Made In Hollywood

In fact, while handling the post-production of The Matrix, Duke appropriately borrowed some techniques from Japanese animation. The exaggerated and interesting handling of certain shots in Japanese anime amazed people. The beautiful framing cleverly captures the fleeting moments of things, making those moments seem incredible and exceptionally enchanting.

Duke would humbly learn from any film or technique, regardless of where it came from or who originated it, and apply it where suitable.

"We're not dealing with a real world here, just like the feeling of fighting in the void, explosions are also different from real-life explosions."

In the editing room, Duke opened the monitor and played a segment of the explosion special effects completed by Industrial Light & Magic. "When the helicopter explodes, the building's glass wall actually ripples like water. This shot violates conventional laws of physics."

Charlize Theron nodded, somewhat understanding.

Duke continued, "In a purely digital world like The Matrix, deliberate visual distortions seem natural. In future sequels, Zack will use more crazy shots that break general physics."

"The completed film is much easier to understand than the script."

Though the segment was not long, the film felt much simpler and more understandable than the script. After consulting Duke, Charlize switched to a different clip and said, "Although it's not on a big screen, this explosion still looks stunning."

This explosion was shot on location and processed in post-production. Under the influence of special effects, the explosion appeared quite different from reality, with the most striking feature being the huge fire in slow motion, resembling a torrent of water.

"Although there aren't many explosions in the film, I did start with explosions," Duke shrugged and said to Charlize, "And explosions are not all the same. If I don't make changes, I'll risk aesthetic fatigue, so I must innovate in this area."

"So..." Charlize paused the video, pointing to the still image of the flames. "Is that why you did this?"

Duke nodded. "Flames can flow like liquids, and liquids can make them appear as light smoke. By cleverly shifting the physical properties of materials, common explosion scenes can produce dreamlike effects."

"That's true," Charlize said seriously. "This is different from the explosions you've made before."

She had come here to do a few lines of post-production voice-over work. After finishing, she didn't leave, but stayed to see the effects of the film after the special effects had been added.

Being a member of the crew and having a good rapport with Duke, he didn't refuse her.

"Are we done for today?" Charlize asked as Duke turned off the monitor and began packing up. "Is it time to leave?"

"Wait in the lobby for a while. I need to head to my office."

After giving her this instruction, Duke led her out of the editing room. Returning to his office alone, he changed into his formal attire. Soon, he came back out and called Charlize in the lobby, walking with her toward the parking lot.

"Where are you headed?" Charlize asked while looking at Duke's sharp formal wear. "Are you going to a Titanic publicity event?"

"That's something James Cameron should be concerned about, not me," Duke shook his head. "It's not my business."

With the Oscars' final voting approaching, various forces were actively competing for votes in several major categories, and the Titanic crew was no exception.

"North American box office over $500 million! Worldwide box office $1.4 billion!" Charlize seemed to marvel. "It's unbelievable. Those who mocked Titanic have shut their mouths, and some critics who once ridiculed the film are now shamelessly praising it."

"If I had known this film would make such a big splash," Charlize smiled at Duke. "I should have invested."

Duke smiled back but said nothing.

He knew Charlize was joking. Investing wasn't just about having money; it was about having the qualifications and status to do so. Some people, despite having money, wouldn't have access to certain investment opportunities.

For example, in the past year and a half, Yahoo had conducted two rounds of equity financing. Duke's agent was actively seeking investment opportunities. However, Yahoo was a hot stock despite mediocre performance, with its stock price rising steadily. It had become a favorite among Wall Street investors, so getting in on the action was incredibly difficult for Duke.

In these two rounds of financing, Duke only managed to secure a small share of investment, which could be described as marginal. Fortunately, he had entered the stock market early and accumulated a significant amount of Yahoo stock.

Another investment was also encountering difficulties. Duke had been keeping an eye on Steve Jobs' return to Apple. Apple needed funds to revitalize its new projects, and when Steve Jobs had to choose between financing from Duke and Bill Gates, he had opted for the majority of the funding from his archrival Bill Gates. Duke's offer was only a quarter of Gates' contribution.

