CH28

Manager, lawyer, public relations officer, accountant – the occupations of those seated around the oval table varied, but their purpose was singular.

"Did everyone have a good holiday? Look at Cooper, heard he got a new girlfriend and now his face is half gone. Didn't stay in all holiday, did you?"

"I guess I'm stronger than I look. That's what happened."

"Just wait until you're married. You won't hear the end of it then."

Laughter broke out in the conference room at agent Austin's joke. 

Austin, having brushed off the remnants of the week-long Christmas holiday with laughter, brought up the reason they had gathered today.

"We all know why we're here, right?"

Everyone's gaze turned to the conference materials laid out on the table. 

At the forefront was a black and white printed photo of a boy.

Ian Pryce.

The reason why talents from WBE, one of America's leading agencies, had gathered was him.

"With all the noise lately, you'd know who he is. From what we've confirmed, he's currently signed to three projects. Not just Invisible Children, but also an animation dub and a summer season drama."

"Starting off with quite the resume."

For a rookie actor, the usual path involves accumulating experience through extras, supporting roles in advertisements, and voice dubbing.

Someone like Ian, starting with a significant supporting role without any backing, was almost unheard of.

"It seems like he's doing better than us."

"Could be true. The people he's known to be close with are not ordinary."

A brief whistle came from those who checked the list of Ian's known associates.

Not to mention the well-known Ben Roberts and Ayla Olson.

"With directors like Isaac Greenberg, a legend in New York, and Gavin Davis known for his explosive work?"

"It seems like Greenberg got to know him through his grandson. Davis, on the other hand, is close enough to invite him to a house party."

The group then reviewed his family connections.

Even though he seemed like just another kid from a hotdog stand, his network was golden.

"And apparently, he's also been seen chatting alone with party animal Charlotte Underhill at a party."

"Isn't that more bad news?"

Few entangled with Charlotte ended well.

"Would he really cause trouble with a grade-schooler? Let's focus on the conclusion for now. Should we make an offer?"

The accountant was the first to respond to Austin's question.

"Do we really need to make an offer now? Invisible Children season 2 has already been confirmed, so the contract will be concluded by now. There's no immediate revenue."

In the US, agencies don't pay actors signing bonuses nor provide personal assistants for errands and driving.

Their role is solely to secure good projects for contract negotiations, but this doesn't mean there are no costs involved with contracted actors.

'Making money means earning a commission, but that might be tough for a while because of the already signed projects.'

Meaning they'd be twiddling their thumbs for a bit.

"There's also the unease. The more he's hailed as a hero by the media, the more haters he gets."

"The internet is full of people who love to write nasty things."

Being considered merely lucky is the least of concerns. 

Racial slurs and blatant mockery become more severe the deeper one delves into the shadows.

Of course, the more successful one becomes, the more haters flock to them, as inevitable as paying taxes, yet the concern for a child actor remained.

"Even adult actors crumble under such pressures, can a young actor withstand it?"

"So, we're not going for a contract?"

"That's not what I'm saying. Just suggest we give it some time. It hasn't been long since the merger, after all."

The shock of the financial crisis spared no one in Hollywood. 

With fewer films and shows being produced and actor fees declining, everyone made choices for survival.

Just like how the William Butler Agency, known for its strengths in music, merged with the Endeavor Actor Agency, known for its strengths in film and television, to form WBE. 

At the moment when the atmosphere was leaning towards a hold, a man entered the conference room with a knock.

"Nick? What's going on?"

Nick, an intern agent, caught his breath slightly before speaking.

"You asked me to keep looking into Ian Pryce, right?"

"And?"

"Disney just released a sneak peek of the character Ian dubbed, along with a song."

Do they release a song too? 

Given the release date, it was unexpected for them to rush this.

"But the reaction is already significant."

It was deserved.

***

A dragon with golden scales flapped its wings and hopped around cheerfully.

-Let's jump! bi bi bi bing~. Everybody jump! doo doo doo~.

The song of the dragon hopping around with its long body was delightful. 

The simple lyrics encouraging everyone to jump, dotted with onomatopoeic words, were addictively catchy. 

The roughly two-minute song ended with the dragon cutely winking, and the video spread quickly.

– Aaaargh, save me. Disney is trying to kill me.

└ What happened?

└ The kids keep asking me to jump with them. I think my joints will give out.

└ Oops…

– The voice sounded familiar, so it was Ian.

└ Damn it! Just when we got rid of the Indians, now it's jumping?

└ Suddenly remembered the song and started jumping at the crosswalk, and the person across did the same. We awkwardly laughed.

– Ah, crazy. Why is the trampoline delivery taking so long?!

└ Every house with kids is trying to buy one, aren't they?

└ Should have bought stocks in trampoline companies if I knew this would happen!

└ Yeah, they're already soaring.

The song "Let's Jump," which came out as children were getting tired of "Ten Little Indians," was completely absorbed. 

The growth in views was notable, and it caught the eyes of journalists.

– Disney's sneak peek song Let's Jump shows a significant uptrend.

