America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 176 Finally, I Became a Human Being

In the Michelin-starred restaurant, Anne enjoyed French cuisine while Martin, sitting opposite her, was attentive and courteous, taking meticulous care of her.

She forked a piece of baked shrimp and presented it to Martin: "This is a reward for you."

Martin ate the food with a happy expression, then forked a piece and fed it to Annie.

Annie ate the food and asked, "When I called you last time, were you in East Asia?"

Martin remained expressionless: "I went to the port city to attract investment."

Anne thought of the film project: "Isn't Atlanta's funding enough? We need to go overseas to attract investment."

"Another project," Martin said vaguely. "Not the arrest warrant, but another big project I'm planning to collaborate on, with a much higher investment. Sorry, due to confidentiality clauses, I can't say anything right now."

Upon hearing that the investment was higher, Anne felt it was necessary to keep it a secret, and smiled as she shook Martin's hand: "It's okay, big deals always involve many terms."

She was particularly concerned about Martin's financial future: "Was this trip successful?"

Martin nodded slightly: "We've found a few potential investors. They'll be coming to Los Angeles in a while to attend the premiere of 'The Hills Have Eyes'."

He extended the invitation: "Annie, would you like to come with me to the premiere?"

How could Anne refuse? "I'll definitely go."

Martin pulled out an exquisite gift box, engraved with a beautiful starry sky pattern: "This is for you. Open it and see, it'll be a surprise!"

Seeing so many stars, Annie immediately thought of sparkling diamonds, took the box, and prepared to open it: "Is it okay?"

Martin gestured for them to be: "They belong to you."

Annie excitedly opened it and found a certificate, an exquisitely beautiful star chart, and a pretty crystal star inside.

It wasn't the diamond she was thinking of.

Even though Annie is an actress, there was a moment when her smile froze on her face.

But upon opening the certificate, she was quite surprised and couldn't help but cover her mouth: "You...you bought the naming rights to a star for me?"

This business is definitely a niche one! Martin said, "Atlantic Astronomical Society, the naming rights to a star."

His lines were already prepared beforehand, and his acting was phenomenal, absolutely Oscar-worthy: "When I was in Hong Kong, I couldn't help but miss you. After calling you, I missed you even more. I was thinking, is there a way that I can see you just by looking up?"

Annie pursed her lips, her eyes slightly red and misty.

Martin continued, "I specifically contacted the renowned Atlantic Astronomical Society and bought the naming rights to this star. From now on, I will be able to see your starlight whenever I look up, and your starlight will always shine upon me."

Anne nodded vigorously, unable to contain herself: "I love you, Martin. My love for you will be as bright as this star!"

Martin wasn't afraid that Anne would discover the problem; if she did, it would mean that Martin Davis had been deceived by the Atlantic Astronomical Society.

It's normal for a good person to get scammed.

Anne felt this was the most precious gift in the world and carefully put it in her bag: "You're at a time when you need money, this is too much."

Martin said, "Annie, you deserve all the good things in the world."

Anne stared blankly at Martin. He was handsome, useful, and had a promising future. It would be hard to find another boyfriend like him.

It's time to step up the stakes!

Anne tentatively said, "Martin, you've been investing in movies one after another, you must be short on funds, right? If you need it, I have some money on hand."

Martin was taken aback by these words. He reacted quickly, with a touch of emotion, "No need, I can handle the funding problem."

"Just tell me if you need anything," Anne said, not pressing him, but specifically adding, "What's mine is yours."

She can't say the last part now.

"Don't worry, I'm not under much financial pressure." Martin finally acted like a human being.

Bruce was impressed by him.

After finishing their meal, Martin paid the bill, and he and Annie walked hand in hand out of the restaurant and down the sidewalk.

The two of them wouldn't say it outright, but their respective agents had already made arrangements so that they would make a public appearance during each date and show their affection appropriately.

When the time is right, we might even unleash a powerful move.

Martin held Anne's hand, walking and chatting intimately.

His professional ethics are beyond question. Many paparazzi and entertainment reporters probably didn't even have time to eat. They still need to earn their food and gas money for the day.

The two kissed passionately and without restraint in the street.

The film "The Hills Have Eyes" has entered its large-scale publicity period. After entering a small park, Martin even carried Anne and ran for a while.

Entertainment news is all fabricated.

Afterwards, Martin bought a telescope and took Annie into the nearby Ritz-Carlton Hotel, where they never came out again.

Anne was first overwhelmed by the romance from the stars, and then by Martin. In her excitement, she agreed to many of Martin's strange requests.

The next morning, when the two left the hotel together, they were caught on camera by paparazzi who had been waiting there.

These entertainment reporters and paparazzi followed them all the way to the entrance of Warner Bros. Studios before they stopped.

Martin wanted Anne to cooperate further with the publicity campaign, so he needed to give her confidence. Showing off her meager savings would be too low-class and might even scare people away.

