The creation of Lana Smalls as a character would involve a collaborative effort between writers, producers, and possibly even actors.
The editing suite had three monitors labeled: “Athletic,” “Emotional,” and “Character.” For Lana, the “Character” monitor was full. Editor Theo Vance spent 14 hours alone on reaction shots—her smirks, eye-rolls, and one raised eyebrow after a particularly hard set.
“Most talents give you one usable reaction per scene,” Vance says. “Lana gave me ten. The problem was choosing which one not to use.”
The initial casting process for a character like Lana Smalls would involve several key steps: Fit18 E174 Lana Smalls Initial Casting And Crea...
The truncated "Crea..." in your title likely refers to "Creation" or "Creative." What is fascinating about this episode is how much of the creative process is left visible. We see the director step in to adjust a light. We hear the cameraman ask for a different angle on the casting sofa.
In less skilled productions, these moments are errors. In Fit18 E174, they are texture. The production team understands that the mise-en-abyme (the story within a story) is the product. We are not just watching Lana Smalls; we are watching the construction of Lana Smalls.
The "initial casting" is thus a metaphor for the internet itself. Everyone is being cast, constantly. We are all performing our "initial" selves for a new audience every day. Lana’s hesitation is our hesitation before hitting "post." Her eventual compliance is our own learned performance of confidence. The creation of Lana Smalls as a character
On March 12, 2023, Lana Smalls was called back for an in-person chemistry read at Fit18’s Burbank studio. Unlike traditional acting auditions, Fit18’s process includes a “dynamic blocking test,” where the talent must improvise movements and reactions alongside a seasoned partner. For E174, the producers wanted to test how Lana would handle unpredictability.
She was paired with a veteran Fit18 coach, Marcus “Vex” Torrence. The scene: a high-intensity interval drill with verbal callouts. No script. Lana not only kept up but began trash-talking Marcus with a grin. The room erupted. “That’s the moment we knew,” says executive producer Ryan Hodge. “She wasn’t performing. She was being.”
One of Fit18’s unique strengths is its refusal to write scripts. Instead, the creative team spends weeks observing the talent in real-life scenarios—grocery shopping, casual sparring, even cooking. For E174, lead creative director Jenna Kwon spent 40 hours with Lana, cataloging her speech patterns, nervous laughs, and competitive triggers. Next phase: Full rehearsal run prior to main
“We don’t create characters,” Kwon explains. “We find the amplified truth. Lana had a habit of biting her lip when she was about to push past her limit. We made that her signature.”
Following the casting green light, the team locked:
Next phase: Full rehearsal run prior to main episode shoot; focus on seamless transitions and breath control during higher-intensity segments.
In early 2023, Fit18’s casting division issued a rare public open call. The brief was deceptively simple: “Athletic build. Natural charisma. Zero fear of the camera.” Over 400 applicants submitted headshots and fitness reels. But the production team, led by veteran casting director Marie Colton, was looking for something specific—someone who could bridge the gap between a fitness model and a raw, unpolished performer.