Direct Shot woke up in his warm bed. The bed was a large queen size bed adorned with blankets that had film reels on it. The room he was in was a large bedroom, a window was behind him and a door in front leading to the other rooms in the house. A dresser was to his side and had a few pictures of his family and friends on them.
Direct Shot yawned and stretched his blue wings and sat up. His emerald eyes looked around his room adjusting to the light pouring in from the window. His messy brown mane was somewhat poking at his eyes causing him to swipe it to the side. After a few minutes of getting his bearings he threw off his blankets and got up. Looking at himself he noticed his coat was just as messy as his bed mane.
Today is the day. He thought while now stretching his forelegs causing a few audible pops coming from them. The production of Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone was today! The thought made him smile as he trotted along the wooden floor to the bathroom which was located right outside the door to his room, and to the left.
The pre-production of the film had taken a whole year to get done. Luckily it went by with a few minor problems. The first part was getting the rights for the film.
A. K . Yearling was pretty generous in giving the rights to make the film saying “The studios offered me money but you offered your talents” Direct Shot smiled at the thought of somepony that popular would think a small town pony had talents. Usually it was the opposite. Most studios that had popped up in Canterlot or Manehatten were money hungry and punching out films that were in all ways terrible! The were in for quantity not quality. It was a wonder how they were making any money on them, but he knew why. Big names in the industry made those films sell. It was a smart marketing technique but they did not understand the craft and that annoyed him.
On that thought Direct Shot moved into the shower and began to get cleaned up. The warm water feeling refreshing and waking up his sleepy body.
Direct Shot knew he was a lucky stallion being able to move to ponyville and meet some of his best friends and team. It did not come without a cost though. His family still lived in Cloudsdale which meant he could not see them as much as he wished. He remembered the day he got his cutie mark which had caused the domino effect to this current day. How is parents were all over it and even had planned a party for him a few days after it. The movie slate that adorned his flank was a symbol of his talent of storytelling on the silver screen.
He finished his shower and got out. Drying off he looked in the mirror and saw his blue muzzle and now extremely crazy mane stare back. He chuckled to himself and used his hoof to brush it to a point where it was not too crazy. He did not style his mane a certain way, and always let it go wild and let his signature Drivers cap cover it up.
Direct shot then moved out out of the bathroom and down the hall to his kitchen which had a window above a sink and an icebox off to the side with cupboards. He opened the icebox and found some orange juice. Filling a glass he sat at the kitchen table he had on the other side of the room. It was a large round table with papers scattered across it of plans for the film he was working on. Storyboards, scripts, legal documents, ect. It was all there. As he drank his beverage he looked them over.
The blue pegasus then grabbed one paper which was the call sheet for today's shoot. It had the crew call time set at 11AM at Town Hall. The actor or actress in this case, call time was 1pm.
Nightflare he thought and smiled. He really enjoyed working with his good friend. The black pegasus with a blue and red mane had become friends with him after an incident in Manehatten. What luck it was that they both lived in Ponyville. This made it easier to cast for a role and get the shoot done. He coughed a few times reminding him that he had to pack his inhaler for the shoot.
He looked at the time, which read 10AM. Direct Shot got up and started packing his saddlebags with his production papers. He than stood up, put his bags on and walked to the door. He reached a hoof up to a hat rack which held his hat and put it on. Once the hat was adjusted to his liking, he stepped out into the outside world.
The air hit his face making him take a breath in. The fresh air making him smile and making him automatically want to take flight, the instinct of any pegasus. I had to refrain from the need as he did not want the papers to get ruined.
The trot to Town Hall took about fifteen minutes. Passing by stands in the market he noticed that the area was more cleared as they needed it for the upcoming shoot. Everypony was excited for this movie to be made. It’s not everyday that a movie is shot in this town or that the ponies in the stands would clear out.
Direct Shot arrived in front of Town Hall. The pony crew was already there hard at work putting up the outside part of the set up. A blue colored pony with a red green and yellow mane was in front, with the crew helping them out.
“Okay, make sure that that area is covered.” She called out.
“That’s it looking great!”
Direct Shot recognized her as Art Stage, the art director on set. Not wanting to interrupt her he just watched as the set dressing pegasi moved a large wooden piece in place which was decorated to look like stone for the outside of the tomb set.
After it was in place Art Stage turned around and smiled. “Oh, hey mister Shot!” Her cheery but nervous voice made Direct Shot smile. She was new to the job, and he had seen her perform admirably as a set dresser in stage plays. Her cutie mark was a stage lit with three lights of the primary colors.
“You can just call me Direct or DS. I’m not strict on that.” He chuckled causing the mare to blush, “Looks like you’ve got this handled. When do you think it will be set?”
“Oh...um...we should have it done in the next hour.” She said looking at the set and twiddling her hooves nervously.
Direct Shot smiled “Great work, I’m glad to have you on the team!” He than starts walking over to a trailer set up as a green room for the actress.
“Oh before you head over there. Nightflare was kinda acting a bit jittery.” Art Stage calls.
The pegasus director nods and heads towards the trailer. The trailer was large and rounded. It’s silver metal encasing reflected the sun causing Direct Shot to shield his eyes. He arrived at the door which had the title “Green Room” and “Nightflare” on it.
Direct Shot raises a hoof and and knocks on the entrance three times. After a few seconds the door opens revealing Nightflare.
“You’re here early,” he chuckled. “Ready for today’s shoot!?” he asks enthusiastically.
“Yeah...” she replies quietly looking to the side.
Direct Shot notices her tone and looks concerned, “You doing okay?”
