CH17

Not all American dramas are pre-produced. 

Typically, after shooting the early episodes, they start airing and continue filming and editing while airing, delivering to the broadcaster. 

As the number of episodes increases, the gap between delivery and air date narrows, putting more pressure on the schedule. 

"But that doesn't mean we can just extend the staff's working hours." 

They can't just decide to work overtime beyond the standard 40-hour week, a maximum of 12 hours a day. 

Overtime requires staff consent and might even provoke a warning call from the union. 

The 1.5x overtime pay is a bonus. Under all these conditions, the key to creating a good drama is a logically organized schedule. 

The day the shooting was halted felt like a disaster, even if it was just for one day.

"Pryce." 

The second assistant director, who usually was on friendly terms with Ian, called him with a serious face. 

"You know the iron rule at our set, right? Safety is always the top priority. That doesn't change even if we go to New York. Actually, it might be better not to go to New York!" 

"What's gotten into you?" 

Suddenly, another staff member restrained the agitated assistant director. 

"Let him speak! New York is dangerous, you know? There was a plane crash this year." 

"The one at the beginning of the year? That was the 'Miracle on the Hudson.' No one died, and it was safely emergency landed on the Hudson River." 

The assistant director persisted. 

"Even if it's for a show, helping sell corn dogs is ridiculous. Corn dogs. Just the name sounds dangerous like it's going to bite."

"Our store sells corn dogs." 

"Oh…" 

The assistant director, realizing the mistake, rolled his eyes, and another colleague apologized on his behalf. 

"Sorry. He's in charge of managing the actors. He's been a bit sensitive lately, worried about the filming leading to injuries." 

"That's why we reduced the scheduled filming days to just two. It'll be fine." 

Despite the grumbles from the Korean broadcaster, they had to accept it due to the showrunner's firm stance. 

"Anyway, thanks for worrying. See you at the next shoot." 

"Take care, have a good trip." 

After saying goodbye to the staff, Ian looked back at the building he had fallen from. 

Many said he was lucky about this accident, but it wasn't just luck. 

He jumped from the rooftop without hesitation because he already knew the action route through Miles, and he wouldn't have jumped without checking the safety net.

"It's just that, I'm certain the accident was going to happen, and the change in my voice is puzzling." 

He knew memories could be distorted, yet he moved with such certainty. 

He wondered if it was related to the strange illusion he experienced after shaking hands with Miles. 

The voice is another mystery. 

Not that it got deeper or the pitch changed, but thanks to Rachel, he noticed a change that was perceptible. 

And he was called less for ADR recordings. 

"It's strange. Don't you think there are fewer NGs when acting with Ian lately?" 

"Right? When I hear Ian's lines, I can focus better. Acting has become so much easier. How did you do it, huh?" 

"Ahaha, maybe my vocalization improved." 

He was really sweating when he was making excuses, surrounded by the bright-eyed child actors. 

Despite the doubts and changes, there was a real gain. 

"Ian! Have a good trip!" 

A child from the group of child actors entering the shoot waved especially enthusiastically.

"It's a relief to see you looking healthy."

The pride of saving a life was immensely satisfying, to the point where Ian thought it might be helpful in roles like those of firefighters or doctors. 

Waving back, Ian left the shooting site with light steps. 

On the way home with Sophia. Focused on driving, she was the first to speak. 

"I heard your mom is also coming to New York this time. She was so worried about you struggling in unfamiliar New York." 

"It would be nice to go together." 

Ian replied with a small smile. 

Unfamiliar New York? 

He was far more acquainted with it than Chloe, who had never left the West. 

Not to mention Broadway, alongside London's West End, is a pilgrimage site for theatre and musicals worldwide. 

'The New York film scene is also remarkable.'

While Hollywood is often the first thought when it comes to American cinema, New York plays a very important role in the American film industry as well. 

Unlike Hollywood, where commerciality is paramount and directors have almost no authority, New York values the independence of directors. 

