For me, helping these guys in the director team modify movies is common. In fact, before shooting in almost every movie in DreamWorks, the scripts have to be passed through me, and each script has to be modified by me or put forward major modifications in this process.

Such things are a common phenomenon in major Hollywood film companies. Whether it is a large company like MGM, Paramount, or a small company like Stars or New Line, a director's script must be investigated by senior executives of the film company. For example, under Paramount and Adolph Chuck, there is a script review team. The members of this group are composed of six or seven senior screenwriters and film critics. The scripts of movies produced by Paramount Film Company must be reviewed by this group. After reading the script, the group will put forward a series of modification opinions. These opinions are often conducive to the film attracting the people more and improving the box office of the film. For film companies, this is obviously the most important thing.

But for directors, this approach will obviously be resistant to them, because there is a huge difference between what the director considers and the considerations of the upper level of the film company. For directors, although he also considers the box office of the movie, the director considers more about the movie itself. Any director hopes that his movie can be recorded in history when shooting a movie.

Therefore, when writing scripts, directors generally use their talents as much as possible and improve the artistic nature of the movie according to their own ideas.

Sometimes, there will be conflicts between artistic and commercial nature.

In this case, the senior executives of the film company will obviously value commerciality first, and the artistic nature will be weakened. Therefore, when the company's upper management revises the director's script, most directors are very unhappy.

This situation has never happened in DreamWorks. Compared with other directors of film companies who hand over the script, DreamWorks directors are full of expectations every time they hand over the script. They know that after discussion and revisions of their movies, their movies will be improved to a great level.

At DreamWorks, I never told directors to pay attention to the box office. I just told him to be honest when shooting movies. Movies are not tools for making money, not factories or stores.

Therefore, when writing scripts, directors of DreamWorks will unconsciously consider how to achieve the perfection of the movie as much as possible.

Griffith got this script. It is the most engineering-intensive movie of all the movies I have ever modified. I not only have to change its plot in general, but also consider the storyboard of this movie, making a lot of adjustments to the storyboard scenes in Griffith's script, even including the task-based lines.

However, after a day or two of transformation, I finally got this script out.

When I smashed the script in front of Griffith, the old man picked up the script solemnly. He looked at the local name of the script on the cover, and his eyes suddenly became hot: "Titanic! Titanic!"

After reading the script, Griffith nodded heavily: "Boss! This script has been modified so well by you! It's so great! Thinking about life and human nature through the emotions of a couple of lovers and a shipwreck. At this point, this script has become perfect!"

Not only does it seem that Griffith, even Stiller and others also love this script very much.

"Boss, then the filming of this movie starts?" Gans said to me.

A group of people next to him were all shining with their eyes. Since the last time the DreamWorks stormed the entire Hollywood with a terrible momentum, the DreamWorks people have become completely obsessed with such a large formation!

Our goal is to turn 1932 into the DreamWorks Year. So in the second half of the year, it is obviously necessary to continue the prosperous situation of Dinas and the thriving world in the first half of the year.

"Shots start, of course, filming starts. David, I have to leave this burden to you." I looked at Griffith and smiled.

This script was brewed by Griffith for fifteen years. He was familiar with the core of this movie and could understand the essence of this movie. Moreover, the scenes of this movie are huge. In this regard, no one in Hollywood is Griffith's opponent. In terms of grasping the big scene, Griffith has reached the point of perfection, and even I feel inferior to myself.

So it's better for him to be fully responsible for this movie.

"Boss, how much do we plan to invest in this movie?" Griffith asked seriously as he looked at me.

His words silenced everyone. To a certain extent, the investment in movies largely determines the degree of refinement of the movie and the quality of the movie, especially for some large-scale movies.

The movie "Titanic" involves many big scenes, especially the scene where the giant ship sinks in the sea, which is both the whole movie and the biggest scene that is the most difficult to shoot in the whole movie. If there is not much investment in this kind of shot, it can be shot, but in that case, the effect will definitely not be achieved.

It is fair to make scenes, and the bigger the scene you invest.

