Dexter Reed Wants to Sign Avery Hayes
Avery's first scene blew everyone away. She was more professional than most drama school grads, and she nailed it on the first take without a single hitch.
A few people on set who didn't know any better whispered that she was just playing herself, which was why it looked so natural.
But the real pros saw what was happening: they were witnessing the learning curve of a genius.
After just one morning of observation and a few pointers from an assistant, she could find her mark and play to the camera like she'd been doing it her whole life, a skill that even many seasoned actors struggled with.
The respect in the room was palpable; the on-set editor even asked for her contact info after she wrapped, clearly hoping to work with her again.
Director Duke and Maya Laurent took the opportunity to add her on Messenger, too.
After a short break, the next scene began, this time with four people on camera: the male lead, Leo Foster, along with Maya and Avery.
In this scene, Avery was essentially a human prop.
She had no lines and no real action beyond pushing a wheelchair.
But even just standing there, she had a presence you couldn't ignore.
In stark contrast, Leo Foster, who was supposed to be the focus, couldn't get his three lines right, messing up more than ten times.
It wasn't just that he didn't know his lines; his facial expressions were a disaster.
While trying to look like a hotshot CEO, he'd tilt his head back so far you could practically see his brain through his nostrils.
They only managed to get the shot after the director's assistant had to physically step in and adjust his head multiple times.
The difference between the two of them was painful to watch.
They were both new to this, and Leo had even filmed a few scenes the day before.
But compared to Avery, who had zero experience, he was a total train wreck.
Director Duke was so furious he got on the phone with Dexter Reed and demanded more money.
The budget was already tight, and with an idiot actor like Leo burning through time and film, who knew how much more cash they were going to need.
Duke figured that since Dexter was the one who'd pushed this guy on him, it was only fair to ask him for the extra funds.
Dexter was actually at the hospital with his grandfather, but after Duke's call, he rushed over to the set and absolutely chewed Leo out.
The tough-guy act Leo put on for Director Duke vanished the second he saw Dexter.
He clammed up immediately, not daring to make a peep.
After getting yelled at, he was all smiles and apologies, fawning over Dexter and rushing to get him a drink.
The way he transformed into a complete lapdog left Avery and Maya staring in disbelief.
"Wow," Maya said, her voice laced with disgust. "I thought he was some big shot, but he's just... that."
Avery didn't know what to say. So he only acted tough when he thought he could get away with it.
Maya looked away from the pathetic scene and smiled at Avery. "Dr. Hayes, are you planning to get into acting for real?"
As soon as she asked, Director Duke and his assistant, Owen, both perked up.
Avery glanced around the bustling set and smiled faintly.
"I've been thinking about it. Acting is actually pretty fun."
It was a completely new experience. Whether she was Avery the lawyer or Dr. Avery Hayes, she had never imagined a day where she'd be standing in front of a camera.
Now, this job she'd only taken to test the waters was actually starting to interest her.
Hearing this, Maya leaned in, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"That's perfect! Just last night, another crew reached out to me. They want me to join their show as soon as I wrap this one. It's a series with two female leads, and one of them is this total powerhouse character. I think you'd be perfect for it.
You want to go check out their set after we're done here?"
Everyone in the business wants their shows to be a hit, especially actors like Maya who already had a bit of a name in the web series world.
Their pay wasn't a flat rate like Avery's; besides their acting fee, they got a cut of the profits after the show went live.
Naturally, the better their projects performed, the more money they made.
Although Avery was a new actress who'd only been on set for half a day, her looks were undeniable.
In the web series industry, a captivating face was often more important than acting skills.
After all, how many people watching these shows really cared about the plot?
With a look that could hook viewers instantly, a show's numbers were practically guaranteed.
Plus, Avery wasn't just gorgeous; she was smart.
Maya figured that with Avery's looks alone, she'd be landing lead roles the second their current show aired.
Her invitation now was just a savvy move, getting in early before Avery blew up.
