Chapter 271: Chapter 271: Stunning
Feeling cold?
What do you mean?
Ivana Monroe first thought of being immersed in cold water.
Director Arnold wouldn’t possibly have her jump into the lake at night, would he?
Fearing that Ivana Monroe would hesitate, Director Arnold quickly added, "President Monroe, don’t worry, the scene will end quickly. We have a body double, you just need to show your face. It won’t really make you sick from the cold."
If we really make you sick, wouldn’t the big boss wipe us out?
The makeup artist working on Sean Vaughn suddenly glanced at Ivana and curled her lips mockingly.
Susan Heston, that one who used connections, is gone, and now another one comes along.
Director Arnold even calls her "President Monroe." Looks like her family background is quite good, capable of squeezing out Susan Heston—must have spent a hefty amount clearing the way, right?
The disdain in the makeup artist’s eyes was so clear that Ivana found it hard to ignore.
"No need for a double." Ivana didn’t care about how the makeup artist looked at her. She refused a double because she felt it was unnecessary; her body wasn’t that weak.
The makeup artist scoffed condescendingly, pretending again! Susan Heston said similar things when she first arrived, and what happened? It wasn’t even as cold then, and she started arguing with Director Arnold for a double as soon as her night scene began.
Director Arnold had it tough.
Finding a body double so late at night? Seeing that the makeup artist’s build was similar to Susan Heston’s, he had no choice but to ask her to step in.
The makeup artist, named Eloise, had studied makeup professionally, not acting. Being forced to perform that night was tormenting, having been doused with "torrential rain" numerous times. After filming, she was feverish all over, and measuring her temperature at a nearby clinic showed a high fever of 39.8°C.
The on-duty doctor at the clinic was alarmed, saying her condition was dangerous, and she shouldn’t have driven herself to the hospital alone. If she had passed out from the fever while driving, even if she stopped the car, she could have gotten into an accident or suffered brain damage.
After hearing this, Eloise didn’t know if it was fear or feeling immensely wronged that made her break down crying in front of the doctor.
Since then, Eloise deeply disliked hypocritical and pretentious actors like Susan Heston.
Eloise categorized Ivana as the same type of person as Susan Heston.
Ivana went to the changing room.
Eloise had just finished doing Sean Vaughn’s makeup, put the setting powder back in the makeup kit, and turned to Director Arnold, saying, "Director Arnold, you’d better not listen to what the new MV leading lady says. When she can’t handle the cold and asks for a double, I won’t step in again."
That time, Eloise had a severe fever, needing three days of IV drips. Director Arnold felt guilty towards the young girl.
Director Arnold wasn’t angry with her and assured Eloise, "I know, this time I won’t let you be a temporary double again."
When Eloise heard this, she responded with a "hmm" and added, "Director Arnold, I’m sorry for my earlier attitude. I’ve been physically frail since young; my family went through great lengths and all sorts of hospitals to gradually improve my health. That last high fever scared me. I don’t want... to worry my parents before I can be filial to them..."
She didn’t finish her sentence, but Director Arnold understood.
Seeing Eloise’s eyes redden, Director Arnold immediately consoled her, "Stop overthinking, what happened with Susan Heston won’t ever happen again."
Suddenly, Sean Vaughn, who had been silent, spoke up, "Susan Heston is Susan Heston, Ivana Monroe is Ivana Monroe, don’t mistake her for Susan Heston, okay?"
Eloise was a bit surprised that Sean Vaughn would stand up for Ivana.
She turned to look at Sean Vaughn’s once sunny face, now covered with dark clouds, and was startled.
Director Arnold had worked with Sean Vaughn quite a bit; he knew Sean’s protective nature well. Since Sean called Ivana "sister," he wouldn’t allow anyone to speak ill of his "sister."
Director Arnold smiled apologetically, "You’re right, Young Master Vaughn, you’re right."
Sean Vaughn just snorted, not bothering with Director Arnold.
Ivana emerged dressed in a high school uniform, her hair sleek and black, with no makeup, completely masking the fact that she was already a mother to a six-year-old. She looked just like an innocent high school student.
Sean Vaughn was taken aback, the school uniform on her was truly age-defying. Was this really his "sister"? She was more like his "little sister"!
Director Arnold was amazed. He initially thought Ivana, given her age, would need the "magical hands" of a makeup artist to achieve a high school appearance, but clearly, there was no need. She looked great as is.
Eloise didn’t like Ivana, having once bitten by a snake, now feared the ropes for ten years. Especially seeing Ivana looking so much like a high schooler now, Eloise was convinced Ivana was a pampered princess.
Director Arnold promised her she would no longer be a double. Eloise began to sympathize with Ivana’s double. Just how cold was the weather now? The double had to endure icy water in this frigid weather, for only a few hundred bucks a day, while Ivana would earn millions after this MV was shot.
Ivana took all the fame and fortune, why should her double suffer in her stead?
Ivana came over, seeing hostile eyes from the makeup artist on her, chose not to speak to Eloise. She wasn’t into the habit of courting trouble for herself.
Ivana asked Director Arnold, "Can we start with makeup now?"
Before Director Arnold could speak, Sean Vaughn interjected.
"I don’t think you need any makeup. Sister, you look really good as you are, very authentic like a high schooler."
Director Arnold nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, it looks great, just a layer of pink lipstick will do."
High school girls, their faces are full of collagen, no need for excessive make-up. Just a bit of lip gloss, and they radiate the energy of a youthful student.
Ivana’s face was so young it could be pinched, born for the role of a high school girl.
Director Arnold then thought of Susan Heston. Without makeup, her face was full of pockmarks, like the surface of the moon, skin so aged it was indescribable. She was young, but her skin already resembled that of a 35-year-old woman. Clearly, overusing makeup products from a young age had consequences!
Sean Vaughn changed into his school uniform and, standing next to Ivana, being a tall guy, was a good head taller, resembling her senior.
Director Arnold took additional pictures of Ivana for casting, handed her the script, and let her review it, suggesting she ask if there were any confusions or things not understood. She could ask him or Sean Vaughn.
Ivana sat there intently reviewing the script.
In reality, MV actors don’t need many lines, but do require body language and eye contact. In other words, their eyes should act.
Ivana had never been in a pigsty, but that didn’t mean she’d never seen pigs run.
She glanced through the script. A five-minute MV, the script was just a page.
After finishing,
She raised her head, meeting Sean Vaughn’s enthusiastic gaze, as if waiting to see if she had any questions?
Ivana turned to Director Arnold, "I’ve finished reading the script, when do we start shooting?"