[Chapter 56. A Studio of Angels in the City of Angels.]
[TRL: đ A Special Thank You đ
This chapter wouldn't have been possible without the incredible support of my amazing patrons. Your belief in my work gives me the courage to keep creating, writing, and dreaming bigger every day.
Whether you're here as a loyal Crew Member or helping shape entire stories as a Studio Head, your presence means the world to me. Thank you for being part of this journey!
đŹ Crew Members [At Chapter 85]âMackenzie Whitemen, Guleid Abdi, ELJ29,Jose Newcomb,Đ ŃŃНан ĐŃнОв, Jacob Hixson, Carlos Bihain, Chaosinacup and NighT-Mar3.
đĽ Department Heads [At Chapter 93]âMitchell Howard, Anderson Lucas and martin Stevnhoved Larsen.
đď¸ Executive Producers [At Chapter 99]âMandy G,cybersage,Shawnk02,Nathan,AnomalousApeiron, Clutch Russ,Steven Mullen, Ryan Biggins, Jeff Billion, Strange Loop Sleuth, Dark Person, Luci alarri, SS,Peter,zTheory, Alexandre Vareilles, Dwhateverprof, Regan Thomas, 31AllenK2, Josh W, Johnathan Bright, John Garcia, Mike Price, SKA,Aymeric Petiaux,Grey Doomer (Matt), Fireblade974, Jaden, RaveAgainst, TheCoolest7248, DemonRaider, AtreusGodOfWar and Antaineoliain.
đď¸ Studio Headsâ Haze2343 and Rycork.
From the bottom of my heartâthank you, all of you for supporting my dream and passion.
Now, let's get on with the chapter,
From yours truly â TheRamenLord.
Last Time on Chapter 055 of [From Shadows To The Spotlight] â
"That was incredible. Lets reset for one more take, and we'll wrap this sequence." His coming from the speakers placed inside the room of the tower.
Linda leaned back against the railing, her mind spinning. She'd come to this set expecting to see a spectacle, but what she'd witnessed was something else entirely.
This.. this was the height of filmmaking.
Now Continuing â
For all her mixed feelings about Alex, she couldn't deny the brilliance of his vision. He wasn't just making a movieâhe was crafting an experience, one that would linger in the minds of audiences for years.. no.. for decades to come.
As the crew began resetting for the next take, Linda found herself reaching for her notepad. She had a story to write, one that would do justice to what she'd just seen.
But as her pen hovered over the page, she hesitated.. because for the first time in her career, she wasn't sure she could find the right words.
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~The Final Press Interview~
The air in the press room was electric with anticipation. Journalists, film enthusiasts, and industry insiders had gathered in droves, eager to hear Alex Masters unveil his latest venture.
For weeks, rumors had swirled about the mysterious Angel Studios project. The studio's invitation promised a groundbreaking approach to entertainment, and Alex, known for his innovative strategies, didn't disappoint.
The lights dimmed, and a sleek promotional video rolled. It showcased breathtaking landscapes, heartfelt moments from diverse stories, and clips of ordinary people speaking about the kinds of movies they wanted to see.
The narrator's voice was calm yet inspiring, it took a second but she was almost certain that the narrator was Morgan Freeman.. to get a man of Mr. Freeman's stature for this presentation showed how much importance Alex had put towards the studio.
"Angel Studiosâwhere your voice shapes the stories of tomorrow. Together, we create. Together, we succeed."
When Alex finally took the stage, dressed in his casual jacket and jeans looking like a dashing rogue, the room erupted into applause. His commanding presence filled the space, yet his smile was warm and inviting.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Alex began, his deep voice resonating across the room. "Today, I'm proud to introduce you to a dream that's been years in the making."
"Angel Studios is not just a production houseâit's a community. A community where audiences and creators come together and collaborate to make something extraordinary."
He went on to explain the core philosophy of the studio. Angel Studios would operate on a community-supported filmmaking model, offering individuals the opportunity to invest directly in projects they believed in.
Through membership in the Angel Guild, audiences could preview, vote on, and support the creation of movies, shows, and documentaries that resonated with them.
In return, members would not only enjoy access to these creations through premiere tickets, movie props, exclusive actor meet and greets, etc. but they would also be able to have share in the profits.
"For too long, Hollywood has dictated what stories get told," Alex said, his tone serious. "At Angel Studios, we're flipping the script.
"In Angel Studios that power is in your hands now. You get to decide what's worth watching, what's worth sharing, and what's worth celebrating."
The crowd buzzed with excitement as he unveiled the Guild members's benefitsâpreviewing new ideas, giving feedback, and receiving updates on projects they supported.
For many, it felt like stepping into the inner workings of the entertainment industry.
When Alex opened the floor for questions, hands shot up immediately.
One reporter asked, "What safeguards do you have in place for people investing their hard-earned money? What if a project fails?"
Alex nodded thoughtfully. "That's a great question. Firstly, we're transparent about the risks. Like any investment, there's no guarantee of success."
"But we encourage members to diversify their contributions across multiple projects. This reduces risk significantly. Additionally, each project goes through rigorous review before being greenlit."
