King of Hollywood-Chapter 561 - 282 Casting Work

But there’s a problem because "far away from home" was previously assigned to Britney to sing, and naturally, the song was included in her new album. Not only that, Adrian and people like Eric Norton made "god is a girl" and "The Day You Went Away" come into being and added them in.

The former needed to release the original version after two more years; now was the right time. As for the latter, the Norwegian group’s claim-to-fame song had already been given to someone else, so the others were also divided up. Britney was very suitable for electronic music—although too much reliance wasn’t good, but she hadn’t reached that point yet. Electronic music was still very helpful to her, so Adrian picked a few more songs with high sing-along value based on the original second album for her.

"baby one more time" was still on the Billboard charts, and this was only with the efforts of the record company and herself, Adrian hadn’t made a move yet. You should know that the data from music magazines like Billboard is provided by specialized media companies in design fields like the E5 Global Media or Nielsen Media, and their data not only comes from record sales but also from radio airplay.

Record sales go without saying, as long as you’re willing to spend money, just like Adrian had spent millions of dollars to push the total box office of "Titanic" past 2.1 billion. As for radio airplay, American radio was basically divided cleanly by NBC, ABC, and CBS. Viacom, which had successfully acquired CBS, and AC Media currently had a good relationship and they also owned MTV. To manipulate things was too easy.

Yes, that’s right, Billboard’s authority was quite fair, but only relatively speaking. Everything was relative, and at Adrian’s level, where he could influence the rules, he could do as he pleased as long as it wasn’t too extreme, even with authority.

These tactics hadn’t even been used yet, and Britney was already a super popular young idol, so her fame wasn’t entirely accidental. Adrian didn’t mind adding fuel to the fire. However, this made the artistic director Eric Norton quite amazed. He asked more than once, "Are you really just an amateur in music creation?"

Alright, I digress. In short, "far away from home" had already been included in Britney’s new album and was to be used to celebrate the 100th episode broadcast of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Sarah hoped if they were to film a music video, she could co-star with Adrian. There were many things to adjust in this respect.

"What do you think, Sarah? Is it much better than before?" After listening to the newly recorded "far away from home" in the studio, Adrian asked the girl next to him.

"Yes." Sarah nodded after glancing at Britney, who was sitting on the other side with her hands propped on her chair, smiling and watching her, "My understanding of the lyrics themselves is indeed better than before."

"I guess it’s because I understand that disappointed, sad feeling, especially when I lost at the Grammys," Britney interjected, "I also watch ’Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, and I really like the character you play. I’m happy to help, Sarah, and I hope you like how I sing this song."

"Thank you, Britney, I’m glad it’s you who’s singing it," Sarah replied with a smile. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

"Congratulations, congratulations on ’Buffy’ reaching 100 episodes," Britney said, extending her hand with a sincere look. After listening to Adrian talk about Sarah’s experiences, she’d always felt sympathetic towards her, so she did not hesitate to offer her own kindness.

Of course, sympathy aside, there were some things she would never give Sarah the chance to do.

"Why don’t you say anything, Ed? I’ve tried very hard to perform." Saying this, Britney left her chair and clung to Adrian, wrapping her arms around his and swaying lightly, speaking in a coquettish tone. Her flirtatious demeanor was just right, indeed very adorable, as she tried to be the most favored one.

Seeing this, Sarah couldn’t help but laugh and shook her head almost imperceptibly, seemingly unperturbed, her eyes still on Adrian.

"Haven’t I already said it’s better than the previous version, and it’s very suitable to be your second lead single?" After giving Sarah a look, Adrian held Britney, who was leaning on him, and caressed her cheek with a smile.

Britney seemed displeased and was about to pout some more when the studio door sounded off; she quickly sprang back into her seat, her movements so swift that Sarah, who was looking down, almost laughed out loud.

As Norton entered halfway, he stopped and blinked, almost blurting out, "Am I interrupting you?" Of course, he didn’t actually say it. With the record company growing steadily, Eric Norton’s ability to hold the position of Artistic Director wasn’t just due to his own competency but also Adrian’s indispensable support. Therefore, he had a certain understanding of some matters and knew when to do what.

"Here’s the itinerary we’ve arranged for Britney," he said, pretending not to know anything, as he sat back down and passed the item in his hand to Adrian.

After spending a few minutes reviewing it, and a few more thinking, Adrian finally sighed, "Clearly, there’s no time now; I’m off to London and then back to New Zealand. However, I’ll be coming back at the end of May, which is when Britney is releasing her lead single, so we can shoot the music video then."

"Is that timeline a bit tight?" asked Norton after pondering for a moment.

"We still need to coordinate and promote with the ’Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ crew, so let’s complete all that before worrying about the music video. Moreover, you can finalize the script and fax it to me. That way, I can ponder over it when I find time, and it won’t take long to shoot when the time comes," Adrian suggested.

"That works for me; you’re the boss," shrugged Norton, not pressing the matter.

"What a pity," Britney sighed from the side, "I thought I’d be filming the music video with Ed right away. This is not an opportunity that comes to everyone."

"It’s just a delay," Adrian said with a smile, patting her head, "Alright, now that it’s settled, I should be going. Keep up the good work, Britney; I believe your second album will be even more successful."

"Okay," replied Britney, somewhat despondent, watching as Adrian and Sarah walked to the door. It was only then that she sprung up and quickly caught up with them.

"Ed," she called out eagerly, then glanced at Norton, who was busy adjusting the recording equipment, his back to her as if he knew nothing.

