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Chapter 164: Photography
🕑 Added 2025-01-13 17:28:03 +0000 UTCThe North American box office for Saw ultimately settled at $110.8 million.
At the same time, Ethan's name spread throughout Hollywood, becoming a hot topic of discussion.
Small-budget production companies were buzzing about the film's astonishing return on investment, envious of the profits earned by Norton Eye. Meanwhile, the major studios were debating whether to approach Ethan to direct their films.
After all, a $100 million box office haul carries a completely different weight compared to niche art films.
Of course, some critics dismissed the movie as shallow and poorly made, accusing Ethan, a former Oscar-winning cinematographer, of abandoning artistic pursuits for commercial greed.
Particularly sharp-tongued critics gave the film mediocre reviews:
"Broken internal logic, an overpowered antagonist, and what's called a test of humanity is really just Jigsaw's selfish whims. The film lacks the depth people claim it has; it's nothing more than a popcorn thriller. It's not even that terrifying—there's barely any gore or violence. You'd be better off watching The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to let out some hormonal frustration."
But such voices were drowned out by the public's praise. Even the online ratings for Saw were higher than other films released during the same period.
On IMDb, it scored 8.5, and on Rotten Tomatoes, it achieved an 81% fresh rating, reflecting the audience's general approval of the film.
Before long, Norton Eye received calls from distributors in other countries, eager to secure the rights. These distributors, like hyenas drawn by the scent of box office success, quickly came knocking.
Movies that perform well in North America often do exceptionally well internationally. The United States, as the world's leading cultural exporter, has a massive influence on global audiences.
After finalizing international distribution deals, Ethan began considering whether Norton Eye should establish its own distribution department. However, this would require significant funding, and the revenue share from Saw wouldn't be available until about three months later—around Oscar season.
Ethan had Loren calculate the final revenue split. In Hollywood, box office splits follow a tiered structure where theaters earn a higher percentage the longer a movie runs. For Saw, the breakdown was:
60% for the first week,
50% for the second week,
and 40% thereafter.
After accounting for these splits, Norton Eye and Lionsgate stood to earn $56.12 million in box office revenue.
Deducting Lionsgate's 12% cut, Norton Eye would ultimately receive $49.38 million. If revenue from merchandise sales was added, profits would exceed $50 million.
With a production cost of $5 million and a profit of $50 million, the return on investment was enviable.
Once global box office earnings were tallied, an additional $20 million might be expected.
It was clear that Saw had become Ethan's most lucrative cash cow.
Other films, whether Little Miss Sunshine or John Wick, couldn't match its success.
The only film that might surpass it was Fifty Shades of Grey.
But even that would only surpass Saw as a single film. In terms of franchise profitability, Saw was far superior.
With these matters settled, Ethan received numerous invitations to galas and brand events.
The most prestigious of these was the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards. While the event primarily honors designers, it is also a major red-carpet occasion in Hollywood, attracting many stars.
The CFDA invited Ethan not just to attend but to be one of the award presenters, citing his unique aesthetic in cinematography as having impressed the awards committee.
From the eerie blue tones of Extreme Reinvention to the vibrant colors of Sk8er Boi and the violent aesthetics of Untouchable, Ethan's visual style had consistently stood out.
Not to mention the stunning shots in Chicago, which led the brands behind the CFDA to unanimously agree that Ethan was a perfect fit for the event and an excellent award presenter.
To make the event even more memorable, they proposed an additional collaboration: Ethan would serve as the official photographer for the awards, taking portraits of all the attending celebrities and nominees.
These photos would later be gifted to the subjects as a surprise.
Naturally, Ethan wouldn't work for free. Along with a generous paycheck, he'd also gain goodwill from the brands, becoming an honorary partner of some of the top fashion houses.
This title held far greater value than money, granting Ethan access to future high-end events and even influence within these circles.
For his company, Angelic Declaration, this partnership meant his actresses would have an easier time gaining favor from luxury brands.
Without hesitation, Ethan agreed.
In addition to the CFDA invitation, Ethan received an endorsement offer from Richard Mille, the luxury watch brand he had worn to the Oscars.
They proposed an annual endorsement fee of $1 million and promised to provide Ethan with their latest watch designs for free.
Ethan immediately agreed to the deal.
