Exploiting Hollywood 1980

After Barry Miller suffered a double blow, Ronald told the producer about the small conflict.

After producer David knew that the director had made his relationship with Maureen Tiffey public, he arranged for Ronald to continue to secretly keep an eye on Barry Miller and observe whether he had any abnormal behavior after the blow.

Fights caused by jealousy in the crew are not uncommon in Hollywood. However, Ronald did not think that Barry had the courage to compete with the director. After Allen revealed their relationship, he still admitted defeat obediently.

After that, Barry Miller became cooperative and the progress of filming was advanced very quickly.

Although most of the scenes in Famous are indoor scenes, there are some outdoor scenes for several protagonists in the acting department. It mainly shows the daily life of the three protagonists in the acting department.

This morning is an outdoor scene, and the scene is very simple:

Doris, a Jewish, is a good friend of Montgomery, a gay man. The two practice acting on the streets of Manhattan. Doris pretends to be a blind person and holds Montgomery's hand. The two chat and walk towards the camera.

Pedestrians didn't realize that Doris, who was holding a cane, was a fake blind person. The last pedestrian was even convinced by Doris's acting skills that she was really blind. He took out a few coins and threw them into the stainless steel cup in Doris's hand.

Producer David Da Silva applied for a permit to shoot the relevant streets for a total of 2 hours. The police helped block both ends of the street, and the director of photography Michael Seresin directed the assistants to arrange the track.

When the two actors walked towards the camera, the camera would pull back, creating a feeling that the camera was gradually moving forward with the actors.

"You should wait until your new toys arrive before shooting this shot, Alan." Director of photography Michael Seresin said.

"Then we can shoot the rhythm of the opening scene of Saturday Night Fever."

Ronald had seen "Saturday Night Fever", after the opening, John Travolta walked through the streets of Brooklyn to the disco rhythm of the Bee Gees.

The camera followed his shoes closely, as if someone was carrying a camera on his shoulder and following the rhythm of Travolta's walking.

It was normal to watch the movie as an audience at the beginning. After being in the crew for a long time, I knew that this set of shots was extremely difficult.

Shoulder-mounted cameras can easily cause lens shaking. Slowly following shots without shaking the picture already requires amazing arm strength, and photographers who can do this can charge a high price.

Ronald couldn't figure out how to shoot with the footsteps without shaking the lens. Now, according to the director of photography, there is a special device to shoot this kind of shot.

"This toy is only rented and not sold. Now only the inventor can operate it. Stan used it for several months, and it was finally my turn. He will rush to New York tomorrow."

"Oh? Kubrick is really a technology madman. He used so many new technologies in the new film The Shining?"

"You know him. Our English fellow likes new toys the most."

"How long can we use the toy?" asked the director of photography.

"It's only rented for one day. You will see it then."

...

"Attention, all departments, the real shooting is below." The first assistant director took the electric speaker and began to call all the extras to their positions.

Although it was an ordinary street scene, all the pedestrians were extras. America is a society ruled by law. If you shoot the faces of passers-by into the movie without permission, you may be sued for defamation.

Besides, the crew doesn't need this little money.

The working girl enters the picture from the left... The man in the peaked cap enters from the right... The girl with braids bumps into Montgomery... The lady giving the change three, two, one...

"Dangdang..." The coins fall into the stainless steel cup.

"Cut! Very good."

...

Garrett Brown is a tall man holding a stick in his hand. The camera is mounted on the top of the stick, and there is a rectangular iron block under the stick for balance.

"Is this the equipment used to shoot Stallone climbing the stairs in "Rocky"?" Alan Parker asked.

"No, that's the first generation of equipment. This is my latest improved second generation Steadica." Garrett Brown patted the equipment in his hand.

Steadica means camera stabilizer. He can use dampers to buffer the vibration caused by the photographer's running and turn it into a slow movement, so that the picture captured by the lens is gentle and clear.

Just like the shot they are going to shoot now of Doris and Ralph Garcia walking down the stairs from the subway entrance and then walking into the subway car.

The photographer can follow the filming with the Steadicam, and the filming is clear and not shaking. Since Stallone's shot of climbing the Philadelphia monument in "Rocky" shocked the industry, many directors want to have a segment in their own movies.

In order to ensure that there is no traffic during the filming, the producer found the New York subway department and determined a station without shuttle buses at night, and added a subway train specifically for filming the movie.

After the subway business is closed, the subway will add one train, and only one train.

This only gives the crew one chance to shoot, regardless of the performance and photography, only once,

This station has two relatively high steps. Garrett Brown practiced twice and was ready to start shooting. Lighting, actors, photography, all strive to be well prepared and successful at one time.

Maureen Tiffey and Barry Miller, the two walked down the steps from the subway entrance. Garrett Brown held the Steadicam and stepped back down the steps while shooting at the two actors.

The two played a couple, talking about the success of Ralph Garcia's stand-up comedy.

After coming down two flights of stairs, the two stood in the subway waiting area. Garrett Brown started shooting in front and then moved to the back of the two, without any noticeable shaking.

"Woo woo woo..."

The last additional subway came roaring.

The wind blew Maureen Tiffey's hair. The two smiled and said goodbye. Doris entered the subway. The door was closed. The two were still talking about their yearning for the future through the door of the subway car, the American dream that belonged only to the two of them.

"Cut!" Alan Parker and Garrett Brown, who was operating the camera stabilizer, confirmed the picture and announced that the shooting was successful.

Ronald looked at this magical toy and wanted to take it and play with it for a few times.

Garrett Brown saw what he was thinking and took out a business card and handed it to him. "If you need other crews in the future, you can contact me."

"Whether it's handheld, mounted on a car, or aerial photography, my camera stabilizer can help you arrange the desired picture."

"He is really a curious and energetic guy, isn't he, Alan." Maureen Tiffey said.

"Yes, very energetic," Alan Parker narrowed his eyes.

The next sentence was held back in his heart: "Maybe the curiosity is too strong."