The Perfect Audition. Kate Forster

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ ten years younger than the role Jessica was reading for. Oblivious to the awkwardness in the room Jessica then went on reading the lines of Isabel.

      TG let her read the lines, afraid of what might happen if he interrupted her. She seemed wired and panicked and he felt sorry for her. Ageing in Hollywood wasn’t kind and TG understood her denial of the inevitable. The parts became older and fewer and soon drastic measures were taken to their faces and their bodies courtesy of a Bevery Hills surgeon on speed dial.

      He knew it was pointless to even continue with the audition and as she finished the lines for the wrong character he smiled at her kindly.

      “Thanks Jessica,” before proceeding to look down at the papers in front of him.

      Jessica sat waiting for him to continue.

      The silence enveloped the room again and TG stood up and walked over to her, “So, we’ll let you know.”

      “You’re not going to tell me now?” She pouted her lips a little and TG frowned. What had happened to this wonderful, talented actress? When had she become a caricature?

      “No Jess, I think its best we leave it to the casting gods, ok?” he manoeuvred her out of the room and let the casting assistant take over as he shut the door behind her.

      Turning to Diana he feigned a heart attack. “What the fuck happened there?”

      Diana shook her head. “I don’t know, she was fine last week.” “I’m really sorry.”

      “I know what happened,” he said. “Its classic audition panic. She gets the call-back and overreaches. Loses what she naturally has and tries to be something she isn’t.”

      “I did notice her lips were fuller than last time I saw her,” said Diana archly.

      TG slumped in his chair. No matter how much he liked film, he hated the bullshit that went with it and the desperation from the actors, no matter how big their star was.

      “It’s kinda sad, actually,” said TG thinking of his ex girlfriend and Jessica and her overblown lips.

      Diana scowled, “Sure, but who the fuck would want to be an actress anyway?” she asked.

      TG laughed as the casting assistant bought the next woman in for the role of Isabel, not right thought TG as he watched her work. To comedic, no depth.

      He worked with two more actresses when Sapphira De Mont stalked in and sat down without speaking. TG swallowed nervously. She was predatory and dangerous and he glanced at Diana who sat back in her chair, her face blank.

      TG was familiar with Sapphira De Monts’ work, she was arguably the most famous and enigmatic women on the planet at that moment but they had never worked together.

      “Thanks for coming.” TG smiled, his voice professional.

      Sapphira raised her eyebrows at him and reached out and took one of Diana’s cigarettes and lit it.

      “Gotta love it when New York comes to Hollywood,” she drawled before crossing her legs in her skin tight leather pants. TG could see the bones on her chest at the gap in her coffee coloured silk blouse, so translucent he could make out the outline of her tattoos underneath the flimsy fabric and the outline of a black, lace bra …

      “So, the role of Isabel …” Started TG and Sapphira blew smoke above her head.

      “Yes, I’ve been thinking,” she interrupted and TG held his breath. She was the least likely person he would cast as Isabel at this moment, regardless of her significant talent but she had huge box office clout and her agent had petitioned strongly for TG to have a look at Sapphira for the role of Isabel.

      “The film is really Isabel’s story. As the widower who’s forced to grieve as well as survive in her half renovated villa. I think when she opens the villa for the tourists because she needs the money, the intention is financial but her guests become family so in that way the film really needs to be an ensemble piece.” TG sat back surprised and relieved.

      “I think as Isabel begins to care for the guests, they begin to care for her and then obviously the love interest for her helps her move on and start again. A new start, not a better one, but new.” She mused as she smoked her cigarette.

      TG nodded impressed. “Can we do the sides?” he asked as she put the cigarette out in the water that Jessica had opened and turned to the camera.

      As the casting assistant said the lines, Sapphira seemed to shape shift in front of the camera and the vulnerability of the character, the nervousness and worry crossed her face as she said her lines. She was exceptional and even Diana sat forward as they watched.

      When she finished she turned to TG and shrugged. “Fucking great script.” Don’t you dare butcher it.”

      “Not a chance.” Said TG and she nodded her respect.

      And with that she stood up and walked from the room, leaving in her wake the scent of cigarettes and Bulgari Black perfume.

      “Wow,” said TG as he watched her leave.

      “I know,” said Diana. “She is her own woman that’s for sure.”

      “But her acting?” She’s good.”

      “She is,” said Diana, “She needs a role where she is no longer seen as just the sexy vixen and she knows it. She’s smarter than people realise that one.”

      TG didn’t have time to ask her any more questions as the casting assistant announced the arrival of the first actress for the role he had once promised to his infidel ex girlfriend.

      “Hi, I’m Anna,” said the younger actress and TG smiled and she went through the role and the lines to camera.

      After she left TG turned to Diana, “Sweet but too young, needs to be a little older.”

      “She’s a talent to watch though,” said Diana. “Just did the new Judd Apatow film.”

      TG stood up and stretched his legs.

      “When is the next one arriving?” he asked the assistant.

      “Fifteen minutes.”

      “I’m gonna take a walk.” Back in ten.”

      TG opened a can of Coke and slurped from it noisily as he left the office and stood on the street when he heard someone yell, “Fuck.”

      He turned and saw a blonde yelling into her phone. “Mom, just stop, ok? You’re not my manager anymore.” She yelled and snapped the phone shut.

      TG stared at her.

      “What?” She yelled at him.

      He was taken aback. “Are you ok?” he asked.

      “Do I look ok?” She dared him to ask more questions. “What a stupid fucking question.” she mumbled.

      “Ok, well good luck then.” He said and sipped from his Coke and turned from her.

      “Hey СКАЧАТЬ