"It's a sci-fi flick," Rob explains, and instantly your heart starts to sink a little. It's not as if you're some elitist or prude who looks down on genre fare. On the contrary, you loved science fiction growing up - well, your favorite series might be more space fantasy, but that hadn't stopped you from dreaming of being a monk with magic powers and a laser sword when you were a little girl. You'd jump at the chance to be in that particular franchise, too... but if that had been the case, then Rob would've said as much.
The quiet sigh that leaves your mouth seems to get his attention, and he quickly rushes in to reassure you. "I know, I know, but listen - this isn't some schlocky cable movie, or a stupid action space marine thing." He sounds excited and genuine, as always. That eager attitude, you imagine, is half the reason that he's been so successful. "I've looked at the script, and this is good stuff. Real heady, smartly-written, getting a wide release and everything. This is a breakout role, Kate!"
"I'm sure it is," you mutter back, rubbing your forehead. That much, at least, you don't doubt. "I just... if I start with something like this..." You sigh, needing a second to pull together your thoughts. "It's a breakout, but a breakout that might leave me... stuck." You're not exactly blind. You've seen far, far too many women in fantasy and sci-fi works end up never able to escape and find success with roles outside those genres. Excellent actresses, women who could've made it big if they hadn't been sucked into that genre fare black hole, working nothing but low and mid budget shows and movies until they hit thirty and got dumped by casting agencies for younger, hotter women.
"I know it's hard, getting out of that sort of rut - but it's even harder when you haven't got any credits to your name." He was right about that, at least. Experience in some sci-fi movie that might make back half its budget at the box office was better than zero experience whatsoever. "Listen - there's another thing. The stuido's in a bind with this one, lead actress just up and quit. 'Creative differences'." That's a bit of a red flag. "They need somebody ASAP - if you can do a table read this afternoon, and Smith likes you, then it's pretty much a guaratneed casting... and with how badly they need somebody, well, they're willing to fork over big bucks. Not to mention, you're gonna start your career with a studio's gratitude!"
You bite your lip as you think it over. The idea of your career getting pulled into some sci-fi black hole, an inescapable pit of schlock and creepy fans, is a terrifying one. At the same time... Rob has never lied or exaggerated. If he says this is heady stuff, the kind of thing that veers more into the pretentious-yet-acclaimed realm of speculative fiction... it could rocket you up to being notable. Hell, maybe if you pull off something good and prove you're reliable, you could get the attention of casting directors from big-time superhero franchises. Those properties were always scouring Hollywood for attractive, halfway-decent actors with a reasonable shelf life left, people they could shower in money for ten years over some seven or eight sequels and crossovers.
"....okay. I'll give it a shot."
"Perfect! You're not gonna regret this Kate, I promise!" You smile, hoping Rob is telling the truth as you copy down the time and location. The other side of town, and soon enough that you'll just barely be able to get there in time. Thankfully, this is your day off from the crummy waitress job you've been working to keep a roof over your head. You hurry to get cleaned up, dressed, and out the door, donning your best pair of jeans, sneakers and a nice blouse - casual, but not too casual, to show that you're clean-cut yet not pretentious in your sense of dress. Somebody reasonable and down to earth, rather than yet another young hopeful that was far, far too up their own ass to see any success in LA.
The day is cool enough that you manage not to work up a bad sweat as you hop on your bike and get going. The exercise that this thing provides has kept you fit; your body is in excellent shape, just slightly athletic while still remaining slim and feminine. A bit more impressive down south than up north, but you'd like to think a woman doesn't need a huge rack to make in Hollywood - at least, not when her butt is as toned as yours. Combined with the bright blue eyes and honey-brown hair, you're definitely pretty - this just happens to be a city loaded with pretty people. In such a sea of hotness, you've yet to find a way to truly stand out. It's probably why work has been so slow in coming.
Concerns about your appearance dog at you all the way to the studio, where you hurriedly lock up your bike before heading to the room indicated by Rob. At the door, you find him waving you down, giving you a bottle of water and helping you psyche yourself up as you head to your destination. He's been trying so hard to help you succeed - sometimes, it honestly makes you feel like a bit of a leech, the way you've latched on and prayed he'll find you decent work. But he's always stood by you and insisted it was okay, that you were his friend and he would never leave your corner. Pretty impressive for a guy whose first interaction with you was him flirting and getting blown off by your staggeringly gay ass.
Assistants and crew are running around as you're led into a private room, away from the main hustle and bustle of shooting, to find a young man quickly ending a cell phone conversation. He's not a whole lot older than you, with curly dark hair and a charming grin. "Miss Wells, thank you for coming in on short notice! I'm Jeromy!" The young director offers you a handshake, and you thank him in turn as shake his hand then sit down. Rob takes a seat as well, eagerly leaning in as he slides a script over. It's apparent that he's the writer of this movie, too, as he starts elaborating on the film's core concept: a transformative story, following a young woman changing into something else. On the surface, it reminds you of a werewolf movie with a fresh paint of skin - but Jeromy quickly dissuades that notion.
He's animated and lively, describing to you the deeper thematic meaning behind everything. He's trying to use the fantastical premise as a way to tell a story about changes in life, and how people react to them - the thrills, the horrors, the good and the bad, the worries and terror that follows when your life takes a turn you can't go back from. It eases your worry considerably, and eventually, the time comes for the read itself; he directs you to a particular scene that he considers a microcosm of the whole film's themes. You flip over to that part of the script as he briefly explains what's happening in this particular scene...