Lights, Camera, Dance! Read online

  ‘Nah, it’s nothing.’ I shrugged.

  ‘Getting into Fine China’s music video isn’t nothing,’ he said. I could hear a smile creeping into his voice.

  ‘Yeah, that’s great for Indianna and Chanel,’ I said. ‘They were really good.’

  ‘I wasn’t talking about them,’ Jay said.

  Benji and I stared at him. Neither of us could speak.

  ‘Well, you know,’ Jay said, ‘I got my own phone call not long ago. From my man, Bliss. Congratulating me on training two such fine dancers. Two such fine dancers who also got into Fine China’s music video.’ He paused. ‘Two dancers who are standing in front of me right now.’

  Benji’s whole body went slack and he dropped to the floor in relief. I followed him soon after.

  ‘OHMYGOSH,’ Ellie shrieked, throwing herself on both of us. ‘Riley! Paige! Get here RIGHT NOW! ASHLEY GOT IN!’

  Chapter Eleven

  ‘All right, my Fine China crew, gather round.’ Bliss pulled up a chair, swung it backwards and slouched towards us.

  And by us, I mean the ten kids picked to be in the video clip. That we were about to rehearse for. In an actual, professional studio space! It was the weekend after the audition. Things sure moved fast in the world of the rich and famous!

  ‘Is Fine China here?’ asked one of the boys, whose name was Levi.

  ‘Fine China is not here.’ Bliss laughed. ‘But you’ve got me. And I’m just as good, yeah?’

  Levi shrugged. ‘You’re okay.’

  Bliss laughed again. ‘You will see the great man himself in five days’ time, when we shoot the video. But right now, we’ve got one day to learn this routine. One day to learn how to work it for an award-winning star’s video. You up for it?’

  Everyone gave him a big yes.

  ‘In five minutes I want you all back in this space ready to bring me some flava,’ Bliss said. He stood up from his chair. ‘I want it to be like I’m back in Jamaica, stirring a big pot of my mama’s jerk chicken, and all that flava is coming at me.’

  ‘What?’ I heard Chanel say to Indianna. ‘Did he just compare us to chicken?’

  I hid a smile and bent down to touch my toes and warm up. My confidence had come back, and I was feeling better. Plus, Indianna and Chanel hadn’t said a word to me. Maybe they’d finally learnt their lesson!

  There were five boys and five girls ready to rehearse – the girls were me, Chanel and Indianna (no Daisy!), and two other girls I didn’t know.

  The boys were Benji and Levi, and three boys I also didn’t know, although I recognised them from some hip hop events I’d been to.

  ‘Ashley, hi,’ said Chanel, sneaking up on my left side.

  ‘Hello,’ I said, rising up and sweeping the hair off my face. Although, to tell you the truth, I would have liked it better over my eyes so I wouldn’t have to look at her.

  ‘I’m sorry about the auditions,’ Chanel said, widening her eyes in a way she must have thought looked angelic. Indianna smirked behind her. ‘I hope we can get past that. It was just silly – I was so nervous – ahahahaha!’

  ‘Yeah, no problem,’ I said. ‘Congrats on getting in.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Chanel brushed her hair – which was very fine and so white you could almost see through it – from her shoulder. ‘Anyway, the costume lady told me to come and find you. You’re up next for a fitting.’ She pointed to a door to the side of the studio. ‘She’s out there, and down the hall. Just follow the stairs.’

  ‘Oh great, thanks,’ I said, surprised. I really did hope we could all just get on – I wanted to put my Dance Art days behind me and move forward.

  ‘She wants to see you now,’ Chanel added quickly.

  I didn’t much like the way Indianna’s smirk grew bigger, but I nodded at Chanel and headed towards the door. The idea of being fitted for a music video was exciting. I couldn’t wait to see what kind of funky clothes I’d get to wear.

  I went out the door and down the hall, passing the bathrooms and a storage cupboard. I still didn’t see any stairs so I made my way through a space that looked like it was just filled with a jungle of electrical cords and men battling through them.

  ‘You okay, kid?’ asked one. ‘Not lost?’

  ‘Nah,’ I said, not wanting to seem stupid. ‘But, thanks.’

