"Did you hear that, Matthew?"
Michael Sheen stood up excitedly and exclaimed, "We're going to be part of a major project! Universal Pictures' Gladiator! Ridley Scott's Gladiator!"
The name Ridley Scott sounded familiar. After thinking for a moment, Matthew asked uncertainly, "Is he the one who directed Alien?"
"That's him! A top-tier director!" Michael Sheen was clearly overexcited and grabbed Matthew's arm. "We're going to be involved in an A-list project from a Hollywood major studio!"
Matthew pulled his arm free and decided to bring him back to earth. "An A-list project from a major studio? We're just extras. We probably won't even get a proper shot on screen."
He was a bit excited himself, but not nearly as much as Michael Sheen.
"Uh…" Michael scratched his head. "I guess I got carried away."
Helen Herman's voice rang out again. "This job will require you to stay with the production crew for a week. Those interested should sign up at the front desk. If not, you can leave now."
Over a dozen people stood up and left one after another, while the rest lined up at the front desk. Matthew and Michael Sheen also got in line.
Even though it meant asking for a week off from Red Penguin, Matthew decided to go!
Like Michael Sheen said, this job was connected to Universal's Gladiator project. Matthew had seen the film and vaguely remembered it was widely praised and even won some Oscars.
While waiting in line, Matthew overheard Helen Herman giving more details about the job.
Originally, the Gladiator team had planned to shoot the war scenes in the UK. But when scouting the location, they encountered large-scale protests from environmental groups. The forest they planned to use had been completely occupied by environmentalists. Universal had no choice but to activate their backup plan—move the shoot back to North America, in a forest in Northern California that was scheduled for logging.
Because of this sudden change, the UK-based casting agency had to drop the job, and upon returning to Los Angeles, the production urgently sought new extras.
Angel Agency managed to get a piece of the action and was tasked with recruiting some extras to play Germanic soldiers.
The job would last a week, with a daily rate of $200. The crew would provide transportation, lodging, and meals for all extras.
In every way, it was far better than Matthew's previous job playing a corpse. The only problem was that they had to leave by 11:00 AM, with no buffer time to formally request leave.
After signing up, Matthew immediately called Lester and made up an excuse about having to return to Texas. After a long-winded scolding, he finally got the week off.
"All set?" Michael Sheen returned after his own call. Matthew gave a light nod. "Got the week off. What about you?"
Michael shrugged. "My boss wouldn't let me go, so I quit."
They chatted for a bit more, and Matthew's eyes drifted toward Helen Herman at the front desk. She still wore her black-rimmed glasses and professional-looking suit.
"That woman isn't simple," Matthew muttered to himself.
"What?" Michael asked.
"Nothing," Matthew replied with a shake of his head.
He kept his eyes on Helen Herman. Angel Agency had only recently been founded, yet they had access to resources from Gladiator's crew. She must have a solid network.
Judging by her appearance, Helen looked freshly out of college. Starting a business at that age?
Matthew hadn't been in the U.S. long, but he had plenty of street smarts. Based on what he knew, people like Helen Herman usually had powerful family backgrounds.
Maybe Angel Agency wasn't like other small agencies…
With that thought, he made a decision: maybe he should make an impression on Helen Herman? If she remembered him, she'd think of him first when work came up.
For someone like him, leveraging connections was everything.
Over an hour later, a coach bus pulled up outside. Led by front desk staff, Matthew, Michael Sheen, and the other extras boarded. The bus headed north, soon leaving Burbank behind.
"If only I could get a supporting role," Michael said while looking out the window. "In a film like this, one role can change your life."
His eyes practically sparkled. "If you get a supporting role in something like this, you can start landing leading roles in smaller productions!"
Matthew thought he was dreaming too big. He said, "A supporting role? I'll be happy just to get a clear shot of my face and a credit at the end."
"You're just starting out," Michael replied. "Wait until you've been in L.A. for three years without any progress—then you'll understand how I feel."
"You just want to be famous?" Matthew asked.
Michael nodded vigorously. "Famous! In Hollywood, if you're famous, you've got money, status, and women!"
