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jackie-talks-about-starkid · 4 years

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A Very Potter Musical (Rewatch #1, 9/7/2020)

YouTube publish date: July 5, 2009 (re-upload date)

Number of views on date of rewatch: 16,939,210

Original ticket price: Free (I know, right!?)

Director: Matt Lang

Assistant Director: Nick Lang

Music and Lyrics: Darren Criss and AJ Holmes

Writer: Brian Holden

Cast album price and availability: free to download on Starkid’s Bandcamp page (x)

Album release date: July 29, 2010

Parody or original: an original parody

Funding: $100 from Basement Arts (a student-run organization at the University of Michigan that provides space and relative funds for student-made theatre), $5000 from Nick Lang’s personal finances (x)

Main cast and characters

Harry - Darren Criss

Ron - Joey Richter

Hermione - Bonnie Grueson

Draco - Lauren Lopez

Snape - Joe Moses

Dumbledore - Dylan Saunders

Quirrell - Brian Rosenthal

Voldemort - Joe Walker

Ginny - Jamie Lyn Beatty

Musical numbers

Act I

“Goin’ Back to Hogwarts” by Darren Criss

Characters: all, excluding Quirrell and Voldemort

“As Different As Can Be” by AJ Holmes

Characters: Quirrell and Voldemort

“Cho’s Song (Ginny Version” by Darren Criss

Characters: Harry

“Harry” by Darren Criss

Characters: Ginny

“As Different As Can Be (Reprise)” by AJ Holmes

Characters: Quirrell and Voldemort

“The Dragon Song” by Darren Criss

Characters: Harry (and Dragon)

“Cho’s Song” by Darren Criss

Characters: Harry

“Granger Danger” by Darren Criss

Characters: Ron and Draco

“To Dance Again” by AJ Holmes

Characters: Voldemort and Death Eaters

Act II

“Missing You” by AJ Holmes

Characters: Harry and Quirrell (dramatic sighs provided by Voldemort)

“Not Alone” by Darren Criss

Characters: Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione

“Voldemort Is Goin’ Down) by AJ Holmes

Characters: Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Hogwarts Students

"Not Alone/Goin' Back To Hogwarts Reprise" - Darren Criss

Characters: Entire cast

Fun facts:

In a YouTube comment under the video “A Very Potter Musical Prologue”, user Kylene Corpus cites Joey Richter as saying, “”There is a whole section that they didn’t include in the YouTube video where Bonnie did this kind of voice over at the beginning telling the story of Harry Potter and Voldemort would like walk out on stage in his cloak and they told the story about how Harry died and with his parents and when he said Avada Kadavra, they shined this huge green light in the audience’s faces and they have the music playing in the background and it was so cool.”

(I just discovered this bit of information as I was writing this particular part of the post [9/7/2020] and when I say I got CHILLS when hearing this for the first time…imagine listening to this and thinking “wow I guess this musical is going to be pretty sophisticated and true to the HP universe” and then seeing the first number and realizing that what you thought would not be the case at all)

Cultural Context: 2009

AVPM is performed roughly a year and a half after the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The movie adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince releases on July 15th, 2009 in the US

Barack Obama gets sworn in as president of the US

Glee airs its first episode (Darren auditions for Finn and doesn’t get the part)

Iowa become the 3rd state to legalize same-sex marriage (and becomes the first state in the Midwest to do so)

Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage

Michael Jackson dies on June 25th

Movie tickets averaged at around $7.50 (x)

Personal Thoughts:

As someone whose first and foremost loves are Harry Potter and musical theatre, I could not sing the praises of A Very Potter Musical enough. For a parody of Sorcerer’s Stone, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, and a hint of Half-Blood Prince, AVPM lovingly makes fun of the characters and plot points of Harry Potter while maintaining the cast and creative team’s overall love and respect for such an important fandom in their lives. Much of AVPM’s success is owed to the fact that it was made not only for, but also by, Harry Potter fans. If a group of college kids made a Harry Potter musical for the sake of taking the piss on the entirety of the Harry Potter franchise, it definitely would not have reached anywhere near the level of success it has today. As an audience member, you can tell that each individual participating in the creation of this performance did so purely out of love for the theatre and love for Harry Potter. Even during the first opening notes of “Going Back To Hogwarts’ before Harry Potter even begins to sing, you can see something in Darren Criss’ eyes that’s so bright it can only be described as him being in love with what he’s doing and why he’s doing it. This love can be seen in every person’s performance throughout this comedic parody and that just makes it all the more enjoyable as an audience member, but most importantly, as a fan.