  I left the space and came to another hall, but when I turned right it came to a dead end, and all the rooms looked like studios and offices.

  So I doubled back the other way. I was just beginning to wonder if I had heard Chanel right, and if I would get in trouble for missing the start of rehearsal, when I saw the top of a staircase.

  So down I went, trying to ignore the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

  But then the stairs came out to a dark hallway with doors on either side. The rooms seemed to be filled with old costumes. Yes! Perhaps I was on the right track.

  But that didn’t last long. The rooms were full of costumes, all right, but not one had a lady in them waiting to take my measurements.

  I wandered down some more halls and thought I was just about to lose my mind, when I saw a woman walking towards me.

  ‘Excuse me! Hello!’ I ran towards the lady, trying not to look like some mad girl lost in a maze. I don’t think it worked, though, because she seemed a bit startled.

  ‘Hello dear,’ she said.

  ‘Are you the costume lady?’ I asked.

  The woman blinked at me. ‘The who?’

  ‘The costume lady. For the fitting. For the Fine China video clip. The one we’re rehearsing for right now?’

  ‘Oh!’ The woman laughed and waved some papers at me. ‘Oh no. Not me. I’m just the second AD for the music video.’

  Now it was my turn to stare blankly.

  ‘The second Assistant Director,’ she explained. ‘I’m just down here finding some stuff for the director. No, dear, the costume fitting won’t be until the day before we shoot. You’ll get the paperwork with all the details before you leave today.’ She waved the papers at me again. ‘That’s what this is, actually.’

  I stared at her and swallowed.

  I had a very, very bad feeling in my guts.

  Chapter Twelve

  I tiptoed into the rehearsal space with my heart thumping.

  Be cool, Ash, be cool, I told myself. Don’t let it bother you.

  I didn’t look at Indianna or Chanel because I knew I would see their victorious smirks and that was not the kind of ‘flava’ I was here for.

  Everyone was grouped together. Bliss was in the middle of teaching them the choreography. When he saw me he held up his hand. The music stopped.

  ‘Ash,’ he said. ‘I remember you. Miss Dancehall from the auditions, yeah?’

  ‘That’s me,’ I said, trying for my usual jokey tone but failing. I felt super uncomfortable.

  ‘Well, Miss Dancehall,’ Bliss said, ‘just in case I didn’t make it clear before, we don’t have time to “groove” into rehearsal ten minutes late. We’ve got one day to get this choreography. And we’ve already learnt thirty-two counts.’

  ‘Um, sorry,’ I mumbled. ‘I was, I had … I …’

  ‘She obviously isn’t committed,’ interrupted Indianna. ‘Maybe she should just leave.’

  She sneered at me. She knew I couldn’t blame my lateness on her and Chanel’s mean trick. It would just look like I was making excuses. Plus, they would deny it.

  ‘I felt a bit sick,’ I finally said, miserably. ‘And I couldn’t find the girls’ bathroom.’

  ‘Ew,’ said Chanel. ‘I don’t want to catch anything. Ashley should definitely go home.’

  ‘I’m fine,’ I said. ‘It’s just nerves.’ I held out my hands. ‘It’s a big deal to be in the clip.’

  ‘You don’t look very well,’ persisted Chanel.

  ‘Disgusting shade of green,’ agreed Indiana.

  ‘Hmm,’ said Bliss, putting his fingers to his lips. I swear he was hiding a grin. ‘I’ll give you one more chance, Miss D
ancehall.’

  ‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘The nerves are gone now. I’m ready to work.’

  Indianna looked at Bliss and pouted. ‘But she looks so pale. Wouldn’t you rather sit this out, Ashley, and catch your breath?’ She turned to face me.

  Okay. It was time for me to step it up. Time to channel Ellie and find my swagger. She always stood up for herself and she’d want me to do the same.

  ‘I’ve already caught it,’ I said. ‘And I’ve never felt more energetic in my life. See?’ Then, more out of nervous energy than anything, I ran up, flipped in the air and came out of it with a little bit of dancehall swing, and a nicely timed hair-flick. Ellie would have been so proud.

  The flip was a trick we’d been working on in acrobatics. I hadn’t yet been able to pull it off in class, so it was risky. I could have scored some major embarrassment points. But luckily I managed to fly by the seat of my pants and avoided a face-plant.

