Sinful Pleasure. A Henry Cavill Story

5 Acting

Somehow I have ended up in a pink 18th century gown, corset barely bearable, my hair all fancy and a fake mole drawn on my face and bosom. I've never felt like what I felt now, I was a whole different human, I couldn't recognize myself. It is true when they say that costumes transport us back in time, a very strange feeling. I was instructed to head into the main hall where the shooting was taking place, the room was crowded and I found a small space in the corner where I was hoping no one would notice me, I felt strange. The other girls from crew were also changed into costume and dispersed throughout, it certainly felt more believable with a larger crowd. One of the camera crew were parading the room talking to the extras, giving direction, I stayed where I was.

"Ok darling, you--" the camera crew finally got to me and stared at me for a bit taking in my costume, "you come with me."

I follow him without question. He leads me through the crowd, past the main dance floor and towards the area with the cameras set up. 

"Wait here," he says and I do so, taking in the ambiance and feeling awkward. Next thing I know the camera guy is coming back but this time with the already known to me director whose name I still don't know. I brace myself, expecting him to kick me out, he must have noticed me.

"What do you think, for some added flare," the camera guy says as he points to me in costume.

"Hmm," the director takes a turn eyeing me up and down, not in a creepy way but in a pensive sort of way.

"Do we know each other?" he mumbles as he begins to arrange my locks of fake hair in a way that suits him. Instead of saying anything I decide to just shrug in response, last thing I want is to be kicked out now and since he has not recognized me, I think it's for the best. 

"She'll do," he says and walks off. 

"Do for what?" I ask the other guy. He smiles at me to assure me not to worry,

"He would like for you to be in the shot, all you have to do is play the arm candy of the main lead, just take his arm and walk with him, smiling, have a promiscuous look on your face for some flare if you can. This is a last minute decision, the director wanted a girl on his arm as the scene felt flat to him. So, the main character is a lord who is a known ladies man; in this scene he is with one of his new conquests which is you, he runs into his uncle who wants him to take over his affairs."

"Oh ok, I understand, walk, smile, be promiscuous," I say back. A few minutes later they are getting ready to shoot and I finally meet my lord... Dan Stevens, I instantly recognize him from watching Downton Abbey and have a bit of a star struck moment.

"Dan, Rick has decided to give you some arm candy," the camera guy says as Dan makes his way on set and towards the two of us.

"Oh, alright, hi I'm Dan, nice to meet you!" he says and hold out his hand for me to shake, I take it and smile, instantly feeling at ease.

"Maria, nice to meet you too!" I say back to him. 

"OK POSITIONS EVERYONE," the camera guy yells out making me jump and Dan chuckles as he notices me, I smile back to him knowing how awkward I must appear.

"You will begin your walk from the end of the room towards Jeremy down at the other end," the camera guy gives the last of the directions, I realize that by Jeremy he in fact means Jeremy Irons who is in full costume at the other end of the room. I am barely breathing, and not because of the corset. These actors are all real people, I have learned English watching their movies and it feels surreal now. Dan sets out his arm for me to take, which I do, I just hope he does not feel me shaking from the fear and nerves. 

"QUIET ON SET! THREE, TWO, ONE, ACTION," the voice sounds. I compose myself and Dan and I begin our trip through the room, I can feel him looking at me and so I look up. His smile is a hundred percent different, he's charming the dress off of me this time, literally undressing me with his gaze. Oh god. Focus Maria, focus, you're supposed to be promiscuous so I do what I think is a promiscuous smile back, fluttering my eyelashes ever so slightly. I take the fan they gave me and burst it open dramatically, bringing it up to cover some of my face (or my blush that surely formed). Dan takes in my gesture and his gaze gets warmer, he leans in to whisper something into my ear and my nerves reach a new height,

"You appear to be a natural at pretending darling," his voice is so low even I can barely make out what he says but it makes me blush further and I do what I feel is right and let out a flirtatious laugh.

"Nephew," our game is interrupted by an alluring male voice. It's Jeremy Irons, I did not even realize how we already ended up at the other end of the room.

"Oh uncle, did not realize you would be here," Dan straightens up, bolting from the crook of my neck where he was moments earlier.

"Yes, well you wouldn't believe it but we have some common acquaintances... some," as he adds the 'some' at the end and throws me the dirtiest of looks, I smile back at him in a calm way, British actors are truly best at what they do. 

"I expect you to call on me tomorrow since you are in town, we have matters to discuss and I refuse for you to ignore me any further," Jeremy continues, gaze strong and firm.

"Of course uncle, how could I ever refuse your invitation," the hint of sarcasm in Dan's voice delicate.

"Good, if only you were so easy to persuade in all ventures," Jeremy says triumphantly throwing me another dirty look and walks swiftly out of frame, leaving us. I look up at Dan who looks upset and think well as his arm candy I must comfort him surely. I take my fan that I have folded up a moment ago and go for his chin, guiding him to look down towards me with it. Dan doesn't waiver and smirks, leaning back down in to pretend kiss my neck and I let out another one of my promiscuously flirty laughs that drowns in the sound of the crowd behind us.

"CUT!" the director, whom now I know is called Rick yells out. Dan and I break apart and smile warmly at each other, no words needed.

"It's you!" Rick has made his way towards us and I know realize, yup, I'm screwed.