America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 388 Turning Passivity into Initiative

In the morning, Martin drove out of Louise's house, heading to Century City. Thomas had just returned from Atlanta yesterday, bringing some new news from the film crew.

They were supposed to enjoy a weekend together, but Louise's parents had something come up and she had to go, so Martin came out too.

Sherman Oaks isn't far from Beverly Hills; it's a quick drive.

While passing Rodeo Drive, he noticed a new luxury boutique with a glass facade and a large, half-eaten apple above the entrance.

Martin suddenly remembered that Apple's new phone would be released at the end of June.

He parked his car, went into the store, asked around, and bought 20 new mobile phones in one go, intending to give them as gifts.

Martin has been increasing his holdings of Apple shares over the past few years. For a long-term shareholder like him, even if Apple's stock price fluctuates, he is guaranteed to make a profit.

The era of smartphones will arrive soon.

Upon arriving at Century City, Martin parked his car, retrieved two iPhones, entered WMA, and went straight upstairs to find Thomas.

As always, the agents I encountered greeted me warmly with smiles.

There are so many good people.

Martin went upstairs, placed a cell phone on Natasha's desk, and said, "This is for you."

Natasha looked delighted, took the gift, examined it, and said, "Thank you, Martin, this is wonderful!"

"You're welcome." Martin entered Thomas's office.

Thomas met Martin and said, "Perfect timing. I need to talk to you about Bell, so I didn't need to call you."

Martin handed Thomas another phone: "Apple just released a new phone."

"Thank you." Thomas put the bag away and said about work, "I've finalized things with Bell."

Martin sat down on the sofa and asked, "What's the situation over there?"

"Nolan and Charles Rowan both put pressure on Bale's side," Thomas said in general. "After several back-and-forths with Bale's agent, Parker, they finally agreed to pay $100 million in emotional distress damages."

"This transaction doesn't need to go through the brokerage firm," Martin said directly. "Once the money arrives, you'll take ten percent."

Thomas smiled and said, "No problem."

In the past two years, he has earned over $100,000 in this kind of extra income alone.

Thomas added, "Because Hibby is filing for divorce, Bell was sent back to England for treatment. His condition has stabilized a little, but he goes crazy whenever he hears your or Joker's names. I reckon if he sees that..."

He shrugged.

Martin understood what he meant, and Bell, not wanting to be provoked, asked, "What about advertising and marketing?"

Thomas said, "I asked director Nolan privately, and he said it's not appropriate for you to appear in the same place as Bale right now. He said that when the promotional period starts next year, a suitable time and place will be arranged for you to meet."

Martin understood; Nolan would never miss an opportunity to use Bell for publicity and hype.

If it were him, the same would happen. A $1.8 million investment would be wasted, and the consequences of failure would be dire.

Thomas lowered his voice: "Nolan also asked me to tell you that he will talk to you personally about other matters."

Martin knew which specific plan it was and nodded: "We shouldn't give up on the preparations we've made here."

"I know," Thomas replied, then brought up the Cartier watch endorsement. As a top-tier luxury brand, many Hollywood stars are interested in endorsing it.

Thomas has already sent Martin's information to the relevant Cartier officials and is currently in talks with them.

It depends on Cartier's choice.

Thomas added, "The release date for 'The Reader' has been confirmed. It will begin preview screenings in November, with only one theater showing it for the first two weeks."

Martin said, "I spoke with Kate on the phone, and the film will be developed as an award contender."

The two then turned their conversation to the promotion and distribution of "The Reader".

The film's goal is very clear: to target this awards season, and even the film's commercial revenue will be greatly affected by the awards during that season.

The Reader will begin with preview screenings this November, and in order to control word-of-mouth, it will only be shown in one theater in Los Angeles for the first two weeks.

The fewer people who see a movie, the easier it is to control its reputation.

The Reader's focus during awards season is not on Best Picture or Best Director, but on Best Actress, with Best Actor as a secondary consideration.

Martin also wants to get another Oscar nomination, which would help both his status and his chances of winning.

Martin didn't stay at WMA for long before saying goodbye and returning home.

On weekends, instead of going to his studio, he simply moved a rattan chair out, brewed some tea, sat under a parasol by the pool, and took out the script for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" to study it carefully.

Martin also occasionally reminisces about movies he's watched to corroborate each other's observations.

Next week, I'll be attending a costume audition for the film crew.

Strictly speaking, the role of Benjamin Button was more difficult in terms of makeup and special effects. In terms of the complexity of the role alone, it was not even as complex as the male lead in "The Reader".

Martin read through the character script, checked the time, and realized it was almost noon, and Old Brooks still hadn't returned.

Looks like last night wasn't easy.

He then thought that Old Bu not only had to be the male lead, director, and cinematographer, but also had to take on roles such as screenwriter, lighting, costume, producer, and equipment technician. He must be very busy.

Oh, and I should also be the publicity and production manager, responsible for the operation of that film.

Martin suddenly realized that the most talented person in Hollywood was right next to him.

