The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!-Chapter 14

A hush fell over the room. Matthew stood in the middle of the classroom, with Rachel McAdams positioned about two meters away, aiming a finger gun at his head in place of a real prop.
David Astor’s teaching was predominantly practical, one could even say it was tailored specifically for the Hollywood film and television industry.
The previous dialogue scene, the scene with a deceased family member, and the kidnapping scenario Matthew and Rachel McAdams were now preparing for—these were all standard sequences in any Hollywood film or TV show.
The script Matthew and Rachel McAdams had received wasn't complicated either: Matthew was playing a tough guy whose daughter had been abducted, and Rachel McAdams was the kidnapper threatening him.
"Give me the money." The dimples on Rachel McAdams's face vanished completely, and the harder lines of her face, with its subtle musculature, gave her a distinctly sinister look. She deliberately curled her lip to expose two rows of clenched teeth, her voice dripping with malice. "Or your daughter dies."
Matthew had been thinking about his role for a while, and David Astor's earlier lecture on dialogue scenes had given him a strong feel for it.
Therefore, he couldn't just stand there with a blank expression, like a character in a Japanese cartoon.
Typically, when you’re being held at gunpoint, especially in a kidnapping, most people would be terrified, lose control of their emotions, and scream.
But some scenes, and some characters, couldn't be played that way.
His current role, for instance, was that of a tough guy.
What is a tough guy? Among the films Matthew had seen, Bruce Willis in Die Hard, Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2, Sylvester Stallone in the First Blood series, and Tom Cruise in the Mission: Impossible franchise had all offered their own interpretations of the archetype.
It went without saying that a tough guy had to exude coolness.
"Where are you hiding her?" Matthew’s expression was frigid. "I'm not giving you anything until I see my daughter."
They had only exchanged two lines, and David Astor’s brow furrowed slightly, but he remained silent.
"This young man, Matthew Horner, is in excellent physical condition," he mused, observing the two actors. "However, his acting ability leaves much to be desired."
Even without scrutinizing, he could tell that Matthew Horner was imitating Tom Cruise. Unfortunately, he had only captured Cruise's cool exterior, completely missing the substance that lay beneath.
The performance continued, with the two actors on completely different trajectories.
Matthew maintained a cold, hard stare, but to an outsider, it was a static, unchanging expression. Rachel McAdams was a different story entirely. Her performance might not have been perfect, but she appeared commanding next to Matthew. She skillfully used her eyebrows, the corners of her mouth and eyes, and subtle shifts in her facial muscles to craft expressions that perfectly matched the tension conveyed by the dialogue.
Everyone in the room could see they were simply not on the same level.
Even Matthew himself understood this.
Rachel McAdams was particularly petite, but as soon as she was on stage, her entire aura transformed.
Not only was the woman's breathing measured and her movements deliberate, but every raised eyebrow and pursed lip was full of meaning. He was completely unable to keep up, and it was killing his performance. According to the script, both characters were supposed to be tough, but his was the stronger one, and Rachel’s was slightly weaker. Yet, she played her part with such force that she came across as the dominant one.
If he had to find an analogy, Matthew would say she was a master tiler laying each piece with precision, while he was just a laborer swinging a sledgehammer.
For the last thirty seconds of the scene, Matthew was completely swept up in Rachel McAdams's rhythm.
"Stop!"
All the lines had been delivered. David Astor called out, then walked over to stand beside Matthew and Rachel McAdams.
Matthew gave Rachel McAdams a slight nod.
Rachel McAdams, no longer the menacing vixen from moments before, nodded back, a slight frown creasing one of her lovely brows. She had just stolen the spotlight from Matthew.
In truth, she couldn't be blamed for it. Her scene partner's performance had been utterly mediocre.
But Rachel McAdams shook her head, aware that her own acting was also far from perfect.
As for the actor named Matthew Horner, he was handsome and projected a cool image with his striking looks, but he possessed no real acting ability to speak of.
"You did well," David Astor began, addressing Rachel McAdams. "What you're lacking is extensive practice over a long period and sufficient acting experience."