Every single performance stands out for me because each actor is so original and just SO FUNNY! They get what the AVPM is about and they play on that perfectly. My personal favorite is Lauren Lopez’s iconic performance as Draco Malfoy, because, WOW, talk about perfect casting and perfect execution. Her comedic timing is impeccable and I’m personally offended that she hasn’t won a Tony yet. The characterization of Malfoy’s character, as well of the rest, are so obviously hyper-caricatures of their source characters that it just makes sense. Criss’ douchey, charming, ‘guy who brings a guitar to the party and only plays Wonderwall’ vibes take James Potter’s characteristics to the extreme and make it so obvious that Harry is James’ son and it’s done with no offense to either Harry Potter himself or his father. I don’t know how he’s managed to pull that off, but it just works. Joey Richter as Ron Weasely is absolutely hilarious-he takes Ron’s tendency to be defensive and arrogant and turns it into a trait that I want to see more of. Honestly, if I’m watching AVPM, there’s an 80% chance that I’m not paying attention to the main action and instead focusing on Richter’s background acting. I wouldn’t have that any other way...Bonnie Grueson as Hermione is, at least to me, incredibly relatable. The writing for her character in particular is very sophisticated when analyzing it through the lens of Potter parody. While justice to her character in the books is done well in the show, it’s obvious that her over-competent levels of know-it-all-ness are making fun of the Potter movie adaptation’s tendency to make Hermione the sole brain cell holder of the entire franchise. (Unfun Fact: Half of Ron’s incredible lines and skills of observation from the books are given to Hermione in the movies and some of Dumbledore’s iconic quotes are given to her as well.)

If you’re not a Harry Potter fan and you end up watching AVPM, you could definitely enjoy the performances themselves because the actors and the numbers are hilarious, and you could appreciate the non-Potter pop culture references, but in doing so, you would not be doing this material any justice. This show is for Potterheads only, sorry!

Starkid’s parody musicals, beginning with this one, are its own very special brand of performance in which the group of people performing and the group of people watching have collectively agreed to come together to celebrate the fandom they love and strengthen the bond they have with it, whereas with most theatrical productions (at least in their premiere stage) the cast, crew, and the audience are there to create a bond that was never initially there.

#@teamstarkid #for my independent study #a very potter musical #avpm #team starkid #starkid #starkid productions #starkid musicals #musical theatre #ok is wonderful

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denyinggravity · 6 years

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theatre kid culture

• wishing you could show your appreciation for the lights/sound/set people more

• only living to this day because of the stage manager

• alternatively, hating the stage manager with your entire soul yet are still overcome with the need to respect them

• having at least three water bottles, at least two of which are in the theater’s lost in found

• caring about the difference between “theater” and “theatre”

• every theatre company has the one kid that gets a big part every time and you WANT to hate them but you can’t because a) you’re in awe of their talent and b) they’re actually really nice??

• you can still name the first part you’ve ever played

• the number of shows you’ve been in eventually gets too high for you to remember

• every once in a while someone will pull up a cast photo from a few years back and the new casts will scream about their fetus selves and members that have since left

• there are so many cast group chats that you’ve not only lost track, they’ve all blurrred together in your mind

• there’s that one kid that everyone wants to be friends with but no one thinks they’re cool enough to be friends with (they’re also probably the directors favorite)

• somehow the gays always group together

• there’s always that one kid who no one really likes and is not very good but somehow is always in every show

• you get a t t a c k ed daily by your friends in rehearsal

• getting the script one page at a time when you’re working with an original piece

• you have a list of dream roles and know all the lyrics and all of the lines

• if you do more musical theatre you fantasize about doing straight plays but never actually do them

• the music director always gives the note “diction”

• everyone has memories of that horrible show two years ago and no one can bring it up without tears, panic attacks, screaming, and possibly fire

• there’s always one song where no one knows the lyrics but they somehow manage to pull it together the day before the show opens

• “i can’t hear the lower harmony part”

• speaking of harmonies, the rehearsal where you learn them sounds great but the next time you try it it’s actual trash

• you always judge the person who had the libretto before you, especially if they didn’t erase anything or if (god forbid) they use highlighter

• you also feel like you get to know the person who had the libretto before you, know which part they had, how they remembered their notes, etc you just have your own version of them in your head

• you would sell your soul to go to nyc and see a show

• you’re passing/passed american history because we ALL went through a hamilton phase

• you have a personal grudge against stephen sondheim

• but you’re also in love with stephen sondheim

• you’ve already written your tony acceptance speech

• you’ve had secret theatre crushes

• you’ve bonded with cast mates about past secret theatre crushes

• you’ve witnessed at least two people coming out

• you either know EXACTLY how a show will he cast or you have no idea

• you never include yourself in mock cast lists even if you KNOW you’re gonna get the part because you don’t want to look concieted

• you have strong opinions on the tonys every year

• you’ve considered nominating your theatre teacher/director for theatre teacher of the year

• wanting to go to theatre college but knowing you’d never get in (but still hoping)

• you’ve watched every season of Glee but would never admit it

• you identify with Rachel Berry at least a little bit

• you’ve watched all of your favorite broadway stars’ late night interviews on youtube

• you get obsessed with a new musical every week

• you wish you had satalite radio so that you could listen to the broadway station

• you’ve considered becoming a dramaturge

• when you go to see a show you always look at the ensemble rather than the leads

• you pick out a favorite ensemble member

• you’ve dipped your toes into broadway fanfiction but decided it was too weird

• you get emotional when an actor announces the end of their run and when a show closes

