The film's test screening wrapped up perfectly, and the audience, after eighty-plus minutes of thrilling, intense beach adventure, could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Next up, it was time to fill out the survey questionnaires.
"Zoey, what score are you going to give this movie?" Doug asked.
Zoey still seemed immersed in the film, her nerves on edge.
She patted her chest, calming her wildly beating heart, then said without hesitation, "I'm giving this movie an A+."
"Me too," Doug agreed. "I'm also giving it an A+."
Doug also wrote a short review on the questionnaire: "The whole film was as thrilling as a rollercoaster ride. The combination of the female lead's sexy, fiery figure and the bloodthirsty shark was incredibly eye-catching. The director's command of visual storytelling is incredibly strong, making you involuntarily immerse yourself in the film. No matter who the director and lead actor are, I will definitely go see this movie in theaters again."
Doug's short review was chosen as a representative one and sent to Universal Pictures' executives. Observer Jack Fall reported on the audience's reaction at the screening.
"Less than five minutes after the film started, the audience never once looked away from the big screen, and they remained on edge until the movie ended. I believe that even without Director Spielberg's name attached, this is still a captivating shark movie."
Lou Wasserman presided over the meeting, and Akio Taniguchi was also present to listen.
The observers' reports were all similar: the fans were indeed captivated by the movie, completely immersed.
At this point, the survey data also came in.
"We distributed 180 review forms and collected 177 of them. Among those, 123 reviews were A+, 42 reviews were A, and 12 were A- or below. There wasn't a single one below B-," the statistician reported.
The conference room fell silent. Such survey results clearly showed The Shallows' exceptionally high口碑 among regular moviegoers, boosting Universal Pictures' confidence in the film.
Meanwhile, after the test screening concluded, the media reporters and film critics didn't leave.
Gilbert and Gwyneth Paltrow were speaking with these media reporters and critics, introduced by producer Dormer Blake.
Clearly, the well-known media journalists and critics wouldn't attend an event like this, but Gilbert didn't stint on his smiles. After all, he'd need these people to help promote his film later. Though he didn't particularly like media reporters and critics, Gilbert still showed excellent professionalism.
Gwyneth Paltrow, on the other hand, seemed a bit impatient, talking perfunctorily with the media and critics, then just sitting to the side and watching Gilbert schmooze.
However, Gilbert wouldn't let her off the hook, pulling a reluctant Gwyneth Paltrow along to briefly accept media interviews together.
After the interviews were done and Gwyneth Paltrow had some free time, she suddenly said to Gilbert, "We're just not on the same wavelength."
"Oh?" Gilbert raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"
"These foolish media reporters and critics are like leeches sucking the blood out of the film industry, and yet you're putting on a smiling face to try and please them. That kind of behavior disgusts me," Gwyneth Paltrow said with disdain.
Gilbert found her words amusing and couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" Gwyneth Paltrow seemed annoyed.
Gilbert chuckled and explained, "You're not wrong; these media reporters and critics are indeed like leeches sucking the blood out of the film industry. But have you ever thought, since they're here to suck blood, why haven't they been dealt with yet?"
Gwyneth Paltrow paused, then shook her head. "No, I haven't..."
"This world isn't black and white, dear. Hollywood can't do without these people, movies can't do without these people, and even you, as a star yourself, can't do without them," Gilbert said.
"We can't do without them, but you don't have to put on a smiling face and try to curry favor with them like that!" That's what Gwyneth Paltrow was unhappy about.
Gilbert helplessly reached out to pat Gwyneth Paltrow's head, but she quickly swatted his hand away.
"I'm just a small, unknown director, not Uncle Steven. My movie needs exposure; it needs them to wave the flag for me," Gilbert explained again.
"So, if you put on a smiling face, they'll say good things?" Gwyneth Paltrow asked again.
"Not necessarily, but at least it'll get them to talk," Gilbert replied.
"Then if they're not necessarily going to say good things, why bother pleasing them?" Gwyneth Paltrow became even more annoyed.
"Gwyn, I don't want them to say good things about the movie; I want them to talk about the movie. Praise and criticism aren't important; what matters is getting people to talk about you."
Gilbert's words made Gwyneth Paltrow fall into deep thought. Although her mother was an actress and her godfather was a renowned film director, no one had ever dissected the essence of Hollywood for her from this perspective.
"Gilbert..."
"What is it?"
"I suddenly feel like I'm falling in love with you."
"That's perfectly normal. I'm just that kind of charming man; many women like me."
"Gilbert..."
"What now?"
"You're a jerk, a big jerk."
"That assessment just means you only met me today..."
Honestly, when Gilbert first met Gwyneth Paltrow, he knew the media's past evaluations of this girl were true. Perhaps because her starting point was too high, being a member of Hollywood's Jewish community, and having Spielberg as her godfather, the girl clearly had her nose in the air. She tended to speak her mind about things she disliked, easily offending people, and had a bit of a "princess complex."
After all, they had slept together, and while it was only about the physical and not feelings, a single night together can foster a bond. Gilbert still hoped that his advice would help Gwyneth Paltrow rein in her temper. If she could control her temper and with her high starting point, she might even achieve greater success than the original Gwyneth Paltrow.
After composing herself, Gwyneth Paltrow rejoined Gilbert in facing the media reporters and critics. This time, Gwyneth Paltrow's performance was much more professional, and her smile was much sweeter.
With the lead actress cooperating, the media reporters and critics had more to work with. After all, in this era, directors mostly stayed behind the scenes. If the sexy, hot female lead didn't cooperate, it would be hard for them to create buzz.
After finally dealing with the media reporters and critics, they could finally catch their breath.
Just then, Universal Pictures' head of publicity approached Gilbert and Gwyneth Paltrow. "Gilbert, we've put together a publicity plan involving a scandal, and we need your cooperation."
"Go on..." Gilbert gestured for him to explain.
The head of publicity took out the plan, showing it to Gilbert and Gwyneth Paltrow, then explained, "The plan is this: we've decided to stir up rumors about a romance between the two of you. We'll use gossip tabloids and sensational news to spread the story that you fell in love during the film's production. That'll grab attention."
If Gilbert were an old man in his fifties or sixties, this kind of stunt wouldn't be very effective and might even cause public resentment. But Gilbert was a 21-year-old director, and Gwyneth Paltrow was only 18; their ages were quite similar. Plus, Gilbert's image was good; among the many directors in Hollywood, his appearance was handsome enough that he could even be an idol star. This made Universal Pictures believe that hyping up a romance between the two of them had great potential.
Gilbert turned to Gwyneth Paltrow. "What do you think?"
"Whatever," Gwyneth Paltrow said nonchalantly. "As long as Universal Pictures can convince my old-fashioned dad, I'm fine with it."
The head of publicity smiled slightly. "Don't worry, we've already discussed it with Mr. Paltrow, and he's agreed to the plan."
"Then it doesn't matter; we'll cooperate," Gwyneth Paltrow said. Then she remembered something and asked the head of publicity, "Can I live with Gilbert, then?"
The head of publicity replied naturally, "You're in a relationship now, isn't it normal to live together?"
"Yay, great! I'm free!" Gwyneth Paltrow cheered, then started dancing, leaving the head of publicity utterly bewildered.
"What's wrong with her?" the head of publicity asked.
Gilbert speculated, "She hasn't done yoga in a few months; maybe she's just been cooped up too long!"
"Oh!" The head of publicity gave a knowing, meaningful smile, indicating he understood.