"Cut! Take a 20-minute break!"
Sitting in front of the camera monitor, Dunn Walker had a serious expression. Watermark advertisement test.
Kate was so anxious she was sweating. She had just gone through seven consecutive NGs (no good takes)! She hurried over, nervously asking, "Dunn Walker, did I do something wrong?"
Dunn Walker gave her a gentle smile, "Kate, you did great. It's my fault. Go touch up your makeup."
The main producers, assistant directors, and core crew members all rushed over. Grant asked, "Dunn Walker, is there a problem?"
Dunn Walker pointed to the screen showing the footage, shaking his head repeatedly, "This isn't the effect I want. I can't quite put it into words, but the shot isn't beautiful enough!"
This scene was the movie's first major close-up of the Titanic, accompanied by the heroine, Rose, standing at the bow of the ship in a romantic pose. She wore a rose-colored hat and a white, red-trimmed corseted dress, perfectly showcasing the elegance and beauty of an aristocratic young lady from a century ago.
But... something felt off to Dunn Walker.
He had indeed watched *Titanic* many times, but his brain wasn't a computer. While he could remember the general plot, he couldn't recall all the details.
"But... it's already great."
Several assistant directors looked hesitant, not quite understanding Dunn Walker's vision.
"James, what do you think?"
Dunn Walker sighed deeply. If worse came to worst, he could just settle for what they had. But this was an opening shot, a very important one. Though brief, it had the potential to be a classic moment that left a deep impression on the audience. Dunn Walker was unwilling to let it slide too easily.
James Cameron had been silently pondering for a long time. Finally, his eyes widened, a spark of insight in them, "The hat! It's the hat!"
Dunn Walker froze for a moment, then an excited smile bloomed on his face, "Exactly, it's the hat! Kate's hat is too restrictive. Take it off! Her flowing, light brown hair is the true artistic beauty!"
He had finally pinpointed the odd detail. In the original version, Kate Winslet didn't wear that beautiful but scenery-ruining princess hat.
Dunn Walker had inherited Cameron's professional skills. He believed that if they had NG-ed dozens more times, he would eventually have realized the problem.
But as the saying goes, "The onlooker sees more clearly." With Cameron no longer in the director's chair, he was able to spot this issue early, which would undoubtedly accelerate the filming process and reduce costs.
However, once Dunn Walker and Cameron agreed on their suggestion, they immediately encountered strong opposition from the head makeup artist, Deborah Scott!
"Absolutely not! A noblewoman from a century ago would never go out without a hat. Taking off her hat would be extremely disrespectful and embarrassing!"
Dunn Walker chuckled, "But Rose is a rebellious girl by nature. Otherwise, she wouldn't have fallen in love with a poor boy, right?"
"No! She rebels against societal oppression, not the etiquette of wearing a hat. It doesn't affect her character."
Deborah Scott was a highly respected stylist. Her designs had added a lot of brilliance to the film, making her a true behind-the-scenes hero.
Dunn Walker didn't want to argue with her, so he smiled and looked over at Cameron, "James, this one's all yours!"
Cameron shrugged and then launched into a fierce argument with Deborah.
...
Ten minutes later, Dunn Walker personally tossed Kate's hat into the trash can.
This time, the filming went smoothly.
On set, the cast and crew exchanged puzzled glances. They were more curious and doubtful than anything.
The producer and the director—what was up with those two?
Back in Los Angeles, the two had been at each other's throats, erupting in countless "wars," their heated arguments making even uninvolved onlookers nervous.
But after arriving in Rosarito, it seemed like the two had reached some kind of tacit understanding, working together as if they were the closest of friends—almost like a perfect team!
Last time, Dunn Walker had insisted on filming a scene where Leonardo smokes, which met with strong opposition from many of the crew members.
*Titanic* was a massive investment, and when it came to classification, it was destined to be rated PG or PG-13. Globally, many children would be watching, and a shot of the male lead smoking to look cool could potentially set a bad example.
However, Dunn Walker argued that, a hundred years ago, smoking was the coolest and most common thing for a poor boy. Modern sensibilities shouldn't change historical realities.
Cameron strongly supported this idea, even calling it "a concept only the most brilliant directors would come up with."
This time, over the issue of the heroine's hat, Cameron and Dunn Walker once again joined forces as producer and director, overcoming significant resistance.
And the results on screen were indeed impressive and awe-inspiring!
...
