America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 308: Chapter 305: Slam Down Hard

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In the studio, which had been set up like a small apartment, the crew cleared the area before filming, according to Kate's request. Everyone but the essential personnel like the director and the director of photography had to leave.

In front of the camera, Martin quickly stripped off his clothes.

He looked at Kate directly in front of him and charged at her.

Kate turned and pushed him down.

The two entangled ceaselessly.

Director Sam stared at the monitor, frowning deeply, and shouted, "Cut!"

The two, still lost in their character's emotions, continued to tangle for more than ten seconds before stopping.

Martin and Kate's faces were inches apart, each seemingly able to see the flames in the other's eyes.

When Sam entered the set, the two separated.

"Emotion, action, none of it's right!" Sam had completely entered work mode, his role as a husband forgotten. He first addressed Kate, "You're too passive and gentle. This is a scene led by the female protagonist, proactive like a fishnet being cast out!"

He emphasized with hand gestures, "You need to hit back hard! With the emotion that's been repressed for ten years, exert yourself! Do you understand, exert yourself!"

Kate said, "I got it."

Sam then turned to Martin, "This isn't how you pick up women in real life. You're not a Hollywood playboy but an inexperienced young man. No experience, do you get it? Right now? A fool could see that you're experienced! Kate appears to be taking the initiative, but in reality, everything is being led by you, which is completely contrary to your character's setup."

Martin nodded, "So I just need to be passive?"

"Right, you just need to passively endure the female protagonist's tempestuous onslaught." Sam pointed at Kate and said to Martin, "Whatever she tells you to do, you do!"

Although it sounded odd coming from the director, Martin responded promptly, "I understand."

When filming resumed, Martin simply gave up all resistance, allowing Kate to control the tempo, but after just a few moments, Sam called cut again.

The director was dissatisfied with the actors' performance, "The emotional investment isn't enough! Emotion! I can't feel your emotional interaction, you are like a makeshift couple on a set, all body and no soul!"

Martin and Kate could only let go and wait to tangle again when filming restarted.

It wasn't long before Sam called cut once more, "This is the scene that needs the most emotional interaction. Without enough of it, what will we shoot? A dry, Sacred Valley-esque film!"

His voice suddenly rose, "This is the part that needs the most artistry, where, through physical interaction, the emotions of the male and female protagonists are elevated, creating artistic beauty! Martin, you're gradually getting the hang of it, but Kate, you're not there."

Kate took a deep breath, "Give me a moment to rest."

Martin instinctively wanted to pat Kate on the back; he extended his hand halfway then realized she wasn't wearing clothes. This wasn't during the shoot, so he quickly withdrew his hand, saying, "Kate, don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Kate looked down and smiled faintly, "It's the pressure you're putting on me that's too much."

Martin helplessly replied, "I can't help it, I was born this way."

Both picked up their respective blankets, wrapped them around themselves, and sat in the resting area in deep thought.

The filming had been going smoothly for several consecutive days. Director Sam was feeling some pressure as he sat behind the monitor repeatedly watching the unusable footage.

His wife, Kate's performance in this segment was poor.

During the regular scenes filmed earlier, Martin, when in good form, could bring Kate into the moment. But for these scenes, given the male lead's setup, there was no way he could drive the female lead's performance.

Instead, it was the female lead who had to take the initiative.

Kate needed to guide Martin.

Anthony Minghella came over and asked, "Still not working?"

Sam pointed at the entangled Martin and Kate on the monitor, saying, "This segment, through physical contact, is meant to release passion and create an emotional bond. It's the start of a real change in their relationship, but they... I mean, specifically Kate, Kate's emotional resonance is somewhat lacking."

He shook his head, "Martin has issues too. He's too proactive. Some instincts are hard to change."

Meanwhile, Martin was also communicating with Kate.

Kate said, "My sensitive spots are here, here, and here..."

Martin was frustrated, "We can't use any of that in these scenes. I'm just a naïve kid who doesn't know anything, it's all up to you to lead."

Kate sighed, "I don't know why, but in these past few days of shooting, I've been unable to find the right feeling."

Feeling is something intangible, yet crucial for acting.

Martin bluntly asked, "Do you have an instinctual aversion to me?"

"How could that be!" Kate exclaimed, "Actually, these types of scenes have always been a challenge for me. Remember the time in Atlanta? That kissing scene we shot together, we NG'd many times too."

Martin remembered. Kate had had a big fight with the director then.

He said, "This time we have a lot of similar scenes to shoot. We have to find our rhythm; we can't keep having NGs every day."

Kate thought for a moment, "It's mainly me. Maybe I'm too intent on using this role to aim for an Oscars, which has led to a lot of pressure. The earlier scenes were fine. When you were off, I could lead you into it; and when I was off, you could bring me into it. But now I need to take the initiative, control the pace..."

