“Maddy.” Billy appears from behind a false backdrop. “Frank told me it’s going to be at least another thirty. I’m sending a runner for some coffee. You want?” He grabs his phone, sunglasses, and sides from the pocket of his chair.
“I think I’m going to need it,” I say, resigning myself to the long hours ahead. “A double-shot cappuccino, please.”
“You got it.” Billy disappears.
My spiral notebook is calling my name as I sit down. I’ve finished all the bookkeeping I can do on the scenes we shot this morning. And I can’t really do anything until the director tells me we’re back on track. So I don’t really feel guilty as I flip to the pages where I’ve written my notes on the Wolf County reality show idea.
I figure I might as well be prepared if we’re going to discuss it tonight. Ever since I drafted up the official pitch, I’ve even been mulling over the details, who and what story lines could be good. The Gordons, who live next door to my parents, would be perfect with their kooky taxidermy-in-the-garage thing. It’s TV gold. My brother’s team of blasters and ski instructors are perfect for the young/hot/single guys and girls aspect. And, of course, there’s how everyone is being affected by the economy. So that’s three different story lines to focus on. It’s balanced, compelling, and something for everyone. I start imagining how the pilot episode might shape up.
Act 1: Introduce my parents, show the mountain, the skiers having fun, the glamorous side of a ski resort town. Then, the camera zooms past the glitz and happy kids in a ski class all the way to the back office where my dad is slaving away on his computer trying to balance the budget. He discusses the finances with my mom and brother, admitting the make-or-break season we are facing. This winter has to work.
Act 2: Follow my brother back outside to the ski school. Listen in on a lunchtime meeting with the instructors. Perhaps the introduction of a few new employees gives the audience a fresh perspective/viewpoint on what life in Wolf County is like? Mike ends the meeting with the quick announcement that no snow is expected tonight (groans from crew).
Act 3: Introduce the Gordons. Perhaps show Mom and Dad going there for dinner? Social time in Wolf County? Cut between their adult dinner and the kids out on the town drinking at the Pub & Pizza? Show the dynamic between locals and the townies who come up for vacation…
“Maddy!” I jump about a foot out of my chair and look up from my notes to see Adam with a Starbucks cup in each hand. “I’ve been calling your name. You were a million miles away. PA’s back with coffee. It’s not a fruity cocktail, but it’ll have to do. ” He hands me one of the cups and sits down in the director’s chair next to mine.
“Oh, I…” I think about explaining that I’m actually not a fruity-cocktail-type girl, but I don’t know… I think I’m starting to like the girl Adam seems to think I am. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you. I was just working on a… project.”
“Something top secret? I promise not to tell anyone.”
“It’s not top secret. It’s just… well, I don’t know. I haven’t really talked about it yet.”
“Okay,” Adam says agreeably. He takes a sip of his coffee, making no move to leave. “Oh, I forgot.” He stands and pulls a variety of sweeteners out of his pocket. “I wasn’t sure which you preferred, so I grabbed them all.” He’s not kidding. Splenda, Equal, sugar, raw sugar, and a packet of honey are all displayed on his palm.
“Thanks,” I murmur, self-conscious all of a sudden for some reason. I take a packet of raw sugar and begin fixing my drink. He seems perfectly comfortable sitting in the silence next to me, but I have to fill it.
“Was that your girlfriend on set yesterday? She seemed nice.” Truthfully, she didn’t really talk to anyone on the crew. I offered her a headset so she could listen to the dialogue in the scene as she watched the monitors, but she just sat there watching impassively. She didn’t seem interested in interacting with any of us.
“Did she really seem nice? She’s not.” From his position in the chair next to me, I can see a half-grin on his face.
“If you don’t think she’s nice, why are you dating her?”
“I didn’t say I was dating her.” There is a slight emphasis on the word “dating.”
“Okay, whatever.” Playing word games with Adam Devin does not seem like a wise idea. Better to nip this in the bud now. But as usual, Adam reads my reserve the way a bull sees a red flag.
