America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

As time went by, more cast and crew joined the pre-production. In addition to rehearsing his dance moves, Martin also followed the action director to practice vampire zombie attacks.

Of course, these were not the slow zombies from the Resident Evil and the Living Dead series, but rather ones closer to vampires.

The brilliance of the script lay in the life-and-death battle between the male and female leads.

The female lead had to join in the training as well. Martin's old acquaintance, Catherine – Ma Zhen's adversary in acting – snagged the role.

Just in terms of figure and looks, Catherine was definitely impeccable, which was key to her standing out from a crowd of candidates.

Benjamin personally brought her to the set, and specifically instructed Martin, "She's never done this kind of action scene before, take extra care of her."

Martin understood, "Catherine and I are old friends."

In front of many people on the crew, Catherine clung tightly to Benjamin's arm, "Martin and I have great chemistry."

The relationship between the female lead and the director ran deep, perhaps already in the negatives.

Clarifying their relationship up front was actually seen as responsible in the film and television crew.

At this moment, the prop master came over and asked the leads to try out the props.

Martin entered a warehouse next to the temporary studio and immediately spotted something resembling Wolverine's claws; they fit perfectly when he tried them on.

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Action director Maurice said, "For all the action scenes, you'll just wear shorts, battle with claws and teeth, preying on victims, specifically biting the chest and throat."

Besides playing the male lead, Martin also doubled as the producer manager and had a say in things, "Isn't it a bit much to start like this? What about adding scenes of stripping during the action? Like my character, taking off his shirt to reveal his muscles."

He had been a stunt double in his previous life and struck a cool pose, "I'll use the claws to strip the opponent's clothes; by the end of the fight, both sides will be left with just enough clothing to maintain an R-rated status."

Director Benjamin, joining them, said, "Martin, you've captured the essence of a B-movie!"

Martin wouldn't overstep the director's duties, "Just some thoughts, Ben. You have the final say on whether they're appropriate or not."

"You're the producer manager, speak your mind," Benjamin knew very well that his influence in the crew was roughly equal to Martin's, "What's the most attractive element when a B-movie enters a theater? Corny jokes, splattered blood, exploding hormones. As long as we nail these three points, the film will definitely sell."

Catherine was very proactive, "Both top and bottom for me?"

"No, dear," Benjamin said simply, "We're making an R-rated film, not something restricted to people over 17."

Maurice was Benjamin's guy; seeing him a bit weak in front of Martin, he adjusted his position and mindset, "What I'm good at is choreographing action scenes for men and women, like the one where you're lying on the floor, that's my design."

Though Martin held a higher position in the crew than Maurice, he was very particular about interacting with others, "Buddy, I've finally found the culprit. Do you know what my friends around me are saying? They all say I'm the most tragic corpse in history."

Maurice couldn't help but laugh heartily, "I take that as a compliment!"

"Let's hear your thoughts, Martin," Benjamin had the final call on whether or not to use them.

Martin did have some ideas, "The action scene where the male lead Matthew kills the female lead's sister, Maria – won't just plain sucking blood be too monotonous? Shouldn't we make this scene more splendid?"

This was for his own benefit, after all, it was the male lead's scene, "Death still takes place on stage, she dies amidst the male lead's fervent dance. That's what I'm thinking. A steel chain hangs down from above the stage, the male lead grasps the chain, battles with Maria in mid-air, and in the midst of a wild machine-gun dance, the male lead drains Maria's blood."

After Benjamin pictured it for a moment, the corresponding images immediately formed in his mind—the dance reaches its climax, the male lead whirls Maria around above the entire ballroom, fighting ferociously...

In Martin's eyes, what was the point of a B-movie if it wasn't a bit exaggerated?

Benjamin snapped back to reality and said to his assistant, "Notify producer Dave, call the heads of casting, costume design, dance, props, and photography to a meeting, immediately! Right now!"

The assistant director hurried to make a phone call on the side.

Benjamin couldn't help saying, "Martin, I absolutely wasn't wrong about you! You are a genius!" He admired sincerely, "I could only come up with Ma Zhen, but you even thought of aerial Zhen!"

Martin spoke candidly, "I got it from the video tapes."

Thinking he was being modest, Benjamin said, "This scene will absolutely explode! I have prepared an opponent worthy of you, do you know who it is?"

Martin seriously replied, "Of course, it's Julia Roberts, the biggest star in Georgia."

Benjamin's face turned constipated.

Martin went on to say, "Or is it Holly Hunter? Though she's older, she is still an Oscar-winning actress after all, I can accept that."

"I can't afford their salaries even if I sold my ass," Benjamin nearly spat blood, suddenly looked at Martin with a sinister smile, "My old schoolmate helped out, he's brought in Jenna Jameson!"

Martin asked, "You're not joking?"

Benjamin said, "Jenna heard she could make a cameo in a theatrical film for just 5,000 US dollars."

It's already a tacky B-movie, the quality's below the floor, bringing in the Sacred Valley queen won't lower it further, and it will add some buzz.

Before long, including producer Dave, all the heads of departments arrived.

Benjamin was in charge of the shooting aspect and presided over the meeting.

Martin drew the scene they had just discussed on the whiteboard.

The director of photography Jackson added, "We need a full house of spectators, under the gaze of the crowd, that will make the scene truly shocking."

The casting director Andrew picked up the conversation, "I've discussed with the club, they've issued an announcement, and many regular customers have volunteered to serve as audience extras for free."

Some things he didn't mention; House of Beast would be collecting entrance fees at the time.

Benjamin felt rewarded and in high spirits, "Anyone with ideas regarding the set design and action scenes is welcome to speak up."

Inspired by Martin, the action director Maurice had a sudden burst of inspiration, "For the final battle between the male and female leads, I think it can be divided into two parts. The male lead is extremely powerful; it's nearly impossible for a mortal female hunter to defeat him.

What do you think of this, the strongest aspect of the male lead is also his weakest point, once the female lead deals with his strength, his power will decrease dramatically..."

Producer Dave got his point and mentioned an important detail, "Once the film enters cinemas, it will definitely need an R-rating, but we don't have distribution capability. The primary concern is the content must attract film buyers, how the MPAA rates the film, that's their issue after they've purchased it."

Martin racked his brains recalling and considering, "The first part would be the battle between the male and female leads, and after the female lead defeats the male lead, he would fall into weakness for a certain period and then get finished off by the female lead?"

Maurice nodded, "That's what I mean."

Martin suggested, "Should we give sisters Maria and Anna a special gift? Like the ability to absorb powers, but there's a flaw, if she reaches her peak first, she would be drained by her opponent."

Benjamin mulled it over, "That's interesting."

He continued, "Let's also change the earlier scene of floating in the air, Maria doesn't die from being bitten by Matthew, but she shares the same gift as the female lead and loses to Matthew in the battle."

The meeting lasted until evening before dispersing, and Benjamin went back and worked through the night with his assistants to redesign several scenes.