Dreams of Stardom (Hollywood SI)

Finally, it was December 16.

The day of the table read for [The Sixth Sense]. Luckily for us, it was here in LA and not in Philly or it would be very uncomfortable for us to move to Philly for a couple of days, only to come back for holidays, and then go back for shooting again.

"Ready, champ?" Steve asked from the driver's seat where he had just parked the car in the Disney parking lot.

"Yeah," I answered in my now almost real American accent, "Just a little nervous I guess. Haven't met anyone famous before."

While I had worked with James Franco and Michelle Williams in my first movie, they weren't very famous yet. Michelle was a series regular on a TV show, but I hadn't seen much of it beforehand. (I only watched it after she told me to during shooting.)

"You'll do fine," Steve waved off my concerns, "Just be yourself and remember that they are all humans, just like you and me."

I nodded, got out of the car, and followed Steve dutifully through the building after confirming our meeting at the reception. Going through the place, I couldn't help but marvel at the grand design of the place. On the way, we saw many Disney figures including Mickey, Minnie, Daffy, Pluto, Simba, Belle, Alladin, Snow White, and so many more.

When we reached our assigned conference room, I couldn't help but be excited and nervous at the same time. Steve opened the door and let me in first. It was a big conference room with at least 40 seats, many of them already filled out by now.

I immediately recognized Barry Mendel, Steve's producer friend. Next to Barry was the lady from the audition that Kathy had later told me was Kathleen Kennedy, a co-producer. The other man beside her must be her husband Frank Marshall, also a producer.

Next, I saw the director, M. Night Shyamalan. As soon as I looked at him, he smiled at me, "Troy's here. Now we can start."

I was startled at the address and quickly looked around to see that there were around 25-30 people in the room already. The film didn't have a large cast, just four main roles; Cole played by me; Malcolm played by Bruce Willis, Coles' mother played by Toni Collette and Malcolm's wife played by Olivia Williams. Other characters all had only a scene or two so it was mostly us four who had to read our lines.

"We aren't late, are we?" I nudged Dad.

A middle-aged balding man, who was sitting nearby sniggered at that, "No, you're not." 

I had half a mind to make a snarky comment when I saw that it wasn't just an AD or a technician. It was the male lead of the movie himself, Bruce Willis.

Before I could freeze at his sight, I sheepishly rubbed the back of my head, "Hello, I am Troy Armitage, nice to meet you. I'm a big fan of your works."

With that, I offered him a handshake. He eyed me with a smile and shook my offered hand, "Bruce. So, which is your favorite work of mine?"

"[Pulp Fiction]," I stated as if it were the universal truth.

"Not [Die Hard]?" He didn't give me the funny look people do when I say that I love [Pulp Fiction].

"It's good, but I like [Pulp Fiction] more," I replied nonchalantly.

He laughed out loud, "You're good, Troy. Tell me, is this your first film?"

I shook my head, "Second, the first film was released in November. [Sex Education]."

"Ah, I've heard it's good. Maybe I'll watch it during the holidays." Bruce answered.

Hearing the deliberate cough behind me, I realized the man standing there and did the introductions, "Mr. Willis, this is my Dad, Steve Kloves."

"We've actually met before," Steve shook hands with Bruce, "at the premiere of [The Fabulous Baker Boys]. I directed it."

Bruce smiled as his face showed the recognition from a few years ago. Before he could retort, he was interrupted.

"Now that everyone's here," The man, who I guessed to be Frank Marshall, raised his voice, getting everyone's attention, "Why don't we begin?"

Steve ushered me into the seat beside Bruce which had my name written in front of it. (My fucking name! Fuck yeah!) Steve took the seat on my other side.

Kathleen Kennedy spoke next, "You all must remember about the NDA as no portion of the script can be leaked. For this reason, the climax has been omitted from the scripts of those who don't need to know. So don't go asking around others about it as they cannot tell you."

Wow, this is serious stuff. The amount of secrecy was something. I thought it began in the internet era where anyone could share something with a friend only for it to end on the internet. I mentally shrugged it off as I had the full script so I didn't mind. Luckily, because of my age, an exception was made for my parents. However, they had to sign the secrecy agreement as well.

"Introductions first," Kathleen continued, "I am Kathleen Kennedy, and I am a producer." Then she cued her husband. From there on everyone introduced themselves with their designation/ role.

"Alright," Shyamalan took over when everyone was done with the intro, "so the first scene begins in a basement. Evening time. A lightbulb comes to light as Anna Crowe moves down the stairs. Light, quick footsteps…"

(Break)

"That was exhausting!" I huffed out as I sat down on the couch tiredly.

We were back after the table read. The climax was a little awkward as they asked all other actors but the main four to leave the room when the scene in the car where my character talked to his mother began.

