Chapter 9, Casting

During the three days of waiting, Wang Yang stayed at home, spending the entire day watching horror movies in his mind to refine his script. Over these days, Wang Yang was quite frightened, and he couldn't sleep well at night; he would wake up startled at any sound, all thanks to those horror films.

Wang Yang could hardly suppress his wail; the result of such a performance was that the horror film had turned into a comedy! He shook his head and said, "I’m sorry, sir, you do not meet my requirements"

After listening to Wang Yang's words, the staff member raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying, "Oh, four thousand US dollars is not too much, but I believe many people will need it. Alright, I have registered, so please arrange a time and place for the interview. We will notify all eligible actors, and whether they choose to attend the interview will be up to them. So, what are the time and location?" I have registered, so please arrange a time and place for the interview. We will notify all eligible actors, and whether they choose to attend the interview will be up to them. So, what are the time and location?"

Welcome to SAG. As Wang Yang stepped into the actors' union, the staff at the reception warmly greeted him: "Do you want to join the actors' union? As long as you pay an annual fee of 1,500 USD, we will provide you with insurance, job opportunities, and protect your rights"

The purpose of the actors' union is to seek benefits and rights for its members, such as introducing job opportunities to actors, protecting their rights, and being responsible for negotiating labor contracts with the producers' association.

Moreover, many directors may go for years without making a film. When an opportunity arises, they will not allow themselves to miss it, nor will they be foolish enough to disregard their future for a momentary thrill. If one seeks excitement, they can simply go to a bar for a one-night stand or hire an escort. However, once a film fails at the box office, their career can essentially come to an end.

In Hollywood, if you want to exchange your body for roles, you may be willing to do so, but others are not, and there is no such transaction.

Take, for example, a 70-year-old actress and a 70-year-old actor; the elderly woman typically only plays the role of a grandmother, while the elderly man can star in a romantic film alongside a 20-year-old young woman

"Yang, don't go..." Jessica still held Wang Yang tightly. In that moment, she seemed to return to 9 years ago, when Wang Yang was about to confront Peter and his gang for her. She had also held him back just like this, and the emotions from 9 years ago suddenly surged forth, resonating with the present moment. Her heart was filled with both tension and sweetness, an indescribable sense of goodness.

On the day of the interview, this script, which was "scared out" of him, was already fully written. Wang Yang employed many terrifying ideas from the future, choosing them from the perspective of an ordinary American, culminating in psychological horror. If the later film "Paranormal Activity" could leave people fainting, then the current, utterly transformed version of "Paranormal Activity" would definitely be capable of scaring people to death

Jessica shook her head empathetically, furrowing her brow and said, "I know how heartbroken she is right now. Every time I fail an audition, I feel that sense of defeat, as if I am worthless and abandoned by God"

Wang Yang glanced through her resume. Born in 1978, she is 20 years old this year. She previously took performing arts classes in high school and participated in local stage plays. After graduating from high school, she came to Hollywood to pursue her career. However, after two years, her performance experience has mostly been as an extra, meaning she has had no lines and played minor roles.

The scheduled interview start time is 9:00 AM. Wang Yang, as usual, got up early, practiced martial arts, had breakfast, and then set off for the "Sweetheart" café on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood

After exchanging a few jokes, the two called over the waiter from the café to settle the bill, and then they walked out, chatting and laughing.

"Oh, God!" Ann was immediately struck and held her head, her voice trembling as she anxiously pleaded, "Can I perform again? Please, please?" Before Wang Yang could respond, she was already displaying a look of fear on her face.

No, no, I am very sorry, I truly apologize..." Wang Yang returned the resume to her, and although he sighed inwardly, he had to harden his heart at that moment: "Annie, your performance has not yet shed the style of a stage play. This is a D V film, which requires a more realistic performance, so the interview is over.

Wang Yang and Jessica stopped and turned around. Indeed, it was the beautiful girl from earlier who had caught up with them. She jogged up to them, standing at about 165 centimeters tall, which required her to look up at Wang Yang while wearing flat shoes. She asked, "Hello, may I ask if you are Mr. Wang Yang?"

Hello, Mr. Slaughter. Wang Yang gently embraced him, and Jessica also greeted him and shook hands with Slaughter

Consider this: in Hollywood, a movie can easily require an investment of tens of millions of dollars, or even hundreds of millions. The investors may involve dozens of companies, and their demands are quite simple: profitability, with the minimum requirement being the recovery of costs, and no losses allowed. If someone were to act recklessly for the sake of sexual favors and ruin the film, causing financial losses, the investment companies would not let that person off easily. At best, they would tarnish your reputation; at worst, they would hold you accountable and take you to court, potentially leading to imprisonment.