  ‘Nerves gone,’ I said, walking over to the group. ‘Dancing cap on.’

  At that, Bliss openly smiled and shook his head. ‘Very impressive,’ he said.

  ‘And I really am sorry for being late,’ I added. ‘I know it was rude. But it was either that or you all get treated to a second breakfast.’

  ‘Yeah all right, Miss Dancehall, spare us the details.’ Bliss chuckled. ‘Fall into the back of the group there. I ain’t going over it again ’cause we gotta move on, but pick up what you can.’

  Indianna and Chanel both sniffed at me before they turned back around and I kept my ‘Miss Cool’ face on until no one was looking at me.

  Then I took a quick moment to put my hands on my knees and take a big breath.

  I’d come so close to ruining everything. My fingers were trembling. I had to prove myself now, more than ever.

  And I had a lot to prove, because from the back I could watch how amazing everyone was (including Indianna and Chanel) and how quickly they picked up the chori.

  The opening choreography was a fast-paced sequence of popping and locking, stepping movements at different levels, body rolls and circular isolations. Bliss called out the names of some dancehall moves, but it was all I could do to keep up with the chori, much less learn the names of the moves.

  It was lucky, though, because we danced the choreography so many times from the top that I quickly picked up what I’d missed while I’d been running around looking for a phantom costume fitter.

  After Bliss was happy with us hitting the choreography, he totally mixed it up. We constantly switched positions with each other and moved into new formations and pathways. He had us working in canons and on different levels and tempos. The whole routine went up a notch.

  Although the dancehall style was vigorous, rhythmic and athletic, there were no big technical elements like you might find in, say, ballet. The power came from the energy and expression of our bodies, and the visual dynamics Bliss had created with his choreography.

  Bliss knew how to draw the eye. He also knew to highlight how fun and joyful the dancehall style was. It was as hard-hitting as hip hop, but there was a smoothness to it that rolled out of your soul.

  By the time we made it to our first break, I felt like I had sprung back from the trick played on me at the start of class.

  Something gnawed at my stomach, though. I wondered what other hiccups Indianna and Chanel would throw at me on my way to music video glory.

  Chapter Thirteen

  ‘Do you reckon if I say I’m your substitute, they’ll fit me out for a costume too?’ Ellie looked in through a door we passed. ‘It’s worth a try.’ She peered around another corner.

  ‘Ellie,’ said Riley, ‘you won’t see anyone famous here. They’re all out shooting their movies or whatever. This is where the behind-the-scenes people work.’

  ‘But who says they can’t be here for a costume fitting, just like Ash?’ Ellie switched to her theatrical voice. ‘The actor must always be prepared, Riley.’

  ‘Shhh!’ said Paige. ‘Don’t draw attention!’

  The Silver Shoes girls had come with me for my costume fitting at another big warehouse building down near the Bayside docks.

  I was pretty sure they shouldn’t really be there because it was a private building, but it was nice to have my friends with me. It made such a change from being tricked and glared at by Indianna and Chanel! I really missed the support of my friends.

  ‘Well, this is the lift to the fourth floor,’ I said, looking at the paper in my hand. ‘Once we get there we ask reception for Urban Media Productions, and they’ll show us where to go.’

  We all got into the lift, which had floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Straight away Paige pressed the ‘close’ button while Riley was still getting in.

  ‘So nobody else gets in and busts us,’ Paige said, her big blue eyes wide.

  Ellie was already primping and preening in the mirrors, making different hairstyles with her long blonde curly hair. ‘I need something like this in my bedroom,’ she said, switching to a different angle.

  Riley snorted. ‘No, you don’t. You’d never leave the room.’

  ‘I really like your new dress, Ellie,’ said Paige, looking at her best friend with shining eyes.

  Ellie tossed her hair, and fluffed out her pink and white baby doll dress with ruffled lace sleeves. ‘Thanks, Paigey,’ she said. ‘You can borrow it if you like. You’ll look even more adorable than me.’

  Paige glowed. Not that she didn’t already look cute – she was wearing a yellow shift dress with a green collar and sparkly green jelly sandals.

