In Anson's mind, Anne Hathaway had always been the beautiful and sexy figure from the big screen. But now, for the sake of her character's authenticity, Anne had deliberately gained weight, giving her cheeks a bit of baby fat, and she didn't hesitate to make funny faces, shattering the filter Anson had in place.
Anson finally understood why Anne had once said that, just like Mia in school, she was actually a wallflower, hardly noticed by anyone, to the point where even her becoming an actress went unnoticed.
In his previous life, Anson had worked with many actors in different productions, so he was already aware that on-screen personas and real-life personalities are two completely different things. The screen image is often just a projection of something ideal, a form of packaging, marketing, branding, and a commercial tool.
Now, after Chris Evans, Anne once again shattered Anson's preconceived notions of superhero movie actors, broadening his perspective.
In fact… it was quite interesting.
Surprising as it was, the lively and youthful appearance in real life felt much more endearing than the flawless image on the big screen. After breaking the filter, not only did Anne appear more genuine, but she also seemed much more approachable.
Just like now, those funny faces truly left Anson in awe.
Anson glanced at Gary, then secretly gave Anne a thumbs-up at waist level, along with a look of deep admiration—
His abs were hurting from holding back laughter.
But!
Even at the risk of being noticed, Anson had to give Anne credit for her dedication and commendable spirit.
Gary hadn't noticed anything. "We often focus on people's appearance and make hasty judgments based on it. This is why Mia lacks the confidence to stand up and give a speech in front of others. But in truth, her issue isn't her appearance but the insecurity that her appearance brings."
Anson refocused his attention, nodding slightly at Gary. "So even after her big makeover, she didn't suddenly become full of confidence overnight; instead, she felt uneasy about her new look."
Gary beamed. "Exactly. Michael saw Mia's soul. His gaze gave her the courage to face herself honestly."
Anson shot another look at Anne.
Anne finally understood the meaning behind Anson's gaze and noticed his hidden thumbs-up, as well as the wildly animated Gary.
She stopped making faces, no longer interrupting Anson and Gary's conversation. With a smug lift of her chin, she silently mimed a belly laugh, clearly enjoying the fact that Anson couldn't retaliate. Then, with a flick of her hair, she swaggered away, leaving behind a carefree silhouette.
Pfft.
Gary didn't notice, but Ned, Tom, and Daniel, who had witnessed everything up close, turned away, laughing quietly, their shoulders shaking with mirth.
Anson glanced at Anne, then at his bandmates: ???
As she turned away, Anne let out a long sigh of relief—
The heart was almost about to jump out. Fortunately, after some playful antics, she managed to cover up her panic and palpitations.
But why?
It should just be the immersion in the role. Annie lightly patted her chest and told herself again that it was all just part of the script. She was still deeply engrossed in her character.
Yes, that's right, which is why Mia starts to feel confused here for the first time, right?
Annie turned and left, and Anson also refocused his attention on Gary.
Gary was still immersed in his thoughts. "She doesn't know how beautiful she is, but that only makes her more beautiful," he muttered the lyrics to himself twice more, savoring them, finding them to be a stroke of genius.
Gary snapped back to the moment and looked at Anson. "This is where Michael planted the first seed, isn't it?"
Anson nodded in agreement. "I hesitated for a moment, between pop and rock, but finally landed on punk."
Gary's face relaxed entirely. "Music isn't my strong suit, but I can tell that it fits the plot perfectly and matches the atmosphere of the whole movie. So, Anson, why don't we discuss your composition for the song and the visual composition for this scene?"
Before filming started, Anson had already discussed this with Gary, but Gary wouldn't deny that, back then, he had just been listening passively as a reference.
After all, Gary had been in Hollywood for forty years—there was no way he would let an eighteen-year-old kid tell him how to direct a movie.
To him, it was normal for actors to have opinions. As a director, he needed to make a show of listening, to ease the actors' anxieties and maintain harmony on set. But in reality, he just let their words go in one ear and out the other. They could talk all they wanted, but he would stick to his vision.
Until now.
Anson had no intention of telling Gary how to direct his film. He was simply breaking down the plot based on the song he had composed.
That was all there was to it.
Gary had always believed that a truly excellent actor should understand the plot and the camera, and based on that understanding, inject life into their character. This includes developing their own interpretation based on the script, the camera work, and the situations they are placed in. Recently, Anson had demonstrated that ability.
Though still very simple and basic, it was impressive.
So, why not?
Gary was a stubborn old guy, but he never believed he was always 100% right. Learning to listen and absorb others' ideas was also a skill.
Gary wanted to seriously hear Anson's ideas.
Anson looked a bit surprised. "Director, I'm not trying to tell you how to direct your movie."
That cautious expression made Gary laugh heartily. He patted Anson on the shoulder, "It's fine. I'm allowing it."
The casual display of familiarity once again showed Gary's good mood.
So, what should Anson do? Should he trust what Gary said? Was it genuine, or was it a trap? What was the right way to respond?
His thoughts paused for just a moment. Anson looked into Gary's not-so-bright eyes, without hesitation, without second-guessing, without overthinking—
Respectful compliance.
In an instant, Anson had made up his mind. He once again explained his ideas, this time in more detail and more comprehensively, incorporating the insights he had gained from the previous filming session.
However, Anson struck a perfect balance, only analyzing the structure of the song, the melodies of the different sections, and the emotional expressions, including how to wrap up the second half.
That was all. He stopped just short of overstepping his role.
As for the other aspects—those that were truly the director's job—Anson trusted that Gary could fill in the blanks himself. Anson did not believe he was more professional than Gary.
This small gesture earned Gary's respect once again.
Not easy. Definitely not simple.
Gary gave Anson a meaningful look.
He had a feeling that this young man wouldn't need much time before making a name for himself. He had the ability, the talent, and the vision. He was nothing like your typical eighteen-year-old.
Indeed, the younger generation is to be feared—
A dragon's potential cannot be confined to a small pond.
With this thought, Gary felt even more confident about *The Princess Diaries*. His smile lifted again. "Alright, let's shoot this scene once more."