Upon arriving at the small film studio rented by the "Wanted" film crew, Menez greeted them warmly: "Boss."

Martin introduced Anne to him: "This is Menez, my brother."

Anne smiled at Menéne and said, "Hello."

From the glass office on the other side, screenwriter Mike Bradett ran out.

Martin introduced him and Anne.

Bradley, not paying attention to Princess Anne, said directly, "I need a professional action director. Some script scene construction must incorporate action."

Martin said, "I'm here today for action direction."

Chad Stahelski, whom I met at Kate Winslet's party, finished working on the set of Constantine last month. After a short break, he contacted Martin to prepare for a new job.

Martin and Bradett discussed the direction of the script, while Anne could only listen from the sidelines. She sensed that Martin was full of passion and energy when he was working.

About ten minutes later, Chad entered the studio and joined Martin and Bradley's discussion.

Just then, Bruce arrived as well.

Some of the action scenes that Martin and Chad imagined were simply demonstrated by Bruce, which was more intuitive.

Bruce maintained a fitness and training regimen with Martin for a long time, making him agile.

Before noon, Martin had already decided to hire Chad as the action director for the film.

Chad and Martin shared many similar ideas and were willing to accept the new job.

Bradley also got a professional action coach who promised to treat everyone to lunch.

Martin found Anne and asked, "Bored yet? Once we start talking about work, we can't stop."

Annie saw the studio under construction and was completely relieved: "A man who is working is the most charming. You don't need to worry about me. I'm going to the film set in a bit. You continue with your work."

Martin said, "I'll treat you to lunch, then you can go over."

"Okay." Annie wanted to delve deeper into Martin's life.

Martin treated Annie to lunch, and then he took her to the Hilton Hotel, where her film crew was scheduled to shoot that afternoon.

Martin went to see Craven to attend a roadshow that afternoon.

After the New Year, the promotion of "The Hills Have Eyes" went into full swing, with posters, promotional materials, and advertorials appearing one after another.

The Nevada nuclear test declassification website has been updating information, both true and false, according to schedule.

If you have the real thing, use the real thing; if you don't have the real thing, make a fake one.

The power of capital is immense. Warner Bros. interviewed many veterans who had worked at nuclear test sites, garnering a huge amount of attention.

Movie promotion and marketing are a mix of truth and falsehood; as long as it can create a sensation, they're willing to fabricate apocalyptic panic.

Documents marked "top secret" were revealed one after another, and residents and veterans who originally lived near the test site, especially those with abnormal health conditions, were constantly dragged out for propaganda purposes.

The public outcry has finally reached Washington, D.C.

During a routine White House press briefing, a reporter from WarnerMedia asked about the matter.

The spokesperson categorically denied it, stating directly that they would contact Hollywood.

In these kinds of situations, official denials are never effective; they often only make things worse.

A fictitious U.S. nuclear energy assessment agency has issued a missing person notice for data collection personnel who have gone missing at the Nevada Test Site.

Then, similar missing person notices were posted on the internet and in the media, claiming that family members or friends who were driving through Nevada had gone missing near the nuclear test site.

In fact, once you get here, anyone familiar with Hollywood movie marketing and promotion will recognize that this is a promotion for a particular movie.

Viral marketing wasn't first invented by "The Blair Witch Project." After the film's success, other films have used similar marketing tactics in recent years, including "The Matrix."

Just after Washington responded and public opinion reached a climax, the homepage image of the Nevada nuclear test declassification website changed. It was no longer a picture of a veteran with a lipoma on his back, but a missing person notice.

"I am Brian, the principal of Lovesa Middle School in Orange County. Last month, our school's physical education teacher, Bob, went missing while on a road trip with his father-in-law's family across Nevada. Their car was last seen at a gas station outside the nuclear test site. I am now seeking clues..."

The missing person poster featured a family photo.

The man standing in the center, holding a dog in one hand and a child in the other, is Bob, the male lead played by Martin Scorsese in The Hills Within.

Behind them are Bob's father-in-law and his family.

Viral marketing can easily backfire, and the experienced Warner Bros. was well prepared.

While the missing person notice was posted, a Flash game called "The Mountains Have Eyes" was loaded onto the webpage.

The content involves assisting the protagonist, Bob, in finding the hideout of a monstrous, deranged killer caused by nuclear testing, controlling the character Bob to overcome obstacles and find the baby stolen by the killer.

Those who complete the challenge before the deadline can participate in a lucky draw to receive a souvenir mailed by the production team.

There are also ten super lucky draw prizes, with the winners being invited by the production team to Los Angeles to attend the premiere of The Hills Have Eyes, with all travel and accommodation expenses covered by the production team.

In terms of formal publicity, Martin is preparing to go on a talk show.

Two updates today

(End of this chapter)