Chapter 159: Jolie

[Chapter 159: Jolie]

"Are you being so tough on Liv Tyler because you're worried about losing a bet to me?" Sofia laughed from her spot on the set.

"No, this is about filming. Everything revolves around making a great movie; I won't concern myself with anything else," Link replied as he sat in front of the monitor, meticulously reviewing each frame. Later, he would take the time to cut any unnecessary shots, ensuring he saved valuable editing time later on.

If he didn't cut the excess footage during shooting, the film could end up thousands of feet long, making the editing process incredibly cumbersome.

"But she's only seventeen! Aren't you worried that you're pushing her too hard?" Sofia pressed.

"She has a responsibility to perform well in this role. As for quitting, if she struggles, it's better for the crew if she bows out early," Link stated matter-of-factly.

As they spoke, the phone on the table rang. Link glanced at the caller ID; it was a call from Bebe Buell. Could Liv really be quitting? He picked up the phone, listened for a moment, then hung up with a smile.

"Liv called to thank me and said she would work harder on her role from now on."

"Looks like this girl is smarter than we expected. She's not just a pretty face without a brain," Sofia remarked.

"The world can't just have you as the only pretty and smart girl," Link chuckled, continuing to make notes on the footage.

Sofia, Paul Thomas Anderson, and the rest of the crew continued to film exterior and transitional shots. These didn't require the actors and were relatively straightforward to shoot.

...

The next morning, Liv Tyler arrived on set with snacks for Link, thanking him in person for his guidance. She also encouraged him to be strict with her in the future, asking that if he noticed her doing poorly, he should reprimand her without minding her feelings.

Link encouraged her, expressing his appreciation and support for actors who sought improvement. As long as time allowed, he would offer her more guidance.

So, over the next few performances, he maintained his strict approach with Liv Tyler. If she didn't meet the mark, he'd have her redo the shot, pushing her to try again and again -- ten times, twenty times -- until he was satisfied with her performance.

However, Liv quickly proved to be less resilient than he expected. After going through a scene a dozen times without success, she would tear up and tremble at his approach.

This continued until Angelina Jolie joined the cast.

...

Angelina was a year older than Liv and the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight, making her a Hollywood legacy. She was stunning and had a fiery personality that leaned towards rebellion, much like a troublemaker.

Once on set, it seemed she was less interested in filming and more focused on Link, bringing him coffee and fruit every day, often hovering around him once the day's shooting wrapped up.

Link found Angelina's bold demeanor unappealing and tried to play the aloof director, pushing her to bring her best performance to the screen. Compared to Liv, Angelina showcased more natural talent and intelligence.

With just a little direction, she could deliver what Link wanted, making it easier to work with her. Angelina's mature mindset kept her from breaking down into tears when corrected, which made her a tougher challenge to manage.

After Angelina joined them, she would often tease Liv if she stumbled during her performances. If Liv became too upset and cried, Angelina would mock her, calling her a "mommy's girl," telling her to go back to school and not pursue acting.

...

This tension resulted in a rocky relationship between the two. One day, while performing a scene together, Angelina said something that set Liv off. In a burst of frustration, Liv threw her script at Angelina's face, leading to a physical scuffle.

Two attractive girls, both about five-foot-seven and seventeen or eighteen years old, fighting on set created quite a spectacle.

Ryan, Joaquin, and Edward tried to break them up but failed miserably. Edward ended up with scratches from Liv, Ryan got punched in the nose by Angelina, and Joaquin was knocked to the ground.

Link had to step in personally, grabbing one girl by each arm and pulling them apart. He first made Angelina apologize to Liv for her verbal jabs, then turned to Liv and asked her to apologize as well -- both had acted poorly.

Angelina, having had the upper hand during the tussle, grinned as she apologized, her tone filled with her typical playful arrogance. Liv, with red-rimmed eyes, glared at her but begrudgingly muttered an apology.

"Alright, let's let this go. I don't want to see any more drama. We're all colleagues here; we shouldn't be fighting like this," Link said firmly.

"Okay, Link, I hear you. Whatever you say goes," Angelina chimed in, wrapping her arm around Link's elbow in a familiar way, making it seem as though she was his girlfriend.

"Such a... piece of work!" Liv muttered under her breath.

Angelina playfully raised her middle finger at Liv, just to keep things interesting.

"Enough!" Link groaned. He felt frustrated; women in the industry often wore masks, appearing as goddesses on screen while being just as difficult off-screen.

Liv, while seemingly sweet and quiet, had an underlying rebellious streak. Angelina was undeniably a troublemaker, flirting with boys, smoking, and drinking. Both girls fit the mold for their respective characters, albeit with their own sets of complications.

"Angelina, Liv, I don't care what disagreements you have. While on set, it's best to keep those under control. With over a hundred people on this crew, spending thousands of dollars each day, if you two create chaos, the work of many will be wasted, and the entire project timeline will be delayed. Is that what you want to happen?" Link addressed them coldly.

"Link, I understand my mistake. Don't worry; I won't engage with her, nor will I disrupt the work of the crew. I don't want to upset you," Angelina reassured him.

Liv discreetly muttered another insult aimed at Angelina.

"Liv?" Link queried, turning towards her.

"I got it. As long as that certain... girl doesn't provoke me, I'm not interested in her," Liv answered, turning her face away, visibly irritated.

"Alright, everyone check for injuries. If there aren't any, we'll continue filming in half an hour," Link gestured for them to disperse.

...

"See? What did I tell you? Being a director isn't easy," Ben Affleck remarked, staring at Link from a distance. "It's not just about shooting a film; you also need to guide the actors. You must have enough energy to work consecutive hours without complaint. And you better be strong enough to separate brawling actors."

Turning back to the trio, Ben chuckled, "Honestly, you guys are pathetic; you couldn't even separate two girls. What a joke."

Joaquin rubbed his sore backside, "Don't act all tough. If you saw them fight, why didn't you jump in?"

"Right? If you were really worried, you would have stepped in instead of hiding!" Ryan chimed in, massaging his nose.

Meanwhile, Edward cradled his neck, looking dazed and unwilling to speak.

"Ha! I'm an actor, not security. It's normal for me to stay out of a fight," Ben countered with a grin.

The three exchanged glances and, in unison, tackled him to the ground, earning themselves a laugh at the playful chaos that ensued.

*****

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