14766/TCOMC:From the Top Symphony of Movie Construction

TCOMC:From the Top Symphony of Movie Construction
Date of Scene:	20 May 2023
Location:	Shaw Studios - Beach Retreat
Synopsis:	As Marie and Mike set out to make beautiful music together, Caleb's sister decides to add her own spin on things while a Field Trip group containing Stadler and Crush watch on. Then they go to lunch.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Xiomara Rojas, Marie-Ange Colbert, Richard Stadler, Caleb Dykstra
Tinyplot:	The Count of Monte Cristo

---

Michael Hannigan has posed:
While a sizable chunk of people may be off from work on a Saturday, that is not the case within the basement of the Beach Retreat of Shaw Studios. With the mixture of musicians tagged for the monstrously sized movie production of The Count of Monte Cristo in consideration, the Weekend is an ideal time to schedule recording sessions.

It appears not everyone who chooses the music industry can live on music alone. Who knew?

Either way the high end living accommodations of the building above and adjacent are mostly empty save for some specifically placed staffers. Those staffers are mainly there to make sure those not staying at the retreat and are first time users of the studios know where to meet the others. Another set is currently setting out some catered sandwiches in the grandiose family room area for the lunch break that is looming near. The pool area also has all their seats laid out to provide as much seating as possible.

But where are the majority of the people right now? Why they're in the basement!

That's not ominous at all!

But in all seriousness, the basement is the main pull of booking rooms here as it is home to the actual studios. The expansive basement has been set up with a rather large live room and a smaller live room. Adjacent to the two of them is a control room which can access the live rooms.

Currently all three rooms are being occupied. The smaller live room currently contains a respectable sized chorus. The larger one consists of an orchestra. This session, they're currently going through the ending portions of the prologue music where the chorus is belting out their dramatic vocals.

In the control room, a group monitors both of the groups, monitoring the sounds from both rooms to make sure the audio balances between the two. Despite the need to separate the singers from the instrumentals, the people in the control room do not appear to have a concern about their own voices spoiling the track. This may be why a local school's field trip was allowed in there for observation. Hanging out with the field trip group, a blond haired man stands, gesturing to both of the windows. "There is sound proofing between each of these rooms so that the only sound that makes it on the track are what we pick up on the microphones." He gestures over to one man at the panel who is wearing headphones. "Patrick's current job is making sure what goes on in the first room works with what is going on in the second room."

Off to the larger room, situated amongst the violinists, Mike is seated. Dressed down in comfortable clothing but playing along.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
The honest truth was that Crush has no idea why she decided to be there. She was just learning to play drums (only one set destroyed) and she most certainly wasn't about to sing. A part of her was curious about how it all worked, the process of getting an orchestra together to play, the other part wanted to run because it was an orchestra and she did not like classical music.

She had met Wade once before, but at present was doing the 'pretend to be interested in the tour' act. It was going about as good as her acting as if she liked the music, that is to say not that well at all. Let's face it, six foot four and pale white skin does not blend in well, so every motion is noticed.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Among those there to join the orchestra is fellow violinist Marie-Ange Colbert, dressed in a sharp-but-formal attire with a black blazer over a white shirt and a black string tie, knee-length black skirt, stockings, and heels. She brought her violin with her, of course.

The instrument was carried in within its case, but is now cradled delicately by the red-headed girl playing it. Green eyes solidly focused somewhere between the sheet music in front of her and the conductor, though usually on the latter, as the former's been memorized at this point.

Richard Stadler has posed:
There were some Happy Harbor students attending this music session for the upcoming ffilm that must be in all the papers (Shaw Studios was probably a signficant driver in a number of students wanting to get into the arts, with the support they'd been providing here). And, even if Mike was trustworthy and it wasn't a long bus ride to the studio from the high school, even a field trip to a grocery store required a teacher there to chaperone. And, let's face it, every teacher, including Rick, could use the overtime.

Granted, there was still the unpaid time taking the lay of the land yesterday, as well as a... chat with Mike on certain events that a certain student may or may not have pressed them on, but that had it's own benefits. At least there wasn't an excessively awkward air between the two since arriving, though that wasn't to say Rick isn't nervous. Basement's that had limited exits and entrances with a group like this could always be dangerous, and his head was constantly on a swivel for anything as small as a spark from a poorly wired light.

