My Hollywood System

Chapter 18:

Jeffrey started reading the script after Will’s explanation regarding why it seemed short satisfied him.

Quite honestly, Will could already empathise with the directors who got frustrated with him.

It wasn’t just due to his picky personality but also how he talked.

“How are you planning to shoot this? The dialogues are not much, and adding too many sound effects might backfire on us.”

Jeffery was direct, to say the least.

Will shook his head upon hearing the question, “The technique we are using sits perfectly with this script. We’re going to use a technique called Found Footage. It will-”

“Found footage?” Jeffery interrupted him, “Are you for real? This technique was last used thirty years ago…” After a moment of pause, he shook his head while adding, “I don’t think it will work. The movie might become monotonous.”

Will nodded, “I understand that, and that’s the reason why I am here for you. Since we will be presenting the whole movie as if it was a discovered film or video recording, we will need a lot of sound effects to add a tone of uncertainty and create the fear of the unknown among the audience.”

Jeffery remained silent for a few moments before asking. “You know, this is not my first time working on a horror project, and I agree with your last point, but aren’t you going to show the Blair Witch? That will take away the fear of the unknown.”

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“Oh?” Will frowned.

In [The Blair Witch Project] of his world, the moviemakers hadn’t shown the Blair Witch’s face to the audience and had left it to the audience’s imagination.

But here, Will wanted to make a slight change to give the Blair Witch character a strong base, and the best way to do it was by showing it, even if it’s for just a millisecond.

“Uhm… I suggest not showing the Blair Witch will have a better reaction,” Jeffery put out his thoughts.

Will shook his head, “I thought of this scenario, but as you said before, there’s a high chance the movie will become monotonous, especially since we’re using Found Footage technique to shoot it.”

“We will use it for the whole movie?”

“Yes.”

“Oh…” Jeffery lightly nodded his head, “then yeah, I guess it will become monotonous.”

Will smiled, “There’s another reason why I want to add the Blair Witch instead of leaving it up to the audience’s imagination.”

“Oh? And that is…?”

“The satisfaction. The audience will feel satisfied and consider the money spent well on the tickets after catching a glimpse of the Blair Witch. I bet some might even come for another show, just to have a second look.”

Jeffery nodded, “I agree with that. However, since you’re planning to use Found Footage, the movie will be in first-person point-of-view. That brings everything to a whole new level because the actors will have a lot of close-ups, and their facial expressions will be very important. Have you started the auditions for this script? Or are you planning to audition actors soon?”

Will shook his head, “I am not planning any audition now, since… I have already arranged it, and I have even selected about ten very talented actors.”

“Oh?” Jeffery asked, “By any chance, did you bring in anyone famous?”

“No.” Will shook his head, “I am just a nobody in this industry, at least for now. But to be honest, I don’t want to have famous actors in this movie.”

“Oh? And the reason behind it?”

“Realism.” Will replied, “Since it’s found footage, it will be more believable if we use newbie actors or someone who isn’t well-known by the people. That, in my opinion, will cater to more viewers than bringing in a well-known actor or actress, which may also bring in their fanbase. Still, at the end of the day, the audience won’t feel the realism because they know who the person on the screen is, and this will, in turn, hurt the box office potential.”

Jeffery was satisfied with Will’s answer, and then putting down the script, he asked, “Have you decided the locations for shooting?”

“Montgomery County, Maryland.”

“Oh? Why there?”

“Well, the terrain, of course. It’s perfect for this script, and I have heard there are some old civil war era mansions and cottages in the woods too, which makes it even better for us.”

“Oh, you have researched all of this?”

Will nodded, “This may be my first project, but I am also considering it as my last night, and that’s enough reason for me to give everything I have got.”

Nevertheless, Jeffery was a bit taken aback by Will’s words but was satisfied with his enthusiasm.

“Very well, I would like to be a part of this project. When are you planning to begin the shoot?” He asked with a smile plastered on his face.

The smile on his short stature and gruffly face created a weirdly unique vibe, and it was surprisingly a positive one – something which others would rarely get to witness from Jeffery.

On the other hand, Will felt a sudden gust of relief upon hearing Jeffery’s words.

“The schedule for the shooting is yet to be finalised,” Will replied, “Even though I want to start it as soon as possible, to be honest, you’re the first person I have come to invite to join this crew after selecting the actors.”

“Oh?”

“Yes,” Will nodded, “And it will take some time to create the whole team. I have even given myself a deadline of two weeks to get the film crew ready.”

Jeffery thought for a moment and then asked, “How about we use my crew?”

“Huh?”

“You heard it right. I have a small crew of myself, and this project will need outstanding video editors, and the people I know are, in my opinion, the perfect choice for this type of filming. What do you think?”