Chapter 5: Finishing the Lion King
October 9, 2001
It took 15 days to finish all the drawings in pages and writing the conversations between all the characters. Even though it lacked vividness in the drawing but it looked awesome nonetheless.
At night when John's father came back from work John took the whole bunch of drawings to Jameson to evaluate.
Even though John knew his work was near perfect to the story of Lion King of his previous life he was scared. Scared for the fact that he wouldn't be able to convince his father.
"This is astonishing! John, you really surprised me! At first I was proud of your arts and your diligence. And now I am in awe with your work and creativity." Jameson praised him without holding back after going through the whole set. John became shy as he knew there is nothing creative he did as all his works are by riding the shoulders of his predecessors.
"So Dad can you help me make an animation movie out of it?" John asked him with eagerness.. As all his work and his future depends at that moment.
"Sure! Why not? This work is fantastic. And I have a hunch this will generate great money." Jameson said with sparkles in his yes. Even though Jameson had enough money nobody would say no to some more money.
"Dad before everything starts I would like to meet the director of the movie. You can be one of the producers too. You can keep the money for later uses as I have other needs for the money." John said.
"Sure! But do you have other ideas such as this?" Jameson asked with some suspicion.
"Dad I have so many ideas and things to do but it will take time to bring all these ideas into reality. This world is more colorful and dangerous than you think." John said to his father with a hint of a smile in his face. Even though Jameson isn't really his father in a sense but he could feel his father's love for him in the past few days.
"Kid, just because you just drew a story don't think you can ride my head. I know more about the world than you." Jameson said with some mock anger on his face.
John shrugged his shoulders refusing to argue on this topic as he himself knew that 18 years of mental age doesn't really count to anything in this vast world.
October 14, 2001
It was a nice Sunday evening when John and Jameson walked into their scheduled meeting with the director. Jameson decided to tag along to oversee the meeting too, he trusted his son but he was still a kid. A bit nervous at first, when the clock pointed 6 pm they finally headed in to get things started.
"This is the original drawing for the animated movie and I would like if the animation would be realistic and please pay proper attention to the emotions to be involved in the whole story." John said to the director.
"Don't worry John and Mr. Jameson! We are professionals and we will give our full effort in this project." Rob, the director, said excitedly. At first when he heard that Mr. Jameson, a media tycoon is looking for directors to shoot an animated movie he jumped on the bandwagon immediately. He used various channels to have a meeting with Mr. Jameson and the time was decided today.
What surprised him was the fact that the story has already been decided and it was created by Mr. Jameson's 11 years old son. He was very downhearted on his way to the home of Jameson and was making up excuses in head to reject this project later.
But after reading the whole plot and the seeing the drawing he changed his mind immediately. He saw a huge potential in the storyline.
"Mr. Rob I have another blatant request. I hope you will accept it." John added.
"Huh! John you want anything more to the story?" Jameson was skeptical and hoped that adding more would not ruin the story.
"Don't worry dad. It's nothing bad. I just composed songs related to the movie and I am confident that it will add more to the story." John said with a smile.
"You can compose songs too? When did you learn that? Kid, what more secrets are you hiding from me? Spill it out." Jameson asked him with raised eyebrows.
John just replied with a smile. Rob on the other hand was little worried because he felt John was too small to compose music. John could see the director's worry so he said hurriedly, "Don't worry Mr. Rob I will just give the lyrics and add my ideas for the song. I won't be hampering on the movie's original work."
Rob was grateful for this and after discussing all the ins and outs of the matter, left late at night. The production process was set to start and it was going to take time to finish the whole movie.