"Cut!" Director Tim Burton stood up from behind the camera. "Take a ten-minute break."
Andrew, who had been "dead" on the grass, immediately got up with a quick kip-up. In the movie, Andrew played Jim, who was stabbed to death by Johnny Depp's Edward Scissorhands.
Andrew's scenes were all done, and he was preparing to leave the set.
Tim Burton saw Andrew spring up from the ground. "Hey, this guy has some good moves!"
"Young and full of energy. I heard from Caroline that he even wrote a screenplay during filming," the assistant director explained with a smile.
Caroline Thompson was the screenwriter for Edward Scissorhands. Tim Burton just nodded, not paying much attention. "Get everyone ready for the next scene!"
In the evening, by Lake Lutz, Winona Ryder and Andrew sat on the grass together. "Are you leaving for Los Angeles tomorrow morning?" she asked.
"Yeah, heading straight home!" Lake Lutz had become their daily meeting spot.
Winona leaned on Andrew. "I'll take you to the airport in the morning. I'll be back in half a month too."
"Do you have any audition invitations?" Andrew asked, shaking his head. "Once I get back to LA, I'll look for projects myself," he said.
"Don't worry, it's all about gaining experience now," Winona reassured him.
Andrew just smiled. "There's nothing to worry about. You see, with my skills and physique, even if I don't become an actor, I can succeed doing something else. Although not as good as a lawyer or doctor, acting does pay quickly."
Andrew's role as Jim in Edward Scissorhands earned him ten thousand dollars, which wasn't bad considering the amount of screen time and the unlikable character. If it weren't for that, he would've expected a few thousand more, as a newcomer could easily be hired for two to three thousand.
"I have a few scripts in discussion. Do you want me to keep an eye out for you?" Winona, though a newcomer herself, had already starred in a few leading roles.
Andrew shook his head. "You're in your rising phase as an actor. Don't let me distract you. I'm not picky about roles or scripts. When I get back to LA, I'll look for work as a screenwriter or assistant, no problem!"
U.S. law requires film crews to offer a certain percentage of assistant positions to newcomers from schools, like Andrew, to maintain Hollywood's talent pipeline.
That night, Winona Ryder came to Andrew's room. Perhaps because it was their last night together, Winona was particularly enthusiastic, and they stayed up until midnight.
The next day, Andrew left the crew and headed straight to Tampa International Airport. As a new supporting actor, no one paid much attention to his departure. He came and went alone, in a hurry.
"I'll come find you," Winona said, holding Andrew in the car and kissing him goodbye.
"Got it. I'm heading back now," Andrew said, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and dragging his suitcase into the airport.
When he came to Florida, Andrew had said goodbye to Jennifer Aniston. He wondered if she had gone to New York already.
Now it was Winona Ryder. He really was a scoundrel.
Andrew didn't think much more about it. He shook his head and boarded the plane.
From late June to early August, Andrew had spent about a month and a half in Tampa. When he returned to Los Angeles, he was greeted by retirement posters for Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar everywhere.
This year, the LA Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, giving the Pistons their first-ever championship.
Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement after the Lakers lost the Finals in June.
After returning to his place in Northridge, Andrew collected some mail from the mailbox. There was a letter from Jennifer Aniston, sent from New York.
She had gone back to New York last month.
The next day, Andrew drove to the ITA company to collect his pay. He received a check for ten thousand dollars.
"Don't worry, the rest will come when the movie is released," Tracy Jacobs said, glancing at Andrew. "Do you think 20th Century Fox would shortchange you?"
"No, no," Andrew said, sniffing the check. "Just savoring the moment. If I were a waiter, I couldn't make this much in a year, even without spending a dime!"
Tracy Jacobs nodded. "Don't get too carried away with the money. Don't spend all your time in bars or with women."
"Tracy, are you talking about me?" Andrew rolled his eyes. "I'm a clean-living guy."
