All language subtitles for Ultrra.Loow.2018.1080p.AMZN.WEB-

[dramatic music]

- Oh no.

Shit.

Fuck.

So what's going on
with the festival tour?

We're supposed to hear
the good word soon, right?

- Yep.

Anytime now.

[contemplative music]

- Shit.

This time's gotta
be the charm, right?

- Maybe.

- [Man] Son of a bitch.

- Good game man.

- Man, that would be nice.

Game changer, right?

- How are we on those
funding sources?

- Oh, my people?

I've got so many
people right now,

they've got people
who've got people.

I got this one guy, he's
like an Arab Prince,

he wants to make his
wife a movie star.

I got this other guy Mr. Chow.

And I'm working him.

He owns a few casinos.

And you know about
my gambling problem.

- Right.

- But, he wants to
shoot the shit in China.

- That's not so bad.

- In Chinese.

- Oh.

- Unless, what would
that make that?

A Spaghetti Eastern.

- Right.

- I'm working it, baby.

Doing what I do, for you.

- For you too.

Gonna head home and shower.

- When have I not come through?

- Come through again.

- Gotcha, Big Genie.

[dramatic music]

[birds singing]

[calm music]

- Hi, Louis.

Hey buddy, come here.

Did you miss me?

Come here.

Come here.

Come here, hi buddy.

Oh, good boy.

Good boy.

Oh, you good boy.

Hi, hi.

Let's go say hi to your brother.

Hey, Jax.

[calm music]

[dramatic music]

I can't believe it's
17 years this month.

I just wanna make
him proud, you know?

If I could become
a great filmmaker.

Make our name count.

Maybe he died for a reason.

But I keep fucking it up.

- Yuji?

Yuji, hello?

- Hold on.

I'm in deep thought.

Okay, pull my finger.

Careful, it's loaded.

- So?

- So I'm just thinking
about career moves.

- Ah, you finished
Nick's new script?

- Yeah, it's great.

Got me wanting to
scratch that itch again.

Is that wrong of me?

- No.

And it's not wrong for you to
wanna back the film either.

- It's a lot of money for us.

- But it'll be worth it.

- Yeah.

What's money when you're
young and don't have any?

- Well, at least one of us is.

- Hey, just because
you beat me up here?

[giggles]

[contemplative music]

[dramatic music]

- It's way over your guys' head.

I'll tell you that right now.

Hey, what's up, dude?

- Hey, guys.

Sorry I'm late.

- That is okay because
we are used to it.

- The boss has arrived.

- Here you go.

Guinness.

Daiquiri for the princess.

Anything for you, sweetie?

- Uh, up, covered.

- Oh, so thoughtful.

- Producing.

- Earning those stripes.

- Brown noser.

- You guys wanna share a
platter of Kalua pig nachos?

- Nachos.
- Sound good?

- [Guys] Yeah sign me up.

- [Producer] Nachos.

Yeah, I want some.

- And camera man?

- Mac and Jack, please.

- You got it.

- I just love that you guys
always have matching drinks.

- So Brokeback.

- [Both] It's healthier.

- Whoa.

Chorus.

[sighing]

- So we did not get in.

[groaning]

- Yep.

I figured, since you
didn't come running in here

screaming like a
little school girl.

- Right.

- What did they say?

- Same shit, different
submission, man.

I got three of the exact
same rejection emails saved.

- Those are good movies.

- Not good enough, I guess.

- Nah man, they're good.

Those are good
fucking movies, dude.

- People keep saying how
great these movies are.

They keep throwing
out this hyperbole

but if the movies
were that great,

would we be sitting here
wondering what the hell happened

after being rejected yet again?

I think we made something
that our audience will like.

It's just not A-list
festival good.

- I just don't fucking
get it, you know?

We got the names,
we got the money.

We got people watching it,
we get all these likes.

I've been getting messages
about Matt's Chance

and that was like
four years ago.

- The quality of the
movies is not the problem.

- It's part of the problem.

- Yeah but is it wrong for
people to like our work?

I don't think so.

If they like it
then they like it.

- Well it's really
had to appreciate that

when we keep hitting
this brick wall.

All the positive
feedback in the world

doesn't change the
reality that we're just

not cracking through
to the A-list.

It's like a mother who
holds her child to the sky

like he's Michael Jordan
because the little shrimp

scored six points in the
weekend basketball game.

- Good old celebration of
mediocrity at its finest.

- Right and is that real?

Does that help us?

I'm just saying, if the
movies were that good,

the industry insiders

would be agreeing with us.

- Sounds like we might be
fighting some politics too.

- Yeah, politics
are the problem.

[laughing]

We're just not making the movies

that the big A-list
festivals wanna see.

You know, it's like we
haven't cracked the code.

- No, I don't buy that, I don't.

I refuse to believe
that if we made

the best indie genre
movie that the festivals

would not recognize that.

- We'll get there.

- Yeah well most
people don't get

the chance to
direct one feature.

I've directed four.

Five if you count the
one that got me into USC.

- Three of those are marketable.

Sellable.

- I just keep getting these
once in a lifetime opportunities

and it's back to
square one again.

I'm still on the
outside looking in.

- Maybe those A-list festivals

aren't what we should
be focusing on.

- What are you talking about?

That's exactly what we
should be focusing on.

That's where the big
heavy hitters are.

That's the big
distribution sales.

That's the only thing that
we should be focusing on.

- But, it's not the only way

to be successful
in this business.

I mean look at
the car you drive.

- Really dude?

Do you think he bought
that straight up cash?

He's leasing that thing.

It's an image thing.

It builds confidence.

And that confidence is
what breeds success.

- Look, I wanna tell
stories to the world

and I'm not there.

And if getting there means
getting into an A-list festival,

then I gotta think hard
about what I'm doing wrong.

- Yeah, I mean the reality
is it doesn't matter

if this movie makes
money or it doesn't.

The problem is the people
at the top ain't seeing it.

- Yeah well, we're
outsiders here, for sure.

And there are
really only two ways

for outsiders to make
it in this business.

Either we raise enough money
to land a giant movie star

or we blow up on the festival
circuit with a little movie.

Anything else is just
working to survive

and that's not the dream.

- So what now?

Try for the next big festival?

- Pointless.

- Yeah I mean if you
don't get into one

you don't get into any of them.

- What about a B festival tour?

Like we did with Matt's Chance.

We raked in what, half a dozen

best picture awards
on that tour?

- Yeah, we got a
bunch of acting awards

and Julien-K got the best score,

but I mean did that make
the movie more successful?

I think not.

- I don't even know
if a B festival

would want Beta
Test at this point.

I mean it's an
indie action movie.

It's in a sub-genre
of little movies

that's predominantly crap.

- But obviously we don't
just give up on it.

- No, it can still
help us if we push.

It's jut not gonna
change the game.

[sighing]

- So what's our angle then?

- Well what do you think of

when you think of
indie action movies?

What comes to mind?

- Seagal.

Van Damme.

Lundgren.

- Right.

All those shitty movies that
you skip over on Netflix.

If anything,

maybe we made a movie
that's a step above those.

- Beta Test is definitely
a step above those.

It had a six minute long
take fight scene in it.

- Six minutes, six
seconds and two frames.

- Thank you.

- Eat that, "Old Boy."

- Are you knocking the Boy?

Don't knock the Old Boy.

- Look, I do think it has
some cool stuff, alright.

It's got the 90's style
video game sequences

and themes of corporate greed
and false flag operations.

Violence in media.

Some of that's bound to stick
with some people, right?

- Maybe we just
needed a title card

at the beginning that said,

"The following is an homage
to 90's action movies.

"It's supposed to be a
little cheesy, y'all."

[laughing]

- Might not've been a bad idea.

I mean, most people aren't
looking for depth or satire

in their shitty action movies.

They might not even get it
if it sat on their faces.

And the high brow
movie fans probably

wouldn't be choosing
to watch that anyways.

They'd be watching the
new Gus Van Sant flick.

- Right.

So we made a weird limbo movie.

