Rise To Stardom - Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Bravo Kyle
The next two weeks on set passed by at a steady pace.

During those weeks, most of the remaining scenes for the movie were shot.

Kyle too, was mostly done with all his scenes with the exception of a few, all of which required a lot of action and stunts.

Those were scenes that would come into play at the ending of the movie and today, after filming a lot of those scenes the day before, there was only one scene left for him.

However, despite the fact that it was his last scene, Mark, Bruce, Jeffrey and even Oliver were currently in a bit of a pickle as Kyle politely argued with them.

“Oh come on guys. I’ve been doing all of my own stunts all this time. Why use a stuntman now?” Kyle implored of them.

“Because this one’s actually quite dangerous.” Mark massaged his temples and sighed, his thoughts continuing;

‘And we aren’t even paying him that much for all the lengths he’s going to…’

Truly, the Director had grown fond of Kyle and his immense dedication to his craft but even he was wary of the young man acting out that particular part in the scene.

“Mark’s right kid. You should sit this one out.” Jeffrey also agreed with the latter.

“Besides, it’s only that part you won’t be acting. The rest of the scene is all yours.” Bruce gave his own input.

“Kyle. This may potentially injure you if you’re unable to pull it off so, why not just let it go.” Oliver stated, locking eyes with the young man’s sapphire irises.

“Yeah, well, that’s the thing, isn’t it? I can’t let someone else have all the fun just because of a little pain.” Kyle shook his head gently in denial.

His eyes and facial expression were also serious as he said that, a direct contrast to the words he had just uttered.

All four men squinted at him questionably for saying that but Kyle, seemingly ignoring them, just continued;

“If I do fail to pull it off, a stuntman can redo the scene. It’s my last scene after all.”

“But if I do get it right, it would add to the overall presentation of the scene, wouldn’t it? Literally, no cuts and a very seamless scene, one which the audience will be able to follow very easily.” Kyle purposely directed his gaze towards Mark as he said that.

Knowing fully well it was something the Director had been hammering since pre-production and throughout the entire movie shoot itself, the young man knew those words could cajole him into giving in to his request.

“Besides, how bad can it be? I won’t be breaking an arm or a leg, even if I do end up failing, right?” he gestured to all four men this time.

Finding it hard to refute the truth in his words, all four glanced over at themselves and even Tom along with Bob, their cinematographer and some of the crew members close-by, found his reasoning quite true.

“Just one chance. That’s all I ask for.” Kyle raised a finger up, his eyes pleading to let him perform the stunt on his own.

Waiting for a reply as silence descended amongst them all, all four then sighed in reluctance and finally, agreed to let him do it.

“I’m going to be in, so much trouble if this doesn’t pan out the way it’s supposed to.” Mark let out a mumble as he watched a happy Kyle beam with radiance.

The others too, really hoped for the best.

Truth be told, if a stuntman was to do the scene, they wouldn’t even bat an eye because they were certain it wouldn’t even be minutely dangerous to them.

But for Kyle, it could turn out to be quite dangerous, hence their fear.

However, seeing what the immensely dedicated, hardworking and talented young actor, one who was so passionate about his craft, was willing to do, to make a better screenplay presentation overall, despite how insane the idea might seem to even the most reputable actors, they couldn’t help but give in to his request.

About an hour later, the scene Kyle had pleaded for them to allow him act out was shot.

Immediately it was over with, the young man was rushed straight to a hospital.

The cause – Kyle partially dislocated his left shoulder and popped it back in during the shot.

…

…

…

“See. I told you guys I’d be fine.” Kyle winced as he tried to move the shoulder.

“Don’t you dare move that shoulder Kyle Kestis.” Oliver sternly warned him as the young nurse in charge applied a cold pack on the spot.

“Well I’m just glad you’ve wrapped up filming. No more crazy shit from you kiddo.” Jeffrey who was seated in the corner of the hospital room said while downing his whiskey.

‘Should he even be allowed to do that?’ Kyle tilted his head in curiosity instead, watching the old man take a swig of the alcoholic drink.

“I know what you’re thinking boy, but no. My liver and kidneys are just dandy.” he poured another cup and took a swig of it, causing Kyle let out a small chuckle.

The more Kyle got to know the man, the more he felt like he was one of those cool grandpas.

‘Reminds me of Ollie and the gang…’ Kyle smiled warmly.

