America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: On-Set War

The film crew soon moved from Gray Company to the General Motors Production Center.

Since General Motors shut down the Atlanta Production Center in 2000, this large industrial park had been idle.

Kelly Gray and the film crew collaborated and rented a large factory building, which they transformed into a soundstage.

When French director Michel Gondry arrived in Atlanta with more than twenty main cast and crew members, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" began shooting.

Martin played a small role with scattered scenes, and his main task every day was to get his makeup done and wait.

This job wasn't as easy as it seemed, as Martin occasionally had to rehearse with Robert to stay sharp.

He was like the man in Sacred Valley films, invisible, but when needed by the director, he had to be spirited, not limp like a slug.

It didn't matter if Kim Carrey and Kate Winslet were not in good form, those acting with them had to make fewer mistakes.

In the actors' resting area, Martin fist-bumped Robert: "Bro, don't fuck up."

It was Robert's turn to enter the scene, and he said, "I'm an old background artist now."

Five or six actors entered the "bookstore" to serve as the background.

Robert had a good spot, perhaps the camera could catch his face.

Before shooting, Martin noticed Robert quietly moved half a step closer to Kate Winslet; from the camera's position, he would definitely be in the shot.

He truly was an old background artist.

Staying within requirements while managing to show his face.

Being a background actor for Kim Carrey and Kate Winslet was enough to brag about among Atlanta's background artists for years.

Perhaps it was the stuffy air in the studio, or maybe it was that time of the month for women, but Kate Winslet's performance was incredibly subpar today, requiring over a dozen takes for a simple scene.

Michel had no choice but to shoot take after take, unable to vent his frustration.

After Robert returned, Martin prepared to enter. He had two lines with Kate Winslet, followed by a kiss.

He sprayed breath freshener and joined Kate Winslet on set for a brief exchange.

Kate Winslet said directly, "I'll take the lead, follow my rhythm."

Martin responded, "Understood."

The assistant director came over to remind them of their marks.

The shooting began.

The lead actors dialogued, Martin approached from behind the bookshelf, exchanged lines with the female lead, then leaned down to kiss her.

The female lead quickly leaned in, pressing her lips against Martin's.

Michel called cut: "Too shallow! A deep kiss, one that expresses deep love!"

They started over, and the female lead kissed Martin once again.

Michel was still not satisfied: "Kate, are you trying to eat him up?"

Once more, the shooting stopped.

The Frenchman's innate romanticism made the director obsessively seek perfection in the kiss.

After over a dozen attempts, Michel was still dissatisfied.

The more they tried, the worse Kate Winslet's form became.

Because the female lead had tried various types of kisses, Martin's lips had gone numb.

Initially, he felt a hint of secret delight: I'm kissing Rose.

But soon he became indifferent, thinking it was just a kissing scene with Kate Winslet.

By that point, Martin had only one thought: This in front of me is "Fat Winslet."

Several more takes and stops later, Michel couldn't hold back: "Don't use tongue!"

"God knows what the hell you want?" Kate Winslet exploded, a woman who, in the heat of the moment, dared to confront Cameron on set. She directly played the woman's card, unleashing a broadside: "Put away that boring Frenchman stuff; I've had enough of you in Los Angeles, a Frenchman who only takes it out on women!"

With the English-style French insults, Michel's anger surged: "You impertinent medium-rare steak, there's no Channel Tunnel here, but there's an international airport that leads to hell, and it's as convenient as Charles de Gaulle Airport!"

Everyone present, including Kim Carrey, quickly stepped aside, not wanting to partake in this damned extravagant exchange of insults.

Producer Steve Golin, writer and producer Charlie Kaufman, and executive producer Louise Mel all rushed to the set to mediate the conflict.

Work was suspended, and Martin returned to the resting area, where, after seeking the opinion of the assistant makeup artist, he took out a wet wipe and gently dabbed at it.

Robert added insult to injury: "I was a bit jealous of you before, but now... it's a miracle you made it back alive."

It took a while for the three producers to mollify everyone and quell the war.

Martin touched up his makeup and returned to the set.

Seeing Martin's lips, Kate Winslet said apologetically, "Sorry."

Martin replied softly, "It's okay."

Director Michel glanced at Martin and asked the makeup artist, "How about his mouth?"

The makeup artist responded, "It'll take some time."

