The hardworking nature of Eastern people made them especially drawn to inspirational stories. They deeply admired those who rose from nothing. Although Laila was born into the Moran family, her rise to fame was, in truth, built step by step through her effort and talent. That kind of story resonated powerfully in the East, and many saw her journey as a personal motivation.
After all, the "chicken soup" culture—the love of feel-good, motivational tales—wasn't new here; it had been around for thousands of years.
"Yes, luck is an essential part of success," Laila nodded. "Before a film is released, no one knows if the audience will like it. No one can clearly define what kind of film will be widely accepted. If we could, there wouldn't be so many high-investment box office flops. I've made many films, and fortunately, they've been well-received by audiences. That's luck. If they had come out at a different time, or with different actors or dialogue, the results might have been different."
The host looked surprised. "I see… but I still feel like your skill plays a bigger role. Sure, we never know if a film will succeed until it's out, but every one of your movies has been loved. That can't only be chalked up to luck, right?"
"Thank you for the compliment." Laila smiled. "I do believe luck is a big factor, but there are other important parts too. For me, the script is crucial. A good script is a good beginning. Every line of dialogue, every scene must be arranged with care. You can't just ignore details because they seem unimportant or because you're lazy—don't assume audiences won't notice those small things."
She turned back to the young girl who had asked the question and said, "To you, a future female director: never underestimate your audience. You never know what they'll notice!"
The girl nodded seriously. "Thank you, Director Moran. I'll remember your words!"
Next, the host called on a handsome young man to stand up.
"Director Moran, I'm a performing arts student," he said. "I wanted to ask: when choosing actors, what do you focus on most—looks, presence, or something else?"
Laila glanced him over with a slight smile. "You have a very recognizable face. If you pursue this path, I think you'll find some success." She didn't mention that, in a few years, this handsome young man would rise to fame through a web series.
"I don't know how other directors choose, but I've always believed it's not the role that should fit the actor—it's the actor who must adapt to the role. If I give you a villain to play, you shouldn't ask whether you can do it. You should be thinking about how to do it well. Similarly, if I hand you a hero, would you refuse just because you're unsure? Would you give it up?"
The host nodded in agreement. "That's true. No matter the role, you need solid acting skills to bring it to life."
"Exactly," Laila said. "If your image locks you into a certain type of role, then your growth will be limited too. Take this young man, for example—he's very handsome and has that boy-next-door charm. Based on his looks, he'd be perfect as a lead or second lead in a youth romance drama. As long as the role fits his vibe, he'd do well."
That had been his path in her previous life. He played the kind, gentle second male lead in a web series—always there with a shoulder for the heroine to cry on. The male lead didn't catch on, but he became wildly popular. Riding the wave, he took on a few more idol dramas and shot straight into the A-list as a bankable young actor.
"But let me ask," Laila continued. "How many years can you ride that image and keep doing youth idol dramas? Ten? Twenty? Eventually, even if someone wants to cast you, the audience might not want to watch you anymore. Isn't that right?"
The young man nodded seriously. He was truly taking her words to heart. Getting personal advice from a top Hollywood director was worth more than any class or textbook.
The host jumped in with another question. "So what should he do? Should he try to challenge himself early and avoid being pigeonholed?"
"No need to turn down good opportunities just because of that," Laila clarified. She wasn't trying to shut down his acting path—only suggest growth. Yes, actors with strong acting skills have more longevity on screen. But if you're not even in the industry, how can you prove your skills?
"My advice to newcomers is this: when opportunity knocks, think carefully. Don't throw it away out of impulse. Once your acting is recognized, then you'll have the right to choose broader, more diverse roles."
"Thank you—thank you so much!" the young man said sincerely.
No one could have predicted that Laila's comments that day would change the course of his career. From that moment on, he started catching the eye of various directors years earlier than he had in her past life. After all, when a top Hollywood director says your face is distinctive, who could ignore that?
Thanks to her words, he soon landed a great role and became famous through a popular idol series. He then devoted himself to honing his craft and, in just a few years, won a major domestic Best Actor award for a complex and demanding role. But that's a story for another time.
This interview was a complete success. Whether it was the host, Laila, or the fans in the studio, everyone agreed the atmosphere was amazing.
The episode aired the very next day, and unsurprisingly, the ratings were sky-high. The station's executives were practically banging their heads against the wall, regretting that Laila couldn't appear on their show every week. Who needed expensive dramas when just having her on screen could guarantee massive ratings?
Beyond that, as Laila continued her promotional tour with the crew across major cities, she appeared on several more programs. She was going all out—any first-tier show that sent her an invitation, she accepted.
Her final stop was the national broadcaster.
Compared to regional stations, the national channel obviously had a wider audience and stronger ability to generate buzz. Laila received several invitations and appeared on every show she was asked to, setting off a full-blown "Hollywood fever" across the East.
All of her hard work paid off. The promotional effect was overwhelming. By now, at least half of the East's 1.3 billion people were aware that a movie called The Avengers was coming in the summer—a movie aiming to surpass Avatar and become the highest-grossing film of all time.