The muscular Black man saw Wang Yang and wanted to charge out, but he did not dare to engage in a fight. Instead, he quickened his pace to leave, as he had no intention of getting into a brawl. If things escalated and the union pursued the matter, he would definitely be kicked out.

The sooner, the better. How about tomorrow? Would it be possible to meet at my house? Wang Yang said that his home resembles a scene from a movie, and if we could audition in that setting, the effect would be optimal

"Yes, that is me." Wang Yang nodded.

He looked at Annie Daren across from him and asked, "Annie, if you encountered a ghost at home in the evening, what would your first reaction be?"

Why? First, without discussing whether the actors themselves are willing to engage in sexual transactions, even if he or she is willing, it is still very difficult for the other party to implement it. Hollywood is no longer under the studio system, nor is it under the star system; the era when big-name stars and studio heads could make decisions on casting, dictating who would play a role, has long since passed.

No, thank you. Perhaps I will join the Directors Guild in the future. Wang Yang shook his head with a smile and then clarified his intention: I am preparing to independently shoot a DV film, and I need two actors, specifically the male and female leads. They should appear to be in their twenties, with an average build, and there are no specific requirements for their looks. Oh, it will be a horror film, and it will take about a week to shoot. Both roles will be compensated with 4,000.

Jessica rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, now there are no teachers, but now there are police."

At that moment, Marcus Longter calmly called out to the muscular man, saying: "Hey, buddy, I know your name. If you keep talking like that, I will definitely report you to the actors' union"

Mark Slant, however, seemed to have become a fan of Jessica, expressing some dissatisfaction by saying, "I actually think it fits quite well." He then twisted his mouth and added, "Of course, it's up to the young director to decide."

Fortunately, at this moment, the first actor to attend the interview finally appeared, breaking the strange silence at the coffee table. The first to arrive was a Caucasian actress with long, light golden hair, who was elegant and beautiful, with some freckles on her face. She handed her resume to Wang Yang and nervously introduced herself: "Hi, everyone, my name is Annie Daren"

Well, you said that as long as you have been with all three parties, you can obtain the role

Do not even mention it, let alone do it. If a producer or a director attempts to make such a request, the actor can seek assistance from their respective union to protect their rights. Whether it is SAG or AFTRA, both have significant power and will promptly dispatch lawyers to file a lawsuit against the relevant director or producer's film company to seek an explanation

According to statistics from the actors' guild, among the more than 120,000 members, less than 5% earn an annual salary exceeding 100,000 USD. The proportion of members with an annual income between 1 and 4,999 USD is 72.1%

"Brother, you are courting death!" Wang Yang was furious, suddenly standing up and charging towards the muscular man

A beautiful girl smiled and said, "I am here for your movie audition at https://m.hetushu.com.com. May I ask if I can still audition now?"

American horror films are passable, albeit gory, often evoking feelings of disgust and shock. The theme and budget of "Paranormal Activity" dictate that its horror is psychological in nature, which is why Japanese horror films are his primary focus of study. Japanese horror films are indeed the most terrifying, providing a suffocating sensation, whether it is the already released "The Ring" in January of this year or the upcoming "Ju-on" set to release in 2003. Each film brings Wang Yang's mental state to the brink of collapse. Thus, Japanese horror films are his main area of research, and they are the most frightening, delivering a stifling experience, regardless of whether it is the already released "The Ring" or the forthcoming "Ju-on." Each one pushes Wang Yang's psyche closer to the edge of breakdown.

He tapped his watch on his wrist and said, "Young director, it is already noon; shouldn't we take a break for a while?"

When Wang Yang arrived at the café, he found that Jessica, who had promised to come last night, had already been there for a while. She was sitting in her seat, smiling and waving at him. Wang Yang walked over, secretly chuckling to himself, thinking about that poor guy Joshua, who couldn't come because he had class, and even said he would keep an eye on him, haha

This brings us to discuss the mature market of American cinema. How many films are produced in the United States each year? At least several hundred. And how many directors and actors are there? Countless. In this fiercely competitive market, regardless of the director, anyone looking to make a film faces immense pressure to achieve profitability

I guess I will curse loudly, "Fuck!" The muscular man shouted angrily, "Which bitch raised the one who woke me up?"

Oh. "Marcus Rant shrugged and said: 'Can't a non-girlfriend also perform?'"

