#Plus Max Director

[smolbugarts]

Hyperfixating on Grounded... thinking about a Portal 2 au 👀

Also very tempted to draw my sona snuggling a stuffed aphid bc they're baby <3

[heartmix]

Private Screening - MV1

Pairing: Max Verstappen x fem!reader

Word Count: 1.4k+

Warning: Max being oblivious, mention of sad reader

Summary: You really wanted to go to the private screening of the F1 movie, but Max doesn't want to

A/N: messy and all over the place

F1 Masterlist / Masterlist

To say you loved movies was an understatement. At any free moment, there was bound to be a movie on. Which is why when they announced they were making a movie about F1 with the same director as Top Gun: Maverick, you were beyond excited. 

The chance to watch them film during the season and also meet the actors made you giddy. Your excitement was more than all the drivers combined, which was hardly any, considering they honestly couldn't have cared less about it. 

Max was one of those who wanted to stay away from the movie. If he had the chance to decline partaking in it, he would have dropped it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately for him, his job forced him, and even more so, you would not stop talking about it every time a promo dropped. 

"Do you think you guys will be invited to the premiere or a private screening?" You asked Max one day while watching yet another trailer drop. 

"If we do, I probably won't go," Max said, not even batting an eye. It was off-handed and you knew you shouldn't have made it a big deal, but deep inside, you were a little hurt. 

The next week, it seemed like everyone was talking about the private screening of the movie for everyone who worked in F1, even down to the engineers. Knowing Max would decline meant you wouldn't be able to go; you were sulking whenever the topic was brought up. 

"What's with the sad face?" Charles asked, seeing your face drop as he and Alexandra were talking about what they were wearing to the premiere next week. 

"You're coming right?" Alex inquired, seemingly knowing what was going on, but she wanted you to be the one to say it. 

"I wish. Max doesn't want to go, and Red Bull is giving him an out." The fact that your eyes didn't meet theirs, instead focusing on the drink in front of you, was a sign that it bothered you a lot. 

"Does he know how excited you are for it? I swear it's all you've been talking about last season." 

"He knows, but I don't think he declined the invite to hurt me. He saw an opportunity to get out of going and took it. I know I shouldn't be sad about it, but I'll get over it." 

"Come with us," Charles mentioned. 

"What?" Your eyes snapped up to his in disbelief, thinking he was playing around. Instead, you found a genuine smile. 

"Oh yes! You can hang out with me! It'll be so fun!" Alex exclaimed with a big smile plastered on her face. 

"Are you guys sure? I don't want to overstep." 

"Trust me. It'll be fine." Charles waved off your concern, not showing a hint of worry. 

Leading up to the premiere, you were super happy. No more the gloomy state you were in. Max noticed it, of course, he noticed mostly everything about you. He was curious about the sudden mood change, but didn't chalk it up to anything. Maybe it was just one of those weeks. If it were anything important, he would be the first one you told. 

He didn't ask about it until the night before the premiere. He was lounging on the bed with the cats while you were in the walk-in closet trying to find something to wear. Not like you were going to be photographed, but there might be a picture or two that would be circulated. This was a big deal to you, and you wanted to look as good as you were going to feel. 

"Schatje, are you almost done? I want to relax and I can't do that without you right here in my arms." He yelled out, borderline whining that you weren't in bed with him. 

"Yeah, just give me a few minutes." 

"The race isn't for a few more days, you don't need to look for an outfit right now. Plus, in case you didn't know, it's in the city we live in. No need to rush." He tried again, but to no avail, you didn't come to bed. 

"Not for the race bubs. It's for tomorrow." 

"Going out with the girls?" He wondered, thinking he had forgotten that you mentioned it to him. 

"Yeah, you can say that. Alex and Charles invited me to the F1 movie screening." Hearing that, he got off the bed and made his way to the closest, confused. Did he hear you right? 

"The what?" 

"Remember the private screening for the drivers and crew. Well, since you weren't going, Charles invited me." You shrugged, not making a big deal. It wasn't a big deal anymore, now that you were going. 

"Why didn't you tell me you wanted to go?" 

"Because you said you weren't going to go before I even had the chance. Even so, you know I've been excited for it, of course, I would want to go." You sighed, looking at him standing in the doorway. It was foolish to think he wouldn't find out, but you didn't know he would make something out of it. 

"I'm sorry, you get excited for practically every movie. I wasn't thinking." He frowned, pulling you into his arms. You knew he felt bad, but there was nothing to hold against him. 

"Don't stress it. I know you don't like media stuff, and you aren't that interested in the movie." 

"Let me take you tomorrow." At this, you chuckled at his sudden urge to wanting to go. He was doing this because he felt bad. You didn't want to force him to go if he really didn't want to, and you know he didn't. 

"Don't be silly. How often do they let you decline something work-related? Plus, I'm going with Charles and Alex." 

"I know you're excited for it, and that's all I need. I'm taking you." The comment came out more as a statement. It was final. He was going to take you no matter how hard you tried to convince him. 

"It's the night before, what are you going to tell the team?" 

"Im Max Verstappen, 4 time world champion. What are they going to do? Decline me?" He had that famous Max Verstappen smugness in his tone. One that would eat everyone up. 

"And your fans say you're humble." You rolled your eyes, and he couldn't help but chuckle. 

Like it was planned all along, you and Max were making your way up the steps of the theater. Cameras flashed from all around you, but you didn't care about any of that. The only thing you cared about was watching the movie. 

"Max! Looks like you made it!" You looked up to the Red Bull social media, Jessica already with a phone fired up in her hand. 

"I did." He said with a slight smile, his way of telling her it was okay to film. 

"Are you excited to see the movie?" She said, holding up the camera to get it all on record.

"My girls' excited about it, so that means I am too." At this comment, you could feel the heat rise to your face, and you tried to look anywhere but the camera. You felt Max's eyes peering down at you, and from he corner of your eyes, you saw Jessica smirking while filming you. Whether it was the bluntness of Max or the numbers it will do on social media, she loved the comment either way. 

"We are glad to have you both." She smiled before ending the video and putting her phone down, thanking you both for the content. 

"Well, well, well, look who decided to show up." Charles' voice came in right from behind you guys with Alex on his arm. 

"Did she tell you about the situation?" Max groaned, not liking Charles' smug look. 

"I knew, I just got the confession out of her." Alex shrugged like it was nothing. 

"Well, all that matters is I'm going to have the chance to see the movie a whole month early. Speaking of you guys should hurry up and do press so we can get to the actual movie." You pushed the two drivers away in the direction of where the rest of them were. 

"You practically begged me to come, now you're getting rid of me?" Max couldn't help but tease. 

With a raised eyebrow, you looked at him in disbelief, "If I remember correctly, you begged me to let you take me." 

"Same thing." 

"Will you just go? I'll meet you inside." Rolling your eyes yet again, this pulled a laugh out of him.  

"Save me a seat?" 

"Least I could do." You smiled before he pulled you in for a kiss. 

[damienkarras73]

An essay on Furiosa, the politics of the Wasteland, Arthurian literature and realistic vs. formalistic CGI

Mad Max: Fury Road absolutely enraptured me when it came out nearly a decade ago, and I will cop to seeing it four times at the theatre. For me (and many others who saw the light of George Miller) it set new standards for action filmmaking, storytelling and worldbuilding, and I could pop in its Blu Ray at any time and never get tired of it. Perhaps not surprisingly, I was deeply apprehensive about the announced prequel for Fury Road's actual main character, Furiosa, even if Miller was still writing and directing. We didn't need backstory for Furiosa—hell, Fury Road is told in such a way that NOTHING in it requires explicit backstory. And since it focuses on the Yung Furiosa, it meant Charlize Theron couldn't return with another career-defining performance. Plus, look at all that CGI in the trailer, it can't be as good as Fury Road.

Turns out I was silly to doubt George Miller, M.D., A.O., writer and director of Babe: Pig in the City and Happy Feet One & Two.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is excellent, and I needn't have worried about it not being as good as Fury Road because it is not remotely trying to be Fury Road. Fury Road is a lean, mean machine with no fat on it, nothing extraneous, operating with constant forward momentum and only occasionally letting up to let you breathe a little; Furiosa is a classical epic, sprawling in scope, scale and structure, and more than happy to let the audience simmer in a quiet, almost painfully still moment. If its opening spoken word sequence by that Gandalf of the Wastes himself, the First History Man, didn't already clue you in, it unfolds like something out of myth, a tale told over and over again and whose possible embellishments are called attention to in the dialogue itself. Where Fury Road scratched the action nerd itch in my head like you wouldn't believe, Furiosa was the equivalent of Miller giving the undulating folds of my English major brain a deep tissue massage. That's great! I, for one, love when sequels/prequels endeavour to be fundamentally different movies from what they're succeeding/preceding, operating in different modes, formats and even genres, and more filmmakers should aim for it when building on an existing series.

This movie has been on my mind so much in the past week that I've ended up dedicating several cognitive processes to keeping track of all of the different ponderings it's spawned. Thankfully, Furiosa is divided into chapters (fun fact: putting chapter cards in your movie is a quick way to my heart), so it only seems fitting that I break up all of these cascading thoughts accordingly.

1. The Pole of Inaccessibility

Furiosa herself actually isn't the protagonist for the first chapter of her own movie, instead occupying the role of a (very crafty and resourceful) damsel in distress for those initial 30-40 minutes. The real hero of the opening act, which plays out like a game of cat and mouse, is Furiosa's mother Mary Jabassa, who rides out into the wasteland first on horseback and then astride a motorcycle to track down the band of raiders that has stolen away her daughter. Mary's brought to life by Miller and Nico Lathouris' economical writing and a magnetic performance by newcomer Charlee Fraser, who radiates so much screen presence in such relatively little time and with one of those instant "who is SHE??" faces. She doesn't have many lines, but who needs them when Fraser can convey volumes about Mary with just a flash of her eyes or the effortless way she swaps out one of her motorcycle's wheels for another. To be quite candid, I'm not sure of the last time I fell in love with a character so quickly.

You notice a neat aesthetic contrast between mother and daughter in retrospect: Mary Jabassa darts into the desert barefoot, clad in a simple yet elegant dress, her wolf cut immaculate, only briefly disguising herself with the ugly armour of a raider she just sniped, and when she attacks it's almost with grace, like some Greek goddess set loose in the post-apocalyptic Aussie outback with just her wits and a bolt-action rifle; we track Furiosa's growth over the years by how much of her initially conventional beauty she has shed, quite literally in one case (hair buzzed, severed arm augmented with a chunky mechanical prosthesis, smeared in grease and dirt from head to toe, growling her lines at a lower octave), and by how she loses her mother's graceful approach to movement and violence, eventually carrying herself like a blunt instrument. Yet I have zero doubt the former raised the latter, both angels of different feathers but with the same steel and resolve. Of fucking course this woman is Furiosa's mother, and in the short time we know her we quickly understand exactly why Furiosa has the drive and morals she does without needing to resort to didactic exposition.

