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Chapter 2: Spielberg Gets Interested
🕑 Added 2024-09-03 09:52:27 +0000 UTCDay by day, time passed, and as the completion of Hook approached, Gilbert finally finished the script.
In fact, he had completed the script a while ago since the story was quite simple.
The reason it took so long was because Gilbert needed to understand the filmmaking process in Hollywood during the 90s and think about how to turn the script into a movie.
After all, his experience as an online film director in his previous life couldn't be applied to this era.
In his previous life, they had already progressed to digital cameras, but in this era, it was still the real film cameras.
Although it was the cinematographer who handled the camera, a director who didn't understand these things couldn't be considered competent.
From this perspective, joining Spielberg's crew to learn was the right choice.
After all, when it comes to top directors in Hollywood during the 80s and 90s, Steven Spielberg's name would definitely be there.
In Hollywood, hearing this name is like hearing the name of a national teacher in China.
Of course, the two are worlds apart in terms of international film reputation.
After completing the script and understanding the operation mode of Hollywood crews in this era,Gilbert finally had enough confidence to take the first step.
After finishing the script,Gilbert immediately handed it over to Gwyneth Paltrow, who had been paying attention to this project.
"It's finally done," Gwyneth Paltrow said with satisfaction as she looked at the script in her hand and immediately ran off with it. "I'm going to find the godfather, you wait for my good news."
Having handed over the script, Gilbert could only hope that this American girl would put in some effort; otherwise, he would have to wait and look for other opportunities.
In the director's lounge, Steven Spielberg was sipping coffee, feeling relaxed.
Recently, Julia Roberts finally stopped her antics and calmed down, not arguing with him anymore.
To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that Julia Roberts had already shot so many scenes, Spielberg would have wanted to replace the leading actress.
In all his years of experience, this was the first time he had encountered such an awkward situation.
It's much better now; Julia Roberts sincerely apologized, and Spielberg graciously accepted, showing his magnanimity by not holding a grudge.
Just as he was thinking about post-production after the wrap, he heard Gwyneth Paltrow's voice from afar.
"Godfather..."
Compared to Julia Roberts, Spielberg undoubtedly liked Gwyneth Paltrow more, after all, she was his goddaughter.
Spielberg had a good relationship with the Paltrow family, and this time he used his personal connections to get his goddaughter into the crew, and the producers had no objections.
This kind of thing is very common in Hollywood; background and connections are useful in Hollywood, and if you're also Jewish, even better.
"What's the matter, Gwyn..." Spielberg asked warmly, showing a friendly smile as he looked at Gwyneth Paltrow rushing in.
Gwyneth Paltrow liked being called "Gwyn," it made her feel more individual and cool.
Of course, only Gilbert didn't call her that. So, Gwyneth Paltrow thought Gilbert was very cheeky, with a kind of roguish charm.
Gwyneth Paltrow handed the script to Spielberg. "Godfather, take a look at this."
"What is this, a script?" Spielberg put down his coffee and took the script. The title on the cover read The Shallows, which made Spielberg raise an eyebrow, finding it interesting. Who was trying to imitate Jaws
Gwyneth Paltrow explained, "This is a script written by Gilbert. I think it's pretty good, so I brought it to you."
Spielberg didn't open the script to read it right away. Instead, he looked at Gwyneth Paltrow with a half-smile and asked, "Did he promise you something in return for bringing the script to me?"
"Godfather, you really are as sharp asGilbert said," Gwyneth Paltrow flattered him a little and then said, "Yes, but it wasn't his idea, it was mine. I said if I could get this script recommended to you, he would have to promise me the lead female role in the movie."
"He agreed?"
"At least he didn't oppose it..."
The youngest son of the Landry family, Spielberg did have some impression of him.
He originally thought Gilbert was just another Hollywood second-generation living off his family, but he didn't expect Gilbert to be diligent and responsible in the crew.
Every task given to him was done well, without any mistakes.
Even the crew's producer praised Gilbert, saying that in the restless Hollywood, finding a young person like little Gilbert who was serious and dedicated to his work was quite rare.
Spielberg had some early connections with Gilbert's father, old Gilbert, but that was the extent of it.
Sr Gilbert had asked Spielberg to let little Gilbert join the crew, and Spielberg had done him this favor, which could be considered repaying an old favor.
With the experience gained in his crew, Gilbert Jr now had some resume. As long as he wasn't overly ambitious and remained down-to-earth, he wouldn't have to worry about making a living in the future.
But Spielberg didn't expect Gilbert to pull this move...
Subconsciously, Spielberg thought it was a trick by little Gilbert, using his goddaughter to approach him and secure funding.
In an instant, the decent image of little Gilbert in Spielberg's mind turned into one of a restless, smooth-talking, and opportunistic person.
However, since his goddaughter had brought the script to him, Spielberg decided to take a look. What kind of script could a young man in his early twenties write?
But as soon as Spielberg opened the first page of the script, he was immediately captivated.
"Did little Gilbert write this?" Spielberg asked, pointing to the sketch on the first page of the script, showing it to Gwyneth Paltrow.
Gwyneth Paltrow nodded, "Yes, I watched him write it. There are more storyboard sketches further in."
What made this sketch so surprising to Spielberg? It was because little Gilbert demonstrated his ideas on how to shoot the film through the sketches.
Simply put, he created a shark's perspective, showing how the female lead escapes from the shark in the script from the shark's point of view.
This filming technique, which became overused in the 21st century, was a very innovative approach in the 90s.
Spielberg wasn't a top Hollywood director for nothing; he immediately saw the brilliance of this filming technique.
When shooting thrillers or horror films, such a perspective and such shots could undoubtedly greatly enhance the sense of immersion and excitement.
While it couldn't guarantee success, the fact that Gilbert could come up with this idea proved he wasn't just all talk but had done serious preparation.
Spielberg quickly flipped to the back, where indeed there were several storyboard sketches, and just from the sketches, one could already imagine the movie scenes.
"Gwyn, go get Gilbert; I want to talk to him," Spielberg instructed.
Gwyneth Paltrow was delighted. If Spielberg wanted to see Gilbert, it meant there was a chance, so she quickly ran out to call Gilbert in.
Before going in, Gwyneth Paltrow reminded Gilbert, "In front of the godfather, don't brag. He hates people who brag the most. Just behave normally, say what you need to say."
"I know." Gilbert nodded, took a deep breath, and then went in.
Gilbert knew clearly that whether or not he would get the opportunity to direct depended upon this moment.
