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Lights... Camera... ACTION!!: A Hollywood Quest

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    • Magoose said:
    Hi Magoose here one of the guys helping Duke.

    So we have some bad news.

    The quest has been canceled as duke does not want to write it anymore.

    I'm going to ask if I can take over for it, because I like this quest, and it would be a shame to kill it
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    TBF, Mags, you have been doing a lot of the heavylifting for the quest, so this will be in good hands. :)

    To be clear to everyone, this is just me burning out on imagination of the quest, since my muse has been hitting me over the head a lot with so many different ideas that I just can't find myself too interested in this.

    I'll still hang out here, though, since this still does have a sepcial place in my heart.

    I'd like to thank you all for making this a wonderful experience while it lasted.

    I'd also like to thank @Magoose, @Fluffy_serpent, and @Martin Noctis for doing so much to help prepare and write this quest. I couldn't have done it without you all. :D

    I'll see you all around.

    With so many regards, Duke William Of.
     
    Last edited:
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    Montage!
  • Apocrypha
    • Montage!

    "Alright Mike, what's all this about?" You asked as you arrived at the studio he'd been summoned. You noticed that you were not the only one though as you could see the different actors who'd been hired for the film there with him; some like Andre were already making the rounds and socializing with his new co-workers. You could see Nicholas speaking with Sydow, both of them clearly already trying to get onto character. And then there was Pfeiffer and Young, both important characters in the film, and both clearly comparing notes as to how they will play them.

    That only left...

    "Great to see you Bruce, now we can begin." Mike said as he moved closer.

    "Yeah, about that, just why did you call me again? Matter of fact, why did you call the rest of the cast?" You asked as you saw the cast still talking among themselves, your presence and Mike's seemingly ignored.

    "It's about the film." He paused, as if weighing his next words. "It's just.... we might be pushing it a bit close if we want everyone to be in great physical shape, along with molding themselves to the character, not to mention seeing the different metals we need and the setting, so..."

    "Shouldn't we have started this months ago? Wait, didn't we start this months ago?" You said, trying to think back to when they'd had that meeting...

    "So..." Mike interrupted once more "We've figured, if we are going to make it in time, and bring out the best on anyone, including us, we might as well make use of the best tool available." He said as he pointed at John G. Avildsen, just as he was setting up a sound system and giving Mike a thumbs up...

    Wait that?

    When did he arrive?

    And why are the others already moving onto the table to grab the scripts?

    "Mike, what is going on?" You asked as the music vibrated through the entire room.

    "And I think I know just what we need..."

    "What are you-


    Ha!​

    "-talking about" he nearly shouted as he suddenly found himself doing a table reading.

    The hour's approaching to give it your best
    And you've got to reach your prime
    ​
    And was it your imagination or were they just doing slightly worse than usual? You've worked with Sean before and you don't think she would have this much trouble to get into character. And Ben Kingsley... you saw when he worked for your film about being a detective in a fantastic land, and he embodied the trope much better than what he was doing right now.

    You could see both Jackie and Christopher working well off of each other, bouncing dialogue between them and showing that for all that the time has passed, they had yet to forget what made the characters special.

    Just...when did you all moved to the table? And why were you listening to this song? Just, why is everyone acting like nothing was going on at the moment. Did you black out? Should you be going to a hospital.

    That's when you need to put yourself to the test
    And show us a passage of time
    ​
    Whoa, what? Now you were on the other side of the table, and working off lines with Michelle during the meeting with Red Sonja, and was it your imagination once more, or did she suddenly seemed to have improved by leaps and bounds? She got the way of talking, the aggressiveness down pat, and even the insults thrown against friend and foe flowed smoothly from the mouth. it really was like Red Sonja was in front of you at the moment.

    It was odd then that you felt both panic and pride as you wondered why were you having these black outs again, to which another was added, in how exactly did Andrè Roussimoff managed to learn all his lines so as to not need to read the script either, moving between a dumb ape like persona and a keen, quick-witted manipulator that the character had been worked into. A small part of yourself felt that with such characters at your side then this movie could not be anything less than a success.

    Not that it lasted long as-

    We're gonna need a montage (Montage!)
    Ooh, it takes a montage (Montage!)
    ​


    Show a lot of things happenin' at once
    Remind everyone of what's goin' on (What's going on)
    ​
    - you then found yourself in the training area designated to put in your many now struggling actors through their paces. Whatever was going on, it seemed that it was not keen on leaving you alone for now. You tried to keep your fear under control, looking at your friends and co-workers in order to keep yourself distracted.

