novellhall Chapter 10: Let's start with the background!
Chapter 10: Let's start with the background!
Li Suyan nodded repeatedly as she listened.
He scribbled down "zombie swarm," "Don't oppa," and "Hey man" in his notebook with a serious expression, as if he were memorizing missile launch codes.
When they arrived at that famous street corner, hundreds of people had already gathered there.
The air still carried the familiar smell of caffeine and nicotine.
People of all races are meeting at the United Nations.
But the discussion wasn't about world peace; it was about whether or not we could earn twenty dollars today.
Chen Xun skillfully found a shady spot that wasn't too secluded and stood still.
Lee So-yeon followed him slightly behind, looking around curiously.
A muscular, burly man wearing a tank top that shows off his tattoos.
A stunning Latina woman with a hot figure whose allure shines even in a simple T-shirt.
With gray hair and cloudy eyes, he's an old actor who's been squatting here for who knows how many years.
There were a few other Asian faces like them, mostly standing silently in the corner, like part of the backdrop.
"See that?"
Chen Xun gestured with his chin towards the group of Asians: "That's our norm, waiting and being chosen."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a dirty Ford pickup truck screeched to a halt, and a white man with a beer belly jumped out. Before he could even stand properly, he shouted:
"We need five construction workers! They have to look like they've done manual labor! You, you, and all of you!"
The crowd instantly stirred, like a pond tossed with pebbles.
Several burly white and Latino men quickly pushed their way through.
Lee So-yeon was startled by this scene and instinctively gripped her backpack strap tightly.
Chen Xun remained motionless and whispered:
"We usually don't get to do purely physical tasks like this, unless the production team suddenly wants to add some racial diversity."
Sure enough, the foreman picked out five of the strongest men, and the pickup truck drove off, billowing black smoke, leaving behind a scene of disappointment.
Not long after, a young woman wearing a vest and holding a tablet computer appeared.
Her voice was clear and crisp: "We need a girl who looks like a college student, blonde and blue-eyed, who plays tennis, and who gets close-up shots!"
Several blonde girls immediately raised their hands, their faces beaming with practiced, sweet smiles.
One of them even pulled out a tennis racket from his bag, demonstrating remarkable professionalism.
Li Suyan stared in disbelief and whispered to Chen Xun:
"They're like special forces soldiers, always ready to showcase their talents."
"This is Hollywood!"
Chen Xun smirked: "Start rolling from the background!"
Just then, a familiar figure appeared.
Han!
That broker who specializes in stereotypes.
He wore a more flamboyant Hawaiian shirt today, like a peacock spreading its tail feathers.
"Hey! Chen! What's your decision?"
Han smiled, her gaze sweeping over Chen Xun before landing on Li Suyan, her eyes lighting up: "Oh, a new face? From Korea?"
"We're looking for a tech-savvy girl for the party next weekend. She needs to wear black-rimmed glasses, an ill-fitting sweater, and be a bit clumsy. Eighty yuan a day. Want to come?"
Lee So-yeon paused for a moment, clearly not understanding what "tech geek" and "clumsy" meant.
Chen Xun took half a step forward, blocking her way, his tone calm:
"Han, she's my roommate. She's new here and doesn't know the rules yet. I'll think about that job and get back to you later."
Han shrugged, not pressing the issue, and patted Chen Xun on the shoulder again:
"Hurry up, this opportunity won't wait! Little beauty, you can contact me directly once you've made up your mind!"
After saying that, he walked away whistling.
"What role was he referring to?"
Lee So-yeon asked belatedly, her brows furrowing slightly.
"He's one of the roles Hollywood most loves to give to Asian actors!"
Chen Xun explained:
"A bookworm, socially awkward, and dressed in a dowdy way, used to highlight the coolness of the main characters."
"So, still want to be a director? You might have to make this kind of stuff again in the future."
Lee So-yeon pursed her lips and didn't say anything, but instead wrote something forcefully in her notebook.
The sun gradually rises higher, and the temperature climbs.
The wait became long and agonizing.
Chen Xun saw that the Asian boy with glasses, Li Zhe, had also arrived. The two nodded to each other across the crowd as a greeting.
Li Zhe was lucky today; he was picked up by a film crew that needed a "convenience store clerk." Although it was a stereotype, at least he got fifty dollars.
During this time, Chen Xun also raised his hand to try and get a few opportunities that required "ordinary passersby".
