America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 85 Director Role (Alliance Leader +2)

After signing the agency contract, the two returned to their work cubicle.

Thomas remembered something and asked, "Are you a member of the Screen Actors Guild?"

"There's no actors' union or affiliate in Atlanta," Martin stated simply. "I've never joined."

Thomas turned on his computer and searched for Martin's past works. Late Night and "Zombie Dancer" were both non-union projects. "A Beautiful Mind at Noon" was a union project, but Martin did not apply for it during filming, so it could not be used as evidence.

He said, "Los Angeles is different from Atlanta. From the leading men and women to the supporting roles, most of the roles are played by union members. It is difficult for non-union members to get significant roles."

Martin asked, "Is it impossible to apply now?"

Thomas explained, "You need to have a major role in a project with an agreement with the Screen Actors Guild, whether it's a movie, TV series, or MTV, or work in one for 30 consecutive days and apply during that time."

Martin immediately grasped the key point: "Should we get the union membership sorted out first?"

"Yes, that's a prerequisite for your development." Thomas considered for a moment, then asked, "Does Ms. Mel have any plans?"

Louise's resources should be used for crucial moments; Martin wouldn't use them for something as trivial as this: "Hasn't the agency made any arrangements? It shouldn't be difficult for an agent as excellent as you, right?"

Finding job opportunities for clients is a broker's job, Thomas said. "I'll check with the company to see if there are any suitable opportunities."

Thomas had his own considerations regarding the public resources allocated to him, which were becoming increasingly scarce with each use: "You should also look around and let me know if a suitable opportunity arises, and I'll go and discuss it."

Martin emphasized, "Ms. Mel's resources are best used in critical moments."

"Okay," Thomas asked, "Any other questions?"

Martin said, "I practice the Hollywood accent in private, and you need a professional teacher or tutor."

Thomas checked on his computer: "This one is at Paramount Studios. The instructors are from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, so they're highly professional. The new term starts on weekends, but it's a bit pricey. Each class is an hour long, with 12 students in a small class, and it costs $400."

Martin said casually, "Money is no problem, you can sign me up."

Thomas was slightly taken aback; this must have been done by the other party's assistant.

He's an agent for a big company, and the other party is just...

"Never mind, I just came from Atlanta and don't know the rules." Thomas shook his head inwardly, thinking that this was a one-time thing. He picked up the phone and dialed the training center, giving William Morris's name. They said they would reserve a spot for him.

Martin noted down the address and phone number, planning to register later.

Thomas searched for resources on the intranet and asked Martin, "Besides acting, do you have any other special talents?"

Martin didn't need to be modest; he went straight to the point: "Horse riding, bartending, shooting, archery, dancing, hand-to-hand combat, swordsmanship, driving, wire work, makeup, fireworks..."

Thomas found it hard to believe, given how young the person in front of him was: "Are you sure?"

Aside from shooting and the newly learned dance, everything else is the culmination of Martin's many years of experience from his previous life; he has completed his evolution: "You may not know, but they all call me Atlanta's most versatile actor."

Thomas had his doubts, but remembering that Louise Mayer had introduced him and the dance videos online that made men feel deeply inferior, he forced himself to believe it.

He glanced at the time and realized that he had wasted nearly three hours on a minor actor. He quickly said, "That's all for today. Keep your phone on, I'll call you anytime."

Martin said something politely, then walked out of the partition.

I saw many people like him along the way.

For ordinary actor clients, their business is naturally handled by ordinary agents.

His situation is relatively good; Thomas has been out of the mailroom for at least a year.

After leaving William Morris, Martin drove to Paramount Studios, whose tan arches and double wrought iron gates frequently appear in films and television shows.

The training courses are held on weekends, and the tuition is expensive for ordinary actors. Enrollment requires a one-time payment for ten lessons, which is $4000.

The studio not only offers language classes, but also various acting classes, some of which are hosted by celebrities and are incredibly expensive.

It takes an exceptionally high cost to win a spot among hundreds of thousands of ordinary actors.

Martin left the studio and called Michel Gondry, who was working on post-production for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," which was scheduled for release next March and was currently at its busiest time.

Michel Gondry and Martin agreed to meet up again after they finished their busy schedules.

On his way back, Martin received a call from Thomas, informing him to go to Warner Bros. Studios for an audition at 9:30 the next morning.

"A minor role in the series, mostly in the background, with a few lines," Thomas instructed. "The casting director is a client of the company; I've spoken to him and his agent."

Martin asked, "What do I need to prepare? Do I have the type of role I'm auditioning for or a script?"

