25. Two completely different people

Compared to semi-professionals like Helen, Ridley Scott is undoubtedly a standard professional.

"He knows how to use his voice and body," Ridley Scott's words were quite objective, "but he exerts too much force, his performance is superficial, and he still has a long way to go before he truly understands acting."

Helen nodded lightly.

Ridley Scott continued, "One scene doesn't reveal much. There aren't many talented actors in Hollywood who have truly reached their potential."

Different from the extras finding a place to rest, as the absolute protagonist of these few scenes, Matthew sat on a comfortable high-backed chair. A makeup artist and an assistant director stood opposite him, carefully examining the newly added wounds on his face to identify any potential issues.

This could be said to be the most comfortable time Matthew had spent on set these days.

In the designated area for resting actors, there were special snacks to replenish energy, electrolyte drinks to quench thirst, and even a temporary assistant provided by the crew to help him with other matters outside of filming.

Of course, these were only for these few scenes. Once filming was completed, all these privileges would disappear.

"I wonder what treatment Russell Crowe will receive?" Matthew was relatively idle at the moment, feeling somewhat bored, like farmers discussing the emperor's golden cudgel.

After waiting for a while, the temporary assistant came over to inform him to prepare for the next scene.

The next scene would involve action, but there was only one real actor, Matthew himself. The camera would only capture close-up shots of him swinging the war hammer, which was why the crew dared to temporarily employ him.

In the forest set, some of the extras dressed as Roman soldiers and barbarians laid on the ground, serving as the background for the shoot.

"You are the center here!" The action director, who had communicated with Matthew before, came over and gave the final instructions. "Do not move more than one meter left or right!"

"And, you've swung the hammer before, right?" he continued, "Use your full strength, just like you did before!"

"Got it!" Matthew nodded.

Before the shoot, the action director had mentioned that the action scenes in "Gladiator" followed a realistic and powerful style, not the exaggerated style prevalent in Hollywood today.

Matthew didn't understand the various martial arts and dance techniques, but he had had his fair share of street fights and was especially skilled with a hammer.

After the action director left, the makeup artist came over to check and confirm that Matthew's makeup was fine before leaving the set.

During the break before filming, Matthew observed that only one camera was being used this time, set up directly opposite him.

Filming quickly commenced. Upon hearing the call from the script supervisor, Matthew swung the war hammer as if he were striking several cement pillars horizontally, one swing to the left, one to the right, wielding the resin-made war hammer adorned with totems, which weighed only five or six kilograms, but in his hands, it felt like a real iron hammer, creating a whooshing sound as it cut through the air.

With no "enemies" around, Matthew could only swing at the air. After swinging back and forth four or five times, his tense expression involuntarily relaxed a bit.

Fighting with someone and practicing alone were two different things, especially given his lack of experience...

"Stop!" Ridley Scott halted filming once again and shouted at Matthew, "You're smashing Roman soldiers, not balloons!"

Matthew stopped, panting heavily. Ridley Scott yelled, "Reset, let's reshoot!"

The subsequent filming didn't go smoothly. Although the scene seemed simple, performing a solo act, especially in such close-up shots, wasn't easy.

There were six more cuts in the following takes, except for one due to a problem with the camera focus, the rest were caused by Matthew.

"Take a ten-minute break!"

Fortunately, Ridley Scott was only slightly impatient and didn't lose his temper.

However, the extras who had just gotten up from the ground looked at Matthew with some hostility, especially those who played the barbarian soldiers. They were already envious and resentful of him for getting this opportunity, and now, because of his mistakes, they had to lie on the damp ground for so long. It would be strange if they didn't harbor any ill will towards him.

Matthew ignored their looks and returned to the rest area, sitting on a chair, unsure of how to adjust.

"Would you like some water?" the temporary assistant asked.

"No, thank you." Matthew replied politely, "Thanks."

The makeup artist approached, "Touch up!"

Matthew nodded, cooperating well with the makeup artist. This makeup artist was also quite charming, not seeming like a typical man.

Matthew didn't like effeminate men and could even find them quite annoying.

Annoying? Suddenly, Matthew had a spark of inspiration—annoyance...

He seized upon this inspiration, quickly spreading it throughout his mind.

In the previous takes, the several cuts were all due to his lack of ferocity to face imminent danger in the close-up shots. He didn't look like someone desperately struggling on the brink of death.

This feeling was quite subjective. To Matthew, it was like acting, challenging to express in words.

The word "annoyance" gave him an idea. Maybe during the next take, he could imagine the surrounding air as the people who had owed him wages and falsely accused him, thereby generating motivation and a target for his hatred...

