Chapter 243: Chapter 240: Next Time for Sure
PM.
Seeing this time, Elliana has completely given up. Director Gary Young also sent a message.
Director Young: "Are you here?"
Kitty: "Sorry, Director Young, she’s held up by something."
Could you please give us another chance?
She ultimately didn’t send the last sentence.
After all, Gary Young had already made it clear that there wouldn’t be room for negotiation.
Gary Young sent a voice message. She opened it: "Elliana, you know me; I’m like this by nature. I won’t allow any mistake in any scene. Although Ms. Harris is with July Media, her acting skills need more polishing. I’ll collaborate with her when there’s a chance in the future."
Recently, she’s gotten quite familiar with the crew, and those older than her kindly call her Elliana.
Although the outside world says that Director Gary Young is stringent, she finds him approachable at times, only becoming especially strict during filming.
This is the reason why Director Gary Young has such status.
So there’s no need to discuss this anymore. Director Gary Young has subtly expressed his stance, and she doesn’t feel comfortable saying more.
Kitty: "Yes, Director Young, I understand. Tiana is a newcomer and indeed needs much more honing."
After sending the message, she suddenly received a call from Tiana Harris. For a moment, she was unsure whether to answer.
Tiana has surely seen the message, but now it’s already past time.
After hesitating for a long time, she answered the call.
"Elliana, I’m already downstairs. My phone just ran out of battery. I’m going now. Could you please talk to Director Young for me..." Tiana’s tone was hurried and busy.
But now it’s already too late.
"Um... Tiana, you don’t need to go. After you finish shooting your current drama, I’ll arrange a new one for you."
Saying this made her feel bad, unsure whether Tiana could take it, especially given Tiana’s earlier tone showing she valued this matter greatly.
But the opportunity is gone; it was due to reasons concerning her acting skills, and for an actress, that’s an unacceptable mistake.
She’s seen the final cut of Tiana’s scenes, supposed to be sorrowful and tender.
But Tiana’s performance showed wandering eyes and facial expressions that were either too stiff or too exaggerated.
Clearly, it was not acceptable.
Perhaps nervousness played a part, but she also felt Tiana should seriously hone her skills so her career could be long-lasting.
Both sides of the call fell silent.
After about half a minute, Tiana cautiously asked, "Elliana, what... what do you mean?"
The voice contained doubt and disbelief.
But she knew Tiana understood her meaning, so she said, "Keep honing your skills well; this opportunity is gone, but there will be a next time."
"Why... why? Did Director Young say it?" Clearly, Tiana didn’t believe it was Director Young. She felt it was Elliana making the decision on her own.
It was just to punish her for not answering the phone!
"Yes, that’s what Director Young said." After saying this, Elliana softened her tone to console: "It’s alright, just take it easy. I’m here for you, and I’ll arrange things later."
"Is it because I didn’t go by 10 PM? Elliana, please talk to Director Young again for me, okay?" Tiana’s tone carried a plea.
She knew that even if Director Young said it, only Elliana willing to plead with Norman Bennett’s pressure could probably get Gary Young to reconsider.
After all, Director Young’s movies, even minor roles, have reached an unusual status, with some leading to major female lead productions.
When she becomes famous, she won’t need to wait for others to arrange things for her. Elliana isn’t even willing to give her a female lead position in a minor crew, let alone in a major production crew?
Elliana felt a headache hearing these words; how could she possibly persuade for Tiana now? Although Gary Young is just a director, his character is also fierce.
She’s read online before that a millionaire insisted on inserting someone into Gary Young’s crew. While Gary Young accepted them, if they couldn’t pass the audition, he’d still refuse to take them.
As a result, the millionaire resorted to threats, but Gary Young wasn’t afraid and ended up going head-to-head with them.
They fought in court for several months.
Later, Norman Bennett started investing in Gary Young’s film career, which helped Gary Young gradually improve.
Gary Young has his director principles; even if it’s someone recommended by the benefactor Norman Bennett, they have to pass the audition, otherwise, no amount of persuasion would let them in.
However, in recent years, everyone Norman Bennett recommended was accepted by Gary Young and all stayed, and eventually, they all became quite famous.
But some who became famous left Melody Harmony, opting to develop overseas.
Therefore, if she insisted on finding Gary Young, no one would gain anything in the end; it would all be a futile effort.
Over the phone, she sighed for Tiana: "Tiana, it’s not that I don’t want to help you; this time it’s truly missed. Director Young said we’ll collaborate next time. First, you need to polish your acting skills well; that’s the only way to have a lasting career."
When Tiana heard this, she tightly clenched the keys in her hand, not feeling any pain.
Having just changed her shoes, she was about to go out, but Elliana’s words clearly told her not to bother.
Saying it’s not her not helping, while clearly not willing to help her, unwilling to say even a simple word.
She just doesn’t believe Elliana pleading would cause Gary Young so much trouble.
It’s just that no one supports her. If she had someone like Norman Bennett supporting Elliana supporting her.
Then her current achievements might even be greater than Elliana’s.
"Tiana? Tiana, are you still there?"
The voice from the phone sounded concerned, but it was merely hypocritical. She once thought they’d be friends.
Now, it seems, they’re nothing.
Tiana, now that this drama... your scenes will wrap up in a few days, and I’m quite busy later. I’ll let Victor King take you to find crews for auditions."
Eventually, she spoke her mind: "Elliana, can you help me find a female lead role? I don’t want to be an unknown supporting role."
"Of course, I can help. I’ll pick a few crews needing a female lead, and you can audition."
"Elliana, when I audition, they don’t pass me. Someone worse than me can get in; only I can’t get in. They bribe the directors, but I’m poor and can’t afford to bribe them."
This circle indeed has incidents of bribing directors, Elliana thought for a bit before saying: "I can help you get into a somewhat better crew. You should work on honing your acting skills recently and aim for good results."
She doesn’t want Tiana to join crews that just slack off and aim for money-making; many actors due to such crews never rise above in their lifetime.
Of course, there are those with outstanding capabilities and luck, who single-handedly propel the entire crew.
But such people are few, and she couldn’t be sure Tiana would become one.
"Really?" Tiana obviously doubted, surprised that Elliana actually agreed to support her.
She initially thought Elliana would just fool her, a surge of guilt and remorse rising within.
However, it was quickly replaced by joy.
"Elliana, thank you, you’re too good to me." She was momentarily moved, her tone even becoming choked.
Elliana felt a bit helpless hearing this and smiled wryly, unsure why, but she felt today’s Tiana was somewhat unusual.
Just like someone she’d never known before, quite unfamiliar.