• you would pay money to get playbills

• you’re subscribed to backstage magazine

• you never know any popular music because you’re always listening to musicals

• you want to direct but know you don’t have thr balls

• you would give ANYTHING to sit and listen to the director/music director/choreographer/others during the audition process

• getting a callback is the most satisfying feeling in the world

• trying to get one on one time with the dance captian, but so is everyone else

• your parents can always tell when you’re not feeling well because “you’re not singing along”

• when you get sick becoming the most dramatic person in the world like “i’m never going to sing again” and “my entire broadway career is over”

• missing rehearsals and desperately trying to catch up

• rather than having a stash of porn you have a stash of bootlegs

• bootlegs are your only lifeline

• waiting for the cast list is a nightmare

• “sats??? i’ve got monologues to memorize”

• your kink is re-enacting the loft scene from spring awakening

• you have a show that you desperately want to do with your company that you know they’ll never put on

• there was at least one show where you know you should’ve gotten a part that you didn’t get and you’re still salty

• there’s one part that you played that NO ONE is allowed to talk about

• there’s also one secret theatre crush that you had that NO ONE is allowed to talk about

• you and the director sometimes are besties and sometimes they hate you and there is SO much in-between

• the choreography is TOO HARD and there is only one or two people who actually know it

• tea

• having so much anxiety about missing rehearsal

• not being called to a rehearsal and not knowing what to do with the free time

• t e c h w e e k

• bad memes about tech week. so many bad memes

• “tech week? more like i’ve forgotten what a shower is”

• asking for extensions on all tests/projects/homework

• just. not talking.

• the director is in a perpetual Bad Mood

• sleep? who IS she

• someone isn’t off book yet

• so many snacks

• one person brings dairy and everyone screams

• late night conversation about mental health (no one in theatre is mentally healthy)

• and then actually doing the show after what feels like years of rehearsal and knowing that the audience loves it

• there is NO feeling like the when the audience is laughing at something you did

• or, alternitavly, crying

• getting to curtain call and feeling the adrenaline coursing through your veins

• after the last show laughing with all of your castmates and friends because you’re so tired and happy that it’s over, but also crying because it’s OVER and you’re never going to perform it again

• going to the cast party and half the people still have their hair and makeup on and everyone is crying a little

• the cast gc blows up for days after the show is over and everyone talks about cast reunions and stuff and then after about two weeks it goes radio silent

• and then auditions start again and the whole process restarts

• you know that you’d never give up being a theatre kid because the theatre is your second family and you love it more than anything

#musical theater #musical theatre memes #musical theatre #theatre kids #theatre kids culture #book of mormon #dear evan hansen #hamilton #falsettos #christian borle #andrew rannells #lin manuel miranda

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spideyxchelle · 7 years

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HERE IS A HEADCANON BASED ON THIS SONG. HERE IS SOME PETER AND MJ IN THE SCHOOL MUSICAL NONSENSE THAT NO ONE ASKED FOR BUT I AM GIVING YOU ANYWAY. boom.

this headcanon NEEDS you to listen to the music along with it. or else it’s weird. I promise.

peter has always been a good singer. and, since the whole Spider-man thing, a pretty kickass dancer. and since his body can do all kinds of fun shit now, he likes to spend some time after decathlon practice in the empty gym, his signature earbuds in, and he dances his heart out. spinning, turning, jumping, kicking. feeling the music. he doesn’t feel constrained by his body. it’s an incredible, weird sensation.

his after-school dance time (when he isn’t out on patrol) is freeing, but it doesn’t last. his private time gets exposed. he dances his heart out, giving everything he has, to an ACDC song. and when the percussion hits, ending the song, his chest heaves heavy with exhaustion and pride and happiness.

until he hears the vague sound of clapping from behind him.

HE FREEZES. and slooooowly turns around. Michelle “MJ” Jones is standing in the two open doors of the gym, watching him.

he gulps and asks, “what’re you doing here?” “i got held up after practice,” she says, brushing off his question and asking her own, “where’d you learn to do that?” Peter’s face heats up, “I just like to dance....I’m a natural learner, I guess?” “bullshit....but the school musical could use your skills, Parker.” “THE SCHOOL MUSICAL???” he yelps. “yep,” she shrugs, “think about it.”

and then, like she was never even there, MJ is gone. Peter sits dumbfounded on the bleachers of a long time before a buzz from his phone startles him out his thoughts. it’s Mr. Stark telling him to get going for his patrol.

but the thing is even patrol can’t stop him from thinking. he always liked musicals growing up. uncle ben and aunt may used to do two-man re-enactments of les mis and rent and wicked during his childhood. ben was always the beautiful soprano, aunt may was ben’s brooding love interest. he remembered how the music made him feel. how those moments made him feel.

so the next day, he finds MJ at her locker and says without waiting for her to acknowledge him, “I’ve never acted before in my life.” “doesn’t matter,” she says, not missing a beat, “you lie all the time, Parker. its the same thing.” he stumbles and tries to come up with an excuse, a reason why he isn’t always lying. but it falls flat and, besides, MJ doesn’t care. she just lifts her hand and says, “I don’t care what you’re hiding. if you can dance and even kind of sing it’ll be an improvement from last year’s musical.”