Thomas said, "Get a good rest tonight, don't go out partying, and make sure you have enough energy tomorrow. The role I'm auditioning for is an independent film director, but the script isn't finished yet, there's no script for the role."

Martin said, "I understand."

The benefits of agents and agencies become apparent at this point, as actors are no longer fighting alone.

After dinner, Martin made several phone calls, carefully considering tomorrow's audition.

The next morning, as dawn was breaking, Martin was fast asleep when there was a loud banging on the door and someone shouting.

He was woken up by the noise, covered his head, and tried to go back to sleep, but there was a constant knocking on the door.

Martin got up and instinctively reached for his gun on the bedside table, only to find it empty.

He immediately regained consciousness because he had flown over and left all his guns in Atlanta.

"Jessica! Jessica!" Martin heard what was being shouted clearly.

He put on a t-shirt, picked up his phone, went into the living room, slightly opened the bedroom door, and, by the light of the motion-activated light in the hallway, saw the same pockmarked face from last time, patting the door diagonally opposite.

Before Martin could speak, the man turned around and glared at him fiercely: "None of your business, get lost!"

As Martin closed the door, he said, "I called the police, and they'll be here soon."

With a bang, he slammed the door shut, locked it, and moved away from the doorway.

Martin learned a lot about home self-defense from Bruce.

"Fuck!" the pockmarked man cursed and quickly left.

Martin heard no sound outside, so he opened the door a crack. The landlord, Antonio, carrying a shotgun, rolled down the stairs into the hallway as if in slow motion.

"You bastard, don't you dare leave!" Antonio's fat face jiggled as he yelled at the stairs, "If you come here and cause trouble again, I'll smash your head down there."

Martin opened the door and announced before coming out, "It's me, Martin."

Antonio said, "Don't worry, this is a gun of friendship; I won't use it on my own people."

The commotion woke up many tenants, who came to check on the situation.

Martin approached Antonio and said, "You're too late, everyone's already gone."

"There's no way around it." Antonio said, panting, "I won't come out until the person leaves. I heard the noise, got out of bed, got dressed, and found the gun. It takes time."

The door across the hall opened, and a blonde woman stepped out, patting her trembling chest: "You scared me to death."

Antonio tilted the gun in his hand at the woman and asked, "You don't know him?"

The woman quickly stepped aside: "I don't know him. He's looking for Jessica. You know, Jessica moved away two weeks ago."

On the other side of the hallway on the same floor, a bespectacled male tenant said, "Antonio, add a security door on the first floor. Los Angeles is too dangerous."

"Do you know how much it costs to add a door? Are you going to pay for it?" Antonio looked around at the other tenants. "Or will you split the cost among yourselves?"

When money was mentioned, no one spoke.

Antonio finally caught his breath, his large belly no longer heaving rapidly: "These things only happen occasionally. That tenant is gone. This is a busy area of ​​North Hollywood; the LAPD patrols here frequently enough."

Another person said, "You believe those idiots? Years ago, right here, two of us beat those cowards to a pulp."

Antonio waved his hand: "Alright, alright, go back and continue to rest."

It was still early, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Antonio, clutching his gun of friendship, strode back to the third floor.

Compared to its previous slow pace, the speed is now more than twice as fast.

Martin was about to go back inside when the blonde woman in the long nightgown suddenly said, "Thank you for scaring him away."

"You're welcome," Martin replied casually. "He woke me up."

"I'm Emily," the blonde woman introduced herself, then asked, "Are you new here?"

Martin replied politely, "Martin Davis just moved in this morning."

Emily looked him over carefully and said again, "Thank you."

Martin glanced at the man briefly; he wasn't tall, maybe 1.6 meters at most. He nodded and said, "You're welcome."

After Martin returned to his room, Emily went back to her place, took out her phone, and dialed a number: "Jesse, you little brat, shut up! I'm asking you, who did you mess with? He came over today and scared me to death!"

The other person replied, "I had an audition a while ago and got into some trouble with someone. I'm sorry, I'll resolve it in the next few days. It's just a matter of paying some compensation, which I can raise quickly."

The two had shared an apartment here for a long time, so Emily didn't say anything more. She just gave them a few words of advice to be careful and then hung up the phone.

At eight o'clock in the morning, Martin left home on time, had a light breakfast at a nearby restaurant, drove to Burbank, found a quiet place to clear his mind, and when it was almost time, rushed to Warner Bros. Studios, went to the office area where the film crew was located, and participated in the audition.

Thomas had already registered him, and Martin found the audition room based on the diagram.

More than a dozen people were sitting on two benches in front of the audition room.

Martin found an empty seat and waited patiently.

That's all for today's update. Please vote with your monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)