#and OOH LA LA that trailer

[paperluigi64]

AAAWWWWWWWWWWW

[burntheedges]

for the fic titles game, what about "and the beat goes on" ✨☺

ooh good one! I had two ideas again, I don't know why I keep doing this to myself. lol

1. Marcus Moreno

You: the lead singer of a band that just rocketed to stardom Him: leader of the Heroics, father to a teenager How you meet: his daughter is your band's biggest fan, and his own fame gets them backstage for a meet and greet. From the first moment you're both feeling it -- the spark -- but you're on tour and leaving in the morning, and he's with his daughter. How could you ever make it work?

2. Dieter Bravo

The first time you sleep with Dieter Bravo is the first night you meet, in a back room at some after party in LA that you were both invited to. The second time you sleep with Dieter Bravo is backstage at your concert in Las Vegas, kicking off a worldwide tour. The third... fourth... fifth... you lost count. You and Dieter crash into each other across the world, sneaking into his trailer, sneaking out of your hotel rooms. Neither of you are willing to admit it might be anything more than sex.

these are too fun lol

send me a made up fic title and I'll tell you what I would write for it

[beebeedibapbeediboop]

Coucou !! Je viens de faire un petit tour sur ton blog car ça faisait un moment que je ne t'avais pas vue dans ma tl ET je viens de découvrir que tu bossais sur le projet d'animation Amélie ou la métaphysique des tubes : je ne savais pas du tout qu'un film d'animation allait sortir et j'avais bcp aimé ce bouquin quand je l'avais lu (j'aime bien ce que fait Amélie en général), donc je suis allée voir le trailer. Je suis ! surexcitée !! L'animation est vraiment chouette, j'ai hâte de voir ce que ça donne et de voir ton propre travail là-dedans :D Je crois que je t'avais déjà laissé un message y a lgts mais du coup, voilà, j'aime tjrs bcp ce que tu fais et super contente pour toi que t'aies l'occasion de bosser sur des projets qui - à mes yeux en tous cas - ont l'air super intéressants et créatifs 😌🫶

Ooh merci 🥺🥺🥺 honnêtement je sais pas si ce que je fais va finir dans le projet final mais je suis déjà heureuse d'y participer!! Et l'art style me plaît beaucoup ☺️

[rjam9]

fnaf movie teaser trailer is out so here are my initial thoughts i wrote when it first came out + my expanded thoughts now that i am not half asleep and running on adrenaline. (this note was also titled “FNAF TRAILER FUCK YEAH” in my notes, so that is the vibe im going for here)

initial thoughts:

- ooooh creepy vhs trailer love that for her

- it’s the. it’s the song tordear march i cant spell rn but it’s the thing it’s that thing i know

- Foxy plushie :]

- SHOWTIME BUTTON WOO

- OH MY GOD THEY LOOK SO GOOOD!!! YEAH!!!!!

- i hope we get the animatronics singing actual songs in this movie. even just one would be good. like in willys wonderland yknow. kinda

- ooh it’s abandoned?? i mean there was that theory for fnaf1 that the location was abandoned given the cobwebs and stuff, so i guess it’s not too far out of possibility

- THERES MIKE THERES THE GUY™️

- man the office and the cameras look EXACTLY like the game. they even got the poster!! fan!! the cup!! why am i so excited about a cup!!!

- Freddy be peaking

- is this lady supposed to be phone guy? i mean she is kinda introducing security guard to the job so maybe

- SPRINGLOCK SUIT??????!!!!

- ahh Foxy!!!

- the sister’s name is Abby right??

- idk how i feel about the red eyes but OH MY GOD FREDDY LOOKS SO COOL AHHH

- i kinda forgot Vanessa was in this movie my bad 🫣 the actor does kinda look like what i would picture an older Vanessa like in my head tho so cool!!

- (also is she also at the pizzeria?? what)

- THE KIDS!! THE MISSING KIDS OH MY GOODD

- they’re all there there’s five of them and they all looked themed so is Cassidy there?? Golden Freddy?? the one kid at the front is kinda wearing stripes like the Puppet but everyone else looks solid

- BUT THE KIDS THE KIDS ARE HERE FUCK YEAHHH

- IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED WITH A SHOT OF WILLIAM HELLO??

- why he in an office. Fazbear office?? home office?? he looks kinda smary snarky here but i think they could not have picked a better actor he was great in Scream so yayy

- Michael is having force visions more at ten

- IS THIS PHONE GUY?? WHERE IS HE??

- huh endoskeleton stepping on a ball okay

- into the PIT i must ADMIT —

- Foxy my guy Foxy my boy love ya

- again with the red eyes don’t know how i feel we’ll see when im less tired and it’s not super late where i live and im about to pass out

- logo!! also song return yeah

- DAY BEFORE MY BDAY FUCK YEAH

- okay bedtime now im tired byyyye

expanded thoughts:

- LOVE the 80s vibe in the vhs, especially the uniform/outfit the employee is wearing. she has so many pins. i definitely feel like this movie is going to capture the feel of the games super well, even if the story doesn’t quite match up.

- plus, all the game references! the Foxy plushie, the showtime button, the toreador march (and all the things you can see when Mike walks into the abandoned pizzeria — the prize corner, posters, and ESPECIALLY the security office) is so cool to see. again, i definitely think i will love the vibe of this movie, and i hope they nail the creepy atmosphere that made the original game so classic. i do think that i will have a heart attack and die as soon as i see one of the animatronics move tho.

- on that note — man, they look so good! ofc they do since it was Jim Henson’s Creature Shop that made them all, but holy shit they look so so great. i can’t remember if they ever said if costumes would be used, but i do remember that they casted voice actors! i do still hope some of the og voice actors get a cameo or smth, maybe just as guests of the pizzeria or on a television ad.

- i still stand by my “i hope the animatroincs sing a song in the movie a la Willy’s Wonderland style”. it’s definitely going on my bingo sheet and it’s one of those things i’ve always wanted to see. also, i did identify the song playing in the beginning (“i hear the secrets that you keep …”) and it is “Talking In Your Sleep” by The Romantics. it came out in 1983 though which is kinda funny. but also, 80s soundtrack confirmed?

- again, i do have the feeling that this is the “official” training tape for security guards, and Phone Guy (or whoever the equivalent of him is, maybe the guard that gets murked at the end) will still be there on recordings. even if it’s not Scott (which i don’t particularly care if it is or not), i still hope they include at least a nod or reference to him, even if this vhs lady is taking over the brunt of exposition and whatnot.

- SO ONTO THE SAW TORTURE DEVICE. my first thought was that it was maybe a springlock suit, but since people have pointed out the original Phone Guy line of “stuffing people into suits was deadly bc they were full of metal and wires and sharp things especially around the face area”, i think this is just a regular suit that’s been weaponized or twisted in some way. on that note, i am split half and half between “Mike actually gets captured and stuffed inside” and “Mike is just having a nightmare about the animatronics”. to be fair to Mike, i think everybody has nightmares about their minimum wage jobs.

- okay, so unpopular opinion, but i actually don’t mind the red eyes upon further reflection! they look kinda goofy, but i think it fits the vibe of the movie overall, and also i am always down for the “eye colour indicates mental state” trope. so, i’m digging it.

- THE MISSING KIDS!! sorry, i’m so excited over them lol. looking closer at them, i do think it’s going Bonnie (blue/purple shirt with bunny ears) — Freddy (brown striped shirt) — Foxy (red shirt and one hand all wrapped up) — Golden Freddy (top hat) — Chica (yellow and white dress). i have a feeling that this movie will probably just stick with the core five for now, bc i think trying to introduce the Puppet into this will make it way more complicated than it needs to be. but i also think it’s interesting that they’re in a forest? Mike is obviously having a dream or vision of some kind, but why manifest in a forest and not like the pizzeria itself? interesting, interesting.

- and now we have William! as others have stated, i am very glad with the direction they took him in. i always dislike the designs that make William look super old/greasy/creepy, and on the flipside, that ones that make him look super charming and suave. this guy managed to lure and kill multiple kids and get away with it for decades, so i think he needs to have a very friendly, warm, almost grandpa-like vibe to him (with just a hint of “oh he’s a lil fucked up actually”). make him too obviously creepy and there was no way he would be getting away scot-free (ha) for so long, but make him too charming and he comes across as a shady business man which kids would not be willing to follow in a back room. so, perfect vibe. i will go into a bit more detail below about where he is/what he’s doing, but i think the office choice is very interesting.

- this shot of the security guard getting killed is definitely going to be a cold opening tho. i can feel it in my bones. it’s going to open with this shot (or close to open) before cutting to Mike. i know what it’s going to do i am calling it right now,

- i have also come to realize that is Foxy’s foot stomping the ball and not a random endo nobody look at me

- i made an into the pit joke but i do think it would be very very cool if they included a nod to the fans like playing a bit of the melody of a popular fansong on a radio/tv or something like that. not something that i an explicitly hoping for, but would be super neat to include.

