Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“Hello, Mr. Whitacre. I was surprised to see you on set today.”
He laughs. “I know my job tends to be more behind the scenes than others, but I take my projects seriously. I’m more hands-on than many producers.”
“That’s great. It’s nice to meet you, too,” I say, too delayed. He was in the background during some table reads, but he hasn’t spoken to me yet. If I’d known he was here, I would’ve tried even harder not to screw up all my lines. This guy must think I’m an idiot.
“You’re extremely talented,” Mr. Whitacre says. “I was honestly surprised to see you doing another movie. Rumors were that you were auditioning to go back to TV.”
“Well, yes, sir, but I couldn’t turn down this opportunity.”
“And why not?”
I shoot him a confused look. “It’s a huge chance for me. This would be the biggest movie I’ve ever done.”
“But do you want to be here? You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself.”
“I’m so sorry that I’m having a rough day. I’m not usually like this. You’ll see I’m much better once the cameras roll.”
“That’s not what I mean. Everyone has a rough day, and you’re not the only one out there who isn’t nailing their lines. But I’m worried that you aren’t in this. Is this project where your heart lies?”
I want to lie to the man and say I’m fully invested in this movie, but I can’t do that. He was kind enough to give me a job without an official audition, and I owe him honesty in return.
“No, sir, it’s not. I do want to go back to TV. That’s my passion. All these movies I’ve done have been taxing on me. I wish I’d never made the transition.”
Mr. Whitacre grins. “Good. You’re fired.”
I gasp. “Wait, what? Sir, I swear, I’ll be better.”
“This is for your own good, Spencer. We both know you don’t want to be in this movie. It’ll delay your true plans for months, maybe even years if it picks up and you get more roles because of it. Is that what you want?”
“I can wait a few months.”
“No, you can’t. I won’t be involved in derailing a young man’s career because he’s not doing what he wants.”
“But I want this movie. I’ve wanted it since the day you announced it.”
“Things change. Do you want it now?”
I start to nod, but instead, shake my head. “No, but I’m not a quitter.”
“Which is why I’m firing you. And I’m talking to a few guys I know from the TV side of things. They’ll get you something. Maybe just some guest roles at first, but you’ll make it big. I saw talent in you. They will, too.”
I’m flabbergasted. “Sir, where is this coming from?”
He chuckles. “I was in the opposite position once. How much do you know about my career?”
“Not much,” I admit. “Only that you’re a huge producer now. Some really big movies have come from your company.”
“Yes, but it wasn’t always that way. I actually started off as a director straight out of college. My father worked in the film industry, and I have to admit nepotism played a big part in getting me to where I am now.”
“They say entertainment is all about who you know.”
“It really is. So, I got some very small directorial gigs, making my own movies right when I graduated until I landed a job on a TV show when the last guy quit halfway through the first season.”
“I had no idea.”
“Not many people do. This was over thirty years ago now. I worked on that TV show, did a good job, and got another, then another, until I thought TV was all I’d ever do. But the truth was, I wanted to do movies and didn’t want to direct them. I’m a businessman. Sure, I’m creative, you have to be in this world, but I like handling the backstage stuff. I don’t want to be the guy in charge of the cameras, but I can handle the budget.”
“And that’s how you ended up a producer?”
“I made the original shift when I was still in TV. It took me years to finally branch out into a movie, and I haven’t gone back, even though I’ve been asked. Entertainment has two rules: you have to know people and love what you’re doing. That’s how it is for creative jobs like this. If you don’t care, why should other people?”
I stare at him for almost a full minute before I say something. “I never thought of it like that. I’ve just been trying to make a living.”
“You don’t seem to be hurting for money. Stop taking on all these roles you don’t care about. Go back to the thing you do.”
I hand him the script. “This is going to set you back.”
Mr. Whitacre shrugs. “I’m glad I caught you today and not halfway through the movie. We’ll find someone else to fill your role and get him up to speed. Should only delay things by a week or two. No big deal. I’m in charge here. I make the rules.”