novellhall Chapter 21: The First Payment!
Chapter 21: The First Payment!
With the union card, Chen Xun felt more confident walking around the film set.
The filming of the remaining scenes for "Silent Echoes" went more smoothly.
With more and more emotional attribute points, he was able to more accurately grasp Li's loneliness and forbearance.
Today's scene depicts Li having a group discussion with an American classmate in the library. Due to language and cultural misunderstandings, communication breaks down, and the discussion ends unhappily.
The actor I was acting opposite was a typical American college student with an outgoing acting style.
Action!
Chen Xun did not choose to express his frustration through a heated argument.
When the other person showed impatience because they couldn't understand his Chinglish, Li, played by Chen Xun, blinked and swallowed back the words he was about to say.
He simply lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously picking at the edges of the pages, his shoulders slightly hunched in.
The overall state is one of silent retreat and self-isolation.
"Cut!"
Director Sarah's voice was filled with satisfaction:
"Very good, that suffocating feeling of wanting to express something but being unable to be understood is spot on."
Chen Xun breathed a sigh of relief.
I noticed that when I was extremely focused on expressing this complex emotion, a gray [Emotional Attribute - Embarrassment +1] fell from my feet.
Self-generated and absorbed!
During the break, Robert strolled over, holding two cups of coffee, and handed one to Chen Xun.
"Hey, union boy, how's it going?"
His tone was teasing, but his eyes were friendly.
"Thanks, Rob!"
Chen Xun took the coffee: "It feels like I finally have a legal identity."
"It should have been there a long time ago!"
Rob took a sip of coffee:
"My friend called me and said they were very satisfied with your audition. They said you were agile, not as soft as typical Asian actors, and tough enough, with the kind of street style they wanted."
Rob said, a hint of pride on his face, "I told them this is the person I found. How about that, not bad, right?"
Chen Xun knew that Robert was accumulating resources and building a reputation for himself.
"You gave me this opportunity, Rob!"
"The opportunity was given; whether you can seize it is up to you!"
Rob waved his hand: "Finish filming here properly, and they'll probably start filming over there early next month. The timing is perfect, so your luck isn't too bad!"
At this moment, Teacher Zhou Caiqin also came over. She nodded to Chen Xun, and then said to Robert:
"Are you talking about this young man's next project?"
She turned to Chen Xun:
"Sarah told me it's an action movie? Great, try different genres and break their stereotypes about Asians. But remember, fighting is just a means, character development is the key."
"I understand, Teacher Zhou!"
Chen Xun humbly accepted the advice.
He noticed that when Zhou Caiqin was discussing acting, her eyes were focused, and a green orb of light naturally fell down:
[Eye Attribute - Determination +2]
absorb!
After Zhou Caiqin left, Robert lowered his voice and said to Chen Xun:
"Did you hear that? The old man's golden words. But you've certainly lived up to expectations, kid. Do you know what my friend said?"
"He said that many Asian male actors nowadays are either trying to play nerdy roles or trying to replicate old-fashioned kung fu movies. Someone like you, who has a modern fighting style and can also act in dramatic roles, is a rare resource."
"Scarce resource?"
Chen Xun chuckled self-deprecatingly: "I hope the casting directors think the same way."
The subsequent filming proceeded as planned.
Chen Xun shuttles between Li's lonely world and the reality of the film crew, constantly absorbing attributes and honing his acting skills.
He picked up the [Rhythm-related attribute - Camera Sensitivity +1] from the photographer.
I picked up the [Aura-type attribute - Control +1] while Director Sarah was staring intently at the monitor.
Although each is +1, little by little, it adds up.
He could feel his understanding of the entire filming process deepening.
Finally, "The Silent Echo" brought us to Chen Xun's last scene.
Li decided to suspend his studies and return to China. At the airport, he said goodbye to his American classmate, who was the only friend he could count on, who came to see him off.
There were no many words, just a simple hug, and as Li turned and walked into the security checkpoint, he looked back with a sense of relief, reluctance, and a hint of confusion.
Chen Xun handled this glance back very subtly, without much change in expression, but his eyes were full of meaning.
He perfectly demonstrated his control over his emotions, subtly blending several contradictory feelings in that single glance.
"Cut! Perfect!"
Director Sarah stood up and led the applause:
"Chen, congratulations on wrapping up filming! You delivered a truly outstanding performance!"
The rest of the crew also applauded and congratulated them.
Rob walked over and patted him hard on the back: "Well done, kid! Now let's see who dares to say you can only play corpses!"
Chen Xun thanked everyone one by one, feeling a weight lifted from his heart.
He successfully completed his first significant role!
As he packed his things to leave, his phone vibrated.
It was a message from Han, his tone as always:
"Chen, I have a new job, a sitcom. We need an Asian IT guy with some comedic scenes. It's $120 a day. Want to come?"
In the past, Chen Xun might have hesitated.
but now!
He glanced at his union card, then, thinking about the action movie he was about to start filming, replied directly, "Thanks, Brother Han, but not for now. I have other plans later."
He put down his phone and walked out of the film set.
With his salary paid and a portion of the advance payment for the action film, Chen Xun's bank account showed a balance of over six thousand US dollars for the first time.
