Underground
Underground
is a book based on a book written about a creature half man half
monster that lives in the London Underground.
The book was a big
hit, a massive best seller and inevitably Hollywood wants to turn it
into a film. So, a studio executive under huge pressure to make money
in an age when movies are made by spotty kids with camcorders and
breaking box office records, goes to London himself with he’s
assistant Sue and Frank, an intern just out of college, to meet the
writer and buy the rights for a film.
The author of the book,
UNDERGROUND is in a psychiatric hospital suffering from a nervous
breakdown unable to cope with his new success.
With the pressure
to get the film done in record time and under the lowest budget
possible, the pressure piles on and a chaotic scenario develops. The
already vulnerable book author plays the monster. In a suit with huge
sharp claws he has a nervous breakdown, taking on the monster persona
he chases everyone down the corridors and tunnels . But there is a
twist...
Introduction:
MGM in trouble
Now that the woes of MGM have forced producers to put the next James Bond movie on hold, what the studio really needs is assistance from the secret agent's former nemesis Goldfinger.
For only a man with the Midas touch could make the troubled film-maker's $4bn debt mountain disappear.
As well as the Bond films, MGM is also home to the Pink Panther series. But with the firm on the lookout for a buyer, the lion's roar featured at the start of its films since 1924 could soon be reduced to a purr, or even possibly silenced.
Carl DiOrio at the Hollywood Reporter magazine in Los Angeles says it is hard these days for a business to survive if it only makes films.
"MGM has never been the wholly integrated company such as Viacom or News Corp, or to some extent even Time Warner," he explains.
He says studios need deep pockets to fund pricey film productions - and they also need the natural synergies which come with multiple distribution platforms.
"MGM have been more narrowly focused on film and once DVD went into decline, that $4bn debt load was merely a time-bomb waiting to go off," he adds.
Slow decline
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was the dominant motion picture studio in Hollywood from the end of the silent film era until the 1950s.
From the outset, MGM tapped into the audience's desire for glamour and the company created a stable of stars, including legends such as Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow and Clark Gable.
Like its rivals, MGM produced 50 films a year, including seminal titles such as The Wizard of Oz, Northwest Passage and Gone With the Wind.
After 1940, production was cut to a more realistic 25 films a year. During that period, MGM came up with a successful run of musicals featuring the likes of Judy Garland, Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra.
The studio continued to produce expensive musicals, but after the war, audiences were drifting away and television was becoming the dominant form of family entertainment.
The company's biggest cartoon stars were the cat-and-mouse duo Tom and Jerry.
Cutting loose artists such as Judy Garland, the studio managed to keep running, although its prestige had diminished by the 1950s.
However, despite occasional films continuing to perform well at the box office, MGM responded slowly to the changes in the industry and by the 1960s, it was losing significant amounts of money.
Uncertain future
There was a history of conflict in MGM's boardroom, even at the peak of its success, and the company has changed hands innumerable times over the past two decades.
Whether the studio can avoid bankruptcy has been the topic of much speculation in the industry.
MGM is currently owned by a consortium of Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, the Sony Corporation, Comcast, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and the Quadrangle Group.
With the riskiness of modern film industry, it is hard to imagine who would want to buy MGM now.
The Hollywood Reporter's Carl DiOrio believes someone might see fit to keep the roaring lion as a film label of some sort, but as an entity standing on its own two feet, he does not think that is feasible.
"The existing company cannot just be restructured, the debt load has got too severe and the cash flow has fallen off too severely," he says.
All in all, the 85-year-old lion is getting a little long in the tooth.
Its roar might be missed by an older, more nostalgic generation, but sentiment alone is not enough to keep a studio afloat in an age when people are increasingly turning to their laptops to watch films.
That is probably what prompted YouTube, the largest video-sharing website, to show full-length films from MGM's archives.
The partnership is aimed at boosting advertising revenue for both YouTube and the Hollywood studio.
Part 1
- Introducing the main character, a young man fresh out of college on his way to his first day of work at one of the oldest and famous film studios in the world.
Driving down the boulevard of tall lined palm trees Frank had the roof down on his convertible sports car. He admires the tropical palm tree tops against a clear blue sky and basks in the warm Californian sun, a far cry from the long and cold winters of small town where he grew up. Frank had three of the most important things in his Life that morning, a top of the range convertible sports car, a $700 suit and his F.A.M.M.A, Film, Acting & Media Management Academy degree.
True he was renting the cheapest studio flat apartment near Hollywood that came with a garage, and had enough money in the bank to pay for another 3 months rent. True that all he had was invested in that car and suit and the hard earned money of his parents from small town Mid-west paid for his degree, but at 22 Frank felt he had the world at his feet and no one could stop him now.
Image was so important for him and he was so convinced that it would portray him as someone who is, in Hollywood rather than someone who is,starting out in Hollywood.
In his mind he did this journey many years ago when he was still a kid and all he dreamed of was being in the land where dreams come true, Hollywood and movies was his Life.
As he approaches the studio gates he makes an effort to make eye contact with the guard, he knows he’s on that clipboard but he’s not going to be pretentious about it, an orchestrated attitude of confidence was Frank’s way of succeeding in Life.
Guard at the gate: “Let’s have a look. Frank right? Work experience.”
Frank: “Internship, actually” (Frank feels a certain lack of respect here)
Guard at the gate: “Straight ahead then turn left on that blue building (he points lifting his fat belly on purpose up against the car door, he’s belly almost leaping into the car and landing on the passengers seat) you do never, never park on the right side of this main lane (the guard turns his back on him and walks slowly as if he was making a point, that he was in charge. Frank stares openmouthed and shakes his head)”
Driving down the lane Frank sees a small parking lot on the forbidden right, luxury car after luxury car parked under covered shade, side by side. Bentleys, Mercedes, Lamborghinis, every kids dream car in one car park. A short drive ahead turning left on the blue building Frank is in a big car park with some of the most average cars that you could possibly come across. It was like the cars you see in a Wal-Mart car park it even had pickup trucks.
