From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Everything originated from "Murder by Numbers."

Although the film's box office and critical reception were both below expectations, it garnered considerable attention among Hollywood professionals, with Brad Renfro and Ryan Gosling receiving much recognition.

Putting aside other considerations, the fact that two people smoothly entered the producers' or directors' line of sight when casting was being considered represents a significant breakthrough.

Therefore, Hollywood always says, go act, go work, seize any opportunity, even a terrible one. No one can predict where this opportunity will eventually lead or what results it will bring. As long as there is an opportunity, it implies a possibility.

"Murder by Numbers" was just like that.

Despite its failure, it brought Brad Renfro into the view of Frank Marshall. After three rounds of auditions, Brad unexpectedly became the first actor confirmed for Frank's Oscar project—

Currently, there is no confirmed director or other actors, and it is temporarily in the scriptwriting stage. Therefore, Brad's role is also temporarily undetermined, but with Frank's name card, the film has already attracted attention early in the project's initiation, pre-booking a seat for Brad in next year's awards season.

Whether there is a nomination or not is secondary; the focus is on appearing in the awards season discussion, with exposure, attention, and buzz. Brad's career immediately opened up.

Opportunities are rare.

Is Anson envious?

Not at all.

Brad has his development opportunities, and Anson has his own.

Therefore, Anson sincerely offered his blessings.

However.

Brad seemed somewhat anxious, "Uh, according to the original plan, filming should start at the beginning of next month, but, uh, I won't be taking this project."

Anson didn't hide his surprise, "What happened?"

Brad took a deep breath, "This is also why I came to you. I don't care about work, at least, I'm trying not to care so much."

"Because... hoo... because everything in Vanity Fair is almost driving me crazy, it's slowly killing me, I'm turning into a madman I don't even recognize."

This time, Anson didn't continue to joke around. Placed in Vanity Fair, they were all turning into people they didn't recognize at all. Something deep in their souls seemed to be eroding, decaying, and collapsing. They thought they could be exceptions, thinking they wouldn't change like others, but by the time they realized the changes, it was already too late.

Brad rubbed his cheeks vigorously with both hands, his handsome face becoming increasingly haggard.

"I think I might really be crazy."

"I was waiting for the audition results, I was waiting for the producer's reply, I had to be patient after going through four auditions waiting for the producer's response."

"But, there was no reply."

"I can't bother Frank Marshall, who am I, I'm just a nobody, I can't directly call Frank Marshall to ask for an answer, I don't even dare to bother the casting director, I can only constantly call and text the casting director's assistant, an ant as helpless as me."

"I don't even know how many texts I sent her, how many messages I left, five hundred? Or six hundred? In short, I filled up her voicemail."

"At first, I was pleading and begging, but later, I lost my mind."

"I felt like she was ignoring me, I felt like she was ruining my job opportunity, I felt like she was destroying my future, my mind was filled with countless thoughts, sliding towards darkness little by little."

"Then."

"I, uh, I found her address and went directly to her door."

Anson: …

Anson's first reaction was to doubt his ears, looking at Brad in disbelief.

The last incident was already outrageous and exaggerated enough, but now it seems that was just a drop in the bucket. Brad has been sinking deeper and deeper since moving out. His world is accelerating its collapse, leaving only endless madness.

Anson wasn't mentally prepared.

Brad gave a wry smile, nodding slightly in affirmation.

"So I said, I'm crazy."

"It's not just you, I can't recognize myself anymore either."

"Before, with Hayden's audition, with your and James's auditions, we also advised you to be calm and patient. One or two months is nothing at all, but when it really came to me, I seemed to have completely lost my mind."

"I was waiting for the producer's response, I was waiting for them to choose a suitable director, I was waiting for the project to move forward, I couldn't even stay quiet for a second. I kept trying to contact that assistant, but I didn't get any response. I even started contacting major hospitals, worried that something had happened to her."

Anson tried to control himself, trying to avoid interrupting Brad's words as much as possible, but he still couldn't help but ask, "You mean the casting director's assistant?"

Project advancement wouldn't involve a casting director's assistant speaking out, let alone an assistant, even the casting director doesn't have the authority to make a final decision.

In other words, Brad was going crazy and targeted the wrong person.

Brad understood, he gave a wry smile, rubbing his temples.

"You know what? Looking back now, I also realized the abnormality; but at that moment, my brain was occupied by those wild thoughts, unable to think normally at all. I just felt that Hollywood was hurting me, that there were countless people outside waiting to replace me and steal my opportunity."

Because Brad overstepped the boundary.

He secretly found the home of that casting director's assistant.

If the other party called the police...

Brad didn't notice Anson's silence and struggle, and continued to speak.

"Until I stood at her door, like John Cusack carrying a boombox in 'Say Anything,' but obviously, John Cusack was performing romantic love, but obviously, what I was performing shouldn't be."

"Then."

"She told me that the audition was actually the day before."

"To be precise, the audition was on Friday, and when I ran to her door it was Saturday night, strictly speaking, that's thirty-six hours."

What, is this some kind of absurd comedy?

Compared to this, what happened at the last film review meeting was nothing, completely insignificant.

Even if Anson tried his best to hide it, his eyes still revealed a hint of astonishment and absurdity. He prided himself on having lived two lives, being experienced and knowledgeable, and thought that nothing could surprise him or even make him lose his composure, but he never expected to have his eyes opened and be severely shocked.

Sure enough, there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens—

Standing in Vanity Fair, Anson is still a fledgling newcomer. For a moment, Anson didn't know how to respond.