Peter vaguely remembers the sophomore musical-- Guys and Dolls-- being basically unwatchable. but the new drama teacher has visions of grandeur and seems excited to breathe some life into a risky production. or so MJ says. he would believe anything she said when it came to theatre anyway. everybody knew MJ wanted to be an actress and NOBODY (noooobody) knew more about theatre than MJ. nobody. musicals weren’t really her passion, she wanted to dive deep into Chekov and Shakespeare but high schools only really did Shakespeare and she took what opportunities she could get. besides, from what peter could remember, MJ had a sweet, lilting voice.

without her asking, Peter tells her, ��I’m gonna audition.” “I don’t care what you do.” but he’s pretty sure he spots a ghost of a smile on MJ’s face as she stalks away to class.

May helps him the week leading up to the audition. he’s never fucking HEARD of Finding Neverland before. he’s pretty sure that Johnny Depp did the movie a million years ago and it has something to do with Peter Pan. but they don’t get down to Manhattan a lot to see stuff on Broadway. so he’s not sure what exactly the tone of the musical was, whenever it was on. they find the soundtrack online and May swoons over the guy from Glee. it’s all really embarrassing. but he figures the music is big and romantic.

and so May tells him that he should sing something just like that. so he does.

dressing in his nicest science-pun shirt, he waits in the wings for his audition on the day. everyone before him is not great. they sing too loud or too out-of-tune or its too dramatic and peter finds himself flinching with each try.

but then, again like she was never even THERE, MJ slinks by Peter and steps on the stage when her name is called. he’s not sure why but he perks up at the start of her audition.

she nods at the piano and something sad but serene pours out of the keys. MJ doesn’t move much when she sings. she stands and her face is subtle. she’s not throwing her hands or holding herself tight like this is some dramatic piece. there is a surrender, an acceptance about the song she’s singing.

he takes a step forward, like everything about her is drawing him into her orbit. her mouth has a quirked kind of smile as she sings about feeling kind of funny that any boy but especially the boy she likes would ever like her. because she’s not pretty or smart enough or good enough. and he’s shaking his head. because doesn’t she know she’s great?? and then he has to remind himself its just a song.

but...but...it touches him. in a way he’s surprised by.

the song swells and MJ takes the slightest step forward. it feels like she’s made some GRAND gesture. a small show of emotion, an insight into who she is. and then the song slows and she’s singing “isn’t it funny....isn’t it funny.....for a moment he convinced me I could be pretty............” and then heartbreakingly she adds “funny”.

there is silence once she’s done. AND THEN OUTRAGEOUS APPLAUSE. peter barely notices he’s clapping, too. fuck.

she rolls her eyes at the applause but she does seem pleased. when she gets off stage peter almost wants to tell her she’s great but she’s gone before he gets the chance.

he’s still so STARSTRUCK by her performance that he almost misses his name. they call it three times before he crosses on stage with a litany of apologies. and then, he starts to sing.

it’s easy and romantic and he’s got a boyish charm to him (or that’s what Aunt May says at least). this whole song is him going back and forth anxious and nervous. it plays right into his brand. and he gets to really sing a little. which he likes. and then the music gets quiet. and he starts singing “i didn’t know she mattered to me but now I can see she does” and his eyes can’t help himself. he looks toward where MJ walked off. he tries to shake it off. but its hard.

he’s surprised when the song is over, tbh. and even more surprised when the drama teacher stands and claps. he bounces a little, proud of what he did. he gives an awkward bow and runs off stage.

he goes on patrol that night with a HUGE grin on his face. and the flicker of MJ’s voice in his head. because wow. they’ve been friends, real friends, for almost a year now. after Vulture he tried to calm down with ditching things and then MJ trusted him enough to hang out. but he’d never seen her like that. not really. she was magnetic. really, freakin’ magnetic. which, AHEM, was totally her acting. yeeeeeep.

the surprises don’t end, though, when the next day at school the cast list drops and Peter sees his name next to J.M. Barrie. the lead. cooooool cool cool cool. he’s panicking. A LITTLE. and the panic doesn’t subside when he looks at the name beneath him: Michelle Jones - Sylvia Llewelyn Davies.

he doesn’t know much about the musical but he knows they’re the love story. and he’s half-terrified and half-thrilled.

when rehearsals start he realizes its not just a romance but an EPIC romance. about two people who become friends and then trip face first in love. which is stressful. for reasons. REASONS he doesn’t want to talk about.

lucky for them the first two and a half weeks of the four week rehearsal period are dealing with ensemble numbers, which there are a lot. and they dance. they dance so much. and when they aren’t dancing Peter is struggling to learn his lines and work on his solos. he only really sings a few things MJ. two to be exact. and only the one in act two is romantic. but the one in acting two is ROMANTIC with a capital R.

