Chapter 009 First Audition
Brad sensed Hugo's unusual demeanor, his steps slightly slowing as he turned to look at Hugo's back walking ahead. Light and confident, radiant and youthful, that upright figure did not possess dazzling brilliance, yet exuded a warm temperature that naturally drew one's gaze. Regardless of what others said, Brad regarded Hugo as the greatest competitor in this audition for "The Great River Love," and it now appeared that Hugo was indeed a formidable opponent.
The large door to the conference room behind him closed, and Hugo's gaze discreetly surveyed the room's arrangement. He was uncertain whether this was a conference room at the Four Seasons Hotel or if it had been specially rearranged for the audition. In any case, the furnishings inside were quite simple: two office desks piled high with a chaotic assortment of documents, a large stack of chairs positioned on the right, and several large boxes in the corner on the left. However, the luxurious and tidy carpet and the exquisite chandelier still indicated the meticulousness of the decor.
Halfway through, I saw Brad Pitt walking out of the conference room. He was an actor who had just finished auditioning before Hugo. At that moment, the young and reckless Brad had the top three buttons of his shirt undone, exuding a youthful and sexy charm. He radiated an incredible confidence, as if he were the very embodiment of sunshine. The smile on his face resembled the signature expression of a quarterback on a school football team—innocent yet always ready to face competition, as if they were born to be the axis of the world. He radiated an incredible confidence, as if he were the very embodiment of sunshine. The smile on his face resembled the signature expression of a quarterback on a school football team—innocent yet always ready to face competition, as if they were born to be the axis of the world.
The female staff member stood in place, her face flushed and heart racing as she watched Hugo enter the audition room, unable to help but exclaim: Indeed, handsome men are pleasing to the eye and beneficial for one's physical and mental well-being
After Hugo understood, he did not hesitate. The models only wore form-fitting underwear during the interview, and it is quite normal for actors to train their bodies according to the needs of their roles. Moreover, for men, taking off their shirts is hardly something to make a fuss about. Hugo quickly unbuttoned his shirt and opened his chest.
Hugo took a deep breath to calm himself, trying not to pay attention to the various gazes around him. He then stepped forward, preparing to walk towards the conference room at the end of the right side of the corridor. However, after taking just one step, he felt a pull from behind. Instinctively, he turned around and saw Joseph tugging at the newspaper in his hand. It was then that Hugo realized what was happening, and he quickly let go. Joseph promptly yanked the newspaper back, and only then did Hugo move forward again.
Although this body departed due to a drug overdose, in fact, his physique is quite remarkable. This is attributed to the muscle man craze that prevailed in the 1980s, from Sylvester Stallone to Bruce Willis, from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Dolph Lundgren, as well as Mickey Rourke and Jean-Claude Van Damme. The immense popularity of action films during this era fostered a pervasive admiration for muscles and fitness in Hollywood, leading almost all male actors to engage in fitness training to impress producers with a healthy, sunny, and robust appearance
Brad walked with an uneven gait, passing by Hugo. Out of the corner of Hugo's eye, he could clearly see Brad deliberately swaying his shoulders to create his own aura. This manner of walking was often seen around campus, quite flashy, and he even shot a confident glance at Hugo, as if to say, "My audition is practically guaranteed, now it's your turn to play your cards." The competitive undertone was unmistakable.
"Hello, Hugo, it's good to see you again." Elizabeth, as the casting director, naturally took the lead in the interview, while Jon, who was present as a representative of the American Actors' Union, was there to ensure the rights of the actors and would not directly participate in the decision-making of the film casting. "This is Jon, the representative of the American Actors' Union. If you have any questions, you can ask him." Elizabeth briefly introduced him, and Jon next to her smiled and nodded without interrupting Elizabeth's words. "This is Jon, the representative of the American Actors' Union. If you have any questions, you can ask him." Elizabeth briefly introduced him, and Jon next to her smiled and nodded without interrupting Elizabeth's words
Hugo, as you know, the character of Paul requires health, sunshine, handsomeness, and a free spirit. Our standards for physique are quite strict. Elizabeth wore a faint smile, showing no particular expression. Hugo did not react much, which is typical behavior for a novice actor. Although Elizabeth found it somewhat surprising, she did not dwell on it and continued, "Take off your shirt; I need to see your physique. If necessary, you will need to spend some time in the gym." Hugo did not react much, which is typical behavior for a novice actor. Although Elizabeth found it somewhat surprising, she did not dwell on it and continued, "Take off your shirt; I need to see your physique. If necessary, you will need to spend some time in the gym."
Suddenly, Elizabeth gently squeezed Hugo's right arm with her hand, the warmth of her palm clearly transmitted through the fabric. This action, imbued with a distinct teasing quality, caused Hugo to shift his gaze from Jon back to Elizabeth. He noticed that Elizabeth's eyes slightly lifted, shimmering with a hint of allure.
Hugo did not think too much about it; he simply revealed a radiant smile and honestly said, "It's fine, except for feeling a bit nervous."
