Chapter 40 Special Plan

The shooting resumed, with faint sounds of explosions in the background.

"Robert, is there a company in Los Angeles that provides professional audience services?" Ruo Nan asked.

Robert looked puzzled. "Professional audience?"

"Probably for variety shows or musical programs that are live-streamed, where we need audiences who are visually expressive and good at conveying emotions," Ruo Nan explained roughly from memory. "These audiences know when to cry and when to laugh, which enhances the emotional impact of the program."

"Can we do that?" Mary looked surprised.

Robert pondered for a moment and then shook his head. "There probably isn't a company specializing in that kind of business."

Ruo Nan nodded lightly. Such audiences emerged with talent shows and would likely take a few more years to appear.

"Do you want to pursue this business?" Mary reminded, "Film industry practitioners shouldn't get involved in agency businesses."

"I know," Ruo Nan smiled. "Here, walking a fine line is one thing, outright violation is another." He then turned to Robert and said, "When the film enters post-production, find some fresh faces, preferably fans with some acting experience. The numbers don't need to be large, a dozen or so will suffice. Split them up, with no more than two in each group. I'll give you a plan later for training them, and I'll need them later on."

"That's easy to find," Robert said confidently. "Many community theaters have amateur performers."

"Be sharp and discreet, and they should be strapped for cash," Ruo Nan instructed. "I understand," Robert affirmed.

With the shooting now in its mid-to-late stages and no particularly complex processing involved, Ruo Nan had also advised James Huang to accomplish what could be done during filming rather than pushing everything to post-production.

Preparation for film distribution was essential.

Regardless of the circumstances, this film had to enter theaters, and then, build on that to secure more benefits.

Otherwise, it would be hard to justify to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

It was better to avoid trouble as much as possible. The Arabians were wealthy, and he was in need of funds.

Compared to other aspects, film distribution was quite uncertain because distribution companies might not necessarily be interested in this film.

To be honest, with this small production, the initiative in distribution was not in his hands at all.

Even getting a distribution company to release this film on a large scale would be considered a significant achievement.

沙海娱乐 lacked distribution capability, and establishing distribution channels was not something that could be achieved immediately; it required time and financial investment.

To expand Sand Sea Entertainment, independent distribution was a necessary condition, at least in North America.

But that was something for the future, not now.

Ruo Nan's ideal plan was to find a suitable distributor for the film after production and at least secure a distribution intention.

If that didn't go smoothly, they would have to participate in independent film festivals.

In that case, they would probably have to sell the distribution rights.

In this era, distribution was mostly controlled by the six major companies and their subsidiaries.

Some medium-sized distribution companies appeared independent but were actually subsidiaries of the big six.

Dialogue with the big six was not easy; they were not on the same level, and if the gap was too large, distribution terms would become an issue.

Unfortunately, the Internet and computer industries were not yet developed and widespread enough.

The emergence of new media could effectively challenge the monopoly of established powers.

Ruo Nan and Robert discussed the new plan and Robert left the nanny car first.

Ruo Nan turned off the air conditioner, asking Mary, "How did the thing I mentioned to you last time go?"

"What thing?" Mary looked puzzled.

Ruo Nan reminded her, "San Fernando Valley."

Mary suddenly realized and said, "Didn't find anyone. None of my friends know anyone in that industry." She shrugged. "I couldn't get it done. You should think of another way."

"Alright," Ruo Nan knew better than to force the issue.

Mary opened the car door. "I'm leaving."

Ruo Nan waved his hand. After Mary got out of the car, he followed suit. The crew was still shooting the gunfight scene, making a lot of noise.

He stood by the car, looking around. This was a typical American suburban neighborhood, or one could say, small villas. Before the crew of "The Human Purge" came, there were often professional crews here, but they were all shooting authentic romance films.

As lunchtime approached, the set temporarily quieted down for a meal break, and the O'Neill Street area finally became quiet.

During lunch, James Huang and Ruo Nan sat at the same table.

"As the shooting progresses, I think we should have more scenes depicting Purge Day," James Huang, a responsible director, said seriously. "Without adequate portrayal of Purge Day or if it just flashes by in the film, this nationwide frenzy lacks enough persuasiveness."

Ruo Nan took a sip of water and asked, "What's your opinion?"

This was a normal exchange between a producer and a director, without much beating around the bush.

James Huang used a question. "Should we increase more action and slaughter scenes?"

Ruo Nan didn't immediately respond. This was a normal way to handle it, but action scenes were costly and would impact the already limited budget, and increase the film's length.

James Huang opened his mouth, then swallowed his words. The situation of the crew was apparent. Increasing scenes also meant increasing investment, and it seemed the budget of the crew wasn't very high...

Of course, a director could demand additional investment, but he had other projects with Sand Sea Entertainment, especially the more important "Death Is Coming." It wouldn't be beneficial if the relationship soured.

Ruo Nan frowned and pondered for a moment before recalling films he had seen before. He slowly said, "What do you think of this? The protagonist's family has a television, and there are surveillance cameras outside the house. Through the TV screen, we can broadcast the situation of Purge Day across the country. Then, use surveillance footage to show the chaos in the neighborhood..."

Hearing this, James Huang pushed his glasses upward forcefully. "Yes! Why didn't I think of that? It's a great idea."

Some words he didn't say, but he was very clear in his mind that this seemingly young producer had come up with a way that was not only cost-effective but also capable of depicting the national background.

The clarity of the TV screen didn't need to be too high; it could be shot with almost the same long-shot camera angle, which would hardly cost much.

Moreover, presenting it in the form of a television news broadcast in the film would be more convincing.

No wonder he could convince Arabian oil tycoons to invest. He was indeed a capable individual.

"Also, James, I might have overlooked a question before," Ruo Nan continued, "Could we enhance the role of the black man rescued by the protagonist's family for commercial reasons?"

James Huang wasn't foolish and immediately understood. "For commercial reasons?"

Ruo Nan nodded slightly. "Yes."

After lunch, Ruo Nan took another look at the filming and prepared to return to Los Angeles. Before getting into the car, his phone rang. He pulled it out and saw an incoming call from abroad.

"From abroad? Could it be Carmen Case?" Both of them were busy with work, so their communication wasn't frequent, just a few text messages per week and rare phone calls.

Ruo Nan answered the call, but it was a voice of a unfamiliar woman on the other end.

"Is this Ruo Nan?" The voice sounded like it belonged to someone not young anymore. "I'm Helen."

Ruo Nan responded, "Yes, this is Ruo Nan." Then he remembered who the caller was and greeted her, "Hello, Aunt Helen."

"I heard you've been having a lot of trouble in Los Angeles lately. Do you want to come to Germany to help me? I'm planning to open a butcher shop in Berlin..."

Ruo Nan replied, "I've already sorted out the trouble." He selectively described his current situation, "But if I can't make it in Los Angeles, I'll definitely come to Germany to rely on you."

They chatted for a while about the deceased Mr. and Mrs. Anderson before hanging up.

Ruo Nan specifically saved this call. Germany...

This Aunt Helen was a relative of Mrs. Anderson. In transpacific terms, she hadn't crossed five clothes, but she held German citizenship.

Similar situations were common in the United States, a nation of immigrants.

The previous German plan that had fooled Saleh, the so-called relationship of the Anderson family in Germany, actually referred to this Helen Koch.

However, she had nothing to do with the film industry; she was in the meat business.

In short, she was just a butcher shop owner.

After returning to Los Angeles, Ruo Nan spent a few days designing the plan and then handed it over to Robert so that he could recruit people and have enough time for preparation.