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Pompo the Cinephile - GSK_Kun vs GSK_Kun [Edited]

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I'm just good at playing the part.

Always have been.

You know, it's been my dream ever since I was young!

It has been...

And cut!

That's perfect!

He approved it!

Those were all the close-ups!

Get the scaffold ready!

Y-You were great as always, Mystia!

Oh, you're too sweet, Gene!

We're going to shoot her from the side, like in a theater.

Alright, I'll get the camera in position.

You got it!

What are you writing down?

Uhm... well... There's so much I have to learn on set,

so I'm writing everything down to reference later.

Wow! That's what I call diligence!

O-Oh I-I wouldn't g-go that far...

No need to fear, for I am here!

How's it going, everyone?!

Good morning!

Hey hey!

Oh! There you are, Pompo!

You're as sexy as ever, Mystia!

Are all the shots getting shot and so on, director?!

Well, what does it look like?

Oh yeah, that's the good stuff!

Her curves are emphasized perfectly!

I know, right?!

Ah, right, can we talk about something later?

I've been Pompo's assistant for a year now,

but all I've done is watch the shoots as a bystander...

Yo, Gene!

Can you grab us some lunch?

Of course!

A tuna sandwich, please!

Coming up!

I've always wondered why Pompo only produces predictable B-tier movies.

Pompo?

Yeah?

Do you like B-tier movies?

No, I'm pretty indifferent about them.

I'm not a picky woman.

It's just that we're doing a summer movie this time.

In other words, the perfect occasion to show everyone Mystia's sexy bikini figure all wet and slippery.

Hypothetically speaking, isn't capturing the charm of the actress

a perfectly fine reason for a film?

You really think so?

As long as the goal is clear, I can make an interesting movie from whatever I want!

And wouldn't you agree that being moved to tears by a tearjerker

is way less bad-ass than getting hyped up by a dumb action flick?

Hm, you do have a point there...

So, what's planned for tomorrow?

T-The auditions for the next project.

The one from Colvette.

Oh! We're gonna change a young girl's fate tomorrow!

Don't you dare be late!

G-Goodnight to you too!

What a beautiful image.

Peterzen Films.

You're late!

Later than late! Stupendously late, even!

The audition's already over, y'know?!

I-I'm sorry!

Buy me some sweets as compensation!

Make sure they're covered in chocolate!

R-Right! I'm going now!

Was she...

The last one?

Yeah, but she had no acting experience whatsoever.

Bring the reparations to the preview theater!

Woah there!

Who's in for some grilled sea punks?!

What a movie!

It's utter bullshit, but so freaking entertaining!

Pompo really can make something amazing out of anything.

Her directorial eye is outstanding.

The angle you filmed that scene from was pretty good.

Yeah! It was difficult, but we got it in the end!

Hey!

Gramps!

Hm?

You actually came!

I must say,

that butt ratio was quite the treat!

I know, right!

That's the movie industry's legendary producer! The one and only...

J. D. Peterzen!

I've watched every movie he's produced!

And the one who inherited all his connections and legacy when he retired was...

The young cinephile Pompo.

But she also inherited something far more important—

his eye for scripts, actors and directors;

His aura and decisiveness.

She's the all-mighty prophet of filmmaking, made from film itself.

Pompo!

It's time to shoot the picture for the announcement!

Understood!

Off I go!

