Chapter 2387 - 2380: The Male Lead Quits
Although he was playing a comatose patient with no lines and his head wrapped in bandages, Wang Dadong felt quite happy inside.
He didn’t know many female celebrities, especially from Huaxia; he knew even fewer.
Despite some people’s negative thoughts about female celebrities, it’s undeniable that the appeal of female celebrities is something every man has.
Even Wang Dadong was no exception.
"Action!"
With the director’s call, filming began.
The camera was mainly focused on the actress.
The actress held Wang Dadong’s hand and started reciting her lines.
At this moment, Wang Dadong felt that even playing a corpse was worth it. Those smooth and tender little hands, the faint fragrance emanating from the actress, made him feel utterly delighted.
But what he anticipated most was the kiss scene to follow.
Wang Dadong had kissed countless women, but never in front of a camera before.
He was both excited and a bit nervous.
Finally, the actress finished her lines with tears streaming down her face, and the kiss scene was next.
"Cut!"
The director’s voice rang out.
Wang Dadong was a bit puzzled. Wasn’t there still a kiss scene? Why did they call cut?
The actress let go of Wang Dadong’s hand. Although tears were still on her face, her expression had returned to its usual aloofness.
It was like she was a completely different person compared to when she was acting.
No wonder she could become a second-tier celebrity, mastering her emotions so effortlessly.
It’s known that many actresses need props like onions or chili to help them cry in scenes, but this actress managed without any aid.
"Bring in the stunt double," the director called towards Wang Dadong.
"What? A stunt double?" Wang Dadong finally opened his eyes, completely baffled.
"Obviously, did you really think Sister Liu would personally shoot the kiss scene?"
"Let alone the fact you’re just a stunt double; even if it were the male lead himself, Sister Liu would still use a double," a staff member said teasingly.
If it weren’t for Wang Dadong’s body and looks being similar to the lead actor’s, he wouldn’t have even gotten the chance to be a stunt double, let alone dream of filming a kiss scene with a big star.
Soon, the stunt double for the lead actress appeared.
Seeing the stunt double made Wang Dadong feel an urge to cry.
Damn, at least get a good-looking one.
But generally, stunt doubles only come on for scenes where the face isn’t shown or for quick cuts, so body resemblance to the lead actress is more important than facial looks.
Coincidentally, this actress had a rather voluptuous figure—36E and a noticeably larger rear than most women, making it challenging to find a matching body double.
Finding this one had taken the production team a great deal of effort.
If it weren’t for the film being on a tight schedule and happening to find someone with the same look as the lead actor, Wang Dadong wouldn’t have had the chance to be this stunt double at all.
As for the lead actress’s stunt double, while the physique was smoking hot, the face left much to be desired...
She wasn’t hideously ugly, but definitely not attractive either.
Wang Dadong’s face twitched; he wanted to ask for a change but couldn’t find the words.
Luckily, just then, a man wearing sunglasses entered the studio.
He was the lead actor of the film.
"Xiao Chen, you’re finally here. Alright, the double can go now," Director Wei gestured to Wang Dadong’s side.
Wang Dadong knew his role was over here.
Good thing the lead actor showed up; otherwise...
After about half an hour of acting, Wang Dadong earned a hundred yuan. The staff told him he could use a meal ticket to claim a box lunch when the food was served.
Don’t underestimate a box lunch; for those working at the bottom level, it’s quite essential.
After all, sometimes they work all day and only earn a hundred or even just a few dozen yuan.
Wang Dadong accepted the hundred, but he didn’t bother with the box lunch.
With a hundred yuan in his pocket, Wang Dadong walked out of the studio.
At least I’ve been an actor, he thought.
The only regret was not getting to finish the kiss scene with the lead actress.
Upon reflection, the lead actress was called Liu Yan. Although only a second-tier star, she was somewhat famous.
She gained her fame entirely due to her exceptionally impressive physique.
But Wang Dadong wasn’t envious; developing to that extent might have seen its share of ’development.’
Of course, that was a little like sour grapes.
"Hey man, wait a minute." As Wang Dadong hadn’t walked far, a short man frantically ran out from the studio.
"What’s up?" Wang Dadong was puzzled.
Since the lead actor was back, it should be over for him, right?
"It’s like this, the male actor ran into some issues. This time, we’ll give you double the pay," the short man said, somewhat anxiously.
"Uh, this isn’t just about the pay..." Wang Dadong’s face twitched.
Damn, that stunt double is so ugly; even for double, no, a hundred times the pay, he wouldn’t want to do it.
"Haha, don’t you guys have a stunt double? Keep using the stunt double. There’s an action sequence next; let’s see how you shoot it!" At this point, an arrogant voice came from the studio.
Then the lead actor walked out with a full look of disdain.
"Chen Xiang, stop right there..." Liu Yan also came out following.
"Liu Yan, there’s nothing more to say. I’ve had enough of you. Filming with you—this won’t do, that won’t do, any little contact and you’re using doubles. You like using doubles, then I’ll use a double this time too," Chen Xiang said coldly.
Liu Yan’s body trembled slightly. She opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.
"Anyway, I’ve put the word out, either double the pay, or agree to my conditions, or I won’t finish the rest of the shoot."
"Aren’t you afraid of paying a penalty for breach of contract?" Director Wei frowned and came out.
"Haha, let me tell you, I’ve already got a new gig, a real big production. Just the promotional budget is bigger than your entire film’s budget," Chen Xiang laughed disdainfully.
Now, everyone felt a bit helpless.
Just one last scene to finish the film, and the male lead goes on strike—it was a devastating blow.
In a typical scene, a double would suffice; but for the final action scene, it wasn’t just about finding anybody.
As for doubling the pay, that’s even more impossible.
The entire film’s budget was only a little over ten million, with the male and female leads each getting a million. Doubling would mean an additional million.
But if they didn’t agree, the film wouldn’t be completed.
The male lead had seen this point, and coincidentally landed a new big role, hence the bold demands.
"Director, maybe we should just agree..." someone suggested quietly.
"Agree? You gonna pay the extra million?" The director’s face was very dark.
Then he turned back to Liu Yan, saying, "Liu Yan, how about you agree to his conditions?"