Chapter 38: The Scene of the Year

Not long after the song was released, after the Billboard chart update, "Dilemma" shot straight to third place.

This result excited everyone, whether it was Nelly's company or Kelly. They were all thrilled because the song had only been out for three days the previous week.

If nothing unexpected happens, it would undoubtedly take the top spot on the Billboard charts in the new week!

So, that very day, Kelly brought her sister Beyoncé to Nelly's mansion.

As soon as the door opened, they heard music coming from the living room, and it was the song they had collaborated on.

"Hey, Nelly, this is my friend, Beyoncé!" Kelly introduced Beyoncé, a fellow member of Destiny's Child, to Nelly.

"Hello, beautiful!" Nelly looked Beyoncé up and down. She was wearing a tight white tank top, a jacket draped over her shoulders, her long hair cascading in front of her collarbone, and her full lips looked incredibly sexy.

"Hi." Beyoncé raised her hand in greeting, and the next moment she suddenly saw a man with trademark short, neat hair step out from behind Nelly. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Smith?"

"Hello." It was indeed Will Smith, leaning casually against the doorframe with a gentle smile, waving his hand.

He had just finished filming *Ali* and was on vacation, so when he received Nelly's party invitation, he came right over.

"Wow, I'm surprised you came too..." Beyoncé and Kelly followed the two men into the living room.

"Before I started acting, I was a hip-hop artist and even won a Grammy!" Will Smith shrugged.

"That's right, I actually like your music," Kelly said, then noticed the hundred-inch TV on the wall playing the music video for their song.

"Didn't you say you didn't like this music video?" Kelly turned to Nelly with a strange expression. After the shoot had wrapped, Nelly had said more than once that he would never work with Ethan again, no matter how good his work was.

He had also repeatedly stated that he didn't like anything Ethan shot.

So why the sudden change of heart?

Nelly coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment. "Well, this music video isn't entirely his doing. The director... the director..."

Kelly filled in, "Jose. The director's name is Jose."

"Oh, Jose was the real director. Ethan was just a cameraman. As long as I don't use him as a cameraman next time, it'll be fine."

Kelly smiled knowingly. "Do you really believe Jose was the director?"

Beyoncé and Will Smith, listening to the cryptic conversation, looked puzzled. "Wait, what director, what cameraman? I'm lost," Will Smith asked.

Kelly pulled her to sit on the couch and explained Ethan's behavior during the shoot.

"Sounds like a tyrant," Beyoncé frowned.

"Cameron?" Will Smith thought of the infamous Hollywood tyrant director, known for treating actors harshly during filming, to the point where when an actor protested, saying "We're not animals," he had the cameraman shoot another take.

But you had to admit, the final product and box office results were always impressive.

"Yeah, a tyrant like Cameron," Kelly shrugged.

"That's not a title just anyone can earn. Now you've got me curious," Will Smith said, for the first time taking Ethan's name seriously.

"You should watch the music video he shot. I think the concept is great!"

"He really gave us a big surprise," Nelly shrugged in agreement.

So the group sat in the living room and rewatched the music video.

Afterward, Will Smith nodded, "I like his camera work. That long take from the street through the window was excellent, very creative. I've only seen similar shots in movies... In fact, many cameramen and directors wouldn't even think of that kind of shot."

"Yeah, exactly. I have to admit, he's got a great imagination. Do you know how many takes that shot took?" Seeing Will Smith's surprise, Nelly couldn't resist showing off.

"How many takes? It couldn't have been less than seven—it's really difficult," Will Smith guessed.

"I'd say ten," Beyoncé offered her guess.

But Kelly and Nelly both burst into laughter. "No, it only took three takes. The first time he found the position, the second time he confirmed the movement, and the third time he nailed it."

"What? You're kidding—he's that good?" Will Smith was shocked. Even top Hollywood cinematographers wouldn't dare claim they could nail such a long shot in just two takes.

"Wow," Beyoncé gasped in surprise, then added, "If you're saying that, maybe I should have him shoot my music video when I release my next song."

"Maybe I should release a new album?" Will Smith joked.

