novellhall Chapter 54 Now please leave the film crew!
Chapter 54 Now please leave the film crew!
The good news came faster than expected.
The third day after the audition.
Rob called, his voice almost cracking with excitement:
"Chen! Congratulations! Fandral is yours! Marvel just sent official notification! We've got our ticket to Asgard!"
Holding his phone, Chen Xun finally felt a weight lifted from his heart.
Although I was confident in my audition performance, there are too many variables in Hollywood, and no one can make a guarantee until the very last moment.
"Very good!"
His tone remained relatively calm, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.
"I knew it! Director Branagh personally made the decision! The casting department's feedback was excellent; they said you left a deep impression on them!"
Rob excitedly started planning on the other end of the phone:
"I'll finalize the contract details with them right away, and they definitely won't shortchange us on the remuneration..."
"By the way, the start date for joining the crew is next Monday. We'll be shooting interior scenes in a studio in Los Angeles first."
"You'd better prepare well these next few days. Marvel crews have a lot of rules..."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Xun immediately told Christine the news.
She was helping Chen Xun spread Lao Gan Ma chili sauce on a slice of bread!
Strange and unusual oriental cuisine!
But after taking a bite, she fell in love with it!
Upon hearing the good news, Christine put down her bread and rushed over to give Chen Xun a tight hug:
"Yes! I knew you could do it! Let's celebrate tonight! We absolutely have to!"
Chen Xun felt a warmth in his heart seeing that she was even happier than he was.
In the following days, with Robert's assistance, Chen Xun quickly finalized the contract.
The pay was even more substantial than he had anticipated.
After all, it's a Marvel project, so even if he's just a supporting character, it's enough to make the numbers in his account jump even higher.
Following the list given to him by Rob, he prepared some daily necessities that he might need when joining the crew, and he reviewed Fandral's scenes and background information several times to ensure that he could get into character at any time.
Monday morning.
Following the notification, Chen Xun arrived at Marvel Studios, located in Raleigh, Manhattan Beach.
The site is huge.
It's like an industrial warehouse, divided into different areas.
People come and go.
Various equipment and set materials were piled up everywhere, and the air was filled with the smell of paint.
He registered at the entrance, received a temporary pass, and then, guided by an on-site assistant, headed to Area A, where the Thor film crew was located.
Along the way, he saw many extras dressed in Asgardian-style costumes, as well as workers busy building palace sets.
The oppressive feeling unique to grand productions is overwhelming.
"Mr. Chen, this way please. Let me take you to the dressing room for a makeup session."
The assistant was a young man, and he was very polite.
Chen Xun followed him through a slightly messy passageway to an area marked "Main Actors' Dressing Room".
The door was open, and inside, a makeup artist was already preparing equipment.
Just then!
The door to another dressing room next door was suddenly pushed open!
A person walked out and almost bumped into Chen Xun.
The two stopped at the same time.
It's Joshua Dallas.
His makeup was partially done, but his long golden wig wasn't fully on yet. He was wearing a corset-style coat similar to the one he wore during the audition, making him look exactly like Fandral.
When he saw Chen Xun, he was visibly taken aback, then his face darkened, and his eyes were filled with undisguised hostility.
"It's you!"
Joshua's voice was stiff and unnatural.
"Mr. Dallas."
Chen Xun nodded in greeting.
He could see that the other person's favorability rating had dropped to -35.
Qiao Shuhua looked Chen Xun up and down, curled her lip, and said sarcastically:
"It seems that some people don't need to rely on their abilities; as long as they have a good-looking face and climb the social ladder, they can get the roles they want."
"Hollywood is getting fairer and fairer!"
This was said in a sarcastic tone, implying that Chen Xun got into the crew through connections with Christine.
The young assistant who was leading the way looked a little embarrassed and stood aside, not daring to say a word.
Chen Xun frowned.
He knew that the person who lost the competition would be unhappy, but he didn't expect the other party to attack so directly.
Chen Xun initially didn't want to pay attention, but this was clearly a personal attack.
Why should we endure it?
If you piss me off, I'll suddenly throw two punches at you!
Chen Xun looked at him, his tone calm, but his eyes turned cold:
"Mr. Dallas, I don't quite understand what you mean. Casting is a decision made by the director and the production company, and I believe they make their judgments based on whether the actor is suitable for the role."
"Suitable? Ha!"
