Chapter 36: The Director's Invitation

"How about this one?"

In the audition room, after a male actor had just finished his audition and left, a person from Jive Records leaned over to Britney Spears and asked, "Was he okay?"

"No good." Britney Spears shook her head directly. "Too frail, not strong enough."

The person from Jive Records whispered something to the MV director, Martin Jackson, who immediately marked the actor's profile with a red cross.

As the director, Martin Jackson had to respect the opinions of Britney Spears and Jive Records, and although he had a say in casting and other matters, his influence was secondary to theirs.

However, Martin Jackson believed that they would not make too many decisive comments since he was the professional.

"Let the next one in."

Martin Jackson instructed his assistant, who quickly brought in Michael Sheen.

Upon seeing Michael Sheen, Britney Spears murmured to the person from Jive Records, "This one looks good."

Not far from the audition room, in the lounge, Matthew saw another person go in excited and come out disheartened, causing him to divert his gaze towards Amanda, who was idly fiddling with her phone.

Helen Herman had brought them here and then left, Amanda revealed, to meet with a senior executive at Jive Records.

The three who had completed their auditions returned in low spirits, and Matthew felt a bit nervous about the audition room, curious yet unable to enter. He had asked the first two who were rejected, but both were tight-lipped about what happened inside.

"We've been friends for a while," Matthew whispered to Amanda. "Anything you know about this audition that I don't?"

He had already gleaned that Amanda was Helen Herman's cousin.

"Doesn't seem like it," Amanda thought for a moment, then said, "Oh, right. I heard from Helen that Britney Spears has a lot of say over her MV's male lead."

Matthew nodded, thinking over this information.

Not too long after, Michael Sheen returned to the lounge, unlike the previous three, his face full of excitement. Matthew didn't need to ask; this guy had definitely passed the initial audition.

Just then someone called out, "Matthew Horner!"

"Coming!"

Matthew responded and quickly entered the audition room.

It was a basic screen test without makeup or costume changes.

Upon entering, Matthew quickly surveyed the room. Directly opposite him was a camera, behind which sat a bespectacled cameraman. To the left, several chairs were lined up with various people seated, including the very noticeable Britney Spears with her golden-brown hair.

Matthew guessed the others might be the MV director or producer, executives from Britney Spears' record label, and representatives from the actors' union.

Most of the actors brought by Angel Agency were union members, so there were definitely union representatives present at the audition.

"Are you Matthew Horner?" asked a good-looking man in his thirties. "Did you have roles in 'Soul Transference' and 'Gladiator'?"

Without looking at the camera lens, Matthew calmly replied, "Yes."

Martin Jackson, without any suspicion, had a promotional poster from Universal Pictures for 'Gladiator' among the paperwork provided by Angel Agency.

"Walk back and forth a couple of times," he instructed.

Matthew moved within the range of the camera, and Martin Jackson watched intently. He noted Matthew's clear facial features, well-defined and handsome, with a physique that exuded a uniquely masculine presence.

His gaze moved from Matthew's rugged face down to his solid chest, nodding slightly at the well-defined pectorals, and as Matthew turned to walk back, he eyed the long legs and firm buttocks...

Without needing the actors to strip, Martin Jackson could imagine the sculptural muscle definition on this man.

He kept nodding; this Matthew Horner had excellent physical attributes, even better than the one who had just passed the audition.

"He definitely needs to be on the shortlist for the second audition," Martin Jackson thought to himself. "If he's eliminated now, there won't be another chance."

"This is a highly recommended candidate from Angel Agency," the person from Jive Records whispered to Britney Spears. "What do you think?"

Britney Spears nodded slightly, "Very good, let's choose him."

"Alright," Martin Jackson called to Matthew, "That's enough, you can go now."

With no objections from Martin Jackson, and with Britney Spears and the record company deeming him suitable, it was sufficient for the initial audition.

Confused by the brevity of the audition, Matthew thought it was merely a visual inspection to see if he was photogenic.

