Compared to a dabbler like Helen Herman, Ridley Scott was undoubtedly a true professional.
"He knows how to use his voice and body," Ridley Scott said, his words quite objective. "But he's overexerting himself, and his performance is superficial. He's still far from a breakthrough."
Helen Herman nodded slightly.
Ridley Scott added, "You can't tell much from just one scene. There aren't many truly enlightened actors in Hollywood anyway."
Unlike the extras who found their own places to rest, Matthew, as the absolute protagonist of these scenes, sat on a very comfortable high-backed chair. The makeup artist and an assistant director stood opposite him, carefully examining the newly added scars on his face to identify any potential issues.
This was arguably the most comfortable Matthew had been since arriving on set.
In the designated temporary rest area for actors, there were snacks specifically for him to replenish his energy, electrolyte drinks to quench his thirst, and the crew even temporarily assigned him an assistant to help him with matters outside of filming.
Of course, these perks were only for these few scenes; once filming was complete, all benefits would disappear.
"I wonder what kind of treatment Russell Crowe gets?"
Matthew was quite idle at the moment, feeling a bit like a farmer idly discussing the emperor's golden hoe.
After a while, the temporary assistant came to notify him that it was time to prepare for the next scene.
Next up would be an action scene, but Matthew was the only actual actor. The camera would only capture close-up shots of him swinging his warhammer. This was also why the crew dared to use him on such short notice.
Action scenes with combat, like those, were either filmed by stunt actors or required a period of professional training.
Matthew arrived on set, where some extras dressed as Roman soldiers and barbarians were already lying on the ground, playing dead, serving as the background for the shoot.
"You are the center point here!" the action director, who had previously spoken with Matthew, came over to give his final instructions. "Don't move more than one meter left or right!"
"Also, haven't you swung a sledgehammer before?" he continued. "Swing the hammer in whatever way allows you to exert full force!"
"Alright!" Matthew nodded.
Before filming, he had heard the action director say that the action scenes in 'Gladiator' followed a realistic, power-based approach, not the exaggerated style prevalent in Hollywood today.
Matthew knew nothing about the exaggerated 'qi gong' and 'dance martial arts' that were so hyped, but he had been in plenty of street fights, and swinging a hammer was his old trade.
The action director left, and the makeup artist came over to check, confirming Matthew's makeup was fine before leaving the set.
Taking advantage of the lull before filming began, Matthew noticed that only one camera was being used for this shoot, positioned directly in front of him.
Filming quickly began. Hearing the clapper's call, Matthew swung the great hammer as if he were horizontally striking several concrete pillars, once to the left, once to the right. The resin warhammer with its totem weighed only about five or six pounds, but in his hands, it was like a real iron hammer, whistling through the air.
There were no "enemies" around, so Matthew could only smash at the air. After swinging four or five times back and forth, his tense expression unconsciously relaxed a bit.
Having someone to fight against and practicing alone were two different things, plus he lacked experience... "Stop!" Ridley Scott once again called a halt to filming, shouting at Matthew, "You're smashing Roman soldiers! Not balloons!"
Matthew stopped, catching his breath. Ridley Scott shouted, "Reset, reshoot!"
The subsequent filming did not go smoothly. This scene seemed simple, but a solo performance, especially a close-up with a special shot like this, was not easy to act out.
They had six more NGs after that, with only one caused by a camera operator's zoom issue; the rest were due to Matthew.
"Ten-minute break!"
Fortunately, Ridley Scott was only slightly impatient, not truly angry.
But the extras who climbed up from the ground looked at Matthew with some displeasure, especially those playing barbarian soldiers. They were already envious, jealous, and resentful that he, an extra, had gotten such an opportunity, and now his mistakes had caused them to lie on the damp ground for so long. It would be strange if they found him agreeable.
Matthew ignored them, returning to the rest area and sitting in his chair, unsure how to adjust.
"Water?" the temporary assistant asked.
"No need," Matthew replied politely, not being blindly arrogant. "Thank you."
The makeup artist walked over. "Touch-up!"
Matthew nodded, cooperating fully with the makeup artist. This makeup artist was also quite flamboyant, not looking like a man.
He disliked effeminate men, even to the point of intensely disliking them.
Dislike? Matthew suddenly had a flash of inspiration: dislike... This spark of an idea was seized upon, rapidly spreading through his mind.
During the previous filming, the problem with several NGs was his lack of true ferocity in the face of desperation during close-up shots; he didn't look like someone struggling for their life.
This feeling was very subjective, and to Matthew, it was like acting—hard to explain clearly.
The word 'dislike' made him think of a method: when filming next time, could he imagine the surrounding air as the people who had stiffed him on wages and those who had falsely accused him and thrown him in jail? That way, he would have motivation and a target for his hatred... After some thought, Matthew felt it had some potential; besides this, he couldn't think of any other way.
