Mayzie
“Wait, what?”
Jack’s just come over and told me about Turn it Up’s meeting with Ron; how he had listened to the demo, loved it, and had decided to buy ‘See Her’ and put it out as a single. He told me how the news had gotten even better, that ECHO was going to do a video to put out with the song. I’d gotten so excited and high fived him. And then he told me the rest…
“Me? In the video? I don’t…”
“The song is about a girl. You,” he gestures towards me, “and the listeners can’t get a real feel for the song if they’re just watching four guys standing there singing about a girl. Not without some kind of visual.”
I blow out a breath as I consider this. It’s crazy. It’s sort of exciting while at the same time, kind of… frightening. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”
“I know it’s really sudden, but you said when we met that you liked the idea of dancing for a living. This could get you noticed,” he says, giving me a one shoulder shrug.
“I just don’t know if I’m music video caliber. I mean, I haven’t performed since I was in high school.”
“Who cares? You’ve got the skill. You’ve worked hard to keep it at the top.”
I run my hands through my hair, trying to take a minute to process all this. It’s overwhelming. “Do you want me to call it off?” he asks.
“No,” I say, turning to him, surprised at how quickly I said that. “This is just scary. Surreal even.”
“Look,” he says, leaning into the kitchen counter. “It’s not just your dancing. It’s you and the way you dance. I just can’t see the video with some random chick in it, doing whatever, especially when we can have the person the song is actually about be a part of it and making it real.” I draw in another deep breath and let it out slowly.
“What do you think?” Jack continues. “Will you let him see you dance tomorrow morning?” I can’t believe this is happening. I always liked the idea of dancing for a job, but I never thought an opportunity would fall in my lap like this. The realization that I have to prove myself hits me. Gathering up all the courage I can in one second, I look up into Jack’s eyes.
“Yeah,” I finally say. “What time is he coming?”
“Nine… thirty. Jack says, almost hesitantly. “Can you get there early? You know, just so you’re all warmed up and have chance to practice a little?”
“Yeah…” I say, still shaken up. “I think so.” And I turn to look for my phone so I can call the studio.
Jack
The next morning, I’m leading Ron down the halls at Dance It Out. It’s twenty after nine, and I know Mayzie’s already here practicing. I also know she’s freaked out, but that’s a good thing. If I know her, she’ll put it into her dancing. I fibbed a little to her yesterday, about the time. I wanted her here and already dancing when I brought Ron down so he could get a glimpse of her without her nerves shifting into high gear. Hopefully, she’ll forgive me. She’s in #3 today so we go to the end of the hall. This dance room works out a little better for us than Studio #1 would’ve, as it’s got a bigger window to look in. I motion toward the window for Ron to step in front of me to get a look. Sure enough, Mayzie’s inside, dancing her ass off. She's warmed up and aggressively hitting her moves, her timing absolutely perfect. Ron stands with his arms crossed, watching.
"She was at your show, wasn't she?" he says.
"Yeah,” I say, nodding. I go between watching her and looking to him to see if I can gauge his reaction. For the most part, he's slightly nodding his head, but occasionally, I see his eyebrows go up, especially when she does any kind of jump or tight spins. After about ten minutes of this, he's apparently seen enough.
"Okay," he says, dropping his arms and turning to me. "I'm ready to meet her." He gestures for me to open the door. I give a knock before letting us in, catching Mayzie in the middle of a turn. She abruptly stops, looking surprised, and I immediately try to squash any awkwardness by introducing them right away.
"Ron, this is Mayzie Walker. Mayzie, this is Ron Samuels, the manager from ECHO."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you,” she says, shaking his hand and then quickly turning to shut off the music. She steps back over to us, holding her hands together. "Thank you for coming."
"Oh, it's my pleasure," Ron says, waving her off. "I'm sure Jack has told you about the video and what we're looking for," he continues.
"Yes, and I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to audition for it. If you've got a little time, I've got some moves I could show you…" He politely cuts her off.