- Yeah.

I always pictured it
as Mario trying to save

Princess Peach from
Bowser's castle.

- Holy shit.

I never realized
that until just now.

- Thank you, Scott.

- So what's the plan?

- AFM.

- American?
- American Film Market.

We're gonna sell thus
puppy and land ourselves

a solid distribution deal

and hopefully a limited
theatrical release

that'll promote the
home video release

and that'll be that.

Hopefully people find it.

- Yeah, that'll be that,
like it's no big deal.

- Well, we still didn't get
into an A-list festival.

And we still don't have an
A-list cast to sell it on.

Ultimately, Beta Test can only
roll us into the next one.

That's all it can ever be.

- Oh, yes.

- Nacho time, boys.

- Nice.

Thank you.

- Come on, guys, get in there.

- Thank you, thank you.

- Anything else I can get you?

- I'm definitely gonna
need one more of these.

- Make that a double.

- I think we're good over here.

- [Waitress] Okay.

- Now, Scott,

this, right here,

this is what we call a
continuity nightmare.

- Look at all that.

- So any idea what's next?

- [Nicholas] Yeah.

I think so.

- What do you mean, think so?

Huh?

- I think it's time
for The Red Vision.

- Yeah.

- That's the horror
movie, right?

- Simplifying it a
little bit but yeah.

- I suspect heavy makeup
effects will be needed?

- Heavy everything, man.

Let's make this the
indie genre movie

the industry can not ignore.

- We need to.

- Yeah.

- How are we on
financing for that?

- We just landed a new
investor today, actually,

and how can you eat
and talk and film?

- I'll show you.

Yummy.

- So we are green light then?

- We are go mission.

- Yeah.
- Nice.

- Fuckin-A, man, that's awesome.

- And who?

[phone chiming]

- [Edi] Oh, cinematic.

- Hey.

Yeah, we're inside.

Just look for the sausage
fest of filmmakers.

- Oh yeah, we should think about
diversifying, shouldn't we?

- [Scott] I'm bald.

- I'm Mexican.

- Oh yeah.

I forgot about little
Zorro over here.

- Good ref.

- So who is it?

The investor.

- Oh.

I'll give you a hint.

- Yuji.

- How the hell did you?

Yeah.
- It was Yuji.

[laughing]

Your twists are obvious, man.

- So the villain
from Karate Kid II

is backing The Red Vision.

- It's one last hoorah.

I think that's pretty poetic.

- That's exactly what I said.

- Where's Sean, by the way?

- Oh, I think he
had an audition.

He said he was gonna pop
by before we wrapped up.

Edi, you wanna?

- I'm already on it.

- Together we will find them.

The aliens are real.

Together we will find them.

- The aliens are real.

Together we'll find them.

- The aliens are real.

Together we will find them.

The aliens are real.

Together we will find them.

- The aliens are real.

The aliens are real.

- Together, we'll find them.

[phone chiming]

- [Gray Shirt] Together
we'll find them.

- [Red Shirt] The
aliens are real.

Together we will find them.

- [Blue Shirt] The
aliens are real.

Together we'll find them.

- The aliens are real.

The aliens are real.

[calm music]

- Hi, I'm Sean Ferguson

and I'll be reading for
the part of Alien Hunter.

- Alright, impress me, baby.

- Alright.

[clearing throat]

The aliens are real

and together, we will--

- Nah.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

- I didn't know Yuji
had that kind of cash.

I mean, I know he's got the
restaurant and everything

but I didn't know
he was a playa.

- Yeah, he said he
was selling his stake

in a company he invested in,
and putting it in the movie.

- No shit.

- Hey guys, how's it going?

- Hey, Yuji.

- Hey, Yuji.

Hey, it's my baby boy, Yuji.

How're you doing?

I miss you so much.

I need you.

[laughing]

- So how's the food?

- So good.

- Awesome.

Hey, Erik, nice work
on the FX makeup.

- You saw the cut?

- Oh yeah, it's awesome, dude.

- So Yuji just agreed to co-star

as the ghost of our main
character's deceased father.

- Oh.

- In The Red Vision.

When I told him the situation,

he stepped up in a big way
to help us bring it to life.

- You got Angie
to that for that.

She said, "Go big or go home."

- Well, thank you, Angie.

We'll take it.

- So you get to
be Captain Planet?

- Finally time to play the hero.

Not that I don't love
playing the bad guys.

- [Edi] Oh, we know it.

- Can I get you anything?

- Oh no, I'm good.

I'm just saying hi to the boys.

- Have a drink with us.

- Hey.

Mr. Healthy doesn't drink, dude.

- Actually, can
we get the check?

- Come on, guys.

Your money's paper here.

Especially today.

I got it.

- Thanks, Yuji.

- I love free food.

[laughing]

- Well, if you need
anything else let me know.

I'll be in my office.

Nick I will see
you at the fitting?

You got a lot of work to do.

- Yes we do.

I'll see you then.

- Alright, see you guys.

- Bye, Yuji.

- Thanks for the money.

- Thanks for the money?

- What?

- I'll always remember

getting to kick his
ass in Beta Test.

- Oh, Scott,

like the tissue.

Our favorite little starlet.

- That's DP starlet to you.

- Well, at least now
we know your porn name.

[laughing]

- Whatever.

- Wow, so, Yuji's
really pulling in

that much for the next one?

- I think it's like Jay said.

He wants one more
shot to be the star.

- Who wouldn't?

- Yeah and Karate Kid
II was a long time ago.

He's had a great career.

But nothing has really
hit quite as hard

as that first big
break, you know?

- Works for me.

- Everything works for you.

- I'm easy to please.

- We love you that way.

- This is just
beautiful stuff, guys.

[chuckling]

- Hey, will you take
a picture of us?

- Sure.

- Awesome.

Make sure you get Jay's
good side, please.

- What side is that again?

[laughing]

- Okay, ready?

- [Sean] Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait.

- Oh my gosh, hurry up, actor.

- Come on.

- Let's go.

- Alright.

Hopefully that's good enough
for a bunch of filmmakers.

- Thank you.

Alright, guys.

Let's make a movie.

- We're making a movie?

[groaning]

What, did we get in?

[groaning]

[contemplative music]

- One, two, three, four.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Wait, wait, wait.

It's The Red Vision
not Red Vision.

It's about the beautiful
redheaded medium.

It's about her
gift and her curse.

It's intimate.

It's about her.

The car tumbles and crashes.

[laughing]

The father arrives.

That is our hero moment.

That's the moment
where we go big

and that's the moment the
whole movie comes full circle.

This where the movie
becomes a superhero.

You ready?

- Yes, sir.

- Just don't do
anything I would do.

- Yeah, don't read
the prose out loud.

- Hey.

That was my first audition.

That was one time.

- Alright, man,
whenever you're ready.

- So, I think the skin should
be a little more reptilian.

Snake-like, almost.

- She's gonna be
one mean mama demon.

- Yeah, I want it to
be scary but grounded.

Remember we're doing
Insidious meets Ghost

meets Unbreakable.

So I want it to exist
in our world, you know?

- Horror.

Romance.

Superhero origin.

Check.

[calm music]

- Hey, Yuji.

- Hey Nick, how are things?

- Oh, good.

I just wanted to check
in on that investment.

It's been about a week
since I've heard anything

and I just wanted to make
sure everything's on track.

- Yeah.

I'm working on it.

- Okay.

Are there any problems?

- No, no, I'm just
sorting everything out.

- Any idea when we might
have the funds available?

I'm only asking because
the first 25K you gave us

is about out now.

- I'll send it to you
as soon as it comes in.

- Sure.

Thanks, Yuji.

- No worries.

Hey, I'll see you at the
fitting tomorrow, right?

- Yeah, see you then.

- Alright, buh-bye.

[phone chiming]

- [Jay] Hey.

- Hey, Jay, what's up?

- Yeah, I just wanted to
clarify a couple things

before I send off this
order here for hard drives.

- Oh.

Okay, sure.

- So what're we thinking?

