America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 596 Martin's Prize-Winning Strategy for Natalie

In the reception room of WMA in Century City.

Martin sat on the sofa chair, flipping through the script catalog provided by Thomas.

Across from him, Ridley Scott was carefully examining the printed manuscript of "The Martian".

Ali and Thomas's two agents sat a short distance away, whispering to each other.

Martin flipped through the script catalog but found nothing, so he put it on the table to the side.

Ridley then looked up, shook his head to relax his neck, and said, "This novel involves too many technical details; without NASA's involvement and support, it would be very difficult to adapt and film it."

He asked, "Does the author work or conduct research in this area?"

Martin said, "Before writing full-time, Andy Weir worked as a programmer at a game company."

This identity surprised Ridley. He nodded and said directly, "I'm very interested in this project. It's my type, second only to epic films."

Upon hearing the next sentence, Martin didn't know what to say.

Sure enough, science fiction films are just a means of making a living; epic films are my true love!

Ridley added, "If possible, please wait for me for a while. By the end of the year at the latest, I will have finished Pharaoh and the Gods and started a new project."

Martin was somewhat worried, after all, Ridley was over seventy years old, and he tentatively asked, "Isn't the time too tight?"

"I'm not nervous," Ridley Scott said. "One film a year is a common pace for directors of my generation."

Ali interjected, "Martin, don't worry. Ridley's production style is all about efficiency, unlike David Fincher's."

"Waiting until next year is no problem," Martin said simply, noticing the old man's gray hair. "Andy Weir's novel will be finished soon, and we can actually collaborate now."

Ridley immediately rejected the idea: "I have to finish the projects I'm working on first."

Arijo Martin shook his head slightly.

Ridley's determination and will are unwavering: "If I fell on an epic, I'll rise again on an epic!"

Martin sensed a stubbornness in his tone and expression; he seemed determined not to give up until he achieved his goal!

Ali interjected again: "Martin, don't you still have 'John Wick 2' to film? By the time you've freed up your schedule, Ridley's should be almost done too."

"Okay." Martin couldn't force anyone to do this, so he stood up and shook hands with Ridley: "It's a deal!"

Ridley gave his hand a firm squeeze: "It's a deal!" He handed the manuscript back to Martin: "I still have work to do on set, I'll be going now."

Martin saw the man out of the meeting room.

Ali and Thomas also came out.

Martin was about to leave when the door to Ali's office next door opened, and Natalie Portman and a tall, thin man came out.

"Hi, Martin," Natalie greeted him.

Martin smiled and replied, "Hello, Nat."

Natalie introduced the man next to her: "This is my boyfriend, Benjamin Millepied."

Martin shook hands with him.

Ali gestured towards the meeting room and asked Martin, "Shall we go in and talk?"

Martin asked directly, "Is there something you need?"

Natalie said, "I have some questions about movies that I'd like to ask you."

For Ali's sake, Martin said, "Let's go inside and talk."

Benjamin Millepied, seemingly not very sociable, said, "You guys chat, I have to go to the Los Angeles Philharmonic."

Several people entered the reception room one after another.

Thomas closed the door.

"It's such a shame I couldn't act opposite you in 'Gone Girl'," Natalie said with a very natural smile. "I failed in the last round of auditions."

Martin vaguely replied, "I believe there will be opportunities to cooperate in the future."

Natalie Portman is Ali's top female client, and Ali interjects at this point: "Natalie was very sad to miss out on the role of the magical Amy, so I helped her get the lead role in Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky, a genius in the independent film scene."

Martin had no connection with the independent film scene and had never heard of the director, but he knew about "Black Swan".

Ali added, "This art film has completed all production. I attended a preview screening. It's an artistic masterpiece, especially Nat's performance, which deserves a major award."

Martin spread his hands and said, "I've never made an independent film. My only experience with art films is 'The Reader.' I have a serious lack of experience in this area and don't understand the relevant processes."

Natalie chimed in, "Martin, you've been nominated for an Oscar several times, and you even won Best Supporting Actor last year. You have a lot of experience when it comes to winning awards. Could you give me some advice?"

Upon hearing this, Martin immediately understood. He ignored Natalie and instead looked at Ali: "Did you plan this all along?"

Ali smiled and said, "You always have a lot of ideas, please help me out."

Martin then looked at Natalie and said, "You have natural advantages: you're highly educated, Jewish, and known for your acting skills."

Natalie, however, said, "Many times, these are not the key factors in winning an award."

Martin certainly understands this. For example, his Best Supporting Actor award is due to his outstanding performance as the Joker, but the key role he played was in the Santa Monica Pier incident.

If it weren't for the shooting during awards season, which saved many people and eliminated the possibility of a greater disaster, it would have been very difficult for Martin to win the award.

