Alien world

Chapter 1380 14. Magical images that can be used for reasonable advertising

"Katerina, can you be funny?"

In the meeting room of the City Lord's Mansion, Annan asked the "Swan Neck" who came from afar this question in a serious manner.

"Is this... funny?" Catalina, who was sitting across the round table, was stunned.

"Yeah, funny."

Annan gestured: "Faro Barros, you show her."

Faru Barros, who was brought here specially by Annan, stood up and began the performance he often performed for princes and ministers in the North - creating jokes through funny body movements, exaggerated facial expressions, and vague accents.

Faru Barros only used half of his skills, just winking and making faces, but it was enough to amaze Catalina.

"I didn't expect there are such excellent actors in Liberty City..."

"In fact, he is the King of the North, just like me." Annan introduced Faru Barros who had sat back down.

"Uh... then you have a wide range of hobbies." Catalina said awkwardly.

Annan didn't comment and got down to business: "So you can do it?"

Catalina recalled what she had just seen: sticking the tongue into the nostrils, widening the eyes as if they were bulging out, or pursing the jaw to look at the eyes so that all the facial features seemed to be gathered together... and shook her head.

"Then I'm afraid this role is not suitable for you."

“…I can try.”

Catalina refused to give up the opportunity. As a stage actress, she acted like a fool, imitating Faro Barros's appearance and trying hard to make eye contact.

But it's not funny, instead it's cute.

If Annan had been more ruthless and used the Philosopher's Stone to record this scene, the current issue of "Voice of Freedom" in Huadu could have sold thousands more copies.

"How about it?"

"Um……"

Annan leaned back in his chair and tilted his head, "What do you think?"

Faro Barros narrowed his eyes, flashing a critical gleam: "As for her talent in playing a clown, I would call her a Muggle."

Catalina couldn't accept anyone questioning her acting skills, but on this point alone - she was convinced.

"It seems that it is still not suitable, Miss Catalina. But it doesn't matter, we will have the opportunity to cooperate in the future..."

"Can I take a look at the script?" Catalina suddenly asked.

"That's fine, but I hope you don't spread it."

In fact, Annan is not afraid of spreading the news, maybe it can even help them with publicity.

Annan pushed the first draft of the script he had written overnight in front of Katerina.

"Thank you."

Katerina took the script and started flipping through it.

Taking advantage of the break, Annan walked out of the meeting room and strolled between the third floor of the City Lord's Mansion and the garden, pretending to be very busy.

When she returned to the conference room, Catalina had finished reading the script.

"That's right, I told you it's not suitable for you..."

"I think this role belongs to me." Katerina held the script tightly.

"Oh?"

Annan didn't rush to deny it. He was very curious about why Catalina felt this way.

"Your script is about a man named Truman who lives in a fake town. His life can be seen by the audience 24 hours a day. There is no privacy. It is equivalent to playing a character named Truman on stage all your life."

"That's right." Annan nodded.

"But for real audiences, 'Truman' is a character living on stage, so his performance must be exaggerated, and every move must be like that of a stage actor. In this way, when he walks to the false wall of sky and calmly says 'If I can't see you again, I wish you good morning, good afternoon and good night' and the curtain call in the tone of an ordinary person, it will be more impactful and shocking."

Annan understood. Recalling the original version of "The Truman Show", the actor who played Truman was indeed an actor who could make exaggerated expressions. If an actor who was not good at exaggeration was replaced, it would lose that flavor.

Katerina smiled confidently: "You asked me if I can make funny and exaggerated expressions. Isn't it because of this?"

"Um... ahem... yes."

Annan didn't say that he did this just to fit the original work.

Should we say that he is worthy of being a famous stage actor known as the "swan neck"? The thoughts he wanted to express were almost analyzed through the script.

From this perspective, Catalina is indeed a suitable candidate, but unfortunately... her words made Annan change his mind.

Just now he thought it was okay to let a woman play Truman, but now it seems that Truman must be a man and can only be a man.

"What a shame! If you were a man, I would definitely choose you to play Truman."

"Why? Is there any difference between a man and a woman starring in the film?" Catalina was puzzled.

"Because a male protagonist would be more exciting, changing it to a female protagonist would cause the story to fall into a vortex of gender controversy... You wouldn't understand even if I told you."

"No, I understand."

Katerina said something surprising: "You mean, because men and women have different statuses, it will make it easier for the audience to focus on the gender of the protagonist and minor details, and thus ignore the plot."

Annan opened his mouth slightly.

Although Katerina is a well-known talented actress in Huadu... this is too smart.

He just said something gender controversial and she almost deduced the process.

In fact, this is what happens to all actresses. Most of the time, they are just vases and foils, used to advance the plot rather than leading the story.

Catalina, who became famous at a young age and had an extraordinary father behind him, has never met such a person, but she has seen him.

"That's right." Annan did not deny it. "I know this is not right, but change cannot be done overnight."

Then he heard Katerina say, "I can use makeup and Transfiguration to become a man."

"Are you sure?" Annan asked in surprise.

"I am sure."

Katerina was very determined and held the script tightly, believing that the role of Truman belonged to her.

After saying that, she stood up, stepped back outside the round table, sat down with her legs hugged, and lowered her head.

Annan saw that she was acting out the scene where Truman was caught in the rain on the beach and found that the rain was only falling on himself.

Catalina restrained her body movements and retained her exaggerated emotions, which made her look funny even though she looked very sad.

To be fair, Katerina's performance perfectly matches Annan's image of the protagonist Truman.

only……

While Annan was frowning, Catalina remembered something and took out a coin bag and put it on the table.

Slightly——

Annan moved his ears and heard the movement of the gem.

"I heard that the actors of Magic Image need to be paid..."

"Are you bribing our Lord Annan?"

Faro Barros asked, and suddenly shut up because Annan raised his hand.

"Well, I really can't go against my conscience and reject Miss Swan Neck, who has good acting skills, a sincere attitude, and a great reputation..."

Annan stood up, leaned forward and stretched out his left hand to Catalina, and his right hand smoothly passed over the purse and put it into the magic ring.

The two people's left hands touched each other.

"Pleasant to work with."

(End of this chapter)