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I'm just good at playing the part.
Always have been.
You know, it's been my dream ever since I was young!
It has been...
And cut!
That's perfect!
He approved it!
Those were all the close-ups!
Get the scaffold ready!
Y-You were great as always, Mystia!
Oh, you're too sweet, Gene!
We're going to shoot her from the side, like in a theater.
Alright, I'll get the camera in position.
You got it!
What are you writing down?
Uhm... well... There's so much I have to learn on set,
so I'm writing everything down to reference later.
Wow! That's what I call diligence!
O-Oh I-I wouldn't g-go that far...
No need to fear, for I am here!
How's it going, everyone?!
Good morning!
Hey hey!
Oh! There you are, Pompo!
You're as sexy as ever, Mystia!
Are all the shots getting shot and so on, director?!
Well, what does it look like?
Oh yeah, that's the good stuff!
Her curves are emphasized perfectly!
I know, right?!
Ah, right, can we talk about something later?
I've been Pompo's assistant for a year now,
but all I've done is watch the shoots as a bystander...
Yo, Gene!
Can you grab us some lunch?
Of course!
A tuna sandwich, please!
Coming up!
I've always wondered why Pompo only produces predictable B-tier movies.
Pompo?
Yeah?
Do you like B-tier movies?
No, I'm pretty indifferent about them.
I'm not a picky woman.
It's just that we're doing a summer movie this time.
In other words, the perfect occasion to show everyone Mystia's sexy bikini figure all wet and slippery.
Hypothetically speaking, isn't capturing the charm of the actress
a perfectly fine reason for a film?
You really think so?
As long as the goal is clear, I can make an interesting movie from whatever I want!
And wouldn't you agree that being moved to tears by a tearjerker
is way less bad-ass than getting hyped up by a dumb action flick?
Hm, you do have a point there...
So, what's planned for tomorrow?
T-The auditions for the next project.
The one from Colvette.
Oh! We're gonna change a young girl's fate tomorrow!
Don't you dare be late!
G-Goodnight to you too!
What a beautiful image.
Peterzen Films.
You're late!
Later than late! Stupendously late, even!
The audition's already over, y'know?!
I-I'm sorry!
Buy me some sweets as compensation!
Make sure they're covered in chocolate!
R-Right! I'm going now!
Was she...
The last one?
Yeah, but she had no acting experience whatsoever.
Bring the reparations to the preview theater!
Woah there!
Who's in for some grilled sea punks?!
What a movie!
It's utter bullshit, but so freaking entertaining!
Pompo really can make something amazing out of anything.
Her directorial eye is outstanding.
The angle you filmed that scene from was pretty good.
Yeah! It was difficult, but we got it in the end!
Hey!
Gramps!
Hm?
You actually came!
I must say,
that butt ratio was quite the treat!
I know, right!
That's the movie industry's legendary producer! The one and only...
J. D. Peterzen!
I've watched every movie he's produced!
And the one who inherited all his connections and legacy when he retired was...
The young cinephile Pompo.
But she also inherited something far more important—
his eye for scripts, actors and directors;
His aura and decisiveness.
She's the all-mighty prophet of filmmaking, made from film itself.
Pompo!
It's time to shoot the picture for the announcement!
Understood!
Off I go!
Sure!
Mr. Peterzen.
Oh, it's you.
Mr. Stan Hansen from The Unsinkable Battleship?
It's Gene.
U-Uhm...
What's the secret to making a great movie?
There's certainly not a right or wrong way to shoot a movie.
Y-Yeah, right?
But the set is a living thing in and of itself.
Be it the actors' energy
or the scenery you're filming,
They all possess a spark you have to capture.
I think polishing and sharpening your intuition for images may be the most important part.
One's intuition for images?
Say...
Does this question mean you want to shoot your own movie one day?
N-No! T-That w-w-would...
b-be impossible! I'm n-not ready!
What's with that self-degrading attitude?
Pompo obviously thinks you're quite capable, don't you think?
Huh? Pompo? Of me?
Determining people's natures is a producer's most basic task.
By making you her assistant, she has certified that
you have talent.
Do you follow me?
B-But...
I'm just some loser...
Oh, yeah, you certainly make an interesting point—
Director, hey!
Hm?
Gimme a sec.
And so,
I've put you charge of the trailer for Marine!
What?!
Whaaaat?!
B-But... normally the producer will contract an editor or a specialized company for these sorts of things!
If you're serious about becoming an artist,
you can't let yourself be shackled by boring stuff like "norms" or "common practices!"
Start with the 15 second spot and go from there!
You're familiar with the editing software, right?
M-More or less.
It needs a hook!
And a twist!
Show them what we've got
while leading them on, raising the tension before finishing 'em off
with the final blow!
Got it?
Y-You mean, all that in 15 seconds? Really?
Of course!
And not to put you under pressure, but this spot usually gets the most views!
Its quality is in direct correlation to the movie's performance!
In other words, you're carrying the future of the whole team on your back! Good luck!
Realistically speaking, putting in all the things Pompo told me to is going to be impossible.
It's just not long enough.
Maybe
I can supplement it with something other than images!
It's one of the foundations of film-making.
I'll make the audience imagine the next scene without actually showing it to them.
I'll spark the viewers' imagination
and let them create their own trailers in their heads!
Am I still on the right track?
I'm not thinking at all about the movie's performance or the future of the team...
I'm just having a ton of fun!
It was supposed to be a vacation like any other...
W-What do you think?
Well, director?
Hm... I wonder...
Isn't that Pompo?
Y-You're right.
Woah!
That's from when I called out to her after the shoot!
Why did you edit in a candid shot?
U-Uhm...
I wanted to give them a wrong impression of the movie with one of the cuts.
That's when I saw that one and decided to use it.
I-It felt wrong then too... I'm sorry!
Hmmm...
It's good!
What?
It's fantastic!
Alright, can we leave the 30 seconds spot and web promos to Gene as well?
No problemo!
Thank you so very much!
By the way.
Hm?
I saw you talking to gramps yesterday for quite a while.
Wasn't like you.
Yeah.
I... wanted to ask him something.
I was curious about why you chose me as your assistant.
There are a lot of people at this studio who are more capable or better educated than me.
So... why me?
Ah, I see. That's easy.
You're the crème de la crème!
Because your eyes don't sparkle!
Huh? What?!
Look at the other youngsters.
Their eyes sparkle with the dazzling aura of a fulfilled adolescence.
But the ones with a fulfilled life are also superficial in their mindset.
Happiness will always drown creativity.
They're not fit to create things.
Compared to them, your eyes are as alone as you are,
and lacking as much of a sparkle as you lack a place to belong to.
No offense.
Thank you...?
People rejected by the real world end up fleeing into their own imaginary ones.
The depth and scale of those are the most important factors
that determine one's dormant talent as an artist!
Your eyes scream of how unsuited you are for society!
Which is why I have high hopes for you!
A-Alright...
Hm?
Speaking of eyes...
Ugh...
Oh right, I noticed it earlier too.
I feel like I forgot something...
From the preview screening?
Maybe...?
Or from the audition?
Oh!
You got it!
Don't fret, I remembered, you bet!
I marked one girl for later consideration.
I only noticed it after the fact, though.
That's her! Call her!
S-Sure.
Wait... that's her!
Does she have the same eyes as me?
Do you actually think audiences would like an actress with dead eyes?!
Honestly, I don't know what drew me to her either.
But I did mark her, that's a fact.
What can you rely on if not your intuition to make a great movie?
Or something.
Ahem, can I borrow the preview theater?
Oh, sure. What you gonna watch?
N-New Cinema Paradise.
Oh, that one sure is a bummer.
Really?! It's considered a masterpiece.
I mean, the story and so on is fine, it's just long.
Do you h-hate long films?
Yep! Miss me with all of them!
Y-You hate them that much?
Isn't it nice to lose yourself in a long work?
Nay, and I can tell you why.
My parents were incredibly busy.
So, I was mainly raised by gramps
who introduced me to the world of movies.
That was all he knew.
But wow, was it a pain to sit still for two or even three hours!
If I tried to run away, he would drag me back all angry and tell me to watch everything.
Then, at the end, he always forced me to share my thoughts.
That's why I've always felt 90 minute movies were like an oasis,
granting me refuge from the drawn-out dog days of long movies.
At least, that's one of the reasons why I hate long movies.
There's more?
Demanding your audience's attention for more than two hours
doesn't make for a particularly fun form of entertainment.
The team has to decide what to adopt or reject
in order to convey their message in the most condensed form, if you ask me.
Who wants some inflated movie that collapses under its own fluff?
But even still, I enjoy long movies despite the length.
Three or four hour long movies are fine with me.
Man, that's why you're a movie freak!
Knowing that she watched and discussed movies with an industry legends from a very early age made me...
incredibly jealous.
Still a place left?
Pompo, are you here for the movie?
You should've said so from the start.
Surely not!
I can't stand the whole thing.
I'm just here to see what a supposed masterpiece is like.
Wait...
This feels oddly familiar somehow...
I wonder why.
Good morning.
Hmm?
Normally she's here before me.
Woah!
Meister?
Is this the script she's been working on?
Don't fret, for I have returned!
I've been stuffing myself all morning!
I'm regretting it by the minute!
That doesn't sound desirable.
Either way, how's the script?
Well...
Wait!
No need to praise me!
I wouldn't say it outright, but I know my way around a pen.
Rather, tell me your actually interesting takes on it!
R-Right.
The concept of an old artist finding himself through connecting with a casual young girl
isn't unique or particularly interesting by itself.
However!
You're still getting drawn into the story by the characters!
On one side, you have the talented but arrogant composer Dalbert.
On the other, you have the young girl Lily, merging both the traits of a curious boy and delicate girl.
While there may only be two characters,
the plot pulled me in right away!
Honestly, this script really surprised me!
I never thought someone who specialized in B movies could write like this!
You hit the nail on the hea—
Hey, you saying I'm a B tier producer too?! Huh?!
O-Of course not!
And I haven't talked about the imagery!
When the scenery shifts
from the bustling city to the majestic alps,
I felt liberated.
I can't even imagine the impact it would have on the big screen!
Oh, by the way, Gene.
What was your favorite scene?
Ah, yeah.
The one where Lily sings and looks over her shoulder.
That sure was a quick answer.
It's when Dalbert regained his love for music.
It took shape in my head the moment I read it! It's that good!
That's a pass.
Since there are only two central characters in the story,
it's incredibly important to choose the right actors for each role.
The cast is already locked down.
Dalbert will be played by Martin Braddock.
What?!
B-By M-Martin Braddock?!
The legendary actor? For real?!
I thought he retired...
He just didn't feel like working the past years, that's all.
Luckily my gramps isn't some no-name, so he tapped his connections.
Seriously?
"His first role in ten years..."
Who doesn't love free marketing?
There's no way it will flop!
And Lily will be played by...
Uhm... Excuse me?
Oh, right on time!
Who?
I cut my hair just like you told me to.
Natalie! You look fabulous!
T-That's L-Lily!
She is Lily! Hundred percent!
Right?!
Uhm, what?
I knew exactly who to cast before I began writing that script!
Wait... how?
She mesmerized me from the very first moment I looked into her eyes.
They showed me a beautifully sparkling vision of a movie.
So I wrote this script to reproduce the magic of that moment.
The actor made you write the script?
Does that even happen?
Sometimes, when you see the right person,
your head gets flooded with ideas and scenes for a story.
It's a guaranteed sign for a great movie.
I see.
E-Excuse me.
What are you talking about so enthusiastically?
Oh, you're gonna love this!
We're talking about giving you the lead role!
Whaaaat?!
Y-Y-Y-You can't be serious!
M-M-M-M-Me?!
Take this.
Hm?
This movie will be directed by none other than you.
So, don't lemme down,
Mr. Director!
Whaaaat?!
There's road work going on here, so you're going to have to take a detour.
S-Sure.
Alrighty!
Just ahead, please.
Oh, wait, pleas-
I wanna curl up and sleep.
But I need to shower
and then go to the audition.
Damn, I slept in!
I'm super duper late!
So preeetty...
Number 15, Natalie Woodward.
Thank you for inviting me!
Hmmm...
Too plain, next!
Nooooo!
And that's how I got rejected 30 times in a row.
That sure was a dark time...
You're late!
The audition's already over, you know?!
I-I'm sorry.
Inflation is a pain.
An actress should smile all the time!
I won't give up! Never ever!
I didn't move here to bury my dream!
But to finally be living it!
Hello?
Here I am, just like you asked me to!
Sorry for calling you so suddenly.
You're Natalie Woodward,
born and raised in Sunroad?
More of a cornfield than a town, huh?
You don't have any acting experience.
How are you earning your living?
Part time jobs! A lot!
For how many days a week?
Seven... days!
How often are you taking acting classes?
Once every... two weeks.
That won't do. Not even a drama club would give you a lead role like that.
Do you know the actress Mystia?
Of course!
She's a beauty to behold! And my idol!
Alright, quit your part time jobs.
Wha-?
And move out of your apartment, you're moving in with Mystia.
Wha-?
You'll follow her every move and learn as much as possible.
I'll take care of the logistics.
You two will take the same lessons.
Make sure to learn as much as possible from her.
Got it?
Uh... I think... so.
Then less standing and get a move on!
Yeeees!
Yaaay!
So big!
You're Natalie, right?
Nice to meet you!
S-Same to you!
S-So soft! She's even more beautiful in person!
Woah, so big!
I was about to head to the gym,
why not come with me?
S-Sure!
Woah!
Your abs are so sharp!
I'll usually put on some weight before a shoot.
Otherwise, I'll scare off the guys.
Woooow.
That was my first ever proper workout!
I'm hurting everywhere!
Leave the cooking to me!
And that's how me and Mystia began living together!
To remain healthy, it's important to prepare healthy food!
Say, Natalie,
have you been dreaming of becoming an actress ever since you were little?
Y-Yes, I have!
I hope you're ready for the role soon.
Thanks!
It's the tiniest star in the sky,
but it's sparkling as bright as the holy light!
No, wrong!
You're just reading the script out aloud!
Right, I'm so sorry!
You're thirsty, right?
T-Thank you so much!
No need to fear, for I am here!
How's it going?
Natalie, come here for a sec.
W-What are you doing?
Perfect, you're on the right track.
Hm?
Hello there.
Oh, her hair?
Sure thing, I'll pass it along.
Pompo is finally getting everything ready.
Pompo wants to see you at headquarters tomorrow.
