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Post by The Search on Aug 13, 2021 22:26:02 GMT -5
The Search Season 1 Episode 7 8/20/21 Challenge: Backstage Interview (*400 words MAX!!)Last week, competitors were tasked with character development roleplays. This week, the final four must promo in the style of a backstage interview conducted by AW backstage interviewer Jade Riley. Content within the interview is up to the handler, of course. Due to last week's win, Daniel Davis will be given a special 500 WORD MAX. Good luck!
OOC Notes:-Roleplay by responding IN THIS THREAD! Do NOT post to the roleplay board or make a separate post!-At the end of the roleplay window, this account will be the last response in this thread to to close off roleplaying and end this weeks challenge.-AW checks the word counts of each roleplay with wordcounter.net and it is the ONLY tool we use to check word count. All roleplayers should use this as well!DEADLINE:THURSDAY, August 19th. 11:59PM aka midnight Eastern Standard Time.Who Is Still In The Competition?Daniel DavisMadeline WhittneyKazim MeunierAphriya Adler-Ward
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Post by Kazim Meunier on Aug 17, 2021 9:00:02 GMT -5
Kazim Meunier handed over his résumé to Jade Riley, behind a stage.
Why are you giving me this?
Madame, I am here for interview, back of stage. People give résumé at interview?
Jade rolled her eyes.
Yes, but when we say backstage, that means away from the mainstage. Also, this interview consists mainly of a Q&A.
Quel?
Question & Answer!
Kazim appeared to have got it.
Madame Riley, why they have me interviewing to take your position?
Jade facepalmed.
Just follow my lead.
Jade stepped in front of the stage, Kazim followed. Jade then looked into the camera and did what she does best - her job.
On Episode 5 of the Search you surprised many when you won the six-person battle-royal. How did you enjoy your week off?
Week off? What you mean Madame Riley? I no take week off. I on show Episode 6. I sit in chair behind Monsieur Miller. Watch action.
There was no character development promo from you?
Develop character behind of stage. No need camera to do this. Let other competitors shine. For one week only. This week Kazim time to shine. Like Hammer MC. Can't touch this.
The song played in the background momentarily as Kazim displayed smooth dance moves.
Impressive movement. Daniel was impressive on Episode 6 when they won the Four-Way Chase match. They were also close to winning against you on Episode 5. Do you have unfinished business?
Daniel, Aphriya, Madeline do good. Only difference is Daniel defeated co-head of security Jaice Wilds with Superman impersonation to get better of them for three seconds. Winning…Losing…this wrestling. It’s like a Hurricane. It’s always rough, and you feel like you’ve been beaten down. Then there is the eye of the storm. Everything is silent, everything is calm. Whatever life throws your way. all you have to do to suceed is get to the other side. I got the other side on Episode 5, Daniel got the other side Episode 5. Right now, Wrestling is all I know Madame Riley, I’m right in the middle of it.
Jade was left speechless, unsure how to respond.
I can’t hang around here in the eye. I’ve got to move. Aphriya, Daniel, Madeline are my storm… come what may, I want to make it out to the other side a winner. For clear skies. For Liberté, égalité, fraternité
The french motto.
Vive la France!
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Post by Aphriya Adler on Aug 19, 2021 1:14:08 GMT -5
“Hello ladies and gentlemen of the Action Wrestling universe. Jade Riley here for a special interview for The Search. I have with me tonight, Miss Aphriya Adler.”
Jade’s voice comes in just before the screen comes into full focus upon her, as she introduces Aphriya, she also enters the frame smiling. Her hair tied up in extra tight braids then into a tight bun.
“Hello there Jade, I’m excited to do this, thanks for coming.”
Jade smiles and nods.
“So Aphriya, how does it feel to be a part of the final four?”
Adler chuckles lightly.
“I honestly feel blessed and excited to have made it this far. I also find myself even hungrier to win it too. Mister Knox left last week. I praise him and am greatly appreciative of having him here. I learned so much.”
“Yes Matt left last week, but how do you feel about the rest of your opponents left?”
