Chapter 149: Thunderbird

[Chapter 149: Thunderbird]

Although Edward Norton did not win the Oscar, he had received several nominations and delivered impressive performances in films like Fight Club, Kingdom of Heaven, and Birdman.

However, the actors auditioning today were no slouches either. Casey Affleck, Joaquin Phoenix, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Paul Walker, and Ryan Phillippe were among them. Some had already claimed Oscars or Golden Globes, and their star power equaled that of Edward Norton.

Link did not involve himself in the casting process. He had entrusted the power of selection to Victoria Thomas and Danny DeVito. They had been in the industry for years, relying on their keen eye for talent. Picking the wrong actors could lead to severe criticism when the film premiered, casting a shadow on their reputation.

That's why they took their time selecting potential stars, often more carefully than Link, the director himself. This was why Link felt comfortable giving them this responsibility.

"Edward Norton and the other actors are all quite talented. Among the new talent I've auditioned, they are definitely top-tier. Given the right opportunities, they have a great shot at stardom in the future."

Ms. Thomas puffed on a cigarette and made notes on Edward's audition sheet.

"So do you have a favorite in mind?" Sophia asked.

"No, this film is more of an ensemble piece. When selecting the lead, we must consider not only individual performances but also their chemistry with one another, like Ben Affleck and Edward Norton.

Ben's tall and has a certain aggressive look, while Edward comes off as introspective and softer in demeanor. If we made him the lead, he might be overshadowed by Ben, causing an inherent contradiction that could affect the film's quality," Ms. Thomas explained.

Link nodded, as this was exactly what he had been pondering. Compared to the entertainment scene in other countries, Hollywood had a more professional approach to casting.

For instance, the role of the casting director was well-defined. In Hollywood productions, the director focused on filmmaking while the casting director selected the actors. While there were exceptions, most lead roles were meticulously chosen by the casting directors. They bore responsibility to the production companies, and a failed casting could haunt them.

In contrast, other film crews tended to be less organized, with casting responsibilities often handed over to producers, directors, assistant directors, and other stakeholders, lacking a level of specialization. This contributed to Hollywood films appearing more polished.

"Next!"

"Next, Ryan Phillippe," the staff called from outside the office.

"I'm here!" A young, handsome blonde stood up.

...

"How did you feel, Edward?" Casey Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix rushed to greet him as he exited the audition room.

Edward shrugged, "Hard to say. I did my best to follow their directions, but whether it was good or bad, I can't really tell."

"Did Link have any feedback on your performance?" Ben Affleck asked.

"Nope, only Ms. Thomas spoke from start to finish."

"Same here." Ben Affleck sighed in relief.

"What's Link doing in there? Is he watching you guys perform?" Cole Haus leaned in to ask.

"No, he was sitting in the corner with a binder in his hands. I couldn't tell if it contained our information or something else."

"This pressure is immense! It would be nicer if we didn't know Link was watching."

"Don't think like that. If you get picked, you'll still have to work with Link in the film. A poor performance now would reflect poorly later on set."

"That's different. Once you pass the audition, you get a contract. Even if your performance isn't stellar, you can do multiple takes without fear of being let go." The group continued to chatter amongst themselves.

A few minutes later, Ryan exited the office, and Joaquin was summoned in.

"Joaquin, good luck!" They all patted him on the back, cheering him on.

...

Joaquin, who had gone through many auditions before, felt confident until he saw the group rallying for him, which made him a bit nervous.

Once in the audition room, Joaquin politely greeted everyone before taking a seat at Ms. Thomas's direction.

"Mr. Phoenix, now please perform the following scenario as I instruct: You're going through puberty and filled with fantasies about the opposite sex. You see two attractive girls walking by."

Joaquin paused for a few seconds, looking left and right. Suddenly, he fixated on a point, his face lighting up with a mischievous smile, as if the girls were approaching him. As they passed, he whistled and beamed at them.

Then he quickly composed himself.

"Scene complete!"

"For your second scene, you're in the bathroom taking a shower when you suddenly slip and fall into the bathtub."

Joaquin thought for a moment, then stood up, took a couple of steps, then stumbled and fell to the floor, struggling momentarily.

"Your neck gets caught in the shower curtain, and you can't breathe."

Joaquin lay on the floor, grabbing his neck as if he was tugging at the curtain's strings, holding his breath as his face began to redden.

"You want to get up but find the bathtub slippery beneath you, making it impossible."

Joaquin's legs moved desperately as he clutched his neck, his face turning even redder.

"You die!"

Joaquin writhed on the ground like a fish out of water, his face turning blue as he struggled for a few final moments before lying still, lifeless.

Link watched and chuckled. Joaquin's talent for performance was on par with his brother River's, though still developing and occasionally coming off as overly dramatic.

"Mr. Phoenix, please get up. Now let's try the dialogue portion."

After reciting a few lines for the character Todd, Joaquin left the audition room.

...

"Joaquin looks nothing like his brother River, and the same goes for Casey and Ben. If you didn't check their backgrounds, you'd never guess they were siblings," Sophia remarked, laughing.

"I think Joaquin and Casey have slightly better acting skills than their brothers."

"Are you serious?"

"Absolutely. River and Ben are handsome, and in some roles, being too good-looking can be a disadvantage. Just like Ben Affleck, his face always seems to wear the same expression. If he were a bit less attractive, it might have been tougher for him to land roles, forcing him to hone his acting skills and boost his competitiveness."

"Link is right. Not all birds that take flight quickly can soar farther. This happens often in the entertainment industry." Ms. Thomas noted.

"Link, what kind of bird do you belong to?" Sophia teased, blinking her eyes playfully.

"A Thunderbird!"

"Are you being silly?"

"No, I'm serious. A Celestial Thunderbird is so vast that when it spreads its wings, it casts a shadow over entire states. Its wingspan stretches for hundreds of miles, blotting out the sky like an eclipse. With a single beat of its wings, it stirs hurricanes and shifts weather patterns across continents. If it soars upward, it can break Earth's atmosphere effortlessly, gliding through space like a living spacecraft, reaching Mars in a single bound."

"Ha! Is this a sci-fi story? Is this your new book? I hope your new work features such a bird." Sophia cast a suggestive glance at him.

"Ahem! Next actor, please. Mr. Casey Affleck," Danny DeVito called.

*****

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