Upon seeing Jessica, Marcus Langte let out an "Oh," as if he had discovered a treasure, unable to take his eyes off her, and said, "Beautiful lady, are you here for an interview as well"

Furthermore, if an ignorant young woman is deceived by a unscrupulous director and ends up sleeping with someone without receiving a film contract, she is very likely to take the matter to court or make it public in the newspapers. Such a scandal is a significant issue in the United States, and that director and the actors involved would undoubtedly face a ruined future and a tarnished reputation. This is because film enthusiasts across the nation would scorn them and refuse to watch their movies. In other words, without a market, film companies will naturally no longer seek to hire you for film projects

With confusion, Wang Yang and Jessica had not taken ten steps on the street when a distant shout came from behind: "Wait, please wait!"

Seeing that fellow run out of the café, getting further and further away, Wang Yang's brute strength gradually relaxed. He sighed and said with a wry smile to Jessica behind him, "Why were you like this before, and why are you still like this now? Why won't you let me give that guy a good beating?"

"Then you should leave quickly!" Wang Yang said irritably, while Marcus Langte replied, "OK, OK," and left first. He really did leave, and Wang Yang and Jessica seemed to feel a bit awkward again. Wang Yang could only joke, "Why did you stop me just now? Now that we're about to fight, no teacher will punish me."

Therefore, even if a certain actor and director have a transaction here, one should not expect success, as the director alone does not have the decision-making power, and the transaction cannot succeed.

Annie Daren furrowed her brow and thought for a moment, then cautiously said, "Perhaps it is a scream"

I am afraid that is not possible. You know, it is best for the interview location to be in a public place. The staff member shrugged and added, There is also the issue of time; it is too soon. Some members have not yet received the information, and you wouldn't want to miss out on suitable candidates, would you?

Oh, oh! No, no... Upon hearing that Marcus Longter thought they were in a romantic relationship, Jessica instinctively denied it: "I am not his girlfriend." After saying this, she secretly glanced at Wang Yang from the corner of her eye, her heart pounding. Why was she filled with anticipation?

Oh, I see. Marcus Langte sat down, ordered a cup of coffee from the waiter, and continued to observe Jessica, praising her: "Miss Alba, I am actually still an agent. You are very beautiful and possess a particularly charming aura. From my years of experience in the industry, I believe you could go to m.hetushu.com to become an actress"

OK, then what is your name and contact number

Markus Langte nodded slightly and said, "Oh, I will come back at 1 o'clock. I will dine at that restaurant on the street..." He smiled at the two and added, "Then I won't disturb you."

Just as he stepped out of the café, he saw a beautiful girl with long golden hair hurriedly entering the café. Wang Yang didn't have time to take a closer look; he felt that the girl looked familiar. He wondered whether she was there to have coffee or to attend an interview.

Looking at the strong Black muscular man in front of him, Wang Yang asked, "If you were sleeping and were awakened by a strange noise, what would your reaction be? Please demonstrate."

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG), established in 1933, is the largest actors' union in the United States, with over 120,000 members. Alongside another union, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), which has more than 70,000 members, these two unions encompass nearly all actors in the United States

"OK, OK, let me think for a moment." Annie Daren kept blinking her eyes, and after a while, she took a deep breath and said, "Then I will begin." Wang Yang nodded and, along with Marcus Langte and Jessica, looked at her.

Both achievements and reputation are extremely, extremely important for directors and producers. If the films you produce are box office failures, or if you are a notorious individual, no investor will entrust their money to you

Therefore, many people came for the interview. By one morning, Wang Yang had already interviewed nearly 200 individuals, none of whom met his basic requirements.

Seeing Jessica become somewhat unhappy, Wang Yang couldn't help but curse Marcus Langte in his heart, thinking, isn't this making things difficult for him? He wanted to explain to Jessica but didn't know how to say it

"Damn!" The muscular man cursed again, clearly not wanting to cause trouble. As he cursed, he walked away, but not before casting a lingering, gleaming glance at Jessica. This was something almost all men did before leaving, but the muscular man's gaze was particularly distasteful. He mockingly added, "Light beauty, if the little Chinese can't satisfy you, come find me! I will make you scream for your mother!"

Wang Yang nodded. Although he needed to race against time, he could not let that delay matters. After a moment's thought, he said, "Then let's meet three days from now. The location will be at the 'Sweetheart' café on Sunset Street."

At this time, every penny must be spent wisely; Wang Yang would not act pretentiously. He shrugged and said, "I can just go to a nearby restaurant to buy a hamburger." Jessica also said, "So can I."