After a long walk to the main building Frank quickly finds who he will be working under. A tall woman in her forties with a lifeless facial expression by the name of Sue talks to Frank as they walk down the corridor, she doesn’t look at him once as they pass the desks.
Sue: “For three years we’ve been getting letters from you. How did you manage to get all our personnel names and addresses? Everyone applies online these days, you lucky our studio executive came across one of your letters. This is your desk. You plug your laptop here. I will call you in an hour or two.” Sue was a mix of prison warden and headmistress; you felt she had a whip near by just in case.
Frank is speechless; all he has is a plain looking white desk and a phone. Next to it is a notepad and cheap plastic pen. He looks around and there are about 20 people at their desks, no one acknowledges or talks to each other. The white desks, the touch screen monitors on the wall and sliding doors makes him feel that he is on the set of a science fiction film, maybe that’s what it was, the set of a spaceship that now was being used for an office. He sits there with his nylon laptop carrier by his feet and tries to say hello to the colleague at the desk next to him.
Frank: “Hi. I’m Frank (she hears him alright and goes out of her way to ignore him by turning slightly to the other way of the desk completely snubbing him) Sorry, I don’t speak any Spanish but I can learn. I’m a fast learner. (She now turns to him and has a good look at his suit and goes back to her laptop)
After about two hours of staring at the phone and looking around at people coming in and out, Sue comes in and calls everyone to an office.
They’re all in crammed into an old fashioned dark wooden office. The walls are covered in black and white pictures of actors of a bygone age of the big screen. The contrast between the sleek and modern workplace with white desks, touch screen monitors on the wall and sliding doors and the studio executive office couldn’t be more extreme.
Frank: “This must be the past. What century do you think we’re in at the moment? (He asks the female colleague that ignored him earlier on. This time he got a smile from her)
In comes the boss, Bill the Studio Executive, Big Bill as some call him. He has a certain presence about him; certain allure a certain power. Frank seen Big Bill’s picture in many magazines and papers and recognized him straightaway. It was an awkward feeling for Frank it was like he was in the presence of a respected leader, a higher life form. Frank couldn’t think of a joke or something funny, Big Bill simply oozed respectability and authority. It was in his face, it was in his mannerisms, even in his silence.
Big Bill: “So… Here we are again. I expect everyone got my memo. (He says looking at Sue who seats near him with her lifeless face)
Yes… I know all you got my memo, and you all got faster internet connection, more megabits and megabytes, the latest mega laptops. Wasn’t that you all put in the suggestion box? (Again he looks at Sue)
A new, state of the art office, work was going to be “inspirational” we were all going into the Future; it was going to be more productive… and what did it get me? I tell you what…There are kids out there with camcorders posting films on the internet, making more money than us. Well let me tell you all one thing. You are all starring joblessness in the face.”
And this is when everyone in the room erupts into a wrangle. Everyone has an opinion, everyone talks at the same time pointing fingers and throwing hands up into the air.
Like a high Court judge Big Bill grabs a round object, like a paper weight and bangs it on his dark mahogany wood desk, right on a spot that bared the markings of previous court hearings.
Big Bill: “This is becoming a circus. Every week we sink further into a shambles. I got the Board and shareholders up my ass every day. You over there what you got?(Big Bill points at one of them)”
Studio employee 1: “Three cowboys are frozen by accident in a glacier on the Rockies while running away from the sheriff and get unfrozen 150 years later in modern times. They go on a shooting spree robbing banks, luckily enough the sheriff is also defrosted and… well, its about the contrast between the old Wild West and modern…”
Big Bill: “Next. (Big Bill says cutting him off and pointing to studio employee 2)”
Studio employee 2: “This is the best script ever. Hear me out. A lesbian love story between two women that turn out to sisters…”
Big Bill: “Next. (Big Bill says pointing to studio employee 3)”
Studio employee 3: “Nazis. This writer got a great story about Nazis that…”
Big Bill: Stop, stop, stop. I’m surrounded by idiots. What happened to you guys? You guys are the highest paid in Hollywood, you supposed to be the best. We are sinking here. (He turns and looks at Sue again)
Everyone looks down as if they were fighting a lost cause, despair had turned to apathy, there was a feeling that no one could revive this studio, that it was fated to the history books. The once mighty studio had lost its touch with the industry it once dominated; its ability to reinvent itself made it a dying old giant.
Frank: “The best selling book in a generation (Frank says out loud, standing in the middle of the office and holding a book he hastily took out of his nylon bag)”
Big Bill: “Who is this kid?( Big Bill asks Sue)”
Sue: “Fresh out of the academy he’s the one that wrote all those letters to everyone. Movie buff. Real pain in the ass. You told me to hire him remember? (Everyone looks on in amazement at the nerve of this newcomer)”
Frank: “This is what we should be working with. This book sold more copies in its first month than any other book in printing history. (There is a slight pause)”
Big Bill: “Go on.”
Frank: “It’s his first book, the author spent 10 years on it, even got a job in the subway. It’s about a prehistoric creature that lives in the biggest subway system in the world. The London Underground. The story is so convincing that people were afraid to travel. There’s been a lot of hype about this book. There are even rumors they found mysterious footprints in the Underground.”
