Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 210: Working on the New Project

The meeting had concluded, but for Matthew Hesh and his team, the real work was only just beginning. As the executives and engineers left the boardroom, the weight of their new endeavor settled on their shoulders. Cinema wasn’t just an experiment—it was a full-scale industry being built from the ground up.

Matthew didn’t waste time. The moment the meeting ended, he called for immediate action. Enjoy more content from novelbuddy

"David," he said, turning to David Calloway, head of the media division, "I need you to gather a team of writers, directors, and actors. We’re going to need talent—not just stage performers, but people who can adapt to film."

Calloway nodded. "We’ll start scouting immediately. We’ll look at theater companies, radio performers, even unknown talent who can fit the vision."

"Good," Matthew said. "And Jacob," he continued, looking at Jacob Sinclair, one of his senior strategists, "I want a full production plan on my desk by next week. The sooner we start filming, the sooner we can perfect the process."

Sinclair adjusted his tie. "We’ll need to build film studios, soundproofing equipment, and a pipeline for distribution. That will take time."

Matthew nodded. "Then let’s not waste any."

With that, the men dispersed, setting into motion one of the most ambitious projects in Amerathian history.

The meeting had concluded, but for Matthew Hesh and his team, the real work was only just beginning. As the executives and engineers left the boardroom, the weight of their new endeavor settled on their shoulders. Cinema wasn’t just an experiment—it was a full-scale industry being built from the ground up.

Matthew didn’t waste time. The moment the meeting ended, he called for immediate action.

"David," he said, turning to David Calloway, head of the media division, "I need you to gather a team of writers, directors, and actors. We’re going to need talent—not just stage performers, but people who can adapt to film."

Calloway nodded. "We’ll start scouting immediately. We’ll look at theater companies, radio performers, even unknown talent who can fit the vision."

"Good," Matthew said. "And Jacob," he continued, looking at Jacob Sinclair, one of his senior strategists, "I want a full production plan on my desk by next week. The sooner we start filming, the sooner we can perfect the process."

Sinclair adjusted his tie. "We’ll need to build film studios, soundproofing equipment, and a pipeline for distribution. That will take time."

Matthew nodded. "Then let’s not waste any."

With that, the men dispersed, setting into motion one of the most ambitious projects in Amerathian history.

The biggest hurdle wasn’t the production or even distribution—it was the technology itself. Film cameras were loud and incapable of recording synchronized sound, which meant an entirely new camera system needed to be developed.

Matthew spent the next few weeks working closely with the engineering team, pushing them beyond their limits.

"We need a camera that records both image and sound, without mechanical noise interfering with the audio," he told Charles Hewitt, the chief engineer overseeing the project.

Hewitt sighed, rubbing his temples. "The current film cameras are too bulky and loud. Even if we add soundproofing, the internal mechanics will still be audible."

Matthew remained firm. "Then redesign it."

The engineering team spent days dismantling existing cameras, testing new components, and experimenting with noise-reduction materials. The solution came in the form of a blimp housing—a padded, insulated casing around the camera to dampen sound. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a step forward.

Meanwhile, the optical sound system was being refined. The engineers successfully recorded the first synchronized audio test—a simple spoken phrase followed by a short piano melody.

When they played it back, and the sound matched the lips of the speaker on film perfectly, Matthew knew they were making progress.

"Now we scale it up," he ordered. "Full production."

With the technology advancing, the next step was creating the infrastructure to produce movies. Unlike radio and television, which could be recorded in controlled environments, cinema required large-scale production sets, proper lighting, and dedicated soundstages.

Hesh Corporation purchased an abandoned warehouse in Amsterdam, transforming it into the first official film studio. The massive space was divided into multiple sections—a soundstage, a recording booth, and a workshop for building sets.

Workers moved quickly, constructing towering backdrops, installing lighting rigs, and setting up early camera tracks for smooth panning shots.

Matthew visited the site frequently, ensuring no detail was overlooked. He watched as carpenters built an entire street facade inside the warehouse, as lighting engineers positioned massive lamps to mimic natural sunlight.

Sinclair joined him during one of the visits. "We’re essentially creating an entire city within a building," he said, shaking his head.

"That’s exactly the point," Matthew replied. "Films will take people to places they’ve never been—without ever leaving their seat."

With the studio nearly operational, Calloway and his team began casting actors. Traditional stage actors were the first choice, but many struggled with the transition.

"They’re used to projecting their voices for a live audience," Calloway explained to Matthew after an early test. "On film, that kind of overacting looks ridiculous."

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Matthew sighed. This was a new form of performance—one that had never existed before.

"Train them," he instructed. "Bring in vocal coaches and acting instructors. They need to understand that film acting is different from theater."

The first film-specific acting school was set up within the studio. Actors were taught how to move naturally on camera, how to deliver dialogue with subtlety, and how to work with microphones hidden in the set. It was slow, frustrating work, but progress was made.

By the end of the month, they had a solid ensemble cast—actors who understood the new medium.

With the studio built, cameras functional, and actors trained, the first true feature-length film was ready for production.

Matthew personally approved the script—a simple romantic drama with elements of action, designed to showcase the new technology without overwhelming the audience.

Filming began under intense scrutiny. The directors and cameramen struggled with lighting, camera angles, and sound recording.

"The microphones are too sensitive," one of the sound engineers complained. "They’re picking up background noise we never noticed before."

Matthew observed the setup and quickly found the issue. "Position the microphones above the actors, just out of the frame. That way, we capture the dialogue without interference."

Small adjustments like these became the foundation of film language.

After weeks of long days and late nights, the film was complete.

Now came the final step—editing.

Unlike television, which was performed live, film required cutting, splicing, and sequencing footage. It was tedious, but by the end of it, the first full-length feature film with synchronized sound was ready for screening.

March 10, 1895.

The first public screening was held at Hesh Grand Cinema, the first theater in Amerathia designed for motion pictures.

High-ranking officials, business elites, and members of the press filled the auditorium. No one knew what to expect.

Matthew sat in the front row, Amber beside him. He glanced at the packed house, feeling the weight of the moment.

The lights dimmed.

The screen flickered to life.

A young man appeared on screen, walking into a grand ballroom. The audience watched, expecting silence.

Then—

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen."

A gasp rippled through the crowd.

For the first time in history, a moving picture spoke.

The film continued. Dialogue flowed naturally. Music swelled, perfectly in sync with the motion. The audience sat enthralled, completely immersed.

When the film ended, there was a long pause.

Then, thunderous applause.

Matthew exhaled. They had done it.

David Calloway turned to him, a wide grin on his face. "You just changed the world."

Matthew smirked. "Not just me. We did."

Cinema had arrived.

And it was only the beginning.