fandomhigh | How to Be a Really Famous Actor (And Other Acting Tips), Friday, Period 1

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How to Be a Really Famous Actor (And Other Acting Tips), Friday, Period 1

"Now that we're back in class, it's time to move on to our next session," Lucas said, kicking off the class. "Yeah yeah, no more action stuff, and probably no stuntmen being thrown around for a while, either."

"So now we're focusing on drama. Or, let's be honest, award bait. Because really, that's why people make dramas. There are other minor reasons, I guess. They're not funny or they look funny holding a gun. But if they're like me - and most actors are - they broke into drama for the awards and award shows. Nobody gave me an invite to Sundance until I made Let's Hope There's a Heaven and that baby scored some prizes. And all I did was kiss some chick and die for a couple hours! And that's the reason why LHTH did so well," Lucas said, and yes, he did say 'LHTH.' "It's because I hit the three biggest parts of drama. I cried, I gave a big monologue, and I died. We're going to start with that first one today."

"Crying in movies is shorthand for 'Hey. I can act.' If you can pull off a crying scene, people are going to give you a lot of credit. You don't even have to be great! You can just be pretty good and people will give you extra credit. But if you're terrible at it, everyone's going to laugh at you. And then you'll learn how to cry more realistically."

"Step one is to figure out how to force yourself to cry. Try to think of something sad, like a breakup or a parent dying or, I don't know, someone kicking your puppy. The more personal it is, the more realistic it is. If that doesn't work, try violence. Stub your toe or pinch yourself or have somebody punch you really hard. Or just be like me and be a really good actor."

"Okay, that's enough talking for me. I want everyone to cry today. I don't care how you do it, just cry. And then write up a quick explanation for how you made yourself cry and turn it in."

Because he hadn't done anything evil yet this class period, but demanding potential emotional blackmail made up for that.

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Nathan laughed and shrugged a shoulder. "And you're obsessed with the French. Which one of us is obsessed with the better thing, do you think? Hugs make the world go round, Kate. Hugs show affection and appreciation for the other person. The French..."

Nathan paused and tapped his chin. "What good have they done for us? I think hugs are better. Plus, I'm in a good mood and I'm trying to spread that around to all comers. I'm open for business!"

"You're making yourself sound like some kind of a hug hooker," Kate retorted, though she was letting go of his hands, slowly. "And I was so sure you'd be all over that ménage à trois thing. That's totally French."

"Threesome is such a better term for that," he said, nodding. "Such a better term. When you say...whatever the fuck you just said, it sounds like some kinky sexual torture which I could totally see the French being into. When I say threesome?"

He shrugged, looking amused. "It gives off the connotation of a messy, hot, chaotic encounter."

"Mostly messy," Kate said, like she had any real experience in that particular area of things. She let his hands slip from hers, then raised her arms just a bit. "Now what's this I heard about a hug?"

"Well, I just wasn't sure if you wanted one," he said but did step forward to give her a hug. Tall and lanky or not, he was good at hugs and he liked hugs and when getting them from hot girls? Even fucking better.

"But since you do," he added, giving her a little squeeze, "I guess I can help you out there."

"Oh please, I'm just doing this because you wanted one," Kate replied as she was wrapping her own skinny arms around him. "Don't pin this on me."

"You saying you're not getting anything out of this?" Nathan asked, feigning offense. "Why am I even giving you the pleasure, Kate? Why?"

"Because you're supposed to make me cry," Kate replied without missing a beat. "Clearly, engaging me in hugs I don't want is the way to do it."

"Well, I'm not planning on making you cry so I guess I fail the assignment," he said, shrugging a shoulder. "Whatever, I got detention already so failing an assignment just tops off my week o' successes, I think. Maybe I'll just go splash some water on my face and call it crying."

"I'm sure I can fake crying," Kate mused, before she actually went to bury her face against the crook of his neck while making her shoulders shake slightly with a few imaginary sobs.

"Convincing, right?" she asked then, quietly. "And what'd you do to get detention?"

"Very convincing," he said, making like hew as comforting her while trying not to laugh. "And I threw a water filled condom at Professor Holmes. Oops!"

Kate laughed, but kept it quiet. Hey, it'd still totally look like crying.

"Do you seriously have some major problems with behaving in sex ed?"

"Ariel asked me to! How am I supposed to say no to someone so cute?" Nathan asked, shaking his head. "She threw one at Professor Watson so I got the other professor. Couldn't leave one out, could I? He might get jealous!"

"Of someone else getting a water filled condom thrown at them?" Kate snickered. "Sure, I totally would be."

By which she meant the opposite.

"Ariel was very influential," Nathan said, laughing. "She explained that giving students condoms and telling them to practice using them by filling them up with water was just asking them to be thrown. Do you disagree?"

"Yes," Kate replied, though she had something to amend that with. "But mostly 'cause I don't really want to get detention."

Nathan shrugged a shoulder. "It just fits with how my week's gone, really. It gives me something to look forward to tomorrow. Detention spent with Professor Homes. I am just all a twitter with excitement!"

"The one time I had detention here, it was a tea party," Kate shared a little dryly, mostly just leaning against him now. "So don't get your hopes up. Anything else I should know about your week?"

Nathan shrugged and then, just to try and get the assignment done, he sniffled a few times and shook his head like he was trying to cry or something.

"My phone broke." That's what tended to happen when someone drops it in a glass of water. Caroline sucked. "That fucking sucked."

"I'm sure," she replied wryly, absently rubbing at his back. "How oh how will you text anyone now?"

"I'll find a way." He actually had no fucking idea. He didn't think he could afford a new goddamn phone. He had no idea. "Even if it means I just yell out the window to get your attention, I'll find a way."

"Well, you better not be craving my attention over the weekend, then."

Or he'd have to develop some pretty strong lungs, to be yelling halfway across the country.

"Ew." Now, he really felt like crying since he knew what her leaving the island meant. It meant time with her douche. Such a complete douche. "ell, you have fun with that. I think I can do without you for a weekend."

"It's not what you think," she claimed, sounding like she wanted to roll her eyes. "My parents are having an open house in the house next door and they need my help."

No, it was totally what he thought.

"Yeah, sure it is," Nathan said skeptically, stepping out of the hug and shaking his head. "Just use a condom, okay? Safe sex means no herpes and no herpes means no fucking ugly cold sores on those pretty lips of yours."

And Nathan didn't want the douchiness to be contagious.

How to Be a Really Famous Actor (And Other Acting Tips), Friday, Period 1

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