My Hollywood System - Chapter 209
Jay Linchon and Arnold Rival were in Arnold’s car—discussing the event that ensued at the convention.
“I believe the Expo went better than we expected! There’s already more than 300k pre-booking. And it hasn’t even been a few hours, I feel like we literally hit a jackpot this time. To think about the reactions, I have never seen such faces before. The way they appreciated it was like more… more than anything I’ve ever seen,” Arnold said with excitement and surprise clear in his face.
Jay nodded and said that, “The prospect of playing as a gangster and taking over a city is pretty attractive to most people, and I’m sure it’s the story line which attracted most of the people! It’s like…. The entire story is something that they would never dream to have in a game. Especially with ultra realistic graphics–”
Arnold’s face was looking concerned and happy with what Jay was talking about.
” —even the types of missions that Will suggested to add! You know, I really think that everything together would get the game to another level, I’m not saying this by my personal experience, but solely based on how those people watched the game and looked at us while we were on stage. Truly something—truly something.”
Arnold nodded agreeing to what Jay was talking about. In his mind, he had thought of the exact things that made him realise a shit ton of things within one night.
Among all of them, one was, “I truly feel like Will would stay true to his promise.”
“Huh- what are you talking about? What promise?” Jay questioned back.
“Ah, you’re not aware? Well, Will had told me after a month of the game’s release, all the car companies would contact us, asking to be a part of the game, and Will was confident while he was saying those words. In fact, I really never had seen someone talk with such confidence. While I first met Will and the way he talked, it was granted that he was truly something…. But this promise literally gave me goosebumps everywhere considering how he highlighted— EVERY. CAR. COMPANY.”
***
Amanda’s office, Dream Vision, Santa Monica, California.
On the Sunny morning, inside the air conditioned office room, Will and Amanda were in a discussion.
“You literally created a great way for the movie promotion. And to think that people actually bought it—that’s fresh and something which would turn the marketing sides of movies. Because once we did it and brought and showed the fame, we could expect some more movie trailer releases at the next year’s Super Bowl,” Amanda said.
Will muttered a ‘hmm’ listening to what she was saying.
“There were hundred thousand people present on the Super Bowl during our promotion–”
“At the same time more than 100 million people watched the trailer, and the buzz for [Spiderman] is going up like no other movie.” Will said and took a sip from his tea. Amanda nodded at his words. “And from what I think, just the pre-booking at the rate would fetch us more than 40-50 million if it continued like this. And I’m pretty sure it would,” Will said, completing what Amanda was about to say.
“Exactly. And the opening weekend could go for more than 200 million. unpopular opinion, Super Bowl should thank you because as I said, other studios, mainly the big studios, will surely use their event from next time, and for them, it’s like free money,” Amanda said.
“Yeah, you’re right. And the Super Bowl is going to give us the edge over theirs thanks to the partnership. And as for the opening weekend, the fight is with the [Darklow Wizards],” Will said with a frown. A bitter taste left on his lips even at the mention of [Darklow Wizards].
[Darklow Wizards] was the newest movie that was supposed to be released and was produced by Allen Studios. [Spiderman]’s release day was confirmed to be on 3rd March, 2013. And the movie [Darklow Wizards] had the same releasing date, coincidentally yet competitively.
The movie by Allen Studio was announced to be a magical fantasy. It was made with a budget right over 100 million dollars. And when talking about budgets, [Spiderman] and [Darklow Wizards] were very big budget movies. Which in fact means that the clash which was about to happen would literally be ‘historic’.
“Ah yes, that one…” Amanda said with equal annoyance.
“Allen Pictures are not in the state of mind to let us be. And I’m pretty sure the marketing side would be pretty wide based considering how they are ready to attack us with all their might,” Will said and took a sip from his tea again. It felt like the tea was soothing him inside his body, yet his mind was still in a battle.
Amanda raised an eyebrow hearing Wills’s words. “If you’re not confident–”
“I’m confident.” Will cutted her short. “It’s just pretty interesting. I want to know what Ashton would come up with. The thought itself kills my boredom,”
Amanda chuckled at that.
“Yeah well, I can understand when you put it like that. And I wanted to talk about the development of Netflix. Also, I think it’d be better if we start with increasing the salaries of the [Friends] cast. Since it just keeps growing, I think it’s time for the increment. And with Netflix….”
