Stuck in the Mud: A Story of Treachery
Prologue: Casting
"Next!"
It seemed like the millionth time today that I had called the same word. It was the fourth hour of casting, and our motion picture was still lacking its starring role.
We needed a tom who had passion. A tom with determination. A tom with a decent hair cut!
The cat who walked up was white.
"I'm Cloudtail!" He said enthusastically.
I rolled my eyes. "I know Cloudtaid. I've been sleeping in the warriors den next to you for the last quarter moon!" i informed him.
Cloudtail nodded enthusiastically.
"Okay, read me Scene Two!" I say, hoping that Cloudtail will be better then the last two auditions. He's a white cat though; Mudclaw was a mottled brown.
I guess I should explain what's going on. I'm Stormfur, and I recently left the Tribe to come back to the Clans and shoot a once in a life time movie deal. The script; Mudclaw's story of power, betrayel, treachery, and romance. Lakeside Productions gave the director/producer/writer job because they like my 'spirit.' Its a closed deal. Now, I need is my star actor, playing Mudclaw.
Cloudtail clears his throat.
"Wa-Wa--Onewhisker! Wh-who do y-you think y-you a-are?" he studders.
I hold back a scream.
"We'll be in touch." I say, giving him a smile. The tom nodds happily and skips away. I mean honestly, does he actually think he has a chance?
I had just about given up hope as the 49th audition came onto the stage.
It was Thornclaw.
I looked him over. He had a ginger, brownish colored pelt that, with some help from the make-up crew, could look like Mudclaw's. There was calm, rough sort of confidence that shown in the tom's eyes.
"Read me... Scene 34." I decide, picking one of the climatic scenes for a change. Thornclaw nodds at me and begins.
"Hawkfrost! You betray me! Have I not promised you, above all else, power in my Clan?"
I gape at him.
He was outstanding! He said Hawkfrost with perfect venom, as though the tabby warrior had actually betrayed him. This cat was a natural.
"Thornclaw! You are going to be a star!" I smile encouragingly at the tom. "You're my lead!"
Thornclaw smiles, a no big deal type of smile. This kid is amazing! I give him the full script, he signs some paperwork, and then, with another big smile, he exits the theater I'm working in.
Now, its time to cast the part of Hawkfrost.
I look down at my casting sheet. Hawkfrost had gone to prison, but, according to them, if he made this movie with me, it would get him out of jail. I had refused at first, not wanting the scum in MY movie. But now, I knew that if I wanted this movie to be successfuly, if I wanted it to really tell the auidence Mudclaw's story, then I would need as many of the original cast as I could get.
I sighed and scribbled down Hawkfrost's name.
We needed to have a she-cat part. According to Onestar, and several of his Clanmates, Mudclaw did not have a mate. But all great stories need some romance! I was adding in a WindClan she-cat, to be named Robinwing, who was in love with Mudclaw, but tried to convince him to accept Tallstar's dying wishes.
I signaled for the Robinwing auditions to enter.
The first cat was a tom. I said next befoe he could even open his mouth.
But it was Tawnypelt who won me over.
She could relate to the story, because Hawkfrost was her half brother, even though I'm informed that she hates him. She was also a pretty she-cat, and I say this modestly. But the main thing was Tawnpelt's attitude. She could be rough, caring, passionate, and determined all at once. Robinwing would have to experience these emotion and more in my movie.
Webfoot was playing himself, saying that he needed to do some justice to his role in Mudclaw's rebellion.
I was happy to get some other WindClan cats to join the cast. Tornear, Ashfoot, and Crowfeather agreed to supply me with facts and play themselves in the movie. Onestar, sadly, had refused to play himself, saying that he did not wish to be an actor.
Onestar, or Onewhisker, would have a major role in the movie. Seeing as the movie is told in Mudclaw's perspective, Onewhisker is viewed as the enemy. But really, he is the savior of the story. He would be a difficult character to cast.
Spiderleg audition was excellent, though I told him that he was just to young to pass as a cat expected to become leader. But the crown went to a RiverClan cat, Reedwhisker. This was a completely young cat, but he had a strange maturity to him. He looked, thanks to the RiverClan fish, like a senior warrior, and could easily pass as Onewhisker.
Other little parts were filled in. Dustplet was cast as Firestar, which really amused me. Our Leopardstar was played by her own deputy, Mistyfoot. Blackstar was another toughy. I had once thought that I would never find a cat for the job.
But Blackstar must have realized that none of his Clan, save Tawnypelt, had been cast. He must have forced his warriors to audition, because nearly all his Clan was in on Tuesday. But I did find my Blackstar that same day, in a ShadowClan cat as well! Cedarheart.
Tallstar only had a small acting role in the movie. But he needed to be seen as a cat that demanded respect of everyone. He had to be someone that everyone wanted to impress, that everyone would grieve at his passing.
One cat did this for me. Stoneteller.
The moutains near the tribe were going to be used for some shots of the Great Journey, which would be briefly explained in the prologue of the movie. Stoneteller had agreed to be in the movie, and he always wanted to come see where our Clans live. We will shoot Tallstar's death after we Journey to the moutains. I am honored to have Stoneteller in my movie
I wanted a Barkface. We needed him. He agreed to take on the part, saying that he wanted to take place. I allowed his apprentice to join him, because we needed some apprentices in this movie. I was giving Mudclaw an apprentice, named Clearpaw.
The other roles were just small. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight would make appearences. Random warriors, queens, and apprentices would be needed for Gathering shots. Those would be easy to furfill. By the time this movie is over, I bet every cat around the lake will have had some part in my movie, either on or off the screen.
I was now writing the final casting list.
Mudclaw... Thornclaw
Hawkfrost... Hawkfrost (parol officer needs accomodations)
Robinwing... Tawnypelt
Webfoot... Webfoot
Onewhisker... Reedwhisker
Firestar... Dustpelt
Leopardstar... Mistyfoot
Blackstar... Cedarheart
Tallstar... Stoneteller
Barkface... Barkface
Kesterelpaw... Kesterelpaw
Clearpaw... Poppypaw
WindClan Warrior... Crowfeather
WindClan Warrior... Tornear
WindClan Deputy... Ashfoot
Brambleclaw... Brambleclaw
Extras
Spiderleg
Weaselfur
Pebblepaw
Mousepaw
Sorreltail
Tallpoppy
Stonestream
Rainwhisker
Owlpaw
Ferncloud
Mousefur
Morningflower
The cast was set.
Tomorrow, the first day of rehearsals began.
What have I gotten myself into?
This idea has been mentioned in my story Mousefur's Tabloid. It has some Power of Three characters, but it really doesn't have that many spoilers. ( I kept Rainwhisker alive! I cant believe he and Sootfur died !) It is going to be about Stormfur humorous attempt at filming a major motion picture.
Please review! Other chapters will be longer, but Update times are not a promise. I have lots of other stories!