    Jackie and Andrè of course moved through the exercises and the field as if they were not even there, and that's without mentioning how Dolph Lundgren nearly made them look like chumps. Denzel and Nic were going at it with everything they had from what you could see. The latter from what you had heard already making himself known as a very passionate method actor.

    Then again there was Danny Trejo and Lisa Bonet, both were on their first big roles on screen (or role ever in the case of Trejo) and it showed as with the constant exercising and reading (had they done the table reading with them?) it was wither sapping their stamina or building it up. You knew that at some point you would have to intervene if you wanted to keep them from collapsing.

    And with every shot, show a little improvement
    To show that it all would take too long
    ​
    There was a slight moment of dizziness and the image you got was at 180 degrees different from what you'd first saw it; where before Danny and Lisa were struggling now they had gained the amount of muscle perfectly proportioned to their frames, enough for them to look suitable threatening or convincing in their roles. Other's which you had given up hope like Tanya Roberts had become passable enough for what they wanted her for.

    This was odd, but you think you were getting the hang of whatever was happening. It all seemed to be tied up to the improvement in a small amount of time, and with the word-

    That's called a montage (Montage!)
    Ooh, we want a montage (Montage!)
    ​

    In anything, if you want to go
    From just a beginner to a pro
    ​
    -... yeah, that. It just kept on going over and over again, but you could not argue with the results; now you found yourself going through different scenes and images as if your current life was a movie; at some point you were practicing your lines with Sean, at another you and Jackie would be training together and see how much you had improved in your respective styles. Another had you and Trejo practice the best pose and way of speaking to display menace, and the dynamic between you and Pfeiffer in the film which would be a clear case of vitriolic friends that there was.

    You need a montage (Montage!)
    Even Rocky had a montage (Montage!)
    ​
    As the scenes passed you could feel (you don't know how, but you did) as they seemed to come slower. Little by little it seemed as if you were coming to the end, which was when you finally took full advantage to move surreptitiously to Mike's side-

    (Montage!)
    (Montage!)
    ​

    Always fade out in a montage
    If you fade out, it seems like more time has passed
    ​
    - and grab his shoulder, turning him around. "What the fuck was that?!"

    "Jeez Bruce, calm down, it's not like it's dangerous or anything."

    "No. Nonono, answers now Mike. Just what the heck is going on just what the heck was that music, and what the heck did we all just do?!

    Mike sighed as he moved them to the corner of the studio (oh they were in the studio again, how nice), before speaking.

    "Look, I did not lie when I said we were on a tight schedule, and neither did I lie when I said I'd found a way to solve it. It's just that not everyone would believe it when you tell them unless they live it by themselves."

    "Wh- that whole thing, all the small scenes, they were my life and they were just... compressed, like I was a passenger watching it, my body on autopilot and then just..."

    "It's called a Montage. You should know it by now Bruce.

    "Just!... It just can't happen! This is not how reality works! Whatever we just did goes against the laws of space and time altogether!"

    "Ah, so you know physics as well. I knew Mary had to take it from somewhere." Mike near whispered the last part. Not enough for you not to hear though.

    "Not the issue Mike! Whatever this is, whatever you did, there is no way that it can be real!"

    "Well of course it isn't."

    That... did not go how you expected it to go.

    "What."

    "This is a dream."


    In a montage
    (Montage)
    ​
    "What?"

    "Yeah... you need to wake up now."

    "Wha-?!"


    "*GASP* Huff Huff!" You took deep breaths as you found yourself in your bed, the events from the dream still quite vivid in your mind, as you tried to control your breathing and your racing heart.

    You turned towards Carrie, as you found that you'd accidentally woken her up, her eyes still half-asleep and tired. Little George had been a blessing for both of you, but it never got any easier when it came to taking care of newborns.

    She looked at you, searching for any sign of concern or fear.

    You looked back, showing re-assurance and love.

    She turned once more into the bed.

    "Go to sleep Bruce".

    A.N.: Hey everyone!I've felt somewhat listless and without any inspiration to write anything until I found the Montage Song as I was surfing through YouTube. It was so hilarious and over the top that I figured "Why not have it in?". I don't know if I managed to convay that this is mostly comedy, but I hope that I can keep on improving here.
     
