Chapter 3. The role
"What kind of role you are playing?"
White bear asked him as he was driving the van. They were currently on their way to the set.
White bear drove the van while Ren was sitting beside him and watching the scenery outside.
He was feeling very nostalgic, seeing the scenery. Seeing the old buildings, trees and roads, he truly felt that he was in the past.
"It's the role of an enemy spy."
"Really, are you confident in doing negative roles. You haven't done any negative roles, right?"
"Don't worry. It's just a small role."
Although Ren said that, he knew that the role he was going to do had become a much more significant role.
Although he was confident in doing this role, he was still nervous since he knew he would only get one chance, and even that one chance was granted to him because of someone's request.
"Is Chu Min also part of this movie?"
"Yeah, he is. It was because of him that I was able to get this role."
Chu Min was a friend that he had met while doing theatre. Chu Min was older than him by six years, and despite their age difference, they had become great friends.
They were like brothers. They used to do theatre together, but during a show, Chu Min was scouted by a casting director and hit it big with a movie.
He was not a big star, but he had quite a bit of fame in the industry. He also had many fans, and despite him hitting it big, their friendship had not been stained.
They were still good friends. It was Chu Min who had asked him to audition for this role. He also had pleaded in front of the director to give him the part.
In his previous life, when the role had changed, and the director was finding an experienced actor to play it, Chu Min had pleaded to give Ren a chance.
That's how he had gotten a chance to audition, but due to his acting, the role had ultimately gone to another actor.
Chu Min had somewhat blamed himself for that and helped him to gain some roles in films, but due to his mediocre acting, he wasn't able to become a star.
Even after Chu Min had become a bigger star, he hadn't forgotten Ren, and they would occasionally meet sometimes.
After Chu Min had started doing overseas dramas and films, they had met less and less, regardless they were still friends.
'I want to repay him if I can.'
Chu Min was someone who had done various things for him. Ren never got the chance to repay him, so he wanted to repay him in this life.
Like Chu Min, there were various people in his life that he wished to repay like his mother, father, White bear etc.
They had done various things for him throughout his life, but he had never done anything for them. Ren wished that he will be able to repay them in this life.
* * *
"Director, are you really going to let a rookie actor play this role?"
Assistant Director Ming asked Director Zhu with a worried expression.
"No, how could a rookie play this kind of role? He has to be a genius to perfectly execute it."
"So, why did you tell me to prepare the scene?"
"Just let him come, we'll just film him."
Assistant Director Ming was confused by the director's words. He had just told him that the rookie actor will not be suitable for the role and now he was saying that they will just film it.
Noticing the confusion of his assistant, Director Zhu said.
"Don't be confused, I say we will film it, I didn't say that he will play the role. This rookie was recommended by Chu Min, I can't just reject him without giving a good reason."
"What if the rookie is good at acting in this role?"
"That won't happen. I have seen his audition tape. He was just mediocre at best."
Assistant Director Ming was relieved by the director's words, but there was still a doubt in his mind.
"So, who will play the role?"
Director Zhu didn't answer his question but just passed him some sheets of papers.
Assistant Director Ming saw the papers and smiled.
"Are we going with these actors, Director Zhu?"
"Yeah, those are some actors I thought of for this role. Contact them and see if they can come in the afternoon."
"Don't you think that telling them to come in the afternoon is a bit unrealistic?"
Director Zhu frowned at his assistant's words but didn't say anything. He also knew that telling them to come in the afternoon is unrealistic.
First, they had to check their schedules and the actors also had to get permission from their agency. There are also contract problems that might arise.
Their budget is already tight. If the actor asked for more money, then they can't afford him.
But Director Zhu wanted to shoot today, he thought that today would be a good day for the shooting. He would be disappointed if they were unable to film today.
"This is all because of that bastard Hong. If he hadn't made revisions on the script, then we could have saved some money."
"But because of his revisions, the script is looking greater. I think the audience will surely like the story."
"If it hadn't made the plot good, I would have beaten that bastard for making revisions on the script when we are in the middle of the filming."
Assistant Director Ming just smiled at Director Zhu's words. He was also surprised when Writer Hong had made revisions on the script midway through filming. Fortunately, it had made the plot more intense.
That's why the director had tolerated the changes. For a spy thriller, the most important thing is the thrill and tension in the plot.
If that isn't in the movie, then the audience won't like it.
The changes in the script had made the story more intense and had made the ending more thrilling. That's why even the investors had agreed to the changes.
Although the story had become more intense, Assistant Director Ming felt terrible for the rookie actor. He must be preparing hard for the role but would be giving it up soon.
But that was the extent of it, he did fell bad for the rookie actor, but it was the entertainment industry.
He knows that only connections and talent prevail here. If you had connections, you could quickly get a role, but a rookie actor without any connections had to work hard for even a small part.
'Well, he will at least get a chance.'
Assistant Director Ming felt that the rookie actor was somewhat lucky as he was at least getting a chance.
If his acting impressed the director, then he knew that he would play the role, and even if he didn't, he would at least get a chance to act in front of a renowned director.
He could take it as a experience. He felt that the rookie actor was lucky since he was at least getting a chance. Many actors are simply rejected without even getting to prove themselves.
He was blessed that he had a good friend that pleaded for him to get a chance.
If he could use that chance or not will only depend on the rookie actor.
"Hey, Ming, are you going to contract the actors or not?"
"Ah, I am doing it."
At Director Zhu's urging, Assistant Director Ming started contacting the actors and their agencies in a hurry.
He didn't know why, but he was now looking forward to seeing the rookie act. It was only his intuition, but he felt that the rookie could surprise everyone today