Model to Holywood

"Luca, there's a rumor going around the set about you. Want to hear it?"

In the hotel, at the breakfast table, Tony put down his fork and said.

"What rumor?"

Luca looked up at him. Since arriving in Charleston, this guy had worried about being mistaken for a weirdo, so he changed into a more conservative outfit. The red tracksuit he wore now was much easier on the eyes than his previous tight clothes.

"Um, the rumor is that your acting isn't good, and the director is not satisfied with you. They might replace you."

"Oh!"

Luca smirked slightly and continued eating his breakfast.

"Luca, is everything okay?"

Tony hesitated before asking.

Luca shook his head. "Just do your job. Don't worry about the rest."

"Alright."

After breakfast, Luca arrived on set early.

Yesterday's scenes didn't pass, so the crew was still shooting in front of the Charleston Library.

This library was built in the mid-20th century and has an old-fashioned architectural style that perfectly fits the era depicted in the movie. So, it was chosen as the place where the female lead goes to college.

Inside the makeup tent, a few staff members who were chatting glanced over when he walked in. Among them were props, makeup, wardrobe, sound, and others, all gathered and whispering together.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!"

"Morning!"

Only the makeup artist lazily replied and began putting on his makeup.

"Luca, they were just talking about you," the makeup artist said casually.

"Oh?"

Luca slightly opened his eyes and looked at the mirror in front of him.

In the mirror, the makeup artist stood behind him, holding a can of hairspray in one hand and a comb in the other. She was working on his hair rather carelessly.

"They're saying it's too hot. Yesterday was a wasted day, and if you keep messing up today, they'll be working all day again. They're already planning to apply for heat allowances."

The makeup artist continued while styling his hair.

"Yeah, Mike from the props team got heatstroke yesterday."

Another makeup artist flipping through a fashion magazine chimed in.

"How unfortunate. May God bless him!"

Luca crossed himself over his chest and closed his eyes again.

The makeup artist curled her lips. "Luca, they want me to ask if you'll nail the scene today. If not, we might have to prepare for a long shoot."

"I got it."

Luca replied calmly, closing his eyes to continue thinking about the scene.

No matter the country, a film crew is always filled with gossip.

Engaging with it only brings more trouble. The best way is to ignore it and focus on your work.

"Good morning, Miss McAdams!"

After a while, the makeup tent buzzed with greetings.

"Morning!"

Rachel waved and walked in.

"Hey, Luca, did you fall asleep?" Rachel asked, pressing on his shoulder with a smile.

"No, just a bit drowsy!" Luca opened his eyes and smiled lightly.

"Did you have trouble sleeping? Oh, Luca, don't tell me you were like Ryan, dreaming of the director scolding you?"

Rachel covered her mouth and laughed.

Luca shrugged. "Not really. The room next door was a bit noisy last night, and I think I heard a cat."

"Shut up!"

Rachel glared at him angrily, blushing. "You're lying. We're in 5028, and you're in 5022. There's a two-room gap between us. How could you have heard anything?"

Luca pressed his lips and said in surprise, "Rachel, a tourist moved in next door to me last night. She had a Persian cat. I heard the cat ate raw fish yesterday and had an upset stomach, making noise all night. I wasn't talking about your room. Why are you mad? Did your room also have a cat?"

"Shut up, Luca!"

Rachel shouted and grabbed a pair of scissors, ready to throw them at him.

"OK, OK! Miss McAdams, please don't be angry!"

Luca raised his hands.

"Ryan was right. You really are a troublemaker."

Rachel snorted, slamming the scissors down heavily.

Luca smiled slightly, noticing that his makeup was done. He put on his military cap and adjusted his collar.

"Rachel, I'm heading to the set. Are you going to wish me luck?"

"I don't want to."

Rachel shook her head. "My spot is in the shade. I won't get sunburned, so it doesn't matter if we shoot this scene dozens of times."

"Haha, alright then."

Luca shrugged and turned to leave.

"Hey, Luca, put some effort into it. I don't want to keep walking back and forth."

Rachel called out from behind.

"OK!"

Luca made a gesture and walked onto the set.

"Luca, are you ready?" Director Nick asked with a frown.

"Yes, Director!"

Luca nodded.

"Alright."

Director Nick gave him a look. "If you can't get it right this morning, we'll have to push your scenes back. We have other scenes to shoot this afternoon."

"I understand."

Luca pressed his lips.

"Go get ready. We'll start in ten minutes!"

