Chapter-13 : The Sixth Sense

Taking a sip of coffee Richard looked at the man infront of him,who is reading a script very attentively.

"Well Richard I have to say this is an excellent script, When Steven recommended it to me I didn't think it will be this good" the man joked

Richard smiled, "As long as you liked it Mr. Coppola"

"Oh,I like the script alright, if there is any problem i will diffidently direct it."

"Great, happy co-operation Mr. Coppola" while giving his hand to him.

"Happy co-operation" while taking his hand.

Next day after the party when Steven got the script he also liked it, but as he have another film at his hand, he agreed to be the co-producer straight away and recommended the script to Martin Scorsese but as he working with another film, it went to Francis Coppola who was free at that time.

When he heard the script synopsis he also became interested, so he called Ari and invited them to his house.

"So whats the budget for this film" Coppola went straight to the topic.

"About 20 million, half of it i will invest and other half will be invested by Amblin and Universal."

Hardly anything can be kept secret in Hollywood. So, when they heard Richard and Steven co-operating in a new project and possibly be directed by Scorsese, Universal jumped on the wagon before anyone can react, as Richards last movie with MGM also showing a path to success.

Universal quickly through his olive branch by investing 5 million in the project and only taking the distribution rights of movie and also 40% share in it. Among the rest of the share 20% will be taken by Amblin, 20% for the A-listed actor and director and rest 20% is Richard's

Normally big production companies have 50-70% of the movie's share in the movies they invest.

"Have you decided who will play child physiologist, his wife and the mother"

"For child physiologist I would like to invite Al Pacino, for his wife and for the mother there will be an audition."

"Well its a nice choice and i can recommend it to him and for the wife I can recommend Diane Lane and for the mother it is better for an Audition."

"Well I will take the recommendation , if she is willing to take the role.."

After fixing the director and with the recommendation from Coppola, Al Pacino as well as Diane Lane also agreed after reading the script.

With both director and the actors of two important role fixed the pre-production for he film went very smoothly and finally the audition for the mother role was held.

For this role its required a person with good acting skill but ore importantly compatibility with Richard himself.

After week of Audition in which Richard fully participated was finally decided to give the role to Jodie Foster not because of her acting skill but due to creating good connection with Richard himself.

Finally finishing all the preparation the film sixth sense started shooting on 10th November 1983.

The Film is about young boy named Cole Sear who is haunted by a dark secret: he is visited by ghosts. Cole is frightened by visitations from those with unresolved problems who appear from the shadows. He is too afraid to tell anyone about his anguish, except child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe. With Crowe's help one day Cole finally talks to one of the ghosts, a very sick girl who appears in his bedroom. He finds out where the girl, Kyra Collins died due to poisoning. He helps her.

Later Cole confesses his secret to his mother, Lynn . Although his mother at first does not believe him, Cole soon tells Lynn tells about case of his grandma and the answer to the question Lynn asked at the grave, Lynn tearfully accepts this as the truth.

Mean while finally understanding the case of his ex-patient, Crowe went home only to discover he had been dead the whole time prompting him to tell his sleeping wife that he love her. Releasing her to move on with her own life, he is free to leave behind the world of the living.

Richard might became popular as both a screenwriter and actor after the success of E.T and gaining a Oscar stabilized it. But to have it farther cemented he needs a story driven film with a important child character resulting him to choose the film Sixth Sense.

There is no big scene in this movie. Strictly speaking, it is a scene between three or four people. The boy and the doctor, the boy and the mother, the doctor and the wife, and Francis Coppola also grasped the theme very well. Thriller is just a coat, communication and family affection are what the movie really wants to express.

Although under the strict requirements of Francis Coppola, the shooting speed is not fast, but it is also not slow, especially as time goes on, whether it is Al Pacino, Jodie Foster or Diane Lane as their character transition sate got better.

As for Richard , he has to face quite few problems, the role Cole is unique and entering the character is quite hard. Although he is getting better, but he feels like he entered a bottleneck.

The problem soon showed his fang.

The shot below is one of the most important shots in this movie. Its the scene where Cole overcomes his fear and talk with a young girl ghost.

After taking care of his mother Cole started going to his room, Suddenly he heard noise in the corridor, being a scared ran for the red tent again, but hearing the clips that's holding the tent falling he focused light at it.

But instead of falling on the clip he saw a girl vomiting. Seeing this Cole was so scared that he frantically dashed behind couch braking the tent in the process.

Cole remembering Cowre's advice he hardens his face with determination and goes back towards red sheet.

When reaches their his hand stops for a moment before Cole pulls the sheet with a force. Meeting face to face with little ghost.

"I am feeling better now" the ghost says braking the sincere.

"Ca..can..can I help you with something." said Cole staring fast but steady at the end.

"Cut"

Everyone looked at Francis who was frowning at screen.

"Again..."