Where The Light is Hottest
Natasha Jones has everything - a successful acting career, an Oscar, a wonderful husband and beautiful kids. But what does she have to go through to get there? From humble beginnings in a small town, Natasha's path to stardom is paved with setbacks, heartaches and moments of doubt.
In the glittering world of fame and fortune, where dreams are spun from starlight and ambition fuels the relentless pursuit of success, one woman's journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Beneath the facade of glamour lies a story of unwavering determination and unyielding courage.
Where the Light is the Hottest is a gripping tale of ambition, perseverance and the enduring power of hope. Through Natasha's journey, we are reminded that the road to success is rarely smooth, but for those who dare to chase their dreams, the rewards are beyond measure.
Purchase Link
https://tinyurl.com/Where-The-Light-is-Hottest
Where The Light is Hottest is a book about an actor, but it is also so much more. We follow Natasha from small town Scotland to big time Hollywood (but she stays based in the UK). The below extract is when she has been auditioning for years. When you first start out you don’t get good auditions. Not usually, anyway. Here she is auditioning with a Hollywood superstar. She has made it. Yet she is still striving and making her way up the slippery ladder. I did a lot of auditions when I was an actor and they are nerve-wracking. It is a tough industry but the highs are like nothing else. I worked in the film industry as an actor, producer, casting director and director for years so I know my stuff. Where The Light is Hottest is very true to life. I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 17
Then
There is a sea of actresses and there is only one role. The exhaustion of the competition wears at me. Who knew there were so many blond actresses, I think ruefully. We are more common than mud.
‘Natasha, so glad to see you again.’
I stand up. It’s Derek. He came to our end-of-year show and has supported my career ever since.
‘So glad to see you, Derek. Thank you for bringing me in.’
‘Follow me.’
I follow Derek into a room and I am shocked to see that Ben Hart is there. He is the biggest action hero in the world and has been on top of his game for decades. Despite myself and all of my training I am star struck. The words will not come out of my mouth. I make a weird, strangled noise.
Derek looks at me like I am an alien but Ben is not fazed. He gives me a killer-watt smile of perfect white tombstone teeth. It blows me over again. I finally switch my brain back to human and I take his outstretched hand.
‘It’s lovely to meet you, Mr Hart.’
‘Call me Ben.’
‘Ben.’
‘Okay, let’s run through the scene. I’m sorry, we couldn’t give you the script in advance, Natasha, these things are top secret.’
‘No worries, and I signed the confidentiality agreement in reception.’
‘Great! Let’s do this.’
Derek hands me the script and gestures to the sofa. We both sit down.
‘And action!’
‘Lucy, I want you to come with me. It is not safe for you here. I need to protect you.’
‘I do not need your protection, Sam.’
‘But you need love.’
‘You’re right, I do need love.’
Then he kisses me, deeply and with passion. I go with it, even though it feels wrong. William and I are doing well. I think we are in a relationship but we have not had ‘the talk’ yet. I get that I have to kiss people on film sets but here, in an ordinary, banal office it feels like cheating.
‘And cut,’ says Ben. He makes a whoah sound and looks at Derek who looks back at him and gives him a double thumbs up. They look like two frat boys. I have an uneasy feeling in my tummy. Why am I such a prude? I wish I was more carefree, that I could just go with the flow. Everyone else seems so free.
‘You know, you and I, I think we have real chemistry.’
‘Should we go one more time? Get it on video?’ Derek looks at us both and then leaves his gaze on me for a fraction too long. He is seeking permission. I can only give it.
‘Sounds great!’ I hear myself say.
‘Brilliant, let’s do this.’ Ben Hart is all energy. He could power the national grid for decades with his enthusiasm and gung-ho attitude. I briefly wonder if he is on drugs.
We do the scene again; the kiss is just as deep with a hint of tongue. His hands decide to go on their own journey. I try to sell this as much as possible but I cannot help but think I am pimping myself out. Derek yells cut.
Ben Hart jumps up like he could make it all the way to the moon. We are done now. I stand up. Ben shakes both of my hands vigorously and so does Derek. I start to say goodbye to Ben and thank him for the opportunity but I can tell he has already moved on. He is huddled over the laptop with Derek. I move my head slightly and I can see they are looking at the head shot of the next actress. I leave, saying a quiet ‘goodbye’ as I do.
I walk out of Spotlight into Leicester Square. It’s buzzing with tourists. I can see that they are setting up for a film premiere. This square is famous. A tiny patch of London that has had the feet of all of Hollywood walk on it. Fans are already lining up to see their film gods. They have phones, pictures and notepads. Autograph hunters and film aficionado. Ben Hart must have walked this square hundreds of times.