Aphriya smiles and seems to ponder the question for a moment.
“Well they are of course supposed to be here. There is one person I have a slight issue with. That person is Kazim.”
“Why him?”
“Because he decided to not participate in the challenge last week. Yes he had a bye. He didn’t have to, but how I see it is he wanted to be lazy. Or he is hiding something about himself. If it were me that got that victory and was able to have a bye, I wouldn’t have not done anything. I would have done a piece like I did. I found his no show so to speak was a sign of a person doing the bare minimum just to get by. That is disrespectful. Disrespectful of this sport and business. Honestly how I see it is I had a great day of training today, so I am going to take tomorrow off. No. I don’t take a day off. Why? Because I miss tomorrow, the next day I am going to be sluggish. Not as quick. Weak as well. What you did Kazim is showed us and the rest of the cast that you have a chink in your armor.”
“Anything else that you would like to say?”
“I will win this thing, wait, watch and we'll celebrate.”
“There she is folks. One of the final four for The Search, Aphriya Adler.”
Aphriya steps off screen as it goes dark.
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Post by avantgarde on Aug 19, 2021 22:18:48 GMT -5
Jade Riley stands in front of a monitor with the Search logo on it.
Please welcome my guest at this time, Madeline Whittney.
Madeline walks confidently into frame. She wears a white jean jacket covered in paint splotches, a black t-shirt, and jeans. She gives a self-satisfied smile toward the camera.
Hey there Jade.
Madeline, how does it feel to be in the final four of the Search.
Madeline smirks.
Well, I'm not sure about the other contestants, but I never had any doubt that I'd make it this far. The fact is, I am exactly what this competition is looking for: A young, prestigious, hungry talent who breaks the norm. And I won't settle for anything less than victory.
Jade raises an eyebrow.
Well then, how do you respond to your recent performance in ring? For the first four weeks, you appeared to be one of the front runners from Spencer Adams' critiques, but since getting in the ring, you have yet to win a match. Surely, that must be disappointing?
Madeline turns red, and looks down at the ground. Her fists clench, then unclench. She looks up, staring straight down the camera, and speaks in a voice full of quiet intensity.
You're right, Jade. My performance these last two weeks was... not what I hoped for. The first week of this competition, I posed the question, "What is life?" Well, if I'm being honest, my life so far has been full of disappointment. With the world, with the established order, with people I hold dear. Despite all that, I still hold high expectations for myself. Why? Because art doesn't compromise. And sometimes, yes, that means showing the cruelty of the world when others want to ignore it. Just as often, though, art refuses to give up hope when everything tells us to give up. Some would call me a hopeless romantic, but I never would have gotten this far without the ability to see the beauty in this world along with the horror. It is in the pursuit of beauty I will find the will to continue to fight my doubters.
For a second, Jade is at a loss for words. But she quickly regains her composure and continues.
Well that's all the time we have. Anything to add?
Madeline smiles
Color, of course.
She takes off her jacket and throws it at the camera, before walking away.
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Post by Daniel Davis on Aug 19, 2021 22:45:23 GMT -5
Fade in.
We are greeted by the smiling face of Jade Riley, AW backstage interviewer extraordinaire. Standing beside her is Daniel Davis, still as intense a look as ever.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Jade Riley here, and with me at this time is 'The Search' semi-finalist Daniel Davis. Daniel, how are you feeling as we draw closer to the end of the competition?"
"I'm somewhere between confident and nervous, if I'm honest here. On one hand, I recognize that I've been given six chances to turn heads, and have done nothing but paint a target on my back for the nearly two months this competition has run. On the other, I realize that the weaklings have been sifted through and only the strong remain. It's come time to put up or shut up, and I'm turning it up to eleven, no mute option available."
"With that thought in mind, whom among your three opponents do you think will be the ones to 'put up'? Which of them are threats in your eyes?"
"All three of my adversaries have their merits, Jade. I look at them, and the question becomes not 'who is a threat?' Instead it must be asked, who has the biggest risk to falter?