Studio employee 4: “We will never get the rights to the book, he has refused every offer thrown. The author is a total recluse he can’t cope with the sudden fame, He’s doing a J. D. Salinger.”
Frank: “Wrong. He had a nervous break down writing a second book and is in a mental institution. His family is preparing to sue the publisher for unreasonable behavior and blackmail.”
Studio employee 5: “And just how do you know all this? You send him letters every day on how you finishing your degree soon and gonna reinvent the movie industry?( he says with a smirk on his face. There is another short moment of silence in the room)”
Big Bill: “Go on. (Big Bill says this time sitting down and with full attention on Frank)”
Frank: “No. I correspond with his mother that happens to update me on his condition.”
Big Bill: “I like this kid. I really like this kid. What else son?”
Frank: “Yeh, my car gets really hot under the sun in the car park. Can I park next to you under the shade?”
The room was silent, everyone just stared at Frank.
Saturday night back at the studio flat no bigger than an average room Frank sits on his sofa that is also his bed and a dinning chair. In front is a small coffee table that doubles up as a dinning table and a desk where he writes his endless letters. The coffee table has a yellow page directory and few other thick books under its four legs, this elevates the table making it just right to eat on and use as a desk. Next to him is a cardboard box with a pile of white envelops that Frank will drop off at the post office on his way to work.
As Frank finishes his last letter for the evening he’s distracted by the noise coming from outside.
He puts the last letter in the box and makes his way to the front door, going onto the open communal balcony that gives access to the other flats. He looks down to an open courtyard and sees two males about his age talking and laughing out loud, they’re waiting for the two girls that live on one of the ground floor flats.
In the middle of the courtyard surrounded by 12 flats on the ground floor and another 12 on the first floor is an unfinished swimming poll, a great big oval hole partially tiled and looking like it had been left in mid construction 2 or 3 years ago, it even had some small bushes and grass growing in it. As the girls come out all dressed up to meet their male friends one of the girls engages in a long kiss with her boyfriend, the other guy puts his arms around the other girl as if he was to start doing the same and kiss her, when he suddenly, lifts her of her feet and carries her to the edge of the swimming pool and swings forward as if he was throwing her into the empty pool.
Holding to his neck while still on his arms she screams of excitement and fear as the other two look on and start laughing like frenzied teens.
Girl standing: “Don’t use the pool or our rent will go up.( Frank looks on as they all walk off into the night he had a sad expression on his face, as if he was missing out on something, as if he should be down there with a hot girl having fun)”
Just next to Frank on the same corridor and witnessing all this, is the neighbor Ms Brown, an overweight lady widow in her seventies, she has a thin summer dress and he could see her fat legs with dark thick veins, like blood clots.
Ms Brown: “Evening Frank (she says puffing away on a cigarette)”
Frank: “Hi Ms Brown.”
Ms Brown: “Tell me dear. How does it feel living in such a small room? (Frank lived above a garage, the room was the same size as the garage underneath, it stood awkwardly at the end of a row of flats. It was the cheapest room he could find that came with an all important garage for his sports car)”
Frank: “Fine, just fine. As long as my car is safely locked up down there, I’m a happy bunny. It won’t be for long Ms Brown, I’m going to London soon.”
Ms Brown: “London! How wonderful. My George was there during the war. He would send me love letters, you know. Oh it was so romantic. You can write your letters from there. All you need is a sweetheart. You such a good looking boy, its Saturday night you should be out there chasing women.”
Frank: “No Ms Brown. Focus… Focus. I have a mission in Life. Party time will come when I’m rich and famous, women will be chasing me. When I’m back I’ll be moving out to Beverly Hills. Got my first movie. I’ll send you a letter from London; keep you up to date with events over there.”
Ms Brown: “Oh, you such a sweetheart. I know you will succeed, you will go all the way, you will go to the top.”
Frank and Ms Brown look over to another flat, there’s loud Latin salsa music coming out of it, with the windows open they can hear a woman squeal and laugh loudly as if someone was tickling her; occasionally the voice of a man is heard.
Frank: “Good night Ms Brown. (And Frank goes back inside leaving the neighbor to finish her cigarette)”
Part 2
- Driving down an English country lane alongside green rolling hills with cows and sheep, a huge American style stretch limo couldn’t look more out of place.
In the limo were Big Bill, Frank, Sue and the driver.
Sue organized the British contacts that would provide the crew, the equipment, location and so on; she had the huge task to make this movie possible in the UK.
Actors, director, script writers, all involved in this movie would be British. For Big Bill to get the rights to this movie would be an amazing coup, since so many have failed to convince the author to sell the book rights for a movie, it would certainly put the Big Man back in business and be the toast of Hollywood.
There were only two big hurdles to overcome; one was to convince the medical chief at the mental institution where the books author was being kept, to sign a release order and the other hurdle, to convince the author’s mother who was her son’s legal guardian to sell the books rights for a movie. They were on their way to tackle the second hurdle first.
It sure was a tough undertaking, but Big Bill had an advantage over all the others, he had Frank. Frank was his hidden weapon, the one that would make it all happen. Frank had written so many letters to the doctor and authors mother that he had managed to build a close and genuine rapport with them.
Frank was the friend, the avid fan, the one that took time out to hand write all those letters of support and advice, he genuinely felt for the pain and suffering of those who cared for the author.
Frank was obsessed with this book and the fact that all the other studios tried to make the movie made him more passionate, as if it was a story that needed to be told.
So, on the way to see the sweet old lady we arrive at what you could call the quintessential English village. It was an old little rural community in the Lake District with no more than 100 or so houses, it had a small church, a pup and a small shop that was also the post office, the village itself went back over 500 years and was steeped in history, its narrow streets and picturesque cottages were like something of a postcard.
