Chapter 47: Auditions
[Chapter 47: Auditions]
After the first version shoot of Paranormal Activity wrapped up, Link returned to the Guess Pictures studio in Los Angeles, focusing on editing the footage while also auditioning for the lead male role. The audition office, located within Guess Pictures, had five actors lined up, with two more added last minute.
The auditions were arranged by Lily, who managed the process efficiently.
"Next up, Mr. Matt LeBlanc."
Lily, dressed in a tailored blouse and straight pants, sporting a name tag, stood at the door with a folder and called the next name from the hallway.
"Hello, beautiful lady!"
Matt LeBlanc, known for his role as Joey on Friends in the future, entered wearing a t-shirt and jeans, flashing that trademark smile toward Lily.
"Mr. LeBlanc, please come in."
...
Matt stepped into the office where Link sat with Danny DeVito and Monica, discussing the performance of the last actor.
"Hi, Mr. Link! I'm a big fan of your work, and it's such an honor to meet you here."
Matt grinned at Link, an expression of excitement and admiration on his face that Link couldn't tell whether it was real or fake.
"Hello, Mr. LeBlanc. I've seen your commercials; it's my pleasure to have you here."
Link moved forward to shake Matt's hand, handing him a sheet of paper with a scene for him to perform.
It contained five lines of dialogue. The character Micah stood in a pool, using his finger as a gun, making shooting sounds, then pretending to be a fisherman, furiously reeling in an imaginary line. The female lead playfully teased him about being childish while finding his innocence endearing. This scene helped set up Micah's character as charming, humorous, and filled with curiosity, laying groundwork for his antics later in the story.
"Mr. Link, I'm ready," Matt said after glancing at the paper.
"Great, Mr. LeBlanc, please begin your performance." Link gestured for him to start.
...
Bang, bang, bang!
Matt raised two fingers, pretending to shoot at the air while mimicking gunfire sounds, fully committed to the bit.
"Look, I caught a big fish!"
After his shooting antics, Matt leaned back, mimicking holding a fishing rod in a pantomime.
...
Link watched him closely, arms crossed, as Matt displayed solid acting chops, thanks to his professional training.
"Mr. LeBlanc, that was good. Now I'd like to see your lines."
"Sure thing."
Lily handed Matt a second sheet. Monica stood up to join him, adding to the performance.
"Wow, you're gorgeous!" Matt said, his gaze warm toward Monica.
"Thank you!" she replied, coyly shrugging her shoulders.
...
Three minutes later, Matt was ready.
The two began to trade lines.
"Now, I must showcase this exquisite instrument I cherish - my guitar."
Matt pretended to carry a camera, aiming it at an imaginary guitar placed on a couch, along with Monica.
"Ha! You're adorable! What are you doing?" Monica chimed in.
"I really like your feet; they're so sexy."
Matt pretended to be adjusting his camera, focusing in on Monica's feet.
"My toenails need repainting. Please stop filming them!"
"Why not add some sexy moves? How about a striptease?"
"What?"
"Please, halfway through the dance, just strip down to your underwear," Matt laughed.
Monica playfully waved him off. "No!"
"As long as you dance, I'll do whatever you want."
"No!"
"Such a buzzkill!" Matt said, feigning disappointment.
...
"Cut! That's enough," Link called.
"Mr. LeBlanc, thank you for auditioning. We'll contact you within a day with the results."
"Thanks, Mr. Link. This script is fantastic, and I hope we have the chance to work together."
Matt flashed a smile and politely exited.
...
"Link, what did you think of him?" Monica asked, leaning back in her chair.
"He was decent. Let's see the next one."
Link noted a question mark next to Matt's name on the list.
Matt's performance was solid enough, though he and Monica didn't quite match as a couple. He definitely made a name for himself in commercials, though.
...
"Next up, Mr. Jeremy Northam," Lily announced from the door.
After a long day of auditions, it became clear that Jeremy was the right fit.
Standing at six feet two, Jeremy Northam was handsome, had stage experience, and matched well with Monica.
With the lead actor chosen, Link handed Jeremy the script for the main role and gave him a week to prepare.
...
Link returned to the editing room, diving back into the footage for Paranormal Activity. After completing the initial cuts, he felt pleased with what he saw.
Since he was a professional director, his shooting techniques were more delicate and he understood how to create a horror atmosphere, which resulted in this version of the film having higher quality shots and the horror effect was no less than the original.
...
Once the editing wrapped up, Link brought on renowned sound designer Tom Fleischman to adjust the audio and mix, amplifying the film's eerie atmosphere.
Link understood sound design well enough but knew that a professional sound designer would excel in crafting the auditory experience.
...
With post-production done, Link invited Monica, Lily, and Danny to the company's small screening room to watch the finished product.
The sound quality in the room was excellent, enhancing the spookiness of the film.
Lily, a woman in her late twenties, yelped like a schoolgirl while watching, unable to continue past the thirteenth jump scare, exclaiming she wouldn't sleep alone after seeing it.
Remarkably, even Monica, having starred in her own horror film, found herself gripping Link's arm and leaning on his shoulder during tense moments, too terrified to face the screen directly.
Eighty-nine minutes later, the screening concluded.
...
Lily declared the film frightful, insisting that even free tickets wouldn't lure her back.
Monica thought it was fantastic, confident that horror fans would love it.
Chris Barnes, who had donned the ghost mask during shooting, held a more supportive role in the crew, often unaware of the plot's nuances.
During the screening, he clasped his arms around himself, muscles tense as he uttered, "Fuck! That was terrifying! I made all those weird noises. How come they are so scary after being made into a movie? It feels like a ghost was breathing in my ear!"
Chris covered his eyes as he shouted.
He also gave positive feedback on the film, indicating that even ordinary viewers like him would likely enjoy it.
...
In the audience, only Danny DeVito maintained a somber expression, appearing critical and thoughtful.
"Danny, just say it straight."
"Link, the movie has great thrills, but a faux-documentary horror film hasn't been done before. The shaky cam style is uncomfortable, and the plot lacks depth or artistry. When it releases, film critics will likely tear it apart, claiming it's poorly made."
The handheld camera work felt bumpy and even nauseating at times. Such techniques were traditionally reserved for live television and documentaries, not yet seen in the movie format.
A lack of precedent meant a risk -- uncertain whether audiences would pay to see this style of film.
Before the movie's release, Danny couldn't gauge its box office potential.
However, Link had previously emphasized the need to explore new cinematic avenues.
From what he observed in Paranormal Activity, Link indeed pushed the envelope with courage.
"No worries; I'm new to this and can handle criticism. Right now, it's more important to make money," Link replied, understanding Danny's concerns.
The year was 1992, and the film industry was in a more artistically refined phase. Most movies in theaters were polished, balancing artistry with commercial appeal, while popcorn flicks were scarce.
It seemed that filmmakers and actors alike looked down upon strictly commercial films, unlike the wave of blockbuster sequels that dominated theaters post-2010.
Paranormal Activity employed a faux-documentary style that felt ahead of its time, a pioneering venture.
Unlike the original Paranormal Activity, which premiered after successful faux-documentary horror films like The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield, etc., this film was now creating a new trend.
If Paranormal Activity was released now, 1992, no one knows how the movie would perform at the box office.
Compared to the box office, Link paid more attention to the system evaluation and rewards.
*****
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