In Edward Scissorhands, the central theme revolves around innocence and warmth. Director Tim Burton selected an adult fairy tale to highlight the essence of warmth.
"Depp, with that look of yours," Andrew teased, observing Johnny Depp dressed in tight leather and donning pale, eccentric makeup, all while sweating profusely on the set.
After a week of shooting, it was Friday. Although Andrew had no scenes scheduled for the day, he still needed to be present.
Johnny Depp, a rocker with a distinctive style, lifted his hand with the oversized scissors and grinned, "Not too bad, but this Florida heat in this outfit is unbearable!"
"Indeed," Andrew shrugged. It was June, and they were still filming Christmas scenes, which made for quite an uncomfortable experience.
Johnny Depp and Andrew Williams shared the same agent, Tracy Jacobs, and quickly became acquainted.
Andrew knew that Johnny Depp had been married for three years and had been engaged twice after his divorce, the second time this year to an actress from "21 Jump Street".
Andrew recalled that Depp had mentioned falling for Winona Ryder while filming "Edward Scissorhands".
"Alright, don't head back tonight. After my scenes, let's hit a bar in Tampa," Johnny Depp suggested, winking at Andrew.
"Let's invite Winona too; she seems to be free," Andrew proposed.
"Sure, go ask her," Johnny Depp waved his large scissors.
Andrew nodded and went to Winona Ryder's resting area. "Hi, Winona!"
"Hey, Andrew, what's up?" Winona Ryder, without her character's golden wig, was now sporting her natural short black hair.
Andrew, who had naturally brown hair but had dyed it blonde for the role, said, "Johnny and I are going to a bar in Tampa tonight. Want to join us?"
"Can I go to a bar?" Winona Ryder seemed a bit excited, as she had just turned 18.
Raised by hippie parents and often bullied as a tomboy in her youth, she had few friends.
Andrew suddenly recalled, "Are you 18?"
Many bars had age restrictions, often requiring patrons to be over 21.
Winona Ryder nodded, "I just turned 18 this year!"
"Alright, you'll be fine with me," Andrew said, admiring her short hair, "You look great with it!"
"Thanks," Winona Ryder smiled, handing Andrew a glass of water as he sat down. "You're so different from your character in the movie."
"Haha, well, anyone would hold on to a girlfriend like you," Andrew laughed, touching his face. "But my character is pretty nasty in the film!"
"Is the director not here today? I haven't seen him," Andrew asked.
"The director is busy promoting Batman," Winona Ryder explained.
"Oh, I nearly forgot," Andrew scratched his head. "I heard Batman made over $40 million on its opening weekend. Incredible! After Edward Scissorhands, Tim Burton will probably start working on the Batman sequel!"
"Andrew, what have you been doing every night in your room?" Winona Ryder suddenly asked.
Andrew smiled mysteriously, "I've been working on a script, a teen comedy set in a high school!"
"Writing a script?" Winona Ryder's eyes widened in surprise. "No wonder you disappear into your room after leaving the set."
In Edward Scissorhands, Andrew played Winona Ryder's boyfriend, sharing several scenes with her.
After all, Andrew's character was the primary antagonist in the film!
Winona Ryder said, "I used to live on a remote farm with my parents, where there was no TV or internet. I read a lot of books every day!"
"Ever considered writing a script?" Andrew asked.
Winona Ryder had chosen to homeschool due to severe bullying at school.
Noting a hint of sadness in Winona Ryder's eyes, Andrew patted her shoulder, "Hey, cheer up! It's better to be happy! Do you know what happened to me in LA before coming to Florida?"
"What happened?" Winona Ryder leaned in, intrigued by Andrew's mysterious tone.
"Three guys tried to rob me behind a bar in Northridge, San Fernando Valley."
"You got robbed?" Winona Ryder's eyes widened.
"No, after dragging me into an alley, they ended up getting beaten up by me," Andrew laughed. "If you ever come to Northridge, LA, no one will dare bully you!"
"Hey, Andrew, you're only 21. It's still summer break," Winona Ryder laughed, playfully punching Andrew on the shoulder.