Tracy Jacobs was referring to Johnny Depp. After he and his fiancée, Sherilyn Fenn, returned to LA, they broke up for some unknown reason.
"By the way, about the "American Pie" script..." Andrew had been keeping an eye on this.
Tracy Jacobs shook her head. "It's just been sent to a few producers. We don't know if they've seen it or are interested. You know how many scripts come out of Hollywood every day. Everything depends on opportunity!"
"I understand," Andrew said. "Are there any other auditions?"
"Yes, there's one for Days of Thunder, starring Tom Cruise. Try out for it and see if you can get a role. Days of Thunder is about to start shooting. With Tom Cruise, you know how much attention it will get."
Andrew nodded and took a look at the role. It was a minor part.
After leaving ITA, Andrew felt powerless. Seeing so many great movies about to be filmed, yet being unable to be part of them was frustrating.
For example, Disney's low-budget romance Pretty Woman, 20th Century Fox's family comedy Home Alone , and Paramount's low-budget romance Ghost were all set to release next year. They weren't highly anticipated now, but if he could get involved, oh well!
In the evening, back at his place, Andrew sat at the desk with pen and paper, recalling some low-budget, high-grossing films of the future.
A mockumentary like The Blair Witch Project was out of the question now, as neither cell phones nor internet marketing were common.
For low-budget films, the best choices were horror and romance. The currently showing When Harry Met Sally... was doing well both in reviews and box office. Meg Ryan, in her first leading role, became an overnight sensation and a representative of a new generation of blond actresses.
Next year, when Pretty Woman comes out, Julia Roberts will become an overnight sensation, dominating the 90s romance market in Hollywood alongside Meg Ryan.
After American Pie, Andrew had been working on a horror script, Scream. Now, he had a new idea for a romance film, Sleepless in Seattle.
In Hollywood, on Melrose Avenue, Andrew drove to a parking lot near the Paramount Pictures studio and then walked in.
The heavy and ancient golden archway showcased the deep heritage of one of Hollywood's oldest film companies!
Since Days of Thunder was a Paramount production, the preparation was done in one of the studio's sound stages.
Disney and Warner Bros. had moved to Burbank, Columbia TriStar moved to Culver City this year, leaving Paramount as the only major studio still geographically in Hollywood.
The golden archway, known as the Bronson Gate, was a significant landmark of Paramount, but Andrew had no time to pay attention to these details.
Days of Thunder was another collaboration between director Tony Scott and Tom Cruise, following Top Gun, a $60 million action blockbuster!
"Hi, could you tell me where the audition for Days of Thunder is?" A tall, curly-haired redhead walked up to Andrew and asked.
"Days of Thunder?" Andrew looked up at the person in front of him. She had snow-white skin, a curvaceous figure, and deep blue eyes that could captivate anyone's soul.
With her distinctive curly hair, Andrew immediately recognized her as the young Nicole Kidman.
"Over there," Andrew pointed to the sound stage at the back of the studio. "Are you here for the audition?"
Just arrived from Australia, Nicole Kidman, who was 22 years old, replied, "Yes, I am here for the audition."
Nicole Kidman looked at Andrew and asked, "Are you also here for the audition?"
"Uh, yes, let's go," Andrew shrugged and extended his hand. "Andrew Williams. I'm just here to audition for a minor role."
"Nicole Kidman. I'm a newcomer from Australia," Nicole Kidman shook hands with Andrew. "Have you acted in films before?"
"I just finished shooting Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands as a supporting actor. The movie will be released next year," Andrew replied honestly.
"The director of Batman," Nicole Kidman chatted with Andrew as they walked. "I used to act in films and TV shows in Australia. The competition in Hollywood is really tough!"
Nicole Kidman was there to audition for the female lead in Days of Thunder, but after seeing Tom Cruise's height, she didn't think she would get the role.
