Dreams of Stardom (Hollywood SI)

After that day, the shooting progressed relatively smoothly. There were days when we could get as much as 10 scenes in a day and there were days when even one scene was difficult to wrap up.

But the overall shooting experience was very good. I learned a lot from the director, the camera/sound crew, and my co-actors. One of the most difficult things as an actor is to make sure to know where to look or stand for that matter. Or as they call it, 'to hit the mark'.

This may seem trivial to a layman, but we have to make sure that we don’t look in the camera. Ever.

Then there are times when it appears as if we are talking to a person but in reality, no one is in front of us. Such scenes are difficult because the lack of another person to converse with makes it difficult to bring out all your emotions.

Anyway, I am getting sidetracked. So, as I was saying, I learned a lot from being on the set. Not only from the crew but also from my co-actors. While many people have criticized Bruce Willis over the years for his acting skills, I personally believe all that to be hogwash. As soon as the director says ‘Action’ he is in full control of the situation and seeing him work is a treat in itself. He mostly keeps to himself and to an outsider it may seem as if he has the ego of a big star, but I think some of it was definitely warranted given how much money his films make at the box office. And not once has he been rude or dismissive to me, so I can't complain about that.

Then there is Toni, another seasoned actor. Besides acting, our dancing lessons were also going smoothly. At least in her opinion. I still think I dance like a wild monkey, but she disagreed. I knew that I was getting better day by day, but by how much I wasn't sure of that. As I had promised to her, I practiced every day which made my schedule for the past month pretty tight.

Last but not least was of course my music lessons. Though this time they were necessary for the role. I learned the song that I had to sing for the movie and quite an unconventional song it was. It is rare for movies to include songs from musicals. I was lucky that I was being given such an opportunity. Even then, I was not happy with how Night planned to approach the scene. So I suggested a major change.

"You want to sing the song live in one take, without any sort of pre-recording or post-shoot dubbing? I don't think that happens in films," Night scratched his chin in contemplation.

"Yes," I nodded while trying to explain my point of view. "It will really push me forward as an actor. I know it will not be easy, but I want to try it out."

Night looked me over skeptically before slowly nodding, "Alright, but we will do a pre-recording version as well that you will lip-sync to. Later in post-production, we'll decide which one came out to be better."

He was saying that because I had already recorded the song a few weeks ago. At that time, the idea hadn't occurred to me. It was only after I remembered the movie version of [Les Miserables], where Anne Hathaway literally carried the film on her shoulders, despite dying within the first half an hour. It was all because of one scene. 'I dreamed a dream', which she sang live in one take. While I'm not her, I can definitely try to copy her style of performance. And since I'd be doing it first, no one could even call me out on it.

So here we are, filming one of the last scenes of the film, on the set of the school auditorium that was built on a soundstage. I am standing on the stage solo with the seats in the auditorium completely empty where the parents of students would be added in the post-production. That part had already been shot a few days ago.

“Troy,” Night called out to me, “You got the song memorized?”

I nodded, “Perfectly.”

“Good. Then you just have to sing it from the heart. We have placed sound recorders all around. Since you want just one take, only this camera will follow your movements," Night pointed out the said camera. "Make sure to stay in character the whole time, for this will be a long shot for the complete song. You see David sitting over there?”

David, the second AD, waved to us.

“You have to look only at him when you sing the song and no one else. You can close your eyes in some places to get the emotion right if that helps but try to look at David as much as possible. Okay?”

At my nod, he continued, “Now this next part is most important for the movie, you must feel the emotion of the song. You know that Malcolm is a ghost and the part when you say ‘Bring him Home’ the first time you realize the meaning behind the lyrics. You have to bring the sadness out. While singing the song you realize that he might have to leave someday but deep down you don’t want him to go.”

“Understood.” I gave a thumbs-up when Night was finished and promptly returned to the director’s chair.

“Quiet on set! And Action!”

I looked at the imaginary crowd in front of me nervously and waited for the music to begin playing in the earpiece I had been fitted with.

 

(Break)

 

Night hadn't been a director for too long, but he had worked in the industry for years. He had heard, and even seen many of the actors demanding unreasonable changes in the script and shooting style of a particular scene. When he was discussing the script of the film with Bruce Willis for the first time, even Bruce had asked for a few changes in the script, and Night had agreed to it. He had to get the film made after all. Yet, he had not expected the little boy of ten, who was doing his first studio film, to suggest changes to a scene.