  • Apocrypha
    • Last edited:
    calling the vote:
    Adhoc vote count started by Magoose on Sep 22, 2024 at 11:36 PM, finished with 28 posts and 16 votes.
    • [X] Plan Conan the Producer
      -[X]I want to make sure Everyone can do this!: It is time for the most grueling training on anyone's lives… and you were going to make sure that no one would get hurt doing it. DC: 45
      -[X]There is nothing but problems from Hell, and I can fix them: Jesus Christ… you were going to need to go to your priest for the amount of blasphemy you were about to unleash… because someone is going to be… very unfortunate when you saw the wrecked ship you had built DC: 40
      -[X]Flashdance: Well Damn, you honestly forgot this movie was made. Hope you can see it though DC: 35
      -[X]George and Mike's staring contest: You look at the two men and shake your head. "What the fuck are you two doing?" Than you saw the poster on the table and realized one thing… You were surrounded by idiots sometimes. DC: ???
      -[X]Importing Foreign Films: So… you may have a way to get some films showing in American Theaters. Maybe you can go to other foreign film industries and… well, ask to distribute their films. Sure many of those foreign film companies never expected an American company to distribute their films in the US… but maybe you can get money without producing them. (Linetail where you try to get films from, and if there are any specific films, line tail them below) DC: ???
      --[X] Paragon Films Ltd.
      ---[X] Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain
      -[X]For a Few months: You are going to prepare the kids for you being gone for a few months… and you need to find a way to break it to them without… making things scary for them. DC: ???
      -[X]Quiet and Carrie: Carrie and you lay in bed, as you normally would before she stopped. "Bruce, do you think I am still beautiful?" You than realized she was looking at you. DC: ???
      -[X]The Art of the Siblings: So Mary has proclaimed it was a silly time. And that meant you had to grab your costume. DC: 0
      -[X]The Family Time: You need a night out with the family dammit! No more drama, no more work, just you and Carrie and the Kids!
      -[X]A Charitable Heart: You want to invest your newfound wealth. Maybe even save some lives while you are at it. (Linetail what you wish to invest in below this action, and the amount of money you want to donate in)
      --[X] Donate $50 Million to the Arbor Day Foundation.
      -[X]Modeling (Advertisements): Thankfully another Call Came in, one from an ad firm. They need you to have some pictures taken so that they are used for saner things. Like selling cars, or ice cream. DC: 40
      --[X] Do a commercial for Oatfield
      -[X]Networking: Well time to start finding out who might actually be interested in meeting you. (Write-in what you want to try and network with)
      --[X] Dino DeLaurentiis Productions. The Bounty
      -[X] Lobbying $3 Million. Lobby the California state legislature to support the creation of a high speed rail system. This project, known as California High Speed Rail, will implement a Japanese style high speed rail system for quick transportation between Los Angeles and San Francisco. If the project has further support, also extend to San Diego and Sacramento.
    Click to expand...
     
    Turn 105 Results (April-May 1983)
  • Threadmarks
    • Turn 105 Results (April-May 1983)

    -[X]I want to make sure Everyone can do this!: It is time for the most grueling training on anyone's lives… and you were going to make sure that no one would get hurt doing it. DC: 45 Rolled:D100 => 74+30=104

    So there is a wonderful thing about getting a little boot camp going to make sure every one of the actors and the stunt crew, and even the camera men… they would be unhappy and hate it.

    A few threatened to quit, but dammit you were not going to let them. You put in the effort that people could see, and now you would do it.

    And it was awesome to see friends and new crew alike changed and were ready.

    Reward: Everyone is in the shape of their lives.

    No injury rolls will be on the production roll unless there is a nat 1 or it goes into the negatives.
    --------------------------------------------------

    -[X]There is nothing but problems from Hell, and I can fix them: Jesus Christ… you were going to need to go to your priest for the amount of blasphemy you were about to unleash… because someone is going to be… very unfortunate when you saw the wrecked ship you had built DC: 40 Rolled:D100 => 1

    Everything was Gone. Everything. The ships, the sets, all of it was destroyed due to some civil disobedience that got out of control.

