Hollywood Director 1992

[Chapter 160: The Performance]

"Ugh, Mom, that Julie is such a brat, always targeting me. And Link isn't any better; he always favors her," Liv Tyler complained bitterly to Bebe Buell in the break room.

"Does he really? He just gave Julie a talking to as well," Bebe Buell responded.

"He did, but he went easier on her. When he critiques me, it's way harsher," Liv said, feeling wronged.

Bebe Buell shook her head. "You really are something, you know that?"

"Something? What do you mean? Julie's bullying me -- shouldn't I stand up for myself?" Liv shot back, her anger palpable.

"Not at all. Who are you? You're Clear, the leading lady. And Julie? She's just a supporting character, Terry. Can you imagine a leading lady being bullied by a supporting one? If either of you got kicked off the set, who do you think would suffer more? It would obviously be you, my dear," Bebe Buell pointed out, tapping Liv's forehead lightly.

Liv thought about it and it made sense. "So what do I do? Julie has made it a point to mock me since she joined the production, saying my acting isn't good enough and that I don't deserve to be the lead. She's unbearable!"

"Don't forget, Julie auditioned for Clear too, but she didn't get the part. She's a defeated rival; there's nothing intimidating about that. Next time she tries to pick on you, just remind her that you're the lead and she's just a supporting character -- she doesn't even have the right to speak to you.

If she doesn't listen, tell Link that Julie is harassing you. You're the lead, chosen personally by Link, and he will naturally prefer you over her. Just tell him Julie is interfering with your performance, and leave the rest to Link. He's the director and producer, so he definitely doesn't want any disruptions on set."

As Bebe Buell spoke, Liv's blue eyes lit up, and a smile crept onto her face.

This was a great plan. The next time Julie mocked her, she would use this strategy against her, reminding her she was just a supporting player -- a failure, no matter how well she performed. It would never change the fact that Liv was the star.

With that thought, Liv couldn't help but chuckle. Julie, sitting across from her, looked confused, but Liv pridefully lifted her chin.

...

"Scene 43, Take 3, action!"

The sound of the clapper echoed, and the camera began to roll.

"Baby, come on... not now," the character Terry, played by Angelina Jolie, called out as Carter stepped out of the car.

Carter, played by Edward Norton, ignored her and strode purposefully towards the outdoor cafe where Alex and Clear were chatting.

"Carter..."

At that moment, Ms. Lewton exits with an ezpresso drink.

"Kind of have a reunion, here," Carter replied with a mischievous grin.

...

"Edward is getting better and better," Sofia commented as she observed from the monitor.

Link smiled in agreement; it was true. When they first started filming, Edward had a bit of an attitude, acting all prim and proper. He had flubbed more lines than Liv had in her career.

To draw out Edward's true potential, Link had resorted to several tactics, including critiquing his acting in front of the entire crew, pushing him to improve.

When Edward got flustered, his face would turn red, and during one heavy-handed critique, he had actually smashed two chairs on set. After that, Edward slowly got the hang of things and began to deliver better performances.

Link even designed various ways for Edward to walk, and provided pointers on angles and gazes. Edward was a clever guy; he caught on quickly and even adapted the techniques to his own style, outperforming co-stars Ryan Phillippe and Joaquin Phoenix on several occasions.

Now, Edward no longer needed Link's guidance; instead, Link found himself suggesting that he tone it down so he wouldn't overpower the other characters.

...

"Let it go!" Terry said, stepping closer to him.

Carter ignored her and turned to Ms. Lewton, blocking her exit. "When are you moving?"

"A couple of weeks," Ms. Lewton replied.

"You jerk," Billy, played by Ben Affleck, shouted as he approached, still irked about his fall from the bike earlier when Carter had swerved into him.

Carter dismissed Bill and continued his conversation with Ms. Lewton. "We're losing our favorite teacher."

"Look, there's something you should all know," Alex, the male lead, interjected, stepping between Carter and Ms. Lewton.

Carter brushed him off and looked at Ms. Lewton, "Lived here her whole life." Then, he abruptly shouted at Alex, "And now she has to move. All because of Browning."

"This'll be hard to believe. Listen to me, we may all be in danger..." Alex shouted back.

"Shut up! The both of you!" Terry yelled.

...

"Cut!"

"Make it more intense! I want all three of you to shout together, and louder!" Link directed as they resumed.

Among the three, Carter came from the best background; he was the most handsome, the cockiest, and had the hottest temper. He dominated during arguments.

Although the male lead was more ordinary and lacking in confidence, he held essential knowledge regarding an impending death, granting him significant leverage.

But in this scene, the focus was on Terry, portrayed by Angelina Jolie. Ultimately, it was Terry who was afforded the chance to speak.

...

"Shut up! The both of you!" Angelina called out, "They died! We lived! Get over it! I won't let that plane crash be the most important thing in my life."

As she delivered her lines, she emphatically tapped Edward's shoulder, causing him to flinch. When the camera cut back to him, he adopted a stoic demeanor.

"I'm moving on, Carter," Terry said, stepping toward the curb. "And if you're gonna waste your life beating the shit out of Alex everytime you see him, then you can just drop fucking dead!"

...

"Cut!"

"Stunt and props teams, get ready!"

...

Once the two groups confirmed they were prepared, Link called for another take.

As Terry spoke and stepped back, just as she said, "you can just drop fucking dead!" WHAM! A runaway bus barrelled through and collided with her as if she were a watermelon, splattering blood on the others.

...

"Cut!"

"Everyone, I need you to express sheer terror!"

"John, get close-up shots!"

*****

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