"Troy," Peter, my dance instructor, called out to me when the class was over, "Is by any chance any of your parents here to pick you up?"
That question sent a shiver down my spine. After all his full name is Peter Darling. Who in their right mind would continue using such a horrendous family name?
"Yes, usually my Mum comes." I answered with uncertainty, "She must be waiting outside. Is there a problem?"
While I didn't show anything on my face, I was ready to run away and shout at a moment's notice if he even took a step towards me.
"Oh good. If it is not inconvenient, could I talk to her for a moment? It's about a role you see." Peter explained, "A friend of mine is making a movie called 'Dancer' about an 11-year-old boy who wants to become a ballet dancer. I've got the job of choreographing the dance sequences for the film. You would actually suit the role perfectly, so I was thinking, if you're free for the next few months, you could audition for the role as you already have acting experience in a big-budget movie. And I cannot recommend your name without your parents' approval to anyone because of the NDA."
That explanation eased some of my worries about his weird behavior, and I relaxed a little.
"Okay, sure," I answered nonchalantly, but inside I was excited about the chance to dance in a movie.
I led Peter down the dance studio near where Mum is usually parked. Seeing me approach her with the instructor in tow, Mum got out of the car and raised an inquisitive eyebrow in my direction.
"Mum, Mr. Darling wanted me to audition for the role of a dancer in a film," I replied to her unasked question.
Peter groaned audibly, "How many times have I told you to call me Peter?" Evidently, he didn't like his last name. At all.
I snickered, "But that's your name, innit? And you're my instructor, and so much older than me. I must show proper respect. If you prefer, I could call you Darling-sensei. Y'know Japanese style?"
"Troy, don't tease Mr. Darling," Mum said with an identical smile on her face.
Peter groaned again at her jab.
"How about 'Peter-sensei'?" I suggested with a grin.
"Just. Peter. Let's stick with that."
Mum, amused by our banter, nodded. "Alright, Peter it is then. Now, what was it about a role?"
Peter became serious as he began his explanation, "My good friend Stephen is a director. He has directed many stage plays in the West End as well as on Broadway. He is making a movie about a young dancer about Troy's age who wishes to learn Ballet but his family is not supportive of his dream."
Mum mulled over the idea a bit before asking Peter, "It seems oddly coincidental that you happen to have a role that suits Troy perfectly, don't you think?"
Peter replied immediately, "Not exactly. You see, the movie is set in 1980s Durham. The only problem with Troy's selection would be the accent. Luckily, he told me that he learned the American accent within a few weeks, so I know he can get the Northern accent of Durham residents as well if he tries."
Mum looked thoughtful at the idea of me taking up another movie before [The Sixth Sense] could even be released. She turned towards me, "What do you think, Troy?"
"Oh, I love the idea! I would get to dance in a movie, and as you know, I'm mostly free from work until August. If only the script is good enough, y'know, to get Dad's stamp of approval as well." I said with barely concealed excitement.
"His father is a screenwriter and filmmaker," Mum explained to Peter.
Although the movie 'Dancer' didn't ring any bells in my head, it probably wasn't a hit film or a popular one. But still, I'm a new actor with only two film credits under my belt. If I could get this film, it would bring diversity to my film portfolio.
For any future directors or producers, I could boast of having sung and danced in a film as well. And of course, then there's the fact that I've already received a Golden Globe and worked in a potentially Oscar-nominated film as the second male lead.
Harry Potter would be mostly selling the IP of Jo. After the end of the Harry Potter film series, it may become difficult for me to find another type of role that could potentially break the preconceived image of Harry Potter. This was the same problem with Dan Radcliffe in my past life where he couldn't shake off the image of Harry Potter from most people's minds. More people recognized him as Harry than Daniel.
To solve this problem, I decided to take as many diverse roles as possible. That can begin with the lead role in Dancer.
"If you want to audition," Peter said, "I can get you the script of 'Dancer,' but please understand that it is subject to you successfully learning a Northern accent to the director's satisfaction. Till now he is only considering kids in Durham and surrounding areas who can dance as well. You can only be considered for the role as a favor to me and because I've seen how good your American accent is. And of course, 'cause I know you could dance for the part that is required of you."
Mum nodded and turned to me, "The usual, love. Give the audition but don't get hung up on the role. If it goes to someone else, it does. It's life, it happens. Right, Peter?"
"Mhmm," Peter hummed in agreement, "Also, you'll have to give me written consent to share the information about Troy with Stephen and the producers. And if you could add a headshot and a resume of his with all his works and extracurriculars, that would be wonderful."
Mum nodded, "I'll give you that by tomorrow."
We bade Peter goodbye and sat in the car as Mum drove home.
"Do you really want to take another role so soon, love?" Mum asked worriedly. "Didn't you promise me that you'll take up only one film a year? What about [Harry Potter], huh?"
