Chapter 5: The Callback Test

Nate stared at his phone screen, reading the email again just to be sure.

A callback.

The first real sign that his second life in Hollywood was going to be different from the first.

But this wasn't the time to celebrate. He knew the harsh reality of the industry—callbacks didn't mean a guaranteed role. If anything, they were harder than the first auditions because now the casting team had expectations. They weren't just looking for raw talent anymore.

They were searching for the right fit.

And Nate had to prove he was that fit.

---

Preparing for the Callback

The second audition wasn't just about repeating the same performance.

Nate knew how these worked. The director, Daniel Greaves, would likely throw adjustments at the actors, testing their ability to take direction.

He had to show that he was not only talented but adaptable.

So, he went back to his homework.

First, he watched interviews with Greaves. In his past life, Nate had spent countless nights studying directors, trying to understand what made them tick. Greaves, he remembered, had a strong preference for subtle, grounded acting—he didn't like over-the-top performances.

That meant Nate needed to keep his emotions controlled but powerful.

Second, he studied the script again. He didn't just memorize the lines—he analyzed them. He looked at the subtext, the moments between the words.

And finally, he practiced.

Not just in front of a mirror, but recording himself from different angles, watching and adjusting. He made sure that every movement, every expression, was natural.

By the time Friday arrived, he felt ready.

---

The Callback Audition

The studio was buzzing with energy when Nate arrived. This time, the room wasn't as crowded—only a handful of actors remained. The serious contenders.

A few recognized faces nodded at him. Some were nervous, pacing back and forth, mumbling lines under their breath. Others sat quietly, confidence oozing from their posture.

Nate took a deep breath and sat down, keeping himself calm.

Then, the assistant stepped out. "Nathaniel Carter?"

He stood. His heartbeat was steady.

This was it.

Inside the audition room, the setup was different from last time. Instead of a single camera on a tripod, there were multiple people in the room now.

Daniel Greaves sat in the center, flanked by a producer, a casting director, and a few other crew members.

Greaves eyed Nate as he entered. "Nathaniel. Good to see you again."

"Glad to be back," Nate said, keeping his tone confident but respectful.

The director flipped through his notes. "Your first audition was interesting. We're looking to see if you can adjust to different takes. Ready?"

"Absolutely."

The casting director handed him a new script—a different scene from last time.

Nate took a quick glance. It was an intense moment—Noah was trying to convince the protagonist to open up about his grief, but the conversation turned into an argument.

No time to overthink.

Greaves nodded. "Whenever you're ready."

Nate took a breath and stepped into the scene.

The moment he spoke, the atmosphere in the room changed.

He delivered the lines with raw emotion, his voice carrying both frustration and understanding. He let his body language be loose, natural—as if he were actually there, not just performing.

Then, Greaves raised a hand. "Okay, let's switch it up. Try this again, but this time, I want you to hold back more. Make Noah seem like he's desperately trying to keep his emotions in check."

Nate adjusted instantly.

He repeated the scene, but this time, he made his delivery more controlled—less shouting, more tension in his body, more emotion behind his eyes.

By the time he finished, the room was silent.

The producer exchanged a glance with Greaves.

Finally, Greaves smirked. "Alright, Nathaniel. That'll be all for today. We'll be in touch."

It wasn't a guarantee. But something in the director's eyes told Nate that he had left a mark.

As he walked out of the room, he knew one thing for certain.

If they were looking for the perfect Noah, they had just found him.

Nate stepped out of the audition building, his breath steady but his mind racing.

He had done well.

He could tell from the way Greaves had watched him, from the way the producer had exchanged that glance with the casting director.

But knowing you did well and actually getting the part were two very different things.

Hollywood was ruthless. You could give the best audition of your life and still lose the role because the director decided they wanted someone taller. Or someone with a different hair color. Or someone with a more famous last name.

Nate had been burned before.

This time, he wouldn't just wait for a call.

He needed a backup plan.

---

Hustling While Waiting

The moment he got home, he pulled out his laptop.

He checked his email first. Nothing from Greaves yet. That was fine—it had only been a few hours.

Then, he scrolled through the casting websites again.

He needed more auditions, more chances. If he put all his hopes on Fading Echoes and lost the role, he'd be back to square one.

He filtered the listings. He wasn't going to waste time on unpaid student films or extras work. He needed speaking roles. Real experience.

After twenty minutes of searching, he found a few promising options:

A supporting role in a low-budget thriller film.

A lead role in a short film being produced for a film festival.

A minor role in a new streaming series.

The short film caught his eye first. It wasn't going to make him rich, but festival exposure could be huge.

Without hesitation, he submitted his application.

Then, he moved on to step two.

---

Building an Online Presence

Hollywood wasn't just about talent anymore. It was about visibility.

In his past life, Nate had seen countless actors blow up overnight—not because they were the best, but because they had an audience.

If he wanted to speed up his rise, he needed to start building his own brand.

He grabbed his phone and opened Instagram. His account was practically empty—just a few personal photos from before. Useless.

Time to change that.

He picked the best headshots Lily had taken and uploaded them. Then, he added a new bio:

"Actor. Dreamer. Chasing the future."

Simple. Direct. Professional.

Then, he followed some casting directors, indie filmmakers, and other aspiring actors. He wasn't going to become an overnight star, but every connection mattered.

Hollywood wasn't just about talent. It was about knowing the right people.

---

The Call That Changed Everything

The next morning, Nate was in the middle of reading a script for the short film audition when his phone buzzed.

A number he didn't recognize.

His heart rate spiked. This was it.

He took a deep breath and answered. "Hello?"

"Nathaniel Carter?"

"Speaking."

"This is Marissa from Daniel Greaves' production team. We wanted to let you know—"

Nate held his breath.

"—that you got the role. Congratulations."

For a moment, he didn't react. He just let the words sink in.

Then, a slow grin spread across his face.

He had done it.

His first real role.

And this? This was only the beginning.