"Let's take Kazim, for example. I remember my remark some weeks ago, wherein I explicitly called him out for failure to introduce himself. I decided he was a weak link. But he proved me wrong, Jade. He surprised me, up until last week. He earned himself a pass to the semifinal, and decided it wasn't worth his time in this pivotal stage to get in the ring and try to make another impression. Instead of taking a risk, he decided to get lazy, and at this stage, that just won't cut it.
"Inversely, from day one I've been expecting to see Madeline Whittney late in this challenge. I praised her originality, and even argued that she'd have a good chance at winning this thing if I slipped up. Make no mistake, I respect Madeline for focusing on the canvas that is wrestling and putting in the effort to make it something spectacular. Where she lacks, though, is in her brush: execution. This could be her week. So could last week, and the week before that. She is due for a big break, but against me? I don't see it.
"Finally, Apriya. Yet another MMA fighter transitioning into wrestling. She's wowed the judges. She's turned heads. But she still hasn't had success when she's got four corners instead of eight. Even if she does go on to Clash following this run, she is still another of the many with the same story. What she needs to do, is prove to everyone watching that she brings something different, and I don't think she's done that."
"We're running out of time. Anything else you want to say?"
"What more is there? It's time for my actions to speak for themselves."
Fade out.
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Post by The Search on Aug 21, 2021 1:11:15 GMT -5
Intro
Last week, the final five gave us a look behind the scenes into their lives..
While Kazim sat ringside with immunity, the other four competitors were tasked with scoring a pinfall on AW head of security Jaice Wilds. With the final bell, Daniel Davis came away with the victory.
In the end, veteran Matt Knox was sent home.
With the final four locked in and just two weeks remaining, who will advance to the finals? Who will win it all?
This is…
THE SEARCH
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Post by The Search on Aug 21, 2021 1:14:22 GMT -5
Opener
We cut to the inside of the training facility where the present participants are in their usual lineup formation. Kazim Meunier
Aphriya Adler-Ward.
Madeline Whittney.
Daniel Davis.Ethan Miller: Just when I think excitement couldn’t climb higher, it does. Here we are, back for another week of this competition and as I stand here in front of all of you, I’m both grateful for what is behind us and eager for what’s ahead.
EM scans the lineup. Ethan Miller: Last week, we got a look behind the scenes and another look at what you guys can do in that ring.
We see highlights from the action last week with Daniel Davis getting the pin on Jaice Wilds as well as the departure of Matt Knox. Ethan Miller: For this episode, you were tasked with an interview promo.
EM scans the four faces in front of him. Ethan Miller: We’ll get to the feedback on that in a bit, but right about now, it’s time ALL of you get back in that ring, yeah?
All four competitors remain transfixed on the ring in front of them. Ethan Miller: Tonight, we raise the stakes. ALL of you will be competing in that ring against one another in a fatal four way and this time, it’s BIG TIME. Score the pinfall, you advance to the finals. Get pinned...you’ll be sent home INSTANTLY. That match starts….when we come back!
We cut to commercial.
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Post by The Search on Aug 21, 2021 1:21:23 GMT -5
Fatal Four Way
Back from the break, Madeline, Daniel, Kaz, and Aphriya are circling each other in the ring, each of them with visual urgency plastered across their faces as eyes dart back and forth from the timekeeper’s table to the competition in front of them. DING DING DING!!