Michel couldn't wait for a minor actor, and after a brief thought, he said to his assistant, "Adjust his position."

In the next take, Martin approached from the side, with his back to the camera, to kiss Kate Winslet, eliminating the need for a frontal shot.

Martin reluctantly accepted the reality that the director and the leading actress had quarreled, and in the end, he was the one who suffered.

Back at the resting area, Robert was happy, "You may have lines, but your face wasn't shown."

Martin's filming for the day had ended, and he could remove his makeup and leave, so the two headed for the trailer together.

After taking off his makeup, Martin asked Robert, "Your scene is done, what are you planning to do next?"

Robert said, "I chose to work with the logistics team, mainly moving food and beverages, a job I'm familiar with."

Martin couldn't help but remind him, "Buddy, I can't play the lead or the supporting actor in this film crew, you don't have to push yourself this hard."

Robert, not wanting to engage with the jerk, pointed ahead and said, "Look, isn't that our leading man?"

Martin looked in the direction, at the open-air makeup area under a sunshade where background actors were changing clothes, he spotted a blond hunk and asked, "Adam Smith?"

Robert nodded, "Yes, the lead of that film you were in, Ma Zhen's. Never thought he would end up like me, just a background prop."

From the nearby food truck, a mixed-race Black woman came out and greeted Robert, "Did you finish work for today?"

Robert replied, "It's done, I'll start doing odd jobs tomorrow."

The woman's gaze shifted to Martin.

Robert casually introduced, "This is Martin, the deputy head of the troupe. Martin, this is Rosa, a former actress of the troupe, now back again."

Rosa extended her hand to Martin with a smooth chocolate-colored skin, "I remember you."

Martin didn't remember her but shook hands politely, "I remember you too."

A black BMW 7 series pulled up to the curb, and Kelly Gray, dressed in professional attire, stepped out and waved to Martin.

"A friend," said Martin and walked over.

Kelly Gray spotted his mouth at once, "How did you get hurt here?"

Martin shrugged, "A kissing scene; my charm was too overwhelming, so the leading actress kissed me swollen."

Kelly laughed, "Let me tell you some good news, your social investigator position is now permanent, with a weekly salary of 500 US dollars."

Martin asked, "How should I thank you?"

"No need," Kelly said candidly, knowing Martin wasn't naive, "I gain more."

Martin also smiled, "When can you become Congresswoman Kelly?"

Kelly Gray responded, "There's still a long way to go."

Not far away, Rosa watched Martin and curiously asked, "Is he close with the boss of Gray Media?"

Robert said, "They seem to be friends, but I'm not too sure about the details."

Rosa, watching the two share laughs, commented, "They are more than just acquaintances."

Robert didn't want to elaborate, vaguely remarking, "Who knows."

Turning back, Martin waved at Robert and followed Kelly Gray back to the studio.

Rosa withdrew her gaze and invited Robert, "Would you like to join me for dinner?"

Robert pointed to the food truck, "Didn't you eat?"

"I didn't," Rosa said, grabbing Robert's arm to lead him away.

As they passed the open-air makeup area, Adam Smith was taking off his costume when he saw Rosa approaching and greeted her, "Hey, Rosa, where are you off to?"

Rosa stopped, "Going to grab some food."

Adam Smith eyed Rosa's voluptuous figure and then glanced at the large-headed unattractive man behind her, flashing his charming smile, "Perfect, I'm about to have dinner too, may I treat you?"

Rosa, however, was eyeing his background actor costume and declined politely, "Sorry, I've already made plans."

Adam Smith looked down at the costume, tempted to discard it but knowing better; going from a leading actor to playing such an insignificant background role was a substantial psychological blow.

Ward came by and said in a low voice, "Boyette's guy, Diego, called. He wants us to pick up the goods tonight. Those high-end club girls really like the new stuff."

"I got it." The income from the leading male role in Gray Company's late-night films wasn't particularly high, so Adam Smith's decent living was partly provided by his side hustles at high-end clubs and helping others with deliveries.

Ward tentatively asked, "Should we cut off that other thing?"

Adam Smith was indifferent, "Marlon Brando, a big star like him, could humble himself to do it, so why should I fear?" He patted Ward on the shoulder, "It's easy to climb aboard this ship, but hard to disembark."

Who the hell wants to stand when they're used to making money lying down?