    Then you learned… quite to your shock… that the Greek Government would not allow you to film anymore due to some… well not diplomatic fuckery, but from the fact that, unlike other film productions this year… you didn't pay a certain minister a donation to his political party… and your film permits were delayed, and then outright canceled.

    WHAT THE FUCK!

    Critical Failure: Greece has all but kicked you out and you are unable to film there due to fuckery and corruption in the greek ministry of culture.

    Mike is on it, but he tells you to go somewhere else while he basically tells them that there will be hell to pay.

    You have to find a new filming location.

    If not, production rolls will all automatically fail.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------

    -[X]Flashdance: Well Damn, you honestly forgot this movie was made. Hope you can see it though DC: 35 Rolled:D100 + 20 => 62

    It was a good movie. A real good movie.

    (Continued in: Flashdance)
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -[X]George and Mike's staring contest: You look at the two men and shake your head. "What the fuck are you two doing?" Then you saw the poster on the table and realized one thing… You were surrounded by idiots sometimes. DC: ??? Rolled:D100 => 5

    You were too busy with the… Greek Problem, so Mike and George didn't seem important.

    You were sure they could survive without you for a while.

    Failure: Unknown Effect on when you come back from Conan Production.
    --------------------------------------------

    -[X]Importing Foreign Films: So… you may have a way to get some films showing in American Theaters. Maybe you can go to other foreign film industries and… well, ask to distribute their films. Sure many of those foreign film companies never expected an American company to distribute their films in the US… but maybe you can get money without producing them. (Linetail where you try to get films from, and if there are any specific films, line tail them below) DC: ???
    --[X] Paragon Films Ltd.
    ---[X] Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain Rolled:D100 => 82

    To think that making it a double feature with Flashdance made it even more popular!

    (Continued in: Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain)
    ---------------------------------------

    -[X]For a Few months: You are going to prepare the kids for you being gone for a few months… and you need to find a way to break it to them without… making things scary for them. DC: ??? Rolled:D100 => 62

    You took a deep breath and knelt down to the kids as you all sat in the living room. "Kids, Carrie, you all know that sometimes I go on little trips for work."

    Mary nodded, but Joe said. "No."

    "Well I have to go for a little while longer for this time." You said.

    "But you will come back?" Sarah asked.

    "Of course I will." You said with a small smile. "I always will. It's just going to be for a little longer than I hoped."

    You saw how sad they were, but they would get through this…

    Reward: You told them and they were prepared.

    -------------------------------------------

    -[X]Quiet and Carrie: Carrie and you lay in bed, as you normally would before she stopped. "Bruce, do you think I am still beautiful?" You then realized she was looking at you. DC: ??? Rolled:D100 + 30 => 105

    Carrie laid next to you as you were preparing to go to bed. She placed a hand on you and it made you look to her. "Carrie what is wrong?"

    Carrie could only look deeply in your eyes. "Bruce… do you think I am still beautiful?"

    At those simple words, you embraced her. "After how many years and four children, you feel the need to ask me that? After promising you that I would be with you always?" You both placed each other's foreheads on each other, feeling each other in the intimate way. "How could I ever imagine a life without you?"

    Carrie was in tears. "I love you." she whispered.

    You could only say the words that would always make her feel better. "I know."

    Reward: There is love. As there always is.

    -[X]The Art of the Siblings: So Mary has proclaimed it was a silly time. And that meant you had to grab your costume. DC: 0 Rolled:D100 => 12
    -[X]The Family Time: You need a night out with the family dammit! No more drama, no more work, just you and Carrie and the Kids! Rolled:D100 => 18

    You had wanted to do so many things to have fun with them. But instead, you only looked out and saw two important things.

    One Carrie was doing her favorite role and she was happy to give you some time…

    Two, she had left you to make dinner again.

    Dammit!

    Reward: You were left making dinner while Carrie was the one who was in costume.
    ------------------------------------

    -[X]A Charitable Heart: You want to invest your newfound wealth. Maybe even save some lives while you are at it. (Linetail what you wish to invest in below this action, and the amount of money you want to donate in)
    --[X] Donate $50 Million to the Arbor Day Foundation. Rolled:D100 => 12

    You gave the funds, but you don't think that it would be doing anything important… at least right now.

