Matthew, preoccupied with meeting the new director, didn't have the time to consider finding another part-time job. When he arrived at the Disney studio again, he noticed a large gathering of reporters at the entrance, some even carrying cameras. Unfortunately, none of them were there for him.
Walking past them into the studio, no one paid him any mind, but he overheard plenty of their conversations.
"Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera have some deep personal issues, and someone scooped us on that story."
"They've been at odds since their days in the Mickey Mouse Club, and we had no clue!"
"Those two have really kept it well hidden."
"I've been on Britney's tail these past few days!"
Matthew entered the Disney studio, guessing that Elena Pojar's "American News Report" must have dug up some old dirt on Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera and published it. He had rushed out this morning and hadn't bought the newspaper, and it wasn't convenient to go out and get one now.
Matthew first called his agent, Helen Herman, who had already arrived at the studio and was waiting for him at the entrance.
He drove a four-wheeled electric cart over quickly, spotting Helen Herman from afar standing in a shady spot outside the studio. As usual, the young female agent was dressed in a fitted suit, her golden-brown hair meticulously tied back in a ponytail.
"Good morning, Helen," Matthew greeted as he parked the electric cart and walked over.
Helen Herman turned and started walking towards the studio, saying to Matthew as he caught up, "It's not early anymore, Britney is already here."
Matthew checked his phone, muttering, "There's still fifteen minutes to the scheduled time."
"What?" Helen Herman didn't catch what Matthew had muttered and asked, "What did you say?"
"Ah, nothing," Matthew quickly changed the subject. "Why is Britney here so early?"
As they entered the studio building, Helen Herman didn't answer Matthew's question but warned him instead, "Britney got agitated by the reporters at the studio entrance, try not to talk too much."
Matthew nodded, understanding that although he was here to attend the new director's prep meeting, he had no say in the matter. The best strategy was to be as quiet as a silent rock.
Approaching a small conference room, Helen Herman suddenly asked, "Is the article about Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera published by your journalist friend?"
"What article?" Matthew feigned ignorance; he really hadn't read the report. "I haven't read the newspaper today."
As they arrived at the conference room, Helen Herman was about to ask more when a shrill voice from inside the room cut through the door.
"Don't tell me to calm down! Christina Aguilera is a ****, and I'd say it to anyone! She's nothing but trash! Don't expect me to pretend we're good in front of the media. Even if all the media blame me, I won't do it!"
"Britney…"
"Forget it!"
Matthew looked at Helen Herman, who frowned slightly but otherwise kept a calm demeanor.
She knocked gently on the door, and the voices inside stopped abruptly.
Helen Herman pushed the door open and entered, with Matthew following behind.
There were only two people in the conference room, Britney Spears and presumably her agent. Helen Herman acted as if she hadn't heard their exchange and walked to one side of the conference table to pull out a chair and sit down. Matthew did the same and sat next to Helen Herman.
"Hello, Helen," Britney Spears' agent greeted.
Helen Herman smiled professionally, "Hello."
Matthew first glanced at the agent and then at Britney Spears, who was sitting with her arms crossed and looking quite annoyed.
It was undeniable; the not yet nineteen-year-old Britney Spears was at her peak of youth and allure, fiery and sexy. Her personality seemed to naturally command attention, even just sitting there, she exuded the aura of a star.
Just then, the conference room door was pushed open from outside, and a representative from the record company came in with a short, dark-haired man in his thirties.
The record company representative glanced at Britney, then at Matthew, "You're all here."
It seemed that Britney had already met them, so he introduced the short man to Matthew and Helen Herman, "This is the new director of the MV, Mr. Zack Snyder, well-known in the advertising and music video circles."
"Hello, Mr. Snyder," Helen Herman stood up to shake his hand, "Pleased to meet you."
Matthew also stood up and shook the man's hand, "Hello, Director Snyder, I'm Matthew Horner."
Zack Snyder politely shook hands with each of them.
Then, the MV crew, including the cameraman, props, makeup artist, and set designer, gradually arrived in the conference room. The record company representative stepped
aside, and Director Zack Snyder began discussing the filming details.
