Chapter401: Performance Art

Saoirse Ronan pulled out a chair and took a seat across from Martin. He extended his hand, pointing at her camera and asked, "Show me."

Saoirse quickly replied, "I didn't take a picture of you, really." She removed the camera from her neck and placed it in front of Martin.

Martin vividly remembered that this girl had a knack for stirring up trouble and had caused a "peeing scandal" at Pinewood Studios. He inspected the photos captured by the digital camera and confirmed that there was no incriminating content. He pushed the camera back to her and inquired, "Which crew are you with?"

Saoirse gestured toward the nearby studio and stated, "That one."

Martin deduced the reason for her presence and asked, "You played the teenage Daisy, right?"

Saoirse nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, and I have several scenes opposite you."

Martin also understood why she was here and casually cautioned, "Don't take random shots on the set. This isn't the UK, and American directors can be pretty strict."

Saoirse hurriedly clarified, "I didn't bring the camera to photograph the crew, but to capture the Michoud Assembly Factory."

Martin recognized the location as Michoud but hadn't heard about the assembly plant. He asked, "What are you filming there?"

Saoirse scanned her surroundings and noticed that Martin's trailer was large enough, with a ladder leading to the roof. She pointed to it and proposed, "Let's go up there?"

Martin was equally curious, saying, "Sure."

Bruce was the first to ascend to the trailer's roof, surveying the area. Saoirse climbed up with her camera dangling from her neck, while Martin, needing to tend to his appearance, ascended more slowly.

The studio was situated on a hilltop, and from this vantage point on the trailer's roof, they had a clear view of the valley below the mountain beyond the low wall.

Saoirse pointed to a building in the river valley and explained, "This is the spot I want to photograph."

Martin gestured toward her camera and said, "Capture your shots quickly, and once you're done, make sure not to create any issues for me."

Saoirse rolled her eyes and replied, "I'm not a troublemaker." She adjusted her camera settings, emphasizing, "I don't want to photograph the exterior; I want to go inside."

Martin then asked Bruce, "Where is that place over there?"

Surprisingly, Bruce had already done some research, and he answered, "It seems to be called the Michoud Assembly Plant."

Saoirse, who had a penchant for exploration and curiosity, shared that before coming to the United States, she had extensively researched New Orleans. She raised one finger and continued, "The first widespread rumor here is about witches, and I've already visited Marie Laveau's Voodoo Cemetery."

Then she raised a second finger, saying, "I researched online, and reports suggest that the Michoud Equipment Factory is a secret NASA base dedicated to creating props and sets for moon landings. Many whistleblowers claim that Americans never actually landed on the moon, and all the footage was shot here."

Martin's face showed intrigue and excitement as he asked, "Do you want to sneak in and take pictures?"

Saoirse's face was filled with a curious and probing desire as she affirmed, "Yes, just one picture, even if it's only one."

Martin raised an important point, "Have you ever considered this? If what you're saying is true, why has no concrete evidence ever leaked out? Perhaps those who broke in were turned into experimental subjects or made into voodoo dolls."

Saoirse was taken aback, momentarily losing herself in her passion for candid photography and disregarding other possibilities. She commented, "That sounds plausible."

Martin offered a cautionary reminder, "This isn't the British Isles. It can be quite dangerous for a girl to roam around. Not every American is as accommodating as I am."

Saoirse swiftly raised her camera, attached a telephoto lens from her bag, adjusted the settings, aimed at the assembly factory, and snapped several photos.

When she finished her shots, she realized that only one person remained on the trailer's roof.

Martin relaxed back under the sun umbrella, basking in the gentle breeze.

Bruce stepped aside to make a phone call.

Saoirse got out of her car, greeted Martin, and left on her own.

Shortly after, Bruce returned from his call with a delighted expression.

Martin inquired, "What's the news?"

"Bruce shared, "Kim just called me. The DVD sales are off the charts, and Kim wants to give me a share, which she said is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Martin's primary concern wasn't the financial aspect, and he asked, "How many were sold?"

Bruce nodded, "Sales in North America have exceeded $20 million, and many TV stations are inviting Jin for interviews. I heard that even the Oprah talk show extended an invitation. It seems she's more popular than you now."

Martin waved it off, saying, "It's different. Celebrity personal lives naturally carry more influence."

Bruce added, "That's true. If you were to create a video, I bet your female fans would go crazy, and maybe even some men."

Martin responded with a raised middle finger, "If the share is legitimate income, you can decide for yourself."

Bruce took a few moments to consider and said, "I don't need this money if you're not short of funds."

In the afternoon, filming continued.

The leading lady, Cate Blanchett, had yet to arrive from Los Angeles, and the crew was serene.

David Fincher was highly pleased with Martin's performance. Benjamin's teenage role was one of the most challenging, but with Martin, there was no difficulty at all.

