Behind The Spotlight Chapter 102
Axel Gunner now had a bad record of breaking contracts, and word of it had spread throughout the entertainment industry. It was no surprise that studios didn't want to cast him, he was considered a liability.
Even the luxury watch brand that had sponsored him ended their partnership swiftly, without hesitation or any public explanation.
They didn't demand damages, as Axel was not seen as a malicious person based on how the lawsuit unfolded. There was no proven ill intent. Still, they no longer wanted to associate with an actor who could potentially tarnish their brand and reputation among elite consumers.
Because of this, Axel returned to being a nobody almost overnight. He lost his career just as fast as he had earned it. It was disheartening, considering how hard he had worked to reach his status. But the scandal hit him hard.
He never wanted any of it to happen, but even so, he didn't regret his decision. At least now, he had found his son, and their relationship was growing stronger by the day as they continued to learn more about each other. That was all that mattered to Axel now: family first.
Unfortunately, most of his savings were gone after spending heavily on the custody battle and paying the PR team tasked with containing the damage from the scandal. He was back to square one, and the future looked uncertain. He could survive for about six months without work, but only by living cheaply, budgeting strictly, and cutting every unnecessary expense.
The only hope of turning things around lay in the box office performance of Face: Swap, which was scheduled to be released in April or May. Depending on the final marketing plan and industry competition, and ultimately, Touchpebbles Pictures' internal decisions. That meant 4 to 5 months of anxious waiting filled with both dread and hope.
"You don't have to worry. Just like I said, so long as I'm your agent, you will not fail, no matter what happens."
Now that Collin had a unique power, he was more confident than ever that he could help Axel succeed. He planned to use his gift strategically. There were many ways he could ensure Axel would survive and eventually thrive again.
Axel laughed.
"The way you said that sounds a little odd but it's reassuring. Are you saying that as long as I'm your client, I won't fail?"
"That's right, and I stand by it."
"For some reason, I want to say you're getting arrogant, but I can't. Not when you've earned the right to be confident. Collin, you've changed. You have confidence now, and your skill as an agent is on another level. I can't explain it, but I trust you completely. I believe you'll do your best to make me famous again."
Collin had proven himself over the past few years, in ways that far exceeded the normal expectations of an agent. He was like Midas, everything he touched turned to gold. Axel knew that Collin was the one who had helped him the most, and for that, he was genuinely thankful.
"Collin, thank you so much for helping me. Signing a contract with you changed my life for the better. I appreciate everything you've done. I promise you this, I will never change agents, even if the whole world tries to persuade me. I trust you with all my heart."
Axel said sincerely, extending his hand for a firm handshake, his voice filled with emotion. Collin took his hand.
Collin couldn't help but smile warmly and proudly. He was glad that Axel recognized all his efforts. He had worked tirelessly, calling every possible connection, day and night, just to find projects for Axel. He had made sure Axel wouldn't be left behind in the entertainment world.
'Now that you have a talent strongly related to acting, it will be easier to find a job for you.'
The last time he saw the glowing words above Axel's head, they had been glowing in yellow. That signified that Axel's talent as an actor had improved, something that opened up new opportunities.
There were different levels of talent according to Collin's superpower, and the color was key to understanding them.
First was white talent, mediocre, in his opinion. People with white talent performed slightly better than average but nothing remarkable.
Second was yellow talent. This was significantly above white. People with yellow talent clearly stood out and performed far better than the average person. Many respected directors and actors in the industry had yellow talent that related to their craft, allowing them to be consistently good, though not necessarily legendary.
Third was golden talent. So far, Collin had only encountered four individuals with this talent over the three years since awakening his power, despite seeing hundreds of people daily. This showed how rare and powerful golden talent truly was when used properly.
From experience, Collin believed that those with golden talent had the potential to create miracles in their fields, as though they were born for greatness.
Even though Axel only had yellow talent, it was still enough to build a strong comeback. Especially because Axel's talent seemed all-around and highly adaptable to various genres.
'If I'm right, his talent is about adapting to a role. If you cast Axel as an action star, he'll adapt. If you give him the role of a doctor, he'll make it believable.'
'Now that I know talent can be awakened and leveled up, I wonder what it will take for Jennifer and Axel to reach golden talent, and how I can accelerate that growth. Is it even possible? And if so, how can I make it happen without crossing any ethical lines?'
So far, the only example that came to mind was Axel's custody battle. It wasn't enough to form a concrete conclusion, but it opened the door to a theory.
'And how could I use that? Should I make my clients suffer custody battles or something ridiculous like that? No… that's too extreme.'
"Wyatt plans to start another project. I'll ask him to cast you."
"You don't have to. I'll personally talk to Wyatt. It's better if it comes from me this time," Axel replied with conviction.
Collin chuckled at that.
"Axel, I don't think you understand. I'm your agent. It's my job to convince directors and producers to cast you, that's what I do. Sure, auditions matter, but behind all that formality, agents negotiate and pull strings to make the impossible happen. Still, I won't stop you if you want to talk to Wyatt. You two are friends, and sometimes, friendship does the convincing faster."
Since Wyatt had a good relationship with Uni-versus Pictures, he was planning to pitch the project to the studio again.
But before that, he had to talk to Henry first. After all, every project needed a producer and Henry was the one professional Wyatt had worked with and trusted most. Why replace a producer when you already had someone who understood your creative language? Their collaboration was solid, and Henry had always been great at managing problems.
"If you need me, you can always call. For now, spend more time with your son while you still have the free time."
Collin and Axel bid each other farewell with a firm hug. Axel may have hit rock bottom, but that didn't mean it was game over. Failure was just one chapter, not the ending. And this wasn't the first time Axel had fallen. He could rise again, just as he always had when life knocked him down.
Still, it was a regret that he never received the $900,000 from Touchpebbles Pictures. That money would have been a huge help, especially now, when every cent counted.
---
[There are remaining 5 slots for the 50% discount. You can check out my Pa treon if you're interested.]