A/N: Quick update for Untitled VictoriNEXT Sequel: my third draft of the outline was completed, and it looks very promising. Bear in mind that I have been writing entire scenes, complete with dialogue as I was working on the story's structure. Juggling this many characters and plot threads has been overwhelming at times; definitely the densest story I have ever written!
For writers out there having trouble with plotting their stories, I highly recommend using 3 act structure and other visual aids to better keep you organized. I know it sounds like I'm being a Hollywood hack, but it works! Your characters must change and putting them in a chart forces you to face your problems. Does my story have a beginning, middle and end? If someone were to walk up to me and ask me where this person is at the beginning of the story and where they are at the end and why, I must have the answer. When I don't, like Chase in draft #1, I needed to start from scratch.
On top of the outline process, I basically want to have a third of the story written down, however fragmented, so I can maintain order and consistency. Plus, I want to leave things a little up in the air because I have been good at thinking on my feet. So, the sequel is like 50% structure and 50% spontaneity.
I do have the title by the way; just thinking of a way I can reveal it to you guys!
Whenever I do, it will be shortly before the first chapter drops! Remember that ;-)
STILL SHOOTING FOR A SPRING RELEASE!
PARKING LOT OF CLEARWATER ENTERTAINMENT - MID MORNING:
Jade felt a little silly sitting in her car, scarfing down breakfast.
She unfolded a napkin and tucked it into her collar to serve as a bib. She didn't want to get a crumb or stain on her business outfit.
The dark-haired girl was normally very neat when eating. Indeed, many meals were consumed in this car on her pilgrimage west. And beyond the occasional French fry, her floor didn't get cluttered by the detritus of her food.
But this was her big interview and Jade had done every banal ritual to make sure the stars are aligned to guarantee that her meeting is successful.
She isn't superstitious but even the biggest skeptic knew not to push their luck when something important was on the line.
Jade crumbled up the wrapper from her sausage and cheese croissant and threw the waste in the bag. She deftly stuffed the bag into her center console, not wanting the first thing to have her new employer see is her walking in with trash. And what if somebody from the office walked past her car with out of state plates? Don't want them thinking she's a messy weirdo who cannot keep her car clean!
The girl knew she stuck out, her porcelain complexion telling the world she doesn't hail from the land of year-round sunshine. Eventually, she would have to register her vehicle with the state of California and get a new license.
She checked herself out in the visor mirror, makeup just right. Her hair fell nicely on her shoulders. Jade debated on having it put up in a bun or something but felt that it would probably look better if she kept it simple. Doing something more involved with her hair would be a pain every morning. Plus, over the course of running around in the L.A. heat, her hairdo would over time undo, and she would look like a mess.
"Alright," Jade sighed as she rested her palms on the steering wheel. "Enough stalling. Let's do this."
Ten minutes later, after a silent sit in the waiting area, Jade was called in to see the producer.
The middle-aged man in sunglasses with a five o'clock shadow stood up and shook her hand.
"Good morning!" he smiled. "My name is Dorian Pierce."
"Oh, I know who you are!" nodded Jade with a warm smile. "Who doesn't know the producer of War in the Desert and The Vet?"
Pierce arched his eyebrows in surprise.
"You're a fan," he said.
The movies were an action movie duology, following solider Fred Klein. He becomes a decorated hero when he is the only hope for a team of Navy seals kidnapped and trapped behind enemy lines. The sequel took a turn and Klein is retired and embraced his love of animals to become a veterinarian. But when his own dog is stolen, he goes on a one-man mission to get his canine back from gun dealers.
The public were asking for a third movie but the actor playing Fred Klein turned down to return so the speculated script sits on the shelf.
Jade just made a non-committal shrug. She knew name-dropping his biggest hits would be a way to endear herself with her new boss.
"Please sit down," Pierce offered.
She obliged and made herself comfortable.
"So..." he started, looking through a file folder. "Jade...West. Understand you came under high recommendation from Olwen Merrick."
"She was my professor at Rutgers," Jade said.
"I see...I used to be a student of hers."
Jade raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Oh, hell yes. You're a Jersey native?"
The pale girl leaned in.
"No way, you?"
"Uh-huh," Pierce nodded. "Grew up in Asbury Park."
Jade found this whole thing amusing. Now she was forgetting about how nervous she was.
"Did you ever meet Kevin Smith?" she asked.
"Yeah, once, at his comics store. Nice guy. Inspired me to get off my ass and get into movies."
Dorian sighed and regarded the framed movie posters behind him.
"But my scripts were rejected and I'm too much of a one-on-one person to direct a whole set. So, I just fell into producing."
Because as Kevin Smith once said: "In Hollywood, you just kind of fail upwards!"
"How is Professor Merrick?"
"Oh, she's good" Jade shrugged. "Really helped me with my writing."
"Nice," he nodded. "Well, let me be frank. I normally don't hire someone fresh off the street as an assistant. I know you have some small projects in college under your belt and I've seen that one short you made. Good stuff, real potential. But that's Rutgers, baby! Down here in Tinseltown, you've got paperwork, unions, all kinds of red tape to sift through before you even pick up a camera and yell action!"
Jade was feeling good for a minute, but now she was beginning to suspect the offer was going to be ripped from under her.
"So... you're not going to make anything in this town without getting accustomed to how things work around here."
He turned a page and showed her scholarly summary.
"These grades are impressive, Jade. I can tell you are a bright young lady. And your student films were efficient and inexpensive, so you are fairly organized."