The previous director, Martin Jackson's filming plans were mostly unchanged, especially the MV's script and style. The only change was that Zack Snyder thought shooting a beach scene in a studio was a terrible idea and suggested filming on location at Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu.
The record company agreed, Britney Spears had no objections, and Matthew's opinion was insignificant.
Thus, except for a few shots in the studio, most of the MV would now be shot at Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu.
Matthew listened intently throughout the meeting, keeping his mouth firmly shut unless asked a direct question.
His role as the male lead was minor compared to the female lead.
In fact, at the meeting, Zack Snyder only mentioned wanting the male lead's look to be more masculine, ideally highlighting the aesthetics of muscle lines, without specifying further details regarding Matthew.
As for muscle lines, Matthew was confident he wouldn't have a problem; he remembered this director and roughly knew what type of physique he admired.
Although his muscles were not as exaggerated as those of movie action heroes – this was an MV, not a superhero film like Superman or Batman.
Superhero movies, straightforward and entertaining, were ideal for casual entertainment. While living on the other side of the ocean, Matthew, although not a frequent cinema-goer, was a beneficiary of internet piracy, having seen several high-definition downloads of Zack Snyder's superhero blockbusters. Online, DC fans and Marvel fans constantly argued, making Zack Snyder a frequent topic of debate. So, Matthew was familiar with this director's strong personal style.
However, his past impression of this director wasn't favorable – he found "Batman v Superman" quite dull.
The only positive impression Matthew had of Zack Snyder was his perfect casting for the Wonder Woman in the Justice League series.
Those legs, that face; it made him want to lick his computer screen.
For that reason, he broke his habit of downloading pirated movies and actually went to a cinema to watch "Wonder Woman," a film that showcased Gal Gadot's beauty in every frame, angle, and slow-motion shot.
Of course, that was all in the past. Now, Zack Snyder was just a nondescript MV and commercial director, but still more accomplished than Matthew could claim to be.
At least Snyder was already a director; he was still just an extra.
With this in mind, Matthew quickly discarded any past prejudices against Zack Snyder to avoid affecting the upcoming shoot.
He believed that if someone had to be replaced due to necessity, the record company would rather change the male lead than switch directors carelessly.
"What are you thinking about?" Helen Herman's voice brought him back to reality. "You're zoning out now?"
Matthew made up an excuse on the spot, "I was just thinking about the director's requirements, how to bring more masculine beauty to the role."
The meeting was over, and people began leaving one by one. Matthew also stood up and asked, "Shall we go?"
"Let's go," Helen Herman led the way out of the conference room.
Matthew followed her, asking, "Doesn't the crew have a rehearsal schedule?"
"The crew has been rehearsing since March," Helen Herman replied like squeezing toothpaste from a tube; Matthew had to press her for information. "Britney and her backup dancers have been rehearsing; your role doesn't require rehearsal."
Once outside the studio, Matthew drove the electric cart with Helen Herman to the studio gate, where they found reporters crowded around Britney Spears' car, not letting her leave without answering their questions.
"Is this the kind of treatment stars get?" Matthew couldn't help but express his envy.
"Not every day is like this for stars," Helen Herman got off the electric cart. "This is because of the gossip report about Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera published in 'American News Report.'"
She suddenly asked, "Is your journalist friend employed by 'American News Report'?"
"That... seems right," Matthew feigned confusion. "I never asked."
He quickly changed the subject, "Can you help me find a part-time job?"
Helen Herman was puzzled, "Don't you already have a part-time job? Aren't you working as a driver anymore?"
"I got fired," Matthew didn't elaborate further, "I took too many leaves, and my boss let me go."
Helen Herman walked toward the studio gate, and once Matthew caught up, she said, "Don't rush into finding a job right now. The most crucial thing is to nail this MV shoot. We can talk about work after the shoot is done."
Matthew stepped out of the studio gate, looking at the car surrounded by reporters, and replied, "Alright then."
Helen Herman was right; nothing was more important than the MV shoot at the moment.