Anyway, I was tearing up by the end of the first chapter. Great start!

2. Lessons from the Wasteland

Most movies—most stories, really—don't actually tell the entire narrative from A to Z. Perhaps the real meat of the thing is found from H to T, and A-G or U-Z are unnecessary for conveying the key narrative and themes. So many prequels fail by insisting on telling the A-G part of the story, explaining how the hero earned a certain nickname or met their memorable sidekick—but if that stuff was actually interesting, they likely would have included it in the original work. The greatest thing a prequel can actually do is recontextualize, putting iconic characters or moments in a new light, allowing you to appreciate them from a different angle. All of season 2 of Fargo serves to explain why Molly Solverson's dad is appropriately wary when Lorne Malvo enters his diner for a SINGLE SCENE in the show's first season. David's arc from the Alien prequels Prometheus and Covenant—polarizing as those entries are—adds another layer to why Ash is so protective of the creature in the first movie. Andor gives you a sense of what it's like for a normal, non-Jedi person to live under the boot of the Empire and why so many of them would join up with the Rebel Alliance—or why they would desire to wear that boot, or even just crave the chance to lick it.

Furiosa is one of those rare great prequels because it makes us take a step back and consider the established world with a little more nuance, even if it's still all so absurd. In Fury Road, Immortan Joe is an awesome, endlessly quotable villain, completely irredeemable, and basically a cartoon. He works perfectly as the antagonist of that breakneck, Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote-ass movie, but if you step outside of its adrenaline-pumping narrative for even a moment you risk questioning why nobody in the Citadel or its surrounding settlements has risen up against him before. Hell, why would Furiosa even work for him to begin with? But then you see Dementus and company tear-assing around the wasteland, seizing settlements and running them into the ground, and you realize Joe and his consortium offer something that Dementus reasonably can't: stability—granted, an unwavering, unchangeable stability weighted in favour of Joe's own brutal caste system, but stability nonetheless. It really makes you wonder, how badly does a guy have to suck to make IMMORTAN JOE of all people look like a sane, competent and reasonable ruler by comparison?!?

…and then they open the door to the vault where he keeps his wives, and in a flash you're reminded just how awful Joe is and why Furiosa will risk her life to help some of these women flee from him years later. This new context enriches Joe and makes it more believable that he could maintain power for so long, but it doesn't make him any less of a monster, and it says a lot about Furiosa's hate for Dementus that she could grit her teeth and work for this sick old tyrant.

3. The Stowaway

Here's another wild bit of trivia about this movie: you don't actually see top-billed actress Anya Taylor-Joy pop up on screen until roughly halfway through, once Furiosa is in her late teens/early twenties. Up until this point she's been played by Alyla Browne, who through the use of some seamless and honestly really impressive CGI has been given Anya's distinctive bug eyes [complimentary]. It's one of those bold choices that really works because Miller commits to it so hard, though it does make me wish Browne's name was up on the poster next to Taylor-Joy's.

Speaking of CGI, I should talk about what seems to be a sticking point for quite a few people: if there's been one consistent criticism of Furiosa so far, it's that it doesn't look nearly as practical or grounded as Fury Road, with more obvious greenscreen and compositing, and what previously would've been physical stunt performers and pyrotechnics have been replaced with their digital equivalents for many shots. Simply put, it doesn't look as real! For a lot of people, that practicality was one of Fury Road's primary draws, so I won't try to quibble if they're let down by Furiosa's overt artificiality, but to be honest I'm actually quite fine with it. It helps that this visual discrepancy doesn't sneak up on you but is incredibly apparent right from the aerial zoom-down into Australia in the very first scene, so I didn't feel misled or duped.

Fury Road never asks you to suspend your disbelief because it all looks so believable; Furiosa jovially prods you to suspend that disbelief from the get-go and tune into it on a different wavelength. It's a classical epic, and like the classical epics of the 1950s and 60s it has a lot of actors standing in front of what clearly are matte paintings. It feels right! We're not watching fact, we're watching myth. I'm willing to concede there might be a little bit of post-hoc rationalization on my part because I simply love this movie so much, but I'm not holding the effects in Furiosa to the same standard as those in Fury Road because I simply don't believe Miller and his crew are attempting to replicate that approach. Without the extensive CGI, we don't get that impressive long, panning take where a stranded Furiosa scans the empty, dust-and-sun-scoured wasteland (75% Sergio Leone, 25% Andrei Tarkovsky), or the Octoboss and his parasailing goons. For the sake of intellectual exercise I did try imagining them filming the Octoboss/war rig sequence with the same immersive practical approach they used for Fury Road's stunts, however I just kept picturing dead stunt performers, so perhaps the tradeoff was worth it!

4. Homeward

Around the same time we meet the Taylor-Joy-pilled Furiosa in Chapter 3, we're introduced to Praetorian Jack, the chief driver for the convoys running between the Citadel and its allied settlements. Jack's played by Tom Burke, who pulled off a very good Orson Welles in Mank! and who I should really check out in The Souvenir one of these days. He's also a cool dude! Here are some facts about Praetorian Jack:

He's decked out in road leathers with a pauldron stitched to one shoulder

He's stoic and wary, but still more or less personable and can carry on a conversation

Professes to a certain cynicism, to quote Special Agent Albert Rosenfield, but ultimately has a capacity for kindness and will do the right thing

Shoots a gun real good

Can drive like nobody's business

So in other words, Jack is Mad Max. But also, no, he clearly isn't! He looks and dresses like Mad Max (particularly Mel Gibson's) and does a lot of the same things "Mad" Max Rockatansky does, but he's also very explicitly a distinct character. It's a choice that seems inexplicable and perhaps even lazy on its face, except this is a George Miller movie, so of course this parallel is extremely purposeful. Miller has gone on record saying he avoids any kind of strict chronology or continuity for his Mad Max movies, compared to the rigid canons for Star Trek and Star Wars, and bless him for doing so. It's more fun viewing each Mad Max entry as a new revision or elaboration on a story being told again and again generations after the fall, mutating in style, structure and focus with every iteration, becoming less grounded as its core narrative is passed from elder to youth, community to community, genre to genre, until it becomes myth. (At least, my English major brain thinks it's more fun.) In fact there's actually something Arthurian to it, where at first King Arthur was mentioned in several Welsh legends before Geoffrey of Monmouth crafted an actual narrative around him, then Chrétien de Troyes added elements like Lancelot and infused the stories with more romance, and then with Le Morte d'Arthur Thomas Malory whipped the whole cycle together into one volume, which T.H. White would chop and screw and deconstruct with The Once and Future King centuries later.

All this to say: maybe Praetorian Jack looks and sounds and acts like Max because he sorta kinda basically is, being just one of many men driving back and forth across the wasteland, lending a hand on occasion, who'll be conflated into a single, legendary "Mad Max" at some point down the line in a different History Man's retelling of Furiosa's odyssey. Sometimes that Max rips across the desert in his V8 Interceptor, other times driving a big rig. Perhaps there's a dog tagging along and/or a scraggly and at first aggravating ally played by Bruce Spence or Nicholas Hoult. Usually he has a shotgun. But so long as you aren't trying to kill him, he'll help you out.

5. Beyond Vengeance

The Mad Max movies have incredibly iconic villains—Immortan Joe! Toecutter! the Lord Humongous!—but they are exactly that, capital V Villains devoid of humanizing qualities who you can't wait to watch bad things happen to. Furiosa appears to continue this trend by giving us a villain who in fact has a mustache long enough that he could reasonably twirl it if he so wanted, but ironically Dementus ends up being the most layered antagonist in the entire series, even moreso than the late Tina Turner's comparatively benevolent Aunty Entity from Beyond Thunderdome. And because he's played by Chris Hemsworth, whose comedic delivery rivals his stupidly handsome looks, you lock in every time he's on screen.

Something so fascinating about Dementus is that, for a main antagonist, he's NOT all-powerful, and in fact quite the opposite: he's more conman than warlord, looking for the next hustle, the next gullible crowd he can preach to and dupe—though never for long. For all his bluster, at every turn he finds himself in way over his head and writing cheques he can't cash, and this self-induced Sisyphean torment makes him riveting to watch. You're tempted to pity Dementus but it's also quite difficult to spare sympathy for someone who's so quick to channel their rage and hurt and ego into thoughtless, burn-it-all-down destruction. When you're not laughing at him, you're hating his guts, and it's indisputably the best work of Chris Hemsworth's career.

It's in this final chapter that everything naturally comes to a head: Furiosa's final evolution into the character we meet at the start of Fury Road, the predictable toppling of Dementus' precariously built house of cards, and the mythmaking that has been teased since the very first scene becoming diagetic text, the last of which allows the movie to thoroughly explore the themes of vengeance it's been building to. A brief war begins, is summarized and is over in the span of roughly a minute, and on its face it's a baffling narrative choice that most other filmmakers would have botched. But our man Miller's smart enough to recognize that the result of this war is the most foregone of conclusions if you've been paying even the slightest bit of attention, so he effectively brushes past it to get to the emotional heart of the climax and an incredible "Oh shit!" payoff that cements Miller as one of mainstream cinema's greatest sickos.

Fury Road remains the greatest Mad Max film, but Furiosa might be the best thing George Miller has ever made. If not his magnum opus, it does at least feel like his dissertation, and it makes me wish Warner Bros. puts enough trust in him despite Furiosa's poor box office performance that he's able to make The Wasteland. Absolutely ridiculous that a man just short of his 80th birthday was able to pull this off, and with it I feel confident calling him one of my favourite directors.

[ducktoonsfanart]

Donald Duck and Goofy with their kids at the Powerline concert - Daisy, Peg and Pete with their kids also at the Powerline concert - Boys and men - Women and girls - Happy 30th anniversary A Goofy Movie! - Goof Troop, A Goofy Movie and Quack Pack crossover - Quack Pack AU - Goofyverse, Dogverse and Duckverse - My style

On April 7, 1995, director Kevin Lim and writers Jymm Magon and animation studios from France and Australia, namely Walt Disney Pictures and Walt Disney Television Animation, released a film that definitely changed Goofy's career, which is A Goofy Movie. And this year marks the 30th anniversary of that movie! That film focused specifically on the relationship between father and son, namely Goofy and Max, as well as Max's relationships with his friends (Pete Junior and Bobby Zimmeruski) and a girl named Roxanne. I liked that film a lot and it is one of my favorite animated films and it was well made, although there were certain mistakes. It certainly deserved special attention. Bill Farmer and Jason Marsden played the two most important characters very well.

