Chapter 149 Strategies For Cannon Fodder


    “Besides, this isn’t like ‘The Youth’, it’s just a small production. With actors like they are now, the ones


    with even a bit of fame won’t take the job, while the ones who would like to take the job just can’t act


    well enough. Actors like Victoria who don’t pay too much attention to the size of the production and only


    care about the script are rarer than rare now.”


    With that, he sighed. Natalia didn’t have anything to say.


    After a while, Nathan continued, “Actually, Jessica Dawson’s been contacting me recently saying she


    wants to participate in the project. She’s also interested in the female lead, but because of what


    happened with her before, I’m not very confident in her. With her image, if we put in the costume work,


    she should at least manage to be better than other actresses, but I’m still not sure. If she gets involved


    in another scandal halfway through production, it won’t end well.”


    Natalia blinked, a little surprised.


    Her eyes darted slightly as she asked, “Jessica wants the role too?”


    Nathan replied, “Yeah. To be honest, even though my friend’s new to the field, he’s got good technique,


    or I wouldn’t be helping him. That’s why there’s still plenty of people who want to take part in the show,


    we just haven’t found any suitable candidates. If we really can’t manage, Jessica’s a good choice. It’s


    just that she’s been in too many scandalstely and her image isn’t too good – but that can be a type of


    publicity as well. If the filming goes well, the overall effect should be positive. It’s just a small


    production, after all. In the old days, a production this size managing to get someone like her on the


    cast wouldn’t have been usible.”


    Natalia thought for a while, then smiled.


    “All right, got it. If it’s convenient, can you send me a copy of the script? I’ll get back to you tomorrow.”


    Nathan jolted, a little surprised. He didn’t know what she meant by that.


    But he didn’t ask too many questions. He simply agreed and hung up.


    Natalia drove home. The moment she stepped inside, her phone beeped. She had a new email in her


    mailbox.


    As she changed out her shoes, she took a look. Nathan had sent her an electronic copy of the script.


    Archie was home already. He’d known she was going out with some of her female friends today, so he


    didn’t disturb her.


    The man had already finished his meal at this time and retired to the reading room.


    Changing her shoes, Natalia went upstairs and didn’t go to Archie but went directly to the bedroom.


    Turning herputer on, she looked through the entirety of the script Nathan had sent her.


    The script wasn’t long. It was just an eighteen-episode-long web series. But because she was paying


    attention to the details, it took her quite a bit of time.


    Archie went out of the reading room and saw her sitting in front of theputer. She looked focused,


    so he didn’t disturb her.


    But when he finished his shower, cleaned up and went out, he found her still sitting there, totally


    concentrated.


    He shot a look at the time. It was past twelve at night and he couldn’t help but frown.


    “What are you looking at?”


    Natalia was fully concentrating when the deep voice rang out behind her, and she jumped.


    Turning around, she saw that it was Archie and she sighed.


    “Oh, nothing, just a script.”


    “What script’s so important you’re staying up to read it now?”


    The man said, already bending over to look over her shoulder. He circled his arm around her and


    clicked the mouse, seeing the script’s name.


    “Strategies for Cannon Fodder”


    He cocked an eyebrow and Natalia couldn’t help but blushed, stammering an exnation. “It’s just a


    temporary name, they’re changing itter, er… that’s, this is the script for a web series. The production


    size isn’t big, so I’m just looking through it.”


    Archie chuckled. “A script like that is worth staying up until this hour?”


    Saying that, he pointed deliberately at his wristwatch.


    Only then did Natalia realize it had gotten thiste. She made a sound of assent and followed him to


    bed.


    At the same time.


    Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    In the Dawson household.


    Jessica was giving Nathan a call.


    It was past midnight, but for someone in their line of work, it couldn’t be consideredte at all. In fact, it


    was even early.


    Naturally, Nathan was no exception. He was a famous night owl. He’d just finished discussing points


    with a producer when he left the hotel and received Jessica’s call.


    “Need something, Jessica?”


    Jessica clutched her phone nervously, a forced smile on her face.


    “It’s like this, Mr. McCarthy. I hear you’ve got a script and you’re looking for a female lead?”


    Nathan narrowed his eyes. He knew what Jessica was calling for, and still made it out to be awkward.


    “I do, but I’m not the director, it’s one of my friends. He’s new in the business and doesn’t have much


    experience…”


    “It’s fine. So long as the script is good, it doesn’t matter who the director is.”


    Nathan chuckled.


    “Is that so. Have you called that friend of mine, then?”


    That touched Jessica’s nerves.


    That up-anding director was called Vicente Langes or something. He wasn’t very famous, but he


    had a big temper.


    She was one of the top-line actresses in the business. Even with all the scandals, she still had scores


    of fans.


    It was an honor to have her participate in his works, but he actually refused?


    That man didn’t know what was good for him!


    But as things stood now, Jessica didn’t have any better choices. From her roles throughout her career,


    this character suited her all the more.


    Knowing that Vicente was Nathan’s friend and Nathan was actually going to be on producing, she knew


    the quality wouldn’t be bad.


    It was a web series, but web series were getting popr now. This might turn things around.


    Considering that, Jessica took a deep breath, suppressed her discontent, and beamed, “I called, but


    Director Langes doesn’t seem to know me very well, and I’m not too familiar with him. You know me,


    Director McCarthy. Last time was just an ident. If you can give me a chance this time around, I’ll put


    up a good performance. I won’t let you down.”


    To be honest, Nathan was getting swayed.


    After all, with Vicente’s personality, the whole shooting could be stalled if they didn’t find the right


    candidate.


    People who thought they were the most obstinate person in the world probably hadn’t met Vicente.


    If it hadn’t been for how intractable he was, someone that talented wouldn’t have found himself in a


    ce like this.


    He was middle-aged already, but still a new director.


    Thinking of that, Nathan sighed.


    He did want to help his friend out, so he said, “I’ll discuss it with him, then! If it’s all right, I’ll call you


    back.”


    If he put it like that, he was basically agreeing already.


    Jessica heaved a sigh of relief.


    Smiling, she said, “Thanks, Director McCarthy.”


    Nathan grunted, didn’t discuss it with her too much, and hung up.


    Morning the next day, he went to visit Vicente directly.


    Vicente had set up a small workshop. Or rather, a little homemade workspace.


    He was so poor he couldn’t even afford proper equipment. Everything was rented. He had it


    rough.