Driving in to a heaven of tranquility the giant black limo is so long, that it can’t turn on the first curve leading into the centre of the village. The driver with chauffeur cap and all, tries to maneuver the giant beast of a car several times back and forward around the bend to the amusement and entertainment of a small crowd that gathered at the scene.
Sue: “This is becoming a bit embarrassing. I say we get off and walk to Ms. Douglas, it can’t be far.”
Big Bill: “How do we find her?”
Sue: “Small place like this? They all know each other, she probably knows we’re here, she’ll be finding us.”
Frank: “Excuse me Sir. Would you by any chance know where we could find Ms. Douglas? (Frank takes the initiative and approaches an old onlooker with a walking stick)”
Old Man: “Douglas you said? That must be the Major. There’s only one Douglas around here. But he died years ago! Years.( Major-General Douglas was well know at the village he been in the army all his Live and retired to the village with his wife)”
Frank: “Yes I know, But its Ms. Douglas I’m after. (from corresponding with the books author Ms. Douglas, Frank already knew she was the widow of an ex British army officer)”
Old Man: “Fine man the Major. We was my friend you know! I remember all his army adventures in India and Africa. Fine Man. (the old man with his walking stick didn’t seem very sharp, old age was having its effect on him)”
Big Bill: “The wife. Did he have a wife? (Suddenly an old woman steps in)”
Old woman: “Ms. Douglas? She lives just over there. (The old woman points to a nearby cottage)”
Wobbling with his walking stick the old man approaches the driver in the driver’s seat and asks.
Old Man: “Do you have a hen party in there? (The crowd breaks into laughter Frank, Big Bill and Sue look on embarrassed)”
At the nearby cottage Ms Douglas came to the Door. A petite old lady in her late seventies, white hair and wrinkled face she still had a certain sparkle in her eyes, she had a bubbly personality, she wasn’t like your average old pensioner, moaning and always tired complaining about Life, she was agile, sharp, full of energy little old Dear.
Ms Douglas: “Oh, hello how punctual, please come in.”
Big Bill: “Thank you ma’am (Big Bill replies after a firm hand shake, as if he wanted to her to know he was the person in charge. They are now in the house and Ms Douglas says looking at Frank)”
Ms Douglas: “You must be Frank. How nice to finally meet you. Thank you for all your letters. How strange, it’s like if I already knew you. Have a seat I get the tea ready. (She takes them to the sitting room and walks off to the kitchen) It will only take a minute… (Still talking her voice fading in the distance as she leaves the room)”
The sitting room was what you would expect in an old cottage. Full of old but quality furniture, the walls with flower patterns wallpaper from top to bottom it was a room stuck in time. There was a flowery theme through the room even the sofa and cushions had flower motifs, on every corner was a vase with dried flowers and more vases with dried flowers doted around the room. To one side was an antique wall desk, made of solid dark wood with intricate carved legs. The desk top was covered with different size frames, the more recent pictures at the front and the oldest, in black and white at the back.
She putts the tray on the coffee table, Frank, Big Bill in the middle and Sue all sit on a long sofa. Across Ms. Douglas sips her tea smiles at the three.
Big Bill: “What a nice house you have here Ms. Douglas, (it was either that or, what a nice weather we have today. Big Bill has a briefcase by his feat) someone in the village mentioned your late husband was an army man.”
Ms Douglas: “Oh yes my late husband was in India with the British army, I have some great memories, what a wonderful country India! So exotic, so diverse.
I spent my best years with James in India.”
Big Bill: “I say. You must be so proud to have a famous writer as a son? Oxford educated and all. Was there a particular reason why he decided to work in the Underground?(Frank and Sue look at Big Bill seating in between them, wanting to say something, as if this was a delicate subject)”
Ms Douglas: “He was always a good boy when he was a child, why he decided to leave his teaching job and work there was a surprise to all. He told us he was happy and that’s what mattered to us. The book actually took years to complete, it wasn’t a case of locking oneself up in a cabin and hammer it out. The book was a project for him. Maybe working in the Underground gave him inspiration.”
Big Bill:”Sure sounds like an interesting character. As you already know we will be meeting him tomorrow and that’s why we’re( Big Bill wanted to move the meeting forward sitting around drinking tea and exchanging pleasantries wasn’t his style, he was a whiskey drinker and a straight to the point kind of guy) I’m going straight to the point here Ms. Douglas.”
Ms Douglas: “Please do!” (The feeling to move on was obviously mutual)
Big Bill: As you know we want to adapt your son’s book into the script for a film. As you are his legal guardian and due to his present, er, state of mind, we need your signature on a couple of documents.(Big Bill takes out a pile of documents from his brief case and holds them in his lap) We have a generous offer for you Ms Douglas, all we need is your signature and we will take it from there, we meeting with your son tomorrow and Dr Patel at the mental Hospital. The amount we are offering you is on the first page. I have in this envelope a small advance on the payment.( Big Bill takes a brown envelope from his jacket pocket. Frank and Sue look on embarrassed with the whole approach)”
After a quick look at each page Ms. Douglas calmly replies.
Ms Douglas: “Bill. You a straight to the point Man and I’m doing the same now! First you will have to increase this offer 10 fold. 2nd we have to negotiate the fees for any sequel. 3rd royalties, 4th… (Big Bill jaw drops)”
Ms Douglas sure caught everyone by surprise, the points and list of demands were endless and she showed remarkable knowledge of movie production and contractual matters, we all listened to her continual foray into how this movie would go ahead, it certainly would be no steal for Big Bill, she knew exactly what this book would be worth for a movie and she wasn’t selling it cheap.