He had just left the audition room and hadn't returned to the lounge when a staff member informed him that he had passed the initial audition and would return to the set in five days for a costume test.

"Passed, huh?" Matthew was unaware that his own profile and that poster were

 one of Helen Herman's opening moves.

Passing an audition was certainly a reason to celebrate. Matthew returned to the lounge where Amanda immediately looked at him inquiringly; he gestured an OK sign, then went over to the water dispenser to get two cups of water, handing one to Amanda and taking a big gulp from his own before sitting down.

"Did it go smoothly?" Amanda asked.

Matthew nodded, "Of course. They think I'm a good actor."

Amanda rolled her eyes playfully, teasing, "Good luck, great actor!"

"Did you pass the audition too?" Michael Sheen approached them.

Matthew put down his cup, "Yeah, it felt like I just passed out of nowhere."

"We'll get to shoot together again!" Michael Sheen appeared very happy. "I just found out that everyone who passes the initial audition gets to participate in the MV shoot, though there's only one lead role, and everyone else will be background."

He thought for a moment, determined to secure the lead role this time.

Matthew sighed, "Wonder who the lucky one will be."

Michael Sheen half-seriously said, "Hopefully one of us."

After saying this, he didn't ask Matthew for help as he had previously realized Matthew wouldn't consider their friendship in such matters.

Likewise, he wouldn't either!

Seeing Matthew resume chatting with Amanda, Michael Sheen sat down quietly, resolved to win the role of the male lead at any cost.

Rumors suggested the male lead would play Britney Spears' lover in the MV, a surefire way to attract a lot of attention.

Michael Sheen couldn't help but fantasize; if he could turn the staged romance with Britney Spears into something real, it would fast-forward his career by years, maybe even decades...

How could he secure the male lead? Michael Sheen, with three years in the industry, knew it wouldn't be easy.

Especially since... his gaze fell on Matthew again, who seemed to maintain a good rapport with Helen Herman. If Helen Herman strongly recommended Matthew, his chances might be slim.

The agency was no use, what about the MV crew? He recalled the person in charge during the audition, presumably the director or producer. If he could establish a connection...

Meanwhile, Matthew continued chatting with Amanda, fostering their already good relationship.

As for the silent Michael Sheen beside them, Matthew could guess what he was thinking; indeed, any small-time actor wouldn't want to miss such an opportunity.

He was constantly calculating how to make Britney Spears notice him and hopefully develop some fondness.

According to Amanda, as long as Britney Spears approved, he would likely secure the role.

In the meantime, Helen Herman visited once to tell Amanda she had to leave early, then departed.

After the audition, the actors lacked the privileges they had upon arrival and had to find their own way back.

Matthew bid farewell to Amanda and walked alone towards the exit of the studio. Not far along, Michael Sheen caught up from behind.

"Hey, Matthew!" he called. "Are you heading to Hollywood Boulevard?"

"Yeah," Matthew stopped.

"Let's go together," Michael Sheen suggested. "I'm headed that way too."

Matthew didn't refuse, walking out of the studio with Michael Sheen and hailing a taxi, waiting patiently by the roadside.

"Has your acting class started?" Michael Sheen followed Matthew, trying to see if he had any other connections.

"It has," Matthew casually replied. "Feels pretty good, very helpful."

He heard his phone ring, assuming the taxi had arrived, and pulled it out to answer immediately, "We're right outside the Disney studio, I'm wearing a..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by the voice on the other end, "Are you Matthew Horner?"

"Yeah," Matthew recognized the voice.

The call was audible to Michael Sheen beside him, who listened intently.

"It's Martin Jackson, the director from your audition just now."

Recalling the voice, Matthew realized it was indeed that of the man giving orders during the audition.

Matthew quickly asked politely, "What can I do for you?"

"About the audition, I need to talk to you tonight..."

The man quickly gave an address, which Matthew memorized, "Alright, I'll be there at eight."

Michael Sheen also heard the address, his expression darkening. Was he about to watch Matthew Horner secure the male lead role?