America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 260 Life is so difficult

Burbank, Davis Film Studios.

In the conference room, Martin stood at the head of the table, his laser pointer pointing at the white projection screen, and said, "The Dark Realms adaptation project is officially named 'Limitless,' and the script adaptation will be handled by Bradett."

Bradt, who was sitting on the left side of the long conference table, stood up and nodded slightly.

Also attending the meeting were Louise Mayer, representing Pacific Films; Kelly Gray, who came from Atlanta; and Daniel Bernard, representing Warner Bros.

Martin continued to introduce the project: "Chad will be the action director and assistant director, and I will play the male lead. The expected production cost is no less than $3000 million."

Louise flipped through the book in front of her: "The novel itself didn't sell very well; it's not exactly a bestseller."

Martin said, "Therefore, adapted screenplays must incorporate more commercial gimmicks, such as chases, picking up girls, and underdog triumphs, which will be an important part of future films."

Bradett continued, "First and foremost, you need to make sure you tell a good story with a logically clear plot."

"That's right, everything I'm saying is based on telling a good story, and then we're enhancing it," Martin emphasized. "We need to highlight how the protagonist goes from being one of the most common, penniless, down-on-his-luck men in America to achieving a miraculous rise to power, making money, picking up girls, resolving crises, and finally becoming a respected figure!"

He concluded, "In short, a poor person can change their life through extraordinary means!"

Kelly suddenly interjected, "Wouldn't that be too vulgar? Wouldn't it result in a lack of artistry?"

She is not only a film company owner, but also a social activist, so it's inevitable that she would consider the issue from the latter perspective: "It doesn't conform to the values ​​we advocate. We promote the idea that success comes from hard work. Strictly speaking, the male lead is someone who gets something for nothing."

Before Martin could speak, Louise laughed: "You're right, we can't succeed without their efforts."

Martin cut to the chase and got to the point: "In my vision, the film will unfold from a first-person perspective, with the protagonist's perspective being the audience's perspective. Through narration and special camera work, the audience will automatically immerse themselves in the protagonist's world from the very beginning. Most of the audience members who can enter the theater are ordinary people who face similar problems in their lives to the protagonist."

He used to be a similar person: "Don't they work hard? Some may choose to give up, but most people work very hard in life, even desperately, but their hard work cannot solve the predicaments they face."

Louise and Kelly Gray didn't fully grasp this, which was determined by their backgrounds.

But Chad, Daniel, and Bradley, who all came from ordinary middle-class backgrounds and worked their way up from the bottom of Hollywood, felt this deeply.

Many problems and difficulties cannot be solved simply by hard work and desperate efforts.

Martin continued, "Audiences have already worked incredibly hard in real life. To expect them to experience that same anxiety-inducing struggle again in the theater, facing our film and the protagonist's predicament, is pointless. I think it's more satisfying to simply give them a free ride and let them indulge in a relaxing daydream!"

He specifically pointed out, "Our recently successful 'Wanted' story is this type—a poor kid's incredible rise to success!"

Bradett, having had ample interaction with Martin and understanding his thoughts, remarked, "An ordinary person who achieves nothing can become a successful member of high society through cheating."

Martin recalled the online novels that many people used to read: "The thrill of going from ordinary or even impoverished to having an amazing life is both tempting and a source of spiritual enjoyment."

Louise looked at Kelly: "What do you say?"

Kelly smiled at Martin: "He succeeded the first few times. I invest in successful people."

Louise pushed up her black-rimmed glasses and said very seriously, "Pacific Films will invest in this project."

Since arriving in Los Angeles, Martin has been successful, and Louise has witnessed him climb from a small-time actor to a famous movie star.

Daniel then said, "There shouldn't be any major problems with Warner Bros., but we still have to go through the routine procedures, so I can't give a definite answer right now."

That's enough," Martin said with a smile. "The basic framework for this project is now complete."

He specifically added, "Coca-Cola will continue to sponsor my projects."

If you can secure a strong enough partner, the film will face far fewer problems from preparation and filming to rating and release.

Louise looked at Martin and realized something: Martin was no longer completely dependent on her, and she had a vague feeling that he was about to break away.

Daniel stated, "I can guarantee there's a 99% chance Warner Bros. will give the project the green light!"

Kelly, being from Atlanta, knew the most about Coca-Cola and the Coca-Cola Cult. Her gaze towards Martin was somewhat complicated: as long as Martin didn't do anything reckless, with the Coca-Cola Cult leader's support, Coca-Cola would definitely give him its full support.

Support from outside the film industry, especially from massive corporations like Coca-Cola, is incredibly helpful to celebrities.

While Martin and Daniel were talking, Kelly lowered her voice and whispered in Louise's ear, "As long as Martin is still the leader of the Cola Cult, I'll invest in all his projects."

