"Where did you manage to get these?"
On the makeshift set, Martin received the box of sunstones sent by Bruce, his curiosity piqued. "Did you really find someone to carve these here?"
Bruce explained, "I took a trip to jeweler a few days ago. I met Kim and Khloe in New York, and we found a skilled artisan who could do it."
Martin opened the box beside him, revealing carefully polished sunstones that gleamed with a vibrant orange-red hue. They had been meticulously crafted into heart-shaped pendants, suspended from platinum chains.
Bruce added, "Originally, they suggested using a black cord for the pendants, but I thought platinum would be a better fit."
Martin sighed appreciatively, "We've given away so many horn carvings; a unique heart-shaped sunstone is a breath of fresh air. These stones are truly exquisite."
He suggested, "Didn't you, Lily, Harris, and the others set up a company to source Australian material? You could purchase some of these Mississippi River stones and have them fashioned into heart-shaped pendants. I'll distribute them as gifts later."
Bruce inquired, "Specifically for women?"
Martin picked up one of the orange-red stones and held it up to the sunlight. "Don't you think that only beautiful women can match such exquisite stones?"
Bruce understood the sentiment. "In your eyes, it's never too much."
Martin packed a few boxes and sought out Mene first, handing him the largest one. "This is for you."
Mene eagerly opened it and inspected the contents. "Is this what was inside the fish's head that day? It's truly remarkable. Next time I vacation in Las Vegas, I won't need any other gifts."
For Mr. May, whether the gift for Celine Dion was valuable was beside the point. Novelty was what mattered.
Some wealthy individuals, especially billionaires, had a penchant for collecting unique and unusual items.
Martin gifted Léa Seydoux and Kate Upton one each.
Léa Seydoux ventured onto the set to rehearse her moves, briefly glancing at her pendant without paying it much attention.
Kate Upton, on the other hand, wasted no time in placing it around her neck. She tucked it into her cleavage, playfully retrieved it, and asked with a grin, "Master, is there your blessing on this?"
Martin responded nonchalantly, "There's a bit of a Coca-Cola deity's blessing. And, of course, the teacher's blessing."
"Perfect!" Kate Upton tucked it back into her necklace. "I'll definitely wear it proudly in the future."
Martin smiled and made his way to the temporary rest area on the set.
Due to the close relationship between Martin and Charlize, their chairs were always positioned side by side in the actors' lounge.
Charlize inquired, "I see you're giving out gifts. Do you have one for me?"
Martin retrieved a box and handed it to her. "This one's for you."
Charlize wasted no time and opened it, examining the heart-shaped pendant inside. "It looks a bit like amber, or is it heart-shaped? Martin, you're certainly casting a wide net."
Martin teased, "Only when the net is wide enough can you catch a mermaid."
Charlize stowed away the box and pulled out a notebook to jot down a few notes. She remarked, "I'll make sure to record it in front of you."
Martin chuckled, "Please save some face for me..."
Charlize retorted, "Of course, I have to record the scoundrel's quotes in front of the scoundrel himself."
As the set geared up for filming, their conversation came to a pause.
Léa Seydoux's two scenes were swiftly captured on film.
Now, it was time for Martin and Charlize to step back into action.
The day's filming unfolded with remarkable ease, and by early afternoon, David Fincher made the announcement that shooting had concluded.
With the commencement of "Gone Girl" slated for the following week, Martin arranged a meeting with David Fincher, producer Danu, and publicity executive Dixon.
In Martin's office, he had someone set up a projector to display a promotional plan aligned with his vision, crafted by the studio.
Addressing David Fincher, Martin explained, "Prior to starting filming, we deliberated the approach for 'Gone Girl.'"
David Fincher, not known for his prowess in publicity and hype, simply concurred, "I agree with your plan."
Danu and Dixon fixed their gaze on the projection screen, attentively absorbing the content.
Martin activated the laser pointer, directing it at the screen's content as he continued, "The studio has extended invitations to numerous media outlets, prominent bloggers, and social media experts to partake in 'Gone Girl.' This week, individuals from across the United States are converging on Cape Girardeau to participate in next week's search for Amy."
Danu sought clarification, "Will they be covering the entire process?"
Martin nodded, affirming, "Not only will they document the entire process, but David and I will also grant them the freedom to use mobile phones and handheld devices for recording. They can update their blogs and other social media platforms at their discretion."
Dixon interjected, "I've liaised with the local authorities, and there may be thousands of local residents participating in the search and filming."
David Fincher cautioned, "Let's not forget that all participants must sign liability waiver agreements. We don't want numerous shots with identifiable faces to be rendered unusable during post-editing."
Dixon reassured, "This aspect has been duly communicated."
Martin added, "We need to generate excitement for the event. Do we know the location of the police station in town?"