"Not right now," Avery said with a polite smile, turning her down. "After I finish this series, I need to go to New York to take the Bar Exam. I don't plan on taking any new roles until after that's over."
The Bar Exam was her top priority. It was directly tied to making sure the evidence she was collecting against the Sterling family would hold up in court.
Public opinion was powerful, but a courtroom ran on evidence.
Legally obtained proof was the only weapon that could truly bring that family to justice.
"Wait, aren't you a doctor?" Maya was floored, her jaw practically on the ground.
Avery nodded. "Doctors can take the Bar Exam, too."
Maya's expression shifted from shock to pure, unadulterated confusion.
Nearby, Director Duke, his assistant, and a few others who had overheard their conversation were equally stunned.
It was one thing for a doctor to show up and act in a web series, but now she was saying she was also planning to take the Bar? That was one hell of a career jump.
"So, are you planning to be a lawyer then?" Maya asked carefully. My god, she thought, what kind of powerhouse did I just run into?
"I don't have any plans for that right now," Avery replied.
Owen, looking amazed, chimed in, "If you're not going to be a lawyer, then why take the Bar?"
"It never hurts to have another skill," Avery said with a lighthearted shrug. "If I pass, I can practice law anytime. And even if I don't, I can use that knowledge to protect my own rights while working in the entertainment industry."
Director Duke and Dexter, who had just finished with Leo and were walking over, stopped in their tracks at her comment. They both felt like she was sending them a message.
"Even without passing the Bar, I doubt you'd ever be at a disadvantage," Dexter said, clicking his tongue, clearly impressed.
Liam Jennings had told him just that morning that she was born to be a lawyer; her mind was just that sharp.
He was still thinking about the contract from the night before.
She'd found every single loophole the studio could have used against her, and she was so knowledgeable that every change she suggested was perfectly reasonable.
With her skills, it would be a huge loss for the legal world if she didn't become a lawyer.
"Since you're looking to get into the business, why not consider joining Stellar Media Group?" Dexter asked, looking almost sheepish as he handed Avery a business card.
Stellar Media was in a slump. Their big stars had all become PR nightmares, and most of their recognizable talent had already jumped ship, leaving them with just two.
Their other minor actors were better off making a living in web series than trying to land tiny roles in big productions, so the company had started its own web series division just to keep them employed.
The actress who was originally cast as the second female lead, the one who'd been sidelined by an appendectomy, was one of their artists.
The company had been hoping she could ride Maya and Owen's coattails to build some buzz before being promoted to a lead in one of their in-house projects.
As it turned out, her timing couldn't have been worse. She had zero luck.
"Mr. Reed, this is the third time you've given me your business card," Avery said, looking at the card in her hand with a mix of amusement and resignation.
"Hey, persistence is key," Dexter shot back. "You should seriously consider it. Even though we're in a rough patch, our resources are still top-notch."
He wasn't lying. Stellar Media Group did have connections.
The opportunities they'd given their last two remaining artists this year were good enough to make anyone jealous.
But you can only buy so much fame with promotion; real stardom is all about luck.
They'd thrown everything they had at those actors, but they just couldn't carry it.
Not even a ripple. They were still stuck playing minor supporting roles, never quite breaking through.
It had frustrated Dexter so much that he'd shifted his focus to web series.
The problem his company was facing now was a talent vacuum.
They desperately needed an artist who could handle the spotlight.
Dexter didn't know if Avery could carry the weight of Stellar Media's resources, but he had to try.
If nothing else, if she really did pass the Bar, she could build a personal brand on her credentials alone.
Once she got noticed, a little marketing from the company could carve out a real space for her in the industry.
"I'll think about it."
Avery didn't turn him down, but she didn't say yes, either. In the entertainment industry, going it alone was simpler, but having a company behind you could help you avoid a lot of rookie mistakes. There were pros and cons to both.
As for Stellar Media Group... she glanced down at the business card in her hand, a thoughtful look in her eyes. What she needed was something more important than resources. But it was too early to talk about that. To negotiate, you need leverage.
And all of that could wait until after the Bar Exam.