Ava Gardner had been studying singing for over a year. Writing sheet music was just basic skills. Hardy sang it twice to let her record the melody and lyrics.
"Ava, try singing it," Hardy said.
Ava Gardner held the sheet music and tried to sing.
Ava's first attempt was a bit shaky, but she had a much stronger voice and singing ability than Hardy. She managed to capture the essence of the song.
"Ava, the essence of this song is ethereal and distant, as if the voice comes from the sky" Hardy explained the mood of the song to Ava Gardner.
Ava nodded along.
She steadied herself and sang again. This time, her voice clearly had that ethereal quality. Ava's voice was truly gifted, beautifully captivating, and could hold your ears tightly.
This time Ava was much more proficient, hardly pausing during the performance. When the song finished, Hardy was awakened from his enjoyment and opened his eyes.
Such a beautiful voice, and he had never properly cherished it before.
He resolved to be more careful and not hurt her.
After Ava finished singing, she looked excitedly at Hardy. "I really like this song. It's so beautiful. When I sing, I feel like I'm wandering in a colorful sea of flowers, very comfortable. No song has ever made me feel like this."
Ava sang for the third time. She enjoyed singing, and others listening to her sing was an even greater pleasure.
"Ava, come with me," Hardy pulled Ava out.
"Where are we going?"
"The film company has a recording studio. Let's record the song," Hardy said.
"But there's no music now?"
"It's okay. The film company has already arrangers. They'll handle it." Noah was a big company, and every movie needed music arrangements, naturally employing many talents.
Several people were working in the arranging room, composing music for independent films. Noah did not make movies itself, so it relied on picking up work from some independent film companies to sustain itself.
Supervisor Jason stood up and greeted Hardy when he saw him entering the arranging room. "Assistant Hardy, why are you here in our arranging room?"
"I need your help with something," Hardy said with a smile.
"Is it about the music for the new movie?" Jason asked.
The news spread quickly, and the information about the upcoming new movie was probably known throughout the company.
"No, it's a new song. Please arrange an accompaniment for it," Hardy handed the sheet music to him. Supervisor Jason became interested after looking it over, walked over to the piano, played the sheet music, and hummed along.
"It feels good. Let me have someone sing it," Jason said.
"No need to look for someone. I have a singer here," Hardy said, pushing Ava Gardner forward.
"Ava, sing it again for everyone to hear."
Several staff members stopped what they were doing and looked at the beautiful woman.
Ava had sung the song several times before, so this time she sang more relaxedly. Her wonderful voice echoed in the room, immediately attracting the arrangers.
They thought this girl's voice was really good. Where did Assistant Hardy find her?
Supervisor Jason quickly reacted after listening to a few sentences and began to accompany on the piano. With accompaniment, everyone felt the song was even more appealing, quickly immersing themselves in the music, deeply intoxicated.
The song ended.
People finally came to their senses.
"It's so beautiful. I feel like this is one of the most beautiful song I've heard in my life, it's heavenly."
"Some parts of the melody are reminiscent of a Scottish folk song, but there's a difference. It's more appealing and charming."
"I'm sure I've never heard this song before. Miss, did you create this song?"
"No, it was created by Hardy."
Jason was stunned.
Everyone in the room was stunned.
It turned out that it was assistant Hardy who composed it. No one expected assistant Hardy to be such an excellent songwriter, able to write such a beautiful song.
Someone thought to themselves, it's no wonder Hardy's assistant was appointed as the chairman's assistant at such a young age.
The new movie Hardy planned have already brought the whole company to life, and now it turns out he can also compose songs.
Some even wondered, could the boss be preparing to groom him as the general manager?
Hardy looked at supervisor, Jason. "Jason, can you help me arrange the accompaniment? This song is for the theme of the new movie."
"Of course," Jason immediately agreed.
Being able to arrange such music, he felt honored. Perhaps this would be a classic that future generations would remember, and his name might also be remembered.
"After arranging the accompaniment, I'll need your help to record this song with Ava," Hardy said.
"No problem at all. By the way, may I ask, what is the name of this song?" Benson asked.
"It's called 'Scarborough Fair.'"
On the drive back home, Ava was very excited. Today, she got the role of the leading actress and also had the opportunity to sing the movie's theme song. These were things she had dreamt of but never really thought she would experience these in reality, It was all so magical.
Watching the traffic flow, Ava hummed the song and then suddenly looked at Hardy. "Hardy, I know that parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme mentioned in the lyrics are all flowers. Is there any symbolism?"
"These flowers represent the sweetness of love, strength, loyalty and courage," Hardy said.
Ava Gardner's eyes became dreamy. After a while, she breathed out and said, "I understand now. The lyrics feel even more beautiful to me."
"Oh, by the way, Hardy, one of the arrangers mentioned he detected anti war sentiments in the song. Is that true?"
Hardy knew that 'Scarborough Fair' originated in 1965 and indeed carried anti war connotations, likely referring to the Vietnam War. However, it was equally relevant considering the recent end of World War II.
"Ava, your task for now is to polish this song well. I'll have the company record it as a record," Hardy said.
"Yes, I'll definitely sing it well," Ava Gardner said excitedly.
Hardy brought Ava back to the company and handed her over to the arranging supervisor, Jason, while he went to find Nolan.
When Nolan saw Hardy approaching, he quickly greeted him. "Hardy, come take a look. I've selected a batch of second and third tier male actors. See if there are any suitable ones here."
Resumes with photos, It listed their past roles and experiences performing with a certain performance group, etc.
Their pay was clearly not in the same league as that of big stars. Some were even paid weekly, earning only two to three hundred dollars a month.
Most of them were looking for opportunities.
The male lead of "Wild Bunch," Jon, was a man in his thirties with a weathered face. Such people were abundant in Hollywood. What Hardy and Nolan wanted to find were actors whose temperament matched Jon's.
"This one's too feminine."
"This one's eyes are lifeless."
"This one's chin is too ugly."
Just as Hardy was about to flip to the next one, he was stunned by the photo and profile.
Clint Eastwood, 33 years old, had played supporting roles in several low budget films, none of which Hardy had heard of.
Is that ....! How could that be possible? but the photo did resemble the Eastwood he remembered.
If going by history, Eastwood should only be 15 years old now, a complete distortion of time and space.
But Hardy thought it over.
In this world he came to, too many things were different from historical time and space, and many movie characters and events appeared. Now, why bother getting tangled up?
"Nolan, bring this person in for a look," Hardy pointed at Eastwood and said to the director Nolan.
Nolan looked at the photo.
"Eastwood. Do you think he's suitable?"
Hardy smiled. "He might just be a piece of gold buried in the sand."