Dixon chimed in, "We've sponsored several police cars for them. Aside from the essential officers, the rest of the police force will join the search for Amy."
If the novel hadn't already been published or lacked the necessary fame, the crew could have launched a viral marketing campaign for "Searching for Amazing Amy."
However, "Gone Girl" had enjoyed an enduring presence on the New York Times bestseller list. Readers of the novel would easily discern the events when reading related reports.
Hence, a more direct approach to publicity and marketing seemed appropriate.
Martin, Danu, Dixon, and David Fincher deliberated, with the director primarily focusing on the cinematic aspects of the project.
The upcoming week transformed the town where the crew was stationed into a bustling hub. Entertainment journalists, bloggers, and social media experts descended upon Cape Girardeau one after another.
To the crew's astonishment, numerous fans of Martin and Charlize Theron, as well as enthusiasts of the original novel, flocked to the town.
Hotels were fully booked, and news about the "Gone Girl" cast proliferated across blogs, entertainment websites, and social media platforms.
On Monday morning, just as the sun ascended, thousands of people gathered outside town, organized into various teams, spreading out like a dragnet.
As previously arranged, journalists donned vests identifying their respective news outlets, set up cameras and video equipment, and were free to film anywhere except in areas occupied by the film crew.
Entertainment bloggers brandished smartphones, tirelessly capturing moments, and swiftly uploading newly acquired photos and videos to their websites.
Simultaneously, social media experts combed through photos while engaging with fans in the comment sections.
Regrettably, current network and mobile technologies weren't quite up to the task. Although North America had some live streaming platforms, broadcasting via mobile devices remained a challenge.
The town's residents eagerly embraced both the search and filming, thrilled by the prospect of appearing in a Hollywood director's production.
Martin's background alone was enough to impress anyone for a lifetime.
Moreover, many of them were devoted followers of the Coca-Cola Cult.
Even the local police were geared up and deployed in an organized fashion.
All the vests the crew had prepared for the Amy search were quickly distributed, and the demand far exceeded the supply.
In a brief discussion with David Fincher, Martin decided to have the Coca-Cola Cult make an appearance directly in the movie scenes.
For those without vests, they could wear Coca-Cola Cult cultural shirts.
Coca-Cola's multimillion-dollar advertising sponsorships certainly didn't come for free.
Martin, as the leader, was actively promoting his organization.
Before noon, "Gone Girl" and "Finding Amazing Amy" were trending all over the internet.
Thousands of people attended, including numerous media outlets and bloggers, making it a joint effort between Martin and David Fincher. It was a viral sensation that day.
Related blog posts, tweets, and discussions flooded the internet.
"Where is Amazing Amy?"
"Thousands Gather in Cape Girardeau to Search for Amy."
"A Comprehensive Analysis of the Scoundrel Dunn and the Paranoid Amy!"
"It's Terrifying to Think What Happens When the Scumbag Gets Caught Cheating by His Girlfriend!"
Clearly, some male media reporters and bloggers were using this opportunity to stir up controversy with the infamous Hollywood figure, Martin Davis.
David Fincher only filmed the search for Amy for one day, but its impact lasted much longer.
In any case, the crew's desire for popularity had been achieved. Many entertainment reporters who had come for the event decided to stay on and continue to cover the crew's activities.
Juicy gossip abounded. Martin Davis seemed to have a peculiar connection with the three actresses in the crew, and he had plenty of mysterious stories with two of them.
In Hollywood, there were renowned directors, and everyone knew that David Fincher aspired to win an Oscar for Best Director.
There was also a bestselling author. Thanks to the attention generated by this event, "Gone Girl" surpassed all competitors on the latest bestseller list and claimed the top spot!
Gillian Flynn garnered significant attention and had become a darling of the media.
Her divorce experience, her creative process, and her past relationship with Martin were all unearthed by the media reporters.
Undoubtedly, a novel that topped the bestseller list for two consecutive weeks was sufficient to elevate an author to stardom.
Gillian Flynn's newfound reputation could be translated into tangible commercial success through her literary works.
Although McDonald from Warner Pictures had disguised himself as a media reporter, quietly arrived in Cape Girardeau, and secretly negotiated the adaptation rights for "Dark Places" with Gillian Flynn and her agent, the news eventually reached Martin's ears.
After all, this was a Davis Studio-led project.
Many Hollywood production crews hired personnel after their formation, leading to a complex crew composition. Some favored Warner's side, while others stood by Martin, the crew's leader.
Someone discreetly relayed the message to Bruce, who, in turn, conveyed it to Martin.
Martin inquired, "Do you know how much Warner paid for the copyright?"
Bruce shook his head. "I overheard Gillian and her agent discussing it occasionally. It seems the initial offer for the basic copyright fee was $3.5 million."
"As expected of Warner," Martin praised, "they certainly have deep pockets!"