Nelly waved him off. "I'd advise you to think twice. The guy's mouth is worse than my mom's when he starts criticizing."

"Hahaha." The group laughed in unison, and just then the doorbell rang—more guests had arrived for the party.

Meanwhile, Billboard magazine had also released a new issue, titled "Scenes of the Year."

The feature was a recap of iconic scenes from both popular and niche songs' music videos.

And this time, the songs they highlighted included *Transformation* and *Dilemma*.

CAA agent Mike was in his office reading the magazine, but instead of looking at the rankings, he was scanning the titles, looking for Ethan's work.

He was sure Ethan's work would make the list, but to his surprise, after flipping through two pages, he still hadn't found anything.

Puzzled, Mike turned to the last page, and his eyes widened in surprise.

Because there it was—Ethan's music video had made it into the top three scenes of the year!

"Scene of the Year, third place: The moment the singer kills himself in the *Re invention* music video!"

"To be honest, the song itself wasn't that impressive—it never made it into the top twenty on the charts. But if you ask me what my favorite music video of the year is, it's definitely this one!

"Whether it's the vast expanse of melancholy blue, the pink cross, or the innovative scene of the singer killing himself, it all reflects the director's extraordinary aesthetic sense.

"The most impressive part is that the album cover and the music video were both done by the same person. It makes me think the director must have been an artist before, because no one else could have such a masterful grasp of color.

"If you haven't seen this music video yet, I highly recommend it. You'll realize that music videos can be more than just black and white or the usual mundane colors—they can be fantastical and gorgeous, too."

After reading the review, Mike nodded and muttered to himself, "Looks like I need to request more resources for him from the company."

He then turned his attention to the second-place scene.

This time, it wasn't Ethan's work, but another artist's music video.

After skimming through it, Mike quickly turned the page to see the first place winner.

At the same time, in a bar, Tony, whose leg injury had mostly healed, was drinking and flipping through Billboard's mid-year recap.

"Third place? Must've been bought," Tony muttered, subconsciously looking down on the third-place ranking.

He felt the use of color was a cheap trick that didn't capture the essence of a music video.

"If I'd shot Nelly's new song, I could've gotten third place too. This list gets worse every year. Do the judges even understand music videos?"

Scoffing, Tony took a swig of his drink and kept flipping through.

He quickly skimmed over the second place, focusing on the first-place scene.

"Spit!" He suddenly spewed out the drink he had just taken.

"What the hell! How could it be him?!"

Tony stared at the magazine in disbelief, furious.

Because right in front of him, the number one scene of the year was from *Dilemma*, the music video that Ethan had shot.

"Scene of the Year, first place: The burning car scene in *Dilemma*! That shot was so powerful, it's been stuck in my head ever since I saw it.

"Whether it's the cinematic camera work or the color palette, it all feels like more than what you paid for. Readers often say they feel like they got a movie for the price of a CD!

"It's just that magical. Especially the shot of the car engulfed in flames—not only is it visually striking, but it also perfectly represents the fiery emotions burning inside the two characters.

"I love this scene, and so did the magazine's editors. We all agreed that the most undeniable music video scene of the year, so far, is from *Dilemma*!"

"Bang!" Tony slammed his hand down on the table with a deafening thud, startling the other patrons.

"This can't be happening!"

"How did Ethan get this?!"

His eyes, bloodshot from lack of sleep, made him look somewhat terrifying, and the bartender immediately called the police.

"That music video should've been mine! Damn it! It's all those damn black guys' fault!"

Several nearby African American men, who had been quietly drinking, exchanged glances upon hearing this.

A few burly men, now scowling, walked over to Tony

"What did you just say?"

"Get lost!" Tony waved his hand dismissively, not even turning to see who was behind him, still ranting in his anger.

"It's all Ethan's fault, Jose's fault, and those black guys' fault! Damn it, that music video should've been mine .

Tony was about to pick up his glass, but the next moment someone interrupted and said, "I don't know what you should shoot, but I think you should get beaten up! Shit!"

"Bang!"

Tony was slapped to the ground, and then several black men surrounded him and beat him up!

By the time the police arrived and controlled the situation, Tony had already passed out.

.....

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