America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 166 Quasi-A Project

After packing up his filming equipment, Jody took off his helmet and prepared to return home to catch up on today's news.

A girl suddenly came up to me and asked, "Are you a reporter?"

Jody recognized her face. After thinking carefully, she remembered that she had seen her on Anne's set when she was filming Martin and Anne. She seemed to be an actress as well.

She asked, "Is something the matter?"

Laura said, "I'm an actress, I know a lot about industry news. How can I contact you?"

Jody took out a business card and handed it to her: "Call the number on this page, and I'll give you some compensation depending on the news value."

This is the industry's unspoken rule, and Laura understands it too. She put away her business card and walked towards a car, where paparazzi were also present.

Laura collected the contact information of more than a dozen entertainment reporters and paparazzi in one go.

Back at the Hilton Hotel where we were staying, we waited for more than two hours before Annie returned.

She walked briskly, her face beaming. She kicked off her high heels as she entered the room and couldn't help but twirl and dance, her mood absolutely ecstatic.

Laura cautioned, "Don't get too excited yet, he's not your boyfriend yet."

These words made Annie stop in her tracks. Her smile faded, and a hint of sadness appeared between her brows: "I thought he would confess his feelings to me today."

Laura analyzed, "Did you give too little response? Does he feel uncertain and afraid of failure?"

Annie came over and sat on the sofa, hugging her knees with both hands, looking helpless: "I gave a lot of responses, and they were quite obvious."

Laura said, "He probably wants to wait until he's more confident."

"I can't wait any longer, can I?" Anne worried. "Once this movie is finished, I'll be going back to New York. If I don't settle things down... there are too many temptations in Hollywood, especially for a high-quality guy like him."

Laura nodded: "Yes, she's very good-looking, has a bright future, and her only flaw isn't really a flaw; she can attract tens of millions of dollars in investment."

She was preparing to become Annie's assistant, so she spoke quickly and frankly, saying to Annie, "Now that you've encountered this opportunity, Annie, why didn't you seize it sooner?"

Anne looked at her: "You mean...?"

Laura said, "He's afraid of being rejected. You could take the initiative, like confessing to him yourself."

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Annie hesitated.

Laura asked, "Do you want to see him snatched away by another woman?"

Anne recalled the scene in the car.

Martin is currently a hidden gem that few people have noticed, but when he truly shines...

Laura pulled out a stack of business cards: "You asked me for reporters' contact information, I thought you were planning a confession ceremony."

Anne nodded slowly, remembering Maha's instructions, took out her phone and went to the balcony to call her agent, Maha.

"I can't make this decision for you," Maha said, his words carrying a clear bias: "He's widely considered to have a bright future, and the key is that he can find funding to participate in projects, something that ordinary celebrities can't do."

Anne made up her mind: "I collected contact information for some entertainment media outlets."

Maha praised, "Very good, you're making progress." She suggested, "The news about you and Martin participating in the event has already appeared on the internet. Wait a while, wait for the next wave before launching another campaign."

Anne understood: "I understand."

…………

News about The Hills Have Eyes and Martin then appeared extensively in the media. Madame Tussauds was still showing, and Anne had The Princess Diaries 2, which was a huge hit this year. The combined attention generated by the two easily achieved 1+1 greater than 2.

Entertainment Weekly and The Hollywood Reporter also published news about The Hills Have Eyes.

Shorter 30-second trailers than those used in promotional events have also appeared on some television stations.

Martin would go to the studio every day to work with the film's publicists and Warner Bros.' marketing department to develop unconventional publicity plans.

Television, trailers, posters, and outdoor advertising are all conventional promotional methods.

This time, there's no Paris or Kardashian to hype up, but there's still plenty of other things to create buzz about.

Martin might make a mess of things if he actually does them, but he's great at coming up with bad ideas.

The production team and Warner Bros. professionals were able to turn Martin's ideas into feasible solutions.

In December, Warner Bros. held another round of screenings for The Hills With Eyes, inviting not only company staff but also some theater managers.

Most people believe that the quality and market response of this film will be much better than that of House of Wax.

Warner Bros. is also gradually investing promotional resources, such as in its own films.

The "Things Across the Hills" gif appeared in the opening gif of Ocean's Twelve.

When films like Alexander the Great and Ghost Signal were released later, they also had related trailers.

On a brand new Monday, Martin arrived at WMA, where his agent, Thomas, was waiting for him in the lobby on the first floor.

Thomas breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing Martin, as Martin's first agency contract had expired and he could choose to sign with any company or agent.

Normally, when a talent agency's one-year contract with a newcomer expires, they will proactively request a renewal, because you can't really do much in Hollywood in a year and there won't be much development.

People like Martin are rare.