And for you to...
I cut my hair just like you told me to.
Whaaaat?!
Director!
Director? Me?!
What's going on?!
Don't think I've gotten used to it either!
My heart could burst any second!
I feel like I'm going to be sick.
Hey, hey.
Mystia?!
Don't be so flimsy.
Better get used to your new roles, okay?
After all, it's what you've always dreamed of, right?
Don't be all paralyzed, make some connections!
Wish me luck!
What you waiting for, Gene?
You're the director, huh?
Mr. Braddock?!
I'm looking forward to working with you!
Likewise!
Sorry for dragging you back in.
Oh, Mr. Peterzen.
Is that the most prestigious producer-actor combo to ever grace the industry,
who took home 6 Nyacademy awards, in the flesh?!
Am I dreaming?!
I haven't thanked you properly yet.
Hm? Oh, you are...
The guy from Road Warriors, who played Hawk and Anima-
I'm Gene.
No other roles attached.
Ah, right! It's you!
Congrats on your directorial role.
T-Thank you so much!
You might not expect it, but Martin is a lonely person.
He overthinks everything, which makes him stand out.
Please try to integrate him whenever you can.
I-I will!
Gene, hey!
Oh, Mr. Colvette.
Congrats on your promotion!
Congratulations on the success of Marine, too!
You should thank the whole team for that.
Ah, right.
I wanted to give you a word of advice.
I'm all ears!
Not only is this your first movie but you're also working with none other than Martin as lead.
You must be under an immense amount of pressure.
But if you're obsessed with making a movie for everyone, you will just end up with an unidentifiable mess that appeals to no one.
Rather, you should
have someone specific in mind, who you want to make this movie for the most.
Focus only on that.
Only then will you create something refined, understood by everyone.
I see your point.
I was always under the impression that you can't make a mistake.
What?! That girl is the female lead?!
Not you?!
I'm not part of the cast, no no...
I am the lead, yes!
Naaaw, what a damp squib...
Ah, no problem.
Hello darling,
I'm Martin Braddock, world's best actor.
How about we exchange numbers?
I don't have a smartphone, sadly.
Mmmh...
Mr. Braddock sure sounded disappointed...
This is way outta my league...
Oh, director.
Argh! My heart's not used to that title at all.
Hey, director.
Y-Yeah?
You think I'm a bad fit for the lead role, don't you?
I'm just some plain Jane.
U-Uh...
I f-felt unworthy of this position too and wanted to decline.
However, then I thought about it some more.
I've always ran away from the real world's problems,
until the movie theater was the only place I had left.
So, I either direct this movie or give up on my dreams.
Those are my two choices.
Oh?
That's why I'm directing this movie even if it kills me.
That's why I'm the director.
I was raised in a village surrounded by endless maize fields
under the roof of the endless blue sky.
It was a boring childhood stripped of everything.
That's why I fell in love with movies.
Only they could show me the worlds and stories I craved for so dearly in my heart.
I want to become an actress!
You're an adorable girl, Natalie.
I'm sure you're going to become a wonderful actress one day.
I began taking on more and more part time jobs.
I saved the money in order to move to the magical land of Nyallywood one day.
How could I let this chance slip away?
I-I mean...
Yeah?
It's something Pompo told me about movies,
but she said that
as long as a movie can capture the charm of the actress, it's a success.
Okay... a-and?
In other words, you being chosen by her means
that you do possess the charm to fill this role.
I think?
And if you were to ask me...
I too thought that you were the perfect fit for Lily's role.
P-Please have faith in yourself and let me do my best!
Thank you.
I think I've finally regained some confidence.
Bring the best out of me, director!
Roger!
Woah, you're still up?!
Oh... yeah.
I wanted to look over the schedule for when we're at the filming location.
Don't strain yourself.
Keeping yourself healthy is part of the job too.
Excuse me, but I need to go to the toilet.
Again, Alan?
This is an incredibly important deal for us.
Keep yourself together!
Y-Yeah, I know.
Tch, amateur.
Do I... know that guy from somewhere?
Wow, what a view!
Imagine the despairing conductor Dalbert coming here, to the alps,
seeing these grand mountains, and being moved to tears!
What a beautiful scene that would be!
Oh, don't tell me!
No, I don't think that would do.
Hm?
When he's coming here, he's already closed himself off from the outside world.
He doesn't care about some beautiful scenery.
Hehe.
Oh...
I-I'm so sorry!
A youngster like me shouldn't shoot you down like that, Mr. Braddock!
Oh, don't worry! You're the director here.
O-Oh, right...
However, a movie is a team effort.
So, let me have my fun bouncing all my ideas off you.
It's always up to you what to do with those though.
Sure!
And all of you too! Feel free to throw your hat into the ring!
Sure thing!
Having such a veteran on set will surely be fun.
Grandma, I finally did it.
I won't disappoint you, Mystia.
Scene 32, Cut 1, Take 1!
The grieving Dalbert is meeting Lily for the...
Preparations?
...first time on the grassland in the alps.
A go!
Camera rolling!
Action!
Woah!
This truly is... the performance of the world's best actor.
Even though he's usually really lively,
once the camera starts rolling, he starts embodying an utterly despairing old man.
Yet the far more surprising performance is none other
than this perfect personification of Lily.
I knew exactly who to cast before I began writing the script!
So, this is the advantage of knowing exactly who to cast beforehand.
Ah, right.
Mr. Braddock, once you're finished with the scenes here, you'll go back to Nyallywood to shoot the orchestra scenes, right?
Yup!
Don't you need to practice playing a conductor?
Well...
Martin already played a conductor twice in the past.
You may have heard of the movie Wärter's climax,
where he conducted a concert as a prodigious conductor.
It's a 6 minute 40 second long one-cut where the camera is rotating around the orchestra,
and it soon became an influential scene in movie history.
Even professional musicians praised his performance as being indistinguishable from the real deal.
In short, he only needs a little coaching and he'll be back into it in no time.
Did I say something weird?
No but... that was...
It's just how he is!
Amazing, director.
Is there anything you don't know about movies?
Those are the only things I do know.
Well, that aside,
I'm so happy to hear you've watched such an old movie!
I've watched all your movies!
I adore all of them!
Oh ho ho, I like you!
Let's wrap this up and get buzzed, guys!
In your dreams.
The sunlight is slightly to the upper right,
so if he stands there, we can get a nice backlight for the shot.
He sure is obsessed with the lighting.
He's always testing stuff out.
It's the scene where Dalbert gets taken through the goat herd, right?
I guess he wants to get it right with a wide shot on the first try.
Oooh...
What?
I'm sorry.
The goat stall's roof collapsed and likely scared them off.
We did have some emergency measures in place.
Looks like they didn't work out, huh?
More importantly, weren't there more goats before?
Well, you see...
The wolves got them?!
Y-You poor things!
What now? We can't shoot the scene with so few.
What about the shepherd?
Nothing he can do today.
Should we shoot it tomorrow?
No chance, the schedule's too tight.
And the weather might not hold, either.
Fog's showing up too now...
Fog...?
Can we... make some smoke?
Why?
Don't worry, there's no need to be scared.
Come, follow me.
The smoke was a great idea!
Indeed! The goats were scary in all the right ways too!
And the last-minute paper cutouts we made made up the numbers nicely!
The original script only had Dalbert going out there.
Haha.
Look at you go, Gene!
Guess that's it for today.
Should we just shoot the indoor night scene?
Gene? Gene?
What you staring at?
Uhm.
I was thinking about shooting scenes that aren't in the script.
Heh, now that I can get behind.
Don't ask me for permission,
you're the boss here.
W-Why do I have to fix this damn roof?!
This is so beneath my dignity!
Less talking, more hammering, please!
We don't want the goats to catch a cold, do we now?!
Yeah, yeah! I hear ya!
Mhm, what a nice scene.
Good job.
We should get a shot of the clearing sky.
Good idea! We might get a rainbow!
Director.
What?
I have an idea.
What if he falls off the roof?
Huh?
I thought it might help highlight his clumsiness. We haven't really conveyed that yet.
What about having Lily be there too to laugh at him,
then Dalbert gets super angry and throws mud at her!
A-Ah, s-sorry! I got too excited!
No, you got it wrong.
I was surprised you just had such an amazing idea out of nowhere!
Really?!
Under the stall door might be a good place to fall on.
The goats can come out and lick him all over!
Let's create some sludge to make it real slippery!
How about—
Huh...?
You damn... brat!
Get off your high horse!
Look, Gene!
Get that on film!
R-Right!
Cut!
Seems like the weather's on your side.
We shot a great scene!
Y-Yeah, t-thanks.
Scene 42.
Establishing the core dynamic between the two!
Scene 44.
Dalbert learns how to fish!
L-Lily,
What is that song...
Pompo!
A critical hit!
Capturing this scene made it all worth it!
Man, I'm glad I was here!
However, I need to go back to Nyallywood.
Wha—
I-I thought you were gonna be here for the whole shoot?!
I have to get things ready with the orchestra.
Managing so many people is hell, I tell ya.
Gene, listen.
Yes?
This movie will win a Nyacademy award. Guaranteed.
See ya, director!
Gotta fend for yourself now!
Stand by, everyone!
That's the guy from the plane.
T-Thanks.
You're Gene, right?
I've always wondered what you were writing in your notebook.
My thoughts... about movies and stuff.
Here.
Try to look ahead instead of at your feet, okay?
Else you risk losing things you care about!
Hey, what was that?
Haha, nothing.
Gene!
Gene Fini!
Uhm, what?
So, it is you!
It's me, Alan! We went to the same high school!
Oh...
Never thought you would actually become a director.
I-I haven't gotten used to it either...
Sorry for your notebook back then.
D-Don't worry.
I had everything memorized and simply wrote it into a new one.
Really?!
What about you though?
You're working for the Bank of Nyallywood?
Wow, what a giant corporation.
And hell to work at.
Huh?
I-I'm sorry for earlier.
I wasn't aware that he hated golf.
It's whatever.
If you really wanted to make it in this business, you would never forget to properly research your client.
I don't know if you were always some popular hottie,
but you can't expect to get carried to the top without putting in the effort anymore.
I'm sorry.
I've been considering quitting this job.
Why?
I just have no real clue about what I want to actually do.
I was always good at basically anything I tried,
but... that changed once I was out of school.
I still have no clue about anything.
O-Oh, sorry!
Y-Yes...?
Understood.
Sorry, but I have to go.
Sure thing.
Call me once the movie's done, I would love to see it.
S-Sure, thank you.
Ah, right, I would like to correct what I said back then.
Hm?
You always were looking at your feet, weren't you?
Your eyes are sparkling like stars right now.
Huh?
My eyes are... sparkling?
Cut!
And that's a wrap!
Let's get this party started!
I did it, grandma!
Thank you so much, director!
Ah, yeah.
D-Director?
The actors' jobs may be over now,
but Gene's is just beginning.
Oh?
Oh, he's the editor for the movie?
The editing makes or breaks a movie.
Everything depends on him now.
Isn't it rare for the director to also be the only editor?
We want the director to do as much as he can at Peterzen Films.
However...
Yeah?
Ah, it will be a masterpiece for sure.
Just, the editor is also the first viewer.
Finding an appropriate middle-ground between the two opposing phases of production,
namely the subjective feelings on set and the required objectivity in the editing room, may prove difficult for Gene.
Alright!
Finally! The moment I've been waiting for.
I must be the happiest person on earth right now!
We have around 72 hours of raw material.
I wonder what I can whip up out of them!
Since we have Martin Braddock in the lead role,
I should go with a dense opening with some lavish shots to round it off.
If I put the whole performance in,
The viewers will grow tired of it, so I have to transition to the next scene somehow.
Hey, Dalbert, congrats on the wonderful concert!
Scene 12, backstage.
The whole scene consists of 8 cuts.
Let's see how it looks without any changes.
Hey, Dalbert, congrats on the wonderful concert!
Please don't give me whatever incompetent flute you had lying around next time, Coltman.
Hey now.
You know how much she cost me?
Don't you know who I am?
Of course, your majesty.
More importantly, if the next performance is a success, no one in the whole world will dare question your abilities.
The next concert will be St. Matthew Passion.
Huh, isn't that an aria?
Do you have any objections?
I'm sure it will be a flawless aria if you're the one conducting it!
At least, if you had to follow the score.
However, an aria is far more about feelings than faithfulness to the music sheet.
Are you saying it's not for me?
Let me ask you again.
Don't you know who I am?
It feels like a generic exposition scene...
Maybe if I do this?
Just don't give me whatever incompetent flute you had lying around next time, Coltman.
Hey now.
Do you know how much she cost me?
Don't you know who I am?
Through showing the wide shot for a bit,
I can leave the audience wanting to see Dalbert's facial expression.
Because Martin's purposefully repressing his emotions, I can combine those factors
to build tension throughout the scene.
According to editing theory, Inserting a medium shot right before the close-up
will further amplify the impact of his final phrase.
Let me ask you again.
Don't you know who I am?
That's it!
It perfectly conveys Dalbert's bitter emotions, too!
I just have to continue this way.
Scene 24 is 20 pages long in the script.
He's finally embarking to Switzerland.
And I'm already at a total runtime of 90 minutes.
Wait... that means he will meet Lily like two hours into the movie.
Isn't... there something in here?
What? Pompo went to Australia?
Yes.
She said it's for location scouting for director Corvette's new movie.
When will she be back?
In around two weeks.
I s-see...
Ah, she left me a message for you.
I'm listening!
I can't wait to watch your final cut once I'm back!
Don't lemme down!
End of message.
Ugh!
I have no other choice.
Let's start over from the beginning.
Hey, Dalbert,
Congrats on the wonderful concert!
Hey, Dalbert,
Are you actually reading the score?!
Again! From the beginning!
How am I supposed to get anything done with these imbeciles?!
Are you totally nuts now, Dalbert?
The performance is in two weeks!
Replacing the whole orchestra is impossible now!
Tell me,
what is an aria to you?
Are you actually reading the score?! Again! From the beginning!
I'm out, Dalbert.
Make a fool out of yourself on your own.
What a careless man you are, Dalbert.
The door's not even locked.
We've known each other for a long time now, so I do feel partially responsible for this.
Do you still remember when
your wife left you and took your daughter with her?
What does that have to do with anything?
I think you need a break to reflect upon yourself and start anew.
What even remains of myself
once you take away music?
Mr. Peterzen.
H-Hello?
Wow.
Oh!
You ar-