Steve chuckled, "That is nothing compared to the press conference when they will announce the film."

"Ugh," I groaned, "dodging paparazzi at school was bad enough when I have done only one film till now. It will be much worse now with the involvement of a superstar like Bruce Willis."

"We'll be off to London after this film is done. Hopefully, you'll be safe from the paparazzi there." He said.

I scoffed, "Fat chance. You forgot the Princess Diana incident?"

Steve grimaced at that reminder.

The death of Princess Diana was relatively fresh in everyone's minds when the princess died because they sped up their car in a tunnel to avoid the paparazzi and lost control. British paparazzi got a lot of flak for their role in her death.

"You chose this life, Troy." Steve gave me a hard look, "No one forced you to. This is a packaged deal that comes with being an actor. Your mother and I have warned you about it many times and it's still not too late. You can do this one movie and after that, we can go to London and you can go live a relatively normal life like anyone else your age. Your last movie hasn't been released across the ocean and this one may not even be a hit in the US, let alone the UK. And if you really want, I can go talk to Barry about quitting this one as well."

I looked down at my feet in embarrassment. When Steve talked like that, I felt like a spoiled rich brat who was complaining about having too few servants to dance on my whims. 

Whenever child actors are talked about, people say that they grow up in a bad environment and all the pressure from the media and their fans make them succumb to alcohol and drugs early. Those child actors can say that they didn't realize what they were getting into. I can't. I knew full well what I signed up for when I agreed (read: insisted) to act in movies. And now I am whining that people are paying attention to me?

"No, I… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound whiny or ungrateful when I said that. I still want to act." I answered after deliberating my words carefully.

I looked up when I felt Steve put his hands on both my shoulders lightly, "I know son. And I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have said that. Sometimes I forget that you are not even 10. You are allowed to make mistakes. No one is perfect. But you must remember that you always have the chance to back out. I didn't want you to work as an actor. Ever. If you wanted to work in Hollywood, you could've been a director or a producer. Heck, even a screenwriter and that would be better than being an actor. It brings you wealth, yes, but the attention is not worth it in my opinion."

He paused as he gave me a considering look, "But since you have chosen this path, you'll have my full support with you every step of the way and I'll make sure you become the best actor there ever was."

The conviction with which Steve, no, Dad said that, made me realize how lucky I am to have parents like Steve and Kathy. They weren't just Steve and Kathy to me for a long time now. I just had to realize. Steve was my Dad in every way possible. Perhaps even more than Frank Armitage ever was. There was not even a slight competition for who my real mother was. Overcome with that sudden realization, I did the only thing that made sense to me.

I stepped forward and hugged Dad with all my might, "I love you, Dad." I did mean every syllable of it.

"Love you too, son." He hugged me back, patting my head with one hand.

(Break)

The next day at school, I was cornered by Evan. Once again.

"Come on Troy! I know I made a mistake. I am sorry, please don't hate me," He said in a deeply apologetic voice. "I didn't tell it to everyone. Just Raoul. He told everyone, not me."

I sighed.

This was his fourth? No, the fifth time that he had apologized to me for betraying my trust. To tell you the truth, I was this close to accepting his apology even the last time, but I was still pissed at his actions somewhat. If he could betray me once, what's stopping him from doing it again? I can't trust him again that easily. I'm not Harry Potter (yet), and he's definitely not Ron Weasley.

Moreover, I am going away in less than two weeks, so it will hardly matter much whether I forgive him or not, our friendship can't continue long distance in this era with no social media and video calls.

So with that thought in mind, I began slowly, "I'm sorry Evan."

His face fell upon hearing those words and he asked, "Why?" He was an open book, showing every emotion he was going through.

"I'll still go away in January," I said as a matter of fact.

"It's okay. It's only for two months, right?" He asked hopefully to which I shook my head.

Seeing his confused expression, I explained, "I was mad at you. After the fight with Jeff and his cronies, Dad asked me if we wanted to move to London directly after the film shoot. I said yes."

Evan was silent for a few moments as he took everything in before saying, "So you're going away because of me?" His voice pinched me much worse than his betrayal did. Yet, I knew that I had to make it clear to him.

"Yes."

"It doesn't matter," His words surprised me. "We can still be friends, right?" He asked in that hopeful voice. "Can't you explain it to your Dad? Maybe then you can stay here longer."

"It doesn't work like that, Evan," I shook my head resolutely. "I haven't forgiven you yet. You can't just apologize and expect everything to go back to the way it was. Moreover, even if I were to forgive you, our tickets have been booked. Plans have been made for our stay there. Even my tutors have been arranged. Nothing can be done now."

Evan seemed like he would cry at any moment, so I said my final words to him. "Bye, Evan." And proceeded to walk back to the classroom.

