Rise To Stardom - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Harry Callagher
A few days passed by after Kyle’s first day on set and after that, the young man finally began acting with his co-stars.

At first, Kyle was a bit clumsy on set due to the fact that it was his very first time actually acting on a film set.

He had to learn to position himself properly in front of the camera, understand that continuity was present in each take, and that gestures or mannerisms put into a particular scene or take, mustn’t differ too much from the previous takes in case the director wanted to cut to or from it.

This was just naming a few among many other things.

Although he had read everything regarding how all this really worked via the book he bought four months back, it was a completely different ball game to keep it all in mind whilst also acting on set.

That being said though, Kyle was soaking up all the experience like a foam sponge and no matter the mistakes he made, it never went pass three or four takes and Director Shawn was really happy about that.

Granted all the scenes were shot randomly and in no particular order, the first few scenes with him in it was one that would be shown at the very start of the season finale.

The scene would start with Matthew getting up from the long rows of high-school graduants just like him to receive his certificate as the crowd clapped.

Sitting in the audience that came to watch their wards, Matt’s Uncle, along with his wife, both of whom had been divorced for years now and still had a patchy relationship, also frequent actors on the show, would be clapping in joy and pride.

Both of them had put their differences aside for the day just to honor Matt’s wishes and they would be smiling as Matt turned around to face the crowd after he had been handed his certificate.

Just as turned around though, Matt’s eyes would lock onto a familiar sapphire-colored eye in the audience and his eyes would widen in disbelief as Harry’s face would finally be zoomed in on and shown as he clapped alongside their relatives.

Zack had to display a mixed emotion of disbelief and joy on Matt’s face as he gazed at his brother from afar whom he had never expected to have shown up considering he had previously informed him that he wouldn’t be able to make it.

However, all Kyle just had to do here in response once his brother had spotted him was to simply wink at him with a playful smile while mouthing the words; ‘Wouldn’t miss your graduation for the world bud.’

Like that, the scene would then transition over to Matts and Harry embracing each other after a long-time and here, their brotherly love for each other on full-display as Harry would have a genuine look of pride on his face due to his brother graduating.

He would then also comment about how Matts was now so much taller but still not taller than him, earning an eye-roll and a sigh from the latter.

Along with that, Harry would make a funny joke about how their Uncle and his wife seemed to have matured and mellowed out for not causing another scene when they were together, especially since they both couldn’t stand the other’s presence.

To this, Matts would chuckle in response, telling his brother that he had specifically warned them not to try anything of such today.

The next few scenes following that didn’t involve Kyle at all and instead, it kind of just showed how far Matts had come as a person.

He would finally settle his beef with his long-time frenemy and rival, John Murphy, apologize to a few other characters here and there whom he had offended over the course of the series, and finally, gather the courage to sort out his parents’ belongings which he had not touched ever since they had died.

The next scene after that would once again involve Kyle as Harry would then walk in on his brother rummaging through their parent’s stuff, a nostalgic expression present on his face as he also joined in to help.

After that, a few other characters in the show would be shown, evidently showcasing how they had also progressed over the course of the series.

One of this would be Layla, who would finally resolve her pent-up resentment for her mother who had been trying to make amends for leaving her and her sister motherless as a young child.

Like that, so many other scenes would be shown in the one-hour season finale and finally, the scene where Harry advices his brother would come up, close to that last ten minutes of the series.

* * *

“Alright Kyle. Make sure to position yourself properly to the cameras’ angle as you walk out of the house.”

“Then you initiate the dialogue with Zack as you both move towards the ice rink.”

“When you get there, you sit on the bench and then you give Matts the advice.”

“Once he’s done deciding to take his chances with Layla and hurries on over to talk to her, you sit still on the bench, okay?” Shawn rhetorically said as he continued;

“Now this part as you know, is the most important as you need display a complex range of emotions that will really sell the audience on a deeper story through your facial expressions alone. Can you do all that?” the director finally asked.

“I can” Kyle confidently replied.

“Good. Let’s try to get it in one take” the director patted his back as he called out to the others.

“Alright people! Let’s move it! Quiet on set!”

Quickly everyone got into position as if following a strict military routine.

“Roll sound! Roll camera! Annnnnnnnddddd…”

Letting out a deep breath as the director started making checks, Kyle muttered to himself;

“[Deep Dive].”

Instantly, the world around Kyle changed, the people on set vanished, Zack was the only one present with him in the living room of their house and he was Kyle no longer – just Harry Callagher now.

At the exact same time, just after the clapperloader released the clapperboard, Director Shawn signaled;

“ACTION!”

– – –

{Grow Up | 21st December 2018 | Act 6 | Scene 4 | Take 1}

“Ah~. Not doing a particularly nice job of hiding it you know” Harry took his long coat from the rack as he exited the house, his younger brother trailing after him.

“You know I can’t just go up to her and confess! I could ruin the already beautiful friendship we have” Matts frantically wore his coat as he chased after his elder brother.

“But you like her a lot don’t you?” Harry slightly tilted his head with a knowing smile and a similar gaze as he said.

Hearing that, Matts had a small blush form on his cheeks.

However, shaking his head quickly, a slight look of fear in his eyes, he then said as both of them crossed the road to the other side of the street.

“But I’m so horrible at this Harry. Last time I tried confessing to a girl, I ended up making her cry!” he said with a worried expression and his brother couldn’t help but give him a widened gaze of shocked disbelief that practically said; ‘How exactly did you manage to do that?!’.

