Chapter 135: Method Actors

The imposing actor's prop axe tumbled down, prompting Martin to swiftly roll to evade it. Simultaneously, a German shepherd lunged from the side, grappling with the unusually powerful and twisted stuntman.

With remarkable reflexes, Martin thrust the prop knife backward, piercing it into the blood bag strapped to the stuntman's leg. As he withdrew the knife, crimson liquid spurted forth.

Martin rolled again, narrowly avoiding the plummeting prop axe. At Ajia's command to stop, the shot went off without a hitch.

After a brief intermission, the set was rearranged, and filming resumed, eventually reaching the final scene.

With the assistance of the beautiful German shepherd, Martin seized the old shotgun tossed to him by the deformed girl and obliterated the colossal deformed man's head.

Mainstream Hollywood have begun to emphasize women's roles, but it wasn't limited to the deformed girl role; even the two ill-fated male dogs had succumbed.

Instead, the beauty canine companion stayed with Martin until the end.

Covered in a mist of gore, Martin approached the dummy and fired a series of shots, causing the blood bag on the dummy to burst.

Director Ajia exclaimed, "Cut! It's a wrap!" He lifted the loudspeaker, bellowing at the top of his lungs, "I declare the completion of filming for 'The Hills Have Eyes!'" The studio erupted in cheers.

The conclusion of work not only meant a well-deserved break but also the dispersal of paychecks.

Buck, Lewis, and others ignited handheld cannon salutes, launching colorful ribbons into the sky.

The entire crew had managed to shoot all scenes in just 24 days.

Post-production would take place in Los Angeles.

Champagne was readily available on set, and the entire cast and crew raised their glasses in a toast.

Martin, now makeup-free and in different attire, emerged. Producer Craven distributed small gifts on behalf of the crew, most of which were relatively worthless props. The truly valuable props, as per usual, would be discarded as trash.

Of course, some production companies and crews were more frugal.

Craven approached Martin, offering him a red-painted wooden bat and a prop knife. He inquired, "Which one would you like?"

Martin asked, "Can't I have both? I'd like to take them both."

Craven replied earnestly, "Only one, it's an unwritten rule."

Martin, unfamiliar with this rule, complied, selecting the wooden bat.

Ajia arrived with two glasses of champagne, one for each of them. They clinked their glasses and sipped. Ajia expressed, "I feel incredibly satisfied with this shoot. Martin, Wes, you are the best partners I've had in the industry."

Craven chimed in, "I watched most of the scenes closely. Ajia, you directed superbly, and Martin's acting was exceptional, particularly in the revenge scenes in the latter half."

Having worked as a screenwriter, director, and producer for many years, Craven's approach was distinctly market-oriented. He commented, "This 'one man, one dog, one gun' model, fighting against the odds, resonates well with the audience and should find acceptance in the market."

Martin mused, "I thought this might become a genre."

Although he lacked the status and funding to delve deeper into it.

A production manager interrupted, announcing, "Representatives from the Screen Actors Guild are here."

Craven questioned, "What's going on? Why are they here?"

The production manager explained, "They're here to question Martin about the incident with the actor next door who got bitten by a snake."

Craven, already informed of the details, reassured Martin, "To be honest, what happened that day had nothing to do with you. You've fulfilled your obligations, and you're their employer."

"Understood," Martin concurred, proceeding to leave.

As the investor's representative, Craven and Ajia followed him.

Martin didn't harbor any worries. Dalot had already removed his subordinates, rendering them untraceable in Mexico, beyond the reach of the Screen Actors Guild.

Upon entering the adjacent conference room, they found a man and a woman awaiting them.

The production manager introduced them, and the middle-aged man, Wilson, seemed to be the leader.

Martin exchanged pleasantries with them, urging, "Let's get this done quickly; the crew has ongoing celebrations."

Wilson displayed politeness, explaining, "Mr. Davis, we apologize for the interruption. We mainly wish to inquire about your interaction with Mike Vogel on the day of his injury."

Martin provided a succinct account, "He was drinking, and I was too. It was just boastful banter. He insisted on dragging me into the wilderness to battle venomous snakes..." Martin relayed the events in the banquet hall. There was no need for deception; the truth sufficed: "I got scared when I spotted the rattlesnake, so I hightailed it out of there. Many people witnessed it. As I was leaving, I heard he got bitten. That's all."

Wilson grasped the situation, asked a few additional questions, and then bid farewell, "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Davis."

Martin courteously replied, "You're welcome."

Once the others departed, Martin asked Craven, "Wes, how are things on the other side?"

