The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 1871 Making a Name for Oneself
"Frank Pierce called."

Kevin got straight to the point. Edgar stopped what he was doing, looked up, and although he didn't say anything, the probing look in his eyes was obvious.

Kevin nodded in confirmation.

"Yes, he called me personally and extended an olive branch. The college finally gave in."

Edgar raised an eyebrow slightly and lifted his chin slightly as he sat down in the corner of the desk. "It seems those rumors have made them restless."

Kevin: "Europe has Cannes, North America has the Golden Globe and the Grammys. Frank is smart enough that he knows his pride is worthless."

The situation is stronger than people.

Even the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is no exception.

Edgar gave a slightly amused look, not jumping to conclusions. "So, what's he thinking?"

Kevin was straightforward: "He hopes Anson will skip the Golden Globes and only attend the Oscars this year."

Edgar raised an eyebrow slightly, but did not speak; instead, he quietly looked at Kevin.

Kevin wasn't surprised; Edgar's willingness to break with William Morris wasn't just due to the confidence Anson gave him, but also to his own courage and boldness.

Frankly, while Anson is irreplaceable for innovative artist agencies, Edgar is also a valuable asset that cannot be ignored. It's just that William Morris's outdated and corrupt agency would make such a foolish and elementary mistake as to miss out on both Anson and Edgar.

Kevin said, "He also wanted Anson to skip the Grammys. I refused outright; he shouldn't interfere in our artists' schedules."

It may seem like a casual remark, but one can imagine that Kevin's toughness must have made Frank want to bang his head against a wall.

Edgar, however, remained noncommittal, saying, "This shows that he still hasn't let go of his arrogance and haughtiness."

Kevin understood the deeper meaning in his words. "Edgar, if you're saying it's because Frank didn't call you personally, I think he's just concerned about his image. He's known me for over twenty years, so it's easier for him to lower himself."

Edgar shook his head. "No, that's only one aspect."

“I can understand. This is Hollywood. He’s using you as a go-between to test the waters and avoid an ugly situation. If he doesn’t look good, neither will I, and there might really be no room for maneuver later.”

"While it was frustrating that he didn't have the courage to talk to me directly and it made me doubt his sincerity, that's not the point. I'm not that petty."

"The real key lies in the content."

“He believed that since the college had taken the initiative to extend an olive branch, Anson should accept it with joy and even be grateful for the handout.”

Kevin, "Edgar..."

Edgar waved his hand. "Kevin, look, he didn't invite Anson to the Oscars, he came to negotiate."

"The right approach is to extend an invitation. Period. That's all. Forget the Grammys, the Golden Globes and Cannes are also outside his purview; his reach has really gone too far."

"This is not arrogance, this is hubris."

"Is he so certain that Anson is destined for an Oscar?"

Kevin let out a soft breath, a smile playing on his lips. "So Anson really doesn't want the Oscar?"

Edgar: "No. No. Anson's worth doesn't need an Oscar. I'm not saying Anson can become Woody Allen, but that Anson doesn't need their approval."

“Kevin, look. Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Brad Pitt—they’re all at the top of their fields, willing to lower themselves and curry favor with the Academy, but ten years later, what have they gotten?”

"Humiliation after humiliation. Ignoring after ignoring."

"They cooperated with the academy; they were playing the game according to the academy's rules. But what was the result? They became pawns in the game."

“Let me tell you, this is also Leonardo’s future. The Academy will absolutely not see him within the next ten years.” “The reason why Frank Pierce has the confidence to continue being arrogant is because of the confidence we gave him. But Anson will not.”

It was fluent and straightforward.

Edgar blurted out everything he had to say, but he also realized that his words had been somewhat rash.

After all, Kevin isn't Frank.

Edgar, "Sorry, Kevin, my attitude might have been a bit off..."

Kevin waved his hand, completely unconcerned. "I know, I understand. You're protecting Anson's interests. Anson's trust in you isn't without reason."

"So, what are you planning to do? Really refuse the Oscars?"

Kevin took a deep breath. "Edgar, the logic is there, we all understand. What's truly important about the Oscars is never just that little golden statuette, but becoming a part of this game, even if you're just a pawn. Only then will resources and connections flow in continuously."

Of course, Tom Cruise and Will Smith's pursuit of the Oscar stems from their acting dreams, which is undeniable. However, beyond dreams, the capital, connections, and resources maintained during awards season cannot be ignored.

Unless you're an artist who's been active in the independent film scene, you have to play this game if you want to break free from the constraints of Hollywood.

Anson was no exception.

“We’re already in this game, whether we like it or not,” Kevin said.

Edgar shrugged slightly. "I understand."

Kevin was taken aback. "Then... wait, are you going to agree?"

Edgar shook his head. "No."

Kevin was completely stunned. "I'm confused, Edgar." After all, the collaboration had been too short, and Kevin still couldn't figure out Anson and Edgar's ways of doing things.

So Kevin is telling the truth, which is also a testament to his adeptness at navigating social situations; he knows when to be tough and when to show weakness.

Edgar: "I won't refuse, but I won't agree either. Frank needs to convince Anson to make the decision completely."

Kevin looked slightly confused. "You represent Anson, don't you?"

Edgar: "I represent Anson, but I am not Anson."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Kevin, you see, Frank has decided to back down. His first step was to contact you, or more precisely, to contact Creative Artists Agency."

"That's because Frank understands he can't go head-to-head with Creative Artists Agency. Of course, Creative Artists is smart and rational enough not to be foolish enough to clash with the Academy."

"So, he had it all planned out. All he had to do was contact you, and this matter could be settled quietly. Whether it's you or me, we'll persuade Anson to attend the Oscars for the sake of the bigger picture."

“Even Will Smith is the same.”

Just like when Anson joined Creative Artists, Will Smith was furious and even demanded that the senior partners make a choice:

Anson, or Will?
But Edgar already knew the answer: how could an industry monster like an innovative artist be swayed by a mere actor?
Now, Frank is doing the same thing. As expected of an old fox, he starts from the company level and the big picture, and immediately grasps the key and takes control of the whole situation.

Next, the creative artist agency will naturally persuade Anson to attend the Oscars; Frank doesn't need to make himself look so disheveled.

But precisely, this is also the bottom line that Edgar insists on.

“Kevin, Anson can attend the Oscars, no problem, but it can’t be his agency forcing him to attend. Frank must personally persuade Anson to attend.”

(End of this chapter)