"Are you going to act all slutty again?" Even in such a formal setting, Louise couldn't be serious, almost biting Kelly's ear as she said, "You'll tell him later that bastard will thank you for billions tonight."

Kelly asked, "Don't you think it's easy to make money investing in Martin? All the projects he's involved in have been successful, and the profit margins are very high."

Louise glanced at Martin and lowered her voice even further: "The line is about to break."

Kelly couldn't help but laugh: "Do you want to marry him?"

Louise shook her head slightly: "I'm not crazy."

In this regard, Kelly had already figured it out when Martin was still in Atlanta: "Investing in him can bring substantial profits, as well as both physical and mental enjoyment. What's wrong with that?"

Louise said, "As expected, you're the most promiscuous one."

The meeting ended quickly, and Martin had basically achieved his goal. Given his current abilities, it was unrealistic for him to manage a board independently; there were too many uncontrollable factors.

Continuing to produce multiple projects together will allow them to secure higher salaries and larger investments.

If a competing company tries to suppress his project, and there's no pillar to support it, then, putting aside everything else, the MPAA rating process alone can be incredibly stressful.

As for the so-called fairness and justice...

Talking to capital about this is a hundred times harder than the Parisians not striking.

Martin first saw Daniel off, and then saw Kelly and Louise off as well.

Louise went straight to the point: "Carrie just told me that she'll invest in all your projects from now on. How do you plan to repay her?"

Martin was incredibly excited, holding Kelly's hand in one hand and Louise's in the other: "I have nothing else to offer but the best I can do to repay you!"

Kelly was heading to Warner Bros., and gently pinched Martin's web between her thumb and forefinger with two fingers: "I'm staying at Louise's tonight, don't be late."

"I'll have the chef prepare lamb and oysters for you," Louise said thoughtfully. "If your strengths turn into weaknesses, I'll grill them until they're firm."

Martin scoffed and said, "Just the two of you?"

Kelly chuckled: "You know, we don't want stubbornness."

Louise pulled Kelly out of the studio.

Martin walked back, and Bruce handed him his phone.

"Whose call was it?" he asked.

Bruce said, "Blake called you, and Julie texted you."

Martin knew what was important, so he called Blake first. Blake didn't have anything urgent to say; he just told him that the female lead in "Gossip Girl" needed to stay in New York to experience life on the Upper East Side for a while.

Julie then asked him if he had time to meet at the usual spot at the hotel at noon.

Martin, thinking about the upcoming rounds of sex that night, had no choice but to refuse Julie.

There's not enough time!

Martin put away his phone and asked Bruce, "Could you find out if there are any time management training courses in Hollywood?"

Bruce and Martin understood each other perfectly, and Bruce knew what he meant: "Never heard of it. I'll have Thomas or someone else inquire about it."

Martin nodded: "This course is very important, and I also want to become a time management master."

Just as he got back to his office, Leonardo called again: "Dude, I have some good news for you. My party is all set, and it's tomorrow at my vacation home in Malibu Beach. You bastard, you have to be there. I've got Danny Boyle with you."

Martin, of course, wouldn't refuse, replying, "I'll definitely be there on time. You said you'd give me a surprise. If there's no surprise, Leo, I'll throw you into the Pacific Ocean so all the fish there know you only have 11 seconds."

"Fuck! Fuck!" Leonardo gave Martin the middle finger over the phone: "You're showing off, you're awesome, great! When you get all rubbed raw, don't fucking complain about the pain, and don't make me send a car to take you to the doctor."

Martin boasts without paying taxes: "You'll truly know what a man forged of steel is!"

Leonardo gave the time and place, then hung up the phone.

Martin asked, "Old Brooks, we don't have any urgent matters to attend to tomorrow, right?"

Bruce thought for a moment and confirmed, "No, you have plenty of time tomorrow."

Martin reminded him, "Pick me up from Louise's mansion first thing tomorrow morning; I need to rest for the morning."

Bruce sympathized: "It's so hard being a man."

Martin wholeheartedly agreed: "I never imagined life would be so difficult!"

For his career, for his future, and for enjoyment, he has spent billions of dollars.

Martin spent the entire afternoon in the studio, discussing the creative process with Chad and Brad, finalizing the character designs for the main characters and the main storyline.

Those exhilarating, overpowered moments, of course, depend on a clear and well-structured narrative rhythm in the film.

Reality may be illogical, but if a movie is illogical, it will be heavily criticized.

After get off work, Martin returned to Sherman Oaks. From the Coty neighborhood, it was less than a ten-minute drive uphill to Louise's mansion.

It's often said that it's not easy for women to succeed, but it's just as tough for men!

(End of this chapter)