Chapter 789: Argument!

On the set, Martin and Saoirse Ronan twirled and swayed in front of the camera, their movements fluid and synchronized to the rhythm of the music playing. The chemistry between them was electric, a testament to the high-intensity, close-quarters rehearsals they had undergone, especially the night before. Their hard work paid off as they nailed the nearly one-minute-long shot in a single take.

Director Damien Chazelle entered the set, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He approached Martin and Saoirse, sharing the key points for the upcoming scene. After a brief discussion, he called over choreographer Mandy Moore. The four of them huddled together, talking animatedly about the nuances of the choreography and how to bring out the emotions in the next sequence.

As the cameras rolled again, the set buzzed with energy. Unlike a live dance performance, shooting a dance scene for the film involved meticulous planning and execution. A long shot lasting about half a minute was considered extensive, with most scenes wrapping up in just over ten seconds. Martin and Saoirse had spent half a year preparing for these scenes. While they might not have reached the level of professional dancers, they were more than capable of delivering the required performances. Despite their preparation, the dance sequence took more than a day to shoot, with Mandy making fine adjustments based on Damien's feedback.

Damien's passion for musical scenes was evident. Martin had noticed this and discussed it with Louise, another cast member. They both agreed that Damien had a unique vision and a keen eye for detail. He suggested shooting the demanding song and dance parts first while the actors were still fresh and energetic. Martin and Louise wholeheartedly supported this idea.

As other actors arrived for their respective singing and dancing scenes, the set grew busier. After lunch, Catherine Daddario, who had just joined the crew, sought out Martin. They found a quiet spot in front of a cold drink shop diagonally opposite the studio to chat.

Catherine, noticing Martin's bare face, asked, "Don't you have any scenes this afternoon?"

Martin replied, "No, I'm off this afternoon and tomorrow morning."

Catherine hesitated for a moment before discreetly handing Martin a business card from her hotel. "I'm staying here," she said, her eyes searching his face.

Martin glanced at her, realizing that while Catherine was undoubtedly beautiful, her allure paled in comparison to when she was with Alexandra. He was committed to his craft and his investment in the musical, so he responded earnestly, "The musical is intense. I need to conserve my energy. I've invested tens of millions in this production."

Catherine, considering her future in the industry, quickly assured him, "Don't worry. You introduced me to this crew, and I will give it my all. I won't let you down."

Martin nodded, appreciating her determination. "This is your first significant role, and it's crucial. When you audition for other projects, this will be a strong point on your resume."

Catherine smiled, feeling the weight of his words. She knew that this opportunity could be a turning point in her career and was determined to make the most of it.

Catherine listened intently, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and admiration. Unlike many of the producers, directors, and top stars she had encountered in the industry, Martin stood out as genuinely supportive and approachable.

"Go and get ready," Martin said with a wave of his hand, a gentle yet commanding gesture.

Catherine nodded, her resolve firming, and she walked towards the makeup trailer assigned to the key female supporting actors. As Martin watched her go, he pondered why she seemed less captivating than she had in Boston. Without Alexandra Daddario's presence and the novelty of the sister act, Catherine was simply a beautiful girl among many.

Martin frowned, glancing over at Bruce, who sat at another table nearby. Muttering to himself, he thought, "This is all because of that perverted old Bruce. His influence over the years has warped my perspective."

The image of Alexandra Daddario drifted through his mind, and for a moment, Catherine, now walking away, seemed to regain some of her charm. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Martin decided it would be more entertaining to wait for Alexandra to arrive.

Martin noticed Damien entering the studio opposite and knew it was time to prepare for the next shoot. As he was about to head over, a four-seater battery car pulled up beside him.

Natasha, Thomas's former assistant and now a female agent at WMA, waved at Martin from the driver's seat. The woman in the passenger seat, a striking figure with long straight hair, stepped out first. Clara, dressed in a slim-fitting suit that accentuated her almost perfect curves, approached Martin with a confident smile. She shook his hand warmly and then leaned in, bowing slightly. "Martin, thank you for your support."

Her V-neck shirt, peeking out from under her suit jacket, subtly hinted at her ambitious nature. Unlike many actresses who modestly covered their chests when wearing low-necked clothes, Clara made no such effort. It was clear she understood the importance of being noticed by the right people.

Clara straightened up after a few seconds, her expression sincere. Martin, somewhat amused by these unspoken tests, asked casually, "Are you adjusting well here?"

"Very well," Clara replied, glancing back at Natasha. "My agent takes excellent care of me and has been incredibly helpful."

These words were clearly intended for Natasha's ears, and whether by design or not, they had the desired effect, making everyone feel at ease.

Clara continued, showing a hint of self-awareness. "I've been busy with rehearsals since passing the audition. After our sessions, I go home to study the script. I haven't really explored Los Angeles yet."

Her words, though indirect, conveyed her dedication. "The only time I got a glimpse of Beverly Hills was during a physical check-up with Natasha."

