....
11 Days Later.
March 27th, 2010.
.
"Well, now that everyone is here, I would like to introduce myself again."
Regal began, his voice steady yet carrying a subtle authority that naturally commanded attention.
"I am Regal Seraphsail. Thank you for making the ti to join this reading session, especially considering that we haven't formally signed the contracts yet. Rest assured, I will have those ready by the next session."
The auditions had wrapped the day after Grace's session.
Since then, ten days had passed, and Regal had fully imrsed himself in the pre-production phase of the project.
In that short ti, Regal had ticulously scheduled three reading sessions. Today marked the first, with the next two set two days apart.
The gaps weren't for leisure, however.
They were a calculated buffer, ti set aside to secure the final permits for the locations he had scouted, a process notoriously delayed by red tape.
Additionally, there were contracts to finalize with the crew, tasks that could no longer be postponed if he intended to begin shooting soon.
Seated around the table were three individuals of similar age, their expressions ranging from curious to composed: two n and one woman.
"Guess I will follow up." Keanu was the next to break the ice, his signature charm evident. "I am Keanu Reeves. Looking forward to working with you all. And just a heads up, I am probably the one with the least experience here, so please don't mind if it takes a little longer to catch up."
He paused, then added. "Also, I would like to add. Don't let Regal's polite deanor fool you. When it cos to work, he goes hard. Be prepared."
Keanu wasn't just making up stories to tease Regal, he experienced this firsthand in the last couple of weeks.
He had been the first to be cast by Regal.
The script had landed in his hands first, and Regal had put him through the paces like anyone else, with no exceptions.
At Keanu's comnt, light chuckling spread across the table, accompanied by a thin curve from Grace.
Grace followed with a succinct introduction, her tone steady and formal. "I am Grace Violet. Pleased to et you all."
Finally, Andrew chid in with a friendly smile. "Andrew Gleeson. Nice to et you, too. I take it you both already know each other?"
Keanu nodded. "Yeah. You could say we are ...related."
Regal, not missing a beat, interjected with a smirk. "Now, now. Let's not get too ahead of ourselves with this relationship. Considering the obvious success of the film, I wouldn't be so sure how long it will be before you get dumped."
If the film's a hit, Seren will 'probably' cut ties because he will be too 'in-demand' to deal with. And if it flops, well... then he would be the one who 'ruined her brother's project'.
It seed there was no winning.
Regal's words painted a picture where, regardless of success or failure, Keanu's future wasn't particularly bright.
Either way, he wouldn't be enjoying any carefree days anyti soon.
Andrew raised an eyebrow, slightly bewildered but intrigued. "Oh, I still don't quite get how you two know each other. But if you are both this confident about the film's success, I guess I will take your word for it."
....
Imdiately following their introduction, the group delved into the process of reading through their lines, and clarifying any doubts about the script.
Regal had already provided each actor with their respective scripts, ensuring they were familiar with the material before this session.
As the session unfolded, Regal found himself quietly marveling at Keanu's performance.
===
[Na:] Keanu Reeves
[Traits:] Kind, Generous, Empathetic
[Acting Grade:] A -
[Unique Skill:] Charisma
===
Just what Regal would expect from his grade, and his satisfaction only grew with each passing scene.
I owe my sister big ti for this, he thought, silently acknowledging her role in connecting him with such a talent.
The film, [Following], centered around the story of Bill Habit, portrayed by Andrew.
Yes, Keanu isn't playing the main lead.
Regal would say his character, Cobb - is the second main lead.
He would have called himself stupid if he were to see anyone knowing full well of Keanu's acting powers cast him for the second main lead when the main lead is nowhere near his potential.
However, being in the shoes of a director, he couldn't simply follow his emotions.
Cobb, played by Keanu, required an actor who could embody effortless charm and confidence.
His role demanded the ability to pull in the audience with a magnetic presence, making him both captivating and believable when delivering philosophical dialogues with a persuasive, self-assured tone.
Regal knew Keanu could bring this nuance to life in a way few others could.
On the other hand, Bill Habit's character was designed to contrast sharply with Cobb.
Bill was a socially awkward, aimless man whose naivety and innocence defined his early interactions. His journey throughout the film involved a slow descent into paranoia and desperation.
Andrew's portrayal needed to start with subtle nervous tics and fidgeting - physical cues to his lack of confidence.
As the story progressed, he would need to shift into more erratic, anxious behavior, with monts of raw vulnerability as Bill's paranoia consud him.
The role demanded an actor who could deliver an emotionally resonant performance, connecting with the audience through authentic monts of doubt and inner conflict.
Regal carved this contrast.
