Hollywood What If Chapter 579
A new assistant director was holding the clapperboard with clear energy. This was the guy's first project, and he wanted to learn and experience more about filmmaking. Hence, despite a week of working, the new assistant director was still excited.
Modern Family had just started filming a week ago, around the last few days of April. The production team was filled with new workers, while some were already veterans in the industry. This team was expected to work on Modern Family for years since this TV show was projected to run for at least ten seasons.
Anyway, the assistant director clapped the clapperboard in front of the main camera, and the "clack" sound echoed, making the crew members shut their mouths and go silent as the filming started.
They were at the house. Phil Dunphy was sitting on the couch and started talking in front of the camera.
"I am brave. Roller coasters? Love them. Scary movies? I've seen Ghostbusters like seven times. I regularly drive through neighborhoods that have only recently been gentrified. So yeah, I'm pretty much not afraid of anything... Except clowns."
Suddenly, Phil recalled the moment when Cam was in a clown suit, and Phil's expression was filled with deep, seethed fear. He slowly went to the corner while the birthday party was ongoing.
There was a short silence as Phil looked at the camera.
"I never have a chance to tell that to the fam. I do have an image to maintain. I'm not really sure where the fear comes from. My mother said that when I was a kid, I found a dead clown in the woods, but who knows..."
"Okay, cut--! Let's reshoot that scene just to have more comparison. Ten minutes break."
Director Everest said, and the crew members busied themselves again.
Ty Burrell, the actor who played the role of Phil Dunphy, approached Everest. Most of the cast of Modern Family were less popular actors who were trying to make a name for themselves, and Ty Burrell was also in that stage of his career.
"Director, is there something you want me to do? Should I stare more at the ground and act timid?" Ty asked.
"Hmm, let's see..." Everest looked at the footage. He had been Kazir's assistant and learned a lot from him. He realized that a director should always look confident in front of the actors and never show any fear or timidness. His position as a director needed respect to work.
"This time, I want you to smile at the camera more. But it should be an awkward smile, like you don't know why you're even smiling."
"Okay," Ty nodded. "I can do that."
Only a few actors were lucky enough to become famous while having no talent in acting. The list would go on once we listed them, so we might as well not.
Most professional actors study how to control their facial expressions, so some awkward smiles should be expected to be done.
Well, if an actor couldn't even meet the criteria that the director was looking for, the actor might as well pack his bag and leave.
Everest nodded as Ty Burrell left and went to his trailer to retouch his makeup.
"Kazir should arrive in a few minutes now," Everest recalled that Kazir would visit and inspect their filming site. After all, Kazir was the boss, and he had to see if the product they were making was up to standard.
Unlike Game of Thrones, where Kazir filmed the first five episodes, Modern Family had been fully taken over by Everest since day one. Perhaps Kazir trusted Everest, and for that, the new director was thankful.
"I recall that there's a scene where Kazir will have a cameo. But that should be around episode 8, at least a month from now."
Kazir decided to do some cameos in Modern Family. In fact, he also had plans of doing a cameo in Game of Thrones, perhaps as a soldier who would get burned alive by a dragon... Might be a unique experience.
Everest took a deep breath, mentally preparing for Kazir's arrival. He knew that the boss had high expectations; this project cost millions, and it had to be successful. Though Kazir trusted him, there was always that underlying pressure to deliver the best work possible. Everest checked the schedule again, ensuring everything was on track for the day's filming. In fact, they were actually four days ahead of schedule. That was something he could brag about to Kazir.
Kazir had been known as one of the most consistent and also fastest filming directors. As long as the scene met his criteria, he wouldn't ask for a reshoot. He also didn't need to experiment or film unnecessary scenes; he just stuck to his plan.
In filming, around 30–40% of the filmed content was usually cut. That was a huge waste of time. In a way, Kazir's 'detailed plan' prevented unnecessary scenes, so he could finish his movies faster than the average directors who were unsure which scenes would be included in the final cut.
Everything that Kazir filmed would be included in the final.
Everest recalled what he learned as he looked around.
The crew of Modern Family was working efficiently, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they were still slow. At least, after his experience with Kazir's team, where jobs were moving so fast that filming a lot of scenes in just a day was the norm, it felt that way.
As Everest was lost in thought, Ty Burrell returned from his trailer, a perfect awkward smile plastered on his face. Everest gave a nod of approval. The show was coming together, that was for sure. He was satisfied with the cast as of now.
While they were filming, a group of people showed up to inspect their filming site. They were none other than Kazir and his entourage.