#scout spotlight

[jacksonscouts]

Last week @paigegonerogue grabbed 4 badges on the first day! Let's get to know our fellow Scout!

How do you usually participate in the TLOU fandom? 

I’d say… unhealthily…No, but I love TLOU and I write fanfiction and I also do analysis of the show. I ramble about anything from dialogue to cinematography to emotional beats!

I post mostly positive and complimentary things on my tumblr and on my AO3, which as my readers can tell you is also very positive and uplifting😅😅

Happy Pride Month! How do you feel about the portrayal of queer stories in TLOU?

Happy pride month to you too! I really love it! I love how they present different types of love and relationships with so much care and tenderness, and let the people be real. But also Long, Long Time was so cruel of them to make because that broke me!

Do you like Jackson Scouts? 

I absolutely love it! I think it’s really awesome how you’re trying to bring some positivity and fun into a community that can be very negative! I think it’s super cool what you’ve been doing, and how you’ve given a lot of people a reason to share art and writing, and say things they liked about TLOU rather than the things they didn’t, which seems to have been a lot of what I’ve been seeing lately.

Who's your favorite TLOU character and why? 

I mean, that’s too hard man🤣😭 So, so many. I love them all. TLOU has so many great, depthful characters and—Ellie, it’s Ellie—to just choose one would be impossible!

Would you like to promote anything?

Oh heck yeah! I feel famous lol. First, I’d like to go promote my analysis posts about TLOU. They’re on my blog @paigegonerogue (same as my AO3) under the tag #PaigeGoneAnalysis (could that be cleaner? Yes. Am I gonna change it? Nope.) I’ve talked about cinematography, dialogue types, the infected scene, episode 8, and more! If you’re interested in reading multiple paragraphs about lighting, boy oh boy do I have the blog for you!

Next, I’ll promote my AO3! I write non-smut fanfic, currently with two ongoing projects going on, ‘Anatomy of a Broken Girl’, a series where Ellie and Joel meet at Silver Lake (super dark and angsty fic), and ‘AbelCode’, a story where Ellie and Joel meet working for a tech company (more upbeat) (mostly…)

I’d also like to thank all of my writer friends, who all do absolutely incredible work… and also myself because I WON. I GOT ALL THE BADGES FIRST I WON😎🔥🎸

[nguyenfinity]

happyele hates me specifically btw

[karrova]

been thinking so much about my childhood recently. I used to do so many things, I rode horses, and I did ballet, and I took art classes and theater classes and I'm still so dumbstruck and confused by how much of a 180 my life took and I cant figure out why I'm so afraid of so much now

[xitty]

Aaa I need it!

[rosiefairlands]

Thanks DENA for the early birthday gift.

[saturn-is-lazy]

I had to draw these two fuckers in their EX style colors- Colress’s EX style is growing on me after my initial disappointment for it is slowly fading away. I love Ghetsis EX style though, as soon as the event dropped I used all of my stamina to get enough of the champion spirits and EXed him lol

(You may tag it as ship if you want lol)

[Post created on 11/6/2022 / 6/11/2022]

[vaugarde]

dude this is legitimately difficult cause i still wanna stay semi faithful to the series and think like, what would be cool for the character to have first and what i'd personally like second, but ash's kanto team is honestly so lackluster as a full team that idk if i can salvage this. i wanna keep the overall experimental vibe but so many of these guys do jack shit and get no screentime that they're honestly better off being wiped and given a small story arc like haunter or something, or being decorations for oak's lab. like, there's a reason why most episodes around his kanto team, whether its in the arc itself or when there's a nostalgia bait episode, they only focus on the starters or butterfree cause they're the only ones who had an actual presence in the show.

honestly a funny bit would be ash catching pokemon and wanting to fight with them but he keeps catching pokemon who don't actually want to fight so they just get oak'd most of the time. so he spends most of kanto struggling to actually find pokemon who want to battle. but i don't want to add too many pokemon like that because what's the point if i give him a gloom and it just gets chucked at oak like the others.

[deathinfeathers]

//I need to set up a proper about for all my side characters

[donexmiras]

Think it's time for a Ridley icon update

[stateofsport211]

[Late Post, Scouting Report] Marrakech Q1: Reda Bennani [WC] def. Vit Kopriva [3] 7-6(4), 7-5 Match Recap + Stats

Reda Bennani in the ITF/CAT African Closed Junior U-18 2023 (📸 saved by Romain)

The first day in Marrakech (250) featured the two Moroccan rising wild cards. Walid Ahouda tries to navigate the main Tour, mostly in his native North African region tournaments (was ranked 73rd in the ITF junior rankings back in 2021), but he got defeated by Dimitar Kuzmanov 1-6, 2-6 earlier that day.

However, Reda Bennani (currently ranked 39 in the ITF junior rankings) shines in the spotlight in his qualifying match today. Facing the more experienced third seed Vit Kopriva, who was a semifinalist in Antalya Challenger several weeks ago, Bennani stormed his way through in spite of some drama in the second set, specifically how Bennani came from 4-0 down there to finally win the whole match.

Here was how everything unfolded. It would be a long read, but this could be a good preparation heading to the second qualifying round (and probably + hopefully, onwards).

Match Recap

Reda Bennani's point at *0-0 15-15 to 15-30, 1st set (📸 Marrakech qualification feed)

One noticeable trait from Bennani is his powerful forehand, which paved the way before his volley enabled him to lead *0-0 15-30 on Kopriva's serve. Subsequently, he took the balls as early as possible, starting agile before he broke to 1-0, then held his service game to 2-0. In the fifth game, Bennani unleashed a forehand return ace to equalize the point (to deuce), confirming the effects of his strong forehand if executed right, but Kopriva ended up holding that game to 2-3.

However, Kopriva found a way to break back to 3-3 after Bennani's shot went wide to level the game. Several games later, Bennani broke to 5-4 because of Kopriva's erratic service game, hence the former had the opportunity to serve for the first set. Unfortunately, tightening up led to him being broken instead (to 5-5), even if he previously saved the break points he faced, having set points midway as well.

Two games later, both Kopriva and Bennani held, and the tie-breaker happened. During the tie-break, it appeared that Kopriva could have been overpowered, hence his notable errors. One resulted in Bennani's 3 set points, and one was saved because of Kopriva's volley. The save was rather insufficient since Bennani ended up taking the first set 7-6(4) out of Kopriva's forehand error. By then, second serves still became the most vulnerable aspect for Kopriva, as he won 30% of his points from there in comparison to Bennani's 70% rate, giving the latter's returns more damage.