“I’m just teasing you, Scripty. She’s my agent’s daughter. She just graduated from NYU and was here to check out what Hollywood is all about. I was just playing host.”
“Ahh,” I reply as politely careless as possible.
“Did she ask you anything about production? I told her not to hesitate if she had questions.”
“Nope, but I would have been happy to tell her everything she ever wanted to know about the glamorous role of a script supervisor.” I smile. “Actually, I didn’t see her talk to anyone.”
“Yeah, that’s what I figured.” Adam takes a sip of his latte. I can’t help but look at the side of the cup to see if there are complicated markings indicating his picky drink choice. But there’s just his name and a smiley face. Guess the barista was a fan.
“What do you mean?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Well, I try not to make snap judgments about people, but I got the vibe pretty quickly that she’s not up to the task of actual work. Even TV work.” That makes me laugh. Most of us who work in TV forget how lucky we are to get to call what we do “work.”
“You call that a ‘snap judgment.’ I call it a ‘first impression.’ And I find they’re usually right on.”
“Yeah, I guess. So what was your first impression of me, then?” He grins from ear to ear.
Is he fishing for compliments? Keep it professional, Maddy.
“Well, truthfully, I was impressed that you arrived right on time. Punctuality and professionalism are big in my book.”
“So, not my abs, then?” He laughs and I surprise myself by joining him.
“I could stand for you to be more accurate with your dialogue.” Hey, if he’s really looking for honesty…
“I always know my lines, Maddy. Come on, you know that. What’s the big deal, a word here or there?”
“I’m not saying you’re not prepared. I know you are; it’s just… it’s supposed to be exact, you know. I’m sure the writers would appreciate it if it were word for word.”
“It’s not like I’m rewriting the script. Sometimes in the moment, things happen. Don’t you think it’s important to go with the flow sometimes too?”
I wouldn’t describe myself as a “go with the flow” type of person, so I really don’t know how to answer that. “I guess I see what you mean,” I say vaguely.
“I don’t know, so far you seem a very by-the-numbers type of person, Scripty. But I like you anyway.”
His voice is teasing, but I still have no idea how to respond to that. Panic sets in at the awkward silence. Adam seems totally comfortable, though. I am about to reach for my phone or notebook to fake a distraction when he turns toward me.
“Did you always know you wanted to work in the industry?” He makes exaggerated air quotes. A little thrown by the direct question, I shift in my chair to look at him more fully and I see that he has already done the same. His steady gaze seems sincere, prompting me to answer honestly. I tell him a very abridged version of how I ended up here, glossing over the connection to Hogan. He seems genuinely interested, asking questions, so I end up telling some of my favorite war stories.
“What about you? Was Days your first role?” Turning the tables gets me out of the hot seat, and I’m actually curious to hear Adam’s backstory.
“Nah, I sort of fell into this career. My parents were pretty disappointed when I told them I wanted to try acting. I was on this fast track to becoming a lawyer, joining my dad’s law firm in New York. He still thinks someday I’m going to wake up and get a ‘real job.’ ” Adam laughs, but this time there’s a de
finite edge.
“I don’t know how long I would’ve hung in trying, and I guess I’ll never know. I got a couple commercials right out of the gate and then booked Days,” Adam says modestly.
“And the rest is history.”
“Exactly. Well, it’s the present anyway. And that’s how I like it.”
“Living in the present?” I think about how much time I spend mentally making lists of all the things I need to do and remember to do in the future, whether it’s five minutes from now, next week, or next month. I should try living in the moment, I think. And then can’t help but laugh at the thought.
“What’s funny?”
“Oh just the thought of me ‘being in the moment.’ I wouldn’t last five minutes without trying to plan something,” I confess.
“Well, Maddy. Like with the ad-libbing, I guess we’ll have to work on that.” Adam looks directly into my eyes again. This guy is not shy about eye contact. “This moment may be all we have. All we’ll ever have. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering ‘what if?’ ”
It takes me several seconds to pull myself together. Is he for real?
