[Chapter 320: Screening of The Sixth Sense]
After a few drinks, Madonna leaned close to him, seeming to show some special interest.
However, Link wasn't in the mood for that. He had already spent several hours during the party that afternoon. If he accepted Madonna's invitation to join her for dinner later, it would likely take several more hours away from him.
Time was of the essence, and he didn't want to waste it on eating and drinking.
...
Leaving the Covell bar, the sun dipped below the horizon, and the skies over Los Angeles darkened.
Hollywood was bustling, filled with the sounds of nightlife and the allure of attractiveness -- many saw it as a city of temptations, but for Link, nothing compared to the comfort of his lavish mansion.
After saying goodbye to Quentin, Madonna, and others, Link drove back to his Beverly Hills mansion, where he relaxed with the women in his life, chatting, watching some TV, and enjoying each other's company.
By the time TV wrapped up around nine, everyone went to their respective bedrooms to rest.
On duty in the main house's bedroom were Sandra Bullock and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Since Monica had become more beautiful, there was no longer a scramble among the women for commercial endorsements. Instead, they all treated him as a hot commodity.
In the past, they only came by to rest when they weren't working. Now, they juggled busy schedules just to spend time with him, never wanting to miss an opportunity to be near him.
Given the growing number of women, this situation became impractical and could easily lead to tensions within the household.
To address this, a family meeting was called by core members -- Monica, Lily, and Jennifer.
The main agenda was to create a harmonious household and rationally allocate resources in the mansion to avoid wastage.
After several discussions, they borrowed the shift system as inspiration. While he was in Los Angeles, they would take turns staying in the main bedroom.
If someone was too busy or had personal issues, they could swap their turn with someone else. On their birthdays, individuals could receive extra perks, and during holidays, a lottery would determine additional stays in the main house, with everyone benefiting.
Additionally, the established members -- Monica, Lily, and Jennifer -- enjoyed the privilege of immediate access to the main house at any time.
Sophia was slightly dissatisfied and plotted with Milla Jovovich and Renee Zellweger to request secondary perks.
Link noticed the growing competition and suggested they be more flexible with the schedule to prevent disagreements; he was willing to shoulder extra responsibility for the sake of household harmony.
...
After a restful night, Link had breakfast and chatted with Catherine Zeta-Jones.
An actress from Britain, Catherine arrived in Hollywood in '93 and had auditioned for a role in Final Destination, where she played a flight attendant. She had since signed with UTA and, with their support, starred as a lead in one film and in supporting roles in three others.
Because of her relationship with Link, her name often appeared in the press during the media frenzy surrounding his rumored romances, solidifying her position as his girlfriend.
During their interactions, she expressed interest in him, and they began dating.
This year, a new project, The Mask of Zorro, needed a classically beautiful actress, and Link recommended Catherine.
However, he noted her figure was not plump enough, and her bust and hips are not prominent enough, so they need to be improved and adjusted.
He suggested that Catherine contact a nutritionist and a fitness trainer to shape her body before filming The Mask of Zorro to make her body proportions hotter and fuller.
Catherine agreed to his suggestion.
Monica laughed and said there was no need to go through so much trouble. She can just spend more time with Link, and it won't take more than a year to achieve the requirements.
She, alongside Lily, Jennifer, and Sophia, had followed a similar approach.
Lily smiled but said nothing in response.
After Catherine left the table, she watched Lily's retreating figure and decided to accept Monica's suggestion.
---
After breakfast, Link, Lily, and Sandra Bullock headed to work.
Guess Pictures' fourth film was set to release this Friday.
While You Were Sleeping, a romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman, told the story of a woman torn between two brothers. The promotion began in March, with the release slated for early April.
With Sandra's current box office draw, the Big Seven were concerned about competition and had lined up two other films -- Bad Boys and Tommy Boy -- with decent quality to release at the same time.
Bad Boys was produced by Donald Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, who had also sent the film The Rock to Link. The movie, starring Will Smith and directed by Michael Bay, had a production cost of $19 million.
Tommy Boy followed the trend inspired by Dumb and Dumber, also with a budget of $23 million, receiving positive reviews during preliminary screenings.
As Guess Pictures promoted their film, the Big Seven media groups heavily marketed the other two in hopes of capturing audience attention.
Guess Pictures had to increase their advertising budget, purchasing additional media resources for promotion.
...