and they’re working through the show chronologically. so it doesnt start to get awkward until the very end. and, even more, because they’re a high school production. they’re very behind schedule. so a week out from the show’s opening night. they’re staging THE BIG NUMBER.

and its weird because in the last few weeks peter thinks he and MJ have been flirting. or well, their version of flirting. which is peter smiling big at her and bringing her favorite tea to rehearsal and MJ knocking into him with her shoulder. and that little small contact shouldn’t make his whole day but it does. because, what did his song say? “i didn’t know she mattered to me but now I can see she does” and its true. because its getting harder and harder day by day to ignore how much she means to him.

which makes the song, WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME, terrifying. because he’s not even said those words to her yet. and now he’s expected to sing them.

the song is memorized, the dialogue too. they don’t have a lot of time to workshop it. so their director just tells them to feel it out with each other. she trusts their instincts or some shit. and peter feels like she’s teasing them. like she knows. but the song is quiet and intimate and doesn’t need a lot of staging. he knows he just has to look in her eyes and he finds he doesn’t want to, he’s afraid of what he’ll see there.

so the piano starts and peter looks everywhere but at her. MJ groans and the pianist stops and the director climbs on stage.

she grabs the two teenagers by their upper arms and says gently, like she’s trying not to frighten teenagers just coming into adult feelings, “this doesn’t have to be loud or grand, okay? this moment in the play is about when feelings. and feelings are real and intense...and scary. don’t shy away from the scary. sometimes the best things are.”

the director nods at the pianist and he hears the piano start. slow and cautious.

peter faces MJ, takes a deep breath and starts to sing “standing here, all at once, all the words run dry” ....he sees MJ make a decision and she steps in toward him but not quite touching him and she sings “something’s changed, can’t explain and I can’t deny” Peter takes another and sings back “turning in circles and blurring the lines the unspoken is calling us tonight”

and the piano waits. there is nothing but silence between them. he knows he’s holding his breath. he knows she is too. and then, together, they take the final step that has their faces mere inches from one another and together they sing “i won’t lie i’m a little bit frightened of my imagination, i swear I’ll try but I’m feeling enlightened you’re my inspiration” the music keeps going and they keep singing. but they don’t move. they just stand facing each other barely touching.

the chorus ends and Peter lifts his hand barely brushing a curl off her face and then he attempts to cup it before he sings alone, “every word and every sentence, nothing seems to make a difference, nothing can explain just what you mean to me.” MJ closes her hand over his and he’s ashamed that he shutters “every shape and all the colors, all the love from all the lovers never could express just what you mean to me”

they go back and forth singing together until the music travels off alone. they don’t sing. they just stand there and sing “turning in circles and blurring the lines.” the piano hits three sharp chords and Peter feels something in him snap. he grabs for her waist, he pulls her close and MJ grips his forearm. their foreheads touch, their eyes close and together they sing, “i won’t lie...I’m a little bit frightened of my imagination I swear I’ll try but I’m feeling enlightened but you’re my inspiration..”

and the song starts to wind down. their eyes open but they don’t even dare move their foreheads away from each other. they want to be touching. they want to be close and in unison they sing “every star that’s ever fallen...knows the way to where we’re going...now I really know just what you mean to me.....”

as the piano trails off, Peter tucks a hair behind MJ’s ear and kisses her. she makes the smallest surprised noise in the back of her throat but then she’s gripping the forearm she’s holding on to and leaning into the kiss.

it’s quiet. the music is done. and they’re still kissing. slow and earnest.

peter pulls away first and brushes his nose against hers. sweet and urgent. she smiles and he thinks he might have died. because her smile slays him.

an awkward throat cough echoes in the auditorium. they don’t let go of each other but they both turn their heads to the side.

their director is there standing next to the blushing freshman pianist. ONLY THEN does Peter have the wherewithal to let go of MJ. he backs away from her. and cracks a guilty grin. his voice hitches, “good?”

MJ playfully smacks his arm. but the director laughs and nods, “good. but a small kiss would suffice. no need to makeout after, Mr. Parker...Miss Jones.”

#headcanon ask #musicals #spideychelle

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miss-m-and-her-blog · 7 years

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He’s My Girl (Prologue)

TITLE OF STORY: He’s My Girl

CHAPTER: (Prologue)

AUTHOR: miss-m-and-her-blog

WHICH TOM/CHARACTER: AU Actor!Tom

GENRE: Romance, Action, Drama

FIC SUMMARY: He’s a guy, she’s a boy in disguise. He’s an actor, she’s a stuntman or -woman. How can it ever work when the famous Tom Hiddleston stars in an action film, with Charlie or Charlene as his stunt choreographer?

RATING: T

WARNINGS/TRIGGERS/AUTHORS NOTES: The character Charlene is a mixed-raced Korean (She’s part Chinese-Filipino and Korean), and her looks are inspired from actress Jessica Henwick, because look at her at the picture below, she’s just divine, isn’t she? ^_^

FEEDBACK/COMMENTS: The readers went through with me with Mr. Perfect, and now here’s another one ^_^ I hope that the readers will like it :D Thanks very much and always, lovelots! <3

—-

It is an unusually hot November day, and the sun has shone all day there on Lockley Studios. The pre-production of their newest action film titled, The Last Deal is ongoing and they are looking for stunt performers or choreographers that can keep up with the action sequences of the film.

