Hollywood Secret Garden

Chapter 16: Seeking Advice

The little girl gazed in awe at Ms. Roberts and Mr. Buck, their fluent British accents sounding as if they had been speaking that way for years, even more fluently than her. She had been curious about how Big Mouth Sister would overcome this challenge after receiving the script, but it seemed like there was no challenge at all. That's what you call professionalism!

"Cut!" Director Charles shouted, standing up and frowning at Angela. "Miss Mason, what were you daydreaming about just now?"

"Was it my turn?" The little girl finally realized and stammered pitifully. "I... I'm sorry, I was... I was amazed by Miss Roberts' performance."

Her current appearance was both frustrating and amusing, so Mr. Sawyer stared at her for a while and then raised his hand. "Take a few minutes break and let's start again!"

Angela felt a sigh of relief in her heart. Fortunately, they were shooting indoors now. If she had zoned out and had an NG moment during the lobby scene later, it would have been embarrassing. She was no longer concerned about how the director would treat her. Her natural affinity had quickly integrated her into the entire cast and crew over the past few days. Moreover, her acting skills gradually improved. Encouragement and criticism were necessary for children, even though this kid's soul was no longer that of a child.

"Angie, this is something to remember," Jessica smiled mischievously and waved her hand in front of her.

"Why?" Angela blinked, confused.

"It's the first time you've had an NG moment because of daydreaming," Jessica's smile immediately turned mischievous, and then another voice chimed in. "What a shame the photographer didn't capture it just now. Maybe we could sell it for a high price if Angie becomes a big star in the future!"

A tall girl appeared from behind Jessica and made a funny face at Angela. It was Annie, the girl who acted with her in the first scene at San Bernardino National Forest a week ago. Yes, her full name was Annie Meyers, Nancy's eldest daughter. She often played small roles in her parents' films, and this time was no exception. That's why back at Arrowhead Lake, she comforted Angela, thinking her father scolded her and advised her not to take it to heart.

"Go ahead and laugh, no need to be polite," Angela crossed her arms and looked at the two of them pretending to hold a grudge. "But if I have another NG moment, it won't be my fault."

"Oh, here she goes again," Jessica rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.

"Alright, alright, we won't bother you. Take your time to prepare your emotions and use your acting skills to surprise Miss Roberts and make her have an NG moment," Annie said seriously, then laughed and pulled Jessica away.

Just wait! You two troublemakers! Angela stood there and angrily waved her little fist at their retreating figures.

"Hey, Angela, do you have any questions you need answered?" a voice came at that moment. The little girl turned her head towards the sound, and Julia Roberts had already approached, smiling at her.

"Oh, actually, it's nothing, Miss Roberts..."

"You can call me Julia."

"Jul..." The little one scratched her head and stuck out her tongue. "If it's okay, I'd rather call you Big Sister."

Julia couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, suit yourself. After all, you won't be the last one to call me that."

"Thank you, Big Sister. First of all, I'm sorry for interrupting everyone with my daydreaming earlier. But I was really surprised. You speak British English so well. I know you must have put in a lot of effort beforehand, so it touched me. Maybe this is the difference between professionalism and amateurism." The little girl clasped her hands behind her back and spoke thoughtfully, appearing calm at that moment.

"Mmm, that doesn't really count as a problem for an actor," Julia pondered for a moment, gestured for them to sit on the couch in the room, and continued, "Every actor, after receiving the script, goes and gathers relevant information. You must understand what kind of person this character is; that's the most basic requirement."

She paused, as if recalling something, then shrugged and chuckled. "I remember when I took on 'Pretty Woman,' I had to visit the red-light district to observe the lives of prostitutes. I even got approached by someone."

"Wow, that's hard to imagine," the little girl's eyes lit up as she listened. Even in the year 2000, when information was more accessible in her previous life, such things were hard to come by.

But Julia obviously didn't want to dwell on this topic. She returned to the previous point and said, "But that's not enough. Everyone has a different perspective on things. While we speculate on our own, we also need to ask people around us how they perceive such characters and situations, to enrich our understanding. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, I understand," Angela nodded, her eyes filled with adoration as she continued to gaze at Julia.

