[Chapter 63: dia Frenzy and a Wave of Backlash]
Next, Linton and the team discussed the cinematography and art style. They finally agreed that the entire movie should have a strong contrast between light and dark tones -- ballet scenes were to appear bright and clear, while street dance scenes needed cooler, darker tones.
For costus, the female lead's dance outfit had to be high-end and sexy to showcase her figure to the fullest. The other dancers would wear darker colors to keep the audience's focus squarely on the leads.
They drafted a preliminary shooting schedule starting March 15 and aid to finish in 65 days. Linton asked Zack, Robert, Carter, and Anne to quickly finalize the detailed tiline for his review.
After that, Anne suggested that since the leads were cast and filming was close, starting the next day, they should dive fully into dance training. She asked Linton and Naomi to co to her dance studio for assessnt and to create a training plan.
...
Linton agreed and called Naomi, who nervously asked, "I heard you guys were discussing casting today -- there shouldn't be any surprises with my role, right?"
"No worries. Although there were so hiccups, they approved it. By the way, how's your ballet training going? Anne's testing starts tomorrow."
"Don't worry, it's going great. After all this practice, my teacher said I'm ready for a ballet performance."
"Co over to the estate tonight. Let's celebrate." Just as Linton was about to hang up, Naomi surprised him with an invitation.
"Okay, I'll have David pick you up. We should keep things low-key at this hour."
---
Universal's dia team was absolutely on point. That evening, butler Amy brought in a pile of newspapers to congratulate Linton.
"Sir, congrats on your album sales breaking 28 million copies -- surpassing Madonna! You're officially a superstar. Look -- so many papers are praising you as a genuine genius and a prodigy in the music world. Your first album has made history."
Linton took the papers, all filled with praise, and felt proud. "Everyone's worked hard. Today I'm in a good mood -- notify everyone that this month, all estate staff get their bonuses doubled."
"Yeah! That's great! The boss is the best!" Amy joyfully went to spread the news.
---
That night, David discreetly picked up Naomi without alerting any paparazzi. When she saw Linton, she flung herself into his arms and kissed him. "Thank you, Linton. I heard everything about today's eting."
"Don't ntion it. I believe you'll pull off the role of Nora -- your look and vibe fit perfectly. The key is acting and dancing. If your acting's off, I'll definitely push you during filming. So how's your dancing?"
"My coach says I've improved a lot and there's no problem for the film. Want to show you sothing now?"
"Sure, let see your progress -- maybe we can rehearse together."
They changed into dancewear and headed to the studio. Naomi danced a solo ballet piece, showing great improvent -- Linton, not a ballet expert, thought she looked nearly on par with professional stage dancers.
Anne would still have the final say, but from a director's perspective, it looked promising for the film. He silently gave her credit.
Then they started rehearsing together. The chemistry between them was electric, and before long, they were entangled -- starting their own private battle in the dance studio...
...
After the break, they freshened up and went to the master bedroom terrace on the third floor. Opening a bottle of red wine with a beautiful view, they shared recent work achievents and their hopes for the movie.
"Linton, the dia has been doubting your movie, yet you don't seem fazed at all?" Naomi asked.
"I've got a strong heart and confidence this movie will succeed. When it does, box office numbers will shut them up.
Besides, you can look at it as free publicity. Step Up hasn't even started filming, but everyone's already talking about it. That's a dream co true for many movies. If our quality's good, this chatter will drive the box office," Linton explained.
"But you're a rookie director, and both leads are newcors. Are you really confident?"
"Don't worry. I'm not risking millions for fun. Besides, everyone else is a seasoned pro -- producers, assistant directors, choreographers, cinematographers, lighting, costu, and stylists -- they're top-notch.
Don't underestimate -- I studied directing in school and earned an A on my thesis project."
"I won't drag us down either. Lately, I practice dancing all day and work with acting coaches at night to study the script. I'm sure I'll give a great performance as Nora," Naomi said, captivated by Linton's confidence.
"Nora needs to be beautiful, dance well, and portray the proud air of a wealthy upper-class girl with the hazy feelings of young love. Beauty? You've got that. Dancing is improving. Show a few scenes so I can evaluate."
Naomi perford scenes from the script, and Linton was mostly pleased. He pointed out a few areas for improvent, urging her to keep working.
"Naomi, since you were cast without auditions, the dia tomorrow will surely explode with stories -- prepare yourself ntally."
"I'm ready. I was nervous before, but your strong confidence cald ," Naomi said firmly.
"Tomorrow I won't co over. When we're together, I can't focus on dance or the script."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"That's true, but tonight I'm staying on top." Naomi finished her wine and, like a knight, charged at Linton...
---
anwhile, in the Miramax headquarters, Harvey Weinstein received a report that Linton's movie was going to be independently produced -- no studio partnership.
"Is this confird?"
"Yes. Linton's studio is investing $10 million. Aside from lead roles, the crew and cast are mainly provided as a package by the William Morris Agency. Linton is the male lead, and Naomi Watts is the female lead, handpicked by Linton himself."
"Naomi Watts -- the woman who starred in two of Linton's music videos? Has she done any films?"
"Yes, besides music videos, she only played the second lead in an indie film Manhattan Girl -- which hasn't even been released."
"This Linton is so ungrateful! I've promoted him in the dia, offered a hand of friendship, hoping he'd spend his 'dumb money' with . And now he dares to go solo? It's an insult to Hollywood.
Alert our friendly dia -- we need to hamr him hard, especially exposing the scandal that he cast a newcor with no film credits, without audition."
At the sa ti, multiple Hollywood studios and many rising young actresses jumped on the sa bandwagon.
---
The next morning at breakfast, butler Amy brought a stack of newspapers and glanced uneasily at Naomi.
"What's wrong?" Linton asked.
"All the papers are criticizing you and Ms. Watts. There are tons of paparazzi outside."
"It's not a big deal. I'm used to it. Bring them here -- let see."
Los Angeles Tis: "Rising pop star destined for a box office flop."
The Hollywood Reporter: "A rookie director and two rookie leads -- will anyone watch this movie?"
Entertainnt Weekly: "Shocking! Linton's million-dollar movie is just to promote his girlfriend."
Hollywood Gossip: "What kind of woman made Linton blow millions?"
Even the usual dia supporters of Linton were suddenly critical, calling him reckless and lost in love.
The dia frenzy was intense. Although Linton was the headline, most of the criticism focused on Naomi - exposing her past and painting the picture that a foreign newcor with no works, starring in two MVs, was handpicked as the female lead in a multimillion-dollar production.
This glaring favoritism was rumored to be due to leveraging personal favors.
Behind the scenes, the negative campaign was orchestrated and quickly went viral.
*****
spatreon/Sayonara816.
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