Behind The Spotlight Chapter 96
The talent above Axel's head was different and completely unexpected from anything Collin had seen before. In fact, this was the first time he'd ever seen Axel possess such a clear and visible talent in acting.
'There's a lot to unpack here,' Collin thought.
First, this confirmed that a person could develop a talent from scratch, even if they seemed completely talentless before. However, the criteria for how and why this happened remained unclear.
Was it tied to a person's mentality? Or was it due to constant practice and years of accumulated experience?
Second, Collin had no idea that a talent could evolve. He always assumed the color of a talent was fixed for life, an unchangeable trait set in stone.
There were only three levels of talent: White, Yellow, and Golden. Each level represented potential.
Yet the fact that Axel's white talent now had a hue of yellow softly glowing through it meant that talent could, in fact, level up under certain conditions.
Did this also mean a talent could deteriorate if someone gave up or lost their spark? What factors influenced this, and could it be prevented?
Collin tried to recall recent events in Axel's life. The only major turning point he could think of was Axel meeting his son, getting heartbroken, then choosing to fight for custody despite the risk.
That single decision might have helped Axel awaken a dormant talent in acting. Collin couldn't help but grin, feeling both guilty and proud at the same time. He admitted it was a little devilish to smile at such a painful turning point in Axel's life. But from a professional standpoint, this discovery was undeniably worth it.
'If this event helped my client awaken a talent and even level it up, then it's worth it. It means this whole lore has weight, and it contributes meaningfully to Axel's character development.'
Collin felt a surge of excitement. At last, he had found Axel's route to stardom.
'But what does "Adapting like a Chameleon Actor" even mean? Does it mean Axel can easily adapt to any role? If so, that's a powerful, long-term talent. It'll protect him from being typecast and stuck playing the same roles forever.'
Typecasting was when an actor was repeatedly cast in the same kind of role until they became a stereotype. Collin knew this was a real problem. Sooner or later, the audience would tire of the same faces in the same roles and begin to crave something new.
Lawrence, for example, excelled as a romantic lead thanks to his charm and strong on-screen chemistry. But this same advantage might trap him. Without variety, he could become permanently stuck in the romance genre. Fortunately, Lawrence also had a Comedy Actor talent, which gave him the flexibility to shift between genres if needed.
Wyatt, on the other hand, was a director and would be fine sticking to his niche. His reputation wouldn't suffer as much, especially if he only directed a film every couple of years. Unlike Lawrence, he wasn't constantly under the judgement of fans.
"I say this whole canon event is worth it from my standpoint."
Collin muttered weakly while rubbing the back of his neck. He knew it sounded cold and heartless from a human perspective, but he was a talent agent first and foremost. Discovering talents was what he loved most.
In fact, he'd already been scouting for a new client to sign, but none of the prospects he'd seen lately had met his standards.
Once the filming wrapped, Collin and the private detective approached Axel.
"Sir, this is the information I gathered from the address you provided. Based on what I found, it seems your son hasn't spoken about your meeting. They haven't changed their location or done anything unusual."
"I see. Thank you for your hard work."
Axel nodded and entered his trailer alone, needing privacy to process the contents of the documents.
Collin didn't know what information the detective had found, he didn't want to invade Axel's emotional space.
Half an hour later, Axel emerged from the trailer, his eyes slightly red.
"Collin, I want to contact Zaul Greatman. It's impossible to settle with Cynthia peacefully or reasonably. She deserves to be kept far away from my son for good."
Axel was clearly trying to stay composed, but the strain in his voice betrayed how hard that was.
"On it."
Collin nodded, but his eyes widened in shock as he noticed something new floating above Axel's head.
"Also, I want you to help me talk to the director and producer. This issue might affect the project, and I don't want to cause trouble. It's better to be honest from the start."
"Axel, you don't need to worry. We'll overcome this as a team. Your career won't be negatively affected in the long run."
'Especially now that your talent just turned yellow in front of my very eyes! Dude, how are you evolving this fast? What did you find in those documents that made your talent jump instantly?'
Collin screamed internally but kept a professional face. This just proved further that the canon event had been worth it despite the emotional damage.
Helping a client discover a talent was exciting enough, but watching it improve in real time? That was on a whole other level. It felt like being a mentor watching a student grow day by day.
If he had to compare it to something, it would be Pokémon. It felt way better evolving a starter Pokémon through consistent training than catching a Legendary Pokémon that was already powerful before you even met it. Watching that growth firsthand? That was the thrill.
"You don't have to worry. Even if you get kicked out of this project, I'll find more for you. I'll fight for your place in the industry. Your career will flourish, just like it was always meant to. I'll make sure of it."
"Now I feel better hearing that. Thank you, Collin, for standing by me. You really are a great friend."
With that, the private detective excused himself. His next task was to gather more evidence to strengthen Axel's custody case.
As for Collin and Axel, they had to talk to the producer and director as soon as possible.
Normally, it was the agent who faced these "tyrants" alone, using a tough skin and negotiation skills to shield the client. But this time, Axel chose to be present, wanting to explain everything personally, with sincerity and accountability.
Initially, Zaul Greatman preferred to settle things quietly, avoiding court to protect Axel's reputation from gossip and scandal. Axel and Collin had also assumed this wouldn't explode into a major issue.
But when more evidence surfaced, Axel realized he had no choice but to pursue justice through court.
"What the fuck did you say? Am I hearing this right or is this some kind of sick joke?"
The producer's voice rose in disbelief and anger. Even with the trailer door closed, nearby crew members heard him clearly.