In an..unusual start to the match, all four competitors manage a single tie up. Kaz throws shots, Madeline throws shot, Daniel gets his in, and Aphriya adds some kicks and punches of her own. The flurry of strikes does manage to quickly break things up as Aphriya hooks Kaz and Daniel hooks Madeline and the two hit synchronized arm drags. Kaz pops back up and hooks Aphriya’s arm while Madline pops up and hooks Daniel and we see another pair of arm drags. Just as before, it’s Aphriya and Daniel who are up and now hit a pair of drop kicks. Daniel follows it up with a dropkick to Aphriya and drops for the cover. 1! KICKOUT! Daniel locks his arm under the chin and squeezes down tight. Aphriya pushes up and the two fight for control. Madeline and Kaz are back up with Madeline going for a chop and Kaz answering back with one of his own. Kaz spins and delivers a kick to the gut, but Madeline catches it and pulls Kaz in close for the belly to belly. She remains on top and hooks the leg. 1! 2- Kaz is able to get the shoulder up at fifty percent as Madeline lays into him with some ground and pound. Meanwhile, Aphriya has battle out of the headlock and lays into Daniel with a rapid fire combo of left and right hand smacks to the face. She leaps up and delivers a knee to the jaw that drops Daniel. She sprints towards the ropes and comes back with a rolling senton. Looking to keep the momentum going, she gets back up and charges in with a stiff knee to the back of Madeline’s head that drops her to her front. Aphriya knocks her off Kaz and rolls through for the cover. 1! 2! 3 Madeline hangs on with a late kickout and Aphriya shouts out in frustration. She pulls Madeline back to her feet and delivers a stiff elbow to the side of the head followed up with a hard shove. Madeline comes back with an elbow of her own, one delivered to the side of the neck. Aphriya immediately favors it, but jumps ahead with another elbow that sends Madeline to the ropes. Her brow furrows, but she’s quickly tossed out by a resurging Kaz who tosses her out between the ropes and hits Madeline with a clothesline that knocks her out and over as well. Kaz turns around and is immediately caught by Daniel with the small package. 1! 2! KICKOUT! Kaz and Daniel roll through and to their feet and it’s Daniel who comes at Kaz with an overhand right, but gets caught with a small package this time. 1! 2! Daniel rolls through onto Kaz. 1! 2! Kaz rolls through onto Daniel. 1! 2! Daniel rolls through onto Kaz. 1! 2! Kaz rolls through onto Daniel. 1! 2! 3 Daniel rolls through onto Kaz. 1! 2! A swift punt kick from Madeline and Daniel goes down. He’s quick to save himself though, rolling out under the bottom rope and dropping to the mats below. Madeline turns around and is hit by an incoming Aphriya who bounces from the top rope and hooks her legs around Madeline’s neck, dropping her with a headscissors takedown. Madeline turns around now and is met by Kaz who catches her with yet another small package. 1! 2! Aphriya rolls through onto Kaz. 1! 2! 3! LAST SECOND Kaz rolls through onto Aphriya. 1! 2! 3! DING DING DING!!
Kaz and Aphriya break and both competitors' eyes go wide. A dejected Aphriya Adler sits in the center of the ring with eyes welling up. Madeline and Daniel are now up on the outside of the ring, both frustrated as well. Kaz is still in absolute shock as Ethan speaks up. Ethan Miller: Guys, I’m at a loss for words. Round of applause for all of you and congrats to Kazim who will now advance to the finals. Aphriya...this is the end of the road for you, unfortunately, but it would be wrong not offer you a chance to speak...if you wish.
She pushes herself up, still pretty shaken up with subtle streams of tears streaking down her face. Aphriya Adler: I’m….I don’t know where to begin. This is just...this is a lot right now. Part of me wants to apologize to anyone I may have let down, but another part of me knows that I can’t. I came here to make an impact, to grind and climb my way up until I reached that end goal. Falling short here hurts...so much more than I ever imagined it could’ve, but I came here to be the best and I can’t stop here. Some people chose to leave boots in the ring when they left while others refused out of stubbornness and ego. Tonight, I’m keeping mine laced up when I leave not because I’m bitter or harboring any ill will, but because my work is not done. I WILL continue that climb. I WILL scratch and claw. I WILL reach that end goal.
Aphirya ducks under the bottom rope and heads towards the door, taking an extra few moments to look back to the ring before completing her exit with a silent “thank you” escaping her lips. The camera returns to EM who seems to be processing the chain of events himself. Ethan Miller: Folks, we’re gonna take a quick commercial break and when we return, we’ve got promo feedback from Spencer Adams as well as our second elimination of the night. Stick around, we’ll be right back.
