As the so-called Transformers footage circulated online, several resource websites suddenly appeared with the Transformers script and design sets.
Gilbert, drawing from his past-life memories, had arranged for visual effects engineers from Orange Studio to create transformation design sheets for robots including Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and Starscream.
If time allowed, he could have even made a short transformation clip. The effect might not be perfect, but it would primarily serve to dilute the impact of the leaked footage.
However, producing such a short clip would have been costly, so Gilbert ultimately decided against this plan.
The script leak and the design sets alone were enough to cause significant trouble for Transformers.
"David, take a look at this."
Michael Ovitz's expression grew serious as he opened a website displaying the Transformers script and design sheets.
Due to the footage leak, the script and design sheets on this website had already amassed over a hundred thousand views.
David Ellison was shocked. He had seen the Transformers script before — this was definitely not it.
The leaked script contained numerous lines identical to the full film, and the design sheets perfectly matched the design of all the robots in Transformers.
David Ellison immediately reacted: "Do we have a mole inside? And the design sheets — did Industrial Light & Magic leak them?"
Industrial Light & Magic was the main VFX provider for Transformers. If the design sets were leaked, they would be the most likely source.
"Impossible," Michael Ovitz quickly dismissed. "Everyone involved in this project is trustworthy. As for ILM, if they did something like this and it got exposed, they wouldn't be working in Hollywood anymore."
David Ellison was puzzled: "Then where did these come from?"
"Not surprising," Michael Ovitz explained. "Other companies aren't stupid. They could see our marketing strategy early on.
So they use early spoilers as a tactic to diminish some of the audience's anticipation."
"No need to speculate further. This was definitely Gilbert," David Ellison said firmly. "No one else could pull this off."
In the past, Michael Ovitz might have debated who was responsible. Now, he agreed with David Ellison's assessment.
"The most likely scenario is that Gilbert hired someone to do it," Michael Ovitz analyzed. "His understanding of Transformers rivals ours, and he might even know Michael Bay's style.
So creating design sets and guessing the script is entirely possible."
David Ellison asked, "So what do we do now? Should we try to block these circulating scripts and design sets?"
"Too late," Michael Ovitz shook his head. "This has spread too quickly. They're everywhere online — impossible to block."
"F**k," David Ellison angrily pounded the table. "Are we just going to stand by and watch?"
Michael Ovitz, having worked in Hollywood for years, remained calm and experienced.
"Don't panic, David. Just stick to our original plan. The film's selling points are the large-scale visual effects, which aren't conveyed through the design sets.
I think audiences will be more eager to see Optimus Prime and Megatron transform in theaters."
David Ellison calmed down. "You're right. Next, we can have our two leads show some public affection. Let's get the gossip media to hype it up."
"Good idea…"
Gilbert's small stunt didn't disrupt the normal promotional rhythm for Transformers, which came as no surprise.
His intention was only to annoy David Ellison. Seeing him remain calm shows that these years in Hollywood weren't wasted.
The spread of the Transformers script and design sets had, as Michael Ovitz predicted, little impact because audiences were already eager to visit the theaters.
Even with design sheets, nothing beats the direct visual experience on the big screen. Viewers were more inclined to see it in cinemas.
Sky Dance Studio wasn't idle either; they began arranging public appearances for the film's leads, Andrew Garfield and Megan Fox.
Photos of the two holding hands while shopping appeared, followed by images of them kissing on the beach, and rumors circulated the next day that they were even engaged.
In short, under the orchestration of Sky Dance Studio and MGM United, these gossip stories were widely promoted.
Promoting the leads' romance is also an effective way to attract viewers. Gilbert often used this tactic himself, and it worked well.
However, watching Andrew Garfield and Megan Fox, it seemed like the romance might be somewhat real.
This wasn't unusual — a handsome guy and a hot girl, mutual attraction, being casual partners is not a big deal, and it doesn't carry much burden.
The only concern is contraceptive measures.
Hollywood has countless stories of accidental pregnancies due to casual relationships. After all, some people prefer direct contact.
For example, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie — though they were legally married and expecting a child in June, rumors circulated that the child wasn't Brad Pitt's, but from someone Angelina was involved with.
Given the chaos of their personal lives, the child's paternity was uncertain.
Gossip photographers even captured Brad Pitt being kicked out by Angelina Jolie because he promised not to have affairs during her pregnancy.
Yet Brad Pitt immediately went on a date with a Victoria's Secret model, who brought along a friend, resulting in a playful trio scenario.
Naturally, Angelina Jolie was furious and kicked Brad Pitt out of the house for a while.
Later, another gossip website revealed even more explosive news: dissatisfied with Brad Pitt's behavior, Angelina Jolie allegedly invited several black guys to have fun with her during her pregnancy.
Brad Pitt, worried about harming the baby in her womb — after all, the black guys were not gentle asked Angelina Jolie for forgiveness.
Angelina Jolie generously forgave Brad Pitt, and the two reconciled.
Such gossip continuously provoked public attention. While the public condemned the behavior, they couldn't help imagining themselves in the couple's roles…
These kinds of stories are common in North America, varied and plentiful, constantly stimulating the public's nerves.
By comparison, Gilbert's situation was relatively tame. Not because he had strong influence, preventing gossip media from covering his affairs.
It was simply because whenever gossip media saw the women around Gilbert devoted wholeheartedly to him, with no affairs or scandals, they immediately lost interest and didn't bother reporting.
This led to an interesting phenomenon: although North America is formally monogamous, Gilbert, being unmarried, could openly have multiple girlfriends.
Yet no one found this unusual, except for a few single people who were envious and Gilbert's fans, who remained resentful of his attractiveness. Everyone else thought it was perfectly reasonable.
This is largely thanks to the chaotic private lives of other Hollywood directors, producers, and stars; their disorder made Gilbert look comparatively respectable.
It really proved the saying: without contrast, there is no harm!
.....
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