Gene.
Uhm... I saw you in the hallway.
What are you doing here?
I'm organizing old film.
Wow, that's a splicer!
Just an old man's hobby.
Even film that would get thrown away
may hide some interesting stories, so I'm linking them together.
C-Can I ask you something?
Oh?
Hmmm.
Every single scene contains so much heart of the actor,
that I just can't bring myself to cut any of them.
But if I don't, the movie just becomes longer and more overblown.
Why are you asking me for advice and not Pompo?
Ah, right, she wrote the script too, didn't she?
You probably think you wouldn't have contributed anything
if she were to just give you an answer herself, don't you?
Yes.
Gene,
Who do you think a movie is made for?
For the viewer... right?
And why did you fall in love with movies in the first place?
Oh...
Because you saw yourself in them, didn't you?
Through the story
you could relate to their feelings, dreams, got jealous and ultimately had a window into the real world.
In other words,
you're an integral part of your own movie, right?
Once you realize that,
you have to imbue the movie with your very own aria.
My own aria?
What?! You've never gone hiking or fishing?
How can that help me with music?!
An aria is a self-contained piece for one voice. A song to convey your feelings with.
I'm to be called majesty!
I offered up my everything for music!
But for whom?
So,
ask yourself, which emotions do you want to convey, and to whom?
Everything's written on that score!
Again! From the beginning!
What now?!
You wanna tell me that the score's wrong and not you, now?!
No... I just want to ask you something?
What?
What is an aria
to you?
What?!
It's...
L-Lily...
What is that song...
It's... me!
Wait!
Then that means...
Do not yearn, for I have returned!
W-Welcome back!
Alrighty, my dear director! I'm here to watch a movie!
I-I'm not done... yet.
What?
I'm not done... yet.
But halfway?
I'm not done... yet.
How much left?
I scrapped everything, so around 72 hours of raw material.
So, what's your excuse?
We still have time until the premiere,
but just two weeks until the preview screening for our sponsors.
They might pull out if we're not on time!
I hope you're not trying anything fishy to justify your lack of results.
There aren't enough!
Hm?
I need more scenes.
What?!
You want re-shoots?
Yes.
I probably don't have to tell you, but you're aware that
we'd need to reassemble the team for that, right?
And of how much work that will be?
More or less...
A movie isn't a one-man show,
and the other staff members have other projects as well.
Who do you think has to beg them to make time?
And pay them more? Who, huh?
You.
On top of that, getting the lead actors is even more complicated.
Who do you think has to negotiate with them? Who, huh?
You.
And who do you think has to write the script for those scenes? Who, huh?
You.
Despite all that,
do you still want re-shoots?
I thought you'd lost it when you called me here out of nowhere!
You think I'll let you perform that aria again?!
Hey, don't make a scene now, Dalbert!
I didn't know!
Or rather, I had forgotten...
How wonderful fishes smell,
how it hurt to slip in the rain,
what a goat's bleat sounds like!
What are you o-
The most important things were always feelings and memories!
That girl reminded me of all that again!
I can do it now! I'm sure of it!
You can't redo it that easily.
Why don't you just give up?
In the end,
movies are the only things I have!
So,
despite all that,
my music
my movie isn't complete
isn't complete
without this one scene!
Without that aria!
Pompo?
Ugh, I'll do it somehow.
And here I thought he'd be obedient!
What a stubborn bastard!
Haha, aren't you...
happy about that?
So, is there something you want?
Oh, yeah...
I wanted to turn in my resig—
W-What's this?
Hey, you can't just take that!
A movie that wants funding.
I think I'll deny them the request.
B-But why?!
Their selfish director made them miss the preview screening date.
Naturally, their sponsors pulled out.
Also, financing movies is always a high-risk game.
No one knows if it's ever going to be completed, after all.
Can I...
take care of that case?
Well?
I-It's perfect.
You actually made me write the whole script for the re-shoot.
I'm sorry.
I thought about writing it myself, but it wouldn't be consistent.
I guess you need some arrogance and egoism if you wanna make it big as a director.
That aside, what about this new role of yours?!
We have no time to hold auditions!
Oh, yeah. I already have someone in mind.
Is that Meister's script?
Ah, yeah! It also includes all the lines for the re-shoots.
But since it's going over budget
we still haven't started filming them.
At least I'm learning how little actors can do in this situation.
M-Mystia?
Hm? Oh, sorry.
It sucked me right in!
That's not good press at all.
We have to come up with one hell of a marketing campaign.
Peterzen Films speaking.
Mr. Gardner from the Bank of Nyallywood?
As we never heard back from you,
I thought your bank refused our request.
Indeed, we did. Officially.
Personally, however...
You serious?
Of course.
Now that I can get behind.
You ready to risk it all?
Then welcome to the world of dreams and insane schemes!
Worst case, you're going to get fired.
I can't expect to get carried to the top without putting in the effort.
Didn't you tell me that?
This is too much!
Send me the data too.
You'll never make it at that pace.
Based on this data,
I'm proposing to finance the movie Meister.
Ugh, having Martin Braddock in the lead role is well and good
yet the director is still a no-name!
It also garnered a lot of bad press already, diminishing its potential success.
It's just too much of a risk.
Our investment wouldn't pay off.
We're done here then.
The presentation isn't over yet!
Hm?
Always have been.
You know, it's been my dreams ever since I was young!
My grandpa showed me hundreds of movies,
though none had a particularly deep impact on me emotionally.
Which is why
you want to create such a movie yourself?
Yeah, although I can't make such a movie by myself for myself all alone.
Isn't that right?
Director Gene might be able to create it though.
At least, that's your dream.
How long have you been harboring this dream?
That's...
Well, ever since I was a child, I've always loved watching movies.
I might not have had any friends, but that was fine with me.
After all, the world was filled to the brim with movies I hadn't seen yet!
But there was one special girl.
I always saw her sitting in the same movie theater as me.
For some reason, she always left the second the credits began to roll.
I never saw her face.
I always wondered
what she was searching for, such that she came to the cinema day in and out.
I would sit there wondering if there was a movie out there
captivating enough to keep her in her seat until the very end.
Once I thought about it that way,
I decided I wanted to create that movie.
Just like movies helped me,
my dream is to help others in the same vein through my movies.
That's when I finally saw myself in this movie.
This movie...
is made for myself from all those years ago.
But not just for him...
A movie for everyone who goes to the cinema in order to believe in something.
Once I thought about it this way, I realized that I needed more scenes.
My movie won't ever be complete without them.
In order to fulfill this dream, I need to sacrifice even more!
That is why
I beg you to let me finish this.
I've...
always wanted to be great at everything I've tried.
Yet when I look back on my life, I've accomplished nothing!
I just chased one goal after the next!
I've finally realized
what I can actually accomplish.
Isn't helping people accomplishing their dreams the true duty of a bank employee?!
I beg you!
Let us finance this movie so others at rock bottom can dream about something as well!
You sure love to talk.
I agree with what you said about our duty,
but you can't back it up sufficiently.
If you really want to be an adult, you need to show us some numbers.
Numbers, huh?
I can give you numbers!
Really?!
What's going on?
Where are you filming us from?!
I'm terribly sorry.
This meeting has been livestreamed around the world since the very beginning!
What?!
Along with the documentary I showed you a snippet from.
As well as!
A crowdfunding campaign?
We opened the site a few days ago to collect funding.
This is from when it opened,
and this is what we currently have.
Don't these numbers speak for themselves?
This is this movie's true potential.
This concludes my presentation.
Stop the livestream.
How terribly unfortunate, but your gamble hasn't paid off.
Get your things and leave at once.
Dreams aren't profitable.
Why that long face?
That was a wonderful show!
Be proud of yourself.
P-President?!
Hey, stop the livestream!
I'm a bit late but a staff member told me everything.
He showed me their plan.
It was the most entertaining presentation I've seen around here in a while.
Just think about the immense will and courage needed to pull this off.
And I think the numbers do indeed speak for themselves.
Let's invest the amount from the crowdfunding campaign times ten.
President!
You're just looking at past successes to measure the expected value of a product.
How about looking at what's before you for once?
W-What do you mean?
Look at when the graph of site visitor count spikes.
I'm sure all of you know what happened at that time.
It's when Gene Fini and Alan spoke out about their feelings.
The expected value of a product is a metric directed at the future.
They all judged the dream of those two people.
But still, president!
We invest into the future of those who dream big.
That's our slogan.
That's the first time I'm hearing about it!
I've just come up with it.
Alan,
I'm eager to see what you will do in the future.
A critical hit!
Good job!
Thank you so much.
Ah, whatever!
It has been years since a meeting was this wild!
Kind of like when you were still an executive, huh, president?
You beat us fair and square!
Let's get this thing rolling!
I-I want to t-thank you so much for taking the time out of your schedule to be here!
Ah, don't worry!
You think we would be here if we didn't agree with your decision?!
Look!
Guys...
Thank you so much!
We're going to shoot
how Dalbert was left by his wife.
So, who's going to play my wife?
That would be me.
Woah!
Heya, Martin Braddock's the name,
the world's best actor!
Why don't you give me your number?
I don't have a smartphone, sadly.
Wait, do I know you from somewhere?
Don't get sucked into some wild fantasies, you.
Wow.
She doesn't look like Mystia at all.
I told you!
Thank Nyallywood's best makeup artist.
Just remember to keep her real identity a secret.
She's going to go under a pseudonym in the credits too.
S-Sure, but she must really dislike her role...
Nyaw, please.
In return,
you make sure I'm not an official part of the cast, okay?
Hm, is it that bad?
No.
But when the time's right
I want to make a movie with Gene and Natalie.
I have a hunch that I'll get that chance one day.
However,
I'll be playing the lead role then.
Until then, I want to refrain from starring in his movies.
Oh, I like that plan.
Understood!
We'll make sure your demands are met!
I'm counting on ya!
Pompo?
Come, we got a scene to shoot!
And, action!
And so, with Pompo's inhumane talent as a producer
and the effort of every single staff member, the shooting ended in a heartbeat.
Hello? Director?
Wha-
What a mess!
Why are you here... Natalie?
Mystia told me you were almost done with the edit, so I wanted to bring you some snacks.
B-But look at you!
And your dark rings!
Ah... I just didn't sleep much.
H-How long do you have to be awake to get these kinds of rings?!
Hm... My memory's kind of blurry after the third day.
Y-You're with one foot in the grave!
We might have gotten the Bank of Nyallywood to finance the movie
but we still have to show it in a week.
A-And how much do you have to cut out still?
Hmmm...
Around three hours.
T-That much?!
D-Do you think w-we'll be on schedule?
Probably... we still have a week left.
Pompo!
How's Gene doing?
He's currently sleeping.
He has no exterior wounds, so he likely just had a slight anemia.
Caused by-
Overworking.
However,
the doctor advised us to let him rest for around a week.
A whole week?
If he can't finish the edit himself,
I guess we'll have to find someone else...
What an enjoyable sleep you seem to be in.
I was really looking forward to seeing your movie!
I really wanted to see it.
I brought yo-
W- What?!
Ah, thank god, you're here.
Let's go back to the hospital.
I can't.
Please...
I can't let anyone take this away from me, or it won't be my movie anymore.
I realized it again during the re-shoots.
How old is Laila now?
She doesn't want to see you.
Don't be ridiculous!
You must choose between your family or your music.
So that's your answer, then?
Do you want me to abandon music?!
You never cared about us anyways.
We can't coexist.
Before I go, let me tell you one thing.
Your music is indeed wonderful.
Yet,
the aria you always played
was the worst thing I've ever heard from you.
In order to leave something meaningful behind
I had to sacrifice everything else.
Not just myself,
everyone else's lives and money were necessary to get here.
If I see it this way,
there's no way I could let it end here!
Then... I want to stay here with you!
Huh?
After all,
this is my movie too!
Good grief, you two are annoying...
Hey... that's the first scene I shot...
S-Sorry,
but the movie doesn't need this scene.
No, not me and Martin's first scene too!
I
have
faith in you, director!
Living is just a constant stream of decisions.
Once you settle for something, you have to cut out everything else.
That's why
I'm cutting out the chit-chat.
I'm cutting out
the friendships.
I'm cutting out
the family!
I'm cutting out
a proper life!
Cut it out!
All of it!
Leave nothing!
Let it all go!
To leave
the most important thing in!
To not give up on everything!
I'm cutting it all!
This is my
very own
aria!
A-Are you finished?
I have... not the slightest clue.
What?
It's impossible to say whether I did the right thing.
O-Oh right, how long is it?!
Right!
This is... your aria.
And here I was preparing for the worst, Dalbert.
That's what total dedication to your music looks like, huh?
Is the conductor smiling?
He seems to have finally found his aria.
What do you mean, mom?
He's using the aria to awaken all the audience's dreams and memories found within its melody.
In exchange for solitude,
he was able to create such a dysfunctional song that's dragging itself over each note.
How fitting for our very own aria.
Weird.
I feel kind of nostalgic from that song.
Pompo... h-how was it?
Yeah.
You're a director now.
I think your movie
is truly wonderful.
The movie became a giant success instantly, just like Pompo had predicted.
Ah, hello?
Yeah. Sure.
I'll take it into consideration.
Wait, I'll go meet them right now!
Soon after...
Alright, the movie Meister sure has won big already by taking home three Nyacademy awards!
Let's see which will take home the awards for best direction and best movie, shall we?
I have a great idea!
Gamma rays made an anteater mutate, so now he's super big and licks every woman he sees with his big, slimy tongue!
That's what the world's been waiting for!
And this year's Nyacademy award for best direction goes to...
Gene Fini!
And the award for best movie to Meister!
Say, director,
what was the most important thing for you during the production of the movie?
Huh?! The most important t-thing...?
The most important thing for me...
Was that it would be exactly 90 minutes.

