hollywood system: art

The film was undeniably a masterpiece, directed and starred in by Roberto Benigni. The man was an Italian icon with a well-established career. He's talented and, though it may not seem like it, quite the ladies' man. The movie is based on true events, inspired by the experiences of Romeo Salmonì, a Holocaust survivor who shared his story with Benigni. Initially, they intended to cast Nicoletta Braschi as the actress since she's the director's wife. However, Mixamax suggested they preferred Monica Bellucci, feeling that the allure of a conquest like hers was more intriguing. The untouchable aspect of Monica is palpable.

For the role, the woman would travel the world even now, cutting her hair a bit for the concentration camp scenes; the new look is the shortcut, or it will be very soon.

-You've been busy, and I understand,- Monica remarked, downplaying Billy's two-day absence. It made sense that he'd miss things; he was the type to get engrossed in his work, losing sight of everything around him. She wasn't surprised to say that even with her at home, he sometimes forgot mundane tasks like picking up the mail, calling his parents, doctor's appointments, and other activities she handled whenever she could.

-I'm afraid so,- Billy commented, scraping his pen across the blank paper. He'd finished the sketches for Mortal Engines, a magical book filled with great drawings, and had completed the first two installments out of six. He was moving in circles, his phone wedged between his shoulder and ear.

Delivered and published in the coming years, he planned to write the third and fourth volumes in the next few days, as he was ahead with the Real comic. Most likely, it was the right thing to do, ensuring each one was its own masterpiece.

-Everything's been fine. I'll be traveling to Italy next weekend, and I hope you'll be by my side. If there's any issue, no matter what, call Jim or me. There are no small matters when it comes to you,- Billy said.

-Thank you,- she sighed. -Everything's going well; we're in the early stages. We film for three to five hours a day, going slowly, and each take is full of life. The difference between filming here and there – you all are a bit obsessive about the work. I can see now that it wasn't just my imagination. I want you to rest for a few days, at least, and I hope you'll take my advice,- Monica added.

Relaxing, she felt the desire to see Billy. All that youthful vitality of his was now poured into his work and their new relationship, which, for her, required a lot of nurturing.

-We'll be traveling, with Anne coming along. She's been very stressed with the team expansions and might be planning to organize a tennis cup in San Jose, a tournament of some significance. She's working with organizations to include it in the ATP circuit,- Billy commented.

-Tennis? I'd love to see some of that; it sounds interesting,- Monica remarked.

-It's not soccer, but I think in the United States, soccer hasn't managed to capture the interest of the elite; young kids prefer to dedicate themselves to the many sports available here,- Billy responded.

-Buy an Italian team – Genoa would be fantastic, - Monica suggested.

-For now, Europe isn't in my plans, at least not in the next few years… But if I buy an Italian team, Genoa will be my first choice. It's a promise, as long as I can afford it. I've realized that sometimes attachments are greater than my pockets, - Billy replied.

-My love, for you, there are no excuses. You're Billy Carson. I'm a bit thrilled about you coming; I miss having you warm my bed and love my body. It's been weeks where I've felt a bit out of place with all your obligations, - Monica said, completely absorbed. She'd longed to feel his arms around her. The love she felt for Billy was utterly perfect, one that hit the mark with just the foam of intimacy, together under the moon as their witness.

Billy understood that, for Monica, a couple of times wasn't a business. She always said that love should be shown through small gestures. Company is one of the important ones – special dates, birthdays, moments of sadness, happiness, and other things that burden people.

-On the weekend, I won't be working, I promise, - Billy said, reflecting on how he wouldn't have to overdraw in the coming days. He was well ahead with several novels that would be postponed for his next drawings, like One Piece, which was reaching the end of the East Blue saga, in chapter 129. Billy had expanded the saga, showing various battles involving all the Whitebeard Pirates, and the Beast Pirates, along with panels of Kid and Trafalgar Law fighting against other defeated pirates.

He expanded Zoro's story as a bounty hunter, almost dedicating an entire chapter to it, and gave more attention to other characters who hadn't had it, such as Nami's sister, Nojiko, and Nami's rival, Carina. He added more Marines to the equation, reshaping the One Piece world entirely, beyond just what had been shown, pushing the story to its fullest with many characters.

For now, he'd be launching some spin-offs with parallel stories, episodes that could be called filler, especially for the fans. There were three episodes on the Shichibukai and their backstories, which helped weave a larger narrative. Similarly, there were three episodes on Ace and three separate ones on Akainu (Red Dog).

-Yes. It's a promise, - Monica said, smiling at his now stony face.

***

Steven Spielberg glanced at the numbers coming into his bank account – five million dollars, six zeroes after the five – and nodded with a smile. The money had arrived sooner than expected, very quickly. He saw Billy talking on the phone in the distance and was again surprised by the success of Star Wars, which grossed 298 million worldwide at the box office in its second weekend and 217 million in North America, having broken even long ago.

-Sorry for the delay, - the young man commented to the elder, who gave him a slight smile, little more than a grimace. They were both in DreamWorks' designated offices.

-It's no inconvenience, - Steven replied.

-Now, let's talk about the important stuff… what's the film you're ready to make as DreamWorks' first production? I understand the partnership with HBO wasn't as profitable as we initially thought, despite breaking even with the paid subscriptions, - Billy said.

-There are three projects, - replied the famous director, sending him the scripts. The first was Amistad, done in partnership with HBO Films, premiering only in the United States as part of HBO's lineup. Directed by him and financed by Steven with his funds.

The second was Mouse Hunt, a tough one to crack, directed by Gore Verbinski, with an investment of 35 million dollars; The Peacemaker, with a 40-million-dollar investment, produced by Mimi Leder; and finally, Deep Impact, again directed by Mimi Leder, financed by DreamWorks at 70 million dollars.

Billy reviewed the sheets and found nothing different or unexpected from the teachings he'd received from Arnon Milchan.

-Are we going to invest in and distribute these films? - Billy asked.

Steven nodded, explaining that depending on their funds, they could gain a larger or smaller percentage and that other studios would handle the films for them while they awaited reinvestment.

-If you can distribute those films at a reasonable price, it'd help bring in more money for DreamWorks' bigger projects or enable us to invest in various other projects, - Steven commented, picking up his glasses as he sipped his coffee. Everything was said and done, and there lay three projects. He had invested 90 million, and Steven 90 million. They had enough for all the films, and as long as they broke even, it didn't matter; the company was already functioning well and would allow other significant projects to come.

-You know how I handle it. I can't go any lower, or distributors will jump on me, or the exhibitors themselves will raise their prices. It's different when the films are mine because I can argue that everything I do is for me and by me, but when there are many involved, the minimum is 35%, - Billy replied, explaining that as a company, he could distribute nine to ten films a year. That was the maximum capacity in terms of both space and staff. Counting Anaconda, Donnie Brasco, and three animated films, distributing four more films wasn't bad.

-No problem; that's good enough for me. What are you willing to invest on your own, and what will you leave to the company? - Steven asked.

-All in on Mouse Hunt, - Billy replied thoughtfully. -Half of Deep Impact. -

Steven's eyes sparkled as he nodded, while Billy ran calculations of potential earnings and losses. But that didn't matter now; the rest would be covered by company funds. The opportunities were alive and in the air.

-I knew you would! - Steven said. The relationship between Warner and Billy was cold, with yards of reproach between companies.

-Don't blame me; I'll call Jim to negotiate the contracts. You know those movies are perfect for the children's channel, - Billy said.

...