In the early morning, as Charles stepped out, Evelyn also came out, preparing to drive, and looked at Charles.
"That's a good way to dress!"
Charles looked down at himself, wearing pants and a white T-shirt. Well, it was indeed very different from his previous hip-hop style.
Charles nodded. He couldn't help it; he had the soul of someone nearly thirty now. Wearing those hip-hop clothes? He couldn't stand that style!
Evelyn drove to the company. ETA's headquarters are located in Beverly Hills. Well, several major agencies are all in that area, on Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard, between Century City and Beverly Hills.
Charles, on the other hand, drove to the hotel to pick up Naomi Watts and then went together to the Universal City studio.
Universal Studios is very large, with over nearly 40 studios inside. Universal Pictures certainly couldn't use that many themselves, so they rent them out to other film crews.
"A while ago, Evelyn told me you seemed to be injured. Are you okay?" Naomi Watts, recognizing Charles, showed some concern.
Charles smiled, "I'm fine now. It was just a minor head injury, and I've recovered long ago."
Soon, amidst their conversation, the car arrived at the studio where Mulholland Drive's reshoots were taking place. Naomi Watts went to get her makeup done and wait for filming to start.
Charles, familiar with the routine, helped out around the set, but he was much more serious than before, carefully observing the director's scheduling, cinematography, lighting, props, and set management.
He didn't disturb the crew, merely acting as Naomi Watts' assistant and follower.
In the afternoon, while Naomi Watts was filming, Charles sat alone on the side, opening the script for Naomi's current scene and reading it.
"Naomi, in this scene, you need to be a bit more hysterical. What I want is a performance showing life's failures and a loss of faith in life! Let's take a ten-minute break." Director David Lynch was reshooting the truth of the female protagonist's reality in the film.
Mulholland Drive, as a top brain-teaser, requires distinguishing between dreams and reality.
Naomi Watts also walked over to rest, looking self-reproachful. Charles offered her water and a towel, and after some thought, still reminded her:
"Naomi, actually, you don't need to deliberately act in this scene. You just need to incorporate your own experiences over the years into it. The female protagonist, Diane, is a complete failure in reality, which is completely opposite to her in the dream."
"Think about how you've lived these past years. Isn't it even more miserable than Diane's?"
"Uh," Naomi Watts listened, then her expression froze for a moment, as if she had grasped something.
The success of Mulholland Drive, Naomi Watts' acting absolutely cannot be ignored, because Naomi Watts also spent half her life struggling on her acting path, making it the most vivid portrayal.
Like Diane in the film, in the dream sequence of the first half, she has an aunt and uncle with resources, superb acting skills, and a figure and appearance that attract directors;
However, in reality, Diane likes a woman, has mediocre acting skills, can only play supporting roles, and is never the Focus.
Naomi Watts looked at Charles, somewhat surprised, and said, "You understood the script?"
"My mother brought it home before, and I studied it myself when I had nothing to do," Charles said, his voice becoming a little mysterious,
"Naomi, this film is very good, a very profound suspense film. David Lynch is very good at this type of subject. Although the audience is not large, it will definitely attract a small number of people, and this type of film is easily favored by film critics and awards;"
"After the film is released, your acting skills will be displayed in front of many people. I have high hopes for you!"
"Hmm, thank you!" Naomi Watts looked clearly unconvinced, but she still accepted the child's blessing.
However, the 15 million dollar investment in Mulholland Drive was already considerable, and Naomi Watts, who had finally gotten this opportunity, would certainly give her all.
As filming continued, Charles quieted down. After all, Naomi Watts really had acting skills and certainly knew more than Charles.
Time flew by, and the film's reshoots concluded after a week. The director went to adjust the post-production.
Charles was driving, with Naomi Watts and Evelyn in the back seat. Evelyn had also come here two or three times this week, mainly to see if there was anything to discuss?
"How do you feel? The day after tomorrow, we're going to the Cannes Film Festival. Mulholland Drive has been nominated for best director and best picture in the main competition unit. We'll also need to promote the film then. Universal Pictures' release date is mid-October; this type of film usually gets this slot," Evelyn explained the film's distribution and promotion situation to Naomi.
The Cannes Film Festival's best picture award is the palme d'or, which, along with the golden lion of the Venice Film Festival and the Golden Bear of the Berlin International Film Festival, is known as one of the three major international awards, second only to the Oscar.
Moreover, the latter half of October is the Halloween season, and showing thrilling suspense films is quite suitable.
Of course, there are also many other genres.
"I know, I will definitely cooperate well with the promotional work!" Naomi Watts was also looking forward to the Cannes Film Festival.
"How long will you be gone?" Charles, who was driving, suddenly asked.
"Three to five days, I suppose. It's the end of the month now, so you'll be back early next month. Don't call your shady friends over to throw a party at home, or else you'll move out again," Evelyn said, glaring at Charles.
"No, I don't have any money now. The apartment I used to rent has already been vacated. I only have a little over 3,000 dollars in assets now. 1,000 dollars of that was earned from the Mulholland Drive crew this time, and Naomi's tips for me also amounted to 1,000. The other 1,000 dollars is the salary you gave me."
Charles scratched his ear and laughed.
"Charles did well on set. He was very serious about his work and made friends with many of the behind-the-scenes staff. He even chatted a few words with screenwriter and director Mr. David Lynch. The director also said that he has some talent for scripts," Naomi Watts also smiled and spoke a few words in Charles's defense.
"Hmm?" Evelyn looked at Charles, then at Naomi, a little disbelieving.
Naomi Watts nodded, indicating that it was absolutely true.
"Talent for scripts? He can't write scripts!"
The conversation ended. First, they dropped Naomi Watts off at her hotel, then the mother and son went home.
After arriving home, Charles still reminded his mother, "This film, Mulholland Drive, is quite interesting. Genre films have high audience loyalty, and Naomi's acting skills are genuine. After the film is released, her fame will definitely increase greatly;"
"At least, she won't be without work; scripts will come looking for her. So, you'd better hold onto her!"
Evelyn nodded and smiled, "Of course I know that. With this nomination for two major awards in the Cannes Film Festival's main competition unit, I've already been treating her as a key asset."
"Alright, get some rest early. Tomorrow I'll go back to the company to make arrangements, then head to Cannes, France. You should find a crew to work with."
Charles nodded. He needed money! 3,000 dollars was definitely not enough!