Once these matters were handled, it was time for the CFDA Awards, often referred to as the "Oscars of the fashion world."
When Ethan arrived at the venue early, he was greeted by this year's committee chairman, Charles.
"Ethan! Welcome!" The middle-aged man, with bleached yellow hair and adorned with earrings and necklaces, looked incredibly fashionable.
After warmly embracing Ethan, Charles scanned him from head to toe. "Oh, your taste is impeccable. Armani paired with Chanel, a light shirt with a dark coat—classic yet stylish."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"Come on, let me show you something."
Charles led Ethan backstage to reveal a specially prepared photography studio. The space featured a dark green background adorned with gemstones, creating a luxurious ambiance.
"Impressive," Ethan commented. However, he raised a concern: "Won't it take too long to photograph every celebrity?"
"Ah, dear Ethan," Charles said, holding his arm. "Of course, it's not one of those tedious shoots. We'll notify the stars in advance so they can prepare their poses. All you have to do is find the right angle and click!"
"If their poses are terrible, it'll be up to you to fix them. But if you can't salvage them, hahaha, isn't that even better?"
Charles laughed, already imagining the next day's headlines.
"Exactly, and it has nothing to do with the awards ceremony."
Since Ethan didn't have to worry about the poses, his job became much easier. Still, he decided to warn Charles about something.
"By the way, Chairman Charles, I might be a little irritable during the shoot..."
"Like a tyrant on set?" Charles raised an eyebrow. "Ethan, you don't need to worry at all. In fact, I'm far more irritable when designing. I've made many people cry. Their poor aesthetic sense drives me crazy, so I have to correct them bit by bit. You understand that feeling, don't you?"
"Exactly, Charles," Ethan replied with a laugh. After sharing their experiences with less competent colleagues, they felt closer.
Charles quickly explained the entire awards ceremony process to Ethan and then proposed a new idea.
"Ethan, I was thinking, during your shoot, could you cover your face or wear a hat?"
Charles seemed to have come up with a fun idea.
"You mean so no one recognizes me?"
"Exactly!" Charles nodded. "Then, when you're done shooting and go onstage to present the awards, you're still in disguise. I'll pretend to be surprised, and then you'll walk up to the microphone, reveal yourself, and give everyone a surprise. Isn't that fun?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You're right, Charles. That does sound interesting."
"Then it's settled, Ethan." Charles clapped Ethan on the shoulder. "Let's go. Work's over. There's a great restaurant nearby. Let's grab a bite."
They got into a car under the guidance of a staff member.
On the way, Charles couldn't help but praise Ethan's appearance. "You have such sharp features and a great physique. If you became a model, you'd definitely be popular."
Ethan joked, "Sometimes I wonder, with looks like mine, why do I insist on proving myself with talent?"
"Hahaha, Ethan, but let's admit it—your talent surpasses your looks."
"Thanks for the compliment, Mr. Chairman."
The next day, the American Fashion Designers Association Awards officially began.
All eyes turned to New York as the media gathered, journalists set up their cameras, and television vans parked nearby to broadcast the "Oscars of the fashion world" live across the country.
Meanwhile, Ethan, dressed in black work attire, entered his photography studio.
He wore a hat, a wig, a fake beard, and even sunglasses to ensure no one could recognize him.
Even Charles had to take a closer look before confirming it was Ethan. "My goodness, Ethan, you're meticulous. Perfect! Lucas, you'll assist Ethan."
"Hello, Mr. Ethan. It's an honor to assist you." Lucas, a young brown-haired man and one of Charles' photographers, spoke humbly. Though experienced, his achievements paled compared to Ethan's fame and accolades.
"Nice to meet you. Just call me Norton today," Ethan said, using an alias. Lucas nodded in agreement.
The two entered the studio, where Ethan directed Lucas to adjust the lighting. The beams reflected off the gemstones, creating dazzling effects.
"What style are you planning to shoot?" Lucas asked eagerly.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs as he held his camera. "Style? I'm thinking of a dark aesthetic."
"Dark aesthetic?" Lucas seemed puzzled by the term.
Ethan smiled. The dark aesthetic was still niche even in the future. In the present day, it was nearly unheard of, so Lucas's confusion was understandable.