On this occasion, I drew two drawings (since not everyone would fit in one) related to A Goofy Movie, so I made them as crossovers of two really underrated series that I really love, and that was the crossover of Quack Pack and Goof Troop together at the Powerline concert in Los Angeles. By the way, that Powerline was an imitation of a 1990s pop star and was played by Tevin Campbell and was inspired by Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Prince and Bobby Brown and remained for their famous hits such as "Stand Out" and "Eye to Eye". I love both, but I liked "Eye to Eye" more, so I did a redraw of the dance of that song as Goof Troop and Quack Pack sing it and dance it. One drawing is with male characters and boys, and the other drawing is with female characters and girls, plus Pete. I always thought that Donald Duck Movie was supposed to be like A Goofy Movie, so I added Donald's family with Goofy and Pete's family. Both the kids are teenagers, while Pistol is more like a preteen, but she's also entering her teens (I found inspiration in some drawings where Pistol is a teenager, but I did it my way). The first drawing features Max Goof, Huey, Dewey and Louie Duck plus Phooey Duck (Quack Pack version and as Quack Pack AU), Pete Junior (P.J.), Goofy Goof, Donald Duck, Bobby Zimmeruski and of course Powerline. The second drawing features Daisy's nieces April, May and June Duck (my Quack Pack version, my style), Pistol Pete, Daisy Duck, Peg Pete, Roxanne Rover (Max's girlfriend), Roxanne's friend Stacey, a backup dancer lady who was with Powerline and of course Peg-Leg Pete, or Peter Pete. Sorry for some mistakes, especially with the background, although I made them look like the concert lights were pointing at them. And I added Peg and Pistol because they were definitely missing from that movie. I hope you like this, as well as the anniversary of A Goofy Movie.

I hope you like these drawings, these characters, these versions of me and these ideas of mine and feel free to like and reblog this as much as possible to support my work, just don't copy these same ideas and versions of these characters without mentioning me. Thanks! Also happy 100th birthday to Pete and happy 30th anniversary to A Goofy Movie and happy birthday to Donald's nephews and Daisy's nieces and happy birthday to me (which was on April 5th). So I did a special for my birthday too! :D Happy 30th anniversary to A Goofy Movie!

Also music for this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd-WUEE4PzY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsNS5gnUTj4

[rubycruzin4abruzin]

never been (stage) kissed

Summary: After years of being a struggling actress in Los Angeles, you finally land your big break! The only problem is, you’ve been cast opposite your longtime celebrity crush… Ruby Cruz. What will you do when the director demands a kiss between the two of you?

Pairing: ruby cruz x actress!reader

Contains: mature language, small amount of adult humor, kissing, fluff, thigh touching, in depth details of Hollywood movie shooting, anxious!reader, publicity tweets and comments, ruby being the sweetest girl EVER

Word Count: 3.1k

A/N: This is a Real Person Fiction. I’ve included a mass disclaimer of RPF guidelines here. Make SURE to click the link before reading, it’s extremely important for the safety of all Real People involved in this fiction.

———

You stared at the movie script in your hand, biting your lip to stop from squealing. After being in Los Angeles for the past five years, you had finally landed your big break.

You had known that you wanted to act ever since your mother signed you up to be a munchkin in a community theatre production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Of course, being a stubborn elementary schooler, you fought her on it, saying the songs were “stupid” and the costumes were “itchy.” But as soon as opening night came, and the lights hit your face, you put on a smile and celebrated the death of the Wicked Witch like it was something you’d been waiting for your entire life.

After the song's last note, deafening applause echoed around the theater, causing adrenaline to course through your veins. In that moment, you decided to spend the rest of your life chasing that feeling.

When you reached middle school, you joined their drama department, taking theatre as an elective class while occasionally participating in the school plays. Once high school rolled around, you began to take some of the more advanced classes, and even competed in a couple One-Act Play competitions. A lot of the people you started taking classes with eventually got bored and left to pursue other hobbies, but over the years you just fell more and more in love with acting, and became completely dedicated to your craft.

Instead of attending college, after you graduated high school you packed up whatever you needed and moved across the country to a small town about half an hour away from Los Angeles. The area was slightly sketchy, your apartment was small, and you had to work two jobs while sharing with four other roommates just to make rent.

Los Angeles kinda… sucked. But you had stars in your eyes and couldn’t be happier.

Unfortunately, you were kind of in for a rude awakening once audition season rolled around. Back in high school, you would book leads left and right. Now, it seemed like the only gigs you could book were background work, maybe a role in a rinky-dink student film if you were lucky. You always took what you could get, but you longed for something that could get your foot in the door.

One day, one of the short films you starred in entitled “Attack of the Killer Zombie Prom Queens” got entered into some film festival, and not only did it win an award you couldn’t remember the name of, it ended up going viral on YouTube, and not in a bad way either. Your performance in that film was astounding.

Plus, not that this was the sole reason the film blew up, but as an actress in your early 20’s who tended to take care of herself, you were kind of… well… hot.

Suddenly, you were getting recognized in public, signed with an agency, and landing more notable roles. You were featured in a music video for an up-and-coming country artist, booked a commercial for a costume makeup company (in which you brought back your look from “Attack of the Killer Zombie Prom Queens”), and even starred in three episodes of a new series on HBO Max.

Just when you thought life couldn’t get any better, one day you were coming back from what was either your third or fourth audition of the day, when you got a call from your agent on the drive home. You groaned, almost certain she was calling to schedule another “last-minute” audition. Sure you appreciated how hard she worked to get you booked, but you were also so tired after a long day.

To your surprise, when you picked up the phone, she ecstatically announced that you had booked a huge role.

In a feature film.

Starring alongside your celebrity crush… Ruby Cruz.

You had to pull over on the side of a highway to keep from swerving out of excitement.

Ruby had been your celebrity crush since you saw her in the Disney+ series “Willow.” Her masculine ambience, her devil-may-care attitude, and the way she swung her sword had you absolutely drooling. Somehow, you finished the entire series in two days, and immediately ran to IMDB to add Every Single Thing she’s been in to your watch list.

Now, you stood in front of the building where your first read-through was supposed to take place, the script for “Aliens of Atlantis” resting in your shaking hands. You gulped as you pushed open the door, wondering how you were going to keep your cool around Ruby when the very thought of her practically sent you into cardiac arrest.

Walking into the reading room, you were met with several chairs arranged into a circle and sounds of chatter from the other actors. You recognized a few of them from some smaller projects, even recognizing one from a movie that had come out the previous year. Your eyes scanned the room for Ruby, heart beating out of your chest when they landed on the back of a choppy brunette bob.

When Ruby turned around, you swore her blue eyes sparkled under the fluorescent lights. She caught you staring at her from across the room, and shot you a wide toothy smile before walking over to you.

“Hey,” she started. “You must be Zephyra.”

You blinked at her. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Zephyra.” She repeated. “You’re playing the alien queen of Atlantis, right?”

She furrowed her eyebrows at you slightly and tilted her head, worried she may have gotten you mixed up with someone else.

Her words clicked in your head, finally. “Oh! Yes! I’m playing the role of Zephyra.”

Ruby’s smile returned as she let out a lighthearted chuckle. You swallowed, trying to keep your cool. You still had trouble wrapping your mind around the fact that you were standing in front of the Ruby Cruz, and having a semi-successful conversation.

She stuck out her hand, offering a handshake. “Hi, I’m Ruby. I’m playing Calantha.”

You took her hand, electric shocks vibrating through your body at her touch. “Nice to meet you.”

After removing her hand (much to your displeasure), she turned to walk back over to her seat, but not before flashing you a smile over her shoulder. “Can’t wait to work with you!”

God, why did she have to be so cool?

The table read went fairly well, in your opinion. The movie was about Calantha, an underwater adventurer, finding the lost city of Atlantis during an expedition. Once there, she finds the city being ruled by aliens who’s spaceship crashed near the area about 100 years ago. Calantha finds Zephyra, the alien queen, who makes her promise to keep their secret, and in return, Calantha will help her run the city.

You were playing Zephyra, of course, since being in “Attack of the Killer Zombie Prom Queens” proved you looked hot even in otherworldly makeup. You kind of thought there might be some romantic or even sexual tension between Calantha and Zephyra, but you brushed it off as you thought that might not be the artistic intention.

Once filming started, your days were basically exclusively spent on set. Not that you were complaining, you loved every second. Even after coming home at 1am when you left for work at 6am, a blissful smile would be painted across your tired face.

The only thing that bothered you was that you barely ever got to talk to Ruby on set. It was more your fault than hers. Every time you two were working together, your brain short circuited and you couldn’t get out anything more than a few dim-witted babbles. Ruby was always so sweet about it though, always lightheartedly chuckling at your barely-comprehensible speech, sometimes even giving your upper arm a squeeze if you felt especially nervous.

You knew she meant well, but any touch from your celebrity crush was sure to do the opposite of calming you down.

One day, during a filming session, you and Ruby were meant to be sitting especially close to each other. You were sure you felt some romantic tension between the two characters, but you chalked it up to your crush on the actress and tried to downplay it. The director, however, seemed very frustrated today, this was the nineteenth take of this particular scene and he still wasn’t happy.

“Cut!” He yelled, letting out a frustrated sigh as you and Ruby turned your attention towards him.

“Everything alright, sir?” Ruby asked, making you glad you weren’t the only one who noticed his irritation.

“This scene… it’s missing something.” He brought his hand to his chin and squinted at the both of you. “Do we think we could add a kiss? Right here?”

Your heart stopped, and all the moisture disappeared from your mouth.

It wasn’t like you hadn’t kissed people before. You had your fair share of dates back in high school, that wasn’t the problem.

You’ve kissed, but you’ve never stage kissed.

Sure you had plenty of acting experiences, but the roles you played never required kissing. Instead of playing Aurora, you made a fabulous Maleficent. While Elle Woods locked lips with Emmett, you were busy portraying a hilarious Paulette. And of course, nobody wants to make out with a zombie prom queen.

You had no idea if there was any difference between actual kisses and stage-kisses. Obviously, sex scenes in movies weren’t real. But kisses? What if there is a difference and you go to kiss Ruby on camera and make her uncomfortable? What if she pushes you away? What if she gets mad? You don’t know how you’d recover from something like that, and your mind swarmed with plans to flee the country if that did happen.

Ruby opened her mouth to answer the director, before looking at you for confirmation and noticing your overly-panicked state. She sent you a reassuring smile, and placed a gentle hand on your back.

She turned to the director. “Could we pick this up after lunch? I think my scene partner and I have some things to discuss.”

The director agreed, and since it was still about thirty minutes to lunch, decided to use that time to record some “room noise.” You and Ruby were meant to sit still and quietly, the only thing you heard being the echo of your heartbeat in your ears.

Suddenly, you received a text notification, causing sound to go off and the director to groan and shoot you an annoyed look. You mumbled a quick “sorry” before switching your phone to vibrate and looking to see who texted you.

After wolfing down a sandwich from the craft services table, you stood in front of the trailer with Ruby’s name on the door, wringing your clammy hands while deciding whether or not to knock. You took a deep breath, raised your knuckles, and knocked three times, taking a step back after.

She answered almost immediately, staring down at you with a comforting grin. “Hey, come on in.”

