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“Besides, this isn’t like ‘The Youth’, it’s just a small production. With actors like they are now, the ones with even a bit of fame won’t take the job, while the ones who would like to take the job just can’t act well enough. Actors like Victoria who don’t pay too much attention to the size of the production and only care about the script are rarer than rare now.”
With that, he sighed. Zoe didn’t have anything to say.
After a while, Nathan continued, “Actually, Annie Gil’s been contacting me recently saying she wants to participate in the project. She’s also interested in the female lead, but because of what happened with her before, I’m not very confident in her. With her image, if we put in the costume work, she should at least manage to be better than other actresses, but I’m still not sure. If she gets involved in another scandal halfway through production, it won’t end well.”
Zoe blinked, a little surprised.
Her eyes darted slightly as she asked, “Annie wants the role too?”
Nathan replied, “Yeah. To be honest, even though my friend’s new to the field, he’s got good technique, or I wouldn’t be helping him. That’s why there’s still plenty of people who want to take part in the show, we just haven’t found any suitable candidates. If we really can’t manage, Jessica’s a good choice. It’s just that she’s been in too many scandals lately and her image isn’t too good but that can be a type of publicity as well. If the filming goes well, the overall effect should be positive. It’s just a small production, after all. In the old days, a production this size managing to get someone like her on the cast wouldn’t have been plausible.”
Zoe thought for a while, then smiled.
“All right, got it. If it’s convenient, can you send me a copy of the script? I’ll get back to you tomorrow.”
Nathan jolted, a little surprised. He didn’t know what she meant by that.
But he didn’t ask too many questions. He simply agreed and hung up.
Zoe drove home. The moment she stepped inside, her phone beeped. She had a new email in her mailbox.
As she changed out her shoes, she took a look. Nathan had sent her an electronic copy of the script.
Henry was home already. He’d known she was going out with some of her female friends today, so he didn’t disturb her.
The man had already finished his meal at this time and retired to the reading room.
Changing her shoes, Zoe went upstairs and didn’t go to Henry but went directly to the bedroom.
Turning her computer on, she looked through the entirety of the script Nathan had sent her.
The script wasn’t long. It was just an eighteen-episode-long web series. But because she was paying attention to the details, it took her quite a bit of time.
Henry went out of the reading room and saw her sitting in front of the computer. She looked focused, so he didn’t disturb her.
But when he finished his shower, cleaned up and went out, he found her still sitting there, totally concentrated.
He shot a look at the time. It was past twelve at night and he couldn’t help but frown.
“What are you looking at?”
Zoe was fully concentrating when the deep voice rang out behind her, and she jumped.
Turning around, she saw that it was Henry and she sighed.
“Oh, nothing, just a script.”
“What script’s so important you’re staying up to read it now?”
The man said, already bending over to look over her shoulder. He circled his arm around her and clicked the mouse, seeing the script’s name.
“Strategies for Cannon Fodder”
He cocked an eyebrow and Zoe couldn’t help but blushed, stammering an explanation. “It’s just a temporary name, they’re changing it later, er… that’s, this is the script for a web series. The production size isn’t big, so I’m just looking through it.”
Henry chuckled. “A script like that is worth staying up until this hour?”
Saying that, he pointed deliberately at his wristwatch.
Only then did Zoe realize it had gotten this late. She made a sound of assent and followed him to bed.
At the same time.
In the Gil household.
Annie was giving Nathan a call.
It was past midnight, but for someone in their line of work, it couldn’t be considered late at all. In fact, it was even early.
Naturally, Nathan was no exception. He was a famous night owl. He’d just finished discussing points with a producer when he left the hotel and received Annie’s call.
“Need something, Annie Gil?”
Annie clutched her phone nervously, a forced smile on her face.
“It’s like this, Mr. Han. I hear you’ve got a script and you’re looking for a female lead?”
Nathan narrowed his eyes. He knew what Annie was calling for, and still made it out to be awkward.
“I do, but I’m not the director, it’s one of my friends. He’s new in the business and doesn’t have much experience…”
“It’s fine. So long as the script is good, it doesn’t matter who the director is.”
Nathan chuckled.
“Is that so. Have you called that friend of mine, then?”
That touched Annie’s nerves.
That up-and-coming director was called Vicente Langes or something. He wasn’t very famous, but he had a big temper.
She was one of the top-line actresses in the business. Even with all the scandals, she still had scores of fans.
It was an honor to have her participate in his works, but he actually refused?
That man didn’t know what was good for him!
But as things stood now, Annie didn’t have any better choices. From her roles throughout her career, this character suited her all the more.
Knowing that Vicente was Nathan’s friend and Nathan was actually going to be on producing, she knew the quality wouldn’t be bad.
It was a web series, but web series were getting popular now. This might turn things around.
Considering that, Annie took a deep breath, suppressed her discontent, and beamed, “I called, but Director Langes doesn’t seem to know me very well, and I’m not too familiar with him. You know me, Director Han. Last time was just an accident. If you can give me a chance this time around, I’ll put up a good performance. I won’t let you down.”
To be honest, Nathan was getting swayed.
After all, with Vicente’s personality, the whole shooting could be stalled if they didn’t find the right candidate.
People who thought they were the most obstinate person in the world probably hadn’t met Vicente.
If it hadn’t been for how intractable he was, someone that talented wouldn’t have found himself in a place like this.
He was middle-aged already, but still a new director.
Thinking of that, Nathan sighed.
He did want to help his friend out, so he said, “I’ll discuss it with him, then! If it’s all right, I’ll call you back.”
If he put it like that, he was basically agreeing already.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
Annie heaved a sigh of relief.
Smiling, she said, “Thanks, Director Han.”
Nathan grunted, didn’t discuss it with her too much, and hung up.
Morning the next day, he went to visit Vicente directly.
Vicente had set up a small workshop. Or rather, a little homemade workspace.
He was so poor he couldn’t even afford proper equipment. Everything was rented. He had it rough.