Without awards, yet with unforgettable films in his archive, Tim Burton noticed that the boy's salary was only four million; in each of those projects, Billy cared little for money and far more for enduring eternally.
-Well, I think I like what you're offering,- Tim Burton remarked, seeing that Lux Animation and Distribution's investment would yield considerable profits if they simply did good work.
-Our motto is that money should never be the means for art. Because we are fully confident the film will be outstanding, and because the so-called ghost titles needed a strong director—and that was precisely what Tim Burton was. A good director,- replied Jim Gianopulos, who now wished to be part of a new production line. For Billy, making ten films a year was too little; even when he bought a library of fifty films, he needed a catalog of at least two hundred titles at the same time. At that moment, Sleepy Hollow and 10 Things I Hate About You were among the films Lux Animation was beginning to distribute.
From Arnold Michan he acquired the American Pie film series, about young teenagers far more focused on living their adolescence. And Winona, bringing with her Girl, Interrupted and a fragile innocence, fit perfectly into Billy's rule: to buy and buy films that would give his journey different links in the chain.
-Then I'm the happiest I can be if you give me so much support,- Tim Burton joked, relaxing. There were still many films and scenes ahead for the coming months, where all that remained to be highlighted was the landscape.
-Well, I won't be polite. I'll take everything that's left and live until another work comes to mind,- Tim commented. He always seemed to be enjoying his own production; quite the opposite of what one might expect, the man wore old shoes, oversized leather jeans, and a shirt that hung loosely on him.
-We hope you'll look to Lux Animation. We do have a project you might like,- Jim Gianopulos said casually, knowing well how to spark curiosity.
-It is.-
-It's a stop-motion project, based on The Nightmare Before Christmas. We want to create a company that makes one stop-motion film per year, and all we expect are your skills as a creative director,- Jim said, beginning to notice a change.
His attitude was quite different from what one would expect of a man who, most of the time, often seemed to live in a state of drama, with deep reticence.
Jim Gianopulos wrapped up the work and awaited his next meeting. Series had greater impact, since Billy invested in a total of three series per year regardless of profit, on top of those already on a streak: Detective Rex, Friends, ER, Suddenly Susan, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Northern Exposure, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and the purchase of Moonlight with all rights. It was enough for the coming years to be called an event on screen.
-I'll think about it,- Tim said.
-I only want you to mentor some directors who want to be part of the niche,- Jim commented. The key point was signing for teaching, created through the work of different producers who would teach how to carry out such demanding projects.
***
Billy wasted no time with Ewan, practicing different dances with his lightsaber. Not far away stood a young Charlize, more than satisfied to have been chosen for the new role of Asajj Ventress as Dooku's apprentice, or Darth Tyranus. It was worth noting that she had great skill with the blade and a strategic mind, shaped by having an excellent Sith master.
Billy finished the routine; he had spent quite some time training with Ewan, and the fights grew more intense as time went on.
-Thank you for considering me,- Charlize whispered.
-I needed a great actress with expressive eyes, and I could only choose the best,- Billy replied. He hoped that both Anakin's and Ventress's series would carry that implicit sense of war and exhilaration, with Natalie Portman close by, acting between an allegorical life of someone born with an ending and destined to fight.
-It seems we now share a job that will be anything but simple,- Charlize replied.
…
Billy returned to work while Christopher Lee trained with them as well, in a way that was simply fantastic for his age. His knees hurt, yet the old man moved beautifully. Everything would flow from one shot to another; however, Billy wanted to teach him another kind of technology to aid the bolder processes of the lightsaber world.
While such training took place, far off to one side many people practiced battles. It was no small detail that in one episode it would be shown that one of Count Dooku's rivals was Kit Fisto, one of the most well-known Jedi and a Council member, who died weakly. This time, under Billy's guidance, he would be given a cold battle against Darth Vader, a master who died alongside a young Anakin at the height of his power, after letting a group of young Padawans and staff members escape, elevating the fight to astonishing levels.
It would also show, in some way, the critical state of a man falling to both the dark and the light, and the skills that would take Episode Three to another level, with multiple fights and betrayals back and forth.
Billy finished training, muscles weary now. Long lines of training remained, and of course the filming of some shots that were of vital importance.
…
Two scenes were filmed at the same time: on one side Steven filmed the main scenes, while Lucas took care of the shorter scenes that provided secondary explanatory angles. That was why he filmed all the remaining scenes, most of which featured the faces of the Separatist clan.
-Scene eleven, take three.-
INTERIOR SENATE BUILDING, APARTMENT CORRIDOR – AFTERNOON
The apartment door opens. JAR JAR enters the corridor, where TWO JEDI step out of the elevator. He recognizes OBI-WAN and becomes extremely excited, jumping and shaking his hand.