- i am making all my friends come see this movie with me they cannot argue with me bc it is the day before my birthday and they cannot argue with the birthday boy

predictions:

so, i think there are two ways this movie can go;

1) Mike is not William’s son

this is where i think this movie is going, just based off this trailer alone. i think William is the current Fazbear Ent./pizzeria owner who hires Mike (explaining why he is in an office), and Mike has no idea what he is getting into other than that he is a security guard. based off that one leaked clip of Mike beating up a guy in a mall, i think he got fired from his previous job, and is taking this one as a last resource to support his sister. while working there, he begins to experience visions of the missing kids and works to uncover the secrets of the place. i also think that he gets captured by the animatroincs (or William) at some point, and his sister Abby arrives to come save him, explaining why there’s the shot of him in the saw torture trap, he comes into the pizzeria alone, and all shots of Abby so far she is alone and the animatronics are already aggressive.

flaws in this idea though? idk how Vanessa (and the currently unnamed female villain) fit into this. but otherwise i think it’s pretty solid. the second way i think this movie will go is …

2) Mike IS William’s son

i think this one is least likely, but knowing that Scott wrote this movie and that the original decided script was about Michael Afton, i do think it’s a possibility. basically, much like in the games, Mike is William’s son who vaguely knows of his dad’s shitty deeds, and is trying to escape his past until he has the opportunity to work as a security guard at an old restaurant. the saw trap scene and the missing kid visions are nightmares sparked by his past, possibly things he saw/knew about while living with his dad. in that case, William is currently missing (and the scene in his office is a flashback) and the “unnamed female villain” is the current Fazbear ceo/worker who hires Mike on.

flaws in this idea? Abby — unless she is also William’s daughter and is a stand-in for Elizabeth, i do not know how this could work. if Mike adopted her as his sister, i feel like they do not have time for that plotline. and, once again, i have no clue how Vanessa factors into all this.

(my best guess for Vanessa is that in both plots she knows of William’s crimes and is trying stop him/free the ghosts, but in the first plot she works with Mike since he is new and clueless and in the second one against him bc she believes he is still working with his father. but i’m not sold on either of those yet).

so, my best guess overall is number 1, but honestly i would be happy with either. i am just so excited for this movie and can’t help but write about it, as i usually do. whatever ends up happening better be fun, though. i do not want to be bored during this lmao.

[exoplanetupdates-blog]

EXO at SMTOWN Concerts (2019-22)

SMTOWN Special Stage in Santiago

190118 - Day 1

Chanyeol & Sehun - We Young

EXO - Kokobop

EXO - Ooh La La La

Ment [RAW]

EXO - Tempo

EXO - Love Shot

Ending - Hope

190119 - Day 2

Chanyeol & Sehun - We Young

EXO - Kokobop

EXO - Ooh La La La

EXO - Kokobop + Ooh La La La + Ment + Tempo [RAW]

EXO - Love Shot

Ending - Hope

Behind the Scenes

SMTOWN Live 2019 in Tokyo

Full Broadcast - EXO Cut [RAW]

SMTOWN Live Culture Humanity (2021)

Line-up Teaser

Highlight Clip

Kai - Mmmh + Reason

SuperM - 100 + Ment + Better Days + One (Monster and Infinity)

Baekhyun - UN Village (feat. NCT MARK) + Candy

Hope

"Culture Humanity" Intro

Let's make a SMTOWN LIVE TICKET with BAEKHYUN & KAI

SMTOWN Live 2022: SMCU Express at Kwangya

Preview [2] [3]

Trailer

Kai - Mmmh

Dear My Family

Kai - Peaches

Hope from Kwangya

Ready to shoot your (Love) Shot?

Pink Christmas Wishes from KWANGYA

Pink Blood Quiz Show

KAI of EXO has arrived @KWANGYA STATION!

Behind The Scenes Teaser

Jacket Behind the Scene

Hope from KWANGYA Recording Behind the Scene

SMTOWN Live 2022: SMCU Express

220820 - SMTOWN in Suwon - EXO

Full EXO Cut - Hurdle (Suho) + Beautiful Goodbye (Chen) + That's Okay (D.O.) + Peaches (Kai) + Serenity (Xiumin) + Ment

Ending - Hope

Recap Video

Behind the Scenes

220827-29 - SMTOWN in Tokyo - EXO

Teaser

Greeting [suho] [kai] [chen]

Full EXO Cut - Hurdle (Suho) + Beautiful Goodbye (Chen) + Peaches (Kai) + Shake (Xiumin) + Ment

Behind the Scenes

Secret Message Center [1] [2]

Hope from KWANGYA - Self Camera Video [exo cut]

[weirdthoughtsandideas]

You've seen all 4 d+la shows - what are your predictions for s2 for them?

Ooh!

Ok, spoiler warnings since I know most have just watched one or two.

Entrelazados:

So, I am guessing some more intense time travel plots. From that leaked trailer, we see Marco time travelling into the Sharp living room in the 90s - unless, it's actually not 1994 but a whole other year. It could be earlier or later

We also see in that leaked trailer that Félix?? Is in the 90s? So it's possible he time travelled too. And from the small bit, he might have time traveled to an earlier time before Allegra did. It looks like might've time traveled to the 11 O´Clock auditions in the 90s. Or possibly, another musical! Cause I saw young Greta in a costume.

And if they do that musical in the 90s, perhaps they do the same musical in modern day 11 O´Clock.

I very much expect Marco to be amazed by 2021 and wanting to stay there - but he can't really, since. It's not his time.

But seriously, I can see him just be amazed by the simplest of things.

It's probably gonna be some drama between Marco and Félix, but I think that perhaps, in the end they'll really get along

I really don't know what Sofia will do. Her mom is much more interesting than her. And her mom I mean young Greta. Adult Greta is quite boring

Diego and Caterina will kiss - though I am not really much for it due to Diego... being married and having a kid but sure.

There may be more lore regarding the Sharp family history

Siempre Fui Yo

So, what we know about it, it takes place 3 years after s1 and will be the gang reuniting on an island. Pipe is now the biggest artist in Colombia, Lupe is a journalist...

What it looks, there's some new characters that will stir up drama. It seems Lupe and Noah are still going strong, but a new character (a new boy seems more likely) is maybe making them almost seperate.

Or not - honestly their relationship in s1 was a little weird, they had a whole makeout on a beach and then went "nah I don't think he likes me" and then they loved each other again.

I hope Lumina is still going strong

With the things that happened in season 1 - people getting shot, kidnapped, drugged, burned inside... I can imagine it's the same level here.

Also I don't know if they would do this, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone got pregnant and there was drama with whoever was the father

There was a photo of Lupe and Angie in a pool and I am very much looking forward to that pool scene

Tudo Igual SQN

As much I don't want it, it's gonna be some love triangle between... those three. And I hope Carol chooses the one who isn't... you know.

Hopefully more focus on Trix and her figuring herself out

Don't know if it's gonna be anything with her and Pri, but maybe they'll talk some more

Beta maybe finding someone better for her than Tomas

The new family situation now that they're married may be interesting to see.

Hopefully they'll solve the whole... thing that happened.

Papás por encargo

Ok, so according to the S2 info, in s2 Itzel wants to move with California away and California does not want that, because she wants to be close to her dads. So they all roadtrip together a "final" time so she can convince her mom to let her stay.

So I imagine there's a lot of parent arguments. Itzel is her birth mom and has the right to take her, but her dads still wants her, and then California also has an opinion.

But also - California is beginning to be a teenager now and perhaps just wants to be alone without parents, too.

I'll imagine there's gonna be arguments between mom and daughter - Itzel wants to take up lost time, but California isn't a child anymore.

But also her arguing with her dads. I feel like no one wants to let her go

It's possible she would even run away at one point to get away from them

I don't know if Itzel is gonna have a romance with any of the dads. Maybe. Maybe not.

[therealeagal]

Joker: Folie a Deux (trailer)

RA RA AH AH AH

ROMA ROH MA MA

GAGA OOH LA LA

Irony works on multiple levels. Sometimes if-then doesn't suffice. It's hard to explain.

Picture of a man. A tragic anti-hero really. So fully justified was he in killing his bullies. They got what they fucking deserved. But SOCIETY couldn't handle it!

So our hero finds himself in the clutches of Gotham's very own Arkham Asylum. But all is not lost, because he finds the love of his life, one Harleen Quinzel, also trapped by the wicked whims of the SOCIETY that they definitely both live in. So begins their whirlwind romance that we should definitely see as heartwarming because they are SOCIETY's true victims, you see. Don't let the fact that Harley is played by Lady Gaga fool you. It's not a bad romance at all. It's a great romance.