"Actually, I've already seen all I need to. I've been watching you for the last few minutes. You're a beautiful dancer, Mayzie. You're in, if you want to be." Mayzie’s eyes go wide and her mouth opens but no words come out for a moment.
"Yes! I'm in! Really? Thank you! I can't believe this." She's holding her hands to her chest. I step closer to her and put my arm around her, rubbing her shoulder. She calms down slightly.
"No thanks needed. The video's going to be great with you in it. I gotta run. It was wonderful seeing you dance. Jack, I'll see you in NYC on Monday. Mayzie, I'll see you the following Friday when we start shooting. I'll be in touch,” he says the second half of all this as he heads for the door with his hands in his pockets. Once the door is closed behind him, Mayzie turns to me.
"You guys showed up early?"
I shrug. "I wanted him to see you dance without you having to be nervous. I'm sorry. Does that upset you?"
“No, not really. I get it,” she says nodding up at me.
"Hey,” I say. “We're going to be in a video together." And with that, I pick her up in a hug as she puts her arms around my neck and laughs.
17
Jack
NYC was an experience I never thought I’d have. The guys and I flew out the following Sunday night after our meeting with Ron, so that we’d be at the studio on Monday morning. There is a small recording studio in Detroit that we often go to when we want to add some songs to the demo, but this… this was the real thing. The big leagues, as they say. It was big and spacious, comfortable, and don’t get me started on the equipment we had access to. We were in there all day, working with producers and trying out different sounds and effects to add to the song, until we reached the sound we were looking for. It was almost three in morning when ‘See Her’ was perfect. Winding down was impossible, and sleep did not happen between then and our morning meeting with Ron on Tuesday. He basically just went over how we’d be shooting the video back in Detroit on Friday, and we went over contracts for the song release. We then boarded a plane back home, where I got about an hour of seriously uncomfortable sleep.
Back in my truck, I bypassed my own house in favor of Mayzie’s. Trooper was staying with her anyway, and besides, I wanted to see her. She made omelets that we ate in front of the TV and she asked all about the studio time. I had called her a couple of times, and texted like crazy when I was gone, but my time was limited and therefore so were our conversations. She wanted to hear it all.
Now, she’s lying in bed, back against the pillows with me draped across her. She’s unwinding with a dance show, and I watch along with her as she runs her nails gently across the bare skin of my back. As my eyes drift shut, I’m thinking of two things. One: In the morning, the first thing I’m doing is showing her how much I missed her, two days or not. Two: I want more nights like this. I want every night to be like this.
Mayzie
"Almost done," Anita, the makeup artist says, as she paints my lower lip with a deep, berry red lipstick. I'm standing on a small, makeshift dance floor near the windows of the abandoned warehouse, while cameras and lights are being set up around me. My hair has been blown out, teased, and put into soft curls falling around my shoulders. I've been given Cleopatra cat eyes, with a smoky, burgundy eye shadow, and my cheeks have been contoured, whatever the hell that means. I like to wear some makeup, but this is cray cray, especially since this scene will
apparently be done in black and white. In fact, large bright lights are being set up on the other side of the windows I will be dancing in front of, that will give me a backlit look. I'm sporting my typical dance clothes, an off-shoulder black t-shirt revealing a black bra strap, my black dance shorts over black fishnet tights, and black dance socks. See a theme here? For the most part, I'll be giving off the vision of a mysterious, dancing silhouette. "Okay, you’re done," Anita says, stepping away and packing up her supplies. I stand there, twisting my hands, as Ron steps in front of me to go over the game plan.
"Have you practiced dancing to the song?" he asks.
"Yeah,” I say, nodding vigorously.
"Great. So, we’re going to let you pretty much freestyle, just try to make sure you throw in the high profile moves like the leg lifts, leaps, some pirouettes,” he says as I continue to nod. "When we've got all the dance footage we need, we're going to do a little filming of you over by the window, just kind of looking out. The song's about how the girl, well, you, can be vulnerable in her private moments, but expresses herself through her dancing.”