100, 120 minute movie and
a 21 day shoot, right?

- Yeah, sounds about right.

- Shooting in 4K?

- Maybe 6K.

- Shit.

Alright.

Bigger hard drive coming up.

- Shoot in 6K, edit
on a 4K timeline.

So we can punch in on some shots

and not lose any quality,
reframe, you know?

- Yup, I'm totally with you.

Okay, so I'm putting
in this order then?

[phone buzzing]

- Oh shit, Jay, can
you hold on for a sec?

I gotta take care of this.

- Sure thing.

- Hey, boss, just
calling you back.

- Give me some good news.

- Oh, the good news, yeah.

Well, the good news is it
only took me 25 minutes

to get my coffee today as
opposed to the usual 30

and the bad news is my
patience is really running out

for the soccer moms in front
of me always complaining

about not enough whipped cream.

Why don't they just
carry a can of Ready-Whip

and save us all a little pain?

- That's not exactly the
good news I was looking for.

What's going on with those
money people you're working?

I'm just getting
a little nervous

with our major
investors here and

we could use some
backup, you know?

- Right, it's coming, man.

I'm still massaging Mr. Chow.

Mr. Arabic Prince well,

he decided to finance a
new movie at Sony instead.

- Yeah, I guess I would too.

- Hey, Big Genie,

we'll get there.

But, for right now, I'm gonna
focus on getting off the phone

because apparently I'm
upsetting my elevator companion.

So sorry.

Maybe I'll ask her out
and make it real awkward.

- Yeah, and when
she turns you down

you can just give her my number.

- Hey, I got a big hotshot
movie director on the phone.

Super hottie.

Want me to give you his number?

- No, wait, what?

No, no, no, I was just kidding.

Just let me know when
you get a bite, alright?

- Yeah, I don't think
she's buying it.

Alright, will do, boss.

- [Jay] Hola.

- Hey, sorry about that.

- No worries,
everything going well?

- Yeah, yeah, but
could you hold on

a couple days for that order?

I just am waiting for some
extra funds to come in.

And I just don't want you to
be on the line for anything.

- Oh, okay.

Are you sure?

- Yeah, just would
rather be safe.

It's just a few more days.

- Alright then.

I will await your word.

Talk to you soon.

- Yeah, the budget's
real tight on this, man,

so no one's gonna be
getting a trailer.

Maybe we can set her up in a
private office or something.

Or maybe a kitchen.

- [Gordon] Oh, she's
not gonna like that.

- It'll be a nice kitchen.

We'll give her some
wifi or something.

- [Gordon] What about a hotel?

Can we go five stars?

- Yeah, I'm sure we
can make that work.

Yeah, let me just
confer with the director

and I'll get back
to you on that.

[phone buzzing]

Hey, Gordon, I got
somebody on the other line.

I gotta get back to you.

I'll update you in
the morning, okay?

- [Gordon] Sure.

- Okay, bye.

Hello?

- [Woman On Phone] Hello,
is this Edi Zanid-d-d--

- Zanihdackeeye.

- [Woman On Phone] Right.

Edi Zani-datch-iyuh.

- Yes.

- [Woman On Phone] We're
just calling to follow up

about the e-mail we sent out

about the job interview
for this Thursday.

- Oh, right.

- [Woman On Phone] Can we
confirm you for 9:00 a.m?

It's our only spot
left, I'm afraid.

- Yeah, put me
down for 9:00 a.m.

- [Woman On Phone] Okay, great.

We'll see you on
Thursday at nine o'clock.

- Thanks.

[horn honks]

- Hey, buddy.

- Hey.

- How's it all going?

- Working hard.

- Yeah?

So what's the scoop?

- Alright.

You got the part.

- Seriously?

- But.

- Yeah?

- You gotta work your
ass off for me, man.

You gotta bring your A-game.

- Yeah, of course I will, man.

- This movie is
too important, man.

You gotta shine in this.

- Don't worry.

- Like you haven't.

- I get it.

- Every performance
has to be stellar.

- I'm not gonna let you down.

- Or yourself.

- Or myself.

- Alright.

Welcome to the team.

- Yes.

Awesome.

Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Hey, where you going?

You're not gonna
hang out with me?

- Well, I thought I
was just coming to--

- I'm just kidding
dude I'm busy, go.

- Alright.

See you later buddy.

- See ya.

- Actually, do you mind if I
talk to you about something?

- Yeah sure.

What's up?

- I want you to know that
I am stoked about this.

But it just reminds me
that outside your movies,

I can't seem to land a
good agent or auditions.

What if I'm just not
supposed to make it?

Am I just kidding myself?

[sighing]

I don't know if it's my delivery

because I know I can act.

I'm just not getting
any younger, man.

- I feel like I say the
same thing over and over.

You gotta get back into classes

and you gotta focus.

Work on your craft.

And take the advice I give to
every actor trying to make it.

You've gotta become
a producer, man.

This is a producer's
industry now.

Nothing is just gonna
come to you today.

Not unless you're down in LA

networking your
way up the chain.

If you wanna be that movie star,

if you wanna be that lead,

you gotta make it
happen for yourself.

So while you're waiting for
that audition of a lifetime,

why not work on putting
something together?

Something small.

Something that you can star in.

That showcases you.

Get it into some film festivals.

- I wouldn't even
know where to start.

- Dude, come up with an idea.

Write a script.

Find money.

Ask friends or family

or people that wanna
see you succeed.

You ever hear the story
about how Vin Diesel did it?

- [Sean] Yeah wasn't it that
he did a telemarketing job?

- [Nick] Yep.

- [Sean] And then
he used that money

to put some little
film together.

- Yep, exactly, right.

And that little film got
into a big film festival.

Steven Spielberg saw it.

Cast him in Saving Private Ryan.

- Wow.

- The rest is history.

You only need one success
to turn everything around

and, hey man, I'm in
the same boat with you.

You think I don't wonder
what it would be like

if I don't make it?

We're in this together, man.

We just gotta stay positive
and do the work, alright?

- I'm sorry.

I was wondering if you
could spare anything

for someone who's struggling.

My son is diabetic and I
can't afford his medication.

I work so hard and
I can't make enough

to take care of my boy.

He's all I have in this world.

Can you please help me?

Please, sir.

- Yeah, here, I got a
couple bucks for you, buddy.

- [Father] Thank you.

- Hold on, hold on.

- So you have a job,

you just can't make ends
meet, is that right?

- Yes, sir.

It's just hard for us right now.

- Where do you work?

- I work at a store.

- What store?

You don't have a job, do you?

You just make all your
money begging people.

- I do what I have to, alright?

- Do you even have a son?

- Here.

Just don't go spending
it all on booze.

- Thanks.

- You're a good actor, man.

Anyone tell you that before?

- No.

I just do what I
have to, alright?

- Well, why don't you do
something good for that money?

Why not be entertaining?

You can try.

Here.

Okay?

It's the number for
a friend of mine.

It's a casting agent.

We already know you can perform,

so give it a shot.

- Thank you.

- So what do you think?

- What do I think?

- [Nick] Yeah.

- I think you're supposed to
be my motivational asshole

and not going around increasing
my competition in this town.

- If you were half as
dedicated as that guy,

you'd be an Oscar
nominee by now.

[laughing]

- Hi, Scott.

- Hey.

- Hey.

- I heard you guys were
starting up a new movie.

- Yeah, that's the plan.

Just checking out
some lenses in here.

- We got this new set of
lenses over here, actually.

Supposed to be pretty good.

- Oh, awesome.

- I'm gonna let you poke
around a bit, alright?

- Cool, thanks.

- You got it.

You know, actually, I
hate to bring this up

but there's still three invoices

that you haven't
paid for old rentals.

- Yeah, I know.

I'm trying.

I had some clients stiff me.

- Trust me, I know
how it is, alright?

But if you guys are planning
to rent for this next show,

I think we gotta get those
squared away beforehand, okay?

- Okay.

Totally understand.

- Alright.

- And I'll see if production
can advance me something.