Hearing that, and reflecting on today's conversations, Matthew realized he and Michael were quite similar in some ways.
Then again, it wasn't surprising. In this industry—especially for actors—how many people were here for the art? Probably 99.9% were chasing fame and fortune, just like him and Michael.
Two hours later, the bus turned off the highway and entered a hilly area. After several more kilometers, it stopped by the roadside.
Matthew and the others stayed on board for now. Through the windows, they saw the outskirts of a small town, packed with all sorts of vehicles—vans, sedans, and camera cranes. Further off in a sparse forest, people bustled about, and cameras on rails hinted that filming was underway.
Michael stared in excitement and muttered, "If only I were the lead actor!"
"Buddy, you're dreaming," a bald guy in front overheard and turned around. "You won't match up to Russell Crowe even twenty years from now."
Laughter broke out around them. Michael's face turned red, and just as he was about to stand up, Matthew pulled him back down.
"Not worth it," he said quietly. "No matter what you say, they'll treat it like a joke."
Michael swallowed it down and replied under his breath, "I'll remember them. When I make it big, I'll hire them as extras for my shoot. Let's see who's laughing then!"
Just then, the receptionist called everyone to get off the bus. Once outside, Matthew saw Helen Herman already there, apparently just finishing a conversation with a bearded crew member. She walked over with him.
"Let's get everyone checked into their accommodations first," Helen said loudly and clearly. "Then I'll hand out contracts."
She pointed to the front desk assistant. "Once you sign, give your contract to Amanda."
"No problem." Matthew squeezed forward to be closer to Helen Herman. She glanced at him briefly before continuing, "After signing and lunch, meet at the hotel entrance by 1:00 PM for rehearsals at the shooting location."
"You need anything else?" she asked the bearded man, who shook his head. Then she turned back to the group. "Follow me."
Matthew and Michael Sheen quickly fell in line. A long line of extras followed Helen and the bearded man into town.
All the Angel Agency actors were staying in the same motel. Despite her young age, Helen was very efficient and, with help from the bearded crewman, quickly sorted out room arrangements and handed out contracts.
The motel was decent—two people per room. Matthew roomed with the only person he knew, Michael Sheen.
Since they'd be staying a week, Matthew unpacked a bit, then opened the contract. It was like other temp actor agreements, but he focused on the pay: $200 a day!
If they really shot for a week, that'd be $1,400—nearly a month's wages from Red Penguin.
Having been in the industry for a bit now, Matthew knew how rare this kind of opportunity was, and he appreciated Helen Herman even more.
"Any issues?" Matthew asked.
Michael was still flipping through his copy like it was a contract for a movie star.
"Not done reading," he said without looking up.
Near lunchtime, Matthew and Michael left the room, submitted their signed contracts to Amanda in the lobby, then headed to the dining area.
The production clearly had money. While the lunch wasn't extravagant, it was much better than Matthew's usual meals alone.
After eating and resting, the group, led by Helen Herman, left the town and arrived at the outskirts, where the set was located.
This was a non-costume rehearsal. Hundreds of extras gathered around the open filming zone. Flanked by forest, the middle section had been cleared—perfect for a battlefield.
"Everyone over here!" the bearded crew member appeared, holding a megaphone. He seemed to be in charge.
"Line up in two rows at the edge of the forest! Spread out! No neat rows—you're supposed to be uncivilized Germanic tribesmen!"
The crowd moved like a pack of headless chickens, scattering across the forest edge and lining up haphazardly along the clearing. It did look quite barbaric.
The bearded man stood on the highest nearby point. "When I say start, you all howl—furiously! Got it?"
"Start!" he shouted.
"AWOOOO—"
"RAAAAH—"
All sorts of strange noises erupted, echoing far into the distance.
Matthew shouted with all his might, his face contorted with effort.
"Good!" the bearded man nodded in satisfaction. "Next exercise..."
For scenes like this, rehearsals were essential. Just rehearsing the Germanic tribesmen and the Roman legions took three full days.
And on the morning of the fourth day, filming officially began.