Walking up the stairs and into Ruby’s trailer, you couldn’t help but notice how much cleaner it was than yours. You weren’t necessarily sloppy, but your vanity was covered in various bottles of blue face paint, while your floor held multiple alien-like prosthetics. Ruby’s was tidier, with a small couch pushed up against the wall, and her vanity holding nothing but some makeup basics and a half-full can of Dr. Pepper she had been drinking right before you walked in.

Ruby took a seat in her vanity chair and took a sip from her Dr. Pepper, motioning for you to sit on the small couch. “What’s going on? You didn’t seem too comfortable with the kissing scene.”

You gulped, staring down at your lap. “It’s not that…”

Ruby sat up, leaning forward to gawk at you. “Oh my god… have you never been kissed?”

“What? No! Of course I have…” you trailed off. “I just… I’ve never stage kissed before, and I know you have, so is it any different from regular kissing? I feel so stupid for asking and I’m so sorry but I didn’t wanna do it wrong while filming and I’m kinda embarrassed that I don’t know the answer so that’s why I wanted to ask you privately because I didn’t wanna fuck up…”

Ruby stared at you, silent and wide eyed. You felt your heartbeat in your ears as you tried to decipher what she was thinking. Suddenly, she threw her head back and let out a hearty laugh. Your heart sank. Here you were being awkward and vulnerable in front of your crush, and she was laughing at you.

Just before you decided to get up and walk out, Ruby calmed down, wiping away a tear and smiling apologetically. “I’m sorry, I promise I’m not making fun of you. I didn’t mean to laugh, really. You’re just so cute.”

You felt your cheeks burn at her words. She thinks you’re cute?

Ruby threw her soda away in a nearby trash can and moved to sit next to you on the small couch. She criss-crossed her legs, turning to face you while pondering how to answer your question.

“So… stage kisses are different from regular kisses, but they’re also not, you know? Like, we’re kissing but we’re not like… kissing.”

She peered over at you, studying your facial expressions. You looked more confused than ever, so she continued her explanation.

“So, if you’re asking if my lips will physically be on your lips… then the answer is yes, they will. But they’re not exactly like the real thing, because it’s more of a demonstration to the audience rather than an act of passion between two people.”

“A demonstration?” You cocked your head. Ruby nodded.

“Yeah, so say the camera was over there…” she pointed out in front of you. “…then you might cup my jaw, or cradle the back of my head. But if you were to grab my face or something like that, it’d look pretty awkward in a fifty-fifty profile shot.”

You nodded in understanding. “Ok… I think I get what you’re saying.”

“There are also different types of kissing.” Ruby continued. “Like, it should portray how your character feels about the other character. When Zephyra has scenes with Calantha, how does she feel?”

You gulped, focusing on your lap again. “Well, to be honest, it kinda feels like there’s a lot of romantic or sexual tension between our characters, but I’ve sort of been suppressing it because I’m not sure that was the intention.”

“But you feel like Zephyra is attracted to Calantha sexually?” Ruby asked. You nodded. “Great! You don’t necessarily have to make it explicit, but something like that can help you dive deeper into your character.”

Ruby scooted closer to you, taking your hands in hers. She gazed at you with half lidded eyes, causing your breathing to accelerate.

“I want you to kiss me.”

Ruby’s words barely resonated in your head, there was no way you heard her correctly. “You… huh?”

“For practice.” Ruby clarified, letting go of your hands. “Like you would during filming. Is that ok?”

An involuntary swallow forced itself down your throat as you nodded. You couldn’t believe you were about to kiss your celebrity crush, even if it was only for practice.

You pressed your hand into her warm cheek, pulling her close and quickly pecking her lips before retreating away. Your face burned from embarrassment while Ruby cocked her head, clearly confused.

“That’s it?” She asked. “My bad, I didn’t realize Calantha was your grandmother.”

Ruby moved closer and cradled the back of your head, entangling her fingers into your soft locks. You felt your hands sweat as her big blue eyes gazed into yours. “I was thinking maybe something more like this…”

She crashed her lips into yours, causing warmth to explode in your chest. Her fingers played with your hair as you began to kiss back, and your arms wrapped around her waist. Holy shit could she kiss! You could barely fathom how soft her lips were, tasting faintly of Dr. Pepper and vanilla lip balm. As hard as you tried to act professional and pretend there was a camera in front of you, every inch of your body screamed at you to succumb to your most primal instincts.

You lifted one hand from her waist and moved to rest it on her mid-thigh, causing a gentle moan to escape from her lips and a shiver to run down her body. Startled, you moved back, throughly convinced that you majorly fucked up.

“Shit, I’m sorry!” You exclaimed, pulling back your hand like it had touched fire. “I wasn’t thinking, fuck. I got too swept up in the moment. I shouldn’t have touched you, that was completely unprofessional.”

“Hm…?” Ruby blinked, still in a daze. “Oh. Oh! You’re good! Don’t be sorry. I liked it. Really.”

Ruby grinned at you shyly. You stared back at her, a question you weren’t quite sure how to ask lingering at the tip of your tongue. “Ruby, are we still… practicing?”

Her smile faded as her eyes went wide, her gaze dropping to her lap. It was her turn to be coy, a sight you’d never seen before.

She dropped her voice to a low whisper as she choked out her question. “Do you want to be?”

Before you could even open your mouth to answer, your phone alarm screeched from your jacket pocket. You took it out, groaning as you turned it off.

Ruby furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “What was that?”

“My alarm,” you answered. “I have to go.”

“But lunch isn’t over for another twenty minutes.” Ruby pointed out, trying to hide her disappointment.

“Yeah, but I have to head back early so they can touch up my makeup and fix my prosthetics.”

Ruby sighed in understanding. She supposed your costume might have a bit more upkeep than hers. Your prosthetics did look a little wonky after the lunch break, never mind your smudged blue lipstain that made her apprehensive to look in a mirror.

You collected yourself and turned to walk out, but looked over your shoulder before opening the door. “Uhm… Ruby?”

“Hm?” She answered.

You wrung your hands anxiously. “Do you think we could maybe… do this again? Sometime?”

Ruby’s head shot up to look at you, and a playful smile spread across her face. “Do what? More kissing lessons?”

You rolled your eyes as she chuckled, then gave you a lopsided grin. “I’d like that. Lunch again, tomorrow?”

A blush pink color sprinkled across the apples of your cheeks as you smiled back at her, trying your best to stay cool and suppress the giddy feeling that was bubbling inside of you.

“See you then.”

[laf-outloud]

Padalecki will debut in the fifth episode of Season 3. “I’m so excited for everyone to see this. Camden jumps onto the screen in this really dynamic way,” executive producer Tia Napolitano tells TV Insider. “In real life, Jared and Max are friends and you can feel that chemistry. You could feel it on set, you could feel it once the director calls action, they just shine on screen.”

She describes Camden as “a solo operator. He’s really adventurous. He’s an envelope pusher, and he and Bode are both going to be the first one to jump into a fire when they shouldn’t. And it’s almost a race of which one of them is more heroic and willing to go rogue and willing to do anything to get the save. They’re just brothers in that way. And I think in that way there’s conflict as much as there is similarities and it’s really exciting to watch.”

“Camden’s going to rub a few people the wrong way and not always, but he has very unconventional tactics when it comes to firefighting, when it comes to Bode, when it comes to what rules are meant to be broken,” the EP reveals. “And I think it’ll be fun. He’s not a villain by any means, but it’ll be fun to see our people have this new real alpha guy in their midst.”

“Bode is definitely going to help Camden. I think by the time we say goodbye to Camden this season, at least, all of our people and all of Edgewater will have really left an impression that Camden’s going to bring forward with him when he leaves us for now,” says Napolitano.

The “this season, at least” and “for now” has us thinking about what the future could hold for Camden: Season 4? A spinoff, as has been rumored since his casting? “Nothing’s set in stone yet” beyond what’s already been said, the EP stresses. “But when we say goodbye to Jared this season, it’s definitely not goodbye forever. You get the feeling that it’s a revolving door and he’ll be back again.”

Ooh! Some great stuff in here, about Jared, his character, Camden, and some open-ended phrasing regarding a possible return/spin-off!

We also get confirmation that Jared first appears in the 5th episode, so mark your calendars!

[kayakima]

This is partially because I’m a fucking film nerd and partially because someone on Reddit asked so here’s a new headcanon list.

How the 104th cadet corps acts in a movie theater and what they go see.

(Plus bonus Porco and Pieck)

Eren: Accidentally leaves his alarm on and it goes off at a pivotal moment. Doesn’t talk much but makes fun of bad visual effects. Really likes Michael Bay but it’s because he likes his inner 8-year-old to have fun. Got Nerds rope and a Coke slushie at the concession stand to share with Mikasa. Regal member and refuses to go elsewhere.

Mikasa: Silent. Phone powered off entirely, shares food with Sasha but also orders a small popcorn for herself from the concession stand and shares the Coke slushie with Eren. Regal member so she can go with Eren for cheaper but also enjoys a local cinema. LOVES Ava DuVernay. Also likes really old movies and unironically pushes people to watch Citizen Kane.

Armin: Nerd!min is a Disney Star Wars hater. Nerd!min is a Post-endgame Marvel hater. Boycotts all the movies/shows because he insists they’re all boring money-grabs now (and he’s not entirely wrong). Regular Armin is a big David Lynch fan for the cerebral mindfucks and was devastated at his recent passing. His Letterboxd is fucking wild. Alamo Drafthouse or a local cinema. Unlimited popcorn and a daiquiri all to himself.

Historia: Thought she was all sneaky and cool for bringing her own snacks. Forces Ymir to go see the Barbie half of Barbenheimer. Loves Sofia Coppola for the aesthetics and recurring themes of women under immense pressure. Doesn’t talk. AMC stubs member.

Ymir: Snuck in a Chipotle burrito without even trying to hide it. Groaned at going to Barbie but cried. LOVED Oppenheimer even though Historia fell asleep. Also AMC stubs member. Likes Nolan for the more mainstream cerebral films. Will never shut up about Interstellar.

Reiner: Got a pretzel, nachos, unlimited popcorn, and brought a Dr. Pepper so he wouldn’t have to pay for one. Occasionally comments on stuff he finds funny. Likes silly feel good movies when going to the theater but also an avid Ridley Scott defender at home. Surprisingly also an Alamo draft house fan. Loves Sebastian Stan as an actor and will see ANYTHING he’s in.

Bertoldt: Buddy Comedy is his genre. Quiet in the theater but listens and agrees with Reiner’s comments. Cherry slushie and pepperoni pizza from the concession stand. Not a member anywhere but will go to any theater with anyone to see any movie. Doesn’t have a favorite director but really loved “The Nice Guys” and thinks Ryan Gosling is better than Ryan Reynolds.

Annie: Likes to go alone so she can really absorb everything she sees and she deeply enjoys the theater experience. Goes to the local cinema to support small businesses. Medium popcorn and a Diet Coke. Likes George Miller both because of Happy Feet and also because of Mad Max. Also likes foreign films and will occasionally go to a local film festival with Armin.