So here they were, trying to shoot the song for the first time, that too live. He just had a feeling they were wasting precious time to shoot the scene. Not that there was anything wrong with it, no, the idea was genius. The only problem was that it would be nigh impossible for a kid to pull it off.

But after the prank they had pulled on him, Night felt as if they owed Troy this moment. While Troy may have claimed that he was joking about quitting, Night suspected that he was not, and he was just feigning it to be a prank. Whatever the case may be, he felt a little guilty about the whole thing. That's why he was allowing this scene to be shot as requested by Troy. Even if nothing comes out of it, at least the boy would learn something about acting.

“Quiet on set! And Action!” Night announced after giving Troy instructions for the scene. If they had to record the live song, there could not be even a single sound to disturb the live audio.

And then Troy started singing. And everybody on set lost their minds collectively.

 

~: “God on high,

Hear my prayer

In my need

You have always been there":~

 

Night turned to his DP, Takashi, in shock, who had a similarly shocked expression on his face.

'You knew?' Takashi mouthed to him.

Night could only shake his head. He knew Troy was taking singing lessons for quite some time, but he had no idea he was this good.

Unaware of other's reactions to his singing, Troy continued the song undeterred.

 

~: "He is young

He's afraid

Let him rest

Heaven blessed.

Bring him home

Bring him home

Bring him home.” :~

 

Troy had started the song slowly but softly, keeping his emotion in check, and kept building the momentum of his voice with each note. But towards the end, when he sang 'Bring him home' for the third time, his eyes watered at the reminder of losing a friend. A friend who didn't even have an idea that he wasn't among the living anymore.

 

~: “He's like the son I might have known,

If God had granted me a son.

The summers die,

One by one,

How soon they fly,

On and on.” :~

 

At this point, the entire crew was lost in the melody and the emotion of the song, swaying along with Troy's words softly. Yet, Troy kept his voice steady and soft as he continued singing. Night himself had goosebumps.

 

~: “Bring him peace,

Bring him joy,

He is young,

He is only a boy,

You can take,

You can give,

Let him be,

Let him live.

If I die.

Let me die,

Let him live,

Bring him home.” :~

 

Towards the end of the song, Troy couldn’t help but unconsciously wipe off the tears that had rolled down his cheeks.

Shyamalan couldn't bring himself to call cut because he wasn't faring any better than Troy, for his own eyes were misty with emotions, and was barely holding back a sob. The song had touched him to a level he hadn't even known was possible. Originally, the song 'Bring him home' was meant to be sung with vibrato, which is impossible for young boys to do unless their voice drops. Rather Troy sang the song in an Operatic voice, and it was so beautiful, that it would be difficult for Night to pick who sang it better, Colm Wilkinson or Troy Armitage.

In the end, he didn't have to call 'Cut', because the crew members unanimously stood up and started clapping as loud as they could. If that wasn't meant to be the signal to cut, then nothing would be.

The set assistants, the boom operator, the sound technicians, everyone surrounded Troy as they praised his performance. Yet, Night didn't move from his place because he, unlike others, knew that he had to review the footage first.

"That boy is winning an Oscar," Takashi, the DP, commented offhandedly when they saw the footage again. "There's no doubt about it. He will. As long as you use this take."

Even Night knew that it was the truth. For any actor to give such a long wonderful performance that too in the first take was unheard of.

"Hey Night!" Troy called over after getting rid of the crowding crew members. "Is the shot done or do we need to do it again?"

Night would have given the same answer had he not seen the footage, "It is very good. We can work with it, but if you want, we can try some more takes."

"Yeah, sure," Troy agreed easily and retook his position before doing his vocal exercises to ease up his vocal cords.

In the end, they shot the scene three more times, but then everyone, including Troy, agreed to use the first take only. Some things can't be recreated. The magic of Troy's first time singing live was not easily replicated in the subsequent takes.

Night didn't even shoot the pre-recorded version as he had planned earlier.

