Looking at the long string of zeros in his bankbook, Hugo couldn't help but marvel at himself for becoming a millionaire. It all seemed too easy, and even though he saw one million dollars on paper, it didn't feel real. Perhaps it would feel more tangible if he withdrew all the money and displayed it at home. However, Hugo didn't have the opportunity because he quickly transferred the money to Joseph's account. Soon, Hugo's own account only had a deposit of less than two hundred thousand dollars left.
"Oh!" Hugo exaggeratedly complained to express his heartache. When he agreed to help Joseph earlier, he was feeling generous enough, but now he realized that this was really a huge sum of money.
Although Hugo didn't know what exactly had happened to Joseph's family, he could sense Joseph's anxiety. Reflecting on his own family situation, Hugo felt relieved. At least the Lancaster family had experienced a calm year without any major upheavals or deteriorations.
Thanksgiving in American movies and TV shows is often synonymous with family troubles. Art is inspired by life, and during Thanksgiving, American families gather together and often encounter various conflicts that erupt collectively. Even so, Thanksgiving remains a time for family gatherings. Regardless of whether you like it or care about it, at least your own family members are still living healthily, which is something to be grateful for.
Watching Joseph's restless and busy state for his family, Hugo also sensed Joseph's attachment to his family. It brought a hint of warmth to Hugo, and his previously low mood due to his father gradually brightened along with the sunny weather in Los Angeles.
The situation might not be solvable in the short term, but it didn't mean it would be unsolvable forever.
Back home, Hugo looked around the empty and spacious hall. He placed the keys in the glass bowl by the door and called out, "Alex? Charlize? Karl? Is anyone home?" Everyone was home when he left, so why was there nobody here after a quick trip to the bank?
"I'm here," Charlize's voice came from the room, sounding muffled. "You're back? Did you have something urgent to do? I was actually going to ask you to buy some milk, but you left in a hurry."
However, Hugo didn't respond immediately. He stared in astonishment at Charlize, who had just walked out of the room. Charlize had smeared her cheeks with black paint, evenly creating a dirty appearance on a light gray base. She wore khaki overalls with a white t-shirt, but the outfit looked like it had been rolled in dirt, resembling a typical homeless person on the street.
After not receiving an answer, Charlize rolled her eyes at Hugo. "Yes, I did it specifically for you." Charlize tidied up her clothes a bit and then looked up at Hugo. "So, how am I doing? I need to play the role of a homeless person."
Only then did Hugo understand. He observed her from head to toe and finally pointed at his own collarbone. "The color here should be different from your neck." Then he pointed to the palms of his hands and his wrists. "And a homeless person's nails would be dirtier, with a lot of grime, and the dirt on the wrists should be less evenly distributed."
Character portrayal is a crucial aspect of acting training. Although there are professional makeup artists on set, during the learning process, actors must have more control over the details of makeup, costumes, and more. An outstanding actor must also have a thorough understanding of these aspects. Even when there are professionals to assist on set, actors can still have an accurate grasp of their characters through attention to these details.
Although Hugo doesn't have a professional background, he spent the past ten years studying numerous films before his time travel. In the past six months, he has been studying acting with Charlize and Alex, gradually learning acting skills systematically. Not to mention, he has also participated in the filming of two high-level films. Therefore, Hugo's perspective has indeed made significant progress.
Charlize looked at her hands and indeed, her nails still appeared too clean. She then glanced at her hands, muttered in frustration, "I've been applying makeup for an hour, and it's still not enough." She said that, but Charlize turned back to her room and continued her makeup work.
Hugo followed her and leaned against the door frame. "Do you need help?"
"No, the teacher said it's best to do it ourselves. After all, makeup is an essential part." Charlize stood in front of the dressing mirror, checking her clavicle. She pulled down her T-shirt, revealing her firm and smooth skin, and then confidently applied the black powder on this canvas without hesitation.
"Is this an acting assignment?" That was Hugo's only thought; otherwise, he couldn't find a reason for Charlize to dress up as a homeless person at the moment.
After evenly applying the black color to her clavicle, Charlize finally spoke. "Yes. The teacher asked us to choose a character and perform on the streets."