Nightflare looks up quickly and puts on a smile and quickly says “Yeah...yeah I’m fine fiiiiiiinee....never better!” She chuckles feigning an excited tone.
“Are you sure? You seem kinda nervous.” He replies.
“I said I was fine, okay!? So I am FINE!” She abruptly shuts the door in Direct Shots face.
The blue pegasus is shocked by this sudden action. Nightflare usually was a calm and collected pony. Why was she so worked up? He asked himself.
After a few minutes of thinking, he decided to knock on the door again.
“Nightflare?”
There was no answer.
He reached for the handle and then stopped. His professionalism in actor privacy came to his head, but his concern for his friend took over. Wrapping his hoof around the handle, he pulled and opened the door.
Stepping inside, he looked around the cozy trailer. It had two long cushions on either sides of the trailer with windows above them. A door in front of him lead to a bathroom and to the right was a small kitchen with a mini icebox. On the other end was a door that lead to the front where a curved cushioned seat was and Nightflare sat.
The worried friend walked up to her slowly and heard what sounded like sniffling.
“I..I...bucking can’t do it....” came the quiet voice from Nightflare.
Not wanting to to seem like he was spying, Direct shot spoke up, “What can’t you do?”
A small eep came from Nightflare and she turned quickly. “What t..the hay are you doing in here!?”
Direct Shot frowns. “I was worried about you. Just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
She wiped her face with a hoof which Direct Shot presumed was tears. “Well I am, okay!?”
The blue pegasus was not convinced. “You don’t sound it” He moved closer to his friend.
“Well you don’t know me!” She snapped back.
Direct shot paused at the sentence. “True. I may not know you through and through, but I am your friend. I want to help.”
“It’s nothing.” She replied, turning back to the window.
The blue pegasus sighs. He thought for a moment and sighs, “You know who you remind me of?”
The black pegasus looks back but Doesn't reply.
“Me.” He says, causing her to look confused. “You remember when I was going through a tough time with my grandfather?”
Nightflare nods.
“I wasn’t talking with anypony. My parents, Art Stage, Pencil Gallery, and you.” He continued. “I just didn’t want anypony to know that I was taking it hard. I didn’t want to burden them with my own problems.”
Direct Shot looks back up at his friend. “But you would not have it. You knocked on my door until I came out and basically forced me to vent.” He chuckled at the statement. “I am grateful for that, even if your tactics were a bit extreme. I know now that it’s better to get it off my chest than to keep it in.”
Nightflare looks down.
“Will you let me help you like you did for me?” He asks calmly.
Nightflare visibly looked uncomfortable and after a minute took a breath and sighed, “I don’t think I can do it.”
“Do what?” Direct Shot asks.
“Play the part of Daring Do.” She replies quietly. “I just think I am going to fail and then my chances of doing anything in acting will be ruined!”
She visibly was shaking. “I mean this is a massive role. How am I able to live up to that?”
Direct Shot walks over and sits next to her. “If I didn’t think you could do it, I wouldn’t have picked you as the star,” he replied. “You are a fantastic actress. Never forget that.”
She looks back at her friend, “I’m not that gre...”
Nightflare was cut off. “Don’t say that!” Direct Shot looked right into her eyes. “I know this is nerve racking. It is for me too, But I know that we can work together to get this done, and have a great time doing it!”
“I know but...what if I mess up?” she asks
“Then we do another take like standard procedure.” Direct Shot smiled “I know you can get it done. We’ve been friends for a while now and I know for sure that you have the ability to get anything you want done and make it look amazing!”
Nightflare looked to the side. “Thank you...”
Direct Shot smiled “Anything for a friend”
Nightflare then looked back at Direct Shot, giving him a grin and jabbing him in the side, “Do you do this with all your actresses?”
“It’s in the job description.” He chuckled, jumping at the jab.
They both laughed and after a few minutes calmed down.
“Thanks, I needed that.” Nightflare said with a smile.
“Anytime.” Direct Shot smiled “Want to go over lines?”
“Sure!” She replied.
After a few hours of going over lines, Direct Shot leaves. He left Nightflare so she could get her makeup done for the role. He made his way to the set, which was located inside of Town Hall. The area was made to look like the tomb that was described in the book that the movie was based off of. The walls looked stony and aged, and small holes were put in to hide the hidden traps.
The pegasus noticed the chair with his name on it and sat down sighing happily. This was it. This is what they all had been waiting for.
He heard the sounds of hooves gather in the area. The crew had the lights, sound equipment, and camera set up and ready to go. All they needed was the talent and they were set.
As if on cue, Direct Shot felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Nightflare, all dressed up like Daring do.
“Are you ready, Miss DO?” He asked with a smile.
“I sure am!” She said, with no trace of her earlier anxiety in her voice.
“Alrighty! Everypony to their places!” The director pony yelled.
The crew all got into position, and Nightflare walked onto the set.
“QUIET ON SET!” The first Assistant director pony yelled.
She glanced back at Direct Shot and smiles.
“CAMERA!” Continues the pony.
“ROLLING!” The camera crew called out.
“SOUND!” The assistant director pony calls once more.
“SPEEDING!” The sound crew yelled.
The first assistant director pony then looked around for a moment, making sure the area was ready and quiet.
“Settle” he said, and glanced back at Direct Shot.
Direct shot smiled before yelling, “And...ACTION!”
Author's Note
This was a quick one shot I wrote after a friend suggested I do some short stories.
That friend also edited this. Thank you Babs_Seed5 for the help.
https://www.fimfiction.net/user/Babs_Seed5