[Chapter 694: Making Money Just to Spend It Better]
William White had snipped a tuft of wool from the British and, of course, felt the need to squander it a bit.
The Harland and Wolff Shipyard received a peculiar order, and if it hadn't been for the buyer's big reputation, the shipyard would have thought it was an April Fool's prank. Even so, the shipyard was quite upset. Seriously, if you were making a movie, a model ship would have sufficed. There was no need to actually build another Titanic. Hadn't one sunk already? They intended to sink another?
The famous "unsinkable ship" set sail and sank within days. It was utterly absurd.
"Damn it, this American is crazy. Where am I supposed to find a steam engine?"
"Sir, they brought the internal design schematics. In fact, only one compartment is meant for a traditional steam engine. The ship runs on diesel; that's just for show."
"That jerk! Shouldn't they build a wooden replica for the movie?"
"No idea, the guy is out of his mind. When he made Jurassic Park, didn't he create a whole dino park? After a storm, that thing was a disaster."
...
William White didn't care about their complaints. If they couldn't produce what he needed, he would go elsewhere. Shipyards were closing left and right; they would build whatever he wanted.
The fact that this shipyard hadn't gone under surprised William White already. Besides, he wasn't trying to cheat the shipyard; it was merely an unfortunate incident. Without that iceberg, the ship wouldn't have sunk.
"Mr. White, I need this movie. I have to have it," James Cameron insisted fervently.
William White felt frustrated; he had seen people bully their bosses, but this was outright coercion. He was pushing him.
"James, you can direct. The pay for the director won't be much. I'll be in the red with this film; I'm not even expecting an investment. As for you, Nastassja, you're not right for the role of Rose."
"Hmph, I just want to be a producer. I don't want to pass up such a major production."
Nastassja felt disappointed but had no other choice. The character was designed as a downtrodden British noblewoman. Having someone too beautiful wouldn't do, and if she had any hint of a past, the Brits would probably clutch their chest in disbelief.
In that era, the British, especially daughters of nobility, remained quite conservative.
What? Things still went awry.
Ahem, if there were other ways, that would not be an issue. As for the traditional aspects, that was a definite no-go. So William White's version wouldn't have that scene in the car.
Of course, as ambiguity was essential. Still, there wouldn't be that last moment -- just to leave you all gasping for air.
Honestly, when young Leo DiCaprio, in his prime, faced off against a much more voluminous Rose, it took forever. By the time they finished filming, the ship would've already sunk.
"James, this movie isn't happening that quickly. It'll take at least a year to build this ship. And to perfectly replicate those interiors, that'll take at least another year. So, for now, this isn't your priority."
"It's fine. I need time to dissect the script. mr. White, this is meant to be an Oscar contender, right?"
"Of course, if those old geezers have the guts not to grant it, I'll tear them apart."
Cameron didn't doubt William White's claims; from the casting perspective, the film aligned perfectly with mainstream values.
Yes, women and children had priority; the British truly were gentlemen. But what about those poor folk in the lower decks? Did they enjoy the same rights?
Clearly, they didn't.
Wealthy individuals escaping with their lives didn't draw William White's disdain. He believed he would've done the same. He held nothing but respect for those who gave up their chances. No matter how they felt about it, at that moment, they were heroic.
What William White aimed to portray in this movie was precisely that. As for why there were romantic interludes, truth be told, without those, it might as well have been a documentary.
Many American films were made like this. During war scenes, Normandy would just be a footnote. A seemingly insignificant bridge became the centerpiece.
Money was important, but not the most critical factor. If the spectacle was too grand, audiences would feel no connection, making it difficult to convey intended messages.
This type of film was usually shot by the Soviets. With thunderous gunfire at the front, old-timers in conference rooms would puff away on pipes, and suddenly the enemy would be defeated.
Cost-saving was just one of the reasons. In America, making a film could involve renting soldiers or police outright.
However, you'd need to pay, and it wouldn't be cheap. If the storyline was anti-war, there wouldn't be any subsidies; it would be as expensive as it could get.
Moreover, focusing on small details couldn't deviate from the main storyline. If the narrative wandered off too far, it would surely flop.
When they reached the end of Pearl Harbor, it was unclear what on Earth they intended to achieve.
A direct betrayal of the male lead -- ha! This guy probably never read a web novel. Writers who did that, no matter how famous, would crash and burn.
Propelling the audience into the narrative was vital; if in the end they discovered they had been duped, it would be like receiving a blade in the mail.
...
"My heavens, George, William White has gone mad," Spielberg exclaimed, flustered upon hearing the news.
"Calm down, buddy. Don't get your heart racing. Did Jurassic Park lack investment? The same goes for when he shot Blade," Lucas replied dismissively. White Productions' box office was proof enough; how could a $200 million budget stop him this time?
"It's different, George; amusement parks can make money too, you know?"
Looking at Lucas's teasing expression, Spielberg felt a bit sheepish.
"Alright, alright, a hurricane alongside a tornado? Talk about this guy having bad luck. At least a hundred million gone."
"Eh, if it's all losses, it wouldn't necessarily be. Wasn't there talk about some kind of hurricane when the first one started? Given its current disarray, he could make a sequel right away."
"He indeed has a plan for that, but I refused. For me, making a sequel won't lead to any breakthroughs. I heard some truck driver is taking the helm."
"Not just that. The Titanic will also be under his direction. You don't know, Hollywood has gone crazy the last few days. A $200 million blockbuster lead? My word, is this a one-night fame type of story?"
These two old-timers were undoubtedly grumbling about how William White was willing to spend. Was he after that incredibly stunning beauty again?
Both knew that Lucas made films to make a buck and enjoy life. Spielberg genuinely loved making them and wished for breakthroughs beyond his boundaries.
As for William White, Hollywood was well aware he was purely playing around.
Both of them had seen the effects of high-speed cameras. They were indeed incredibly powerful; unfortunately, none could afford them.
For a single Blade, William White spent on scrapping two. Of course, he didn't care; Bell Labs would handle it. Try asking another film company; you'd surely bleed from the sheer expense.
Such exorbitant costs wouldn't even appear on screen for over a minute. What an absurd situation that was; it went without saying.
*****
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