In my mind, it was better for both of us to steer clear of each other. Childhood friendships rarely last that long after getting separated. It's better for Evan to find more stable friends in LA with whom he can grow up.

(Break)

When the day was over, and I was ready to go to my martial arts class, I was surprised to see the number of reporters near the school entrance. There were more than ten that I could spot from the second-floor window itself.

The reason they still tried to ambush me near school is that when there are no visible reporters in the vicinity, I go in through the front door and have even been photographed a few times. I didn't mind that, as long as they didn't get up close and personal. But when there was such a visible media storm out there, I had no interest in testing out my fledgling martial skills.

I walked towards the back exit, hoping that this was due to something some other kid did for once, or maybe a teacher. Seriously, acting in one TV movie and you'd think that the reporters don't have anything better to do with their lives, but little old me. I haven't even met enough fans that it would warrant such rampant media attention. What the fuck is wrong with celebrity culture?

I shook my head at the absurdity of the situation when I reached my mother's car parking spot. As I saw her I was confused seeing the large grin etched on her face. She got out of the car and hugged me tightly, "Troy! You won't believe it! Something amazing happened."

"Dad won a million-dollar lottery?" I asked speculatively.

"No," She shook her head dramatically and ushered me towards the car. She began only when we were seated inside, "[Sex-ed] got two nominations at the Golden Globes! Best TV Film for your father and I, and Best Actor for you."

My brain froze for a moment. Golden Globe Awards. One of the most prestigious awards in America. Even above Oscars, Emmys, and SAG.

Okay, jokes apart, not exactly prestigious, but they were very popular because they honored those popular actors as well who are usually ignored by the Academies (Oscars and Emmy).

Getting nominated for a Golden Globe meant a major increase in popularity, both for me and for the movie, resulting in increased DVD sales. Overall a very good news that may net my parents even more than the one million they would have gotten from the lottery. Not immediately, but in, say, the next 5 years.

"That's superb!" I exclaimed, grinning like a lunatic.

"Do you know what it means?" Kathy asked.

"Does it have anything to do with the reporters present at the front gate?" I said after pondering for a few moments.

"Not exactly. A major Hollywood award nomination means we'll have to do a ton of things. First, we'll have to get a few suits for you. Then, as you guessed, there will be media attention towards you. We'll have to selectively choose who to talk to and who not to. Most adult actors would probably appoint a publicist at this point, though I hardly think we need one right now. There will be parties, before and after the awards and so much more. The most important thing for a newcomer like you is to make connections at the parties. Though being a kid, hardly anyone would mind if you don't go."

While explaining the workings of the award show system in Hollywood, Kathy was driving me home, "While I would love it if you could get an award, it is unlikely that they will give it to you so don't get your hopes too high."

I nodded solemnly, "Yeah, I know that. I am young now so they will prefer giving it to older people."

"That's why Steve and I think it's not good for us to hire a publicist. It would've been a different issue if the awards in question were the Oscars, but then again for those, most of the expense is borne by the film companies." Kathy said.

"Won't HBO support us if we wanted to hire a publicist?" I asked curiously.

Kathy shook her head, "Nope. The TV movie department has the most representation from HBO, and they rarely lose. Even if we win, HBO will still win. No point in wasting money when they have an assured win."

I hummed in contemplation, "Wait, when are the awards? Won't we be shooting [The Sixth Sense] during that time?"

Here Kathy smiled once again, "I got a call from Barry when the nominations came out. Disney sees it as cost-effective marketing if you win the award."

I was baffled for a moment, "So?"

"...The production team would provide you the time off to go and attend the awards. If you do win by some miracle, they'll allow you to take a couple of extra days off and do some interviews provided you talk about [The Sixth Sense] as well."

Of course. Everyone is looking after their own interests after all.

"That won't change our schedule by the way." Kathy continued, "We'll leave for Philly on the 2nd of Jan and start shooting on the 4th. The Globes are scheduled on the 24th, so we'll fly back to LA on the 23rd. If you win, we'll fly back by the 27th, otherwise on the 25th. Sounds good enough plan for now?"

"Yup," I answered succinctly.

We drove in silence for a few minutes when I said, "I still don't understand why I am attending a ceremony where I know I am unlikely to win and when I am not very interested in parties."

Kathy sighed audibly, "Consider this a part of being an actor. Attend the award ceremonies with a smile. Talk to people and make connections. That's how you get future roles when other actors or directors recommend you for a role with your demographics and acting talent in mind. At least that would be the scene until you get an agent or manager and that won't be happening until you are all grown up. So if you want roles other than what you already have, then play nice."

I wisely kept quiet for the rest of the way.

_________________________

AN: Visit my Pat reon to read ahead up to 20 chapters, or participate in free polls about the story.

Link: www(dot)pat reon(dot)com/fableweaver