Hollywood Reborn

Chapter 1 - Wayne Garfield

Chapter 1 – Wayne Garfield

October 1990, University of Southern California—the top-ranked School of Cinematic Arts in the country.

Professor Anderson Horowitz, who taught film and video, was addressing the graduating class, reminding them of the key points for their final projects.

"Listen up. If any of you are still short on credits, I suggest you fix that fast and start working on your thesis films. You've got less than a full academic year. From experience, I can tell you—if you do well, this project could become a powerful line on your résumé. Wayne? Wayne? Mr. Garfield?"

Wayne, lost in thought, looked up with a slightly dazed expression and offered an honest reply.

"Sorry, Professor Anderson. I didn't sleep well last night—been thinking through my thesis film."

"Ha! Look at that, folks—our very own Batman! Maybe he was out saving the world last night and just made it back by dawn."

Laughter erupted in the room, but Wayne remained unfazed. He glanced at the bulky student who made the joke, then turned his attention back to Professor Anderson.

"If any of you need help, bring your script or project outline to my office. That's all for now—class dismissed."

As the lecture ended, Wayne massaged his temples, packed up his bag, and got ready to leave. He had indeed spent the whole night working through script ideas. Even during class, his mind had been racing, juggling possibilities.

Just as he reached the door, the same jock who had mocked him earlier blocked his path, one arm slung over the shoulders of a blonde girl.

"Hey, Mr. Superhero! Katie tells me you're shooting a full-length feature for your final project? My God! Good luck raising the money, man. Maybe I should give you some pointers on how much making a movie really costs! Hahaha!"

Wayne looked at him flatly, as if watching a clown perform, then replied in a calm, collected tone:

"Of course I'll raise the funds. Need me to chip in for yours? You know, since yours is on the... shorter side. And I don't just mean the film."

He gave Katie a glance and shook his head.

"No offense, Katie. I'm not just talking about you—I mean the football team and cheerleading squad too."

The jock's face turned red with anger. He stepped forward, fists clenched—but something made him pause and stay put.

"Listen here, Batman. My dad already set aside the funding for my film. Katie's starring as the female lead. And unlike you, I'll be stepping straight into a professional crew after graduation, interning as an assistant director. You? You'll be bouncing around in tiny no-budget crews until you finally give up."

Wayne watched his rival rant, then simply brushed past him. He had no time to waste arguing about how much easier life was with a rich dad. Time was always pressing, and he'd learned to treat every minute like gold.

It had been twenty years since he arrived in this timeline, and every moment had been spent absorbing everything he could about filmmaking.

Thanks to what he considered a divine perk of reincarnation, he had a photographic memory and a sharp, focused mind. Combined with the disciplined study habits from his previous life as a student, his two lifetimes' worth of experience allowed him to master concepts at an astonishing speed.

Born in 1970, he had mapped out his academic path from the moment he started school at five. He was disciplined, meticulous, and goal-driven. At seventeen, he was accepted into USC's prestigious film school, and by his junior year, he had already completed the required credits for graduation.