Reda Bennani's match point at 6-5* 30-40 to 7-5, 2nd set (🎥 Marrakech qualification feed)

The second set could have been a momentum-shifting moment for Kopriva, but Bennani dug deep to finally prevail in this match. From how it flowed, Kopriva could have pulled a demolition in this set (theoretically), which did not happen in practice.

Bennani started by having to face 3 break points before he blew away a forehand response, hence Kopriva could break 1-0. Kopriva then held his next service game right after a backhand pass that led to Bennani's error. Two games later, Kopriva was ahead a double break, then held to 4-0 before Bennani started to turn the tables.

The turntables started at the early points of 4-0* since Bennani held his serve in the fifth game (4-1). The path opened even further as he scored a forehand pass to 4-1* 15-30 before he broke to 4-2 several points later. Another service hold preceded another break-back at the expense of Kopriva's forehand error, creating the equalizer to 4-4. Kopriva somehow pressed back, which paid off with Bennani's backhand error for the former's chance to serve for the second set (5-4).

This set was indeed a rollercoaster since things happened in the tenth game. Bennani's forehand passing shot did its damage again, pressing Kopriva even further since he should have served for the set. One let-cord moment saved the 2 break points Bennani made (to deuce), but it was not enough as Kopriva got broken anyway to 5-5. Looking at the course of the rallies by then, Bennani's rally tolerance could overwhelm Kopriva at times, which boiled down to the final shots. Even though Kopriva had a decent forehand pass to minimize the gap to 5-5* 30-40, Bennani still managed to hold 6-5.

The tie-breaker almost happened in the second set, but it did not, because Bennani broke for the match (7-5). There was a fear about whether or not Kopriva would crumble, considering he had a lot of fumbled moments throughout the second set. That fear got its answer when Bennani unleashed a successful forehand passing shot to secure his match point before it eventually got converted because of Kopriva's backhand error in a backhand-to-backhand exchange.

Statistics Recap

Match statistics by the end of the match (📸 Marrakech qualification feed)

Considering how the match flowed, Bennani was the better player. Service game-wise, this could be taken as both players having their own strengths in the service game. Bennani looked more stable, relying on his second serves since he won 63% of his points from there than Kopriva's (just) 34%. The 4 double faults from Kopriva did not help either way, while there could be some work to do on Bennani's first serves when facing more difficult oppositions later on, which could be built along the way.

Despite both players having a 50% break-point conversion rate, indicating both tried to drive the other off-balance, Bennani had a decent point construction in this match since the start. His agile cross-court approach often overwhelms Kopriva in addition to his powerful shots, hence the overpowering contest that occurred in the critical points. Furthermore, Bennani was seen as more intuitive with his strokes under pressure, with the forehand winner match point before Kopriva's backhand error as a cherry on top.

In the first timeslot tomorrow, Bennani will face Andrea Vavassori, who advanced to last week's Sanremo Challenger quarterfinal (l. Juan Pablo Varillas). This would be a good test not only for his power game but also for some other aspects (notably the net game, which A. Vavassori also had an advantage of when he is on). Should be an exciting match to follow, so it is highly recommended to tune in/follow!

[jacksonscouts]

Gather round, Scouts!

@ketchupchipsaregross won this week's Scout Spotlight by getting all Week 2 Badges! Feel free to greet our fellow Scout in the comments!

How do you usually participate in the TLOU fandom?

I usually read/write fics! this is my first time actually getting into the fandom beyond ao3, and i’ve been enjoying it so far

Happy Pride Month! How do you feel about the portrayal of queer stories in TLOU?

love queer portrayal in tlou, i think seeing queer people get to take an active role in the storyline, rather than just as throw aways, is so important for representation. Seeing yourself portrayed on screen is just one part of stepping away from that feeling of isolation.

What, dear Scout, is the meaning of life?

I think there are two meanings to life: the first is kindness, we would have nothing without it and it takes so little to be kind. humans are a lot like chickens, we get sad when we’re isolated and kindness connects us all. At the end of the day we’re probably only gonna get one life, spending it without kindness or connection sounds pretty bleak. the second thing is those little moments of happiness. the feeling of warm sun on your cheeks, that first rain after winter that washes away all the grit and leaves everything green, those tiny things that seem so meaningless. i think to live a life full of tiny, happy moments is to live a good one.

Who's your favorite TLOU character and why?

Ellie for sure, i see a lot of myself in her and i think 14 year old me would’ve related to her a lot (i was also not girly, very into outer space, and obsessed with puns)

Would you like to promote anything?

not fandom related but i highly recommend The Book Thief, i read it when i was 14 and it’s still one of my favorites. The writing style is really interesting and i love the plot. Also, June is Indigenous History Month (at least in Canada) and I want to promote “Mary John: Stoney Creek Woman” which is the biography of an Indigenous woman living in BC. I learned a lot from it, and i think her experience is applicable to many Indigenous people, not just those on Turtle Island. And local bookstores, libraries, community hubs! they’re so important for day to day life and a lot of them have been seeing less action, so go check your local ones out.

Check out @ketchupchipsaregross's Ao3 here!!

[ozzgin]

You know, some hotels actually have a “menu” that you can buy pillows, blankets, etc. to be shipped home. So you know what that means 😉

This hotel monster fucking talk now has me thinking of another off shoot idea. A human adoption agency…😗

Need a human for emotional support, disability service support, or sexual support? Adopt one today! 🥰

-👘

P.S. Been a while since I’ve dropped by. I hope you’re doing well in life, Ozzgin!

I have reached a point where, after a particularly deranged post, I'll find myself wondering if you're going to come up with something in response. 😭 No pressure or anything, just found it funny. And I'm doing well! Hope the same goes for you, anon.

Imagine showing up for a photo shoot, thinking it must be for some fashion magazine or online ad. The agent on the street who hurried you inside barely gave you any details, but promised it’s nothing shady. You were much too flattered to be scouted like that, and much too eager to see the promised payment to consider the logistics of it.

You didn’t expect, however, to appear in a shopping catalog for monsters as some sort of household pet to be permanently adopted.

The adoption agency, similarly, didn’t expect the ridiculous demand for you. Phone calls, emails, monsters showing up at their office, all demanding to purchase you.

They have to go for a bidding system, shoving you onto a stage, into the blinding spotlight. You can only stand, fidget, and observe helplessly. One tentacle is raised, and a price is stated. Another clawed hand outbids it.

Who will be your monster at the end of the night?

[sea-of-dust]

You gotta be kidding...

5wirl x GN! Reader

Summary: They make a reference to something personal between you two while performing live. Almost putting a spotlight on you.