To raise movie visibility, Link accompanied Sandra to the premiere of While You Were Sleeping at the Ace Hotel Theater, answering reporters' questions about various hot topics that included his relationship with Sandra, his estimated worth, the financing status of Guess Pictures, and competing films.
Link patiently addressed all their questions, even regarding the more sensitive topics.
His high profile ensured that his responses would generate media buzz, indirectly increasing the film's exposure.
...
Returning to the office after lunch, Link attended an internal screening of The Sixth Sense.
The screening included seven new investors, the main creative team, Tom Hanks, Holly Hunter, Diane Lane, along with Judie Foster, Michelle Pfeiffer, and others.
Quentin, Madonna, and Richard were also present.
"Link, you know, I'm pretty frank. I say whatever comes to mind. If this movie doesn't turn out well, don't blame me for being blunt," Quentin remarked, stroking his chin.
"You don't have to worry about that; Link's movies are never bad," Sophia scoffed.
Quentin turned to glare at her, realizing he shouldn't have mentioned Link with her around.
Link smiled and held Sophia's hand, urging her not to argue with Quentin.
...
As the film began, they followed the perspective of Dr. Malcolm Crowe and slowly began to understand young Cole's character, family background, and his strange condition.
When young actor Haley Joel Osment began his performance, Sophia, Madonna, and Judie Foster couldn't help but express their awe, exclaiming, "Wow! How adorable," "Such a natural performance," and "He shows so much spirit! Where did you find this little genius, Link?"
Haley was in school and couldn't attend the screening, but Link shared that he had played Forrest Gump's son.
Everyone complimented Link on his keen eye for talent.
He graciously accepted their praise, attributing the kid's standout performance not just to his compatibility with the role but also to the guidance he provided during filming.
To highlight Haley's performance, Link often minimized Tom Hanks' screen time through careful lighting and position design, allowing Dr. Crowe to serve as a backdrop.
This was done not to overshadow anyone but to enhance the story's needs, subtly indicating that Dr. Crowe was a ghost.
With his 'special treatment' and Tom Hanks' generous performances, it was impossible for the young actor not to shine.
Even in scenes without Haley, Tom Hanks delivered an extraordinary performance.
...
In one scene, Dr. Crowe stood outside the boutique where his wife worked, breaking the window in a fit of rage upon witnessing her in another man's arms, only to storm away.
Hanks' portrayal was both moving and humorous, eliciting empathy as well as laughter from the audience.
"Ah, women!"
It was poignant to watch Dr. Crowe busy at work while his wife was having an affair behind his back, in their own home.
Many men in the audience shook their heads in sympathy for Dr. Crowe.
...
Robert Rodriguez commented on the downsides of marrying too young, while Steven Soderbergh nodded along.
"That's not the point," Quentin interjected.
"Don't give spoilers! Don't talk during the movie. You, a director, should know better," Sophia retorted.
Quentin pursed his lip, silencing himself.
...
"Diane, you're playing the villain? This role design isn't very kind to women; I'm not a fan of such a character," Judie Foster whispered.
Diane Lane smiled softly, "You'll see soon enough."
...
The Sixth Sense featured some thrilling moments, like when Cole suddenly saw a ghost with a ghastly face while walking, or when a horrifying spirit leapt out at night.
Link was a master of suspense and horror scenes, and when these moments appeared, many audience members shrieked.
At the movie's conclusion, young Cole confided in his mother about seeing ghosts, unraveling tensions between her and her deceased mother by relaying words from beyond the grave, ultimately leading to a heartfelt reconciliation.
This scene was incredibly touching, with numerous audience members wiping their tears.
...
Later, Dr. Crowe returned home to find his wife curled up on the couch, his wedding ring rolling away, and the implications from Cole's hints dawning on him: he had died from a gunshot wound, that his wife truly loved him, calling out his name even in her dreams -- never unfaithful after all.
His continued efforts to help Cole were merely an obsession and redemption stemming from his past life.
...
"Wow! So that's what happened! What an incredible twist!" Many audience members marveled, bursting into applause.
"Absolutely fantastic! This elevates the film's level by three or four notches," Richard Linklater remarked excitedly.
"Impressive! How did I not think of that twist?" Directors Steven Soderbergh and Robert Rodriguez echoed their admiration.
"Truly captivating! This film is bound to perform brilliantly!"
"Link directed yet another remarkable film."
"Indeed, Link's movies never disappoint."
Even before the screening concluded, several representatives were overwhelmingly enthusiastic, their expressions exuberant.
...