    Reward: Donated 50 million to the Arbor Day Foundation.
    -----------------------------------------------------------

    -[X]Modeling (Advertisements): Thankfully another Call Came in, one from an ad firm. They need you to have some pictures taken so that they are used for saner things. Like selling cars, or ice cream. DC: 40
    --[X] Do a commercial for Oatfield Rolled:D100 => 67

    SP:D100 + 50 => 147

    To think you played into the Irish patriot in this one, being Cu Chulainn. And it was a blast of you being laying on the ground with one eye open… while at the end, being fed the Oatfield treats at the end for being a good dog.

    Honestly, for a week's work, and just having an absolute blast doing it, made the whole commercial be just better than everything.

    Reward: Oatfields sees a huge increase in sale due to the commercial, and some calling it one of your best performances… ever.

    That was just sad that there were some people who thought that.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    -[X]Networking: Well time to start finding out who might actually be interested in meeting you. (Write-in what you want to try and network with)
    --[X] Dino DeLaurentiis Productions. The Bounty Rolled:D100 => 7
    Reroll:D100 => 94

    They said yes once you said your name.

    Really everything else was an afterthought.

    Reward: The Bounty will be now released under lucasfilms.

    -[X] Lobbying $3 Million. Lobby the California state legislature to support the creation of a high speed rail system. This project, known as California High Speed Rail, will implement a Japanese style high speed rail system for quick transportation between Los Angeles and San Francisco. If the project has further support, also extend to San Diego and Sacramento. Rolled:D100 => 96

    To think that you had support for the project almost immediately, and some of the State Senate and even congressional members were putting in their weight to get it passed, promising to get federal funding for the project once it was passed in the state legislature.

    And it was passed almost unanimously.

    reward: California is building a Japanese Style, High-speed rail system.

    Set to be complete by 1990.

    You have made some very powerful friends.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AN: Enjoy.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • I really hope after seeing the success of the rail after it's built, that other states start adopting it and we get an intercontinental high speed rail system around the US.
     
    ...FUUUUUuuuuudge!

    Freaking greeks! Fine, we're going to Southern Italy then, though perhaps we could consider Sri Lanka if it doesn't go the way we want it to go.

    And I just know that the situation with George and MIke is going to bite us in the ass, I fucking know it!

    But hey, the commercial went pretty well, and the entire idea of us as Cu Chulain being fed treats like a dog... Inspired!

    We have a new movie ready to be distributed by next year as well, and better connections with Dino DeLaurentiis. I'm glad he never felt slighted over us making the Conan films instead of him.
     
    Maybe time to call in that favor with the Prince of Monaco.

    Also Bruce just got California HSR. With luck it might have far reaching effects like curing America's phobia of trying to actually improve it's passenger rail system.
     
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    What specifically are we looking for in the greek coast and settings?

    Turkey, who has the other side of the Agean and would probably be very happy to host us just to spite Greece. It also has the historic Troy and is a NATO Member

    Alternatively Malta is similar geographically, has a large population of english speaker and otl had just finished declaring independence for Britain in 1979 even if they then moved to non aligned. They have a significan interst in tourisim poromotion and After Hokkido and ESB might be receptive.

    I am unsure if Monaco would be viable at all but they would absolutly be welcoming.

    Finally what does Romania's black sea regions look like?
     
    So, it seems that we need to pull a pissed-off rich man move and buy land, and some of the government in Greece so we do not have to worry about shooting in the area again.
     
    Xsplora said:
    What specifically are we looking for in the greek coast and settings?

    Turkey, who has the other side of the Agean and would probably be very happy to host us just to spite Greece. It also has the historic Troy and is a NATO Member
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    Click to shrink...
    Personally, I don't want to give Turkey bragging rights about the movie filming there. Knowing their film industry, they will surely try and use it as basis to justify making "Turkey Conan" and probably say it's some sort of deleted footage.
    Xsplora said:
    Alternatively Malta is similar geographically, has a large population of english speaker and otl had just finished declaring independence for Britain in 1979 even if they then moved to non aligned. They have a significan interst in tourisim poromotion and After Hokkido and ESB might be receptive.

    I am unsure if Monaco would be viable at all but they would absolutly be welcoming.

    Finally what does Romania's black sea regions look like?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    I want areas that show the sea and parts which are also populated. Originally I wanted Sri Lanka sinc perhaps there would be some ruins there that could very well be shown in the film, or Indonesia, since they have a history of having built a temple in nearly ever place of heir territory.
     
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