arrived at his own conclusion.

"In my impression, Duke has never been interested in European cinema or the three major European film festivals."

Sitting at a break table, Spielberg sipped coffee as he said to David Ellison, "Entering the main competition at Cannes must be Warner Bros.’ move. The purpose is definitely to further promote the film."

"Isn’t the current promotional strategy already enough?" David Ellison frowned again. "Duke Rosenberg’s work naturally draws dia and audience attention."

"I heard soone ntion that Fury Road is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland in the future."

Recalling what he had heard, Spielberg continued unhurriedly, "This kind of film tends to have a more niche audience, especially in overseas markets. That’s why Warner Bros. needs to think of more ways to promote it."

"Niche audience..." David Ellison couldn’t help but curl his lips. "Can we still register for Cannes?"

"Enter the Cannes Film Festival?" Spielberg shook his head. "There’s no need."

Although he was an investor in the film, David Ellison still had to respect Spielberg’s opinion to a certain degree. He wasn’t particularly interested in Cannes either. Seeing Spielberg’s opposition, he simply gave up on the idea.

"Steven..." David Ellison continued, "I want The Adventures of Tintin to be released on May 22nd."

Spielberg looked up at him. "On the sa day as Fury Road?"

David Ellison didn’t deny it at all. "I want to compete head-on with Duke Rosenberg. Steven, the outside world is saying you’re old and can’t compare with the younger generation anymore. Don’t you want to prove them wrong?"

Sotis, the simplest thods are the most effective.

There was no personal grudge between Spielberg and Duke, but market competition has nothing to do with personal feelings. Even soone of Spielberg’s status and position had to follow the will of the investors to so extent, especially since David Ellison was currently the main financial backer of the entire DreamWorks operation.

Besides, he had never believed that he was old or outdated...

"David..." Spielberg said solemnly, "You should understand that competition between two films isn’t just about the quality of the movies."

After being in the industry for so many years, Spielberg certainly understood that too many factors influence a film’s success or failure. The quality of the movie was only one aspect—sotis, the publicity was even more important than the quality.

David Ellison understood this too, so he said directly, "Steven, I’ll put in an amount equal to the production budget for the promotion of The Adventures of Tintin!"

Since the other party was willing to invest such a large sum, Spielberg couldn’t say much more. After so thought, he nodded in agreent.

After all, he didn’t have any personal investnt in the film. Even if the box office fell short of Fury Road, it wouldn’t affect his position in Hollywood.

As for what David Ellison thought that wasn’t sothing Spielberg needed to consider.

A major film production always stirs up a lot of interest. anwhile, Warner Bros. was also working on the follow-up promotion for the film.

Jamie Johnson rushed through the corridor and entered the office of CEO Doug Walter.

Doug Walter had his secretary bring in a cup of coffee and asked, "How did the press conference go?"

"Very smoothly." Jamie Johnson sat across from his desk. "Duke’s films naturally attract dia attention, plus there’s Charlize Theron and Tom Cruise—this kind of cast is eye-catching enough."

"How’s the shooting progress?" Doug Walter asked again.

"The crew returned from New xico to Los Angeles the day before yesterday. They’re currently on break."

Accepting the coffee from the secretary, Jamie Johnson thanked her before continuing, "Starting tomorrow, the crew will gather at Warner Studios to film the final scenes inside the sound stage."

Doug Walter nodded. It seed filming would definitely wrap up on ti, so it was also ti to push hard on the publicity front.

"How’s the contact with the Cannes Film Festival?" he asked.

"It’s already confird for the competition section..."

Jamie Johnson slightly frowned. "To beco the opening film, we’ll need to put in more effort."

"Have the French branch step up the PR efforts," Doug Walter ordered. "No matter what, we have to secure the opening film slot."

Although the Cannes Film Festival didn’t have much impact in North Arica, it was still quite influential overseas. Having Fury Road participate in the Cannes Film Festival was clearly aid at the international market.

"I’ll go to France in person," Jamie Johnson took it very seriously. "I’ve also scheduled a eting with Isabelle Huppert. I’ll have a good talk with her."

Isabelle Huppert is the jury president of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Jamie Johnson and Doug Walter both knew very well that all the groundwork had to be done in advance if they were to have a shot at the Pal d’Or.

For a film like Fury Road, winning the Pal d’Or would still be very beneficial.

Neither of them was worried about triggering speculation in the dia about backroom deals. Warner Bros.’ intention was to draw more interest to this film. Even if the dia launched a barrage of criticism, sparking major controversy, it could still pique the interest of a considerable number of moviegoers.

"Winning a few big awards and drawing criticism from the European dia actually fits our expectations..."

Inside the studio, Duke was discussing the upcoming trip to Cannes for Fury Road with Tina Fey, Anna Prinz, and Charles Roven. "Ti Warner’s dia outlets also hold significant influence and will definitely strike back. And don’t forget, North Arican and European dia have always been at odds..."

Tina Fey picked up where Duke left off. "Given your influence across the U.S., if the European dia attacks you viciously, the mainstream North Arican dia will definitely side with you. Then a public opinion war will erupt, with Fury Road at the center of it."

"That’s just the most ideal scenario."

Without a doubt, this was sothing Duke would love to see. "No one can guarantee Fury Road will definitely win any awards."

Although there’s usually room for maneuvering when it cos to film awards, actually winning them is never certain.

If Fury Road was to achieve comrcial success, more effort would have to go into its promotion.

Just like Duke said, provoking a transatlantic dia war was only the most optimistic outco in their plan.

Checking his watch, Duke was the first to stand up. He clapped his hands and said, "Ti’s about up. Let’s start filming. Let’s finish this last shot as soon as possible."

Now there was only one scene left. After today, the crew could temporarily disband and move on to post-production.

Leaving the lounge area, Duke walked into the set, which was being prepped. He nodded to Anthony Hopkins, who was approaching. The veteran actor had already finished makeup. His body, covered in festering sores, was deathly pale, and he wore a sinister breathing mask over his mouth—he looked truly terrifying.

In fact, the villain in this film was quite a caricature.

Duke walked around the set and ca to the green screen. The last shot would be fild here—it was the opening scene of Immortan Joe releasing the water, and in the background, the most eye-catching feature was a model of the Capitol Building.

This was a prop Duke had specifically added, ant to subtly indicate that the story still takes place on Arican soil. Besides the Capitol Building model, previous shots had included the Washington Monunt as well.

The North Arican movie market is highly xenophobic. Duke simply wanted North Arican audiences to imdiately associate the film’s setting with their own country.

Returning behind the director’s monitor, Duke raised the gaphone. "Last scene—start now!"

Facing the green screen, Anthony Hopkins placed his hands on a giant tal valve, looked down with a condescending air, and then pulled open the valve...

Filming concluded at that point. In just over sixty days, Duke had completed all the shots. The total footage exceeded 200 hours, which would make the editing process massive and complex.