by Billy Taylor
June 22nd
My first read through. Far less people were in the lounge today. Maybe ten or fifteen, Stanley, Jasmine and some producers, Eleanor and I, and a teacher from the university/college we’re attending. Today we’re running through the start of the movie, moving in and meeting my roommate, attending a couple of lectures. Those kinds of things. Basically we’re running up until I witness the murder. Eleanor is very professional for such a young age. She’s only one or two years older than me, well, she’s sixteen months older than me. I thought I’d pretend like I didn’t know, but of course I do. But she’s such a good actress. I know I will learn a lot from her. I feel like maybe she should have been the lead role instead of me. But Stanley wanted a star, and here I am, wondering how on Earth I got here.
After we finished reading through I was given endless compliments. It started from Eleanor, but after she began I was bombarded with them from the producers. “You were marvellous.” All I did was read the script? This still feels like a dream I’m due to snap out of any minute. I suppose this will take time to get used to.
June 25th
I’ve been given the day off. Rehearsals have been going very well, and today they’re focusing on the bad guys stunts and speaking roles. I only have to do one major stunt and they said that could be taken care of on set because it’s simple and doesn’t need to be rehearsed. Eleanor has had to return to New York for a week, too. To discuss another film with her agent. Stanley seemed a bit annoyed that she had to leave, but he said it wouldn’t have any effect on our progress. I’m going to miss her. I’ll miss the little giggles we have. She’ll be back next week though, so I don’t have to wait too long for her return. I would tell you more about reading through the script, but it’s nothing exciting. The only thing I can say is instead of running through the script in one go we have now cut it into chunks. We’ll repeat a scene two or three times, until we feel it is perfect. Sometimes we may repeat it six or seven times, it all depends on if we approve of it or not. I’m proud of myself though. I’ve kept up with everything and anyone without struggling or complaining.
I decided today would be a good time to shop for Madeline’s late birthday present. According to the production team, whoever they are, I need to be escorted by a member of security whenever I want to leave. So I’ll be shopping for my sister’s eighth birthday present with my own personal bodyguard. I found it rather amusing. My bodyguard is a tall, dark and fairly handsome man, I’d say in his forties with short hair. He is called Wayne.
“I’ve taken care of a lot of celebrities, most are very rude. But may I say you’re one of the politest I’ve ever worked with, Miss Bishop.” Wayne said as he opened the car door for me.
I smiled, “Thank you, I would ask you to call me August, but Miss Bishop sounds too damn sophisticated.”
Wayne chuckled and shut the door behind me. Madeline text me as Wayne and I were driving. She’d sent me a photo of her and Ethan pulling funny faces. It put a huge smile on my face. Shortly after I received that photo, I received another. A photo of Ethan asleep on our sofa. I miss him, more than anyone else I’m afraid to say. It’s probably because I’m used to seeing him all day, every day. Shortly after that message my Mum sent me a photo of Madeline asleep on top of Ethan, she must have cuddled up to him, bless her.
“I’m looking for a present for my sisters eighth birthday Wayne. What would you recommend?”
Wayne hummed and sulked in deep thought. “I’ve got a friend not far from here who has an excellent jewellery store. Necklaces and bracelets, those kind of things.” As soon as he mentioned bracelets I thought I could get Madeline one to sit alongside the friendship bracelet she had made with Ethan.
“Take me there, please.”
Wayne nodded and put on his indicator to change our course.
His suggestion didn’t disappoint. His friend had a wonderful store, filled with various types of jewellery. Everything was covered in sparkling white and silver. It was in the middle of this huge shopping mall. We didn’t get to meet Wayne’s friend because he was on holiday, but his Nephew helped me find a lovely silver chain bracelet with a silver plaque on it, which could be personalised. It had a small dolphin charm hanging from it, too. It’s nearly as cute as her. The bracelet was adjustable, so Madeline could still wear it in thirty years time if she chooses.
I bought it and had a small message engraved on it: Madeline, on your 8th birthday. Love, A x
July 1st
Today I’m rehearsing shooting people. Eleanor hasn’t returned from New York yet, but she isn’t required because she isn’t going to be shooting that many people. My character grew up on a farm in England, where they did clay pigeon shooting and hunting, so I’m supposed to be rather good with a gun. I’m going to look so badass in this film.
So, we’re in the lounge. All the desks have been cleared now. The floor has been laid out like the police station. When I say laid out I mean some white X’s have been marked on the floor for people to stand on, and some canvas screens have been popped up to act as a wall to hide behind. So I’m hiding behind a wall, using my hand as a pretend gun. Eleanor’s character is supposed to be stood beside me, but that’s all she really needs to do so it won’t be hard for her to catch up. Three bad guys are hiding. Two behind their own desks, one behind a wall. They’re shooting at us and I wait for them to reload and then I step out and shoot them both in the head. I didn’t know there is another guy behind the wall and quickly drop down behind a desk before popping up and shooting him too. If someone walked into the lounge by mistake they would have probably thought we were all loosing our minds. Having this pretend shootout with our hands. Later on in the film I get to punch a couple of guys, but we’re not rehearsing that because they don’t want me to accidentally punch him in the face or damage my wrist. Knowing me, I would have probably done both.