"Got it,” I say.
"Okay, we start rolling in five!" Scott, the director shouts to everyone. Geez. This is really happening. I take a deep breath and let it out through my mouth while shaking my hands out and pacing a bit. I do a few more stretches before Scott and Ron take their seats behind the cameras. "Okay Mayzie, are you ready?" Scott calls out.
"Ready,” I say.
"Okay, find your mark. People we're ready, cue music, and three, two, one...” 'See Her’ starts pumping through the speakers. "Roll camera!" Scott finishes, and I start dancing naturally to the song, letting Jack’s voice practically dictate my moves. I don't need to revisit the circumstances that inspired me to dance like this before. The bass drum, the electric guitar riffs and the deep, ominous tones Jack is singing in give me the motivation I need. There is an occasional cut so that the director can tell me he wants to see a certain move again, or wants me to do it with more intensity, but otherwise, it doesn't take too long. After about forty minutes, they are satisfied with what they've got.
"Okay Mayzie, makeup touch-up and then we're going to move over to the window. Five minutes to set up, people. Hustle!" Scott shouts out to me and the rest of the crew. I let out a huge breath, relieved that one part of the video is behind me. I take a drink from the water bottle they've given me, and head over to the window on the other side of the room.
"Hey Mayzie," Anita says, holding out a baggy, comfy looking grey sweater for me. "Just a slight wardrobe change for this part. Just throw this over what you've got on. It just fits the feel of the scene better." True. What I've got on is a little contradictory to the vulnerable look they're going for. It's a bit edgy. I throw on the sweater and straighten it out as she pulls out her makeup from its case, and sponges on a little foundation.
"Wow,” I hear a familiar voice say as she finishes brushing a little more powder on me. I look up to see Jack walking toward me. "Look at you,” he says.
"I know, don't I look crazy?"
"Definitely. But it's crazy pretty." I realize he's in black jeans and a dark blue Henley that fits tightly across his chest and arms. No problem with this look at all. "We're shooting right after they're done with you, so I have to go help set up," he gestures to the far corner or the warehouse. "I just wanted to come see you a minute."
"Awww," I say, blushing at how sweet he is.
"See you in a bit,” he says, dropping a quick kiss to my cheek.
"Okay, ready Mayzie?" Scott asks as Jack walks away. He and the cameramen are closing in on me, and quickly setting up.
"Yep."
"Okay, this part is pretty straightforward. We're going to have you sit on the edge of the window, pull your leg up to your chest, just look out, seem pensive, a little forlorn, you get the idea."
"Okay,” I say, nodding.
"Okay, everybody," Scott shouts out to the crew. "We're only going to need about five to ten minutes of this footage. When we're done Mayzie, you're free until we head over to the St. Michelle. The rest of you, we're going to shoot the band. Be prepared for that to take longer. Then we’ll pack up and head to the next shoot. Alright, let's stay on our timetable. Places!" I curl up on the window sill and try to school my expression. The song starts playing, and Scott yells, "Action!" I gaze out the window, hugging my knee. I think about the release of the song and the video, and how much I want this for Jack. For all of them; they deserve it. I occasionally hear Scott cue me to change positions or lower my chin, but it doesn't take long before I hear the final "Cut!" "Great job, Mayzie," Scott says. "You totally nailed the look we were going for." He high fives me before turning to tell the rest of the crew to head over to where the guys have set up. "Jack, Matt, you guys ready?"
"Good to go,” Jack says, slinging his electric guitar over his shoulder.
"You should grab some food honey," Anita says, patting my back as she walks past me.