Joshua felt like she had heard the biggest joke in the world:
"I prepared for this role for three months! I studied Norse mythology and practiced swordsmanship for three months!"
"During the audition, director Branagh personally told me that my performance was very good!"
"If it weren't for some people using underhanded methods, how would this role have ended up in your hands?"
He became more and more excited as he spoke, and his voice grew louder, attracting the attention of several staff members nearby who quietly looked over.
"I don't think I need to take responsibility for your defeat!"
Chen Xun's tone also hardened:
"If you have objections to the casting results, you should talk to the casting director or producer, instead of making unfounded accusations against me here."
"Unfounded accusations?"
Qiao Shuhua took a step forward, almost touching Chen Xun's face. He was slightly taller than Chen Xun, trying to create a sense of intimidation with his height.
"You dare say your relationship with Kristen Stewart didn't help? You dare say director Branagh didn't give you preferential treatment because of her?"
Before Chen Xun could respond, Qiao Shuhua seemed to be blinded by his anger. He suddenly turned to the growing number of staff members around him, raising his voice even higher, almost shouting:
"I'm not convinced! I'm not just dissatisfied with him! I'm even more dissatisfied with this decision!"
He waved his arm, pointing in the direction of the director's office:
"Director Branagh? The casting team? I think their judgment and professionalism are completely lacking! They have no idea what a real Vandal is! They only bow down to popularity and hype!"
Upon hearing this, the entire passageway instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
All whispers ceased.
The staff members' expressions changed from amusement to shock and a hint of disgust.
In Hollywood, especially in a hierarchical production like Marvel, publicly criticizing the director and casting team is almost tantamount to career suicide.
The young assistant who was leading the way turned pale and subconsciously took a step back, as if he wanted to stay away from Qiao Shuhua.
Chen Xun was also stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Qiao Shuhua to be so foolish as to directly target the production team.
His initial displeasure dissipated, leaving only a sense of absurdity. This man was practically a suicide bomber.
"Joshua! Watch your words!"
A dignified voice rang out from behind the crowd.
Casting director Sarah Finn walked over unnoticed, her face ashen.
She was followed by a production assistant.
Clearly, the commotion here has alerted the higher-ups.
Sarah Finn's gaze swept over Joshua:
"The casting decision was made jointly by the director, the production company, and myself, based on a professional assessment of the actor's overall qualities and suitability for the role."
"Your questioning is an insult to the professionalism of our entire team!"
Joshua's arrogance diminished the moment Sarah Finn appeared, but having already spoken, he was in a difficult position and could only grit his teeth and continue, though his voice clearly lacked confidence:
"I just feel it's unfair! I was better prepared! My image was closer to the real thing!"
"Sufficient? Close to?"
Sarah Finn repeated herself, her tone as cold as ice:
"Do you think a true Asgardian warrior would behave like you are now, publicly hurling insults and slandering rivals and the production team's decision-makers in such an uncouth manner?"
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the surrounding crowd, each word clearly conveyed to everyone's ears:
"An actor's character is also an important part of the casting considerations!"
"It now seems our decision was absolutely right. Not only are you unsuitable for Fandral, but your actions will also make you carefully consider your credibility when working with other production teams in the future!"
These words were tantamount to a public execution.
Qiao Shuhua's face instantly turned from red to white, and then from white to green.
He opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't utter a single word.
The gazes around them, which had initially been sympathetic or indifferent, turned into clear contempt and alienation.
He knew that Sarah Finn's words had essentially branded him as "difficult to work with" and "unprofessional" within Hollywood.
"Please leave the film crew area now!"
Sarah Finn issued an ultimatum, her tone leaving no room for argument:
"I will inform director Branagh and the producer of your actions. Your agent will be notified of the follow-up."
Qiao Shuhua seemed to have all her strength drained away, and she staggered.
He didn't even dare to look at Chen Xun or anyone else around him; shame and panic overwhelmed him.
He lowered his head and, almost as if fleeing, quickly crossed the passage and disappeared around the corner under the silent gaze of everyone.
Sarah Finn then turned to Chen Xun, her expression softening considerably:
"Chen, we're sorry you had to witness such an unpleasant scene. Please trust our professional judgment; you got this role based on your abilities!"
She patted Chen Xun's arm:
"Go and get ready. Don't let this little incident affect you. The director is looking forward to your performance."
"Thank you, Ms. Finn, I won't let this bother me."
Chen Xun bowed slightly, his tone calm and respectful.