The film was shot out of sequence. The next scene was another exterior shot of the ship, depicting Jack meeting the aristocratic Rose and bringing her to the bow of the ship to experience a different kind of life.
And once again, director Dunn Walker Walker used his fantastical imagination to propose a shocking shot that left the entire crew in disbelief—
"Leon, spit over the side here! Yes, it's a fun moment. You'll teach Kate how to spit, and then you'll both do it together. This will be a secret moment where your feelings for each other deepen."
Dunn Walker's words left everyone stunned!
Spitting?
What kind of joke was this!
Such a "disgusting" act wasn't something a noblewoman like Rose would do, nor should a poor boy like Jack behave so shamelessly!
This was ridiculous!
"Dunn Walker, this idea is absurd! It would seriously affect the beauty of the film!" said producer Rae Sanchini, usually so mild-mannered, but now rare in her seriousness.
Several assistant directors also tried to dissuade him, insisting that the scene be cut. Performing "spitting" on the big screen for audiences was an obscene insult to the art of cinema.
Grant Hill said sternly, "Dunn Walker, you can't do this! *Titanic* is about a beautiful love story, not this kind of street-urchin farce."
Dunn Walker's expression grew a little dark. He looked up and saw that Leonardo and Kate looked even more uncomfortable.
"You two don't want to act this out either?"
Leonardo spoke first, "Yes, Dunn Walker, I'm not sure what you're thinking, but this… this is even more over the top than the smoking scene."
Kate Winslet, a girl in her early twenties, naturally didn't want to perform something that would so severely tarnish her image. Struggling, she said, "Dunn Walker, I..."
"Never mind, I understand," Dunn Walker shook his head and sighed, then turned to look at the group of onlookers. "Do all of you disagree?"
Surprisingly, the group was unanimously in agreement, all nodding.
Dunn Walker couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
This was total opposition. He couldn't imagine how much pressure Cameron must have faced when shooting *Titanic*.
This scene… was definitely one of the most classic in the history of cinema, one that Dunn Walker remembered vividly!
"James, what do you think?"
With no other option, Dunn Walker turned to Cameron.
Cameron looked at him with a complicated expression before exhaling, "Dunn Walker, as much as I hate to admit it, I have to say, you're a damn… genius! A truly unparalleled genius!"
He was so excited that he even swore.
Dunn Walker was delighted, "So, you're with me?"
Cameron said seriously, "I support you one hundred percent! Dunn Walker, your boundless imagination and magical creativity are astonishing! I am absolutely convinced that you will become a world-class director!"
Grant was dumbfounded, "James, isn't this nonsense?"
Cameron shook his head and replied solemnly, "Grant, you need to think deeper. Imagine what kind of impact this shot would have if we release it."
"It will definitely be met with severe criticism from the media and film critics," Grant said bitterly.
Cameron shook his head again, "Maybe a different word is more appropriate. It's..."
"An uproar!" Dunn Walker suddenly interrupted, exuding confidence, as always.
...
In the *Titanic* dining room, the crew gathered for a lavish lunch. Grant Hill uncharacteristically pulled out a bottle of red wine and personally poured a glass for both Dunn Walker and Cameron.
"Grant, we still have filming this afternoon," Dunn Walker said with a half-smile.
"Just one glass, to toast the two of you," Grant said with formality, not sounding like he was joking at all. "You two... one is a genius madman, the other is a mad genius. Honestly, I didn't have much faith in this project before, but now I do. You two... are the greatest hope for *Titanic*!"
Grant wasn't the only one who had this feeling. Many others had the same vague sense.
The combination of James Cameron and Dunn Walker Walker had produced one incredible scene after another. They were the perfect team! If they could continue to work together harmoniously, this film might just become a huge success.
Cameron nodded, raising his glass to Dunn Walker, "Kid, you've done a great job!"
Dunn Walker smiled modestly and gently clinked glasses, "You're not so bad yourself, James. Let's continue working together and make this film something special for moviegoers all around the world—a different kind of *Titanic*!"
"I believe this will be a great work!"
Grant Hill was in high spirits as he looked at Cameron's rugged, bearded face and Dunn Walker's youthful energy, feeling deeply moved.
"Maybe... they are the future leaders of Hollywood's commercial cinema!"
Grant sipped his wine, his thoughts far away.
But just then, a few agonizing screams echoed through the dining room. Dunn Walker's expression changed as he looked around and saw two crew members foaming at the mouth, collapsing to the floor.
"Someone poisoned the food!"
Dunn Walker was shocked, shouting out loud.