Like They Do in the Movies by Nan Campbell

Author:Nan Campbell [Campbell, Nan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2023-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Chelsea was exhausted and there were still probably about three shooting hours left in the day. This was one of the most grueling scenes in Tolstoy Was Right, and what had started strong was slowly devolving into dysfunction. She and her castmates had sat in the cramped kitchen set all day, cameras and lights and bodies surrounding them, up close and way too personal. Someone’s farts smelled like rotten eggs, and it was making Chelsea feel sick. They had to be due a break soon, right?

There were four actors in the scene, and they sat around the table like the cardinal points on a compass, which meant a ton of coverage and multiple takes for each set-up. Her character’s brother had just picked her up from the drunk tank on Thanksgiving morning, and this was when the actors cast as her siblings used the situation for a little unplanned intervention.

She was playing the scene defiant, insensitive, messy—and still a little drunk. Her hair was styled to look lank and greasy, with some crusty fake vomit gumming up a couple of hanks near her ear. All evidence of good health had been leached from her face, her makeup artist going heavy on a sallow yellow foundation with prominent cheekbones and dark shadows under her eyes.

Her character was a couple of inches from rock bottom. She knew what that looked like far too well. As each take began, Chelsea let defensiveness radiate off of her in waves. All her character wanted was for her family to get off her back, but each of the actors she was playing against had opposing motivations. If they did it right, it could be a powerhouse scene, but they were not doing it right at the moment.

It was a little unbelievable that Jeremy was still flubbing lines at this point. They had run through the scene repeatedly through three set-ups already, and they were doing Chelsea’s close-ups now. She hadn’t half-assed her performance during their close-ups and deserved the same courtesy.

Jeremy got the line wrong again and Grace Commerford’s flat voice called cut over the walkie. Everyone paused, waiting for instructions, and then the first AD said, “Take five, everyone.”

Fran stood just behind the gaggle of camera department members, waving her over, appearing more agitated than Chelsea had ever seen her. She darted around the crew, and Fran handed Chelsea her phone. “Forge just texted you on Beau’s phone.”

“What the…?” She moved out of the way of the bodies streaming from the small space and gazed at her phone.

Mama its Forge. Daddy is sleping in the bathrom and I cant wake him up.

She texted Where’s Colleen? Where’s Petal? After waiting about an eternity for him to reply, she Facetimed Beau’s phone. “Honey? Are you okay?” His little face was so serious, it made Chelsea’s heart seize in her chest.

“Yeah. Dad sent Colleen home. Petal is upstairs. She said not to bother her.”

“Is Jerry there?” Beau’s assistant was always around.

“I don’t know where Jerry is.”

“Go get Petal and put her on the phone, please.

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