America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM

Chapter 45 You have this potential (please reward, please read, please vote monthly)

What exactly is auditioning for in a movie? Is it acting? Looks? background?

The answer is all, but different types of movies have different emphases.

If it is a literary film, then the requirements for acting skills will be higher. Acting skills can break through the limitations of appearance and help actors break out of the tight encirclement.

For example, Anthony Hopkins, Meryl Streep, Benedict Cumberbatch, etc., their appearance is ordinary, and there are many people who are ugly according to Juan Fu, but they can rely on their acting skills to Conquer the director and the audience.

On the Chinese side, Zhang Yi, Sun Honglei, Huang Bo, Ge You, etc. also followed this path.

But if it is a commercial film or a popcorn blockbuster, acting skills are not so important. Of course, it is not a blank slate. You still need to understand some basic skills, so Eric arranged for Gadot to learn in advance.

For this kind of commercial blockbuster, the director's criteria for selecting actors are more focused on appearance and temperament. To fit the image of the characters, campus movies should be about handsome men and beautiful women, with buck teeth and big faces. No matter how good the acting skills are, who will watch it? We are not Ugly Betty.

Megan Fox, the original heroine of "Transformers", Lin Yun of Star Master's "Mermaid", and the "Twilight" trio who Eric has already ordered people to develop the script are all in this routine.

As for the background, it is of course the most powerful among the three. Otherwise, just ask Gwyneth Paltrow and Xiang Zuo, and you will understand.

Since that press conference, MGM began a global audition call. In one month, it received more than 3,400 resumes.

These were all submitted by actors. If the auditions were open to amateurs, the number would probably become tens or even millions.

It is impossible to interview all of the more than 3,000 people, and it would be too exhausting to do it, so the first round is about image and resume, and 90% of the people have already passed this level.

Then there are layers of screening, and finally the reports arrive on Eric's desk, where he finalizes the candidates who can participate in the audition.

After some screening, only about 50 people were left out of the 3,000 people. These lucky ones were then sent biographies and some script clips to facilitate audition preparations.

Of course, not all of the more than 50 people are lucky. In fact, more than 40 of them are related households. They were all brought in by my father's friends and acquaintances, so the background is the best.

Even if these people don't want to be employed, they still have to be given the opportunity to audition, otherwise they won't be able to save face.

It's just that after the interview, I was asked to go back and wait for news, and then a few days later, I called or sent an email, saying that it was not suitable, without giving a specific reason, and the matter was over, and everyone met as usual hahaha.

In a large room, Tom Hardy was sitting in the corner, looking at the people who were still walking in one after another, and the corners of his mouth could not help but twitch.

He saw James Franco, the young man who became famous for his role in Spider-Man a few months ago. Although he is not on the front line now, he is still very popular, so the pressure is a bit high!

Then he saw Jake Gyllenhaal, a child actor who was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor last year for "Death Illusion", and the pressure doubled!

The next person who walked in was Heath Ledger, who also made his debut as a child star. Last year, he was nominated for the 3rd Teen Choice Award for Best Actor in a Movie for his role in "Knights of the Dead". It was a lot of pressure!

Then I saw Ryan Gosling not far away. It is said that he only acted in his first movie last year and was immediately nominated for the Independent Spirit Award.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Tom Hardy suddenly felt his heart pounding. He had felt this way before, when he auditioned for "Band of Brothers" and "Black Hawk Down."

Fortunately, he got a small role in both productions, but that was all his acting career.

Those two characters are not enough to help him open up the situation. Even without a microscope, you would be hard-pressed to find him in "Black Hawk Down."

But the one who was going to audition today was the male protagonist, the male protagonist of "Transformers", and there were so many competitors that it was scary.

At this time, another person came in. Seeing him, Tom Hardy stood up quickly and waved: "James, James, come here."

James McAvoy heard someone calling his name, followed the voice, and discovered Tom Hardy, who also played a small role in "Band of Brothers."

The two of them are both British actors. They met when they were participating in this drama. They chat occasionally. They are not buddies, but they are also acquaintances.

"James, it's great to see a friend here, I'm so nervous." Tom Hardy whispered.

