[Chapter 593: The Set Tyrant, Theme Song]
After the kickoff press conference, the entire crew dove headfirst into filming. James Cameron, already revealing his true colors as a merciless set tyrant, imposed strict, high-pressure management on everyone. The work pace was brutal. Unlike most productions, where the first day was typically eased in to bring good luck, Cameron showed no mercy. By the time the first day wrapped, it was well past 8 p.m.
Linton didn't intervene. Once filming started, the director had to be the center of the universe. Every director had their own style, and while Linton personally disagreed with Cameron's harsh approach, he chose to respect it.
Besides, Cameron's fiery public statements that morning had backed him into a corner. There was no turning back now. He had to make this film a classic at all costs. And as the lead actor and sole investor, Linton stood to gain the most from its success. He had every reason to back Cameron fully.
...
After the day's shoot, Linton and Kate Winslet removed their makeup and were about to head to the dining hall when Cameron appeared, waiting by the door with an invitation. "Linton, let's have a drink -- just the two of us."
"Sure."
They arrived at the cafeteria together. Linton told Kate to eat on her own while he and Cameron found a private room.
"Beer?" Cameron produced two bottles of beer from an ice bucket, handing one to Linton.
"Sure."
After a couple of drinks, Cameron broke the ice. "Linton, what I said to the media this morning wasn't just hype -- I meant every word."
"James, honestly, you didn't have to go that far."
"No, I did. This film's budget has blown through every ceiling. The production costs are breaking records. Everyone outside is betting against us. I have nowhere left to retreat. I have to make this movie a classic, set a new box office record. Otherwise, my confidence, reputation, and future career in this business will collapse. That's not something I'm willing to accept. I'd rather go all in, back myself into a corner. So this film absolutely cannot fail."
"Don't worry. With your drive and my full cooperation, Titanic will be a hit. Just tell me what you need."
"I need your full support moving forward. You need to help maintain my authority on set. The crew has to revolve around me."
"No problem. The film's success matters to me too. I've been a director, I know the set has only one center -- the director. From now on, don't treat me like an investor. Treat me like the lead actor. I'll do everything to uphold your authority."
Cameron clinked his beer with Linton's. "Thanks for understanding and backing me. But I have to warn you -- I'm going to have very high expectations for your performance."
"How high?"
"Linton, I've watched all your previous movies. The box office numbers are great, each one outgrossed the last. Mission: Impossible shattered records, but honestly, your acting isn't as advanced as your fame suggests. Your range feels limited."
"I understand, James. Please be straightforward."
"You've mostly been playing the cool, stylish guy -- a great action hero with slick moves and unbeatable looks. That's won over most audiences. But in dramatic roles, your performances are shallow. Of course, that's partly because you've done mostly popcorn movies: first a youth dance film, then all action flicks. Those genres don't demand subtle acting.
But Titanic is different. It's a romantic disaster epic. We're telling an immortal love story played out over just a few days. Jack, the struggling artist, and Rose, the aristocratic lady, come from different worlds. They meet, fall deeply in love, and face heartbreaking separation. Your portrayal of Jack can't be as simple or surface-level as your past roles. It needs depth, emotion, layers -- something that moves the audience to their core."
"That matches my own feel for the script," Linton assured him. "Trust me, I'll give my best, strongest performance."
"Good. I'm going to shoot with rigid standards, including your acting. If you don't hit the mark, I won't hesitate to call multiple retakes. We'll keep cutting until it's perfect."
"Don't worry. Our goal is same. I want this film to have substance -- something people will praise my acting for."
Cameron raised his glass. "Then it's settled. Together, we'll create a classic."
Linton clinked glasses with him. "Yes. Let's make history."
"By the way," Cameron added, "your musical talent is evident. Could you compose a theme song for this movie? James Horner's team's submissions haven't impressed me much."
"I've already written one specially for the project."
"Really? Mind if I see it?"
"I'll ask the server to bring pen and paper for the lyrics."
...
A moment later, the lyrics of My Heart Will Go On were on the table, written neatly in Linton's hand.
♫ Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on
Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on... ♫
Linton started humming softly. Cameron studied the lyrics and melody, visibly delighted. "This song is perfect. The melody is haunting and profound. The lyrics carry a fateful tragic beauty and a passion that transcends life and death. Exactly what this film needs."
"I wrote it after studying the script carefully," Linton explained. "It's tailored to the story."
"But isn't this meant to be sung by a woman?"
"Yes, it's a female vocal. That's where the power and emotion really come alive. I've already handed it to someone I think is perfect."
"Who?"
"Celine Dion."
"Ah, the rising queen Celine Dion. She's a perfect choice. When will the recorded version be ready?"
"She's already recording it now. When we're back in Los Angeles next week for the Oscars, I'll have the final cut. You'll be satisfied."
"The Oscars? I'm not planning to attend."
"You're skipping the Oscars?"
"No films of mine came out last year. I need to focus every ounce of energy on this movie. Going to that kind of party would be a waste."
"But Kate and I promised the Academy we'd be there."
"Then you go. But I'll give you at most two days off."
...
The evening's tabloids and next morning's papers across America blasted headlines about Titanic's kickoff. Cameron's fierce vow to make the film a masterpiece dominated front pages.
Only the papers controlled by Linton's media groups expressed confidence in Titanic, calling James Cameron and Linton Anderson a dream team ready to redefine cinematic history. Every other outlet predicted disaster, believing Titanic would be Cameron's swan song and America's loss of a great director.
Even members of Linton's inner circle called him and Kate, eager for insight from the set.
Fortunately, the Rosarito, Mexico, set was far from Los Angeles and the flashy city life.
The crew refused to allow media tracking, insulating the set from outside criticism, ridicule, and interference.
...
This flood of pressure weighed heavily on Cameron. He knew he had nowhere left to retreat.
As he told Linton earlier, he would throw himself into filming with relentless intensity, enforcing strict discipline and imprinting his vision on every frame.
True to form, Cameron's management was ruthlessly severe.
His voice echoed constantly through the studio, berating even minute imperfections in scenery, props, and lighting.
A chair slightly out of place from the reference photos or a wine glass not arranged precisely on the dinner table would unleash a torrent of curses.
During shooting, his demands for retakes were brutal -- a shot never passed until he'd called five or six cuts in a row, all aiming for absolute perfection.
No one was spared, not even Linton himself.
...
That morning, while shooting Linton's first scenes onboard the ship in third-class quarters, Cameron repeatedly stopped the takes.
"Jack, your tone is too flippant. Remember, you're a wandering artist, not some unrefined street punk. Again."
"Your voice should carry rebellion and hardship, but not pointless yelling. Do it again."
"Jack, I want to feel the artistic soul inside you, and your optimistic spirit."
That single scene was cut 15 times and scolded 14 times. It dragged on for two grueling hours before Cameron was finally satisfied.
...
Seeing this treatment, the rest of the cast, especially Kate Winslet, threw themselves into their work with laser focus, not daring to slack off or complain. Ten or more retakes for one scene became the norm.
The crushing desire for success and the unbearable consequences of failure transformed James Cameron into a spoilsport tyrant and relentless workaholic.
He successfully transferred this pressure onto every member of the crew -- from the biggest stars to the lowest assistants. Everyone was driven nearly to exhaustion under his iron fist.
*****
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