"Jess! Did you hear the crazy-big news?" Carlos asked
Danny: "What's up?" Jess asked
"A production company is filming a knock-off of a popular young adult in town, and they're casting local actors in small parts!" said Carlos
"That's cool! Wait... knock-off?" Jess asked
"Well... it's kind of called The Starving Sports... But don't laugh! A lot of actors get their starts in movies like this!" said Carlos
"Are you going to audition for a role in the movie?"
"I really, really want to, but I'm also worried about blowing it. What if this is my one chance at going Hollywood? Maybe if I had somewhere nice to run my lines, I'd be more focused!"
Jess leads Carlos to the amphitheater
"'I don't like the feeling of this place. We shouldn't be here.'" Carlos put on an act
"Oh... I guess I can look around for someplace else..." said Jess
"...what? No! This amphitheater is perfect! The lighting is dramatic, and the acoustics are phenomenal!" said Carlos
"But you just said..." Jess said in confusion
"I know! I was practicing lines from the script! The scene takes place just after the end of Act One. Liam and Karinna have been sent to the Aegis as Sacrifices for the Bloodsports. I'm going to say my line first. 'I don't like the feeling of this place. We shouldn't be here.' And then you say..." said Carlos
'It's not like we had a choice! It's just bad luck that we were selected to represent our precincts in the Killoseum.' said Jess
"'May fortune ever be your companion.' Hmm... is the delivery on that last line working for you?" Carlo asked
"It's pretty good, but maybe you should try it with a different attitude. You should make it sound more angry." said Jess
"Okay, I can do that. What about this? 'May FORTUNE ever be your companion.'" Carlos sounded angry
"I love it! When it's angry like that, I can feel your character raging against the unjustness of an indifferent, cruel world! Think you're ready to audition?" Jess asked
"Not yet... I've got my lines down cold, but I still don't look the part. Casting directors need to know you can act, but they also need to visualize you in the role!"
Jess gathers Payton
"Did somebody say 'makeover'? Or possibly even just think about a makeover? ...because I'm in!" Payton squealed
"Thanks for helping out, Payton." Carlos smiled
"No problem! Jess told me about the audition, and I'm dying to help you pick out clothes!" said Payton
"Really?" Carlos asked
"Absolutely! Post-apocalyptic dystopia is a trendy look right now! Now what were you thinking? 'Tribute on Fire' or 'Coal Miner Chic'?" Payton asked
"I'm not sure. Jess, what do you think?" Carlos asked Jess
"Coal Miner Chic!" said Jess
"Ooh! Good choice! Carlos is going to look so rugged! Now come with me, and we'll get dressed!" said Payton lending them an outfit for Carlos, Carlos get changed into his costume.
"So how do I look in my new outfit?" Carlos asked
"Amazing... that grey top with black flecks makes you look fresh from the coal mines..." said Jess
"You definitely look like a subject from Precinct 12!" said Payton
Carlos: "Awesome! I'm almost ready for the audition!" said Carlos
"...almost?" Jess asked
"I still need to get some new headshots. The only ones I have now are old... like baby food commercial old." Carlos explained
"So you need new pictures taken?" Jess asked
"Desperately..."
"I bet someone at school could help with that."
Jess gathers Autumn she perfect for the job, Autumn takes photography she good at taking photos.
"Hey, Carlos, are you ready for your close-up?" Autumn asked
"Absolutely! Thanks for helping me with my new headshots, Autumn!" said Carlos
"Are you kidding? What artist couldn't use a few more portraits in their portfolio? Let's try out a few poses! First, be fierce like a lion!" said Autumn
"ROWR!" Carlos roared
"Now be a lumberjack and a pirate!" said Autumn
"TIMBARRRR!" Carlos posed
"And now for the big finish, uh... Jess, do you have any suggestions for the last pose?" Autumn asked Jess
"I think Carlos should concentrate on a scene from the film. Maybe a scene with a lot of action!" Jess pointed
'The Aegis may have taken our freedom... but they will not take our will to fight!' said Carlos
"Ooh! That pose is very dramatic! You looks so... commanding!" said Autumn
"Great! Let's send a print to the Casting Director ASAP! Jess! The new headshot was a huge success! The Casting Director called me up the second it crossed her desk! I'm going in to audition in just a few minutes!" said Carlos
"Are you ready?" Jess asked
"I sure hope so..." said Carlos
"So Carlos, how'd the audition go?" Jess asked
"I... I'm still in shock! The Director said I nailed the look of a Sacrifice fresh from Precinct 12! Then he cast me in a major supporting role!" said Carlos
"Congratulations! You deserve it!" Jess smiled
"Yeah... there's just one problem. When I was walking out, I heard the Location Scout talking with the Producer... Apparently, they haven't found a spot to film the climatic battle scene. If they can't find the right location, they may have to move the whole shoot to a different town."
"That doesn't sound good.."
"No kidding! If that happens, they'll recast my past with someone new!"
Jess finds a spot to film the battle scene
"So what do you think about filming the battle scene here?" Jess asked
"It's wide open, and there's a service road to bring in dollies, cranes, and craft services." said Carlos
"Craft services?" Jess asked in confusion
"They've got the table with all the crackers, candy, and sodas on it. Acting rhymes with snackting for a reason! But the point is, when I told the Location Scout about this spot, she totally flipped! The movie is staying in town for sure!" said Carlos
"So when do you film your scenes?"
"It's hard to tell. Most of my lines happen during the Bloodsports, and we can't film those scenes without finding extras to fill in the background!"
"That shouldn't be too hard. Who wouldn't want to be in a movie?"
"Tell that to the Casting Director! She's having a lot of trouble finding the right mix of types!"
Jess gather her classmates Alex and Brianna
"Sweet! You're saying I get to be in a movie?" Alex asked
"And me too? What do we have to do?" Brianna asked
"Pick a weapon, and then join the rest of the extras on the field of battle!" said Carlos
"Awesome! You have my bow!" said Alex
"And my... uh, what is this thing, anyway? A mace? You have my mace, I guess." said Brianna
Carlos: "Thanks for all your help, Jess! The Casting Director said the extras you selected were perfect... And as special thanks for all your help, she wanted to do something special just for you!"
"What do you mean?" Jess asked
"You get your own featured death scene!" said Carlos
"This battle scene is epic! There must be a hundred Sacrifices trying to win the Starving Sports!" said Jess
"Yeah, I thought you'd like it! Now get ready! When the camera pans this way, I'm going to stab you with this fake sword, and then you pretend to die... ready? 'FOR PRECINCT 12!'" said Carlos
"Hrrk... I may die... but I have died... for a cause... Ask yourself... what do you live for? ..." Jess asked
"and CUT! Wow! You really worked that death scene!" Carlos congratulated Jess
"Too much?" Jess asked
"No way! You made sure that they had a lot of footage of you. That means you'll make it into the final cut of the film for sure!" said Carlos
"Cool!" said Jess
"I need to go finish my close-ups, but I wanted to thank you again. I never would've gotten this opportunity without your help!"
"No problem!"
"Oh, and Jess... 'May FORTUNE ever be your companion.'"