"Me too. I was very happy when I received the audition notice. I flew to Los Angeles the day before yesterday, but now" Zhan Yimei also expressed her expression.

"I felt like my chances of getting the part were slim. There was no way I could compete with James Franco."

"Don't be discouraged. James Franco is indeed the most famous, but if you only look at fame, MGM won't audition, right?"

"Yes, but I'm still nervous and my heart is pounding!"

"Relax, think about what you learned in school, and take a deep breath. He's here too."

"who?"

Zhan Yimei waved her hand: "Michael, come here, I'm here."

Seeing so many people waiting for the audition, Michael Fassbender couldn't help but gasped when he walked in. Just when he was about to find a place to hide, he heard someone calling his name.

When I turned around, I saw that it was James McAvoy whom I met while filming "Band of Brothers" and his junior brother Tom Hardy.

As if he had found the organization in an instant, he walked quickly towards the two of them.

Although everyone is a competitor, at this moment, he still hopes to have a warm little group to accept him.

It may not be warm, just can withstand the wind, he is cold!

Sitting next to Zhan Yimei, Fazha swallowed his saliva and whispered: "It's so depressing. Doesn't everyone say anything?"

Zhan Yimei raised her chin: "Whoever speaks loudly will become the focus, which is not a good thing at this time. Look at Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Heath Ledger, they are also whispering.

"Who is that person? He has a nice figure!"

"It seems to be called Chris Evans. I saw one of his movies last year."

"Protagonist?"

"Yes."

"Stop talking, I'm even more nervous!"

In the audition room, Eric sat in the middle, with a few people sitting on the left and right, including a man and a woman who were his partners.

The woman's name is Patty Jenkins, 31 years old, and serves as assistant director.

It doesn’t matter if you have never heard of her name, you must have heard of or seen her works.

"The Devil Wears Prada" is the movie that propelled Charlize Theron to the Oscar-winning throne.

A "Wonder Woman" is the one Gal Gadot will star in in the future.

Not long ago, Patty Jenkins was canvassing the market for investment with the Devil Wears Prada script, and then Judy caught her.

I have to say that this little girl Judy has a very vicious eye for selecting scripts. She brought "Saw" before and now she has "The Devil Wears Prada".

Eric made the decision directly, promising that she would invest in the film and allow her to direct, on the condition that she would be Eric's assistant director on "Transformers".

Patty Jenkins signed the contract happily and spent tens of millions of dollars in investment in more than half a year. It was so worth it!

The man's name is Neill Blomkamp, ​​a young 23-year-old who works as a director's assistant.

His most well-known works should be "District 9" and "Chappie". His current ability is definitely not as good as Patty Jenkins, but he has no problem being a director's assistant.

After looking at the time, Eric said, "Let's get started."

Soon, a big boy with a sunny face walked in and said hello in a neither humble nor overbearing manner. There was no hint of nervousness. Although he was only 23 years old, he had been in the industry for 10 years and had experienced similar scenes too many times.

Just looking at looks, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is qualified and it would not be inappropriate to play a seventeen or eighteen-year-old student. Patty Jenkins and others checked the box.

Eric didn't talk nonsense. Today was a busy day. He got straight to the point: "Joseph, have you read the script? What kind of person do you think Sam is?"

This is almost a required question, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt was well prepared for it and blurted it out without thinking.

"I think Sam is a nerdy high school kid on the outside who doesn't stand out in school, doesn't have a girlfriend, and no one believes his stories about his grandfather, so I think deep down he's craving recognition."

"But at the same time, he is very brave and can stand up at critical moments, so he has courage and passion buried deep in his heart."

"When Bumblebee was captured, he cared about his companions, which shows that he values ​​friendship."

Joseph Gordon-Levitt gave a qualified answer, and Eric continued to ask: "What would you do if you were asked to play Sam?"

"I will show it based on my understanding of the character, follow the director's requirements, and follow the style of the film. This character is interesting but not complicated. I think I can do it."

"Very good, you look very confident. I like actors who are confident. It is a reflection of belief. Let's try it out. Neil, you cooperate."