Jade gave a nervous smile.
"I'll tell you what," Pierce said before taking out his cell. "Let's have the PM decide. He's the one you would be working with."
"Oh...okay."
She sat there dumbfounded, expecting to find out in simple terms if she got the job or not.
"Hello, Tony? Hey! Listen, I have that new assistant here with me now. You wouldn't happen to be...huh? No shot! Well, come in. We'll wait!"
He sat his phone down and looked at Jade with a grin.
"Alright! Tony is two minutes from base, so he'll drop in! Can I get you anything, water, coffee?"
"Um...coffee, please?"
Pierce got up and walked over to a Keurig machine on top of a filing cabinet.
He opened a drawer and there was an assortment of single serve coffee flavors.
"What's your poison, Jade? Columbian dark roast? Hazelnut? Afraid I don't have decaf."
"Columbian's fine, thank you."
He situated a white mug with the studio logo on it and pressed the button to brew the hot beverage.
The little machine dinged when the producer's desk buzzed.
"Mr. Pierce, Tony Hughes is here to see you."
Dorian handed Jade her coffee with his right and pressed the button with his left.
"Send him in, Mary Jo!"
The door opened seconds later and emerged this tall, freckled man in his mid-thirties. He wore a red collar shirt with matching red glasses.
"Hey, Dorian!" he smiled. "So, this is the new girl?"
He passed behind her and extended his hand. She took it and shook it.
"Jade West, nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Tony sighed. "You're lucky you called me when you did. I was about to get on the freeway and head home."
"Jade, Tony Hughes is the production manager on our latest movie. He's solid, knows his stuff. Worked with him for eight years."
"Nine," the man corrected.
Dorian held out his hand.
"You see, Jade? That's why I need this guy! Tony, stop standing there like a bouncer! Take a load off."
Tony shook his head and sat in the chair beside Jade.
"Here's the deal, Tony. Jade is from Rutgers, so it was a long walk, HA!"
Jade and Tony shared a look.
"Anyway...her references and academic resume are some of the best I've seen. But...the professional portfolio is a little lacking."
"No production experiences?" Tony asked her.
She shook her head.
"Unless you count college short films."
Jade turned to face Tony.
"Listen, I know I can do this! I'm really good with numbers and I can do whatever you give me!"
"I'd love to give you a chance, Jade" Tony sighed. "But we have an issue, don't we Dorian?"
Jade was a bit confused.
"You know...the DGA?"
Pierce made a raspberry and waved his hand.
"Ugh...don't worry about the guild!"
Tony folded his arms.
"Dorian...the DGA is going to eat me alive, and the PGA will have you for breakfast if we hire a non-union assistant!"
"I got it covered, Anthony. Jade will be brought on as a production assistant on paper. In reality, she will be working under you. There will be so much going on that nobody will notice."
This wasn't sitting well with Jade.
"Um, I don't know about this. Aren't we breaking the law?"
"Whoa, WHOA!" Dorian held up his hands. "No crimes here, Jade! Here's the deal. Because this is a union production, we have to do everything by the book. This is all a formality, Jade. I promise you; I will personally make sure your application gets pushed through ASAP! You will be a card-carrying member in no time!"
Tony rubbed his eyes.
Jade was really thinking about all of this.
(They seem like nice guys. I mean...I need the work. No harm in some on-the-job training, right?)
She rubbed her arm and sighed.
"Okay, if you're in then I'm in."
"Welcome aboard, Jade!"
Pierce offered his hand and Jade shook.
"Okay, well...Tony, Jade...let's meet the following Monday and we can get all of the details squared away and get this movie in pre-production."
"Don't be nervous, Jade" Tony told her. "You won't be making any major decisions. Just follow me and you'll do fine."
"I guess we're done here," clapped Dorian. "You two go on and I'll see you both with Malcolm on Monday!"
Jade exhaled a huge breath and stood up, smiling brightly.
"Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Pierce. I will do my best!"
"I know," he nodded. "And don't worry. I trust that old gal picked a real winner!"
Jade exited the office. Tony was about to follow when he hesitated and looked back at Pierce.
"She seems nice, Dorian but...you couldn't get anyone else?"
Pierce huffed and sat back in his chair.
"I have been through the damn rolodex, Tony! You are about the only production manager in town who will work with Malcolm."
"Can you blame them?" Tony shrugged.
"No, not really. But my hands are tied! The creator would only give the rights if Malcolm McGinley directed the thing!"
Tony sighed heavily, rubbing his red hair.
"This time is going to be different," Pierce told him. "I promise. That's why I got you an assistant for backup. You need someone to handle all the paperwork and relations with the crew because you're going to be busy handling McGinley!"
"Really? Babysitting a grown man now?"
Pierce rolled his eyes.
"His last two pictures barely broke even, Tony. I need him to stay on schedule and under budget! Otherwise, there's no profit to be had. We are fortunate enough to acquire our first intellectual property with an established following! Between the finnicky nature of the business right now and losing audiences to streaming...we have to do something, or we lose our shirts!"
"What's in it for me, Dorian?"
"You do this for me...get Malcolm to finish his magnum opus on time and keep the costs down...I will option your script."
Tony's eyes widened.
"Midnight Fire?"
Pierce nodded.
"And... you will get first dibs to direct it, unless you find someone else."
"Either way, I want final cut privilege" Tony pointed.
Dorian inhaled and exhaled through his nose before shaking hands with Tony.
"Done."
A/N: In case any are curious, Jade here does have minor OCD.