He realized that Martin had gained profound insights from his time in a nursing home. A proficient and professional leading actor alleviated a director's concerns.

David Fincher suddenly comprehended why Scorsese and Nolan chose to collaborate with Martin. What director wouldn't cherish such an actor?

Moreover, they didn't have to resort to coercive tactics with male actors.

The most critical aspect was that Martin truly possessed commercial appeal.

The following morning, two large red "Coca-Cola" trucks rolled into Michoud Studios, delivering period-accurate Coca-Cola specially customized for the crew from the Atlanta headquarters.

For any other crew, this might have caused significant trouble since proofing and plate making would be necessary once again.

However, for the show featuring Martin as the lead, there was a discreet clause in the advertising sponsorship contract.

The truck driver insisted on taking a photo with Martin upon arrival.

All of them were dressed in the cultural shirts of the "Coke God Cult" and were unmistakably part of the fan club.

Coca-Cola sponsored millions of dollars, and upon hearing this news, David Fincher extended the crew's break to allow Martin to step outside and take photos with the fans.

Two drivers unfurled a banner at the entrance that read "Coke God Forever."

The crew thoughtfully arranged for a photographer to capture a group photo, and then it was done.

Martin glanced at the photographer, the screenwriter, and David Fincher. If he were on the set of "The Dark Knight," he would need to produce some genuine behind-the-scenes footage.

It wasn't surprising that David Fincher fell behind Nolan in terms of business; in fact, his business attributes were second to none.

David Fincher might not be a fan of real-life behind-the-scenes content and the like, so Martin refrained from mentioning it. Instead, he sought out the producer in charge of publicity and public relations to inquire, "Can we reveal my look now?"

The producer had already deliberated on this and responded, "Los Angeles is building anticipation for you. You just won Best Actor from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. With your popularity and the influence of the Coca-Cola Cult, releasing some photos of the crew will attract more attention to the film."

Martin praised, "You've thought this through."

The crew expedited the development of the photos, and by the time the Coca-Cola delivery was complete, the two drivers had brought over the photos for Martin to autograph.

Martin signed his name, composed himself, and directed all his energy into the filming.

While the male lead remained the same, the female lead had changed. Elle Fanning had completed her few scenes and gracefully exited the production.

Saoirse Ronan now took on the role of Daisy.

The casting choices made by the crew, particularly when it came to child actors, had been exceptional. Both of the young talents they had chosen were remarkably spirited.

Saoirse's acting prowess surpassed even Elle's.

During this time, the Martin family held sway within the cast, and as long as Martin didn't actively stir up trouble, no one dared to provoke him.

Although Shia LaBeouf had joined the cast early on, he mostly engaged in inexplicable performance art.

One afternoon, he suddenly transformed himself into a hanged man, dangling from a crooked tree behind the studio. When the first female costume designer from the crew spotted him, she was so terrified that she screamed and had an unfortunate accident.

As the crew gathered around in shock, Shia LaBeouf calmly undid the special rope, kicked off the plexiglass stool he had used for the stunt, and casually remarked, "It's a bit hot today. I just wanted to hang from the tree and catch some wind to cool down."

The entire crew was left dumbfounded, and even David Fincher was on the verge of losing his temper.

However, given that Shia LaBeouf was the godson of DreamWorks, one of the major investors, David Fincher had no choice but to issue a stern reprimand.

Initially, David Fincher believed that the major issue during the filming of the movie was the personal conflicts between Martin and Cate Blanchett. Little did he know that Shia LaBeouf would steal the spotlight.

After being scolded and warned, David Fincher ordered the crew to disperse and return to their respective duties.

Had it not been for David Fincher's intervention, some crew members would have been tempted to give Shia LaBeouf a piece of their minds.

The female costume designer shot an angry glare in his direction, seemingly ready to rush up and give Shia LaBeouf a piece of her mind.

Martin and Saoirse exited at the same time, returning to the set together.

Shia LaBeouf caught up from behind and asked, "Martin, what do you think of my artistic expression abilities?"

Martin, somewhat at a loss for words, replied casually, "Very imaginative."

Shia LaBeouf continued with his thoughts, "If I can earn your approval, and since you have Nicholson's approval, I'm bound to get Nicholson's approval in the end..."

Martin developed an instant headache upon hearing this and quickly distanced himself from Shia LaBeouf.

Saoirse glanced back and remarked, "I watched Transformers, and I thought this guy was anything but normal." She tapped her forehead and inquired, "Is there something not quite right up here?"

Martin refrained from mentioning his experiences with Spielberg, replying, "Perhaps the thoughts of artists are challenging for ordinary people to grasp."

Saoirse questioned, "Are you not an artist?"

Martin responded candidly, "I'm a star and a multi-millionaire. Perhaps I'll become an artist in the future."

Saoirse contemplated the peculiar appearance of the hanging stunt and commented, "Well, if that's what being an artist entails, perhaps it's best that you don't."