The director shook his head and walked into the director's area.

Ten minutes later, the actors were in position, and everything was ready for filming.

"Scene 5, take 16. Action!"

In front of the library, Luca, wearing a military cap and a green woolen military uniform, leaned against a black convertible. Sunlight poured down from the sky, shining brightly on him.

"Hahaha~"

Across the street, four girls, including Rachel and three female extras, walked slowly. They played the female lead, Allie's classmates. Each was dressed fashionably and looked stunning.

"Look at that guy!"

"Wow~ he's so handsome!"

"What is he doing here?"

"Allie, he's staring at you!"

The four girls noticed the handsome guy on the roadside and started discussing him excitedly.

Luca stared at the girl in the center, his dark eyes burning with intensity, a faint smile on his lips.

"Hi, Miss!"

Luca took off his hat and smiled softly. "I'm fully recovered."

As he spoke, he straightened his chest, lifting his chin slightly. His bright eyes, confident smile, and sharp aura made his whole demeanor lively.

"Hmm?"

Behind the monitor, Director Nick stroked his chin, frowning slightly.

"Director Nick?" Assistant John noticed the director's expression and grew nervous. Luca's performance was different from what the director had instructed, with an extra action.

Director Nick didn't say anything and continued watching the performance on the monitor.

"Will you go out with me?"

Luca stood tall, his warm smile tinged with confidence and poise, making him look even more charming.

The shot was completed.

But the director didn't yell "cut."

The crew fell into a brief silence.

Luca felt a bit tense. This time, he had abandoned the original setup and acted based on his own understanding. It was a test, an adventure. What would the result be?

"Cut!"

After half a minute, Director Nick finally called out.

"Luca, come here!"

Director Nick waved his hand.

Luca walked to the director's area.

"Director, did it work?"

"Can you tell me why you acted that way?"

Nick folded his arms and frowned, his expression unreadable.

Luca thought for a moment. "Ron Hammond is the heir of a prominent Southern family. He's wealthy, successful, and good-looking. This time, he drives a luxury car and wears a neat military uniform to woo a girl. Naturally, he's confident. Confidence is also a kind of charm."

"What about the chest-puffing action?"

Nick pointed at the monitor.

"Ron Hammond said he was fully recovered. This action is to show his physical fitness. It's like animals showing off their strength and dominance during mating. It's an instinctive reaction."

After speaking, the director rubbed his chin without saying anything.

Luca felt tense again. Rumor has it some directors don't like actors with their own ideas. He wasn't sure if Nick was one of those directors.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

Many people watched the director, who would decide if they would rest or keep working.

Some people watched Luca, some shook their heads, and some curled their lips.

"I bet this take won't pass!"

"You don't need to say it. The director never passes a take on the first try."

"Luca's acting just isn't good enough!"

There was a soft discussion in the makeup tent.

"This take is good."

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the loudspeaker.

"It passed?!"

Everyone looked toward the director's area. Yesterday, they shot more than ten takes and none passed. Now it passed on the first try? Was Luca's performance that brilliant?

Whew~

In the director's area, Luca let out a breath. His palms were already sweaty.

"Director Nick, it passed on the first take?"

Assistant John asked in confusion.

"One take?"

Nick stroked his beard. "Then shoot another."

"..."

Everyone turned to look at John. Damn, do you think shooting outside in this heat is fun? This guy talks too much.

"Ahem, Director Nick, we've already shot this scene 16 times. It's not a one-take."

John quickly added.

"Then shoot one more."

At the director's request, the crew worked a little longer.

A little after noon, the scene finally ended, and the crew began to pack up and prepare for the next shoot.

"Luca, we're filming in front of the attic this afternoon. Are you coming to watch?"

Rachel asked as she was leaving.

"Are you acting with Joan Allen? That will definitely be exciting. I'd love to see it," Luca said with a slight smile.

"Luca!"

Director Nick called out to Luca again, "Your performance today was passable, but there's still a lot of room for improvement. The next scene is a group scene, and you're one of the main characters. I hope you can stand out more."

"I understand, Director!"

Luca nodded. He had just relaxed a bit, but now his nerves were on edge again. The next scene was Ron Raymond's proposal, taking place at a grand party with hundreds of extras.

Among them were Rachel, the famous host Ryan, Joan Allen, who had been nominated twice for the Best Actress Oscar, and several other veteran actors.

Each of them was highly experienced, so standing out among them would not be easy.