The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era [BL]

536  DIRECTOR HALE'S THOUGHTS

THE script reading took about three hours to end. Even though the running time of the movie was only one hour and 45 minutes. This was because the director needed to correct some line deliveries of the actors. Which was a common thing. To finish the script reading the exact duration of the running time would be close to a miracle.

Director Harper Hale was very satisfied with this. She was glad that the actors she and author One Leaf picked, as well as those who passed the audition, did not disappoint them.

Since this movie didn't really need a high budget, there's no need to placate any high-ranking investors by putting in actors that they would recommend. The production company could easily cover the cost of investment. That's why when Streamline Film approached her for this project, she didn't refuse.

It was not only because they were known for live action adaptations, but mostly because of how they approached productions. As long as there weren't any major problems, they would mostly not meddle with how the film was made. They would simply give the director everything they needed during pre and post production.

Of course, that didn't mean that they were overly trusting. They only worked with directors who were dilligent and unproblematic. Probably to make sure that they would work hard on the film. That rule had its advantages and disadvantages.

It's advantageous because a peaceful filming environment could be mostly ensured. The disadvantageous part was, well, because they mostly chose directors based on their personality rather than their talent, the resulting film was almost always mediocre, to say the least.

Despite that, people still flocked to watch their movies. This was mostly because the original material which the movie was based on was already pretty famous on its own. So, it's only natural for the fans of the original material to watch the movie. The movies produced by Streamline were satisfactory enough that not many complained about their adaptations.

But Harper was not simply aiming for 'satisfactory'. This was the first movie she would direct. 'Satisfactory' just wouldn't be enough. She wanted to make a movie that wouldn't just be appreciated by fans of the original work but also by the general public. A movie that wouldn't just reach the break-even point, but would enter the box-office list.

It was an ambitious statement. But if she didn't set her goal higher, then wouldn't that mean she didn't believe in herself and the actors she picked? And she had absolute confidence in her abilities. Not to mention, the cast of this movie also couldn't just be dismissed.

Although most of the younger roles were going to be played by rookie actors, Harper didn't worry much. All of them passed a rigorous audition process. Both main leads were also very exceptional. In fact, one of them was so exceptional he even entered the top 100 of the [Star List] just three months after his debut.

This popularity would undoubtedly help in the box office of the movie. It's also reassuring that his acting skills were directly proportional to his fame. No, if she was being honest, Astrid's talent was definitely greater than his current fame. If he continued to pick good projects from now in two-three years' time, his fame would definitely be able to catch up with that enormous talent.

Right now, Harper was just glad that they managed to sign a contract with Astrid for this movie before the recent [Star List] was released. It's not only the question of his talent fee increasing, other much bigger productions would probably have approached him by now. Between this movie and a bigger production, a good agent would definitely choose the latter.

She had already expected Astrid to be good, but the other lead, Charlotte Anderson, was a pleasant revelation. The other was recommended by the author, One Leaf.

Harper had her reservations at first since she hadn't heard of the name, but she couldn't just ignore what One Leaf wanted. It took a long time to convince the author to do this adaptation. She didn't want to push the other away by not giving a chance to the actors she recommended.

So, she searched for projects Charlotte had appeared on. Since the other was only a rookie, most of her roles were either extra or super minor supporting roles. And the way she acted in those small roles satisfied Harper. Enough to agree to casting the other.

With this script reading, Charlotte proved herself enough that Harper wouldn't have to regret her decision to cast her.

She suddenly felt energized and determined. With this cast, she would definitely make not just a good movie, but a great one.

-----

Charlotte was walking in the parking lot with her manager beside her. Since the script reading already ended, and she had no more schedule for the day, she planned to go to the company to do some acting practice.

Originally, she would have decided to go home instead, but that script reading made her itchy to do some acting practice. And she knew the reason for that was Astrid Townsend.

When they exchanged lines earlier, she felt like there's a beast in front of her. If she didn't do her best, she would be completely devoured.

It was the first time she felt like another's acting would sweep her away if she didn't stay alert. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time.

She was scared that the audience watching them might not even look at her and only look at Astrid Townsend. But as much as she was scared, she was also very excited. Because since she started acting, she finally felt like she could give everything without worrying that the person she's acting with would not be able to keep up.

"Miss Anderson, please wait a moment!" a somewhat familiar voice called from behind.

Charlotte looked back and saw Astrid Townsend walking in their direction. Following behind him were one of the supporting actors, and also two people who seemed to be agents or managers. She and her manager stopped walking and waited for the other.