- What's the name of the movie?

- The Red Vision.

- Ooh.

- Yeah, it's a horror flick.

- Oh, fun.

- Yeah.

- You know, I'll be
first in line to see it.

- Awesome.

You'll have to check
out Beta Test too,

once we get the premiere set up.

- I think I will.

Thanks, Scott.

- Yeah.

- Let me know if you
need anything, okay?

- Thank you.

Appreciate it.

- Hey what up man?

- Hey hold still big guy.

- Hey make sure you add
some padding down there.

Make it look like
he has a, you know.

- Yeah yeah real funny.

Hey I haven't heard
a complaint yet.

- I'll file mine later.

- Good idea.

Hey Yuji.

- Hey Nick.

- How's everything going?

- All good.

- Good.

Not sure about
that shirt though.

- Oh.

- It's a little.

- It's a little.

- Willy Wonka.

- Right.

- Yeah.

Hey could we get a shirt that's
a little less Willy Wonka?

- As you wish sire.

- Wonderful.

- Come on man help me out.

Help me out dude.

Yeah that's when
everyone's gonna be there.

Well let me.

It's happening.

Yep 15 days just for her.

In and out three weeks.

Cool alright have
her get the draft

and I'll get back to you okay.

Damn unions.

Fuckin' hate 'em,
man, here we go.

Hey this is Edi.

Yep we want a
modified low budget.

Well if you could help me out

with that security
bond that'd be great

because I'd like to lower that.

- This is it man.

This is exactly what
I was talking about.

Crazy intersection right?

- Yeah.

- Make sure you get
a good shot of it.

- Hey Nick do you mind
if I ask you something?

- Shoot.

- It's just that

I've gotten behind
on a couple of bills

and I was just wondering
when you're gonna

be paying us for prep.

- Oh any day man, any day.

We're just waiting on a
new installment from Yuji.

It's coming.

- I hope so.

- Yeah it's coming.

It's coming don't worry.

So this is where it happens.

This is where we do
the long take car chase

that beats the record that
we set with Beta Test.

This is where the
heroes make their stand.

- It's gonna be expensive.

- We'll make it happen.

[contemplative music]

- Hey did you get that
email from your agent?

- What?

- Your agent.

- Oh, right.

I gotta send him a
commission check.

- Are you okay?

- Yeah.

I'm fine thanks.

- Don't stress,
everything will work out.

- Yeah.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

- [Man On Phone] Hey
Yuji how are you?

- Good so what's the scoop?

Can we pull this
thing off or what?

- [Man On Phone] Look I won't
beat around the bush here.

That last deal we
all agreed to make,

it's turning a bit south.

- How far south are
we talking about?

Last I heard it
was just a delay.

- [Man On Phone] No word yet
on how bad it will hit us

but I wanted you to know,
if you sell your stake now,

you won't capitalize
like we thought, okay?

Sorry for the bad news.

We're trying to salvage it.

- Well try harder!

Fuck!

- Alright man you
asked for my opinion.

I'm just giving it to you.

- No no no no.

Who knows you could've gone
on to do other great things.

- Let other men do
other great things.

I think I'm doing what
I'm supposed to be doing.

- Yeah I mean maybe it's
not a perfect movie but...

- Have you seen the little
cult following it has online?

- No more questions,
no more beliefs.

- The Red Vision will be better.

- And all because I
couldn't see down that road.

- Bro, some guy threw
like a whole burger away.

Jackpot.

Bro,

some guy threw like
a whole burger away.

Jackpot.

Come on.

Come on you got this Sean.

Who are you kidding?

You know there's no way
you're gonna pull this off.

No.

One more time.

- Here you go.

[upbeat music]

- Next up we have local favorite

and Giggles Thunderdome
champion, Edi Z.

[people cheering]

- Thanks a lot, man.

Thank you, buddy.

Hey.

Alright, what's up?

How're you guys
doing today, huh?

[crowd applauding]

Good good, it's awesome.

I'm doing alright you know?

I feel like the universe is
telling me I'm doing it wrong.

The other day I was
at the grocery store

and I overheard
this little girl.

She's screaming at her mom.

She's yelling at her.

She's like, Mom,
Mom, Mommy, Mom.

[crowd laughing]

I want a banana.

I want a banana.

Mommy, I want a banana.

Like the mom couldn't take
it anymore and she's like,

No okay.

You can't have a banana.

I was like holy crap.

You know because I don't have
a kid or anything like that.

But I was thinking
if I did have a kid,

I'd love to have a kid

that wanted to eat
healthy food you know?

So that pissed me off.

That made me angry.

So when the mom wasn't looking
I gave the kid a banana.

Yeah I go here you go eat it

real quick before your mom sees.

Eat it eat it.

And let me tell you what,

that was probably the fastest,

most violent allergic reaction

I've ever seen in
my entire life yeah.

[people laughing]

[cheering]

[contemplative music]

[phone buzzing]

[calm music]

- Hey, what's up, man?

Thanks for coming.

- Hey I needed a drink anyway.

- What can I get you?

- Yeah I'll do a Basil
Hayden straight up.

- Okay.

You good?

- I'm good thanks.

- [Bartender] Alright
be right back.

- Man you really are committed.

- Totally.

I wish I had
discovered this sooner.

This shit's amazing.

- What is this, a video diary?

- You never know.

What's up man, how are you?

[sighing]

[knocking on door]

- Hey man.

- Hey hey.

- Come on in.

I thought you had
a show tonight.

What's up?

- Yeah I did.

Wrapped up a bit ago.

- You just weren't feeling
like the after party or what?

- Nah.

Just wanted to chat
with my best buddy.

- You hungry?

- Yeah Jesus what is that smell?

- This is just a little
Hungarian deliciousness.

- Smells like my mom's
Romanian deliciousness.

- Chicken Paprikash.

- Oh.

Thanks dude.

- Food cousins.

[laughing]

What's up?

- Acting's a tough business bro.

There's so much
competition out there.

- Yeah.

But when I walk
into these auditions

I feel like I can
own these guys.

- Yeah I was there too.

You know Nick once told me

that whenever he walks
into a room of filmmakers,

he assumes that he's the
least talented one there.

- Really?

- Yeah.

That's exactly how
I responded too.

Then I got it.

It drives him to be his best

knowing that there
are others out there

that are smarter, more talented
or creative or whatever.

That just pushes
him that much harder

to be a better filmmaker.

I learned a lot from that.

It hasn't helped me
get any roles but.

[laughing]

But it did make me
realize I need to step up

and get back somehow.

- So how are things
going with the movie?

- Which movie?

[chuckling]

- I guess all of them.

- Well things are about set
for the Beta Test premiere.

- Oh sweet.

Man I still can't
believe we got such

an awesome indie
release for that.

[groaning]

Opening nationwide, 20 screens.

Next week.

So crazy.

- Yeah but it's not gonna make
much money though you know?

- Yeah.

- We just don't have
the marketing budget

that like a big festival
sale would've gotten us.

- [Edi] Well maybe Red
Vision will be the one.

- Hope so.

- So we on track with that?

- Oh yeah yeah.

Yuji's gonna give us a
new installment any day.

- Fuck it.

I just need this next one.

I need to bring it.

- And you will.

Just work your ass off.

More than I did.

- So what made you choose this?

- Look at Edi.

Started off doing standup comedy

and then with Nick's films he
got into acting and writing.

He never even thought
about being a producer

until he saw the gap.

- The gap?

- Nick needed someone
he could count on.

Someone he could trust.

Edi saw that.

So he stepped up whether
it made him money or not.

- And you saw a gap.

- Look at all the
DPs and camera guys

that have come and
gone over these movies.

I never thought I
would love it this much

but there is something
so special about
capturing a moment.

It's opened up a
whole new door for me.

I don't know where
I'll be in a few years.

Maybe even producing too.

But for now, this feels right.

So I'm stepping it up
and I'm giving back.

I'll tell you Nick can be a
real pain in my ass sometimes.

[laughing]

- I like to call him our
motivational asshole.