JAR JAR: Obi! Obi! Obi! Mesa so happy to see you! Wahoooooo!
OBI-WAN smiles.
OBI-WAN: It's good to see you too, Jar Jar.
JAR JAR: Oh! Such manners!
Excuse me, Master Obi-Wan. I completely forgot myself for a moment. I've had to learn Diplodiacleto… speak it like a native. Truth is, I don't see the point, but the members of the Senate seem to prefer it…
JAR JAR notices OBI-WAN'S APPRENTICE.
JAR JAR
(continuing)
…and this, I suppose, is your apprentice… Noooooo! Annie?
Noooooo! Little Annie?
(looks at Anakin)
Noooooo! You're so big!
Yiyiyiyyi! Annie! Mesa can't believe it.
ANAKIN: Hello, Jar Jar.
JAR JAR grabs ANAKIN and wraps him in a tight hug.
JAR JAR: Annie! Annie! Yiyiyiyiyiiii!
INT. SENATE BUILDING, APARTMENT – AFTERNOON
PADMÉ is in conference with CAPTAIN TYPHO and DORMÉ. JAR JAR enters the room, followed by the TWO JEDI.
JAR JAR: Look… look… Oh!… Oh dear, I'm afraid I've forgotten again.
PADMÉ and TYPHO stand as OBI-WAN and ANAKIN stop before the SENATOR. OBI-WAN steps forward. ANAKIN stares at PADMÉ. She glances at him sideways.
OBI-WAN: It is a great pleasure to see you again, my lady.
PADMÉ: It has been far too long, Master Kenobi. I'm very glad our paths have crossed again… but I must warn you that I believe your presence here is unnecessary.
OBI-WAN: I'm sure the Jedi Council has its reasons.
He positions himself in front of ANAKIN.
PADMÉ: Annie?
(stares)
My goodness, you've grown.
They look at each other for a long moment.
ANAKIN
(trying to be gentle)
So you've… become more beautiful, I mean… and much shorter… for a Senator, I mean.
OBI-WAN looks disapprovingly at his apprentice. PADMÉ laughs and shakes her head.
PADMÉ: Oh, Annie, you'll always be that little boy I met on Tatooine.
This embarrasses ANAKIN, and he lowers his gaze. OBI-WAN and CAPTAIN TYPHO smile.
OBI-WAN: Our presence will be invisible, my lady.
CAPTAIN TYPHO: I truly appreciate you being here, Master Kenobi. The situation is more dangerous than the Senator is willing to admit.
PADMÉ: I don't need more security; I need answers. I want to know who's trying to kill me.
OBI-WAN
(frowning)
We are here to protect you, Senator, not to begin an investigation.
ANAKIN: We'll find out who's trying to kill you, Senator… Padmé, I promise.
He's done it again. He bites his lip, frustrated and embarrassed. OBI-WAN glares at ANAKIN.
OBI-WAN: We will not overstep our mandate, my young Padawan learner.
ANAKIN: I meant protect you, Master, of course.
He offers her a charming smile, though he can barely maintain normality around Obi-Wan, overcome with embarrassment whenever Padmé is near.
OBI-WAN: We will not repeat this exercise, Anakin. You will follow my orders.
ANAKIN: Why?
He whispers furiously between them, a slow exchange as they both turn their backs.
OBI-WAN: What?!
ANAKIN: Why else do you think we were assigned, if not to find the assassin? Protection is a local security job… not a Jedi's. It's an exaggeration, Master. Investigation is implicit in our mandate.
OBI-WAN: We will do what the Council has ordered, and you will learn your place, young one.
Natalie approaches delicately.
PADMÉ: Perhaps with your presence alone, the mysteries surrounding this threat will reveal themselves. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must retire.
Everyone offers a slight bow to AMIDALA as she and DORMÉ leave the room.
CAPTAIN TYPHO: Well, I know I feel much better having you here. I'll have an officer on every floor and remain at the command center below.
JAR JAR: Mesa overflowing with happiness to see you again, Annie. Dese bad times, bombarded times.
Captain Typho leaves.
ANAKIN: She didn't even recognize me, Jar Jar. I thought of her every day since we were separated… and she's forgotten me completely.
JAR JAR: She's happy. Even happier when we see her again after a long time.
OBI-WAN: Anakin, you're focusing on the negative again. Be mindful of your thoughts. She was glad to see us. Now let's review the security.
ANAKIN: Yes, Master. I'll do that.
-Cut.-
....