Notes: Modern AU, mention of irl video game and band: Remmber Sports (they're good recommend Tiny Planets),

Warnings: suggestive humor, swearing, never expect proof reading

He met you before he was an idol. High school to be exact. You two were in the same music class bonding over how much you dreaded your music teacher. "He sounds like a divorced mom.." "isn't he married?" "Exactly" you flop onto your desk

You two have been in almost every class together years afterward, just so you didn't have to work with a stranger for group projects. People would would find you two around school alot and walking home together. "And they were roommates," one of your classmates giggle as you two casually hold hands while speaking to eatchother, in reality, you both didn't notice

He was always so calm but also somehow could smell your problems?!? "Ughhhh" "Lemme guess they chewed gum loudly again?" You spring up placing your head back down. "Stop knowing based off my grunts!" "And you're mad at me for not noticing something earlier" "HA!-" "nm it's because I didn't let you sleep in" "...I genuinely despise you"

He started catching feelings midway through your first semester of the new school year. You did notice he sometimes hugged you tighter, looked at you a little longer, he even got small trinkets for you, noticing how fond he looked when you casually wore them.

It was by the end of the year he had told you he got a scouted as an idol, it took alot for him to tell you but it worked thank god you didn't ditch him like he thought.

"So uh..." "?" "I got scouted" your eyes widen, he thought all his fears came to life before you hugged him tightly and squealed. "I TOLD YOU YOU HAD A NICE VOICE!!" "You didn't have to yell" "Shut up you cry over stuff like this!" Now you were the one that oddly knew things about him...you were right...he did cry...alot like the whole group knew the next day.

The group try to hype him up into asking you out. "DUDEEEE COME ON THEYRE NOT GOING ANYWHERE" "I can ask to hangout" he mutters holding his phone in his hand "COME ONNN" venti and heizou sync up kazuha speaking up "ask them to go for dinner" his cheeks turn pink almost instantly "UH MAYBE NOT COME ON- WHAT IF-" "and sent" "WHEN DID YOU TAKE MY PHONE?!" "You'll live" Xiao rolls his eyes as aether bickers with him, his phone noti goes off. "Sure what time?" There's a silence in the room as Xiao gives him the phone. "At 4?" "bet ☆" you and those star emojis how are you like this. "ITS A DATE!!" "YEAAAAAAA" they sounded like a frat house.

He gets all giddy on that date and when you two finally go on one you finally hit the maybe were dating phase but you both don't wanna admit it to eatchother. So the rest of 5wirl planned something for you two. "Alr we know he likes them nowww...." "we...." "Why don't we perform for them" "on their friend ani?" "How do you know that..." they turn to heizou "because he saved it on his calander" "..." and so they planned out your ani for you two.

And so their evil plans acted out perfectly, you two went out on another date and later that day you dropped him off at the concert. What you didn't expect was heizou dragging you to a seat. "Stay right here and don't move alright" you watched them get on stage aether seeming to be looking for you, they get to performing when one of the lyrics hit you. "Hey why don't you meet me at four?" An almost slured pronunciation followed by aether finally finding you. His eyes so tender yet teasing. You felt your heart skip a beat a small wink only making you more bashful.

To think the performance would end there nope. As you tried to get off your seat aether greets you with a cheeky smile a small ring in his hand. You turn around quickly. "I guess I flustered you more than he ever will" he leans on you wrapping his arms casually around your waist while you continues to fluster you. "He was just a small crush..." "enough to have you gush for 4 months about it" he laughs softly kissing you cheek. "When did you even gain this much confidence" "small words of advice" your mind immediately goes to Heizou. "Alrighty then..." without a warning you pull your face closer forcing him to slouch over you. "Did heizou tell you what to do incase of this situation aswell?" Thank god that concert hall was almost empty and the seat you were at made it almost impossible to see you two because the next thing you see and hear are a bunch of idiots going YEAAAAAAAAAAA. Aether x y/n shirts and a poster held up by Xiao. They ship it.

You made cute accessories! He's seen your work on social media and reached out. "You're accessories are so cute do you have a store?" "Nah I only sell locally near my college" turns out you both went to the same college he's never did a double check so fast in his life. As soon as he saw you he cupped one of your hands, his eyes sparkling in pure joy. "GIMMIE EVERYTHING IN STOCK!" "HUH?!"

Number one fan he's following you around. He'd be your personal advertisement always wearing your stuff and flexing it to others. He WILL be the most annoying person on campus

When you tell him to stop he just kinda tilts his head until he realizes what your saying as if he finally loaded. "Oh! Alright!" That's when you make an almost massive mistake "I did enjoy your support tho but youre-" "SO YOU LIKE HAVING A FAN?!" And so began the simping. He's all over you. Every class your with him? He's leaning into you, whispering random stuff in your ear. Your eyebags got darker everytime he did this but he was more chill than your online fans.

The days you also leaned into him are the days you've never seen someone more flustered. "Hm?" You lift up your head watching him cover his face quickly. "Venti?" He turns away from you even more. "Don't look at me! Where did you even learn that-" "I mean you do that to me all the time" "don't say it outloud-" "did you just whimper?" He stops suddenly using is braids to cover his face as he mumbles to himself. You bring that up to traumatize him

He had to get used to you showing affection, you weren't even dating yet! Come on, don't do this! Even a small smile he'd tease you for it but he'd definitely scream into his pillow about it.

He only asked you out when you made your feeling for him known. A small note under his door telling asking him to meet up at an amusement park later that weekend was where it clicked he looked and sounded like a little girl you could hear his "YEAAAAAAAA" from your room.

He's doing everything he's on a call with the others he just needs them to hear his my story animated from start to finish. "Can you not play that effen punk music main stream shit can barely hear you" "Shut the fuck up hot topic this is important!" "This is why you fucked up your eyeliner" "I DID?!?!" He checked in his mirror realizing he didn't and mostly argued with Xiao. "If they ditch you you deserve it" "quit being a downer! Good luck Venti!" They all mostly wave at the camera before hanging up leaving you and him alone for the evening

He loved it. He was like a child pointing at things he wanted. "Do you have the money?" He looks away pounting "not an actual question I'll play for it" his eyes widen almost sparkling. You two left flexing your carnival game knowledge and venti covered in plush prizes you won for him.

As payback for the newfound plush army, he invited you to a concert. "Oh so you did have money" "Shut up" "hehe" your teasingly small laugh is so cute stop doing that. What you didn't know is that he strapped some keychains you made on his belt, and he NEVER STOPPED WINKING, if you had to drink everytime he found you in the audience and winked you'd have five drinks...per song. It was cute seeing him smirk whenever you slightly blushed at him.

