บท 70: Chapter 70: End of Filming
"Go back to the depths of hell, devil!" Jenna, clad in a leather jacket, shouted furiously. "You don't belong in this world!"
Robert, facing the camera, delivered his first-ever lines, "This godforsaken church reeks more of damnation than hell itself. Hunter, you've strayed from your path. You should be cleansing the church of its devilry!"
He signalled Martin, saying, "Take her down!"
Martin leapt off the stage as Jenna swiftly drew a shotgun from her side and pulled the trigger.
Robert let out a dramatic scream and was propelled backwards.
When Benjamin called for a halt, announcing the scene as a wrap, Robert got up from the cushion, slightly exhilarated, and inquired, "How was my delivery? Did I do it right?"
Martin approached him, patting his back, "You nailed it."
Robert grinned broadly, "Having lines in a film, playing a character like this, it feels incredible!"
Martin, who had experienced this before, removed his claw gloves, handed them to the prop master, and took a break nearby. There were a few more scenes with Robert scheduled.
After finishing her last scene, Jenna sought out Benjamin, "I'm thinking about making a San Francisco Valley version of Zombie Dancers when I return. What do you think?"
Benjamin replied, "Who could stop you in San Francisco Valley?"
"I'm in," Jenna said, "Let's talk to the lead actor."
Jenna positioned herself in a corner of the club hall, pulled up a chair, and sat across from Martin. "That flying action scene was breathtaking. The director mentioned it was your idea?"
Martin stuck with the truth, saying, "I saw it on a videotape."
Jenna paid no mind to his response, "The film and television industry in Atlanta is quite underdeveloped. Talents like you should head to Los Angeles for better opportunities."
Martin pondered for a moment and replied, "Actually, I plan to go to Los Angeles before the end of the year."
Misinterpreting his intentions, Jenna asked, "Are you planning on going to the San Fernando Valley? Are you interested in a partnership? I'm planning to start my own company, encompassing filming, DVD video distribution, and website operations. If you join, I'll offer you the most competitive contract in the industry."
Martin clarified quickly, "I intend to go to Hollywood."
Jenna shook her head slightly, "Hollywood is an arduous path. I started as a model and was around Hollywood studios, but opportunities for someone like me were scarce. There's an abundance of actors with good looks like yours in Hollywood, especially among those struggling for recognition."
She gave him a dose of reality, "I won't pretend that San Francisco Valley is a back door to Hollywood, but with your acting talent, scene design skills, and all-around abilities, you can clinch the Best Actor title within two years at most and have your name engraved on the West Hollywood Walk of Fame within three years."
Martin was taken aback, "The Walk of Fame?"
Jenna offered a simple explanation, "West Hollywood has its own Avenue of Stars right in front of the Hollywood Stud Theater."
She was determined not to let such a gifted actor slip through her fingers, "Don't underestimate San Francisco Valley. The industry here generates tens of billions annually. With your talent, you could become a leading figure in it. Becoming a millionaire is well within reach."
Martin conceded, "I'll give it some serious thought."
Jenna handed him her business card, her eyes sparkling, "When you decide to come, give me a call. I'll prepare a grand welcome party, and I can invite many influential people."
It was pure sugar-coated persuasion.
Jenna completed her filming on the set, and before departing, the crew presented her with a gift – a pink water bottle.
Jenna discovered that the kettle was designed by Martin, so she eagerly retrieved a pen from her bra and said, "Sign your name."
Without hesitation, Martin signed the kettle for her.
Satisfied, Jenna left the scene.
Martin realized that he no longer had to worry about breaking into Hollywood; the path ahead was wide open. Even if things didn't work out there, he knew there was a promising alternative in San Francisco Valley. He vaguely remembered hearing that Jenna later became a billionaire.
With the ring stage and his zombie machine gun dance, life would be far from dull.
For the remainder of the filming, Martin was in excellent condition, brimming with energy, and his performance outshone the entire crew.
In the two scenes opposite the heroine, Catherine, he portrayed a living, menacing demon descending upon the world.
A notable characteristic of American films is that the virtuous protagonist is almost always captured by the villain, who never dispatches them immediately.
On set, Catherine, dressed in a tight-fitting leather jacket, was restrained on a wooden frame. The crew's prop master, possibly having undergone special training abroad, employed unique techniques.
Martin scraped his claws along the wall as he approached Catherine. His face wasn't grotesque, but his very presence exuded a sinister aura. His eerie words sent shivers down one's spine, "I will drain your essence just like your sister, leaving you a lifeless husk!"
Catherine, though a bit trembling, retorted defiantly, "Devil, I'm not afraid of you. Come at me!"
"Cut!" Benjamin shouted. "Catherine, you need to provoke the devil and have him attack you. Then, use your powers to drain his essence. Be brave and decisive, not weak."
Catherine signalled Martin with her eyes, "Martin's acting is too convincing. He scared me."
Benjamin signalled to the prop master, "Release her, take a break, and regroup in twenty minutes."
Martin proactively discussed the scene with Catherine, whispering and exchanging insights and experiences about their characters.
Twenty minutes later, they were ready to resume filming.
Catherine's condition had improved considerably. Having navigated the challenging dramatic scenes earlier, she excelled in the remaining action sequences.
Her improved performance inspired Martin to elevate his own. He portrayed the devil with intense vigour, tearing at Catherine's clothing with his clawed hands.
Unlike some actors who claim to be nervous or shy, both of them, veterans among veterans, effortlessly slipped into their roles, shedding the clichés often associated with such performances.
Catherine had extensive experience with action scenes, and Martin had undergone the trials of three special scenes: The Corpse, City Folks, and Spotless mind
A fierce battle for survival ensued.
This being a large-scale B-movie, the camera didn't need to cut to metaphorical scenes like rain, flowers, erupting oil wells, or trains entering tunnels.
Perhaps the protagonists were in exceptional form, or perhaps Benjamin's demands were somewhat lenient, or perhaps the budget was genuinely tight, but the director refused to call "cut" until Martin unleashed his final roar.
In the climax, the hero suffers a significant drop in strength after having his essence drained, while the heroine's power surges. She ultimately vanquished the demon and destroyed the blood-sucking cave.
However, the heroine solemnly kept the hero's head as a memento of her demon-hunting career.
At the play's conclusion, the hero's head mysteriously disappeared, and the heroine found herself pregnant.
The crew worked tirelessly for over three weeks, setting a record for the longest continuous shoot since Benjamin took on the role of director.
In the final scene, the heroine's team massacred the zombie strip club, eliminating all the demons, including the stripper group and the boss.
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