Sunday, an apartment in the western part of Los Angeles.
"Yes, Dad, I'm doing well in Los Angeles. I'm studying and training every day."
"I'm not wasting my youth; you should keep up with the entertainment industry news. MGM and Hasbro have already announced the shooting of 'Transformers,' Eric didn't deceive me."
"Dad, you don't need to work so hard. You should be more interested in your daughter's life. This is a $150 million film, more than all your projects combined!"
"Okay, I've got to go; I'm going shopping with Rafaeli. Bye!"
Hanging up the phone, Gal Gadot stood in front of the mirror, applying light makeup. Eric didn't like heavy makeup, and today was a day off, and they planned to spend the day together.
As for shopping with Rafaeli, that was, of course, a lie for her father.
Suddenly, her chest was embraced by hands, and Bar Rafaeli's voice came from behind: "Isn't this the lead actress of 'Transformers'? Putting on makeup first thing in the morning. Let me guess, you have a date, right?"
Gadot laughed: "Stop it, Rafaeli. If I ruin my makeup, I'll have to redo it, and I don't want to make Eric wait."
"So what? You're about to become a Hollywood star."
"But he makes the decisions, doesn't he?"
Rafaeli picked up a comb: "Let me help with your hair. And tell me, how did you win Eric Cooper's heart?"
Gadot, slightly touching up her eyebrows, replied: "I didn't; I never felt like I won him over. He's not someone who thinks only about sex. You can see that from the news."
"Besides, we're just hanging out together, no one talks about feelings. I don't even know how it happened. A month ago, my life was completely different."
The phone on the table rang, and she made the final touches: "I'm off, see you in the evening."
Rafaeli watched as Gadot left the apartment and got into the passenger seat of a Lamborghini. Inside, anger boiled. Previously, it was just annoyance, but since Monday, after the news announcement, this feeling grew into rage.
Approaching the mirror, she looked at her reflection: "Bar Rafaeli, why isn't it you? You're no worse than her!"
"Why did she get the role in 'Transformers,' while you got only a part in some stupid zombie series?"
"Friendship? Three days and two nights together, and you call that friendship? Bitch!"
Looking into the mirror, she suddenly grabbed a glass and smashed it against the glass.
Boom!
...
"Eric, congratulations, 'Red Dragon's' box office this week is approaching $300 million."
"It's unlikely to exceed that mark significantly. Another week in theaters, and I think the final gross will be just over $300 million."
"Why not continue showing it?"
Eric laughed at this naive question: "I'd like to, but theater owners won't agree. They need to free up screens for another movie."
"Why?"
"'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' is coming out soon. Plus, we have a real titanic battle ahead of us before Christmas! And the main competitors are already determined. When Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg release their films, the rest will have to try hard."
"By the way, you mentioned that MGM also has a premiere soon. Will there be any problems because of that?" Gal Gadot asked anxiously.
"It's not so bad. In November, MGM releases 'Barbershop,' where all the main roles are played by black actors. This film has its audience and definitely won't fail."
"'Die Another Day' is mainly financed by Universal, not MGM. James Bond always brings profit, the only question is how much."
"In December, 'Sharknado' is set to release. It's quite an unconventional project. If we compare other films to trembling rabbits in the titanic battle, this film is a cunning fox."
"What do you mean? I don't understand your cryptic expressions," Gadot protested.
Eric looked at her, thinking that she was still too young and inexperienced, just out of school with no life experience.
"Gadot, haven't you read fables? The fox is a symbol of cunning. It never attacks head-on but acts in roundabout ways, yet always achieves its goal."
Gal nodded, though she still didn't fully understand. Deciding to change the subject, she asked:
"When will the shooting start? When can I start working?"
"Are you in such a hurry?"
"I'm just bored. I want to test what I've learned."
"I'm afraid you'll have to wait. It's a big project, and its preparation is quite complicated. If everything goes smoothly, shooting will start in January."
"Another two months?"
"Yes, at least. If there are delays, you'll have to wait three, maybe even four months."
"But once the preparation is complete, shooting will go quickly. Next year, you'll be able to see yourself on the big screen."
Eric was telling the truth. Filming "Transformers" was complicated due to two things. Firstly, it required using expensive military equipment and shooting on a military base, which required coordination with the Department of Defense.
His father was already handling this issue. While Eric could afford a day off with Gal, his father was meeting with officials. Money had to be spent, but if it saved on big expenses, all these would be justified costs.
Secondly, the special effects, which were even more complicated than the agreements with the Department of Defense and required a lot of time.
Some viewers think that special effects are added after shooting, but this is a superficial view. In films with few special effects, it's possible, but in major projects, work on special effects starts even before shooting.
Take, for example, "Transformers." First, the director, screenwriter, and artists combine their ideas to create the images of Autobots and Decepticons on paper.
Then these images are handed over to the special effects company, which creates 3D models and endows them with realistic emotions and movements. Transformations are especially complicated.
This process takes many months and requires numerous revisions until the result satisfies the director.
Once this part is completed, the rest goes faster.
Shooting usually takes about three months, and Eric is confident he can reduce this time to two.
Editing is also easier for him, as he has already reviewed the final product multiple times.
"Eric, we're being filmed!" Gal said quietly, pointing into the distance.
Eric looked and calmly replied: "No big deal. Over the past few days, they've been following me, trying to dig up something interesting."
"They won't reveal me? You said we shouldn't publicize it yet."
"That was a week ago. Now that the hype has died down, let them stir up the topic again."
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