It has developed around art films and documentaries, competing with Hollywood in terms of criticism and commerciality, while also engaging in active exchanges. 

'It's also the place that gave me several opportunities.'

Unlike Hollywood, which overlooked him due to his non-commercial looks, there were directors who noticed his acting skills. 

Although those were only a few instances, those projects became good stepping stones. 

In fact, one reason he was eager to participate in the Korean show program was because it was filmed in New York. 

'It would take a long time to get a chance to visit New York otherwise.' 

How could a grade-schooler with no ties to New York get a chance to visit? 

'I'm really looking forward to seeing New York.' 

Ian wore an expression full of excitement. 

*** 

"Director, you'll say it turned out better this way." 

At the writer's words, Director Seong-won sighed. 

The plan to proudly sell Korean food overseas for the Chuseok special had overcome many obstacles and fortunately received approval. 

-You better be prepared if you mess up this project. 

That was a chilling form of support from the director. 

At the time of approval, he felt confident. 

In cooperation-friendly New York, they properly obtained a food cart permit, and the location was set for the plaza in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

With no proper restaurants nearby, it was considered a prime location for food carts, surely promising good business. 

However. 

"…Who would have thought this place would turn into a battlefield?" 

Seong-won looked around and sighed. 

The location that originally had only two food carts was now swarming with various vendors. 

"Are you not leaving right now?! Who said you could sell here? Do you have a permit?" 

A legal vendor, who paid over $50,000 in annual rent, shouted, and the opponent lifted a limping leg. 

"I'm a wounded veteran. Didn't you know wounded veterans can sell anywhere?" 

"Is this the 20th century?! Bringing up a law made who knows when." 

The legal vendor yelled, but there was indeed no solution. 

New York City also felt burdened by strictly enforcing against vendors employing wounded veterans. 

Listening to the argument quietly, the writer deeply sighed. 

"Director, can we really do business here? It's not just the fights, but the competition is too fierce. It's like we're just attracting flies." 

The variety show's food truck had been there for three hours already, hardly making any sales.

"How about a different location?"

Seong-won asked the assistant director, who had been sent to scout the situation. 

"Honestly, I'm not sure if changing locations would work. I had heard about the unemployment due to the financial crisis, but I didn't realize it would be this noticeable." 

Unemployed people had started setting up carts, leading to a street vendor war in New York. 

The number of vendors had doubled, and permits that used to cost $200 were being illegally traded for over $10,000. 

"…Are we just going to end up sucking our thumbs here?" 

"I don't know about thumbs, but getting our heads cracked by the director is for sure." 

When a gloomy atmosphere prevailed, a staff member approached. 

It was the staff who had gone to pick up from the airport. 

"Director, Mr. Pryce has arrived." 

"Really?" 

Seong-won tried to greet Ian and his family with a bright face as much as possible. 

Ian, already mic'd up from the car, was followed by a camera. 

"You must be tired from the long trip." 

"Hello. You've picked a nice spot, haven't you?" 

"We tried to choose the best spot, but it's not going too well because of the competition. We might have to look for another place." 

Ian looked around at Seong-won's optimistically delivered concerns. 

Indeed, there were many more illegal vendors than he remembered. 

'And with all these unfamiliar Asians gathered for filming, it's no wonder business is slow.' 

Not to mention the lack of confidence in the unfamiliar form of corn dogs. 

"Why bother changing locations? It'll be hard to find a place better than here anyway. We should just try to make it work somehow." 

Ian pointed to other food trucks doing business nearby. 

"Food trucks are doing really well in America these days. Do you know why?" 

"Not really." 

"Because of the internet and SNS promotion. That's all we need to do too." 

Seong-won's eyes sparkled with a hint of hope. 

"Do you do SNS by any chance?" 

"I'm on YouTube, but I haven't started SNS yet." 

