America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 23 The Key to Audition Success

The press conference was held in the lobby of the ATL Freedom Association headquarters. Martin rushed there early in the morning and contacted Kelly Gray's assistant Ella, who took him to the large conference room near the lobby.

Many people are busy, including Kelly Gray.

Martin saw his acquaintance Andrew among the people doing odd jobs.

Thinking of the new play that Jerome had mentioned when he went to the theater last time, Martin took the initiative to go there.

If there is an opportunity, you should go for it; if there is no opportunity, you should create one and go for it.

Martin greeted Andrew: "Good morning, Mr. Andrew."

Andrew first looked at Martin, then at Ella behind Martin, with an especially warm smile: "Long time no see, my friend."

Seeing the other party open his arms, Martin certainly would not refuse and hugged him warmly.

Like old friends.

The two chatted for a while about the collaboration between the Marietta Community Theater and Gray Company, especially about Jerome's preparations for the troupe to participate in a new play.

After a while, Martin found that Kelly Gray was temporarily free and said, "I'll go over there."

Andrew nodded: "As you wish."

Martin found Kelly Gray, took out the speech he had prepared yesterday and asked her to review it.

Kelly Gray already had a very good impression of Martin, and now she was smiling even more.

On the other side, Andrew looked at Martin and his boss talking and laughing, deep in thought.

Looks like a very close relationship?
Seeing that Ella was still there, he asked, "Does the boss know Martin?"

Ella said casually, "The boss admires Martin very much."

"So..." Andrew found that things were just as Ella said. The lawyers of the Freedom Association took over the lawsuit of Beast House. The boss kept communicating with Martin and even smiled several times more than usual.

After the press conference, Andrew found an opportunity to go over and heard Martin invite the boss to go to the Beast House again, and the boss agreed.

In addition, Martin praised what he had done for the Freedom Club in front of his boss.

Kelly Gray praised Andrew.

Andrew was about to float.

Martin left the Freedom Club, got in the car and called Jerome. There were some things he couldn't talk about directly because once a disagreement arose, there would be no room for reconciliation.

He said to Jerome, "Captain, I attended a press conference of the Freedom Society this morning and met Mr. Andrew. I talked to him about the new play between our troupe and Gray Company."

Generally speaking, there are many roles that are vacant in the new crew, so it’s best to act early.

Jerome said, "I'll call him right away."

…………

Andrew had just returned to Gray Film and Television Productions when he received a call from Jerome.

Jerome felt that Andrew was much more enthusiastic than before. He mentioned Martin several times during the period, which reminded him of the debt owed by the idiot Martin again. He simply asked, "Can you help Martin find a role with a higher salary?"

This is what Andrew was thinking: "There are a few supporting roles that have not yet been confirmed. I will call Martin later."

Andrew was very active and turned on his computer to check the real-time progress of the project.

Gray Company signed a package contract with the cable station, which included more than one late-night show.

In recent years, Gray Company has become very familiar with assembly line production, which has low costs and high production speed. After the filming of the previous film is completed, it will be transferred to the post-production department for editing and production, and the crew will continue to shoot the next one.

Most of the time, the company uses the same male lead, Adam Smith, who has a good appeal among female users of cable TV stations and can ensure the lower limit of ratings.

The leading actress and the male and female supporting roles have also been decided, but the actors for several minor supporting roles are still being selected.

Andrew chose a role, stood up and knocked on the door of the casting director Lynn's office: "Boss, for the role of Billy, can I recommend someone?"

It was just a small role with a few lines, and Lin En didn't even raise his head. He said, "Tell him to come for an audition tomorrow afternoon."

Andrew returned to his office and called Martin immediately.

Martin took the initiative to invite him to have lunch together: "I haven't formally thanked you for your help last time. You must give me a chance today." Andrew couldn't refuse.

Martin specifically chose a high-end restaurant in the city center, and he would not be stingy when it came to investing.

Unlike Los Angeles, Atlanta's most prosperous area is in the city center.

At noon, the two met at a restaurant near Peachtree Plaza.

During lunch, Andrew gave a brief overview of the character.

Martin memorized them all.

"As long as your basic acting skills are good, your appearance will definitely be acceptable." Andrew elaborated: "The late-night dramas produced by the company tend to be aesthetically pleasing, and the main audience is women, so the appearance requirements for male actors are relatively high."

Martin nodded: "I understand."

Andrew asked the key question: "Can you accept the role?"

Martin smiled and said, "No problem. Hollywood NC-17 films are more explicit than this. I participated in the last shoot and have a general idea of ​​it."

It would be better to say that it is better to win the Golden Lion and Palme d'Or.

The production model is similar to the grindhouse films of the past. This type of film has not completely disappeared and is also progressing with the times.

Every year, more than half of the films shot in North America cannot be shown in theaters.

Martin had no objection to this. If he was at the bottom of American society and was not bold enough and thick-skinned enough, there was no way he could make a lot of money and cross classes.

Andrew agreed: "We make art films, but they are not shown in theaters, but directly broadcast on cable TV."

Martin toasted Andrew, chatted a little about the Freedom Club, and then asked, "Can the casting director decide this role?"

Andrew said: "The casting director, Lynn, gets to decide who will be cast."

Martin asked, "Does Lynn have any particular preferences?"

"Special preference?" Andrew thought for a moment and said, "He is a die-hard fan of the Atlanta Braves."

Martin knew that the Atlanta Braves, a member of the MLB, played their home games at Turner Field in Marietta.

A lunch, with a bottle of good wine, cost Martin two nights' income.

Martin's investment was not limited to this. After sending Andrew away, he made a special trip to the flea market.

…………

Gray Film and Television Productions was quite busy this afternoon, with many young actors coming in and out.

Casting director Lynn and assistant Andrew sit in the audition room, interviewing some supporting actors.

The audition was very quick, with no styling involved. Lynn would just look at the actor's appearance through the camera, have them make a few cool expressions and say a few lines, and then send them off after two or three minutes.

"Let the actor who auditioned for Billy come in." Andrew looked at the list and said, "Martin Davis."

A female assistant opened the door and shouted outside: "Martin Davis!"

As soon as the man came in, Lin En, who looked a little tired, was slightly refreshed. This young man had a good appearance and a good figure.

He looked through the camera again and was very photogenic.

The main thing is that this person gave him a good first impression.

The young man was wearing a half-worn Warriors jacket and a blue baseball cap with the letter A on it, the brim of which was slightly worn, which he placed on a table to the side.

Lin En took a quick glance and knew that the other person wore it frequently.

The image was outstanding and the brief performance was impeccable. Lynn sent Martin away and asked Andrew: "Is this the person you recommended?"

Andrew said, "It's him."

Lin En made a decision: "Let's pick him." Then he said to the female assistant: "For the role of Billy, send everyone else away. Don't waste their time."

The key to the success or failure of an audition is often not in the audition room.

(End of this chapter)