The second setup dragged.
Lights swung into new positions; the camera dolly tracked a tighter arc.
The house interior shrank under the heat of too many bodies, too many watchful eyes chasing perfection.
"Alright," the director called, voice cutting through the murmur. "Kitchen sequence. Alex, enter from the hallway. Leo—hold that bounce light steady by the counter. Soften the shadow on the left."
Leo nodded, fingers tight around the stand.
Sweat traced his temple, but he kept his focus.
Behind him, Derek and Jonas slouched against the wall, restless energy sparking between them.
Jonas smirked. "Bet he drops it again."
Derek snorted. "Too stiff. Like he's live on air."
"Maybe we loosen him up," Jonas murmured, voice low with mischief.
The assistant director counted down—five, four, three—
Right before "Action," Jonas nudged the stand's rear leg with his boot. A subtle push. The light teetered. Leo lunged to steady it, balance faltering.
