Chapter 5: Background Actor

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

His laced words left Jiang Se at a loss as to whether she should laugh or cry.

When she had still been Feng Nan, she had almost nothing to do with the entertainment industry though she did hear rumors. It was said that this industry was more than what it seemed. Currently, this man’s actions humored her.

She would have to accept his name card in any case. If she rejected it, even her role as an extra would be taken away.

When the man saw her accepting his name card, he smiled. “I’m close to everyone in the crew. If you’d like to be a character in a movie, just give me a call. The production team will be staying in Shen Villa for a few days.”

Suddenly, someone called him. He shouted in response and turned back to Jiang Se. “Remember to give me a call.” Then, he turned and jogged away.

After Lu Baobao saw him leave, she hastily moved closer to Jiang Se. “Sese, is he trying to help you because you’re pretty?”

Jiang Se shook her head. She tossed the name card into a rubbish bin nearby. “Don’t be fooled.”

The guy was only a runner in the crew who was being ordered around. Surely, he did not pull any rank. His words just now were no doubt meant to fish innocent, inexperienced girls with dreams of becoming a star. His only authority was choosing background actors. There was no way he would be calling the shots for the bigger roles.

“Let’s go.”

The women in front of them had already entered the site. The two of them were just a step behind. When they found the changing room, they saw that many of the others were already changing into their costumes.

Judging from the looks of the outfits, this show must be set in the Republic of China era. Furthermore, based on its name “Rescue Mission”, Jiang Se guessed that this must be a resistance-themed show.

The costumes were hung on the racks in neat rows. They were of different colors, but someone else had clearly worn them before since they emanated a sour smell.

Lu Baobao, who had been pampered and spoiled since she was young, displayed a disgusted expression. Jiang Se, on the other hand, was undisturbed. She took the clothes, went behind the curtains, and changed.

There were many people behind the curtains, but nobody made any conversation. When they finished changing, a woman in her 30s brought some forms with her and approached them.

She called the extras over and handed out the forms as she explained, “Background actors, you’ll be required to work for 41 days for eight hours a day. Meals will be provided. Since you’re now wearing the costumes, you’ll have to follow the crew’s directions. Otherwise, you won’t get paid. If there are no problems, please sign here. You’ll get your payment at night.”

The extras went up to sign their names. When it was Jiang Se’s turn, the woman seemed surprised. She did several takes at Jiang Se. Then, she picked her documents up and went out.

The extras waited in line for their makeup. It was obvious that they were not meant to play bright and beautiful characters. When Lu Baobao was done with her makeup, she looked duller than normal. With her messy hair and the blue floral blouse she wore, she looked much older than her actual age.

A man in his 30s was assigned to apply makeup on Jiang Se. When he saw her, he exclaimed in awe, “Beautiful!”

It was true that heaven blessed Jiang Se with her looks. Despite the rustic and thick costume which made her look slightly swollen, it did nothing to dampen her gracefulness.

“Thank you.” Jiang Se smiled. The makeup artist glanced at her again.

Although the period between May and June was still considered summer, “Rescue Mission” must have been set in the winter because Jiang Se and the others were wearing thick costumes. As she and Lu Baobao were late, the thinner clothes had already been picked by the others and only two jackets remained. When they donned them, despite the air-conditioned makeup room, they sweated profusely which made the clothes stick tightly to Jiang Se’s back. The stink of the clothes also made it difficult for Jiang Se to breathe.

She was incredibly pretty and did not pale even when compared to the female stars of the cast. However, as a background actor, she stood out too much.

The makeup artist thought about it and darkened her skin tone with some dark-colored powder. The person in the mirror instantly lost her glow and was no longer as eye-catching as she had been before.

“You’re going to be part of the villagers captured and killed by the traitors,” the makeup artist was speaking to Jiang Se with a smile, but his hands did not rest, “So, I’ll be putting some scars on your face.”

If it were any other background actor, neither would the makeup artist have paid so much attention to detail nor would he have explained the scene that would be filmed that day.

The makeup artist had been in the industry for a long time, so he knew a future star when he saw one. With Jiang Se’s pretty features, she would most likely make it big in the industry as long as she kept her head on her shoulders. He gently painted her face with a makeup brush and introduced himself with a smile, “I’m Tony.”

Jiang Se nodded. She looked on as he drew some scars on her face and set her hair. She looked different from before.

Tony looked at her from the left and the right. The makeup was done, but something seemed off.

With her straight back, a refined air came naturally to her. Even with the dirty appearance from the makeup, it was clear that she was different from the other background actors.

“That won’t do.” He wagged an index finger. “You should bend your back slightly and have a slight slouch.” Then, he pointed at the listless women at the side. “Be like them, and you’ll look the part.”

Jiang Se looked at the others and her gaze returned to her reflection. Her skin was now darker, but even the cotton knotworks and straight collar could not conceal her slender neck and her beautiful, delicate chin. Even with the “scars” on her face, her calm eyes showed no signs of her being a person in a difficult situation. That would not do.

She thanked Tony for his reminder. Since she was an extra, she should not stand out too much.

She bent her back and retracted her neck as she attempted cowering looks in the mirror. Soon, there was a call for the background actors to go on set already, thus she had no time to polish her looks.

Lu Baobao was excited and frightened at the same time. As she hugged Jiang Se’s arm, her antics made Jiang Se laugh despite herself.

The makeup artist, Tony, had already told Jiang Se what role she would be playing. When the cars for the set drove in, Jiang Se was calm.

The scene was set near the Daxing River dock, and the set was already cleared. The crew had rented this part of Shen Villa beforehand. Cameras were set up everywhere.

The people in costumes huddled together in small groups, making conversation under the sun.

Several beach parasols were erected in the distance and some people were lying on recliners as they studied their scripts.

When the production team’s cars arrived at the scene, one of the slightly fat middle-aged men stood up. He raised a megaphone to his mouth and shouted, “The extras are here. Places, everyone!”

Jiang Se and the others were told to get ready in a hurry. Soon, several crew members walked up to them with hemp ropes in their hands.

When Lu Baobao saw this, she was slightly shaken. She directed her question to Jiang Se in an undertone, still shaking, “What are those for?”