Chapter 306: Directing Herself

A taxi stopped near the gate of a warehouse on the outskirts of Venice. Gal Gadot got out, retrieved a suitcase from the trunk, and walked into the warehouse.

"Hi, Gal."

As she entered, a duty officer at the door greeted her. Gal Gadot smiled and waved, "Long time no see, John."

As she made her way inside, she encountered many people. Whether she knew them or not, Gal Gadot responded warmly to every greeting, and most people returned her smile genuinely. Although she wasn't part of the film crew, her popularity was clearly very high.

"Gal, why are you back so soon?"

She ran into Paul Wilson in the office area. Stopping, she explained, "There was a problem with the community project's funding, so I had to come back to Los Angeles early."

She pointed ahead, "Is Murphy in his office?"

"Yeah." Paul nodded. "Go ahead."

Reaching Murphy's office, Gal Gadot knocked gently on the door and waited for the familiar "Please" from inside before entering.

"Post-production visual effects are a crucial part."

Inside, Murphy was discussing with the head of a digital service provider for the project, "I have over 200 visual effects shots that need to be created..."

Upon seeing Gal Gadot enter, Murphy nodded at her. She had called earlier, deciding not to return to school but to come here directly instead.

Gal Gadot waved to several people in the office and said with a smile, "Carry on."

After speaking, she dragged her suitcase to the front of the glass-enclosed suite, opened the door, and entered, trying not to disturb Murphy and his work.

Closing the glass door, Gal Gadot placed her suitcase down, took out the Nokia phone Murphy had given her, and started browsing some photos she had taken in San Francisco. From time to time, she looked through the special glass at Murphy.

The soundproofing here was very poor; the outside noise came through clearly, almost entirely Murphy's voice as the others listened.

"We'll be shooting entirely on film."

Murphy was explaining to Philippe Lacher, "In some ways, the mysterious quality film brings is why I love it. However, digital photography can indeed reduce the technical issues encountered during film development. Digital might not surprise you occasionally, but it undeniably reduces risks. It allows you to sleep well, not having to wake up at 4 AM and call the developing room to handle some issue; but this doesn't mean your job gets easier or lighter. You still have to place the lights correctly and make the right choices."

Setting down her phone, Gal Gadot rested her chin on her hand and stared through the glass wall at Murphy. They had been dating for over a year, and as time passed, the fiery passion not only remained but grew deeper in her heart...

"Alright, let's wrap up for today."

As the meeting dispersed and people left, Murphy called out to Jonah Hill, who had joined the crew planning to act as an assistant director, finding it interesting, "Jonah, wait a moment."

Seth Rogen patted Jonah Hill's shoulder, "Looks like Murphy's going to make good use of you."

"I'm being exploited by this ruthless capitalist!" Jonah Hill grumbled playfully.

He had just finished post-production on a comedy film and had nothing else to do. With Seth Rogen and James Franco also around, he simply joined the crew.

Unlike Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen left the office, found Paul Wilson and an assistant producer, and walked out of the warehouse to inspect some potential locations.

Outside the warehouse, it was no longer as quiet as when Gal Gadot had arrived. Suddenly, many paparazzi and entertainment reporters appeared, causing Paul Wilson to frown.

"How did these guys get here?" he wondered.

The crew had always kept a low profile and, due to marketing needs, followed a strict confidentiality policy, never attracting media attention.

The reporters' target wasn't the crew. Seeing Paul Wilson and Seth Rogen emerge, they merely glanced over and ignored them.

"We're being ignored. What are they waiting for? Murphy and Gal?" Seth Rogen speculated.

Clearly, these reporters and paparazzi were waiting on purpose.

"No." Paul Wilson shook his head. In the direction he was facing, a red Ford sedan was slowly approaching. Through the windshield, he could see a very familiar celebrity face. "They're waiting for her."

The Ford parked in the parking area beside the warehouse. A petite woman with light makeup and simple clothes stepped out, and like clockwork, the paparazzi surrounded her, cameras clicking nonstop.

"Natalie Portman…" Seth Rogen recognized her, "Queen Padmé Amidala herself, no wonder the paparazzi and reporters are here."

Paul Wilson lost interest in the obviously staged spectacle and suggested, "Let's go, we don't have time to waste. We still have several locations to check."

Although the film's plot mostly took place in Missouri, due to the lack of tax incentives and other benefits, Murphy didn't plan to shoot on location there. The crew would mostly stay in Los Angeles, looking for suitable locations.

Seth Rogen took one last look at Natalie Portman, now surrounded by reporters and paparazzi in an orderly fashion.

"Ms. Portman, Director Stanton is preparing his new film here."

A reporter put a microphone in front of Natalie Portman and loudly asked, "Your presence here, does it mean you're interested in collaborating with Director Stanton?"

"Murphy is a fantastic director," Natalie Portman praised generously. "Working with him is an honor for any actor. His new film's female lead is just incredible; I've never encountered such a brilliant role. I'm here to discuss the possibility of collaborating with him."

Another reporter asked, "Can you reveal anything?"

Natalie Portman shook her head, "Sorry, I can't do that until the crew officially announces it."

A script often circulates widely within Hollywood, potentially passing through many hands, yet the specifics rarely leak, thanks to an unspoken agreement within the industry. If one were to divulge such information, the consequences would be severe, resulting in industry-wide ostracism.

As an actress, especially a well-known one, Natalie Portman had access to many scripts. Revealing one could jeopardize future collaborations. Any crew handing her a script would wonder if she might leak it.

Natalie Portman, a smart woman, wouldn't risk becoming an industry pariah.

"How do you feel about this collaboration?" the question from the reporter suggested an existing partnership.

"I'll give it my all," Natalie Portman smiled. "I have immense respect for Director Stanton. His style is so unique; I've dreamed of working with him."

Turning, Natalie Portman walked towards the warehouse door, and the reporters and paparazzi, instead of blocking her, stepped aside as if sending off a queen.

As Natalie Portman walked away, the eager smile on her face instantly vanished. Using the media to gain an edge was a common tactic in her career. Everyone said the role was perfect, and with the careful preparations she'd made, wasn't the role of Amy as good as hers?

Having managed big names like Luc Besson and George Lucas, how could a young director like Murphy Stanton be any challenge?

She had also done her homework before coming. From the information she gathered, it was clear

 that Murphy Stanton was not as devoted a boyfriend to Gal Gadot as the naive girl thought. Before dating Gal, he had been with a British girl, apparently breaking up due to Jessica Chastain's involvement, and later there were ambiguous rumors about him and Jessica Alba...

Natalie Portman was well aware of Hollywood's dynamics, and such rumors were almost always true.

"You are... you are Padmé Amidala..." The duty officer at the door, wearing a Star Wars tee, was starstruck upon seeing Natalie Portman. "No, you're Miss Natalie Portman."

"I'm here for Murphy." Natalie Portman flashed a warm, friendly smile.

The officer immediately responded, "Right this way, Director Stanton is in his office."

With her famous face serving as a pass, Natalie Portman easily found Murphy's office and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Hearing the invitation, she pushed the door open. Murphy was sitting behind a simple desk, talking to a heavyset man with his back to her.

"Hi, Murphy." Natalie Portman waved at him. Murphy, not expecting her, nodded nonetheless, "Hello, Nat."

Jonah Hill turned around, waved at Natalie Portman, then winked at Murphy before standing up. "That's enough for today; I have work to do, I'll head out now."

With a smile towards Natalie Portman, he quickly left the office.

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