[10 AM] [Spiderman Set] [Day 1: Shoot]
Alex stood in the center of the bustling set. Crew members moved fluidly, adjusting lights, testing cameras, and setting up props. The sound of voices calling instructions and the clink of tools filled the air. The day had officially begun. Today was about capturing the small moments before the webslinging and superhuman feats took center stage.
He adjusted his director's chair and glanced over at Andrew Garfield, Diane Lane, and Jeff Daniels, all of whom were quietly getting into character.
Alex made a few quick notes on his tablet, a final checklist before they began. It was a critical scene, a pivotal moment that would lay the emotional foundation for Peter Parker's journey—his interactions with Aunt May and Uncle Ben.
Alex stepped forward, pulling the actors together for one last briefing before the cameras rolled.
"Alright, everyone," he said as he gestured to the set. "Peter's just come home from his newspaper delivery job. It's the kind of day that feels mundane for him but carries weight for us. This scene is all about the family dynamic... the warmth of Aunt May and Uncle Ben, and that grounding of Peter before the world flips on its head."
He paused for a moment, giving them all time to absorb his words.
"Peter's tired from work. He's walking in the door, ready for a brief escape from his responsibilities. But, as always, his family is there. Then the conversation starts between them. Let's make sure it feels like home and since it's the first shot, please do try your best to do it in a single take."
Andrew nodded, glancing over at Diane and Jeff. His posture shifted, the weight of Peter Parker already beginning to settle into him.
"Let's do this," Alex said, clapping his hands once. "Everyone in position. It's time to officially begin the shoot. Cameras check?" He looked at the camera crew and got a thumbs-up. "Lights and sounds?" He looked at the crew and then also gave a thumbs-up.
Andrew went out of the house and stood before the door. Diane and Jeff took their positions inside.
Alex also took his position.
"Day 1. Scene 1A. Take 1. Action."
The camera began rolling.
Scene 1A:
Peter entered through the front door of his home. He kicked off his shoes, the soft thud of them hitting the floor echoing slightly in the small entryway. He tossed his newspaper bag aside, and with a deep sigh, he ran a hand through his messy hair. The weight of the day's deliveries still pressed on him, his shoulders stiff from hauling bundles of papers all over Queens.
As he closed the door behind him, the camera panned, catching a glimpse of Aunt May in the kitchen. She was chopping vegetables, humming to herself as the scent of something simmered on the stove. Her movements were slow and deliberate, but there was a warmth to her, a calm energy that seemed to fill the entire room.
Uncle Ben sat at the kitchen table, the morning paper spread out before him, his glasses perched low on his nose. His eyes scanned the headlines, a soft frown creasing his brow as he absorbed the world's latest news.
"Hey, May," Peter said as he walked inside, his voice tinged with a mix of exhaustion and a faint smile.
Aunt May looked up from her pot, a slight raise of her brow as she turned her attention to him. "How was the route?" she asked, her tone light, though there was an underlying concern.
Peter shrugged, pulling open the fridge without much thought. He took out a bottle of water and took a sip. "Same old, you know? Paper's heavy. Customers are grumpy. Business as usual."
Uncle Ben lowered the paper just enough to look at Peter, his eyes narrowing in that knowing way only a father could pull off. "Is old Stan doing alright these days?"
"Yeah, he's good. Still swearing about the weather and complaining about his arthritis every time I show up. I swear, if it's not the temperature, it's the pavement that's giving him trouble."
Uncle Ben chuckled softly, his voice muffled by the paper. "He's a stubborn one, alright. But he could be worse. Could have a whole collection of complaints he's actually passionate about."
Peter rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "I think he's got a whole encyclopedia of 'Stan-isms' at this point. He's just waiting for a new one to add."
Ben chuckled and returned to his paper. "That old man will never change." He looked at Peter over the top of his glasses. "You're a good kid, though, taking care of him like that."
Aunt May added without missing a beat, "Yeah, you're the only one he'll let near him without complaining. Must be some secret code between you two."
Peter shot her a playful grin, shrugging nonchalantly. "Hey, I've got my ways. Besides, he buys the best cookies when I go. It's an unspoken deal."
Ben folded the paper neatly, setting it aside. "I'm glad you're helping him, Pete. It's the little things that matter."
Peter's expression softened for just a moment, his gaze flicking to his uncle. The camera focused on his face for a moment.
"Alright, enough with the sentimental stuff. Who's ready for breakfast?" He moved to the stove, peering over Aunt May's shoulder. "Smells good in here."
Aunt May smiled, shaking her head. "You're always hungry, aren't you?"
Peter raised his eyebrows in mock offense. "It's a well-known fact that growing boys need their nutrients."
Ben snorted from the table. "Yeah, growing on your father's side, I bet."
Peter shot him a playful side-eye as he grabbed a plate from the cupboard, his voice teasing. "I'm taking that as a compliment."
