Chapter 403 Jessica isn't Married?
After a quick ten-minute break, they got back to filming.
John, the second male lead, was screwing up more than usual, needing way more takes.
Jessica was practically numb from running around in this fake "rain."
Being her first on-screen kiss, she was all in for the art and didn't think much of it. But John? Dude was acting like he was chained up, couldn't kiss her to save his life.
"Cut!"
"Cut!"
"Cut!"
Sam was losing it, almost ready to smash his walkie-talkie, "John, if you can't get it together, don't bother coming back. This ain't how a pro acts! Your audition was solid. What's up with you today?"
John kept apologizing to the director. "Sam, I'm really sorry. I think I'm just off today, my emotions are all over the place."
"Quit the excuses. Jessica has already cooperated so many times! And she's not whining like you. Who's got time to wait for you to get in the zone?"
Sam cursed a bit more, rubbing his forehead as he scanned the script, trying to find another scene to shoot and save the kiss for later.
But nope, only the kiss scene was left, and it was the last one.
Sam sighed.
Then he noticed someone coming over and looked up to see Mr. Harriman's friendly assistant.
"Sam," Wayne said with his usual smile, "I hear movie standards are super strict now. Any film with too much physical stuff won't pass review. Since this scene's giving you trouble, why not use a stand-in and tweak it? Easier to pass review, right?"
Sam looked up, surprised at Mr. Harriman's eager assistant, "The original script needs these scenes. We can think about cutting them in post-production."
Wayne handed him a cigarette, "If they're gonna get cut anyway, why not do it now? Save everyone the hassle."
Sam hesitated, took the cigarette, and when Wayne lit it for him, he caught something in Wayne's eyes. He glanced at Gabriel quickly, then looked away, not wanting to stare.
He saw John talking to his assistant, looking nervous and glancing at Mr. Harriman.
Sam walked over to John. As soon as John saw him, he started apologizing again."Sam, I'm really sorry."
"What's going on?" Sam asked, frowning.
John swallowed, glanced at his assistant, and whispered, "Sorry, Sam, I just can't do it. It's not Jessica; she's been awesome and really helps me get into it. It's just..."
He paused, then lowered his voice even more: "My assistant used to work at a hotel that often hosted wrap parties for film crews. I just found out that at the wrap party for 'Charles II,' Mr. Harriman proposed to Jessica. Although no media dared to take photos or report it, many people at the scene saw it. I just found out that Jessica is Mr. Harriman's girl. Acting is just work, but with him standing right there, I really can't go through with it."
Sam questioned, "How is that possible? Isn't Jessica married?"
John's assistant whispered, "I don't know, but I swear I saw Mr. Harriman propose to Jessica. The news was suppressed, but if you ask around the industry, people who attended the 'Charles II' party will remember. They just don't dare to talk about it because it involves Mr. Harriman."
Sam fell silent.
A few minutes later, Sam returned to his equipment, checked the previous shots, considered the continuity of the plot, and thought about Wayne's reminder about the review cuts. He called the screenwriter, and after some negotiation, they decided to change the somewhat intense kiss scene to a more emotional, backlit kiss.
As a director, he generally disliked using stand-ins, but at this moment, he suddenly felt that the saying "disaster strikes in an instant" was very true.
Better safe than sorry.
The rain scenes in the green screen were finally completed, and the crew began to pack up their equipment and props.
Sam walked out with Gabriel, chatting, and casually instructed, "It's too cold. Jessica has been in the rain for so long. Make sure she puts on a coat before coming out, avoid catching a cold."
After saying that, Sam turned back to continue discussing matters related to the film's investors with Gabriel.
Suddenly, a figure ran over and grabbed Gabriel's arm, "Gabriel!"
Sam was startled and quickly turned to see Amy, who had appeared somewhere.
Gabriel glanced at the hand on his arm and looked at her with a mix of unfamiliarity and scrutiny. "Who are you?"
"I'm Amy Martinez," Amy tried to whisper her real name in his ear, but Gabriel's cold expression and distant eyes made her hesitate. She could only say softly, "Don't you remember? My mom asked you to help me terminate my contract with the company in South Korea. Without your help, I wouldn't have been able to return so smoothly."
After all, it was the largest entertainment company in South Korea, it wouldn't be resolved without powerful background.
As she spoke, Amy tried to get closer, but Gabriel's cold gaze warned her to remove her hand from his arm.
Amy quickly withdrew her hand and took a step back, looking cautious and not daring to get closer.
Sam, who was about to explain the scene to other actors, smiled and said, "Mr. Harriman, you can chat with Amy. I'll go take care of something."
Seeing Sam leave, Amy quickly turned to the cold and distant Gabriel, "Can't you be a bit gentle? I'm at least your cousin, closer than that adopted daughter Mrs. Harriman took in! Even though we haven't seen each other for years, you knew I was coming to the set to film and took the time to visit me. I'm really touched."
