American Fame and Fortune

Chapter 23 The key to success or failure in auditions

The press conference was held in the lobby of the ATL Free Association headquarters. Martin rushed there early in the morning and contacted Kelly Gray’s assistant Ella, who took her to the large conference room near the lobby.

 Including Kelly Gray, many people are busy.

 Martin saw his acquaintance Andrew among the handymen.

Thinking of the new play Jerome had talked about when he went to the theater last time, Martin took the initiative to find it.

 Hand in if there is an opportunity, and if there is no opportunity to create opportunities, you must attend.

 Martin greeted Andrew: "Good morning, Mr. Andrew."

 Andrew looked at Martin first, and then at Ella behind Martin, with a particularly warm smile: "Long time no see, my friend."

Seeing the other person open his arms, Martin certainly would not refuse and hugged him warmly.

 Like an old friend.

The two chatted for a while about the collaboration between Marietta Community Theater and Gray Company, especially Jerome's preparations for leading the theater to participate in new plays.

 After a while, Martin found out that Kelly Gray was temporarily free and said, "I'll go over there."

　　Andrew nodded: “It’s up to you.”

 Martin approached Kelly Gray and took out the speech he prepared yesterday for her to review.

Kelly Gray already had great feelings for Martin, and now she couldn’t stop smiling.

On the other side, Andrew watched Martin and his boss talking and laughing, thoughtfully.

 Looks like the relationship is very close?

Seeing that Ella was still there, he asked: "Does the boss know Martin?"

Ella said casually: "The boss admires Martin very much."

"This way..." Andrew discovered that things were just as Ella said. The lawyer from the Free Association took over the lawsuit against the House of Beasts. The boss and Martin kept in communication, and even smiled several times more than usual.

 After the press conference, Andrew found an opportunity to go over and heard Martin inviting his boss to go to the Beast House again, and the boss agreed.

In addition, Martin also praised him in front of his boss for what he had done for the Free Association.

Kelly Gray praised Andrew a few words.

 Andrew is about to float.

 Martin left the free meeting, got in the car and called Jerome. There were some things that he couldn't speak directly about, and there was no room for relaxation once disagreements arose.

He said to Jerome: "Captain, I attended a press conference of the Free Association in the morning, met Mr. Andrew, and chatted with him for a while about the new play between our troupe and Gray Company."

 Generally speaking, the new crew is short of many roles, so it’s best to take action as soon as possible.

Jerome said: "I'll call him right away."

 …

As soon as Andrew returned to Gray Film and Television Productions, he received a call from Jerome.

Jerome felt that Andrew was much more enthusiastic than before. During this period, he mentioned Martin several times, which reminded him again of the debt owed by the idiot Martin. He simply said: "Can you help Martin find a role with a higher salary?"

This is the same as what Andrew was thinking: "There are a few supporting roles that have not yet been decided. I will call Martin later."

 Andrew is very active and turns on his computer to check the real-time progress of the project.

 Gray signed a package contract with the cable station that included more than one late-night drama.

In the past few years, Gray Company has already matured into assembly line production, which is low-cost and fast. After the filming of the previous film is completed, it is transferred to the post-production department for editing and production, and the crew continues to shoot the next film.

Most of the time, the company uses the same male protagonist Adam Smith. He has good appeal among female cable station users and can guarantee a lower viewing limit.

 The heroine and supporting actors and actresses have also been decided, but actors for several minor supporting roles are still being selected.

　　Andrew chose a role, stood up and knocked on the door of the casting director Lynn’s office: “Boss, for the role of Billy, can I recommend a candidate?”

It was just a small role with some lines. Lin En didn’t even raise his head and said, “Inform him to come over for an audition tomorrow afternoon.”

 Andrew returned to his office and called Martin immediately.

Martin took the initiative to invite him to have lunch with him: "I haven't formally thanked you for your help last time. You must give me a chance today." Andrew couldn't refuse.

Martin specifically chose a high-end restaurant in the city center. When it comes time to invest, he will not be stingy.

 Unlike Los Angeles, the most prosperous area in Atlanta is in the city center.

At noon, the two met at a restaurant near Peach Tree Plaza.

 While enjoying lunch, Andrew briefly talked about the character's situation.

 Martin took them all to heart.

“As long as your basic acting skills are good, your appearance will definitely pass.” Andrew elaborated: “The late-night dramas produced by the company tend to be aesthetic in style, and the main audience is women, so the appearance requirements for male actors are relatively high.”

 Martin nodded: "I understand."

Andrew asked the key: "Can you accept the scene?"

Martin said with a smile: "No problem, the scale of Hollywood NC-17's films is larger than this. I participated in the last filming and I have a rough idea."

 It’s better to get the Golden Lion and the Palme d’Or films.

 The production model is similar to the grindhouse movies of the past. This type of film has not completely disappeared, but has also improved with the times.

The films that cannot enter theaters in North America account for more than half of the total filming in North America every year.

Martin is not opposed to this. He is at the bottom of American society. If he is not bold enough and thick-skinned, he can talk about making a lot of money and transcending classes.

  Andrew agreed: “What we make is an art film, but it will not go to theaters, but will be broadcast directly on cable TV stations.”

 Martin toasted Andrew, chatted a little about the Liberty Club, and then asked: "Can the casting director decide this role?"

“Lynn, the casting director, makes the decision,” says Andrew.

 Martin asked: “Does Lynn have any particular preferences?”

"Special preference?" Andrew thought for a moment and said, "He's a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan."

 Martin knew that the Atlanta Braves, a member of Major League Baseball, played at Turner Field in Marietta.

 One lunch, with a bottle of good wine, cost Martin two nights' income.

 Martin's investment went beyond this. After seeing Andrew off, he made a special trip to the flea market.

 …

 Gray Film and Television Production Company was quite busy this afternoon, with many young actors coming in and out.

Casting director Lynn and assistant Andrew sat in the audition room, interviewing some supporting actors.

The audition was very fast, and there was no modeling at all. Linn looked at the actor's appearance through the camera, and then asked him to make a few cool expressions and say a few lines, and then sent the actor away in two or three minutes.

“Let the actor who auditioned for Billy come in.” Andrew looked at the list and said, “Martin Davis.”

A female assistant opened the door and shouted outside: "Martin Davis!"

As soon as the person came in, Lin En, who was slightly tired, cheered up a little. This young man must have a good face and a good figure.

 He looked through the lens and it was very photogenic.

 Mainly because this person gave him a good first impression.

The young man was wearing a half-used Warriors jacket and a blue baseball cap with an A letter on the edge that was slightly frayed. He placed it on the table aside.

Lynn glanced at it and knew that the other party often wore it.

 The image was outstanding, and the short performance could not fault him. Lynn sent Martin away and asked Andrew: "Is this the person you recommended?"

Andrew said: "It's him."

Lynn made a decision: "Just him." Then he said to the female assistant: "For the role of Billy, let everyone else go, don't waste their time."

 The key to determining the success or failure of an audition is mostly not in the audition room.

 (End of this chapter)