Casting can't be in one day because many people audition and then you have the call backs and also camera testing so it takes a few days to finally have the main cast and all the supporting actors. It takes many meetings and we review their auditions many times. We also consider their careers and other films they've made, to know if they can actually make the scenes they are required to.

It is an incredible amount of work but I'm delighted that it's so carefully done. Sometimes the costume design team and the casting team need to meet to discuss some aspects and make sure the actors can fit what they have planned and ready so far. They even meet with the makeup artists to make them see the faces we are considering, so they can be prepared later on.

I do have my favourite actors already and I'm ready to give my total support and do whatever I can to get them the parts, because I honestly believe with every part in my body that they are the best to play the characters from the books.

One audition I can't forget is Gareth Maddox's. Days after it took place I'm still bewitched by it, the way he changed and transformed in front of my eyes so easily and quickly, without effort or struggle at all. I find myself re-watching his audition because as time passes by I start to think that there were two people and some magic trick to make me believe that there was only one but no, I watch it over and over again and it's just him.

Now I understand why all those hosts, and the media in general, seem so captivated with him. He looks so mysterious and detached but all that persona disappears the moment he starts acting and that is mind blowing. Of course they want to witness the transformation themselves because seeing is believing, or at least to get a reaction but that never happens. Unless he is in character, he's a real Ice Prince. Sappy as it is, that nickname really suits him.

I really, really want him to play Sasha. I don't like any other actor that auditioned for the role. And if at the end he is picked, I'll give Ella chocolate or something because she recommended him and he is beyond incredible.

There's a knock at my door that makes me jump on my seat and close my laptop in one fluid motion. I'm acting completely guilty, as if I were watching porn when in fact I'm just watching-yet again-Gareth Maddox's audition.

"Come in,"I call, my voice an octave higher and I try to calm down. I wasn't doing anything wrong to react like this. The fact that I've watched that clip about twenty times is not wrong. Weird, but not wrong.

"Hello, Ann,"Teru walks in and I smile at him. He stops for a second, watching me carefully and if he notices my suspicious body language, then he does not mention it. "The final meeting for the final casting decision will take place shortly. Will you join them?"he questions next and I use that to snap back to reality.

"Yes, most definitely. I'll get going now,"I reply quickly.

I grab my iPad, where I have all the notes and questions I need to ask the team, and make sure my outfit is in place. I would really prefer if I had some cushions to sit on instead of a chair, even if this is big and I can kneel on it or sit legs crossed, I want something more comfortable. But then, this is Father's office and it needs to look professional, not like my room.

I follow Teru to the meeting room, anxious and a bit nervous because today we'll know for sure what happens and who will play whom. Most of the actors have already been picked, but today is the definite decision and after the meeting they'll start calling the actors and managers to settle the contracts. This also means we'll be almost ready to start shooting and I can't wait for that part. I want to see this story come to life for the big screen and enjoy it like that, too.

Once Teru and I make it to the meeting room, Ryan is already there so I greet him with a little and quick bow before going to my seat.

"Thank you for joining us,"Ryan says politely.

I don't think he's pleased that I'm the one monitoring his working, but he is not rude towards me and he doesn't insult me or anything, he's just politely cold. I prefer that instead of having him looking at me with hatred in his eyes like Paul.

"I'm delighted,"I reply. "Thank you for your hard work so far. I'm learning enormously from you,"I add next and he gives me a quick smile.

Soon the rest of the team arrives and we start the meeting. Portfolios are presented and even a slide show presentation with the most likely options. We start from pointing all the characters that have been decided already and move forward the three main characters of the series and all their close ones.

"For the role of Rana we have two strong options,"Ryan introduces and on the presentation we can see the two actresses they have narrowed it down to.

One has asian features like mine, but hers are clearly Korean and I know that even before I look at her name: Hana Song. I don't remember her audition, maybe it didn't make an impact on me so I'm not sure. The other picture is a girl with bright red hair and big green eyes with a contagious smile: Mare Johnson. And I do remember her.

"We've considered Hana although her audition wasn't that remarkable but for a statement. The book has a wide variety in races and that is a trait that characterises Typhoon, but then Mare did a great audition and could show us the exact feelings we need of Rana for the first film,"Ryan explains and I can agree with what he says.

I look at their pictures and I try to remember all descriptions of the character. The author never mentions whether the character is white or asian so either one could work for the character.

"Although I find the idea of adding even more diversity appealing, I think we need the best actor for the role and among the two, Mare Johnson is the one that fits that category,"I make my input trying to sound all business so they can ignore the fact I'm probably even younger than the two actresses we are considering.

"I agree on that,"Marianne says and I feel so relieved when I hear her. I'm always scared of people contradicting me and making sure everyone knows how little I know, no matter how hard I'm trying.

"However, Hana does have more experience in films whilst Mare is a rookie. She's a singer trying to act now,"Ryan reminds us and I have to admit that experience is something extremely important if we want to make a successful film.

