Three Hundred and Thirty-Four - an Old Dramatist.

After the lunch break, the audition work started again. This tedious and drowsy task is indispensable before every filming begins, but it is one of the most important components of the film.

"Mr. Nicholson, there is no doubt that your performance is fully qualified for this role."

After a simple performance, Wayne thought about what he had just seen through the camera lens, smiled and applauded the other person twice, and sincerely praised the performer.

The Joker from the first version of Batman in the center of the audition room is one of the best people he has met in the past few years in terms of acting skills alone. It is no exaggeration to describe him as a dramatic actor.

The naturalness shown in his performance is something that many young people do not have. This is not the immersive performance of Christian Bale, but rather a return to nature and freedom.

"Thanks."

Jack Nicholson, dressed in a well-dressed suit, bowed slightly and said with a smile on his face: "Wayne, this is the third time I have come to audition for your project. I hope my performance this time can impress you. I am very impressed." I have wanted to work with you for a long time, but unfortunately, "The Clown" and other films were not able to happen."

Although he was very happy to hear the veteran actor's courtesy, Wayne didn't take it too seriously. This kind of veteran who has been in the industry for decades has a unique vision for selecting projects. If it is not a film or director that the other party likes, the price to hire such a veteran has never been small. .

No matter what kind of pleasantries and business exchanges the two exchanged, what he wanted to say next was the main purpose of this audition.

"Then I'll just say it, Jack." Wayne smiled and nodded, observing the other person's expression. "Your acting skills have never been a problem for me, and this kind of role won't be difficult for you. However, the investment in this film is relatively low. If you want to join this project, the crew may not be able to offer you a salary that is in line with your worth. .”

In fact, after accepting this audition invitation, Jack Nicholson thought about this issue. If the purpose of this film is to win academic awards, the salary issue is not out of the question.

"Give me some time to go back and think about it." With a shrug, Jack Nicholson looked at Wayne and said, "I have to communicate with my agent about this kind of thing, so I can't give an answer right now."

"Of course, but it doesn't take too long. We have to decide on the actors as soon as possible and leave more time for filming." Wayne stood up and walked out from behind the table, extending a hand enthusiastically. "Hopefully we can come to an agreement. I really can't think of anyone else who would be more suitable for this role than you."

"You're too polite. That's it. I will reply to the crew as soon as possible."

The two shook hands politely, and Jack Nicholson nodded to the rest of the staff, opened the door and walked out of the audition room.

"Do you think he will agree?"

Sitting back behind the camera, when he picked up the resume on the table and began to flip through it and think about it, Schwartz asked curiously: "Even if he knew the purpose of making this film, it would be difficult for him to accept a million-dollar job." With the salary, he is never short of filming."

What the casting director said is the reality. Veteran actors like this who have been famous for many years, whether they are playing leading roles or supporting roles, are scarce resources. Actors like them never lack project invitations.

"He will agree, otherwise he wouldn't be able to come to the audition." Without raising his head, Wayne looked through the actor information for tomorrow's heroine's audition. He was not worried at all about whether he could hire Jack Nicholson.

If veterans like this in the industry are unwilling to accept the salary cut, they will not come to audition at all. People like them are very realistic inside. Unless they are mentally prepared, they will not waste this time. .

"Ha." As he spoke, he unexpectedly saw Cameron Diaz's resume, and couldn't help but tilt his head and look at the casting director. "Has this woman approached you?"

Schwartz nodded and spread his hands with a smile on his face. "Her agent approached me and kept hinting at her client's relationship with you on the phone. The role hasn't been decided yet, right? It would be nice to have another choice during the audition."

After several years of cooperation, the two have become relatively close. At least this kind of teasing occasionally occurs between them.

"OK, notify the next one..."

"Boss, Warner Bros. Bruce Rosenblum's call."

Before he could finish speaking, the assistant opened the audition room door, pointed to the director's office, and made a gesture to answer the phone.

Wayne walked away and waved to the casting director. "Okay, Schwartz, go ahead. Don't wait for me. The actor has left a backup plan in case something unexpected happens to Brad Pitt."

In fact, what he mainly wanted to see today was the audition performances of the two protagonists. Brad Pitt and Jack Nicholson did not disappoint him. Their audition performances met the requirements of the roles.

