The next day, Sarah went to the place Director Colby had set up for the audition. Before she even arrived, one of the leads hesitated. “Director Colby, this girl has a really bad reputation online. Won’t using her hurt the box office?”
Today’s audition wasn’t just with some crew members; Frank, the star of The Mysterious Family, was also there.
Frank and Director Colby were old friends. He was a huge name in the industry, a major box office draw, and he had the leading role in the film.
Sarah was auditioning for a supporting role, which had a lot of lines and scenes, plus some standout moments.
Logically, a role like that shouldn’t go to a rookie like Sarah, especially since her reputation was so poor.
“She’s recommended by Crystal. Crystal said she’s a good actress; she was in the last show with the Heart Throb crew,” Director Colby said, calmly looking over Sarah’s profile. “I called Director Beck, and he praised her as a very talented actress.”
Frank had worked with Director Beck before. Although Frank was a big deal in the industry, he’d clashed with Director Beck during their last project, getting chewed out for acting like a diva. Despite not liking Beck as a person, he respected his work and attitude toward film.
Their last collaboration had been a huge success, and if Beck wanted to work with him again, he’d be on board.
Since even the picky Director Beck was satisfied with this newcomer, Frank didn’t feel the need to say anything more.
Just then, Director Colby’s phone rang.
Ronald had made a big profit from this variety show investment and was feeling particularly good. “Hey, Director Colby, you let my girlfriend audition; at least give her a chance, right?”
Director Colby’s expression darkened. “She really isn’t cut out for it. Her height and looks don’t fit, and there’s no role for her.”
“You won’t even let her try? I already sent her down there. You’re not going to deny me that little favor, are you?” Ronald sneered. “I have relatives who review films. If you don’t play ball, don’t come crying when I block your release.”
Director Colby, “???”
Even with his good temperament, he felt like cursing. But he didn’t want to risk Ronald’s revenge, so he said with a dark expression, “Since she’s already downstairs, let her come up.”
Originally, Director Colby had planned for Sarah to go first, but now he had to let this newcomer jump the line.
Frank, thinking about a popular food show he’d watched, suddenly remembered Elisa. “Elisa? She’s pretty cute, a really lively girl. I think she’d be great.”
Director Colby shot him a look. “Whether she’s good or not, we’ll see after the audition.”
Sarah sat on a bench outside, reading her script.
As the previous auditionee came out, a crew member was about to let Sarah in when her phone buzzed. She checked it and said, “Sorry, Miss Sarah, you’ll need to wait a bit longer.”
Sarah, “???”
Just then, sharply dressed Ronald walked in with Elisa.
Seeing Sarah there caught Elisa off guard. “Sarah, what are you doing here?”
Sarah’s expression turned icy. “Get lost.”
Elisa’s eyes instantly filled with tears. “Sarah, I’m so sorry! I didn’t expect those people online to trash you like that… I tried to stop it, but they insisted on seeing you as the bad guy.”
Sarah couldn’t help but find it funny.
If Elisa had half the acting skills she had now when facing the director, she wouldn’t have gotten cut from the crew.
Sarah was in a bad mood. “I said get lost, you hear me? Who wants to listen to your explanation here?”
Ronald didn’t expect Sarah to talk to Elisa like that. Even when she’d looked down on Elisa before, she had always been more subtle about it. Now that Sarah was so angry, it had to be because of him.
Thinking about it made Ronald feel a bit sweet, but also a bit annoyed. “Sarah, how can you talk to Elisa like that? She didn’t mean it. Can you not be so sensitive? So what if people online criticized you?”
Sarah lazily looked up. “You can get lost too.”
Ronald paused for a moment.
At that point, the staff called Elisa in. Ronald followed her inside.
After seeing Director Colby, Ronald kept his high-and-mighty attitude and greeted him. Director Colby didn’t stand up but nodded.
Frank, seeing Elisa in person, felt a bit disappointed. He knew the Pineapple TV show had great beauty filters, and he usually avoided those shows to maintain his image, not realizing the filters were that impressive.
Elisa’s skin tone was several shades darker in person, and her features didn’t look as lively.
Sure, she was a cute girl when you looked at her eyes and lips, but for someone like Frank, who was used to seeing top-tier beauties in the entertainment industry, she didn’t stand out. She was more of a plain Jane.
Elisa’s attitude wasn’t as arrogant as Ronald’s; she was all smiles and very polite. “Hello, Director Colby! Hello, Mr. Frank! I’m a fan of yours, and I’d like to audition for the role of Mollie.”
Director Colby had a serious expression and handed her a page. “Try this scene.”
Elisa glanced at it. It was the part where Mollie first met the male lead and blocked their path.
She wasn’t in costume and hadn’t done her makeup like in the show, and with no one else around, acting in front of thin air felt awkward. “Director Colby, I’m not sure I can do this alone. Can Mr. Frank come up and do the scene with me?”
That made not only Director Colby’s face darken, but Frank’s as well. If she couldn’t even perform without props, what was she even auditioning for? This was a big role in the movie, and the audience would definitely notice if she fell flat.
Frank shot a look at Director Colby and walked over, not too happy about it.
Elisa had just memorized her lines, but they didn’t come out smoothly. She struggled to project confidence. “If you want to get past here, you’d better ask my sword first!”
Frank, “…”
Maybe Elisa looked a bit too innocent and fresh; she didn’t come off as the strong and cold Guardian Mollie from the novel. Instead, she seemed more like a typical idol drama lead trying to act aloof.
Director Colby couldn’t take it anymore. “Alright, you two can wait outside for the results. Next!”
Elisa and Ronald both felt unsatisfied and lingered, refusing to leave. Director Colby didn’t care about their stubbornness and called Sarah in instead.
As soon as Sarah walked in, both Director Colby and Frank gasped.
Frank whispered to Director Colby, “She’s even prettier in person than in the photos.”
Director Colby frowned.
Sarah’s beauty exceeded the requirements for her role, and they worried that once she appeared on screen, the audience would only see her face and treat her like eye candy. In “Heart Throb,” the princess role was just that-eye candy, and that was fine. But Mollie in “The Mysterious Family” was supposed to be a skilled beauty, cold as ice but stunning like a red rose.
Sarah and Elisa looked somewhat similar, both having that pure and delicate vibe.