Interview

Until a long time later, Theron thought of the first time she saw Levi's interview scene and thought it was a rather wonderful thing.

For an actor, the most torturous part is usually the audition, waiting for the director, casting director, and agency company to judge him, and that audition was nothing short of a nightmare. After passing the primary election, when she met the director, the person in charge of SAG, and others during the re-examination, Mr. Johnson, the person in charge of SAG, said her face was as pale as paper, and her mood hit the bottom of the valley.

"In your resume, there are photos for magazines... You are a model, aren't you?"

Theron has never acted in any drama, but she has also studied acting and is familiar with various expressions. She knew what the contempt on the other side's face meant, model -- this word made the other side look down on her very much.

"This movie says to reflect the deep inner changes of the characters. You are a model... Have your models tried to express the inner thoughts of the characters?" Mr. Johnson said with a lot of contempt—in general, modeling and acting are irrelevant words. Theron knew that the person in charge of SAG had a lot of power in the interview, and she hurriedly defended herself, "Sir, I have taken acting classes..."

"Who hasn't? It doesn't mean you will be able to act if you have learned it; just go, don't be annoying here." Johnson waved his hand, "This movie is a serious movie with realistic themes; this kind of movie doesn't need a butcher model. You are not suitable." Theron also wanted to argue but couldn't say a word for a while. She didn't know how to justify herself. Although she had thought about all kinds of situations, there was only blank space in her mind at this moment. She never thought that before she started acting, the other party would not allow her to perform just because of what she had done!

How could this be wrong with your resume? The resume that Billy prepared for himself was not for this purpose!

She couldn't move for a while and didn't know how to speak. She couldn't imagine that the interview she had prepared for a long time ended in such a mess!

This is an opportunity that she has been waiting for for a long time. She was rejected this time. Could it be that she can only make a living by acting in exposing roles?

Theron wanted to justify and intercede, but her self-esteem did not allow her to be too humble.

"Mr. Johnson," Levi, the film's director, said at that time, "could you sit down first? Our recruitment conditions didn't say that the actors were not allowed to shoot magazine pictures, did we? I came here to interview the actors, and I have nothing to do with what the actors do privately or any part-time jobs they have. It's not appropriate to drive people away for such a reason."

At that time, the director's words, to Theron's ears, seemed like a drowning man caught a stick. Who would have thought that even the person in charge of SAG would force her to leave, but the director himself wanted to keep her?

No matter what the outcome of this is, he has helped herself!

She looked up at the young director, who was a bit too young: that was the first time she had looked at Levi carefully. This person is not handsome, but he seems a little mature for his age. When Johnson was yelling, he was still staring at herself, and his eyes were quite strange-it was a look of surprise, banter, and regret.

"She's a model," Johnson said angrily, looking back.

"Here, she's an actress first and foremost," Levi corrected again.

Johnson was speechless for a moment, and he stopped talking: this was Levi's movie, after all.

"Okay, Mr. Johnson, may I ask a few questions first?" Levi waved John to get out of the way and, at the same time, motioned Theron to sit down, and said playfully, "Are you a model?" Looking at the director staring at her, Theron nodded hesitantly.

"Yes - I couldn't find a job as an actor in Hollywood, I have to eat and support my mother, so I could only find some photoshoot work to make ends meet..."

"The same excuse." Johnson laughed dismissively.

"That's because there are a lot of people like this in Hollywood."

When Theron heard Johnson, she countered loudly: Yes, the other party may look down on models, but if she doesn't become a model, how can she eat and stay in Hollywood? There is no shame in what she did, and there is nothing to hide—she has always been a stubborn person, and she never relents when it is time to fight back.

"Okay, I believe your words," the director who spoke just now continued, "I read your resume. You only made a horror film the year before last; didn't you have any work last year?"

"'2 Days in the Valley,' but another actor got a magazine page, so I didn't perform."

Theron defended, and she was a little surprised to find that the audition director Clark took a playful look at Levi— Not knowing why, Levi's expression seemed a little shocked.