THIS Joker and THIS Harley are completely in love. Because THIS Joker and THIS Harley live in a SOCIETY. Their love is ideal. #RelationshipGoals

I WANT YOUR LOVE AND I WANT YOUR REVENGE UPON SOCIETY

YOU AND ME COULD WRITE A GREAT ROMANCE.

It does have a certain ring to it, doesn't it?

What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of. Joker: Folie a Deux is set for release on October 4th of this year. Once again I am debating the pros and cons of watching it.

On the one hand, I'm always right, so do I really need to see it for you to know that my description is correct? On the other hand, is a review of any substance if the reviewer hasn't read it. I never read Mein Kampf, but I could probably hazard a guess that it's not about puppy dog kisses and cotton candy dreams.

Somewhat surprisingly, no one got pissy at me when I criticized the first movie. Well, not here on tumblr anyway. Over on Twitch, I've got a sporadically ongoing argument with some folks over whether Jared Leto and Cameron...what was his name? I think it was like, Monaghan or some shit...the guy from Gotham. Anyway, whether those two were better Jokers than Joaquin Phoenix. Spoilers: I argue on the side of "They were".

And I mean, not to knock on Joaquin's door personally. Actors, by and large, work with the roles they're given. You can't dunk on them just because they were in a bad movie. Well, you can. It's literally possible. But you probably shouldn't. Depends on the movie, I guess...

But just for old times sake, if you find my assessment to be mistaken in any way - if you, in fact, consider Joaquin Phoenix's Joker to be the greatest movie ever made and you greatly anticipate falling asleep masturbating to Joker: Folie a Deux every night - I want you to very strongly consider not @-ing me about it, bro.

Please and thank you. :)

P.S. I brought back the masturbation joke! And it's still funny! When you got it you got it.

Cheers!

[iminaworldofpureimagination]

i tell myself im not a hardcore atla fan but i think that just means I'm not heavily invested in proving zutara or kataang is better than one another in such a way as to make zuko/aang look like shitty people. but more in i enjoy kataang cause its cute and zutara for nostalgia reasons/i just like the relationship.. i dont want to put down either to be the ultimate EVILLL.

and im fine with live action remakes if they are done correctly. tho im not a 100 percent on the one coming up .. removing sokkas sexism/the actor controversy... i still i think its going to be.. entertaining...

the cast seem to like eachother and thats a good sign.. I do fear katara babysitting aang.. and giving haters more ammo but eh they already hated kataang and consider aang an incel t so its not like saying the LA proves kataang is icky itdoesn't.. matters but still seeing the trailer im mostly convinced kataang will still be cute as we seem laughing at sokka in the trailer.. as they shoud. as for the age gap.. 11/14// the zuko actor met Katara when he was 19/20 and she was 14 so.. like thats better why? i dont get this fandom man.. its only ok if the MALE is older.. funny howths the same problem with kataang in the animated show..

tho im one of the few who doesn't care which ship they do as im a non picky multishipper.. that is also eyeing zukaang moments and going ooh zuko x aang woo!!!

uh.. hmm not sure what else to say here. ... hoping s1 will be fun.. be suprised of we get a s2..

[castle-dominion]

Rob Bowman, Andrew Marlowe, Jon Huertas, Nathan Fillion, Molly Quinn, Stana Katic (& molly quinn)

& I'm so excited for the commentary

poor stunt actress

Captions suck for this. wait i figured it out; that's why there are six subtitle options rather than 3.

construction site locations being dangerous makes sense JH: because a hospital is nearby?

like that book in a series of unfortunate events

"We had to do a lot of screen tests" 'you had to freeze a lot of interns'

MQ's mom watches this show, i mean it makes sense, my mom would watch my show

Like Julia & Emily, morgue humour

he's a know it all but he is there For The Purpose of learning

NF: sexiest coroner ever Julia Ogden:

so right! They have their groove by episode 5!

I believe in typecasting, I'm glad they had stana help make beckett's room

Castle is like that except around his mom & baby.

SK: beckett's room is cool RB: I should spend more time in there MQ: excuse you i am baby RB: Nathan help MQ: he's no good!

SD/KR always has a castle book & I love it

Ah, Dever went "y'all r always calling me the new guy, I want smth else" & they were like 'so what do u want to do?' & dever just went "Ryan will read All The Castle Books!"

Just like in the LA episode where taylor says to castle "what's my (raley's) motivation?"

SK: it was weird because every episode we had two canadian guest stars "infiltrating!!!" Vancouver is big Wow they just said there are no canadian shows to guest star on. try MM babes.

Huertas always acts like us watching the commentary have NOT seen the actual episode. SK: this guy was cool JH: his wife worked with my gf so we'd end up in a corner & I'd pick his brain & tell him how much I love him, I hope he didn't take that the wrong way bruh???

Oof had to politely tell some extras to chuchotte

guys making the cop show: it lets us avoid the cops

I know a fiddle song called sleeping giant

NF: this is actually the episode I discovered that when Jon & Seamus aren't on set working, they're in the trailer playing playstation JH: that was this episode? NF: That's when I found out XD that's so sweet lol JH: Did I beat you very many times? NF: twice. ... out of 18

Aw brought out a catering/coffee/food truck *talking about the truck food* JH, hearing about the donut truck: WHAT??? THAT WAS THE DAY AFTER I WAS FINISHED.

The character or the actor? (about molly quinn & alexis castle wanting to help solve cases: essentially quinn wants alexis to solve more & alexis wants to help solve more.)

JH: Malik! Good friend of mine. I wasn't shooting yet but I came down to set & interrupted NF: I thought that was bc u were lonely JH: Well that too, I just needed a hug

There was a murder on the freeway that prevented half the crew from arriving. Had to do 12 hours of work in 10 hours

JH: I did modelling with that guy NF: bikini? JH: HE was in the bikini MQ, age 15: HI?????? JH: Nothing x-rated, he just likes bikinis MQ: It's time u stopped talking. kinda digging a hole for urself. My mom is watching AM: yeah u've got to be careful bc yk, we may have some real fans watching the commentary. & they might be the sort of ppl who write fanfiction me: Alright I accept the challenge! What is it? AM: & esposito might end up in some of that fanfiction in a way you might not want to see him So wearing a bikini with this drug guy? Aight I can do that

Never any red lights lol

The original line was: KB: if he was having an affair, would his best friend know? RC: Yes. Esp if she was hot.

NF: I bought a carpet next door!

RB: How do you map your approach in these scenes? Tell us about things! SK: no <3

Effed up how cops can just lie to you

eight days for one episode, that's a lot

JH: Ooh tha laser tag scene! NF: Ooh I like this! MQ: I RAN INTO THE CAMERA; MY LEG HIT THE CAMERA RB: u get a bill for that? NF: it's on its way RB: those are million dollar cameras MQ: They told me that as soon as I hit it RB: You may want t oprep your parents for that bill

SS/MR is always coming from somewhere & going somewhere

MR: are we entertaining? NF/RC: we're wearing blinking lights & a face mask, of course we're entertaining

MQ: this was burger night uwu

that computer screen prop is so cool theyre right

NF: that screen was stole. I have one just like it at home. It's actually really cool how the screens are not just blank & empty but legit there & the actors can use them

I like listening to them talk about their storyline & how things are progressing & stuff but for some reason I've been more into them chatting abt the props & stuff

RC+KB: *sitting there unable to figure out how he moved her body* JH: "if only esposito & ryan were here"

castle can't help but to put his foot in his mouth but he doesn't know it's wrong!

*watching the "i want a divorce" scene* everyone: this is good

NF: Bam said the lady RB: , bam said the lady

NF: my first words were peas gum. & then bam said the lady came right after that.

AM: my babies are finally trusting each other finally uwu

the lady who is answering her door about the freezer from behind the chain? They didn't have the time space nor money to build another apartment XD the constraint made a great moment. Like improv: constraints cause creativity

MQ: *laughing at beckett AM: *laughing at quinn* MQ: What?? I read the scripts I watch the show!

When you're watching an actor across from you, it hits just right? This scene I was trying not to cry

RB: Did you not only damage a camera but steal a wardrobe? NF: Don't answer that MQ: My lawyer's not here NF: Very good, great, great job

Charles murray was the one who wrote this ep

AM: Yeah the last episode? with the car? That really happened. Not the rest of the story but the parking tickets

NF: don't make me pull out my iphone MQ: JH: He Will

Apparently NF does practical jokes with his iphone: this motion activated app plays sounds of flatulence NF: it's always a bit hit with the crew. & molly MQ: mine's better NF: She doesn't have an app RB: WDYM BY THAT GOOD SIR MQ: CHEAP SHOT

NF, after castle just got off the phone with alexis: Molly thank you for being offstage to take that call. ; ) MQ: Oh yeah you're welcome ; )

JH: he checks in with his family now he sees how fragile it is. He's used to being this rich eccentric writer-- NF: & good looking

SK, thinking about how beckett's mom still had her jewelery on: *crying while trying to deliver lines* Bryan Spicer: Look man, steel up SK: ik but it's just killing me, man SK: Another beckett onion peel to quote mr marlowe Ooh the ring & watch came from a conversation with Katic herself!