"Y/n!!" He smiles as you wait for him outside the concert hall. "Lets go to another amusement park!" He giggles embracing you "right now?" "Yea!" He nuzzles his face into your chest "sure..when you take off all of those keychains Jesus how much did you-" "200 bucks" "...VENTI" "THEYRE CUTE I KNOW YOU EYED THEM!" You blush slightly smirking "I did...they look adorable on you" you struck him right in the heart leaving both of you flustered. "The amusement parks a few blocks away" "LETS GO!" as if it never happened you both headed to the amusement park.

You beat him at a rhythm game he liked. You got first in a video game event he liked since then him he's declared you his rival. "Who the hell is this guy getting in the way of the number one spot" he grits his teeth checking your profile. "347 full combed songs...300 all perfects...and maxed out cards" he rolls his eyes

He wanted to let off some steam at an arcade only to find out he got beat in that game also! With the same name tag as the rythum game champ. He nearly smashes the machine when he notices you step up to it. "Shame, this games kinda better when I'm kicking someone's ass..." You sigh only now, noticing him, smirking at this chance you take it. "You mind playing this with me?" You perk up. Thinking this is a good way to let off steam, he accepts. "I won't go easy." "Alright!" You let him pick the song and almost immediately grab the handbar

Strange, he thinks he doesn't need it. As soon as the song starts, he hears your feet absolutely slam on the board. He's shocked but doesn't look over he's focused on his side of the screen. By the end, you huff heavily, looking up. "You won." You put your fist up for a fist bump. "Ah that songs so annoying~" he dosent give you one back putting in his names for national ranks. That's when he noticed that you put in the name the person on every rythum game had and as soon as you pressed confirm he nearly pounces on you. "SO YOURE THE ONE TAKING THE NUMBER 1 SPOTS EVERYWHERE!" "Yea what about it-" he looks at you angrily, calming down a bit before turning back to you. "I declare you my rival" "well...If you wanna we could rematch sometime gimmie your number?"

Ever since then you two have skeduled days to go to the arcade to whale on eatchother and going out to eat afterword. "I'm pretty sure you'd like it reminds me of your face ☆" you say as you point to a horrible cgi skeleton. "Screw you" "heh". You'd eventually open up to him more and invited him out to places more often. He didn't wanna say it outloud but he genuinely enjoyed those moments

One of the times you two went, you try to teach him gutair hero, he kinda mumbles to himself. "You can just play on your lap" "hmmhmm mhm em You can't be this msm hm" "what-" he realizes he said that outloud and covers his face nearly dropping the gutair. "I didn't hear that last part" he sighs in relief "but do you think im cute?" And so he's even more ashamed of himself. "Context clues" you scratch your cheek in a bit of embrassment "I think you're pretty cute too" you embarssingly laugh leaning away

you're pretty sure you could see his heart skip a beat as he looks up at you, his face nearly entirely pink. Peaking at you through his hand. You decide to tease your friend. "Seems like you wanna date me~" He moves back quickly, covering his mouth to hide his blushing. "I'm fine with that ya know~" you lean into him him still covering his face. He looks away looking back at you,his eyes softening "I'm fine with the thought of kissing you..well maybe a little more than fine but-" your words were cut off as you feel his lips touch yours. Quick yet soft, his hands wrapping around your shoulders. You lean back trying to catch your breath "...how long have you've been waiting to do that?" "...a few months now" "That's kinda adorable Xiao" you lean in for another kiss. You two recount that day as your first date

Ever since then he's more willing to hang out a little more clingy too. Whenever he had a show he would ask you if you were busy that day before sending you the ticket link. "Hey are you busy on the 14th?" "No why?" He'd send you the link without a secound thought "you know I'm not really into idols that much" "I'm in the group..." "...bought"

He actively looks for you in the audience. You would text him where you were sitting beforehand, yet he'd still look like a lost puppy. As soon as he finds you, his eyes sparkled. He forced himself to calm down before giving you a small wave

It was by the end of the show where he was performing the last song and you noticed something about their dance it kinda looked like what you would do on a song you knew well. It was then that you realized Xiao made a dance routine inspired by your sweaty gaming dance. You covered your face in embrassment but peaked through your hands. You couldn't believe he paid that much attention to you. He smirks noticing this

As the show ends, he runs over to you, "That was...a little embrassing" you blush a bit. "..." "dosent mean I didn't like it tho!" Trying not to offend him further you mumble on of how great the performance was. At first he's pretty stiff with his arms crossed you'd think he was annoyed till he kissed you again leaning in to hug you. "I'm glad you liked it" he whispers ever so softly in your ear.

He offen saw you working on projects for bands he likes and decided to commission you. He invited you to a studio and you both began to focus on what he commissioned you on. "I'm looking for something calm yet something someone would listen to in the morning to wake them up..." "hmmm" you play a calm chord progression on your gutair. "Speed up a bit" he taps his foot as if keeping pace as you speed up your playing. "That's pretty good! Sounds like a Remmber sports song" " YOU LISTEN TO THEM?" "Yea?" "Oh my god I thought you wouldn't catch that-" "they're a bit of a guilty pleasure"

You two always worked together after that whenever he would be lost in thought you'd just play hall of the mountain king behind him. He'd turn around slowly as your playing got more intense. "You think of something?" "..."

You pretty much became 5wirl's offical gutairst after kazuha recommended you. They'd make fun of him for how long you two stayed at the studio together. "Kazuha~, you left us sleeping in the shopping cart again!" Venti grins ear to ear "must really like that gutairst." Kazuha smiles."They're just a friend I find it easy to get along with" he thinks about what you two were talking about his eyes softening as if it were an old fond memory "and he's doing it again" heizou sighs jokingly

A few months of performing together, they treat you as family, almost apart of 5wirl. As soon as Kazuha ever left the room they'd turn to you in a heartbeat. "You sure you don't kiss when we're not looking?" "Eh?!" "Does kazuha usually get all mumbly around you" "he does but-" "I KNEW IT" "dose he show you his unironic leaf collection" they all lean in expectingly. "No wha-" You made sure kazuha was too far to hear what you were about to say "...OK so this one time..." they listened to you like their lives depended on it.

The day you told them about that is the day you regret the most, they always looked you and kazuha up and down. Snicker to themselves. "How much you wanna bet they might kiss today" "CAN YOU TWO CUT IT OUT" you let out a sigh walking into the recording studio to practice, a familiar humming following you in a few secounds later. You two sing together and when you finish he finally speaks up. "You know... this the song I was playing when I first realized I was into you" "heh really" you stop strumming, realizing what he said "wait what-" he laughs softly at your reaction placing a hand on your cheek. "That songs kinda special to me..." he holds your hand tenderly with his unbandaged hand. "Reminds me of how much I love you" your eyes widen a bit as he looks at you with the most soft eyes. "I love you too kazuha" you smile gently, letting him lean in to kiss you

All of them noticed you two were dating it was odvious, the way you two acted around eatchother gave litterally everything away. "You two give eatchother less personal space than before are you dating?" "What?" "And you smell like him-" "how do you know what he smells like" "so you're dating?!" "How did you come to that conclusion?!" You and venti would bicker trying to hide your relationship with kazuha after he forgot to tell you he already told them.