In Harvey's case, Ali's brother in the White House had done a lot of work, and now that Ali was asking for help, Martin couldn't refuse.

In any interaction, there must be give and take.

Martin stared at Natalie for a moment, then said, "Your boyfriend..."

Natalie misunderstood Martin's meaning and immediately said, "If you need him, don't worry about him."

"No, Nat, you've misunderstood." Martin searched his memory and asked, "I remember reading in the newspaper that your boyfriend was in the cast of 'Black Swan'?"

Natalie wasn't in a hurry this time, and slowly said, "Yes, we met and fell in love on set."

Martin nodded and asked Ali, "You haven't come up with a strategy yet?"

Ali said, "First, go to Venice. It would be best if we could win Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. Then there's all the publicity and public relations stuff, you know what I mean."

He took a sip of water: "Now that Harvey is out of the picture, I think a lot of people will be scrambling to grab a slice of the Oscar pie. If Nat wants to win an award this year, I think she has to prepare some advantages that others don't have."

Martin joked, "I can't exactly bring in a bunch of Russian spies and have Nat shoot them all."

Natalie went along with his joke, saying, "I'll be the one getting shot."

Martin recalled some gossip he had read and said, "I've come up with a rather unreliable idea, which may be offensive."

Natalie said, "Go ahead and say it."

Martin nodded slightly: "Are you planning to have children?"

Natalie was taken aback at first, but she was a very intelligent girl with many ideas, and gradually grasped the meaning behind Martin's words: "You mean..."

Anyway, even if he didn't say it, Natalie would probably figure it out soon enough. Martin simply said, "Have a child, and make sure you show during the crucial period of the Oscar race. When you do show, publish lots of photos of yourself in the media. You don't need to say anything else; you'll naturally get some preferential treatment."

According to the gossip he had read in his previous life, Natalie's two nominations for Best Actress at the Oscars and her two appearances during awards season were too "coincidental".

However, the first attempt was successful, but the second attempt was less effective.

Ali, the eligible bachelor, snapped out of his daze and yelled at Martin, "You're a fucking genius! The Academy and the Oscars should create a special award just for you!"

Martin laughed and said, "I don't need the special contribution award, Ali. Just give me one of your properties."

Thomas chimed in, "Alibaba's real estate holdings are all over the world!"

Ali knew these two bastards were joking, and clutching his chest, he said, "You're trying to murder me! You want to kill me!"

Natalie sat on the sofa, maintaining a ladylike smile, but her mind was racing as she thought about Martin's words, finding them increasingly feasible.

Pregnant women receive preferential treatment everywhere in society, and this is also true within the college.

When she becomes pregnant, announcing her engagement to Benjamin Millepied will not only attract media and public attention, but also save her a lot of money on appearances.

Natalie isn't Martin; she doesn't have as many sponsors behind her, nor does she have the strong support of a large corporation like Coca-Cola.

Ali then moved to Natalie's side, sat down on the sofa, and said, "I think it's possible. It's highly feasible and has an almost cheat-like advantage!"

Martin said no more. These public relations people said that their ideas could inspire Ali and his team, but compared to these professionals, they were not as good at making plans and putting them into practice.

Natalie considered it for less than half a minute before nodding and saying, "I agree. As for the specifics, Ali, you can have someone draw up a plan."

Ali pointed outside: "Your boyfriend?"

Natalie said, "Benjamin loves me very much, there's absolutely no problem. I'll get engaged to him and won't let the pregnancy become a scandal."

Alibaba said, "Leave the rest to me. This time, I'll equip you with the best public relations team!"

Martin stood up: "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. The crew is leaving for Europe tomorrow for promotional activities, and I need to go back and prepare."

Ali came over and bumped fists with him, saying, "Buddy, if you hadn't become a celebrity, you'd be a top-tier agent and PR manager too!"

Martin said, "With my qualifications, I wouldn't even be able to get through the door of your company."

Even the lowest academic qualification required for WMA is a bachelor's degree from a prestigious university.

Natalie got up to see Martin off, and came to his side, saying, "Whether I succeed or fail, I owe you a favor. Whenever you ask me to repay it, I'll be there whenever you call."

Martin smiled and said, "Nat, you don't need to be so polite."

After leaving WMA, Bruce, who had remained silent the entire time, got into the car and asked, "Are you interested in Natalie Portman?"

"Are you kidding me? I'm not interested in her." Martin fastened his seatbelt and said, "I'm only doing this for Ali's sake."

Bruce started the car: "I believe you're not interested in her right now."

Martin was taken aback: "What do you mean by that?"

Bruce said, "You'll be interested in her once she gets engaged to her boyfriend!"

Martin reached for his gun, furious. "Old Brooks," he yelled, "I'll shut your stinking mouth up in the most civilized way possible!"

(End of this chapter)