Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 59 Radical Action

It's not surprising that ICM wants to cooperate. After all, Aaron's vision is really good. However, Aaron's attitude towards the package deal is a bit cold;

Aaron wants to develop a film company instead of being content to be an independent producer. Instead of cooperating with an agency, it would be better for him to sign a production contract with a film company!

Besides, Aaron is not someone like Steven Spielberg who can casually attach his name to movies;

Steven Spielberg participates in the production of multiple films every year and has a lot of bad movies under his belt as a producer.

Moreover, Spielberg had never joined an agency, and Michael Ovitz of CAA had always wanted to sign him to CAA;

Since the 1980s, Steven Spielberg has only made films for Universal and Warner Bros. If he really joins CAA, that will definitely change!
After Jennifer Connelly signed a contract with ICM, the two left.

Nancy Josephson came to the office of ICM President Jeffrey Berg. "Uncle Berg, I talked to Aaron Anderson. He seems to have some resistance to the agency's packaging system!"

Jeffrey Berg smiled and asked, "Are you resistant?"

"Although he is young, he has great ambitions. The current film, 'Ghost', is independently produced by his Dawn Films.

"He bought the script when he was still at CAA!"

Nancy Josephson was surprised: "That is, after Aaron left CAA, he first made a low-budget film "Phone Booth" and achieved commercial success;"

"He's using the money he earned to directly develop 'Ghost'. He's really brave and his actions are quite radical."

"Yes, radical," Jeffrey Berg nodded. "When he was an agent at CAA, he rarely managed artists. He focused on film sales."

"His abilities are indeed good. He's optimistic about new directors like Steven Soderbergh and David Fincher!"

Nancy Josephson smiled. "Is Uncle Berg very optimistic about Aaron Anderson?"

Jeffrey Berg spread his hands, "From the earliest "Sex, Lies, and Videotape", "Cinema Paradiso" to the hits "Pretty Woman" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", they are all related to him;"

“Now, he has also achieved commercial success with Phone Booth, which he produced himself and it was his own idea;

"Do you think these are all coincidences?"

Jeffrey Berg shook his head. "Last year, who was he? He dared to confront Warren Beatty head-on. It could be said that he was gambling his career and future. This was the ultimate confidence."

"As a result, look at it. The global box office of 'Pretty Woman' exceeded $3 million last week. According to predictions, the box office of 'Pretty Woman' is at least $4 million.

"As for 'Dick Tracy,' even without the recent Warren Beatty scandal, how much would this movie have done at the box office? Who would have expected it to make $2 million?"

Jeffrey Berg's point was clear: with the phenomenal performance of Pretty Woman, Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy had no chance of winning. "Yeah, no wonder he dislikes the agency's package system. It was his advice that Al Pacino gave up his role in Dick Tracy and took this one!"

Nancy Josephson said and laughed.

"CAA is in a bad spot this time. They lost a future gold medal producer and America's sweetheart;"

“It also brought the reputation of long-time client Warren Beatty to its lowest point, becoming a stepping stone for Aaron Anderson’s rise.”

Since the performance in Pretty Woman was so good, the previous bet between Aaron Anderson and Warren Beatty has been mentioned again at great length;
That’s how Hollywood is. If you perform well, they will praise you. If you don’t, they will step on you!
The competition between CAA and ICM is now quite fierce.

Jeffrey Berg sitting on the chair sighed in his heart, ICM can't compare to CAA!
Now Michael Ovitz is leading the CAA team to fully assist Japan's Panasonic in acquiring MCA Group;
Last year, CAA participated in Sony Electronics' acquisition of Columbia TriStar Pictures, and this year, it led the entire process of Panasonic's acquisition of Universal Pictures. This has greatly boosted the reputation of CAA and Michael Ovitz.

Aaron is once again at the Disney Studios in Burbank as Jennifer Connelly joins Disney's new film, The Rocketeer!
Joe Johnston, the director of "The Rocketeer," made his directorial debut last year with the hit "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" for Disney.
Although the male and female protagonists Billy Campbell and Jennifer Connelly are not well-known now, the supporting role includes Timothy Dalton, the actor who currently plays 007 in two films!
"Aaron, are you interested in developing work solely for Disney?"

"Disney is willing to acquire a majority stake in Dawn Pictures at a high price. At that time, Dawn Pictures will still be managed by you. How about that?"

Not long after Aaron sat down in Jeffrey Katzenberg's office, he heard the other party's question.

"You know, Aaron Disney formed Touchstone Pictures and Hollywood Pictures specifically to create adult-oriented works!"

Aaron smiled and said, "Katzenberg, do you mean that he wants me to stay at Disney?

"Don't you want to join? With Disney's support, you can be the producer of several films at the same time."

Aaron shook his head and said helplessly: "Mr. Katzenberg, I like your frankness;"

"But I'm used to being free and undisciplined. If I were to sign an exclusive cooperation agreement with Disney, I don't think it would be suitable for the current Dawn Pictures!"

Jeffrey Katzenberg's expression remained calm as always. "With Disney's support, you won't have to worry about film funding, publicity and marketing, or distribution channels when you develop your next movie."

"You've seen Disney's achievements in live-action films, and they're pretty good!"

Jeffrey Katzenberg actually didn't pay much attention to Aaron Anderson before. After all, a work like "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" was not enough;
However, with the release of "Phone Booth" and "Pretty Woman" this year, Jeffrey Katzenberg felt a little regretful. Aaron Anderson does have some ability.

Dawn Pictures sought distribution from Sony Columbia for the fantasy romance film "Ghost." Aaron Anderson had indeed had someone send this script to Ten Years Ago, but it was ignored.

"Mr. Katzenberg, you know, I'm about to devote myself to the filming of 'Ghost'. It's a bit early to talk about cooperation now!"

(End of this chapter)