Marco: Gets super excited and dresses up for Marvel and Star Wars movies. Sifts through all the recent junk and forced Nerd!min to watch Andor. Large popcorn to share with everyone. Rates the film on his Letterboxd while the credits are rolling and tells everyone to wait for the end credits scene if there is one. Really loves Spielberg for the nostalgic themes. Cinemark fan but LOVES a good drive in.

Connie: King of slapstick comedy and rarely watches anything else. Avid defender of animated movies as being for adults as much as they are for kids. Doesn’t care about what theater he goes to. Bought a whole pizza and a tall boy at the concession stand. Laughs loudly and whispers incessantly. Johnny Mnemonic and Pineapple Express are his favorite movies of all time. Doesn’t have a favorite director.

Sasha: Brings her own snacks and also buys food. When she’s with Connie she’s down for any comedy but when she’s with Jean or Mikasa she’s surprisingly really into deep, human stories. Big fan of Greta Gerwig and loved Little Women. Ratatouille is her favorite movie because it’s about food as a love language that transcends time. AMC fan but will happily go anywhere.

Jean: Shushes other people. Gets a whole meal at Alamo draft house because he believes the theater experience should be pampered. Likes foreign films and biopics. Likes Denis Villeneuve for his sense of scale. Will go on a 45 minute rant about how Amy Adams was robbed of an Oscar in Arrival. Loved “The Ritual” when Pieck showed it to him and got upset that it never went to theaters.

Pieck: Horror fan to the MAX. Favorite one is The Conjuring 2. Loved The Substance. Loves old movies and backs Mikasa up on how good Citizen Kane is. Loves OG Psycho and loves Hitchcock. Likes to go alone but also goes with Jean or Armin or Mikasa. HUGE fan of James Wan and Blumhouse as a studio. Also likes Satoshi Kon. Cried when Jean took her to see Godzilla minus one (minus color, obviously).

Porco: Doesn’t really watch movies but enjoys the popcorn and time with others. Pieck showed him Dogtooth once as a joke and he never watched a movie with her again. Plays movies at home as background noise while he’s doing house chores.

[scrumptiousstuffs]

Do you think cat for cash is gonna be angsty or just fluff and romance? Also I read that the director doesn't do nc scenes, do you think it will have any?

Anon dearest, there has not been a FKT show (whether together or solo) that I have not shed tears 😭 because of them (except maybe Fong from 2gether) - even Blacklist (which in all account is an okish series, I still felt bad for Khaotung’s character (Joe), especially when the crew decided to interrogate torture him). The recent KT cameo as Phi Jeng from STGD?? - I cried 😭☹️….his heartfelt scenes with Jay/Jway were just heartbreaking.

And let’s not forget First’s cameo/side role in F4: Thailand. Did I watched it? - no (cause I watched both Japan and Korean versions, and let’s just say I’m so so tired of the cliche rich bully falling in love with the main girl storyline). However, it did not stop me from having my heart breaking into pieces whenever I see Phupha’s clips (or gifs) on social media - with his sad, bruised face as he got bullied and nobody helped him.

Even when it was supposed to be comedic cameo like Alone/Kaitong in OLTH, I still felt a twinge in my heart when I saw Kaitong hugging Alone tightly on that hospital bed.

Plus - these 2 are the prettiest criers from GMMTV (I will fight anyone who says otherwise) - so, you can bet the director(s) who employed them will utilise them to the max. As one tumblr user said (I forgot who), these 2 men make us feel so sorry for them even when we knew they brought the problem into themselves and deserved it (I think said user was talking about Ray self-destructive tendencies).

So, after all my spill above - I am almost certain we will be getting a mixture of angst/hurt comfort with fluff/romance and some comedy as well with Cat For Cash.

Angst/hurt from Lynx and his brother (Leo), likely lots of miscommunication. And remember, he lost his mom - so trying to deal with the grief and moving on!

Comedy from Tiger communicating with the fluffy cats (and Lynx probably not understanding the situation) 😂

Fluff and romance? - oh yes! I’m expecting slow, besotted smiles and meaningful gazes from these 2 (bonus if I can have soft kisses underneath the rain, pretty please! 🥺). Or just them cuddling with cats (heaven!!!!!)

As for NC scenes….well, the first 2 series he directed featured Gem/Fourth in high school settings. So, I’m not surprised it’s tame on the “heavy NC” scenes. (I’ll be curious to see once Gem4th grow up a bit how they will handle those high heat NC scenes, if they choose to pursue them!)

OLTH actually did have some NC moments, and while it’s not as “explicit” as Jojo’s series, the series itself doesn’t call for that.

People also seem to forget he is the assistant director to P’ Aof who gave us well-thought out NC scenes in MLC, ATOTS etc.

So, I don’t think we should worry about CFC not having NC scenes - but more, what are we as fans expecting those scenes to be (cause if you are thinking in the direction of THK - likely not). Contrast to let say The Eclipse - AkkAye who at the end of episode 12 has one of the softest ‘first time’ NC scenes - then, I reckon we will get at least something similar/just as soft.

I’m also certain we are getting amazing kisses 🫣 (cause what’s the point of casting FKT who kisses so beautifully otherwise).

16/06/2025

(They were so breathtaking during the Shabushi that I had to put up more pictures)

See me proven wrong - and Tiger/Lynx being the freakish out of all the boys characters 🤸

[stusbunker]

Spotless: Cambiare

Chapter Thirty Five

Featuring: Dean Winchester/Reader

Other characters: Both bands and crew, Madison, Alice and Max Miller, Cas' brother Jimmy mentioned, Alastair

Word Count: 3241

Warnings, etc: Mutual pining, still unbeta'd, drinking and mild drug use, smoking cigarettes , Kevin is still a shit and we love him for it, fundraiser fluff, first show in Vegas then somebody shows up to ruin Dean's winning streak. SAFE House is a real organization, but all information about them in this fic is fictional, including locations, organizers and fundraiser protocols.

Series Masterlist

The desert sun shined down, even in mid-March, you were grateful for sunglasses as you walked across the parking lot of the furniture store that was hosting the fundraiser. Part of the core principles of SAFE House and organizations like it was its discretion, so nothing that night was taking place near the actual houses where families escaping domestic violence resided. The main office was tucked into a back corner of a row of single story businesses and also a good distance away.

Behind you was the band in ball caps and sunglasses, Bobby and Annie, while Benny, Cesar, Jesse and Chief followed behind. Charlie and the rest of the crew were setting up at the venue for the following nights’ performances. Victor and SPS had other plans for the night before their Vegas debut, but that was understandable. Plus, they sent their support both in person and via social media.

Alice Miller, the Director of Outreach, met you at the registration booth and gave you a bundle of volunteer badges and tickets for the food stands as well as a map of the grounds. 

“We are so grateful for you being here and helping spread the word. We’ve barely been able to get away from the phones since you mentioned the event on the radio this morning. We’re expecting a record breaking year for the carnival.”

Careful to not seem too unsurprised, you downplayed what you expected to be a very busy night. “It’s the least we could do. Now— where did you want the band?”

“Max?” Alice called a younger man over. “Max is my stepson, and he’s in charge of volunteer assignments. While I’ll be around, Max will be able to answer any questions better than I would.”

The guy seemed a little awkward, but he also seemed to at least recognize who he was talking to. “Alright, guys, glad to have you. I have the band assigned two two hour long stints at the Dunk Tank, the Photo Booth, and the Face Painting stand. Your call on if you stick to one station or switch it up. I’ll leave the list with your publicist. Breaks are expected, but please let somebody know when you need one so we can make the swap as seamless as possible. Your team members are welcome to participate, or just stand guard, but please remember we are as low contact as possible with crowd control.”

You had clocked a good chunk of guys you suspected to be plain clothed police officers donning security vests at the next table. You kept your thoughts to yourself on that matter, as long as the families and participants were safe, you were happy.

“Thanks, Max. I gave them the spiel on the ride over. Can we get some group shots with you and the other employees before we get into our stations?”

“Of course, give me ten minutes and we can get everyone together. I’ll give you a walkie, too, just in case. Though we don’t have enough for everyone.”

“Understood.”

You gave him a firm nod and clipped the communicator to your back pocket. He ducked out of the small tent, while you stepped back towards the group you came with, so the line of other volunteers behind you could get signed in. You glanced down the clipboard with the empty blocks of scheduled time at each of the stations. 

Kevin and Dean were on you in an instant.

“Please put me anywhere but the face painting. I can’t draw for shit,” Kevin begged.

“Sam either, don’t do it, Trouble. It will be a mess,” Dean warned.

“Okay, well, Dunk Tank is going to have to be an all or last stint because nobody is going to be able to pose for pictures or do face-painting when they’re soaked to the bone,” you reasoned out loud.

You turned and spoke louder. “Alright, Pam and Annie, let’s have you do the face painting. If nothing else you can just do exaggerated makeup looks.”

“Sounds good to me,” Annie said. While Pam sort of cocked her head and considered if this was the best course of action.

“Lee and Sam are getting the Photobooth first, if you get bored or overwhelmed we’ll swap you guys for the Dunk Tank. But what we really need are hecklers, and I think these two assholes would be best for the job.” You gestured to Dean and Kevin, the two devils over your shoulders.

“You know there are easier ways to see me with my shirt off,” Dean murmured, but didn’t argue with his assignment.

You turned and looked up at him, your reflection shining back at you in his sunglasses, which only made you more defensive. “If I wanted to sell skin, I’d send Sam over there first. But just for that, you’re booked all night. Happy chafing, Dean-o.”

Kevin cackled. “She just pwned you so bad!”

“Shut up, Kevin,” you and Dean said at the same time.

You tried to see if Dean had just been teasing, but your annoyance and curiosity were short lived when Bobby walked up and took the envelope of lanyards out of your grip, and started handing them out.

Somewhere beyond the entrance and registration booths a megaphone sounded, gathering everyone together for the pictures you requested and a quick information session.

The carnival was scheduled from four to nine, hitting the afterschool and afterwork crowds, but still reasonable for a weekday. Even in Vegas, locals had normal schedules most of the time. You took turns with the SAFE House’s media director taking pictures and gesturing people into position. Carefully you had them frame the band, Annie, Alice and the rest of the board in varying shots of size and distance. You should have brought a real camera, but your phone would have to make due for this event. There were over fifty people volunteering in addition to the security team. And every one of them was smiling at you, it was infectious.

It was going to be a good night.

You patrolled the grounds, gathering pictures of the band at their different booths in various poses and levels of embarrassment. Dean was the first one in the water and once he sunk, the crowd went nuts. His line snaked around the Fun House and back towards the Port-o-Potties. 

Kevin had more success heckling Dean than those throwing at his target, but he, too, was drenched before long. It only added to the care-free atmosphere. Even though you knew Dean would have paid a pretty penny to be the one tossing balls in Kevin’s direction himself.

Sam and Lee started off pretty stiff with the Photo Booth, but once a group of preschoolers busted out the feather boas and other accessories, they caved like a house of cards. Neither man could deny kids, especially ones that might have been hurt at some point in their young lives, so they turned up the charm and silliness and had everyone in stitches before they took their dinner break.

