As soon as Batman Begins' movie production started, Mason and F. F. Moses started working on Green Book. Since Batman Begins would take a few months to film, Ian had decided Green Book would be released as soon as the production was over.
They took two weeks to select the cast. Ian had already decided the locations, scouted, and decided the entire production design before handing the project over to Moses and Mason.
Moses agreed to Ian's ideas right away because all of them were well planned and thought out. Although he did make an amendment saying, "If at any moment if I feel like I need to change something, I will do it without permission." Ian agreed to his words and entrusted him with 'Green Book'.
After taking some time to sort everything out, Moses and Mason went to the first location to start filming.
By their schedule, they had to visit places such as English Turn Golf & Country Club, Houmas House Plantation, McAlister Auditorium, International House Hotel, Carnegie Hall, and Orpheum Theater. Therefore, Mason and everyone else had to go to New Orleans, Louisiana; and New York City, New York, USA.
"Business!" Moses commanded all the people to get into what the role was doing.
"Background action!" The cameras started rolling.
"Action!"
There were a lot of people in the crowd. Crowds such as gorgeous copa girls, white-jacketed waiters, maitre d's in Black Tuxedo Jackets, captains in Blue Tux Jackets, and bouncers in Red Tux Jackets.
On the stage, the camera focused on the person who was in front of the Orchestra, tuxedo-clad Bobby Rydell. The crowd applauded when Moses did a hand signal.
"Hello, New York! I'm Bobby Rydell.
And I'm glad to be here.
Thank you all for coming to see us tonight.
It's Saturday night in the Copa!
We think that we're gonna
have a great time tonight.
We're gonna do our best
to make sure of that.
As always a very special thanks to
Mr. Jules Podell for having us out.
Let's get started."
The actor said, dragging words and keeping pauses like an old singer.
Connor Gilmore said through the mic in front of him. Connor was a B-Grade actor and Moses asked him to act the role without an audition. It was because Moses had seen the previous roles Connor had acted in.
His appearances matched exactly what Moses had in mind while reading the script. Short blonde hair, diamond-shaped face, and thin lips, he suited the role perfectly.
Bobby Rydell started singing in front of the audience.
"That old black magic has me in its spell
That old black magic that you weave so well
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine…" The music started playing in the background.
"Cut!" Moses said through the little handy-mic. Everyone dropped the act and got at ease.
Moses and Mason checked the tape and found out that some things should be changed in the scene.
"These two would be better there, and this one should be on that table. Uh the waiter, you… Show your face to the camera with a smirk, yes. That. That look, I need it while the camera rolls, and people should laugh more, enjoy the music, and look like you are very happy with everything going on," Moses said while explaining things for everyone to hear.
"One more time?" Moses asked and gave commands to start actions while the camera and sound were already rolling.
"That old black magic has me in it's spell
That old black magic that you weave so well…"
[...] The set was busy as ever. Moses, who sat in the director's chair, explained things every now and then. But even after more than half a day, they were still at the beginning of the movie.
"Hello, sweetheart. Here is my coat. And you see this here Hat? I want you to guard it with your life. It was a gift from my mother."
It was Joey Loscudo, who was in his 50s. He was a Mob Boss, entering the club followed by several men and women. The scene included how Loscudo walked over to the coat-check girl, took off his coat and hat, and handed them to her.
"Yes, Mr. Loscudo," The girl who was wearing a red dress answered.
"Cut! Look at him with a pleasant smile, you actually look like you don't want him there. Can we do a quick retake?" Moses asked.
The make-up artists walked in quickly to touch up her face which had been sweating in fear of her role. She was a C-Grade actress who participated in the auditions and got selected for the role for her looks.
"Okay, we'll start in five, take a breath," Moses said, seeing how nervous she was.
The actors and actresses who took part in the scenes that happened inside the hall, kept walking here and there behind the filming. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, Moses would be happy if he got a smooth cut.
"Action!"
"Yes, Mr. Loscudo," She replied with a smile. He hands the coat-check Girl some money.
"Yeah. That's for you," The mob boss said with a smile which she gladly reciprocated.
"Thank you, sir,"
"Cut cut cut! Wink Loscudo, wink at her, one more… Quiet on the set, please!!"
"Andd… Action!"
"Yeah. That's for you," Loscudo said and winked at her. She thanked him with a smile.
"Cut! Maria is your name, yeah?" Moses asked, referring to the girl who stood behind Loscudo. She nodded before replying, "Yes, sir."
"Can you shift your gaze from the coat-girl to Loscudo. Just a seductive kinda gaze, or someone who looks kinda nosy, can we start again?"
[...]
"You tell Jules Lipobdell. If I don't get my hat I'm gonna burn this joint down," Loscudo looked angrier than ever.
"Cut! I need some more anger, with your hands showing how angry you are. Shout at him, and make it look realistic. Think of something that makes you angry, and you… The one behind, yes, I saw you looking behind something, do you want a break?" Moses asked.
"N-No sir, I'm fine," He said and looked back and forth. In no time he started throwing up on the set.
"I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry,"
"It's alright, calm down. Take him, someone," A helper walked quickly and took him off the set.
His first movie filming was Green Book. As it was the first day the guy had a nervous breakdown. This was not the first time Moses was experiencing this. But he remembered how the guy was at his audition.
He was very talented but lacked experience. Moses decided to give him a go since the role would include just standing behind someone. The person had a well-maintained body as a bonus.
After the set was cleaned and freshened the filming started shortly after.
"Action!"
"You tell Jules Lipobdell. If I don't get my hat I'm gonna burn this joint down,"
"I swear to God it's gonna turn up. It's gonna turn up," The guy tried to look convincing and scared.
"Cut! I want you to stutter a bit, but keep your body tall and strong. Don't look like you want him dead, look like an employer who is bearing with the shit of a customer, you get what I mean, Andrew?" Moses asked.
"Yes, sir. One more time," He said and got ready.
"This is taking too much time for the first day," Mason whispered to Moses.
"Although many high-listed actors are here, I want the start to be perfect. Some really lack things we couldn't find during the auditions. But we need to finish at least these completely, oh also, did you check up with Murphy to see when Ian will come back?" Moses asked.
"Not yet, I will contact him in a bit,"
"Okay," He said to Mason and turned to look at the actors who were ready in the set. "Ready?"
"Lights… Set!"
"Sound?" "Set"
"…Action!"
"It's gonna turn up, I swear to God it's gonna turn up," The man said looking frightened.
His black eyes were focused on the mob boss who was shouting as if someone stole his kid. The people behind Loscudo were simply enjoying the show knowing what kind of drama it was. A girl who held drinks in her hand looked frightened.
"Really? You tell that fat Jew bastard that if I don't get my hat I'll burn Copa down!"
"Cut! Can you guys start talking? Look at each other, don't laugh, but start talking and continue it when camera 03 starts rolling from behind. Hopefully, this is the last take, quiet everyone!"
[...] "It's a wrap! Good job everyone! Good job!" Moses said and dismissed everyone.
The crew started packing the equipment and putting them in the van that was stopped outside the set.
"They are still in Iceland, Ian called me just before I called him. Asked how things were going, he sounded tired," Mason said and chuckled.
"That kid will go far in the industry, how long do you think would take…"
Moses and Mason kept talking more for a while about Ian, the studio, and Green Book.
__A word from me__||
One more chapter as BONUS because we're in the top 50 ff rankings! Vote with PS!