Ten minutes flew by, and after the temporary assistant came to notify him, Matthew stood once again amidst a group of extras playing dead.
This time, unlike the previous takes, he channeled all his past negative energy, glaring ahead as if the boss who had run off without paying him was right before his eyes!
"Action!"
Hearing the call, Matthew swung his hammer forward, his face expressing a desire to smash the person into a pulp.
Then, he swung the hammer again, sweeping it to the left. In his eyes, the uniformed man who had arrested him was still looking at him with disdain.
Whoosh—whoosh—
The sound of wind continuously rang out, and Matthew's expression grew fiercer, as if he wanted to smash the very earth beneath his feet.
"Huh…"
Behind the director's monitor, Ridley Scott saw the close-up shot transmitted by the camera, and his pale eyebrows suddenly rose. The person's performance on the monitor was completely different from the previous take.
The current effect wasn't exceptionally brilliant, but it was much better than the last time, at least perfectly acceptable for a minor role in a commercial film like this.
To improve so much in such a short time? Ridley Scott was well-traveled and knowledgeable, but he was somewhat curious.
However, this curiosity was fleeting; this was just a small actor, and he wouldn't devote much attention to him.
Further away from the set, Helen Herman stood with her arms crossed, her assistant Amanda beside her.
"Director Scott hasn't called cut yet," Amanda suddenly said.
Helen Herman withdrew her scrutinizing gaze and asked, "Yesterday I asked you to compile his information. Has he received any professional training?"
She couldn't quite remember that detail.
Amanda confirmed, "The records show he hasn't."
"This guy…" Helen Herman raised a hand to her mouth, coughed, and said, "He really seems to have some potential."
She made a decision. "Amanda, prepare a long-term contract when we get back to Los Angeles."
In the woods, where they wouldn't interfere with filming, Baldy, Tall Guy, and Michael Sheen were also watching the filming on set.
"No wonder he got a role like this," Baldy shook his head. "The guy has talent! Look, look at that crazy intensity. Can just anyone pull that off?"
Tall Guy tapped his own head and said, "He's done well in both these scenes. If he got an opportunity like this, he must have the corresponding ability."
He looked at Michael Sheen. "This is your friend, you know him, right? is that how it is?"
"Heh heh…" Michael Sheen chuckled twice. He had always considered himself Matthew's good friend, so he could only agree, "It seems so."
Baldy slapped his thigh, stood up, and said, "That kid really seems to be leaving our extra ranks. With his performance today, being a regular character actor shouldn't be a problem."
Michael Sheen gave two more dry laughs, then suddenly heard Ridley Scott's voice through the megaphone, "Cut!"
"He called cut?" he muttered to himself. "Great, he messed up again!"
"That's a take!"
But the next words that came through left him stunned.
On the other side, Macon, holding the round shield, stared intently at Matthew, wishing he could kill him with his sword-like gaze!
"This bastard who stole my role! I'll definitely settle the score with him," he muttered fiercely to himself.
There were a total of three scenes where Matthew was the primary subject. The first two were the most difficult, both close-ups and special shots. The last scene, where his character is killed by Roman soldiers in a long shot, was relatively easier.
After a fifteen-minute break and four NGs for this scene, Matthew finished filming relatively smoothly.
"You can go get your makeup removed," the assistant director told him.
Matthew took a sip of water and saw Helen Herman walking over.
"Go get your makeup removed first," Helen Herman said simply. "I'll find you at the makeup department later, and we'll talk."
Matthew first went to the costume department to change back into his clothes, then walked towards the makeup department's station. Many extras who were no longer needed were also heading to the makeup department, but like applying makeup, removing it also required waiting in line. Matthew could go directly to the same makeup trailer from the morning, where a dedicated makeup artist would remove his makeup.
Entering the makeup trailer, the flamboyant male makeup artist wasn't there. The female assistant asked, "Shall I call him?"
"No need."
Although he had vaguely heard that same-sex relationships were common in the industry, the thought of that note sent a shiver down Matthew's spine. He called out to the female assistant, "You can help me."
Applying makeup for such a character was troublesome, and removing it was equally laborious. After a long time, Matthew finally returned to his original appearance, the refreshing feeling on his face making him stretch when he stood up.
"Thank you," he said politely to the female assistant, then walked out of the makeup trailer.
Perhaps his makeup removal took too long, as the makeup department had become quiet again. Matthew hadn't walked far when he suddenly saw someone in a barbarian costume blocking his way, seemingly waiting specifically for him.
Matthew carefully scrutinized the person, confirming that he didn't recognize them.