Pamela and Annie had the quietest station. It was rather amusing, and a little surreal, that round after round of kids waited in line, picked out their designs, and sat still for the whole process before their parents, guardians, or grandparents recognized Annie Hawkins as the artist behind the butterflies or dragons now at their sides.

Pamela’s entire being screamed rockstar or badass. But as the drummer of the band, she was the least known by name, which never seemed to bother her. No, her confidence was unique in that it was a genuine, god-given, lack of shame. Something you had envied for a long time. So when only a handful of people asked for her picture along with her creations, she didn’t bat an eye. She just winked at the kids as they went about their nights and waved.

By nightfall, the crowd had reached capacity. The sounds of the various rides and games were constant and the bright lights kept the area surveyable. However, the temperature started to drop and the Dunk Tanks themselves weren’t well lit, which equated to Kevin and Dean’s station beginning to lose some of its luster. 

“Okay! Let’s see what you got! Come on folks— this is for a great cause!” Kevin spouted.

“Freezing my nuts off of here! Hey big guy, think you could dunk me?”

You stage whispered, “this is a family event— keep your flirting to your own time!”

“Har-har!” Dean mock laughed.

You took another picture, but your flash really wasn’t the best with the Fun House lights offsetting it. Dean was dunked again and you asked Max over the walkie if you could end the line. It was a little after eight at night and between the cooler night air and the remaining people waiting, they deserved to see the finish line. 

After a few seconds, you got permission to send Benny and Jesse to curtail new customers, “yeah, okay. We’ll start closing up those stations first, ease out of the night.”

You texted Bobby to start warming up the bus before making your way through the crowd to let the rest of the team know to wrap it up. Sam and Lee actually were already closed up, their tent had been packed up and they just sat sipping on flat beer from the one kiosk with a liquor license. Annie and Pamela had turned into more of a selfie and autograph booth then a face painting stand, but no one seemed to mind. 

“We’ve got the all clear, meet at the bus in ten,” you let them know. Casually, you headed back to the Dunk Tanks to ensure the soggy bottom boys weren’t mobbed once they were back on solid ground.

Cesar, brilliant man that he was, showed up with a pair of fleece blankets from the bus just as the final set of balls were handed to Benny and Jesse. You grinned at him in gratitude, but had to film the final dunks for prosperity’s sake. 

“Come on Benny! Let ‘im have it!” you bellowed as the head roadie wound up.

Jesse immediately sent Kevin into the depths, forfeiting the remaining two throws, and letting his husband help the smaller man off the platform and into a blanket.

Benny missed the first two balls, which Dean was not going to let him live it down. “Oh, he’s on the ropes! Look he’s not gonna make it, I should just climb down. That blanket is a-calling to me!”

“Just shut your trap, will ya?” Benny muttered.

“Make me, big boy!”

“Does he always flirt when he’s nervous?” you asked, knowing full well it was being recorded.

“Nah, darlin’. He’s showboating. He only flirts like this to make up for something.”

“Oh yeah? What am I making up for Benny? Cuz your aim is the only thing lacking here!”

With movie magic precision, Benny sank Dean on his last throw. The remaining crowd erupted and you scanned the area before sneaking closer to get Dean’s grumpy face as he crawled out of the tank and down the ladder.

“About time!” He called over his shoulder before Cesar could wrap him up too. Crouched over and shivering, Dean grinned for the camera before you hit the stop button on the video. Everyone laughed and joked while Dean and Kevin tried to dry off. After gathering their hats, phones, wallets, and socks and shoes, everyone left for the parking lot and the bus back to the Strip and the hotel.

You stopped at the entrance, dropped off the walkie talkie and your lanyards with Max’s crew. You made your way across the parking lot to the corner that Bobby had claimed for the bus, turning on your notifications for the first time all night. It was going to be a long night of scrolling and posting, but it was a good kind of busy to be.

The bass pulsed through the amps and across the floor, like an omniscient earthquake. You felt the heat from the stage effects across your skin. Pamela was taking the end of A Reaper’s Offering and taking over for her solo. The lights dimmed along the edge of the stage and everything focused on her. You felt the buzz of an incoming message on your hip from the walkie, but you couldn’t hear a single word.

“There she goes!” Dean rumbled somewhere amongst the shadows. The crowd responded then hushed itself just as quickly, awe-inspired.

Charlie has so much more at her disposal in this set up and she used everything she could to empathize the epicness of Pamela’s prowess, each drum was focused by its own color light. Pamela kept Charlie on her toes as she hopped from one to another, sometimes hitting three or four at a time. It was mesmerizing.

Your voice was hoarse already and still you screamed as she ramped it up to the big finale. Even in the wing off stage, you couldn’t hear yourself over the racing beat.

Lee whistled with two fingers in his mouth, shrill and celebratory. And still Pamela rocked on.

Sam slid down his E string, pulsing beneath her. You noticed how the others drifted back into position, four more measures and Kevin joined in. As the notes blended together Pamela pulled back, like a band of horses behind well-worn reins. 

“Lead the way, Pammy!” Dean broke the spell and Pamela thumped into a familiar opening.

They weren’t stopping and slowing down for Vegas. ‘Abandon All Hope’ was left out of the first night’s setlist and the suggestive ‘Twigs and Twine’ swapped in instead. If you had to bet, ‘Brother’s Keeper’ wasn’t going to be featured either. And you were right, instead they played ‘Give Me My Ax’ for Lee to completely annihilate.

Charlie dropped the lights on them as Dean finished ‘Not Mine’ and the crowd did not stop for a full five minutes. You felt like you were tethered to a comet, soaring and burning alongside those brighter than you could ever hope to be.

The encores flew by and SPS joined them on stage, bowing and waving and blowing kisses to the insatiable masses. You knew the venue had photographers in the pit and along the box seats, but you couldn’t wait to get your hands on some fan shots. This was a show banners and websites were made of, raw and glistening.

Everyone descended the stage and flooded the wing you were occupying. The moment Dean’s eyes caught yours, his entire face changed and you both went to each other. Unthinking, two magnets across the mess of stagehands and band members just as he bent down to grab you into a hug, you hesitated, feeling unseen eyes in the upper levels.

You grabbed his elbow and drew him in further into the belly of backstage.

“What’s up?” Dean’s face was worried now.

“Nothing, just didn’t want somebody to see us.”

Dean’s brow pinched and he sighed, but stayed at your side. “How was it? Have fun?!”

You rolled your eyes. “I think I’m as sweaty as you are!”

“Well, I’m gonna hit the dressing room. If you need a shirt, I’ve got extra. Because there’s no way we’re stopping soon. Those high rollers ain’t seen nothing like the Winchesters in a hot minute.”

“Fine! But I’m capping you at 50k for the night, young man. Somebody has got to rein you in, especially since Jimmy isn’t on retainer anymore.”

“Ugh! Well, we’ll see about that.” Dean winked and threw his arm over your shoulder and walked you both to the pandemonium that was the dressing room.

You were very careful while out with the band to stay on the vertical side of inebriation. It was equal parts fear of embarrassing yourself and fear of losing control of one or more of the band. After Dean and Cas’ explosion in Chicago last spring, you rarely mixed substances, especially while somewhere as heavily monitored as Vegas.

A little No Doz and a side of vodka and tonic would carry you most of the night. If nothing got too crazy. Eventually, you’d snag a cigarette, but casino-hopping would have to wait. Dean was on a roll, literally.

Dice in theory was an easy game. The tables with all the Pass and Don’t Pass bet bullshit made Craps hard for you to follow, especially when you were too busy keeping an eye on everyone. Madison and Sam were getting handsy at a Blackjack Table. Pam had found her machine for the night and was racking up a nice total with just penny slots. While taking shots of whiskey in stunning regularity.

Lee and Dean were both rolling dice, but the tables faced the opposite direction and you were almost certain one or both of them were trying to hustle somebody. The house always won, but sometimes people got cocky and they thought these cornfed boys from Nebraska were easy prey. It was fun to watch.

If nerve wracking.

Dean’s eyes danced over his dice, everyone gathered held their breath as the dealer called out the victory. Dean jumped up, punched the air, and crowed with abandon. He was untouchable in his brilliance. It made something inside you shiver. Sometimes you forgot he was real.

“Alright, time to head out!” Dean decided, gathering his chips and heading to the teller line to cash out. You nodded to the rest of the band, with an annoyed eye roll from Pamela, but everyone followed suit. Benny and the Chief had drawn straws for that night’s detail, which meant Jesse and Cesar would have your backs the following night. It still felt weird to be Tiny and Bela-less, but it was also one less thing for you to keep track of.

The crowds outside of Cesar’s Palace were full of tourists as you stepped back out onto the strip. A rush of waiting photographers gravitated to your group the second Sam’s head cleared the exit. Fucking Sasquatch was too easy to spot.

“Guys! Fantastic show tonight!”

“Dean! Dean! Where’s Bela? What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, huh?”

“Pamela! Lee! Are you guys back together? Will we see another Vegas wedding from you two?”

“Sam! Who’s the lucky lady?”

Everyone ignored them the best you could, keeping your heads down and letting Benny hold them off.

“There he is! The coward has returned!” A nasally voice made its way through the chaos and Dean stopped in his tracks. You dropped back and tried to drag him forward, while ignoring the jeers from the other paps. 

“That’s a good girl, follow your mommy. Don’t want to get left behind,” the voice said senselessly.

“Dean?” you said, nerves dialed up to eleven.

Dean shook his head and scanned the crowd until he spotted a cameraless, beady-eyed face. “Benny! Keep that fucker away from us,” Dean yelled as he about-faced and took the group in a different direction. Benny fell back and stepped up to the taller creep, clearly making a point of starting a conversation as the other paps scrambled to keep up with you.

Dean dragged you and Pam by the wrists, keeping you at his sides until he decided you were in the clear outside the next stop. You had no idea who that guy was. After twenty minutes, Benny finally caught up with you guys and something in his eyes told you it wasn’t over.

Tagging:

@deans-spinster-witch

@mrswhozeewhatsis

@cosicas-cuquis

@fics-pics-andotherthings-i-like

@suckitands33

@ladysparkles78

@deans-baby-momma

@stoneyggirl2

@sassy-pelican

@leigh70

@globetrotter28

@winharry

@lastactiontricia

@rockhoochie

@brightlilith

@coldhearted93

@djs8891

@beautiful-places-blog

@n-o-p-e-never

@spxideyver

Chapter 36: Acciaccato

[respectthepetty]

10 Anticipated BLs for 2024

Since I'm excited for ALL the GLs (Pluto, 23.5, Sunshine in the Wind, Chaser Game, Be Mine, y todo!), I'm making my list of the 10 BLs I'm excited for this year with brief reasons why I'm looking forward to them. In my normal fashion, I cheat my way into having more. All except one is Thai because Thailand loves to tease series three years in advance, then never make them, but I strongly believe these are coming:

The Next Prince

Zee continues to never play a poor person, and a trailer is supposed to drop in the first quarter of this year. I never knew there was so many fencers on BL Tumblr, so I'm looking forward to everyone's commentary on how well the characters poke with their sticks or whatever fencers do.

Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart

It's a heist BL. It has YinWar. It has Prom x Mark. It has Bonz. It's Dee Hup House (we got beef). It's Director Tee and probably Cinematographer Jim. It might have color coding. There is not one thing I can find wrong with this series. It's perfect on paper, and I'm praying that translates well to the screen.

Spare Me Your Mercy

Like that lady in Titanic, I've been waiting 80 years for this series (give me a minute to cry about MaxTul), and it's finally near! I'm getting JJ & Tor in a Dr. Sammon piece, who I feel writes "Be Gay, Do Crime" very well, so I'll be forgiving any of these two gays' wrongs including murder, attempted murder, contemplating murder, and murdering each other in the bedroom (ahhhh!).

Wandee Goodday

Golf from The Eclipse is directing. It's about Muay Thai. It has an older doctor and a younger boxer who start off as bed friends (and I think one is actually a virgin). It has color coding. It has me already seated and waiting with popcorn, and I think it might be the first offering that will be delivered from GMMTV's 2024 lineup.

Sequels: Choco Milk Shake 2, Unintentional Love Story 2, My Doctor

Is Choco Milk Shake 2 gonna finally give me poly? Probably not, but I hope My Doctor brings the same heat the side couple did in Be Mine, Superstar, and the side couple getting the spotlight in Unintentional Love Story 2 will also make my side-couple-supremacy heart very happy this year.

Live in Love

It looks color coded. That's it. That's the reason. Keeping my expectations low because it might not get made since this is Thailand's favorite game.

Red Peafowl

The character reveals were absolute chaos, so I'm hoping that chaos transfers over to the actual series because it can either be a mess or a masterpiece, but it cannot be mediocre with Max, Cooheart, Boun, Mek, and Yacht as supports. Plus, it has color coding and a bird that is quickly becoming a Tumblr god.

Love Upon a Time

Even though it is a historical queer series, which means it could be sad, I think Domundi will keep the sass, so James' character won't be crying in the 1600s club but instead eating fruit seductively to encourage Net's character to put his homosexual skills into practice instead of simply theorizing about them, which is something I need more of. Plus, it has color coding.

Love Puzzle

This is one that might not get made because . . . Thailand. It's connected to Chains of Heart, but I don't care because the cast looks good and Poppy is gonna finally get to kiss a homie. If this doesn't get made, I will cry thug tears. It's 2024. Poppy deserves to kiss a man already.

My Stand-In

I don't understand the plot, but it doesn't matter because Pepzi and Khom are directing, and in case that means nothing, those were KinnPorsche's directors! Then, it has Up and Poom as the leads, plus a stacked supporting cast. I'm here. I'm queer. And I'm ready to be served.

Honorable Mention: Peaceful Property

It's about los espookys and features Tay and New. Will it be a QL? The streets are saying no, but all the characters are color coded, and all's I'm saying is what would be the point of color coding them if I ain't getting a BL main couple and a GL side couple? It's already canon to me.

Bonus: MosBank & JoongDunk

MosBank had like eighty projects announced for 2023, and I got NONE! Big Dragon 2, Big Dragon: The Movie, SunsetxVibes, where you at?! Y Journey: Stay Like a Local and Club Friday do not count. I don't want to watch their horror movie, but gosh darnit, if that comes out before everything else, I just might.

And I am a JoongDunk fan first, and a human second. Give my boys a gym BL already, GMMTV!

[disarmd]

The ESCAPE in purge au!!!!

[director's commentary] omg THE ESCAPE in the purge au, incredible choice!!!

A rumble, a whirling, the noise getting louder and louder.

Movement. Someone approaching.

Daniel didn’t look up. He didn’t want to see it happen. He braced for contact and then –

midway through, when i was sending the draft of this in sections, liza was like "i just need to know if daniel dies". i think in terms of tropes, the character of daniel in this does typically die. like probably he'd have to sacrifice himself to save someone helpless and then die along the way. but what if instead he was saved? also should i keep using this scary red font? yes, i think i'm going to

“Daniel,” in Max’s raspy accent. “Daniel, come, quickly.”

Max’s arm around his waist, and he was leading Daniel forward, he was taking them to the noise. To the helicopter.

He thought: maybe Max would take him to the hospital. He thought: maybe Max would make it quick.

when I was first thinking of the story, I always knew it was going to end with Daniel in Max’s helicopter, but I’d originally imagined the dynamic between them as being a question mark if they were going to kill each other. So I’d saved one of Daniel’s knives, and originally I was going to have that as like Chekhov’s gun, where I’d build it so the reader would be like “the knife the knife the knife” through the end, like Daniel’s last trick up his sleeve. And I was thinking a darker ending, where the reader would the left wondering if max was going to kill Daniel or Daniel was going to kill max or maybe they’d both manage to kill each other at the same time. But then the actual story was going to be less dark. Like Daniel was going to accidentally kill the fan in the club, and like obviously that would be bad, but that was going to be “it”. instead, immediately after I wrote that scene I was like… no… I can make it worse. And then I upset myself so badly writing the scene in the concrete room with the hose and the drain that I had to change the whole vibe of the end of the story. plus the wretched canon of Daniel ended up getting let go, midway through writing the story, and it felt more accurate to canon for the larger community of rich old men to be the real bad guys as opposed to amplifying the tension between max and Daniel. So I guess all this is to say that the first version is what I would have written for Maxiel five years ago, where the tension between them was so interesting, but last year. 😔 Different dynamic. Them against the world.

“I’m not going to retire,” Daniel said. “But I’ll come with you now.”

CRASH and then a long, drawn out grinding wave of noise, increasing in volume.

Fuck. Daniel spun around, but there was so much happening. More people now. He didn’t know – who were they? So many people, so much noise.

the New Founding Fathers version of the FIA had hired some scary mercenary people to do murders (like in the movies, to keep the death count up) and try to kill max in particular, so there's a whole nightmare happening below.

“Come on,” Max screamed. He climbed up and then reached back, hefting Daniel into the helicopter while he shouted for the pilot to go, go, go.

They were off the ground before Daniel was settled in his seat, the door still open. He clung to Max with one hand, groping through the air with the other as his fingers tried desperately to find the seatbelt.

Max shoved him and for a long, vertiginous moment, Daniel thought he’d pushed him out of the helicopter.

He fell through space. It wasn’t scary. Not like he’d thought it would be.

And then the seat caught him.

Max yelled something that Daniel couldn’t hear. He found the belts and held them, useless hands shaking too much to manage the buckle. Max twisted, reaching for something. Daniel needed to get his belt buckled so he’d be able to use his hands, useless and shaking as they were. But he just sat there. He just watched.

Daniel had one knife left, strapped to his ankle.

the one knife. but he's not even reaching for it. so just the change from how it was before, to try to show that daniel's like fully ready to die by max's hand, because that's also kind of romantic. not as romantic as getting a helicopter to save you both, though. max wins this one.

He wondered if Max was reaching for a weapon. He thought about closing his eyes, but it wouldn’t be so bad to see this. He looked at the dirty, bloodied bulk of Max. He’d keep looking as long as he was able to.

Max turned back around.

In his hands, a set of noise cancelling headphones. Daniel finally figured out the seatbelt buckle. He sat back in his seat. He looked at Max, holding out the headphones.

Daniel lifted his trembling hands.

He pulled off his helmet.

the way i'd actually forgotten what this last line was and now i'm kind of tearing up. it was difficult to write the story with all of them in helmets all the time because i couldn't ever use any facial expressions. i had to go back and delete a few lines of people's faces doing things in the edit. but i loved writing the creepiness of them in their helmets 24/7 (especially when you imagine them being sooo scary designed like the purge masks) and then i loved getting to write daniel taking his off. obviously that was the climax of the story because it was about daniel, but i imagined then max took his off as well 🥰 and then he got them to a hospital. because the real romance is not dying from your already-sustained injuries.

[laura1633]

What makes me livid about this penalty is how freaking inconsistent these "stewards" are.

Doriane Pin drove another lap after the finish flag was shown -> DSQ

Lando Norris and George Russell (who, mind you, is one of the directors of the GPDA and should know the freaking rules to this sport very well) start an extra formation lap when it was CLEARLY an aborted start -> 5k to pay, should have been AT LEAST a drive through penalty or given the incident in the Academy, a DSQ. These guys have potentially endangered Marshalls who were on track to get rid of Stroll's car. But hey, monetary fine is everything they get. If Max did this...

Mercedes decides to adjust tire pressure in Brazil which usually leads to another DSQ -> monetary fine. Because hey, sadly they couldn't not DSQ George in Spa because his car was VERY underweight. Not another DSQ for him.

I'm usually not like this, but social media NEEDS to bully these stewards out of office. They are ruining the sport. Get professionals and PAY THEM not this voluntary stuff they're doing right now.

Red Bull should appeal this decision. They probably won’t seen as the championship is all tied up but it is an actual joke. I also want to see the stewards double down on the fact that driving unnecessarily slowly is now worthy of a 1 place grid penalty and a penalty point! So what happens next time someone does it?!

Nearly every driver was noted for not following the delta but none of them received a penalty! Plus the penalty point annoys me because they keep sneaking them in there!! You don’t even get a penalty point if you were actually impeding on a hot lap!

There is no doubt in my mind that had Max done what Lando did in Brazil he would have received a penalty point and a sporting penalty. It was dangerous given the conditions and what had just happened!!!

I am still celebrating that Max was fastest in quali and won the championship despite some very questionable calls from the stewards this year but he earned that pole position and the fact they took it away from him makes me sad!

It does very much look like it’s one rule for Max and another rule for everyone else. They made that clear with the community service for the swearing and they have made it even clearer now.

[applegreenrunnerbean]

Kimi Antonelli is now following the GPDA Instagram account!

As well as dropping their statement regarding "Driver Misconduct" this morning, the account now follows and is followed back by Kimi. This almost certainly happened this morning, but definitely sometime between my checks at 10.11pm last night (6th Nov) and 11am this morning (7th Nov)

Kimi joins Ollie in being the only non-full time drivers that the account follows - if you needed any more confirmation that this account is being run by George Russell.

Full list of drivers who are currently following the account below the cut

Before 11.49pm 4/11: Max, Checo, Charles, Oscar, Fernando, Nico, Kevin, Pierre, Esteban, Alex Albon, Valtteri (plus GPDA director Alex Wurz)

Before 3.35pm 5/11: George, Ollie, Mick, Felipe (plus GPDA director Anastasia Fowle)

Before 11.40pm 5/11: Jack

Before 8:10pm 5/11: Carlos

Before 11.00am 7/11: Kimi

[ncisfranchise-source]

It has been a long minute since Paramount+’s NCIS: Tony & Ziva spinoff was first announced. Now, to tide you over until the series’ Fall 2025 premiere, TVLine has a flurry of first photos of your favorite NCIS-verse family (and some new friends).

