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The Next Take
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-15 01:03:49
Bab terkait
Behind the Spotlight Lines That Blur
Ethan’s POVReturning to set after everything that’s happened felt like walking onto a battlefield with no armor. The moment Julian and I released the joint PR statement, our names flooded every trending tag, our faces plastered on tabloid covers, and our “relationship”—God, it felt surreal calling it that—became public domain.But here, inside the studio, everything looked the same: the soft glow of the overhead lights, the bustle of crew members carrying cables and mics, the scent of strong coffee mixed with sawdust from the set build. And yet, the energy was different. Palpable. Like everyone was waiting to see what version of Ethan Cole would walk in today.I adjusted the collar of my jacket and tried to act like my palms weren’t sweaty. “Just breathe,” I whispered under my breath.“Ethan! Hey, morning!”Sarah, our assistant director, waved from across the soundstage. Her voice was bright, but her eyes flickered with curiosity. I smiled, nodded, and made my way over to the dressin
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-15Behind the Spotlight Hollywood’s Favorite Enemies
Ethan’s POVLos Angeles, California – Golden Arc Awards NightThe image of me in the dressing room mirror looked exactly like the Hollywood hottie I was meant to be. My hair is just tousled enough to look effortless, my black suit is perfectly tailored, and a silver watch peeks out from my cuff.Regretfully, I detested everything.Another awards ceremony, another evening of acting as though I did not want to burn half of these people alive.I loosened my necktie and let out a slow breath. Just make it through the night. For the cameras, smile. Give the right hands a shake. Be as though you care.I was startled out of my reverie by a loud knock on the door."All set?" My agent Mason poked his head in. He was already browsing through his phone, most likely looking for the most recent PR calamity on Twitter."Do I have an option?" I whispered."Not unless you wish to be placed on a blacklist." At last, Mason raised his head. Additionally, please refrain from punching Julian tonight. We a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-30Behind the Spotlight A Role I Never Wanted
Ethan’s POVI realised I had made a grave error as soon as I set foot on the Silverlight Studios property.There was still time to change course. To drink away the fact that I was even thinking about this, I could get back in my car and head straight to the closest pub.Instead, I smirked, squared my shoulders, and pushed open the doors to Studio 3B, where Heart's Requiem's first round of chemistry reads were taking place.Inside, I could already hear voices.With a sharp exhale, I entered.Naturally, Julian Cross was the first person I saw.As if he owned the place, he was sitting comfortably in a chair and already drinking his damn coffee.As soon as I entered, his eyes brightened.And he smiled, just to make me angry."Well, well, well. He pondered, "I thought I smelt desperation."I gave an eye roll. "Cross, stop flattering yourself."Rebecca Moreau, the casting director, clapped her hands together. She was a perceptive woman. "All right, you two are present. Take a seat.Reluctan
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-30Behind the Spotlight The Roles We Play
Ethan’s POVIt should have felt like a career milestone to land a leading role in a major LGBTQ+ romance movie.This type of opportunity shaped the careers of the majority of actors. an opportunity to contribute to something greater than themselves, something that might inspire viewers, shatter stereotypes, and possibly earn an Oscar nomination.However, for me?Now that I was forced to work with Julian Cross, that was all I could think about.Three days after the chemistry read, the formal call was made.At precisely 7:00 AM, my agent Lauren practically vibrated through the phone to call me."You got the part, Ethan! Julian and you—Before she could finish, I hung up.First Day of Filming: Table ReadI was fifteen minutes late to Silverlight Studios, partly due to traffic, but primarily because I had given calling in sick some serious thought.When I arrived, Julian was already seated at the table, sipping another cup of the pretentious artisanal coffee he always carried, and he look
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-30Behind the Spotlight Lights, Camera, Tension
Ethan’s POVPart of the job was attending press events.Pretending I was not slowly dying inside after three hours of nonstop PR, answering the same five questions from reporters who pretended to care about anything other than a headline, and smiling for flashing cameras—I would done dozens of these before.However, nothing—I mean nothing—could have prepared me for this tour of the press.Not with Julian Cross as my co-star.Not when we had to pretend to be best friends for the movie's sake.And certainly not when everyone was fixated on our alleged "rivalry."I realised we were in trouble as soon as we entered the press conference room.The Quiet Before the StormThe place was full.The entire room was filled with rows of reporters, flashing cameras, and fans who had somehow gotten inside.Our designated seats were marked with nameplates on a long table that spanned the stage at the front of the room.I was positioned directly next to Julian.We were, of course.I glanced at the cast
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-30Behind the Spotlight Take One: The Kiss
