It's Just Ann

Chapter 8 - Look Down On Me

N/A: Updates now will be every Tuesday due to problems with the previous updating schedule.

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It's already July when we can finally start the shooting, leaving for Glencoe where we've decided to have all the open set scenes. The plan is to spend three months in this location to shoot all those scenes and then the final details and other scenes in the sets we have back in the headquarters of TP. So far we've managed to make all the sponsors and investors stick, we got all the actors we wanted and the director has had meetings with the lead actors to discuss about his view of the film. Jerry, the director, has also had meetings with every team along the way to make sure the production is homogenous and exactly how he envisions the film. All the permits have been signed, the set designed, the rehearsals done and now we can finally start shooting.

I'm finally on the set!

I've been part of almost every decision, even if I haven't directly taken action I have at least been informed of the results during the process. Yet, it's different to be on the set and seeing the massive crew and everyone doing their job. There are so many teams and so many people behind the scenes that it is actually crowded and after this my respect for Father has grown so much. I mean, I respected him before but now there's no words. It's mind-blowing how he can deal with this time after time and make it all seem so smooth and natural. I see all the people going around and I feel light headed.

Teru is introducing me to all the teams I haven't had a chance to supervise directly, like special effects or lighting or sound crew. They always work with us and I'm aware of the quality of their work, but it's still necessary to introduce myself to them as the executive producer of this film instead of Father, whom they are used to working with.

The reaction is always the same when they see me: shock.

I assume they knew Father's health condition isn't the best and that someone is replacing him until he can come back, and that person is his successor, meaning me. But as I've been in the shadows practically all my life due to how undeserving I am, they are really surprised to see a seventeen-year-old girl running the company this time.

I also notice the exact moment the respect they had for the CEO of Tachibana Productions is gone, which is when they realise I'm just a kid in their eyes, playing to be an adult. Even the actors look down on me when I come to greet them. I don't know if they remember seeing me during their auditions, but if they did they never imagined I was the one in charge of the production of this film.

"You are the producer?!" Zoe Miller, who plays Lana for the film, exclaims when I bow to them after introducing myself. It's not the full cast, but the main actors are here getting ready to start shooting.

"Indeed. I'm Ann Tachibana. It's a pleasure to work with you all. Please, let's do our best to make this film a success," I tell her with my best smile but she keeps watching me with wide eyes.

"But... but you're... how old are you?" she asks next and one of the makeup artists working with her snickers, making Zoe realise that what she asked was rude, although I do understand where she is coming from.

"I know I might seem too young to do this, but I grew up in this business so don't be mistaken," I try to sound confident although that's the opposite of how I really feel. "Rest assured; I'll do my best to make everything work as smoothly and perfectly as when Mr Tachibana is in charge."

She just keeps staring at me and the other actors do the same: Jonah, Mare and even Gareth. They just stare at me, making me know they are aware I'm just trying to fill shoes that are too big for me. I know that, but now they know that, too.