"I can't do without Bruce." Martin picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip. "Just like the West can't do without Jerusalem."

After finishing the script, he picked up the original novel and continued reading.

The more prepared you are, the smoother things will go later.

As noon approached, Martin was wondering where to get a free lunch when the door opened automatically and Bruce drove in.

He waved to Martin: "I brought you lunch."

Martin put down his novel, went to the garage, took the pizza and roast meat that Bruce had packed, and sniffed the air: "Smells good."

Bruce, looking unwell, got out of the car and yawned: "They're all your favorite flavors."

Martin brought lunch to the poolside, went back to wash his hands, and then brought out cutlery and beer. Bruce had already packed up his books and moved a chair to sit opposite him.

He picked up the pizza and started eating it in big bites: "I'm starving!"

Martin handed him a can of beer: "Too much to burn?"

Bruce swallowed the food in his mouth: "I almost died from exhaustion. No wonder Jenna said that the hardest part of filming Saint Valley movies is being the male actors."

Martin said while eating, "Now that you've experienced it firsthand, you might consider developing your career in the Holy Valley."

Bruce opened the beer tab, took a big gulp, and said, "Having to film and act, and be able to go on stage anytime, anywhere, is just too damn difficult. This kind of job is not as good as you think. There is no enjoyment at all; it is torture. I suspect that those male actors are all on drugs."

Martin pointed to the next room: "Next time you run into Jenna, you can ask her properly. She's the best actress and the best director."

Bruce clinked glasses with Martin: "No, I'll never touch it again. This is the only time, and the last."

Martin said, "I hope so. I don't think you can get rid of Kim..."

The two ate lunch and finished their beer, while Bruce cleaned up the trash and threw it away.

Martin remembered his new phone: "You have the latest Apple smartphones in your car. You need to give them to a few people. Take them yourself."

Bruce went over, opened the car door, took out only one phone, unpacked it, looked at the large screen, and said, "Looks good."

Martin picked up one of his own phones and shook it: "The groundbreaking new product Steve Jobs talked about, a revolutionary phone."

He recalled the rumors about the kidney-sized mobile phone: "Perhaps it will be the fighter jet among mobile phones."

Then I realized something was wrong; it seemed to be a GG word from a mobile phone brand on the other side of the Pacific.

Bruce, having read the relevant news and read GG, said, "Smartphones that can smoothly access the internet, according to GG's promotional article, will also provide online storage services in the future, allowing users to store personal files in Apple's online drive."

These words reminded Martin of the Hollywood blindfold scandal, and also of what Old Brooks filmed yesterday. He specifically reminded him: "Just store some ordinary things in there. Don't store sensitive things in there. They're easy for hackers to steal. Those unscrupulous hackers will use these things to blackmail you, and once you pay them, they'll expose you."

"I definitely won't save nude photos there." Bruce suddenly remembered the video he filmed last night and asked, "If I put the video I filmed for Kim there, won't it get stolen?"

Martin said, "The service hasn't even launched yet, and you're already thinking about the videotapes being leaked? Old Brooks, I can tell, you're an exhibitionist, you have psychological problems!"

Bruce retorted, "The one with mental problems is you. You haven't seen the media reports that Martin Davis's portrayal of the Joker caused him psychological and mental health issues, and he's on the verge of becoming mentally ill."

Martin shrugged and said, "Okay, I've gone mad."

Bruce didn't waste time arguing with Martin. Instead, he asked for advice: "You've always been good at dealing with the media and public opinion. How can I make the video I filmed last night have the greatest impact? We can't let Kim ride on Paris's coattails again."

"Do you know why I was talking to you about hacking and videos?" Martin said without waiting for Bruce's reply, "I was reminding you."

Bruce carefully considered Martin's words and asked, "You mean the video was deliberately allowed to be stolen by hackers?"

Martin said, "I doubt hackers have the time or inclination to steal your videos."

Bruce scratched his head: "How exactly do I do it? Um, since I brought you lunch at noon, give me some ideas."

Martin put away his frivolous manner and said very seriously, "Continuing from where we left off, your video with Kim was stolen by hackers, and the hackers have contacted Kim, wanting to extort money from him. What should Kim do?"

Bruce said, "King's intention was to release the video."

"That's too passive," Martin said. "Actually, there's a way to not only get rid of someone's blackmail but also turn the tables and take the initiative."

Bruce urged, "Stop keeping me in suspense, just tell me."

Martin said, "Before the extortionists can react, proactively expose the stolen photos or videos. Of course, don't just post them directly; you need to report it to the police, issue a press release, let everyone know what happened to you, how helpless you were, and how you had no choice but to expose these things yourself..."

Bruce suddenly realized that, having received the previous hint, he quickly thought of the next step and pondered, "The public will not only not criticize him, but will also sympathize with Kim. If Kim cries at the press conference again, the vast majority of the media and public opinion will be on Kim's side."

Martin asked, "Does King not mind the video being leaked?"

(End of this chapter)