“Wow… you’re good.” I give a little chuckle. “All that training in daytime TV. Do your girlfriends expect you to be like that in real life? Endlessly sweeping them off their feet with perfect lines and romantic moments?”
Adam laughs. “Well, some have, I guess. Maybe that’s why I’m single.” More heart-fluttering eye contact. “I’m more your laid-back romantic, I guess. I think sincere, thoughtful gestures can be better than expensive flashy ones.”
“Unless ‘laid-back’ is just code for classic guy laziness.”
“Could be. To me, a romance is about knowing her so well that you know that she’d rather find a handwritten note tied to the tree she always rests on during her morning hike than some meaningless expensive jewelry bought last minute because Facebook reminded him it’s her birthday.”
Even though his tone is casual, I have to get up to shake off the absurd fantasies now running around my imagination. My excuse is taking my empty coffee cup to the industrial trash can behind the audio equipment.
“Do you mind if I steal that idea for the guy I’m seeing?” I chuckle, but even to my ears it sounds a little forced. Again, I wish I had a writer helping me with this conversation. I’ve waited too long to bring up that I’m seeing someone. I wonder if Billy has spilled the beans even though I told him that, for now, Craig and I are still trying to be as discreet as possible on set.
“I didn’t know you have a boyfriend.”
“Oh, well… he’s not officially my ‘boyfriend.’ ” What am I, fifteen? “It’s actually new… very new, and still casual… but you know, it’s fun.” I force myself to stop stammering as Adam looks at me for what feels like a full minute before he speaks.
“Hmmm. You don’t seem like someone swept away in a brand-new relationship.” Adam gets up, too, and tosses his with mine.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I can’t decide if I’m more defensive or curious about this observation.
“Nothing at all. Never mind. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“You didn’t.” But in fact, what he says stings a little.
“Good. I’m happy I’ve gotten to know you a little better, Maddy. I’d better go get touched up.” His hand is warm on my shoulder as he gives a squeeze and heads toward the makeup trailer. Now that he’s gone, I notice that everyone on the set seems to be moving more quickly. Frank hollers, “Picture’s up!” and it’s time to get back to work.
Scene 002
Ext. Craig’s front door—evening
It’s after 9:00 p.m. when I knock on Craig’s door. I haven’t even had time to change from my work clothes. When he’d invited me for dinner, I had imagined having the chance to put on a dress and maybe even some makeup, but after that lighting debacle, we ended up jamming through the rest of the material. So now I’m starving and ready for a home-cooked meal.
Craig gallantly, or wisely (or both), has a glass of wine for me when he opens the door.
“What a day! I heard about the issues on set. You must be exhausted.”
“Thanks so much.” I take a sip of the chilled white wine. “This is delicious.”
“Glad you like it. It’s from my favorite vineyard up in Napa. They have the most gorgeous tasting room. We shot on location there once, and of course I needed to visit the set, for some very important reason,” Craig teases as he ushers me into the dining room.
“Wow, this looks beautiful.” The table has been set like we’re having a four-course meal. It looks very formal and like it took a long time to set up. My worn Chuck Taylors look even more out of place. Would it have killed me to throw on some lip gloss? “I’m so sorry you did all this and I’m so late. I didn’t mean for you to go to so much trouble.”
“It’s no trouble at all. I wanted to do it. You know I love to cook. And I had my housekeeper stay and set the table. She wanted it to be very special for us. I told her we’re celebrating.”
I pause before taking another sip of wine. “We are? What are we celebrating?”
“I was going to wait to tell you, but I just can’t… You and I are going to develop a full pitch and sizzle reel for Wolf County! Isn’t that fantastic?!” He holds up his wineglass and clinks it with mine.
“Really? How did you manage to get the go-ahead that fast? I really didn’t think Hogan would go for it.”