As the conversation went on and although Frank was on the opposite camp, or be it on the Hollywood side working for Big Bill, he felt that he wasn’t part of the cheeky attempt to get this movie on the cheap and underpay Ms Douglas that turned out to be a shrewd negotiator.
Slowly getting up Frank makes his way to the old wall desk and cant but notice how the framed pictures are in chronological order, with the more recent color pictures of the latest visits to Paris and family members and grandchildren at the front and older black and white pictures mostly from Mr. Douglas army period at the back near to the wall.
While in the background they still rumble on about the contract, the old pictures are of colonial army days and hunting trips. A tall Mr. Douglas overshadows everyone in the pictures; one picture even has a dead tiger as if it was trophy, there are hunting expeditions on elephants in the lush jungle and hunting expeditions on mountains with a convoy of yaks used as mules with loads of boxes and bags on them.
One of the pictures stood out from all the others. It was of Mr. Douglas and his young son Paul Douglas against a backdrop of snow caped mountains, he holds a waist high tree trunk, not too thick but quite strong and solid looking trunk. It stood out because it had some teeth marks on it as if a dog or tiger had been chewing on it, the trunk also had on the bottom other scratch marks like if a bear had inserted its claws in it.
Big Bill: “…Reasonable? What you mean reasonable. I still have to deal with his doctor and God knows if he’s pulling out a contract as well. I need to fax this to my office in LA this has to be seen by a team of lawyers. Where do you get a contract like this?”
Ms Douglas: “Well. Its amazing what you can find with Google these days”
Sue: Maybe we can get back to you today Ms Douglas. We just need to find a fax machine.
As Big Bill and Sue look at the contract, Ms Douglas gets up and joins Frank by the pictures.
Ms Douglas: “We brought all this furniture from a farm we lived in, a few miles from here, but after George passed away, farm work was to much for me. My late husband loved telling Paul stories. He will tell a particular story of a hairy beast that terrorized the locals and how one day he would hunt down the dreadful creature.”
Frank: “I sincerely mean this! I think we have to make this movie. I think there is a lot of your husband in Paul’s book.”
Walking out in the street the trio sure had to regroup and think of a plan B.
Big Bill: “Why the hell didn’t we talk money with her before we came here?”
Frank: “We lucky we got here at all. She turned everyone else away.”
Sue: “That’s right. Many people have tried.”
Big Bill: 2Look there’s a pub there. I need a drink.”
They walk into an old style English pub, the ceiling so dark you could almost see the years of layers of smoke on it.
A middle aged chap is behind the bar and greets them cheerfully.
Bar Man: “Any luck with Ms. Douglas?”
Big Bill: “How do you know we need luck with Ms. Douglas?”
Bar Man: I’m the postman. I deliver a letter a week from a Frank in LA. How’s the negotiations going on?”
Big Bill: “And just how do you know abut that? “
Bar Man: “I have a fax machine at the back, Ms. Douglas uses it sometimes, I only know its some sort of contract, that’s all. What can I get you, gentleman and lovely Lady?”
Big Bill makes a call to the office, and then asks to use the fax machine, it will take a few hours for the lawyers in LA to go over the contract, they stay at the pub and wait.
At a near buy table is the old man with the walking stick. He looks at Frank and says.
Old man: “The Major was my friend you know! I remember every story he told me, word by word.”
Bar Man: “Yeah, the Major sure had some tales to tell. We would fill this pub up when he told us one of his adventures. He had a captive audience people used to come from other villages, his son would listen in as well. No wonder he’s such a good writer.”
Frank: “What was his most popular story (Big Bill and Sue listen since there was nothing else to do until the lawyers replied back from LA)”
Old man: “Many years ago when the young Major was but a Private in the army, a terrible man eating snow leopard would terrorize the farmers of a small village in…”( the old man goes on for almost an hour, telling the heroic story of how the Major single handed killed the ferocious giant snow leopard and became the hero of an entire region in the Himalayas)
Once the lawyers got back to Big Bill they went back to Ms. Douglas home and exchanged contracts.
They were on their way back to London and the next day off for the second hurdle. Hoping for it to be an easier affair… or would it?
Part 3
-Big Bill is in a restaurant with his assistant Frank, having a meeting with Sue. The film rights had blown the budget, pressure is starting to build and Big Bill is cutting corners.
Big Bill: “…No, no, no, we would have to pay a fortune for that actor to be in this film.( Big Bill says after Sue recommends the hottest actor in town)”
Sue: “You have turned down every single actor for the main part, just who do you have in mind?”
Big Bill: Its not who I have in mind it’s who will do it for the less money? Or even for nothing. If kids with camcorders can make a fortune with a film about a witch that lives in the woods, so can we. A film about a monster that lives in the subway.”
Frank: “Underground.”
Big Bill: “Whatever. I have just paid an absolute fortune for film rights. We need to cut costs here. C’mon guys work with me. “
Sue: “In that case why don’t you just get someone from the street and turn him into a star. (She says in a short-tempered mood)”
Big Bill: “C’mon guys give me a break, work with me here, in Hollywood everyone is an actor or wants to be in the movies. You there (he points to a nearby waiter) are you an aspiring actor?”
Mario the waiter: “Ah, no I’m from Spain. (He replies not really understanding the question)”
Big Bill: “Yeh, but do you want to be in a movie? In Hollywood every waiter is an actor. You can’t get a coffee with out being bombarded with scripts and people begging you to put them in a film (he says looking at the Sue)”
Mario the waiter: “No Sir, I’m studying engineering this is a part time job.”