Crush is nodded to on a regular pacing over the floor, as he takes a moment to stop, arms folded in front of him, peering through spectcles. "Everything fine over here, Crush? I didn't know you had an interest in music."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
And recently, an offer was taken up on at the beach retreat of Shaw Studios - Caleb accepted the propsition of a spare room for the Dykstra family. So, it's no surprise that he be here, although definetely not the first to arrive. And with so much people down in the basement already, how hard can it be to find one another?

Weeeeellllll...

This brings us to another creature, smaller in size but curious as hell, who's setting out to explore the grounds - and this means the instruments. Her curiosity lies on the piano, where she explores the keys. She just can't help it, bless that pre-teen curiosity of hers.

*PING!*

An A sharp on the bass octaves rings out. And Caleb, who happened to be looking for said creature, to the point of already being asking people, "Excuse me, did you see a ki...?", now winces and rolls his eyes. "Nevermind, I think I have an idea."

And he soon finds himself looming behind her, arms crossed. And before another key is pressed...

"A-hem!"

The girl yelps, and looks back at him. "Busted...?"

Caleb sarcastically pretends to think, then nods repeatedly. "Yeah, Sheila... Bigtime."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Caleb comes in asking about the whereabouts of the sister. Wade turns his head to look to the teen, giving a bit of a concerned look, "You mean Shiela? Have you checked the Family Room? They're setting up the food there."

The song starts to get tenser and tenser as the Chorus moves into the next round of chants, likely the operatic equivalent of going 'Aw yeah, shit's about to go down in this story'. The churn of the lyrics push through, driving the song along.

'Kyrie Kyrie Christe eleison
Kyrie Kyrie Christe eleison
Confutatis maledictis
Flammis acribus ad-'

*PING!*

The conductor glances quickly over to the piano, where the pianist quickly shuffles his feet to minimize the damage of the errant note. The conductor, to his credit keeps the music going while the chorus sings along to the music being provided on their own headphones.

'dictus...
Dies irae, dies illa
Dies irae-'

As Caleb turns for the door, Wade starts moving, lifting up his hand, "Hey wa-" As soon as the door opens Wade bites back any more sound as he quickly urges the door to shut as quietly and quickly as possible. "Sh-"

Field trip!

Wade stops himself and glances back to the field trip, "Ok, this is a good example of what NOT to do during a live recording session. But, at the very least we can do what we can to keep the damage to a minimum."

Patrick to his credit sees the Caleb running into the live session room to collect the errant child and seeing where they are positioned, he reaches over to a panel, keying a few buttons as he shakes his head. "Do they HAVE to have their conversation in the session room?" Patrick complains.

Wade shakes his head but looks back to the field trip, "Ideally from a financial standpoint you want to use as few takes as possible. But it's very rare to get things done in one take. Now, unless those two decide to go running into the other live room, we at least will have a good take of the vocals. With the programs we have available, we may also be able to preserve sizable chunks of the Orchestral recording. "

Mike, who is situated in the room where the chaos is made, continues playing his violin. There's a slight twitch to his lips, remeniscent of a smile before that fades away as the violins enter into a run of notes that requires a bit more focus.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Making her way over to Richard, Crush was just about to say something to him when Caleb and Shelia appear. It is likely that the Czarnian is the only one who watches Sheilia go right into the live session, but the Czarnian also doesn't say jack to anyone about it.

"I've always been interested in music," she finally says to Richard. "Just not what ever it is this is..." she gestures toward the orchestra at about the same moment Caleb and Wade are talking about Shelia, that gestures the only hint she's going to offer.

"I took up the drums after all," she then adds, before looking toward the recording studio to see if any fire works happen as a result of the child in the live room.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
And, when he realizes just exactly how many people are about, and that the session is in fact /LIVE/ (hi, mom!) and not a rehearsal, Caleb's blood grows cold, and he looks pale as marble. Enter the awkward smile, the eyebrow twitch, and he looks at Sheila. Some might think her little stunt funny, and it would be for Caleb as well...

...If there was no self-imposed pressure of looking presentable and respectable, and most of all /respectful of others affairs/.

The teen says no more, simply pointing a finger out towards the door - a gesture Sheila is most certainly familiar with, because she just about scurries guiltily out of the studio room.

He mouths 'sorry' to the recording booth, and is out - at least, for now.