Andrew shook his head, "I completed my education from UCLA. It was a early graduation to focus on my career. Edward Scissorhands is my first project!"
"Alright," Andrew stood up, "Tonight, let's go out with Depp."
Johnny Depp, a rising TV star known for his rebellious streak and fondness for drinking and smoking marijuana, was looking forward to the night.
"Sit down," Winona Ryder pulled Andrew back. "You have no scenes today. I heard the director and screenwriter discussing you. They said you have a profound understanding of the script. Is that true?"
"Well, sort of," Andrew rubbed his hands, smiling at Winona Ryder. "When this movie comes out next year, you and Depp will be stars. Don't forget about me then, and remember to give me a preferential rate. Depp might be challenging. His style aligns so well with Tim Burton's that he'll likely stick to these quirky roles," Andrew said, shaking his head.
"Edward Scissorhands" marked the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. These distinctive and eccentric scripts were rare, and Depp's most memorable role for Andrew was in the *Pirates of the Caribbean* series.
"Are you planning to make movies?" Winona Ryder was surprised. During their scenes together, Andrew, known for his sociable nature on set, had become her friend.
She reminded him, "Andrew, making movies isn't easy. You have potential. You should focus on acting!"
"Don't worry, you need to have dreams," Andrew stood up again. "I'm heading over there. I'll catch up with you later."
Andrew headed towards the set, calling out from a distance, "Hey, Robert, your pants are falling!"
Young Robert, who played the heroine's brother in the film, looked up. "Oh, you think I'll fall for that, Andrew?"
Andrew clicked his tongue, ran over, and fist-bumped Robert. "Where's your mom? Why isn't she here?"
"She's over there," Robert pointed. "Planning next week's shoot."
"What are you up to this weekend?"
"Mom said we're going to the library!"
"Well, congratulations then..."
Andrew quietly stood aside, waiting for the assistant director to continue with the next scene. The planning, camera work, lighting, and sound control on set provided valuable learning experiences...
That evening, at a bar near Tampa Bay's dock, Johnny Depp brought Andrew and Winona Ryder out for some fun. Johnny Depp's current fiancée, Sherilyn Fenn, was also present.
The 24-year-old alluring actress Sherilyn Fenn had met Johnny Depp while filming the TV show "21 Jump Street". Currently, Sherilyn Fenn was working on the drama Wild at Heart, directed by David Lynch.
"By the way, is Nicolas Cage the lead in Wild at Heart?" Andrew inquired, reclining in his chair.
Sherilyn Fenn nodded, "Yes, and Laura Dern is the female lead. I'm a supporting actress!"
Johnny Depp chuckled, "Andrew, it seems you're well-informed."
"Of course. Nicolas Cage's real name is Nicolas Coppola. He changed his surname himself," Andrew replied. How could he not be familiar with the renowned Coppola family?
At that time, Nicolas Cage was still a rising star, primarily recognized for his roles in indie films.
"Nicolas Coppola?" Winona Ryder was taken aback. "Is he…?"
"Yes, he's Francis Ford Coppola's nephew," Andrew explained to Winona Ryder beside him. "I also heard that Francis Ford Coppola is planning to shoot The Godfather Part III for Paramount. There's a role for a daughter in it. You two might want to send in your resumes!"
"Andrew, your information is spot on. I'm friends with Nicolas, and The Godfather Part III is indeed happening," Johnny Depp confirmed.
Sherilyn Fenn joked, "Getting noticed by Coppola isn't easy. The Godfather Part III is bound to attract a lot of attention."
"There's no harm in trying," Andrew shrugged nonchalantly. "Look at me. I also sent out numerous resumes and auditioned for several projects before being chosen for the Edward Scissorhands team."
"Alright, let's drink," Johnny Depp raised his ring-adorned hand and poured another round for everyone.
"Cheers!" they all clinked their glasses together.
The atmosphere quickly grew lively, and Andrew observed that Johnny Depp was indeed a heavy drinker, downing whiskey glass after glass.
"Andrew, why don't you go dance?" Winona Ryder suggested as Sherilyn Fenn and Johnny Depp headed to the dance floor, leaving Andrew on the couch.
