msmithbooks Chapter 64 What if I were a female extra in a film studio?
Chapter 64 What if I were a female extra in a film studio?
Shen Li stared in disbelief.
This style is just like the union group chat at his mother's workplace.
Some offered condolences for the injured, some exchanged culinary experiences, and others reminisced about the boxed lunches with soup. The whole scramble for gigs became a side event.
Sister Dong replied to each message in the group:
"@Little Deer Cartoon Band-Aid is fine too, but please don't make it pink Hello Kitty, I'm too embarrassed to wear it."
"@Awen's hand is fine, just a small cut. Be careful when you try on cheongsams, those safety pins are from veteran actresses, they really hurt when they prick you."
"@Tingting, don't eat too much hot and sour noodles, it'll make you feel hot. I have a period drama the day after tomorrow, and if my face breaks out, I can't use you."
"@Xiaomei, today's soup is tomato and egg, but I found it a bit salty. You guys can add some water later."
Shen Li was dumbfounded.
This Ms. Dong manages the extras like a mother running a kindergarten.
She assigns tasks when there's work, and chats about food and drink when there's no work. She worries about who's injured and gives a few words of advice to whoever has a sore throat or other health issues.
She had a group of female extras completely under her control, and they were all obedient to her.
Scrolling back further, there's a picture of her squatting at the entrance of a film studio, feeding stray cats. Three orange cats surround her, she holds a sausage in her hand, has a blade of grass in her mouth, and is smiling like a silly old lady.
The caption reads: "The three of you are even more proactive than some extras, always waiting for me at mealtimes."
The comments below are all from those female extras in the group:
"Sister Dong! I know that orange cat! It even mooched off my lunchbox last time!"
"Sister Dong, you're feeding the cats again! Have you forgotten what the director said about the cats causing trouble on set?"
"The foxtail grass needs replacing; this one's all bald!"
Sister Dong replied, "I won't change it. I've had this one for three years, I'm attached to it."
Shen Li continued scrolling down and came across a forwarded article titled "A Guide to Avoiding Scams for Extras in Film Studios: Don't Trust These Five Types of 'Assistant Directors'." The accompanying text read: "Newcomers, take a look. Don't get sold out and still be counting the money for them."
The comments below were all saying "Thank you, Sister Dong," "Sister Dong is a good person," and "I've saved this."
Another video she filmed was a review of the film crew's boxed lunches. The camera was pointed directly at the lunches, and her voice came from off-screen: "Today's restaurant was quite generous with the braised pork, but it was overcooked and dry. The garlic broccoli was passable, and the tomato and egg soup... ugh, it tasted like dishwater."
At the end of the video, the iconic foxtail grass peeked in from the side of the camera and swayed.
Shen Li was convinced.
This Sister Dong, when she issues notices, not only tells you what the job is and how much the money is, but also tells you what dishes are in the boxed lunch, whether the soup is salty or not, and to be careful of safety pins when trying on clothes.
She treated the extras like "one of her own" and protected them, so the extras naturally treated her like their "backbone."
What's this called? This is called the "mass line"!
Shen Li continued scrolling through the group chat, and the person who was "casting for Sister Hua" also posted a notice.
Goodness, the moment this Sister Hua appeared, the atmosphere in the group chat changed drastically.
The captions also have a very personal style:
"This assistant director today, haha, wants to add me on WeChat? Get in line."
"Some people have terrible acting skills, but they have huge appetites. They think a $150 job isn't enough? Do they think they're some kind of award-winning actress?"
"Listen up, newbies: there are only three rules for working under Sister Hua... Don't be late, don't be a pain in the neck, and don't be easily offended. If you can't do these things, turn left and don't bother coming back."
The comments under the selfies were even more interesting:
"Sister Hua looks great today! What shade of lipstick are you wearing?"
"Sister Hua is awesome! Following you means you'll get to eat well!"
"Sister Hua, is there any work tomorrow? I'm ready to go anytime!"