"Yes, I need the female lead to appear to be in her twenties," Wang Yang added. In fact, he later reconsidered whether Jessica could play the female lead. However, he ultimately maintained his original decision. This was because he had seen several horror films starring Jessica from later years in his mind, and there was truly nothing remarkable about her performances; one could say she was simply not suited for horror films.

Jessica shook her head in denial: "No, sir. I am the producer of the film." She smiled and looked at Wang Yang, saying, "Just kidding, I'm here to enjoy the show; Yang is the chief judge today, and he calls the shots." Wang Yang shrugged and made a face.

Mark Slant burst into laughter: "I knew I wouldn't be mistaken." He glanced at Wang Yang, then at Jessica, and curiously asked: "Interesting, young director (a play on words), why didn't you let your girlfriend play the leading role in the film"

"Sir, please remain calm," Wang Yang said with a furrowed brow

"Jessica, let go of me!" Wang Yang also exerted all his strength to push forward, his heart filled with uncontrollable anger. This muscular man not only offended Jessica but also reminded him of the wrongfully accused Terence Ben, sharing the same physique and equally infuriating expression

Finding actors is not done on the street; observing passersby to see if they are suitable for roles is the work of talent scouts. There is a systematic approach to casting in Hollywood. Today, Wang Yang is going to visit the actors' guild.

The current casting system is a multi-faceted checks and balances system. Neither the director, producer, nor even the heads of investment companies possess absolute power. When selecting actors, one can approach agencies, which will ultimately communicate with the actors' guild. The actors' guild will notify all eligible members according to your requirements and arrange a time for auditions. The panel of interviewers will consist of the director, the producer, and agents dispatched by the actors' guild.

Wang Yang and Jessica both smiled upon hearing this. Jessica said, "In fact, I am already an actress and a member of the actors' guild"

Why do films suffer from box office failures? The answer is simple: faced with hundreds of films each year, American audiences have already developed a discerning taste. With so many options, how does one choose which film to watch? Therefore, audiences generally check reviews before deciding to enter a cinema. It is evident that a bad film is simply a bad film; no matter how extravagant your marketing is or how beautiful your leading actress may be, critics will not hold back. Their way of ensuring job security is to write popular reviews. Thus, audiences typically look at reviews before making their decisions, and it is clear that a bad film remains a bad film; regardless of how impressive your promotion is or how attractive your lead actress is, critics will not show mercy, as their means of preserving their livelihood is to produce favorable reviews.

Fortunately, I can still talk to Jessica on the phone every day and hear her sweet laughter; otherwise, Wang Yang would definitely go crazy

Annie closed her eyes, then slowly opened them with a soft "um," furrowing her brows, looking around with a fearful expression, completely at a loss about what to do. After finishing her performance, she let out a long sigh, looking at Wang Yang with a mix of tension and anticipation, saying: "It was just like that."

Hollywood, located in the northwest suburbs of downtown Los Angeles, is home to the headquarters of major film companies, a popular tourist destination, and a sacred place that represents cinema

Screaming? Wang Yang felt an immediate sense of alarm, but seeing that Annie had come so early, it was clear she took this interview very seriously. He continued to ask calmly, "So, suppose it is late at night, and you and your boyfriend are sound asleep in bed, but suddenly you hear footsteps outside in the hallway, and you wake up. " He gestured invitingly and said, "Please demonstrate your expression upon waking up."

The performance was too theatrical, heavily influenced by stage plays, making it impossible to portray the realism required for a DV film. Wang Yang mentally marked a cross and shook his head, saying: "I am very sorry, Annie, but you do not meet my requirements"

"Yang, Yang!" Jessica reacted quickly, hurriedly standing up to grab Wang Yang, but her strength was no match for him; she couldn't hold him back at all. In her desperation, she wrapped her arms around Wang Yang's waist from behind, using all her strength to hold on, burying her head in his back, and shouted, "Don't go, don't go!"

However, with the establishment of various unions, the improvement of systems, and the maturation of the market, directors and actors no longer sign employment contracts with film companies, but instead enter into project-based agreements, transforming the relationship from one of superior and subordinate to one of collaboration. Amid these changes, sexual transactions in Hollywood have become increasingly rare, and now they are almost nonexistent.

When Wang Yang first arrived in Los Angeles, he visited Hollywood, toured Paramount Pictures, walked along the Walk of Fame, and also went to the Chinese Theatre to admire the handprints of celebrities. His purpose for coming to Hollywood today is not for leisure, but to find candidates for the male and female leads of "Paranormal Activity".