Some things were easier to know about than to participate in.

But Duke was relatively content. During the most difficult years for Apple, countless shareholders had exited, but Duke had reaped significant rewards.

Perhaps he could offer some advice to Mr. Jobs about releasing a kidney-powered device?

Such thoughts briefly crossed his mind before being dismissed. Instead of pondering these irrelevant matters, it would be better to focus on the projects he already had in hand.

Duke didn't go directly to the hotel. He first visited Charlize Theron's house in the suburbs of Burbank, waited for her to change into her evening dress, and then they both headed to the Hollywood Highlands Hotel to attend a promotional event hosted by Warner Bros.

The star of the promotion wasn't The Matrix, but Harry Potter!

"Duke, this is Ms. Joanna Rowling."

"Jo, this is Director Duke Rosenberg."

As they arrived at the media event, Warner Bros. publicity head Jamie Johnson introduced Duke to the creator of the little wizard.

Although Duke's studio had acquired the series, it was Duke's first time meeting Joanne Rowling in person.

Duke shook her hand, "Can I call you Jo? Thank you, I really love the series you've written."

"It's I who should be thanking you."

Joanne Rowling didn't seem to be making polite small talk. "You helped me when I was at my lowest, got me out of a bind, and recommended this series to Warner. You changed my destiny."

"Your work is excellent," Duke put away his smile and said seriously. "It deserves the support from me and Warner."

"Then..." Joanne Rowling's eyes lit up. "Director Rosenberg, would you personally adapt this series?"

Duke gave Jamie Johnson a knowing look, and he immediately took over the conversation, saying, "Don't worry, Jo, Warner will definitely find a director who can satisfy both of us."

As he said this, his eyes drifted toward Duke.

Jeff Robinov happened to walk over and after greeting Joanne Rowling and Charlize Theron, he turned to Duke.

"You're really not going to direct it yourself?" he asked in a low voice.

"Jeff, you've seen the first two books in the series."

As Duke and Warner promoted Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets had also been published. "The adapted film will definitely be a family-friendly film, and I'm not good at that kind of thing."

After a brief thought, Jeff Robinov nodded. Excluding Independence Day and Chicago, Duke's past films had all been R-rated. Asking him to make a G or PG-rated film would be a disaster.

"Jeff, don't forget The Matrix rating," Duke suddenly reminded him.

"Warner Bros. is working hard," Jeff Robinov frowned. "We'll do our best to get a PG-13 rating. But Duke, you should prepare yourself. Although Warner Bros. is strong, its seniority in the MPAA is still a bit weak."

MPAA, or the Motion Picture Association of America, is a major player in rating films. It's well known that the difference between PG-13 (requiring parental supervision for children under 13) and R (requiring parental supervision for children under 17) is massive, as it directly affects the potential audience and box office.

Warner Bros. had only joined the MPAA in 1996, making their influence in the organization somewhat limited.

Duke knew that it would be difficult to get The Matrix rated PG-13, but it wasn't impossible. Looking at the standards of MPAA ten years later, the first Matrix movie would absolutely qualify as PG-13.

Since this was a media promotional event, Duke also couldn't avoid promoting Harry Potter. Once the media event began, he quickly stood beside Joanne Rowling. Over the past few months, Joanne Rowling had been seen as the creator of Harry Potter, while Duke, the famous Hollywood director, was considered the discoverer of the little wizard.

"I don't think I'm the discoverer."

Facing the media, Duke's humble attitude was full of praise for Harry Potter. "This series is so excellent that even without me, it would quickly shine on its own. Ms. Rowling has created an incredible magical world, and I think we are all fortunate to be able to read such a magical work."

Now, Harry Potter was no longer the same as before. Since the Duke studio and Warner Bros. had exchanged shares, Warner had been vigorously promoting the series. With its excellent quality and the massive media group and celebrity endorsements from people like Duke, the little wizard gradually began to regain its former brilliance.