Chapter 3

Ginger and her mom, Cathy, were driving to the set of The Secret Circle to get set up for filming.

“What have you been doing up to this point?” Ginger asked.

Her mom had told Ginger she would need to gain three years of experience before anyone would hire her to do her mom’s job.

“I met with the director, costume designers, and production teams to understand the overall look and feel of each character. They provided me with scripts to read. From all of that, I was asked to develop creative concepts, including sketches or design boards, to lay out planned makeup looks and special effects.

“Today, we’ll meet the cast. They’re doing a read-through, which will give us a chance to see them without any makeup, providing a starting point for what we need to do.

“During their downtime, we’ll get a chance to talk to the cast and see if they have any specific needs. Our job will be to prepare their makeup stations and make sure we have everything they need.

“Over the next few days, we’ll apply makeup to actors before filming to ensure each look fits the character and meets the director’s vision. We’ll work with the wardrobe department and conduct trials for the director’s final approval before shooting begins.

“There are some special effects in this film, so we’ll create and apply prosthetic makeup, masks, and appliances to simulate wounds or other fantastical elements.

“I will handle the women, and you’ll take the men. The guys should be easy,” Cathy said.

Ginger was excited to learn how to create prosthetics for various purposes. They were used for a range of minor tasks, from simulating a small cut to full bodysuits and masks. For this movie, there wouldn’t be nearly the extremes like you would see in an action-hero film.

Someday, Ginger wanted to be able to do all of that.

When they arrived on set, Ginger helped her mom haul all their stuff into the makeup artist’s room. There were multiple stations, with each actor’s name and headshot taped to the mirror. She moved from station to station to discover who the female cast members were: Halle James, Emma Stoned, Tanya Bishop, and Jessica Abbot.

She noticed there were a few extra tables.

“Who are those for?”

“Extras, and if they add to the cast,” Cathy said. “Let’s check out the men’s room.”

They walked down the hall and opened the door. The two of them took a moment to take in what looked like a converted janitor’s closet.

“We’ll need better lighting at a minimum,” Cathy said and paused to send a text to someone.

Taped on the mirror were two pictures: Zak Verwood and David A. Dawson.

“Why the ‘A’ in David’s name?” Ginger asked.

“To be an actor, you must have a unique stage name. I guess there must already be or have been a David Dawson,” Cathy said.

An alarm sounded on both of their phones. It was time for the first read-through.

They were on set. The studio had brought in a conference table and placed name tents to show where the cast should sit. Around the table were chairs where her mom showed Ginger to sit. Once everyone was settled, Rita James, the producer and a famous actress in her own right, spoke.

She welcomed everyone and made introductions of the cast and key staff, including Ginger’s mother. Then Jessup Fields, the director, got them started reading the script.

At lunchtime, they took a break.

“Go talk to the guys about what they need product-wise,” Cathy said.

While her mom talked to Halle James, Ginger found Zak and David joking around.

“Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen. I’m Ginger Phillips, and I’ll be doing your makeup and hair. I wanted to ask if you had any preferences for what I use.”

“Nothing in particular; I just want to look good,” Zak said.

“Unlike this Neanderthal, I take skin care seriously. It would be easier to show you. How about we go to my trailer and I show you?” David asked.

“Dude! I’m slow on the uptake today. Look at you scoring with the hottie,” Zak said.

“Ignore him,” David said.

He motioned for a girl to join them. It turned out to be his PA, Caryn.

“Wasn’t Secret Circle a TV show a couple of years ago? It had something to do with witchcraft, if I remember correctly,” Ginger said, just making conversation.

“I had the same question and was told it lasted one season. The ratings dropped in the second half of the season, and the high cost of special effects led to the cancellation. The unofficial reason was that one of the executives said the guys in the show weren’t sufficiently good-looking,” David said.

“Tell her the rest,” Caryn said.