"Scene 2, Shot 1, Take 1, action!"
The next morning was bright and clear, with a gentle breeze and crisp air.
On the set of the Maryland Institute College of Art, the crew of Step Up continued filming.
Director Billy sat firmly in the director's chair, staring at the monitor with a blank expression, like a serious, robotic worker.
In the dance rehearsal room, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan danced in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror.
Ms. Anne stood with her arms crossed, focused and meticulous.
From morning until afternoon, they filmed three scenes, all strictly according to the script. The process went smoothly, and surprisingly, Billy and Anne didn't argue even once.
The crew members were stunned—what was going on?
"Luca, how did you manage this? The results are amazing!" Mr. Ross asked in confusion.
"Nothing much, I just had a little chat with him about, you know, adult films," Luca shrugged.
"Adult films?" Mr. Ross was puzzled.
Luca laughed, "Just kidding. Honestly, I didn't do much. Billy figured it out on his own."
"Alright then!" Mr. Ross shrugged as well.
Luca smiled faintly, remembering something. "Mr. Ross, do you happen to know any professors who teach British drama or dance? Preferably someone from the UK."
"Why do you ask?"
"I have an audition coming up for a film, a true British production."
It was for Pride and Prejudice, and the audition was starting soon.
The role he was going for was a British character, and to land it, having just a British look and gentlemanly manners wasn't enough. He'd need to master a British accent, etiquette, habits, traditional English dance, and more.
"Mr. Ross, do you know anyone who fits the bill?"
Mr. Ross thought for a moment. "Ms. Nia is British, and she studied classical British drama. She could give you some guidance. As for traditional British dance..."
He glanced at Ms. Anne nearby. "Do you think there's anyone more suitable than her?"
Luca blinked. That seemed right.
Ms. Anne Fletcher was a master of all kinds of dance—modern, classical, you name it. She had even danced in Titanic.
Suddenly, Luca realized how many talented people surrounded him.
After finding the right teacher, Luca got busy again.
He spent most of his time on set, focusing on his role as a screenwriter, discussing the script with Anne and Billy, and making sure the film's quality stayed intact, preventing Billy from going too far off-script.
Aside from his work with the crew, he carved out time each day to learn traditional British dances from Ms. Anne, like circle dances, noble ballroom dances, and courtship dances.
Every week, he also made time to head back to Broadway in New York to study with Ms. Nia, learning how to behave like a proper Brit.
Occasionally, he would squeeze in time to chat, shop, or work out with Kate, Lima, and Britney.
On top of all that, he also had work to manage in Brazil, copying down the second book of his series.
After a few days, he felt utterly exhausted.
But no matter how tired he was, the work still had to get done.
April 1st was Tony's wedding day.
That morning, the weather was perfect with a light breeze. The wedding took place in front of a church in Brooklyn, where a band played Richard Marx's Now and Forever.
Now and forever
I will be your man
Sometimes I just hold you…
About 50-60 friends, family members, and colleagues sat on either side.
As the music played, Tony walked out with his fiancée Vanessa. Vanessa was about 5'7" and weighed over 180 pounds. She wasn't particularly beautiful, but she had a gentle personality and knew how to manage a household—more than a match for Tony.
"What a happy couple!" Ed praised.
"Yeah, they really are," Luca clapped and smiled.
"Luca, when do you plan to get married?" Ed asked, flashing his pearly whites.
"Marriage is just a formality. Whether it happens sooner or later doesn't really matter, does it? And can you stop pushing me about it? If I get married, I might leave the entertainment industry to become a stay-at-home dad. Do you really want me to quit?"
Luca glanced at him irritably. The most annoying thing at weddings was people pushing him to get married. Ed was such a buzzkill.
"Alright, alright," Ed laughed and then brought up something else.
"By the way, the Helmut Lang ad team reached out this morning. They want to shoot the ad this week. Can you spare two days?"
"Got it!" Luca nodded. The Helmut Lang team had originally planned to shoot the ad in mid-March, and he had rushed over to do it, but Jennifer Aniston was still filming elsewhere, so it got delayed until now.
"You may now kiss the bride!" the wedding officiant announced from the front.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Vanessa grabbed Tony and kissed him passionately—smooch, smooch, smooch.
"Whoa~" the crowd cheered and laughed.
Luca and Ed burst into laughter.
"Tony's so weak! He's definitely going to be bossed around at home. No backbone at all!" Ed chuckled.
Luca nodded in agreement. "Yeah, yeah. He's no match for Vanessa. She's going to bully him every day. Not much of a man, is he?"
After a moment, they exchanged glances—why did this feel a little awkward?
Riiiiing!
Suddenly, Luca's phone rang.
He glanced at the number and walked to the edge of the lawn.
"Mr. Ross, what's up?"
"Billy fainted."