Thomas quickly went to greet him: "Shall we go upstairs?"

Martin nodded: "Let's go upstairs. The sooner we sign the contract, the more at ease you'll feel."

Thomas smiled easily: "I trust you the most. Don't forget we're a golden duo."

The two went upstairs to the signing office, where Martin discovered that the person representing WMA in the signing was none other than senior partner Jim Witt.

The latter shook hands with Martin: "A year has flown by, and we are about to begin a brand new collaboration."

Martin responded with a smile, "Without the company's help, I wouldn't be who I am today."

Jim Witt stated directly, "After signing the new agent contract, Martin, you will be a key prospect that WMA is developing."

Martin said, "I look forward to a closer and more enjoyable collaboration."

An assistant brought over three copies of the brokerage contract.

Thomas explained, "The Screen Actors Guild has reviewed the contract and endorsed and signed it."

This is a necessary procedure.

Martin sat at his desk, carefully reviewed the contract terms, and signed it.

According to regulations, brokerage contracts can only be signed for a maximum of three years, and brokerage firms can only receive a maximum commission of 10%.

It includes not only film fees, but also GG endorsements, post-production revenue sharing, and image rights sharing, etc.

Of course, the client's investment returns are not included.

Martin, lacking the qualifications to demand more, naturally signed a top-tier contract: three years and 10% of the profits.

After the contract is signed, WMA sends a copy to the Screen Actors Guild for filing.

Jim Witt shakes hands with Martin.

An assistant even came over to take photos.

Thomas finally felt relieved.

Jim Witt said a few more words of encouragement to Martin, and then quickly left the office.

After dismissing his assistant, Thomas closed the door and spoke to Martin: "Yesterday I ran into Maha Dakshir of CAA."

Martin's name sounded familiar.

Thomas explained, "Anne Hathaway's agent, you're pursuing Anne, right? She talked to me about how to promote the relationship after you two get together."

Martin said, "We're not together yet."

Thomas has been saying recently, "It's only a matter of time." He further stated, "If you two really get together, it's hard to say in the long term, but in the short term it will help attract media attention and thus increase your visibility."

Martin was prepared: "You can discuss the specifics with her; I have no objections."

Thomas's assessment was accurate: "Maha contacted me, which means Anne has no objections. How long will it take you to win her over?"

"I take relationships seriously," Martin said, sounding particularly serious. "So, it needs some time..."

Thomas knew Martin was a sensible person, so he didn't rush him. Instead, he said, "I told you last time that I would find you a key role in a near-A-list production."

"A breakthrough?" Martin thought to himself, "Sure enough, you can still get some oil out of it."

People need a bit more pressure to truly bear the burden.

Thomas, recalling Martin's last mention of Ridley Scott's big-budget production, took on a heavy responsibility: "I've heard some important news: Martin Scorsese and Leonardo have made formal contact with Warner Bros.

Upon hearing the names of these two people, Martin couldn't help but speculate.

Thomas continued, "They're working on a new project, which I'm sure is a multi-protagonist gangster film. If Warner Bros. agrees to participate in the production, and given the huge success of The Hills With Eyes, and your and Louise's history of working with Warner Bros., we could potentially compete for important roles."

Martin asked directly, "Do you know the specifics of the project?"

"It should be an adaptation, and it's definitely a gangster film." Thomas had gathered a lot of information: "Currently, it's only in its early stages, and the screenwriter and script haven't been finalized yet, but Scorsese's gangster films, like Craven's horror films, are synonymous with success."

Martin nodded slowly: "One of the four major directors in Hollywood, if I really get an important role, it will elevate the film's status."

Thomas was even more direct: "Just elevate its status!"

Martin asked, "Any other news?"

"It's confirmed to be a mixed-production project," Thomas added. "Brad Pitt's Plan B and Paramount Pictures are also interested in participating, and as for Louise..."

Martin shook his head: "She can speak on my behalf with Warner, but I can't guarantee she'll get involved in the project."

Thomas said, "Then you won't have a direct say." He revealed, "Scorers' recent films were all produced by Graham King, who is British. I got this information from his assistant, and I have a good personal relationship with his assistant."

Martin then asked, "I remember Plan B was a company that Pitt and Aniston set up. Who's in charge of the specific operations?"

Thomas can confirm this: "Brad Pitt and Aniston are just shareholders; they don't handle day-to-day operations."

Martin thought for a moment and asked, "How many resources can the company provide for me?"

Thomas said, "I'm confident I can get Jim Witt to speak for you."

Martin made his decision easily: "You try to make it work."

Whether it succeeds or not, you should at least give it a try.

Thomas confidently declared, "I will use all my connections to get you an opportunity."

(End of this chapter)