Meanwhile, at the other side of the studio stands the trailers of the stars casted for the film; there at the end of the lane stood the trailer of the leading man, Tom Hiddleston.

He was re-reading the script as he is internalizing his character, John Hicks; a retiring assassin who has been hired to take one last job that will wedge him between a war with the Triads and the Yakuza.

The PA beside him heard him sigh, “Wow, this is some heavy stuff.”

His PA, a middle-aged woman named Angie asked, “Why so?”

Tom pointed at the script, “John’s backstory is just-- very heavy. I mean, he went on being an assassin when he turned 16, just after his parents were killed in front of him. All of the rage and angst, this guy has it.”

Angie patted his shoulder, “Be glad that’s he’s just a character.”

Tom chuckled and shook his head. Once again, he’s being so invested in a character that he forgets that he is not the person in the script.

Suddenly, a prod. assistant knocked and opened the trailer door.

“Tom? The stunt performers for audition, they’re here. You wanted me to let you know when they arrive.”

He stood up and replied giddily, “Oh yes. Where are they? Where’s the audition happening?”

“Studio 4. Are you coming?”

Tom looked back at Angie, “Yes. I’ll come with you. Maybe I could also choose a stunt trainer from them.”

The man nodded with a smile and Tom followed him out of the trailer.

He almost swore to himself for not bringing something to cover him because the Californian sun felt like it would melt his skin off. But as they trekked the mile long way to the studio, Tom didn’t bothered to think about the heat.

When they arrived at Studio 4, a very large warehouse that can contain two tennis courts or three basketball courts, stood mightily at the center of Lockley Studios. He was lead on at the main entrance, and the moment he entered, every crewmen or production assistant were in a large circle and are watching something in the middle.

“What’s happening?” Tom asked as he could also hear people cheering on what was happening at the center.

“You have to see this, Tom. It’s like a cage fight inside that circle.” A camera crewman encouraged him.

His eyebrow raised and he felt curious. Why does an audition for a stunt performer needed to be a cage fight?

The production assistant lead him closer to the circle and also up front so he could see what was happening. When he got there, he was offered a seat beside the film’s executive producer, Andy Lockley and the director, George Weissman.

Both men saw Tom and they shook his hand and he sat in the middle of them to watch the spectacle that had started in the audition.

“What’s really happening?” Tom asked again, now at George.

“An audition. But you have to watch this. These guys from the Philippines have prepared something cool for us to see.” He confidently pointed out to Tom.

Tom could only shake his head and turn his attention at the middle of the circle.

For a while, all was cheering when four tall and muscled men came out and stood out like they are the corners of a box. They looked so ferocious that Tom thought that he wouldn’t want to get in a fight with them. But what happened next was that a girl, also a Filipino, stood in the middle of them.

The crowd cheered louder as if they are in MMA fight that time and Tom couldn’t understand what was about to happen. He was worried that the girl might get hurt with this mock fight that they are going to do.

The girl nodded at the men around her, and there, the fight begun.

All at once, the men attacked her and with a swift motion, she ducked and evaded them. Tom felt so surprised as he saw the girl punch and kick the men as if she is as strong as them.

Her acrobatic moves were formidable and he just couldn’t believe his eyes that the girl who looked so fragile and innocent a minute ago is now battling those behemoth of men with her moves.

Once again, the crewmen roared with cheer and shouted everything when the girl was caught in a headlock by one of the men.

Finish her! One shouted, and Tom cringed.

What is this? A pit fight? Are you fucking kidding me? He thought to himself.

In all truth, Tom is rooting for the girl to come out of the mock fight unscathed or at least unhurt. Until then, the girl got out of the headlock and she effortlessly held the man in a leg lock which took the man down.

The other stuntmen didn’t dared move her or she will break the man’s arm joints, and so, he tapped the mat beneath them; surrendering to the girl.

Tom sighed in relief as the mock fight was done. But the glee in Andy and George’s face were still there. They are amused, but he could see something in Andy--something else.

The stuntmen lined up and took a bow as the crowd cheered at them. The noise only died down when Andy stood up to say something,

“You have done a good job, guys. That’s a very good showcase of your talents. All of you, can join the production-- except, you.”

And he pointed at the girl, and her eyes widened with shock. Tom was baffled, then the girl spoke,

“I’m sorry?” Her voice sounded delicate, just like how she looks.

“We’re not hiring you, babe.” Andy nonchalantly told her.

She was breathing heavily and she took steps forward to ask again, “Why? Have I done something wrong?”

Andy, brushed his whiskers and said, “We don’t hire women on this kind of job here in Lockley Studios. And anyways, you look like a toothpick that can be easily snapped into two-- how old are you anyway? 15?”

Tom saw the girl blush with embarrassment but she managed to reply, “I’m 24, Mr. Lockley. And I can do stunts just as much these guys can.” She replied defiantly but still with respect.