Finally a show came along a small gig surprising a popular idol group would show, but still nice. You looked at the music sheet for the song looked up at him, sighed, and looked back. He looked so pleased giving you a few riffs and you look down to see another reason to go to therapy.

What he didn't put on hell on paper was a very veryyy familiar cord progression. He played it himself and put it in post. Making another version so if you ever asked you wouldn't notice, and a few weeks later they went live

You watched them in the audience, hearing the song you helped on and felt your smile fade into a straight face as you heard your solo along with the memorable melody gutair. He saw this trying to avoid a giggle while performing, he's suffering from you brainrot the rest of the show, some fancams caught him getting kicked by heizou or Xiao.

"So how did you like the show~" "Xiao almost kicked you off the stage..." There's a silence. "He dosent kick hard enough for that...but at least you enjoyed it" he smiles, pinching your cheeks and rubing your face, you look away hearing him giggle at your behavior. "I'll make you a coffee-" "don't you dare make a reference" he smirks at you "hehe"

You were online friends usually playing main stream games or random stuff you found. Youd always play together though, never single player! He hates that

"Are you playing a single player game..." "no-" "LIAR ITS ON YOUR STATUS" "SHIT- I mean I have no idea what your talking about" "...atleast stream it" he always got all pouty when he couldn't play with you

He'd definitely randomly interrogate you because you found something out on someone you both knew. "IS IT ABOUT-" "shush shus shu stfu quiet" "oh come on dude what is she gonna hear you?" "We're in a public call" "oh...LMAO" "DUDE"

When you combine both these loves, his love for you playing a co-op detective game with you has become the best thing for him to ever experience. "Who will be first to solve this?" "We're supposed to work together heizou" "oh...oh 😏" "nevermind I'm gonna play hitman without you" his avatar suddenly turns to face you and emotes a shocked reaction "OH COME ON"

He started catching feelings for a while. Ever since you two got on a call for the first time, your voice kinda intransted him. "Your voice Is so nicee" muttering into the mic yet you heard him clearly. "Thank you?" "It really is" its like you can see him currently slumped over his desk just day dreaming about you.

Didn't stop your offline friend for teasing you about him too. "Ooo he's into you~" "nuh uh nope nope!" The tips of your ears turn a pink. "And you like him back might aswell seal the deal" "STOP IT!" Blushing heavily you slam your hand down. Unsurprisingly Heizous in a simular situation 4nemo teasing him over just how much he talks about you. "Ohhh they're so cool" "they smell nice" "stop mocking me" he huffs "then get with them" they say in sync "stop weirdly harmonizing" he sits down covering his currently pink face.

Didn't help when you two first saw eatchother. "What the hell you live so closeby" "I know right what's next you're at my favorite Cafe conveniently the next table over" you turn over your shoulder seeing someone smile at their phone turn back and type "you mentioned before you had moles under both eyes right?" The persons face dropping looking around."Yea?" Without typing back, you walk over sitting infrot of him. "Bro, someone's sitting at my table, hold on" you smile at him typing back "oh sorry lemme just leave then my mistake 😔" "WAIT HUH?!?!" his eyes widen as he grabs your wrist "y/n?" small tears forming in his eyes pulling you into a hug with desperation. "Heizou" he hugs you tighter when he hears his name come out your mouth. "You're as pretty as I thought you'd be..." patting his head as he nuzzles into your chest. "You wanna go back to mine after this" "Yes!" With sudden enthusiasm, you two talk about your irl lives while bullying his drink of choice. "Pumpkin spice.." "oh my god shut up my again" "it's nasty" "it's good to me!!" "Shut up mom with 2 kids living in a van"

He's been going to your house at least once a week now "we should play together" he overbites his lip "I barely charged my secound controller" you overbite your lip back at him "then let's just hang out then I got news bby" visibly cringing at that last bit you let him in with him near instantly showing you a picture of him being accepted into an idol group. "Ohh you're gonna have real fangirls now" "Shut up!" "I'm gonna lead them just to make fun of you" "you're the only fangirl I'd date" "..." You visibly cringe "OH COME ON" "HAHAHA"

And so you were invited to the hell known as a debut concert and dear god was it near impossible to not be as hype as the crowd. Especially catching the fancams with him winking at you. Anyone could tell he was super inlove with whoever he was winking at especially after the group stopped in between a song witch you were barely paying attention to until you heard "I hope you guys never have to play solo!" Could have swore you felt him glare at you "speaking of solo the next songs title is-" all you paid attention to yet you look like you just woke up from a really loud noise.

"Y/n! Did you see it! Did ya like my moves" he smiles at you like a happy little dog. "It was surprisingly great Heizou" "surprising huh?" He pouts as if saddened by that comment. "But the show was amazing Heizou I'd go again" that bright glow of a smile you had is something hell never let go of, without hesitation he holds your hand "marry me" "come again?" "I mean it we should date!" Accidental slip up. He's screwed, you're gonna reject him so blatantly he's never gonna bother you again. "Heizou...that's so sudden" your eyes meet warmly "but I've been thinking the same" kissing his cheek you walk off letting him process what just happened. "WAIT WAIT WAIT YOURE NOT DITCHING ME AFTER SAYING THAT" "MAYBE I AM!" You had to run home that day but it was worth it laughing at him trying to keep up.

[sweetbans29]

Injured - PB

Pairing: Paige Bueckers x Reader

Summary: You tear your ACL and Paige is there to care for you (based on THIS request)

Warnings: slightly angsty, fluff, Paige as caring GF, role switch when it comes to injury (mirrors timeline of Paige's actual injury)

Word Count: 2.1k

Sweetbans Masterlist

AN: I am still figuring out how to write for Paige but we are out here trying. Any and all feedback is always welcome!

You never imagined your life to be what it was. At no point growing up did you expect to play college ball or go to one of the best colleges for women's basketball. Basketball was always something you enjoyed and mostly played because your friends played. It wasn't until high school that key people in your life started encouraging you to take it more seriously.

The summer before going into freshman year of high school your middle school coach sat down with you and your parents and highly encouraged them to put you in basketball year-round. He saw something in you that no one else had seen up to this point.