I understand what Griffith means. This movie is very important to him. There is no problem in making him shoot, but he must know the budget. Only by knowing the budget can he know what the movie can look like.

"David, how much do you think it would cost to develop this movie to the maximum extent?" I did not answer Griffith's words, but asked back.

Griffith lowered his head, thought for a while, and then said, "This movie is huge. I don't think it would be good to shoot without 12 million."

"12 million?" After hearing Griffith's answer, I burst into laughter.

"Boss, are there too many?" Griffith asked.

I shook my head: "Short, less. You know, if you want to shoot a movie like this, it will cost a lot of money to do with that big ship alone. Many shots can use special stunts, but I hope you can use the sinking of that big ship."

"To use it really? Are we going to sink a big ship!" Gans shouted immediately.

You know, the cost of a large ship is sky-high.

"Yes. Sink a big ship, and there may be more than one ship." I laughed and said, "When making a movie, you need to have talent and courage. Since we have written such a script, we will do the best at once, so as to avoid reviewing this movie after many years. We will leave a lot of regrets. If that is the case, it is better not to shoot it. What do you think?"

My words made everyone nod.

I sat on the sofa and looked at Griffith and said, "David, 12 million is absolutely not enough. Let's do this. I will allocate you 2.4 million first. If it is not enough, you are asking me for it."

"24 million!?"

“24 million!?”

A wolf howl in the office!

"The Godfather"'s 15 million has already set a box office record, making all Americans go crazy. If the news of "The Titanic"'s 24 million is spread, it won't let the United States fall!?

"Boss, do you want to consider again? 24 million, isn't this a little too much?" Gans looked at me and muttered.

His heart must be full of 24 million. This is not a small amount!

I smiled and waved my hand: "It's just decided. I'm still worried that it's not enough. David, give the money to you, so you can do it."

"Boss, don't worry, I will definitely take good photos!" Griffith's eyes were so excited that he turned red.

For him, this movie is no longer as simple as a movie. To a certain extent, this is his wish.

"Boss, David is too busy with this movie. I want to go over and help him. Can you see?" Stenberg looked at me and said a little while.

"Okay. I think so too. The scene in this movie is too big, and it is definitely not possible for one person. If David bears it alone, he will probably have to explain his old bones. That's it. Stenborough and Visconti went to serve as deputy David. Others, if you think you need it, you can just want it." I agreed with Stenborough's request.

So, the filming of this movie was decided.

In the next two days, our group began to discuss the composition of the crew of the film.

The director is composed of three people, Griffith, Stenborough and Visconti. The three people have their own division of labor. The photographer is Billy Bizetz. The cooperation between him and Griffith has been perfect. In addition, Huang Zongzhan will also serve as a firefighter and are ready to play at any time.

Other crew members, such as lighting, soundtracks, etc., have also been allocated DreamWorks for the best place.

The one that gives us the most headache is the actors.

Once the filming of "Titanic" is shot, it will set a new record. It will break the $15 million investment in "The Godfather" and become the largest investment in Hollywood in history. Such a blockbuster is very important for DreamWorks, and actors are obviously more important.

DreamWorks is basically equipped with the best actors this time. Griffith discussed with us with the cast and chose one by one.

The most difficult thing to determine is the male and female protagonists.

There are many stars in DreamWorks, and every movie has such a problem.

There is a lot of controversy about the male lead in "Titanic". Griffith himself likes Humphrey Bogart, and he likes Bogart's inner temperament. Stiller and others think that John Grant is suitable because John Grant is not only handsome, but also suave, with a kind of evil spirit on his body, which is somewhat consistent with the role of Jack. As for others, there are different answers.

In the end, everyone focused their attention on me.

"How do you think of Ronald Reagan?" My words made all the guys stunned.

Since joining DreamWorks, Ronald Reagan has filmed a series of movies one after another, and has gradually become a star among the new generation of actors in DreamWorks, with a large number of fans. But obviously, my proposal has shocked these people.

"Boss, although Ronald is very good, he is very young. Can he raise this leash?" Griffith looked at me and asked a question that everyone nodded.

I understand what these guys mean. 24 million investments are already huge risks for a movie, and the choice of actors often means greater risks.

