(c) Kent Bonham 2014
Every Friday authors worldwide gather around the virtual fireside of Rochelle Wisoff and share stories of 100 words, prompted by a common photograph, and exchange constructive criticism. Readers’ comments are also welcome. This week’s photo has been provided by fellow Friday Fictioneer Kent Bonham.
Thank you, Kent.
Here’s the story Kent’s photo inspired.
Light
I jumped at the invective, glanced away from the dangling spaghetti of cables to the spaghetti of veins on the back of the hand that came down gently onto my shoulder.
First day … annoyed an actor!
“Sorry, Chief.”
Chief shepherded me away.
“Fresnels, trunnions, … the names’ll come, …”. He deftly snatched my swot sheet of lighting terms, scrumpled it into a ball.
“Chief.”
“… but the day’ll come, you’ll know lighting isn’t about lamps. There’s some actors’ll light up a theatre without a candle. There’s those you can light from every angle and they’ll still be invisible.”
(c) Ann Isik
100 words
I loved the spaghetti-veined hands. Better late than never was most certainly true in this case, Ann. Hope your troubles are soon behind you.
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Thanks Sandra. It’s funny how images come to you. I saw the confusion of the young man looking up at the ‘spaghetti’ of wires and when his ‘chief’ turned up,the veins on the back of his hands. Two different kinds of ‘spaghetti’. Well, I have them too now! My situation is going to take time to sort out, but I have handling and coping measures in place now. Thanks for asking.:)
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Insightful and nicely done!!
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Thank you Hala.
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Enjoyed your story, I imagine it is nearly impossible to work with some people in the entertainment industry (or otherwise). You wrote it very well.
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Thanks Patti. 🙂
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The chief is a wise man indeed!
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My stories are tending to include a ‘wise’ man of some kind. I’ll have to try and find a different construction, I think. Thanks for reading.
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Really liked this and that last paragraph is so true, not just for actors, but in life as well.
Another attempt as posting comments because I keep getting marked as spam.
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I got the first comment Subroto. I’ll check my spam folder and make sure you aren’t being sent there. 🙂
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Nicely done. That last paragraph is so true, not just for actors, but in life as well.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Ann, I was just thinking of you and wondering where you were…and here you are! Glad you’re back. This piece really shines (if you’ll pardon the pun), particularly the last bit. The truths there transcend acting.
janet
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Thanks Janet. I have been searching for your story this week but couldn’t find it. I’ve been having a difficult time domestically but have managed to get some legal back up. I was determined to post my story this week, however late my contribution!
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My link’s near the top, but if you care to read, here it is: http://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/friday-fictioneers-traffick-fatality/. I always value your input.
Sorry to hear about your domestic woes. I hope things are working out. Glad you could post. You’re not late until Wednesday morning. 🙂
janet
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🙂
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Oh this was excellent.. and so much truth.. not just about actors but of people in general.. some you can shine all the light in the world on, and they still dwindle…
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Thank you.I think, however, whatever the apparency, Light will prevail. I think, Light is Love, really. And you can’t beat that. 🙂
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Very well written Ann, and very true as well…
“… but the day’ll come, you’ll know lighting isn’t about lamps. There’s some actors’ll light up a theatre without a candle. There’s those you can light from every angle and they’ll still be invisible.” These last lines were so true and well spoken. It applies to everyday life and everyday people as well, don’t you think? This was one of those pieces that leave you thinking.
God bless you,
Cheryl
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Really good story. Lighting technicians must know a lot about actors and performances. I’m sure most professional actors deeply appreciate the skills of the technicians. Stage lighting done well is an art.
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Most actors appreciate that any production is about team work. Especially today. The days of the Hollywood ‘Diva’ are over. I’m thinking of an opera singer in particular, who became so monstrous, despite her fabulous voice and worldwide fame, was sacked from one of the big opera houses.
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Love this piece. So true.
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Thank you. Ann
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Jeepers! This is so true even in everyday life. Very insightful on your part. I love your story! Thanks! Nan 🙂
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Thanks Nan. Ann
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Dear Ann,
Better late than never. This might be my favorite of yours ever. That last paragraph says it all and goes for humanity, not just actors. Beautiful piece. Bravo!
shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, thanks Rochelle. You have brought light to my darkness!
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Great story Ann, I so know actors who feel into that last category, one review once said of some friends of mine, ” the actors were pedestrian to the point of discomfort” and they were!!
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Hi there, Morpeth! I’m coming in late, after a horrible couple of weeks. But I was absolutely determined to publish, publish, publish! Thanks for the comment. Well, in my long experience of the art world, I come across lots of ego with little talent. Thankfully, the inverse is also true. 🙂
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It’s comforting isn’t it…lol…they aren’t all talentless.
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Nobody’s talentless. Problem is, you get an ego, you diminish your talent.
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True, you have to let go of it. The best actors I have worked with have all been very humble people always willing to listen and learn.
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Yep, it’s about the art, not the artist. The pressures are enormous of course. Sometimes I’m glad I’m not particularly good! 🙂
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I think I understand what you mean. I always knew my limits, saved me a lot of embarrassment.
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