The clip of the two auditioning was a clip of Sam, with the help of the Autobots, threatening District 7 to release people.

This was Eric's deliberate choice. Daily scenes like those in a school family couldn't trouble Joseph at all. He was used to it. What this scene wanted to show was Sam's arrogance. He had to act out that feeling of revenge. Come.

A few minutes later, the performance ended. Eric and Patty Jenkins looked at each other, and then looked at Joseph with a calm expression.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt couldn't help but jump in his heart. This kind of bridge is indeed his weak area. Heath Ledger is better at it, but he still has confidence in himself. This is the confidence given to him by more than ten years of acting experience. .

However, Eric then asked a big question: "Joseph, you should be studying at Columbia University now."

"Yes, I'm a sophomore."

"Then here's the question. The filming schedule for Transformers is very tight. I won't allow actors to take leave. Can your studies be delayed for three months?"

This problem is very real and fatal. You must know that Joseph Gordon-Levitt majored not in acting, but in French poetry, history and literature. Whether he can keep up with his studies after delay is a problem, and whether the school allows it is an even bigger problem.

squeak

When the door opened, everyone's eyes fell on Joseph Gordon-Levitt's face, trying to read the result from his expression, but they were disappointed. The other person looked calm.

His good friend Heath Ledger, who worked with him on "10 Things I Hate About You," came over and patted him on the shoulder: "How are you, brother?"

The two of them walked to a deserted place before Joseph Gordon-Levitt spoke: "Heath, I think I screwed up. You have to work harder. This audition is very aggressive."

"is it hard?"

"It may not be difficult, but he will make things difficult for you!"

"who?"

"That MGM vice president Eric Cooper."

"Eric Cooper? He should be the producer, right? Where's the director?"

"I don't know, there were only a few people in the room, and I didn't see the director."

Heath Ledger looked at the audition room in confusion, and then he remembered that the director of "Transformers" had never been announced to the public.

Logically speaking, this kind of thing should be determined before casting, with the script first, then the director, and finally the actors, because selecting actors is also the director's task. If the director doesn't like the actors, how can the directing effect be good?

"Anyway, good luck to you, brother!"

In the audition room, after Joseph Gordon-Levitt left, Patty Jenkins looked at Eric.

"Eric, you were very aggressive today, what's wrong?"

Eric asked, "Is there any?"

Another interviewer in his forties interjected: "It shouldn't be too obvious. Among the younger generation in Hollywood, Joseph is pretty good."

"It's just that you seemed to have deliberately chosen that scene for him to perform, but this scene is actually just a small episode in the movie and is not important. Don't you like him?"

Eric took a sip of water: "No, I don't like anyone. Those who come to this level are all the best, but they are good at different fields."

"Joseph, he's great, but I don't think he has the right temperament for Transformers."

"Don't you feel it? He has the temperament of a literary and artistic youth. What is most suitable for him now is small and refreshing movies on campus or in the city. If he develops in this direction, I think his future will be bright."

"What "Transformers" needs is a sunny boy, and their temperaments cannot be mixed together."

After hearing Eric's explanation, everyone couldn't help but agree.

Some people are born with artistic faces, and the first impression everyone gets when seeing them is that they are melancholy. Such actors are naturally best suited to that type.

"Eric, did you really study finance before?"

"Why do you ask? Pierce."

Pierce Sr. said with a smile: "I have been in this industry for decades, and I have auditioned at least thousands of actors."

"But if I were asked to analyze what route an actor should take, I would never dare to say, and I don't think many people would dare to make a conclusion."

"Even though Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been in the industry for more than ten years, I am afraid that even he himself has not figured out his positioning."

"But you can see his position. You should really talk to Joseph about what you just said."

"Eric, this is a very rare ability, usually only possessed by top directors and producers."

Knowing that the other party was flattering him, Eric asked: "Do you think I have the potential to become a great director?"

"Hahaha why not? "Transformers" is good, maybe you can use it to practice your skills."

"Interesting suggestion! This is what you said!"

Thanks to book friend 20200821144723084 for the 100-coin reward. I forgot to thank you yesterday. Sorry, boss!