Chapter 942 - Resource Exchange

The pool of acting talent in Hollywood is vast. The person delivering your takeout on the street may have played bit parts in various films. There's also the official actors' union to consider. Simply send them your criteria, and they'll deliver the candidates you need—not just one or two, but a whole selection.

And who is Laila? She's the one who just made history—no, not just one record, but many! As soon as word got out that she was preparing to shoot a new film, the line of people eager to audition could have broken down the company's doors.

Initially, both Laila and Leonardo had been quietly preparing for the filming of 'Blood Diamond'. Leonardo had kept it under wraps because if he failed to secure Laila as the director, he didn't want other directors to know he had been turned down. Laila, on the other hand, was simply too busy, delegating many tasks to her team, so the news hadn't spread.

But once it got out that Laila was preparing a new film and looking for actors, it immediately attracted widespread attention. She had originally informed her agency, hoping to promote a few newcomers from her company. However, in the entertainment industry, everyone has connections, and resource sharing is almost an unspoken rule. Big-name agents, in particular, have their ears to the ground.

Thus, what Laila hadn't intended to keep secret quickly spread like wildfire.

The buzz was overwhelming, and the flood of calls nearly overwhelmed Louise and her secretary.

After all, casting was Louise's responsibility. Moreover, Laila's contact information was relatively private. Despite being a renowned director with what one might assume to be a vast network, very few people had her personal number, especially the one she carried with her. That number was known only to her family and close associates at the company.

The number most people had access to was her secondary phone, which rarely reached her directly. Most calls were handled by her secretary.

Another reason was likely her status in Hollywood. As a director firmly established at the top of the industry, few people could relax and speak clearly in her presence. Many said they felt an overwhelming pressure around her as if standing before a queen.

Perhaps this was the aura of power?

In any case, even if people managed to get in front of Laila, few could articulate their thoughts smoothly. Rather than stumbling over their words and embarrassing themselves, it was easier to approach Louise. At least she was more approachable.

Louise was far better at maintaining relationships than Laila. She excelled at leveraging Laila's film projects to benefit the company, whether through direct financial gains or resource exchanges.

These exchanges weren't always about money. For example, one role might be traded for another, allowing both parties to secure parts better suited to their talents. Alternatively, a role might be exchanged for an investment opportunity in another film or the adaptation rights to a book.

In short, entrusting the casting to Louise was a wise decision. It allowed Laila to confidently step away from the tedious process of selecting actors.

This film required a lot of preparation, starting with the fact that it wouldn't be shot domestically. Unlike the peaceful settings of the East or New Zealand, this time they were heading to one of the world's diamond sources—South Africa.

Compared to many places, South Africa posed certain risks. The last time Roy and the team went there, they had lost contact for over a week. It was only with Xiao Ye's help that they were safely brought back.

Laila wasn't sure if they'd encounter similar troubles this time. If that were the case, she'd rather spend more money building a studio set than risk her cast and crew getting caught in dangerous situations that could lead to injuries or worse.

To address this, she specifically called in Xiao Ye, who had "experience" in such matters.

"You've probably heard that I'm preparing to shoot a new film, right?" Laila asked.

Xiao Ye sat down across from her desk. "Of course. You asked me to clear my schedule, didn't you?"

His reputation in Hollywood was far from ordinary. The collection of little golden statuettes he'd won had made him one of the most sought-after makeup artists in the industry. Many production teams, especially those requiring special effects makeup, were eager to work with him.

But Xiao Ye was a laid-back person. Aside from projects that interested him, he rarely took on work for money. However, whenever Laila called, he would drop everything to follow her. He owed her, and he never forgot that.

"Right," Laila nodded with a smile. "This film is about diamonds, and we'll be shooting in South Africa. It might take a few months. Do you have any advice?"

"…" Xiao Ye paused. "You mean the South Africa that produces diamonds?"

"Yes."

Xiao Ye's mouth twitched. "My advice is to find another location."

Laila looked at him, puzzled. "Is it that chaotic there?"

"Not exactly chaotic," he replied, hesitating. He wanted to say that South Africa was a fairly developed country, but the situation was complicated.

Seeing his hesitation, Laila grew more curious. "If it's not that bad, can't we just bring more bodyguards to handle minor issues?"

Xiao Ye avoided the question. "You're going with Leonardo, right? Is Roy coming too?"

"Leonardo is the male lead. Roy hasn't taken on any films recently, so he'll be coming with me." Roy had already informed his agent to clear his schedule. He needed to be available for 'The Dark Knight' promotions and wanted to spend more time with Laila.

Most importantly, the last time he was in South Africa to obtain the blue diamond rough, he encountered significant trouble. That experience left him with the impression that South Africa was dangerous. The thought of his fiancée spending months in such a risky place, filming potentially dangerous scenes, was unbearable. He couldn't stay home, worrying about her safety. So, he was going!

"That makes it even more complicated," Xiao Ye said, running a hand through his hair. "Boss, you need to consider another filming location."

Laila frowned. "What's going on? Did Roy and Leonardo get into some kind of trouble there?"

Impressed by how quickly she connected the dots, Xiao Ye could only give her a thumbs-up and silently acknowledge her sharp intuition.