- Exactly.

But I'll tell you one thing.

At the end of the day,

I know he's got my back.

- So is the movie all you
wanted to talk to me about?

- Well sorta.

My show was kinda weird tonight.

- Oh yeah?

- Yeah I had this moment.

Like what the hell
am I doing you know?

- Like it's smalltime?

- Yeah.

Exactly.

- Yeah I get that.

- Yeah.

- I feel the same way whenever

anyone tells me I'm making it.

They don't see
behind the curtain,

they don't know what
we're going through.

- Right.

So.

I've just been thinking
a lot about all this.

I just don't wanna be
wasting my time you know?

I'm really not making a
lot of money on this yet.

Not enough to
sustain a solid life.

It's so hard to
get back up movie

after movie with no
real idea in sight

if anything's really
gonna change you know?

- Yeah I do.

- I just need to make
a choice at some point.

Do I keep going hoping?

Or do I just like buckle
down and get a real job?

- I've been thinking
about it too.

In my core

I know it's what I wanna do.

But is it what I should do?

Every time I think I
have the right script

I get proven wrong.

I take one step forward
and two back every time.

And every time I feel like
I'm letting my dad down.

I don't know where
I go from here.

But I think it's
different for you.

Probably for all the guys.

If someone told you tomorrow
you're never gonna make it

you'd pick up and you'd
start a regular life.

It would suck.

But you could do it.

Making movies is
everything to me.

I don't think I could
live that regular life.

I just would never
be happy in it.

- I saw you read
at the audition.

I think you have it.

I really do.

But you gotta continue
to put in the work

and stay humble.

- So what you're telling me

I'm not the most
talented guy in the room?

- Not looking like a roided
out Eminem you're not.

- Oh nice.

Well look who's
talking dickhead.

- Ouch.

Never heard that one before.

- I just need to
see some strides.

- You do.

Back to the barber.

[laughing]

- Touche.

I want this.

But I don't wanna be five
to 10 years down the road

and not be successful
at this either.

- No man, no.

You are doing what you're
supposed to be doing.

No one's gonna
disagree with that.

It's just, I'm not you man.

We are all here to support you.

- But I feel the weight.

Whenever I don't deliver
on one of these movies,

I know I'm letting you
down and everyone else too.

Right now I'm the reason

you're even thinking
about a regular job.

I wish I knew the next one

was gonna be the
right one but I don't.

And yeah, the movies
do get better.

I learn from mistakes.

But it's not enough.

Not good enough.

Obviously.

- Even more motivation

to make this one the
fucking one right?

[sighing]

- That next guy, he's
gonna go six, 11 years

and he's gonna get the
role that you coulda had.

I don't know how many
times I didn't get the part

because I just
didn't do the work.

Not anymore.

- Well.

Here's to team building.

To carpe diem.

- Who's Carpe Diem?

Joking.

Totally joking this time.

- So you can't make a good movie

and I can't make a
living off producing.

God it sucks how interconnected
our problems are.

- Fuck you.

[laughing]

- I'll cheers to that.

- Did you pick a suit
out for next week?

- Shit.

[upbeat music]

[people cheering]

[horns honking]

[dramatic music]

[crowd cheering]

- Dad.

[suspenseful music]

- [Edi] Hey can we get
some pictures here?

Let's do this.

- Alright let's do this.

- Hey look who's here
it's Tami Stronach

from Never Ending Story.

Wow what're you doing here?

- Well I've recently
gotten back into acting

and I'm doing some appearances.

But really Nick is
friends with my publicist.

- Yeah.

- And he promised
me a role in his

upcoming supernatural
drama if I agree

to do the Q and A for Beta Test.

- You have to tell me what
role are you gonna get?

- I don't know.

- Well at least you're gonna be

on the big screen that's cool.

- Yeah it'll be great I'm
looking forward to it.

- Alright thanks Tami
have fun tonight.

- Thank you.

[dramatic music]

[laughing]

- I know you're a big star.

Look right here, your
name's right here.

Yuji Okumoto.

- Yeah but it should
be over there.

- That's right.

- I'm kidding.

- So tell me a little
bit about Beta Test.

- It's a video
game come to life.

It stars Larenz Tate, Manu
Bennett, Linden Ashby,

some guy named Yuji Okumoto.

[laughing]

- That would be you,
a really big star.

- Oh yeah that's
right that's me.

- Alright guys.

Let's enjoy this one.

[crowd cheering]

You guys ready to see a movie?

Alright let's go.

Woo.

[dramatic music]

- [Man In Film] Gotta
find the manager.

Get the bags ready.

- [Woman In Film]
What are you doing?

You're gonna get
yourself killed.

- I need the keys right now.

- I don't have them.

They're in my desk.

It's over there.

- Well, there's two
points for difficulty.

- That husband of yours

is a stubborn man.

- You've underestimated him.

He's a survivor.

- God that's what
I love about you.

You're just so dramatic,
you're just unpredictable.

[grunting]

[suspenseful music]

[gun firing]

[crowd applauding]

[punches landing]

[suspenseful music]

[crowd cheering]

- [Tami] Wow thanks guys

for showing us the film
before its release.

- Well you guys are the
first audience to see

our little homage to
90's action movies.

This is the world premiere.

[applauding]

- Does that mean we
beta tested Beta Test?

[laughing]

Okay, so tell us a little bit
about the release coming up

and where Beta Test fits
in to the larger market.

- Edi, you wanna hop in?

I'm still recovering
from that one.

- [Edi] Yeah, no problem.

- You know I mean if
we did our job right

then hopefully we made
an indie action movie

that's maybe a little bit
better than the competition.

- And you did recently sign
with a distributor, yeah?

So Beta Test will be
hitting some theaters

and it'll be available on DVD
and Blu Ray and VOD, right?

- 20 theaters nationwide.

It's so surreal to
hear that out loud.

I know that Nick and
all of us were shocked

when we got that call.

- Yeah I just didn't
think a release

like this was gonna be possible

for a movie like
"Beta Test", you know?

But I'm grateful to get
the movie out there.

[applauding]

- So my next big
question is piracy

and what is the reality there?

- Yeah that is a big one.

Piracy is rampant.

And with the industry
and home video market

going completely digital

pirated copies of movies are
online the day of release

sometimes sooner
in full quality.

People have been
pirating movies for years

but I think this is
the tipping point.

Much like Napster and
the advent of MP3s

signaled the downward spiral
for the music industry,

the double edged
sword of going digital

is how easily we're
providing pirates

with full HD copies of
our work right away.

I think it's gonna become
pretty hard pretty soon

for filmmakers to make
any money on their films

unless you're Star Wars

commanding audiences
across the world

to see you in theaters or

unless you sell your
film for seven figures

at a big film festival.

- So you're really
worried about piracy.

This is a problem for
the film industry.

- You know I think it's
out of my hands but

it is what it is.

I wanna make as much money
as I can for my investors

but I think the best
case scenario I can hope

that the piracy doesn't
impact sales on a broad scale

while maybe exposing the movie
to people around the world

that might not otherwise see it.

I think that is the silver
lining you gotta take from it.

- So how do you get
a film like this

out to paying customers?

What's the marketing plan?

- Well aside from our
publicist Clint Morris

and his gang over at--

- October Coast.

They work wonders
for indie filmmakers

and we have a tight
marketing budget

but we're gonna make
every dollar count

through social
media ad campaigns

and generous press coverage.

But ultimately there just
aren't enough dollars

in a release like this

to guarantee a lot
of butts in seats.

But what it can do is shine
a spotlight on the film,

regardless of how much it
does at the box office.

It can say hey look at us
we're a little different.

Give us a chance.

- Well regardless of what
it does at the box office

I'm really happy that you
are doing what you dream.

- Thanks Tami.

- I wanna open it up
for some questions

for the audience now.

So yes, you.

[people chattering]

- Hey Nicholas.

- Hey.

- I'm Michael.

- Hey man.

- [Michael] Hey
nice to meet you.

- Yeah you too you too.