Martin nodded slightly. Even with his rich experience and many talents, he couldn't utilize them in such a purely passive role.

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Kate said, "Let's all think carefully about how we can build a better rapport and achieve that special emotional exchange between the two characters."

Martin was also considering it.

After a moment of silence, Kate suddenly said, "Have you heard about something that happened when Nicole Kidman was filming 'Eyes Wide Shut'? There was a passionate scene that had to be shot multiple times because it wasn't quite right. I've heard Stanley Kubrick used some special method to get her into character."

Martin thought to himself, is Kate joking?

Kate said one thing, then frowned and pondered again, this play was too important to her.

The filming started again; it was intermittent and choppy, and the whole afternoon passed with less than five scenes completed.

Director Sam was quite annoyed and had a row with Kate on set.

Kate, being feisty, went back and forth with Sam directly.

Martin ran between the two of them, playing peacemaker, to prevent the situation from getting out of control.

The week's work ended with this couple's quarreling.

It was the weekend, and with the first two days of the following week not requiring the lead actor, Martin originally planned to go to New York. However, when he called, Blake Lively had returned to Los Angeles.

They had been apart more than together over the past six months, speaking less and less.

After a moment of silence on the phone, Blake suddenly said, "When you're in Los Angeles, I go to New York. Just when I finally finish my work and come back to Los Angeles, you've gone to London..."

No matter how outstanding a male god is, the golden aura he's built will fade after living together and going through daily routines.

As a female fan who successfully slept with her idol, Blake was satisfied. She still had a fondness for Martin and retained relatively beautiful memories, deciding to keep the lovely memories of the male god in her heart forever.

So she said, "I'm thinking of moving back home to Burbank. It's been a long time since I've lived with my parents and brother."

Martin understood the meaning behind those words and faced them with his principles: "That's okay, I won't be returning to Los Angeles anytime soon."

Blake hung up the phone on her end.

Bruce handed him a glass of iced water: "Can't let go? Just chase her and bring her back. With your skills, it wouldn't be difficult."

Martin took the glass, the cold water settling in his stomach and dissipating the slight annoyance in his heart, and said, "Let's find a place tonight, have a drink together, and call Kate and Sam..."

Before he could finish, his phone rang again, and it was Leonardo calling.

Martin picked up and asked, "Are you guys getting ready to come to London?"

Leonardo said, "I'm at the airport, waiting for Jack. The 'Mamma Mia!' crew got a few days off, and Meryl specially called to invite him to visit the set, so I'm tagging along."

Martin was conscious of his role as the younger brother: "Jack is our boss, and he's come all the way to London to see his lover. Leo, we as the little brothers should prepare a nice gift."

Leonardo asked, "Are you ready on your side?"

Martin assured with conviction, "Of course I'm ready, I won't disappoint Jack."

Leonardo said, "If you disappoint me, I'll call Blake and tell her about all the girls you've been with."

Martin sighed softly, "We broke up."

"Buddy, you're free now!" Leonardo offered his heartfelt congratulations: "Happy breakup! Happy single life!"

Thinking of his newfound single status and the special connections that might come at any time, Martin's mood noticeably improved: "Call me when you're in London."

Bruce saw Martin put down his phone and said, "I've got everything ready, temporarily stored in the props department's warehouse."

Martin asked, "There won't be any problem, right?"

Bruce said, "A few steel pipes welded together, too easy."

Martin led the way out of the trailer: "Let's go get the stuff and find a place to test it out first."

The two arrived at the props department and took out two bags from the warehouse.

Inside one of the bags was a double-kick firework.

Not the scary kind from the Rabbit family.

"I had it custom-made." Bruce had been stationed in England when he was in the military and even used mortars to bully British soldiers, so he knew quite a few people: "The amount of gunpowder is precise to the gram, and after ignition, the height it explodes in the sky doesn't vary much."

Martin, carrying a bag, got on the electric cart: "Jack will definitely love it."

Bruce drove to the northwest, exiting the north gate of the set. There was a desolate building awaiting demolition where they could set off fireworks without restraint.

"You three incorrigibles know how to stir up trouble," he said.

Martin laughed heartily: "Happiness comes not only from actively seeking it but from creating it as well. Life is so oppressive; of course we need to maintain an optimistic mindset."

Passing by the front of the studio, Kate happened to come out. Seeing Martin and Bruce going off to have fun, she insisted on joining them.

The electric cart carried the three of them into the distance.

Before long, a muffled explosion sounded from afar, followed by the sound of festive cannons in the sky, and a burst of colored mist arose.