[12th of March 2018]

It was not by any means easy to recreate a masterpiece. It was the same with Ian Renner. He had his plans to make La La Land, with the locations set, actors ready and everything all well planned. Which was why he was now on the road, ready to shoot the opening scene.

The connection between La La Land and Los Angeles was amazing. La La Land begins with a soaring opening number that turns a scorching, backed-up L.A. freeway into a massive, joyous stage, and later hits some of the city's most iconic locales, often lit by the neon sunset or starry night sky. And much to everyone's convenience, the location scouter did the job perfectly.

If they went according to the plan, every location would be theirs without any inconvenience.

In so many ways, the movie romanticized Los Angeles and the allure of show business, and then pulls back the curtain on a city that is built on rejection; like the town and its promises, the film lifts your spirits and then punches you in the gut.

It was two days prior to shooting the real scene, but for now, they were only practicing it in an abandoned parking lot near the real spot. They had put a few cars, around 15 places just like how it was in the original world and the Choreographer, Jenny Mandela was creating dancing steps for the crew.

There were only 30 people who would be dancing because Ian knew using CGI they could fill up the rest. CGI stands for computer-generated imagery, which is the use of computer graphics in arts and media. These can be 2D or 3D animations, objects, or renderings; the type of art or media can be a film, television program, video game, or simulation. CGI can be used in films ranging from science fiction epics to quite intimate dramas. How the CGI is used varies, from animating entire locations to subtle work on characters and environments. In recent years, CGI has been the go-to visual effect for most major movies, whether its use is subtle or obvious.

Ian hadn't mastered the art of dance, but he still had to show some steps and moments as he wanted to be in the scene. The dance choreographer was someone who mastered the art of Tap dancing which was highly used in La La Land but not heavily.

The opening scene of "La La Land" is one of the film's most spectacular scenes, plunging viewers straight into an environment where characters are likely to break into song and dance at the drop of a hat.

Ian had Sebastian, the label record owner, sing 'Another Day of Sun' and in no time it was ready and in the hands to practice the dance choreography for it.

The opening scene, which is six minutes long, comes before the opening credits. Seemingly unspooling without a cut, it is a huge dance number that takes place on a Los Angeles freeway overpass during a traffic jam. Dozens of drivers jump out of their cars and join in a choreographed extravaganza set to the original song "Another Day of Sun"

"So, in the entrance Niko, focus on each person that we choreograph in the scene. The scene — The scene is designed to look like a single shot nearly six minutes long — but in fact, it's three shots stitched together." Ian said while taking a break.

While Jenny was busy practicing the steps and sequence of the dance routine that she finalized with Ian; Ian focused on talking to Niko about how the focus of the cameras should be. In the originals, it had said that It was revised and storyboarded and everything.

They were able to take the easy pass ramp connecting the 110 and 105 highways during the weekends which gave them 2 days to block the road. This was something quite similar to the original movie.

"The two stitches come during whip-pan moves, the first at the three-minute mark, the second at 4:45. And according to my estimations, we will have to use the cranes… For this, this and this scene." Ian pointed at the paper in front of them.

"Hmm… We can make it happen, For the final shot, we will need a Steadicam, right?" He asked.

"Exactly, the final shot begins with a Steadicam. It can give us a little more flexibility and precision in terms of getting close to the dancers. The Steadicam operator should run between cars for most of the one-minute sequence, and then should hop onto "a makeshift crane" for a final shot that rises slowly and ends up looking down on the dancers. Oh, and you know we should use CGI."

"That's smart, I'll work on them, we have one more day, that should be enough. I'll talk to Steffen for the editing part and CGI, the man's talented,"

"Yeah, sure. I will check the dancers," Ian said and walked his way down to the dancers. It was hot outside, but the dancers were giving their maximum practice.

He saw how Eloise was being trained in how to enter the scene as Mia. Jenny was being strict and was maintaining her best standards for everyone on set.

Although it wasn't the exact day of shooting, many people from the crew were present. While Eloise was busy trying to perfect her moves, Ian saw the red-head Alexa looking his way from afar. After looking at the scene for a while, Alexa and others hung out with Sarah Ward who was acting the role of Tracy. Of course, they won't be present for every shoot, but this was kind of special for all of them since it was the very first day.

Ian grabbed the announcing equipment, and said aloud, "After the dance, it will be the first scene of Mia and Sebastian. Eloise, uh… Let me come over," He said and walked through the crowds of dancing people and went near her.

Her eyes were gleaming and she was sweating because of how hot it was.

"At the end of the dance, the camera will focus on Sebastian, you know how his part would go, he will keep messing with the radio, and then when it comes to you, your phone will be in your hand. You will be calling someone, and actually talking on the phone, but… In fact, you are just practicing your lines in the script, for the audition you are preparing for, you got me?"

"Yes, I do. When will we start?"

"Since you know the drill, you can go wait in the tent, let's try once, and then you can come back on Saturday," Ian said and opened the door for her. They both went into the tent.

-

It was already the second day blocking the freeway. During the first day, due to all the rehearsals, the dancers nailed every step, and after around seven scenes, they got the perfect moments they needed to capture.

On the second day, there were just the final touches to do starting from where the actual movie shows 'WINTER'.

….already has won three Oscars…

Including for the 1998 film Shakespeare in love….

The camera then focused on several other things. It was clear that it was close to the gridlock now. Morning rush hour. The blown-out downtown L.A. skyline hovers in the distance.

The camera drifts from car to car and hears different people singing along to different songs on the radio. Rock segueing to classical, disco to punk. Finally, we settled on one car... It's one of the most battered cars in sight. A 1996 Geo Prizm.

In it is SEBASTIAN, 28, wearing a worn T-shirt and playing Thelonious Monk on his ratty music system. His fingers race across the steering wheel, mimicking Monk's playing. He hums.

The clothes, audio, and everything were finalized before the shooting (obviously), and Ian now was watching the clip they caught in camera-02.

Sebastian was shaking his head while kept playing and rehearsing the same thing over and over.

*Ta-tee-ta-tee-tee-tee-taaaa…*

"Good one, let's take Mia's scene," He took the mic and talked through it, "Are you ready?" He shouted.

There weren't many people present, but the crew of cameras, and a few other actors and dancers here and there. Not other characters such as Tracy and Caitlin.

Eloise nodded, listening to Ian. Her scene was where the camera rolls on a bit forward after the focus of Sebastian. An old-generation Prius. 2004. Inside is MIA, 27. She's dolled up in mascara, hair puffed up. She was trying to focus on practicing her words in the heavy traffic.

"I mean… We could not believe what was happening, I swear to god, she was wrecked. She was completely wrecked! I know I know. It was pure Lunacy!"

"Cut!" Ian shouted.

"Eloise, it should be insanity at first, Mia gets it wrong in the script because she thinks it's insanity, then she looks at the script and understands it's lunacy, one more time!" Ian said and went back.

The cameraman went back with his camera to the behind vehicle and started rolling. The clipboard which said, 'take 2' made a 'click' sound, and then the shooting started.

[Thus… The movie shooting barely began]