Richard Stadler has posed:
The chaos was... well, let's face it, chaos was always slightly amusing when it wasn't your wallet or your people being affected. Rick's a good chaperone, though, and does try to take the lesson to heart to keep those there reletively quiet in the face of a recording session. "Apologies, Mr. Shaw. We'll see about keeping things quieter and... in the right area for you." He says, looking over to Caleb and the girl he was with. Mike's invitiation? Not Not his problem, at least... insofar as people he strictly has to keep from hurting themselves. Still, what was one more teenager added to the gaggle? Not that there was anything to do at the moment. Both he and the girl he was with seemed appropriately chastened by the low key scolding. He made a mental reminder to ask Mike who they were. A lack of intelligence wasn't a pleaseant thing for him.

To Crush, he gives a reproving look. "Be nice; these people are working to create a very specific vibe in the film itself, I'd bet. Though that does leave me wondering how well your drum playing is. It's been an age since I've seen a live performance."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
For her part, Marie actually manages to keep playing without missing a beat. Yes, she heard the 'ping', but the stray-a was not one of the cues she'd practiced listening for, so it's not enough to throw the young music major off... though, she does make a face. Possibly because the song's coming to that crescendo and she needs to concentrate, possibly because of the note and following conversation that occurs.

As with all things go, though, the song comes to its ending notes and the music tapers off accordingly, redhead lowering her violin for now, ready to start up on the next number... though it feels likely a break is coming.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"This song will be used for the opening credits section. I do understand that the full Orchestral arrangments can be a bit much, Crush. But perhaps you should come back during the more rock influenced recordings. Mr. Drago will be in the other room for those. Fortunately the violinist he's standing in for should have resolved their issue by then."

Wade watches the two troublemakers through the window as they head back to the door. THe apology from the chaperone, while appreciated, gets the teacher the briefest of glances towards the door. "Mr. Stadler, you need not apologize for those two. I'm very much aware they're not part of Happy Harbor yet if ever. They are guests of the studio by other means."

As Caleb and Sheila make their way in, Wade rushes over to make sure the door separating them is closed quickly and quietly. Once it's secured he looks over to Caleb and Shiela. "Guys, when the light is red, that means 'STOP'. Don't go in at those times, okay?"

Song complete, the conductor holds his baton and hands in the air for a few moments more. The Orchestra sits dead silent until the stick is lowered, triggering several irritated sighs from the sections closest to the Piano.

Who left their kids unattended?"

Well that's going to be another retake."

Wade shakes his head and looks over to Patrick. "Now's as good a time as any I guess."

Taking the cue, Patrick reaches up to his headset, tapping a button on it. His voice soon speaks out in both rooms. "Alright, we're going to break for lunch early. There are Sandwiches provided in the family room courteousy of the movie production. Call time is the same as what was in the schedule provided to you. Rest up. We'll be doing the Prologue again when you get back. Enjoy."

With the promise of meal time in effect and causing for a bit of traffic through the door, Mike takes his time to put his violin back in its case for safekeeping. Pale eyes look over to Marie, "Well, that was different. I wasn't expecting that." Once the case is closed, he starts to shuffle over to the line exiting the room.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
"I can play for you any time, Mr. S," Crush offers with a grin, then looks toward Wade. "I'm not going to get in the way of real musicians working their magic," she says first, rather loudly, as if attempting to see who she can get a rise out of by saying the musicians in session aren't real.

Now that Caleb and Shelia aren't in the 'no don't go in there room', Crush makes her way around to them and gives Caleb a very, very light shoulder bump, with her elbow. "Introduce me," is all she says with a broad smile. "I need to meet 'she who disrupts' better than I do."

Richard Stadler has posed:
Stadler gives a brief nod toward Wade. "Fair enough." He says. "Just know you won't have any trouble from us." The trick was the near miss, of course. Get the students he was watching out for thinking of what happened if they made the same mistake, and viola, they wouldn't. It had been effective... before. But the one thing that Rick knew is you really couldn't perdict teenagers.

"I'll take you up on that when I have a spare moment, Crush. But I certainly appreciate your restraint here. This is a... rather unique place for a field trip, all told. Certainly seeing how the sausage is made, but there's a lot of oppurtunity for... mischief." He notes.