Changed text

Open file

I'm just good at playing the part.
Always have been.
You know, it's been my dream ever since I was young!
It has been...
And cut!
That's perfect!
He approved it!
Those were all the close-ups!
Get the scaffold ready!
Y-You were great as always, Mystia!
Oh, you're too sweet, Gene!
We're going to shoot her from the side, like in a theater.
Alright, I'll get the camera in position.
You got it!
What are you writing down?
Uhm... well... There's so much I have to learn on set,
so I'm writing everything down to reference later.
Wow! That's what I call diligence!
O-Oh I-I wouldn't g-go that far...
No need to fear, for I am here!
How's it going, everyone?!
Good morning!
Hey hey!
Oh! There you are, Pompo!
You're as sexy as ever, Mystia!
Are all the shots getting shot and so on, director?!
Well, what does it look like?
Oh yeah, that's the good stuff!
Her curves are emphasized perfectly!
I know, right?!
Ah, right, can we talk about something later?
I've been Pompo's assistant for a year now,
but all I've done is watch the shoots as a bystander...
Yo, Gene!
Can you grab us some lunch?
Of course!
A tuna sandwich, please!
Coming up!
I've always wondered why Pompo only produces predictable B-tier movies.
Pompo?
Yeah?
Do you like B-tier movies?
No, I'm pretty indifferent about them.
I'm not a picky woman.
It's just that we're doing a summer movie this time.
In other words, the perfect occasion to show everyone Mystia's sexy bikini figure all wet and slippery.
Hypothetically speaking, isn't capturing the charm of the actress
a perfectly fine reason for a film?
You really think so?
As long as the goal is clear, I can make an interesting movie from whatever I want!
And wouldn't you agree that being moved to tears by a tearjerker
is way less bad-ass than getting hyped up by a dumb action flick?
Hm, you do have a point there...
So, what's planned for tomorrow?
T-The auditions for the next project.
The one from Colvette.
Oh! We're gonna change a young girl's fate tomorrow!
Don't you dare be late!
G-Goodnight to you too!
What a beautiful image.
Peterzen Films.
You're late!
Later than late! Stupendously late, even!
The audition's already over, y'know?!
I-I'm sorry!
Buy me some sweets as compensation!
Make sure they're covered in chocolate!
R-Right! I'm going now!
Was she...
The last one?
Yeah, but she had no acting experience whatsoever.
Bring the reparations to the preview theater!
Woah there!
Who's in for some grilled sea punks?!
What a movie!
It's utter bullshit, but so freaking entertaining!
Pompo really can make something amazing out of anything.
Her directorial eye is outstanding.
The angle you filmed that scene from was pretty good.
Yeah! It was difficult, but we got it in the end!
Hey!
Gramps!
Hm?
You actually came!
I must say,
that butt ratio was quite the treat!
I know, right!
That's the movie industry's legendary producer! The one and only...
J. D. Peterzen!
I've watched every movie he's produced!
And the one who inherited all his connections and legacy when he retired was...
The young cinephile Pompo.
But she also inherited something far more important—
his eye for scripts, actors and directors;
His aura and decisiveness.
She's the all-mighty prophet of filmmaking, made from film itself.
Pompo!
It's time to shoot the picture for the announcement!
Understood!
Off I go!
Sure!
Mr. Peterzen.
Oh, it's you.
Mr. Stan Hansen from The Unsinkable Battleship?
It's Gene.
U-Uhm...
What's the secret to making a great movie?
There's certainly not a right or wrong way to shoot a movie.
Y-Yeah, right?
But the set is a living thing in and of itself.
Be it the actors' energy
or the scenery you're filming,
They all possess a spark you have to capture.
I think polishing and sharpening your intuition for images may be the most important part.
One's intuition for images?
Say...
Does this question mean you want to shoot your own movie one day?
N-No! T-That w-w-would...
b-be impossible! I'm n-not ready!
What's with that self-degrading attitude?
Pompo obviously thinks you're quite capable, don't you think?
Huh? Pompo? Of me?
Determining people's natures is a producer's most basic task.
By making you her assistant, she has certified that
you have talent.
Do you follow me?
B-But...
I'm just some loser...
Oh, yeah, you certainly make an interesting point—
Director, hey!
Hm?
Gimme a sec.
And so,
I've put you charge of the trailer for Marine!
What?!
Whaaaat?!
B-But... normally the producer will contract an editor or a specialized company for these sorts of things!
If you're serious about becoming an artist,
you can't let yourself be shackled by boring stuff like "norms" or "common practices!"
Start with the 15 second spot and go from there!
You're familiar with the editing software, right?
M-More or less.
It needs a hook!
And a twist!
Show them what we've got
while leading them on, raising the tension before finishing 'em off
with the final blow!
Got it?
Y-You mean, all that in 15 seconds? Really?
Of course!
And not to put you under pressure, but this spot usually gets the most views!
Its quality is in direct correlation to the movie's performance!
In other words, you're carrying the future of the whole team on your back! Good luck!
Realistically speaking, putting in all the things Pompo told me to is going to be impossible.
It's just not long enough.
Maybe
I can supplement it with something other than images!
It's one of the foundations of film-making.
I'll make the audience imagine the next scene without actually showing it to them.
I'll spark the viewers' imagination
and let them create their own trailers in their heads!
Am I still on the right track?
I'm not thinking at all about the movie's performance or the future of the team...
I'm just having a ton of fun!
It was supposed to be a vacation like any other...
W-What do you think?
Well, director?
Hm... I wonder...
Isn't that Pompo?
Y-You're right.
Woah!
That's from when I called out to her after the shoot!
Why did you edit in a candid shot?
U-Uhm...
I wanted to give them a wrong impression of the movie with one of the cuts.
That's when I saw that one and decided to use it.
I-It felt wrong then too... I'm sorry!
Hmmm...
It's good!
What?
It's fantastic!
Alright, can we leave the 30 seconds spot and web promos to Gene as well?
No problemo!
Thank you so very much!
By the way.
Hm?
I saw you talking to gramps yesterday for quite a while.
Wasn't like you.
Yeah.
I... wanted to ask him something.
I was curious about why you chose me as your assistant.
There are a lot of people at this studio who are more capable or better educated than me.
So... why me?
Ah, I see. That's easy.
You're the crème de la crème!
Because your eyes don't sparkle!
Huh? What?!
Look at the other youngsters.
Their eyes sparkle with the dazzling aura of a fulfilled adolescence.
But the ones with a fulfilled life are also superficial in their mindset.
Happiness will always drown creativity.
They're not fit to create things.
Compared to them, your eyes are as alone as you are,
and lacking as much of a sparkle as you lack a place to belong to.
No offense.
Thank you...?
People rejected by the real world end up fleeing into their own imaginary ones.
The depth and scale of those are the most important factors
that determine one's dormant talent as an artist!
Your eyes scream of how unsuited you are for society!
Which is why I have high hopes for you!
A-Alright...
Hm?
Speaking of eyes...
Ugh...
Oh right, I noticed it earlier too.
I feel like I forgot something...
From the preview screening?
Maybe...?
Or from the audition?
Oh!
You got it!
Don't fret, I remembered, you bet!
I marked one girl for later consideration.
I only noticed it after the fact, though.
That's her! Call her!
S-Sure.
Wait... that's her!
Does she have the same eyes as me?
Do you actually think audiences would like an actress with dead eyes?!
Honestly, I don't know what drew me to her either.
But I did mark her, that's a fact.
What can you rely on if not your intuition to make a great movie?
Or something.
Ahem, can I borrow the preview theater?
Oh, sure. What you gonna watch?
N-New Cinema Paradise.
Oh, that one sure is a bummer.
Really?! It's considered a masterpiece.
I mean, the story and so on is fine, it's just long.
Do you h-hate long films?
Yep! Miss me with all of them!
Y-You hate them that much?
Isn't it nice to lose yourself in a long work?
Nay, and I can tell you why.
My parents were incredibly busy.
So, I was mainly raised by gramps
who introduced me to the world of movies.
That was all he knew.
But wow, was it a pain to sit still for two or even three hours!
If I tried to run away, he would drag me back all angry and tell me to watch everything.
Then, at the end, he always forced me to share my thoughts.
That's why I've always felt 90 minute movies were like an oasis,
granting me refuge from the drawn-out dog days of long movies.
At least, that's one of the reasons why I hate long movies.
There's more?
Demanding your audience's attention for more than two hours
doesn't make for a particularly fun form of entertainment.
The team has to decide what to adopt or reject
in order to convey their message in the most condensed form, if you ask me.
Who wants some inflated movie that collapses under its own fluff?
But even still, I enjoy long movies despite the length.
Three or four hour long movies are fine with me.
Man, that's why you're a movie freak!
Knowing that she watched and discussed movies with industry legends from a very early age made me...
incredibly jealous.
Still a place left?
Pompo, are you here for the movie?
You should've said so from the start.
Surely not!
I can't stand the whole thing.
I'm just here to see what a supposed masterpiece is like.
Wait...
This feels oddly familiar somehow...
I wonder why.
Good morning.
Hmm?
Normally she's here before me.
Woah!
Meister?
Is this the script she's been working on?
Don't fret, for I have returned!
I've been stuffing myself all morning!
I'm regretting it by the minute!
That doesn't sound desirable.
Either way, how's the script?
Well...
Wait!
No need to praise me!
I wouldn't say it outright, but I know my way around a pen.
Rather, tell me your actually interesting takes on it!
R-Right.
The concept of an old artist finding himself through connecting with a casual young girl
isn't unique or particularly interesting by itself.
However!
You're still getting drawn into the story by the characters!
On one side, you have the talented but arrogant composer Dalbert.
On the other, you have the young girl Lily, merging both the traits of a curious boy and delicate girl.
While there may only be two characters,
the plot pulled me in right away!
Honestly, this script really surprised me!
I never thought someone who specialized in B movies could write like this!
You hit the nail on the hea—
Hey, you saying I'm a B tier producer too?! Huh?!
O-Of course not!
And I haven't talked about the imagery!
When the scenery shifts
from the bustling city to the majestic alps,
I felt liberated.
I can't even imagine the impact it would have on the big screen!
Oh, by the way, Gene.
What was your favorite scene?
Ah, yeah.
The one where Lily sings and looks over her shoulder.
That sure was a quick answer.
It's when Dalbert regained his love for music.
It took shape in my head the moment I read it! It's that good!
That's a pass.
Since there are only two central characters in the story,
it's incredibly important to choose the right actors for each role.
The cast is already locked down.
Dalbert will be played by Martin Braddock.
What?!
B-By M-Martin Braddock?!
The legendary actor? For real?!
I thought he retired...
He just didn't feel like working the past years, that's all.