Your parents asked you if you wanted to play year-round and you just shrugged.

You did. Your parents switched you to a high school with a better program. When you weren't dominating on the court in high school, you were dominating on another court - turning the eyes of a lot of coaches and brands.

Your first brand deal was with Gatorade. It was all thanks to your old middle school coach who had some connection within the company and told them they would regret not getting you early. You were only a sophomore when you signed with them.

Your current coach did an interview that explained who you were as a ball player when someone came out right after you closed the brand deal.

"Her mentality when it comes to the game is unmatched. She is a sophomore in high school and is ready to play in college - if you haven't seen her play, you must." Coach Rudd says. When asked about what specifically stands out about the young star compared to other up-and-coming players that colleges are scouting, his response was not what you would expect. "There is no doubt that her talent is seen when she is on the court. That is known. But what impresses me the most is how she brings her teammates into her thought process. She takes the IQ that she has for the game and is able to explain and teach that to her teammates." Coach Rudd says. "There are times I feel like she gives me a run for my money as head coach of this team." Rudd jokes. "The world needs to watch out for her - she may not enjoy standing in the spotlight but it will follow her wherever she goes. She is just getting started." Rudd finishes.

Even with the interviews and the brand deals that followed, it wasn't until colleges started reaching out and asking about your plans for college that it dawned on you to play after high school.

All of your teammates at the time thought it was comical how much you had your head in the sand when it came to how sought out you were. They would tease you endlessly about it, just shrugging them off and playing the game you love.

After becoming one of the most known high school ball players, you committed to UConn to play for Geno. The way he approached you about college ball was different than any other coach had. He understood your basketball mentality better than anyone else had up to this point.

It wasn't until you got to college that it really hit you how many people knew you. You walked into your first practice and the whole team started mumbling about you. Not much bugged you, but for some reason this did.

You feel someone come up beside you but you don't pay them much attention until they speak.

"Don't worry, they aren't saying anything bad - I heard them talking about the freshman superstar that's coming in and how she is going to change the Huskies game for the better. I thought they were talking about me, but then they said your name..." The girl says as she extends her hand to you. "I'm Paige," she says, and you shake her hand introducing yourself.

"Oh I know who you are ma, everyone here does," she says with a little laugh. You pull back a little embarrassed now.

"This is all new," you say trying to justify your body language. That was the truth - not many people talked about you in high school and you just kept your head down. But this was much different.

"Just stick with me, I got you," Paige says and you follow her over.

She was your saving grace freshman year. The more you got to know her - the more you realized you had in common with her. Her understanding of the game, her understanding of outsiders looking in, you both loving the sport and just wanting to play to the best of your ability.

It was toward the end of your freshman year that you admitted your feelings for Paige. You had spent the night at hers and woke up entangled with the blonde. You watched her sleep and decided you had waited long enough. When she woke up, you were already staring at her. As she looked into your eyes, you leaned in and kissed her without warning.

It caught her off-guard but she melted into you.

The two of you decided to keep your relationship as lowkey as possible, knowing that you don't like being in the limelight. You told the team a few weeks in and it came as no surprise to them. Most of the time, Paige took the lead which was nothing out of the ordinary.

Everything in your life had been pretty smooth. It all changed during an early-season game your sophomore year.

You were mid-transition when you pivoted and felt a snap in your knee, immediately falling to the ground. You were guarding a girl from the other team, and by the looks of anyone watching, it looked like she had faked you causing you to lose your footing and fall. It was only when you were on the ground holding your knee that everyone realized something had happened.

Initially, the play kept going. Both teams believed you were going to get up and continue to play. After the other team finished the play, the refs and your team noticed you were still on the ground.

You knew exactly what had happened the second you felt the pop but refused to believe it. After the initial pain, you tried to get up on your own while the play was still going but couldn't. Not that anyone would expect you to but yourself.

Paige was the first person to run over to you, kneeling by you and asking you what hurt. You were holding your knee, rolling around trying to find any sort of unpainful position which didn't come. Your hand kept hitting the ground in frustration.

Paige is yelling furiously at the bench for someone from the medical team to come over to you. No one was moving fast enough for Paige's liking.

She kneels by your side, grabbing the hand that keeps hitting the ground. She knew she could let anyone see how scared she was, but she was terrified. If there was anyone in the building who understood you better than yourself it was Paige.

"Someone is coming, babe. Someone is coming." Paige keeps muttering.

"Just get me up," you say - frustrated with the whole situation.

"Someone is coming." Paige repeats again.

"Get me up!" You yell indirectly at Paige. Paige doesn't want to move you without someone coming to help but Azzi reaches out her hand to help you up. Nika is behind you and hooks her arms under your arms.

"1, 2,3," Azzi counts and you let out a grunt as the two girls lift you up. You balance on one leg as Azzi puts one of your arms around her shoulders, Paige on the other side with Nika still behind you. The three girls help you to the bench - the medical team meeting you halfway.

You see Paige turn to them and yell something that you can't make out.

Paige doesn't want to leave your side but is grabbed by Geno when Azzie and Nika pass you off to go back to the locker room.

"We need you here," Geno says. "They will take care of her," he says as Paige looks down the hall where they had just taken you.

She heads back out on the floor and finishes the game.

You on the other hand were being looked at.

The game ended - it was a total upset. After you left the floor, Paige fouled out leaving the team down two of its best players. When the team made their way back to the locker room, you were lying on one of the tables with your leg elevated with ice. You have your arm covering your face as your mind races with a thousand different thoughts.

Girls from the team come and make their way to you but you don't say a word. Everyone but Paige tries to talk to you and you just give nods or little exhales.

Once the room cleared out - Paige walks up to you.

She puts a hand on your stomach and it is like she releases all the pent-up frustration you had been harboring since going down. You feel tears stream down the sides of your face as you bring your other arm up to stifle the cries that are coming whether you want them to or not.

"It's all so stupid." You say. Paige pulls up a chair and sits next to you.

You don't say anything for a few minutes.

"I'm stupid." You finally say.

"Don't say that ma, you aren't stupid," Paige says as her hands come up to remove your arms from your face.

Your arms fall and she begins to rub the one closest to you.

"This could have happened to anyone," she continues. "I know this sucks - it is the last thing you want to be dealing with right now but this isn't the end okay?"

Paige sits there knowing that if the roles were reversed, there is nothing that you could say to make her feel better about the situation. So she just sits there with you, holding your hand and rubbing your arm until you are cleared to go home.

Paige takes you home that night You don't say much but you are incredibly thankful your girl is there.

She helps you into bed and runs out to get you all the necessities. Your phone is turned off, not wanting to hear what anyone has to say about what happened.

