Chapter 47 – The New Director

Matthew didn't have time to think about getting a new part-time job. Once again, he arrived at the Disney studio lot, ready to meet the new director. But this time, he noticed a large group of reporters gathered at the entrance, some even carrying video cameras.

Unfortunately, none of them paid him any attention.

He walked past them into the studio, and not a single person looked his way.

But he did hear a lot of gossip flying around.

"Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera have serious personal issues. Someone else scooped us!"

"They didn't get along back when they were in the Mickey Mouse Club? How did we not know?"

"These two hid it really well."

"I've been tailing Britney nonstop the past few days!"

Listening to all that, Matthew figured that Elena Boyar's American News Weekly must've dug up some dirt on Britney and Christina's old feud and published it.

He had left in such a rush this morning, he hadn't even picked up a newspaper. And now wasn't the time to go looking for one either.

He called his agent, Helen Herman. She was already at the soundstage and waiting for him outside.

Driving over in one of the studio's four-wheeled electric carts, Matthew soon reached the studio and spotted Helen standing in the shade by the entrance. As usual, the young agent was dressed in a sharp-fitting suit, her golden-brown hair neatly tied back in a ponytail.

"Morning, Helen," Matthew greeted, parking the cart and walking up.

Helen turned and started walking into the studio. "It's not morning anymore," she said. "Britney's already here."

Matthew glanced at his phone and muttered, "Still fifteen minutes before the scheduled time."

"What was that?" Helen didn't catch it.

"Oh, nothing," Matthew quickly changed the topic. "Why'd Britney come so early?"

They walked down the hallway toward the production offices. Helen didn't answer his question. Instead, she warned him, "Britney got triggered by the reporters outside. Don't talk too much."

Matthew nodded. "Got it."

Although the new director had called him in for a pre-shoot meeting, Matthew knew his place. He had no say in anything. His best strategy was to act like a rock that doesn't talk.

As they neared a small meeting room, Helen suddenly asked, "Was that article about Britney and Christina written by your journalist friend?"

"What article?" Matthew played dumb, which wasn't hard—he really hadn't seen the news. "I haven't read the paper today."

Just as they reached the door, a girl's sharp voice came from inside.

"Don't tell me to calm down! Christina Aguilera is a ****! I'd say that to anyone! She's a damn slut! Don't expect me to fake smiles in front of the press like we're besties. Even if every reporter blames me, I'm not playing along!"

"Britney…"

"No way!"

Matthew exchanged a look with Helen. She frowned slightly but kept a calm face.

She raised her hand and knocked gently. The shouting stopped immediately.

Helen opened the door and walked in, with Matthew following close behind.

Inside, there were only two people—Britney Spears and what looked like her agent. Helen acted as though she hadn't heard a thing, casually taking a seat at the table. Matthew copied her and sat next to her.

"Hi, Helen," Britney's agent greeted politely.

Helen gave a professional smile. "Hello."

Matthew glanced at the agent, then at Britney. She was leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed, clearly fuming.

To be honest, Britney was still under nineteen and in her prime—fresh-faced, sexy, and full of star presence. Even just sitting there angry, she carried herself like a celebrity.

Just then, the meeting room door opened again. A representative from the record label walked in, accompanied by a short man in his thirties with dark hair.

After glancing at Britney and then at Matthew, the rep said, "Looks like everyone's here."

He seemed to already know Britney, so he turned to Matthew and Helen. "This is the new MV director, Mr. Zack Snyder. He's very well-known in advertising and music videos."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Snyder." Helen stood up and shook his hand.

Matthew followed. "Hi, Director Snyder. I'm Matthew Horner."

Zack Snyder shook hands with both of them politely.

Soon, other crew members like the cinematographer, prop master, makeup artist, and set designer started arriving. The label rep stepped back, and Zack Snyder began outlining the filming plan.

Most of the original plan made by the previous director, Martin Jackson, would stay the same—including the MV script and its style. The only change: Snyder thought it was a terrible idea to film a beach scene inside a studio. He suggested moving the shoot to the real beach at Paradise Cove in Malibu.

The record label agreed. Britney had no objections. As for Matthew? His opinion didn't count.

So apart from a few shots inside the studio, most of the MV would now be filmed on location in Malibu.

Matthew kept his mouth shut the whole time, listening carefully. Unless someone asked him something directly, he didn't say a word.

Compared to the female lead, his role was insignificant.

The only time Snyder mentioned Matthew was when he said the male lead's look should be more masculine, ideally showing off strong muscle definition.

Matthew wasn't worried about that. He remembered this director and knew what kind of physique he liked.

His own muscles weren't exaggerated like those big movie stars, but this was an MV—not a superhero flick like Superman or Batman.

Back when he lived across the ocean, Matthew had rarely gone to cinemas. But as someone who benefited from pirated movies online, he had seen Snyder's superhero blockbusters in ultra-high-def downloads. At the time, DC and Marvel fans used to fight nonstop online, with Zack Snyder always at the center of it all.

Matthew hadn't liked Snyder back then—Batman v Superman was just too dull.

But there was one thing he did admire about him: Snyder had cast the perfect Wonder Woman.

Those legs. That face. He'd wanted to lick the screen.

He even broke his own no-theatre rule just to watch Wonder Woman on the big screen. That movie was basically one long tribute to how beautiful Gal Gadot was.

Of course, that was then. Now, Snyder was just a relatively unknown MV and ad director.

Still, compared to Matthew, Snyder was way ahead—at least he was already a director. Matthew was still a glorified extra.

Thinking of that, Matthew decided to throw away his old bias against Snyder. It wouldn't help anyone if it messed up the shoot.

If the label had to replace someone, they'd definitely fire the male lead before they changed the director.

"What are you thinking about?" Helen's voice snapped him back. "You're spacing out?"

Matthew replied instantly, "I was just thinking how to bring out that masculine look the director wants."

The meeting had ended, and people were starting to leave. Matthew stood up and asked, "Shall we go?"

"Let's go." Helen led the way out.

Matthew followed and asked, "Is there no rehearsal schedule?"

"There is," Helen replied, as if squeezing toothpaste. "They've been rehearsing since March. Britney and her backup dancers have been practicing nonstop. Your role doesn't need rehearsals."

Back outside, Matthew drove Helen back to the studio entrance. They saw that reporters had surrounded Britney's car, not letting her leave unless she gave them answers.

"So this is the treatment stars get, huh?" Matthew said, clearly a bit envious.

"Not every day," Helen replied as she stepped out of the cart. "It's only because American News Weekly published that juicy gossip about Britney and Christina."

She suddenly turned and asked, "Is your journalist friend working for American News Weekly?"

"Uhh… maybe," Matthew said, pretending to be unsure. "I never asked."

He quickly changed the subject. "Can you help me find a new part-time job?"

Helen looked puzzled. "Didn't you already have one? What happened to the driving gig?"

"I got fired," Matthew admitted, leaving out details. "Took too many days off."

Helen started walking outside the studio. As Matthew caught up, she said, "That can wait. Right now, your top priority is finishing this MV shoot. We'll deal with your job situation afterward."

Matthew walked past the gate and looked at Britney's car, still surrounded by a swarm of reporters.

"Alright," he said.

Helen was right. Nothing was more important right now than finishing the MV.