–
“These days [Spiderman] is in talks a lot! Have you guys seen the trailer that launched during the Super Bowl?! And I’m sure this was the very first time that anyone has ever taken a glimpse of a trailer during the games! I mean… Trust me it was pretty unexpected even for me too!”
A man who wore a navy blue suit, walked in front of the camera while the audience applauded. It was his entrance. Everyone in the audience applauded seeing the famous talk show host, Owen Reyes.
“How did you all like it?!” The question made the crowd shout things and applaud because of how they liked the trailer.
“Before anything, can I know how many of our people here went to the Super Bowl to watch a game and got to watch the craziest thing ever! There… There…. There…! Look at them! I normally never say this to anyone, but man, y’all are lucky!”
The cheers got louder with his statement considering there were more than half of the people who raised their arms.
“And the thing is…. We found quite interesting clips, which I can basically name as…. caught-on -4k! These people over here!”
The screen behind the host started to show a scene of a bunch of people dropping their food on the floor while watching the trailer. The people behind them laughed loudly which made the audience erupt into laughter.
“Well well well… What a cursed scene?!”
‘Ahahha’ ‘That man though!’ ‘I’m on TV!’
The talks and laughter kept rising and everyone was in a fit of a laughing bubble.
“And now…. I have something special to announce! We have many [Spiderman] fans here… Like many, right?”
‘YESSS!’
“I have a surprise for you—everyone! For that I want a huge warm and a very very welcoming applause for Mr. Howard over here!” Owen said in a loud tone and the screen suddenly shifted from their channel logo to a man who was wearing a suit and had a microphone in his hand.
“Howard, how is it going over there?!” Owen asked.
“It’s going great to be honest, I mean, I can’t come to think of anything that could possibly explain my emotion right now… I’m ON TV!”
The crowd laughed again. The people were confused. What was happening? Is this the surprise? Are we getting pranked? What if the host was pranking like they do to celebrities quite often?
Out of it all… Who is this man on the screen?!
“So, when I say I hear your thoughts, I’m not joking. I’m the messenger and someone who sends all those messages to spiderman! And I heard that… Well, Owens told me that there are a bunch of teenagers who are obsessed with the [Spiderman] trailer after it’s released. Is that true?!”
‘Yes!!’ ‘Not just teenagers, I’m 45!’ ‘Can you tell him that we love him?!’
The people got overly joyed by the shocking reveal he did. The faces looked happy, and smiles were everywhere!
“Alright. You oldies, and kids. My first question is–” He took a card out of nowhere and started reading it. Suddenly, a wind blew the card away making him look back in annoyance. It was a wind that was not visible before, but now even his hair was flying away from his face.
” —Yeah, jokes on you, I have the questions in my mind. So, tell me, what do you like the most about Spiderman?”
Many hands were raised among the crowd and Owen, who sat in front of them in a comfortable blue leather couch, took the mic and said, “Blue t-shirt! Your time to rise and shine!”
“Uh, hello, I’m Kelly. I’m from San Jose. I’m a huge fan of Spiderman, and I started reading the comics as soon as they were out, still can’t wait for more. My favourite thing about Spiderman is how he calls himself, the friendly neighbourhood spiderman. Haha.. Honestly, in the comics, he is known to be a very funny superhero. So…. That is it,” The girl who said sat while everyone around her clapped.
“Ah I see! I see you, I see you! And, what if I said…. Spiderman is here?!”
“Whaaaaat?!”
“No way?!”
“Is it true?”
“Where?”
Suddenly with a drum roll from the musicians, Andrew walked inside the studio with a huge smile.
Andrew waved at the little audience, while the screen behind him went blank. It seemed like the reason why the interviewer was there had ended.
“Andrew! My man!” Owen said and walked over him while hugging him.
“… Phew, wow!” Andrew said, making everyone laugh loudly.
This was a part of the promotions for [Spiderman]. The whole thing was planned, and as far as everyone is concerned, it was going great.
Throughout the show, Andrew had to talk a lot, share about his experiences without giving too much away. The crowd themselves were excited and had millions of questions to ask. Although Andrew didn’t get to answer more than ten questions, the kids who asked the questions got a Spiderman costume and masks.