I shrugged, "[The Sixth Sense] will be released this year, given its shooting schedule, this film will most likely be released next year so that's one film a year. It's also possible its script is so bad that I end up not doing it in the end. In short, what's the harm in trying out for the role? We could always say no before signing the contract. And I haven't signed any contract with Warner Bros till now, so I'm free to pursue other roles, as far as I'm concerned."
"Sometimes," Mum shook her head, "I could swear you have a silver tongue. Fine, you've convinced me. Let's just get the script first before deciding."
(Break)
It took a full 3 days after giving Peter my headshot and resume before he got the script for us.
"You didn't tell me you had a Golden Globe Award to your name!" Peter almost shouted after handing me the script as promised, "Do you even know Stephen's and the producer's reaction? I didn't even need to give my word about your accent learning capabilities, they gave me the script easily as Stephen has seen your film apparently and he was impressed by your performance."
I didn't reply, simply opened the script to the first page.
Dancer
Screenplay by: Lee Hall
Director: Stephen Daldry
Wait a minute. Wait a fucking minute. Stephen Daldry!? One of the most accomplished directors who directed Oscar-nominated films like [The Reader], [The Hours], and… [Billy Elliot]!!??
Usually, I don't remember a lot of directors' names from my past life, but for some reason, Daldry came back to me immediately as soon as I read his name. Not just that, I could also recall information about the film [Billy Elliot]. A small-time indie film that went on to make more than $100M at the box office. It started the career of its male lead Jamie Bell and won him a BAFTA at the age of 14, making him one of the youngest persons ever to win a BAFTA.
I don't even need to read the script. This movie is an automatic yes from me, being one of my favorite movies in my last life. Not as much as the [Harry Potter] series, sure, but I definitely liked it more than [The Sixth Sense].
Now that I think about it, I don't think Dad would be happy with the script because of the number of 'fucks' involved in the movie. I can always argue that he should've also thought of that before he wrote [Sex Education].
"Troy," Peter began, "Read the script, discuss it with your parents, and tell me whether you're interested or not as soon as you can. I'll fix an interview with Stephen after that."
I nodded slowly. I had no logical reason to give my immediate acceptance after only seeing the director's name. So I would go home, discuss the script with my parents, and convince them to let me give this movie a serious try.
Hopefully, they'll see the script for what it really is. A gem that just needs polishing from a good director like Stephen Daldry.
(Break)
"This is a great script, Troy," Dad conceded after reading it from cover to cover.
He didn't have much time these days because of his busy schedule, but he still made time when I asked him for it.
"But?" I prompted the question I could see coming from miles away.
"But it's an R-rated film. Only and only because of the language. Warner won't be happy that you're leading such a film," he explained.
"Oh, come on!" I protested, "It wouldn't even be released by the time Harry Potter begins shooting. Please? You could even say you didn't read the script! Mom could sign it for me. And I haven't even been confirmed for the part! I'd have to learn a new accent, a lot of new dance moves, and practice for months before the shooting could even begin. Please let me do this!"
Dad sighed but didn't say anything, just went into his thinking mode.
I waited for a whole minute before adding a few more points to my argument, "Also, the conditions Chris told me, all abide by my selection of the film. I do not have a negative role. The role is not extremely mature like in the case of [Sex Education]. The only thing is the little language issue, and that is quite common in the countryside so it would be very unrealistic to change the script for that!"
Yeah, I could see the direction of his thoughts. Dad was probably planning ways to convince the makers to make a PG-13 level film with little to no cursing, if I'm selected, of course.
"Dad, I didn't know you'd curb my talent like this after getting in the clutches of corporate vultures," I threw one parting shot, hoping to finally sway him to see my point of view.
Thankfully, that seemed to do the trick.
"That was a low blow," he enunciated clearly.
"Everything's fair in love and war," I fired back. I love movies and anyone who gets in my way of making a movie I love declares war on me.
"Huh," he scoffed. "Fine, you can do the movie. But I will have a talk with the director if you do get selected for the role. Deal?"
I shook his offered hand, "Acceptable terms. Deal!"
I knew a lost case when I saw one. He won't budge from his idea about the image that I have to maintain for bagging the role of Harry Potter. It's not like my image hasn't already been tarnished for doing [Sex Education]. Warner executives have conveniently forgotten all about it, the only visible thing being the Golden Globe I won for it.
"Dad, do you know anyone with a Durham accent who could teach me?" I asked.
Dad rubbed his chin before answering, "Frankly, I don't even know what a Durham accent sounds like. I'm American, ask your Mum."
So I did just that.
"Yes. You know my cousin Tiffany?" she asked after thinking about it for a moment.
I nodded, "The interior designer with the amazing red hair?"
"Yes, her long-time boyfriend Beau hails from the North. They don't live very far. I could talk to them. If they aren't busy, maybe we could go there tomorrow?" she mused out loud.
Sometimes, when you wish for something with all your heart, the whole world conspires to fulfill that desire of yours.
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