Lysander

Acting Career Part 2

One year later, I was in studio working on my next album. Then, Alexander came in and gave me some news on an acting role. 

"Ly." Alexander walked in.

"Yo, Alex. Listen to this. Doesn't this track sound fire." I said as I played my new music for him.

"Paul is gonna blow his fucking mind when he hears this." I said.

"Yeah, Ly. Listen, I got some news on a movie role." Alexander said.

"Alex, I already got the role, okay? They called me and they say I..." I said, but he stop before I could finished.

"No not the A24 movie. The Denzel Washington Vietnam movie." Alexander said.

"You're fucking with me right? The Denzel Washington?" I said.

"The one and only. He wants you to be in his war movie, 'Vietnam.'" Alexander said.

"Why me? I didn't audition or anything." I said.

"He watched your movie 'Angel Boy' and he thought you were phenomenal in it. So, what do you say?" Alexander said.

"I don't know, man. I got this other movie and trying to finish this album... Too much schedule on my plate, man." I said.

"Ly, the album will wait. Right now, these movies need to be focused on your plate right now. Just take the role." Alexander said. 

"Fine. I'll do it. Tell Denzel I'm ready for the war." I said.

"Good, now Ly. How much screen time will you get for the other movie?" Alexander said.

I took a ride with Young Palace, Rooftop and Skullboy as I discuss my acting career taking off and being part of a Denzel Washington movie.

"Wait, you're gonna be in a Denzel Washington movie? Nigga, that's fire!" Young Palace said.

"Damn, Ly. You should be excited." Rooftop said.

"I am. Just didn't expect it. Shit's crazy." I said.

"Oh wait a minute. You got to do that white movie. Where he's suppose to be a token black guy. What's it called again?" Rooftop said.

"It's called, 'Tension'. And I'm not gonna be the only nigga on there. I'm just gonna play a high school student. Got that?" I said.

"Alright, Mr. Actor. But how are you gonna film two movies in one year? I don't get that." Skullboy said a he smoked a joint.

"Every actor has filmed two or three movies in a year. It depends on the timing and deadline." I explained.

"Maybe, I need to get in acting too." Young Palace said.

"Yeah, you could play a backup tree." Rooftop joking.

"Man, Fuck you." Young Palace said.

I went home to tell Janey the news and we had a discussion.

"Denzel Washington wants me to be in his movie. How do you feel about that?" I said.

"Wow. I can't believe it. I'm actually proud of you." Janey said.

"Yeah, I mean. I've been watching Denzel movies as kid with my mom and now I'm gonna be in one of his movies." Shit crazy." I said as I sat down the bed.

"But bae, what about that other movie, where you're playing a high schooler. What about that?" Janey said.

"I'm still playing it in. I'm only doing a supporting role. Beside I'm not the main star in it. Alex Wolff is." I said.

"Alex Wolff? That kid from the Naked Brothers Band?" Janey questioned.

"Yeah, he was also in Hereditary." I said.

"Babe, you been working a lot since last year. Don't you think you need to take a break?" Janey said.

"Janey, I've been working my ass off since I was 17. I don't overwork myself. You don't have to worry about me. I'm just doing my job. Okay?" I said as I  got up close to her.

"Okay." Janey said as I gave her a kiss on her forehead.

"Well, I gotta study my lines." I said as Janey left the bedroom.

Before I could go through my lines for "Tension", I went to the bathroom and got a bottle of Caffeine pills out of the mirror cabinet. I looked at them and I looked in the mirror and saw a figment of Alice again.

"What are you going  to do with that?" Alice's figment said in the mirror.

"I gotta stay focused for this role. Now will you excuse me." I said to the figment Alice as I took two pills and swallow them.

Two months later, the production for movie, "Tension" was done and filming would take place in three weeks. The film is a coming of age comedy drama about privilege teenagers in Los Angeles, who are at their last year in high school who get exposure to hip hop culture, sex, drugs,  friendship, love and trauma. Alex Wolff would be the lead actor, "Dennis" who been accepted to ACLU. Camila Morrone will play, "Lucille" Dennis girlfriend. Toby Wallace from The Society will play, Sam, one of Dennis's friend. Kelli Berglund from Lab Rats will play, Julie, Sam's girlfriend. Matt Bennett from Victorious will play, Erick, another friend of Dennis. A newcomer, Daniel Newton, who's a model will play Jessie another friend of Dennis and I will play, Steve, Dennis black friend. Most of my scene were dealing with racism in a white neighborhood and school. Also being struggling with anxiety. Jennifer Jason Leigh will play Dennis mother and Adam Driver will play Dennis stepfather. Barry Jenkins who did Moonlight will direct the film. I hope that when parents who watch the movie with their kids will I hope they'll learn something and learn how to deal with anxiety and depression. Although, some might find it fearful for the today's youth. The movie will be R-rated for language throughout, sexuality/nudity, substance abuse and teen party. And Rooftop will make a cameo at the beginning of the movie. After shooting my scenes for "Tension" I start to study my lines for "Vietnam"

Vietnam will be based on the Vietnam Wars during the last year of the war in 1973. The movie will be show in three perspectives: Whites (Americans/Australians) Blacks, and Philippines. I'll be playing another supporting character, Alex, a young soldier who can be short tempered and antagonistic. My co-stars are Damson Idris (Snowfall), Jharrel Jerome (Moonlight, When They See Us), Ashton Sanders (Moonlight) Jack Lowden (Dunkirk), Russel Crowe (Cinderella Man), Armie Hammer (Call Me By Your Name), Pedro Pascal (The Equalizer 2) and James Reid a newcomer. Filming took place in the real places of the war and most of the other scene took place in Warner Bros Studios in California. I had to get my tattoo faces covered and cut off my dreads. I went on set and saw Denzel sitting behind the camera filming the movie. I had on my combat outfit on and my rifle as I got with the other cast mates.

"Roll spied! Camera and action!" Denzel exclaimed as he shoot the movie.

Two weeks later, I've done shooting the movie. Denzel told the whole cast members that we had to go through therapy after shooting the graphic war scenes. I also talk to Denzel and he gave me some advice on being on the spotlight. He told me, don't take everything in life for granted and that you can't focus on the negativity. He gave me some prompts on my acting skills during the shoot. I've never felt happier. Now it was time to finished my album.