Chapter 91: Film Assessment

Alexander was really troubled with having Spielberg snooping around the film project.

The influence of the Jaws and E.T. director may still be on its rise in this but it was enough to trouble the developing Creed Pictures.

Spielberg had probably not read the movie script in its entirety and just gleamed on its details through his contacts. This meant that his motivation to meddle wasn't too prevalent.

Just as how he favored Zemeckis by wanting to help out, he might have simply shifted the favor now into something much more hidden.

As much as Innovative Rob wanted to escape Spielberg's influence, it can't be denied that their Industrial Light and Magic has worked out smoothly due to Spielberg.

Even the lack of encroachment from the major studios may have something to do with Spielberg's hidden favor.

Alexander's assumption that Universal had no idea about the BttF could very well be wrong.

It wasn't that Universal had no idea, Alexander surmised that Universal just chose not to intervene. If a person like Spielberg couldn't exist any further, then the film concept could very well be a bust in their opinion.

Just the dissection of Spielberg's decisions and hidden handiwork has let Alexander get a glimpse of the complicated dynamics of Hollywood.

Even though he might also just be overcomplicating things and blowing things out of proportion, there was no denying that he really needed to put more attention into Hollywood matters.

Alexander knew that had to be on guard with the movie side of things now, which was adding to all the other things he is working himself with.

Fortunately, his workload won't be that heavy as old Sullivan has probably figured out the hidden dangers as much as he has.

His risk assessment lesson came from his business-savvy grandfather after all.

Still, it was better to take note of things and help out with the hidden advantage he has with foresight on most Hollywood details and film history.

It was mostly on the most successful Hollywood films though and not much on troubles that happen behind the scenes.

Plundering success films would be developing into his forte but he had to work much more on the hazy factors such as productions problems, conflicts of interest, major studio rivalry, underhanded tactics, controversies, and critical strategies that make things work.

After all, his enhanced memory could only recall publicized details of things he had seen or heard and it was not an omnipotent foresight on the entire Hollywood system itself.

It clearly isn't much but Alexander knew that every little thing could still become handy at some point.

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As Alexander pondered upon a lot of things, the production talks went on with a lot of technical filming stuff but there was a certain trend that he was not quite expecting.

Rob said. "ILM has already started on working out on all the flame tracks, disappearance sequence. I still need to employ my part on making things happen but it won't be long until we get some proper samples."

"What about the lightning shots and windy storm sequences?" Sullivan asked.

"Simulating lightning and electrocuting flow takes some work but I could still work with the reaction recordings. It's up to the specialist and my discretion as to how we'll work out the raw film." Rob continued. "The storm sequence follows the same method but we've already prepared some of the more traditional effects for the windiness."

"How about the rain scenes?" Old Creed remembered such detail as he hadn't much of a solution for it.

"Well, we could either wait for nature to help us out or we could brainstorm some other solution." Rob was quite contemplative of that detail as well. "A lot of alternatives has been popping up but I'm still not quite satisfied with how they might turn out."

"If we get that rain problem solved, then most of our 1955 scenes should go smooth sailing and we'll be ready to work on the other timelines." Sullivan was quite satisfied with how things are going so far. "How about the 2015 town squares and the hoverboard scenarios? Has ILM gotten back to us on that?"

"Yes, we're also coordinating with Universal studios for the specifications. The hoverboard chase scenes should come out quite well with what the practical effects department has prepared."

Sullivan and Robert dove deeper into the topic while Alexander who was just listening in could not help but voice out. "Grandpa, what's this about overboard and 2015 town squares?"

It was way too advanced from how he remembered part 1 and wasn't even in the script he just read earlier. Them readying for it made him confused so he could only ask to supplement himself. "Wasn't production still at BttF part 1, why are they already considering the special effects of the sequels?"

His inquiry was easily taken note of by the others as he was the one who had always been quiet.

It would seem that the boy still hasn't been clued in on what's what and the clueless Rob and Bob duo could only turn to the old Creed who may have an idea on why the boy is still confused with the filming plans.

Unlike the duo who wasn't clued in on his plan, Sullivan of course has the answer for his grandson's question. "Since my planned theatrical surprise is blown, I decided to give you another surprise instead."

The old man then handed two other stacks of paper he had withheld. "Here's the rest that you haven't read yet and be prepared to be surprised by your grandpa!"

Alexander already got the gist of what the 'surprise' was but grabbed the papers from old Creed's hands to verify on it.

Sure enough, it was the scripted version of BttF's parts 2 and 3.

Alexander ruminate on the implications and could only reluctantly grimace at his grandfather's unnecessary showmanship.

"It's quite a surprise that you managed to surprise me, grandpa." Alexander could only admit defeat once again while Sullivan was quite celebrating but he still sighed. "I never thought I'd even make it at this point. Glory always comes to those who persevere.

Perhaps his grandfather could count this win among the tripartite coin trick and special government agency for weaponizing geniuses.

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While Sullivan was doing his thing, Alexander was back to contemplating once again.

It was clear that he wrongly assumed that this production crew would follow past-future's filming schedule. It would seem he underestimated his grandfather's method of doing things.

How could he have expected that his grandfather wasn't satisfied with just one and chose to go filming all three films at one go?

Out of all things he had found out in this studio visitation, this Sullivan surprise topped everything else without doubt.

Is it even possible to make such an ambitious film undertaking possible? This was the question that comes to Alexander's mind with all of this.