His thoughts however, were interrupted by the pretty nurse beside him who gave him a few instructions;

“Make sure to use the pain relievers and rest the shoulder cupcake. No strenuous range of movements for the next few days, okay?” she smiled warmly as she said and Kyle nodded politely in appreciation.

Watching as she left the room, Jeffrey clicked his tongue in disappointment and said;

“How dense can you be?”

“Denser than the thickets of a forest.” Oliver chipped in casually.

Squinting his eyes at both of them for saying that, already understanding what they were implying, Kyle sighed and asked instead;

“What about Mark and Bruce?”

“They’ll be here later. Director Mark needed to check the cameras to see if he could still use your take and Bruce, had a short scene he needed to film before the end of today.” Tom who had gone out to get some refreshments for Kyle casually said as he walked in.

It seemed like he had heard the question before coming in.

Nodding his head in understanding, Kyle received the sparkling bottle of water that Tom gently placed in his hands along with a few other snacks placed by the bedside table.

Apparently, Mark had ensured that the young man would be getting the best care so all the funds for treatment personally came from his pockets.

Thanking Tom for his help, one which the assistant director casually brushed off like it was no big deal, everyone in the room soon began to discuss a few other mundane things.

Finding a small time in between the discussion though, Kyle pulled up his system’s notification that had been ringing in his head from the moment he had completed the scene.

| You have acted before everyone and impressed them! |

| You have wrapped up filming for your parts in [Epoch One]! |

| Huge bonus will be applied! |

| You have obtained a huge amount of exp. points! |

| 2500 exp. points have been awarded! |

| Total exp. points available (5350) |

| New high-grade passive skill [Bleeding Effect] has been awarded! |

| Acting has advanced from level 9 to level 10! |

| Advancement in acting will become even much harder from here on out! |

| Keep acting to improve your skills! |

Although Kyle was genuinely glad that he had finally reached what was deemed to be the acting level baseline for most professional actors, the new skill the system had just awarded him, caught his attention more.

___________________________

Passive Skill – [Bleeding Effect]

Retain the skillsets of the characters you have portrayed.

___________________________

“Ah~. I see…” Kyle muttered to himself.

That was a very handy skill if he was being honest.

‘Though I’m certain I’d never have to kill people, Alex’s combat skills, among many others may come in handy…’ the young man thought to himself as he closed down the system panel.

Returning his attention back to the mundane discussion in the room, Mark and Bruce both entered at the same time, immediately checking up on Kyle and ensuring that the young man was okay.

* * *

“Congratulations Kyle!”

“Don’t forget us when you get famous!”

“You did a great job rookie!”

“Tone down a bit on the crazy stunts for your next movie okay!”

Those were the praises Kyle was showered with when he came back to set the next day.

Although he had no other scenes to shoot, he had still come back to bid the crew farewell as they would still be shooting a few other scenes for the next fifteen days.

However, it seemed like the rest of the crew had also been looking forward to congratulating him on a job well done since they hadn’t gotten the chance yesterday, due to the incident.

Truly, they had all come to respect the young man in the past two and a half months of filming for his complete dedication to perfecting each scene he was in.

“Thank you everyone. Really, I appreciate your kind words.” the young man gave his heartfelt appreciation as he basked in the compliments and applause that was thrown his way with a bashful smile.

As he was being showered with praises, Mark came over to give him a small hug while the rest of the actors, both main and extras, offered handshakes.

From the corner of the room, the young man also watched as Jeffrey and the old actor playing Pierce, Alex’s father, raised up their cups of wine to him in respect.

Even the Russian guy who played the role of ‘The Spider’ with his scary-looking face, had a light smile on his lips as he shook Kyle’s hands, both of them conversing in Russian.

“(Take care of yourself Mr. Kestis.)” he said.

“(And you too, Mr. Dmitriev.)” Kyle responded with a light smile of his own.

This was also another unexpected bonus that the crew, along with Oliver himself, had found out over the past month.

The fact that Kyle was a polyglot.

Mark, upon finding out, had ended up milking it during Alex’s scuffle with The Spider towards the end of the movie.

Considering Alex’s character had a major in International Relations, it fit perfectly into the movie’s narrative for him to be able to speak more than one language.

Patting him gently on the shoulder though (the one that hadn’t dislocated), was Bruce who said with a big grin;

“Hopefully, we get to work together again in the future.”

“I’d be honored Bruce. Truly, I would.” Kyle returned the gesture with a genuine smile.