Superstar's Development Diary-Chapter 758 - 759: Zero Pay Appearance

He Jinxia spoke calmly, "All I know is that if I can’t film this movie, I will regret it deeply. Brother Luo, I know that my becoming a top-tier actor is crucial for everyone, but at my core, I’m an actor. When I see a good script, I go for it.

I can’t let the pursuit of fame and status limit me, especially since I currently don’t have the standing to pick and choose films based on status alone."

Luo You understood the company’s viewpoint very well, and even she herself was eager to shoot a big-budget film.

But you can’t just decide to shoot a blockbuster; since these are big productions, the actors are selected after much deliberation, and the opportunities are most likely to go to top-tier actors. Only if a top-tier actor is not available might they consider a second-tier actor.

As a second-tier actor herself, hoping to land a role in a big production was merely reliant on picking up leftovers and luck, and Luo You’s promotion to the top-tier would also be left to chance.

Success depended on the right time, place, and people.

And luck, frustratingly, was the most elusive and uncontrollable factor.

Luo You fell silent again.

He knew what He Jinxia meant, but he couldn’t help but gamble, thinking that He Jinxia might be as lucky as she had been in the past. Perhaps tomorrow a blockbuster would come knocking on her door, just like "Fox Fairy Legend" had?

However, the brutal reality reminded him that even when "Fox Fairy Legend" came to them, they still couldn’t accept it.

Luo You took a deep breath, "Fine, I’ll contact the crew of ’Special Action’ for you, but I think they might not be able to afford you.

I haven’t seen their script, but I’ve seen the guest appearance fee they proposed, and it’s the lowest among the films that have invited you for cameos.

At the time, I accepted their offer hoping to cast a wide net; perhaps you could really pick one or two award-winning works from them?

So, regarding the price, I didn’t negotiate, planning to discuss it with them only after you confirmed you wanted to accept."

He Jinxia inquired about the guest appearance fee offered by their crew and compared it to other crews’ offers, slipping into deep thought.

Given her current rate, the fee that ’Special Action’ offered was indeed too low; it was very likely that they had insufficient funds but wanted to try their luck with her so-called lucky fish fortune, so they approached Luo You with a just-try-it attitude.

If the crew had deep pockets and were also willing to try their luck on her, they would certainly be generous with the offer to ensure she would accept.

"Jinxia, Jinxia?"

He Jinxia snapped back, "I’m here; I was just thinking about how I could persuade the crew to let me be the female lead."

Suddenly, an idea struck her, "Brother Luo, how about this, I’ll act for free in the film?"

Luo You: "...That’s impossible. Give up on that idea."

Mommy Luo started lecturing non-stop, "Other celebrities work hard at accepting engagements to climb higher, all to solidify their popularity and further boost their value to make more money.

You, on the other hand, the higher your popularity, the lower your rate. Instead of earning more like a regular second-tier celebrity, you’re making less. How am I supposed to defend you, huh? How?!

I know you love acting, but a celebrity’s rate also reflects their value, and if you don’t follow the usual path, you’ll be blacklisted by other celebrities in the industry..."

He Jinxia listened to the nagging for a while and finally couldn’t stand it anymore, quickly interjecting, "Stop, stop, stop, consider my zero appearance fee as an investment, maybe I can have shares in it, yes, think of it as an investment!"

Luo You: "Don’t talk about investing, investing just annoys me!"

"Rescue 5 Hours" was still recording and hadn’t been broadcast; he had no idea what kind of reception it would receive after its release, and now he wanted to invest in a medium-budget production! You! Ah, what am I supposed to say about you!

"If I were to speak out about these two tasks of yours, I guarantee everyone would think you’re a free spender with a nickname to boot: silly with too much money..."

He Jinxia honestly endured a scolding and, after much discussion, finally convinced Luo You to reluctantly agree to the idea of using his fee for investment.

However, man proposes, God disposes. The crew of "Special Action" was even more strapped for cash than Luo You had imagined!

After hanging up the phone with He Jinxia, Luo You first learned about "Special Action" and the director’s information from a friend and pondered carefully. Only after gaining some confidence did he make a respectful call to the team.

The director of "Special Action" came from a martial arts actor background, harboring a passion to save the world; making this movie was to fulfill a dream in his heart.

His friend told him that the movie couldn’t pull in investments, and nobody thought well of it.

That was indeed the case.

Thus, to make this movie, the director had gambled all he owned, even mortgaging his house to finance the filming!

Luo You greatly admired this kind of pursuit and spirit of "advancing regardless of opposition from ten thousand people," emblematic of a true filmmaker’s ideals and passion.

But reality, as it’s called, tends to remind people to dream less...

He found Director Qian’s phone number and immediately made a call. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Director Qian was initially puzzled by Luo You’s friendly overture over the phone, but in the entertainment circle, friends are universally welcomed, regardless of whether they are friends for parties and feasts or true friends, as long as they can help where it counts.

The two exchanged polite greetings for a few minutes, offering compliments where due, and Luo You eventually eased into the main topic, feigning nonchalance as he said:

"Brother Qian, didn’t you send a cameo script to my artist He Jinxia before?"

Director Qian perked up at this, sensing the conversation turning to serious matters!

He thought about it carefully, and indeed there was such a matter.

Recently, when He Jinxia blew up as the lucky fish character, his wife took notice and said this celebrity was really lucky, wondering if inviting her to the crew would also bring some of that luck. She didn’t hope for any awards but just wished to earn back the investment on the movie.

Director Qian had laughingly responded, "I don’t know, but I’ll try inviting her. She’s a popular young actress after all, and she might not favor the small role we’re offering from our crew."

His wife then said, "Old Qian, when you say ’try to invite her,’ you actually have to do it. Don’t fake it. I believe this star is blessed!"

Under his wife’s urging, Director Qian had someone find He Jinxia’s agent’s phone number that very night and he made a call to extend the cameo invitation to He Jinxia.

He only meant it as a suggestion, though, not holding much hope.

He thought that even if he couldn’t get He Jinxia, just the earnest intention of wanting to invite her might divine some blessings to prevent the movie from losing money.

Director Qian collected his thoughts and said, "Yes, Agent Luo, you’re asking about—"

His heart leapt; usually, in the circle, when someone rejects a director’s project, the agent just sends a rejection email on behalf of the artist.

Only if the director holds a higher status would they personally make a call to notify politely, ensuring they offend no one.