Chapter 791: Mene Shocks the Audience

During the subsequent days of filming, Clara inexplicably blossomed with confidence. Perhaps it was the realization that she had firmly planted her roots in Los Angeles and no longer had to worry about signing a "slave treaty" upon her return.

After wrapping up the vibrant song and dance number featuring the heroine's girlfriends, Mene appeared with his band, a striking ensemble dressed in black.

The male protagonist, portrayed by Martin, accepted an invitation from Mene, the charismatic lead singer, to join the band as a keyboardist. This decision followed an emotional phone call between the heroine and her mother, setting the stage for the next chapter.

Inside the studio, the atmosphere buzzed with creative energy as the band prepared to record. Mene commanded the center position, his presence magnetic. Martin, as the new keyboardist, stood proudly next to him, while the rest of the band members faded into the background.

Despite his limited experience, Martin managed to keep up with the rhythm, his fingers dancing over the keys. Any musical imperfections would be polished in post-production.

After three intense takes, Mene took a break to hydrate and clear his throat. Martin, flexing his wrist, turned to him and asked, "Ready for another round?"

"Of course I'm ready," Mene replied with a confident smile. Leaning in, he whispered, "To nail this role and ace these singing scenes, I went to Las Vegas and trained intensively with Celine Dion for a month." Martin responded with a thumbs up, impressed.

"That's amazing," he said.

Mene glanced toward the rest area, spotting Chad, Marcus, and Tiger Chan chatting animatedly. Knowing his friends were eager to see how he performed, he grinned and said, "Boss, you'll soon see I've got this down professionally!"

With the stage manager's signal, the cameras rolled. The band launched into their performance, and Martin kept pace with the beat on his keyboard. Mene's voice soared through the studio, his rendition of a modern jazz song showcasing his breath control, expressive delivery, and precise rhythm.

Though not quite breathtaking, Mene's performance was leaps and bounds ahead of the singing scenes featuring Martin and Saoirse Ronan.

"Cut!" Damien called, beaming at Mene. "Great job! Keep that energy up!"

He turned to the rest of the crew and announced, "Get ready, next scene in two minutes!"

After more than an hour of continuous shooting, the crew completed this segment and took a well-earned break.

Martin and Mene returned to the rest area, where Chad, acting as Martin's temporary assistant, handed him a bottle of water. "Man, you're in the wrong industry. You should be a singer," Chad joked.

Tiger Chen, less familiar with black music, added earnestly, "I think you sing better than a lot of rappers I've heard."

Mene laughed, appreciating the compliments and camaraderie. The break gave everyone a chance to recharge, but the excitement and momentum of the day lingered, promising even more compelling scenes to come.

Marcus chimed in enthusiastically, "That's right!"

Martin, still puzzled, turned to Mene. "I remember the last time I heard you sing, you weren't this good. How did a month of training with Celine Dion make such a difference?"

Chad and the others suddenly connected the dots, realizing the significance of having a North American pop queen as a mentor.

"I've spent an entire month in Las Vegas with Celine, and I've made tremendous progress in every aspect," Mene said, clearing his throat. "She even thinks I have what it takes to make an album, and she's offered to sponsor me."

Everyone, including Martin, looked at Mene with undisguised admiration. Here was a man who seemed to achieve everything he set his mind to, a true winner in their eyes.

Bruce, curiosity piqued, asked, "You mentioned progress in all aspects. What do you mean by that? What else improved?"

Mene, typically brimming with confidence, now wore a subtle, almost secretive smile, uncharacteristic for him.

Chad nudged him playfully. "Come on, spill the beans, or else..."

Marcus, his chubby face lit with a mischievous grin, added, "Or I'll drag you to the Angel Club's shooting range and give you ten minutes to run!"

Faced with the playful threats from his friends, Mene reached into his pocket, a glint of showmanship in his eyes. "Well, my best skill has improved significantly, which is why Celine is willing to back my album."

Releasing an album was one thing, but getting a major music company to promote it was another. Mene, having gradually risen to become a golden supporting actor, and even Marcus and Tiger Chen, had the financial means. But access to the right channels and resources, like those Celine Dion had, was priceless.

Martin, impatient and intrigued, urged him on. "Stop stalling, just tell us already!"

Mene scratched his head, then pulled out a ball of thick, red thread from his pocket. The thread was as chunky as yarn for a handmade sweater and stretched out about three feet long.

"This... is difficult to explain," Mene said, rubbing his head with one hand and holding the red thread in the other. "Let me just show you."

Martin made a sweeping gesture of invitation, and the others, including Chad and Bruce, leaned in with anticipation.

Their interest drew a crowd, even director Damien stepped to the edge of the set, curious to see what Mene would do.

Mene bit down on the middle of the red string, his cheeks vibrating rapidly as if his tongue were performing a complex dance inside his mouth. When he pulled the string away, a knot had miraculously formed in the middle.

The crowd, including Martin and Bruce, erupted in amazement. Mene's demonstration had them all in awe, marveling at the unexpected and impressive display of skill.

