Chapter 40

At this moment, Fan Binbin, after getting her makeup done, was hiding to one side, sipping the ice-cold cola that Ye Ming had bought, and said, "Brother Ming, there are so many extras outside the film studio, why does the production team say there are no extras available? Isn't there always a crowd of people waiting to act every day?"

As a Beipiao (a person who drifts in Beijing), Fan Binbin naturally knew that extras would never refuse a call from a production team. It was simply absurd to say that a production team could lack extras.

Ye Ming said helplessly, "There are indeed many extras, and this place probably has the most extras. However, in this situation, not every production team lacks extras. Our production team is short of extras because we offended Bai Yulan. Moreover, we're not short of extras, but of extras who can act, and extras are also divided into different levels. Some are just starting out, and they are ordinary extras with little experience. Actually, our production team can still find these people without much trouble. We can gather three to five hundred without a problem."

"But what we lack are not these kinds of extras, but special extras, who are a bit more advanced and have a lot of acting experience."

Extras are also divided into two types: ordinary extras and special extras.

Fan Binbin was taken aback and said, "Offended Bai Yulan, the actress who originally played Auntie Rong? How is she related to the extras? She is a state-level actress, a veteran artist, and looks down on everyone, including us newcomers. How could she be related to those extras?"

Ye Ming chuckled and said, "Of course, it's not that she has any connection. However, her son works at the film studio and is quite influential among the extras. Therefore, Bai Yulan's son has already put out the word that anyone who dares to take on our production will not be treated kindly."

"Think about it, those extras all rely on her son for their livelihood. Who would be so foolish as to take on our production? That's why we can't find extras. So far, we've only found about ten. What can we do with that?"

With no choice, they had to push forward. If they provoked He Xiujun's anger, there would be no good outcome at this time.

They found ordinary extras, not special extras.

By the time they were all dressed up, it was already noon. Organizing three hundred extras and getting them all made up took until noon.

Sun Shupeng's face was as cold as water, sitting there and staring at the monitor like a statue.

No one dared to approach the director in this state.

Who didn't know that the director was in a bad mood?

Therefore, all the actors didn't dare to make a sound.

Finally, Director Sun Shupeng said fiercely, "Go tell the makeup team that if I don't see them finish their tasks within half an hour, they can pack up and leave. I don't want any excuses, I just want results. Do you understand what I mean by results?"

Eat? What a joke. Wait and see. The production hasn't even started shooting a single scene, and you want to eat?

After another hour of coordination, under the director's strict orders, all departments sprang into action, and filming finally began. However, problems arose.

Under the scorching sun, many extras were sitting in the shade to avoid the heat, and some even went into the ancient buildings.

The extras on the street were either out of position or blocking the crane.

Some extras even kept blocking the camera.

This made Liu Jiajun furious. He pointed at the extras and shouted, "You bunch of idiots, do you even know how to act? You're blocking the camera, are you all stupid?"

The extras were not pleased. Some of them were old extras from the "Jade in the Palace" production. They had been with this production since the last incident with the boxed meals, for which the production team had given each of them ten yuan to settle the matter.

This was a significant expense for the production, but to continue filming, it had to be done.

Liu Jiajun, supported by He Xiujun, had recently been more subdued and hadn't actively challenged the director's authority.

However, this time, the behavior of the extras was truly unacceptable, so Liu Jiajun seized the opportunity to vent his anger.

But this time, he had stirred up a hornet's nest.

Normally, it wasn't a big deal for extras to be scolded or even kicked by supporting actors or crew members in a production.

Extras, special extras, stunt performers, regular extras, and guest actors are all at the bottom of the entertainment industry. They have no roles.

Extras are at the very bottom of the entertainment industry. Anyone higher up in the industry can bully them, and they have to put up with it and smile, or they won't be able to survive.

Every industry has its rules.

It's rare for an extra to become as successful as Wang Baoqiang in ten years.

Therefore, in Liu Jiajun's view, scolding a few extras wasn't a big deal.

However, the problem was that there were people looking for trouble.

Among the extras were people sent by Bai Yulan's son to cause trouble.

Extras are at the bottom, but once someone incites them, Liu Jiajun would immediately realize what it means to be engulfed in a sea of people.

Thirty-four angry extras rushed forward, surrounding Liu Jiajun and demanding an explanation.