As for other actors participating in the audition, the purpose is more to increase other options. Even if there is an accident on Brad Pitt's side, there will not be another large-scale audition. Before the main character signs a contract, everything will be based on insurance.

Hurrying back to the director's office, Wayne picked up the phone on his desk. "Hello, this is Wayne Greenberg."

"Hey, Wayne, I hope I didn't disturb your work." Bruce Rosenblum's voice came over the phone. The relationship between the two has always been very good, so the conversation was relatively casual. "I heard about what happened at noon. This "High Crisis" was a project initiated by Spencer. He called me, the British director..."

"The project hasn't started filming yet, has it? Tell him to get lost. For your sake, I won't pursue it any further."

"Okay, poor British guy, he's about to be fired before he picks up a camera in his first film as a director!" Bruce Rosenblum's tone was full of schadenfreude. In fact, he didn't think so. Keep little people in mind. "I'll report this to Jeff, and the Brit will resign himself."

The project that the other party was going to shoot was itself invested and produced by Warner Bros., but unfortunately it offended the major shareholder of Warner Bros. This is a complete example of committing suicide.

Relatively speaking, this result is quite lucky for Stuart Baird. He just lost a job opportunity. As long as Wayne doesn't want to pursue it anymore, he can go back to being his own editor.

The two people who were talking on the phone both understood that as long as Wayne let out the news, the British man might not even have the opportunity to work as an editor in Hollywood in the future. There are many people in this circle who don't mind stepping on him to establish a relationship with a great director and gain his favor by the way.

"Okay, I still have audition work here. Let's talk about it when we have time." Wayne was not surprised at this result. If the other party pointed at his nose and spit dirty words at him, there would be no consequences at all, which would be the biggest surprise.

He has never been broad-minded. The reason why he could not pursue the case further was because of Bruce Rosenblum's phone call.

Just when I was about to hang up the phone and go back to see if other people's auditions could bring any surprises, there was another voice on the phone.

"How is Ector doing? Do you think he has the potential to become a producer?"

After thinking about his second producer, Wayne said into the phone: "I can't tell anything yet. He went to Boston to scout the location, and he had to arrange the crew's logistical issues in advance there. During this period, We don’t have a lot of exposure.”

"Okay, then I won't disturb your work."

After hanging up the phone, Wayne was not in a hurry to return to the audition room. He leaned on his chair and thought for a while, then looked up at Nina.

"Call Ector for me, rush his work, and ask him to come back to discuss the actor's contract."

"Okay." The assistant lady nodded.

Since Bruce Rosenblum wanted to give Ector a chance and train him to become a qualified producer, Wayne didn't mind letting him get more involved in the work, negotiating a contract with the actor's agent, and being a producer himself scope of work.

At 5:30 in the afternoon, after a day's work in the studio, the car had just returned to the manor. The housekeeper Hela was waiting by the fountain in the small square in a rare moment. When a few people got off the car, she greeted them.

"What happened?"

Wayne asked curiously as he handed the briefcase in his hand to the butler.

Hela pointed in the direction of the lawn. On the lounge chair under the awning, the Australian girl was wearing a pair of sunglasses and holding the golden retriever Fendi, as if she had not seen them coming back. "Ms. Watts is not in a good mood. She dropped a cup in the afternoon. Boss, you'd better go take a look."

"What's wrong with this woman again!" Whispering, Wayne walked towards his favorite awning.

Ever since this woman's belly began to show signs of pregnancy, it seemed as if another personality switch had been turned on. She often became emotionally unstable and anxious from time to time.

Even when watching a bloody TV series, she would shed tears for inexplicable reasons. This completely changed her personality from the rational and stubborn Australian actress before.

"Nami, are you asleep? I heard Hela say..."

As he approached, he understood why this woman was angry before he finished speaking. On the white table next to the recliner, there were five or six entertainment newspapers scattered around. This kind of second-rate media is very time-sensitive, and they were all placed on the front page. Posted a big photo.

It was him who was photographed while holding Halle Berry in his arms and walking towards the restaurant with his head down. I don’t know how this woman obtained these newspapers.

"Listen, Nami, I'm only going to say it once." Wayne knew that she was not asleep. She was just holding the golden retriever and pretending to close her eyes. This was just a silent protest. "Harry ran into some trouble, and Nina and I happened to meet her at noon and helped her. It's just that simple, that's it?"