The hum of the editing room was a constant backdrop as Ethan sat in front of the monitor, watching the last few scenes of the third episode play out. The glow from the screen bathed the room in a soft light, but the tension in the air was thick. He and Jake had been working late nights, cutting together the final episodes, ensuring every frame was as tight as possible. This was the culmination of everything they had worked toward, and Ethan knew there was no room for error.
Jake leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his sharp eyes studying the screen as the scene played out. "Pacing's good here," he muttered, more to himself than to Ethan. "We're hitting the beats."
Ethan nodded, feeling a strange mix of pride and nerves. The episodes had come together better than he could have imagined, but he knew the real test was yet to come. Mr. Davis had agreed to let them produce three episodes, but the future of the show—and their careers—hung in the balance of how those episodes performed.
As the final credits rolled, Jake glanced at Ethan. "That's the last of it. We've got a few tweaks left, but we're pretty much there."
Ethan let out a long breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "We've come a long way."
Jake cracked a rare smile. "Yeah, we have. You did good, kid. This could be something."
Ethan felt a flicker of hope. "Let's hope the studio thinks so."
The next few days were a blur of final adjustments, tweaking the sound design, and making sure every scene was polished. Liam had been back and forth between the editing room and the writer's room, working with Ethan to ensure that the tone of the show stayed consistent across all three episodes. They had poured their hearts into this project, and now it was finally complete.
The day of the screening arrived, and the tension in the studio was palpable. Mr. Davis had arranged a viewing for the Beacon executives, and if they liked what they saw, the show could be greenlit for a full season. If they didn't, well… Ethan didn't let himself dwell on that possibility.
The small screening room was packed with Beacon's key players—Mr. Davis, a few other producers, and a handful of executives whose faces Ethan recognized from previous projects. They all sat quietly, waiting for the lights to dim, their expressions unreadable. This wasn't just about their show; it was about whether Beacon Studios would take a step in a new direction or fall back on its usual formulaic productions.
Liam sat next to Ethan, his hands clenched tightly in his lap. He looked pale, but there was a glint of determination in his eyes.
"You good?" Ethan asked quietly, leaning in.
Liam gave a nervous smile. "Yeah. I mean, no, but we've got to see this through."
Ethan nodded. "We'll be fine."
As the lights dimmed and the first episode began to play, the room fell silent. Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as the opening scene unfolded. He had seen it dozens of times, but sitting here, with the future of their project on the line, it felt different. Every shot, every line of dialogue, felt heavier, more significant.
The first episode ended, and the executives sat quietly, whispering among themselves. Ethan couldn't tell if that was a good sign or not. The second episode played, followed by the third, and by the time the credits rolled on the final episode, the tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
As the lights came back on, Mr. Davis stood up, his face unreadable. The executives exchanged quiet murmurs, their eyes flicking between each other, as if silently weighing their opinions.
"Well," Mr. Davis said, his voice measured, "this is different from anything we've done at Beacon before."
Ethan held his breath, waiting for the verdict.
One of the executives, a sharp-eyed woman named Karen, leaned forward, adjusting her glasses. "Different isn't bad," she said, her tone thoughtful. "In fact, I think it's exactly what we need."
Ethan and Liam exchanged a glance, a flicker of hope passing between them.
Karen continued. "The pacing is tight, the characters are compelling, and the story has depth. It's risky, sure, but it has the potential to reach a niche audience we've been ignoring for too long."
Another executive, a gruff older man named Martin, frowned. "It's a gamble. We don't have the marketing budget to push something like this. What if it doesn't connect?"
Karen shot him a sharp look. "What if it does? We're always playing it safe, and where has that gotten us? The same middling numbers, the same lukewarm reception. This is an opportunity to stand out, to take a chance on something with real substance."
Mr. Davis listened carefully, his eyes moving between Karen and Martin as they spoke. Finally, he raised a hand to silence the room. "Let's cut to the chase. We all know this isn't a guaranteed hit, but I think there's potential here. If we move forward with a full season, we'll need to target this show carefully—build momentum with the right audience and let it grow organically."
He turned to Ethan and Liam, his gaze steady. "You've done good work here. I'm willing to take the chance on you two, but understand that we're operating on a tight leash. If the numbers don't come in, that's it. No second chances."
Ethan nodded, his heart racing. "We understand."
Mr. Davis gave a slight nod, then looked around the room. "Alright. Let's give it a shot. We'll move forward with the season, but keep it tight. We're giving you six more episodes to complete the first season. We'll evaluate from there."
Ethan and Liam exchanged a look of disbelief. It was happening.
As the executives filtered out of the room, Mr. Davis lingered behind, giving them both a firm look. "Don't let me down. This is your shot."
"We won't," Ethan promised, the weight of the responsibility settling over him.
When the door finally closed behind Mr. Davis, Liam let out a breath he'd been holding for what seemed like hours. "We did it," he whispered, almost in disbelief. "They're giving us a season."
Ethan grinned, the tension in his chest finally releasing. "We did it."
They had fought hard for this moment, and now they had the opportunity they had been dreaming of. Six more episodes. Six more chances to prove that their vision was worth believing in. But the work was far from over.
As they left the studio that night, the cool air filling their lungs, Ethan couldn't help but think about what lay ahead. The pressure would only increase from here. There would be more deadlines, more sleepless nights, more challenges. But they had done the impossible once, and they could do it again.
"You know what this means, right?" Liam said as they walked down the street, the glow of the city lights reflecting off the buildings.
Ethan smiled, feeling the excitement build in his chest. "Yeah. We're just getting started."
And with that, they began the next phase of their journey, ready to take on whatever came next.