Page 4 of Method Acting

“Because this is method acting,” I said flatly. “It’s so we can still be ourselves, basically. Just with different names and...” I made myself not look at Chase. “And partners.”

Max made a face. “Yeah, my girl ain’t gonna be too happy. Not gonna lie.”

“It’s just acting,” Didi said.

“We know that,” Tucker replied.

And that was the truth. Actors had to play the role of lover or partner to their costars all the time. The real-life partner or spouse had to deal with that. Was it easy? Probably not. But it was part of the deal.

It was acting.

“I’ll talk to her,” Holly offered.

Max gave her a smile. “Thanks.”

“Anyone else here got a girlfriend or boyfriend they need to explain this to?”

Jess shook her head. “Phoebe and I are just friends in this, so it’s not the same.”

Tucker and Didi both shook their heads, then Holly did the same. “Single.”

Chase grinned. “Very happily single.”

Jess chuckled. “We know. You were crowned King Player at the end-of-semester party, remember?”

They all laughed. I had no clue what they were talking about. Very obviously wasn’t at that party...

Then all eyes fell on me. I remembered they were waiting for my answer. “Single,” I admitted.

Not happily, but whatever.

Chase turned the page. “My biggest obstacle will be convincing everyone I finally got nailed down by one person.”

That earned a few laughs, but Phoebe’s eyes landed on me. “You’ve got some expectations on your character already,” she said. “Being the one that nailed him down.”

“The whole enigmatic and mysterious thing will totally work in your favor,” Holly added.

“Enigmatic and mysterious thing?” I asked.

I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean.

“The whole James Dean thing you have going on,” Chase explained. He spared me the briefest glance, then shrugged. “Dominic would totally fall for that whole vibe.”

Right.

If they meant loner, on the outside, no friends, then sure. The James Dean thing was a nicer way to put it.

Our character arcs were laid out, although very thinly.

We had some milestones and some overall plot points to aim for. Fabricated dramas and some juicy elements to keep the viewers enthralled, but this was very much about the lives of students in college. A group of friends finding themselves in an ever-changing world of social media, studying, parties, and relationships.

The premise was great.

It was exciting, and it had the promise of some groundbreaking stuff. A modern-day 90210 with a reality-television twist, all livestreamed, no room for error.

Personally, I hated reality television. I thought it cheapened the art of acting and brought down the quality of decent television viewing.

But despite my best effort to sound like my grandfather, reality TV was an entertainment phenomenon of the twenty-first century, and that shouldn’t be ignored. As an artist in the industry, I’d be foolish to turn my back on it.

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