Finally someone mentioned the music! Robert duncan! I used to really want to be a composer for filmed media, but now I'm deaf :/

Rysposito WANT to solve johanna's murder & finally castle has gained enough trust, they've seen him do enough that they trust him to look at the case "If she finds out I'mma kick your ass" I believe him!

Squeezed blood from a rock? is that a phrase? it's metal

[tinomcosta]

Look out the left the captain said The lights down there, that's where we'll land I saw a falling star burn up Above the Las Vegas sands It wasn't the one that you gave to me That night down south between the trailers Not the early one That you can wish upon, Not the northern one That guides in the sailors Oh star bright, star bright You've got the lovin' that I like, all right Turn this crazy bird around I shouldn't have got on this flight tonight You got the touch so gentle and sweet But you've got that look so critical Now I can't talk to you baby I get so weak Sometimes I think love is just mythical Up there's a heaven Down there's a town Blackness everywhere and little lights shine Oh, blackness, blackness dragging me down Come on light the candle in this poor heart of mine Oh star bright, star bright You've got the lovin' that I like, all right Turn this crazy bird around I shouldn't hove got on this flight tonight I'm drinking sweet champagne Got the headphones up high Can't numb you out Can't drum you out of my mind They're playing, Goodbye baby, Baby Goodbye, Ooh, ooh, love is blind Up go the flaps, down go the wheels I hope you got your heat turned on baby I hope they finally fixed your automobile I hope it's better when we meet again baby Star bright, star bright You got the lovin' that I like, all right Turn this crazy bird around I shouldn't have got on this flight tonight.

OUR MIDNIGHTS OUT OF CONTROL1🤪

[alecsv]

[allthingsmarvellove]

Y/N doing the Wired Autocomplete interview

A/N: So Y/N joined the Avengers during Captain America: Civil War, she lives next door to Elizabeth Olsen and dating Sebastian Stan. I personally think this was written poorly, sorry.

Pairing: Avengers Cast x Reader

Warning: None

“Hey! I’m [Y/N] [Y/L/N], this is the Wired Autocomplete interview, and I’m going to be answering the webs most asked questions, lets start,” [Y/N] said, someone from off camera passed her a board, “Thank you, ok first question, Who is [Y/N], that’s it, that’s the legit question, ok, umm, I’m an actress/singer who joined Marvel in 2016.” [Y/N] ripped off the next slip, “Who is [Y/N] best friends with, ooh Lizzie! (Elizabeth Olsen)” [Y/N] said ripping it again. “Next! Who is [Y/N] dating 2021, Sebastian Stan, ok next board,” the person off screen gave her another board, “So, Where does [Y/N] live? 123 none of your business street,” [Y/N] said finger gunning the screen, “Where did [Y/N] go to school? I went to NYU to pursue a degree in acting,” [Y/N] ripped another paper off, “Where was [Y/N] raised? Born and raised in LA! (If that doesn’t work for you, you can change it.)” [Y/N] ripped off yet another paper, “Where did [Y/N] shoot Captain America: Civil War? We filmed it at Atlanta. Ok, last board! Thanks, is [Y/N] doing good? Yes, I’m doing great, thank you so much! Is [Y/N] the secret daughter of Robert Downey Jr? Umm, I don’t think so?” [Y/N] said while a few people off screen laughed. [Y/N] then ripped another paper off, “Is [Y/N] going to be in Avengers: Infinity War? Yes, I will, that’s not really a spoiler since my voice is literally the trailer, so Marvel you can’t do anything!” [Y/N] said, “Anyway, that was it, I’m [Y/N] [Y/L/N] and that was the Wired Autocomplete interview! Bye!”

masterlist

[regrettablewritings]

Look, if it helps y’all feel any better, try imagining Actor AU.

Personally, my idea of Actor AU includes:

Hunter’s actor is actually goofy and leans in hard to the dad vibes. His hair is, in fact, quite real, much to the dismay of his cast mates. Omega may have recorded BTS snaps of everyone and his included attempting to play dad rock on a guitar he keeps in his trailer.

Wrecker’s actor is actually the Smart Guy, having a degree in something complex like biochemical engineering or something. He’s also quieter and a lot more gentle than the character he plays, preferring to spend his time off-camera reading.

Echo’s actor likes to crack jokes a lot, specifically about how he’s the guy who always has to be in the makeup chair “at the crack of dawn’s ass”. Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair get an earful of playful fussing if he hears them whine about sitting still for their tattoo or scar makeup. Actually has a prosthesis, though his is for one of his legs.

Tech’s actually got a degree in English (“Why else would I be acting?”) and while he’s also on the spectrum, he’s a bit less rigid than the character he plays. He sometimes wishes his character was more forward about things but ultimately respects the sass. His Kiwi accent is a bit stronger outside of the role.

Crosshair’s actor . . . is ironically nearsighted. Initially, the reason he always seemed to be glaring was because he was trying to get used to the contacts he was given for the first shoot the Batch ever appeared in and it just suited him. Surprisingly chill guy otherwise, very aware of how intimidating he can come off as by looks alone.

Omega is the most like her on-screen character. Just a really cheery, outgoing girl! She brings her homework to do on set sometimes, and asks Wrecker for help since he’s the one who’s best at math and science.

Everyone is always joking about the hair situation: Hunter’s hair is real, they keep having to shave Echo’s hair, Wrecker prefers to be bald, Tech’s hair is actually curly and he hates how it constantly must be jacked up for the sake of his character (think Cillian Murphy’s feelings a la Peaky Blinders), and Crosshair made jokes about how he was so used to dyeing it that he no longer remembers what his hair color actually is. Then when they made him bald (even if by use of a bald cap), Echo and Wrecker chanted “One of us! One of us!” Omega’s hair is naturally blonde and cute so the costumers left it that way.

Once, Omega snapped a pic of Echo in the middle of his makeup regimen all powdered up. Fans saw and quickly began to compare him to a baby covered in powder. Echo liked the image and comparison so much that he printed it out and taped it to his mirror. Now, a common meme that he happily plays around with is “Echo is Baby.” Sometimes, he’ll even deepen his voice and go, “I  a m  B a b y” just to get a laugh out of someone.

Interviewer: So one of the things that makes the Batch stand out is how they’re generally unafraid of experimenting with their appearances, tattoo-wise in some cases. Are there any tattoos you’d perhaps like to get? Anything like the characters you play? Hunter: Oh, not at all! A face tattoo?! That big!? I’d pass right out right in the chair! Crosshair: Same. I think Crosshair’s tattoo is more about intimidation, and frankly I think I’m scary enough. That, and I don’t know what the guy was on to be able to withstand a tattoo to the face, but I don’t have any of that on me so I doubt that’s ever gonna happen. Hunter: Yeah, the closest thing I think I could do is maybe something on my arm. Maybe my child’s hand print or something of that nature. Crosshair: Ooh, a good old dad classic. Hunter: Yeah! Wrecker: I actually haven’t thought about getting a tattoo since, like, my university years. But hey, who knows? I’ve been told I have plenty of real estate for it! Echo, sheepishly laughing: I like the idea of tattoos, but needles freak me out. Yeah, I know it’s a different type of needle but like?? I don’t like pain!! I think the best I could do is just keep applying one of those temporary tattoos to the same place over and over to create the illusion of having actual ink on me. Maybe mess around with people and skip a day or two. Or better yet: Change out the design! One day there’s a dolphin on my neck, the next day it’s a tiger! Omega: Mum says no tattoos until I turn 18. But I’d like to get a Batcher helmet as commemoration! Tech: I actually have a tattoo! I mean, it’s nothing like what Tech would probably have. I feel like if he ever got any ink, it’d probably be something geeky like his favorite equation, or something symbolic of the galaxy bottled up into a formula of some kind. I imagine that if he wanted something artsier, he’d probably outsource to someone with more artistic skills. Tech: Anyway, my tattoo is of a turtle! Everyone: *is either looking at him or snickering* Crosshair: . . .  A turtle. Tech: What’ve you got against turtles?

Omega convinces the guys to participate in some TikToks and such “for media purposes”. This ends in Wrecker, in character, saying, “Hunter: Omega’s trying to sneak around. But I’m dummy thicc, and the clap of my butt and meaty fists keep alerting the guards!”