"This isn't over yet!" Mene declared with a twinkle in his eye.

He grabbed the string on one side and pulled it out while the other side was drawn into his mouth. His cheeks moved with astonishing speed, as if powered by an electric motor.

The red thread that emerged was now adorned with a series of perfectly knotted links, neat and orderly like the links of a chain. The speed at which Mene worked was far beyond what most people could achieve by hand.

Martin, eyes wide in disbelief, muttered, "This is unreal! Mene, you're incredible! Even if Madonna herself saw this, she'd have to admit defeat."

Bruce's eyes widened further. "If I had this skill," he thought, "I could charm not just Kim and Khloe, but even Kendall and Kylie!"

Chad, Chen, and Marcus were left speechless, while Marcus finally broke the silence, saying, "This guy is a genius! A super genius!"

Director Damien, standing close to the set, rubbed his eyes to make sure fatigue wasn't playing tricks on him. Realizing what he saw was indeed real, he couldn't help but grin. It became clear why many in the crew regarded Mene as the true winner in life. With such a unique and outstanding skill, how could he not be?

The studio fell silent as everyone processed what they had just witnessed. Mene had shocked the audience with his extraordinary technique.

Chad took the knotted red thread from Mene, examining it closely. "I'm convinced," he exclaimed. "You really do have some incredible skills!"

Chen and Marcus nodded in agreement, their admiration clear.

Bruce approached Mene and patted him on the shoulder. "We've known each other for eight years, right? And you never showed me this trick! You have to teach me, old buddy. I don't need to be as good as you, but even a third of your skill would be amazing."

Mene smiled proudly. "Alright, alright!"

Bruce couldn't help but think about the possibilities. His mind raced, imagining how he could use this newfound skill. Martin, overhearing Bruce, suddenly wondered how many Kardashian sisters there were in total.

Soon, Chad, Chen, and Marcus also started asking Mene for tips, eager to learn his secret.

Their enthusiasm drew the attention of other young crew members. These assistants, whether to the directors, photographers, or art departments, often interacted with star-level actors. They knew that mastering such a skill could potentially elevate their careers, and their personal lives.

In Hollywood, even seemingly minor positions could lead to significant opportunities. Many stars, like Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, and Keira Knightley, often had boyfriends who started in similar roles.

As the buzz of excitement spread, Mene stood at the center, basking in the admiration of his friends and colleagues. His extraordinary display had not only impressed but also inspired those around him, making him the undisputed star of the moment.

After that day, Mene's reputation within the crew soared. Suddenly, he was the go-to person for those eager to learn and improve their skills. His magnetic appeal drew not only men but also numerous women, all hoping to catch some of his magic.

In Hollywood, the upward mobility for men is often more accessible, but women who master unique skills can unlock many doors. However, such skills demand natural talent.

Catherine Daddario struggled despite her efforts, but Clara watched Mene's performance twice, asked insightful questions, and after a night of dedicated practice, she began to master it. Her determination and rapid progress impressed everyone.

Clara soon gave Martin a private performance, showcasing her newfound skill. Martin was thoroughly impressed. He believed that with Clara's talent and determination, she was destined for a bright future in the industry.

Seeing her potential, Martin recommended Clara to the crew of "John Wick 3" for an audition for a female role. There were two key female roles in the sequel. Blake Lively successfully auditioned for the role of a dog lover, while Clara auditioned for the role of the judge representing the High Table.

Chad quickly contacted Martin to approve Clara's audition. He even suggested a slight adjustment to the role to accentuate Clara's particularly good figure, proposing that the judge's daily attire be changed to a black tight leather suit. Martin had no objections.

As the filming for "La La Land" progressed, the crew moved out of Disney Studios to various locations across Los Angeles. They filmed at 48 iconic spots, including the Griffith Observatory and Angel's Flight.

The most challenging scene was the opening song and dance number on an elevated road, which required closing the road and coordinating hundreds of singers and dancers. Since May, Mandy Moore and Damien had been renting an open-air area at Disney Studios, conducting extensive rehearsals to perfect the sequence.

Filming at the Griffith Observatory presented its own set of challenges. Renting the exterior area cost $10,000 per day, and the crew had to ensure it did not disrupt the regular flow of tourists. They were not permitted to film inside, so the interior scenes were meticulously recreated in the studio.

As December rolled in, and the focus shifted to the heroine's scenes, Martin temporarily left the "La La Land" crew to handle matters related to "Argo." After seven weeks of screening, "Argo" had grossed $178 million in North America, and it was poised to surpass $200 million. The film's positive reception provided a strong foundation for the crew's award season campaign.

Throughout these hectic times, the crew of "La La Land" and "John Wick 3" continued to buzz with energy and anticipation, driven by the undeniable talents and hard work of individuals like Mene and Clara. Their contributions not only enhanced their own careers but also enriched the projects they were part of, ensuring memorable and impactful cinematic experiences.