- [Michael] And great movie.

- Oh thanks I appreciate that.

- Look I know you're going
to get bombarded tonight

so I just wanted to put a
buzz in your ear real quick.

I'm working on directing
my first feature and

well we're stuck.

At some point I'd
love to get together

and talk with you
about producing.

Maybe help get it
off the ground.

- Yeah totally man yeah.

Email me the script I'd
love to take a look at it.

- Yeah?

- [Nick] Yeah totally.

- Hi could you sign this please?

- Sure.

Get me that script alright?

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

- Cool thanks.

- Oh what's it called?

- Second Nature.

- Alright I'll look out for it.

- Cool.

- Alright let's get
you this signature.

So you liked the movie?

- Yeah I really did.

- Are you lying?

- No I actually really liked it.

- Alright cool.

Here you go.

- Thank you.

- Thanks for coming.

- [Man] You know I heard the
director's kind of an asshole.

- Have you worked
with him before?

- No.

- He can be pretty difficult
to work with sometimes,

I'll say that.

- The movie wasn't
even that good.

People are freaking out
like it's an Oscar party.

- Hey would you like
me to sign that?

- Who are you?

- Hey Mr. Gyeney.

- Hey.

- Hey I just wanted to say
thank you for that film.

- Oh, sure.

- For an indie action
movie that blew me away.

- Oh man thanks.

Glad you liked it.

- Of course.

If you don't mind

I was just hoping you
might have some advice

for an aspiring
filmmaker like me

to have the same kind of
success that you've had.

- You just gotta
never give up, man.

[sighing]

[lighter clicks]

- Really dude?

- Dude I'm nervous.

- And why weren't you
nervous before the movie?

- I just thought of
it now okay back off.

- Well, that was
pretty fucking amazing.

- They really liked it right?

- [Edi] Such a good
feeling to see that.

- And I'm just glad I
got to be a part of it.

- Of course man.

But remember guys this
is the world premiere.

This is no doubt
the best reception

we're gonna get on this thing.

I mean it was all
friends and family

and people who want
to see us succeed.

- Oh my God will you shut up

and let us have
this moment please?

Damn.

- Let me ask you
guys a question.

- Wait.

- Relentless.

- Okay.

- Am I difficult to work with?

- I've heard people
say that before.

- Yeah.

Me too.

- But I honestly
don't really get it.

You ask people for their best

because that's what
the film needs.

- I think,

I mean,

this is Seattle right?

And you Nick are a
very honest direct guy.

Some people just don't
know how to deal with that.

How many times have we sat
there hiring these guys

and we say we can
only afford one rate

and this is all we can do

and they take the job anyway

and then when we
hear them complain

because they're slacking off

or because we ask
them to work harder,

it's like dude,
you took the job.

Do the freaking job you know?

- It's not like I go
Christian Bale on anybody.

- [Edi] Yeah.

- High expectations, I guess.

- I think it might
have to do with

when I've seen you
get pissed off on set.

Granted, it was only
a couple of times.

That's all it takes.

The crew really doesn't
get why you're mad.

They just see the director
yelling at somebody.

It makes you look like a dick.

- I mean I try hard not
to get angry on set.

But if someone's
going around me,

making decisions they're
not supposed to be making,

not doing what we
hired them to do,

it is really hard for
me not to call them out.

It's just tough
to be the nice guy

in situations like
that you know?

I try and swallow it but.

- On one hand, you feel bad
that you can't pay everybody

through the roof for
their work right?

- Yeah I do.

- But then you also ask
them to work their asses off

because I mean if they don't
the whole production suffers.

- And the movie.

- And that trickles
down the line

to getting future projects made.

- It's the big picture.

What?

- Dude, that was deep.

- Hey.

Brains and brawn ladies.

[laughing]

- [Scott] This guy.

- You know I was just
thinking about it.

A lot of people don't focus
on building that relationship.

They don't see the opportunity
of working hard for less now.

I mean isn't that so
obviously the goal?

- Edi.

A lot of the crew here
don't have that luxury

because of how little
work there is here.

They gotta pay their bills.

That takes priority
over everything,
including doing favors.

- And a lot of us have been
burned by empty promises.

- I think you're just gonna
be dealing with people

thinking that you're difficult
until the money's flowing.

More money's gonna
equal better crew

and hopefully better
attitudes too.

- Comes with the
territory I guess.

- Bullshit on that but, yeah.

- The door swings both ways.

Beat them at their own game.

We don't have the money to
pay what people deserve.

So if you're worried about
being seen as the asshole

next time somebody slacks,

try to be more aware of that.

Instead of calling
somebody out publicly

in front of the crew,
pull them aside.

- Yeah you're right.

Easier said than done.

But you're right.

Sometimes in the moment [growls]

I know I gotta work on it.

I am working on it.

My ongoing struggle.

- What brought that up?

- Actually overheard some
guys talking about it.

- Awkward.

- But you know
there actually was

a nice little
punctuation after that.

This aspiring
filmmaker came up to me

and he started with
the same old story.

Congratulations for
all your success.

Tell me your secret
blah blah blah.

But then I had a moment.

I was about to jump
into my usual rant

about the meaning
of true success

and how we're no closer to where
we wanna be with this film.

But then I stopped and
I looked at this guy.

And all I could say
was, never give up.

- That's because you can't.

And you won't.

- Yeah.

I can't.

Because the alternative.

- Yeah you know
that's great and all.

But we can't be doing this

without paying the
bills you know.

Not trying to be a
Negative Nancy here guys--

- I'm just saying that
I don't know if I could.

I just want it too bad.

Maybe this is the
kinda crazy it takes.

- Well I for one
love your crazy Nick.

I'm with you.

- Whoa

LA number.

- Must be important
calling at this hour.

- Hello this is Edi.

Yeah I'll let him know

and I'll have him get
back to you tomorrow.

Great awesome.

Thank you.

Alright have a good night.

Yes!

That was Lauren
Holly's agent man.

- [Scott] You shut up.

- Lauren Holly?

- You know Dumb and
Dumber, Beautiful Girls,

Dragon: The Bruce Lee
Story, Down Periscope.

- Oh Samsonite.

I was way off.

- Dude she is in.

- Holy shit.

- [Edi] Yeah.

- Nick loves her.

- Shut up.

- Hey Scott you gotta
get a close up on

this guy's Oscar
winning hard on.

- Come on stop that shit.

- So she's coming to
town and she wants

to meet the director himself.

- Awesome.

- Never give up, right?

- I guess so.

Shoot her agent an email.

I know the perfect spot.

- Nick.

- What?

No.

- Dude.

- No.

- Come on.

- You better be invisible.

- I will be so
invisible, alright?

- Fine.

- Alright, alright, alright.

[dramatic music]

- Hi I'm Lauren.

- Hey I'm Nick.

- Nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you.

- So, what made you
pick this place?

- Oh, I grew up in the area

so I just figured I'd give
you a little taste of home.

Thanks so much for meeting
with me, by the way.

- Oh yeah of course it
was easy, I was in town.

- Right right.

- [Lauren] What
are you drinking?

- Oh, okay.

Let's do, just give
me like a red blend.

Surprise me.

- One secret special
surprise blend on the way.

- [Nick] Alright.

- So, I read the script.

- Okay.

- I really enjoyed it.

Thanks for thinking
of me for the part.

- Of course, yeah.

You know I think it might have
been the Dragon connection.

My dad was a huge fan of
you in that movie, huge.

We watched that so many
times, can't even remember.

Thanks.

- Well, whatever made you
think of me, it's great.

The script has a
bit of everything

and I get to be bad
which I really enjoy.

- You know actually that's
exactly why I thought

you'd be so right for
the villain in this

because we're going
to be taking that bad

and taking it to a
whole other level

with "The Red Vision," you know?

And seeing you as this demon
corrupted tortured soul.

I dunno, I think
it'll be a lot of fun.

I think it'll be perfect.

Perfect.

You know, it's actually
a little funny,

us meeting right now.

- Oh yeah?