"What is it?" Adrian stopped and looked at her with an inquisitive expression. Britney bit her lip and, taking his arm, shook it slightly; Adrian understood and walked with her to a corner.

"Are you free tonight? I’d like to take a stroll down Sunset Boulevard," Britney asked in a hopeful tone, then made a pitiable face, cooing in a sweet, syrupy voice, "Master~"

Her beautiful eyes sparkled, much like a small dog longing for affection, matching the earlier "master." In the past, this tactic would have gotten her whatever she wanted from Adrian, but unfortunately, today it was ineffective.

"I’m sorry, Britney, I already have plans tonight," he said after glancing at Sarah.

Britney couldn’t contain her disappointed look, pouting unhappily. Adrian laughed, reached out, and gently pinched her cheek: "Now, Britney, don’t forget what I told you. Be a good girl, okay?"

Taking a couple of deep breaths, the girl, though still somewhat reluctant, obediently nodded her head. Under Adrian’s training, she had indeed become very obedient. As mentioned before, the lessons he taught her were not limited to physical hygiene—brainwashing was a long-term, comprehensive process, which was also quite effective, at least so far Britney hadn’t made any grand statements about still being a virgin during talk show interviews.

"It’s a very sensitive question. Normally, we can approach everything very rationally, but sometimes emotions can take over, especially during intense and beautiful moments, so I can’t answer that question." When asked about premarital sex on "The Tonight Show," that’s how she responded. It wasn’t quite good enough, but it was acceptable.

Adrian gently patted Britney’s cheek, glanced around, and then, with lightning speed, leaned in close to the girl, pecked her on the lips, and afterward quickly left with Sarah. Britney stood there stunned for a while, then giggled and collected her emotions, ready to continue recording.

"I’m sorry, Sarah," Adrian suddenly said after getting into his car in the parking lot.

"It’s okay, she listens to you well, so you don’t need to apologize," said Sarah, shrugging it off.

"It’s not about that." Adrian shook his head, then sighed, "You know, because of... that’s why I can’t show my face in the music video."

Sarah hadn’t expected him to bring this up, and she looked at him with surprise, but soon after, she took hold of Adrian’s hand.

"It doesn’t matter, as long as the music video is made with you and me," Sarah said with a gentle smile, "Just having your chin, your eyes, your mouth— that’s enough."

At this, she became playful: "Besides, you can personally edit a version just for us to watch."

"That’s true," Adrian considered, nodding, then looked at Sarah with a mischievous grin, "Or we could also..."

Sarah was taken aback for a few seconds before catching on, and her pretty face immediately flushed red, and without saying a word, she reached out to hit Adrian.

"We could think of more thrilling content," Adrian laughed while fending off her hits, "Buffy succumbing to temptation, finally falling, or being captured by vampires, turned into their slave..."

Seeing that Sarah was truly getting angry, he changed his tune: "Okay, okay, I didn’t say anything."

Sarah huffed loudly, punched him hard on the arm, and stopped only after doing so. Adrian winced and rubbed his arm. Although her Taekwondo was still more form than function, it did serve some purpose as exercise.

"Feeling better now?" Adrian asked after moving his body around a bit.

"Much better," Sarah said, threateningly waving her fist.

"Then, can you tell me what’s on your mind?" Adrian asked seriously, dropping his smile.

Sarah initially wanted to deny it, but meeting his gaze, she couldn’t utter the words that had reached her lips, and she just sighed softly.

"I feel... I feel it’s not right," she said quietly, somewhat unsure of herself.

"There’s nothing inappropriate about it, Sarah. I’ve told you, I’m your best listener, I’m willing to help you through your troubles; there’s always a solution to every problem," Adrian said, putting his arm around her shoulder, pulling her towards him.

"No, it’s not that serious," Sarah shook her head, "It’s just..."

Her bright eyes looked at Adrian, filled with an unspeakable gaze, but eventually, she spoke up, "I don’t like the character, Ed."

Adrian raised his eyebrows, then it clicked, "Can I know why? Director Mendes said you performed well."

"Yes, I know, he’s said that to me, but I... I’m not saying that..." Sarah gestured, as if struggling to find the words, "I just... I just..."

Adrian did not interrupt, just quietly watched her, waiting for her to phrase her thoughts.

"I don’t care, Ed," Sarah finally let out a breath, her gaze firm and serious, "I don’t care about acting, I don’t care about progressing further, I don’t care about fame, I don’t care about the Oscars, I... I don’t like dark roles. Before I met you, my life had too many shades of gray, and I don’t want to continue that in movies. I’d rather play vase-like roles, I’d rather be a comedy actress, I’d rather be criticized by critics for not improving and repeating my image, as long as... as long as I’m by your side... I just want to be by your side..."

Her eyes shimmered, "That would make me very happy."

Adrian didn’t speak, just caressed her cheek, and after a long while, he leaned in and kissed her lips, not with fierce passion, but with tender suckling.

"No problem," he gazed into her eyes again, with a warm smile, "As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters."

Sarah’s lips curled into a smile, and she opened her arms to hug Adrian tightly.

It was okay not to care, not to care was fine; even without an Oscar, being a comedy actress beloved by countless people wasn’t so bad and besides... such a Sarah was even more endearing.

After wrapping things up in Los Angeles, Adrian then took a private jet to London, of course, stopping in New York for a day as usual. There was only one matter to attend to in London—the casting for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone." The work had started at the beginning of March and had been ongoing for almost two months. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit qidian.com to cast your recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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