Cobb's commanding presence versus Bill's fragility.
It's what would drive the film.
It wasn't about having a showy lead but about creating a dynamic interplay between the two characters that would elevate the story.
Regal knew he was demanding more effort from Andrew compared to Keanu, and he didn't shy away from it.
He had seen enough to understand that effort was only part of the equation in acting - it wasn't always about who worked harder, but about the nature of the role itself and what it demanded.
Yes, Andrew's role as Bill Habit was undoubtedly complex.
It required a deep understanding of vulnerability, subtlety, and a natural ability to portray inner conflict.
But complexity wasn't the only asure of a role's difficulty.
Cobb's charm and confidence - Keanu's domain - were not sothing one could simply act.
Charm wasn't built in rehearsal rooms or cultivated through countless retakes.
It had to be intrinsic, woven into the actor's very being.
Confidence had to radiate naturally, almost effortlessly, to make the character believable.
And that's where Keanu cos in.
Once polished, his presence could carry the weight of a man who could own any room he walked into, with a subtle magnetism that didn't need to be forced.
It was the kind of quality that couldn't be taught or faked - it had to be lived.
For Andrew, the complexity lay in layers.
For Keanu, it lies in intangibles.
Both roles were difficult in their own right, but Regal understood that pulling off Cobb was only possible with soone who embodied charm and confidence by nature.
In that sense, Keanu wasn't just the right choice - he was the only choice in between them.
Regal sighed to himself, glancing between the two actors as they continued their readings.
This is going to work, he thought. I just know it.
....
By evening, the reading session had concluded without a hitch.
As the actors began to disperse, Grace approached Regal with a composed yet sowhat hesitant expression.
"Regal, can I have a word with you?" She asked.
"Sure." Regal responded, curious but accommodating.
Grace wasn't one for idle chatter. If she had decided to approach him, it must have been sothing significant.
"I will be off." Andrew called out, and already gathering his belongings and sensing the atmosphere, he decided to excuse himself from what seed like a private discussion.
"I will step out for a mont." Keanu added. He had been chatting with Regal earlier but now stood up, giving the two so space before quietly leaving the room.
...but Keanu did give a thumbs-up on his way out, much to Regal's dismay.
For all the wrong reasons, he sighed in silence, knowing Keanu's usual flair for dramatics was oddly missing.
Still, Regal couldn't shake a lingering thought. Keanu wasn't aware of his relationship, or, for that matter, even his sister Seren's.
For a fleeting mont, he wondered just how many people actually knew about his relationship status.
Only one na ca to mind.
As the door clicked shut, Regal turned his attention fully to Grace. "So, what's on your mind?"
"It's about the contract." She began.
"The contract?" Regal tilted his head slightly, unsure of what angle this conversation was taking.
They had already discussed the terms, and by industry standards - especially for an indie project - he was being exceptionally generous with his pay for new faces.
"Yes." Grace hesitated briefly before continuing, "Can we postpone signing it? You see, I have been contacted by a talent agency recently."
Regal's eyes widened slightly. "...you have? Congratulations."
He offered her a polite smile, though a flicker of concern crossed his mind.
This could complicate matters for him.
Grace, sensing the underlying tension, quickly clarified. "But you don't need to worry. As agreed, I am fully committed to doing the film under the agreed terms. I just want to postpone signing the contract because the agency advised not to sign anything without consulting them first."
"Hm." Regal was now even more lost. "Then why do you still want to postpone it? If you are already committed, what's the concern?"
She sighed. "I haven't been able to get in touch with them for the past few days. I just don't want to sign without at least informing them."
Regal studied her for a mont before speaking carefully. "So, you are saying you want to delay the contract purely out of respect for informing the contacted agency, but you still intend to honor our agreent regardless of their input?"
"Yes." Grace nodded firmly.
"I assu you will be doing the film, no matter what they say?" He asked again, seeking absolute clarity.
"Yes." She confird again without hesitation.
Regal exhaled lightly, nodding. "Well... okay then."
"You're agreeing?" Grace blinked, montarily caught off guard by how quickly he relented.
"I am. That's what you wanted to ask for, right?"
"Yes, but... still, I wasn't sure if you would be okay with it." She admitted.
"Well, I am already all in. Besides, I trust you won't go back on your word." Regal spoke his confidence in her was apparent.
"Thank you... for believing ." Grace's voice softened, genuine gratitude shining through.
"Of course. Just focus on giving your best for the film."
"I won't disappoint you." She promised, her resolve evident.
"Anyways, what's the agency na that scouted you?"
"Oh, they are called Iconique Talent Agency."
....
.
[To be continued...]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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