"But Mare's audition was more on key and what we were actually looking for,"Marianne insists.

"And if you pay close attention to her expressions, you can really see Rana and I think Mare really accomplished getting the essence of the character,"I continue, supporting Marianne who seems to be on team Mare with me whilst Ryan is uncertain still. Marianne and Ryan are the heads of this team, they make the final decision so they need to agree on this. "And she's doing quite well as a new singer. We need a strong and popular cast that we can use for the advertising of the film. She'll bring her fans with her and for the first film she does not have that many scenes, but she'll get the experience for the second film in which she has a bigger role,"I insists and Ryan seems to think about it.

"You're right. Let's take this chance, she did the best audition for Rana after all,"he finally agrees and I want to shout yes and high five Marianne, but she doesn't even look at me. I high five myself mentally.

"Then we have the actor for Rony. I think we all agree it should be Jonah Schmidt, right?"Marianne speaks next, showing the picture of this young black guy, with a kind and heartwarming smile. Exactly like Rony.

"Yes,"we all say and I can't help the smile. That was an easy one. He had a great audition. He had all the charisma and bubbly personality of Rony, warm. But he also showed us anger and rage, that also match with Rony's character like when he lets fire break loose. He is the perfect option.

"For Lana we have, again, two options,"Ryan says, showing the next slide. "Once again a rookie, Zoe Miller, and a girl that's been acting since she was eight, Lisette Jones."

I look at them and remember both made great auditions and I guess why they are torn between the two actresses, but I can't seem to bet for any of them. Yes, I liked their auditions but I don't feel like any of them is Lana like it happened with Jonah or even Gareth, that I saw them and I knew they were the perfect actors for the characters. I've seen some of Lisette's films and she is a great actress, I can't deny that, but I don't think she can be a water bound. I would say she fits more an air bound one, like Rana. Zoe...she doesn't look like Lana at all even if she did a great audition, I just can't seem to see her as the character in the books. She doesn't convince me.

"Out of the two, I think Zoe did a better audition for Lana and captured the character better than Lisette, but once again we're taking a risk with another rookie as you mentioned,"Marianne comments and I nod.

"If I close my eyes I could see Zoe as Lana, but then moment I look at her I can't see the character at all,"I make my comment and we all stay silent for a second.

"That's the makeup artists'job, though. It's not the actor that looks like the character, it's how we make the actor look like it. She'll have to get her hair dyed and we know all bound characters will have to wear contacts so that's not really relevant,"Marianne reminds me but I'm thinking of all those fans that will says no way, she can't be Lana when they find out who's playing the main character of their beloved book.

"I guess but I'm not convinced yet,"I insist.

"She did a better audition, she captured better the character and even if she doesn't look like Lana or anything, she is the best option out of the two and I think we can all agree on that, can't we?"Ryan asks and I have to accept defeat. It's not like I have a better option than the ones they are offering.

"Yes,"I say like the others and we move on from her.

"And finally,"starts Marianne. "I think we all agree as well that Gareth Maddox has to play Sasha. He was, without a question, the best audition of them all."

"He is an asset for this production. He is extremely popular and extremely talented. We need him in this project,"Ryan agrees and I keep nodding, watching at his picture. At first sight he looks more like a water bound but I saw him, I really saw him turning into an earth bound. Into Sasha. And the more I look at him the more I see him as Sasha, in costume, in a forest, playing with nature and being one with it. It's a beautiful sight.

"Most definitely,"I breathe out, almost like a sigh and I hear Teru cough to make me snap out of it. I notice Marianne watching me with an amused expression.

"Then it's finally settled. We have all the actors decided then,"Ryan announces and I smile widely. "It's time to make them to sign the contracts. We'll get on that immediately."I nod at his words.

"Teru, go with them and make sure everything works perfectly. Make sure we get the actors we've picked now. I'll leave that to you. I have another meeting, right? To see the last permits for the location."He nods, confirming what I've just said. "Perfect then. Everyone, thank you for your hard work,"I tell them standing up and bowing to them to show them my respect. "Please, keep me up to date to the negotiations."

They agree and we call the meeting to an end and leave. I feel satisfied because we're almost done with all the preparations and we'll start shooting in no time. Besides, we got most of the actors I wanted for the film. I'm confident it'll work out.

Also, I need to get Ella a present for suggesting Gareth. I'm most excited about him being casted for Sasha. If she hadn't suggested him for the role, I wouldn't have told Teru to send him the script and I'm not sure if he had auditioned without the invitation. So yeah, I need to thank Ella for that. She was totally right, he's perfect for the role. And he's almost in.

I really can't wait for the shooting.

______________________

And the preparations are over! *claps claps* so for next chapter we'll have the shooting already and well, things get more interesting. It was a long introduction I reckon but I hope you enjoyed it.

Best commenter of the previous chapter: @DiannaMoralesBooks

Bel, xx

PS: If you don't remember/recognise some of the old characters, don't worry. Neither does Ann so it's fair I think.