The next day, the buffet organized by Emily was a success. The team was delighted with the options available: fresh salads, various hot dishes, delicious desserts and even a gourmet coffee that invigorated everyone. During lunch, Emily walked between the tables, chatting with the team and her castmates.
Sitting at one of the tables with Roberto, the director, and Artur, she enjoyed the meal while laughing at stories about the scenes filmed the day before.
"I still haven't gotten over your improvisation yesterday, Artur," Emily said. "You managed to turn a serious sentence into a hilarious moment. The sound team was holding back from bursting out laughing!"
"It's my secret talent," Artur joked, raising his fork as if making a toast. "But of course the highlight was you. Your delivery in the conflict scene was so intense that I almost forgot we were acting."
Roberto, who was watching the two with a smile, took the opportunity to change the subject. "Speaking of scenes, we're going to shoot something different today. The next sequence will be outside the film coverage. We're going to a local bar. The set is practically ready, and I think you'll like it."
Emily raised her eyebrows, interested. "A bar? That's for the scene where my character meets her best friend, right?"
Roberto nodded. "Exactly. The scene will be crucial to the development of the narrative. It's there that your character, Ana, begins to question her own ideas about love and relationships, while her friend presents a completely opposite view. I want it to feel like an intimate dialogue, but also philosophical. Something that the audience can connect with."
Emily smiled, excited. "I love scenes like that. Philosophizing about love? Perfect. I can already imagine the emotional impact of this exchange. Who's going to play my friend again?"
"Vanessa, it's her first film," Roberto replied. "She's looking forward to acting with you. It's an important role for her, so I hope you can help her feel comfortable."
"Absolutely," Emily said, determined. "I'll do my best to create good chemistry with her. By the way, what do you think about doing a quick rehearsal before we go to set? I want to make sure the scene has the right tone."
Roberto nodded, satisfied. "Excellent idea. We can adjust the dialogue if necessary."
After lunch, the crew began to prepare for the shoot at the bar. Emily took the opportunity to review the script with Vanessa, encouraging her to relax and bring authenticity to the character.
"It's a conversation about love, but it doesn't have to be heavy," Emily said, smiling as she read the lines. "Think about how you would talk to your best friend in real life. That's what I want to convey in this scene."
Vanessa smiled back, feeling more confident. "Thank you. Knowing you're by my side makes me feel much calmer."
Shortly after, everyone headed to the chosen location for the recording. The bar had a cozy atmosphere, with yellowish lights that created an intimate atmosphere. Emily and Vanessa took their places, sitting at a table near the bar, while the crew adjusted the cameras and lighting.
As soon as Roberto shouted "Action!", the atmosphere changed completely. Emily embodied Ana, and Vanessa shone as the free-spirited friend.
"Ana, you're so rational that sometimes you forget that love isn't a formula," Vanessa said, her character gesturing enthusiastically. "You can't just decide to love someone because it makes sense on paper."
"Maybe, but loving without thinking isn't safe either," Emily replied in an introspective tone. "Have you ever stopped to think that love can be... dangerous?"
The dialogue flowed naturally, alternating between moments of humor and deep reflections, exactly as Roberto had imagined. When the scene ended, the crew applauded, impressed by the intensity and chemistry between the two actresses.
"That was amazing," Roberto said, smiling as he reviewed the images on the monitor. "Exactly what I wanted."
Emily stood up, relieved, and gave Vanessa a quick hug. "You were amazing!"
--skip
Vanessa smiled shyly. "It was all thanks to you. Thank you for guiding me."
--skip
Emily just smiled back. For her, creating these moments and helping her colleagues shine was as satisfying as her own performance.---skip----
The next day, with a break from filming, Emily took the opportunity to visit the publishing house where she was recording her songs. Arriving at the studio, she was warmly greeted by Gabriel, the music producer responsible for helping her turn her ideas into songs.
--skip
"Emily! Do you have the energy to record today?" he asked, adjusting the controls on the soundboard.
"Absolutely," she replied with a smile. "I have some new ideas for us to try, especially for the main track."
Emily settled into the recording booth while Gabriel set up the instruments and adjusted the microphones. The soft melody of the piano filled the studio, and she began to sing the first verses that had come to her mind during a sleepless night.
"How many times has the silence spoken,
When the voice was missing, when fear remained?
But now I know, the echo is mine,
My soul sings what the world has forgotten.
I raise my hands, the sky is my ground,
Each step, a new song.
I lose myself, I find myself, I am storm and calm,
In the dance of life, I find my melody."
Her voice filled the space, oscillating between soft and powerful tones, full of emotion. Gabriel nodded his approval through the glass, making it clear that she was on the right track.
"These lyrics... They're powerful, Emily. You can feel that they come straight from the heart," he said as soon as she finished the first recording.
Emily left the booth to listen to the playback with Gabriel. She bobbed her head to the rhythm of the song, paying attention to the details. "I want to adjust the tone in the chorus, give more intensity to the word 'storm'. I think it might have more impact."
Gabriel agreed. "Good idea. Let's do another run. But first, how about we record the vocals for that more laid-back song? You know, the one about freedom."
Emily laughed excitedly. "Oh, yeah! That one has a completely different energy. Let's go for it."
She walked back to the booth, and the guitar chords kicked off the more upbeat track. The infectious rhythm seemed to reflect Emily's own vibrant personality. When she began to sing, her voice was full of vivacity and charisma.
"Let the wind take what I was,
Today I dance to forget, to be more.
Without ties, without fear of making mistakes,
On the road of life, I know where I want to be.
I sing loudly, I go further,
My voice is my hostage.
If the world stops, I won't go,
I'm the breeze that destiny blew."
On the other side of the glass, Gabriel followed the rhythm by tapping on the table. When she finished, he smiled broadly. "This is going to be a hit. It makes you want to dance around the room!"
Emily laughed, leaving the booth. "That's the goal. I want people to feel the freedom I describe, to lose the fear of following their own dreams."
They spent the rest of the afternoon adjusting the arrangements, recording harmonies and exploring new ideas for the tracks. Despite it being a day off, Emily was completely immersed in her music, feeling more connected than ever to her new artistic side.
When they were done, Gabriel congratulated her. "You're on the right track, Emily. You're going to show the world how talented you are, not only as an actress, but as a singer as well."
"Thank you, Gabriel," she replied with a smile. "I can't wait to hear them in full. I want it to be an extension of my soul, something that really connects with people."
As she left the studio that night, Emily felt light-hearted. Music had become a new love in her life.