Nicole Kidman was 5'11", and Tom Cruise was much shorter at 5'7". Clearly, they were not a suitable match to play a couple.
"Days of Thunder is a big film, so the competition is indeed fierce," Andrew said, glancing at Nicole Kidman. "Don't worry, with your looks, you have a good chance of being selected."
"Do you know what role I am auditioning for?"
"Need I guess? You're so beautiful, it must be the female lead, the one who falls in love with Tom Cruise in the movie," Andrew laughed. "As long as Tom Cruise agrees, the role is yours."
Nicole Kidman sighed, "Tom Cruise, which actress doesn't want to work with him now?"
A few minutes later, they arrived at the sound stage where the Days of Thunder crew was based. Nicole Kidman was surprised by the number of people, "So many people?"
Outside the office, there were already many young and beautiful girls waiting.
"Welcome to Hollywood, the dreamland of countless actors," Andrew smiled. "That's the audition room over there. It hasn't even started yet, and so many people are already here."
"Tom Cruise's charm is undeniable!"
Most of the young and beautiful actresses were clearly there for Tom Cruise, as being cast would be a great opportunity to become famous.
After a while, casting director David Rubin asked everyone to wait.
"Why aren't you nervous?" Nicole Kidman noticed that Andrew seemed indifferent and asked curiously.
"Why should I be nervous? The important supporting roles in Days of Thunder should have been decided already. I'm just here for an audition as a formality because the producer is giving face to my agency."
"In Tom Cruise's movies, apart from the female lead, the other roles are relatively insignificant," Andrew shrugged. "I'm here because the pay is good. Otherwise, I'd rather stay home and write scripts."
"Writing scripts?" Nicole Kidman was initially drawn to Andrew because he was young and handsome. Now she found him even more interesting.
"You're also a screenwriter?"
Andrew rolled his eyes, "Acting is not my main focus. My major is production and management. Acting courses were just electives."
Having talked with Andrew since the gate, Nicole Kidman felt like she knew him a bit, "Have you adapted any of your works?"
"Well, almost. I handed my first script to my agent last week. I finished it while shooting Edward Scissorhands."
Nicole Kidman smiled, "You're still young, yet you're already writing scripts. That's impressive!"
Andrew waved his hand, "It's tough!"
Andrew dreamed of developing films, but without a benefactor, who knew how long it would take? With budgets often reaching millions of dollars, it was challenging.
"Andrew Williams, it's your turn," a staff member called.
"Oh, coming," Andrew nodded to Nicole Kidman. "I'm going in now!"
In the room on the right, Andrew entered and saw casting director David Rubin frowning, feeling a bad premonition.
"We need someone with racing experience, Andrew, and it seems..."
Andrew's audition ended in less than three minutes.
David Rubin's assistant asked after Andrew left the room, "This Andrew Williams just played a supporting role in Edward Scissorhands."
"We can consider him for the fourth male lead, a racer," the assistant suggested.
David Rubin shook his head, "No, Andrew doesn't fit."
David Rubin felt that Andrew's presence was too eye-catching. In a Tom Cruise movie, there shouldn't be any other focal points besides Cruise!
"You finished so quickly?" Nicole Kidman saw Andrew come out.
"No worries, it's not my first time. Maybe the role was already decided," Andrew didn't mind. He noticed that there were still many actresses waiting.
On the other side, the director, producer, and Tom Cruise were auditioning the female lead, facing less competition than Andrew.
"Nice meeting you. Good luck. I'll leave now," Andrew said, planning to visit other studios for potential work.
"Thank you for your help today," Nicole Kidman smiled. "Can I have your phone number? If I get the role, I'll treat you to a meal!"
Andrew took the pen and paper from Nicole Kidman and wrote down his home phone number, "Find a French restaurant; I love French cuisine."
"All my good luck today is yours. You're definitely getting the lead role. Trust me!"
Nicole Kidman put the paper and pen back into her bag and smiled, "I hope so..."