July 4th
Today is the day. The day that filming begins. Weirdly, I have no nerves. I’m too excited and pumped about starting. Wayne, Stanley and I drove over to the newly refurbished police station. The whole placed was flowing when we pulled into the car park. Trailers and people scattered everywhere. People rushing back and forth with different equipment.
Wayne opened my car door, “Have a great first day on set Miss Bishop.”
I thanked him and followed Stanley towards the station. He appeared to be in a rush, which is understandable since it’s the first day and he’ll expect everything to be in position. I should mention that movies aren’t filmed in order. We don’t film one scene inside, then head outside and film there, then head inside again. That’s how I thought it was done when I was younger. We’re shooting in sections and locations. This movie will be rather easy to film since the majority will be filmed in one building, meaning the equipment and trailers needn’t be re-located every other day.
“Can we get our chairs, please?” Stanley shouted as we stepped inside the building. “Two hundred million dollar budget and we don’t even have any frickin’ chairs set up for us.”
I smirked, but stopped in case he wasn’t implying sarcasm. The station is not the cleanest place, but it definitely looks the part. Obviously outside is the large car park. You come up the stairs inside and there’s a little reception desk at the front. You can’t turn right so you turn left down a small corridor. If you keep walking straight there’s the interrogation room on your right and then an emergency exit just past that. If you turn right before the interrogation room you enter a large floor, filled with desks, running on the outside of the floor are separate offices and then there’s two floors above us, but I haven’t been up there yet. A woman rushed over with some chairs, she unfolded one in front of me. It had BISHOP printed on the reverse. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I pulled out my phone and took a photo, sending it everyone at home.
The first few hours of filming were spent filming everyone apart from me, this was after I’d spent an hour in hair and make up. It got to lunch, and I st
ill hadn’t filmed one take. It was fun to watch at first, but I wanted it to hurry and get to where I’d be in front of the lens. While everyone ate lunch, I headed outside and called Ethan. I needed to hear a familiar voice to settle down my frustration.
“Hello, Ethan here.”
“Hey, it’s me. I’m on set now… well outside. I’ve been sat around for three hours and not filmed one take yet. I just needed to speak to someone to settle me down.”
“August, don’t worry. How are you going to manage for the next couple of months if you’re like this after the first three hours? You’re gaining experience from watching remember. Consider this, would you rather be sat watching or would you rather be back at college? I think we both know which the obvious answer is. Appreciate it as much as you can August, because once it’s all over, you’ll regret it.”
“I know, I know. I’m just panicking, and I’m nervous and anxious at the same time. Thank you, Ethan. How are you? Are you doing ok?”
“I’m fine, don’t worry about me. I got my cast off early! They said I could take it off and replace it with a brace. It’s a lot more comfortable. I can take it off for showering and things now. And it’s black instead of that disgusting yellow colour.”
“That yellow was horrible wasn’t it? Well anyway I just wanted to call you and tell you how it’s going.”
“August, I need to speak to you about something.”
“Oh hold on. They’re calling me back in. I’ll call you later Ethan if I can. Lots of love, take care. Bye.”
It’s the most exhilarating moment, filming your first take. A lot has to be said before the scene begins. I’m sat waiting a minute for everything to be said before we’re actually rolling.
“Going for a take. Quiet, please!”
“Camera running!”
Then in quick succession some would shout “Sound,” and “Speed.”
Meanwhile I’m sat wondering what the hell is going on.
“MARK IT!” A woman yells at the top of her voice.
A guy comes running from out of nowhere and sticks a clapperboard in my face and says, “Tables Of Turning scene thirty seven, take one.”
All that is left now is Stanley to shout action. After all that screaming, shouting, marking and yelling. I’m left there, completely baffled. My first take didn’t go well, because I was too confused by everything that everyone was saying, but by my second take I was in full flow. I’m afraid I can’t say that about the other thirteen takes we had to do because the guy in the background failed to fall over the desk correctly. I had to act all shocked and upset, and after thirteen takes, I sensed I would have meltdown and cry for real. The guy got it right eventually and we stopped shooting for the day.
July 5th
We had to be up at 7:00am sharp, prepared to be on set by 7.30am. It’s not a problem for me because I’ve been getting up for school and college my whole life. Ethan’s clock said 6:04am when I opened my eyes. Still, I got up and strolled downstairs for breakfast. Every time I have breakfast now or hear someone mention it, I think of Ethan. I wish he could join me out here. He’d love to stand and watch everything from behind the scenes. He loves all that kind of stuff.
Wayne was sitting and reading a newspaper at a breakfast table as I entered the lounge. He flattened it and looked up, “Good morning Miss Bishop, you’re up early.” I gave him a wave and walked to the buffet area. I was starving. As I sat down Wayne handed me the newspaper. “Take a look at the headline.” I budged over my plate, and grabbed the newspaper.
Who is Eleanor’s new mystery man?
“What about Eleanor?” I asked. “The one underneath, silly.” He replied.
