Power Stone Goals from now on: I always post a minimum of 5 chapters. Henceforth the following are the goals:
Every 150 powerstones, I upload an extra chapter.
If we hit top 30 in the 30-90 days power stone rankings, thats 1 more chapter
If we hit top 10 in the 30-90 days power stone rankings, thats 1 more chapter
If we are top 5...well lets get to that first. Happy readings!
Chapter 8: Something big is happening
After Nathan assured me that he would do his best to secure the highest possible rate per episode, I took a moment to consider the practicalities that would follow.
"Do you guys have any accountants you would recommend?" I asked.
Nathan paused, visibly surprised by the question. I could see that he hadn't expected it. And I couldn't really blame him. Most people, especially those just breaking into the industry, weren't thinking about tax strategy or financial structuring right out of the gate. But I had different reasons.
My background wasn't rooted in the U.S. I had spent most of my adult life working in the UK, navigating a completely different financial and legal system. The rules here were unfamiliar, and while I could read and interpret documents well, the day-to-day processes of filing taxes, handling deductions, and planning long-term financial strategy in America were not part of my skill set.
And judging by what I had seen on social media over the years, particularly from public figures who often spoke about the risks of mismanaging money, hiring a competent accountant was non-negotiable.
Nathan adjusted in his seat and then said, "Yes, of course. We work with a few firms that specialize in entertainment finance. I can send you a shortlist of names you can reach out to."
I nodded, making a mental note to follow up. I didn't necessarily plan to go with the agency's recommendation, but I wanted a reference point—a direction to start from.
Ideally, I would do my own vetting and choose someone based on compatibility and discretion.
Because I knew this wasn't just about the money I'd make from Teen Wolf.
This was only the beginning.
Over the next one to five years, and more certainly within the next decade, I fully intended to be earning far more than the average actor. I wasn't thinking in terms of thousands or even millions.
I was thinking on the scale of hundreds of millions. This wasn't some vague ambition. It was a realistic projection based on the facts I already knew. For example, Bitcoin.
Right now, in 2010, Bitcoin was still in its infancy. The value of one coin barely registered. But I knew with absolute certainty that in ten years, its value would rise to tens of thousands of dollars.
And it wouldn't stop there. Real estate, equities, and even creative assets—books, content channels, music rights—I had knowledge that could help me move through the economy with confidence.
But with every income stream came administrative overhead. Taxes. Audits. Structuring. Licensing.
I had neither the time nor the desire to manage all of that myself.
If there was one thing my years in corporate law taught me, it was that wealthy individuals cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to legal and financial infrastructure.
For everyday earners, sure—Google a few terms, download a template, and that'll usually get the job done.
But once money began moving in real volume, the game changed. Mistakes became expensive, and the cost of professional support quickly paid for itself in the savings and security it offered.
I wasn't in law anymore, and that meant I had to be even more intentional. I couldn't spend my time on detailed research, disputes, or filings.
I had an entirely different focus now. I wanted to perform, create, and connect with audiences. I wanted to explore the full scope of what the entertainment industry offered.
Whether it was acting on screen, writing novels, recording music, or producing online content, I had a long list of goals that would require my full attention.
Leaving law hadn't taken away my respect for it. If anything, it gave me a greater appreciation for the value of proper representation.
I understood how important it would be to build a team that could take care of the things I no longer had time to manage.
Legal, financial, creative support—these would become the foundation under everything I built.
So, while I would consider CAA's recommendation for an accountant, I wouldn't stop there. I would do my due diligence.
I wanted someone trustworthy, transparent, and well-versed in navigating both conventional earnings and less traditional income streams.
Someone who could grow with me, adapt with me, and make sure I stayed focused on what really mattered: becoming the world's greatest entertainer.
…
About three days after signing my contract with CAA, they got back to me with confirmation from the Teen Wolf production team.
They were prepared to pay me $17,500 USD per episode. From what I remembered, Tyler Posey had earned around $20,000 per episode during the original run, but I understood why I was being offered slightly less.
I was, after all, new to the industry with no acting credits to my name. I knew that the amount would likely be adjusted if my performance met or exceeded expectations as the season progressed.
My payments would begin after the first week of shooting and would be processed weekly thereafter.
This gave me a clear schedule to plan around. In the meantime, I had been proactive in setting up a financial system that would allow me to focus on my work.
Through a recommendation from CAA, I was introduced to a mid-sized accountancy firm called Fairridge & Rowe. They had a solid reputation and a portfolio of moderately high-profile clients, mostly from within the entertainment industry.
The firm specialized in supporting creatives—actors, musicians, producers—which meant they understood the nuances of variable income, industry deductions, and creative-specific tax strategies.
Their service model was based on income brackets, which meant that their fees scaled with the complexity and amount of money handled. For now, I was set up with their entertainment accounting package, which cost me about $5,000 annually.
It covered my tax filings, quarterly estimated payments, expense tracking, travel documentation, and general financial planning.
I knew that as my income grew, so would their fees, but that was something I was willing to accept.