“Yes. It was that horrible! And I don’t wanna have to go through that, ever again. So come on Harry. You’re the mature one here. Help me out man.”

Sighing a bit, Harry leaped over the railings that was surrounding the outer edges of the location of the outdoor ice-rink and his brother followed suit.

That action of theirs was never part of the script but considering it felt so natural, Shawn just had the crew film on as they followed them.

Sitting on a bench a few seconds later, one that gave them a proper view of the vibrant and lively ice-rink as multiple people skated about, Harry then spoke, his voice calm;

“Listen Matts. You’re going about this all wrong.”

“Why not just talk to her about it instead of trying to dump all your emotions on her at once?” he said and Matthew stared at him, a bit confused by his words.

“Look, you tend to fumble horribly when you’re anxious and need to express your deepest feelings…”

“But when you’re talking, just simply talking, just like you are now, you are so much in control of your words and actions” Harry continued speaking.

“So, instead of trying to do something you’re terrible at, why not approach her like this, and say; ‘Hi Layla. I’d like to have a friendly conversation with you if you don’t mind’.”

” ‘Lately, I noticed that I’ve began to see you in a slightly more romantic light and I was wondering if we could have a conversation about that. What should I do with these feelings?’ ” Harry said while turning his head sideways to smile at his brother who was looking at him as if he was some sort of sage.

“That way, neither of you feels pressured and no one gets put on the spot…”

“With that, the ball is in her court and you can be rest assured that no matter the outcome, your friendship will stay the same and possibly, even strengthen it”

“You both are way too close for her to want to sever it over something like a simple, friendly conversation right?” he arched his eyebrows, a knowing smile plastered on his face.

“So, how’s that?” he then asked after giving his thoughts on the matter and Matts replied quietly with an expression of awe.

“It was perfect…”

Chuckling at that, Harry then turned around and pointed towards the other end of the ice-rink where Layla was, unbuckling her shoes to leave the ice-rink while her elder sister, Selena, stood beside her with her boyfriend.

This surprised Matts even more when the realization dawned on him that his brother had purposely brought him here, believing that Layla would probably be here as at this time since it was when most people also came around to skate.

“You did tell me that she loved ice-skating that one time so there she is.”

“So go on bud. Be a man and get the girl.” Harry winked at his younger brother, a warm smile on his lips as he nudged his head over.

Hearing those words of genuine motivation from his brother, still amazed by how well he understood him and offered such solid advice, Matthews grinned as he bolted out of the bench to meet up with Layla.

Staring at the back of his brother running, so happy to be able to take his chances with someone who really liked him and he also liked back, Harry smiled.

However, when he shifted his gaze to Selena who seemed to be laughing with her boyfriend, a certain sense of loneliness surfaced in his eyes, along with was a subtle nuance on his face that portrayed sadness.

It was so obvious to anyone what that gaze meant and judging by the sad smile which was now accompanying that gaze, anyone who saw him would understand what was going on here.

Sighing, Harry closed his eyes a bit and raised his head upwards to face the sky, the snowflakes dropping to the lens of his glasses.

After a short while though, a smile of acceptance formed on the young man’s face and he adjusted his glasses to watch his brother conversing with Layla now, Selena already leaving the ice-rink with her partner.

“CUT!”

– – –

Deactivating [Deep Dive], Kyle finally felt like he was in full control of his emotions again.

‘That was much stronger than last time…’ he pondered to himself as he got off the bench, his system constantly ringing in his head.

‘Hmmm… I wonder if its due to me spending a lot of time as Harry’s character the past few days…?’ he tilted his head in slight, questioning curiosity.

Checking the cameras again to confirm one more time if the shot was good, Director Shawn soon spoke out loud with a grin.

“That was perfect Kyle! Good job!” he commended from afar and Kyle politely nodded in response.

At the same time too, some of the other actors on the set slowly gravitated towards him.

Although they all still had a few more scenes to shoot later in the day, for Kyle, this was going to be his last day on set.

As a result, they all wanted to send him off with their greetings and Kyle was very appreciative of that gesture.

Layla offered a friendly hug and the young man partook in it.

The actors who also played Selena and Selena’s boyfriend also offered handshakes and he reciprocated by receiving them politely.

“Hope to see you at the after party. It’ll be happening in a few days” Zack said as he also shook his hands.

“I’ll try to come around if I can” Kyle replied with a respectful smile.

After that, the young man then received more handshakes from a few more people on the set and five minutes later, after all that was done, he left.

Making his way across the street, Kyle soon found a nearby bench and sat on it, opening up his system immediately after.

| You have acted before everyone and impressed them! |

| 2000 exp. points have been awarded! |

| Total exp. points available (5154) |

| Acting has advanced from level 7 to level 8! |

| Keep acting to improve your skills! |

___________________________

{Kyle Kestis} – Exp. Points (5154)

⸶Skills⸷

| [Soulful Vocals (P)], [Growth Spurt (P)], [Appraisal(A)], [Resonance (P)] – {D}], [Charisma (P)], [Polyglot (P)], [Deep Dive (A) – {C}], [Recollection (P)]…

* Exp. Points can be used to create skills.

⸶Levels⸷

| Singing › Level 9

| Acting › Level 8

| Composing › Level 9

| Dancing › Level 6

| Instrument Mastery (Piano/Guitar) › Level 7/6

* Levels will increase in accordance to your growth.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Smiling to himself, proud of his growth, Kyle closed his status screen and then finally rang up Oliver to tell him that he was done with the shooting.