But not at the moment, of course, because now it's lunch, and that's exactly what kids want to hear. He swore that have the reason kids went on trips like these was for a box lunch. Anything beyond standard lunchroom fare. This was the complicated part of the evolution, however, as they were in the basement. "People, single file, slow, no shoving." He noted, leading from the back. A quick glance over to Crush as she went to chat with the two non-Harbor kids, and he had to give a bit of a smile at that. Always good to see young adults inspire the kids.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie bows her head slightly as break is called for, and smiles over in Mike's direction as she, too, works on replacing her violin in its case. The instrument has definitely seen quite a lot of use over the years, but it still /sounds/ great because of her meticulous care. "Indeed, Monsieur. When I envisioned playing here, I admittedly expected more of a... controlled environment, non?" Though, she quirks the slightest of grins. "This, however, feels more like home. My, ah, family can be most rambunctious."

Violin appropriately cased, she picks it up and starts making her way for the door; the promise of tasty sandwiches on the horizon.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
And outside the studio room, Caleb turns to Sheila. "Sheila... Understand, for the life of us, that this venture of yours may've cost the studio money and time." He adds, "People are being paid by the hour to record here."

Sheila just nods in a sulk, "I was just trying the piano out, that's all."

"Yeah, well... They don't take rogue auditions, kiddo." He thinks, "But maybe you can try it out, at the Arts Center." Yes, that's a good idea - why shatter whatever hopes and dreams Sheila has for an instrument, just because it was at the wrong place and time?

He turns towards Wade, "My apologies, Mr. Shaw." He scratches his head. "I guess when inspiration strikes, right...?" It's almost taking a turn for the not-so-serious, when an idea strikes him - maybe something he can contribute with for the score. "Look lemme try and make it up to you... Does this piece use..." He considers the instrumens, "...a classical guitar, say?"

As Xio approaches, he presents the kid sister, "Crush, this little bundle of joy is Sheila. Sheila, this Black Veil Brides inconditional fan is Crush."

Sheila looks up, the full size of Xio almost making her lose balance. "Oh... Hi!" She adds, "Nice mascara, Crush!"

Caleb hrms, "Uhm, actually... Th..." He shuts up, looking at Crush, and shrugging apologetically. "You tell her...?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Wade looks over to Caleb as the teen explains to the younger sibling about how rogue auditions are not taken- and then turns around to offer... a rogue audition. Bringing a hand up to his face, he pinches the bridge of his nose. "Yes Caleb, there's guitar in some of the songs. Electric guitar. And funny enough we filled in that part before we scheduled the recording session."

Getting the assurance from Stadler that the students from the school will not be causing problems, Wade nods, lowering his head to look over to Rick. "Thank you for the assurance, Mr. Stadler. Much appreciated considering the relationship this studio has with the school. And the tour of the other studio next month."

Mike nods to Marie's statement, "Shaw Studios has two different styles of recording options. What you're describing is more likely the Manhattan session location. But either way, I hope you enjoy the experience."

As he crosses through the doorway, Mike looks over to the field trip group, lifting up a hand to wave to the lined up students. "Hey guys!" He moves over, making point to stand next to Rick while he looks to the others. "All set for lunch?"

All set or not, soon the basement area is devoid of people.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Crush presents a hand to Sheila, because that was the proper way to introduce or be introduced. "Nice to meetcha kid," she offers first while shaking hands, if the hand if taken, other wise her own hand returns to her side.

Taking a moment now, she finally just bites the bullet, as they say. "This ain't mascara though," she runs a finger over one eye, then out over the 'not makeup' around her eyes as well. "This here is a hundred percent me. Not make-up, not tattoo, all.. what you earthers call... alien." She wiggles both her brows with the last part, even smiling with her naturally black lips. Either Sheila will freak out, scream and run, or she won't... but for Crush, there was no more hiding it.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Sheila takes a moment to think, "Like Supergirl, then? Or Power Girl?" She gasps, "Can you fly?? Or shoot laser beams out of your eyes??" She looks at Crush's look, "Or you have death metal powers?"

Caleb's face is the perfect example of deadpan, 'Death metal powers?', forllowed by the Picard facepalm, 'Oh god... Where does she come up with these ideas?'

Sheila is almost like, reading her sibling's mind, "Come on, look at her! She's got the whole badass metal style!"

Caleb nods. Then shakes his head. All the time he's facepalming. "I'll just... slink into a crack on a wall here. Any crack will do. Oh wait, I can't... I'm not that kind of alien, or an alien for that matter, so I'll just say..." He looks to Xiomara. "...Sorry."

He look at Wade, and nods. "Well, if there were some missing parts where a guitar be needed, I woul've gladly helped out with them. It'd be the least I could do." To Mike, when he mentions lunch, he nods, "Oh yes... I could eat something right about now."