I start to wonder if I will ever join them, and as I do, I also wonder if I even want to.
Where The Light is Hottest is a book about an actor, but it is also so much more. We follow Natasha from small town Scotland to big time Hollywood (but she stays based in the UK). The below extract is when she has been auditioning for years. When you first start out you don’t get good auditions. Not usually, anyway. Here she is auditioning with a Hollywood superstar. She has made it. Yet she is still striving and making her way up the slippery ladder. I did a lot of auditions when I was an actor and they are nerve-wracking. It is a tough industry but the highs are like nothing else. I worked in the film industry as an actor, producer, casting director and director for years so I know my stuff. Where The Light is Hottest is very true to life. I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 17
Then
There is a sea of actresses and there is only one role. The exhaustion of the competition wears at me. Who knew there were so many blond actresses, I think ruefully. We are more common than mud.
‘Natasha, so glad to see you again.’
I stand up. It’s Derek. He came to our end-of-year show and has supported my career ever since.
‘So glad to see you, Derek. Thank you for bringing me in.’
‘Follow me.’
I follow Derek into a room and I am shocked to see that Ben Hart is there. He is the biggest action hero in the world and has been on top of his game for decades. Despite myself and all of my training I am star struck. The words will not come out of my mouth. I make a weird, strangled noise.
Derek looks at me like I am an alien but Ben is not fazed. He gives me a killer-watt smile of perfect white tombstone teeth. It blows me over again. I finally switch my brain back to human and I take his outstretched hand.
‘It’s lovely to meet you, Mr Hart.’
‘Call me Ben.’
‘Ben.’
‘Okay, let’s run through the scene. I’m sorry, we couldn’t give you the script in advance, Natasha, these things are top secret.’
‘No worries, and I signed the confidentiality agreement in reception.’
‘Great! Let’s do this.’
Derek hands me the script and gestures to the sofa. We both sit down.
‘And action!’
‘Lucy, I want you to come with me. It is not safe for you here. I need to protect you.’
‘I do not need your protection, Sam.’
‘But you need love.’
‘You’re right, I do need love.’
Then he kisses me, deeply and with passion. I go with it, even though it feels wrong. William and I are doing well. I think we are in a relationship but we have not had ‘the talk’ yet. I get that I have to kiss people on film sets but here, in an ordinary, banal office it feels like cheating.
‘And cut,’ says Ben. He makes a whoah sound and looks at Derek who looks back at him and gives him a double thumbs up. They look like two frat boys. I have an uneasy feeling in my tummy. Why am I such a prude? I wish I was more carefree, that I could just go with the flow. Everyone else seems so free.
‘You know, you and I, I think we have real chemistry.’
‘Should we go one more time? Get it on video?’ Derek looks at us both and then leaves his gaze on me for a fraction too long. He is seeking permission. I can only give it.
‘Sounds great!’ I hear myself say.
‘Brilliant, let’s do this.’ Ben Hart is all energy. He could power the national grid for decades with his enthusiasm and gung-ho attitude. I briefly wonder if he is on drugs.
We do the scene again; the kiss is just as deep with a hint of tongue. His hands decide to go on their own journey. I try to sell this as much as possible but I cannot help but think I am pimping myself out. Derek yells cut.
Ben Hart jumps up like he could make it all the way to the moon. We are done now. I stand up. Ben shakes both of my hands vigorously and so does Derek. I start to say goodbye to Ben and thank him for the opportunity but I can tell he has already moved on. He is huddled over the laptop with Derek. I move my head slightly and I can see they are looking at the head shot of the next actress. I leave, saying a quiet ‘goodbye’ as I do.
I walk out of Spotlight into Leicester Square. It’s buzzing with tourists. I can see that they are setting up for a film premiere. This square is famous. A tiny patch of London that has had the feet of all of Hollywood walk on it. Fans are already lining up to see their film gods. They have phones, pictures and notepads. Autograph hunters and film aficionado. Ben Hart must have walked this square hundreds of times.
I start to wonder if I will ever join them, and as I do, I also wonder if I even want to.
Catherine Yardley is the author of Ember and Where The Light is Hottest.
She’s also the editor-in-chief of Frost Magazine and a freelance writer who's featured in The Bookseller, Mslexia, Metro, Huffpost, Writing Magazine and Writers’ and Artists’ amongst others. She lives in London with her husband and children.
Social Media Links
@catherineby.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/frostmag
https://www.threads.net/@frostmag
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063463605581
https://www.tiktok.com/@balavage
Website
https://catherinebalavageyardley.com/
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