The Director's new shot

"Cut!" The director's voice sliced through the silence of the set; the actors began shuffling, adjusting, muttering things to each other, themselves. "That was not it, guys! I expect more, give me more passion! Lexi, lift your arms up higher and tense them up more, really try and look like bully, get in his face...."

The din on set faded in and out as I skirted around the claws of machinery and cameras, my mind floating as I went to find the script supervisor on behalf of the executive producer. The scene had been cut and shot so many times that pieces of the script swamped my thoughts. I thought you loved me, Sam!... I do, but apparently you don't... Shut up! I do, stop lying, you ignorant piece of-.... In short - the actress called Lexi was rubbish. The director was getting frustrated, the executive director therefore on his toes with stress; the whole project was in shambles. I was just in it to keep myself from not going broke, while juggling with paying off my debt from going to college. Besides, there was something about being behind the scenes of a TV show that was simply magical. Ever since I was little I wanted to become an actress, although I still dreamed of it, I realised that just being around a set was enough to satisfy my fantasy.

Behind me I heard the director shout out sharply, "Ok, that's it for today, I can't take it anymore! If ya'll aren't on your best performance by next week, YOU'RE OUT!"

As if the director had turned into a pacing beast, I hurried through the set, trying not to be noticed. Through a throng of fidgety crew, I stopped the script supervisor and rushed forward.

"Tom sent me. He said to tell you this 'can you go over the script again and see if you can modify it so that Lexi can wrap her stupid head around it?'" I said, hiding a smirk.

The script supervisor replied, glancing all around the place, distracted. She waved her manicured hand carelessly. "Yeah, sure. Take me to him."

I turned around and led the executive around crew members and straight into the den of the beast. The director whipped around, his face blotched with unmistakeable anger. I lingered on the sidelines of the face-off.

"Mary, for the love of God, please do something with the script, these actors are bloody well useless!" Tom said breathlessly, his English accent thickenly through his exasperation.

"I can try, Tom, but you know there's only so much I can do. The script is the script and if we change it too much it puts the storyline and performance at risk!" Mary hissed, playing hastily with a curl at her neck.

"Well, do what you can and make it bloody good, because I don't want my reputation going to shreds just because of Lexi White and her horrible acting." Tom's anger faded into desperation.

"Well can't you just replace her if she's so terrible?"

"Mary! It's too short a notice! The role of Lana Hanes is too vital to replace at this point in time, what are the chances of finding a good match?"

Despite the ridiculousness of the situation and the sympathy I felt for the director and his colleagues, I laughed mirthlessly under my breath and murmured, "maybe I could replace Lexi; anyone's better than her. I can even remember her lines."

I swallowed a laugh and then stopped short, hearing that the director and Mary had stopped arguing. I looked up to find them both staring at me.

"What did you say?" the look on Tom's face was a mix of curiosity and agitation. Mary looked equally flabbergasted.

"Uh, nothing," I mumbled, "just being silly... Is there anything else I can help with, sir - ma'am?"

"No, what did you say?"

I nervously cleared my throat and told the two of them, who looked like vultures perching imperiously.

Mary looked at Tom. "Well, she certainly does match the description of Lana Hanes; blonde hair, short, ocean blue eyes, nimble body. Tell me, miss, uh-?" she inquired my name, which I gave her, "-Jane, do you have any acting experience?"

"Well I took acting in college and I've done theater in high school," I replied.

"Tom?" Mary looked at him expectantly.

He sighed, deflating like a balloon. "Well I suppose we can have a chat with the casting director and the crew. She is right though; almost anyone's better than that Lexi girl."

Mary turned to me again and winked. "Well then, follow me, Jane."

That night I got a call while I was pulling on my pajamas and yawning. My stomach cramping with nerves, I finished pulling the shirt over my head, picked up my phone and accepted.

"Hello?" I croaked.

"Jane! Good evening, it's Mary. Sorry about the ungodly hour, but we've decided to give you a go for the Lana Hanes role! We expect you to be on set at 7:00am sharp. See you then!"

The phone went silent.

The next morning I woke, butterflies swirling in my gut. I managed to drink my coffee, which felt like acid, before my stomach curled into a small ball. I hurried around my tiny flat, snatching up my scattered belongings, finally feeling somewhat reassured with my bag stuffed to the brim. I dressed a little more appropriately for the day; a sleek button down blouse, dress pants, black boots and a nice pair of earrings. I quickly tied my hair into a knot and rushed out the door.

Getting to set was a nightmare, the traffic was dreadful; the honks and boisterous shouts that echoed up the building did not make me feel any better. The cars in front of me gradually melted down the road and dispersed into different directions, which should've increased my mood, had I not known that I was late to set. I sped down the lane and turned left, pulling into a parking spot in front of the location. I launched out of my car and bowled through the doors, down the halls, past crew, and finally into the large, broad room where the cameras were already perked up in position. I slowed, and rushing to me came Tom and Mary, both looking flustered.

"Holy Moses, you're late! Where were you?!" Tom snapped, wiping pearled sweat from his puckered brow. "Come along, let's get on with it. You need to get ready for shooting. You - Lisa - get Jane over to makeup and outfits please." Tom faced me again. "See you in thirty."

When Tom rushed away I heard him mutter something along the lines of "hasle" and "worth it".

The lady named Lisa tugged my arm and hurriedly led me to the changing rooms. She sat me down and in a right flurry, had me transformed into Lana Hanes. I was rushed back onto set and placed in the eye of the cameras like a doll.

Tom stood at the line of cameras and boom poles, watching me like a hawk. "You know the lines right. For this part at least, right?"

"Yes, sir," I said, my hands shaking slightly. "I know Lana Hanes' script. Lexi messed up enough for me to catch along. And I read through the whole of this season's script last night."

Tom grinned. "Excellent. Alright, actors in position! Last minute camera checks! Okay, we ready?"

"Action!"

A year later

"Jane Mable, so this show called 'Love me' has been a real kick-start to your acting career, hasn't it? How did you get this role?" the TV Host asked me.

I laughed and tugged at my shiny red dress. "Oh yes, I never imagined I'd get the job of my dreams. I actually didn't audition for the role, I was working on set as a PA and Tom had issues with the actors, so I joked under my breath that I could do it, and the rest is history!"

"And my has that turned at a success for you, Jane!" The Host laughed. "You're one of the most famous actresses in modern time! What do you think the future has in store for you?"

"Oh, I don't know," I said, smiling mischievously, "but I'm here for the ride."