The camera crew, mostly Liu Jiajun's people, and even the makeup and production staff, who were also familiar with Liu Jiajun, quickly gathered around.

Seeing this, Zhang Tielin immediately slapped his head and said, "Not good, it's going to blow up. Go stop them, Yanzi, go notify the director. The rest of you, follow me."

"Blow up" is a term in the entertainment industry. Veteran actors know that "blow up" means the extras are about to cause trouble.

No matter how the responsibility is ultimately assigned, the production is bound to suffer, it's just a matter of how much.

An old hand is a treasure.

The value of veteran actors was truly demonstrated at this moment.

At this time, Lin Xinru also wanted to join in, but Chen Zhipeng grabbed her and said, "What are you going to do?"

Lin Xinru looked at Chen Zhipeng in confusion and said, "To persuade them."

Chen Zhipeng looked at her disdainfully and said, "With so many people, what if it gets dangerous? The production team will have a way to handle it. One more or less won't make a difference. Just stay put. Of course, you can ignore me, but if something happens, you're responsible. Xiao Gua, why are you following the crowd?"

After saying this, Chen Zhipeng turned and returned to the makeup van, not even showing his face.

It seemed like the situation outside had nothing to do with him.

Lin Xinru thought for a moment and followed.

Fan Binbin was the first to rush forward, fearless like a young bull. Xiao Yanzi, Zhao Wei, also followed, trying to persuade everyone.

However, the crowd was too agitated, and their voices were quickly drowned out.

It wasn't until Su Youpeng ran over that the extras realized a star had appeared.

The influence of Little Tiger Team was evident at this moment.

More than ten extras began to calm down.

However, at this moment, a short, thin man in the crowd pushed Su Youpeng aside as if he were just an ordinary extra.

Caught off guard, Su Youpeng was pushed several meters away and almost fell to the ground.

At this moment, Lin Xinru, who had just arrived, widened her eyes and screamed.

The short, thin man's eyes also flashed with surprise and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Behind Su Youpeng was a pile of loose bricks. If he fell on them, the outcome would be uncertain.

At this critical moment, Ye Ming suddenly dashed forward, reached out, and grabbed Su Youpeng tightly.

Then he pulled him forcefully to the side.

With a thud, both of them fell to the ground.

At this moment, Su Youpeng was filled with fear.

The pile of loose bricks was less than two centimeters from his eyes.

If Ye Ming hadn't pulled him, he would have hit his head on the bricks.

Lying on the ground, Su Youpeng extended his hand and said, "Thank you."

Ye Ming, also dazed from the fall, extended his hand and said with a grin, "Forget it, let's deal with the problem first. I haven't used my skills in a long time, I wonder if they've declined."

At this moment, the situation became even more chaotic, and some extras started to riot.

This was an unprecedented situation in a typical production, but with someone inciting and leading, the outcome was unpredictable.

Ye Ming ran over, grabbed the three "Jade in the Palace" flowers who were trying to persuade the extras but with no effect, and warned them with a stern look, "It's dangerous here, leave immediately."

Originally, Zhao Wei and the others wanted to argue, but seeing the bloodshot eyes in Ye Ming's gaze, they all felt a chill and retreated to the side.

At this moment, Su Youpeng watched the scene unfold with wide eyes, finally understanding what Ye Ming meant by whether his skills had declined.

Ye Ming charged into the crowd like a fierce tiger, breaking through the chaos with overwhelming force.

Using both fists and feet, anyone who dared to block Ye Ming was knocked to the ground.

Rushing into the crowd, Ye Ming saw the short, thin man who had pushed Su Youpeng. He was about to smash the camera with a wooden stick.

Liu Jiajun had already been beaten by the angry extras, and the camera, in the midst of the chaos, was like a small boat in a stormy sea, swaying precariously.

The wooden stick was like a huge wave, threatening to engulf the camera.

Without hesitation, Ye Ming kicked the short, thin man, sending him flying, and grabbed the camera, rushing out.

This was the main camera. If it was smashed, it would be a real embarrassment for the production.

After a chaotic and destructive scene, everything was in ruins, like the aftermath of a grand event, leaving only a mess.

Everyone was stunned, speechless.

The execution of "Jade in the Palace" was one of the few large-scale scenes in the series, requiring a large number of extras. But no one expected this outcome.