Big Bill: “What did I tell you? Every waiter wants another job. You got it son, you’re in the movie, we pay you more money, these guys will take care of everything.( Mario the waiter still doesn’t know what’s going on)”
Sue: “Are you serious? (They just can’t believe it, they just can’t make him understand that London is not Hollywood)”
Big Bill: “He’s a great looking kid, look at him. A couple of acting classes and he’s ready. Frank will give him some lessons.”
Frank: “You want me to teach him acting?”
Sue: “You know what they say. Everything is possible in Hollywood (she says to Frank sarcastically)”
Part 4
- On the way to the best Mental Hospital in the UK, Big Bill, Frank Sue have now formed a closer bond and although Big Bill was undoubtedly the man in charge he always let people work for him for an opinion and encouraged people to speak their mind.
Big Bill: “You know Frank when I started out in this business I was younger than you. One thing I learned from the studio executive at the time was, never rule by fear. Everybody feared him and that stopped people from telling him the truth. I can see you have something in your mind. C’mon spell it out.”
Sue: “Why do we have to drive around in this truck? Everyone uses people carriers these days. (Big Bill looks at Sue and rolls his eyes up looking back at Frank)”
Big Bill: “Is this what’s bothering you, the Limo?”
Frank: “I don’t think anyone is upset here. I just think that we should approach the doctor in a different way. That’s all.”
Big Bill: “What you mean in a different way? We just need a signature of release from this guy. I got a brown envelop in my pocket, you been corresponding with him, he agreed to see us, it can only mean one thing. The guy wants money. I don’t think he’s going to give us a mental valuation of the fruit cake.”
Sue: “Fruit cake! This is going to fun.”
Big Bill: “Ok. I tell you what. I let you do the talking. If things get out of hand I step in.”
Frank was surprised with the vote of confidence. All of sudden he felt a huge responsibility over his shoulders. This wasn’t about looking good in a suit and driving around in top of the range sports car to impress and make people believe you were someone in Hollywood. It wasn’t about having balls and brag your way in. This was about doing it for real. Frank had a lot to prove, mostly to himself.
Arriving at the hospital the building stood detached on a park like grounds. The park had big trees and a well kept garden with plenty of grass area.
Few patients in pajamas style clothes and robe wondered around the grass area, doted around here and there were some male and female nurses. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful.
In the building the receptionist dressed in nurse uniform, the same as the ones outside, personally takes the three to the doctor’s office. Passing by a few patients, again all was tranquil.
Big Bill:” It sure looks calm around here. You always expect to see a bit of pandemonium, patients with helmets banging their heads on the wall. That kind of thing.”
Receptionist: “There’s a ratio of one professional trained staff for every 5 patients. There are some extreme patients but they’re well cared for.”
Big Bill: “Indeed. (He says looking around like some sort of inspector)”
Doctor Patel: “Come in. Come in. How nice to see you. Just in time for some afternoon tea.”
Big Bill: “Afternoon, morning and evening. This country runs on Tea. Ha, ha, ha.”
Doctor Patel: “Ha, ha, ha. Yes indeed. Our national beverage.”
Frank: “Nice to finally meet you Mr. Patel”
Doctor Patel: “Pleasure is all mine. Funny! Having you standing here. It’s like I’ve know you all my Life.”
Frank: “Likewise Mr. Patel. I feel exactly the same.”
Big Bill: “Well since you two seem to be so in touch with each other, I just let Frank tell you our plans.”
Frank: “I have here the poster I promised you in my last letter. Albela 1951
Doctor Patel: “I can’t believe my eyes. This is amazing.”
Dr Patel eyes doubled in size and almost popped out. It was the poster of a film he saw as a child, when he lived in India before his parents had moved to the UK. Like Frank Mr. Patel loved the cinema. It’s the story of a dispatch clerk (Bhagwan) dreams of becoming a stage star. His success as singer and dancer is aided by the reigning star Asha (Geeta Bali) with whom he falls in love. The love story is intercept with tragedy in his home, the death of his mother (Pratima Devi), estrangement from his father (Badri Prasad) and the villainy of his brother-in-law (Nihal).
Back at the office:
Big Bill: “This is going better than I thought. (He says whispering to Sue)”
Sue: “If he signs the release form does that mean the writer goes today? Where is he going to stay?(She whispers back)”
Big Bill: “Well we can’t drive him to his mom everyday. I was thinking he could stay with…”
Sue: “What!!!(The Scream interrupted Frank and Mr. Patel that were getting on like a house on fire)”
Doctor Patel: “Would you like to see Mr. Douglas?”
Walking into the long hospital corridor Bib Bill couldn’t help it but to make a comment to Mr. Patel.
Big Bill: “I was saying to your nurse earlier on, everyone here seems quite normal Mr. Douglas must be quite easy to handle? (Big Bill stops near a patient standing on the corridor and grabs his hand giving him a strong hand shake) Hi buddy, how you doing today?
As if a rage of furry had engulfed the patient, he screams so loud that he could be heard in the garden. He jumps on Big Bill pulling his hair and biting him on the shoulder. Frank, Sue and Mr. Patel desperately try to take the patient of Big Bill’s back, but such was the grip they couldn’t pull the two men apart. Big Bill screams in a mixture of fear and pain as the patient jammed his teeth in Big Bill’s skin. Total pandemonium engulfed the corridor. Patients screaming and running in all directions and nurses running to aid Big Bill.
Back at Mr. Patel office the nurse raps a long bandage on a shell shocked Big Bill. Mr. Patel walks in with Paul Douglas, the author of UNDERGROUD the international best selling book in years.
Paul Douglas stands a tall figure, just like his father in the framed pictures back at the cottage he towers above all of us. He has distant look in his eyes and a face of a man tormented by someone or something.