"Fainted?" Luca was shocked. Billy was a bit chubby, but generally healthy. How could he suddenly collapse?
"Here's what happened…"
Everything was fine during the morning shoot, but then Billy suddenly lost his temper, threw his cup, and shouted that this wasn't the movie he wanted to make. After a few shouts, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.
"I see. I'll be right there."
Luca sighed. Things had just been quiet on set for a few days, and now this.
He quickly said his goodbyes to Ed and Tony and left the wedding early.
"Anne, how's Billy doing?" Luca asked that afternoon at Baltimore Harbor Hospital, where Ms. Anne was waiting.
"It's just high blood pressure, nothing too serious," Ms. Anne frowned.
Luca breathed a sigh of relief.
"Luca, you should be prepared—Billy probably won't be able to continue directing," Ms. Anne said.
Luca nodded. He understood what she meant.
After their last talk, Billy had reluctantly followed his advice, sticking strictly to the script and acting like a tool, but his mood had been down ever since. He barely spoke and seemed like he was holding something in.
Had he finally reached his breaking point?
Luca sighed and walked into Billy's hospital room.
Billy lay in bed, his face pale, but he was awake.
"Luca, you're here!" Billy smiled weakly.
"Yeah, I heard you fainted. I was worried. How are you feeling now?" Luca handed some flowers to the nurse.
Billy hesitated for a moment before saying, "Luca, I don't think I can continue directing."
Luca nodded. "Focus on getting better. We can delay the shoot and continue later."
"No, Luca. I mean, the crew should keep filming without me. There's too much money on the line to stop now."
Luca raised an eyebrow. "But you're the director. How can we continue without you? Just rest and recover. We'll wait."
"No, Luca. I think there's someone better suited to direct than me."
"Who?"
"Anne!"
A while later, Luca walked out of the room.
"How did it go?" Ms. Anne asked.
Luca shook his head. "Billy needs more time to recover. He suggested replacing the director so we don't fall behind schedule."
"Replace him? We've already shot a third of the film. Who's going to take over such a mess? How could he do this?" Ms. Anne was furious.
Her voice was loud, probably so Billy could hear it.
"Anne, calm down," Luca pulled her aside. "Billy said he's willing to continue directing, but only if he can do it his way."
"No way! If he does it his way, the film will flop!" Ms. Anne's face darkened.
"Then we'll have to replace the director."
"With who?"
"Billy recommended someone, and I think they're the best choice."
"Who?"
Luca stared at her without saying a word, a faint smile on his face.
Annie was a bit taken aback. "You're not talking about me, are you?"
Luca nodded, still smiling. "Yes, Billy and I both agree that you're the most suitable candidate."
"Me?"
Ms. Annie raised an eyebrow. "No way, I've never directed before. I wouldn't be able to handle it. This is a multimillion-dollar production."
"Annie!" Luca looked her in the eyes seriously. "You've been in the film industry longer than both Billy and me. You have more experience, and you've produced several films. You know everything there is to know about how a film crew operates.
Since Step Up was greenlit, you've put more time and effort into this project than anyone else. I don't think anyone understands this movie better than you, and no one is more qualified to direct it.
Annie, I believe you can do it!"
Ms. Annie pondered for a moment, then suddenly put on a stern face. "Fine, I'll take over this mess, but from now on, the crew has to listen to me."
"Of course! You need people? You'll get them. You need money? You'll get it. Whatever you need, I'll support you fully!"
Luca said firmly.
"Good. I want you to stay on set for the entire time!"
"..."
Am I just shooting myself in the foot here? After Annie took over the mess, she immediately transformed into a powerhouse, handling everything with swift and decisive action.
First, she kept a certain restless screenwriter on set.
Next, she restructured the crew, firing several of Billy's old staff and hiring a few new people.
Finally, she demanded Billy be named assistant director and executive producer, forcing him to stay on set and claiming publicly that they were co-directors.
If Billy dared to refuse, she would represent the company in firing him and even file a lawsuit.
Billy had no choice but to stay on set, acting like a frustrated subordinate, a far cry from his previous days of total control.
However, under Annie's leadership, the crew quickly underwent a transformation. Everything became organized, work efficiency skyrocketed, and the shooting schedule sped up.
Annie's performance left everyone in the crew in shock. But she was so forceful that working with her was extremely stressful.
Luca had to be extra careful whenever he asked for time off, afraid he might upset her.
Luca was feeling frustrated. At home, he had to deal with the Ice Queen, a powerhouse of a woman. At the company, there was another powerhouse in Katie Ford. And now, on set, there was Annie.
"Why are there so many powerful women in the world?" Luca sighed softly.
"Because you're too soft!" Tony grinned.
"What did you say?!"
"Uh, nothing!" Tony chuckled and drove toward Times Square.
The Helmut Lang ad shoot was about to begin.
(End of chapter)