Mia clutched a stack of books, head lowered, cautiously walking through the set made to look like a high school hallway. She stuck close to the wall, trying to avoid the shiny, confident, "popular" kids chatting and laughing in groups.
Her darting eyes and slightly hunched shoulders captured perfectly that mix of insecurity and the desperate longing to belong, all while being terrified of rejection.
"Cut! Very good! Anne, hold onto that feeling—we'll keep this take!"
"Props! The book's in the wrong position, reset!"
"Anne, when you turn that corner, drop your head a little lower—yes, that's it!"
Leon focused on the monitor, occasionally leaning toward Marshall and the cinematographer to exchange quick notes.
"This angle will catch her profile—it'll really emphasize the loneliness."
"Next shot, let's give her eyes a close-up. I think she can express a lot through them."
At work, Leon was calm, professional, and sharp. He pointed out problems directly, but always with respect, so the crew felt eager to adjust rather than criticized.
Whenever Anne felt unsure in a scene, her instinct was to glance at him. Often, just a look or a small hand gesture from Leon was enough to reassure her and guide her back.
By the end of the day, though the shots were scattered and small, filming went smoothly.
Anne was gradually shaking off her initial awkwardness and settling comfortably into Mia's character.
During breaks, with her frizzy wig still on, she'd sometimes run up to Leon and whisper,
"Was that okay just now? Did I overdo it?"
Leon always gave her affirmations, or else one or two very specific suggestions—
like, "Make your shoulders a little stiffer when you walk. It'll make you seem more uncomfortable."
Instead of something vague like, "Good" or "Not good."
That kind of professional guidance helped Anne immensely. Her gaze toward Leon carried admiration on top of affection.
By wrap-up that evening, Anne was exhausted but buzzing with energy.
Once she shed her awkward costume, she transformed back into herself—radiant, like a butterfly out of its cocoon.
She laughed and chatted with crew members as she said goodbye, then naturally walked toward Leon, who was waiting for her.
"I'm dead tired…" she sighed as she slid into the car, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Being a princess isn't easy, especially when you have to be the ugly duckling first."
Leon chuckled as he started the car.
"You did great today. Gary praised you more than once in private. Said you've got real spark and you work hard."
"Really?" Anne's eyes lit up instantly, like she'd just gotten her favorite candy.
"And… what about the producer, sir?" she teased, hooking her finger on the edge of his jacket.
"The producer believes the leading lady has tremendous potential—and is worth investing in."
Leon played along with her game of make-believe.
Anne laughed happily, her fatigue swept away. She gazed out at the Los Angeles night skyline and murmured,
"Leon, thank you. For this chance, and for the way you guide me on set—even when you make fun of me."
She gave him a playful punch.
"You deserve it, Princess," Leon said warmly.
The car headed toward Beverly Hills. Inside, the mood was soft and peaceful.
For Anne, it felt like the first day her dreams finally touched reality—tiring, yes, but filled with hope and sweetness.
For Leon, it was just one piece of a larger plan moving steadily forward. Watching the project succeed and the actors give themselves fully brought him a deep creative satisfaction.
Of course, he knew this was only the beginning.
Filming The Princess Diaries would stretch over several months, filled with challenges and surprises.
And beyond this film, there was still Catch Me If You Can in the works, his maneuvers in the financial world, and the many beautiful women across the globe connected to him in one way or another.
But for now, he savored the brief sense of routine and calm, the pure reliance and joy of the girl beside him.
As night fell and the city lights shimmered, their story kept unfolding. Tomorrow, the studio lights would shine again, and the princess's journey of transformation would continue.
---
Under Garry Marshall's direction, The Princess Diaries filming moved steadily and efficiently.
The Burbank studio gradually filled with the lavish palace sets of Genovia and the bustling streets of San Francisco, creating a dreamlike world parallel to reality.
Leon Donaldson's life shifted fully into "producer mode."
He spent every day at the studio, monitoring each stage closely.
At the same time, he carried another identity—playing Michael Moscovitz, the brother of Mia's best friend Lilly.
The role had been decided early in pre-production. He fit the character profile, and his second on-screen collaboration with Anne would also add publicity value to the film.
Anne Hathaway completely immersed herself in Mia's world.
She knew Leon would be playing Michael, and she was excited to act opposite him again.
"Hey, Michael\~" she'd call out playfully during breaks, batting her big eyes at him. "Don't worry, I'll try not to break character when we're in a scene together."