- Yeah.

If you don't mind me being
a little open book with you.

- No, of course.

- It's just kind of
an interesting time.

My team and I have
worked really hard

to build our name in the
Northwest and Seattle

but it's always just fallen a
little short of what I want,

which is to be where you are.

I mean I guess any
filmmaker in my position

would say the same thing.

- And where is that?

Oh.

On the inside.

- Yeah, yes.

The inside, exactly.

And we just made this
little indie action movie,

Beta Test.

We actually had the world
premiere last night.

- Cool.

- And it was a lot of fun.

The audience loved it, people
were having a good time.

But the movie didn't get
into an A-list festival

and I know that
because it didn't

the ceiling for the movie and
for me because of the movie,

is only gonna be so high.

And any indie filmmaker
on the outside, like me,

who knows anything about
this business will tell you

that getting into one of
those elite festivals,

that's what it takes to
get the inside to see you.

- Well, we might have
a shot with this one.

- It's just tough
because I keep seeing

all these filmmakers
my age blowing up

with their first or their
second feature, you know?

At some point I
start wondering if

I'm doing what I'm
supposed to be doing.

- Yeah.

We've all been there.

But you know even
when you're making it

the struggle never stops.

When you're on the inside
and working all the time,

there's a lot that you miss.

You can't plan a vacation,
make a funeral or a wedding.

You miss time with your
family and your friends.

You give up a lot.

Your schedule's not your own.

- I'm sorry to bother you.

We don't get a lot of
celebrities in here.

- Oh that's okay, did
you want an autograph?

[laughing]

I'm just kidding, I'm kidding.

Of course.

- Would you mind taking
a quick picture with me?

- Of course.

Okay, how do you wanna do this?

- Maybe you take a selfie
and I'll be behind you.

- That sounds really creepy.

[laughing]

Alright.

I got you.

- Okay.

- Alright.

Oh, we have a director here.

Nick?

- Yes.

Do you have a rag or something?

Yes, perfect.

Drape that over your shoulder,

come a little closer to the bar.

If you're gonna take a
picture with a bartender,

he might as well be Tom
Cruise from Cocktail, right?

- Got it.

- Right, okay.

- Okay so I just
press this one right?

- No it's upside down.

[laughing]

- Typical, okay.

There you go.

- [Bartender] Thank you so much.

- You bet.

I hope it doesn't haunt me.

- What are you talking about?

You look great.

- No just because pictures
now they're on the internet.

So are the online trolls.

- Yeah I understand.

I grew up the fat kid so I
hate like half my pictures.

[chuckling]

Granted nobody knows who I am.

- I kinda envy that.

I mean, you have freedom now

to make the kind of
art that you want.

I know you're struggling
trying to figure out

how to finance your movies

or wondering when your bank
account's gonna run out

but you know, you have
passion and drive.

That's what made me
wanna work with you.

You know in the world
today there are all these

Instagram stars and
YouTubers famous for nothing.

You're a reminder that
there are artists out there

fighting for their dream.

It's refreshing.

And it's that
passion, that drive,

that tells me that
you're gonna get

your shot at being noticed.

The thing is,

you never know when you're
gonna get that chance,

so you have to think
of it this way.

Everyday you're in training.

You're in training
for that title shot.

- Rocky didn't beat Apollo
Creed until Rocky II.

- Exactly.

- Still doesn't make it
easy though you know?

I've directed four features.

- You've directed four features.

That's amazing.

Nick, the goal of this business
is not a splashy start.

It's sustaining the momentum.

It's longevity.

We get to make a career from
doing something that we love.

We make movies, that's so cool.

I'm so grateful for that.

Now

I know that maybe your
first four features

didn't get you on the inside,

but I bet you had the time
of your life making them.

- Yeah I did.

Happiest I've ever been.

Most stressed I've ever been.

[laughing]

But the happiest was
making those movies.

- Everybody has their own path.

Here's to being grateful
that we get to do it again.

To The Red Vision.

[upbeat music]

- [Scott] I hope they're
all ready for rehearsal.

[ominous music]

- What's going on?

Where's Sean?

- I sent him home.

- Why?

- So,

I talked to my partners today.

I wanted to make one last
deal before I sold my shares.

You know, drive up the value.

But the deal went
sideways today.

If I sell now, I couldn't even
cover half of what we need.

- I just walked out of one of
the best meetings of my life.

Now what am I supposed to
tell her, that it's over?

- I'm sorry.

- How long have you
known about this?

Come on, Yuji.

- I suspected for
a couple of weeks.

- Oh goddamn it.

- But there was nothing solid.

There was still a chance
it could bounce back.

- So what the hell am I
supposed to tell everyone?

Do you have any idea
how embarrassing?

The guys have been working
for free for weeks.

Everyone in Seattle knows
we're making this movie.

You should have told me.

- Yeah.

- And?

- And

I couldn't.

- Why the fuck not, Yuji?

- Because.

Because I believed
in this project.

I thought it was
something really special.

I didn't want to
let you guys down.

I hoped that it would
right itself but,

we'll get it going somehow.

There's gotta be another way.

- Fuck.

- Hey man hey,
glad I caught you.

Look dude we gotta
go over some numbers.

I've been going over it with

the special effects team,
with the stunt team.

This long take car chase is just

not gonna be doable
on this budget man.

- What?

- I know that you've been
wanting to up your game

from the last long
take but I just,

look we only got
one chance at this.

- What did you say?

- We gotta say no on this, dude.

I don't know what else to do--

- Shut up, Edi.

Shut up.
- What?

What?

- I'm sick of this bullshit.

- What?

- This.

- What the fuck dude?

- I'm so sick of
people saying no to me.

I've been hearing
no my whole life.

No Nick you're not smart enough.

No Nick you're not good enough.

No Nick we can't afford this.

No Nick your

dad is never coming home.

- What the hell was that?

- I don't know.

- Get that out of my face.

- You think I could get a ride?

Hey.

- [Edi] I called the guys.

They're almost here.

[contemplative music]

- I asked you guys to take
a leap of faith with me

for the sake of
this crazy dream.

Dream, what the hell is that?

I throw that word out a lot.

To me it's everything but I
can't expect that to be yours.

I kept getting away with it.

We'd start work,

the money would fall into place.

The other shoe finally dropped.

[sighing]

I should not have
let us start work

until all the money was in.

I was over zealous,

and now we're all out of work.

No matter how much I want it

I cannot gamble
with people's lives.

Buy yourselves a
drink or something.

Sorry guys.

- Nick.

Yo Nick.

Nick.

Come on man you know.

You know how hard I've
been struggling with this.

The Red Vision, that
was my last real shot

and I can't keep following
you looking to strike gold.

I gotta worry about me.

I'm sorry, man.

[dramatic music]

- Bill I got all sorts of
people on the line for this

but I want to work with friends.

You're a friend.

We're friends.

I like friends.

I like friends as opposed to
people who are not friends.

And you know what what I mean.

I got some people I
don't like very much

and they might
give me the dough.

But I prefer it to be you.

And it's safe and sound my man.

As safe as you're gonna get.

My boy Nicholas
doesn't mess around.

He develops these
projects strong.

We're talking M. Night
Genie Junior here.

Yeah and we got some
great names on board.

You know, Lauren Holly.

Yeah.

The girl from Dumb
and Dumber, right.

Yeah, that's right, "Samsonite."

We were way off.

Yeah, I hear you.

- For the first time
I'm really scared

of what's coming
around the corner.

- Hey Bill can I put you
on hold for a quick second?

I gotta repackage something.

Give me just a second okay.

- Maybe this is as
good as it gets.

Struggling to make
every movie work.

Until my back gives out.

- Sometimes the
universe comes around

in a way we don't want it to.

But maybe we just
don't understand.

You know, we don't know
what's happening yet.

I'm on the line right now

with a guy that's an inch away

from pulling the trigger on
a few shares, maybe more.

And we don't just give up
when we're knocked down right?

Or should I just hang up on
Bill and dream a little smaller?