He turned to the rest of the class. "Acting is a craft, and there's only one way to improve a craft: constant practice. This is especially true for a skill like acting, which involves controlling your body. Just as athletes aren't born strong, they consistently train and temper their bodies."
Matthew wasn't sure what the others thought of David Astor, but to someone with his level of life experience, the man’s teaching style could be described as quintessential pragmatism.
Perhaps there really were acting geniuses in the world who didn't need much practice, but Matthew was certain he wasn't one of them.
Persistent practice was the only path left for him.
David Astor turned to Matthew. "Your problem is obvious: a lack of acting experience, resulting in a one-dimensional and superficial performance."
Hearing this, Matthew nodded seriously. He had come here to receive guidance from the masters.
"In scenes like this, you either put on a cold face or look as stubborn as a child. The performance is technically correct, but you're missing all the details," David Astor continued, speaking directly to Matthew. "You were just acting cold. The problem is, your daughter has been kidnapped. The script wants you to portray not just a tough guy, but a good father who is terrified for his daughter."
He shook his head. "Do you think your cold composure is appropriate in a situation like that?"
Matthew shook his head and asked, "Should I have added a bit of anxiety and fear?"
"Perhaps." David Astor nodded, then added, "There's no precise formula for a performance. Everything depends on the circumstances."
Most of the fourteen students watched David Astor intently, hanging on his every word. For many of them, who were less educated and hadn't studied acting systematically, David Astor was a true mentor.
Then, Matthew and Rachel McAdams left the stage, and another pair of actors took their place.
Throughout the entire class, Matthew remained focused, unwilling to miss a single detail. He may have been a relative novice compared to the others in terms of raw talent and acting ability, but no one could match his level of concentration.
Even Rachel McAdams, who appeared so serious, was a distant second.
The morning lesson flew by in the blink of an eye, and Matthew felt that time had passed too quickly. Unlike the others, who left in a hurry, he made a point to catch up with David Astor before he got too far, wanting to ask what he felt was a crucial question.
"Mr. Astor," he asked politely, "what is the key to becoming a good actor?"
Although his goal was to become a Hollywood movie star, not just an actor, he knew the competition was fierce. If his skills weren't at a fundamental level, then even if he got lucky enough to land a role, he would soon sink to the bottom—and that was not what he wanted.
"Matthew, isn't it?" David Astor recalled his name and, after a moment's thought, said, "Actors must be humble, and not in a superficial sense."
Hearing his words, Matthew was baffled and couldn't grasp his meaning.
David Astor added, "There's no such thing as a perfect performance, which is why we must always remain in awe of the art itself." He nodded at Matthew. "A passion for learning is a rare quality in Hollywood."
Matthew stood there bewildered, not quite understanding what he was saying at all.
Likely noticing Matthew's seriousness and focus, which set him apart from the others, David Astor offered, "Keep this up, so that when an opportunity arises, you'll have what it takes to seize it."
He gave Matthew a final nod and turned to leave.
Matthew scratched his head. He understood the last part, of course, but the earlier words still confused him.
After standing there in thought for a moment, he still couldn't make sense of it. He decided to just go to the cafeteria, eat a small lunch, and after a short rest, head to another classroom to prepare for the language course he had enrolled in.
In this class, Matthew saw several familiar faces, including some from his morning class. Among them was Rachel McAdams, his scene partner from earlier.
Seeing an empty seat next to her, Matthew walked right over.
"Hi, Rachel," he said politely. "Is anyone sitting here?"
Seeing Matthew's ever-present sunny smile, Rachel McAdams replied, "Hi, Matthew. No one's here, feel free to sit down."
Matthew pulled out the chair, sat, and remarked, "What a coincidence. You’re enrolled in the language course too."
"I can't help it," Rachel McAdams replied rather helplessly. "My agent said my accent is too noticeable and needs to be corrected."
Matthew laughed. "My agent said the same thing. She thinks my Texas accent is too 'country.'"
Rachel McAdams sympathized. "My agent thinks my Canadian accent is a problem, too."
Having found some common ground to talk about, they started to get to know each other better.
Meanwhile, Helen was using her connection with Ridley Scott to stay in touch with the cast of Gladiator and find an opportunity to get Matthew some press.