Chapter 51: The Unsuccessful Invitation

Actually, the explosive power of the car was very small, which was not surprising. Because if too much explosive had been buried, causing the car's steel plates to truly scatter and fly apart, it would have become a car bomb in the truest sense.

So the explosive placed inside was just for effect. What truly completed the scene was the bursting flame mechanism.

And the shot of a flame sticking to the hem of the male lead's costume, prompting someone to reach out and pat it, was truly an unplanned shot.

However, the director was already thinking that, for the sake of authenticity, he would definitely cut this segment into the final film. Even if there were slight flaws, revealing the stunt double's face, he would do it without hesitation.

After all, that's just how Hollywood works. As long as a blooper disappears fast enough, it doesn't count.

Besides, this wasn't a close-up of the male lead. A blooper in a long shot—did they really think every viewer's eyes were so sharp they could tell it was a different person?

In any case, this shot was a success. As long as the cameraman didn't make a mistake and actually captured the scene, the director believed he would surely go down in history because of this climactic explosion shot in the film.

Of course, this was the confidence every creator possessed. But whether it would truly turn out that way in the end was hard to say.

Anyway, at this moment, he was so happy he was talking nonsense, hugging the producer and dancing around with joy.

After finishing this shot, Henry immediately returned to his role as an extra. Changing out of the lead's costume, this time he was to play a passerby clutching his head and scrambling in the street after the vehicle explosion.

This kind of performance required no skill; as long as they didn't burst out laughing and their positioning didn't go wrong, causing the crew to collide with each other, it would pass in one take.

After filming a few shots on the main street, the behind-the-scenes crew began to urgently clean up the set and restore the street to its original state. If the city government's restoration inspection failed, a huge fine would be imposed.

Although it wasn't even noon, the work for the extras group was already finished for the day. The afternoon filming on set involved only the main cast and supporting roles; there were no scenes for extras.

Because it was less than a full day, they could only receive half a day's pay.

Henry stood out among the extras because he had filmed one more stunt shot, earning a bit more than the others.

The pay for that set of shots was a full eight hundred dollars, equivalent to what an ordinary extra earned working five or six days.

But no one envied him, because everyone had seen the filming process; that money wasn't so easy to earn. Especially since his feet had actually been burned in the end; the actors weren't wearing fireproof suits, so there might already be burns under their pants.

Everyone had come with dreams of becoming stars. Although some received more pay, there was really nothing to envy about the behind-the-scenes crew.

After the extras dispersed, Henry couldn't leave yet; he had been kept by Qian Ning. The two found a café to sit in, clearly indicating that the head of the action team was quite satisfied with that action sequence just filmed.

After buying a cup of cheap coffee for himself and the young man, Qian Ning got straight to the point: "Young man, you did well. Are you interested in working with me? It's not just about stunts; I have many other ways to make money."

Henry didn't eagerly jump to agree. Having seen too many ugly capitalists in his past life, with their various soft and hard PUA tactics, he was already immune to all poisons.

Qian Ning's invitation was direct, without any sense of coercion. In fact, even if it were forced, Henry wouldn't want to stay with this team because their skills were simply too poor.

He didn't need to think of a special reason to refuse; Henry spoke up immediately: "Qian Ning, thank you for coming to talk to me. But honestly, I still want to be a visible actor. A stunt actor is just behind-the-scenes personnel; the appeal isn't very strong for me."

"Won't you consider it a bit more? You have talent, and you'll earn more money than being an extra." Qian Ning thought for a moment and added: "Besides, there are stunt actors who struggle to the top and become big stars. You still have a chance."

"Oh, come on. Are you talking about Buster Keaton or Harry Houdini? Don't you think about what era they were from? Or Jackie Chan? He's from Hong Kong."

Qian Ning said with a look of regret: "What a pity. You have talent and are young; this is the time to strive. If you don't accumulate experience during this period, the opportunity to become a big star won't fall into your lap."

"But Qian Ning, Hollywood's division of labor is becoming increasingly detailed. If I get typecast, is there still a chance to break out from being a stunt actor? Besides, apart from a body full of injuries, what can one earn in this path? There isn't even an Oscar award for stunt actors."

A few simple words left Qian Ning's mouth opening and closing, speechless. Because Henry was stating facts; although stunt actors earned more than extras, it was all their own medical expenses.

To become a millionaire, the only chance is to become a star. Ordinary third-tier actors might even have to spend their own savings just to fight for a chance to be on screen.

Qian Ning was like someone who had been splashed with a bucket of cold water; he became completely listless and couldn't persuade him further.

Seeing this, Henry knew he had applied the medicine too strongly. If he knocked the person flat immediately, life would have no fun, and they would go looking for high buildings to end it all.

Thinking for a moment, Henry smiled: "Qian Ning, actually, our current way of cooperating is quite good. You have people under you to manage; you can't give all the opportunities to me.

"If you really lack manpower, or if there's some special good opportunity, then contact me. And I will continue to pursue my star dream, looking for opportunities in Hollywood. Is that okay?"

Not agreeing to directly join the other party's team meant that if they came looking again, it would probably be for troublesome jobs like today's.

But if it really didn't work out, he could just refuse then. Henry saying these things today was merely to give both sides a way out, not to make an enemy.

Qian Ning, with his mindset restored, thought seriously and felt that this arrangement wasn't a big problem. Or rather, this was simply how they operated.

Qian Ning wasn't a proper agency or team boss; he had just registered for an agent's qualification. There weren't actually many stunt actors with proper agent contracts.

The so-called action team was just a group of people who knew each other and had good relationships. Only when he got an opportunity would he assemble the necessary behind-the-scenes personnel according to the production company's requirements.

There were no fixed members; at best, they were members who collaborated more frequently. If these people had already accepted other work, they would naturally prioritize those jobs.

When selecting actors, the primary consideration was naturally the production company's needs, followed by the people under his own hand. If they couldn't find enough, they would look for suitable stunt actors from outside to supplement.

And Henry's answer wasn't a complete refusal. Would he refuse if the other party had no work?

It was just that when Qian Ning arranged people, Henry's priority would be relatively lower. Maintaining this kind of relationship was actually enough.

After seeing things clearly, Qian Ning no longer insisted on persuading him, but said: "Alright, we'll contact each other if there's a need. I hope there will be opportunities to cooperate in the future."

"There will be." Henry said politely.

The new book has been signed; seeking continued reading, bookmarks, and recommendations. Thank you~~

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(End of this chapter)