– Elementary schools on break are waiting for Let's Jump. Good for dance parties, sports days, and PE classes.

– Disney. Ian Pryce's dubbed Let's Jump is to be gradually released in five languages.

– The Dragon Village from Let's Jump is confirmed for a summer release.

With half a year still to go, the animation's success seemed already assured, but Ian had no time to pay attention to this.

'ACE, WBE, IAM, UTC, and more have come.'

Ian looked down at the business cards his parents had collected. 

All from top agencies in the US. 

Any choice he made would be regret-free.

"Where are you thinking of going?"

"I don't know. No rush, so I'll think about it slowly."

Unless a major issue arises, he wouldn't back out from an already leaning offer. 

Agencies coming in a hurry due to the success of Let's Jump would need more time to prepare.

'Deciding on the commission will be complicated.'

With a steep growth curve but still an uncertain future for the child actor, deciding on the right commission rate would inevitably be complex. 

Moreover, considering the need to meet at least two or three times to negotiate terms, signing a contract would take months.

"The agency is already a caught fish, not that important anymore."

Ian pulled out a script from the seat next to him.

Beverly Hills Moms.

The day for the script reading of the new drama had already arrived.

Unlike the zombie drama, which required a focus on movement, this drama demanded more attention to emotional expression.

Moreover, unlike Invisible Children, this drama centered more around adults than children, which was another difference to consider.

Chloe drove Ian to the studio for the script reading, and upon arrival, the first to greet him was Joshua, the showrunner of the drama.

"Ian! How have you been? I heard from Cassie that you've been staying at the hotel for a while."

"The paparazzi even take holidays, you know. Thanks to that, I'm back."

"Hahaha, holidays are precious to everyone."

Joshua laughed and led Ian inside.

About a dozen people, seemingly actors, were visible at a glance.

"Here comes the actor for the much-curious role of Eugene."

The gaze that swept over him was palpable.

All sorts of emotions that he had grown tired of receiving during his acting career poured out from every direction.

'This is right.'

Actors want to shine; not everyone in the same drama is necessarily a friend.

Ambition and jealousy mixed in the raw gaze, and Ian smiled deeply.

'I've become desensitized to being around good kids.'

The tension made the hair on his skin stand up. 

It was a familiar tension he hadn't felt in a while.

The feeling that if he didn't prove himself right, he would be devoured.

It felt like coming home.

The first to approach Ian was a woman walking elegantly like a model.

A well-maintained beautiful lady. 

She had the seductive aura of someone who might have a scandalous affair.

"I'm Elin Baker, playing the lead role of Chloe. You haven't seen me act, have you?"

"Of course not. How could I see you when you mostly act in adult-rated dramas?"

The only Asian present besides Ian chided.

It was clear she was playing the role of Eugene's mother, and this guess was correct.

"Hi, I'm Lia Fong, playing your mother, Anna."

Recognizing her as Chinese-American by her name, Ian greeted the other actors.

After greeting the adult actors, the show's child actors also approached Ian.

"Hi! You wouldn't believe how much we've been listening to Let's Jump at home! Can you sing it here?"

"Larry, introduce yourself first. You're really loud."

The girl who held back the boy rushing in like a beagle examined Ian from top to bottom.

"…Well, you look better in person. I'm Dorothy Bruce. Hmm, my role is Esther."

Dorothy hesitated slightly, prompting Larry to tease her mischievously.

"She's your kiss scene partner!"

"Hey!"

Dorothy, who dodged a swinging fist from Larry, sighed in annoyance and then hesitantly spoke.

"It's just a kiss. Don't think too much of it. It's just acting, right?"

"You're right. It's just acting."

As if there's anything exciting about a bird kiss with a grade-schooler. 

That would be criminal at his mental age.

Ian's calm response made Dorothy roll her eyes.

"Anyway, I just wanted to say don't get any weird ideas. Glad we're on the same page."

Dorothy turned away sharply, and Larry shrugged and followed her.

Finally, a boy sauntered over.

"I'm Daniel Brown."

Pride and arrogance. 

The look was on the border.

Although it could have been unpleasant, Ian paid more attention to the boy's face.

A familiar face. 

Was he a successful actor? 

He tried hard to remember, but that didn't seem right.

"Self-taught in acting, they say. Seems you can act, but do you know about the Lee Strasberg Method?"

Watching the boy brag about the man who introduced Method Acting to America, Ian remembered who he was.

"Ah, the druggie."

"…What?"

His nose, unmarred by cocaine use, had made him initially unrecognizable.

'That's right. The druggie.'

The druggie homeless person was confirmed.

The third homeless celebrity Ian had seen, who eventually died in a shelter due to drug addiction.

'Should I be glad about this?'

His mind was cluttered.

***

"See you anytime. Any time. See you anytime~"

Dorothy hummed cheerfully, a song by Rai that should be impossible for her to know.

"…How do you know that song?"

Was this a hidden camera prank?

Ian was puzzled.

TL/n -

You can read 

Hollywood Actor (up to Chapter 58+)

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