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Could you drop some reviews? It helps to get this fic a rating.
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"What? Say it again, I suspect I haven't woken up yet."
Sometimes, good news hits you like a bolt from the blue. Even though it won't bring rain later on, it can still be bewildering. Especially when a beautiful blonde with blue eyes resembling a Persian cat enthusiastically prances in front of you, baring her teeth and brandishing her claws, it's genuinely joyous.
"I don't know if you're fully awake, but you heard me correctly"
Christian, who had anticipated this kind of reaction from the blonde girl, repeated formally.
"You, Charlize Theron, are now officially the leading lady of this film. Clear?"
"What…"
Evidently, Charlize still hadn't fully grasped the situation, but Christian ignored her, scanned the room, and, noticing everyone present, called them together.
"Now, we have two significant announcements to make"
It was the producer, Westwood, who spoke, casting his gaze upon the men and women before him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our previous director, Alan McElroy, can no longer helm this film due to personal reasons. Consequently, the new director will be"
He placed his hand on Christian, who stood by his side, wearing an affectionate expression.
"This gentleman, Christian Booth. Mr. Booth is young and promising, and both senior executives and I trust his capabilities. I hope for your cooperation in the future"
"What?"
Just like the night before, everyone was taken aback upon hearing this news, and hushed whispers filled the room. However, no one dared to object, particularly given the evident support from producer Westwood. For these actors, who were, at best, third-tier players, involving themselves in the politics of directors and producers, was a surefire way to ruin their careers. While they all harbored dreams of overnight fame, they understood the perils of meddling in the affairs of established industry figures. If they didn't have this self-awareness, they would have been out of Hollywood long ago.
"Excellent"
Witnessing the readily accepted news, Westwood was content.
"As no one seems to have objections, it's time for the second piece of news. This one's on you, Richard"
The "Richard" Westwood referred to was the seasoned casting director. Today's gathering included actors who didn't need to join the cast right away. The producer may not be familiar with them, but the old-timer Richard with his distinctive red beard was known to all those who had auditioned. This arrangement had been made in advance by Christian and the others, serving as additional validation of Westwood and Christian's statements.
The old-timer wore a somewhat wrinkled old suit, but he didn't bother trying to appear dignified like Westwood; his appearance, resembling that of a Viking pirate, was intimidating enough for those unfamiliar with him.
"The second piece of news is that the previous leading lady, Miss Eliza Kunis, regrettably cannot join us due to scheduling conflicts. As a result, the production team has chosen Miss Charlize Theron to step into the role"
"WTF"
If the first announcement by producer Westwood had been a shock to those present, the second one was met with envy and resentment. Most of the actors in the room were lesser-known, and they had no say in the shifting power dynamics of the directorial chair. However, the sudden appearance of a leading lady among their ranks had them fuming.
Everyone present was once an aspiring talent, so why had Charlize Theron suddenly leapfrogged ahead? This was especially irksome to the young actresses who were initially cast in supporting roles alongside Charlize. The gazes they directed at her could be aptly described as "the lava of hell."
"Listen, let me explain..."
The old-timer shrugged his shoulders at Christian as if he had expected this reaction, but Christian remained unfazed. Jealousy was an inevitable part of the industry, and it was expected to flare up now. Nevertheless, a bunch of actors, most of whom were not even third-tier stars, were in no position to contest the production team's decisions.
"Very well, everyone"
Seeing that everyone was gradually coming to terms with the two preceding announcements, Christian clapped his hands.
"To ensure the film's plot flows smoothly, we've made some urgent revisions to the script. You'll receive the new script shortly, so please read it in advance on the way to the location with us."
After these words, the new script was distributed to all.
"New script?"
Though it was common for directors to tweak the script during filming, drastic script changes on the day before shooting were uncommon. Yet, the actors didn't utter a word this time. It seemed that the initial shock from the first two major announcements had drained their capacity for surprise. They silently opened the new script and began reading.
"This time, we've managed to change the director, switch the leading lady, and revise the script, all within just two days, and have secured the approval of all investors. Our luck has truly been on our side. Richard, it seems your lucky suit has brought us a fortune"
After instructing the actors to accept the new director and script, producer Westwood expressed his relief and jokingly patted the old-timer's shoulder.
"May our luck continue"
The old-timer was more reserved in his optimism, adjusting his well-worn yet neatly ironed lucky suit.
"Speaking of which, Christian, to modify the script and devise a new shooting plan in just two days is truly remarkable"
"Yes"
Westwood commented with a sigh.
"I won't comment on the quality, but in terms of speed, Christian's script editing pace surpasses that of many top screenwriters"
"When the stage is set, ideas just flow. We're simply putting them into action now"
Christian modestly smiled. He understood that Americans, known for their directness, didn't typically appreciate such sentiments. However, he felt a genuine sense of accomplishment in quickly completing the script revisions himself.
As mentioned earlier, Alan's original script bore a strong resemblance to the film "Wrong Turn" from Christian's memory. When arranging scenes, Christian consistently compared them with those from "Wrong Turn," emphasizing the similarities. After assuming the director's role, Christian replaced Alan's script with a new one he had worked on for more than two months, incorporating elements from both the original script and his recollection. This new script became the final version of the movie.
The similarity between the two scripts was undeniable. While Christian's script might not necessarily be better than Alan's, it was simpler and more budget-friendly to shoot. This was a boon for the cash-strapped crew. Moreover, using his script allowed Christian to directly compare the filmed content with the scenes from "Wrong Turn" that he vividly remembered, essentially serving as a plug-in for a first-time director lacking in experience.
However, Westwood and the old-timer had different perspectives, especially the producer.
When they initially chose Christian to take over as the director, it had been a somewhat reluctant decision. Westwood had harbored doubts about Christian's abilities and hadn't expected him to modify the script and devise a new shooting plan in just two days. Thanks to this, Christian's eloquence rekindled the confidence of several investors who had initially pulled out due to Alan's departure, ultimately solidifying Christian's position as the director.
Before this decision, Westwood had accompanied Christian to visit potential investors for three days, advocating for the project. Despite his hopes to continue the production, he had been prepared to delay or even halt it if things didn't go well. However, Christian's new script and shooting plan took everyone by surprise.
This concise yet vivid screenplay and the comprehensive shooting plan renewed the investors' faith and won them over to Christian's cause. Westwood had never imagined that Christian would be able to secure their approval in such a short time.
"Christian should've been in a different profession. With his persuasive abilities, he'd make an excellent lawyer"
Westwood mumbled to himself.
"If he does as he said, we might really..."
Meanwhile, Christian, although relieved to have won over the investors, was far from at ease. As a first-time director, his journey was just beginning. He felt a mix of tension and excitement:
"Time to show them my unique approach to filmmaking"
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