After a day of filming, Matthew removed his makeup, changed back into his own clothes, and joined the other extras at the food trucks to get their buffet dinner.
Since Michael Sheen was making a last-minute effort to curry favor with Helen Herman in another area, Matthew, after receiving his meal box, went to the outermost part of the dining area, found an empty table, sat down, opened his meal box, and prepared to eat.
Although their pay and status were not high, the extras' food was quite good. The "Gladiator" crew provided a very rich dinner, including grilled beef, fish, and chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, vegetable and fruit salads, rice, pasta, French bread, various drinks, pastries, and ice cream, all self-serve, and there were tables and chairs.
He had just heard someone say that if they had to work overtime and film at night, there would be extra meals, and various snacks and drinks could also be taken freely.
For someone like Matthew, living on such a lavish set every day was a blessing. Not only did he eat well, drink well, and sleep well, but he also got paid.
Unfortunately, once this village was passed, he didn't know when he would encounter the next shop.
Matthew knew very well that a crew as extravagant as "Gladiator" was a rarity in Hollywood.
After eating a piece of tender grilled beef, Sean was about to drink water when his phone, which he had only turned on after removing his makeup, suddenly rang.
He took it out and glanced at it; it was an unfamiliar number, but he still answered, "Hello."
"It's me, Helen." A familiar female voice came from the phone. "Matthew, where are you?"
Matthew didn't know what she wanted him for, so he said, "The extras' dining area, the easternmost part."
"Okay, wait for me a moment."
After that, the other party hung up the phone.
After taking a sip of water, Matthew sped up, finished his meal, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and waited a short while before seeing Helen Herman, dressed in a professional suit, approach him.
"Over here, Helen." Matthew, acting as if they were good friends, waved his hand and, when Helen Herman came over, asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet." Helen Herman adjusted her glasses and got straight to the point, "I have a role here that you should be suitable for."
When she heard Ridley Scott's words, the first person she thought of was Matthew, who often appeared before her eyes, and she remembered that he had played a speaking role in the "Girl, Interrupted" crew, so there should be no problem.
Matthew immediately perked up, "What role?" He then had some doubts, "I participated in the filming this morning..."
"It's okay." Helen Herman sat opposite him and explained in detail, "All the shots this morning were long shots, so your face wasn't visible. Tomorrow, this role is for a barbarian leader, and there are a few action scenes."
"Barbarian leader?" Matthew felt a surge of pleasant surprise.
Helen Herman nodded, "It's a full-body close-up from the front, and the character will appear in multiple shots."
"I'll take it!" Matthew didn't even think, "Helen, when do I sign the contract?"
"Wait a minute..." As an agent, Helen Herman had to be clear, "The action scenes have a certain degree of danger! I went to Ridley Scott's place this afternoon to look at the script, and the danger level isn't that high."
"Aren't there protective measures?" Matthew asked.
Helen Herman crossed her hands and placed them on the table, "There will be very comprehensive protective measures. Your chance of injury will not exceed one percent, and I will renegotiate with the crew to have them sign a new contract with you. The crew must purchase insurance for you."
"What about the compensation?" Matthew asked the question he cared about most, "Will the compensation increase?"
"Yes!" Helen Herman said directly, "Not counting other forms of compensation, you can get 8,000 dollars for this role."
Hearing the 8,000 dollar compensation, Matthew urged, "Helen, choose me!"
He had to pay for acting school, and the breach of contract penalty was imminent. He desperately needed money now.
"Alright then." Helen Herman stood up, "I'll go talk to the crew. Don't go back for now, wait for my call. There might be an audition in a bit."
She stood up, turned to leave, and reminded him before going, "Keep your phone on!"
"Mhm!"
Matthew nodded vigorously. Ever since he arrived on set, he had been trying to make an impression on Helen Herman, not to pursue her, of course, but so that in situations like this, she would think of him first.
It seemed that his efforts during this time had not been in vain.
Helen Herman hadn't walked many steps when a tall young man approached her. The man saw her and put on a fawning smile, "Hello, Miss Herman."
"Hello!" Helen Herman remembered that this was an extra brought by Angel Company.
She was hungry and didn't bother with the young man's fawning smile, simply walking away.
Michael Sheen saw Helen Herman leave and furrowed his handsome brows, as if she wasn't very fond of him?