Julia was somewhat skeptical and decided to approach the conversation differently. "Alright, Angela, let me ask you, do you understand your own character?"

"Yes, I understand," the little girl promptly replied, then added, "I wrote the script."

"Really? So now we... Wait a minute! You said... you wrote the script?" Julia's mouth dropped open in astonishment, accentuating her already sensual lips.

Taken aback by Julia's reaction, Angela couldn't help but sigh and slouch on the couch, looking helpless. "Oh dear, Mr. Buck asked me the same question earlier, and now you're asking me too. Will Mr. Quinn and Miss Ryan ask me the same thing when they arrive? It's all written in the script, I remember."

"Oh, Angela, I... I'm sorry. I read the script, and I thought... it was the same name and surname," Julia hurriedly explained.

However, the little girl continued to pretend to be disappointed. "I knew it. No one would believe that an 11-year-old girl could write a movie script."

"Please don't be upset, Angela. Um, you know, in this world, sometimes... um, things happen like this..." Julia tried to comfort her, but struggled to find the right words. Although the little girl's words were sincere and heartfelt, as she had admitted, it was difficult for anyone to believe that an 11-year-old girl could write a fully-fledged movie script, so doubts still lingered in Julia's mind.

To her surprise, Angela's gloomy expression suddenly vanished, and she mischievously smiled. "Gotcha! Big Sister!"

Julia looked at her in astonishment, a mix of anger and amusement coursing through her. She playfully tapped Angela on the head. "A fibbing child is not a good child!"

"I didn't lie. I really did write the script," Angela hurriedly clarified. "Because of that, Nancy also invited me to play two roles."

Julia was once again taken aback, she blinked her eyes, and said, "Nancy told me you would surprise me, but is this... it?" The little girl shrugged her shoulders, tilted her head, and playfully looked at Julia, neither confirming nor denying anything.

"Well, it's definitely surprising. At your age, I was still playing with dolls," Eldest Sister sighed with a touch of sadness.

"That's nothing. It was just a sudden burst of inspiration..." Angela touched her little nose and decided to change the subject. "To be honest, Big  Sister, I'm feeling really frustrated. Director Sawyer is never completely satisfied with my performance. I feel like I understand my character well, and I give my best in acting, but there always seems to be a slight gap."

"Darling, no one can ever fully satisfy a director. Directors are never entirely pleased with actors," Julia shrugged, looking at the little girl with a pained expression before bursting into laughter. She couldn't resist pinching Angela's cheek and then said, "Alright, I was just teasing you. I know what you want to ask."

After a brief pause to gather her thoughts, she continued, "Angela, how much acting experience do you have?"

The little girl pondered for a moment before answering, "Not much. I perform in plays during holidays or school celebrations, and occasionally play musical pieces in front of family and friends."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Well, you see, Angela, that's the challenge. Most child stars in Hollywood start with commercials or small roles when they're just a few years old. I remember Kirsten... Kirsten..."

"Kirsten Dunst!"

"Yes, Kirsten Dunst. She was two years younger than you when she started doing commercials at the age of 3. It was through these experiences that Woody Allen ultimately chose her to star in "Manhattan." As for me, I also began with small roles. Acting skills largely come from immersing yourself with a serious and passionate attitude and gradually building up experience."

Although Angela knew that Julia wasn't specifically criticizing her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. When Big Sister mentioned "largely," it implied that there were some individuals who could grasp the essence of performance right from their first acting experience, the so-called "geniuses." Like Natalie Portman, who starred in "Leon: The Professional" just three years later! And she, herself, clearly was not one of those "geniuses."

"Angela, don't worry, you still have time. I believe Nancy invited you to star in 'The Parent Trap' not just because you wrote the script," Julia comforted the gloomy little girl. "Although I haven't acted with you yet, and I can't judge your acting skills, I believe you will definitely have your shining moments."

"Thank you, Elder Sister," Angela smiled, but deep down, she still felt a sense of disappointment. During the week of filming in Forest Park, if it weren't for some clever tricks, she didn't know how long it would have taken. Maybe acting wasn't her true calling after all?