"Okay, thanks," I say, and head over to the table where sustenance has been set up for the long haul that is shooting a music video. I fix myself a plate of cheese, crackers and fruit, and look over in the direction of the shoot. Ron and Scott are setting up their chairs behind the cameras again. Anita is hurriedly dabbing a little makeup on all the guys before walking away, and Scott starts shouting out the usual commands. The song starts, 'action' is yelled, and the guys start playing and singing along with it. I walk over to where Ron and Scott are sitting, so that I'm just in their peripheral. I wave at Ron and mouth 'can I see?' He nods and motions for me to come over and stand next to his chair so that I can look into the monitor. What I see, is just amazing. It's going to be so thrilling to see it on TV screens and other devices. Jack looks so hardcore as the camera cuts to a close up of him. He looks into the camera with such an intensity it's almost scary... but sexy. I watch for a while as they play. Scott ‘cuts’ once in a while to give them instructions, and after watching for a bit, I head over to the changing area to put on my comfier clothes until we head to the next venue.
Jack
It was a long morning in the warehouse, but we powered through and got some good footage. Scott let us watch a little bit of playback to give us an idea of what the video will look like. It’s very baseline of course, as there is a ton of editing and effects to be added in, but seeing a few minutes of camera roll was enough to restore my excitement, and motivate me to hit it hard again at this next shoot. We’re at the St. Michelle, setting up on its grand, sleek stage. I’ve only been in this place once before, and it really is something. It’s old fashioned and elegant, with moldings, huge lights, and seemingly endless rows of plush, red seats. Scott has both me and the guys, and Mayzie, shooting our scenes on stage. Mayzie is stage left towards the front, with us set up farther back, and to the other side.
Whoever is in charge of wardrobe is trying to kill me with the things they’re putting Mayzie in. Back at the warehouse, they had her looking really ‘rock chick’ with all the black, giving her an edginess. Here, they’ve softened her look a bit. They’ve toned down her makeup and her hair is still down. She’s in nothing but the shorts, which you can barely see under a white button-down shirt that has the sleeves rolled halfway up her arms. The first three buttons are undone and it’s driving me out of my fucking mind. The crew is almost done setting up around her, and she’s standing near the edge of the stage with Ron and Scott as they talk to her about what she’ll be doing for this part. I decide to saunter over as they take their seats behind the cameras. I stand just to the side of Scott, and look at the monitor. They aren’t rolling yet, but the cameras are on her. I find the corner of my mouth pulling up in a smile as I watch her on the small screen, her eyes darting around, watching things going on around her.
“Jack!” Matt motions me over to where the band equipment is set up. Just like at the warehouse, the crew is quickly coming over to where we are once they are done shooting Mayzie’s scene. I walk over to where Matt
has his foot up on an amp, balancing his bass on his knee while he’s tuning it and testing its strings. “Your guitar ready, man?”
“Yeah,” I say, walking over to grab my guitar and sling it on, checking my strings. I hear ‘action’ called from over on the other side of the stage, along with the opening chords of ‘See Her.’ I look up and watch Mayzie, and just like every other time I’ve seen her dance, I can’t look away. I keep looking down at my guitar, trying to pay attention to tuning it, but I keep looking back up at her every few seconds. There is so much being said with the way she’s moving. She looks sexy, yet innocent, and there’s so much emotion evoked in every extension of her arm, roll of her head, or whip of her hair.
“Cut!” I hear, and I snap back to the here and now. I go back to tuning my guitar, giving the strings a good pick or strum here and there. “Jack.” I hear Scott’s voice again, only closer. I look up to see him approaching me.
“What’s going on?” I ask, turning to him.
“We’re bringing in another camera. We’ve got an idea.”
Mayzie
“Same drill as at the warehouse, except for one thing,” Scott tells me under the bright lights of the St. Michelle, where he, Ron and I are standing on my mark at the edge of the stage while the crew is almost done setting up. “More of the dancing, but this time, we’re going to turn up the drama just a little. It’s fitting with this location,” he gestures to the grand theater we’re in, “and we want to have a few emotionally charged shots of footage for the bridge of the song, when the tempo picks up. So, a little more intensity, try to make it show on your face, that you’re trying to get this dance right, and trying not to think of anything else.”
See Her (Turn it Up Book 1) Page 16