Still, as a person rolling in the industry for a long time, Nathan wasn't completely stupid. He knew how to navigate things.
Moreover, Liam wasn't completely irresponsible either. He sent over a young executive from the channel to make sure his directives were followed.
With Liam's need to control, how can he not take steps earlier? Liam had given the young executive a long list of shots that he needed to ensure were taken. Liam didn't want the young executive to fumble on the set.
Liam's concern wasn't for the production crew. He was worried about the young executive slacking off. So he made a checklist to ensure that he really worked and note treated it as a paid vacation.
Knowing he can't influence Liam's person, Nathan worked around the young man. Often using the young man's ignorance to his advantage, he added some scenic shots, some great visuals and other shots to the ones that Liam had deemed mandatory.
In the end, after fooling the young man, Nathan got more bold. While editing, he subconsciously added his own shots more and only used the bare minimum required from the other shots to maintain narrative rhythm. In the end, the end product became picturesque and beautiful, while barely being able to remain coherent.
As for the director, he was directly kicked out of the editing room. As he was Nathan's person as well, that young man didn't dare complain. Nathan's plan was to fool Liam with his edited version first and if Liam inisisted on change, he would reduce a bit more shots and add some narrative to showcase the change.
However, Nathan miscalculated on two things. Liam's need to control and his aversion to someone subverting his power. Liam had a vision in his mind for the end product. Seeing such a beautiful scenery filled with barely coherent narrative made him blow his gasket.
Even then, Nathan could have averted the disaster if he had remained docile and accepted Liam's criticisms. Later he could have made a version that could barely satisfy Liam and escaped the crisis.
Unfortunately, his need to defend his creation acted up and he ended up speaking against Liam. Liam was someone who dug his heels the more someone contradicted him. And Nathan's tone that basically said leave the professional things to professionals and be a good kid, almost made Liam flip out.
In the end, Nathan was fired directly.
While Nathan was lamenting his directing career that failed to take off, Liam entered the editing room like an enraged dragon. No one dared to say anything. In his hands were the checklist that the young executive had rushed to deliver from the office.
Luckily for Liam, the editor was meticulous person who was diligent in his works. He had noted down the date, time, and a basic one liner on what each film reel was about. This made Liam's temper cool down a bit.
Soon, Liam got to work with the editor.
Under Liam's direction, the editor quickly sorted out the reels and began to edit. Liam took away all the superfluous stuff that Nathan had added. He focused on the narrative purely. He didn't chase beauty. He simply wanted to show what happened.
The editor quickly understood Liam's intention and began to cut the reels with experienced hands. Crossreferencing the checklist, Liam quickly sorted out a group of reels that he needed for the first episode and directed the editor on what to keep and what to cut out.
Under Liam's ruthless scissors, the film shrunk rapidly and began to have a good narrative rhythm.
Liam didn't jump around. He went in a methodical manner. He used the date and time as the primary object points and shortened each film reels into core chunks. As for the superfluous shots that Nathan filmed, most were discarded. Very few were used in the final cut to bring the episode to the appropriate length.
In Liam's hands, the pilot episode turned out completely different. There wasn't any romantic feel to it. It was as if watching a pair of strangers travelling on the road and interacting with each other and the external situations. Liam focused his cuts on explosive moments like the pair getting into an argument, finding unexpected beauty on the roadside, coming to an understanding, and such.
He didn't romanticize anything. He showed everything completely raw and unfiltered. Especially, in one segment, the pair were arguing over each other non stop for a full minute. The editor wanted to take it out, but Liam felt it showed the reality and kept it without making a cut.
Seeing the finished version in Liam's hands, the editor understood why Liam had flipped out. What Liam wanted and what Nathan had given him were complete opposites. No wonder Liam flipped out.
As for whether this could be considered art, the editor definitely didn't feel so. Liam didn't want art. He wanted controversy. He wanted talking points. He didn't even want beauty. He simply showed the contentious relationship between various pairs who were on a road trip.
"Now you understand what I want, right?" Liam asked the editor massaging his brows.
"I think I understand. You are looking for things that people at. Like say a couple are arguing roadside, we subconsciously pay attention to them. You are looking for that kind of things. And a clear linear timeline of events," the editor said.
"Good, then you will be responsible for editing the rest of this. You answer to no one. Only me. Get things done the way I want, I will give you a bonus. Also, if you have any new ideas down this vibe, try them out. I will inspect and will let you know whether we can keep them or not."
"And dont worry," Liam continued. "I won't fire you. You are far more sensible and knows who butters your bread. Just get me what I want, I won't have any issues with you. Fuck! My entire day is ruined! I want to punch that bastard!"
The editor just shrugged with a small smile.
"Damn! I didn't even ask your name. What's your name?" Liam asked lighting a cigarette
"Name's Victor. People call me Vic," the editor replied.
"Well Vic, I owe you for keeping you here for five hours straight. Let's jump this hellhole and go get drunk. I'm in no mood to get back to work today," Liam said and led the editor away from the room. "One of my friends told me that they are holding a bonfire party tonight. Have you ever been to one?"
Victor smirked and replied, "If you are talking about Connor's, I already have an invitation."
"You know Connor? Then, that's even better. Come, let's go party."
The next day, Liam arrived late to the company. However, the moment he entered, every sound in the office abruptly ended. It was as if they were all afraid of him.
Liam didn't pay attention to them. He walked past their silent visages into his office and started working out on the backlogs that had piled up during yesterday's absence. Rosa soon entered the office and reminded him of things he needed to take care of.
After conversing with Rosa for a while, he understood why everyone was silent on his entry today. Apparently his firing of Nathan had already been spread to the office by that young employee who came to deliver the checklist.
Due to his stellar rendition of the events, Liam became someone who was cold and merciless. His words and deeds from yesterday were exaggerated to another level. Thus, everyone in the office was afraid that they were next on Liam's hit list.
Liam sneered inwardly and didn't comment on it. If it was upto him, he would have fired these lazy idiots long back. After being in this office for four months, there were only a couple of people who had earned his approval. So, firing these bastards would be completely justified.
In Liam's world, there were only two categories under which people fell. Those who were useful and those who were useless. Unfortunately, most people in this office fell under the second category.
Still, he was glad that this rumor had spread. Now everyone should know that he wouldn't hesitate to fire anyone. Maybe, this would motivate them to work hard.
As for Nathan, Liam felt that jerk deserved what came to him. Liam could tolerate creative people taking some creative liberties. As long as they could enhance the product with their creativity and skill, Liam had no problem with their use of creativity.
But, Nathan had tried to completely change his vision of how the show must be shot. That wasn't creative liberty. No, that was complete disregard of his instructions. And Liam couldn't tolerate it.
Even after working with the editor for five hours straight, he was only able to create a single episode that barely met his expectations. During that time, Liam had even thought about going for a reshoot. Such was the stupidity level that was involved in that entire project.
Unfortunately, the budget of the company wasn't big enough to do such things. So, he had to grit his teeth and approve the re-edited version. Still, Liam took it as a learning moment and decided to look forward.
The first season of Roadster might not have gone as per his wishes, but he could tweak the show later based on the feedback and add things that he felt that were lacking.
For now, he could only patiently wait for the telecast of the pilot episode and move forward from there.