Craven, who frequently liaised with Brad, the neighboring producer, was informed of the situation. He responded, "They've initiated the departure process. Vogel has left the crew and is seeking compensation from both the crew and the insurance company. The crew is contending that it was his personal behavior, and they'll continue to push that line."

Martin expressed relief, "Luckily, I regained my senses when it mattered. I'd rather be considered a coward than get bitten by a snake."

Ajia voiced his concern, saying, "People like him are just asking for trouble. If they get injured, it'll cause a lot of problems for our crew."

Martin responded appropriately, "Maybe being in the same agency as him and having a higher priority blocked his path."

Since the start of filming, Martin had maintained a good relationship with Craven. Craven offered a specific piece of advice, "That guy has ill intentions, kid. There are people like him everywhere in this industry. Be cautious in the future."

As the majority of the crew prepared to return to Los Angeles after the shoot, Martin and Bruce stayed on the neighboring set.

In the evening, Martin hosted a gathering for three stunt doubles: Buck, Lewis, and Frank.

Bruce presented a gift prepared by Martin, prompting Lewis to remark, "You're too kind."

Martin smiled, "You bear the most physically demanding and injury-prone roles. The action scenes are the easiest part for me."

Buck, shaking his bald head, said, "The crew compensates us."

Martin handed each of them a small bag, saying, "It's not anything valuable, mainly just to commemorate our unique experience."

Frank opened his bag with surprise, exclaiming, "A handheld game console?"

Martin explained, "I heard you guys often play games during your breaks, so I bought these specially – the Nintendo GBA-SP."

These devices weren't particularly expensive, priced at only $150 each.

Lewis admitted, "I've been eyeing Nintendo's new game console for a while but haven't gotten it yet. I appreciate this, Martin."

Buck also stowed his bag, expressing gratitude, "Martin, if you ever need stunt doubles again, remember to give us a call."

Martin nodded, "If we do action scenes in the future, I'll definitely recommend you to the crew."

As "The Hills Have Eyes" crew left Mexico, Martin transitioned to the adjacent crew. He didn't even have to switch rooms; he simply changed the crew that footed the bill.

His character had shifted from an avenging force against the perverted and deformed to a cheerful and handsome football coach.

On his first day with the new crew, Martin found kwapis on the training ground and announced, "Director, I'm here."

Capiz assessed him briefly, appearing as the confident and sunny handsome guy he typically saw. He inquired, "Do you need any rest? How long will you need to adjust?"

Martin replied, "No need, I'm ready."

Kwapis nodded, "You don't have to exert too much strength, just be yourself."

Martin thought to himself that if he truly portrayed himself, the role would be ruined.

Kwapis glanced at the shooting schedule, "You don't have any scenes today; you can take it easy."

"Director, you're busy," Martin replied, and since kwapis seemed occupied, he left voluntarily.

However, he remained on set, swiftly integrating into the crew that had already begun filming.

The crew commenced shooting shortly thereafter.

Martin retreated to the rest area, seated beneath a sun umbrella, and compared the character scripts to identify characters with whom he would interact.

Blake Lively had the most overlapping scenes with him, followed by the women's football team members he would be coaching.

The character script contained numerous professional training terms, which Martin, not being a fan of celebrities, had to memorize.

Suddenly, a woman with long, dark brown hair took the seat next to him. She introduced herself, saying, "Hello, I'm Amber."

Martin nodded, finding her vaguely familiar from a recent movie he'd watched. "Aren't you the girl from the opening scene of 'The Ring'?"

Amber confirmed, "Yes, I played the girl seeking death. I'm one of the four sisters here."

Blake, wearing sports shorts, arrived from another direction, focusing intently on Aibo. She declared, "You're in my seat."

Although there was no real sisterly affection, Amber refrained from arguing and simply stood up. Before departing, she bid Martin farewell, "Good luck."

Martin waved, "Goodbye."

Blake claimed the chair and began conversing. The intimidating aura was gone, replaced by a radiant smile. She remarked, "You're finally here." Playfully, she held her hand to her chest and jutted her chin, scrutinizing Martin's handsome profile. "Why do you look even more handsome the longer I stare at you?"

Martin rapped the table, "Let's get serious; our scenes are coming up soon. We should rehearse."

Blake said, "In fact, it's quite simple. I fell in love with you at first sight."

Martin shifted his attention back to the script, asking, "Once the training camp ends, do our characters separate?"

Blake replied, "Haven't you read the original work?" Seeing Martin's nod, she continued, "In the first draft, our characters part ways. Brad disagreed with Uncle kwapis's adaptation and recently changed the script. After I return home, we'll have a reunion, a perfect love."

Both of them were dedicated Method actors. After the morning shoot, Martin had the day off, so they took the opportunity to discuss their respective roles.

Effective communication with fellow actors was crucial.