At this moment, Jon remained as steady as a mountain, sitting beside and observing Elizabeth's actions without any reaction, clearly believing that her behavior was entirely appropriate. In fact, Hugo understood that if a good physique was deemed necessary, it was only natural for the interviewer to touch and examine a candidate. Moreover, many female artists even dress provocatively in hopes of attracting the interviewer's attention, which is not surprising. However, the issue lies in the fact that both Elizabeth and Jon were too composed; such matters are usually conducted discreetly in their home country, indicating that Hollywood is indeed a different place. In fact, Hugo understood that if a good physique was deemed necessary, it was only natural for the interviewer to touch and examine a candidate. Moreover, many female artists even dress provocatively in hopes of attracting the interviewer's attention, which is not surprising. However, the issue lies in the fact that both Elizabeth and Jon were too composed; such matters are usually conducted discreetly in their home country, indicating that Hollywood is indeed a different place.
Hugo is no different; although he does not possess the formidable eight-pack abs, his well-defined six-pack abs combined with smoothly contoured pectoral muscles still create a significant visual impact. Within Hugo's sunny smile, the image of a surf-loving young man easily evokes a sense of fondness.
Elizabeth's words were indeed very straightforward, presenting a completely official demeanor. However, Hugo understood that this was the 'hidden' rule of Hollywood, where nothing is concealed but rather laid out in the open. If it weren't for Joseph's earlier hint, Hugo would not have reacted at all. Before his crossing over, he had only played minor roles or supporting characters, and had not yet reached the level of encountering such hidden rules; otherwise, he would not have remained in obscurity for so long.
Hugo walked to the door of the conference room, suddenly recalling something. He turned to look at Brad's back and couldn't help but furrow his brow in confusion. He remembered that when he was looking up information on Brad Pitt, it stated that Brad's height was six feet (1.83 meters), which was consistent with Hugo's current height. However, just a moment ago, when they brushed past each other, Brad was clearly shorter than him, at most only five feet ten inches (1.78 meters). This was quite a difference. Hugo had thought that the most famous short person in Hollywood was Tom Cruise. Could it be that Brad was still growing? Or perhaps height-increasing insoles had not yet been invented?
How are you? Do you feel everything is still okay? Elizabeth's question seems quite ordinary, but placed in today's context, it carries profound implications, clearly alluding to the front-page headline of the Los Angeles Times
Hugo took half a step forward and found that all the waiting actors around him had once again focused their gazes on him, which made him feel a slight cramping sensation in his stomach. Most of these gazes were likely aimed at watching him make a fool of himself, especially that wooden figure and that stone, who did not hide their provocation at all, staring at Hugo unabashedly.
At this moment, two individuals are seated behind a desk, one male and one female, who are evidently Jon Hartman and Elizabeth Rusty. Elizabeth is a middle-aged woman in her forties, not particularly attractive, resembling an ordinary housewife, and it is hard to discern that she is a successful casting director. Jon is also at least in his forties, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a scholarly demeanor, but his receding hairline gives away his middle-aged uncle vibe.
Is this flirting? Hugo was stunned; has he been teased by the aunt?
However, reflecting on his performance during the audition, Brad quickly regained his confidence and once again strode with a stylish gait towards his agent, amidst the attention of the other auditioning actors
However, Hugo looked at Brad's figure and had no intention of accepting the challenge at all; his entire thoughts were captivated by Brad's flamboyant demeanor. Ultimately, he could not help but burst into laughter. But soon, Hugo realized that it was not that Brad was particularly amusing, but rather that his own thoughts were too advanced. For instance, Brad's flared jeans were truly hard to look at. Thus, Hugo quickly lowered his head, bit his lip to suppress his smile, and then hurriedly walked forward.
At this time, Brad is twenty-nine years old. Normally, this age would no longer be considered youthful, but Brad only truly became an actor at the age of twenty-eight. His sudden fame from "Thelma & Louise" allowed him to taste the sweetness of stardom, with waves of media acclaim flooding in. The spotlight surrounding him momentarily left Brad feeling somewhat lost. The entertainment industry possesses such energy that age and experience become pale in the face of the lights.
Although Elizabeth did not mind Hugo's lack of a direct response, her eyes were filled with joy upon seeing his handsome and sunny smile. In fact, in Hollywood, where handsome men and beautiful women abound, there are countless actors with good looks. Casting directors have seen thousands of actors and have long since become aesthetically fatigued. Nevertheless, even so, the surprise generated when encountering a truly "exceptional specimen" is all the more impactful.
"Hugo." The female staff member standing at the door shifted her gaze from Brad's back to Hugo in front of her, interrupting his thoughts. When she saw Hugo turn his face towards her, a hint of astonishment flashed in her eyes. Upon noticing Hugo's misty peach blossom eyes and that warm, sunny smile, her gaze unexpectedly fluttered away shyly. Hugo, however, did not perceive this unusual reaction and continued to display a polite smile. He softly said "thank you" to the female staff member as she opened the door to the conference room, and then he entered the room.
At this moment, twenty-nine-year-old Brad is like a nineteen-year-old hothead, flamboyant and confident, carefree and unruly
Brad confidently turned around to wave at the interviewer, then walked mostly in the direction of Hugo. He fancied himself charming as he spread his palm and slicked back his hair from his forehead, accompanied by a toss of his head. This gesture, full of 1990s flair, appeared very cool to others, but to Hugo, it was almost laughable: it was simply too amusing.
Elizabeth stood up, raised her right hand towards Hugo, who was standing in front of the desk, and then it landed on Hugo's arm, squeezing it hard twice. ... This ... ... is this a test to see if the pork is injected with water? Hugo was unsure if it was because he had not seen much of the world, but he found this scene rather amusing. His first reaction was to look over at Jon, the representative of the actors' union, who was sitting beside him.