After glancingat her ID and checking her name against his list, the security guard waved her onto the studio lot. Cara’s pulse raced. It was actually happening! She had spent the last three days reading everything she could online about what to expect on a movie lot, and studying the film synopsis sheets Skye sent over.
Cara followed the road around the facility’s perimeter, past the sound stages and what she assumed were warehouses and office space. She found a large parking lot at the back of the property, bordered by a heavily wooded area. Following Skye’s instructions, Cara strode up the slight hill toward the sound stages, pulling her rolling case behind her. Skye had let her know that morning over text that she would be working in the vanities trailer on the far side of the four large soundstages.
She made her way between the buildings, glancing through the folding barn doors on the ends at the film sets inside. Excitement bubbled through her, and Cara knew she was grinning like an idiot. Her brothers had all been appropriately happy for her, but only Amara had shrieked with excitement.
Cara found Skye sorting through brushes in the small trailer. Three makeup stations, divided by large, round vanity lights over one long counter, faced tall makeup chairs. An assortment of containers held everything from cotton balls to sponge wedges, and drawers beneath were labelled with the type of product to be found inside.
“Thanks for being on time,” Skye said, not looking up. “We don’t have a lot of time before the first principal arrives. She’ll be here in ten minutes.” Skye moved to the next station, looking it over and rearranging a few items on the counter. “Did you read the synopsis of the movie and look at what we are shooting today?”
Cara swallowed and tried to appear confident. “A diner scene between the love interests first, and then the fight in the apartment later this afternoon.”
Skye nodded approvingly. “It’s set in post-war 1945. The director loves a bright-red, matte lip and lots of eyelashes.” Skye rolled her eyes. “I tried to explain to him that it wasn’t completely accurate for the time, but he’s seen one too many film noirs. Everything super matte, so be sure you use plenty of powder. Zero glisten under the lights.”
She began pulling items out of drawers, holding them up one by one to show Cara. “I’ll be doing most of the applications, but I need you to be sure both principals are moisturized to the gods! I swear, if Chandler comes in hungover again, I’m going to murder him.” She cut her eyes at Cara. “You didn’t hear that.”
Cara pretended to zip her lips closed and throw away a key. Skye looked at her watch and leaned back against the long vanity counter running the length of the trailer. “Makeup on set isn’t like what you learned in school. It’s not that it’s more difficult. It’s just different. As long as you do what I tell you, and pay attention to the details, you’ll be fine. But,” she held up a finger, “the number one cardinal rule of the vanities trailer is nothing is ever repeated. The actors have to trust us. If they think we are going to repeat what we’ve talked about, or gossip about them, it can make things really difficult. On this shoot, no one is in the chair long, but if you make this your career, you might be spending hours only inches from someone’s face.”
She swirled her finger around in the air. “Circle of trust, got it?”
Satisfied by Cara’s nod, Skye resumed educating Cara about each of the products, and in what order she wanted them to be used.
She hadn’t finished when the door opened, and a stunning auburn-haired woman stepped hesitantly into the trailer. She smiled shyly at Cara and took the seat on the far end. Skye introduced her as Lia Everton, playing the lead female character Helen.
“Please call me Lia,” the woman said quietly. Skye supervised Cara’s preparation of Lia’s skin for the long day of shooting, while she put rollers in Lia’s thick hair.
“On this shoot, we double as hair,” she explained to Cara. “Good ol’ budget cuts.”
Lia made a face in the mirror but didn’t say anything.
“Lia, today is Cara’s first day, so I’m going to be explaining what I’m doing as I go. Okay?”
“Of course.” Lia smiled and sat almost preternaturally still, her moss green eyes staring straight ahead. It was a little unnerving, like she had retreated into her own world, but Skye didn’t seem to find anything out of the ordinary. Cara turned her attention to the techniques Skye employed and her explanation behind them.
“Today they’re shooting indoors, a diner scene, which is going to require Lia to drink?” She looked to the actor for confirmation. “We need to use a different lipstick than normal. I’ll still do several layers with powder in between for staying power, but this baby,” Skye held up a purple tube of lipstick, “is the gold standard. Won’t budge.”
“How’s it going this week?” She directed her question at Lia while applying her foundation.
Only Lia’s lips moved when she answered in her melodic voice. “I think Brian and Stephen are fighting. Stephen wants more location shoots, but Brian said it’s impossible.” Her green eyes sparkled. “My money is on Stephen.”
“The director,” Skye explained, when Cara looked quizzical.
Lia and Skye chatted about the set and the latest gossip. The main topic being whether or not the lighting director was sleeping with the line producer and was the head of cinematography jealous.
Skye was almost done, having just begun to layer Lia’s lipstick, when the door to the trailer flew open and an exquisitely handsome man bounded up the stairs and into the small space.
“You’re early, Chandler,” Skye said pointing at the empty seat next to Lia. “This is Cara; she’ll get you started for me.”
“I bet she will.” He smirked at Cara, sipping coffee out of a travel mug.
“Behave. It’s her first day. Let’s let her hold onto any delusions she might have about the glamor of movie making for at least a few hours,” Skye said, patting Lia’s lips with powder. “Cara, can you make sure he has plenty of moisturizer and primer, and then I’ll have you finish up Lia.”
Cara nodded, moving to get the products Skye mentioned. Cara had done makeup on men before, but her hand shook as she began applying the product. She didn’t know if Chandler was any good, but he certainly looked like the quintessential leading man.
“Am I making you nervous?” He ducked his head trying to meet her eyes.
“First day jitters,” she said repressively. He flashed a bright white smile, which he obviously thought was charming. Chandler was handsome, but his cocky attitude made her hackles rise. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from saying something she’d regret.
“According to the costume sheet, he’s wearing a shallow V-neck sweater, so be sure you cover his neck and the first couple inches of his chest, too,” Skye instructed.
