Model to Holywood

"Luca, swing your arms, keep the rhythm, and don't change your expression!"

"Okay, let's go again!"

After resolving Miranda's issue, Luca began focusing on his work for the commercial shoot.

He signed a three-year contract with Helmut Lang, agreeing to film twelve video ads, four per year, representing each season: spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Helmut Lang is a luxury ready-to-wear brand, offering suits, casual wear, formal attire, and more.

Luca was endorsing the suit collection. This year, the brand released 13 different suit designs, and there were two main ad scripts.

The first commercial was a collaborative shoot with the designer. Luca would stand still while the designer made adjustments to the suit on him, showcasing its style, quality, and fabric. The suit was the star, so Luca didn't even need to show his face much.

The second commercial was a solo shoot, where he would wear the 13 suits and strike various poses in front of the camera—adjusting his tie, tugging his sleeves, waving, and walking.

The performance was straightforward, requiring no acting skills—just getting the movements right.

"Okay, take a break!"

"Makeup, touch up Luca!"

"Costume department, switch to product #8!"

After filming for over two hours in the afternoon, the director, Cred, announced a break.

Luca headed to the dressing room, took off his black suit, and changed into a gray casual suit, switching his necktie for a red bow tie.

"Luca, you got three calls: one from someone named Rachel, one from Lindsay, and the other was just a number without a name."

Tony, holding Luca's phone, walked in.

"Got it," Luca replied, taking his phone and sitting on a couch. The stylist, hairdresser, and makeup artist surrounded him, tweaking his look.

Earlier, he wore a black suit for a serious and cold vibe, aimed at a mature look.

Next up was a casual suit, giving a more youthful and lively appearance, with a 'young professional' style.

Fortunately, Luca's young appearance, combined with his mature aura, made him versatile and capable of pulling off various looks with ease.

"Luca, is Rachel the same Aniston lady?"

Tony asked quietly from the side.

Luca glanced at him. This guy had recently completed a two-week intensive training at the company, which helped, but he still couldn't stop being chatty.

"I'll grab you a coffee," Tony said, covering his mouth as he left.

Luca shook his head, called Rachel McAdams, and sat back in the chair.

Today was the start of filming for *Mean Girls*. Most of the lead actors were already on set, but Luca's role, though important, had fewer scenes, so he could join the crew a bit later.

"Hey Rachel, good afternoon!" he greeted.

"Haha, Luca, you're quite the busy guy," Rachel laughed.

Luca couldn't help but smile. "Not really. I've just been shooting some ads this week. Otherwise, I'm mostly at home, being a homebody. Are you on set for *Mean Girls*?"

"Yep, we're all here. Tina Fey, Lindsay, Amanda. Oh, by the way, I called because I've got something interesting to ask you," Rachel said.

"What's up?" Luca asked, intrigued.

Rachel giggled for a while before finally saying, "I'm curious—how did you manage to offend both leading ladies without even stepping foot on set?"

"Are you talking about Lindsay and Amanda?"

"Please don't move!" the makeup artist reminded him.

"Sorry," Luca gestured to apologize and then said into the phone, "It's just a misunderstanding."

"Haha, Lindsay calls you 'Drool Guy,' and Amanda says you're a 'big liar.' Amanda, especially, seems to have a bone to pick with you. She even said she's going to settle the score when you arrive, so be careful," Rachel teased.

"'Drool Guy'?" Luca was speechless. Lindsay had quite the mouth on her.

After finishing the call with Rachel, Luca dialed Lindsay Lohan to scare her a little, telling her not to talk nonsense on set or she'd get her mouth slapped.

Unfortunately, she didn't pick up. So, he dialed the last number.

"Hey, superstar! Recognize my voice? It's your elementary school classmate, Amanda! Hahaha!" The voice was lively and clear—it was Amanda Seyfried.

Luca chuckled, "Hey Amanda. I'm really sorry about last time; I didn't mean to lie to you."

"It's fine, Ryan. You should come to set soon. I promise I won't get revenge. After all, we're old classmates, right?" Amanda hinted with a mischievous tone.

"Alright, Amanda. I'll join the crew next week. Are you ready for me?" he asked.

"Of course! We're planning a warm welcome for you, so you'll know just how popular you are."

"Thanks, I'm looking forward to it!" Luca replied with a smile.

"Rachel's on her way!" Tony rushed back into the room while Luca was still on the phone.

"What Rachel?"

"Ms. Aniston."

"Why is she coming?" Luca was curious. The ad shoot wasn't supposed to involve Rachel; their parts were filmed separately.

Luca's schedule was flexible, but Rachel Aniston was a big name, so the production team had to adjust according to her availability. She was busy filming *Along Came Polly* in New York, which had pushed back their joint ad shoot.

"Ms. Aniston is almost here," the director's assistant announced, rushing in. "Costume department, switch Luca to product #10! Makeup, touch up Luca's face. Ms. Aniston's time is very valuable, so let's move quickly."

"Understood!" 

As soon as they heard Rachel Aniston was coming, the dressing room turned chaotic.

Luca followed instructions, taking off the outfit he had just changed into and putting on a new suit. Half of his makeup had to be wiped off and replaced with a look that matched the outfit—accessories, hairstyle, and even facial hair, turning him into a human mannequin.

"Hi, Luca, sorry to interrupt your shoot," Rachel Aniston greeted as she knocked and walked in.

She wore a white, straight-cut suit dress, nude stockings, and black high heels. Her makeup was flawless, and her presence was warm and approachable.

"Rachel, you're too kind. Everyone here, including myself, is thrilled to have you. If it weren't for the stylists holding me down, I might have jumped up to celebrate," Luca joked, pointing at the crew around him.

Rachel smiled, her lips curling slightly. "Luca, you have a knack for comedy. Ever thought about becoming a comedian?"

"Probably not," Luca said, pointing at his face. "Everyone says when I don't smile, I look like a cold-blooded killer, and when I do smile, I look like a villain. I think I'm best suited to play bad guys."

"Haha!" Rachel laughed, fanning her face with her hand. "Stop it! If you make me mess up my makeup, I'll have to get it redone."

"Alright," Luca straightened his face and stared at the mirror, not moving.

Rachel chuckled again. His serious expression, paired with his deep-set eyes, was indeed very cool.

"Luca, is the script finished?"

"It's done. My assistant has it. Do you want it now?"

They hadn't spoken much recently, but Luca had been prepared for her arrival.

"No rush. Let's finish the shoot first?"

"Sounds good!"

Once ready, Luca headed to the set.

The shoot was taking place in a futuristic exhibition hall in the Koch Building, designed to resemble a sci-fi film set. It was filled with technology, modernity, and art.

With everything in place, the crew started filming Rachel's scene.

In the script, Rachel plays a stylish urban professional. As she walks into the room in her sleek suit, all the handsome men turn to look at her.

Among them, only one man wearing the same suit as her stands up and walks confidently past her. That man is Luca.

"Luca, you need to be confident and composed, got it?" the director, Cred, reminded him.

"Got it!"

Even though he had just received the script, the role was simple enough to understand.

"Okay! Ready, everyone? First scene, first take—action!"

At the director's cue, the shoot officially began.

Rachel Aniston entered the scene.

Luca and the other male models turned their heads in unison.

"Cut!"

"Numbers 3, 4, and 7, your movements need to be slower, okay?"

"Ms. Aniston, could you please reset for another take?"

"First scene, second take, action!"

(End of Chapter)