Luckily my gramps isn't some no-name, so he tapped his connections.
Seriously?
"His first role in ten years..."
Who doesn't love free marketing?
There's no way it will flop!
And Lily will be played by...
Uhm... Excuse me?
Oh, right on time!
Who?
I cut my hair just like you told me to.
Natalie! You look fabulous!
T-That's L-Lily!
She is Lily! Hundred percent!
Right?!
Uhm, what?
I knew exactly who to cast before I began writing that script!
Wait... how?
She mesmerized me from the very first moment I looked into her eyes.
They showed me a beautifully sparkling vision of a movie.
So I wrote this script to reproduce the magic of that moment.
The actor made you write the script?
Does that even happen?
Sometimes, when you see the right person,
your head gets flooded with ideas and scenes for a story.
It's a guaranteed sign for a great movie.
I see.
E-Excuse me.
What are you talking about so enthusiastically?
Oh, you're gonna love this!
We're talking about giving you the lead role!
Whaaaat?!
Y-Y-Y-You can't be serious!
M-M-M-M-Me?!
Take this.
Hm?
This movie will be directed by none other than you.
So, don't lemme down,
Mr. Director!
Whaaaat?!
There's road work going on here, so you're going to have to take a detour.
S-Sure.
Alrighty!
Just ahead, please.
Oh, wait, pleas-
I wanna curl up and sleep.
But I need to shower
and then go to the audition.
Damn, I slept in!
I'm super duper late!
So preeetty...
Number 15, Natalie Woodward.
Thank you for inviting me!
Hmmm...
Too plain, next!
Nooooo!
And that's how I got rejected 30 times in a row.
That sure was a dark time...
You're late!
The audition's already over, you know?!
I-I'm sorry.
Inflation is a pain.
An actress should smile all the time!
I won't give up! Never ever!
I didn't move here to bury my dream!
But to finally be living it!
Hello?
Here I am, just like you asked me to!
Sorry for calling you so suddenly.
You're Natalie Woodward,
born and raised in Sunroad?
More of a cornfield than a town, huh?
You don't have any acting experience.
How are you earning your living?
Part time jobs! A lot!
For how many days a week?
Seven... days!
How often are you taking acting classes?
Once every... two weeks.
That won't do. Not even a drama club would give you a lead role like that.
Do you know the actress Mystia?
Of course!
She's a beauty to behold! And my idol!
Alright, quit your part time jobs.
Wha-?
And move out of your apartment, you're moving in with Mystia.
Wha-?
You'll follow her every move and learn as much as possible.
I'll take care of the logistics.
You two will take the same lessons.
Make sure to learn as much as possible from her.
Got it?
Uh... I think... so.
Then less standing and get a move on!
Yeeees!
Yaaay!
So big!
You're Natalie, right?
Nice to meet you!
S-Same to you!
S-So soft! She's even more beautiful in person!
Woah, so big!
I was about to head to the gym,
why not come with me?
S-Sure!
Woah!
Your abs are so sharp!
I'll usually put on some weight before a shoot.
Otherwise, I'll scare off the guys.
Woooow.
That was my first ever proper workout!
I'm hurting everywhere!
Leave the cooking to me!
And that's how me and Mystia began living together!
To remain healthy, it's important to prepare healthy food!
Say, Natalie,
have you been dreaming of becoming an actress ever since you were little?
Y-Yes, I have!
I hope you're ready for the role soon.
Thanks!
It's the tiniest star in the sky,
but it's sparkling as bright as the holy light!
No, wrong!
You're just reading the script out aloud!
Right, I'm so sorry!
You're thirsty, right?
T-Thank you so much!
No need to fear, for I am here!
How's it going?
Natalie, come here for a sec.
W-What are you doing?
Perfect, you're on the right track.
Hm?
Hello there.
Oh, her hair?
Sure thing, I'll pass it along.
Pompo is finally getting everything ready.
Pompo wants to see you at headquarters tomorrow.
And for you to...
I cut my hair just like you told me to.
Whaaaat?!
Director!
Director? Me?!
What's going on?!
Don't think I've gotten used to it either!
My heart could burst any second!
I feel like I'm going to be sick.
Hey, hey.
Mystia?!
Don't be so flimsy.
Better get used to your new roles, okay?
After all, it's what you've always dreamed of, right?
Don't be all paralyzed, make some connections!
Wish me luck!
What you waiting for, Gene?
You're the director, huh?
Mr. Braddock?!
I'm looking forward to working with you!
Likewise!
Sorry for dragging you back in.
Oh, Mr. Peterzen.
Is that the most prestigious producer-actor combo to ever grace the industry,
who took home 6 Nyacademy awards, in the flesh?!
Am I dreaming?!
I haven't thanked you properly yet.
Hm? Oh, you are...
The guy from Road Warriors, who played Hawk and Anima-
I'm Gene.
No other roles attached.
Ah, right! It's you!
Congrats on your directorial role.
T-Thank you so much!
You might not expect it, but Martin is a lonely person.
He overthinks everything, which makes him stand out.
Please try to integrate him whenever you can.
I-I will!
Gene, hey!
Oh, Mr. Colvette.
Congrats on your promotion!
Congratulations on the success of Marine, too!
You should thank the whole team for that.
Ah, right.
I wanted to give you a word of advice.
I'm all ears!
Not only is this your first movie, but you're also working with none other than Martin as lead.
You must be under an immense amount of pressure.
But if you're fixated on making a movie for everyone, you'll end up with an indistinct mess that appeals to no one.
Rather, you should
have someone specific in mind, who you want to make this movie for the most.
Focus only on that.
Only then will you create something refined, understood by everyone.
I see your point.
I was always under the impression that you can't make a mistake.
What?! That girl is the female lead?!
Not you?!
I'm not part of the cast, no no...
I am the lead, yes!
Naaaw, what a damp squib...
Ah, no problem.
Hello darling,
I'm Martin Braddock, world's best actor.
How about we exchange numbers?
I don't have a smartphone, sadly.
Mmmh...
Mr. Braddock sure sounded disappointed...
This is way outta my league...
Oh, director.
Argh! My heart's not used to that title at all.
Hey, director.
Y-Yeah?
You think I'm a bad fit for the lead role, don't you?
I'm just some plain Jane.
U-Uh...
I f-felt unworthy of this position too and wanted to decline.
However, then I thought about it some more.
I've always ran away from the real world's problems,
until the movie theater was the only place I had left.
So, I either direct this movie or give up on my dreams.
Those are my two choices.
Oh?
That's why I'm directing this movie even if it kills me.
That's why I'm the director.
I was raised in a village surrounded by endless maize fields
under the roof of the endless blue sky.
It was a boring childhood stripped of everything.
That's why I fell in love with movies.
Only they could show me the worlds and stories I craved for so dearly in my heart.
I want to become an actress!
You're an adorable girl, Natalie.
I'm sure you're going to become a wonderful actress one day.
I began taking on more and more part time jobs.
I saved the money in order to move to the magical land of Nyallywood one day.
How could I let this chance slip away?
I-I mean...
Yeah?
It's something Pompo told me about movies,
but she said that
as long as a movie can capture the charm of the actress, it's a success.
Okay... a-and?
In other words, you being chosen by her means
that you do possess the charm to fill this role.
I think?
And if you were to ask me...
I too thought that you were the perfect fit for Lily's role.
P-Please have faith in yourself and let me do my best!
Thank you.
I think I've finally regained some confidence.
Bring the best out of me, director!
Roger!
Woah, you're still up?!
Oh... yeah.
I wanted to look over the schedule for when we're at the filming location.
Don't strain yourself.
Keeping yourself healthy is part of the job too.
Excuse me, but I need to go to the toilet.
Again, Alan?
This is an incredibly important deal for us.
Keep yourself together!
Y-Yeah, I know.
Tch, amateur.
Do I... know that guy from somewhere?
Wow, what a view!
Imagine the despairing conductor Dalbert coming here, to the alps,
seeing these grand mountains, and being moved to tears!
What a beautiful scene that would be!
Oh, don't tell me!
No, I don't think that would do.
Hm?
When he's coming here, he's already closed himself off from the outside world.
He doesn't care about some beautiful scenery.
Hehe.
Oh...
I-I'm so sorry!
A youngster like me shouldn't shoot you down like that, Mr. Braddock!
Oh, don't worry! You're the director here.
O-Oh, right...
However, a movie is a team effort.
So, let me have my fun bouncing all my ideas off you.
It's always up to you what to do with those though.
Sure!
And all of you too! Feel free to throw your hat into the ring!
Sure thing!
Having such a veteran on set will surely be fun.
Grandma, I finally did it.
I won't disappoint you, Mystia.
Scene 32, Cut 1, Take 1!
The grieving Dalbert is meeting Lily for the...
Preparations?
...first time on the grassland in the alps.
A go!
Camera rolling!
Action!
Woah!
This truly is... the performance of the world's best actor.
Even though he's usually really lively,
once the camera starts rolling, he starts embodying an utterly despairing old man.
Yet the far more surprising performance is none other
than this perfect personification of Lily.
I knew exactly who to cast before I began writing the script!
So, this is the advantage of knowing exactly who to cast beforehand.
Ah, right.
Mr. Braddock, once you're finished with the scenes here, you'll go back to Nyallywood to shoot the orchestra scenes, right?
Yup!
Don't you need to practice playing a conductor?
Well...
Martin already played a conductor twice in the past.
You may have heard of the movie Wärter's climax,
where he conducted a concert as a prodigious conductor.
It's a 6 minute 40 second long one-cut where the camera is rotating around the orchestra,
and it soon became an influential scene in movie history.
Even professional musicians praised his performance as being indistinguishable from the real deal.
In short, he only needs a little coaching and he'll be back into it in no time.
Did I say something weird?
No but... that was...
It's just how he is!
Amazing, director.
Is there anything you don't know about movies?
Those are the only things I do know.
Well, that aside,
I'm so happy to hear you've watched such an old movie!
I've watched all your movies!
I adore all of them!
Oh ho ho, I like you!
Let's wrap this up and get buzzed, guys!
In your dreams.
The sunlight is slightly to the upper right,
so if he stands there, we can get a nice backlight for the shot.
He sure is obsessed with the lighting.
He's always testing stuff out.
It's the scene where Dalbert gets taken through the goat herd, right?
I guess he wants to get it right with a wide shot on the first try.
Oooh...
What?
I'm sorry.
The goat stall's roof collapsed and likely scared them off.
We did have some emergency measures in place.
Looks like they didn't work out, huh?
More importantly, weren't there more goats before?
Well, you see...
The wolves got them?!
Y-You poor things!
What now? We can't shoot the scene with so few.
What about the shepherd?
Nothing he can do today.
Should we shoot it tomorrow?
No chance, the schedule's too tight.
And the weather might not hold, either.
Fog's showing up too now...
Fog...?
Can we... make some smoke?
Why?
Don't worry, there's no need to be scared.
Come, follow me.
The smoke was a great idea!
Indeed! The goats were scary in all the right ways too!
And the last-minute paper cutouts we made made up the numbers nicely!
The original script only had Dalbert going out there.
