Hollywood Director 1992

[Chapter 183: Filming]

When Guess Pictures held auditions for Se7en, Brad Pitt's agent, through New Line Cinema, got him access to the script and a spot in the audition process. After reading the script, Brad felt it was fantastic and thought he'd be a perfect match for the role of Detective Mills.

Unfortunately, he didn't even make it past the first round of auditions. As a CAA actor, he was close with Richard Gere and Robert Downey Jr., and everyone in Hollywood knew that Link and Gere didn't get along. Moreover, before he went to audition for Final Destination, he had inexplicably backed out, which probably annoyed Link.

Looking back, Brad deeply regretted not only missing out on the role of Mills in Se7en but also for getting too close to people like Gere. The betting situation revealed that, despite CAA's weight and Michael Ovitz's influence, they seemed much weaker compared to Link.

To win the bet, they weren't shy about inflating the box office figures for The Firm and finding ways to undermine Link's films, even attempting to halt their release. This clearly illustrated Link's strength -- both his films and his position were significant, while Gere and his entourage seemed small and desperate, needing to give it their all just to have a chance of winning.

As the release of Final Destination approached, Gere and Downey Jr. became increasingly tense and anxious about the outcome of their bet. They paid little attention to work, consumed by thoughts of how to win, which made them appear unfocused. Meanwhile, Link kept busy with the preparations for his new film and didn't focus too much on Final Destination or the betting stakes. It seemed he cared little about the outcome.

The mental difference between the two parties was stark. Even if Link lost the bet, he believed he was still far superior to that group. This realization made him regret pulling out from the Final Destination auditions, missing the opportunity to bond with Link.

...

"Se7en? That sounds familiar."

"Oh right, that's Link's film, isn't it? I heard he's already casting for a new movie," another added.

Brad took a sip of his drink, "The film's already in production. The Los Angeles Times reported from the set in New York."

"What? It's started filming? Now?" Downey Jr. was surprised. "Are you sure? Final Destination is about to hit theaters, and he's focusing on shooting a movie in New York instead of promoting it?"

David Duchovny frowned, "Promoting a film before its release is crucial. Why isn't he trying to maximize the box office? Is he not worried about Final Destination's earnings?"

"Impossible not to be concerned. The stakes are over $72 million. Even if he's worth four or five hundred million, that's still a significant sum for him. How could he not care?" Downey Jr. said angrily.

He had wagered several million dollars on the bet and was now feeling anxious, while Link had bet over $70 million yet appeared unfazed and still had the time to film a new project. That irritated him greatly.

Kiefer Sutherland furrowed his brow, "Maybe he realizes he's going to lose this bet, so he's given up, focusing on something else to avoid the stress of poor box office numbers."

"Good point!" Duchovny and Downey Jr. nodded in agreement.

Hearing their conversation, Brad felt even more regret for aligning himself too closely with them. He put down his drink, found an excuse, and excused himself.

---

"Cut!"

"Ben! You're only 23, not 83. Give me some youthful passion and energy. Stop performing with that serious face. If you have 'zombie syndrome,' then I apologize, but if not, you better perk up. The scene needs you to be lively and a bit edgy."

On the set of Se7en, Link shouted, banging the table.

Ben Affleck scratched his head, "Director, I got it. I didn't realize I wasn't performing well earlier. I'll pay more attention next time."

"Get ready quickly!" Link waved him off and continued filming other scenes.

...

During the shoot, Link hadn't demanded that Affleck emulate Brad Pitt. They were different types of actors with different performing styles. Forcing Affleck to play a tough, masculine role wouldn't work as it might ruin the character.

So before filming began, Link redesigned Affleck's performance style to better suit him and help him immerse into the role more easily. However, Affleck often had trouble staying engaged while performing. If he was not careful, he'd lose focus and end up expressionless.

Thus, after filming started, Link had to remind Affleck frequently. At first, it was manageable, but as the reminders multiplied, Link grew impatient and his tone became less courteous.

Affleck seemed to be the kind of person who needed tough love. He wouldn't perform well without some criticism. Sometimes, a few harsh words would encourage him to focus for days. The harsher the critique, the better the result, which left Link feeling frustrated. He was usually gentle and rarely scolded anyone, but the situation required him to be stricter.

...

"Scene 12, Take 2, Action!"

The crew continued filming. Detective Mills, having just joined the precinct, encountered a murder scene accompanied by the soon-to-retire veteran Detective William Somerset. This was also the first 'Sin' scene for Se7en.

"Want some coffee?"

In the rain, Detective Mills approached the veteran with two cups of coffee.

"Not interested!"

The veteran dismissed him, heading toward the crime scene with his tools. Mills set down one cup on the steps and hurried to catch up.

A beefy, uniformed cop handed Somerset two flashlights.

"At what time did you confirm the death?" Somerset inquired.

"Like I said, we didn't touch anything, but we were on scene at like o-five- hundred, so he's had

his face in a plate of spaghetti for about half an hour," the officer replied as he walked.

"Wait, wait, wait. You didn't check him? You didn't check vital signs? " Mills asked.

"Believe me, he's gone. Unless he's breathing spaghetti sauce now," the officer said.

"No. The point is, when you're first man in, you check vital signs." Mills said.

"Sorry, detective, this guy's sitting in a pile of his own shit and piss. If he ain't dead he would have stood up by now."

"Listen, Godzilla..."

"Thank you, Officer. We'll see you again after we've had a look.," Somerset stepped in and said as he handed over the coffee.

"Yes, sir."

...

"Cut!"

This scene was shot in long takes, mostly capturing the movements and dialogue, requiring minimal performance demands. After two rehearsals, the formal shoot went smoothly on the first take.

Link called over the actors for the next scene, rehearsing twice and testing once, confirming everything was satisfactory before continuing.

...

As Somerset and Mills entered the scene, they were immediately taken aback by the size of the deceased, a huge man dressed in an oversized tank top, resembling a mound of flesh slumped over the dining table, his face buried in a plate.

Cockroaches scurried across the table and floor. The deceased's skin was marred with bruised veins and scars, creating a gruesome sight.

To ensure authenticity, experts and forensic specialists were present onsite to guide the makeup process, ensuring the deceased looked realistic.

"I guess that makes it homicide," Mills said, shining his flashlight on the body. "Still, he could have tied himself in. To make it look like murder. I don't see any blood or bruises yet. No wounds. You see anything? "

"Not yet," Somerset replied, irritated.

"I saw a guy once... committed suicide, but he wanted to make sure his family could collect insurance money, right? So, this guy took this big knife... and he held it behind him, put the

tip of it in his back, and he ran backwards into the wall. Cause, he thought it was going to look like

someone stabbed him in the back. Except, he poked a big fucking hole in the dry wall when he did it," Mills said.

"If you could... spare me the anecdotes for now. Leave the refrigerator open for the light."

"Oh, forgive me. I thought we had this male-bonding thing going. My mistake."

Somerset squatted down to check under the table, glancing at Mills.

Mills crouched as well, noticing the deceased's limbs were bound with wire.

...

"Cut!"

"Next one!"

Due to the complexity of this scene, Link and the crew had filmed for four consecutive days to complete all the shots.

*****

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