"We're not just making films; we're crafting stories with purpose and care. And our track record at MONARCH speaks for itselfâa 93% success rate is no small feat."
The audience murmured their agreement, impressed by the statistics. Still, skepticism lingered in the room.
A second journalist rose, their voice carrying a sharper edge. "Hollywood is notorious for cooking its booksâdeclaring losses when films have turned profits."
He then paused for a second as he let the silence brew and then delivered his controversial question.
"How can you assure transparency? How do we know Angel Studios won't follow the same path?"
The room fell silent, all eyes on Alex. If he felt any irritation at the accusatory tone, he didn't show it. His expression remained calm, his demeanor measured.
"That's a valid concern," Alex replied calmly. "The entertainment industry hasn't always been as transparent as it should be."
"At Angel Studios, we take accountability seriously. Our accounts will be independently managed by a third-party firm."
"In addition, quarterly audits will be conducted by two separate, reputable accounting firms. The reports will be available to all our members."
"This way, every dollar spent and earned is accounted for."
The skeptical journalist leaned back, seemingly satisfied, and another round of applause swept the room.
As the Q&A continued, the tone shifted back to excitement. Reporters asked about the kinds of stories Angel Studios wanted to tell, the process for joining the Angel Guild, and what role Alex would personally play in the creative process.
Then came another pointed question, one designed to provoke. "Mr. Masters," a reporter began with a smug smile, "your past controversies have been widely documented. Some might argue this is just a PR move to repair your image."
"How do you respond?"
A few gasps rippled through the room. The question hung in the air, loaded and direct. Yet Alex didn't flinch. His gaze remained steady.
"I believe actions speak louder than words," he said after a pause. "Angel Studios isn't about meâit's about the stories we tell and the community we're building.
"It is our way of giving back to people who love our movies, who've supported us all these years."
"Angel Studios seeks to give them a voice and serve as an option to make them bank all while also supporting projects they want to see be made and feel proud that they were amongst the people to make it a reality."
"If my name draws attention to this initiative, so be it. But the real proof lies in the work we create together. Judge us by the impact of the stories we tell, not by the noise of the past."
The response was met with a smattering of applause, which quickly grew into a standing ovation as Alex concluded his remarks.
He gave a gracious nod before exiting the stage, leaving the audience to absorb the significance of what had just been unveiled.
As Linda Carver watched him leave, a mix of emotions churned within herâresentment at the man who had once humiliated her, respect for his unshakable poise, and, most troubling of all, a grudging admiration for his work and vision.
For better or worse, Alex Masters was a force to be reckoned with, and Angel Studios might just be the future of entertainment.
---------
~A Few Days Later~
The magazine stand on the bustling New York City corner was a treasure trove for any film lover. Glossy covers with bold headlines boasted the latest Hollywood gossip, blockbuster news, and deep dives into filmmaking's finest.
A young man in his mid-twenties, clad in a weathered leather jacket and a knit scarf, shuffled through the rows, his sharp eyes scanning for something worthwhile.
He wasn't looking for the usual tabloid nonsense. No, he wanted stories that matteredâsomething with substance. He was just about to leave when a striking cover caught his eye.
The Hollywood Tribune.
The headline read:
"A Visionary in Middle-earth: Behind the Scenes of Alex Masters' Lord of the Rings."
His brow furrowed as recognition sparked. Alex Masters. That name had been everywhere lately, from whispers in film forums to that interview with Margaret from Chicago Daily.
He hadn't been able to forget it. Alex had been cryptic, almost frustratingly so, about the projects he was working on. But there was a spark in his words, a sense of something groundbreaking.
The man picked up the magazine, flipping it open eagerly. The article began with Linda Carver's firsthand account, her words painting vivid images of the lush, idyllic set of Hobbiton in Matamata, New Zealand.
He couldn't help but be swept up in her description of the rolling green hills, the intricate detail of the hobbit holes, and the undeniable magic that hung in the air.
He had read The Hobbit in high school and vaguely remembered the Shire, but Linda's narrative brought it to life in a way that ignited his imagination. The image that he pictured in his mind just called to him, he wanted to travel to place right now.
"She really went there," he muttered to himself, flipping to the next page. Linda's recounting of the Q&A session with Alex was equally enthralling.
He was impressed by how Alex handled the tough questions with poise, particularly the one about transparency in Angel Studios. It was a bold move, letting audiences vote on and invest in films, but the man found himself intrigued.
It felt...different.
Revolutionary, even.
The concept of [Angel Studios]Â stirred something in him. Investing in a film felt like being part of the magic itself. He wasn't wealthyâfar from itâbut the idea of pooling his modest savings into a project he believed in was exciting.
Maybe he'd finally have a say in the kind of stories that made it to the big screen, stories that uplifted and inspired rather than relying on cheap thrills and mindless horror filled with exposed cleavages and panty shots just to bait the teenagers into watching them.
He read on, captivated by Linda's detailed account of the battle sequence she had witnessed the next morning. The way she described itâthe clashing swords, the thundering horses, the sheer scale of it allâmade his pulse quicken.
He could almost hear the cries of the Gondorian soldiers, see the black banners of Mordor rippling in the wind, and feel the dread as the massive oliphaunts stormed the battlefield.