Sister Hua would occasionally reply, her tone incredibly condescending, as if she were the Empress Dowager choosing a concubine. But strangely, the more she acted this way, the more attentive the people below became, like a group of imperial concubines fawning over the Empress Dowager.
Shen Li watched in amazement. This Sister Hua has really mastered the art of "PUA." First, she establishes her authority, then bestows favors, making you feel fortunate to work under her. Don't like it? Get lost, there are plenty of people in line.
"Tomorrow morning, we need 12 female extras to play palace maids for a period drama. Requirements: Height 160-170cm, presentable appearance, bring your own flesh-colored undershirt and black cloth shoes. Meet at 7:00 AM in Area D of the film studio. Daily wage 150 RMB, lunch provided. Send a photo of yourself without makeup to apply, don't send me one with heavy filters, I'm not blind."
The moment this announcement was released, the comments section was flooded with messages.
"1! Sister Hua! It's me! Send the information privately!"
"Sister Hua, look at me! You said I'd improved last time!"
"Sister Hua, I'm a newbie and need someone to mentor me! I can endure any hardship!"
"Sister Hua is the most beautiful! Pick me, pick me!"
It was a frenzy, like scrambling for tickets during the Spring Festival travel rush.
Several female extras posted their photos directly in the group chat to increase their chances of being selected.
Some people posed in cheongsams, some took close-up photos without makeup, and one even posted a self-introduction video, starting with "Hello Sister Hua, my name is XXX, I am 165cm tall, weigh 48kg, and my measurements are..."
Shen Li was dumbfounded. This wasn't a competition for a gig; it was a concubine selection!
What's even more amazing is Sister Hua's way of replying. Instead of replying to each person individually, she directly @ed the selected person in the group chat, adding a brief comment:
"@XiaoMi, your performance as a palace maid last time was alright. Keep it up tomorrow. Just remember not to stand up like last time, all crooked and awkward. If the director scolds you, I won't cover for you."
"@AhBing, your bare-faced photos are alright, but don't come here with heavy makeup. Last time you had that smoky makeup, you'd be more suited to playing a palace maid or an empress dowager."
"@Hey new guy, I've looked at your profile. You're alright. Don't be late tomorrow. If you're even a minute late, I won't want you."
Those who were chosen were extremely grateful, while those who weren't sighed and lamented. A few, however, stubbornly continued to post photos in the group to try and gain attention. The entire group was perfectly organized and orderly, all thanks to Sister Hua.
Shen Li then came across a post Hua Jie had shared on WeChat Moments a few days prior—a photo of her sitting next to a monitor on set. She was lounging with her legs crossed, a thin cigarette between her fingers, while the assistant director beside her was bowing respectfully to her. The caption was simply: "Everything's fine."
The comments below were filled with praise such as "Sister Hua is awesome," "Sister Hua is awesome," and "When will Sister Hua take me under her wing?"
Shen Li scrolled through Hua Jie's WeChat Moments from beginning to end, finding it increasingly interesting.
This "Sister Hua's" social media posts revolve around three things: posting selfies, flaunting her status, and displaying her "rules." Every photo conveys the same message: I'm awesome, follow me and just obey my orders.
This is the complete opposite of Sister Dong's down-to-earth approach of "lunchbox reviews + foxtail grass + stray cats".
Sister Hua is the "Queen of Counterfeits," while Sister Dong is the "Heroine of the Jianghu." One intimidates people with her aura, while the other wins people over with loyalty and righteousness. Each has her own methods and connections.
"That's interesting. One requires 'obedience,' while the other requires 'confidence.' In this film and television city's circle of female extras, the extras leaders alone have divided into two completely different ecosystems. Sister Hua's side is 'palace dramas,' while Sister Dong's side is 'street dramas.'"
Shen Li put down her phone, marveling at the sight.
He leaned back, his mind already racing with deductions.
If you were to work as a female extra in a film studio, which path should you take?