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Chapter 59: Explosions are Art
🕑 Added 2024-09-18 14:27:01 +0000 UTCAfter more than two hours of preparation, the pyrotechnics team finally finished setting up the wiring, and the set design team made the house's exterior look like a lived-in home. Four cameras were positioned at safe spots around the house, and Gilbert checked each one to ensure the shooting angles were correct.
With everything ready, Gilbert woke Scarlett Johansson, who had fallen asleep in the car, and handed her a pair of earplugs.
"Is the explosion about to start?" the little girl asked groggily, still a bit sleepy.
"Of course," Gilbert said, helping Scarlett put in the earplugs. "Just open your mouth wide and don't be afraid; we're very safe."
Scarlett smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, I won't be nervous!"
Gilbert raised an eyebrow, thinking it might be different once the explosion actually happened.
"Everyone, move back to 200 feet."
"Clear the area?"
"Clear the area."
"Director, the area is cleared."
"OK, wait for my signal. Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, start, 3, 2, 1, detonate…"
At Gilbert's command, the special effects coordinator, Tony Ridley, pressed the wired detonator switch, sending the signal to the explosive charges inside the house.
"Boom!" A massive explosion erupted, sending flames soaring over 30 meters into the sky, and the ground trembled.
The house disintegrated instantly under the immense power of the explosives, with debris flying everywhere and the hot air creating a wave felt clearly by the crew 200 feet away.
"Oh my God, oh my God, what am I seeing?" Sofia Coppola repeatedly crossed herself and prayed.
Scarlett Johansson was completely stunned, as if witnessing a scene from hell.
The little girl's mouth opened, tears streamed down her face, and she rushed into Sofia Coppola's arms, crying loudly.
Sofia glared at Gilbert, blaming him for the chaos.
Gilbert felt innocent; Scarlett insisted on coming to watch.
It was similar to fireworks on New Year's Eve, just on a larger scale.
The dramatic explosion must have been too shocking for the little girl, causing her significant emotional distress. It would be days before Scarlett was seen again.
Gilbert had planned to film an internal explosion as well. However, when he proposed this idea, it was met with resistance from the producers due to the high cost of a high-speed wireless camera.
Given the budget constraints, the crew could not afford to blow up a house for just one shot.
So, after filming the external explosion, they used a miniature model for the internal explosion shots.
Although using a miniature model was safer than blowing up an entire house, it was more labor-intensive to make it look realistic. Fortunately, with the support of Industrial Light & Magic's special effects model team, the miniature explosion shots turned out to be satisfactory.
Seeing the little girl nearby, Gilbert thought of her as a former Hollywood goddess and asked, "Scarlett, would you be interested in playing a role?"
Scarlett was pleasantly surprised. Pointing to herself, she asked, "Can I?"
"Of course," Gilbert said, turning to Sofia Coppola. "You can also have a cameo."
Sofia considered it but declined. "No thanks, I'm the worst supporting actress in the Razzies."
It seemed Sofia was still bothered by this, and Gilbert didn't press the issue. Instead, he arranged a role for Scarlett Johansson.
So, Scarlett Johansson made her film debut, playing a little girl almost hit by a bus.
"Cut! Good," Gilbert clapped. "Scarlett, you've officially wrapped."
"Really good," Naomi Watts patted Scarlett's head and praised, "Scarlett did great!"
Scarlett shook her head disapprovingly and pushed Naomi's hand away.
Naomi had a habit of using lunch breaks to give Gilbert massages in his trailer, which Scarlett had long disapproved of.
Naomi didn't mind, as today was not only Scarlett's wrap day but also hers.
Naomi approached Gilbert and said, "Thank you, Gilbert. Without your help, I might have gone back to Australia by now."
"You're welcome," Gilbert patted the petite woman on the shoulder. "Your massage skills are excellent."
"Really?" Naomi's blue eyes looked at Gilbert. "Then you should come over often; I have more massage techniques to show!"
"Sure, definitely…" Gilbert agreed.
Naomi used the excuse of massages to spend time with Gilbert, and with such a charming woman around, Gilbert found it hard to stay focused.
One lunchtime, while the crew was eating, Gilbert discussed massage techniques with Naomi in his trailer. Afterwards, Naomi openly visited Gilbert's trailer and left together after work.
The crew noticed but said nothing; such things were common.
The last person to frequently visit the director's trailer was Cameron Diaz.
However, Cameron Diaz had recently been busy with ads, commercial events, and a significant movie role. Thanks to Gilbert's influence, Cameron's career seemed to be taking off.
While the crew had no issues, Scarlett Johansson was not pleased.
She tugged at Gilbert's pants and said, "Gilbert, I can give you a massage too."
Gilbert was taken aback and then laughed heartily, making the crew laugh along.
Scarlett was puzzled. "What are you all laughing about? I often give my mom massages."
Sofia pulled Scarlett aside and said, "Scarlett, a massage isn't what you think it is."
"What does it mean then?"
Sofia hesitated, not sure how to explain to the little girl, and finally said, "You'll understand when you grow up."
"Do I really have to wait to grow up?" Scarlett looked disappointed. "That will take so long!"
Indeed, it would take a long time. However, Scarlett frequently accompanied Sofia to the set and became quite familiar with Gilbert.
It seemed likely that Scarlett and Gilbert's paths would cross often in the future.
After Naomi Watts' wrap, the crew continued filming.
Naomi played a small role, and although Gilbert gave her more screen time, it was still a minor part and not very important.
The Christmas and New Year holidays were spent simply, and the brief break gave the crew a rare chance to rest from the constant explosions.
Gilbert prepared a Christmas gift for Scarlett Johansson: a mermaid pillow he got from Robert Iger.
The little girl didn't seem thrilled but politely thanked Gilbert and accepted the gift.
Gilbert also met Scarlett's mother, a Broadway playwright.
After divorcing Scarlett's father, she moved with Scarlett and her brother to Los Angeles to look for work.
"Ms. Sloan, are you familiar with 'Chicago'?" Gilbert asked during their chat.
Melanie Sloan, being one of the Broadway playwrights, was indeed familiar with the classic musical.
She smiled and said, "I've seen several performances in New York, so I'm quite familiar with it."
Gilbert nodded, noting this for future reference, as he might seek Melanie Sloan's help to acquire the rights to adapt "Chicago."
Many Hollywood films are not original; they might be based on novels, TV shows, or stage plays.
Although Gilbert is a reborn person, he cannot bypass these existing works to create something entirely 'original.'
Therefore, some copyrights need to be secured in advance, just like with "The Lord of the Rings."
If he misses out, it means the project is not meant for him.
As one of Broadway's classic productions, "Chicago" was certainly a target for Gilbert.