I didn't expect to stay with the same firm forever. At some point, I would likely upgrade to a firm with a broader international reach.
But for now, Fairridge & Rowe was the right fit. They were responsive, thorough, and already familiar with CAA's internal coordination, which made communication simple.
Today marked the first official day of filming.
The main cast had been called to the set for orientation and early scenes. The director, Russell Mulcahy, had informed us during pre-production meetings that for weeks involving high-intensity or consecutive scenes, all core cast members would be expected to stay on set in the trailers provided. The goal was to ensure punctuality and reduce logistical delays. It also gave the cast an opportunity to build rapport and spend time around each other, which could help improve on-screen chemistry.
If a week's schedule wasn't too demanding, commuting from home would still be permitted. But for this week, most of us were expected to remain nearby. It was part of the job, and frankly, it didn't bother me.
I saw it as a chance to get to know the people I'd be working closely with for the foreseeable future.
I had packed a small bag with clothes and essentials for the next few days. Standing at the front entrance of our apartment building, I was going over the checklist one more time when Sam appeared by the door.
"Are you good to go?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said, adjusting the strap on my shoulder. "Should be back in a few days unless they ask us to stay longer."
He gave a short nod, eyes scanning the sidewalk as if he wanted to say something but didn't.
"You'll do great," he said finally.
"Thanks," I replied, appreciating the steady confidence in his tone.
It wasn't a long goodbye. Neither of us were particularly sentimental with words. But I knew he was proud, and I felt grounded knowing I had someone reliable back home.
By the time I arrived on set, several of the main cast members were already gathered near the staging area.
The trailers were parked neatly along the side, and a small open space had been cleared for a brief orientation.
I recognized most of the faces. During the audition process, I'd already run lines with several of them.
Some scenes had even been done in front of casting staff, so I knew more about their characters than they probably did at this stage.
That was the strange thing about having watched the show so long ago—I had a mental map of how these fictional people would evolve. But I didn't know much about the real people playing them. That was going to be something I had to learn.
More importantly, I realized early on that I had to separate the two. The person in front of me wasn't always going to match the one I saw when I slipped into the role of Scott. And if I didn't draw that line clearly, I might lose track of where the acting stopped and reality began.
So I decided, right then, that I would make it a habit to distinguish between the person I saw on set and the character I would embody.
Russell Mulcahy, the director, stood near the front of the group. He looked relaxed but focused, dressed simply with a clipboard in hand. He raised a hand as we all circled up.
"Alright, thanks for being on time," he said.
"This won't take long. I just want to officially welcome everyone to day one. Some of you have met already. Some haven't. Either way, we'll be spending a lot of time together, so get comfortable with each other. You're the core of this show."
He went around quickly, introducing everyone in turn. Dylan O'Brien was hard to miss. He had already cracked a few jokes with the crew and was currently pretending to balance a mic stand like a javelin.
"This guy," Russell said, pointing with a half-smile, "is Dylan. He's Stiles. You'll know when he's around."
"No pressure," Dylan said, mock-bowing. "Just saving the show with sarcasm."
Everyone laughed, the kind that was casual and warm. It helped cut the slight awkwardness that always comes with first introductions.
Crystal Reed was next. She gave a polite smile and a small wave.
"Hi," she said simply.
We'd shared a scene during auditions, so I nodded in her direction. She gave a quick nod back, like she remembered but didn't want to interrupt the flow.
Then came Holland Roden, who would be playing Lydia Martin. She had this mix of sharp presence and easy confidence.
"Glad to meet everyone. Can't wait to start filming," she said, her tone friendly but focused.
Colton Haynes was introduced as Jackson. He gave a casual nod and kept his sunglasses on, despite being in the shade.
Someone whom most might know from his future role in 'The Arrow' as well...one of my favorite characters from that show.
Tyler Hoechlin, who would be playing Derek Hale, stood quietly beside him. He didn't say much, but offered a friendly handshake to a few people near him.
Melissa Ponzio was there too. She smiled warmly as she was introduced.
"Excited to be back on set," she said. "Looking forward to seeing what we all create."
Linden Ashby, cast as Sheriff Stilinski, gave a relaxed wave.
"I'm the one who gets to pretend I know what's going on while looking concerned in the background," he joked.
Russell finished the round. "That's everyone for now. The rest of the crew will come and go depending on the shoot. For today, it's a light schedule. Mainly blocking, camera tests, and a couple of short dialogue scenes. Don't stress. Use the time to get comfortable with each other. We'll ramp up slowly."
The group started to loosen up after that. A few conversations sparked up. Dylan was already testing out banter with Colton. Crystal and Holland were chatting quietly. I stood for a moment, observing, grounding myself. This was going to be my world for the next several months.
And while I knew these characters almost too well, I reminded myself again—these were actors, people with their own lives, perspectives, and rhythms. I owed it to them, and to myself, to let those relationships grow naturally.
...
Authors note:
You can read some chapters ahead if you want to on my p#treon.com/Fat_Cultivator