It was in February 2024 when Paramount+ greenlit this new offshoot of the long-running and well-watched NCIS franchise, one that reunites Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo on-screen for the first time since October 2013, as the incredibly popular pairing of Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David.

Cote de Pablo as Ziva David

Photo : Marcell Piti/Paramount+

As the series opens, Tony and Ziva have been raising their tweenage daughter Tali (played by The Outlaws’ Isla Gie), together, in Paris. But when Tony’s security company is attacked, they must go on the run across Europe, trying to figure out who is after them, so that they can finally have their unconventional “happily ever after.”

Filming on the 10 episodes began last summer — on location in Budapest, the Canary Islands, and Paris, France — and wrapped in late January.

Michael Weatherly as Tony Dinozzo

Photo : Marcell Piti/Paramount+

“It was surprising how Cote and I just fell into this new place with our characters,” says Weatherly, who, like de Pablo, also serves as an executive producer on the offshoot. “Informed by the past, illuminated by the present and trying to see a future together. These characters are on the adventure of a lifetime. And hopefully, so is the viewer!”

De Pablo herself said in May 2024 to “expect intrigue, romance, the background of Europe, impossible situations that will make [Ziva and Tony’s] lives very complicated.” But also, “a little something about love!”

Michael Weatherly as Tony Dinozzo and Isla Gie as Tali

Photo : Marcell Piti/Paramount+

In addition to Weatherly, de Pablo and Gie, the NCIS: Tony & Ziva cast includes British actress Lara Rossi (The Watch, Flesh and Bone) as Sophie, Tali’s SAS-trained nanny; British actress Amita Suman (Shadow and Bone) as Claudette, the CTO at Tony’s company; Maximilian Osinski (Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD) as Boris, a Russian ex-pat and one of the best/most elusive computer hackers in the world; and English actor James D’Arcy (Marvel’s Agent Carter) as Henry, a high-ranking Interpol official who has spent his career chasing international criminals.

Michael Weatherly as Tony Dinozzo, Max Osinski as Boris and Cote de Pablo as Ziva David

Photo : Marcell Piti/Paramount+

The cast also includes French actress Nassima Benchicou (ASKIP, le collège se la raconte) as Martine, a former intelligence agent with the Directorate-General for External Security; English actor Julian Ovenden (Bridgerton) as Jonah, a former programmer for the NSA/now Secretary General of Interpol; and English actor Terence Maynard (Ridley) as Dr. Lang, a therapist who treats patients with severe traumas. (You can find even more character details here.)

Cote de Pablo as Ziva David , Michael Weatherly as Tony Dinozzo and Isla Gie as Tali I

Photo : Marcell Piti/Paramount+

John McNamara, whose past TV credits include co-creating Profit, Fastlane and The Magicians, penned the NCIS: Tony & Ziva premiere and serves as showrunner. Other executive producers include Weatherly, de Pablo, Laurie Lieser, Christina Strain and Shelley Meals.

“I’m incredibly grateful to CBS Studios and Paramount+ for the chance to plunge these two beloved characters into a dangerous, fun, romantic, exciting chase across Europe,” says McNamara. “I’m excited to tell a single, serialized story of intrigue and espionage over 10 episodes, getting the chance to delve more deeply into Tony and Ziva’s complex relationship, their on-again, off-again romance, and the way they manage to co-parent their daughter Tali, heightened by the sudden jeopardy they all find themselves in.”

Amita Suman as Claudette and Michael Weatherly as Tony Dinozzo

Photo : Marcell Piti/Paramount+

As the NCIS faithful know, Ziva bid NCIS and Tony farewell at the start of Season 11, and was reported dead toward the end of Season 13; Tony left Gibbs’ team at the end of Season 13, to go raise his and “dearly departed” Ziva’s wee daughter, Tali, whose existence he had just learned of.

Years later, in a most surprising climax to NCIS‘ Season 16 finale, Ziva revealed herself to be alive to her former boss, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, eventually completing one final mission before she reunited with Tony and Tali in Paris (off-camera).

Most recently, in NCIS‘ February 2024 David McCallum tribute episode, Weatherly made a surprise cameo as DiNozzo — seemingly solo, though Ziva and/or Tali could have simply been off-screen, also ready to head to Ducky’s funeral.

Michael Weatherly as Tony Dinozzo, Cote de Pablo as Ziva David and Isla Gie as Tali

Photo : Jason Bell/Paramount+

NCIS: Tony & Ziva will premiere this fall (exact date TBA) as a Paramount+ exclusive.

“It was always designed to be a streaming show” and not a CBS release, CBS Studios president David Stapf explained in March 2024. “Tony and Ziva, it’s one of the most unrequited love stories for the audience. So, reuniting them with a global audience” — via Paramount+ distribution — “is the intent on that show.”

[i-am-skinny-sir]

Timothée Chalamet's mom isn't surprised her kids have talent. She's more of a cheerleader than a 'momager.'

She knew he was going to be a star before everyone else.

She knew it long before her then-teen son ambled onto the stage of the 1,150-seat auditorium at New York's LaGuardia High School with his baggy jeans falling off his lanky frame, stealing the annual talent show with his Lil' Timmy Tim rapper routine; before he made eating a peach an X-rated sex act in the coming-of-age film "Call Me By Your Name"; and before he'd flip his mop of wild chestnut curls and have a gaggle of girls scream his name.

In fact, as the mother of 29-year-old actor Timothée Chalamet, Nicole Flender knew he was going to be a success when he truly was a "complete unknown."

Before his baby face was on the cover of Time magazine, before he was the answer to a New York Times crossword puzzle, and long before his style made the best-dressed lists, he was just her son.

"He was a normal kid," Flender said. "He wanted to be a soccer star."

She knew the theater was his calling when the crowd went wild for his high school rap persona — and not just because she was a biased mom who recognized his spark. "Everybody loved it," she told Business Insider.

His star has certainly risen. He's played fighters, lovers, Willy Wonka, and even King Henry V. He's been in seven best picture Oscar-nominated films and twice been nominated for Academy Awards, for his performance as a lovestruck teen in "Call Me By Your Name" and as musician Bob Dylan in the biopic "A Complete Unknown."

Flender is often his plus-one on the red carpet. "The photographers love us," she said. "They always want me to get in the picture. They like to see a son who is close to his mother."

She's in a distinctive position as the mother of two stars. Timothée's sister, Pauline Chalamet, four years his senior, is an actor and a director who splits her time between Paris and Los Angeles. She recently starred in Mindy Kaling's HBO Max series, "The Sex Lives of College Girls."

Thanks to Pauline, Flender will celebrate her first Mother's Day as a grandma. "That's what I'll be called — it's what my grandmother was called and what my kids called my mom," she said.

Flender isn't surprised that her kids have talent. They come from a showbiz family. Their grandmother, Enid Flender, danced on Broadway in shows like "Kiss Me Kate," and their grandfather, Hal Flender, was an author and television writer who worked with many comedy greats, including Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and Woody Allen.

She's a trained ballerina who spent years on national tours with musicals including "Fiddler" and "Gypsy." Her brother Rodman Flender, a child actor, has been a filmmaker and TV director for shows like "The Office" and "Ugly Betty."

Timothée was a performer at a young age, entertaining family, friends, and classmates. In elementary school, he did Disney commercials. In middle school, he appeared on "Law & Order." Flender excitedly emailed everyone she knew about his prime-time debut, even though his character was murdered in the first minutes of the show.

Flender modestly takes little credit for her kids' success. Both carved their own paths, she said. Pauline pursued ballet, starring in "The Nutcracker" at Lincoln Center with the School of American Ballet. "It was like training for the Olympics," Flender said. Now she has her own production company.

Timothée excelled at travel soccer, she said, and his chess, sports, and Tae Kwon Do trophies still adorn the shelves in her theater district apartment, along with his acting awards.

Known as "Timmy" to his friends and family, she called him "Tiny Tim" or "Toothless Tim" and later "Tall Tim" on family holiday cards, depending on his current status.

"He's always been independent," she said. At 17, Timothée had his parents (his French dad is a former journalist) sign papers saying he didn't need a chaperone in Canada to film "Interstellar," in which he plays Matthew McConaughey's son. "He makes his own decisions about what projects to pursue," she said, adding that she's more of a cheerleader than a "momager."

In fact, her kids rarely ask her for counsel on big life decisions. "He told me after the fact" that he had purchased what's reportedly an $11 million mansion in Beverly Hills, despite the fact that she's a real estate agent at the Corcoran Group in New York.

She also avoids offering dating advice. Her son has had a roster of celebrity girlfriends, starting with Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon in high school, the Mexican singer Eiza González, and Johnny Depp's daughter, Lily-Rose. He's now dating Kylie Jenner, a multimillionaire entrepreneur and part of the Kardashian clan.

Flender is often the last to know what's happening in her son's life. "Kylie was the one who told me that he would host 'Saturday Night Live' for the third time," she said.

Being his date for the SAG Awards was also a last-minute surprise. "I got a text on the Thursday before to ask if I'd be his date for that Saturday," she said.

She raided her closet for a slinky black gown and hopped on a plane. When she joined him for the Oscars, she borrowed a royal-blue number from a friend.

There are perks to being a star's mom during award season: She's had full-glam hair and makeup done and been outfitted by Louis Vuitton. Cartier jewelers once blinged her with priceless diamonds for the Golden Globes. "They knock on your hotel door at 9 o'clock the next morning, asking for them back," she noted.

Hollywood hasn't changed her son, she said. "Not at heart. He keeps himself grounded."

She remembers when she and Timothée could walk down the street unrecognized. Now, even a neighborhood stroll could end up as paparazzi fodder.

"They photographed us together in Soho and LA a year apart, and I was wearing the same vintage Fiorucci shirt," she said, laughing. "He bought it for me, so I wear it when we're together to show him I love it."

Despite her children's fame, Flender is very private. She'll occasionally post an Instagram photo of herself dolled up for an awards show, but she avoids reading social media mentions of either kid.

She's often surrounded by A-listers but says she's not starstruck. Yet, she does admit to dropping her son's name to get a photo with the basketball legend Charles Barkley at a bar recently. "I told him my son was a big basketball fan and he was happy to pose with 'Timothée's mom,'" she said.

Most of all, she's proud to have two kids who have surpassed anything she could've imagined. "All I want is for them to be happy," she said.

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Happy Mother's Day, Nicole!

[chernobog13]

Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok in Nosferatu (2024).

I haven't seen the film yet so this may not be a fair comparison, but I find Max Schreck's (no, not the guy from Batman Returns) original Count Orlok to be more frightening.

Plus, I'm a little disappointed that director Robert Eggers didn't cast Willem Dafoe as Count Orlok. He's got the perfect look and physicality for the part, and he's got experience playing Max Schreck/Orlok in Shadow of the Vampire (2000).