Ethan sat in a small, dimly lit café just down the street from Beacon Studios. The cozy atmosphere was a sharp contrast to the high-stakes world of television production. Across from him sat Rachel, one of the few people at Beacon who had consistently supported his vision. She sipped her coffee slowly, her sharp eyes focused on Ethan as she prepared to lay out the intricate web of politics that controlled Beacon Studios.
"You've been at Beacon long enough now to see the cracks," Rachel began, her tone serious. "But I don't think you've fully grasped how deep the divisions run."
Ethan nodded, leaning forward. He had sensed the tension, especially after the conversations with Mr. Paulson, but he hadn't yet understood the full picture. Beacon had always felt like a small studio, but the politics were far more complex than he'd anticipated.
Rachel set her cup down and looked Ethan directly in the eye. "Here's how it breaks down. There are three main factions at Beacon, and they control pretty much everything that happens. The first group, the Old Guard, are the traditionalists. They've been with the studio since the early days, back when it was just churning out low-budget films and safe, formulaic TV shows. They've made a living off playing it safe, and they don't want to change."
Ethan nodded, thinking of Paulson. "Paulson's with them, right?"
Rachel smirked. "Oh, absolutely. He's one of the key players in the Old Guard. There's also Nancy Park, one of the senior producers who handles most of Beacon's low-risk projects. She's all about maintaining the status quo. Safe projects, reliable profits. She's not interested in taking risks, and she definitely doesn't care about artistic vision."
Ethan frowned. He hadn't had many interactions with Nancy, but he knew of her reputation. She handled the studio's more formulaic productions—romantic comedies, crime procedurals—anything that guaranteed a steady return.
Rachel continued, "Then there's George Sullivan, another old-timer. He's been around forever and is pretty well-connected in the industry, though he doesn't like getting his hands dirty. He prefers to let Paulson and Nancy do the heavy lifting in terms of studio politics."
Ethan let out a quiet sigh. The Old Guard wasn't just a small group of executives; they were the foundation of Beacon's long-standing reputation for playing it safe. They held a lot of power.
"So who's on the other side?" Ethan asked, feeling the need to understand who his allies were in this game.
Rachel smiled slightly, glad that he was catching on. "That would be the New Blood. People like me, and now you. We're the ones who see the potential for something more, the ones who want to push the boundaries and take Beacon in a new direction. It's a smaller group, but we've been gaining influence, especially after the success of your show."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Who else is in this group?"
"Marge, for one," Rachel said, leaning back in her chair. "She may seem like she's just handling costumes and props, but don't underestimate her. Marge has been quietly supporting more innovative projects for years, helping productions stretch their budget to make something different. She's well-liked by the crew and trusted by a lot of the actors."
Ethan nodded. He had already seen how resourceful Marge was. Her ability to pull off miracles with minimal resources had saved their show more than once.
"Then there's Javier Reyes," Rachel continued, her voice growing more intense. "He's a mid-level producer, but he's got vision. Javier has been pushing for more ambitious projects, even though the Old Guard keeps sidelining him. He doesn't have much power yet, but he's one to watch. If Beacon ever decides to embrace change, Javier's going to be at the center of it."
Ethan noted the name. He hadn't worked directly with Javier before, but he had heard whispers about him around the studio. People said he had a good eye for talent and wasn't afraid to back unconventional ideas, even if it meant going up against the higher-ups.
"And then there's James Coleman, the studio's financial officer," Rachel added. "Now, I know what you're thinking—finance guy, probably on the side of the Old Guard, right? But no. James is different. He's more practical than ideological. He sees where the money is going, and he knows that if Beacon wants to stay relevant, they need to evolve. He's been quietly supporting us from the financial side, helping us justify bigger budgets for more ambitious projects."
Ethan felt a sense of relief wash over him. The New Blood might be a smaller group, but it was growing, and they had influential people on their side. It wasn't just about creative vision—they had financial support and, with the success of their first season, growing credibility.
"So we've got the Old Guard and the New Blood," Ethan said, summarizing what he had learned. "Is there anyone else?"
Rachel nodded, her expression darkening slightly. "Yeah. There's the Neutral Players. These are the people who aren't really on either side. They float between projects, going where the money is. They don't care much about the direction of the studio as long as they're getting paid. The problem with them is they can tip the balance at any moment, depending on who offers them a better deal."
"Like who?" Ethan asked, intrigued.
Rachel leaned forward. "Derek Wu, for one. He's an assistant director who works on multiple projects across the studio. He's not loyal to anyone, but he's competent, and he can swing his influence when needed. He's not invested in politics, but if someone from the Old Guard or New Blood gives him a better opportunity, he'll go with whoever benefits him most."
Ethan considered this carefully. People like Derek Wu could make or break a production, depending on which side they chose to support.
"Then there's Lillian Clarke, a publicist," Rachel added. "She's known for getting the right buzz going about a show, but she's careful not to tie herself too closely to any one faction. She's smart, and if the tide turns, she'll pivot to whichever side is winning."
Rachel sighed, taking a final sip of her coffee. "That's Beacon, in a nutshell. The Old Guard, the New Blood, and the Neutral Players. It's all about navigating these alliances and power plays. And now that your show's taken off, you're going to be at the center of it."
Ethan felt the weight of the information settle over him. He hadn't realized just how political Beacon was, but it made sense. The entertainment industry thrived on power and influence, and Beacon was no different. The success of his show had earned him a place in the game, but that also meant he had to be strategic about who he aligned with.
"I'm with you, Rachel," Ethan said firmly. "If we want to push Beacon forward, we can't play it safe."
Rachel smiled, satisfied. "Good. Because the Old Guard isn't going to back down without a fight. But with the right moves, we can change the way things work here."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He wasn't just making a show anymore—he was part of a movement to reshape Beacon Studios. And if they succeeded, it could mean more than just success for him and Liam. It could mean breaking free from the limits that had held the studio back for so long.
The game had begun, and Ethan was ready to play.