"So, [Lost Haven]'s opening scene starts out with the orphanage, yeah?" an auditioning actor, explained to the casting director, the movie's director and its producer.
"You know, a soaking wet Pedro and Tommy had gotten themselves into another street fight and are getting heavily scolded and chastised for it by the nuns and caretakers in charge." he gesticulated, holding the attention of the trio.
"Then the pages flip by and we're treated to their backstory. Two products of a broken home— a father who was abusive and a mother who was a crackhead. Recipes for disasters, basically."
"Shockingly, we get a plot twist a couple minutes later." he raised a finger up, the trio's attention hooked by his eloquence.
"Through their conversations, we realize that the orphanage itself, was originally their home. One their 'victimized' mother sold off discreetly to fund her drug addictions and elope with her lover."
"Additionally, there's the golden-plated lighter they're fiddling with, the last link they both have to a father they absolutely loath but still can't let go of. It's why they even got into the street fight in the first place."
"Passing it between themselves from time to time as they converse, their discussions shift to having a brighter future and buying back their home."
"Their lost haven."
"And that's where the title, [Lost Haven], comes from."
"For what it's worth, I must say that the script, does a good job of deluding readers into thinking its title comes from the very city itself." the auditioning actor grinned, his eyes twinkling with unrestrained passion as he continued;
"Some actors might dig a bit deeper and think; 'Oh its probably Pedro's need to take over and ruin the Morello Family's Ports'. A haven, afterall, is also an inlet that provides shelter for ships or boats."
"Word play, basically. That's a fun way to think about it." he laughed a bit, his expression mirthful.
A synchronous arch of amused brows reciprocated his mirth, clearly impressed by the insight with which the young actor before them had used to dissect the script.
"In any case, once that has been realized, everything else clicks into place."
"Pedro's motivations, actually feels convincing yet compelling. Layered yet subtle."
"Revenge is the main theme of [Lost Haven]. That's undebatable. However, underneath that, is something more, I believe."
"Grief." the auditioning actor stated definitively, his cupped hands gesticulating inwardly.
"The exploration of how that grief's managed though… now that's where Pedro falls short by masking it with his other aspirations. Unfortunately, by the time he realizes it, it's too late."
"All he's allowed to do at that point, is accept."
"Accept, grieve and move on. Literally." the young actor, concluded with a light smile.
A contemplative silence descended between the young actor on stage and the panel of judges.
Suddenly, Aiden's expression became antsy.
Hands clasped gently before him, the auditioning actor awaited his verdict.
He'd really botched acting out the role he was auditioning for due to his nerves killing him initially.
And who could blame him, really.
He'd always been a pretty insecure young man all his life, a stark contrast to the confidence TinselTown and acting as a career, demanded of any aspiring young artist.
Arriving late to the audition too, just to be called up onstage almost instantaneously, hadn't helped him one bit.
Coupling that with his rough and unkempt looks, a product of overworking to make ends meet as a prodigal son who ran away from home to pursue his dreams, added an element of levity to his entire appearance.
At the end of the day, Aiden could only hope that his interpretation of the script, was enough to at least get him the role of an extra.
'Please! Please! Please!' he fervently prayed with a worried expression.
As for the panel of judges…
The Casting Director, glanced over to his agent who gave him a curt nod, and then over to the Movie's Director who shared the same approving gaze.
"Well then, Aiden. Looks like you're gonna have to get an agent quite soon to handle all the legalities of the contract. Welcome on board!"
As Kyle smiled to the young, raggedy actor on stage whose eyes blinked continuously in disbelief, Oliver and Xavier began to pack up their documents.
Like a frozen statuette, Aiden stood in place, only for Oliver's voice to cut through his shocked state.
"Mr. Hemsworth. Here's my business card." the suave agent, handed the slim, plastic card over whilst cajoling the young actor with a cool yet charismatic aura;
"For a small fee, you'll get the best, top-tier free managers, legal advisors and career strategists on the market."
"Ah, yes. Thank you, sir." Aiden stammered a bit as he received the card, the entire scenario still feeling very much like a fever dream to him.
Standing a fair few meters away, Kyle had an immensely proud smile on his features.
Agentix Collective.
A hybrid talent-boosting firm and financial matchmaking agency that specialized in connecting rising artists with top-tier free agents (including managers, publicists, legal advisors, and career strategists) all at a fraction of traditional upfront costs.
It was a brainchild Oliver had come up with a year ago to fend off many of Hollywood's predatory Talent Agencies for people who knew nothing about the industry.
Instead of requiring massive retainers or fees, Agentix worked on a low-risk microloan model, allowing artists to defer payments until they had started earning, with fair, capped interest rates and flexible repayment plans tailored solely towards that cause.
It was very much like a Kickstarter for any aspiring actor's indie career, one that was backed majorly by Oliver himself, alongside Kyle and Sharon who knew how freeing working as an independent artist was.
Real industry muscle, to say the least.
The fact that it also had many quality of life services such as a micro-advance program (where small, customizable career loans covered essentials for those needing a jumpstart), a pay-as-you-grow model (where actors could repay once they landed gigs or reached income milestones with no penalties whatsoever for slow periods) and a mentorship portal (where they had access to seasoned actors, casting directors, and coaches for monthly Q&As, workshops, and feedback sessions), just made it all the more enticing... and unreal, to say the least.
At first people had believed it had been way too good to be true as typically, Hollywood companies wouldn't implement something so favorable without a big catch that's put Lucifer himself to shame.
However, within the first six months of it launching, all with rave reviews about how it was a dream come true for struggling artists in the industry, it had quickly become every aspiring and indie artist's go to option, enough that Talent Agencies and Record Labels began panicking.
Not that the trio behind it cared.
Despite how annoying and stressful it had been to fend off so many disgusting industry tactics to eliminate the service within those first months too, Oliver, Kyle and Sharon doggedly persisted.
Thankfully, they'd been successful, enough that Agentix Collective was now well and truly, here to stay.
That said, as Kyle watched Oliver converse with Aiden who was still shaken to the core by what he was experiencing, his phone buzzed with a new notification.
Picking it up and seeing whom the message was from, the devoted husband instantly sprung off his chair and declared;
"Guys! I'm headed out! See you later!"
Oliver and Xavier weren't even able to inquire what the sudden cause of his hastiness was before he'd bolted out of the hall!
A couple minutes later, Kyle arrived at the hospital, his breathing heavy as he arrived at the receptionist's counter.
Getting the details to the exact hospital room, Kyle bolted without even hearing out the receptionist who wanted an autograph!
Upon arriving and swinging the door open, Kyle, upon seeing his wife lying on the bed with a relaxed expression, let out a genuinely relieved sigh, his expression softening.
And then his eyes widened in shock when the lady, her evergreen irises gleaming in immense joy, raised a positive pregnancy test with her dainty fingers.
Before Christina knew what was going on, Kyle had effortlessly lifted her off the bed while spinning her with an overjoyed laughter!