"—Cut!"
The director's voice had barely fallen when the once silent theater instantly erupted into liveliness. Bright lights poured down onto the center of the stage as the camera slowly pulled back. Crew members rushed about, moving props, while several assistants hurried in to prepare for the next scene. The clamor spread quickly, like a rising tide washing away the tense atmosphere that had filled the set only moments ago.
At the very center of the stage stood Alex—the supporting actor who, just a moment earlier, had been brimming with desperate determination, eyes shimmering with unshed tears in front of the camera. Now he remained still, breathing lightly, as though unable to pull himself free from the role.
The director strode toward him with a broad smile. "Excellent! Absolutely excellent! Alex, you've completely grasped the essence of this character! That restraint, that sudden eruption of emotion—my god, this is what true acting is all about!"
