Leaving David Astor's office, Matthew pulled out his phone and dialed Helen Herman's number. She answered quickly.
"What's up?"
Hearing Helen Herman's question, Matthew said as he walked, "I just consulted with my acting class teacher and came up with an idea. What do you think?"
He had never experienced the intense situation of dozens of actors competing for one role, and he lacked relevant experience.
Helen Herman's slightly curious voice came through the receiver, "Go on."
Matthew found a quiet spot in the school and stopped, saying, "Since Ronald Speirs is a typical tough soldier, can we hire an active or retired military officer to give me some military training for a period of time?"
There was silence in the phone receiver, only Helen Herman's breathing.
"This is what I'm thinking." Matthew never considered himself a genius in acting. "There's only about a month until the next audition at most. In such a short time, it's impossible for my acting skills to improve significantly."
"Mm." Helen Herman spoke up, "Even if I gave you two more months, there wouldn't be a noticeable improvement."
Matthew didn't retort and continued, "I want to find an active or retired professional military officer to give me targeted training, especially on aspects like walking, standing, and posture that are easily observed in an audition. If I can have some soldierly demeanor, wouldn't I have a better chance of getting the role?"
Although he had little experience, generally speaking, his chances of getting the role were slim, but even for the smallest hope, he had to put in his greatest effort.
Seizing opportunities doesn't rely on wishful thinking, but on concrete action and effort.
The other end of the phone went silent again. Helen Herman seemed to be contemplating. After a while, she said, "That's also a method, and it has a certain feasibility."
"Helen." Matthew switched the phone to his other hand. "Do you know any professionals in this area?"
"Wait for my news," Helen Herman quickly said. "I'll find someone to help connect us."
After they finished speaking, Matthew was about to hang up when Helen Herman suddenly reminded him, "Just so you know, this might incur considerable expenses."
Matthew frowned and said, "I still have some money, it should be enough."
After hanging up the phone, he suddenly regretted it. Why did he change his phone? A leaky phone could have worked just fine... After having lunch outside, Matthew returned to school for his afternoon language class. He hadn't seen Rachel McAdams these past few days, so he specifically called to ask. She had landed a minor role and gone to the Valley Region in the north to film.
Today, the language teacher was a Brit, and the content taught was British pronunciation, also known as the legendary London accent.
Through this period of understanding, Matthew learned that speaking a genuine British accent in Hollywood was very popular, especially in certain special films, earning much praise from film critics. Many excellent American actors could freely switch between their original accents and British accents.
Several language teachers had said that many Hollywood films deliberately sought actors who could speak fluent British English, for example, in period or fantasy films, such actors were common. Film critics would even consider it very awkward and unreliable to use an American accent for such genres. Many film and television productions with British backgrounds or adaptations of famous literary works also exclusively used British-accented actors.
Even modern themes were fine; many films had this type of actor, and a noticeable British accent was acceptable, as it would simply be stated that the character was British.
Some British and American actors have extremely deep line delivery skills and are willing to work hard, switching accents freely, not only between British and American accents but also imitating African-flavored accents and European-flavored accents.
Achieving this level also requires long-term, extensive practice. Accent correction and line delivery skills cannot be confused. In the words of the language class teacher, good line delivery doesn't mean being able to speak, but knowing how to speak: captivating people between speaking, laughing, and apologizing. If you play a movie with such actors and just listen, doing nothing else, it's already wonderful.
Just like being able to control one's acting freely, Matthew knew he was still very far from that level.
However, after this period of study and practice, the unclear Texas accent left by the original Matthew was almost imperceptible.
Of course, dubbing is a miraculous existence in this world, but in live-action films in Hollywood, actors rarely accept it unless absolutely necessary.
"Once dubbed, it cannot be called excellent acting, or even considered a qualified actor."
This is one of the unwritten rules in the Hollywood film and television industry, which even a newcomer like Matthew had heard of.
A negative example in this regard is still circulated within the industry: the Hollywood film "My Fair Lady," adapted from a Broadway musical, starred Audrey Hepburn. Although Audrey Hepburn's acting was effortless, her vocal range did not match the singing requirements of the film's songs. Out of necessity, the production team decided to hire a professional singer to dub Audrey Hepburn's singing parts in post-production.
Thus, Audrey Hepburn could only regret losing the Oscar that year.
