America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 141 Creating Surprises

In the producer's office, Martin met Susan Levine.

The female producer was beaming with joy because she was happily in love with her prodigal son-turned-fiancé.

Martin had also heard some of the news and specifically asked, "When are you attending your and Donnie's wedding?"

When this was mentioned, Susan said happily, "We just started planning, and it won't be until the first half of next year at the earliest."

Martin added, "Don't forget my invitation."

"How could I forget you? I'll invite you in advance." Susan had a good impression of Martin, not only because he was also a reformed playboy, but also because he had helped the crew avoid trouble.

That kangaroo really hurt Menez, and it would have caused a huge financial loss.

Susan then asked, "Have you finished filming your new movie?"

"Just got back from Mexico." Martin handed over a lucky charm and pointed to the newspaper in his hand: "The entertainment media is all about Paris lately, I'm a little worried."

Susan fiddled with the lucky totem and reassured her, "It's alright. She's had much bigger scandals before. This little one will only increase her exposure, which might not be a bad thing for the films she'll be in."

Martin understood the implication: the production team was hoping for even more scandals involving Paris. He then asked, "Has the production team developed a publicity plan?"

Susan smiled and shook her head: "No, she's too unpredictable." Although she's only independently managed fewer than five films, her abilities are undeniable. She couldn't help but look at Martin: "What, you have ideas?"

Martin said, "Everyone around me lately has been talking about Paris. She's in jail after her second arrest, and she's become incredibly famous."

Susan also paid attention: "And her assistant on set, her name was..."

"Kim Kardashian," Martin reminded him.

Susan nodded: "Yes, Kardashian. She breaks news about Paris every other week. Paris is hotter than Spider-Man 2." She added with regret: "Unfortunately, Paris is completely an uncontrollable factor."

Martin cut to the chase: "What if Kardashian is under control?"

Susan looked up at Martin: "You're not kidding me, are you?"

Martin aptly remarked, "My manager, Old Brooks, you've met him; he has a very good relationship with Kim."

Susan suddenly laughed: "Martin, you really know how to create surprises." She looked Martin over carefully again: "Now I finally understand why Louise admires you so much."

Martin didn't respond to that, but instead said, "If the film does better, all of us who are involved in the production will benefit."

Susan took Martin's words seriously: "Tell me your thoughts."

Martin said, "I asked a few neighbors if they would watch it if Paris were killed in the movie, and they were surprisingly unanimous in their opinions, saying they would cheer loudly."

Susan understands this psychology: "Ordinary people want to see more scandals about this rich princess to fit their self-perception that all rich people are trash, but they also loathe these scandals and wish the ugly rich people would die."

"Like me," Martin couldn't help but say, "I think, just like any other ordinary American, that even a pig could sit in the White House without any problem, but if the pig had any problems..."

Susan laughed again, "I'm the same as you." She quickly stopped laughing, "Go contact Kardashian, I'll have someone initiate a sampling survey."

As for Paris, the investors involved have been very unhappy ever since yet another scandal broke out.

Susan made a few phone calls and quickly convinced them with the producer's professionalism and the film's promising profits.

…………

In Venice, a satellite city, on the enclosed beachfront of a seaside hotel.

Jin Chao twisted his waist and ran towards the sea.

Although not as exaggerated as later, it is still considered quite perky among normal people.

Bruce, wearing a floral shirt, is a truly civilized man.

His phone rang, and after speaking briefly with Martin, he called out to the front, "King, come here."

Kim jogged back and sat down next to Bruce, asking, "What's up?"

Bruce had already grasped her key point: "Do you want to appear in more media and get more attention?"

"Of course I want to!" Jin said thoughtfully, "but my personal abilities and resources are limited."

She shifted her position closer to Bruce, turning like a millstone: "You've got another idea, haven't you?"

Bruce mixed truth with lies, saying, "A producer from the 'House of Wax' crew called me and asked if I knew you well, because he knew we were quite close on set."

Jin realized something, but hadn't quite figured it out yet: "That movie Paris invested in and starred in? The production team asked me to help with promotion? But I'm on the opposite side of Paris, and it's impossible for us to reconcile anytime soon..."

Bruce said, "There's no need to make up. The production team will work with the film's distributors to invest more media resources in you. Just release information according to the production team's schedule."

Knowing that Warner Bros. was behind "House of Wax," Kim agreed almost without hesitation: "I have no problem!"

If the production team and Warner Bros. had invested their media resources, the publicity effect would have been several times, or even ten times, better than it is now.

Bruce got up and walked towards the hotel: "We'll go back and make preparations. It'll only take a few days. They'll send someone to talk to you in detail."

Jin deliberately walked ahead of him, swaying her hips, and occasionally turned around to give him a flirtatious wink: "Old Bu, you'll always be there for me, won't you?"

