September 10th, 1978.
Fantasy Pictures.
"James here is the list take look...Anything missing ?"
"Yes, Add few more positions Bookeeper and CFO and Marketing Manager and Coordinator, Add story editor, We also need additional support in kitchen staff."
"Who should we start first with?"
"Receptionist...Typist and kitchen staff first. Later we can hire slowly according to ability."
James and Linda were sorting the list of Empolyee's to hire. Currently Fantasy Picture only had the technical crew in Jerry, Paul , Glenn and Terry.
In this two story building of Fantasy Pictures currently they were the only two people working Ironically.
James leaned back on his chair looked at Linda.
"I have one more thing to ask, When did we file our movie to union ?"
"Union...oh that was betsy's agent asked me if movie was union compliant. I didn't know anything, you were busy so I asked Jerry and Paul, They sorted that out I just got the papers and you signed it yourself."
"Me...When ? "
"Probably during the time of renting the panavision."
"I was too stressed maybe I missed it. Any way when is the Architect from DMJM coming?"
"Appointment was today right ?"
"It was around 4 pm so there is still time."
James looked at the clock.
Barely one pm.
The next few hours passed with them going through over how many people Fantasy Pictures actually needed.
By three-thirty Jerry and Paul had arrived.
Glenn came shortly after.
Jerry walked into James's office carrying several sheets of paper.
"Here."
James took them.
"What is this?"
"Everything I need for the workshop."
"Why is this three pages?"
"Because you asked for a list."
"I asked what you needed. Not everything you've ever dreamed of owning."
Jerry pulled the papers back.
"Then don't ask me next time."
James grabbed them again.
"I didn't say no."
Jerry smiled.
"I knew you were reasonable."
"Get out."
Paul sitting on the chair checked his watch.
"When is the Architect coming?"
"Four o'clock."
A little before four.
Two men stepped inside.
The older man carried a leather case while the younger one had backpack on his back.
James came out and shook hands with both men.
"James Rowan."
"Michael Stanton."
Jacobson followed.
"P.I. Jacobson."
James looked at him.
"P.I.?"
Jacobson smiled.
"Everyone asks."
"And?"
"I never answer."
James laughed.
Stanton looked between them.
"Can we see the warehouse?"
"Sure."
James led them through the rear of the building.
Jerry, Paul and Glenn were already inside.
The warehouse was still mostly empty except for several boxes.
Stanton stopped near the entrance and looked around.
ames handed Stanton the folder they had prepared.
"That's the list."
Stanton opened it.
Prop workshop.
Equipment storage.
Editing rooms.
Sound editing facilities.
ADR room.
Screening room.
Costume and makeup room
Foley rooms.
Stanton looked up.
"You're not renovating a warehouse."
"You're building a post-production facility inside one."
"That's the idea."
"There's a difference."
They walked through the warehouse while Stanton asked questions.
How much of the building did Fantasy Pictures own?
All of it.
Stanton nodded and continued walking.
Jacobson kept taking notes.
Jerry pointed toward one side of the warehouse.
"That's where I want the workshop."
Stanton looked at the space.
"What kind of workshop?"
"Props. Sets. Models. Special effects."
"Fire?"
"Sometimes."
Stanton stopped.
They continued.
Paul explained the screening room requirements.
Glenn talked about make up and costume facilities.
Unlike James, neither needed Stanton to explain the basics to them. They had spent years working on film sets and inside production facilities.
Stanton listened and asked questions.
Eventually they returned to the office.
"Six months."
"That's my first estimate."
"For renovation?"
"For everything you're asking."
"Why six months?"
"Two months for drawings, permits, fire code, electrical code and approvals."
"Two months for paperwork?"
"If you're lucky."
"Then construction. Partitions, structural work, electrical rewiring, ventilation, fire systems. Another two months."
"And the last two?"
"Equipment installation and testing."
Stanton turned back to the list.
"But there's another problem."
"I can design the building. We can handle the structure, electrical plans, ventilation and fire compliance."
"But I can't design this alone."
James looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because I'm an architect."
"That's why I hired you."
"Mr. Rowan, I can give you a perfectly soundproof room. That doesn't mean it will be a good sound-editing room."
James glanced toward Glenn.
"He's right."
"I need technical specifications. Equipment. Electrical loads. Cable routing. Cooling requirements. Acoustic treatment. Projection requirements."
"People who actually work in these facilities every day. Editors. Sound engineers. Projection technicians. Electrical specialists."
James thought about his conversation with David Picker the previous day.
"IATSE?"
"That's one place to start."
James looked back at Stanton.
"So what do you need from us?"
"Technical consultants as soon as possible. Once I know exactly what equipment is going where and what those rooms require, we can incorporate it into the plans before construction begins."
He looked at Stanton.
"So while we are finding people, what happens?"
"We start measuring. Survey the building, prepare the first drawings and find out exactly what the city will allow us to do."
"And permits?"
"Once the initial plans are ready."
"Mr. Rowan, six months for a facility like this isn't long."
"It is when I'm paying for it."
Jerry laughed from the other side of the room.
Stanton stood.
"Jacobson and I will come back with the survey team. In the meantime, get me the technical people."
James nodded.
"And if everything goes well?"
"February. Maybe March."
"Alright."
He extended his hand.
"Let's get it started."