Unlike the grumpy truck driver James Cameron, Spielberg is famous for his good nature in Hollywood.
For example, Julia Roberts used to get high and argue with Spielberg. If it had been James, I'd replace her without hesitation.
But Spielberg tolerated it and continued working with Julia Roberts despite past grudges, which was enough to demonstrate his good character.
Of course, this was her only chance. After this, Julia Roberts would never receive another invitation from Spielberg, and she wouldn't even be qualified to audition.
Faced with the little Gilbert who had deceived his goddaughter, Spielberg felt he couldn't give him a good face.
But when he saw little Gilbert walk in and greet him respectfully, Spielberg's bad face disappeared instantly.
"Come, sit down," Spielberg asked Gilbert Jr., then turned to his assistant and said, "Pour him a cup of coffee."
After the cup of coffee was in Gilbert's hands, Spielberg asked, "Gilbert, did you write the script Gwen gave me?"
Although the idea wasn't his, he definitely wrote it. Gilbert admitted without hesitation, "Yes, I wrote the script."
"Oh yeah? How did you come up with this story?" I took a quick look at the script and discovered that, except for the shark, it has nothing to do with my "Jaws." Spielberg was very curious.
At that moment, Gilbert Jr. was about to use his deception skills: "Director..."
"Just call me, Uncle Steven."
"Well, Uncle Steven, I've always been your loyal fan. When I was five, my father took me to the movies to see Jaws. Ever since then, I've been thinking about creating a shark story. As I grew older and came into contact with the film industry, the idea took shape and evolved into the script we have today."
The reasons Gilbert Jr. gave were more than sufficient, and Spielberg couldn't find fault with them.
Spielberg asked again: "You wrote this script and let little Gwen show it to me. Did you plan on letting me be mentioned in this movie?"
"I didn't think about it at all!" Little Gilbert stood up, not caring that he spilled his coffee on his pants. "When I started writing the script, I didn't think about getting your recommendation. It's just that Gwyneth was very eager to help, so I just went with the flow."
"I know, little Gwen told me the same thing." Spielberg instructed little Gilbert not to get excited and to sit down first.
Then, Spielberg and Gilbert Jr. discussed the script or creative ideas for the film, including ideas for filming, etc.
During this process, Spielberg also observed Gilbert Jr. to see what his specific state of mind was.
If Gilbert Jr. was the kind of person who boasted, wasn't pragmatic, and bragged about how well he would do, Spielberg definitely wouldn't help him.
But unexpectedly, little Gilbert was very pragmatic and had thought through every step, from planning to implementation.
Pragmatism and imagination, these two somewhat contradictory words, are embodied in little Gilbert.
It's worth noting that in Hollywood, every successful film director is basically a combination of two words.
It seems that Gilbert Jr. inherited his father Gilbert Sr.'s filmmaking talent, but not his impetuous personality, which is a much better thing.
After discussing the general ideas for the film, Spielberg also completed his basic research on Gilbert Jr.
"One last question: If little Gwen has to be the heroine, would you be okay with it?" Spielberg asked.
Gilbert Jr. considered it and replied, "If the audition meets the requirements, I'll definitely agree."
Spielberg was more satisfied. He had a clear goal and would consider him for the film. Similarly, you have to be flexible in your approach and give favors and stand up when appropriate.
"Okay, let's talk about this today. I'll take this script with me. Do you have any objections?" Spielberg asked with a smile.
"Of course, Uncle Steven," said little Gilbert with a smile.
Once Spielberg accepted the script, he was practically certain he would recommend it to the production company. But there is one uncertainty: whether Gilbert Jr. can direct. This is crucial.
Let's not overestimate the awareness and trustworthiness of film companies. Once people see the shark movie Spielberg recommended, they'll definitely be interested. After all, the successful precedent of "Jaws" exists.
But if I knew the director was a young man in his twenties, I would definitely strongly demand that he be replaced by a more reliable director.
There's a saying in China: "A man without hair on his lips can't do things right." This expresses the idea that the experience and wisdom that come with age and the passage of time are necessary to make wise decisions and do things right.
Top executives at Hollywood film companies don't understand Chinese, but they still understand the same principles.
Therefore, young people have little opportunity to gain trust; after all, this involves an investment of millions or even tens of millions.
Of course, Gilbert Jr. can also contribute money.
But unfortunately, the only thing left of the Landrini family that's worth anything is their name, nothing more.
Young Gilbert still had to pay off his college loans and didn't have the money to invest in a film.
In fact, early on, Gilbert Jr. also considered making a "Blair Witch Project" or a "Paranormal Activity."
After all, these two films are examples of horror films that have achieved huge box office returns with very small investments, and they aren't difficult to shoot.
But after careful consideration, Gilbert Jr. rejected both films.
There are two reasons. The first is environmental. After all, 1991 isn't 1999 or 2009.
The popularity of "Blair Witch Project" and "Paranormal Activity" is inseparable from the development of the internet.
When these two films were released, Internet development in North America had reached its peak, and the number of Internet users and network traffic ranked first in the world.
But what time is it now? It was 1991, just last year, when the world's first publicly accessible web page and web browser were born.
Microsoft had just released Windows 3.0, establishing its position as the dominant player in PC operating systems.
It was also last year that the world's first network operator was created.
According to statistics from a data survey, in 1991 there were only about 4.2 million internet users in the United States.
Although it's still number one in the world, it's too small, and the base isn't large.
When "Blair Witch Project" premiered in 1999, there were over 110 million internet users in the United States.
4.2 million versus 100 million—it's an easy calculation.
The Internet, as a major propaganda base, had such a large gap that all the tactics employed in "Blair Witch Project" were ineffective by 1991.
One of the reasons internet promotion is so important for "Blair Witch Project" and "Paranormal Activity," in addition to their contagion and dissemination, is the cost savings.
Nowadays, film promotion is done through print media, television media, and offline advertising.
All of this costs money and isn't cheap.
For a film with an investment in the tens of thousands, you're asking the film company to pay you tens of millions in advertising.
Without the foresight, the film company's top executives will probably think you're crazy.
Therefore, for a first-time director's first film, the investment isn't the smaller the better, but the right one.
The second reason is due to Little Gilbert himself.
Of course, he knew that "Blair Witch Project" or "Paranormal Activity" were easy to film and didn't require any technical difficulties.
But as a film director, Gilbert Jr. felt that nothing was interesting unless it was challenging.
Little Gilbert likes challenges. Only by daring to challenge can he weather bigger storms.
Now it all depends on whether Spielberg can convince the film company's top executives to give young Gilbert a chance.
(End of this chapter)
Note: I've made some modifications to adapt the novel, as it's somewhat nationalist. Therefore, there will be a slight difference from the author's, but not much, as these are the author's original ideas, so it may take a while to update. Thank you for your understanding.
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