When Paige walks back in, she hands you some meds and water.

"I let your parents know how you are doing," she says in the softest voice. You don't look at her, knowing if you do, tears will begin to fall.

She comes and lays next to you, opening her side up for you to cuddle into. She makes sure your leg is positioned well before you finally feel her settle and exhale.

After a few minutes, you speak.

"It's funny how I wasn't even thinking about college basketball until someone mentioned it to me. I never would have imagined playing past high school. I mean I have always loved the sport and knew I would always play but coming here and playing at this level has been amazing. It opened my eyes to the potential of more. The potential of a championship. The potential of multiple championships. The potential of the W. The potential of coaching someday. If there is anything that this injury has shown me it's that I'm not finished." You say.

"I am going to do what I need to do to come back better than I left the court. Not only physically but mentally. The world has no idea the drive that is burning inside me." You finish.

Paige can feel your breath pick up as you talk - only backing up what you are saying. She kisses the top of your head with a smile.

"I have no doubts that you will come back better." She says as she intertwines her fingers with hers. "But for now, I need you to rest, ma."

You nod.

"Rest is good." You say with a yawn. "But tomorrow we start."

"How about we give you a week or two, then we can talk about it," Paige says knowing you are going to be a challenging girl to care for. "We will have plenty of time to get you where you want to be, but before then we gotta get you fixed up." She is rubbing your thigh.

"We will see about that," you say and nestle into your girl.

Right as you are about to fall asleep, you let out a deep sigh.

"Thank you, P," you say. "Thank you for knowing me and loving me for me." You say knowing you can be a lot.

"I can't imagine my life with anyone else," Paige says, voice laced with sleep.

"Good," you say. "Because you are stuck with me."

AN: First Paige request in the books. Hope you all enjoyed it! Please let me know what you think! And as always, thank you for your love and support 💙

[lou-struck]

"Sit Down"

Wakatoshi Ushijima x reader

~Wakatoshi finally gets a chance to play spectator on a date with you at a Professional Women’s Volleyball game, but when he goes to get snacks your once perfect view becomes obstructed.

WC: 1.8k

a/n: I hope reading this brings you joy. Joy was an emotion I was not feeling when being ‘inspired’ to write this.

The lights of the stadium are blinding as a spotlight shines down on the starting lineup for today's match. 

It has taken far too long for Women's Professional Volleyball to gain traction, but now that it has. Wakatoshi Ushijima takes it upon himself to go to games to support not just the hardworking athletes who have put forth thousands upon thousands of hours towards their craft, but to the sport of volleyball itself.

It's been too long since the Olympian has gotten the chance to sit back and watch a game without scouting out his opponent's moves. And the fact that you are right next to him, excitedly spectating, makes everything so much better.

Your eyes are sparkling in wonder as you watch these women play with everything they have. "Wow, did you see that?" You exclaim, clapping excitedly as one of the players sprawls herself over her team's aluminum bench to save the ball. Your cheers get lost in the crowd as you enjoy the stadium's electric atmosphere. 

"That was impressive." he hums in approval as the rest of the point unfolds in a tense rally. You can't help but smile and cheer along with the rest of the stadium as your home team takes the first set. 

With both teams off the court, people begin to get up to use the bathroom or stretch their legs. The happy little giggling behind you captures your attention, and you see an adorable little boy hoisted on his mother's muscular shoulders. His little hands are clutching a huge, soft pretzel that is larger than his head. Cuteness aside, that ginormous pretzel makes your stomach rumble enviously. 

Your gaze is transfixed on the snack as Wakatoshi's soft chuckling rumbles behind you. 

"Would you like one?" 

"No, I don't need one." you sigh, glancing back at the court where the teams are still huddled up strategizing their respective game plans. Climbing the stairs, heading to the concession stands, and waiting in line would take too much time. "I don't want to miss any of the game."

"I didn't ask if you needed one." he states simply, "I asked if you would like one. I would get it for you so you wouldn't miss the game."

"But you would miss it." 

"It's no bother." His large hand lightly touches yours on the armrest as he speaks. "You want something to eat, and I want to get it for you. It won't take long."

His care for you, along with the knowledge that you will soon be getting a soft pretzel, brings a smile to your face. "Alright then, I would love a Pretzel, thank you."

"You're very welcome, y/n," he says, the corner of his lips turned upwards in a satisfied smile before he leans over to kiss the crown of your head. "I'll be right back." His massive frame popping up from the stadium seat. The people in your row politely stand to allow the athlete to pass them by to reach the steps as he disappears. 

A few minutes later, the second set begins. As your team scores the first point of the match, you hear everyone cheering, but you and the people next to you have no idea what is going on since a small group of young men are standing up in the front row, obstructing the view of everyone behind them. 

At first, you think it's unintentional. After all, these guys are in the very front row; there is nothing in front of them that would lead them to stand up for a better view. Wakatoshi's seats may be great, but these guys are in the best seats in the whole stadium. But after a minute of not being able to see anything that is going on on the court, you realize that they don't care that the people behind them can see. They may be in the best seats in the house, but they have collectively decided not to actually use them for their intended purpose.

One guy is wearing a bright red foam cowboy hat for some reason, which is strange because none of the teams playing today have a mascot remotely close to a cowboy…He is double-fisting aluminum bottles of beer, which must've cost a pretty penny, thanks to these stadium prices.

After noticing the way his friends take a few nervous glances back at the crowd that is growing in irritation, you realize that he is the ringleader of this little group. 

If he doesn't sit down, his friends won't either.

Other people are glancing at them and whispering amongst themselves but are not willing to actually say anything to these guys. You don't blame them; anxiety is no joke,

'Do they realize people are behind them?'

'Mom, I can't see anything.'

'Literally the standing section is right over there.'

Upon hearing that last little mutter, you turn your attention to the designated standing zone of the stadium. Here, the space between rows of seats is larger, and everyone, no matter how tall, is able to stand and cheer.

These guys would fit in perfectly there, especially since there are so many open seats in that section. 

No one else is going to say anything. Gathering your courage, you take it upon yourself to ask the group to sit down. Gently, you lean forward and tap the unnaturally sweaty biceps of Cowboy Hat Guy. 

He turns and looks at you with a carefree smirk.

"Hey," you start trying to sound friendly. "Could you guys sit down? The people behind you are having trouble seeing the game."

He laughs in your face, sending a pungent aroma of beer and Takoyaki up your nostrils. 

"Nah, It's all part of the vibes,bro," His friends laugh along with him as he starts to turn around towards the game no one else gets to watch, "if you don't like it, you can just go look at the screen." 

They gesture with their head to the monitor on the side of the stadium wall, away from all the action. Why would you wanna watch the screen of something when there is a live match going on in front of you.

