Rating: PG-13 - brief language, adult themes
My note: This is an amalgamation of some ideas I've had running through my head for a while. It's a blend of my own experiences in the film industry, with a little bit of inspiration from 'The Devil Wears Prada' and of course we had to have Hayden featured prominently as well!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the actors, actresses or other famous people featured here! Just a work of my imagination! Enjoy and please be sure to contact me with feedback!
~~~~~
My alarm clock blared right on time as I rolled over and pushed my pillow over my head in an attempt to ignore the fact it was Monday morning.
"Shouldn't you be getting up?" a voice asked beside me.
I huffed, looking over at Aaron, "...yes."
He looked at me sleepily and rolled over on to his pillow -- he didn't have to be at work until 9... damn him!
I sat up on the edge of the bed in a further attempt to hoist myself up on to my feet -- this was a slow process everyday and appeared to be even worse than normal this morning.
The cold and wet January morning wasn't serving to help my purpose one bit.
I stumbled to the shower realizing that it was nearly 7:00AM. I had approximately thirty minutes to get my coffee and navigate through Shreveport traffic to make it to Stageworks on time.
This was to be my first day in the production office for a new project in pre-production.
I was going to be working for the Associate Producer.
This was an absolute thrill for me! I had graduated from Florida State University's Film School four months ago and this was my first paying job! I had had several internships throughout my college career but there was definitely something very gratifying about actually getting paid for the work and not just receiving college credit!
I pulled into the studio lot and approached the gates.
A uniformed security guard slid open the booth door to address me with his clipboard.
"Hi, I'm Laurie Mullins!" I said brightly.
One look from the security guard clearly displayed that he didn't share my enthusiasm.
He checked off a list on his clipboard, handed me a pass to put in my window and with a nod, shut the booth door.
I looked from the closed booth door to my window, proceeding when the gate arm was lifted and wondered wryly if everyone else there was as chipper as this fellow.
I had parked in a visitor lot for my interview so this was foreign territory to me.
I knew the general location of the office but the surrounding buildings all looked exactly alike.
The large soundstages had numbers on the doors, that's the only way I could tell them apart as well.
After a second and a split second decision on turning left or right down a corridor, I saw a sign with the project name on the door. That was my building!
I pulled into an unmarked spot and walked up to the door.
I walked in to the front office area that had two desks, both occupied.
One girl looked up at him, almost as if I had two heads.
She stood up, smoothing her designer skirt and walked toward me, eye-balling my outfit.
I had worn a pair of black pants and a suitable lavender blouse (at least I thought it had been....)
"You must be Laurie," she said curtly.
I attempted a small smile under my intimidation.
"Well, you came very close to being late," she said roughly.
"I'm very sorry, traffic was completely horrible," I replied.
"Your excuses don't really interest me all that much," the girl said, walking toward a hallway in which I was supposed to follow.
I was dumbfounded -- this girl had clearly not partaken in the interview process so I had never even seen her before now...yet she was acting as though I had committed some cardinal sin.
"I'm Sharon - I am the First Office Production Assistant which in short means, I handle distribution of call sheets, schedules and any other pertinent information....so its important for you to listen to what I say...."
My eyes widened almost involuntarily --hello power trip!
She led me down the hallway to the next office. "This is where you will work the majority of the time -- Greg's office -- I'm sure you were aware that you will be working for Greg Patski, the associate producer...." she was waiting for me to respond to which I merely nodded once again.
"Yes -- I was interviewed my Greg --"
She ignored me, ".....however, you will also be on hand to assist Terry and myself in the front office so if we need something and Greg doesn't have you running an errand, you will answer to me," she retorted.
Great, I thought to myself.
"We start shooting in two weeks and there's a great deal of prep to be done," she continued. She thrust a paper at me, "here's a list of the complete cast and crew - learn who everyone is, what everyone does...at a moment's notice you may have to address someone on a particular event and you don't want to appear ignorant."
I nodded, almost in a daze -- this dream opportunity was quickly turning into something from a nightmare.
"Now put your coat down and I'll show you the rest of the office..."
I set my coat down on a chair with my purse.
She handed me a notebook and pen.
"You will go to the weekly production meetings and take thorough notes....Greg will be on set so much of the time, he can't be bothered with scheduled meetings...you will have to brief him on any important changes and updates...got it?"
I nodded, almost afraid to speak at this point.
This girl had to be some disgruntled actress turned office girl.
She ran through a laundry list of other details that I would take care of throughout the shoot.
"Oh and one last thing -- the cast....I'm sure you've seen them and know who they are...but please, no fawning and fainting or any other such nonsense -- we're here to work, not get starstruck," she said sharply.
My eyes widened.
What a complete ---!
"Well, thank you for the tour Sharon," I said, trying to regain some ground. "I am very grateful for the opportunity and hope to do my very best."
She merely huffed and turned on her heel to walk back down to the front office.
I sat down at my desk with the production list and began scanning the names of the cast and crew.
Suddenly a voice from above my head said softly. "Good morning!"
I looked up startled.
A middle aged man with wire rim glasses walked in and shook my hand.
"Hi Laurie, its good to see you again!" Greg said.
I stood up, relieved and thankful for the first genuine smile I had received this morning.
"Yes, its nice to see you again as well," I replied, shaking his hand.
"It's great to have you on board -- I think this will be a great shoot," he said. "Have you met everyone yet?"
"Sharon -- she introduced me to a few people here," I replied meekly.
He just looked at me, "So, she was the welcoming committee this morning? Oh, lucky you."
I couldn't help but crack a smile at his wry expression.
"You kind of have to ignore her at times -- she was supposed to be my assistant on this shoot but frankly, I can't stand her," he replied. "So I apologize beforehand if you receive any ill treatment from her..."
I only nodded, not wanting to admit the negative impression I already had of Sharon.
Greg continued to show me around the rest of the office and we proceeded to the soundstages.
He led me to Stage 3. It appeared to be a fully functioning bar although the size of the place was clearly not enough to fit more than 20 people.
"This is one of the prominent sets on the feature - they just finished construction," Greg explained.
I was intrigued -- everything was beginning to look up.
I could definitely handle working for Greg....Sharon would be a whole other deal entirely...but I would work it out. I wanted to be here -- and I couldn't let it bring me down.
We walked back in the office where Sharon was sitting at her desk, leaning on her elbow and looking up with her eyelashes fluttering.
The tall man standing in front of her desk was looking over a piece of paper -- he wore loose fitting jeans, a dark blue pullover and a black baseball cap. I really wasn't able to see his face at all as I was also trying not to look.
"Hello Hayden," Greg said with a flourish as we walked past.
It was when he looked up that I recognized him as Hayden Christensen, "Hey Greg - how's it going?" he replied.
"Just fine -- just busy busy..." Greg said, never breaking pace.
I felt very awkward at that moment, as though I appeared to follow Greg around like a lost puppy.
I looked back at Hayden, only to meet his eyes for a second before he returned his glance to the paper with no acknowledgement whatsoever.
I noticed Sharon glaring at me and then rolled her eyes, so I turned back to face forward as Greg ushered me back to the office.
We continued down the corridor back to Greg's office and he had a couple of tasks for me to begin.
So far, I was 1 for 4. I had met one so called friendly person....and this was only my first day. I sighed to myself --this could be a long shoot.