Chapter 6: Stepping Into the Spotlight

Nate ended the call and sat in silence for a few seconds, gripping his phone tightly.

He got the role.

This wasn't some background extra job. This wasn't a student film or a one-line role in a commercial.

This was a supporting role in a feature film.

In his past life, it had taken him years to land something like this. Now, within weeks of his second chance, he had already broken through.

But there was no time to sit around celebrating. Now, the real work began.

---

The next morning, Nate received an email with the details.

The contract was attached. Standard indie film pay—nothing outrageous, but enough to make this a legitimate job. More importantly, it would give him on-screen credits that casting directors would take seriously.

He skimmed the contract carefully.

His past life had taught him never to sign anything blindly.

The fine print was mostly what he expected:

He had to commit to the shooting schedule.

Any major hairstyle or appearance changes needed approval.

He had to promote the film on his social media.

Nothing unreasonable. He signed and sent it back.

An hour later, another email arrived—his filming schedule.

They were starting in two weeks.

That gave him exactly fourteen days to prepare.

---

Studying the Role

Nate locked himself in his room and read the full script three times.

His character, Noah Carter, was the best friend of the protagonist. A guy with a sharp wit and a deep emotional core—someone who acted tough but carried hidden wounds.

It was a role with depth. A role he could bring to life.

He broke it down scene by scene, marking key moments:

Where Noah's emotions shifted.

The subtext in his dialogue.

The small details that could make the character feel real.

Then, he went even further.

How would a real Noah move? Speak? React?

Nate practiced in front of the mirror, tweaking his delivery. He recorded himself on his phone, watching for weak points.

By the end of the week, he wasn't just memorizing lines.

He was becoming Noah Carter.

---

The Table Read

Two days before filming started, Nate arrived at the studio for the first table read.

The cast and crew were gathered in a spacious meeting room, scripts in hand. At the center of it all was Daniel Greaves.

The director greeted everyone with a nod. "Glad to have you all here. Let's make something great."

Nate took his seat next to the film's lead, Lucas Reed.

Lucas was a rising star—a young actor who had already been in a few well-received indie films. He glanced at Nate and gave a small smirk. "So, you're playing my best friend, huh?"

"Looks like it," Nate replied smoothly.

Lucas chuckled. "Hope you can keep up."

Nate grinned. "Hope you can."

The table read began.

One by one, the actors delivered their lines. Some were stiff, still finding their rhythm. Others were natural, slipping into their roles effortlessly.

When it was Nate's turn, he delivered his lines calmly, naturally—like a real conversation, not just reciting words.

By the time they reached the end, he could feel it—he had impressed them.

Greaves nodded in approval. "Good work. Let's bring this energy to set."

Nate met Lucas's gaze.

This was only the beginning.

The table read wrapped up with a round of polite applause. Some actors exchanged nods, others stretched and packed their scripts. But Nate noticed something important—people were paying attention to him.

He caught the way the casting director whispered something to Greaves while glancing at him. He saw how some of the other actors, who had barely acknowledged him at the start, now looked at him with curiosity.

They knew.

He wasn't just another random young actor who lucked into a role.

He was someone to watch.

---

Making Connections

As the crew dispersed, Nate knew he couldn't just leave. Networking was just as important as acting.

He turned to Lucas Reed, the film's lead, and extended a hand. "Good read, man. Looking forward to working with you."

Lucas studied him for a second before shaking his hand. "Yeah, you've got some chops. Where'd you train?"

Nate smirked. "Here and there."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Mysterious. I like it."

That was enough. He didn't need to over-explain. The more people wondered about him, the more they'd want to know. In Hollywood, intrigue was power.

He moved on to the other actors, shaking hands, exchanging numbers. Some were friendly, others were clearly sizing him up. But that was fine—he wasn't here to make best friends. He was here to win.

As he was about to leave, a soft voice called out, "Nathaniel?"

He turned and found himself face-to-face with Serena Vale.

His mind flashed back to his past life. She was going to be big.

A stunning brunette with sharp green eyes, Serena had undeniable screen presence. In his previous life, she had broken out in a major film two years from now and become a rising Hollywood star.

And now? She was here, playing the female lead in Fading Echoes.

"Nate's fine," he said smoothly. "Serena, right?"

She smiled. "You did great in the read. I didn't expect you to have such a natural presence."

"Thanks," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Same to you. You have a way of making dialogue feel real."

She tilted her head slightly, amused. "That's a rare compliment in this business. Most guys just say I'm pretty."

Nate smirked. "I figured you already knew that."

She let out a soft laugh. "Interesting. I'll see you on set, Nate."

She walked off, leaving him standing there with a small grin.

Serena Vale.

She was going to be famous.

And now?

She had her eyes on him.

---

First Day on Set

Two days later, Nate arrived on location.

The set was buzzing with activity—crew members adjusting lights, setting up cameras, checking props. The indie budget meant they weren't shooting on a massive studio lot, but it was still a real film.

And today?

He was officially stepping in front of the camera.

Lucas gave him a nod as he arrived. "Ready for the big leagues?"

Nate smirked. "Been ready."

Greaves clapped his hands, getting everyone's attention. "Alright, people, let's make a damn good movie. First scene up—Nate and Lucas. Let's roll."

Nate took his mark. The cameras were set. The slate clapped.

"Action."

And just like that—his journey had truly begun.