Chapter 103: Concessions and Follow-Ups
For Independence Day to be a massive hit, meticulous pre-production and shooting detailed down to every last aspect were absolutely essential. Although they were currently only shooting without actors, most of the main cast had already joined the crew. Not only did they have to undergo appropriate military training, but they also needed to rehearse their scenes. Whether director or actor, anyone who didn't work hard would inevitably be eliminated by Hollywood.
As time crept into December, pre-production entered its final stages. Duke was still leading the crew in shooting special effects scenes. Shots requiring CGI compositing took the highest priority; he had to leave the Industrial Light and Magic visual effects team ample time for their work.
Computer special effects were forged entirely by burning through dollars. There were no shortcuts. When projected onto the big screen, the difference between CGI produced in half a month versus a full month was like night and day.
Spacecraft, the alien mothership, alien models, and the F-18 and F-16 models made their appearances before the camera one after another. With the basic raw footage secured, the visual effects team began compositing the massive aerial combat scenes while perfecting the explosion sequences.
Inevitably, explosions rang out across the soundstages every single day. The frequency far exceeded what it had been during the filming of The Rock. In just over half a month, Duke had tortured many of the crew to the brink of a nervous breakdown.
"Aunt Leah is here to visit the set."
Hearing Sofia's words, Duke, standing on the filming platform, nodded. He turned and waved toward his mother on the perimeter, showing no intention of dropping his work.
"Joss, count down from twenty and detonate!" he shouted into the megaphone.
With a thunderous boom, an alien spacecraft model measuring thirty feet across plummeted amid the explosion, smashing heavily onto the green-screen-covered floor. The moment Duke called the take, the firefighters waiting on standby rushed forward, hosing down the scattered embers with their fire extinguishers.