Bruce's gaze was fixed on one point.

…………

Warner Bros. Studios, in the post-production studio.

Parker, the production's publicity manager, is dealing with the agents of Martin, Eliza, and Paris.

Three agents were arguing fiercely over the placement of the actors' names and images in the opening and closing credits and promotional posters.

Although the contract stipulates the terms, there is still room for maneuver in determining the specific location.

Elizabeth's agent demanded that promotional materials highlight Elizabeth herself, requiring her to be in the center position and her image to be at least twice the size of the other main actors.

Thomas, of course, objected, arguing that Martin's role should be equal to Eliza's, and his image should only be slightly smaller than Eliza's. He also suggested that the film's title could be placed after Eliza's, but the size and color should remain the same.

Paris's agent demanded that Paris be treated the same as Martin.

Then another argument ensued over the colors, shapes, and other aspects of their respective clients' images on the promotional materials.

All three agents are very tough. The film crew is not a gentle and mild-mannered place. Whoever is weak or easygoing will be unlucky.

Eliza's position as the female lead is unshakeable; what Thomas is fighting for for Martin is to ensure that he receives treatment in all kinds of materials that is almost identical to that of the female lead.

Ultimately, in the opening credits, Martin's name appeared separately in the second frame after the female lead, Elizabeth, while Paris Hilton's name also appeared separately after Martin's, with the addition of the words "Special Appearance".

On the main poster, Eliza is still in the center position, Martin's head is a third smaller than hers and is located to her right, and Paris is a third smaller and is located to her left.

The poster features the cast list, with Elizabeth and Martin's names prominently displayed above their respective images, while Paris's name is placed separately to the left of her portrait.

In addition, Martin and Eliza will have a special twins showdown poster.

Martin will also attend any media events featuring the female lead, Eliza.

As for Paris, she is not out of prison for the time being.

"It's a pity Eliza and Martin broke up," Parker said with regret. "It would have been a great publicity opportunity."

Thomas and Elizabeth's agent, Victor, who had been arguing fiercely, exchanged a knowing glance.

The latter said directly, "Should we get them back together?"

This is one of the most common promotional methods in the industry, and Thomas himself does not object to it. For example, when Spider-Man 2 was released this year, the media was hyping up Peter Parker and Mary Jane.

In reality, Tobey Maguire was dating the daughter of Warner Bros. CEO Barry Mayer.

Thomas raised a key point: "I can convince Martin, provided that the woman doesn't force him to be a vegetarian."

Parker immediately picked up the phone and called Susan for a routine briefing.

Susan replied, "No need, our key selling point isn't on that. Parker, have you finalized your deal? Come over for a meeting right away."

Parker ended the meeting here.

When Thomas left, Paris's agent, Steve, came to see him.

"How about this, let Martin and Paris have a romance?" Steve was very considerate of his client: "Martin can use Paris's popularity to gain attention."

Thomas said, "Is Paris using this relationship to divert attention and stop people from talking about her scandals?"

Steve knew his competitors weren't fools and admitted, "It's beneficial for both of us."

Thomas couldn't make the decision on his own: "Let me ask Martin for his opinion."

Steve exchanged business cards with him: "I'll be waiting for your good news."

……

In the director's office, Martin is chatting with Jaume Collet-Serra.

Having experienced that special art party, Jaume Coleman and Martin, while not exactly inseparable, could be considered friends.

As it was his first time directing a film, Jaume Coleman was nervous: "The film is finished. It has been screened internally at Warner Bros. and the response has been good. It will soon be sent to the MPAA for rating. I estimate that there will be a screening for theater managers in mid-September, at which time we will be able to determine how many theaters will premiere it."

Martin laughed and said, "You were treated much better than me the first time. My first theatrical film only had a limited run in eight theaters on its opening weekend."

Jaume Coleman is under a lot of pressure: "I've been dreaming about the film's release lately, and I'm afraid of it failing."

Martin suggested, "You need to de-stress. Go out for a drink tonight, call up Wes, Aja, and Michelle. Wes has a place that's great for sparking inspiration."

Jumi replied, "A drink would be good, alcohol helps you sleep." He rubbed his temples. "I messed up this time, there won't be a second chance. I can only go back to shooting the music video and it's over."

Martin joked, "This isn't enough pressure. Let me tell you how much pressure a director can be under. If a film he makes fails at the box office, he can only go home and inherit billions of dollars."

Zomi paused for a moment, then burst out laughing: "Martin, it's still more fun with you."

Martin made several phone calls. Michelle was out of Los Angeles, busy with film festivals preparing for awards. Wes Craven and Alexander Aja were happy to get out and relax.

(End of this chapter)