Quentin crossed his arms and shot a sideways glance at Link, teasingly asking, "You successfully fooled everyone, feeling proud of yourself?"
"Not bad," Link chuckled.
"Humph!"
"What's with the attitude? You're a director too. Why don't you try making a film like this?" Sophia snapped.
Quentin opened his mouth to contradict, but instead, he slapped his hand over his mouth, "smack!!"
...
At the movie's end, Dr. Crowe whispered "I love you" numerous times into his wife's ear before dissipating into a sparkle of light, leading a flock of doves transforming into angelic figures soaring towards a flower-filled paradise.
...
"Whew~"
That scene was equally moving, leaving many audience members teary-eyed once again.
As the credits rolled, thunderous applause erupted in a wave of appreciation for the film.
...
"Link, congratulations! What a dazzling movie!"
"Link, you've created a remarkable film; you're the best director in the world."
"Darling, you're incredible! I'm so proud of you."
Everyone gathered around Link, clapping, as studio representatives, crew members, and friends expressed congratulations.
Link graciously thanked them.
...
"Link, this monumental film is fantastic; congratulations!" Judie Foster approached Link, fixing her gaze on him.
"Thanks! I'm glad you liked it."
"Hachi: A Dog's Tale hasn't finished filming yet. If you have time, make sure you visit the set often. This one belongs to both of us."
"Absolutely!"
...
Just as Judie finished, Madonna swooped in for a hug, her intense gaze complimenting the film and praising his talent. She mentioned having a script in hand and hoped to collaborate with him soon.
Link agreed to discuss it later.
As Madonna released him, Michelle Pfeiffer and Sophia fearlessly dove into his arms, kissing him on the cheek.
...
"Look at this! Right out in the open. The media claim that the entertainment industry is getting worse these days; Link must take over 90% of the blame," Quentin scoffed, unimpressed.
"Are you jealous of Link? Because I sure am," Steven Soderbergh chuckled.
"Why should I be envious? He is ruining his health while young. In a few years, he'll be limping around with a cane," Quentin turned his back, not wanting to witness Link's affectionate interactions, for fear of being led astray by Link.
...
Link hadn't heard Quentin's snide remarks, nor did he care. After stepping back from Michelle and Sophia, he continued to receive congratulations, expressing gratitude.
---
After the screening concluded, he received an evaluation from the system.
[Movie production complete; box office subsidies were being calculated...]
[Host participation was 73.1%, film completion reached 96.3%, market conformity level was 82%.]
[Reward: 2.8x box office subsidy; directing experience +20%; directing stamina +25%; movie quality enhancement +16%.]
Directing stamina +25%?
That was fantastic, even more than the previous instances.
As the stamina boost hit, Link felt a surge through his body, his skin glistened with a light sweat, and his muscles felt like burning steel, filled with an incredible energy.
This strange sensation lingered for over ten seconds before gradually fading away.
...
After the screening, Link saw off all the attendees, took the film's master copy back to the editing studio to perfect the film.
With a 16% quality boost from The Sixth Sense, the film's completion reached 100.7%, resulting in a superlative film work.
Link turned on the player and watched it again.
After slight adjustments, the new version of the movie reached an extraordinary level of quality -- finding no flaws in visuals, lighting, sound, dialogue, or performances.
The shooting angles, editing transitions, and post-production special effects outshone even the first version.
Link watched it repeatedly, identifying differentiations, analyzing the reasons behind each adjustment, and determining what lessons could be applied moving forward.
Upon doing so, he felt a significant epiphany, gaining immense insights.
...
Knock knock knock!
"It's dark outside, are we going to stay here overnight?" Lily's voice came from outside the studio door.
"Just busy; I lost track of time. I'll be right out," Link replied, unlocking the door.
Standing there was Lily in a tailored dress, stylishly paired with black stockings and high heels, looking elegant and composed.
"Are you done? Hmph -- pervert! Spill it, what are you doing in here?"
Lily took a step back, blushing fiercely at him.
Link glanced down sheepishly, "I really was working. I don't even know how that happened; look, I have notes."
He pointed at the desk as proof of his innocence.
Lily understood his situation and believed him, turning to lock the door, blushing deeper as she moved closer.
"Lily, how about calling home first to avoid worrying them if we're late?" Link suggested, keeping her in an embrace.
"Already did! I didn't need reminding from you," she replied, blinking her doe-like eyes.
"Well, that works! We can afford to linger a bit longer here," he said, cheekily rubbing her warm cheek.
*****
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