America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

New York, known as the largest open-air set in the world, is the first city to be fancifully destroyed by Hollywood movies.

The crew chose to shoot here rather than on location in Boston because New York promised a high amount of tax incentives.

In the face of huge commercial interests, even a director of Martin Scorsese's stature still had to compromise.

In a studio located at the junction of Brooklyn and Queens, the crew began filming.

Inside the phone booth set up on the outer wall of the sound stage, Martin rapidly delivered his lines while holding the phone.

The sound technician crouched outside, securing the boom microphone and trying to lower his body as much as possible.

The director of photography, Michael, operated the camera, slowly sliding along the track that encircled the phone booth.

"Cut!" Director Scorsese yelled stop.

Martin put down the phone and turned around.

Scorsese, with a wireless headset around his neck, strode over and spoke directly, "The tone is not right, the emotion is okay, but I think you can do better."

This was Martin's first scene, and he hadn't fully gotten into the groove yet, he said, "May I try again?"

Scorsese reminded him, "Remember the relationship between Colin and Frank, Colin has been indoctrinated with his set of values since he was 12, Frank is essentially his father, and a very strict one at that."

Martin listened intently, putting forth his utmost professionalism.

Scorsese added, "At this point in time, Colin wants to break away from Frank, but he still lacks the courage and practical action."

Martin nodded repeatedly, "I understand."

The photography crew returned to their positions, and the shooting began again.

Martin returned to the phone booth, picked up the phone and dialed, performing this monologue.

His tone was sincere, without a hint of hesitation, but his demeanor appeared somewhat helpless and annoyed, fed up with the repeated coercion from the other end of the line.

"Stop! Well done!" Scorsese loudly encouraged Martin, "Bring out all the emotion and state, you can break through the limits, let's do it one more time!"

Returning to his forte of gangster movies, this renowned director had high standards for every aspect, especially the acting performance.

Amidst Scorsese's praise, the shot was taken three more times, with Martin performing better each time.

By the time the director finally called it good, Martin was even panting heavily.

While the dual-faced character was second nature to him, truly bringing it to life on camera was not an easy task.

Scorsese approached him and said directly, "The first time I worked with Robert De Niro on 'Mean Streets', he was not as outstanding as you."

Whether that was an encouragement or the truth, Martin felt very confident at that moment, "Director, you will find that choosing me was definitely not a mistake, but one of the most correct decisions you've made in the production of this movie."

Scorsese nodded, "I look forward to seeing your performance." He gestured with his hand, "Take a five-minute break, then we'll shoot the next scene."

Martin did not leave the set, going over to the next scene's location to familiarize himself with the movements and lines.

All this was noticed by Scorsese, and although he said nothing, he felt affirmed in his choice of Martin.

Not far from there, on the beach, Warner Bros.' project executive Daniel was sitting under a sun umbrella with the film's producer Graham King, drinking coffee.

The latter added sugar to his coffee cup and asked, "I've heard the schedule is set?"

Daniel replied, "Next September, during the Toronto Film Festival for the North American premiere." He took a sip of coffee, "The investment in the film is high, and there is great pressure for the box office to break even, we will need to think of some strategies for promotion."

Graham, however, said, "Leonardo and Scorsese's appeal is sufficient. Even if box office doesn't break even, the subsequent DVD and television rights market will allow us to profit easily."

Daniel remarked, "No one doubts their drawing power."

Graham continued, "Jack has aged, yet he still has a large number of old fans supporting him, and Matt Damon is not bad either."

Daniel reminded, "Don't forget, there's also Martin Davis."

"Look at me, I almost forgot about this newcomer," Graham questioned, "I remember he has been working exclusively with Warner Bros., how's his record?"

Daniel simply said, "His best performance was in 'The Hills Have Eyes'. After the Burbank Middle School incident, it was re-released and the North American box office finally hit 115 million US dollars, with overseas screenings nearly over, and the global box office at 207 million US dollars."

Even for a seasoned producer like Graham, such box office numbers were impressive: "A hit, indeed!"

Daniel smiled, "The North American DVD sales have reached 50 million US dollars. Martin is the absolute lead; he and the movie achieved mutual success. 'The Hills Have Eyes' popularity even carried over to another movie, 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants'.

Originally, Warner had a North American box office expectation of around 40 million US dollars, but now the cumulative box office is 72 million US dollars. Much of that extra is thanks to Martin."

Graham said, "He's actually a treasure of a boy."

"Isn't that the truth?" Daniel said, "Martin's newly shot 'Wanted Order', just finished its rough cut, do you know our internal estimates?"

