From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Things were just as Bruce had imagined.

To try, to explore, to adventure… if an idea struck, he’d press the shutter; if not, he’d still press the shutter, starting with practice.

Inspiration often stemmed from countless trials and collisions, and Bruce most enjoyed capturing those moments, which were often hidden within.

When Anson moved, the whole picture came alive.

But.

Not enough.

Not nearly enough.

This Anson had no expressive power whatsoever.

An excellent model can often use body language, facial expressions, and eyes to express emotions and display strength; a single photograph is a story, even a world.

The moving Anson had escaped stiffness, but was still trapped in a framework.

Handsome, yes, indeed handsome, but still lacking a sense of vitality.

Was the thing Bruce worried about finally about to happen?

A vase, ultimately just a vase?

In fact, even if it happened, Bruce couldn't be blamed; he had tried his best and was still working hard, but thinking about it carefully, it wasn't fair to Anson.

Anson's appearance was indeed eye-catching, but the other stars appearing in the same issue of the magazine were Hugh Jackman and Brad Pitt.

As you can imagine, all the topics and all the spotlight would not belong to Anson.

Fate is often like this —

After painstaking effort, Anson won a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shoot for a magazine, and it was the coveted “GQ” at that; he could almost feel the traffic and popularity within his grasp, pushing his fledgling career forward.

But, alas!

Encountering Hugh Jackman and Brad Pitt's double-teaming, the tragedy that would follow was almost predictable; probably no one would remember that Anson was also in the June issue of “GQ”; it would be as if it never happened.

So, was that it?

Like the countless vases in Hollywood that are constantly being eliminated and replaced; was Anson ultimately just an empty shell? That handsome appearances are all the same, and interesting souls are one in a million, is that the eternal truth?

Bruce felt a pang of regret.

Involuntarily, he once again recalled the moment when Anson first appeared at the entrance of Pier 39, so vibrant and so alive.

“Bright.”

That was Bruce's impression of Anson, a unique temperament.

And now, the Anson in front of the camera, despite having made great progress, still hadn't found that amazing feeling; the whole image was flat and uninteresting, which disappointed Bruce.

Bruce thought.

But he didn't expect Gretel to ask, “Bruce, what did you say?”

Only then did Bruce realize that he had actually spoken his thoughts aloud—

He, should he try to see?

Because he was professional, Bruce also wanted to be responsible for his work; now that he had started, and the remuneration had been paid, shouldn't he be conscientious?

Also because of Anson, in just a brief encounter, Bruce had indeed been deeply impressed by Anson, and the entire work process was very comfortable.

Thoughts surged in his mind.

Raising his head, Bruce looked at Anson.

Anson hadn't noticed the commotion here.

Because the shooting was paused, the staff came forward, dabbing Anson's forehead and neck with tissues, absorbing sweat without ruining his makeup.

Anson was covered in sweat.

He looked like a high school student playing basketball under the sun, his eyes clear, his smile bright, and the vitality exuding from his whole body made the sunlight pale in comparison.

Not knowing what Anson said, all three staff members around him laughed, and the air became cheerful.

This was the Anson that Bruce wanted to capture.

Silently, Bruce once again pressed the shutter, recording this scene, which, although not part of the shooting content, was more vivid than any of the previous photos.

Perhaps, Anson was the unique one among the monotonous Hollywood faces.

He wanted to capture him.

And then.

Bruce's last bit of hesitation disappeared, he became firm, retracted his gaze, looked at Gretel, his eyes firm.

“Gretel, how many times have we worked together?”

Gretel was puzzled, “A lot, Bruce, a lot.”

Bruce nodded, “We've worked together so many times, but I've never interfered with the stylist's work, because I know that's not my expertise, and I'd better shut up, otherwise I'll only make a fool of myself in front of professionals; but similarly, in front of my expertise, others had better shut up too.”

Gretel was a smart person, and immediately caught the subtext in Bruce's words, “You're planning to change the styling?”

Bruce took a deep breath, and solemnly nodded to affirm, “Yes, we must change the styling. Although I don't want to say this, this outfit is restricting Anson's vitality.”

The air was slightly quiet.

Because the shooting had stopped, the staff all paused their work, no one spoke, and they could all sense Bruce's low pressure.

Although Bruce didn't say anything, discerning people could see that he was still not satisfied with his work.

At this time, they strained their ears to catch Bruce and Gretel's conversation, one by one they couldn't help but hold their breath, and a storm was stirred up in their eyes.

Including Anson, he also noticed the commotion here, and their gazes were cast over.

The ordinary conversation fermented in the air, the temperature quietly climbed, and the tension of shock and astonishment stirred up a tsunami in their minds.

They all knew what this meant.

For magazines like “GQ”, all interior shots are not taken casually; they need to arrange the styling according to the theme of the issue, and set up different fashion combinations according to different shooting objects.

Some clothes are sponsored, and some clothes are rented by them, but in short, designers and stylists will complete the matching according to the theme, and these matches themselves are the core content of the magazine.

People read “GQ” to draw fashion inspiration and track trends, and the text is secondary, only to be read when bored.

That is to say, every set of styling is the content of the magazine, and has been discussed many times.

Like today, Anson will shoot three sets of clothes in total, and all the styling from head to toe has been arranged, including the opinions of the stylist, makeup artist, and editorial department.

Generally speaking, the stylist does not need to come to the magazine's on-site shooting, because the editorial meeting has already finalized it and will not change it; the actual work is supervised by editors like Gretel to ensure the smooth completion of the work.

Of course, there are exceptions.

Like Hugh Jackman.

Like Brad Pitt.

For their shooting, stylists and even designers will personally go to the scene to ensure the upper body effect of each set of styling, and the scene can also be modified at any time; occasionally, even the editor-in-chief will appear, accompanying these superstars to complete the shooting, and the work is also a social occasion.

However, Anson did not have such treatment.

But putting these aside, now, Bruce needs to change the styling?

So, the stylist is not here, so the photographer is trying to seize power?

The second update. The additional update will be at six o'clock.