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Chapter 61: Out of Place
🕑 Added 2024-09-19 17:12:46 +0000 UTCAs *Speed* neared completion, most of the main scenes had been filmed. In the past few days, Gilbert had been searching for the perfect highway and beach to film a romantic kiss between the lead characters.
After a thrilling and intense race, a sweet embrace and kiss between the leads at sunset would be the perfect finale.
Such scenes never go out of style, even decades later.
Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock kissed when Gilbert called action. He spent three days filming this scene, trying to find the best and most perfect angles to create the final shot of the film with his aesthetic sense of visual optics.
During the shoot, there were obvious sparks between Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves, making the kiss especially genuine. Even when Gilbert called cut, the two continued to kiss for a while longer.
It's quite normal for actors to become romantically involved or form close bonds during filming. For *Speed*, this could even be a promotional point.
Gilbert had already planned to use their relationship for some gossip-driven publicity to promote the film. Of course, Disney and Warner Bros.' tabloid teams were better at handling this, so he didn't need to worry too much.
Once the kiss scene was completed, Gilbert officially declared the wrap of the shoot. Everyone on set breathed a sigh of relief, glad it was over.
After weeks of explosions and car chases, even the most enthusiastic work morale was worn thin by the constant noise.
Knowing the crew was exhausted, Gilbert announced a wrap party once the film was in the can and equipment stored away.
The crew booked a nightclub, and everyone brought their own partners. Keanu Reeves even invited his friends River Phoenix and Johnny Depp, along with plenty of marijuana and cocaine.
It seemed the months of filming had left Keanu Reeves craving a release, and he wasted no time indulging.
As a result, many people around Keanu, River, and Johnny began to smoke up.
Gilbert himself stayed away from these substances, but he wasn't foolish enough to interfere with others' lives. It was a work-related party, and even if Keanu had overindulged, it wouldn't affect Gilbert much.
Perhaps if Keanu had died, it might even garner sympathy for the film. Of course, Keanu appeared to be in good shape, not near death.
However, River Phoenix, clearly exhausted from overuse and excess, was showing signs of fatigue. Gilbert knew that this so-called genius actor would soon die from a drug overdose, though he couldn't recall the exact timing.
At such private parties, alcohol, marijuana, and sex were staples. Even Sofia Coppola, despite her good upbringing, couldn't resist taking a few puffs.
Gilbert observed the scene from a distance, detached and unemotional. He chatted briefly with Charles Roven and Kane Wexman, who quickly joined the revelry with a couple of dancers.
Gilbert sat at the bar on a high stool, sipping lemonade.
"Why aren't you joining the party?" Naomi Watts asked as she sat beside him with a cocktail.
"Why aren't you?" Gilbert countered.
Naomi looked at the partygoers and said, "Sometimes I feel like I'm from a different world."
"Is that so?" Gilbert seemed to agree, "I also feel out of place with those around me."
The two artistic souls distanced themselves from the chaos, enjoying their time together.
"So, what will you do after *Speed* wraps?" Naomi asked.
Gilbert shrugged, clinked glasses with a crew member who came over to say hi, and replied, "I'll be busy with post-production and then with film promotion. A lot of work."
"And after that?"
"Let me think," Gilbert pondered for a moment and said, "Maybe I'll take a vacation. After working so hard, I need to relax. What about you?"
Naomi finished her cocktail and said, "I might take on some supporting roles in a few films. Sheena is working on getting me some opportunities."
"Sounds good, good luck!" Gilbert glanced at the time, grabbed his coat, and said, "It's about time for me to head out."
"I'll come with you," Naomi said, grabbing her bag. They said goodbye to Charles Roven and made their way out of the bar, avoiding the crowd.
"Why don't we hang out at my place for a bit? It's not far from here," Naomi suggested.
Gilbert agreed, and they went to Naomi Watts' apartment together.
Once inside the apartment, Naomi eagerly approached Gilbert, skillfully unfastening his belt. Gilbert took off his shirt and used his heel to close the door.
He then held Naomi's chin, gazing into her blue eyes, and kissed her deeply.
Soon, as clothes were shed, they found themselves on the battlefield of the bedroom.
Before they began, Naomi stopped Gilbert and asked, "Aren't you going to see Michelle for a workout today?"
"There's nothing that can stop me from working out with you right now, darling," Gilbert replied, flipping her over and pinning her beneath him.
"Gilbert, you're so heavy; it's hurting me," Naomi cried out.
Her voice, though plaintive, was like an aphrodisiac to Gilbert.
He abandoned his restraint and began an intensive session of yoga...
After *Speed* wrapped, Gilbert immersed himself in post-production. Despite the success of his previous two films, he didn't get final cut rights. However, the film could be edited according to his vision.
Gilbert worked with editor Mehdi Thomson to complete the editing.
"Mehdi, shorten this shot and insert footage from shot 83," Gilbert instructed.
Mehdi Thomson, an experienced editor, frowned and said, "Gilbert, isn't the film's pace too fast?"
"I want exactly that effect. Fast-paced editing will give the audience more sensory stimulation," Gilbert explained.
"But doesn't this defy logic?"
"Logic? Mehdi, logic is the least needed in the film industry. If we were concerned with logic, *Star Wars* would never have existed," Gilbert replied.
"Well, okay," Mehdi Thomson conceded and continued editing according to Gilbert's instructions.
Charles Roven, observing the process, asked, "Gilbert, won't the film end up feeling like an extended music video or commercial? Won't the audience get tired and leave?"
"No, no, no, quite the opposite," Gilbert said, shaking his finger. "The audience will be glued to their seats, experiencing adrenaline rushes and reluctant to leave the big screen for even a moment."
Working with Gilbert for the first time, Charles Roven found him supremely confident, perhaps even arrogant. However, for some reason, Roven felt an inexplicable trust in Gilbert's confidence.
Though Hollywood films dominated globally, they still had a slower pace overall. Gilbert's focus on fast-paced, thrilling, and visually stunning elements was the film's main selling point.
Even if the story had flaws, Gilbert believed the audience would still pay to see the movie.