Graham was surprised, "A rough cut is hard to tell the quality of the film."

But Daniel shook his head and said, "As long as the film's quality isn't particularly bad, with Martin's clout, plus Angelina Jolie, North America making over a hundred million shouldn't be difficult."

Graham asked, "Does Warner Bros. have that much confidence in him?"

Daniel pointed out a key fact, "He's not just excellent in acting he always has unexpected moves in promotion and marketing. The wax museum and 'The Hills Have Eyes' unconventional marketing, they all originated from his ideas. 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' even directly benefitted from the Burbank Middle School incident.

I believe in Martin's ability to stir things up; he's already proven it three times over."

He downed the lukewarm coffee in one gulp, "I think, in the promotion and marketing of this film, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson all fall behind, putting Martin just after Leonardo in the cast."

Graham mentioned, "Matt's drawing power..."

Daniel reminded, "He has too small a part."

The two seemed to be having an idle chat but agreed on the approach to promotion and marketing.

Filming continued until eleven-thirty when the crew broke for lunch at the catering truck.

Martin had his own private trailer where he dined with Bruce.

As Bruce ate, he said, "I just found out, Matt Damon is coming to New York next week." He recalled something important, "Mene is also coming over next week he's put a lot of effort into Ellen, and it's pretty much certain that among those who've been in and out with Jack Nicholson over the years, only Meryl Streep is the one."

Martin winced, "An Oscar-winning actress."

But Bruce was on a different track, "Remember Meryl has been married for quite some time, occasionally showing off her role as a wise and virtuous wife. She's so wild in private I now completely agree with your saying that marriage is a Hollywood man's nightmare."

After pondering for a while, Martin said, "As far as I know, Meryl Streep has quite a relationship with Harvey Weinstein."

Bruce didn't bother with the gossip, "That's not surprising then. Sophia had conflicts with Harvey. Given his capabilities, it's not hard for him to find out she has ties with you."

Martin added, "I have refused Weinstein's invitations before. He wanted to use that invitation to disrupt my auditions for this film, probably for Damon's sake."

"Congratulations to you — no, to us," Bruce realized the high stakes, "Enemies are everywhere."

Martin was nonchalant, pinching five centimeters with two fingers but then reduced it to one, "There's just this little chance, how could we get it without fighting for it? Might as well go back to Atlanta and be a dancer."

Bruce warned the mischief-maker, "Make peace with those you have no feud with, as soon as possible."

Martin nodded, "The ones with the most parts in this crew are Leonardo, Jack, and me." He picked up an apple, tossing it in his hand, "This afternoon Leonardo will join the shooting, I'll have to ask him about the Victoria's Secret Angels he promised."

Out of curiosity and to learn, Bruce asked, "Have you thought of a theme for the party?"

Martin laughed, "I can come up with a hundred on the spot."

At two in the afternoon, Leonardo and Jack Nicholson appeared on the set one after another.

The three took turns filming.

Compared to Martin, who got into the groove that morning, and the naturally talented Nicholson, it was Leonardo who had the most NGs.
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The fame and status of an actor aren't really related to how good their acting skills are.

During a break in filming, Nicholson found Scorsese, and pointing towards Martin, he said, "The kid's got talent, just a notch below me in my prime."

Scorsese didn't spare his old pal any face, "At his age, you didn't have this good of acting."

At the other resting spot, Martin approached Leonardo, "Leo, we've been in New York for two days now, where are the Victoria's Secret Angels you talked about?"

Leonardo said, "News of my arrival in New York needs a bit of time to spread." He was quite confident, "If all goes well, I should get a call by this afternoon."

He asked Martin, "Did you work out the theme?"

Martin nodded, then asked, "Yacht or villa?"

Leonardo said, "Let's take the yacht out to sea. It'll keep away those boring paparazzi and entertainment reporters."

As they were talking, Jack Nicholson walked over, "Aren't you guys forgetting something?"

Leonardo asked Martin, "What's your opinion?"

"As long as there are enough beautiful women, I don't mind bringing along this old rascal," Martin said, going by how the other man had behaved during their last encounter, "Old Jack, you have to listen to me when it comes to setting a theme for the party."

Nicholson smirked, "All the fun stuff, we played with it in our time. I want to see what new tricks you've got."

Just then, an assistant came over to Leonardo, "Ms. Naomi's on the phone, asking you to have dinner together tonight."

Leonardo replied, "Tell her to bring more people along, say that I'm going with America's hero Martin Davis."

Nicholson hurried him, poking Leonardo in the rib.

Leonardo added, "And an old rascal named Jack Nicholson."