Yes: Everyone wishes they could have a lightsaber. Yes: Everyone would most definitely make the lightsaber noises if they had one. And yes: Everyone makes do with their blasters, but they do revert into children who go “pew pew!” every time they pull the triggers. Even Crosshair’s actor, who more so goes “pow” or “bang”.

Interviewer: How are you like the characters you play, if at all? Hunter: I’m a cool dad with awesome hair. Omega: We’re both very curious! Wrecker: I don’t think we -- Oh, you know what? We both love Lula! Echo: You mean aside from a prosthesis? Uuummm . . . Ppprobably . . . We both love a godawful pun! Tech: I think we both like to collect knowledge for the sake of it. And also, we drive like crazy. Crosshair: We can both be a bit catty

Tech’s actor is constantly fumbling his lines simply because of all the technobabble he has to say.

I do not know why but the image of Crosshair’s actor being a surprisingly good juggler haunts the cinema of my mind’s eye.

And also . . . They are most definitely Maori or of Maori descent, so jot that tf down.

Don’t know how it’ll help, but Actor AUs are simply The Best™️ so that in and of itself has my stamp of approval for cheering up!

[elocinnicole]

Gym Rats

Chapter Two - Table Read

Series Rating: M for language, sexual situations, explicit smut, masturbation, alcohol, and drug use. 18+ MINORS DNI

Part Two Rating: M for language

Series Summary: New actress and singer, Tierra just moved into a Condo in LA to start her career when she meets her annoying next-door neighbor will sparks fly or will they burn?

Part Two Summary: Tierra has her first table read of black-ish

Word Count: 1.4K

AN: This is kind of a filler chapter but there’s so much more to come.

Dividers by: @firefly-graphics

Previous Chapter Chapter Two Chapter Three

Tierra bounced with excitement as she drove to ABC for her first table read. When you got the script you were cast to be a new hire at Andre’s job. That was pretty much it there was nothing else listed for your character, not even a name. Which confused her, maybe they couldn’t decide on a name.

She couldn’t keep the smile off her face while she was shown around the studio where they would be shooting. She was introduced to the hair and make-up team. Then she was shown to her trailer, she was sharing it with another recurring character. Tierra didn’t care, she was basking in the moment. She was walking around before the table read when someone called out to her.

“Hey, you’re Tierra, right?” She turned around and her function to form words and speak went out the window

“Yes, um you’re Tracee Ellis Ross!”

“Nice to meet you. I’m really excited to have you on the show. Yara listens to your music all the time.” Tracee smiled and then waved someone over

“Oh, there she is. Yara, what’s that song you always play?” It felt like Tierra’s brain was going into a short circuit. Here are these two huge celebrities talking to her like she was one of them, well, she is now.

“Oh my goodness, you’re Tierra! I’ve been so excited to meet you.” Yara said with an infectious smile on her face.

“Me too, I’m such a fan of the show.”

“Yara, what’s that song you’re always playing in your dressing room.”

“Oh, Speculate! That is my favorite song on the EP.” Tierra smiled widely, it was finally settling in that she was becoming a celebrity in her own right.

“Thank you! That means so much to me,” A bell rang throughout the studio signaling that a nearby studio was set to start filming.

“Let’s head to the table read, you can meet everyone else there.”

“Hello everyone, welcome to the table read of Season 3 Episode 2, “God”!” The director, Anton said there was light applause throughout the room. “We do have a new script and a new character that will hopefully become recurring as the show progresses, the singer, Tierra is playing a new hire at Dre’s job, her name is Melody. We also have a new recurring character for this season, Daveed Diggs,” Tierra's smile instantly dropped, she looked down at the other end of the table and saw Daveed sitting next to Marsai Martin and Jenifer Lewis. He saw her and flashed an arrogant smile and wink. In turn, she rolled her eyes at him. “Mr. Diggs has graciously joined our cast and will be acting as Rainbow’s brother, Johan.”

The table read was going great, Tierra wanted to pinch herself she was in the same room as Trace Ellis Ross, Jenifer Lewis, Anthony Anderson, and Laurence Fishbourne. It was getting ready to be her scene when the butterflies came Tierra let out a breath as she waited for her cue.

“Dre, you hear about the new hire?” Deon Cole’s character Charlie started

“Yes and I hear, it’s a black person. I swear, Rhonda coming in and she’s finally turning this place around.” Anthony Anderson responded

“Hi, I’m Melody. You must be Andre?” Tierra said confidently

“Yes, nice to meet you, Andre Johnson, senior VP.”

“Charlie, another black person,”

“Alright. So, what school did you go to?”

“I went to North Carolina A&T—”

“An HBCU?” Anthony wept

“Yeah, I majored in Marketing, I worked for a small company out there, and then I came back home to Compton—”

“I’m from Compton! Ooh, this is great, wait, wait do you know someone named Pookie?”

“Which one?”

“The Pookie that got the barbecue joint.”

“Man, Pookie my cousin!”

“Since you guys, both know Pookie,”

“Here we go,”

“Do two happen to know Helena Thorton?”

“Charlie, no one knows who that is.”

“Just asking for a friend, but if you ever run into her you don’t know me.”

“Um, is he always like that?”

“Every day.” That was the only scene you were in for the episode or so you thought until another scene came up at Andre’s job, this must be the new changes to the script.

“My daughter is lost!” Anthony said dramatically

“What’s going on?”

“Melody, my daughter doesn’t believe in God.”

“Is this conversation work appropriate?”

“I though all black people believed in God,”

“Seriously, do you guys actually have these conversations at work?”

“Josh, not all black believe in God.”

“He’s right! My Uncle Leroy is apart of Nation of Islam.”

“Charlie you’re not helping.”

“Melody what do you think? You’re black, do you believe in God?”

“Melody doesn’t think anything about this subject. This conversation is nothing but an HR investigation.”

“Oh, we don’t worry about HR now that Lucy’s gone.” The men laughed

“Dre, I just never thought that it would be possible to meet a black atheist.”

“Y’all do know that black people—you know what, nope. I’m not about to be sucked into this.”

“My baby is damned to hell, I don’t know what to do.”

“You gotta give her an exorcism, I know a guy Dre. My cousin Peanut is an exorcist but only on Tuesdays at 3:30.”

“Charlie I am not going to give Zoey an exorcism!”

“We’re not talking about Diane?”

“Charlie, what—”

“That child has had it out for me since the day I met her.”

“Look, Andre, you’re gonna have to let her find her own way.”

“Huh?”

“Listen, if you force it on her you’re gonna turn her away even more, but even if she has questions just answer them honestly.”

“Wow, thanks, Melody. Is that what your parents did to you?”

“Oh absolutely not, I don’t believe in God. My parents ruined that for me.” You laughed

"What?"

The rest of the episode played out and when they reached the last page of the episode, the director told everyone when they were shooting and their call times. Tierra was led back to her trailer, the director wanted her to stay behind to go over some things. While walking back she saw Tracee and Daveed talking to one another, she quickly looked around for another way to get by them without being seen. Tracee looked up and smiled upon seeing her and waved her over. Tierra rolled her eyes, put a smile on her face, and approached the duo.

“Hey Tierra, have you met Daveed?” She could lie, say no, and keep it pushing, but what if he already told her that they were neighbors and they just wanted to see what she would say.

“Uh, yes actually we live in the same apartment complex.”

“Oh wow, that’s cute!" Damnit.

You guys can go over your scenes together then.”

“Excuse me?”

“Kenya didn’t tell you? You and Daveed are gonna be love interests this season.” Daveed smirked at Tierra and had to force himself not to laugh at the look on her face. Tierra swallowed dryly and put on her best fake smile.

“Oh wow, that’s gonna be fun.” She said glancing at Daveed

“Can’t wait, neighbor,” Tierra could literally slap that look off his face, but he would probably like it.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Tracee waited until Tierra walked away before sending a look to Daveed who shrugged his shoulders

“What?” He laughed

“Daveed, stop fucking with her.” He held his hands up in defense

“I’m not I swear.”

“Daveed,” She said warned “I mean it,” sending one last playful glare

“Tiffany I have to kiss him twice!” Tierra said

When she looked over the new script one that included not one, but two kissing scenes with Daveed. Sighing heavily she tossed the script on her coffee table.

“TeeTee, it likes two pecks, the first one isn’t even a real kiss. It’s like a peck on the cheek.” Tiffany explained

She was right, they weren’t major kissing scenes, but still, you had to put your lips on him.

“Maybe I can tell the director that I don’t feel comfortable kissing maybe I can fake it,”

“Or maybe you can tell him that you don’t want the job anymore. Come on TeeTee!”

“I don’t like him he’s an arrogant asshole,”

“So you hate a paycheck, even more, listen I’m not your manager but you better imagine you’re kissing Idris Elba and get over it.” She didn’t want to admit it but Tiffany was right.

