The set of Breaking Point had gone quiet. After months of hard work, long hours, and sleepless nights, season two was finally wrapped. The cast and crew had celebrated their success with a small party the night before, and now, with the end of the year approaching, the studio lot was eerily still.
Ethan sat in the cramped office he shared with Liam, the same office they had used since their intern days. It was cluttered with scripts, notes, and coffee cups, a testament to the chaotic energy that had driven them throughout the production. Even though the room was small and lacked the polish of the executive offices upstairs, it felt like home. For now, at least.
Liam sat across from him, typing away on his laptop, working on the final script adjustments for post-production. The glow from the screen lit up his face, but there was a calmness to him now—a stark contrast to the high-stress energy they had been living with for months.
"Well, that's it," Liam said, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. "Season two's in the can. Feels weird, doesn't it? Having actual downtime."
Ethan chuckled, nodding. "Yeah. I'm not sure what to do with myself now that we're not constantly on set."
The sense of relief was palpable. They had made it through. And not only had they finished ahead of schedule, but the production had also gone smoother than anyone had anticipated. There was still post-production work to be done, but the hardest part was behind them.
As they sat in companionable silence, Ethan's phone buzzed on the desk. He glanced at the screen and saw Mr. Davis's name flash across it. His heart skipped a beat. Davis hadn't called him directly since the early days of the project, so this was unexpected.
"Davis is calling," Ethan said, picking up the phone. Liam raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Ethan swiped to answer.
"Mr. Davis?" Ethan said, trying to keep his tone neutral.
"Ethan, good to talk to you," Davis's voice came through, calm but with an edge of excitement. "I just wanted to touch base with you and Liam. Are you two free for a quick chat?"
Ethan glanced at Liam, who was already closing his laptop. "Yeah, we're free. What's up?"
There was a pause on the other end, and for a moment, Ethan felt his stomach tighten. Was this bad news? But then Davis spoke again, and his words sent a shock of disbelief through Ethan's mind.
"First off, congratulations on wrapping the season. I've heard great things from the crew, and the network's excited about the direction it's going. I wanted to let you know that there are some changes coming your way."
Ethan exchanged a glance with Liam, who was watching him intently.
"What kind of changes?" Ethan asked, trying to keep the conversation casual.
"Well, for starters, I've been talking to some of the higher-ups. You and Liam have proven yourselves, and we're going to get you both your own office. No more sharing with the interns."
Ethan blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the news. He and Liam had always joked about when they'd finally get their own space, but it had always seemed so far off, so unlikely.
"Really?" Ethan said, feeling the excitement rise. "That's… that's great news. Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Davis said, a hint of a smile in his voice. "That's just the first part. The real reason I'm calling is to let you know that Breaking Point season one has been nominated for several awards. The Independent Awards ceremony is coming up, and your show has made it into several categories."
Ethan's mind went blank for a moment. Nominated? He hadn't expected this. The Independent Awards wasn't one of the big, prestigious ceremonies like the Emmys, but it was a major event for low-tier TV shows and films, especially for newer and smaller productions like theirs. Winning there could open doors to more mainstream recognition.
"We've been nominated?" Ethan repeated, his voice a little more breathless than he'd intended.
"That's right," Davis continued. "Best Drama Series, Best Directing, and Best Writing. And Luke Carter has been nominated for Best Actor."
Liam's jaw dropped, and Ethan could feel his own heartbeat pounding in his ears. This was huge. These nominations could put Breaking Point on the map in a way they hadn't even imagined.
"We… I don't know what to say," Ethan stammered. "This is incredible."
"It's well-deserved," Davis said, his tone more serious now. "This isn't one of the bigger ceremonies, I'll admit. But if you win here, it could lead to even bigger things—potential nominations in the more prestigious awards next year. This could be the stepping stone you've been waiting for."
Ethan nodded, even though Davis couldn't see him. He understood the stakes. The Independent Awards might not be the Emmys, but it was a major honor for lower-tier shows. And a win here could push Breaking Point into the spotlight, where it would be taken more seriously by the industry's biggest players.
"That's not all," Davis added, his tone shifting slightly. "Luke's nomination is a big deal, especially for his career. This could push him from D-Tier into a higher ranking if he wins. And you and Liam? You're both still sitting in the F-Tier, but this kind of recognition could change that."
Ethan swallowed hard, trying to process everything. It was a lot to take in.
"We'll make sure we're ready for the ceremony," Ethan said, his voice steadying. "Thank you for letting us know."
"Of course," Davis replied. "I'll have my team send you the details soon. Keep up the good work, both of you. I have a feeling things are only going to get better from here."
As the call ended, Ethan slowly lowered the phone and stared at it, still trying to wrap his head around what had just happened.
"We're nominated," he said, more to himself than to Liam.
Liam grinned, his face lighting up. "We're nominated! And Luke too! This is huge!"
Ethan laughed, the tension melting away. "We're getting our own office, too. No more sharing with the interns."
Liam pumped his fist in the air. "Finally!"
The room buzzed with excitement as the weight of the news began to settle in. They had worked so hard to get here, and now they had a real shot at gaining industry recognition. It wasn't the Emmys, but it was a crucial step toward making a name for themselves.
"So, what's next?" Liam asked, leaning forward, his eyes gleaming with determination.
Ethan smiled, feeling the momentum building. "We get ready for the awards ceremony. And we make sure season two is so good that they can't ignore us."
Liam nodded, the excitement still coursing through him. "Let's win this thing."
As they sat there, the gravity of the situation fully sinking in, Ethan couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning. Winning at the Independent Awards would elevate their status, their show, and their careers. And if they played their cards right, the next time they were nominated, it would be for the awards that truly mattered.
For now, though, they had everything they needed: recognition, momentum, and a chance to prove themselves to the world.
The future was wide open.