After considering it for a while, Matthew found this approach somewhat feasible. Apart from this, he couldn't think of any other methods.

The ten-minute break passed quickly. After being informed by the temporary assistant, Matthew once again stood among the group of lying temporary actors.

This time, unlike the previous shoots, he tapped into all the negative energy he had experienced, glaring ahead as if the former boss who had fled without paying and owed him money was right in front of him!

"Action!"

Hearing this command, Matthew swung the hammer forward, his expression full of hatred as if he wanted to crush someone into pulp.

Then, he swung the hammer again, sweeping to the left. In his eyes, the person who had forced him into this situation was still looking at him with disdain.

Whoosh, whoosh...

The sound of the wind echoed continuously. Matthew's expression grew even more ferocious as if he wanted to shatter the earth beneath his feet.

"Hmm..."

Behind the director's monitor, Ridley Scott, watching the close-up shots transmitted by the camera, raised his eyebrows in surprise. The performance of the person on the monitor was completely different from the previous shoot.

The current effect wasn't outstanding, but it was much better than the last shot. At least, for such a small role in a commercial film, there was no problem at all.

To improve so much in such a short time? Ridley Scott was well-traveled and knowledgeable, but he couldn't help but feel a little curious.

However, this curiosity was fleeting. This was just a small actor; he wouldn't invest much attention into it.

Further away from the set, Helen stood with her arms crossed, and her assistant Amanda stood nearby.

"Scott didn't call for a stop." Amanda suddenly spoke up.

Helen withdrew her inquisitive gaze and asked, "Yesterday, I had you compile his information. Has he received any professional training?"

She couldn't recall this detail.

Amanda confirmed decisively, "According to the information, he hasn't."

"This guy..." Helen raised a hand to her mouth and coughed, "Seems to really have some potential."

She made a decision, "Amanda, prepare a long-term contract for him after we return to Los Angeles."

In the forested area away from the set, Baldy, Tall Guy, and Michael were also watching the filming.

"No wonder he could get such a role." Baldy shook his head, "He's got the skills! Look at that crazy energy, how many people can act like that?"

Tall Guy tapped his head and said, "He's done well in both scenes. To get this kind of opportunity, he must have corresponding abilities."

He looked at Michael, "He's your friend. You know him. Is that true?"

"Hehe..." Michael Shine laughed twice. He always considered himself Matthew's good friend and could only echo, "Seems like it."

Baldy slapped his thigh and stood up, saying, "Looks like that kid is really going to leave our ranks of extras. With his performance today, he should have no problem becoming a regular actor."

Michael forced another laugh. Suddenly, he heard Ridley Scott's voice through the loudspeaker, "Cut!"

"Did they stop?" he wondered, "That's great, another mistake!"

"This take works!"

But the voice that followed left him dumbfounded.

On the other side, Mecken, holding a shield, stared at Matthew, wishing he could kill him with his sword-like gaze!

"This bastard who stole my role! I will definitely settle the score with him," he muttered fiercely to himself.

Matthew had three scenes where he was the main focus, the first two being the most difficult, both involving close-ups and detailed shots. The final scene was relatively easier, depicting the character's death at the hands of Roman soldiers from a distance.

After a fifteen-minute break and four more cuts, Matthew managed to complete this scene relatively smoothly.

"You can go and remove your makeup now," the assistant director told him.

Matthew took a sip of water and saw Helen approaching.

"Go remove your makeup first," Helen said with just one sentence, "I'll find you at the makeup department later. We need to talk."

Matthew first went to the costume department to change back into his clothes, then headed towards the makeup department. Many of the temporary actors who wouldn't be needed anymore were also walking towards the makeup department, but since they needed makeup removal, they had to wait in line. Matthew, however, could go straight to the makeup trailer where a dedicated makeup artist would help him remove his makeup.

Entering the makeup trailer, the charming male makeup artist wasn't there. The female assistant asked, "Shall I go get him?"

"No need."

Although he had vaguely heard that the industry was leaning towards same-sex relations, the thought of that note sent shivers down Matthew's spine. He called to the female assistant, "You can help me."

Putting on this kind of makeup was troublesome, and removing it was just as tedious. After quite some time, Matthew finally returned to his original appearance, feeling refreshed as he stretched after standing up.

"Thank you," he said politely to the female assistant and walked out of the makeup trailer.

Perhaps he had taken too long to remove his makeup, as the makeup department had returned to its quiet state. After walking for a short while, Matthew suddenly saw someone dressed as a barbarian blocking his way, apparently waiting for him.

After careful scrutiny, Matthew confirmed that he didn't recognize this person.