Chương 303: Chapter 303: Feels Good
Compared to the gloominess of major studios in Los Angeles, Pinewood Studios in the UK buzzed with activity. Almost ten crews were simultaneously shooting, occupying over 30 studios.
As Martin stepped out of the makeup trailer, he spotted a group of young actors and actresses donning Gryffindor school uniforms strolling in the distance.
The imposing Hogwarts Castle stood tall, dominating the studio's skyline.
Bruce followed closely, clutching an old-fashioned coat in his hand. The June weather wasn't exactly ideal for filming in winter attire.
Martin quickly turned onto a street where an antique tram sat on the tracks. The set buildings around were intentionally weathered, and extras were in place on the scaffolding.
Sam Mendes, dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, approached Martin and observed his appearance carefully.
Martin, adorned in an oversized sweater and pale makeup, appeared thin, youthful, and somewhat sickly.
Acting skills and makeup were both vital components.
Sam reminded Martin, "Remember the key aspects of this scene: illness, vomiting, movement, and a chance encounter!"
Martin accepted the coat from Bruce without a word but nodded in acknowledgment.
Sam, a demanding director, continued, "This is a long shot. I need you to display the same dedication as you did during the audition from the beginning. I want you to commit to this role, not just superficially like your previous commercial films."
Martin remained silent and proceeded to familiarize himself with the set and prepare his emotions.
Sam walked away and inquired, "Where's Kate? Why isn't she here yet?"
Upon entering the set, he was consumed by his professional role as a director. The dedicated director focused solely on work and aimed to perfect it: "Who's responsible for getting Kate here? She needs to be on set within three minutes!"
Just as he finished speaking, Kate Winslet rushed over.
Sam provided some instructions and then loudly announced, "All departments, be ready for shooting!"
Several water trucks parked by the road began spraying water, simulating heavy rainfall.
Martin donned his leather bag and walked into the pouring rain. His entire body quickly soaked through, but the refreshing sensation invigorated him.
Bruce handed him a substantial piece of cake.
Martin indulged in several big bites of the sugary American-style dessert. Although it made him feel queasy, he persevered.
The intense urge to vomit helped him swiftly get into character, simulating the discomfort of someone about to throw up after falling ill.
Upon hearing the cue to begin filming, Martin staggered through the heavy rain, holding onto a dilapidated wall. His wet hair clung to his forehead, obstructing his vision like a curtain of rain, making it hard to see the path ahead.
After a few steps, the overwhelming sweetness of the sugary dessert finally became unbearable. Martin clung to the wall and spat out a mouthful.
He wiped his mouth and continued walking, passing by pedestrians until he reached the entrance of an old apartment building.
In this designated spot, he was supposed to vomit.
Martin didn't need to search for emotions or act; the dessert had done its job. He clung to the doorframe and vomited several times consecutively.
The camera closely followed his movements, capturing every detail.
On the director's monitor, Sam Mendes closely observed the real-time footage. Martin was delivering an outstanding performance, making every vomit appear genuine and natural.
Martin entered the apartment, sat on a bench, and vomited once more.
This time, all the dessert was expelled, and Kate Winslet entered from outside, some of the vomit splattering onto her shoes.
The door got caught in the crossfire, splattering a bit more vomit. Kate quickly stepped out of the way.
She later returned with water and a mop to clean up the mess. Seeing Martin sitting on the bench, pale and completely drained of energy, she helped him up, wrapping her broad, warm arms around the young man to warm his cold, frail body.
Sam called a halt to the filming, announcing that the scene was completed.
Martin withdrew from Kate's embrace, bent over, and vomited a couple more times.
Bruce immediately brought a cup, and Martin rinsed his mouth with water.
Kate approached with concern, asking, "Are you okay?"
Martin spat the water into the trash can and responded, "I'm fine. I had something sweet for breakfast, and I ate something sweet again. I can't tolerate the sweetness. It feels too intense and satisfying to spit it out."
Kate understood that he was doing this for the scene and said, "You've worked really hard."
Martin offered a light-hearted reply, "You specifically chose me to act alongside you. I can't let you down."
At this point, he felt another wave of nausea.
Kate didn't leave but gently patted Martin on the back.
Sam approached and asked, "Are you okay to continue?"
Martin gave a thumbs up, indicating that he was ready.
