Project Greenlight (2001)

Narrowed down from thousands of submissions, thirteen finalists arrive in Los Angeles to meet with the 'Project Greenlight' judges - Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, executive Jennifer Todd, producer Marc Joubert, producer Effie Brown, HBO's Len Amato, and the Farrelly brothers. As the judges discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each contestant's final project, they also debate the importance of artistic vision versus the collaborative skills required to be a successful director--all leading up to a red-carpet event where the winner will be announced.

With two months until production begins, Effie, Marc and Len try to convince Jason that digital is the only way to keep the project on schedule and within budget. Meanwhile, instead of moving forward with the original 'Project Greenlight' script, Jason pitches his own script: a dark comedy called 'The Leisure Class.'

Key production staff roles are filled, so Effie asks the location manager to scout mansions in the Los Angeles area, but Jason doesn't think any of them match his vision. Meanwhile, Jason continues to resist shooting digitally, which causes friction between Effie and Peter Farrelly.

In the wake of Effie and Pete's fallout, the Farrelly brothers consider their place in the project. Jason takes his digital concerns directly to Ben, much to Effie's dismay, and faces a decision between extra shooting days and shooting on film. Meanwhile, the search for a perfect location continues, causing drama among members of the team, and the cast assembles for a table read in the final days of pre-production.

As production begins, Jason is eager to take charge, but finds his penchant for perfectionism conflicting with the tight shooting schedule Effie is vigilant about maintaining. The crew raises communication concerns during Len's first visit to the set. With the deadline winding down to get the signatures required to legally shoot at night, Effie and Marc present Jason with a less-than-ideal solution.

Pressure mounts as Jason and the crew get ready for the film's most expensive scene thus far: a wedding rehearsal dinner to be shot during a few short hours at dusk. The production team also begins preparations for last shoot of the film, a complicated and potentially dangerous car-crash scene. Though Len tells Jason the scene may be too ambitious, Effie tries to find a way to carry it off as close to Jason's original vision as possible.

On the final day of shooting at the house, the production team grows increasingly frustrated that Jason has not chosen a location for the car-crash scene. Later, Jason meets with the stunt coordinator to map out the crash logistics. During the last night of filming, Jason gets words of encouragement from a surprise visitor to the set, while he and the production team race against the clock to wrap before the sun comes up.

With filming wrapped, Jason gets notes on his director's cut of the film, and, on Ben's suggestion, screens it for a test audience. Though resistant to some of the feedback, Jason looks to make fixes during reshoots - and works round the clock with the editor to get the final cut completed before the film's red-carpet premiere at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.