Seeing her deny it so quickly, Wang Yang felt somewhat disappointed and smiled as he said: "Just good friends"

This is a very simple fact: Hollywood is not lacking in beautiful women, and I have never seen any film company gather a few pretty faces to make a movie that becomes a big hit. Are you kidding? Haven't you seen women before? If you want to see women, you might as well watch "Flower | Flower | Prince," where they are all fully nude.

There are more women willing to sell their beauty; just look at those flower girls and courtesans, and you will understand. However, I have yet to see any of them land a leading role in a film, or even secure a minor supporting role.

Wow, this is truly a cinematic scene! Over there, wwwhetushu.com, Marcus Langte made a joke, which brought Jessica back to reality. She hurriedly released Wang Yang, smiling at him with a mix of shyness and embarrassment, and Wang Yang smiled back. Marcus Langte said, "Don't worry, I will report that guy's name to the union; he will receive the punishment he deserves"

Jessica lowered her head to take a sip of coffee, attempting to conceal the slight awkwardness on her face. However, being a drama student, she quickly regained control of her expression and explained with a bright smile: "Yang said I am still too young and not suitable for the age of the female lead"

Many people who do not understand Hollywood believe that there are widespread "unwritten rules" involving sexual transactions. This is not true. Hollywood a few decades ago may have been like that, when directors, actors, screenwriters, and others were contracted by film companies, essentially functioning as employees of the company. The film companies held significant power, which naturally led to the emergence of many sordid and dark elements

Wang Yang glanced at his watch; it was nearly 12 o'clock. He nodded and said, "Well, it's lunchtime." He then called the waiter and instructed him to inform any candidates arriving for interviews that they had gone out for lunch and would resume the interviews at 1 o'clock in the afternoon

Ultimately, only the actors who receive unanimous agreement from all three parties can obtain a role; of course, the agent primarily serves a supervisory function. However, if any one party disagrees, that actor will not be awarded any role

Indeed, Hollywood also has its "unwritten rules," but they do not pertain to sexual transactions. The true unwritten rules involve discrimination, prejudice against homosexuality, discrimination based on skin color, and even prejudice against women

It is not to say that Americans are particularly well-mannered; decades ago, Hollywood was also quite corrupt. Why has it become so pristine now? The answer is simple: the system determines everything

Wang Yang's fee is 4,000, with a work schedule of one week, averaging 571 per day. Currently, the market rate for background roles in Hollywood is 80 USD per hour for non-union members and 120 USD per hour for union members. Therefore, this contract is not considered generous, but it is still a considerable amount for background actors. Moreover, the role is a leading one, making such an opportunity rare. Director Wang Yang? So this contract is not considered generous, but it is still a considerable amount for background actors. Moreover, the role is a leading one, making such an opportunity rare. Director Wang Yang? Who is that? A film with a budget of 10,000? Are you kidding? However, it doesn't matter; after all, he is the lead, and there is still 4,000 USD.

Due to the failure of the film, the investors themselves will also find it difficult to protect their own interests. Take, for example, the film "Windtalkers," produced by MGM and directed by John Woo. It had a budget of 120 million, but ultimately only grossed 77 million worldwide, leading to significant losses for MGM, a sharp decline in stock prices, and directly resulting in a restructuring of MGM's upper management. Furthermore, John Woo lost the trust of investors and eventually returned to China to direct "Red Cliff".

Jessica was somewhat frightened, while Wang Yang suppressed his anger and said, "Do you want to cause trouble?"

Hi, you must be Yang? Just before 9 o'clock, a staff member sent by the actors' union arrived. He was a middle-aged Caucasian man wearing black-framed glasses. He showed his credentials to Wang Yang and said, "I am in charge of today's interview."

"So where shall we go to eat?" Marcus Langte asked

Once everything was registered, Wang Yang paid a fee of 200 US dollars, and only then was the matter considered settled; the next step was to wait

Annie, with red-rimmed eyes and a face full of dejection, took the resume and stood up, saying, "Thank you for this interview opportunity." After saying this, she walked away in despondency

"What? I don't meet the requirements? Man, are you kidding me?!" The muscular man slammed the table and glared at Wang Yang, saying, "I performed so well, and you actually say I don't meet the requirements?! Hey, seriously, are you trying to mess with me?! Is this just a scam?"

"I’m sorry..." Wang Yang sighed, "As an actor, it’s not that easy, is it? There are over 120,000 members in the SAG alone, but how many of them are famous actors?"

Calm down? Calm down what! The muscular man shouted loudly, instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the café. He stood up with both hands pressed against the table, leaning forward as he cursed: "You little brat, do you think your movie is so precious? Not inviting me to act? Fuck!"