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. Someoneâs 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 characterâs 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, messyâand 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 Chelseaâs close-ups now. She hadnât half-assed her performance during their close-ups and deserved the same courtesy.
Jeremy got the line wrong again and Grace Commerfordâs flat voice called cut over the walkie. Everyone paused, waiting for instructions, and then the first AD said, âTake five, everyone.â
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. âForge just texted you on Beauâs phone.â
âWhat theâ¦?â 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 Whereâs Colleen? Whereâs Petal? After waiting about an eternity for him to reply, she Facetimed Beauâs phone. âHoney? Are you okay?â His little face was so serious, it made Chelseaâs heart seize in her chest.
âYeah. Dad sent Colleen home. Petal is upstairs. She said not to bother her.â
âIs Jerry there?â Beauâs assistant was always around.
âI donât know where Jerry is.â
âGo get Petal and put her on the phone, please.
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