“Fine,”

“You acting like he’s ugly, you should just fuck him and get it over with,” Tiffany added

“Absolutely not, I’d rather fuck with Mike again.”

“Okay, he can’t be that bad. You doing the most at this point you don’t even talk to him.”

“So?”

“So, you’re basing his entire personality on one encounter.”

“Yes.” She said firmly

“You and your brother are just alike.”

“And? You make it sound like a bad thing.”

“You should maybe try it get to know him, you are going to be working together and who knows. Based on how this season goes you may be more than recurring characters on the show.”

“How would I get to know him?”

“Tierra I don’t know, bake him a cake.”

“A cake?”

“Listen, you have to work together now you could make this a great experience or a bad one.” Tierra huffed, Tierra rolled her eyes

“I have to go, I’m styling a new client. I have to shop for some new clothes.”

“Who you styling?”

“Can’t tell you. You’ll see on Instagram. Bye girl”

“Bye.”

Tagging: @nikole-witha-k @ramp-it-up @iknowthekoolaidflavor @wreakhavoconmacroissantdiggs @cocobutterbaby @chrisevanswife0405 @mellie-teh-goblin-queen @blackpinup22 @daveeds-wife @azxulaa @luckyfriesss @luckyfriesss @aliyahsutherland

[shiningsagittarius]

WOOOOAH, WE���RE HALFWAY THERE

(Spoilers incoming!) (These are my thoughts and opinions etc)

1 x 04

Rhonda 👀 (I guessed it was her from the trailers)

Number Two with a slingshot? Haha

“Situational awareness, please!” FINALLY someone says it, thank you Kate

God Constance’s morbid little comments will never get old

Interesting how they made Kate okay with cheating and accepting it faster than she did in the book

Behind the Curtain, Assault Alpha hdkdgsksgsksg

I love how Rhonda makes whole backstories for her undercover work 🥺 it’s such a nice addition to her character

Hey speaking of situational awareness, Milligan has none!

Ah, it seems like Number Two feels like she’s the only person that’s concerned / trying to be the voice of reason. I like how her ideals and the ideals of the rest of the adults shift over this episode

THE JOURNALING SCENE IS SO PERFECT AAAAAAAAA

Reynie asking about the SALAD to STALL jdlsgkwgwksgq

Dr. Curtain’s unamused face when he sees the bookmarks ahahaha

Constance desperately trying to signal to Kate lol

Did Kate… tape a bunch of leaves to herself?????

Reynie and Dr. Curtain talking about journaling:

Dr. Curtain shading Reynie for knowing so much about journaling hahaha

But really this scene was so tense in just the right way, with lots of humor too

“You do not know a guy!”

Number Two and Rhonda in this episode:

Ah, so Rhonda is the person paining the sign from the trailer!

“So we agree!” “About this? No.”

Rhonda is right, one small act does lead to another, and people often have to feel like they’re making a difference to stay sane. God, what an important message.

Oh yeah, Sticky is helping Kate in this version, and Reynie is helping Constance. Interesting.

“However, if things do get out of hand, I will distract Ms. De La Torre with a flash bomb. Non lethal, of course!” KATE

Uh oh, seems like the dangerous fish is not the issue here, huh Number Two?

“You will be captured! Bound! Then encaged, fed saltines!” Ma’am, are you… speaking from experience here???

UH OH, STICKY GOT CAUGHT 😰

Milligan getting little hints about his memory by knowing things that he’s not sure why he knows aaaaaaaaaaaa

Ooh, the Waiting Room is totally different 👀

It seems like the room is designed to invoke sensory hell, and I can imagine that nerves make things even worse (as demonstrated with Sticky). I like what they’ve done, though I can imagine kids might be surprised to read the book and find out what the original Waiting Room is 😅

“The aura?” “The vibe.” NOT THE VIBES AGAIN HAHA

Wait hold on, they’re both talking about work, as if this is just a workplace conflict. Please let Mr. Benedict still have adopted them!! Please let them be sisters still!!!

Constance aced the test!

23 rescue scenarios……

“Sticky only loses an arm in two of them…” “Someone loses an arm in two different scenarios?!” “Not someone, Sticky!” HGLSJDJGSKSGS

Trip to the… salt flats??

THERE’S NO-ONE AT THE WHEEL

Oh no, they’re painting over Rhonda’s sign ☹️

Young Number Two!! And she was a pool champion??

A stenographer 👀

You get sent to the Waiting Room for “disruptive fidgeting”??? Or is Dr. Curtain lying???

HE KNEW IT WAS MORSE CODE!

Nooo don’t send him to the Waiting Room again!!!!!!!!

Hydroelectric Turbines…

Ah, the Improvement is on the horizon

Aww, Number Two and Rhonda made up 🥺

REYNIE IS SO HAPPY TO SEE STICKY!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭

The friendship moments…… I’m tearing up……

MR. BENEDICT READING OUT LOUD IN HIS LIL CAMPING OUTFIT!!!

“There’s a puzzle inside me… I can’t help feeling I’m missing a piece.”

(Book spoilers) AND KATE IS THAT PIECE AAAAAAAAAAAA

“A puzzle missing a piece? That’s like…” a twin missing the other twin, maybe?

He’s reading to Number Two and Rhonda on the radio, my hEART-

“All of your sounds annoy me” um, sensory mood-

THE CIPER FROM THE CREDITS-

Rote ROT,,,,,, and Constance figured it out!!

AGRO PALEO DEAR GOD

The Improvement got namedropped (dun dun dunnnn)

“Her parents must have hated her” ok Constance Contraire

RHONDA KAZEMBE

NUMBER TWO

NICHOLAS BENEDICT

How did I know Milligan would pop out of that tent XD

Milligan taking notes hdkdgsksgsksg “Posture…….”

THE SECRET ENTRANCE THAT YOU HAVE TO KICK OPEN HDKSGSKQJG

Uh-oh, Kate is in the red…

“Well, next time I see you, if I don’t know you… I knew you.”

THE KIDS TAKING THAT OTHER KID OFF THE TEAM LIKE THE GODDAMN OOMPA LOOMPAS SLSGKSFSLSGSLHA

Martina inviting Kate to play?

Oh damn I though that was The Ramones not The Cars whoops

Reynie hugging Kate!!

Wait, Martina was so impressed by Kate’s tetherball skills that she asked Dr. Curtain if Kate can stay?? Alright!

EMPRESS SUPREME MAGISTRAL OF THE FLAMING BACKHAND 👑

Wait, Sticky and Kate don’t believe Constance is hearing voices? When did this development happen? And why??? Shouldn’t they be all over that???

Oh Constance looks ready to cry 🥺

YEA THEY’RE MESSENGERS! 🎉 (…or should I be celebrating? 🤔)

The Sticky cheating plot was kinda dropped tho, at least there was some resolution in the book

I love Number Two and Rhonda’s outfits in this episode 👀

The suspense!!

TLDR:

What a great episode! We got some character development, some buildup, suspense, AND payoff, some foreshadowing, and some humor and wit mixed with drama! Definitely at least an 8.5, if not 9/10 episode! I think I’ll have to rewatch episode 3 within the context of this episode to at least try to give it a more favorable review (I’ll certainly rewatch all of the episodes marathon-style at some point). It was definitely sewing the seeds of today’s episode, not without some stumbling blocks. I’m quite excited!

WOOOOOOOAAAAHH,

(Chicken on a chair!)

[writemarcus]

HITTING NEW HEIGHTS

BY MARCUS SCOTT

ORIGINAL RENT STAR DAPHNE RUBIN-VEGA TAKES YOU INSIDE THE IN THE HEIGHTS FILM

Qué quiere decir sueñito?” The disembodied voice of a girlchild ponders. “It means ‘little dream,’” responds an unseen authoritative figure, his feathery tenor with a soft rasp and tender lilt implying there’s more to the story.

Teal waves crash against the white sand coastal lines of the Dominican Republic and a quartet of children plead with the voice to illuminate and tell a story. Usnavi de la Vega (played by Anthony Ramos), sporting his signature newsboy flat cap and full goatee, begins to narrate and weave a tall-tale from the comforts of his beachside food cart: “This is the story of a block that was disappearing. Once upon a time in a faraway land called Nueva York, en barrio called Washington Heights. Say it, so it doesn’t disappear,” he decrees.

And we’re off, this distant magic kingdom ensnared within the winding urban sprawl of farthest-uptown Manhattan, the music of the neighborhood chiming with infinite possibilities: a door-latch fastening on tempo, a ring of keys sprinkling a sweet embellishment, the splish-splash of a garden hose licking the city streets like a drumstick to a snare fill, a manhole cover rotating like vinyl on a get-down turntable, the hiss of paint cans spraying graffiti like venoms from cobras and roll-up steel doors rumbling, not unlike the ultra-fast subway cars zigzagging underground. So begins the opening moments of In the Heights, the Warner Bros. stage-to-screen adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical by composer-lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) and librettist Quiara Alegría Hudes (Water by the Spoonful) that is set to premiere in movie theatres and on HBO Max on June 11, 2021.