“Still no, baby girl. I’m sorry. Only the guys are hired.” And he gestured with his hands saying No.

With all of this happening, Tom had his jaw clenched. He couldn’t say anything at the moment, because Andy is the executive producer of this film.

Misogynist prick. Is he afraid that a girl can do it? He quietly thought to himself.

And with that, the audition ended.

“Let’s wrap up it, people. Congratulations to the men.” Andy spoke lastly.

The crowd left one by one, but the girl remained standing at the middle, still breathing heavily. One of the men gave her a sad look and tapped her shoulder. But she looked away from him.

George left and so did Andy, but Tom was left standing from his seat. He saw that the girl was about to sob but she only drummed her chest and turned away so no one would see her tears.

Tom wanted to run for her or at least say something to comfort her. He knows what it feels like to have a door shut at someone’s face, and he experienced it when he is just beginning in the show business.

But she walked away fast that he couldn’t chase her down anymore. Instead, he now wants to confront Andy for his rejection. He turned around and he walked briskly, trying to reach Andy amidst the crowd exiting the studio.

“Andy! Andy, wait!” He shouted, but suddenly, he felt a hand hold his arm and stop him.

It was Julian Tanner, his stunt double from previous films that he had done that eventually became his friend.

“Don’t, Tom. Andy will never listen to you.” He begged him.

“How would you know?” Tom spatted at him.

“I know. I’ve worked for him a couple of times and I just know that he doesn’t listen.” Julian tried to calm Tom down.

He inhaled sharply and scratched the back of his head. “When did you arrived, man?” Tom asked Julian.

“A little while, but I saw all of it.”

Tom tried to dismiss his frustration, then he replied, “Buy me a drink, will you? Just so I could forget this for a moment?”

“Sure. Come on, man.” Julian replied with a smile.

And then they left the scene to get out of the studio for a while.

-------

A black Chevrolet SUV pulled out of the parkway of the studios and the first person to come out of it is the leading lady of the film and also the director’s niece; the actress Paula Weissman.

She is the epitome of a Hollywood beauty; long blonde curls, perfect heart-shaped face and to top it off, a perfect body. But actually, underneath the face lies the attitude of a spoiled Primadonna that she carefully don’t show to her fans.

Her assistant, Gwen, stood quickly beside her with an umbrella on hand.

“Ugh, Gwen, the heat!” She complained to her assistant who scurried and opened the umbrella and enclose Paula inside the shade.

They started to walk towards the main building of Lockley Studios as her uncle would meet them there.

Then she asked Gwen something, “Where’s Tom? Did he said anything?”

Gwen struggled to talk as she held up the umbrella while holding four bags that Paula owns, “He just went out with his friend, Julian, but Angie told me that he would be here in 20.”

“Good. Keep up, girl, we don’t want to be late.” She barked at Gwen, and they continued walking into the main building.

At the other side of the building, the girl who was rejected in the audition is sitting at a quiet spot surrounded by tropical plants and a simple stone trail at the back of the main building.

Her name is Charlene Lee. And she had done every work possible all her life, because of her ailing father, Lee Bo-Gyeong, but he had unfortunately passed away a year ago.

She could feel the strain in her muscles as she sat with her knees up on her chest. The six-month training for that routine had almost killed her because of the rigorous effort that she had put on it; only to be rejected and even humiliated.

Somehow at this moment she is wishing again what she have wished all her life; that if only she was born a man, then all of her problems might be solved.

Charlene bowed her head on her knees and there she felt her tears fall down.

I’m sorry, Papa. I always let you down. She mournfully thought.

----

Tom and Julian had just got back to the studio and Tom was informed by one of Gwen’s assistant that Paula has also arrived. When the PA left, Julian gave Tom a knowing look.

“What? Paula and I are friends.” Tom replied with a giggle.

Julian shrugged, “I’m not saying anything, man. But from what I saw from the tabloids, she’s cozy with you.”

Then Tom remembered that time they were photographed by the paparazzi; spotted holding hands in Venice Beach, two weeks ago.

“Well, what’s wrong with that? I’m single, she’s single. She’s been through a bad breakup-”

Then Julian continued, “And you’ve also been from a bad breakup.”

Tom laughed as it is true, and it has been a year ago since the last time he dated someone and it certainly didn’t end up well.

They went into the reception area of the building then into a lounge with a bar, where he saw Paula waiting and sitting over a couch. She was wearing a maroon dress with intricate lacing which brought up the honey color to her blonde hair. Tom smiled as soon as their eyes meet.

Julian then nudged him, “I’ll leave you to it, man.”

Tom went over her and the other people that she was talking to, noticed him. One of them is the scriptwriter then the costume designer for the film. They were just catching up with Paula and asking her if she is comfortable with her role for the film.

And her role, actually, is the person that the Triads and Yakuza are looking for because her character is a hacker who have stolen some important data from both parties and has set to have the two syndicate to go at each other.

Then, it would be Tom’s character to save Paula’s character only to have an intimate connection with her.

Tom sat beside Paula and they greeted each other with a kiss on a cheek.