But the foreman wanted someone who better suited their aesthetic, like a white person!
Or you can order something more unique.
They are usually Black men with exaggeratedly dreaded braids.
He and several other Asians were like unpopular items on a shelf, repeatedly ignored.
Lee So-yeon went from initial excitement to later nervousness, and now to silence.
She watched Chen Xun raise his hand again and again, then lower it again and again, and seeing the calm indifference on his face, she seemed to understand something.
"Oppa, do you guys do this all the time?"
Her voice was a little hoarse.
"Otherwise what?"
Chen Xun unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip of water: "You think every day is like being on James Wan's film set? That's like winning the lottery!"
Just then, a slightly more presentable-looking van pulled up, and a man wearing a polo shirt, who looked like a professional film crew assistant director, got out.
He glanced at the list and shouted:
"We need two Asian couples to play tourists taking selfies on Hollywood Boulevard. They need to look happy and natural! Do you have any?"
opportunity!
Chen Xun immediately raised his hand, and at the same time pulled Li Suyan, who hadn't fully reacted yet, close by and whispered:
"Laugh! Acting like a tourist visiting Los Angeles for the first time!"
Li Suyan was stunned for a moment.
But her directorial instincts allowed her to quickly get into character. She flashed a slightly exaggerated but bright smile and subconsciously made a peace sign.
The assistant director glanced at Chen Xun, then at Li Suyan, and nodded.
"Alright, it'll be the two of you! Get in the car, eighty yuan a day for both of you, lunch included!"
Become!
Chen Xun breathed a sigh of relief and quickly pulled Li Suyan toward the van.
As he approached the passenger seat, he saw a gray orb of light fall from the feet of the assistant director who was checking the list.
[Rhythm-related attributes - Efficiency +1].
Could you find attribute balls outside the film set?
Chen Xun was stunned!
This was the first time he had encountered such a situation outside the film set.
Could it be because the assistant director was too focused?
He glanced at the assistant director who was diligently checking off items on the list and made a bold guess.
After all, the sample size is too small!
absorb!
Chen Xun did not hesitate at all.
Even a mosquito's leg is still meat!
Sitting in the car heading towards the Avenue of Stars, Li Suyan seemed a little excited and asked in a low voice:
"So, we've got roles now?"
Chen Xun looked at the street scene rushing past the window:
"Background couples, at the bottom of the Hollywood food chain, but better than squatting on the street."
Today's shooting content was very simple.
On the bustling Avenue of Stars, tourists taking happy selfies are being followed by the main character rushing past them.
No lines are needed, just the stereotypical smiles of Asian tourists.
Before filming began, the assistant director gave some brief instructions:
"Yes, look at that fake Madame Tussauds wax museum entrance, they're pretending to be really excited, taking pictures of each other, smiling broadly, like they've never seen a celebrity's handprint before!"
Action!
Chen Xun strained his facial muscles to put on a standard tourist smile and raised his phone.
Lee So-yeon appeared more natural.
She seemed completely immersed in the role, skipping and jumping, pointing at the stars on the ground, her smile incredibly infectious.
She even spontaneously took Chen Xun's arm, rested her head on his shoulder, and made a peace sign.
"Cut! Great! That girl did a good job! Very natural!"
The director gave a compliment.
Chen Xun felt a mix of emotions.
The difference in talent is immediately apparent!
Without a cheat code, he really wouldn't have any acting talent at all!
Ok!
At least he got an "efficiency +1" bonus!
His new roommate seems to have mastered the "survival rules of the background" without any instruction.
Sometimes, conforming too closely to stereotypes is actually a form of survival wisdom!
When I finished work, I received eighty dollars.
Lee So-yeon held her own forty dollars in cash, turning it over and over, her expression a mixture of curiosity and complexity.
"This is the first Hollywood dollar I've ever earned," she murmured.
On the bus ride back, both of them were tired and didn't talk much.
The setting sun cast dappled light and shadows through the dirty car windows into the carriage.
Li Suyan suddenly spoke, her voice very soft: "Chen Xun, I think I understand what you said yesterday."
Chen Xun closed his eyes and hummed in agreement.
"but!"
She turned her head, and that flame seemed to reignite in her eyes:
"I still want to be a director. If I make a film in the future, I will definitely not give Asian actors those stupid roles."
Chen Xun's lips curled up slightly.