Paul is calm and hardly says a word, when he does speak the room goes silent.
Paul Douglas: “When do I start filming?”
Big Bill: “When do I start filming?” Excuse me. Did I miss something? (The nurse that applied the bandage had already left the room at Mr. Patel request. There was only Frank, Mr. Patel, Paul Douglas, Sue and Big Bill in the office)
Frank: “Yeah, I forgot to mention that Paul will play the part of the mysterious creature in the film. (Frank says with a cheery expression on his face)
Sue: “So that’s what this is all about.”
Frank: “And there’s another thing.”
Sue: “Let me guess. Mr. Patel is in it as well.”
Frank: “Yep. (Frank says with another cheery expression on his face) It’s the only way we can go forward.”
Sue: “This just gets better and better. (Sue says throwing her arms into the air)”
Doctor Patel: “It’s only fair; after all you will need a trained member of staff for any eventuality.”
Sue: “Oh. And I suppose you have acting experience and license?”
Big Bill: “Well, these are all technicalities. We can work this out. I think it’s a great idea. Paul is quite tall and according to the book the creature is a big sucker.”
Doctor Patel: “I have Bollywood in my veins. I have seen more movies than all of you put together (Mr. Patel gives a long speech on how he was born to be on the big screen and how his father pressured him to become a doctor. That’s when out of the blue Mr. Patel starts a dance routine just like the ones you see on an Indian film. He dances around the room moving his arms and legs, he dances, singing in his native language)
Big Bill: “These psychiatrists are all mad.” (Big Bill whispers to Frank)
Mr. Patel accompanies them to the car and after hand shakes and good buys the Limo drives out onto the main road.
In the limo at one end sits Paul Douglas, at the other end of the long Limo, Frank, Big Bill in the middle and Sue look on at Paul.
Paul has a disturbing look on his face, staring at them from the other end of the limo Paul doesn’t remove his eyes for a second from the trio, he’s totally fixated on them, like a hawk zooming in on its pray.
The three look at each other and feel an uneasy, the limo drives on to London.
Part 5
On the other side of London Sue had rented a three bedroom flat on a leafy residential street, it would be used as a base for Paul, Sue and Dr. Patel. Sue and Paul are at home having dinner.
Sitting at a big dinning table, Sue has tried several times to make a small conversation with Paul but to no avail. All Paul does is sit there and stare back at Sue only this time his stare wasn’t so intense, he was more at ease being with a stranger.
Sue: “How’s the food at the hospital? I was in hospital once, but not like yours, I had a broken leg, skiing in Aspen. Never skied again. Absolutely hate the snow. But the food at the hospital, it was Michelin star quality. And do you know why? (Sue just keeps on talking and answering to her own questions) Well I tell you why. Insurance. That’s why. I took out the ski insurance. So I had the best treatment that money could buy. Do you know what they’re doing here? They are cutting corners, getting everything on the cheap, bribing everyone along the way. Finish your food! You still have to take these pills Dr. Patel gave me
Sue, by now had total control over him; Paul would occasional hop on his chair as she spills out everything about the movie, talking at full speed and assertive in her manner of speech, Paul was like a little child dependent and subjugated by Sue.
There was nothing Sue couldn’t do. She was responsible for the complete set of connections that were making this movie possible, she was after all the best in the business. Sue was responsible for development, production, casting, crew location, product placement, there wasn’t an element of this movie she wasn’t directly or indirectly involved in, and now she was nanny to the most successful author of modern times.
-In
a central London hotel, Frank and Big Bill are at the hotel bar
before they sit down and enjoy a drink, Big Bill is at the bar
talking to 3 Middle East Arab Millionaires staying at the hotel and
Frank overhears him say to the 3 Arabs in traditional white head
scarf and the barman.
Big
Bill: "...Yes I'm
happy with this film. I'm happy as a pig in shit."(the 3 Arabs
just stand there looking at him and he goes on) "Oh sorry, you
guys don't do pigs Right? OK, I'm happy as Osama blowing up a
skyscraper" (at this point behind the bar the barman drops his
jaw and the 3 Arabs stare at Big Bill stoned faced. He gives them his
card and tells them to call him as he can get a poster in the scene
of the movie advertising any product they want).
Sitting
on comfortable leather armchairs the master and his apprentice
indulge in a drink.
Big Bill and Frank reflect on the days events. More and more it was becoming clear to Big Bill that things were done differently in the UK. He was happy with the progress so far, but being Big Bill felt that he could push the boundaries further and reduce the cost of making this movie. And that’s when he come up with a great idea.
Big Bill: “Say Frank! How many CCTV cameras does the underground have? You know what? I just had this great idea: what if we use the CCTV cameras as well as ours to make this movie?”
Frank: “Yeah! I like that. Like they do in Japanese horror films.( Frank had no idea that all Big Bill wanted was to save money).”
Big Bill: “Sure! Like the Japanese films. I wonder how Sue is getting on with Paul.”
- It was the first day of filming. Between the kick ass, let’s get it done: approach of Big Bill and the remarkable organization skills of Sue and Frank with all his letters, filming was finally under way…
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Product placement
Product placement, or embedded marketing, is a form of advertisement, where branded goods or services are placed in a context usually devoid of ads, such as movies, the story line of television shows, or news programs. The product placement is often not disclosed at the time that the good or service is featured. Product placement became common in the 1980s.
