Bette

A worn fedora. The holes on it make it look worthless, but it's essential for the owner to play a gentleman well.

A simple, elegant wristwatch, the kind of thing every urban professional has. The interviewee knew it was the one the moment she saw it.

Her schedule is packed with one shoot after another, and being on time matters more than almost anything else.

A bamboo staff which is a bit shorter than the common ones. Its outstanding resilience allows it to support most body movements, making it the best choice for stunt performers.

A long-handled umbrella that matches the interviewee's hat perfectly—practical and elegant. Ever since Yves Saint Laurent unveiled his Mondrian dresses to the world, that look has become something of a universal formula in fashion. Now, the spirit of Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow has found its way onto this all-weather umbrella.

An olive green cotton band tied to the end of her braid and makes both the braid and itself different to their kinds. It is the only thing on her that is not worn for imitation. Even if it looks plain, it's unique to her.

A lively yellow, a calm blue—an actress must always be ready to serve her role.

While demonstrating how quickly she could switch ties, the interviewee ended up tying them in a knot. Still, a little slip like that doesn't change how we see her overall.

In 1895, the gates of the Lumière Factory opened. As the workers filed out of the factory, a breeze with the smell of film stock also blew from Boulevard des Capucines to the west coast of the City of Angels.

The ample sunshine and the typical Mediterranean climate in California had brought more opportunities to Los Angeles. Using the magnificent scenery as their background, countless film companies had gathered there, building an empire of film and television of a new era.

Silent film or talkies? Black-and-white or color?

It was at the end of 1930 and no one cared about such meaningless topics any more. The producers, resourceful and power-wielding, could pluck the stars out of the sky, shape them at will and throw them away when they twinkled no more. No, my friend, don't call it "cruel;" it is plain fact that a sophisticated machine like the movie industry needs to renew its parts from time to time.

The girl with a dream finally opened the golden gates to the factory. She hoped to win a place among the radiant stars, and she made it. Thanks to the little "tricks" they used in the film production, even the most experienced movie critics could not tell the difference between the real star and the stunt double from where they sat.

That was how she became a cheap substitute for those valuable assets.

"Act 4, take 10 ... Oh! You know how honored we are to have you on set ... Just one more take, please? You were perfect, it's just the stupid wind ... Now action!"

"Oh! You will never understand me!"

"No, Maria, please don't—please listen to my confession ..."

"Cut! Excellent, James, you deserve a break ... Bette, c'mon, your turn!"

"Bette in position ... Action!"

"Splash!"

"Alright, go dry yourself ... Where's our supporting actress? It's her scene!"

"Act 5, take 1, action!"

"Alright ... Bette, here's your paycheck."

"Um ... Excuse me. Is this all I get, sir?"

"Well, you are down on your luck. We reshot that window-breaking scene today, and it was costly ..."

"But, but ..."

"But we need an 'important' extra for the next scene. I'm wondering if you're interested, Bette."

"Um, yes, sir! I've very interested ...

"I'm open to any part, even if they are not that important ..."

"Good, I'll let you know when there's an audition. So now, look at the queuing people behind you. Maybe we can talk later, huh?"

"O-Okay ..."

"Next, James ..."

Pandora Wilson: You seem nervous. What's the matter?

Pandora Wilson: It's just a simple interview.

Bette: Um, par-pardon me, it's just such a great honor!

Pandora Wilson: I thought actors would be used to the camera. I would assume them to be more composed in an interview.

Bette: M-Maybe? But technically, I've never played a real part ...

Bette: I mean, um, not everyone working in Hollywood is a star, right?

Pandora Wilson: It seems you do not enjoy what you do, am I right?

Bette: I may be good at it ... but I don't ... want to stay where I am.

Pandora Wilson: Do you have a dream?

Bette: ... I believe ... It's just a matter of time until that the dream comes true.