From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

"Anson, Kate, you two step forward and try it first."

Ian Bryce, as expected of an experienced professional, could immediately grasp the subtle changes in the atmosphere, a hint of amusement showing in his expression.

Laura Ziskin was no exception, turning her head to look at Ian, her eyes shimmering, before interjecting.

"Today's outfit is much inferior. It seems our styling team hasn't kept up with current trends, and their fashion sense needs some improvement."

Although this sentence had no subject, everyone could immediately tell who it was directed at, and their gazes turned towards Anson—

Clearly, Laura had noticed the Emmy Awards.

Everyone else had noticed too.

Perhaps Sam Raimi was the only exception, his sleepy eyes still dazed, looking left and right, not understanding Laura's meaning.

Unintentionally becoming the center of attention, Anson didn't panic, "Peter is going to find a job, not attend New York Fashion Week, so this is fine."

Laura still didn't have any particular change in expression, but the shallow smile on her lips was very relaxed, "How do you know Peter is looking for a job in this scene?"

Sharp, direct, quick.

Laura immediately demonstrated her professionalism, even Ian and Sam were somewhat surprised, thinking back carefully before understanding—

At least, in that page and a half of the script, there was no background introduction, nor any explanation of the cause and effect.

The subtext was, Anson got special treatment and read the script in advance?

Laura's implication was direct and obvious enough, the other competitors—including Kate—all looked at Anson, the emotions in their eyes undergoing subtle changes.

Wait, was Laura helping Anson, or ruining him?

Anson ignored the gazes of others, unmoved, his eyes always clear and bright as he looked at Laura, not even paying attention to Ian and Sam's gazes, raising his hand to point to his head, "Thinking. Everything is in the lines. We should learn to understand the lines, not just simply read them."

Upright and honorable, honest and frank.

Laura didn't speak immediately, but quietly stared at Anson for a moment—

Gary Marshall had been full of praise for Anson.

Laura was familiar with Gary, and she could tell that those praises weren't just polite words, but heartfelt exclamations, gushing and unstoppable.

"Understanding the character, portraying the character, this is the talent of an actor; and resonating with the character and the plot, and giving the director creative inspiration, this is the ability of an actor. A one-in-a-million ability, Laura, you should know better than me that this ability is the most precious."

Thoughts surged in her mind, but then stopped, and Laura couldn't help but feel curious, her expectations slowly rising—

But if Anson failed to meet expectations, the disappointment would be even more intense.

Was this a good thing or a bad thing?

At least, the start of today's audition was a small surprise.

Then.

The corners of her lips gently lifted, and Laura truly began to be interested, "Then, let's see how far your understanding of the lines has reached."

"How is it, are you ready?"

Ian wasn't sure about Laura's attitude, whether she liked Anson or was being critical of him, but he didn't say anything, just observing the situation.

At the same time, Ian hadn't forgotten about Sam, and as expected—

"Do you still need to look at the lines?"

Sam spoke.

In an instant, all eyes were focused on Kate.

Kate was glaring at Anson.

Things were a mess. Meeting Anson, acting with Anson, one surprise after another; then Anson and Laura's conversation raised expectations, all sorts of guesses and possibilities surging in her brain between twists and turns, and before she could sort them out, the audition was about to begin?

Kate glared at Anson in frustration. They were partners, they at least needed to communicate, otherwise how would they perform their scene?

Wasn't this basic knowledge?

The next second, Sam's words made all the eyes in the room fall on Kate, hot and sharp, making Kate even more flustered. Things shouldn't be like this.

Kate took a deep breath, revealing a sweet smile, "Because I didn't discuss it with my scene partner, I'm not sure about the rhythm, so I'm keeping it as a backup."

Sam "hmm"ed, then waved his hand, looking completely indifferent, "Look at it if you want."

The core of the screen audition lies in practical operation.

That is to say, actors need to be on camera, so it's conceivable that performing without the script is the foundation. After all, no actor in a real film set would stand in front of the camera and act with a script in hand.

It was precisely because of this that the one-page script was given to the actors in advance. Although it wasn't explicitly stated, it was a requirement for the actors to fully understand and memorize the lines.

As a result, Kate came on stage with that one-page script, no wonder Sam specifically reminded her.

Her eyes were wavering, completely at a loss.

One wave subsided, and another rose. One surprise after another, the audition had already disrupted her plans before it even started. The emotions that were already intertwined with nervousness and anticipation were now completely disrupted, and she entered a state of panic, her brain crashing, completely losing the ability to think.

Anson noticed.

A scene is like this, there's give and take, mutual cooperation. If one side goes offline, the other side is also unable to clap with one hand.

Putting Kate's personal emotions aside for the moment, Anson now needed Kate to cheer up. He wouldn't let the current screen audition be ruined.

"Hey, look at me."

Anson called out in a low voice, and Kate subconsciously looked up.

"This is just a performance, compared to impromptu acting, it's nothing at all."

"Don't pay attention to the lines, don't pay attention to the performance, just get into the emotion."

"You're now flustered, nervous, trying to hide yourself? Good, because Mary Jane is too. Remember this emotion, and then get into character."

Kate nodded in a daze.

"Look at me, look into my eyes, trust me, you can do it. Okay?"

Deep yet clear, bright and firm, the chaotic emotions in Kate's mind subsided under the gaze of those eyes, regaining calm.

This wasn't easy, but don't forget, Kate wasn't acting for the first time.

Then, Kate looked at Anson, took two deep breaths, and nodded to give an affirmative reply, "I'm ready."

Anson signaled with his eyes, quickly explaining the scene, "You turn your back to me, I call out to you, then you turn back, and then we start the dialogue."

Kate herself didn't realize that she completely lacked her usual princess temper, obediently following instructions, turning around, indicating that she was in position.

The whole place was silent, not just the interviewers in front, but all the other competitors were also watching—

James felt a little strange, watching his usual little partner stand in front of him and perform, suddenly it was as if she had become a different person.

Both funny and awkward, his hands and feet curled up.

Perhaps, this was why Anson had his back to them?

"Hey, Mary Jane, it's me, Peter."

Anson spoke—

The performance began.

But with just the first line, the emotion was wrong.

Logically speaking, Mary Jane should be trying to leave quickly here. She doesn't want to see anyone, but Peter Parker chased after her, so when Mary Jane sees Peter, she's both flustered and happy, it's a mixed emotion.

However, Kate didn't capture it.

Fifth update.