Chapter 609: DIRECTOR'S THOUGHTS
Their discussion about filming [The Shadow Within] had been going well. Jimmy was initially apprehensive when he heard that Astrid Townsend, one of the hottest new actors recently, wanted a role in his script. His first thought was that Astrid wanted to play the protagonist.
As someone who planned to work in this industry, Jimmy, of course, knew who Astrid Townsend was. A rookie who immediately placed in the top 100 of the [Star List] just a few months after his debut. He thought someone like that would definitely want to play the main character. Especially since Jimmy’s script, if adapted, would likely be a small production.
That’s why he felt complicated. Since Astrid didn’t fit the image of the protagonist in [The Shadow Within]. In his mind, the protagonist was someone with a large frame, a very manly face, and had a bit of a rough attitude. Although the latter could be solved by great acting, the former, well… No matter how much he looked at Astrid, he was simply too pretty.
So hearing him say that he wanted to play the doctor, it was very surprising, to say the least. But then again, if one read the script in-depth, it was easy to see that the one who had the most importance in the whole story was none other than the doctor.
According to Ellis Payne, the reason she contacted him was because Astrid liked his script. With that and the fact that he wished to play the role of the doctor, it could be seen that Astrid must have read and analyzed the script thoroughly.
As the one who wrote it, of course Jimmy felt very happy. Maybe that’s why he had been easily swept up in the discussion that followed. Before he knew it, they were already talking about which film production might want to work on the film.
Ellis suggested that she could help look into that. But Jimmy refused. As the scriptwriter and also the director, this should be his responsibility. Besides, he had already been talking to a film studio known to produce high-quality indie films.
The thing about that film studio, though, was that funding still depended on the director. Which meant that the quality of their work would solely depend on the fund that the director managed to gather. Something that was still a problem for Jimmy right now.
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Since he was contacted by Polaris, he was thinking of maybe they could help him with that in some way. But that was under the assumption that Polaris was not trying to buy out his script. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.
But before he could ask them about that, his curiosity won and he couldn’t help but ask Astrid on why he chose the role of the doctor.
Astrid smiled and responded without hesitation, “Yes.”
“May I ask why?” Jimmy asked tentatively. “I mean, it’s a supporting role. For someone on the rise like you, I thought you would prefer to play the protagonist from now on.”
“From what I’ve seen of the short film you made, the director has quite a talent for directing. Combined with your wonderful script, I have a feeling this film will be a big hit. And if that happens, aren’t you planning to make a sequel?” Astrid smiled and continued, “With the doctor as the protagonist?”
Jimmy was so surprised that his jaw almost dropped.
“How did you…?”
“I just felt that’s the director’s intention. It seemed that I guessed correctly.”
Although Astrid said that in a light tone, like a child pleased with answering an adult’s question, Jimmy felt that Astrid was underestimating his own comprehension. Because clearly, the other understood more than what he was letting on. Unless he had read the whole script and had a great understanding of all its details.
Jimmy couldn’t help but be amazed and a little proud. It meant his script was truly good. Since he wrote it, his opinion was inevitably biased. Seeing someone else appreciate his writing so much gave him a sense of validation. Especially after all the condescending rejection he had received from different film studios and entertainment companies for months now.
After graduating from film school, the first thing he did was send one of his scripts to every possible place he could. At first, he received a positive response. They were all interested in his script. The problem was, they were not interested in him as a director. Meaning they only wanted his script, and not him.
When he refused, he received scoffs and snide remarks. Telling him that he would just waste his script by insisting that he direct it. That he needed more experience as a director before he could be trusted to direct such a script. When he continued to be stubborn, some became even downright mean and cruel. There were even those who continued to harass him.
So, when Jimmy received Ellis’ call and agreed to this meeting, he didn’t have much hope. That was until he met and talked with Astrid.
He looked at the other and said with determination, “I will do my best to make this a great film.”
“You definitely will, director,” Astrid said with equal conviction.
After a few more discussions about production, casting, and film budget, the three finally ended their meeting with everyone satisfied with the result.
Jimmy came to Polaris with a heart full of apprehension, but he left with a heart full of hope.
Astrid was also very happy with how the meeting went. That’s probably why he was not feeling so complicated at the thought that he would have to have dinner with the Grimaldis later.
“Sister Ellis, can you drive me somewhere?”
Ellis turned to him. “Where?”
“At the Grimaldi’s main mansion.”
Ellis showed a slightly surprised expression at that. Then, as if understanding something, she said, “Is it because of that young master Grimaldi?”
Astrid only smiled. “Yeah, something like that.”
And he should leave it at that. At least for the moment. Unless he wanted to shock Ellis to the point of fainting.
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