This stunning patchwork of visuals and reverberations combine to create a defiant and instantly memorable collage of inner-city living not seen since Walter Hill’s 1979 cult classic The Warriors or West Side Story, the iconic romantic musical tragedy directed on film by Robert Wise and original Broadway director Jerome Robbins. With Jon M. Chu at the helm, the musical feature has all the trademarks of the director’s opulent signature style: Striking spectacles full of stark colors, va-va-voom visuals, ooh-la-la hyperkinetic showstopping sequences and out-of-this-world destination locations.

WANT TO SEE MORE STORIES LIKE THIS?

SUBSCRIBE NOW

A Kind of Priestess

Joining the fray of proscenium stage vets in the film is Broadway star Daphne Rubin-Vega, who originated the role of Mimi in the Off-Broadway and Broadway original productions of Rent. She returns to major motion pictures after a decade since her last outing in Nancy Savoca’s Union Square, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011. When we caught up with Rubin-Vega, she was hard at work, in-between rehearsals with her In the Heights co-star Jimmy Smits on Two Sisters and a Piano, the 1999 play by Miami-based playwright Nilo Cruz, a frequent collaborator. Rubin-Vega netted a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role as the enraptured Conchita in Cruz’s Anna in the Tropics; that same year Cruz was awarded the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, making him the first Latino playwright to receive the honor. Despite significant global, social and economic disruption, especially within the arts community, Rubin-Vega has been working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People around me have [contracted] COVID… My father-in-law just had it. I’m very fortunate,” Rubin-Vega said. “This collective experience, it’s funny because it’s a year now and things seem better. Last year it was, like, ‘Damn, how inconvenient!’ The one comfort was that, you know, it’s happening to every one of us. That clarity that this is a collective experience is much more humbling and tolerable to me.”

The last time Rubin-Vega graced Washington Heights on screen or stage, she acted in the interest of survival and hunger as a probationer released after a 13-year stint in prison and given a new lease on life as an unlicensed amateur masseuse in the basement of an empanada shop in Empanada Loca, The Spalding Gray-style Grand Guignol horror play by Aaron Mark at the LAByrinth Theater Company in 2015. In In the Heights she plays Daniela, an outrageously vivacious belting beautician with a flair for the dramatics, forced to battle a price-gouging real estate bubble in the wake of gentrification.

“She’s like the deputy or the priestess,” Rubin-Vega said. “Owning a salon means that you have a lot of information; you’re in a hub of community, of information, of sharing… it’s also where you go for physical grooming. It’s a place where women were empowered to create their own work and it is a place of closeness, spiritual advice, not-so-spiritual advice. Physical attention.”

She said, “Daniela also being an elder; I think she’s not so much a person that imposes order on other people. She’s there to bring out the best—she leads with love. She tells it like it is. I don’t think she sugar-coats things. What you see is what you get with Daniela. It’s refreshing; she has a candor and sure-footedness that I admire.”

With the film adaptation, Chu and Hudes promised to expand the universe of the Upper Manhattan-based musical, crafting new dimensions and nuances to two characters in particular: Daniela and hairdresser Carla, originally portrayed as business associates and gossip buddies in the stage musical. On the big screen they are reimagined as romantic life partners. Stephanie Beatriz, known to audiences for her hilarious turn as the mysterious and aloof Detective Rosa Diaz in the police procedural sitcom romp “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” co-stars as the fast-talking firecracker, Carla.

It’s been a year waiting, you know. It’s like the lid’s been on it and so we’re just so ready to explode.

Where Is Home?

“Well, Quiara and Jon really expanded on what Lin and Quiara originally created and now they’re partners—and not just work partners, right? But they’re life partners,” Beatriz said at a March press event celebrating the release of the film’s two promo trailers. “What was so gratifying to me as a person who is queer is to see this relationship in the film be part of the fabric of the community, and to be normal, and be happy and functioning, and part of the quilt they’ve all created.”

She continued, “So much of this film is about where home is and who home is to you. And for Carla, Daniela is home. Wherever Daniela is, that’s where Carla feels at home. I thought that they did such a beautiful job of guiding us to this, really, you know, it’s just a happy functioning relationship that happens to be gay and in the movie. And I love that they did that, because it is such a part of our world.”

Rubin-Vega said she had no interest in playing any trope of what one might think a lesbian Latina might look or act like, noting that the queer experience isn’t monolithic, while expressing that the role offered her a newfound freedom, especially with regard to being present in the role and in her everyday life.

“Spoiler alert! I felt like not wearing a bra was going to free me. Did I get it right? Am I saying that gay women don’t wear bras? No, it was just a way for me to be in my body and feel my breasts. To feel my femaleness and celebrate it in a more unapologetic way,” she said, laughing. “To be honest, I was really looking forward to playing a lesbian Latina. It’s something that I hadn’t really explored before. Latinos [can be] very homophobic as a culture, and I wanted to play someone who didn’t care about homophobia; I was gonna live my best life. That’s a bigger thing. It’s also like, maybe I’m bisexual. Who knows? Who cares? If you see that in the film, that’s cool too, you know?”

Stand-out performances abound, especially with regard to the supporting cast; newcomers Melissa Barrera (in a role originated by Tony Award winner Karen Olivo) and Gregory Diaz IV (replacing three-time Tony Award nominee Robin de Jesús) are noteworthy as the aspiring fashion designer Vanessa and budding activist Sonny. Olga Merediz, who earned a Tony Award nomination for originating her role as Abuela Claudia, returns to the silver screen in a captivating performance that will be a contender come award season. However, Rubin-Vega may just be the one to watch. Her performance is incandescent and full of moxie, designed to raise endorphin levels. She leads an ensemble in the rousing “Carnaval del Barrio,” a highlight in the film.

Musical Bootcamp

“We shot in June [2019]. In April, we started musical bootcamp. In May, we started to do the choreography. My big joke was that I would have to get a knee replacement in December; that was in direct relation to all that choreography. I mean, there were hundreds of A-1 dancers in the posse,” Rubin-Vega said. “The family consisted of hundreds of superlative dancers led by Chris[topher] Scott, with an amazing team of dancers like Ebony Williams, Emilio Dosal, Dana Wilson, Eddie Torres Jr. and Princess Serrano. We rehearsed a fair bit. Monday through Friday for maybe five weeks. The first day of rehearsal I met Melissa [Barrera] and Corey [Hawkins], I pretty much hadn’t known everyone yet. I hadn’t met Leslie [Grace] yet. Chris Scott, the choreographer, just went straight into ‘let’s see what you can do.’ It was the first [dance] routine of ‘In The Heights,’ the opening number. He was like, ‘OK, let’s go. Five, six, seven, eight!’”

Rubin-Vega said that she tried to bring her best game, though it had “been a minute” since she had to execute such intricate choreography, noting that they shot the opening number within a day while praising Chu’s work ethic and leadership.

“There was a balance between focus and fun and that’s rare. Everyone was there because they wanted to be there,” she said. “I think back to the day we shot ‘96,000.’ That day it wouldn’t stop raining; [it was] grey and then the sky would clear and we’d get into places and then it would be grey again and so we’d have to wait and just have to endure. But even the bad parts were kind of good, too. Even the hottest days. There were gunshots, there was a fire while we were shooting and we had to shut down, there was traffic and noise and yet every time I looked around me or went into video village and saw the faces in there, I mean…it felt like the only place to be. You want to feel like that in every place you are: The recognition. I could recognize people who look like me. For now on, you cannot say I’ve never seen a Panamanian on film before or a Columbian or a Mexican, you know?”

Another Notion of Beauty

Rubin-Vega’s professional relationship with the playwright Hudes extends to 2015, when she was tapped to [participate in the] workshop [production of]  Daphne’s Dive. Under the direction of Thomas Kail (Hamilton) and starring alongside Samira Wiley (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Orange Is the New Black”), the play premiered Off-Broadway at the Pershing Square Signature Center the following year. Rubin-Vega also starred in Miss You Like Hell, the cross-country road musical by Hudes and Erin McKeown, which premiered at La Jolla Playhouse in 2016 before it transferred to The Public Theater in 2018. With her participation in the production of In the Heights, she is among the few to have collaborated with all of the living Latinx playwrights to have won the Pulitzer Prize; Hudes won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play Water by the Spoonful, while Miranda took home the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Hamilton. Speaking on her multiple collaborations over the years, Rubin-Vega also acknowledged having known Miranda years before they would join voices.