Aunt May rolled her eyes but continued stirring the pot, shaking her head with a smile. "You're lucky you have that charm, Peter. Otherwise, I might have to actually put you to work around here."
"I work hard, May. I just don't always get credit for it."
Ben raised an eyebrow. "Right, right. You've got big things ahead, Pete. You'll make it. One day, the world will recognize your efforts. Just don't ever stop and always keep moving forward."
---
"And cut!" Alex said loudly. "That was a perfect shot. We won't need to reshoot this scene. Great job, everyone. Take a 15-minute break. The next scene is focused on Andrew. You are late for school and don't have time for breakfast. So, you will come running down the stairs with your bag, while Diane will ask you about breakfast, but you are too late and skip it. You'll put your shoes on and run out the door."
..
[15 minutes later] [Living Room Set]
The crew bustled around, shifting props and adjusting the set, transforming the warm, homey kitchen into a fresh scene for the next shot. The smell of freshly made sandwiches wafted from the table where Diane stood with a stick in her hand.
The actors were preparing, ready to jump into the next scene.
Alex sat in his director's chair. His eyes darted from one screen to another, quickly glancing at the monitors that showed different camera angles. He took a breath, rolling his shoulders back. Everything was going well so far, and he was determined to keep that momentum.
Upstairs, Andrew Garfield was rehearsing his lines. He was a little jumpy, still riding the high of having nailed the previous scene. It was his first perfect take on this set and in his life so far, and Alex had praised him for it. He couldn't help but replay those words in his head, a mix of pride and the kind of pressure that only a perfect take could create. He had to keep it up. He couldn't let himself mess this one up.
His palms were a little sweaty, but he was more focused now. He wanted to get it right. He had to.
"Alright, team," Alex called after everything was perfect and everyone was ready, his tone firm yet calming. "Scene 1B. Take 1. Action."
Scene 1B:
Andrew's feet hit the floor with a soft thud as he bolted down the stairs, eyes scanning the set for his marks. He was moving a little too fast, adrenaline pulsing through him. His heart raced, the weight of the moment hanging over him as he approached the bottom of the stairs. He miscalculated the last step, his foot catching slightly and his body lurching forward.
For a moment, everything seemed to slow. His arms shot out instinctively to catch himself, but in the split second before he regained balance, he nearly lost his footing. The near-fall was sharp enough to make the safety crew jump into action, but Alex, ever the perfectionist, raised a hand to stop them. The scene felt right. That stumble made it more realistic. Peter is in a hurry, and he stumbled a little while running down the stairs.
Andrew had pushed himself a little too hard, but that was exactly what made the scene authentic.
Andrew didn't stop and kept moving toward the kitchen counter, his nerves playing into the scene. His movements were rushed, more frantic now, as if he truly was late for school and had no time to waste.
"Peter," May called out, her voice tinged with concern. "Don't you dare skip breakfast, young man."
Andrew (Peter), not missing a beat, grabbed the sandwich from the table, slipping it between his teeth as he scrambled to shove on his shoes. He was still in motion. The frantic energy felt like a burst of reality amidst the comfortable chaos of his family.
He managed to squeeze his foot into one shoe, then grabbed his bag and turned to his aunt, who was still looking at him.
"I'm late, May," he mumbled around the sandwich in his mouth, but the effort to keep moving was tangible in his quick, clumsy steps.
Diane (May), her face a picture of knowing care, gave him a look. "You're always running off like this. I swear, you're growing up so fast."
Andrew (Peter) didn't have time for the sentimentality this time. His hands fumbled as he adjusted the strap of his bag and darted for the door, sandwich still wedged between his teeth.
"Thanks for the sandwich," he muttered, his voice muffled.
..
Alex's eyes were locked on the scene as it unfolded. He could see the tension, the vulnerability of a teenage boy who had too many things to juggle, starting from his bullies and crush.
..
As the camera rolled, Andrew reached the door, his hand pushing it open with a quick shove. He paused just outside for a moment, his shoulders slumping as if he were trying to prepare for what awaited him beyond the safety of his home.
"Alright, cut!" Alex called, his voice clear and sharp, cutting through the tense atmosphere. He smiled, nodding his approval. "That was great. You're really starting to feel it, Andrew. But you'd better get that ankle checked, right now."
Andrew, still holding the sandwich in his mouth, let out a sigh of relief as he adjusted his bag and gave Diane a quick nod. His nerves began to settle, though his heart was still racing from the intensity of the moment.
Diane, ever the professional, gave him a reassuring smile. "Well done, Andrew. Just keep the energy up, but don't rush. You almost fell down the stairs."
Andrew took the sandwich out of his mouth and asked. "Thanks and sorry about that. I rushed it. Oh, by the way, can I eat this?" He raised the sandwich.
"Yes, you can," Alex said with a chuckle.
---
[POWERSTONES AND REVIEWS PLS]
Support link: www.patr eon.com/UnknownMaster
[4 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers] [No double billing.]
--