Humble British girl announced to be leading role in upcoming Hollywood movie
I looked back up at Wayne, “Hey, that’s me!” I couldn’t believe it. I’m in the papers now. In America! I wonder if it had been published over in England. I took a photo and sent it to everyone at home. I have so many messages to respond to, but I barely get any time on my phone. I quickly sent everyone a text saying all was well, but I don’t get any time on my phone and the service is rubbish. I called Ethan before we left to see what he needed to talk about yesterday.
“Hello, Ethan here.”
“Hello Ethan, it’s August.”
“Who?”
“Your bestfriend.”
“Sorry, I don’t know anyone called August. Wait, does she smell quite bad?”
“Very funny, so what did you need to speak to me about?”
“Ummm, it can wait, nothing important.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Are you ok my dear?”
“I’m very well, thank you. Did you get the photo I sent you?”
“The humble British girl article?”
“That’s the one.”
“Adorable dwarf would’ve been better.”
“They can hardly print that can they? It’s not going to sell me well at all.”
“It’d work for me.”
“Maybe so, but thousands of people would find it weird.”
“I might send them an email and ask them to change it.”
“You’re such a idiot. Anyway I’ve got to go now. I…”
I almost said I love you… I panicked and kept silent, hoping he hadn’t noticed.
“August? You there?”
“Yeah, sorry. I’ll speak to you soon.”
I hung up before he could say goodbye. I placed my phone over my mouth and stared forward. Did I mean what I nearly just said? I stared forward for a moment. Reassuring myself that it was a mistake. Then I admitted something I never thought I would. Yes. Yes I do. I love him, and no longer in the best friend way. In the, I want to be with you way. Oh my God, I love him. I miss his long hugs, and him kissing the top of my head. Being away from him has put everything into perspective. Does he share my feelings? How can I tell my best friend I love him?
“Miss Bishop, it’s time to go.” Wayne said, opening the car door for me.
I toddled over to the open door, collapsing into my seat and placing my head in my hands. If I tell Ethan, it’ll either end in us being together or destroying our friendship. I don’t want to lose him.
“Everything ok?” Wayne said as he got into the driver’s seat.
I returned to a normal upright position. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
At this moment in time I can’t allow my newfound feelings for Ethan get in the way of my job. I have to push them aside and focus on the movie. I made a deal with myself, that I’d tell him once it’s finished.
July 10th
Eleanor and I are like sisters. We have such a laugh on and off set. So many takes have had to be stopped because we’re too busy laughing at one another.
“I’m so glad I have you!” She always says.
The past couple of evenings we’ve eaten together, instead of sitting in our giant hotel suites alone. Our hotel suites are next door to each other so we’re only two paces away from each other’s door. Today we’re shooting the scene where Jessica will comfort Rachel in the interrogation room before all hell breaks loose. I’ll be honest, every time I hear Tables Of Turning it makes me think that it sounds like a crappy horror movie. I think the movie should be called, Twisted. It’s simple and catchy and explains the plot. I suggested it to Stanley on set this morning. He smirked at me when I mentioned it sounded like a crappy horror movie. I think he appreciated my honesty. Everyone else is scared of saying anything. “Thank you August. I will consider it.” He said.
Eleanor and I sat together, drinking green tea while we had our make up done. There was the same newspaper Wayne had shown me, which I didn’t get a chance to read.
“Are you really reading that?” Eleanor asked.
“What do you mean?” I questioned.
She pointed to the article on the front.
Who is Eleanor’s new mystery man?
“Oh, no! There’s an article underneath about me. It’s the first tim
e I’ve ever been in a newspaper.”
Eleanor smirked, “Soon you’ll wish they wrote nothing about you.”
I thought back to the day I read Madeline’s magazine in class. Eleanor’s boyfriend cheating on her was distributed to everyone in the world. Nobody needed to know about her personal life. That’s her business. I understood that now. I felt sorry for her, really, she’s just a normal girl, like me, behind that picture painted of her.
“So is it true?” I asked. I realised that I was being nosey and maybe offended her, but she blushed and went red.
“Yeah. He’s such a great guy. We’ve only been dating a week, but he’s so sweet and charming. Not to mention his is super cute! He’s coming to visit me soon so you’ll be able to meet him then.”
We both had huge smiles on our faces, I was genuinely so happy for her. After the previous relationships she’s had, she deserved to be treated well.
July 21st
Today is the day we move onto the shootouts and explosions, all the action packed stuff. Stanley entered my trailer as I was having my make up done and asked the entire make up staff to leave. He wanted to talk alone. I thought he was going to tell me I’m doing a horrible job and he regrets the day he met me.
“August, you’re doing wonderful so far. I thought I’d check up on you and see how you were finding things? Are you comfortable? Does anything need changing?”
I let out a huge sigh of relief. “I was expecting you to shout at me! Everything is perfect Stanley, thank you.”
“Great ok. We’ve changed the movie name by the way. Twisted is officially our new title. Pain in the ass to change, but everyone agreed with you. For the record I didn’t come up with the name. If you need to talk about anything, anything at all, let me know.”