“Lin to me is like a little bro or legacy; he’s a direct descent to me from [Rent author] Jonathan Larson, which is a bigger sort of all-encompassing arch,” she said, though she stressed that she auditioned like everyone else, landing the role after two or three callbacks. “Quiara and I have a wonderful working and personal relationship, I think. Which isn’t to say I had dibs by any means because…it’s a business that wants the best for itself, I suppose. […] So, when I walked in, I was determined to really give it my best.”

Life During and After Rent

Rubin-Vega has built an impressive resume over the course of her career, singing along with the likes of rock stars like David Bowie and starring in a multitude of divergent roles on Broadway and off. From a harrowing Fantine in Les Misérables and a co-dependent Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire to a sinister Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show, her evolution into the atypical character actor and leading lady can be traced back 25 years to January 25, 1996, when Larson’s groundbreaking musical Rent, a retelling of Giacomo Puccini’s 19th-century opera La Bohème, premiered at the New York Theatre Workshop. On the morning of the first preview, Larson suffered an aortic dissection, likely from undiagnosed Marfan’s syndrome and died at the age of 35, just ten days shy of what would have been his 36th birthday.

On April 29, 1996, due to overwhelming popularity, Rent transferred to Nederlander Theatre on Broadway, tackling contemporary topics the Great White Way had rarely seen, such as poverty and class warfare during the AIDS epidemic in New York City’s gritty East Village at the turn of the millennium. Rubin-Vega would go on to be nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her role as sex kitten Mimi Márquez, an HIV-positive heroin addict and erotic dancer.

  The show became a cultural phenomenon, receiving several awards including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and four Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Rubin-Vega and members of the original Broadway cast were suddenly overnight sensations, recording “Seasons of Love” alongside music icon Stevie Wonder, receiving a photo shoot with Vanity Fair and landing the May 13, 1996 cover of Newsweek. Throughout its 12-year Broadway run, many of the show’s original cast members and subsequent replacements would go on to be stars, including Renée Elise Goldsberry, who followed in Rubin-Vega’s footsteps to play the popular character before originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton, for which she won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

When the screen adaptation of Rent hit cinemas in 2005 under the direction of Chris Columbus, Rubin-Vega’s conspicuous absence came as a blow to longtime fans. The confluence of pregnancy with the casting and filming process of Rent hindered her from participating at the time. The role was subsequently given to movie star Rosario Dawson.

“First of all, if you’re meant to be in a film, you’re meant to be in it,” Rubin-Vega said. “That’s just the way it goes. It took a quarter of a century but this [In the Heights] is a film that I wanted to make, that I felt the elements sat right. I always felt that Rent was a little bit darker than all that. Rent to me is Rated R. In The Heights is not. It’s also a testament. Unless it’s sucking your soul and killing you softly or hardly, just stick with it. This is a business and I keep forgetting it’s a business because actors just want to show art. So, it’s really wonderful when you get a chance to say what you mean and mean what you say with your work. It’s a really wonderful gift.”

Rarely-Explored Themes

Like Larson’s award-winning show and the film adapted from it, In The Heights is jam-packed with hard-hitting subject matter, addressing themes of urban blight, immigration, gentrification, cultural identity, assimilation and U.S. political history. When Rubin-Vega’s character Daniela and her partner were priced out of the rent for her salon, most of her clientele moved to the Grand Concourse Historic District in the Bronx. Her salon, a bastion of the community, is met with a polar response when she announces she’s joining the mass exodus with the other victims of gentrification who were pushed out by rising rents. The news is met with negative response from long-time patrons who refuse to take the short commute to the new location. Daniela counters, “Our people survived slave ships, we survived Taino [indigenous Caribbean people] genocide, we survived conquistadores and dictators…you’re telling me we can’t survive the D train to Grand Concourse?”

The question is humorous, but also insinuates a more nuanced understanding of the AfroLatinidad experience in the Western world. The film also looks at the American Dream with a naturalistic approach. Leslie Grace, who plays Nina Rosario, a first-generation college student returning from her freshman year at Stanford University and grappling with finances and the expectations of her community, noted that while her character “finds [herself] at some point at a fork in the road,” she may not have the luxury to be indecisive because of the pressures put on by family, community and country.  

“The struggle of the first-generation Americans in the Latino community is not talked about a lot because it’s almost like a privilege,” Grace asserted. “You feel like it’s a privilege to talk about it. But there is a lot of identity crisis that comes with it and I think we explore that.” Speaking on the character, she elaborated: “Home for her is where her heart is, but also where her purpose is. So, she finds her purpose in doing something outside of herself, greater than herself and going back to Stanford for the people she loves in her community. I really relate to where she’s at, trying to find herself. And I think a lot of other people will, too.”

Worth Singing About

For Miranda, a first-generation Puerto Rican New Yorker that grew up in Inwood at the northernmost tip of Manhattan before attending Wesleyan University where he would develop the musical, this speaks to a larger issue of what defines a home.

“What does ‘home’ even mean? Every character is sort of answering it in a different way,” he said. “For some people, home is somewhere else. For some people, home is like ‘the block’ they’re on. So, that’s worth singing about. It’s worth celebrating in a movie of this size.”

Given the current zeitgeist, it’s no wonder why Chu, Hudes and Miranda decided to pivot with adapting the stage musical for the big screen, leaning in to tackle the plights and predicaments of DREAMers [children of undocumented immigrants seeking citizenship] stateside. In one scene, glimpses of posters at a protest rally read “Immigrant Rights are Human Rights” and “Refugees Are People Too.” Growing up in a multicultural household as a Latina with a Black Latina mother, a white father and a Jewish American stepfather, Rubin-Vega said she was used to being in spaces that were truly multiracial. Nevertheless, there were times when she often felt alien, especially as a du jour rock musical ingenue who looked as she did in the mid-1990s through the 2000s.

“Undocumented people come in different shapes and colors,” she noted. “To be born in a land that doesn’t recognize you, it’s a thing that holds so much horror… so much disgrace happens on the planet because human beings aren’t recognized as such sometimes.”

The film “definitely sheds light on that, but it also talks about having your dream taken away and its human violation—it’s a physical, spiritual, social, cultural violation,” Rubin-Vega said. “There’s a difference between pursuing dreams and being aware of reality. They’re not mutually exclusive. What this film does, it presents a story that is fairly grounded in reality. It’s a musical, it’s over the top… but it reflects a bigger reality, which is like an emotional reality…that people that are challenged on the daily, have incredible resolve, incredible resoluteness and lifeforce.”

She said: “Growing up, looking like me, I got to ingest the same information as everyone else except when it came time to implement my contributions, they weren’t as welcomed or as seen. The dream is to be seen and to be recognized. Maybe I could be an astronaut or an ingenue on Broadway? You can’t achieve stuff that you haven’t imagined. When it talks about DREAMers, it talks about that and it talks about how to not be passive in a culture that would have you think you are passive but to be that change and to dare to be that change.”

Dreams Come True

Dreams are coming true. Alongside the nationwide release of the much-anticipated film, Random House announced it will publish In the Heights: Finding Home, which will give a behind-the-scenes look at the beginnings of Miranda’s 2008 breakout Broadway debut and journey to the soon-to-be-released film adaptation. The table book will chronicle the show’s 20-year voyage from page to stage—from Miranda’s first drawings at the age of 19 to lyric annotations by Miranda and essays written by Hudes to never-before-seen photos from productions around the world and the 2021 movie set. It will be released to the public on June 22, eleven days after the release of the film; an audiobook will be simultaneously released by Penguin Random House Audio.

Hinting at the year-long delay due to the pandemic, Rubin-Vega said, “It’s been a year waiting, you know. It’s like the lid’s been on it and so we’re just so ready to explode.”

Bigger Dreams

“Jon [Chu], I think, dreams bigger than any of us dare to dream in terms of the size and scope of this,” Miranda said. “We spent our summer [in 2018] on 175th Street. You know, he was committed to the authenticity of being in that neighborhood we [all] grew up in, that we love, but then also when it comes to production numbers, dreaming so big. I mean, this is a big movie musical!”

Miranda continued, “We’re so used to asking for less, just to ask to occupy space, you know? As Latinos, we’re, like, ‘Please just let us make our little movie.’ And Jon, every step of the way, said, like, ‘No, these guys have big dreams. We’re allowed to go that big!’ So, I’m just thrilled with what he did ’cause I think it’s bigger than any of us ever dreamed.”

Speaking at the online press conference, Miranda said, “I’m talking to you from Washington Heights right now! I love it here. The whole [movie] is a love letter to this neighborhood. I think it’s such an incredible neighborhood. It’s the first chapter in so many stories. It’s a Latinx neighborhood [today]. It was a Dominican neighborhood when I was growing up there in the ’80s. But before that it was an Irish neighborhood and Italian. It’s always the first chapter in so many American stories.”