Then, he turned to look at Matthew, not understanding what was going on. He had been looking for Helen Herman everywhere, but she had come to find Matthew instead?
Michael Sheen felt a little uncomfortable but didn't show it. He still walked over to Matthew, as usual, sat down casually opposite him, and asked, "Why did she come looking for you? Does she want to ask you out...?"
"You're thinking too much." Matthew interrupted Michael Sheen, "She got a role and thought I was more suitable, so she came to inform me."
"What role?" Michael Sheen's eyes widened.
Matthew casually said, "Germanic barbarian leader."
There was nothing to hide about this, as filming would start tomorrow, so he briefly explained it.
Michael Sheen's eyes widened even more, "Why did she think of you? Not me?"
"Oh..." He realized he had misspoken and quickly said with a smile, "I didn't mean anything else, I just thought that getting your face known really works."
Matthew also laughed, "It seems to work a little."
Anyway, he felt that with so many extras from Angel Company this time, Helen Herman couldn't possibly remember everyone, and certainly couldn't have a good impression of everyone. It was never wrong to go say hello and get your face known.
Michael Sheen kept shaking his head, regretting it immensely. Why hadn't he thought of this? If he had been the one who often greeted her, would this good opportunity have... He had been an extra for three years and had never gotten such a good opportunity!
This was an independent role, and there would definitely be front close-ups. Perhaps it could leave an impression on the audience or directors and producers from other crews.
Michael Sheen's eyes were wide and round, staring intently at Matthew. The opportunity was clearly right in front of him, but it was about to pass him by.
Matthew felt a little uncomfortable with him staring so blankly.
"Hey, Mike!" He waved his hand in front of Michael Sheen, "What are you thinking about?"
"Uh..." Michael Sheen realized that he was clearly not as good as Matthew in terms of social skills, but that didn't mean there was no chance at all. He and Matthew had been together since they arrived on set. He thought for a moment about how to say it, then opened his mouth, "Matthew, are we friends?"
Hearing this, Matthew felt strange, but still nodded, "Of course."
Although Michael Sheen, like him, was very goal-oriented in his actions, they got along very well, and Matthew was also categorizing him as a friend.
"Seeing you, I feel envious." Michael Sheen sighed deeply, seemingly a bit depressed, "The first role you got had lines, and you even acted with big stars like Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie..."
For some reason, Matthew felt that the meaning behind those words seemed a bit off.
Michael Sheen's face turned into a bitter gourd, "Then look at me. I've been in Los Angeles for three years, played so many roles, and not a single one had a complete line."
He kept shaking his head, "Sometimes, I just feel that this world is really unfair."
This world is inherently unfair, Matthew thought to himself, but didn't say it out loud.
Michael Sheen continued, "To come to the crew this time, I even quit my job. If the situation hasn't improved when I go back after filming, I don't even know what I'll do next."
Matthew somewhat understood his words, but didn't respond, instead saying, "Don't worry, finding a temporary job isn't that difficult."
"He didn't understand?" Michael Sheen's brows furrowed even tighter. He paused, then decided to be direct. He didn't want to miss this opportunity.
"Matthew, can you help me?" Michael Sheen's eyes were full of hope, and he stared intently at Matthew again, "Help your friend when they're in the most difficult time!"
With the words spoken to this extent, Matthew gradually understood Michael Sheen's meaning, but such an opportunity was as rare for Michael Sheen as it was for him.
This was a job with a high remuneration of 8,000 dollars. He had so many expenses coming up. Where else could he find an opportunity to earn so much money in a short time?
"Mike, this isn't something I can decide." Matthew smiled and politely refused, "I'm just a small actor. Helen Herman gave me this opportunity. I don't have a say."
Michael Sheen, however, shook his head repeatedly, "No! It's not like that! Matthew, among the actors from Angel Company, you are the most familiar with Helen Herman. If you are willing to recommend me to her, I think she will definitely consider it! She definitely will!"
Matthew fell silent, looking across the table. Should he just give up an 8,000 dollar job? The problem was, even if he wanted to give it up, Helen Herman might not be willing to use Michael Sheen. Such a one-sided idea could very likely lead to losing everything.
Sitting there, Matthew thought for a while, then sighed softly and said, "Sorry, I can't help you."
Then again, this wasn't something he could help with even if he wanted to.