Levi's absence made Clark speak. He patted Levi with some mocking smiles, and then he said, "Not to mention anything else, but the movie itself. Didn't you read the script? You have blonde hair, not black hair. Even if you dye your hair, your face shape with black hair will not show a weak feeling, and this is not what we asked for."

"I think it is more important to express the character of the character through the performance." Theron replied. It can be seen that the other party does not seem to be very friendly, but it is not her character to just lay down.

It's just that she still sighed in her heart: Like the previous interviews, she was born as a model, didn't fit the script, and had no acting experience—everything around her was bad news.

"That's the details." At this time, Levi seemed to come back to his senses and spoke again, "The script says that it is black hair, which is to set off the heroine's weak image. If we don't shoot like this, but let the heroine has blond hair, as long as she grows delicate enough, she will be able to impress the audience even more if she cries in the later part of the conflict." The director spoke for himself again, which made Theron feel a little surprised: I never knew him; why is he helping herself?

"The details are true, but there must be a reason to change the details." Clark squinted at Levi, "If you use her, you must have a reason to change the script."

That's right. It's not that simple to change the script. Listening to their argument, Theron's mood became more and more uneasy.

"Looks, It is also a kind of hidden strength." Levi also bluntly said, "You see, her looks and figure are quite perfect. When you show her status as a stage star in front of you, you only need to put on a suit that suits her. She can automatically show her identity as a national treasure actor if she stands there. In the latter part, she is not weak enough, but she is delicate enough. Whether it is weak or delicate, the process of being overwhelmed is enough to arouse people's sympathy. And most importantly, she has a strong character. Just now, when Johnson accused her, her expression has not changed much; her character is very strong. Our heroine was the one who sacrificed herself for her own acting career, and she is also suitable—she is the perfect candidate." How could

this person see his own character so quickly? Theron was a little taken aback: her temper, her character, and everything about her seemed to be seen through at a glance.

Moreover, what surprised Theron even more, was that he wanted to use herself: why is this change so incredible? Why did this director think that she would be a good actor?

Levi had clearly spoken good words for Theron, which made Clark no longer say anything. However, Johnson couldn't help but say, "No matter what she says, she is also a photo shooter. Mr. Levi, being beautiful is not the reason for choosing the heroine—please tell me, you choose the person, isn't it for sex?"

As the person in charge of SAG, he was supposed to supervise the improper interview; Johnson's question is really inappropriate. Theron wanted to refute, but Levi had already spoken first, "Mr. Johnson, maybe you don't understand: it's not easy to survive in Hollywood, and it's hard to stay here and wait for opportunities. It is not a bad thing to make some sacrifices for your ideals. Instead, it is admirable because there are more people who have long forgotten their dreams. Because taking a photo shoot will make people look down on an actor, and this idea will kill many talents."

"As for why I chose her as an actor—because she is suitable, she will be a good actor. Is this reason enough?"

In Theron's memory, that was the first time anyone besides her mother said to herself, 'You will become a good actor.' She has worked hard for this goal for two years, but she has never had a chance, but here, Levi pointed at her and said that she is a good actor.

Such memories are hard to erase.

After Levi finished talking to Johnson, he looked at Theron, who was blushing on the side, and smiled awkwardly at her, "Don't worry, I didn't mean that—and, believe me, I regret he said that."

Theron didn't say anything but squeezed her mouth tightly, trying to smile, but couldn't. She was thinking wildly in her heart. If Levi really showed more intention, would she be able to muster up the courage to refuse?

No matter what he is after, with the way he chose herself, with his meticulous observation of herself, and with his affirmation of her pursuit of dreams, with someone who understands her so well, can she really say no to him?

Fortunately, Levi didn't think so. Otherwise... otherwise, who would know!

*****

Thanks and kudos for my patreons Cherif Doghri, Abdishakur Hasan, Adam LV, Danny York, and haze2343.

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