Maybe The Red
Vision isn't ready.

Maybe now isn't the time.

Doesn't mean the time won't come

but maybe right now

there's something else.

Yeah, Bill, you there?

Billy, my main man, Billy.

I missed you.

Alright so what're we doing?

Are we gonna make
some magic or what?

[somber music]

[phone chiming]

- [Nick] Hey man.

- [Erik] Hey, got a sec?

- [Nick] Sure.

- [Erik] You think you could
swing by my studio for a few?

- [Nick] Yeah I'll head over.

- Thanks.

Come on in.

- You going somewhere?

- I took tonight as a sign.

I don't think we
ever talked about

what I did before
special effects.

See my dad,

he's always been
pretty conservative.

The military will
do that to you.

Thanks.

He wanted me to get a real job,

so I tried.

[sighing]

- You know I don't
do that stuff.

- I thought tonight would
make a pretty good exception.

[sighing]

I wanted to fucking kill
myself in that suit and tie.

Desk job.

Something was missing you know?

And then I discovered
this world.

And you know what?

It saved me.

I found purpose.

And a family with you guys.

But

tonight was
definitely a sign that

if I'm gonna make this work,

I gotta go out on my
own, stake my claim.

- I hear you man.

[contemplative music]

You know when my dad
died it drove me.

I was only 12 years old.

Cardiac arrest
during a soccer game.

No one saw it coming.

I had to grow up overnight.

No more time to be a
kid for mom and sis.

- I know man.

I'm sorry.

- He loved movies.

Every Sunday was
father son movie day.

When he died I realized

it was the movies
that got me through.

Not over it but through.

That's when I knew.

If movies could help me get
through the loss of my father,

maybe I could make one one day
that could help someone else.

[suspenseful music]

I guess in a way both our
dads made us who we are right?

You know I lived in
LA for seven years.

But after film school
I just had to get out.

I'd be at the grocery store

and everybody in
line in front of me

was a writer, director,
producer, actor,

somebody trying to make it.

I was a little fish
in a big damn pond.

So I thought, why not try
the opposite approach?

Why not move somewhere
where I could be

the bigger fish
in a smaller pond?

In some ways that
worked, some ways didn't.

- Not yet.

- Not yet.

Maybe LA will work for you
better than it did for me.

I admire the risk.

I just hope that
when The Red Vision

does get up and running again,

that you'll come back.

And help us finish
what we started.

[suspenseful music]

- [Woman] You're home.

- Yeah.

[suspenseful music]

[phone buzzing]

[suspenseful music]

[calm music]

- Alright buddy
thanks for coming in.

- Thank you.

[phone chiming]

- Hey buddy.

- [Sean] Hey man how's it going?

- [Nick] Could be
better, I guess.

- Yeah.

It'll work out.

- Yeah I'm sure
something will, come up.

What's up man?

- So two things.

I just wanted to call

because I just walked
out of an audition.

- Oh yeah how did that go?

- It went great
man, really good.

- So same old same old?

- No they gave me
the part right there.

Hi I'm Sean Ferguson

and I'll be reading
for the part of Sam.

- Did you prepare
a monologue for us?

- Yes I'll actually
be doing a scene

from one of my favorites,
Good Will Hunting.

- Alright.

Whenever you're ready.

- Dude that's awesome
man, congrats.

- It's a small part in an
indie feature but I got it.

- It's really good
to hear that man.

- [Sean] But I
wanted to thank you.

- [Nick] Oh yeah?

- You were right.

You gotta put in the
work and keep trying.

- And what was the other thing?

- Oh.

Remember that homeless guy?

- From the coffee shop?

- [Sean] Yeah.

- Yeah.

- Well guess who was
auditioning right before me.

- No way.

- Yup.

Anyway I just wanted to call
and thank you for pushing me,

and him.

- You can always count on me
to be the asshole you need.

- Yeah.

Later buddy.

[calm music]

- Hey man.

- Hey.

You ready?

- Actually do you wanna
come inside for a minute?

I gotta finish
logging some footage.

- Sure, okay.

Wow.

That is a lot of storage.

What is that?

- This is footage from
the meeting you had.

- Oh really can you show
me, can you play it?

- Yeah sure.

- You're a reminder
that there are artists

out there fighting
for their dream.

It's refreshing.

And it's that passion, that
drive that tells me that

you're gonna get your
shot at being noticed.

The thing is, you never know

when you're gonna
get that chance.

- Any other quick
clips you can show me?

- [Erik] Politics
are the problem.

[laughing]

We're just not making the movies

that the big A-list
festivals wanna see.

You know, it's like we
haven't cracked the code.

- [Nick] No I don't
buy that I don't.

[calm music]

- All these drives

are footage you shot of us?

- Yep.

Doing our thing.

A lot of great stuff in there,

a lot of great memories.

- You were never just
practicing were you?

- Something in me
just had to capture

all this stuff we've
been going through.

I don't know.

Strange isn't it?

[calm music]

- Holy shit.

- [Scott] What?

- Scott.

- [Scott] What?

- You're a genius.

- I am?

- We need to pack
up these drives

and we need to get to Jay's.

- What?

- Yeah.

[calm music]

[phone ringing]

- Hello?

- Hey Jay.

I hope you're not busy.

Scott and I are headed over

- Okay.

- [Nick] It's a surprise.

- [Jay] Okay what
is this exactly?

- See you in a sec.

- Try not to freak out.

The guys are coming over.

I don't know exactly
what's going on

but I just had a call and--

[thumping]

Whoa.

- Hey grab a box of these
drives and load them up alright?

- Okay.

- Alright.

Let's see what we got.

Edi and Sean should be here.

They should see this.

Hey guys.

- I mean the reality is

it doesn't matter if this movie
makes money or it doesn't.

- Alright guys.

- [Edi] The problem
is the people

at the top ain't seeing it.

- Okay.

- [Nick] There are
really only two ways

for outsiders to make
it in this business.

- What is this?

- [Scott] This is
all my footage.

- Blow up on the festival
circuit with a little movie.

- Holy shit.

- Anything else is just
working to survive.

And that's not the dream.

- When you're on the inside
and working all the time,

there's a lot that you miss.

- Genius.

- Yeah.

Holy shit.

- Never give up right?

[dramatic music]

- And I stopped and
I looked at this guy

and all I could say was,

"Never give up."

- [Edi] Yo Scott
when are you gonna

make that spaghetti again man?

- [Scott] Man soon soon.

I need a little bit
of a break though.

- Hey what up Yuji?.

- Yuji.

- Mr. Z, on the house.

- You mean you sold your
house for that right?

[laughing]

- [Scott] Hey can we get some
of those nachos on layaway?

- Oh Scott.

- Oh come on that was good.

- It was terrible.
- That was good.

- Well it is official.

"Beta Test" has been pirated
over three million times.

- [Scott] Jesus.

- [Sean] Oh.

- It would be just our damn luck

if we forgot to submit
the damn movie today too.

- [Scott And Jay]
You shut your mouth.

[laughing]

[phone buzzing]

- [Scott] What's going on?

- Submission confirmed.

- Submission is
confirmed oh my God.

- Now we can drink to that.

- Hey we did something right.

- Cheers fellas.

- [Sean And Yuji] Cheers.

- And one more to
our departed Erik.

- [Scott] Cheers.

- Erik died?

- No.

He departed.

To LA.

- Oh right.
- Really dude?

[laughing]

- [Scott] Making
the sequel already.

- I need a shot.

Who's joining me?

- [Edi And Jay]
Yuji's taking a shot.

- Dude, get this.

- I got it choir boys.

[phone chiming]

- Hey Nick, I just
wanted to call

and tell you I just
finished watching Ultra Low

and I wanted to say
congratulations.

And no matter what
happens with it,

if it gets you on
the inside or not,

you should be very proud
of what you've done.

Don't forget that.

Alright well I can't
wait to see you soon

to finally take
on The Red Vision.

Alright, later.

[suspenseful music]

[ball bouncing]

- You ready?

[dramatic music]