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The best creative process scene: Hollow Man 

Abedroom. Night. Illuminated by the glow from his monitor, Sebastian Caine (Kevin Bacon) sits before his computer. On screen is an image of a string of DNA. He taps a few keys; the DNA begins to fall apart. Sebastian unwraps a Twinkie, takes a bite, hits some more keys. Once again, the DNA unravels.

“Dammit.”

He leans back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. As he stares at the ceiling we see a message painted on it in red capital letters:

YOU SHOULD BE WORKING.

He peers blearily at his computer, then continues to type. Panning to his alarm clock we see what time it is – 4 am. Sebastian paces the room, then returns to the computer. He hits yet more keys. The DNA reforms on his screen. Sebastian’s brow furrows as he gazes at the screen. More typing. He stands, watching the screen. A smile spreads across his face.

“I am a goddamn genius!”

Striking the keyboard again, a telephone keypad appears on screen. He dials a number.

Cut to another bedroom. A digital phone attached to a computer starts to ring. Linda Foster (Elisabeth Shue) struggles out of bed. She reaches the computer, then clicks on her keyboard. The ringing stops. Her monitor comes to life, and Sebastian’s face appears on screen. Her voice is weary.

“Sebastian, do you know what time it is?”

He leans back in his chair again, this time grinning triumphantly.

“You know Da Vinci never slept. Said it was a waste of time.”

See also: Barton Fink, Lust For Life, The Rebel, The Shining.

Don’t see also: The Muse.

Pointless trivia: Hollow Man director Paul Verhoeven holds a university degree in maths and physics.

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