Chapter 7: Lights, Camera, Action

Nate stood on his mark, the bright studio lights shining down on him.

His heartbeat was steady. His breathing controlled.

This was it—his first time acting in front of a professional film crew in this life.

The camera lens was focused on him, waiting. The set was silent except for the distant hum of equipment and the quiet murmurs of the crew.

Showtime.

---

The First Scene

The first scene was an emotional confrontation between Nate's character, Noah, and the protagonist, played by Lucas Reed.

In the scene, Noah was trying to convince Lucas's character to stop blaming himself for his past mistakes. It was raw, personal—a real test of acting ability.

"Alright," Greaves called out from behind the monitor. "Lucas, Nate, take your places."

Lucas rolled his shoulders, shaking off tension. He was a good actor—Nate could tell just from the table read.

But Nate wasn't here to play second fiddle.

Greaves signaled to the camera operator.

"Sound?"

"Speed."

"Camera rolling."

"Rolling."

"And… action!"

The moment the scene started, everything else disappeared.

Nate was no longer himself. He was Noah Carter.

He sat on the worn-out couch in the scene, eyes locked on Lucas. His tone was calm but edged with frustration.

"You think beating yourself up is gonna fix anything?" Nate said, voice low but firm.

Lucas clenched his jaw, staring at the floor. "You don't understand, Noah."

Nate let a beat of silence linger before responding. He leaned forward slightly. Controlled, but intense.

"No, you don't understand. You keep acting like carrying this guilt makes you noble, but all you're doing is running away."

Lucas's hands curled into fists. "Just drop it."

"Make me," Nate shot back.

Silence. Tension.

Then—

"Cut!" Greaves stood up from behind the monitor. He studied Nate for a second, then nodded. "Good. Let's run it again. This time, I want more hesitation before your last line, Nate—let the weight settle before you push back."

"Got it," Nate said.

They reset. The cameras rolled again.

And this time?

Nate nailed it.

---

Earning Respect on Set

By the time they wrapped for the day, Nate could feel it—he had made an impression.

Some of the crew members gave him nods of approval. The cinematographer even muttered, "Kid's got it," as he walked past.

Even Lucas, who had been a bit standoffish before, clapped him on the shoulder. "Not bad, man. Thought you were gonna crumble under pressure, but you held your own."

Nate smirked. "Gotta keep you on your toes."

Lucas chuckled. "I like it. Let's make this film something people actually remember."

That was the goal.

And as Nate walked off set, he knew one thing for sure—this was just the beginning.

By the time the first day of filming wrapped, Nate could feel the shift.

People had noticed him.

He wasn't just some random new actor anymore—he was someone worth watching.

But in Hollywood, momentum was everything. He couldn't afford to slow down.

As the crew packed up, Nate grabbed his phone and checked the time. 7:45 PM.

Long day, but he wasn't done yet.

---

Networking Never Stops

Serena Vale was standing near the makeup station, scrolling through her phone.

A future star. In his past life, she had blown up with a breakout role, and within a few years, she had become one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood.

Getting close to her now could change everything.

Nate walked over, casual but confident. "Long day, huh?"

Serena glanced up, then smiled. "Yeah, but you handled it well. First real film, right?"

"First, but not last," he said smoothly.

She chuckled. "Confident."

"Just realistic," he replied. "You want to grab a drink? Celebrate surviving day one?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You sure you can keep up?"

Nate smirked. "Guess we'll find out."

---

A Night Out in Hollywood

They ended up at a sleek rooftop bar in West Hollywood, the kind of place where up-and-coming actors, directors, and influencers mingled.

Serena ordered a cocktail, while Nate went for whiskey on the rocks.

"You really don't seem like a newcomer," she mused, swirling her drink.

"Maybe I've just seen enough to know how the game works."

"Yeah? And how does it work?"

"Talent matters, but connections matter more," Nate said simply.

She studied him for a moment. "Smart answer."

The conversation flowed effortlessly. He didn't treat her like a goddess or fanboy over her. Instead, he kept the energy light, teasing her, making her laugh.

And most importantly? He made an impression.

By the time they left, she had saved his number in her phone.

"See you on set, mystery man," she said with a smirk before heading off.

Nate watched her go, a satisfied grin on his face.

One step closer.

---

The Call That Changed Everything

The next morning, Nate was up early, running lines in his apartment when his phone buzzed.

An unknown number.

He answered. "Hello?"

"Nathaniel Carter?"

"Speaking."

"This is Adrian Holt. I'm directing a new film, and I caught wind of your performance on set yesterday. I'd like you to come in and audition for a role."

Nate's grip on the phone tightened.

Adrian Holt wasn't just some random indie director. He was an emerging powerhouse in Hollywood.

And now?

He wanted to see Nate.

Nate smiled.

"Tell me when and where," he said.