114 Jennifer's initiative

In the warm, inviting glow of the bar, Lucas and Jennifer, embodying their characters Jacob and Sam respectively, were deeply immersed in their roles as the cameras rolled on.

The story unfurled around Jacob, who, after being inexplicably ignored by Anna for months, found solace in Sam's company. For Sam, being close to Jacob was a source of joy. She harbored deep feelings for him, but it seemed that Jacob was hesitant to consider anything more than friendship between them. This realization was a bitter pill for Sam, yet Jennifer's skillful portrayal made it clear that Sam cherished every moment spent with Jacob, basking in his company.

As Jacob and Sam's friendship relationship deepened, Jennifer, portraying Sam, found herself becoming an integral part of the band alongside Lucas's character, Jacob. It was revealed that Sam had a talent for playing the guitar, allowing her to seamlessly blend into the musical group. This development not only showcased her skills but also brought her closer to Jacob, adding another layer to their growing connection.

Just when it seemed like things were looking up from Sam's point of view, the unexpected happened: Jacob received a message from Anna, his "girlfriend," who had been silent for so long. Jacob shared the news with Sam, his voice tinged with disbelief, "Anna contacted me after all these months! I can't believe it."

"Really? That's great," Sam managed to say, her voice betraying a hint of nonchalance.

Jacob, catching a glimpse of Sam's true feelings, teased her with a warm smile, "You don't seem too thrilled, Sam."

"What? No, I'm really happy for you," Sam replied, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

Jacob laughed softly, sensing the tension, "I'm just teasing you." Then, he dropped a bombshell, "I've booked a flight to the UK, to England."

Sam, initially taken aback, felt a wave of sadness wash over her as Jacob mentioned his plans to visit Anna. Her disappointment was palpable, a silent testament to her unspoken feelings for him. The camera captured every nuance of Sam's expression before the scene came to a close.

The filming in Los Angeles featuring Lucas as Jacob will briefly pause, as the crew prepares to shift their focus to England for the next phase of shooting alongside Felicity. This transition marks a significant moment in the production, seamlessly moving from one dynamic backdrop to another to continue weaving the story's narrative.

To manage expenses more effectively, the decision was made to keep some of the crew members in Los Angeles, selecting only a core team to accompany Lucas, Felicity, Doremus, and the actors portraying Anna's parents to England. This select group will include seven essential crew members, like cameramen, along with a few others critical to the filming process.

This move comes even in light of Lucas investing additional funds into the project. It's a strategic choice, aimed at ensuring that every dollar spent adds the greatest value to the film, balancing the creative ambitions with the practical realities of movie-making.

The filming process in England presented a unique set of challenges, necessitating a strategic approach to capture the more complex scenes. To optimize budget and logistics, the decision was made to film all the necessary scenes in England in one go. This approach was particularly clever considering the storyline required Jacob, Lucas's character, to fly from Los Angeles to England not once, but twice. By filming these scenes in advance, the production could efficiently create the illusion of Jacob's repeated journeys without the actual need for multiple trips.

This intensive filming schedule in England was expected to last about a week. Following this, the team planned to return to Los Angeles to shoot the more intense and emotionally charged scenes between Lucas's Jacob and Jennifer's Sam.

In the midst of these preparations, Lucas found a moment to connect with Jennifer, sharing his admiration for her work, "Your acting is really impressive, Jennifer. It's a pleasure working alongside you."

Jennifer, with a light chuckle, responded modestly, "And you as well. I often feel my performances could be better when I'm acting with you."

Lucas simply smiled at her words, appreciating the mutual respect and camaraderie. Their conversation took a practical turn when Jennifer suggested, "Since we won't see each other for a week or so, why don't we make the most of our time now and rehearse our upcoming scenes?"

Lucas's interest piqued as he turned to Jennifer, his expression one of mild surprise. "Oh? You want to rehearse today? I didn't realize you were so dedicated."

Jennifer's cheeks tinged with a hint of red, her embarrassment visible. "What, you're not up for it?" she queried, a playful challenge in her tone.

"Of course, I am. So, which scenes are we looking at?" Lucas asked, his smile encouraging.

"How about these..." Jennifer suggested, her blush deepening as she handed Lucas the script, her fingers brushing against his.

Lucas raised an eyebrow, genuinely taken aback. "Are we really going to practice these scenes?" he asked, his voice laced with surprise and a hint of curiosity.

Jennifer, mustering her courage, shot back, "Is there an issue with that?"

"No, not at all... It's just that we'll be acting them out soon anyway. But," Lucas paused, searching Jennifer's eyes for a moment before continuing, "you mentioned feeling uneasy about getting too close to fellow actors outside of filming, didn't you?"

Jennifer cleared her throat, a bit flustered but determined. "Well, it's all part of the job, right?" she reasoned, trying to justify the rehearsal as a professional necessity.

Lucas observed Jennifer's shy demeanor, finding it hard to reconcile her usual reservations with her suggestion to rehearse such intimate scenes together.

He was taken aback, especially since these were not just any scenes but ones of a kissing and intimate nature.

"And where do you propose we rehearse?" Lucas inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Avoiding his gaze, Jennifer replied softly, "I've rented a small apartment. If it's okay with you, we could practice there."

Lucas studied her for a moment, gauging her comfort level. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

Jennifer met his gaze, her nod firm. "Yes, I'm completely okay with it," she affirmed, her voice steadier than before.