He stared at the number on the mobile banking app for a long time.
This might not be much of a problem for an assistant director of Rob's caliber.
But for him, this was a huge sum of money!
That was the largest sum of money he had ever earned through legitimate acting!
His first thought was to invite Robert to dinner.
Without the opportunity Rob gave him and the subsequent introduction, he might still be fighting for a twenty-dollar job on a street corner in Santa Monica.
He texted Rob, his tone very direct:
"Rob, I got my paycheck. I'd like to treat you to dinner. You can choose the place, don't try to save me money."
Rob replied quickly: "Okay, kid, you know how to be grateful! Let's go with Lao Sichuan then, authentic taste, reasonable price. Friday night?"
"no problem!"
Chen Xun told Li Suyan the news.
Upon hearing this, Li Suyan's eyes lit up:
"Assistant director! The one who gave you the opportunity for 'Silent Echo' and this action film? Can I come along? I have some questions about on-set management and independent filmmaking that I'd like to ask him. I promise I won't bother you!"
Chen Xun thought about it and realized that having more people would liven up the atmosphere, and Li Suyan did need to expand her network.
"Okay, let's go together, but be careful not to ask any childish questions."
Friday night.
The three of them sat in a relatively quiet booth at the Old Sichuan Restaurant.
The restaurant's decor was simple, but it was steaming hot and filled with the aroma of chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns.
Most of the customers are Chinese, with the occasional table of white people like Robert, who were brought by their Chinese friends.
Robert didn't stand on ceremony at all, quickly ordering boiled fish, sliced beef and tripe in chili sauce, twice-cooked pork, and several stir-fries, as skillfully as a gourmet.
"Isn't this place nice? Much better than those shoddy fake Chinese restaurants!"
He addressed Chen Xun and Li Suyan, then looked at Li Suyan and said, "You're Chen Xun's Korean roommate? Studying directing?"
"Yes... Mr. Robert. My name is Li Suyan, and I'm a student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts."
Lee So-yeon sat up straight, a little nervous.
"Relax, this isn't a film set!"
Rob waved his hand and poured himself a beer: "Chen Xun told me you want to ask him something. Go ahead and ask, before the food arrives."
Lee So-yeon immediately seized the opportunity, took out her notebook, and began asking questions.
The questions are very specific!
How do independent films balance the director's vision with the production company's budget?
What details should be paid attention to when dealing with union staff?
How to effectively communicate visual style with photographers?
……
Rob answered while drinking his beer.
He speaks very fast, and the content is very practical, all based on real-world experience, with nothing superfluous.
He complained about the rigidity of the union rules, but emphasized that they must be followed.
They complain about how stingy the producers are, but also share how to secure the maximum creative space within the circles they've drawn.
Chen Xun listened from the side and also felt that he benefited a lot.
When Robert talked about how to evoke emotions in actors, Chen Xun focused his attention because it involved acting.
As Rob reached the crucial point, his gestures were firm, his eyes focused, and a gray orb of light fell:
[Aura-type attribute - Persuasiveness +1].
Chen Xun absorbed the information silently.
The dishes arrived, their red oil bubbling and their aroma irresistible.
Rob urged everyone, "Stop talking, eat! This boiled fish is amazing!"
Chen Xun found it strange that Robert liked Chinese food so much and had such a deep understanding of flavors!
The three of them started eating.
Robert ate with great relish, and soon sweat appeared on his forehead.
As he ate, he said to Chen Xun:
"Honestly, Chen, I'm really happy to see you like this now. Back on the set of 'L.A. Cop,' you were getting yelled at even for playing a corpse. Who would have thought you'd be sitting here so soon, holding a union card, and working on two shows in a row?"
Chen Xun poured Robert a beer: "It's all thanks to you giving me a hand!"
"Many people will lend a hand, but few will actually get back up!"
Rob clinked glasses with him:
"After your audition, my friend praised you for a long time, saying that you were quick-witted and quick to understand. Sometimes you need that kind of drive in this industry."
He then looked at Lee So-yeon:
"You too, young lady, studying directing, don't just study theory, go to film sets more often, even if it's just doing odd jobs, see how deep the water really is. People from USC are all ambitious, but Hollywood has no shortage of ambitious people."
Lee So-yeon nodded repeatedly and wrote these words down in her notebook.
The meal lasted almost two hours, and the atmosphere was very pleasant.
Rob was very approachable and shared many interesting anecdotes and unspoken rules about the industry.
When Chen Xun paid the bill, looking at the figure of over one hundred dollars, he felt no reluctance at all; on the contrary, he felt it was well worth it.
Stepping out of the restaurant, the Los Angeles night breeze was cool.
Robert patted Chen Xun on the shoulder: "Alright, you've eaten, and I appreciate your kindness. Get ready for the next scene, and don't embarrass me! Call me if you need anything."
Watching Rob's taillights disappear into the road, Lee So-yeon let out a long sigh of relief.
"Wow, Mr. Robert knows so much! It feels more useful than the lessons I've taken."
Chen Xun stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at the streetlights:
"He's a pragmatist; he worked his way up from the bottom."