 

(Break)

 

“Everyone! I’d like to make a toast!” Bruce’s voice rang out in the Sixth Sense wrap-up party, “First to M. Night Shyamalan for writing this amazing film and doing such an amazing job in the direction.”

A chorus of cheers rang around the hall as people toasted to the director.

“Second,” Bruce continued a few moments later, “To all our crew. You all did a wonderful job to make the film and I couldn’t be prouder to work with you all.”

Another chorus of cheers rang around, this time much louder than the first one.

“And finally to my co-stars Toni, Olivia, Donnie, and everyone else who made working on the film an unforgettable experience.”

“I think you’re forgetting someone Bruce,” Toni quipped from beside me with amused eyes.

“Am I? Ah, of course, how I can forget the one and only. The youngest Golden Globe winner in history. Trooyyyy Armitage!” Bruce announced my name loudly.

“Second youngest,” I grumbled but no one paid it much mind as they were busy giving out the loudest cheers till now with some amused snickers mixed in between.

“From working with him on his very first feature film, I can confidently say that this young man will go far in the future. We can thank him for this party as he took the least number of retakes, so the budget for this party that we saved was all because of him.” Another round of cheers followed his announcement.

“Troy, I had a lot of fun working with you and I wish you the very best for your acting career.” Bruce finished earnestly. I just stepped closer to him and gave him a hug. Well, he bent down seeing my intentions as I couldn’t have hugged him properly with our height difference.

“Thank you. It means a lot coming from you.” I muttered in his ear. He just patted my back before separating.

I couldn’t help but feel a little sad at the fact that I’m going back to LA temporarily and then off to London for the foreseeable future. While I liked my life in London more than I did in the States, I've grown a little attached to this country. Unfortunately, it has to be done.

I looked around to witness people guzzling down expensive wine or flirting with a pretty bird or bloke as the case may be. As the shooting finished a whole week earlier than planned, the producers threw a lavish party to celebrate the money saved. Kind of counterproductive, I know, but that’s how things are in showbiz.

This is, as I like to call it, the stupidity of the rich.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Toni’s voice broke me out of my reverie.

“Nothing. Just thinking about going to London next week,” I looked up at her and explained, “Dad had bought adaptation rights for this book series that he is producing. It is set in Britain so we have to go back there for a year at least, if not more.”

“A year? Geez, what kind of super-long movie is he making?” She inquired in confusion.

“Have you heard of Harry Potter?”

“You mean to say,” She paused while giving me an incredulous look, “your father, Steve Kloves, purchased the rights to Harry Potter and is making a movie? The New York Times Best Seller for more than a year?”

“Mhmm,” I confirmed.

“Wait. Does that mean that you’ll play―”

“Shhh!” I cut her off before she could finish her sentence, “I don’t want this leaking into the press until we have signed the contract.”

She nodded her head in understanding. Harry Potter was a big deal. Very big deal.

“And nothing has been finalized. Dad did buy the rights for me but it’s up to Warner Bros. whether I’ll be finally cast or not. And even if I’m not, we have to go to the UK because Dad will produce it.”

“Do you realize that appearing in such a movie will gain you instant ultra-fame?” She quipped.

I shrugged my shoulders, “Isn’t that part of being an actor? I have met a few people who tell me how much they liked [Sex Education].”

She shook her head, “No, that’s not it. The people you meet must be adults, right? Now, people your age, younger or even older will come to you. Do you think you can handle all that pressure? I speak from experience, adoring fans get old really fast. And the media is a whole different circus you might be familiar with by now.”

Of course, I know that Toni. At least we are still a few years away from the time when everyone and their mother have a camera in their pockets and want to take a selfie with you.

“C'est la vie.” I shrugged again.

“Hopefully you’ll get the role if you really want it. However, you should continue practicing ballet or some other type of dance. It helps a great deal, especially if you ever want to go Broadway or West End in your case. Not to mention, it increases your height if done at your age.” She joked.

I rolled my eyes at the quip about my short stature.

“I will,” I promised her nonetheless with my utmost sincerity. Initially, I didn’t like the fact that I was being forced to dance to someone else’s tune, but over the past two months, ballet had kind of grown on me.

And I may have to go do Broadway if my movie career didn’t soar any higher after [Harry Potter]. Isn’t that what Daniel Radcliffe did? Food for thought.

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