Keys I

"Well, aren't filming employees progressively getting higher and higher wages after every film they take part in becomes successful?!" Alexander reasoned without much hesitation. "Why not just constantly replace whoever is not too important and restart the payment fee?!"

Mark did not whether to laugh or cry at his son's overly capitalistic thinking. This was one thing that he did not agree with. It is already an exaggeration if such a method could even be used.

It is said that no one in Hollywood is irreplaceable due to the talents being attracted but a solid and stable team is a must.

"Okay okay, wise guy! I could agree on one thing but not the other." Mark shrugged off the constant replacement strategy and opted to find options of his own.

It was a good thing that he forged bonds with those he trusted and those who wanted to leave were just newcomers that were dissatisfied with the production company's lack of projects.

Alexander did not insist much but his next goal was cemented on his thoughts: To prove that his proposed strategy has feasibility to it.

What better way to prove its truth than with pure and undeniable evidence?

"Okay, let's shrug off those troubles for now and talk about what suggestions Alexander got from reading filmmaking books!" Sullivan chimed in as he focused back on his food while the filming experts continue to talk jargon.

Mark looked forward to what the self-proclaimed genius had to offer with regard to this topic. 'Possibly Solvable Limitations' would not have been written on that questions page if it did not mean anything!

"Alexander, mind telling dad what tentative solutions you came up with for those questions you posed? You said it can help fix my... uhm... failing filming methods, after all!"

"I don't know if it could be made but aren't advanced filming techniques and filming equipment needed to mesmerize the audience?" Alexander iterated this with seriousness as he waved his empty spoon around as a teaching stick.

"Movies are a work of fiction itself and incredibly esoteric stories about vampires, aliens, and magic needed proper medium and technology to fully showcase their grandeur on the big screen!" The young boy experienced a life in which flying people and superpowered heroes became extremely redundant in the entertainment industry.

He was also taken by his father to the cinemas of this era and could point out the embarrassing gap between the fields of visual effects.

There are notable movies with outstanding special effects but there are too many subpar ones that made the 70s to 80s an embarrassing period.

If the challenging gap could be overcome, his father and grandfather would have a fighting chance against established industry giants. Movies at the level of VFX meticulousness as the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be epoch-pioneering films in the bleak 70s.

"Superfiction-worthy films need a few key components. Each key is already present but collecting and improving them would be quite the task. " Alexander seriously warned his attentive father. This would also be a probe to know what their practical means are. "I don't want you and grandpa to have a hard time trying to procure those necessary parts."

"Sounds like a challenge but I am up for it!" The sidelined Sullivan raised his brows in confidence. "It is already quite shameful knowing that my own grandson has no confidence in me and his father!"

"It's not like that grandpa! It's just that those books I've read all say that they are spread all over the place and the important components may be exclusive to concerning parties." The little boy reacted to his grandfather's act of pettiness, however, it eased his worries concerning their deep-rooted connections in high society.

He wasn't Other Joe, after all, a poor bloke in a rich century. Alexander had a rich heritage which makes it possible for him to have stuff that Other Joe would find impossible.

Ultimately, he was the rich brat in a poor but developing century. Opportunities were everywhere for him if he knew where to find them.

"No need for more suspense, Alexander! Out with it already!" Mark was in anxiety about his son's topic shifting that he couldn't help but urge him to continue.

Alexander was not one to disappoint and he counted it out with his tiny hand. "First is underappreciated green screen technology. The second is film strip technology. Third would be practical effects and the fourth one would be computer technologies!"

"Computers are a wild card and low on the priority list but the first three are important with regards to making the fictional into reality... in terms of movies, of course!"

Four fingers were raised but Mark was inwardly disappointed as his son's suggestion failed to live up to his expectation.

It was already crazy of him to pin his hopes on his four-year-old child. No matter how mature and intelligent he may seem, he was still an easily inspired child.

The things that Alexander listed were widely circulated in the industry as staples to achieving film illusion and Mark doubted that it would work as intended. Although he was trying hard not to outwardly show it, his now perceptive son could probably read his mood.

The boy was not too surprised by the lackluster response. The four things he mentioned were too formulaic and far from being pioneering and grand ephiphanies

However, his tiny hand only had four fingers deployed... there was still the thumb!

"Last on the list is not material like the others but it is the most important of all..." Alexander delayed for showmanship points and inspiringly said. "... it is the filmmakers' meticulousness and an adventurous spirit!"

"Haha! Hear hear!" Sullivan cheered for his grandson's shenanigans whilst directing his reprimanding look toward his son. If Alex could read his mood, then so can he. "Mark, I already declared that we are up for the challenge. Are you trying to embarrass me by being quick to mope?"

"The little boy asked for spirit and your attitude is too unbecoming of one!"

Mark jolted himself awake with his father's scrutinizing words and realized that his thoughts were way out of line.

His son was going out of his way to help his endeavors and here he was putting the boy's efforts down the drain just because he judged that it wouldn't work.

"Sorry, Alex! Your dad is a jerk, isn't he?" Mark shamefully said to his son as he realized that his actions could have led to disastrous consequences. Thankfully for him, his son was known for being the most sensible and was mature enough to understand and forgive.

"It's alright, dad! I already expected you to be judgy!" Alexander just shrugged at his father's emotional outbursts. The man must still be coping with the fact that his four-year-old son is suggesting crazy ideas to old men like them.