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Post by The Search on Aug 21, 2021 1:24:29 GMT -5
Breakdown
The camera fades back in and Ethan is standing in front of both Daniel Davis and Madeline Whittney. Standing next to him is the first finalist, Kazim Meunier. Ethan Miller: Welcome back to the semi-finals of The Search. Before the break, we found out who the first competitor advancing to the finale will be and who the latest hopeful to leave the competition was. Although Aphirya is no longer in the competition, I’m not sure I feel right leaving her out of the portion altogether for all the work she’s put into the competition, so...we’ll start our pro feedback off with Ms. Adler.
EM is given the familiar envelope and he slides the printed sheet out and gives it a quick glance. “Aphriya, solid work from a member of the final four. You’ve stayed consistent in your messaging and attitude this entire time. Your shots towards Kaz were made with conviction and that sort of fire doesn’t go unnoticed. The only knock here is that I wish we got a bit more out of your camera time and a bit of a punchier finish, but this was good.”Ethan looks up for a moment and returns to the sheet. “Kazim, at this stage in the game, I’m not reading bad promos. Your setup was clever and you did a great job of touching on recent events. Your criticisms of last week’s match were well executed as well. I don’t have notes. This ruled and shows why you’ve gone from looking like an awkward outsider in this competition to someone that deserves a lot of recognition.”Kaz clasps his hands together and closes his eyes as his head drops forward. “Madeline, you’ve become known for the flavor you add to this whole experience. Your promo work continues to be just that, a really enjoyable and well worded viewing experience. I think a lot of what you have going on here works, but I would’ve liked to see more of a consistently confident attitude here rather than focus on little negatives. Winning matches or not, you’re still top four for a reason. Still, a fine piece.”
She shoots a glance upward, still frustrated with not getting the pin. “Daniel, your work continues to be tight and effective. You got in a lot of solid shots on the field and made good use of the extra time given to you. Another promo with solid points, but I’m not sure every line hits here. Overall, it’s good throughout with sort of a flat finish.”
He steps forward towards EM and Kaz and shoves a pointer finger into his chest. Kaz pushes back and Ethan places an arm between the two to separate them. Ethan Miller: Gentlemen, time and place. Daniel Davis: You don’t deserve a f***ing thing! Some of us bust our asses for this and you’re going to treat the competition like it’s all fun and games?! F*** you! Kazim Meunier: Talk, talk, talk. Tough guy wants to run mouth, but I earn my spot.
Daniel’s face turns bright red and EM interjects once more. Ethan Miller: If I may, we’ve got a show to do here.
He gathers his thoughts and continues. Ethan Miller: We’ve heard from Spencer, seen what you guys had to offer in the ring. There’s two people standing in front of me and only one of you can continue on. We find out who that person is...right after this.
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Post by The Search on Aug 21, 2021 1:26:26 GMT -5
Reveal
The show returns with a sweeping view of host Ethan Miller and the three remaining participants. EM’s demeanor grows particularly serious as we get individual shots of Madeline and Daniel standing side by side. Ethan Miller: Guys...this is huge. It’s been seven weeks that you two have been here fighting for a chance at a guaranteed contract and the coveted championship opportunity. We’re about to find out WHO will be advancing to the finals of season one of The Search. Daniel...Madeline. Only one of you can move forward tonight. That person is...The camera switches to a split screen view of Daniel and Madeline both focused on the host. Ethan Miller: Daniel.
Madeline smirks and turns towards the exit. Ethan Miller: Madeline, a final word if you’d li-
He’s interrupted by the door slamming behind him. Cameras follow outside trailing in Madeline who marches off down the street. Madeline Whittney: Not a single pinfall victory. You throw everything you have into this and to see it pay off for someone who couldn’t be bothered to show up until week two. Don’t worry, I’m still in pursuit.The feed cuts back to the inside of the facility where EM stands next to a gleaming Kaz. Ethan Miller: Kazim Meunier and Daniel Davis. We have just one week left and-
EM is cut off again as an enraged Daniel Davis charges forward and presses forehead to forehead with Kazim. The two get into a shoving match again as a flurry of producers step and jumbled shouting bounces off the metal walls. Ethan shouts for further reinforcement as the show goes off the air. No closing statement, only black.
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