"You chose a homeless person?" This topic was not unfamiliar; it was about developing actors' courage in front of strangers. Street performances took various forms, and even just standing there as performance art required enduring the gazes of pedestrians—sometimes scrutinizing, ignoring, or even disdainful gazes. The pressure was definitely not less than facing a camera. Moreover, the performances presented in front of the camera in the future would be subject to audience scrutiny. Therefore, street performance assignments were not uncommon in acting classes. However, it was truly unexpected that Charlize would choose to portray a homeless person.
Charlize nodded decisively. "Yes." Then she started applying makeup to her fingers. The fingers had more lines and were finer, so it was not easy to create the uneven and dirty effect of a homeless person's hands. "I originally wanted to do face painting, but I realized I don't have that skill. I just hope to cover my face and redirect people's attention to my body language."
Charlize's appearance was too outstanding, often unintentionally attracting unnecessary attention. Even acting teachers could easily get distracted. It was a significant disadvantage. In fact, Hugo had encountered this situation during the filming of "Scent of a Woman" and "A Few Good Men". However, Al and Jack were experienced enough to handle this and even influenced Hugo's performance, thus concealing this aspect. It's no wonder they say the journey to the Oscars for handsome men and beautiful women is full of obstacles.
Upon hearing Charlize's words, Hugo couldn't help but smile lightly and tease, "Are you praising your appearance?"
Charlize's hand paused, then she smiled at Hugo. "Yes!" she confidently replied.
Hugo raised his right index finger and shook it. "Remember, don't smile." Charlize's smile immediately turned into confusion. "Your teeth." Hugo's words woke her up. Indeed, makeup was not an easy task.
However, homeless people generally have yellowish teeth and even some stains, but that's not an effect that amateur makeup artists like them can create. So avoiding smiles is the simplest method.
Charlize suppressed her smile and continued to apply makeup to her hands. "And you? Do you have any plans for the afternoon?" The promotion for "Scent of a Woman" was nearing its end, and Hugo gradually had more free time at home.
Hugo didn't have any plans initially, but looking at Charlize's appearance, he suddenly had an idea. "I can go street performing with you."
Charlize turned her head and looked Hugo up and down, then pursed her lips. "With this outfit? Do you want to play the prince who gives alms to the homeless?"
Although it was makeup, it was not like Halloween costume dressing; it required a complete set of equipment and matching makeup, which was obviously more complex. Charlize hadn't finished preparing even after an hour, and it was clear that there wasn't enough time for Hugo to get ready.
Hugo also knew that he looked quite different from Charlize, so he thought carefully and then smiled. "I have an idea. I think we can perform a short play." Since it was street performance, some simple theatrical acts would be harmless and, on the contrary, would greatly assist in their acting studies.
"A play?" Charlize looked at Hugo surprisingly and pondered for a moment. "Actually, I didn't have a detailed plan either. I just thought of going to the streets to beg and weaving a tale of a miserable life to see how many passersby would believe it. But do you have a better plan?"
Hugo nodded repeatedly. "My plan won't conflict with yours." Although this improvised play wasn't perfect, the essence of street performance was not about deceiving people but about wholehearted immersion. Even if the audience knew it was all a performance, it didn't matter. The key was to involve the audience in their performance. So, a bit of exaggeration wouldn't be a problem.
Then Hugo whispered his plan to Charlize. After listening, Charlize furrowed her brows and said, "Is that feasible?"
"Why not? After all, we originally planned to practice our acting skills, and incorporating some plot points will help with emotional outbursts," Hugo thought his idea was quite good. "Besides, some interaction is much more effective than you sitting in one place crying and complaining alone."
Charlize didn't think too much. "Anyway, it's an acting exercise. If you're willing to provide help, that's even better. Let's give it a try." She paused and added, "Do we need to practice beforehand?"
Hugo shrugged. "Let's go with the flow. After all, our story is based on an accident, right? Perhaps there will be some unexpected surprises too."
"A Few Good Men" - "Scent of a Man"
I already lost count of how many times MTL mistranslated "A Few Good Men", every new version is hilarious