Andrew glanced around, "Who would keep you company if I went?" He noted that Winona Ryder seemed uncomfortable in social settings.
"Well, thank you," Winona Ryder smiled. "Actually, I can manage on my own."
Andrew shook his head, "It's alright. I don't particularly enjoy this kind of scene either. Look at the restless crowd on the dance floor. I used to be like this in school, and looking back, I realize I wasted a lot of time!"
"So, what do you want to do?" Winona Ryder noticed Andrew's difference from typical youth.
"I was thinking, since I've finished my script, maybe I should call my agent and ask her to help pitch it," Andrew said, aware that he lacked the funds to produce it himself. He planned to sell it for some money and recognition.
As a newcomer, he didn't expect a high price.
"Then go ahead and try. It won't hurt," Winona Ryder encouraged.
Andrew nodded, "Yeah, tomorrow I'll find a place to print the script, and then I'll call my agent!"
"Hey, Andrew, Winona, we're heading to Los Angeles now. Do you want to join us?" At that moment, Johnny Depp, looking a bit dazed, walked over with Sherilyn Fenn in his arms.
"I'm not going back," Andrew said, glancing at Winona Ryder beside him.
Winona Ryder also responded, "I don't have anything to do there. I'll return to Lutz with Andrew."
"Alright, see you next week!"
"Bye!"
Soon, Johnny Depp and Sherilyn Fenn were driven to the airport by Depp's assistant.
Andrew observed Johnny Depp's dazed state, wondering if he had been indulging in something in the restroom earlier.
"Let's head back too," Andrew said, ready to organize his script and arrange for printing the next day.
"Okay," Winona Ryder picked up her bag and left the bar with Andrew.
Back in Lutz, Winona Ryder asked, "So, tomorrow you're going to…?"
"Tomorrow, I'll go to Tampa to find a print shop to get the script printed. When Ms. Jacobs comes over, I'll give it to her to pitch," Andrew explained. He had mentioned this in Tampa, so why was she asking again?
Winona Ryder nodded and kissed Andrew on the cheek, "Today was fun. I'll accompany you to Tampa tomorrow!"
Then, she hurried back to her room.
Andrew touched his face, wondering if his charm was now this potent. Wasn't Winona Ryder Johnny Depp's girl?
Shaking his head, Andrew returned to his room to organize the script. *American Pie* was set to become a popular comedy film series, a low-budget project with broad appeal.
There should be no shortage of discerning producers or directors interested in it.
The next day, a car drove down Route 41 in Tampa, with Winona Ryder happily stretching her hand out the window, feeling the breeze.
"Winona, are you enjoying yourself today?" Andrew asked as he stopped the car at Hillsborough River.
With the sun shining brightly and the sea breeze from Hillsborough Bay blowing, Winona Ryder held onto Andrew's arm, enjoying the view together.
Standing on a piece of land jutting into the bay, with Old Tampa Bay on the left and Hillsborough Bay on the right, Andrew wrapped his arm around Winona Ryder's shoulder and pointed ahead, "The scenery in Tampa Bay is indeed beautiful."
Winona Ryder, smiling beneath her sunglasses as she hugged Andrew's waist, said, "Next week we need to come back to pick up the script!"
Andrew nodded. He planned to have the typist organize the *American Pie* script and print two copies to collect next week.
With no help, he had to manage everything himself. Andrew was concerned that Tracy Jacobs might not be diligent; otherwise, he would just hand over the handwritten draft to ITA to handle.
"It's noon now. Are you hungry?" Andrew asked with a smile.
"Yeah, a little," Winona Ryder leaned on Andrew. "Let's find a place to eat."
Andrew scanned the area, "Let's go. There's a restaurant over there!"
He then leaned in and kissed Winona Ryder, who responded with equal passion.
After the kiss, they walked towards the restaurant. "After lunch, we can relax at Riverwalk Park and then take a boat tour of Hillsborough River in the afternoon. How does that sound?"
Andrew ran his hand through Winona Ryder's hair, "Of course, no problem. We have plenty of time!"