Music. Plot. Characters. Emotions. Performance. Direction.
The pieces of the puzzle fell perfectly into place, each connecting seamlessly, and the entire picture came vividly to life—a composition for a short film was already taking shape.
Gary had to admit, Anson surprised him once again—again and again.
He thought he had already given Anson very high praise and had continuously raised his expectations, but he didn't expect Anson to break through those expectations yet again, delivering more unexpected discoveries, like a treasure chest that kept revealing more gems, urging him to keep digging for more.
Applause?
Anson deserved it.
Gary loved making movies, loved the *Princess Diaries* project, loved Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway, and now, he also loved Anson.
But Gary hadn't expected Anson to become the biggest revelation of *The Princess Diaries*.
In this recent scene, Anson not only showcased Michael's charm and the interaction between Michael and Mia but also demonstrated his understanding of the character and the plot. He even went beyond the director's vision, breathing life into the character and the storyline, naturally developing the content.
People often say that directors make actors; a good director can often bring out the most captivating and heartfelt aspects of an actor. Gary wasn't too sure about that; he preferred to credit the actors because he believed that an actor's charm would naturally shine in front of the camera. But Gary also believed that actors could make directors.
Excellent actors are like gold, shining brightly wherever they are, and they can even inspire the director's creative spirit.
Marvelous, simply marvelous!
From the reactions on set, it was clear—perhaps the clapping might be faked, just a polite gesture, but the excited faces and bright eyes couldn't lie. They clearly conveyed the excitement and enthusiasm in their minds. Who could resist such a moment? A magical moment belonging to cinema.
*Clap, clap.*
*Clap, clap, clap!*
The applause grew louder and more intense, accompanied by whistles and cheers, filling the entire repair shop, continuously heating up, refusing to stop.
So much so that when Gary stood in front of Anson, trying to speak, he couldn't find a moment to break in.
But.
Gary didn't mind; this moment was worth savoring, letting every cell immerse in it, feeling the sparks of artistic creation.
Anson, on the other hand, was somewhat unaccustomed—
This was his first time receiving such a treatment.
The last time on the *Friends* set, the applause and laughter might have been due to the crew's guidance or their love for the show.
Today was different.
Everything was spontaneous, everything was genuine. Under the gaze of those jealous, dirty, and ugly eyes, the band delivered an outstanding performance.
Not only that, but this applause and the whistles were also a validation, proof that Anson's music could win the audience's love and recognition.
This was very important.
For a moment, Anson felt as if he had returned to those years before he turned twenty-five in his previous life, a time when he still believed in dreams, believed in the future, and firmly believed that he could change the world. He lived life to the fullest, racing freely, with the world spread out beneath his feet.
Things seemed to have changed drastically, yet somehow, nothing had changed at all.
He quietly observed the scene in front of him, and then a smile slowly crept up his face.
Anson looked at Gary, his eyes bright.
"Ha," Gary didn't hide his satisfaction, laughing joyfully, "It seems you've indeed brought a surprise—and a big one at that."
Pausing, Gary glanced at the three young men standing nearby, looking utterly bewildered—
The impact of this scene on them was unimaginable, far surpassing what Anson felt. They could hardly believe what they were seeing.
Ned was particularly stunned, with a look on his face that screamed, "Scared out of my wits."
"Boys, well done." Gary didn't hold back his praise, "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. It seems you haven't been just fooling around these past few days."
---
However, the three young men did not react; they just nodded like bobbleheads, as if they needed some time to process.
Gary turned back to Anson. "So, did you create this yourself?"
Anson nodded. "The lyrics were specifically written to match the storyline, which makes it more fitting."
Gary showed a hint of appreciation. "I really like it." His comment was brief and to the point, but it was enough. "Especially the line, 'She doesn't know how beautiful she is, but that's what makes her even more beautiful.'"
Anson agreed—
"She doesn't know how beautiful she is, but that's what makes her even more beautiful (She-doesn't-know-she-is-beautiful, that's-what-makes-her-beautiful)."
This lyric was inspired by One Direction's 2011 single "What Makes You Beautiful."
The song itself exudes a strong sense of youth, capturing the feelings of a middle school student confessing to their crush, vividly portraying those tender emotions.
And that lyric fits perfectly in the context of "The Princess Diaries," especially from Michael's perspective of Mia.
Maybe in the eyes of others, Mia is just a transparent person, an ordinary girl; but love is blind, and in Michael's eyes, she is the most beautiful.
Based on the lyrics, the melody naturally flowed out, becoming simpler. It only took Anson twenty minutes to complete the entire composition.
The live performance today far exceeded Anson's expectations. When the music connected with the audience, the atmosphere, and others, it sparked something, making his heart race, pulling his gaze through the crowd.
Then, he found her—
Standing in front of Gary, just over his shoulder, Anson could easily see Annie.
Annie seemed a bit nervous and stiff, as if she was about to step closer but hesitated when Gary stepped forward first, causing her to stop in her tracks. She stood there, her feet rooted to the spot, unable to move.
Their eyes met.
Annie was startled, like a frightened rabbit, but quickly realized her reaction. Was she feeling guilty?
But why would she feel guilty?
Reflexively, Annie looked up again, meeting Anson's bright eyes, which seemed to carry a hint of a smile.
Annie was speechless, and her first reaction was—
To make a face.
She opened her mouth, stuck out her tongue, rolled her eyes, and twisted her features, completely disregarding her image; it was undoubtedly an incredibly ugly face.
Anson nearly lost control, his lips already curving upwards. He quickly composed himself, pulling his gaze back to focus on Gary's eyes. "This is how Michael sees Mia."
Gary, being older, didn't catch the subtlety in Anson's eyes; he only saw Anson's smile, but that wasn't surprising. "Indeed. In fact, I think that's the core theme of the movie."
Anson was struggling to keep his composure, holding back his laughter—
Because Annie was still making faces.
Not just any ordinary faces, but master-level ones, each different from the last, endlessly creative, perfectly showcasing another level of skill.
Anson had to use all his strength to control his facial muscles and suppress his smile. Barely.