director

MFFFC — “Casting!”

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“Cut!” Cameron yelled. “Where the hell is my casting director? Finn, goddammit, where are you?

“I’m here, boss,” Mali said after dashing over to where the irate director was standing.

“Get that tuxedo cat out of the boat and get me another cat to play Jack, Mali. Preferably one who doesn’t look like a villain who is getting ready to throw Rose overboard. Jack is supposed to be madly in love with Rose, not preparing to toss her to the sharks. And that orange tabby couldn’t be more bored looking. She is supposed to be thrilled, not half asleep! This is a catastrophe.”

“Okay, James, I’ve got a whole pet shop’s worth of cats backstage,” Mali said. “I’ll find a less sinister-looking Tuxedo to play Jack in this scene and I’ll give the tabby some catnip. That should make her more dreamy. Give me ten minutes, James.”

The director yelled out, “Take fifteen, everyone.”

Written for Melissa’s Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge. Image credit: iridi on iStock.

It’s a Wrap!

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“Cut!” the director shouted. “I deem that the scene where the gremlin jumps out from behind the furniture and scares that poor little freckle-faced girl is a wrap. Good job everyone. Let’s take 15 before we start shooting the next scene.”

The director looked around the soundstage and bellowed, “I need a cup of coffee now and that tenderfoot craft services apprentice is never hereabouts when I need him.”

“Sorry sir,” a meek voice behind the angry director said. Handing the director’s mug to him, the kid said, “I know you’re a director, but there’s no need to make a scene over this. I went to get your coffee as you were wrapping up that last scene and I asked them to brew a fresh pot because I know how you like your coffee freshly brewed.”

The director grabbed the mug from the apprentice’s hand and walked away without so much as a thank you. The kid just stood there and softly mumbled “you’re welcome” under his breath.

Written for these daily prompts: E.M.’s Random Word Prompt (deem), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (scene), Word of the Day Challenge (gremlin), My Vivid Blog (furniture), The Daily Spur (freckle), Ragtag Daily Prompt (tenderfoot), and Your Daily Word Prompt (hereabouts).

Cut!

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“You will rue the day….”

“Cut!” the director shouted. Then he called over to his assistant. “What’s wrong with heating in this place? I’m shvitzing here. Get me a cold, damp washrag, would you please?”

The director then turned his attention back to Henry. “Son, this is a tense moment in the play and you’re acting like Chandler in an episode of ‘Friends.’ Remember, you just got back from the library and your wife just confessed to you that she’s been shtupping your best friend for the last six months.” Try to imagine how you’d feel if you found out that your best friend was carrying on with your wife.”

“I’m not married,” Henry said.

“I know that, Henry,” the director said. “That’s why they call this acting. Now I want you to dig deep into your human emotions and for this scene I want you to take the emotion of jealous rage and apportion it all into this scene. Can you do that for me son? Can you make me proud?”

“Yes sir!” Henry said.

“Okay,” the director said. “Places everyone. And action!”

“You will rue the day….”

“Cut!” the director shouted.

Written for these daily prompts: Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (rue), The Daily Spur (heating), Ragtag Daily Prompt (damp), Your Daily Word Prompt (apportion), My Visual Blog (library), and Word of the Day Challenge (proud).

Get Your Act Together

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“Cut!” the director yelled.

“Sheesh, what now?” Harry asked.

“Your performance,” the director said. “Where’s the moxie, Harry? You were wonderful in that other movie. You were dramatic yet whimsical. But today your acting seems flat, without altitude.”

“But this is an entirely different character than the one I played in that other movie. That one was a classic thriller, a contest between good and evil, whereas this movie is a slapstick romantic comedy.”

“That doesn’t make any difference, Harry,” the director said. “Classic thriller or slapstick comedy aside, showing your acting chops is not optional. So either get your act together or I’ll find another actor who can pull it off.”

Written for these daily prompts: Your Daily Word Prompt (moxie), The Daily Spur (wonderful), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (whimsical), MMA Storytime (altitude), Ragtag Daily Prompt (contest), and Word of the Day Challenge (optional).

She’s Yesterday’s News

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8C5DCAD1-0027-4114-92B6-48B61B67F21F“No!” Zachary said. “I’m the director and I’ve made up my mind.”

“Well I’m the producer, and it’s my call, dammit,” Gene said. “And I say Hermione is in.”

“Jesus, Gene,” Zachary objected. “She’s past her prime and she’s a diva. She does not take direction well and she has a tendency these days to ham it up. I simply will not have it.”

“Zachary,” Gene said, “you’re the one who’s acting like a diva. My interest is making money on this production of ‘Swan Lake,’ and Hermione is a world renowned ballerina. She’s going to be a huge draw at the box office.”

“You’re being shortsighted, Gene,” Zachary said. “What this production needs is new blood, young, exciting, up-and-coming talent. Hermione is yesterday’s news.”

“We’re going with Hermione and that’s final,” Gene said. “And if you don’t like it, I’ll find another director who appreciates her talents.”

“You’re sleeping with her, aren’t you, Gene?” Zachary said.

“That’s besides the point,” Gene said. “Hermione is in and you’re out.”

Written for Paula Light’s Three Things Challenge, where the three things are “ham,” “ballerina,” and “interest.”