"This is going to be something else," he whispered, his voice tinged with awe.
By the time he finished the article, the man felt as though he'd already taken a journey to Middle-earth himself. He placed the magazine back on the stand, but his mind kept returning to the vivid images Linda had conjured.
It wasn't just the movie that excited himâit was the entire idea of Angel Studios. A place where regular people like him could contribute to the storytelling process.
Could he really do it? Could his small investment help bring something extraordinary to life?
"I'll have to keep an eye out," he muttered to himself, pulling his phone from his pocket to look up Angel Studios.
As he tapped away, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Maybe he wouldn't just be a spectator anymore. Maybe he'd get to play a part in the next great story.
For now, though, he couldn't wait for The Lord of the Rings. If Linda's account of the movie and just how much love and labor went into it was even half as accurate as it seemed, Alex Masters was about to change filmmaking forever.
And he wanted a front-row seat.
----------
~A few weeks later~
~Monarch HQ, Burbank, Marvel Studios Division, Table Read Room~
The room hummed with quiet anticipation. A long conference table stretched across the center, scattered with stacks of scripts, water bottles, and name placards.
The walls were lined with Spider-Man concept artâearly suit designs, villain sketches, and key storyboards.
At the far end, a large banner with the working title Spider-Man: First Swing hung prominently behind Alex Masters as he flipped through the script, radiating an effortless confidence.
The cast was still settling in, some chatting, some quietly going through their lines, and others simply soaking in the atmosphere. The energy was an electric mix of excitement and nerves, the kind that always accompanied the first official table read.
Andrew Garfield shifted in his seat, glancing at Malin Akerman beside him. The two had been through months of training together, and today marked the first step in proving whether all those hours had been worth it.
"You ready for this?" he murmured, tapping the cover of his script.
Malin smirked. "As ready as I can be. Just don't laugh if I mess up."
Andrew chuckled, shaking his head. "No promises."
Across from them, Reese Witherspoon adjusted her chair, leaning toward Heath Ledger, who was stretching his arms out with an easygoing grin.
"You know," Reese said, flipping open her script, "I still can't believe I'm playing Gwen Stacy. I thought for sure they were going to make me dye my hair red."
Heath arched a brow. "You do have the Mary Jane energy."
"Right?" Reese gestured at herself. "But apparently, I just scream 'tragic blonde.'"
Heath chuckled. "Gwen's got some fire in her too. You'll kill it."
Reese sighed dramatically. "As long as I don't have to swing from any buildings."
At the far end of the table, J.K. Simmons was deep in conversation with Willem Dafoe.
"I swear, they cast me because of my voice," J.K. was saying, flipping through his pages. "I've been practicing my 'Get me pictures of Spider-Man!' line all week."
Willem smirked. "Oh, they definitely cast me because of my smile."
Then, with slow deliberation, he tilted his head and flashed that unsettling, almost predatory grinâone that he would soon terrify audiences with and haunt their dreams as Norman Osborn.
J.K. let out a bark of laughter. "Jesus, Willem. Do you practice that in the mirror?"
"Every morning," Willem said with mock solemnity.
Sitting a little apart from the others, Alfred Molina quietly leafed through his script.
Unlike some of his co-stars, his role in this first movie was relatively small, but he wasn't the least bit disheartened. He knew better than anyone that patience paid off in storytelling.
Alex noticed and gestured toward him. "Alfred, I know you don't have much this time, but Spider-Man 2âoh man, you're gonna have the world in your hands."
Alfred smirked. "I'll take your word for it, Alex. Just make sure I get some good monologues."
"Don't worry," Alex assured him. "You'll have your time to shine."
At the far end of the table, Tommy Lee Jones leaned back in his chair, sipping from a black coffee. Beside him, Susan Sarandon was listening intently as he recounted how he ended up joining the cast.
"You know, Alex wanted to give me something bigger," Tommy admitted, setting his cup down.
Susan glanced at him. "And you turned it down?"
Tommy nodded. "Yeah. Look, I get itâhe's building something special with these films. But I've already got the [Men In Black] franchise to deal with. I ain't looking to saddle myself with another long-running franchise. I'm too old for that gig, sadly."
Susan tilted her head, considering. "So why take this role, then?"
"Because it matters," Tommy said simply. He tapped a finger on his script. "Ben Parker has to hit the audience hard. If I do my job right, they'll feel his presence even after he's gone."
Susan blinked as she took in his perspective towards his role as the one to push Peter towards greatness.. towards becoming Spider-Man. "That's actually a great way to look at it."
Tommy smirked, glancing toward Alex. "Of course, he made me promise to stick around for voiceovers and flashbacks. That man knows how to squeeze the last drop out of an actor."
Alex grinned without looking up. "You know meâI always play the long game."
The room had settled now, and Alex tapped his pen against his glass. The sound was sharp, commanding attention.
"All right, everyone," he said, glancing around the table. "Let's get this started."
A hush fell over the room as scripts were flipped open. The first line was about to be spoken.
The journey of Spider-Man had officially begun.
â To be continued...
{2,635 words}
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