Chapter 30: **Chapter 30: Smooth Sailing**
Burbank, Warner Bros. Studio 24.
Gloria Preston was overwhelmed with excitement, using all her strength to keep her emotions in check. A dedicated fan of "Friends" for six years, she had applied and reapplied countless times for the chance to witness a live taping. Finally, she had won the opportunity to visit the set. Though she hadn't secured a seat for the season six finale, she felt she couldn't ask for more.
At this moment, standing inside this studio, surrounded by the familiar setting of "Central Perk," everything felt like a dream—so perfect it was almost unbelievable.
Before her visit, Gloria had spent a long time researching online forums.
Some people mentioned that seeing the set in person could be disillusioning because the studio was quite basic. A thin wooden wall separated different scenes, which made the setting feel unrealistic, even absurd.
"Be careful, lower your expectations," they said.
But after seeing it with her own eyes and experiencing it firsthand, Gloria had a different perspective.
She loved it.
On the contrary, she loved the simplicity because it made everything she saw on TV seem magical. In such a simple, unpretentious space, the camera could create the art of dream-making.
Far from being disillusioned, her admiration grew even stronger.
Every moment she spent in the studio, Gloria was filled with joy. Even now, as she obediently sat in her seat, with the crew emphasizing that no one could move around in the next few moments, she was as happy as could be. It felt like the first day of school all over again.
"One minute to countdown."
The reminder echoed through the set, and Gloria couldn't help but hold her breath.
Thump. Thump.
Her heart raced faster and harder, pounding against her chest, almost ready to leap out of her throat. The excitement and anticipation made her blood boil.
It was happening—the magic was about to begin.
And then—
Anson didn't enter the set because he wasn't in the first scene.
Like most sitcoms, "Friends" started each episode with a short introductory scene, a prelude of sorts, designed to deliver a quick punchline before cutting to the theme song and then transitioning into the main story.
These opening sequences often set the tone for the episode.
So, even though Anson wasn't part of the first scene, he stayed on set to observe instead of retreating to his dressing room. He needed to absorb the atmosphere to ensure he wouldn't be out of sync when it was his turn to perform.
While Anson lacked acting experience, his extensive background as a crew member gave him some insights into basic acting techniques.
One of the simplest yet most crucial aspects is the rhythm and tension between actors.
For instance, volume: if the other actors are speaking at a normal level, and someone suddenly raises their voice, it disrupts the balance of the audio.
Or take energy levels: if everyone else is operating at a moderate level and one person suddenly becomes overly excited or too subdued, it creates an awkward contrast.
Acting is a collaborative art unless it's a monologue; it requires a give-and-take between performers.
Any imbalance—whether in lighting, sound, or camera work—can be noticeable, even to those who aren't professional actors.
The six main actors in "Friends" had been working together for six years. They were extremely familiar with each other and shared a deep rapport. Each had their unique style, but overall, they operated on the same wavelength.
This meant that, as an outsider, Anson needed to adjust his frequency to avoid disrupting the balance and rhythm of the entire scene.
Now, Anson was observing.
"Action!"
The call rang out in the studio, coming from Michael Lembeck, the director of this episode, and the cameras began to roll.
The opening sequence started with Rachel, Monica, and Chandler casually chatting at the coffee shop.
Rachel read Chandler's horoscope, hinting that in this episode, Monica, Chandler, and Phoebe would have a storyline filled with humor.
Joey finally makes his entrance, bubbling with excitement. He's landed his own starring role in a new show called "Mac and Cheese," where he plays the character of Mac, and today is the first day of filming.
This short opening scene is just a teaser, a little taste to whet the audience's appetite.
But even in these brief two minutes, the studio is already filled with laughter, with jokes landing every ten seconds, all hitting their mark perfectly.
The most incredible part is that they nail it in one take—no mistakes, no need for a redo. It's seamless.
They quickly shift the camera angle and do another take, still without a hitch, and the director swiftly announces they're moving on to the next scene.
It's clear that after six years of working in this routine, the cast has developed a rhythm. Every performance flows naturally, making the filming process feel especially easy.
The entire space is brimming with a sense of joy and ease, creating a very positive atmosphere on set.
One can imagine that if anyone were to mess up now, it would be glaringly obvious, turning them into the center of attention for all the wrong reasons. After all, nobody wants to be the one constantly causing interruptions.
So…
Silently, eyes begin to shift toward David Crane and Marta Kauffman—
No one is overtly staring at Anson.
But almost instinctively, the curious, gossip-filled glances start circling around the two main creators of the show. With the pressure of the season finale, the presence of guest stars, and the unexpected casting choices, the tension in the air is slowly building, with everyone's curiosity steadily climbing.
The studio feels slightly warm.
After a brief break, during which the lighting and makeup teams come in to make adjustments, the crew prepares to shoot the main part of the episode.
Amidst the organized chaos, the production runs smoothly and efficiently.
And then—
"Action!"
Once again, the director's voice cuts through the air, and the studio falls silent.
It's still "Central Perk," with the same group as before, minus Joey, who's off at his own set.
Phoebe sits on the single-seater sofa on the right side of the set, flipping through a notebook.
Chandler, wearing an expression of mock disdain, remarks, "Are you judging a book by its cover? Because that's not the right way to go about it."
This quip references the old saying: don't judge a book by its cover.
Monica lightly pats Chandler's leg, signaling him to stop teasing Phoebe.
But Phoebe isn't fazed. "Oh, no, I'm just picking one to use. I'm about to start writing a new book!"
Chandler: …
He's not the only one confused—Rachel is equally puzzled. "Because the last one was a bestseller?"
Phoebe, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm, replies, "If you must know, I've written fourteen books already; and since I'm the only reader, I can tell you, they've all received rave reviews."
The entire studio bursts into laughter.
Gloria can't help but clap and laugh along—
Phoebe is, as always, in a world of her own, with her unique and whimsical perspective.
This time, Gloria doesn't need to stifle her laughter—she can let it out, loud and proud.
"Hey!"
Ross enters the scene, wearing a blue shirt, looking slightly anxious.
"Do any of you have plans later?"
Phoebe, still sorting through her notebook, casually responds, "Rachel and I are getting haircuts."
Rachel, confused: "We are?"
Phoebe, lowering her voice slightly but still loud enough for everyone to hear, whispers, "I just want to see what he's up to."
Though it's labeled as "whispering," it's really just a tad quieter than normal volume, making sure the entire set hears it. Ross, standing nearby, is exasperated, throwing up his hands in mock protest.
But clearly, there's something more pressing on his mind.
Ross doesn't have time to complain, "I just found out that Elizabeth's father wants to meet me."
Chandler looks up, "Wait, hold on, aren't you Elizabeth's father?"
New author, new book—rolling around and begging for support!
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