“Of course,” Vic said quickly. “I understand only about half of the words you’re using, but it sounds important.”

“Most people find it dull and technical,” Sophia said, “but it all boils down to how cameras move, and he’s using a concrete approach, but it’s safe and distant, and it does nothing to convey the subtlety I’m busting my ass to portray.”

“What option should he have chosen?”

“There are a million choices to be made, but an easy shift to make would be a Steadicam in a harness on someone’s chest. We could get much closer and convey a more intimate feel. I don’t want the audience to watch me. I want them to merge with me, to inhabit this castle, to experience the emotions I’m projecting. They can’t do that from a respectful distance. I want the camera so close I can tell what its operator ate for lunch.”

Vic shuddered. “I’d rather have needles under my fingernails.”

“Oh, come on. You’re great with people, and the camera must love you.”

She shook her head as much as she could without jostling them both. “I’m terrible. I never manage to get across any message I really want to convey. I never manage to project the right amount of poise or grace.”

“Seriously, have you ever met you?”

“Have you ever met my mother?”

“No, and I don’t want to talk about her.”

“Let’s not,” Vic agreed. “Please go back to talking about the film. I want to hear more about connecting with your audience across miles and pixels and screens. It’s quite amazing you can have such a powerful effect on people.”

“It doesn’t happen magically. It takes work and attention to detail and craft. You can’t rush or cut corners on greatness. You have to always remember there’ll eventually be other people viewing you through the camera lens, and you have to be absolutely dedicated to delivering for them, because otherwise, what’s the point?”

Vic kissed her cheek.

“What was that for?”

“Because you’re dedicated to delivering, because that is the point for you. That’s why you’re doing this.”

“Well . . . that’s the end game, anyway. The acting is a way to get me there.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know it’s such a cliché in Hollywood for stars to get a few movies under their belts and suddenly decide they can direct, but that’s what I wanted from day one.”

“You never wanted to be an actress?”