Ethan’s POVIt was supposed to be simple to act.I had previously kissed people on-screen. I had previously experienced on-screen love. I have even shared sexy, heart-pounding moments with some of the most gorgeous celebrities in Hollywood.However, this?There was more to this.Because I had to pretend—no, persuade an entire audience—that I was in love with Julian Cross, who stood in front of me with half-lidded eyes and a smirk that was barely concealed by his carefully manicured face.Worse?I was secretly beginning to question whether it was all a lie.Chemistry, Lights, and CameraOur director, James Alden, paced in front of us and declared, "Okay, this is a big moment." "The kiss is not the only intimate moment in the scene. It is all about the build-up and the tension. The point at which your characters eventually cave in.Like experts, Julian and I nodded.Like two actors who would have no trouble completing this scene.As if we had not unintentionally contributed to dating ru
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-30Behind the Spotlight After the Kiss
I did not even realise I was holding my breath until Julian vanished from the set.This was not how I was supposed to feel.There was only a scene. A prearranged kiss. Not much more.Even so, the memory of his touch still caused my lips to tingle and my skin to burn. I could hardly hear the crew members adjusting the set for another take, but the world around me was buzzing.I could only hear the pounding of my own heartbeat.I had to breathe.I pivoted on my heel and made my way to my trailer without giving the cameras another look.Behind Closed DoorsI just managed to get inside before closing the door and pressing my hands to the counter.Take a breath. Simply take a breath.Although the caravan was silent, my thoughts were not. The weight of his hands on me and his body against mine was still palpable.What on earth was that?I had kissed many actors in the past. This scene was far more intimate than any I had done. However, none of them had ever left me feeling so raw, shaken, a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02Behind the Spotlight A Second Take & The Aftermath
The following day, filming resumed, but the mood on set had changed.Since our heated exchange in my caravan, Julian and I had been able to keep our distance from one another, but I could sense him—his presence was unavoidable, like an electric charge in the air.The fact that everyone seemed to notice something different about our last take did not help either.The filmmaker had been overjoyed. "That was amazing! The tension and passion are just what we need.I had overheard some crew members whispering behind their clipboards and exchanging knowing glances. And now I could hear the buzz of excitement all around us as we stood under the bright set lights for another take of the same scene.They had an expectation.They hoped we would be able to re-capture the magic.I rolled my shoulders in an attempt to release the pressure of expectation. There was only a scene.It is just a scene.So why, as I looked directly into Julian's eyes, did my pulse pound in my throat?The Second Take: To
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02
Bab terbaru
Behind the Spotlight Lines That Blur
Ethan’s POVReturning to set after everything that’s happened felt like walking onto a battlefield with no armor. The moment Julian and I released the joint PR statement, our names flooded every trending tag, our faces plastered on tabloid covers, and our “relationship”—God, it felt surreal calling it that—became public domain.But here, inside the studio, everything looked the same: the soft glow of the overhead lights, the bustle of crew members carrying cables and mics, the scent of strong coffee mixed with sawdust from the set build. And yet, the energy was different. Palpable. Like everyone was waiting to see what version of Ethan Cole would walk in today.I adjusted the collar of my jacket and tried to act like my palms weren’t sweaty. “Just breathe,” I whispered under my breath.“Ethan! Hey, morning!”Sarah, our assistant director, waved from across the soundstage. Her voice was bright, but her eyes flickered with curiosity. I smiled, nodded, and made my way over to the dressin
Behind the Spotlight The Next Take
Ethan’s POVReturning to set felt like stepping into a minefield—with cameras instead of landmines and Julian looking like the one person who could either save me or blow everything sky-high.I hadn’t slept much the night before. My mind wouldn’t stop spiraling—replaying the kiss, the press conference, the whirlwind fan reaction, the supportive and the savage headlines. Hollywood’s Favorite Enemies Turn Lovers: Is It Real? one article had screamed.And today, we were back on set, filming the first emotionally charged scene between our characters since our relationship went public. The crew pretended to act normal, but I caught the way people paused mid-coffee sip when Julian and I passed by. Whispers behind makeup brushes, smirks from lighting techs.Every step I took felt heavier.“Scene thirty-four, take one. Marker.”The clap of the slate snapped me out of my head.Focus, Ethan.I stood on my mark, facing Julian. He looked effortlessly composed, which only made my pulse race harder
Behind the Spotlight The Next Step
Ethan’s POV The meeting with the studio was set for later that afternoon, but the uncertainty that had plagued me all morning still lingered. Julian was pacing around the room, his phone pressed against his ear as he went over last-minute details for the call. His demeanor, usually confident and composed, had a tinge of anxiety in it, something I hadn’t seen before.As he hung up the phone, he let out a sigh. “It’s happening. They’re on board, but they want a commitment soon.”I nodded, though the words barely registered. The reality of this decision was setting in. It wasn’t just about signing a contract or attending a few meetings. This was going to change everything for us, whether we were ready for it or not.“How soon?” I asked, my voice low.“Tomorrow,” he replied, running his hand through his hair, frustration mounting. “They want to discuss our terms in person, sign everything by the end of the week.”That was fast. It was all moving too quickly, like we were being swept up i
Behind the Spotlight Crossroads