You smile again, this time gritting your teeth in frustration. "Come on guys, there's a lot of people who can't see. You guys have some of the best seats in the house, but if you want to stand, the standing section is right over there."

If they hear you, they don't act like it. Continuing to laugh and joke around with each other. Downing their aluminum beer bottles of Budweiser like there's no tomorrow. Their cheeks and necks flushing red from the liquor. 

"Then maybe you should've gotten some better seats." one of them spits back cockily. 

Dejectedly, you realize that trying to talk to these guys like they are normal, functioning, empathetic human beings is going nowhere. You deflate into your seat with a sigh and turn your eyes toward the screen. You wish you could see what was happening live. But if this is what you have to do to support the team, it will do.

A black-blazered security guard descends down the stadium steps, and you feel a bit of hope. But it is extinguished as he walks past the stands and over to the fence to talk with his colleague. Laughing away, unaware of the little situation in the stands. 

The end of the second set comes too quickly. Although you could barely tell what was going on, you could tell from the lack of cheering in the crowd that your team had lost the second set. Then, frustratingly, the guys from earlier decide to take a seat and relax between the sets. 

Apparently, they do know how a chair works…

A deep pout forms on your lips, and you don't notice Wakatoshi making his way down the aisle until he is right next to you. His muscular arms filled with not just the pretzel you wanted but some of your other favorite snacks and drinks. 

His thick brows furrow when he sees your long face, but then, just as the third set starts up, the group stands again, eliciting a series of grains from the other spectators.

Wakatoshi Ushijima isn't stupid; the minute those guys spring to their feet, he knows what is going on. He turns to you, and you follow the flicker of his gaze toward the troublemakers as if asking your permission to step in.

It only takes a soft nod from you for him to act. Just as you had done, he places a hand on the shoulder of the Cowboy Hat guy. As he pivots in your direction, His smirk is ready to flaunt his pompous nature to the crowd of unwilling spectators as his gaze starts low. But when he realizes that it is not you, it widens as he slowly takes in each and every inch of Ushijima's massive muscular frame. His mustard-dappled mouth gapes open like a fish as he realizes that he is no longer the big fish in this pond. 

"Sit down," your boyfriend says sternly. His heavy-browed glare shot sub-zero pangs of fear down the man's spine. His ruddy cheeks pale from terror-induced sobriety as Wakatoshi continues. "You are making it difficult for the people behind you to see."

"Uhhh." their brows are furrowed in confusion as they try to think of what to say next "Oh, umm- really?"

You roll your eyes. Is this guy really just playing stupid now? No matter, Ushijima's unintended intimidation works like a charm, and the Red Hat guy plops down in his chair as quickly as he can. He even takes off the ridiculous foam hat that has been annoying everyone fourteen rows up. 

His little posse of pals join him in sitting down. It makes you feel relief as you see that the people around you also are relaxing.

"Better?" handing you your soft pretzel and drink. As he sinks down into the plastic backed stadium seat. 

You raise the cup to your lips and take a relaxed sip from your red straw as the game plays on in front of you. "Much better." You lean against his broad shoulder as Wakatoshi gives you one of those warm, small smiles that set the flecks of honey alight in his olive gaze. As you watch the rest of the match with an unobstructed view.

Tagging: @enchantedforest-network

[netflix]

Spotlight: Adam Stockhausen

Production Designer, The Wonderful Story Henry Sugar

Oscar winning production designer Adam Stockhausen (not pictured above, that’s Benedict Cumberbatch), whose work you may know from Wes Anderson films like The Grand Budapest Hotel, Asteroid City, The French Dispatch, Isle of Dogs, and Moonrise Kingdom, as well as titles like Bridge of Spies, and West Side Story (2021), took the time to answer some questions.

Which details from or aspects of The Wonderful Story Henry Sugar did you focus the most on while adapting it to the screen? How did you meld Roald Dahl and Wes’s worlds?

The details on this one started with Dahl’s writing hut! We matched the details pretty carefully and exactly. As soon as we step outside of the hut though we start to move through the world of the story and the world of the stage at the same time. Wes had the idea of how he wanted to do this from the very beginning. My main challenge was trying to figure out how to pull it off—making the parts move and getting each to have the right detail.

What’s a small change you made on a project that ended up having an unexpectedly significant impact? 

Lots of times this happens—where what seems like a small thing at the time becomes a very significant turning point. I’m in Berlin now writing this and remembering being here scouting for East Berlin for Bridge of Spies. We were struggling to find a section of town that still felt old enough to show the early 60s, and decided to take a chance on a quick search in Poland. That quick search changed the whole production plan and ultimately gave us the look of our East Berlin.

How has technology changed the way you approach your work? 

Technology has definitely changed the way we plan the work. We used to model everything in cardboard or sometimes just plan in two dimensions with pencil and paper. We can now plan in 3-dimensional space using modeling programs and see what real lenses will do.  This allows for more accurate planning and makes scenery moves like the casino set in Henry Sugar possible.

Do you have any signature easter eggs you like to leave? Any small details that you are particularly fond of? 

I wouldn’t say there are easter eggs in this one. But there are loads of special details! I think my favorite might be the levitation boxes where we painted a perspective view of the background onto a prop box. The actor sitting on the box appears to be floating in a very special and theatrical way.

Did you talk about reflecting the iconic Quentin Blake illustrations in production design? How would you go about doing that? 

Not really. They are such incredible drawings and I’d say they’ve been inspiring me since I saw them as a child! But for this the starting point was really the machine Wes devised to move us through the story—and pairing that to specific references scene by scene.

There is such an intentionality to the aesthetics of a Wes world. Is there a set or frame that took you a long time to get perfectly right? 

All of them! It’s a very labor-intensive process getting these frames right. Occasionally one will click right away, but usually it’s a process of refining and refining. The jungle for instance went from sketches to models to samples and back again several times before the final look settled.

If you had to present one frame that showcases the best of your work, what would it be? 

Oh my. Maybe the jungle? I really enjoyed making the jungle!

With all the moving sets in the trailer for The Wonderful Story Henry Sugar, it feels reminiscent of a theatre production. Are there distinct differences in approach between film and theatre and how much do you blur the lines between them in your work? 

I think the lines are blurred completely! Or maybe they aren’t even there. I love that Henry Sugar is so incredibly theatrical in its storytelling.  It allows us to show the artifice of the sets all the time which somehow makes them even more satisfying when they finally do line up and create a complete picture. I think the casino set is a perfect example—the pauses where it all lines up for a second are even more enjoyable because we get to see it broken apart and sliding away.

Thanks, Adam!