Haha.
Look at you go, Gene!
Guess that's it for today.
Should we just shoot the indoor night scene?
Gene? Gene?
What you staring at?
Uhm.
I was thinking about shooting scenes that aren't in the script.
Heh, now that I can get behind.
Don't ask me for permission,
you're the boss here.
W-Why do I have to fix this damn roof?!
This is so beneath my dignity!
Less talking, more hammering, please!
We don't want the goats to catch a cold, do we now?!
Yeah, yeah! I hear ya!
Mhm, what a nice scene.
Good job.
We should get a shot of the clearing sky.
Good idea! We might get a rainbow!
Director.
What?
I have an idea.
What if he falls off the roof?
Huh?
I thought it might help highlight his clumsiness. We haven't really conveyed that yet.
What about having Lily be there too to laugh at him,
then Dalbert gets super angry and throws mud at her!
A-Ah, s-sorry! I got too excited!
No, you got it wrong.
I was surprised you just had such an amazing idea out of nowhere!
Really?!
Under the stall door might be a good place to fall on.
The goats can come out and lick him all over!
Let's create some sludge to make it real slippery!
How about—
Huh...?
You damn... brat!
Get off your high horse!
Look, Gene!
Get that on film!
R-Right!
Cut!
Seems like the weather's on your side.
We shot a great scene!
Y-Yeah, t-thanks.
Scene 42.
Establishing the core dynamic between the two!
Scene 44.
Dalbert learns how to fish!
L-Lily,
What is that song...
Pompo!
A critical hit!
Capturing this scene made it all worth it!
Man, I'm glad I was here!
However, I need to go back to Nyallywood.
Wha—
I-I thought you were gonna be here for the whole shoot?!
I have to get things ready with the orchestra.
Managing so many people is hell, I tell ya.
Gene, listen.
Yes?
This movie will win a Nyacademy award. Guaranteed.
See ya, director!
Gotta fend for yourself now!
Stand by, everyone!
That's the guy from the plane.
T-Thanks.
You're Gene, right?
I've always wondered what you were writing in your notebook.
My thoughts... about movies and stuff.
Here.
Try to look ahead instead of at your feet, okay?
Else you risk losing things you care about!
Hey, what was that?
Haha, nothing.
Gene!
Gene Fini!
Uhm, what?
So, it is you!
It's me, Alan! We went to the same high school!
Oh...
Never thought you would actually become a director.
I-I haven't gotten used to it either...
Sorry for your notebook back then.
D-Don't worry.
I had everything memorized and simply wrote it into a new one.
Really?!
What about you though?
You're working for the Bank of Nyallywood?
Wow, what a giant corporation.
And hell to work at.
Huh?
I-I'm sorry for earlier.
I wasn't aware that he hated golf.
It's whatever.
If you really wanted to make it in this business, you would never forget to properly research your client.
I don't know if you were always some popular hottie,
but you can't expect to get carried to the top without putting in the effort anymore.
I'm sorry.
I've been considering quitting this job.
Why?
I just have no real clue about what I want to actually do.
I was always good at basically anything I tried,
but... that changed once I was out of school.
I still have no clue about anything.
O-Oh, sorry!
Y-Yes...?
Understood.
Sorry, but I have to go.
Sure thing.
Call me once the movie's done, I would love to see it.
S-Sure, thank you.
Ah, right, I would like to correct what I said back then.
Hm?
You always were looking at your feet, weren't you?
Your eyes are sparkling like stars right now.
Huh?
My eyes are... sparkling?
Cut!
And that's a wrap!
Let's get this party started!
I did it, grandma!
Thank you so much, director!
Ah, yeah.
D-Director?
The actors' jobs may be over now,
but Gene's is just beginning.
Oh?
Oh, he's the editor for the movie?
The editing makes or breaks a movie.
Everything depends on him now.
Isn't it rare for the director to also be the only editor?
We want the director to do as much as he can at Peterzen Films.
However...
Yeah?
Ah, it will be a masterpiece for sure.
Just, the editor is also the first viewer.
Finding an appropriate middle-ground between the two opposing phases of production,
namely the subjective feelings on set and the required objectivity in the editing room, may prove difficult for Gene.
Alright!
Finally! The moment I've been waiting for.
I must be the happiest person on earth right now!
We have around 72 hours of raw material.
I wonder what I can whip up out of them!
Since we have Martin Braddock in the lead role,
I should go with a dense opening with some lavish shots to round it off.
If I put the whole performance in,
The viewers will grow tired of it, so I have to transition to the next scene somehow.
Hey, Dalbert, congrats on the wonderful concert!
Scene 12, backstage.
The whole scene consists of 8 cuts.
Let's see how it looks without any changes.
Hey, Dalbert, congrats on the wonderful concert!
Please don't give me whatever incompetent flute you had lying around next time, Coltman.
Hey now.
You know how much she cost me?
Don't you know who I am?
Of course, your majesty.
More importantly, if the next performance is a success, no one in the whole world will dare question your abilities.
The next concert will be St. Matthew Passion.
Huh, isn't that an aria?
Do you have any objections?
I'm sure it will be a flawless aria if you're the one conducting it!
At least, if you had to follow the score.
However, an aria is far more about feelings than faithfulness to the music sheet.
Are you saying it's not for me?
Let me ask you again.
Don't you know who I am?
It feels like a generic exposition scene...
Maybe if I do this?
Just don't give me whatever incompetent flute you had lying around next time, Coltman.
Hey now.
Do you know how much she cost me?
Don't you know who I am?
Through showing the wide shot for a bit,
I can leave the audience wanting to see Dalbert's facial expression.
Because Martin's purposefully repressing his emotions, I can combine those factors
to build tension throughout the scene.
According to editing theory, Inserting a medium shot right before the close-up
will further amplify the impact of his final phrase.
Let me ask you again.
Don't you know who I am?
That's it!
It perfectly conveys Dalbert's bitter emotions, too!
I just have to continue this way.
Scene 24 is 20 pages long in the script.
He's finally embarking to Switzerland.
And I'm already at a total runtime of 90 minutes.
Wait... that means he will meet Lily like two hours into the movie.
Isn't... there something in here?
What? Pompo went to Australia?
Yes.
She said it's for location scouting for director Corvette's new movie.
When will she be back?
In around two weeks.
I s-see...
Ah, she left me a message for you.
I'm listening!
I can't wait to watch your final cut once I'm back!
Don't lemme down!
End of message.
Ugh!
I have no other choice.
Let's start over from the beginning.
Hey, Dalbert,
Congrats on the wonderful concert!
Hey, Dalbert,
Are you actually reading the score?!
Again! From the beginning!
How am I supposed to get anything done with these imbeciles?!
Are you totally nuts now, Dalbert?
The performance is in two weeks!
Replacing the whole orchestra is impossible now!
Tell me,
what is an aria to you?
Are you actually reading the score?! Again! From the beginning!
I'm out, Dalbert.
Make a fool out of yourself on your own.
What a careless man you are, Dalbert.
The door's not even locked.
We've known each other for a long time now, so I do feel partially responsible for this.
Do you still remember when
your wife left you and took your daughter with her?
What does that have to do with anything?
I think you need a break to reflect upon yourself and start anew.
What even remains of myself
once you take away music?
Mr. Peterzen.
H-Hello?
Wow.
Oh!
You ar-
Gene.
Uhm... I saw you in the hallway.
What are you doing here?
I'm organizing old film.
Wow, that's a splicer!
Just an old man's hobby.
Even film that would get thrown away
may hide some interesting stories, so I'm linking them together.
C-Can I ask you something?
Oh?
Hmmm.
Every single scene contains so much heart of the actor,
that I just can't bring myself to cut any of them.
But if I don't, the movie just becomes longer and more overblown.
Why are you asking me for advice and not Pompo?
Ah, right, she wrote the script too, didn't she?
You probably think you wouldn't have contributed anything
if she were to just give you an answer herself, don't you?
Yes.
Gene,
Who do you think a movie is made for?
For the viewer... right?
And why did you fall in love with movies in the first place?
Oh...
Because you saw yourself in them, didn't you?
Through the story,
you could relate to their feelings, dreams, and aspirations, and see the world as they did.
In other words,
you're an integral part of your own movie, right?
Once you realize that,
you have to imbue the movie with your very own aria.
My own aria?
What?! You've never gone hiking or fishing?
How can that help me with music?!
An aria is a self-contained piece for one voice. A song to convey your feelings with.
I'm to be called majesty!
I offered up my everything for music!
But for whom?
So,
ask yourself, which emotions do you want to convey, and to whom?
Everything's written on that score!
Again! From the beginning!
What now?!
You wanna tell me that the score's wrong and not you, now?!
No... I just want to ask you something?
What?
What is an aria
to you?
What?!
It's...
L-Lily...
What is that song...
It's... me!
Wait!
Then that means...
Do not yearn, for I have returned!
W-Welcome back!
Alrighty, my dear director! I'm here to watch a movie!
I-I'm not done... yet.
What?
I'm not done... yet.
But halfway?
I'm not done... yet.
How much left?
I scrapped everything, so around 72 hours of raw material.
So, what's your excuse?
We still have time until the premiere,
but just two weeks until the preview screening for our sponsors.
They might pull out if we're not on time!
I hope you're not trying anything fishy to justify your lack of results.
There aren't enough!
Hm?
I need more scenes.
What?!
You want re-shoots?
Yes.
I probably don't have to tell you, but you're aware that
we'd need to reassemble the team for that, right?
And of how much work that will be?
More or less...
A movie isn't a one-man show,
and the other staff members have other projects as well.
Who do you think has to beg them to make time?
And pay them more? Who, huh?
You.
On top of that, getting the lead actors is even more complicated.
Who do you think has to negotiate with them? Who, huh?
You.
And who do you think has to write the script for those scenes? Who, huh?
You.
Despite all that,
do you still want re-shoots?
I thought you'd lost it when you called me here out of nowhere!
You think I'll let you perform that aria again?!
Hey, don't make a scene now, Dalbert!
I didn't know!
Or rather, I had forgotten...
How wonderful fishes smell,
how it hurt to slip in the rain,
what a goat's bleat sounds like!
What are you o-
The most important things were always feelings and memories!
That girl reminded me of all that again!
I can do it now! I'm sure of it!
You can't redo it that easily.
Why don't you just give up?
In the end,
movies are the only things I have!
So,
despite all that,
my music
my movie isn't complete
isn't complete
without this one scene!
Without that aria!
Pompo?
Ugh, I'll do it somehow.
And here I thought he'd be obedient!
What a stubborn bastard!
Haha, aren't you...
happy about that?
So, is there something you want?
Oh, yeah...
I wanted to turn in my resig—
W-What's this?
Hey, you can't just take that!
A movie that wants funding.
I think I'll deny them the request.
B-But why?!
Their selfish director made them miss the preview screening date.