Leon would sigh and tap her head with the script:
"Focus, Mia. Or I'll tell the editor to keep your ugliest expressions in the final cut."
That teasing, playful rhythm between them became a welcome relief amidst the demanding shoot.
---
Michael's first appearance was at a party.
Mia had accidentally broken the school fountain statue, leaving her drenched and embarrassed.
As she slipped away, she stumbled upon Michael, who also found the party boring and was reading on the sidelines.
Before the take, Garry Marshall reminded Leon:
"Remember, Leon, Michael finds this girl a little odd but kind of interesting. He's not a shallow party guy."
Leon nodded. He already knew Michael inside out.
So when Mia, soaked and flustered, walked into frame, Michael lifted his head from his book, pushed his glasses up, and looked at her—not with surprise or ridicule, but with calm curiosity and a faint spark of intrigue.
He delivered his line with just the right balance of intelligence and dry humor:
"Looks like you had a pretty unfair fight with the fountain."
Mia froze, startled by the unexpected remark. Flustered, she shot back, "It started it!"
Michael's lips curved ever so slightly, the small gesture capturing his understated amusement perfectly.
Then he added: "At least you made it look more… abstract."
"Cut! Perfect!" Marshall shouted. "Leon, that's the right note! Smart, understated humor—that's Michael!"
Anne couldn't help laughing: "Wow, Producer Sir, you actually make a pretty convincing nerd!"
---
Another key scene came in the library.
Mia, overwhelmed by the weight of being a princess and her schoolwork, opened up to Michael.
The set looked exactly like a San Francisco public library—tall bookshelves, a hushed atmosphere.
Anne had to convey vulnerability and confusion, while Leon had to show Michael's empathy and calm reassurance.
"Action!"
Mia whispered her worries: "… Everyone's watching me, expecting me to turn into someone else."
Michael listened quietly, his eyes steady and gentle.
Without unnecessary movement, his expression alone conveyed understanding and support.
Then he replied softly, with a voice that carried calm strength:
"Mia, listen. Nobody can make you into someone you're not. Except you."
He paused before adding the iconic line:
"Courage isn't the absence of fear—it's the decision that something else matters more than fear."
He didn't deliver it dramatically, but with simple sincerity, making it all the more convincing.
"Cut! Perfect!" Marshall exclaimed. "Leon, that was excellent! Calm but powerful—that's exactly Michael!"
Even the crew was drawn into the moment.
Anne's eyes sparkled as she looked at him: "For a second, I almost believed you were actually some super wise upperclassman."
Leon chuckled, slipping right out of Michael's skin:
"Guess my acting's good enough to fool people. Alright, let's prep for the next one."
---
The climax of the film was the graduation ball.
Mia chose the genuine, kind Michael over the handsome, popular jock.
Outside the dance floor, the two shared a sweet kiss.
During filming, the set was packed—everyone wanted to see how the producer-slash-"leading man" handled a kiss scene.
Anne was clearly nervous, especially in front of so many familiar crew members.
Leon, however, was composed—he'd faced much bigger stages before.
When Marshall called "Action," the lights and music came into place.
Michael looked at Mia, radiant and beautiful in her gown, his expression showing admiration, affection, and a hint of uncertainty—perfectly embodying Michael's emotions.
He stepped forward as scripted.
Mia tilted her head up, eyes closed.
But just as their faces were about to meet, Anne burst into giggles.
"Sorry! Sorry!" she said quickly, blushing furiously. "I just… I thought of it being Leon and I couldn't hold it in…"
The crew erupted in good-natured laughter. Leon shook his head with mock exasperation.
"Miss Hathaway, is my charm really that distracting?"
On the second take, Anne tried to hold it in, but her shoulders still trembled with suppressed laughter.
On the third, Leon leaned close and whispered, "Focus. Think about what you want for dinner." That finally steadied her.
On the fourth attempt, they nailed it.
On camera, Michael kissed Mia tenderly. The shot was elegant, sweet, and just right.
"Cut! Perfect, we've got it!" Marshall sighed in relief.
When they pulled apart, Anne's face was still crimson, and she couldn't meet Leon's eyes.
Leon clapped his hands, all business: "Alright, that's a wrap! Great work today, everyone!"
But the slight flush at the tips of his ears betrayed the fact that he wasn't completely calm either.