However, this didn't mean the style lacked appeal. On the contrary, dark aesthetic fashion photos often captivated audiences instantly, leaving jaws dropped.
The combination of muted tones and striking designs created a chemical reaction that thrilled fashion photographers.
Although the dark aesthetic lacked a unified standard in this era, Ethan had already mastered it. His approach to lighting, angles, and composition drew inspiration from numerous exceptional photographers.
This event was the perfect opportunity for Ethan to showcase the style and solidify his reputation.
After seeing Lucas's continued confusion, Ethan decided to use him as a model. He snapped a dark aesthetic photo and connected his camera to a computer for some quick editing.
Ten minutes later, Lucas saw the final image and his eyes widened in shock. "Mr. Ethan—oh, sorry—Mr.Li Norton, this photo is incredible!"
Ethan shrugged and corrected him. "It's Norton."
"Yes, Mr. Norton!" Lucas exclaimed, still marveling at the photo. "It's astonishing!"
The image featured subdued yet intense colors. Light reflected off the gemstones, stretched into lines that added unique beauty. The black, silver, and dark green hues balanced like puzzle pieces, neither overwhelming nor fading into the background.
Ethan's choice of angle was also unexpected—a close-up shot that used the model's features to divide and balance the elements of the frame, ensuring harmony without losing focus on the subject.
Lucas had never seen such a style before. Excited, he exclaimed, "This series will blow everyone away, Mr. Norton!"
"Haha, let's hope so," Ethan replied, just as noise erupted outside.
"It's starting. They're walking the red carpet now. Let's get ready," he said.
Leonardo DiCaprio and his girlfriend, Gisele Bündchen, arrived as special guests, though not together. Leonardo followed the staff to the photography studio, where he saw Gisele posing for a photoshoot.
"Yes, Gisele, lift your chin slightly and straighten your chest. Perfect. Your jawline is stunning. Remember that," said the photographer, wearing a large hat and sunglasses that obscured his face. His voice sounded young.
To Leonardo's surprise, Gisele didn't seem bothered by the photographer's critiques. Instead, she cooperated cheerfully.
After her session ended, Gisele even smiled and said, "Thank you. I'll remember that."
"Next," Lucas called, prompting Leonardo to step into the studio.
"Please pose here," Lucas said, pointing to a marked spot. Leonardo nodded, noticing Gisele lingering nearby. He struck a dramatic pose in front of the gemstones, extending his hand flamboyantly.
"Pfft," Gisele chuckled, clearly amused.
Before Leonardo could bask in her approval, the photographer's voice cut in. "What are you doing? Trying to court a gorilla?"
"Uh..." Leonardo frowned. "You don't think this pose is cool?"
"Not at all. It's terrible. I feel like I'm watching a wildlife documentary on mating rituals," the photographer retorted bluntly.
Though annoyed, Leonardo forced a smile in Gisele's presence. "Alright, alright. How should I pose then?"
"Turn sideways and face me. Lucas, give this gentleman's suit some wind."
"Got it!" lucas used a fan to create a gentle breeze.
"Yes, that's it."
Click!
After the shoot, Leonardo joined Gisele on their way to the hall. "Do you know him?" he asked.
Gisele smirked. "You'll find out soon."
In the hall, a group of stars chatted about the mysterious photographer.
"That photographer has quite the sharp tongue," Julia Roberts complained.
"I didn't find him that bad," Jessica Alba remarked. "He barely spoke during my session."
"Same here," Monica Bellucci added. "He just posed me and took the shot."
"Then why did he criticize me?" Julia crossed her arms, frustrated.
"Don't feel bad. He called my pose a gorilla mating ritual," Leonardo interjected, prompting laughter from the group.
As more stars joined the hall, they shared similar stories of the photographer's candid remarks. However, their chatter was interrupted by a loud noise from the studio.
"What happened?" Leonardo frowned, quickly heading toward the commotion. Other stars and reporters followed, eager to uncover the mystery.
In the studio, a tall, dark-skinned woman with middle-parted hair stood fuming, glaring at the bearded photographer. At her feet lay a shattered camera.
Gisele, recognizing the woman, muttered, "Naomi Campbell."
A notorious hothead, it seemed Naomi had clashed with the photographer. The tension hung heavy in the air.