  I looked at us all in the mirror – Riley was wearing black skinny jeans and an oversized basketball jersey, with her curly hair back in its usual two braids.

  And then me, with my messy hair, my high tops, and my denim shorts with the purple ribbon belt and a loose blue crop top (which was part of the Danceworks stash I’d won).

  We were all so different but these girls were my best friends. I was super glad they got to share this amazing experience with me.

  Riley caught my eye and grinned. ‘Not a bad looking bunch, are we?’ she joked.

  The elevator doors pinged open and Ellie walked out like she was royalty. ‘I could get used to this!’ she said, twirling around and flinging out her arms.

  ‘Nice polka dot undies,’ Riley said.

  ‘Haha,’ Ellie laughed, wriggling her bum.

  An amused voice spoke up then.

  ‘Can I help you girls?’ A very prim and proper lady was looking at us from over the reception desk. Her eyebrows were perfectly arched.

  ‘Hello,’ said Ellie, in her best trying-to-impress voice.

  ‘Hello.’ The receptionist smiled. ‘Your polka dot pants are pretty cool.’

  Ellie went bright red.

  ‘Uh, hi,’ I said, stepping up. ‘My name’s Ashley Jenkyns. I’m here for the costume fitting for Fine China’s new music video? I was told to ask for the costume department at Urban Media?’

  ‘Yes, it’s right down that hall,’ said the receptionist. ‘I can show you.’ She cast her eyes over my friends. ‘And these young ladies? What are they here for?’

  ‘Uh,’ I said. ‘Well …’

  ‘We don’t mean to cause any trouble,’ said Paige, with her soft little voice. ‘This is a lovely building.’

  ‘We just had to make sure Ash found the right place,’ Riley spoke up. ‘She gets lost so easily.’

  ‘Is it true that there’s a whole floor of costumes in this building?’ asked Ellie, rushing over to the desk. ‘From music videos? This must be the best job. Do you see many celebrities?’

  The receptionist looked at all of us for a moment. ‘Tell you what,’ she said. ‘You girls won’t be allowed to go with Ashley into the Urban Media office. But how about I get our security guard to take you down to the lower level to check out the costumes while Ash has her fitting? What do you say?’

  ‘I say YES, and you are my most favourite person in the world,’ Ellie shrieked.

  Th
e receptionist grinned. ‘I’ll page Jon now,’ she said. ‘He’ll love it. I often see him sneaking down there myself.’

  When Jon arrived he was an instant hit. As I followed the receptionist down the hall, he was already piggy-backing Paige and doing some kind of dance step with Ellie while singing Taylor Swift.

  I had my own adventure, though. The costume space was a large room filled with racks and racks of colourful jeans, patterned tights, funky crop tops and hightops. It looked like a dancehall dream.

  ‘Right,’ said the costume lady when I walked in. ‘Ashley Jenkyns! Let’s get you decked out with some dancehall flava!’

  Chapter Fourteen

  It was so early when I walked on set to shoot Fine China’s music video the next weekend. It was very silent and tranquil. I think even the moon was still dreaming.

  ‘I’m never getting up this early for you again,’ Bridget said to me as I hopped out of the passenger side door. ‘If Mum and Dad weren’t working, I would still be in bed right now.’ But she smiled at me as she handed me my bag. ‘I’m proud of you, Ash,’ she said. ‘Have an amazing time today.’

  Everyone was gathered on an area of grass that had been ribboned off, just up from the beach. Large pergolas and trailers snoozed in a circle around us. In the middle of it all was a table with fresh juice, coffee, tea and fruit.

  In the music video Fine China was meant to be on a tropical holiday where he gets a bad case of sunburn and heatstroke. Then he starts to hallucinate and imagines himself swimming under the sea, meeting all these magical sea creatures, kind of like mer/fish people.

  When he drags himself out of the ocean he finds the creatures dancing on the sand, and Fine China gets hypnotised by the rhythm and passes out.

  When he wakes up, he’s in the same deck-chair where he got the sunburn. But now it’s night time and there’s a tropical party going on all around him. He feels better and so starts to dance just like the sea creatures. Everyone thinks he’s a weirdo dancing a strange style until the sea creatures come join the party and become Fine China’s dancehall crew. Of course, they end up being a big hit.