Immense preparation

[New York]

Lucas has been back from Northern Ireland for a few days now. Aside from catching up with his friends Liza and Leonard, and dedicating some of his time to volunteer at Bellevue Hospital alongside Liza, he's been diving deep into preparations for an exciting new film project he's about to join.

Vincent, keeping him in the loop, mentioned that the audition for this project was just around the corner.

The project in question is Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris."

While Lucas has been lauded for his exceptional performance in "127 Hours," which might have earned him special consideration and treatment in other indie film endeavors, the atmosphere surrounding Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris" production is noticeably different.

In reality, even though the casting directors and Woody Allen were quite taken with his performance in "127 Hours"—an indie film success that raked in $8.1 million in just a few months—this doesn't guarantee Lucas any special treatment.

According to Vincent, Lucas isn't the only contender for the role; Owen Wilson is also set to audition.

This means that Lucas must prove his worth and stand out, even against an established actor like Owen Wilson.

That's precisely why Lucas has been doubling down on his mental preparation, immersing himself deeply in the character of Gil over the last few days.

Lucas delves into the depths of his consciousness, finding himself in the creative expanse of his Mind Workshop, ready to embody Gil from "Midnight in Paris." He visualizes himself wandering, lost in thought, meandering through the picturesque streets of Paris. The scene unfolds by a serene riverside, near an archaic bridge, enveloped in the enchanting mystique of the city's night.

He checks his watch, the air around him thick with anticipation. As if on cue, the clock strikes midnight, its chimes echoing softly in the distance. At this magical moment, an old Peugeot pulls up beside him. Inside, two men and two women, the epitome of elegance, are celebrating with champagne, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

Doug calls out, "Come on—get in."

Gil, bewildered, responds, "Huh?"

Denise, her voice laced with a French accent, urges, "Let's go, we're late."

Gil stammers, "You have the wrong person."

Denise insists, "Mais non, pas de tout—allez montez—"

Gil, attempting to clarify, says, "Look, I'm a little drunk—"

Doug, impatient, interjects, "C'mon—for god's sake—we can't sit here all night."

Gil, his interest piqued by the car, remarks, "This is a great old Peugeot. I have a friend in Beverly Hills who has the same one—he collects—"

Denise, undeterred, pulls him, "Let's go. We have so many parties to go to."

In this vivid rehearsal within his Mind Workshop, Lucas embodies Gil with every fiber of his being, living out the scene with a conviction that blurs the lines between reality and imagination. Through this intense mental rehearsal, Lucas not only connects with Gil's character but also prepares himself to bring this performance convincingly in audition.

What Lucas appreciates about his Mind Workshop is its palpable realism—there are no cameras, no green screens, no crew milling about to disrupt his immersion as he delves into his character. This environment significantly enhances his rehearsal, making it feel as though he has truly time-traveled to Paris.

At times, Lucas finds himself so engrossed that he begins to question whether he has actually stepped back in time. He wanders beyond his character, exploring the Parisian streets, where people dress in vintage attire, seemingly straight out of the 1920s.

Curiosity sometimes leads Lucas to venture beyond Paris, longing to witness the wider world of the 1920s with his own eyes. Despite knowing he's within the confines of his Mind Workshop, the enchanting illusion of time travel and the allure of a world constructed by his own mind is captivating. However, whenever he strays too far or becomes too enchanted by the illusion of time travel, the simulation falters, resetting him to the start of the film.

This realization prompts Lucas to maintain his focus squarely on his role. Though the Mind Workshop's ability to enchant and mystify him occasionally distracts, he understands the importance of concentrating on perfecting his portrayal of Gil. With the audition looming, Lucas commits to rigorous training and rehearsal, recognizing the significance of his preparation for the opportunity that lies ahead.

As Lucas delves deeper into his role as Gil, rehearsing and refining his portrayal, he finds that with each run-through of the film in his mind, he can revisit and reassess his performance. This iterative process allows him to identify any nuances he might have missed and areas where he can enhance his depiction.

By repeatedly rehearsing in his Mind Workshop, Lucas aims to deepen his emotional expression, inject more of his own personality, and make the character more relatable and authentic. He understands that the devil is in the details—every gesture, every line delivery, and every reaction contributes to building a believable and compelling character. Lucas knows that consistent practice can reveal new layers of Gil, offering insights into his motivations, fears, and desires.

Moreover, Lucas repeats the rehearsals to solidify his memorization of the script, ensuring that the words and actions become second nature. This repetition helps him to stay present in the moment, allowing for a more natural and spontaneous performance that resonates with audiences.

In addition to his diligent rehearsals in his Mind Workshop, Lucas also finds time to catch up with Vincent about the business proposal they had previously discussed.

In addition to his other commitments, Lucas has been invited for a live radio interview and performance. This opportunity comes on the heels of his song "Perfect" climbing to the top 24 on the Billboard charts just two days ago. The track's rapid ascent has captured the attention of listeners and radio hosts alike, earning Lucas a spot in the studio to share his music and story live on the air.