Naturally, their sponsors pulled out.
Also, financing movies is always a high-risk game.
No one knows if it's ever going to be completed, after all.
Can I...
take care of that case?
Well?
I-It's perfect.
You actually made me write the whole script for the re-shoot.
I'm sorry.
I thought about writing it myself, but it wouldn't be consistent.
I guess you need some arrogance and egoism if you wanna make it big as a director.
That aside, what about this new role of yours?!
We have no time to hold auditions!
Oh, yeah. I already have someone in mind.
Is that Meister's script?
Ah, yeah! It also includes all the lines for the re-shoots.
But since it's going over budget
we still haven't started filming them.
At least I'm learning how little actors can do in this situation.
M-Mystia?
Hm? Oh, sorry.
It sucked me right in!
That's not good press at all.
We have to come up with one hell of a marketing campaign.
Peterzen Films speaking.
Mr. Gardner from the Bank of Nyallywood?
As we never heard back from you,
I thought your bank refused our request.
Indeed, we did. Officially.
Personally, however...
You serious?
Of course.
Now that I can get behind.
You ready to risk it all?
Then welcome to the world of dreams and insane schemes!
Worst case, you're going to get fired.
I can't expect to get carried to the top without putting in the effort.
Didn't you tell me that?
This is too much!
Send me the data too.
You'll never make it at that pace.
Based on this data,
I'm proposing to finance the movie Meister.
Ugh, having Martin Braddock in the lead role is well and good
yet the director is still a no-name!
It also garnered a lot of bad press already, diminishing its potential success.
It's just too much of a risk.
Our investment wouldn't pay off.
We're done here then.
The presentation isn't over yet!
Hm?
Always have been.
You know, it's been my dream ever since I was young!
My grandpa showed me hundreds of movies,
though none had a particularly deep impact on me emotionally.
Which is why
you want to create such a movie yourself?
Yeah, although I can't make such a movie by myself for myself all alone.
Isn't that right?
Director Gene might be able to create it though.
At least, that's your dream.
How long have you been harboring this dream?
That's...
Well, ever since I was a child, I've always loved watching movies.
I might not have had any friends, but that was fine with me.
After all, the world was filled to the brim with movies I hadn't seen yet!
But there was one special girl.
I always saw her sitting in the same movie theater as me.
For some reason, she always left the second the credits began to roll.
I never saw her face.
I always wondered
what she was searching for, such that she came to the cinema day in and out.
I would sit there wondering if there was a movie out there
captivating enough to keep her in her seat until the very end.
Once I thought about it that way,
I decided I wanted to create that movie.
Just like movies helped me,
my dream is to help others in the same vein through my movies.
That's when I finally saw myself in this movie.
This movie...
is made for myself from all those years ago.
But not just for him...
A movie for everyone who goes to the cinema in order to believe in something.
Once I thought about it this way, I realized that I needed more scenes.
My movie won't ever be complete without them.
In order to fulfill this dream, I need to sacrifice even more!
That is why
I beg you to let me finish this.
I've...
always wanted to be great at everything I've tried.
Yet when I look back on my life, I've accomplished nothing!
I just chased one goal after the next!
I've finally realized
what I can actually accomplish.
Isn't helping people accomplishing their dreams the true duty of a bank employee?!
I beg you!
Let us finance this movie so others at rock bottom can dream about something as well!
You sure love to talk.
I agree with what you said about our duty,
but you can't back it up sufficiently.
If you really want to be an adult, you need to show us some numbers.
Numbers, huh?
I can give you numbers!
Really?!
What's going on?
Where are you filming us from?!
I'm terribly sorry.
This meeting has been livestreamed around the world since the very beginning!
What?!
Along with the documentary I showed you a snippet from.
As well as!
A crowdfunding campaign?
We opened the site a few days ago to collect funding.
This is from when it opened,
and this is what we currently have.
Don't these numbers speak for themselves?
This is this movie's true potential.
This concludes my presentation.
Stop the livestream.
How terribly unfortunate, but your gamble hasn't paid off.
Get your things and leave at once.
Dreams aren't profitable.
Why that long face?
That was a wonderful show!
Be proud of yourself.
P-President?!
Hey, stop the livestream!
I'm a bit late but a staff member told me everything.
He showed me their plan.
It was the most entertaining presentation I've seen around here in a while.
Just think about the immense will and courage needed to pull this off.
And I think the numbers do indeed speak for themselves.
Let's invest the amount from the crowdfunding campaign times ten.
President!
You're just looking at past successes to measure the expected value of a product.
How about looking at what's before you for once?
W-What do you mean?
Look at when the graph of site visitor count spikes.
I'm sure all of you know what happened at that time.
It's when Gene Fini and Alan spoke out about their feelings.
The expected value of a product is a metric directed at the future.
They all judged the dream of those two people.
But still, president!
We invest into the future of those who dream big.
That's our slogan.
That's the first time I'm hearing about it!
I've just come up with it.
Alan,
I'm eager to see what you will do in the future.
A critical hit!
Good job!
Thank you so much.
Ah, whatever!
It has been years since a meeting was this wild!
Kind of like when you were still an executive, huh, president?
You beat us fair and square!
Let's get this thing rolling!
I-I want to t-thank you so much for taking the time out of your schedule to be here!
Ah, don't worry!
You think we would be here if we didn't agree with your decision?!
Look!
Guys...
Thank you so much!
We're going to shoot
how Dalbert was left by his wife.
So, who's going to play my wife?
That would be me.
Woah!
Heya, Martin Braddock's the name,
the world's best actor!
Why don't you give me your number?
I don't have a smartphone, sadly.
Wait, do I know you from somewhere?
Don't get sucked into some wild fantasies, you.
Wow.
She doesn't look like Mystia at all.
I told you!
Thank Nyallywood's best makeup artist.
Just remember to keep her real identity a secret.
She's going to go under a pseudonym in the credits too.
S-Sure, but she must really dislike her role...
Nyaw, please.
In return,
you make sure I'm not an official part of the cast, okay?
Hm, is it that bad?
No.
But when the time's right
I want to make a movie with Gene and Natalie.
I have a hunch that I'll get that chance one day.
However,
I'll be playing the lead role then.
Until then, I want to refrain from starring in his movies.
Oh, I like that plan.
Understood!
We'll make sure your demands are met!
I'm counting on ya!
Pompo?
Come, we got a scene to shoot!
And, action!
And so, with Pompo's inhumane talent as a producer
and the effort of every single staff member, the shooting ended in a heartbeat.
Hello? Director?
Wha-
What a mess!
Why are you here... Natalie?
Mystia told me you were almost done with the edit, so I wanted to bring you some snacks.
B-But look at you!
And your dark rings!
Ah... I just didn't sleep much.
H-How long do you have to be awake to get these kinds of rings?!
Hm... My memory's kind of blurry after the third day.
Y-You're with one foot in the grave!
We might have gotten the Bank of Nyallywood to finance the movie
but we still have to show it in a week.
A-And how much do you have to cut out still?
Hmmm...
Around three hours.
T-That much?!
D-Do you think w-we'll be on schedule?
Probably... we still have a week left.
Pompo!
How's Gene doing?
He's currently sleeping.
He has no exterior wounds, so he likely just had a slight anemia.
Caused by-
Overworking.
However,
the doctor advised us to let him rest for around a week.
A whole week?
If he can't finish the edit himself,
I guess we'll have to find someone else...
What an enjoyable sleep you seem to be in.
I was really looking forward to seeing your movie!
I really wanted to see it.
I brought yo-
W-What?!
Ah, thank god, you're here.
Let's go back to the hospital.
I can't.
Please...
I can't let anyone take this away from me, or it won't be my movie anymore.
I realized it again during the re-shoots.
How old is Laila now?
She doesn't want to see you.
Don't be ridiculous!
You must choose between your family or your music.
So that's your answer, then?
Do you want me to abandon music?!
You never cared about us anyways.
We can't coexist.
Before I go, let me tell you one thing.
Your music is indeed wonderful.
Yet,
the aria you always played
was the worst thing I've ever heard from you.
In order to leave something meaningful behind
I had to sacrifice everything else.
Not just myself,
everyone else's lives and money were necessary to get here.
If I see it this way,
there's no way I could let it end here!
Then... I want to stay here with you!
Huh?
After all,
this is my movie too!
Good grief, you two are annoying...
Hey... that's the first scene I shot...
S-Sorry,
but the movie doesn't need this scene.
No, not me and Martin's first scene too!
I
have
faith in you, director!
Living is just a constant stream of decisions.
Once you settle for something, you have to cut out everything else.
That's why
I'm cutting out the chit-chat.
I'm cutting out
the friendships.
I'm cutting out
the family!
I'm cutting out
a proper life!
Cut it out!
All of it!
Leave nothing!
Let it all go!
To leave
the most important thing in!
To not give up on everything!
I'm cutting it all!
This is my
very own
aria!
A-Are you finished?
I have... not the slightest clue.
What?
It's impossible to say whether I did the right thing.
O-Oh right, how long is it?!
Right!
This is... your aria.
And here I was preparing for the worst, Dalbert.
That's what total dedication to your music looks like, huh?
Is the conductor smiling?
He seems to have finally found his aria.
What do you mean, mom?
He's using the aria to awaken all the audience's dreams and memories found within its melody.
In exchange for solitude,
he was able to create such a dysfunctional song that's dragging itself over each note.
How fitting for our very own aria.
Weird.
I feel kind of nostalgic from that song.
Pompo... h-how was it?
Yeah.
You're a director now.
I think your movie
is truly wonderful.
The movie became a giant success instantly, just like Pompo had predicted.
Ah, hello?
Yeah. Sure.
I'll take it into consideration.
Wait, I'll go meet them right now!
Soon after...
Alright, the movie Meister sure has won big already by taking home three Nyacademy awards!
Let's see which will take home the awards for best direction and best movie, shall we?
I have a great idea!
Gamma rays mutated an anteater into a giant that licks every woman he sees with his huge, slimy tongue.
That's what the world's been waiting for!
And this year's Nyacademy award for best direction goes to...
Gene Fini!
And the award for best movie to Meister!
Say, director,
what was the most important thing for you during the production of the movie?
Huh?! The most important t-thing...?
The most important thing for me...
Was that it would be exactly 90 minutes.

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