Chapter 65 No Chance to Warn Herself
Suppressing her anger, Deborah's eyes almost pierced through Jessica as she forced a very strained smile. "It's alright. Let's continue. We're all actors, and we all have to sacrifice for the sake of the play."
"Alright, Ms. Whitney, as you said!" Jessica said with a cheerful smile. She then returned to her original position and began preparing for the scene, embodying the half-demonic, half-divine emotions of the transformed Katherine, cold and deranged.
Joseph was very satisfied as he directed the camera. Jessica started delivering her lines, and this time, she didn't forget. Afterward, she approached Deborah and slapped her in the face.
Just as Joseph was smiling, he instantly frowned and exclaimed, "Cut!"
Jessica immediately stopped her actions, and Deborah turned to look at him with a confused expression. "Joseph, what's wrong?"
"Katerina is in an emotional outburst phase. She wants to vent all her grievances and resentment in this opportunity. Jessica, the slap you gave was too light. It looked fake on camera and didn't match the emotions on your face. Let's do it again!"
Jessica looked somewhat embarrassed. "But Joseph, if I hit too hard, will Ms. Whitney be okay with it?"
Joseph furrowed his brow. "Just a couple of slaps. Pay attention to the angle and control yourself, but the action has to match the emotions. It can't be too light!"
Jessica hesitated. "But this is not good for Ms. Whitney."
Deborah, who couldn't come off stage at this moment, said, "It's fine, let's do it as the director said."
Jessica sighed. "Okay then."
For the next whole hour, Jessica couldn't get the slap on Deborah right. From light to heavy, from heavy to directly slapping her face, Deborah's face had already swelled from the hits. But the show had to go on, and the makeup artist quickly came to touch up her makeup, covering the swollen areas with a thick layer of powder to conceal them and continue filming.
Jessica kept apologizing to the director. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I haven't been in the right state today, and I've been delaying everyone. I promise I can nail it in the next take."
Deborah couldn't say anything anymore, and her eyes revealed undisguised anger. However, the more fiercely she glared, the harder Jessica slapped.
It wasn't until goodness knows which take ended up as a failed shot that Jessica slapped her so hard that she fell to the ground and then walked over to step on her hand. Joseph was finally satisfied with this shot, looking at Deborah's pale face and Jessica's expression, which seemed completely possessed by Katerina, all the impatience and anger disappeared.
Very good!
"Alright, cut!"
Upon hearing the director's voice, the assistant director quickly raised their hand to signal.
Deborah's assistant rushed forward to help her up and gave a displeased glance in Jessica's direction.
But Jessica couldn't seem to snap out of her role. She was dressed in a bright red outfit, with seductive and mysterious eye makeup that made it hard to tell if she was still Jessica or if she was still caught up in her character, Catherine. She stood there, straight as an arrow, coldly watching Deborah being escorted away. There was a faint smile on her lips, but it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Her gaze was enough to infuriate Deborah. She bit her lip several times, wanting to say something, but Joseph was busy reviewing the footage that had just been shot. He said, "Not bad, the effect is perfect." If she went to complain to the director now, she wouldn't get any fruitful results. Instead, she would risk losing the recognition she had just earned for her performance in the play. All she could do was clench her fist secretly and give Jessica a fierce glare.
Jessica had already shifted her gaze away. She completely denied Deborah the opportunity to warn her with her eyes. With a flick of her red, ethereal sleeves, she turned and walked away.
Deborah felt extremely angry, but it seemed to have no effect. She was trembling with anger.