Seong-won looked at him as if to ask why he mentioned it, then Ian shrugged. 

"We don't necessarily have to use my SNS for promotion. Just a moment." 

Ian took out his phone and made a call, and the cameraman who had been filming him asked, "Who are you calling right now?" 

What should he say? 

After a moment of thought, Ian responded. "A debtor. There's someone who owes me a lot." 

Soon, a gruff male voice was heard on the line. 

*** 

A man with shining blue eyes gently stroked the boy's head. 

"How was filming the movie? It was hard, wasn't it?" 

"Yes, it wasn't easy." 

"It would be. You were filming with Ben, that must have been tough." 

The old man tsked. 

He had spent his life in filmmaking, away from Hollywood, but he too was a director. 

He knew the notorious reputation of Ben Roberts and how he treated child actors. 

"He may have a twisted character, but that's his principle. Age isn't absolute in acting." 

"That seems true." 

The grandfather looked curiously at his grandson, who agreed sincerely. It wasn't an easy thought to agree with. 

Acting was about encapsulating life, and as years pass, it adds depth.

"It would be difficult to agree unless you've seen a true genius who is an exception." 

The grandson soon clarified the old man's doubts. 

"Actually, I saw an amazing kid at the set. He was just visiting, but he impressed everyone, even Ben Roberts, who was angry at me." 

"Really?" 

The old man was surprised, and the grandson had a fan-like excitement on his face. 

"He showed me how to replace my acting, and I learned a lot from him. Oh, should I show you his face? He's the kid who gave a corn dog to Ben, and it even made the news." 

The grandson, happy to introduce him, was surprised as he pulled out his phone. 

"Look at Ben's SNS! That kid came to Central Park because of a Korean show program! They're selling Korean-style corn dogs there; can we go together?" 

"A Korean show program?" 

What are Korean-style corn dogs, and what is a Korean show program?

Curious but willing, the old man got up to follow his grandson. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in East Central Park wasn't far, so it was a perfect opportunity for a walk. 

Arriving at the bustling, noisy plaza with his grandson, the old man slightly frowned at the chaotic scene. 

Laughing, shouting, hawkers calling for customers, and the noisy traffic jammed roads. 

Amidst the cacophony, a voice suddenly cut through clearly. 

"Three potato corn dogs, please!" 

Hearing the cheerful voice of a child yet to hit puberty, the old man's lips curled up in a smile. 

The voice clearly conveyed across the crowd, and the old man asked his grandson, "That kid, the one you met. Right?" 

"Huh? How did you know?" 

How did he know? 

A voice that alone captivated attention, a uniqueness. 

This is what they call star quality.

TL/n - 

The "Miracle on the Hudson" refers to the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. Shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City, the Airbus A320 struck a flock of birds, causing both engines to fail. Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles managed to glide the plane and safely ditch it in the Hudson River.

All 155 people on board survived, with only a few serious injuries2. The quick response from nearby boats and emergency services played a crucial role in the successful rescue operation1. This event is celebrated as a remarkable example of skilled piloting and effective emergency response.

You can watch the movie "Sully" which dramatizes this event.

*****

Chuseok, is a major harvest festival celebrated in South Korea. Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, is often called "Korean Thanksgiving." It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in September or October. This year, Chuseok was celebrated from September 16 to 18, 2024.

During Chuseok, families gather to honor their ancestors and celebrate the harvest. Some of the key traditions include:

Charye (차례): Ancestral memorial services where families prepare and offer food to their ancestors.

Seongmyo (성묘): Visiting and tidying up ancestral graves.

Feasting: Enjoying traditional foods like songpyeon (rice cakes), jeon (pancakes), and various fruits and rice wines.

It's a time for family reunions, sharing food, and giving thanks for the harvest.

****

You can read 

I'm an Actor (up to Chapter 42+)

I was hoping you could support me on my Patreon at p@treon.com/inkbound 

(replace @ = a )