Martin nodded, appreciating her commitment. "Focus on the work here. There's plenty of time to explore once we've wrapped up."

Clara's smile widened, grateful for his understanding. "Absolutely, Martin. Thank you."

With that, Martin headed towards the studio, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The day was far from over, and there was still much to accomplish.

Martin raised an eyebrow in surprise but quickly masked it with a nod. Clara's dedication was impressive, typical of the rigorous training one might expect from the Korean entertainment industry.

Natasha stepped forward with a smile. "Clara works very hard. She's even signed up for acting and accent classes."

Martin, appreciating Clara's commitment, said, "I'll take you to visit Los Angeles when I have some free time."

Clara bowed slightly, her gratitude evident. "Thank you, Martin. I appreciate it."

Martin waved his hand, gesturing for her to continue. "Go ahead."

Clara nodded, then followed Natasha out of the room. As they walked toward the makeup trailer, Natasha leaned in and whispered, "You're a smart person, Clara. But don't think that having Martin's support means you can do whatever you want on set. You can stand your ground with some people, like the other supporting actresses, but it's wise to be tolerant with others, especially the lead, Saoirse Ronan."

Clara absorbed the advice, her expression thoughtful. "Saoirse Ronan is Martin's student."

"Or lover," Natasha added with a knowing look. "The kind that can walk into Martin's house without knocking."

Clara nodded, her resolve firm. "I understand."

Meanwhile, Martin entered the studio, seeking out Damien. With no scenes scheduled for his character that afternoon, he decided to shadow the director.

Damien glanced at him, a bit uneasy. "Martin, remember, you promised to let me handle the filming decisions."

Martin smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'm not here to interfere. I just want to observe and learn how you manage the crew."

Damien relaxed a bit. "Alright. If you have any questions, feel free to ask during filming."

"I will," Martin said, though he mainly observed, taking mental notes on the intricacies of directing.

Soon, the actresses scheduled for the afternoon's shoot began to arrive. The next day and a half were dedicated to filming the song and dance scenes between the lead and her three female roommates. Originally, the plan was to cast actresses of different ethnic backgrounds for these roles. With Mene, a black actor, already on board, the supporting actresses included a white woman, a Latina, and an Asian woman, a combination reflective of Los Angeles's diversity.

Saoirse Ronan was the first to arrive on set. Noticing Martin with the director, she waved, her bright smile lighting up her face. Martin returned the gesture with a warm smile of his own.

Following Saoirse, the other three actresses joined the set, each exuding their own unique charm. The Latina, with her lively energy, and the brunette with her graceful presence were captivating, but it was the Asian actress with her long, straight black hair who stood out most. Her striking appearance was almost surreal, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to the ensemble.

Saoirse couldn't help but think about Martin's ex-girlfriend, Blake Lively. Both women had an undeniable presence and remarkable figures. As the shooting commenced, Saoirse channeled all her energy into her performance, recalling the lessons she had learned from her early acting days.

With each scene, Saoirse's focus was unwavering. She understood her pivotal role and didn't need to overexert herself. On set, the dynamics of actors and performances naturally revolved around her. Saoirse had a reputation for being fiercely competitive; she had once outperformed Emma Watson so thoroughly that Watson felt disheartened for a long time. However, Saoirse didn't seek conflict unless provoked.

The next scene transitioned from an indoor to an outdoor setting, although it was still within the studio. Damien gathered the four actresses and emphasized, "Pay attention to your positions. You three should revolve around Saoirse. She is the center of this dance."

Even if the other actresses had their own ideas, they had to cooperate. The dance scene had been extensively rehearsed, and the actresses' cooperation ensured a smooth shoot.

Martin shadowed Damien, carefully observing his management of the crew. The director was the commander-in-chief on set, articulating his vision and expectations while each department executed their roles. Lighting adjusted to the desired brightness, costumes matched the scene, props and scenery were arranged meticulously, and actors brought the director's vision to life, all captured by the crew.

Unlike directors like David Fincher and Christopher Nolan, Damien wasn't hands-on with every detail. He understood the workings of each department but preferred to orchestrate from a distance, acting as a pure commander. His imagination and talent for direction were evident, though his practical experience was still developing. Louise had wisely assigned him an experienced assistant director, who served as a grounding force, reining in Damien's lofty ideas when necessary.

Damien's humility and willingness to listen to his assistant's advice were promising traits. After an afternoon of intense filming, the four actresses were exhausted, collapsing into the rest area. Martin approached to check on them, and Saoirse took the opportunity to pull him aside.

"Let's get some fresh air," she said, leading him out of the studio. Martin escorted her back to the makeup trailer. He had just removed his makeup and changed clothes when Harold, the office assistant, hurried over.

"Martin, there's a situation in the studio," Harold said urgently. "The screenwriter Mia and the arranger Sebastian are having a heated argument, and no one can calm them down."

Martin sighed and called Old Brook for assistance. Together, they made their way to the studio, bracing themselves for the task of diffusing the escalating tension.