“The thing is, Hogan can’t keep his head in the sand forever. He has to stay current, up with the times. And he knows it. That’s why he hired me to run HCP, not just the day-to-day stuff. He wants me thinking big picture.”
“I just thought he wanted to focus on his writing. Hasn’t HCP traditionally stuck to just one show at a time? I’ve never really even heard him talk about watching reality TV.” Again, I don’t mention that when it comes to reality TV, Hogan has used the words “Never. Nope. No way.” But I suppose it’s completely possible that he’s changed his mind.
“You sound like you wanted him to turn us down.”
“No, I don’t mean it like that at all. When I pitched you the idea, I guess I didn’t realize it would happen so fast. I mean, I haven’t even really talked to my parents, or anyone else in town about it yet.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. It’s probably better that you haven’t done that yet. We can tell them together.” It doesn’t even register right away how quickly Craig has latched on to this idea, but every time I think about how it could help my parents, and the town, I’m more excited about it. I decide to let the “we” and “us” stuff go, for now. “In fact, I was making a breakdown today of what the pilot episode could be about,” I say.
“I’m so glad you’re excited about it. Keep in mind it’ll have to be down and dirty. We won’t have a big budget for this,” Craig warns me.
“Well, it isn’t about high production value. It’s about the people, and how hard they’re working to keep the town alive. But we’re going to need some budget to get going. I mean, we’d have to stay competitive against the other shows that look glossy. What kind of numbers did you give Hogan?”
“No specific number. It’s a little preliminary for that. I’m just warning you that we’ll have to be conservative as we map out our concept.”
“To be honest, Craig, as exciting as this is, the whole idea does make me a little nervous.” I put down my fork. “This is my hometown, and it’s really important to me that you take that seriously. Invest in doing it right, committing to it.” I continue before he can say anything else. “I understand that the show has to make money; it’s a business. I get it, but it also has to be real, and true to what Wolf County is all about. That’s all. I don’t want it to turn into some reality train wreck. These people are my family, my home. They matter to me.”
Craig puts his hand on top of mine and meets my eyes. “I totally understand how important this is to you, Maddy. And
that’s what’s going to make the show so successful. I know you have a vision for it, and you are the heart of the pitch. It’s exactly this passion and enthusiasm that’s going to get it sold. And for what it’s worth, I agree. We don’t need to manufacture drama; it’s all right there. Good, hardworking people dealing with the realities of this difficult economy, just like everyone else in this country. It’s going to be amazing.” He is smiling so hard, he can barely eat the delicious coq au vin he made.
“Is it too soon to ask if I’d get a screen credit?” His enthusiasm is contagious. I picture my parents’ reaction to EXECUTIVE PRODUCER––MADELYN CARSON rolling across their screens. They would flip out.
“Nice one, Maddy.” Craig’s knowing glance somehow rubs me the wrong way. “I’m sure we can get you a ‘created by’ or something in the tail credits. But first, we’ve got to find the perfect person to be executive producer. Don’t worry, it’ll be in good hands. And in the meantime, you and I can do a great job putting together a pitch that will knock everyone’s socks off.”
As we start hashing out details, my wariness fades to the background. This could be really fun, and Hogan would be so proud that he gave me a chance way back when. Speaking of Hogan, this is a good opportunity to finally mention our connection to Craig. I am about to do so when he abruptly jumps up from the table, announcing he’ll be right back. He returns two minutes later with a printout of our reservations for a trip to Wolf County. In three days.
“Craig, this is crazy. We can’t go to Wolf in three days.”
“There’s no time like the present. We have to get up there and get everything sorted out. I’m going to bring my Canon 7D to take some great sample footage for the sizzle reel to show Hogan by next week. I’ve told you how crazy things have been at HCP. The only way to ensure job security is to have a new show green-lit this development season. Wolf County is it—I can feel it. Hogan and I are meeting next Tuesday morning, and I want to have something to show him to get excited.”
Scared Scriptless Page 10