Standing outside the audition room of the movie The Truman Show, Naomi Watts looked at the audition crowd, a little nervous. She knew who this movie's director and lead actor were, and she felt a little uneasy because of this.
The director of Emily, the leading actor of The Mask, and the screenwriter of Gattaca, with such a lineup, she is competing for the position of a heroine; no matter how you look at it, her status is lower.
Naomi still remembers that some time ago, there were rumors that Charlize Theron might play the heroine of this movie. Although it was later denied by director Levi, that news also showed people's love for this movie and what kind of expectations the heroine had.
At least it must be a vase recognized by all Hollywood like Charlize Theron.
Thinking of Charlize Theron, Naomi felt another churn in her heart — that lucky woman made her feel that her fate was unfair.
Before meeting Levi, her status was not as good as hers: she was the female protagonist in Gross Misconduct in 1993; although it was a sex-selling movie that was not worth being proud of, Theron didn't even have such a movie. No, but she suddenly became popular with just one movie and is now known as the number-one vase in Hollywood. Such good luck; why doesn't she have it?
At the end of September, Naomi Watts just celebrated her 30th birthday. For others, age 30 means a successful career and happiness. Some actors need to worry about how to transform themselves to be better accepted by the audience, but for Naomi Watts, her current trouble is how to become famous. This problem was a major problem that plagued her 12 years ago, but now 12 years later, she has grown up from a young girl to a middle-aged person but still couldn't solve the problem.
A 30-year-old woman who is an actress by profession and has not yet become famous. These conditions sometimes make Naomi Watts feel her career is already bleak.
Let's talk about acting. Those directors only trust those actors who are already famous. She is 30 years old but didn't have any decent work. What acting skills can they look at?
And when it comes to beauty... No matter how much Watts thinks about her beauty, she will feel a little helpless when she thinks about her age.
It is now 1998, and the post-80s actors are all showing off their sexiness on the screen. She is an old woman born in 68. What else is there to put on a show here? But what can you do if you don't act yourself?
She can only be an actor or a model. As an actor, a 30-year-old woman at least has some roles that suit her. Although it is not a good role, she can still play it. And being a model, a 30-year-old model is no different from a 100-year-old in other professions. That age means getting old.
The effort she puts in has never been less than others. Various studies, various courses. She's been through a lot, dare she say it, a lot more than the average actor. During her Hollywood days, she didn't waste any free time. It's not like she hasn't acted in dramas. She was able to find some TV dramas and movies, but those dramas didn't make her famous in the end.
'My luck has never been bad. I took a detour by myself and went to Japan to develop my career when I was young. Fortunately, I discovered it early and came to Hollywood, but I still didn't have a chance.
Nicole Kidman, who came to Hollywood with me, took acting classes with me at the beginning, but look at her development in the past few years: she is married to one of the most handsome men in the world, and now her name often appears in newspapers, is already a representative of a perfect life.
Charlize Theron, a model like herself, met a good role and became famous immediately, becoming the top actress in Hollywood; even if she is a vase, people pay attention.
And what about myself? The first thing I think about when I open my eyes daily is the rent. I always have to think about how to look young so that I can compete with those women who are ten years younger than me. This kind of life is really terrible. Now, I can only hope that it will be different from the past this time.'
Naomi is sitting here. She knows that this is a movie with a lot of investment, and the audition will be very difficult. She can remember how she passed the initial test.
***
At that time, she walked into the interview room, embarrassed; she handed over her own information and, at the same time, carefully looked at the room: she basically didn't know any of the people there. At least, she was sure that Jim Carrey, the star of the film, and Levi, the director, were not in this room.
It was a little disappointing not to see the most influential person.
"Naomi Watts..." At this time, Clark flipped through the documents in his hand and read the name softly. Naomi also raised her ears, waiting for Clark's following sentence.
"In terms of looks and age, they are considered qualified. At least in terms of appearance, there is not much difference from our script. Let her try changing clothes later to see if the angle under the camera is good. This step of the audition is considered to be passed."
Clarke's words did not give Watts anything special, but she was still very excited to pass the first audition.
***
Age is now her great enemy and is also what she is most concerned about. Fortunately, it seems that this time the audition is not just about looking good or not and whether there is a "sacrifice spirit."
Knowing that her age, the biggest shortcoming, has turned into an advantage, Naomi is also very fortunate. It's just that this situation also made her worry. Can she really do it after such rounds of interviews?
It is said that director Levi is very serious about selecting actors; can she really do it?
"Next."
While Watts was still thinking wildly, the audition room door opened again. Watts strode forward and raised her head high. Another person came out of the room with a depressed look: Judging by her appearance, she is at most twenty-three or four-year-old, so auditioning at such an age is highly inconsistent with the requirements. No wonder she was kicked out.
Fortunately, their selection is still in accordance with the script's requirements.
"Next!"
The voice she remembered again woke her up; it was calling herself. She hurried into the room, and this time, to her surprise, both Levi and Jim Carrey were sitting there, talking about something.
When the director saw herself, his eyes seemed to light up - but his expression returned to calm after that. She also understands this. After all, the other party is a great director who has seen many good actors. It is impossible for her appearance to decide everything.
"This actor should be okay..." She heard Levi and Jim Carrey's conversation: "The age and appearance are suitable, and she has a little acting experience..."
"It's too short; it's not good for acting..." Jim Carrey also whisper talking.
"You can still try it. Finding someone with the right height is hard, and you must use the lens to compensate for it..."
The words of the director and the lead actor made Naomi's heart beat faster. She knew that Jim Carrey was taller than her, and this considerable gap might be the issue they were discussing.
But hopefully, that's not the biggest problem - Tom Cruise still has to use fruit crates for his filming. Of course, she is not a big name, so she can't ask for a fruit box, but it's not too much to ask for an audition.
Director Levi has an excellent reputation, but she doesn't know if he can give her a chance to show off her strengths? She can only hope they can give her a chance, even if it's just a chance...
"Ms. Watts." She suddenly heard Levi speak.
Getting lost in thoughts was a bit embarrassing, but considering the chance of performing, she didn't care, "I'm here."
"We hope you can do a good performance... I believe you have also received part of the script the casting team gave you; act out that part."
This requirement is certainly not surprising. Naomi nodded immediately; she sat there, turned sideways, lowered her head, and began to brew emotions. When she raised her head again, the expression on her face was a little tired, a little mocking, and a little helpless. She had already familiarized herself with that passage in the script and knew how to act.
"Oh, honey, you're talking nonsense again; every time you play ball with Marlon, you always talk like this, we have a mortgage to pay, a car loan, and we have a baby... you are talking like a teenager..."
Naomi's hands didn't stop moving, as if she was really doing something with her hands. And her head kept going down and up again. Her head and hands were always moving when she spoke, and her tone was also frivolous, like coaxing a child.
With such a tone and demeanor, she dared to say that she had done nothing wrong - in the past ten years, she had seen similar demeanors on many people's faces. When she mentioned her dream of being an actor, relatives, friends, crew members, and even the landlord all had this look.
This kind of demeanor she can never forget it. If she wants to perform, she will never make a mistake.
'This is my chance; I must seize it!'
Sitting in front of her, Jim Carrey was obviously a little surprised. It was hard for him to imagine that this little-known actor had quite good acting skills.
Levi was also a little surprised by Watts' acting skills: she is indeed one of the best actors of this generation. Naomi Watts has high talent and good acting skills. Compared with Winona and Theron, she is much better!
He didn't know this was the acting skill Naomi Watts had honed for ten years, but he knew this was the actor he needed!
*****
Thanks and kudos for my patreons
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