This movie must be foolproof when choosing the male and female protagonists. If you invest so much, you naturally have to choose the top-notchest player in DreamWorks. In their minds, Humphrey Bogart and Gary Grant are the old men of DreamWorks. They are also the most popular stars among DreamWorks actors. It is absolutely reassuring that one of them takes over.

But I have different ideas from them.

"I understand your thoughts. In fact, Humphrey Bogart or Cary Grant can guarantee that the movie can be shot smoothly. They have the ability, but for this movie, they are not the most perfect one!"

My tone became excited.

"In "Titanic", Jack is a poor boy, and a worthless boy, who is completely the kind of person at the bottom. The images of Gary Grant and Humphrey Bogart on the screen are basically bright and beautiful, and they have become too noble in the people's minds. It is obviously a bit inappropriate for them to play such a poor boy. Ronald is different. Although he has starred in a series of movies, in the movies he starred in, his appearance is basically the role of ordinary people, not very bright and beautiful. More importantly, he is young and very consistent with Jack's identity. It is perfect for him to play."

My analysis made everyone's eyes gentle, and the group of people, including Griffith, nodded together.

"Where is the heroine?" Gansbaba asked.

"The heroine has this problem. Many female stars in DreamWorks can play this role, but if they act opposite Ronald, Catherine Hepburn, Garbo, Julie, Betty Davis will obviously not work. In the hearts of the audience, there is a certain psychological gap if they act opposite Jack."

"Among the remaining group, I think Ingrid Bergman is the most suitable heroine."

My choice was recognized by everyone. In this way, the male and female protagonists in "Titanic" were finally confirmed.

In terms of choosing other roles, it is obviously a front-line configuration. DreamWorks has joined, making the cast of "Titanic" close to "The Godfather".

While setting up the crew, the news that "Titanic" will be launched is also promoted by major media such as Lockettke TV and CBS.

As I expected, as soon as this news came out, it immediately caused an uproar in the whole United States.

I received a call from Marskolov just after the news was broadcast on Locktke TV.

"Andre. Are you crazy about DreamWorks? Use 24 million to shoot a movie!? My God, do you think your DreamWorks are money printing machines!? No matter how big your family business is, it cannot withstand such troubles! 2400! My God!"

Marskolov shouted on the other end of the phone, and it was obvious that the old man was about to go crazy.

I knew he was really worried about me, but in the face of his concern, I laughed.

"Old Ma, how can I get anything if I don't give?" I said, blocking Marskolov's mouth.

And then, there was more than just such a call.

Adolf Chuck, Sam Warner, Lemmer and others called to inquire, and even Harry Truman asked me anxiously if DreamWorks really need to invest so much money to make such a movie.

"24 million! DreamWorks' actions really drove us crazy! Not long ago, the 15 million investment of "The Godfather" had already made the whole world faint, but this time it turned out to be 24 million!"

"What does 24 million mean? In Hollywood, companies like Star Film Company have only 30 million in total assets. The investment in a movie by DreamWorks is equivalent to the size of a film company! In Hollywood, no one except DreamWorks would do such a big deal!"

"This movie is directed by Griffith, and we all have confidence in him. With Mr. Corleon as an advisor, there is no problem with the quality of this movie, but despite this, we are still worried that the movie will recover the 24 million investment cost after the screening?"

"Dreamworks' actions are getting bigger and bigger. They are so big that they are panicking. We want to give Mr. Corleon a reminder: Don't think that the greater the investment, the greater the profit. If such a movie fails, the blow will be fatal! Dreamworks is the spiritual leader of Hollywood. We believe in Mr. Corleon's ability, but we don't want anything unfortunate to happen."

An article published in the Los Angeles Times expressed strong concerns about DreamWorks' move.

And this kind of mood is often seen in other newspapers.

"I think Mr. Corleon's investment this time is really big. The investment of 24 million is a bit stunning. Although the big scenes of the movie are of a certain proportion to the investment cost, can a movie about a shipwreck really cost so much? I think Mr. Corleon is a little confused now. He has been a little confused by victory."
To be continued...