Ethan’s POV The weight of the new offer hung over us, the prospect of a high-profile film bringing with it an almost dizzying array of possibilities. It was a dream project for many actors, a chance to solidify our place in the industry, but with that opportunity came a whole new set of challenges. The thought of taking on something so monumental felt like standing at the edge of a cliff, the future stretching endlessly before us.I watched Julian as he stared at the screen of his phone, the email offer from the studio still open, untouched by his fingers. His jaw was tight, his brows furrowed in concentration. I could almost see the internal battle waging within him.“You don’t have to say yes,” I murmured, leaning forward on the bed, my voice soft.Julian’s gaze flicked to me, then back to the phone. “It’s not that simple, Ethan. This could be a game-changer. For both of us.”He was right. The project was big—bigger than anything either of us had worked on before. A starring role f
Behind the Spotlight The Quiet Between Us
Ethan’s POV The hotel room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a bedside lamp casting a warm hue across the room. The city outside buzzed with its usual nightlife, but in here, the silence between us felt heavier than anything the world outside could throw at us.I sank onto the plush armchair near the window, eyes fixed on the view of the twinkling skyline. It felt surreal, being here with him—away from the chaos, away from the cameras, from the never-ending questions. For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t have to be anyone but myself. I didn’t have to hide or act like everything was okay when it wasn’t.Julian stood by the minibar, popping open a bottle of water with a quiet pop. He turned to me, his dark eyes steady, unreadable. “You okay?”I nodded, my fingers grazing the edge of the chair. “Yeah, just… a lot to process.”He leaned against the counter, watching me with that usual intensity. “You don’t have to carry it alone.”The words were simple, but they hit me ha
Behind the Spotlight The Panel
Ethan’s POV The auditorium buzzed like a live wire.Rows of seats filled with eager fans, media reps, and industry insiders stretched to the back wall. The stage was flanked by oversized promotional banners of The Fall Between Us—Ethan as Sam, staring off into a stormy skyline; Julian as Lucas, eyes shadowed by pain and longing. They were larger than life. Now, they had to live up to that.Julian adjusted the cuff of his charcoal blazer beside me backstage, looking cool as ever in public. I wasn’t sure if it was confidence or nerves worn like armor, but either way, I envied it.I glanced down at the schedule in my lap. The panel was slotted for a full forty-five minutes of questions, clips, and what they called “spontaneous actor chemistry.” As if everything between us now could fit into a neat little marketing soundbite.“Ready?” Julian murmured beside me.I gave him a wry smile. “Define ready.”He chuckled low in his throat. “You look good.”I tried to play it cool, but that simple
Behind the Spotlight Back in the Light
Ethan’s POV There was a different kind of silence on set now.Not the kind that signaled “action” or demanded respect for the scene. This silence was thick. Watching. Measuring. Wondering.It greeted us the moment Julian and I stepped through the soundstage doors—together.The scent of coffee and paint still clung to the air, and the production crew still moved like clockwork, but every now and then, heads turned. Conversations dropped to whispers. Eyes lingered just a second too long.We were no longer just Ethan Cole and Julian Reyes—the stars of The Fall Between Us. We were a headline. A firestorm in tailored clothes. The couple.I tried to ignore it. Julian didn’t even try.“Feels like we walked into a courtroom instead of a set,” he murmured as we passed the makeup trailers.I gave a tight smile. “Jury’s still out on whether we’re the heroes or the villains.”He bumped his shoulder into mine, subtle but grounding. “Let them stare. We’ve earned it.”Despite the nerves simmering b
Behind the Spotlight When the Spotlight Hits Home
Ethan’s POV The official statement dropped at 9:00 a.m.By 9:01, our phones wouldn’t stop ringing.It wasn’t dramatic or flowery—just honest:“Actors Ethan Cole and Julian Reyes have shared a journey that began on-screen and extended off it. They’ve asked for privacy as they continue that journey together.”It didn’t confirm. It didn’t deny. But it said everything.For some people, it was enough. For others, it was gasoline on a fire.But I wasn’t thinking about social media when I stood on the balcony of Julian’s apartment, holding his hand while reporters shouted questions down below.I was thinking about the people we hadn’t told.My mother. His father. Our managers. Our agents. The people who shaped our lives behind the curtain of fame.The ones whose opinions still carried weight.The people who could break us if they wanted to.The first call came from my mother.Of course it did.“Ethan,” she said, her voice cool and sharp like crystal. “I saw the post.”I braced myself. “I fi
Behind the Spotlight The Breaking Point
Ethan’s POV The city skyline was the same—harsh, electric, and towering—but it felt different now. After two days wrapped in Julian’s warmth and soft laughter, the buzz of Los Angeles gritted against my skin like sandpaper.We were back.And even though we’d left the cabin hand in hand, everything outside the woods came with sharp corners.Julian’s fingers still brushed mine as we exited the black car outside my building, but they didn’t hold. They didn’t cling. We were already slipping.“You want me to come up?” he asked, voice casual but eyes searching.I hesitated.I wanted to say yes. Wanted to keep pretending we could live in the moment without the past—or the future—pulling us apart. But something in the pit of my stomach turned.“I should get some sleep,” I replied, trying for a smile. “Early shoot tomorrow.”Julian nodded slowly. “Right. Of course.”A pause.“You sure you’re okay?”I hated how tender he sounded. Like he already knew the answer.“Yeah,” I said, forcing the lie