Placement in movies Although recognizable brand names probably had appeared in movies prior to the 1920s, the weekly trade periodical Harrison's Reports published its first denunciation of that practice with respect to Red Crown gasoline appearing in the comedy film The Garage (1919), directed by and co-starring Fatty Arbuckle. During the next four decades, Harrison's Reports frequently cited cases of on-screen brand-name products…
Part 6
Frank arrives at the tube station where the filming is taking place. In the case of “Underground the movie” and this is a common practice in certain films, they are starting filming not from the beginning but further in the story where the young twenty something year old man and twenty something girl first make eye to eye contact.
The reason for this, is not as in case of other films were weather conditions or a certain season of the year dictates that the film starts half way thru the script in order to take advantage of the perfect environment, in this case its all about saving money and filming on location.
The location is a real working, fully functioning London underground station that happens to be in one of the lines that are being upgraded. As a result of upgrading and carrying out some essential work to the station, the line is closed earlier in the evenings, this is when workmen such as builders, electricians, painters and so on, take over and have total access to the station and tunnels.
In order to get as many hours of filming as possible and finish the film quickly Big Bill and Sue managed to negotiate with London Underground the use of this particular station even if they have to share it with a construction team.
It’s a relatively small station but serves two main lines. It has four platforms, northbound and southbound on one line and eastbound westbound the other line. The station is not much different from hundreds of other stations on the network system but this one has unusually long corridors leading to the platforms, its perfect for the scary scenes were the two love birds run for their lives, terrified of the monster.
From the station entrance Frank goes down the escalator and in to the left corridor that leads to one of the four platforms.
As he enters the corridor he immediately is taken by the amount of posters on the corridors wall. The London underground as many underground networks all over the world use poster advertisement, it’s not uncommon practice, it’s an income generator. However, this corridor is full of small posters, from top ceiling to the floor, there isn’t an inch gap on the wall that isn’t covered in paper.
As Frank slowly walks down the corridor with his mouth open in total shock, he turns his head to both sides of the corridor wall and sees the most outlandish collection of products being advertised. From tool boxes to indoor TV antennas, from rugs and kitchen utensils to nail varnish and fashion labels he never heard of, the walls were a mishmash of tacky and cheap goods. One poster even advertised a psychic, an old scary woman holding a tarot card in one hand and with the other hand her finger pointing straight at Frank.
Frank walks the end of the corridor and finds himself alone on the platform. The posters now are much bigger, across the rail tracks from top to bottom and all along the tunnel, they only advertise one product, but they are massive. Some of the products on the big posters are of more established products such as soft drinks and laptops, but the scale of these posters dominate the background.
Frank quickly walks back to the end of the escalators and into another corridor, the landscape repeats itself, small posters everywhere, at the end the platform also empty of people, not a living soul. All of a sudden a feeling of emptiness engulfs Frank he feels a certain unease about the place, it feels like a ghost town, or in this case a ghost tube station of a ghost town. Standing back at the end of the escalators he only has another two platforms to look at, he knows Big Bill, Sue and the rest of the crew are down there somewhere.
He goes in the third corridor, the garish colours on the posters seem like trapped souls in a third dimension fighting to get out, he slows down as he hears what sounds like the wind coming from the platform at the end of the corridor, but it’s not the sound of the wind, the wind doesn’t sound like that.
What could it be? He wonders.
After a few seconds again the sound.
It’s like a mix of wind and breathing.
A scary breathing sound that echoes from a distance.
Frank is now paralysed with fear. He stares at the end of the corridor in total numbness.
All of a sudden and unexpectedly the sound gets louder and louder, as if someone or something was just around the corner, he doesn’t have time to see who or what it was since he instinctively turns and runs. He runs and runs thru the long corridor in panic as he can feel something is behind him. The corridor never seems to end as keeps on running and running, his face in panic he runs like a little child scared for his life.
He arrives back at the end of the escalator and gasping for air he looks at the tunnel he just came out from, there’s an enormous feeling of relief on his face as he knows he’s outrun whatever that thing was. It’s at this time that he sees someone standing behind him.
He jumps in shock.
Frank: “Jesus! What the f..k! Who are you?” (It’s someone from the crew)
Frank: “Where is everyone?”
Crew Member “Over there” (he points to the fourth corridor) “are you alright mate? You having an asthma attack?”
Frank: “Er, yeah. Asthma. Its asthma”
Crew Member “My brother has that. Don’t you have your puffer?”
Frank: “I’m ok, don’t worry”
Frank walks ahead of the crew member, rubbing his forehead.
He wonders if he overreacted, he feels like an idiot like an amateur, a lost novice at his first day at work and decides to rub this occurrence completely from his mind, like if it never happened.
It didn’t happen; it didn’t happen, it didn’t happen, he keeps repeating it to himself over and over again.
Frank arrives at the fourth platform and is immediately struck by the chaotic setting. He walks along the platform like an officer wonders into a military camp on the eve of battle. It has people all over the place, mostly young and inexperienced with the filming crew, actors and extras all scattered along the platform. Frank had been on film sets and on filming location before, but this was different, there were no trailers for the actors, no mobile food trucks, everything was set up along the platform. The makeup artist had a little space near a fire extinguisher; two chairs a small mirror and her makeup box, it was an open air makeshift studio, in fact the whole thing was makeshift. Three fold up plastic tables with food and drinks are the food area and the changing room was a white tent with all the costumes on a railing outside pushed up against the wall.
Frank finds Sue talking to the cameraman. She stands with a clipboard in her hand, never has he seen a clipboard with so many sheets of paper, it was thick as a yellow pages directory. Flicking back and forward thru the pages as she talks relentless, Frank notices Paul the author, sitting on a chair, quiet, motionless. He’s not in the filming today but Paul who plays the monster in the film is here because due to his “unstable condition” needs 24h supervision and it was decided that Sue would supervise him.
Download this book for your ebook reader.
(Pages 1-29 show above.)