Precisely because the Hollywood film industry is ashamed of being dubbed, accent coaches and language correction classes thrive in Hollywood. They have a complete teaching system specifically designed to correct actors' pronunciation flaws and avoid the embarrassment of "being dubbed."
Perhaps in the past, one might have been dubbed, but now, an accent problem can even get an actor directly kicked out.
For his dream of stardom, for making big money, and for his initial dream, Matthew's diligence in these courses was beyond doubt.
The two-hour class quickly ended. Matthew unhurriedly packed his things. The people in the classroom gradually left, and soon only two or three remained. Just as he put on his backpack and was about to leave, his phone rang.
"You found a suitable candidate so quickly?"
Matthew thought it was Helen Herman, but when he took out his phone, it was Britney Spears' number.
After the MV crew disbanded, although they hadn't met again, they had kept in touch. From his deduction, Britney Spears seemed to genuinely consider him a good friend.
"Hi, Bu Bu." Matthew answered the phone, walking with his backpack on. "Why the sudden call?"
Their previous few calls had always been in the evening after Britney finished her work, as she was a big star and in the promotional period for her first album, "...Baby One More Time," with a very heavy workload.
"I was supposed to be on a radio show," Britney sounded annoyed. "Something unexpected happened, and my agency and I canceled it temporarily. Now I have nothing to do."
Matthew asked concernedly, "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Nothing, let's talk when we meet." Britney seemed eager to confide in someone. "Where are you? Westwood? I'll come find you."
"I'm not in Westwood." Matthew left the classroom and walked towards the school gate. "I'm at the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts in North Hollywood, on Laurel Canyon Boulevard."
Britney seemed to be talking to someone on her end. After a while, she said, "Can you wait for me at the entrance? The driver knows the place, I'll be there soon."
"Okay." Matthew adjusted his backpack. "I'll wait for you at the school gate."
He went outside the school gate, specifically found a conspicuous spot by the roadside, and waited patiently.
After only about ten minutes, a very ordinary-looking car drove from a distance, gradually slowing down as it approached the school gate. Matthew turned to look, just in time to see the rear window roll down, revealing Britney Spears' slightly youthful face.
He quickly waved at her, and the car immediately drove over and stopped. The rear door was opened from the inside, and Britney waved to him, "Get in, Matthew."
"Coming." Matthew took off his backpack, got into Britney's car, and closed the door behind him.
Britney took Matthew's backpack, put it behind the seat, and asked, "Where are we going?"
"Do you have plans tonight?" Matthew asked.
Britney shook her head. "No." She then said angrily, "The radio event I had booked was canceled."
Matthew didn't rush to ask why. Instead, he said, "Long time no see. How about I treat you to dinner?"
"Okay!" Britney agreed without hesitation, seemingly having a lot to tell Matthew. "It'll be good to find a quiet place to chat."
The driver was in the car, so it was inconvenient to talk.
Matthew remembered the restaurant they had visited last time and asked, "Shall we go for Chinese food?"
He remembered that besides the Eight Immortals table and grand chairs, that restaurant also had private rooms, like traditional Chinese restaurants.
Britney nodded directly, "Sure."
Matthew politely told the driver, "To Rochester Avenue in Westwood."
North Hollywood was not very far from Westwood, and traffic was convenient. Following Matthew's directions, the driver quickly found the Chinese restaurant.
As soon as the car stopped, Britney wanted to get out. Matthew pointed to her face, "Bu Bu, do you want to be surrounded?"
"Oh, I forgot."
Britney gave an embarrassed smile and put on a pair of large sunglasses. Matthew saw a Dodgers baseball cap on the car seat, took it, and placed it on her head.
"Ready?" Britney asked.
Matthew tilted his head to look at her and said, "Alright, let's get out."
He got out first and walked towards the restaurant. Britney followed. After entering the restaurant, Matthew asked the waiter a few questions. It was probably still early and there weren't many customers, so the waiter led him and Britney into a private room with a Chinese-style decor.
Matthew casually ordered a few dishes, while Britney curiously examined the furniture and decorations in the private room.
"Sit, Bu Bu," Matthew called out.
Britney sat in a grand chair and patted its hardwood armrest. "This chair is so strange."
Matthew didn't explain. Instead, he asked, "What's wrong? You've been looking upset the whole way here."
"It's that... radio station!" Britney blurted out an F-word, "And that bitch Christina Aguilera!"