Hollywood Art: System of sunnys

June 27.

The makeup process to achieve the precise look for his role took four hours. Starting at five in the morning, a team of makeup artists went through a lengthy procedure, while Billy had a prosthetic that shortened the process slightly but required him to stay still.

-It's amazing how much you can change with makeup, - said Juliette Binoche.

-I hope they bring out my good side, - Billy replied from the bed. He had been in full makeup for three days, and today was the penultimate day he would need it. The scenes were long, and he only had to use his eyes to convey expressions, something he had mastered a long time ago. It was different seeing how both words and eyes were his main tools, through a process of experimentation. He kept his eyes open as much as possible so they would stay red, giving a sickly appearance.

-Hahaha, not many can say they're attended to by a beautiful woman like me, - said Juliette with her black hair cut with scissors to give a touch of desperation, as it was in desperation that she found her character's essence. Her constant falls and fragile mental state complemented her costume perfectly.

Winona entered, her hair flowing in waves. It was a glossy black, even though they wanted her to dye it for her character. She mentioned she had another role soon in "The Crucible," so she couldn't focus on her hair as much. The producers didn't object; you don't deny anything to a '90s angel, one of the most popular women of the era.

-Oh, what lovely weather, - she commented, stretching her arms into the air, free from the burden of filming. It had been one of the most intense shoots she had been a part of, with unhealthy schedules and intense rehearsals.

Billy felt suffocated by all the layers of prosthetics and makeup.

-How long will you be in Italy? - Juliette asked.

-Mmmm... I have to be in Nevada next week. Filming has already started, but my role is in a very short timeframe, so I'll be fine, -Winona said, embracing the idea of vacationing in Italy, with Monica Bellucci currently absent.

-Oh, we can go to that restaurant near the countryside on Saturday, - said Juliette, talking about a nearby restaurant where they were filming. The location was a place in Livorno, bought by Billy and adapted for the shoot. The restaurant was near the city entrance, and they had often intended to go.

-Perfect, you can come with us. We will attend a modeling event by some brands showcasing the autumn collection. I'd like to buy some dresses with prints, - commented Winona.

Juliette eagerly agreed; clothes always called to women like moths to a flame, which was why attending those fashion shows was so appealing. Even if they didn't buy anything immediately, just seeing the clothes was enough.

William Dafoe arrived in his costume, dressed as a vagabond, with a broad smile. He was a somewhat questionable character, as he delivered exemplary performances, yet was rarely highlighted, making him a frequent hire for various roles, but rarely a leading man.

The crew started signaling, and the filming of "The English Patient" began.

-I think it’s wise to hire Will Smith for this comedy. Though I’d like to have Billy Carson, his acting style doesn’t fit what we need. He’s better suited for drama, action, romance... any genre but comedy, -  commented Ronald Perelman.

-Done, we’ll proceed as you see fit, Mr. Director, - said Dean Devlin, the movie’s producer and screenwriter, alongside Ronald Emmerich.

-We’ll continue with everything as planned, so we should start as soon as possible to get the ball rolling on our film, - said Karl Walter, part of the production and coordination team. Just as Nigel handles coordination for Sony Pictures, Karl Walter manages the same for their team.

-Independence Day - is a landmark film, notable for its release in 1996. Emmerich conceived the movie in response to a question about his belief in extraterrestrial life during an interview in London. This initiative led to the project, though Sony Pictures completely rejected it, leading to its eventual production by 20th Century Fox and Centropolis Entertainment. Devlin and Emmerich decided to incorporate a large-scale attack after noting that aliens in most invasion films travel long distances only to remain hidden upon arriving on Earth. Thus, the movie contains a high index of violence due to the alien invasion.

The news came later, and Jim Waitt received it. It was a significant development that would alter the schedule. Jim sighed with joy at the thought of Billy taking on another movie, such as "The English Patient." Delighted, he decided to have more scripts on hand, searching for the right starting point for new roles, nodding along.

-Billy mentioned something about 'Jerry Maguire,' a script that, according to rumors, is fantastic and surprising. However, I'm not sure where he got it from, but it's a great film, - Jim mused to himself, running a hand through his hair. There were many interesting movies on the horizon. Another script that caught his attention was "Angel and Demon” a suspense film about a stalker, possessive and compulsive, which promised to showcase a different facet from the usual.

Reviewing grand schemes for action, science fiction, fantasy, and suspense movies, Jim checked the time and decided it was best to handle the necessary paperwork to gain some positive points. Walking past the screenwriter and a man he recognized from the "Jerry Maguire" script, Jim hurried towards the city center, papers in hand. They took seats in a restaurant lounge filled with industry people—agents, producers, investors, and screenwriters—the behind-the-scenes individuals who did the heavy lifting while the rest played supporting roles.

-Didn't expect to see you here, - commented Angus Granverg, a well-known investor who typically puts money into Paramount Pictures films. They had a close relationship, known within the industry.

-Well, I couldn't refuse an invitation, - replied Jim Waitt. This was all about positioning. People wanted to know what was happening at CAA, which was well-guarded. Jim Waitt had taken advantage of the shift to cultivate relationships, albeit as a reluctant informant.

He approached the meeting calmly, engaging in small talk before segueing into a party. As a screenwriter, Cameron was interested in investors, especially someone like Angus. More money for the movie meant they could hire better talent and produce a better film. If the script succeeded, Cameron's success would be intertwined with his work.

-Cameron, good to see you, - said Jim Waitt.

-We met at the Oscars in '94, - Cameron recalled.

-Right, we did. It's good to see you again. How's work? I heard you recently had a script picked up. - inquired Jim.

-I did, it's true. It's no secret. However, I don't think there's a role for your famous guy, - Cameron replied.

-That's the thing. Even though Billy Carson is my client, it's no secret to anyone. We've had a great year of participation. I can confidently say that come October, critics will be watching closely. So, it's always good to introduce new characters. But enough about that. How's the production going? - Jim asked.

-We're just starting, and we're hoping Tom Hanks will accept our role as part of the main lineup. I think if we're lucky, we'll be able to change the game in no time, - Cameron cautiously replied, wary of revealing too much. Words could easily derail their plans.

-If you don't mind, could you send us a request? The script is fantastic, - Jim proposed, suggesting the request, knowing that the movie was just about ready to start filming.

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