“What took you so long?” Paula whispered to him.

“I’ve been with Julian. When did you get here?” He whispered back and they both looked like conversing with a secret that only the two of them knows about.

“An hour ago. Let’s talk somewhere more private. I’ll meet you at the back of the main building.” She insinuated, then Paula left the circle.

Before walking down the hall, she looked back at Tom to give him a very seducing side-eye.

Tom felt something jolt inside him, and thought, That’s a girl I want to date.

He followed her after a while; Tom saw her walking down a staircase ahead of him and now walking towards the back exit that leads to the outside garden.

When he also got to the exit, he saw the bushy part of the back of the main building, with a long shed and benches all over the lane. He saw her standing and waiting for him.

“Come, Tom. Walk with me. There’s no one else here.” Paula invited him.

Tom stood beside her but instead of taking her hand, he kissed her deeply.

Paula didn’t held back as she placed her arms around his neck and pulled him to give back kisses. But little did they knew, someone was witnessing that scene, and it was Charlene who had just wiped her tears away.

“What? Of all the place?” She muttered.

When they were done pecking each other, Charlene saw that they are going towards where she is, and if they saw her there; they might suspect her that she is snooping around.

And so, before they could walk further, she hid herself in the bush so they won’t see her.

Yeah, great, Cha. Nice work on hiding yourself. She thought as the leaves brushed on her mouth and face.

Tom wrapped his arm around Paula’s shoulder as they started to walk over the bushy lane.

“So how’s you weekend?” Tom asked Paula.

“It’s okay. I got my hair done, you see. I read the scripts, all that stuff. How about you?” Paula then turned to him.

“Me? I was thinking about you the whole time.” Tom whispered and Paula smirked.

But now, they are approaching the spot where Charlene is hiding. And of all the time that something unfortunate could happen, it happened right there and then to Charlene; she saw a centipede crawling over her shoes and was slowly making its way to the ends of her jeans.

Shit. NO! Go away! She panicked as she tried to shake away the centipede.

Right then, Tom and Paula are now standing directly in front of her and only the bush are concealing her from them.

Then, the most embarrassing happened; the centipede went inside her jeans and Charlene responded to what she can only do, to jump around and shake down the centipede.

But then, she jumped out of the bushes to which startled Tom and Paula.

Paula shrieked and then she fell down on her rear in the pavement while Tom was startled.

Charlene kept jumping around but she couldn’t see the centipede crawl out from her jeans. But, she was not ready when she saw both of them looking at her; Tom was puzzled but Paula’s eyes narrowed in anger.

“What the fuck were you doing, hiding in that bush?! Are you a paparazzi or a desperate reporter?” Paula shouted at her as soon as she got up.

Tom had his brows furrowed but he tried to restrain Paula from attacking the girl. Then for a while, he recognized her.

“You’re the girl earlier; on the audition.” Tom pointed.

“I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Charlene shyly mumbled.

“What were you doing there?” Tom asked calmly but Paula looked so angry that her cheeks and forehead were red.

“I saw the both of you walk towards here--and I didn’t wanted to interrupt, so I hid myself here... But a centipede got into my jeans.”

Paula placed her hands on her waist and tried to look tall, even though Charlene is actually a head taller than her.

“Ha-ha, what a very plausible excuse. You’re a paparazzi, show me where you hid your camera.” Paula accused her and she even went on frisking Charlene to which Tom stopped her.

“Paula, please. I’m sure she didn’t wanted to be rude so that’s why she hid herself.” Tom said to calm Paula’s nerves down.

Then he approached Charlene, not with anger or fierceness, but with gentleness that she felt something so strange.

“I’m also sorry if Paula scolded at you. But please, don’t do it again. You can go now.” Tom then looked at her sincerely in the eyes.

For a moment, Charlene wanted to go, but when she saw his big blue eyes; looking so serene and heart-stopping, she froze where she is standing. But she snapped out of it and Charlene ran away from the both of them.

She kept running until she reached the second studio that is beside the main building. There, she turned her back at the wall and breathed heavily from running.

“That guy-- who is he? He’s...” And her words trailed off and she remembered his eyes again.

Finally, the centipede crawled away from her ankle to which she kicked away from her.

Charlene was sure that her heartbeat is pounding fast because she ran, but she can feel butterflies in her stomach whenever she remembers that man.

He’s very handsome. And so-- kind. She thought.

She reached for her cheeks and she felt it to be so hot and flustered. Charlene assured herself that it is because she ran, but maybe, she is blushing and it is that man’s fault.

“No way.” She whispered.

Charlene could only wonder, would she ever meet him again?

TITLE OF STORY: He’s My Girl

CHAPTER: (Prologue)

AUTHOR: miss-m-and-her-blog

WHICH TOM/CHARACTER: AU Actor!Tom

GENRE: Romance, Action, Drama

RATING: T

FEEDBACK/COMMENTS: The readers went through with me with Mr. Perfect, and now here’s another one ^_^ I hope that the readers will like it :D Thanks very much and always, lovelots! <3

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