Without changing scenes, the crew shot the subsequent scene on a streetcar outside.
The weather was pleasant, neither too cold when wet nor unbearably hot.
Filming continued until almost noon, and Martin returned to the trailer to shower, change clothes, and grab lunch.
Pinewood Studios wasn't just a studio; it was more like a bustling British-style town. Various crews worked here year-round, creating a strong business atmosphere, and the service area was extensive.
Cast members of "The Reader" could enjoy complimentary buffets at any restaurant in the service area by showing their crew ID.
Martin hopped onto the battery car driven by Bruce, heading for the service area.
The car halted in front of a restaurant, and as they stepped out, they encountered someone familiar.
Martin nudged Bruce and directed his attention to the front left, saying, "Look, old man, it's your idol."
Bruce observed the shorter blonde woman, his gaze automatically drifting to her perky posterior, but he seemed somewhat disappointed, muttering, "Smaller than what I saw in 'Lost in Translation.'"
The person in question was Scarlett Johansson. Martin greeted her, saying, "Hi, Scarlett, didn't expect to run into you here."
Scarlett remembered Martin from a few years ago when he was an unknown actor taking photos with her on Malibu Beach. Now, he was more famous than her.
Scarlett smiled and replied, "Martin, it's been two years, hasn't it?"
"Two and a half years," Martin corrected. "We met at a beach party."
Scarlett commented, "You have a good memory."
Martin responded with a compliment, "Who could forget the time they met Scarlett Johansson?"
Scarlett chuckled and mentioned, "A few months back, I thought we might work together on the same set. But I later found out you weren't in the cast."
Curious, Martin asked, "Which cast?"
"The Prestige," Scarlett answered. Her mildly successful film "The Island" had saw her to becoming a blockbuster leading lady, but this year, she was playing a supporting role in a medium-sized film crew.
She continued, "I heard your name was submitted to the crew, and I thought you might be one of the lead actors. Turns out, it went to Hugh Jackman."
Martin politely said, "I'll visit the crew when I have some free time."
Scarlett nodded, and Martin wanted to invite her for lunch, but when he heard she preferred a vegan meal, he thought of his past unpleasant experience during "House of Wax" and changed his mind.
Entering the restaurant, Martin swiftly filled his plate with meat alongside Bruce to curb his appetite.
After finding an empty table and sitting down, Martin noticed many familiar faces around.
He spotted Hugh Jackman and James McAvoy conversing while dining. The former appeared even taller than in his movies, and the latter seemed older than expected.
Bruce explained, "They're from a crew called 'Atonement.'"
Martin couldn't recall the film. Looking around, he noticed a blonde girl around twelve or thirteen sitting at a nearby table. She looked somewhat familiar, likely a child actor.
This place was teeming with celebrities.
After lunch, as Martin left the restaurant, he ran into Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried.
While in Los Angeles, Leonardo had mentioned that Meryl was filming "Mamma Mia" in London.
Martin initiated a greeting, saying, "Good afternoon, Meryl."
Meryl seemed taken aback and asked, "Is Jack here too?"
Martin clarified, "I'm here for work, but Jack didn't join me."
Meryl nodded and proceeded into the restaurant, eventually finding a spot to dine with Amanda.
Later, Amanda curiously inquired, "Are you and Martin Davis not on good terms?" She misunderstood and assumed these veteran actors were engaging in playful antics that required substantial expenditure.
Without hesitation, Meryl replied, "No."
Meryl recalled that the two rogues, Martin and Leonardo, had tossed firecrackers into her trailer, causing quite a commotion.
After lunch, she phoned Nicholson, who promised to visit her in London soon.
Meryl was in high spirits, engaging in a secret affair with her old lover on set, which made her happier than when she was with her husband.
Pinewood Studios was vast, offering opportunities for exploration in different areas.
However, Meryl thought about the potential issue that arose with Martin being at Pinewood. Nicholson didn't get along with him, so if he came, he would likely seek out Martin.
To avoid any unwelcome confrontations, she decided to find a discreet location in advance where those two rascals wouldn't bother her.
"The Reader" continued filming, with the first ten days going smoothly for most interior scenes. Martin and Kate Winslet adapted well.
As the production shifted to shooting special scenes, the crew's progress slowed down.
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