Hollywood Drawing

"Boss, Martin Bob from CAA wants to talk to you."

After work, before leaving the studio, Nina opened the notebook and started talking one by one. "Ms. Angelina Jolie called three times today and wants to have dinner with you. Harvey Weinstein also called and hopes to meet you..."

Waving his hand to interrupt her, Wayne looked confused. "Wait, who are you talking about? Martin Bob?"

After the two of them got on the tram, the assistant lady nodded and took out another notebook, which contained information about various company executives, producers, and major directors in Hollywood.

Noticing that her boss was listening carefully, she spoke out the information she had prepared. "Martin Bob is now one of the largest partners at CAA. After Michael Ovitz left, he has the highest support rate."

Seeing that he didn't express anything, Nina continued: "My analysis is that what he wants to talk to you this time is about the next agency contract. The internal power struggle of CAA some time ago, with the departure of Michael Ovitz After leaving, Martin-Bob gradually took control of the situation and must have noticed your contract issue."

Wayne asked: "When will my agency contract expire?"

“There’s about two months left until March.”

As soon as the assistant lady finished speaking, the tram left the studio. As soon as they stepped out, they saw a middle-aged white man in a neat suit standing next to the Rolls-Royce.

"Martin Bob." Nina whispered in his ear.

In order to win over clients, these agents have generally given up on useless things like face. This tradition comes from Michael Ovitz, who once stood on the table and tap danced to make clients happy in order to win over clients.

Wayne just wants to go home and rest now. The post-production work of the film is very tedious and time-consuming. During this time, he doesn't want to waste his time thinking about renewing the agency contract.

So when he heard the prompt, he frowned involuntarily, but when he walked to the car, he greeted the other party politely and extended his hand.

"Hello, Mr. Bob."

"Director Greenberg, nice to meet you." Martin Bob held his hand with a kind smile. "Sorry to disturb your rest time, can you find a place to chat for a while?"

"Okay, let's go to the opposite side." Wayne nodded slightly and took Nina with him into the coffee shop across the street.

After arriving at the small partition of the cafe, the waiter brought two cups of coffee and a cup of lemonade. Nina paid a tip, took a sip of the lemonade, and then looked at the veteran agent who came uninvited. .

From the moment they met to the moment they walked into the coffee shop, Martin Bob was sizing up Wayne. The young man was beyond his expectation, but he would never look down on this great Hollywood director just because of his age.

If it hadn't been for the sudden reminder from his secretary, he would never have imagined that this great director with outstanding box office results would have his agency contract about to expire.

"Director Greenberg."

Martin Bob didn't touch the coffee, looked at him seriously and said: "I'm here this time because your agency contract with the company will expire in about two months, and I want to talk to you about renewing it." It’s a matter of appointment.”

Now that he discovered the mistake, he was not going to be secretive and directly stated the purpose of coming here.

Wayne raised his hand and rubbed his forehead, frowning slightly and looking at the other person. "I'm very busy during this period. You should know that the post-production work of "Batman Begins" is in progress, so I don't have time to think about it for the time being. I'll talk about it after I'm busy."

"The thing is very simple." Martin-Bob smiled with a smile on his face. Of course he would not give up easily. He continued very seriously: "I have prepared a new contract for you. As long as you find a time and bring your lawyer to CAA Just sign it.

Director Greenberg, I guarantee that the content of this contract is the best treatment in the industry. It is almost a replica of Steven Spielberg's agency contract, and the company's commission will be higher than his. The contract is even less..."

No matter what he said, Wayne's heart didn't waver at all, and he didn't pay much attention to his words.

This was not a few years ago. It was impossible for him to be moved by these empty words. Even if what the other party said was true, these conditions were dispensable to him now.

Martin Bob saw the other party's indifferent attitude, but he did not stop talking and continued to express his sincerity. "Of course, the above are just basic benefits. With your current status in the industry, you deserve these.

But CAA can also guarantee that if you need it, the company can help you make a difference during awards season. We have mature experience in winning prizes and also have..."

"Mr. Bob."

Wayne shook his head, stretched out his hand and knocked on the table, interrupting the other person's rambling narrative. "I'll go back and think about it and contact you again later. Sorry, I still have an appointment."

After saying that, he stood up, nodded to the other party, and without waiting for Martin-Bob's response, he took Nina out of the cafe, got in the car and drove towards Beverly.

"Call Jimmy and ask him to come to the manor." As soon as he got in the car, Wayne said to the assistant. After saying that, he leaned on the sofa and closed his eyes.

Nina shrugged at Naomi Watts, took out her mobile phone, and called her agent.

The reason why Wayne didn't want to continue listening was because he discovered one thing. No matter how good the offer was, the other party didn't mention Jimmy a word.

As his current agent, the other party selectively ignored him, which was obviously abnormal.

Then there is only one possibility left. Martin-Bob wants to kick Jimmy off, personally represent his agency contract, or assign him a new agent. No matter which one, it is not what Wayne wants.

And after several years of continuous success, with his status in the industry today, he is definitely qualified to say no to the other party. CAA is no longer an unreachable behemoth for him.

After receiving Nina's call, Jimmy came very quickly. Wayne had just taken a shower and went downstairs when he saw his agent.

"I am ready to resign and leave CAA."

Before he could speak, the manager said directly. It seemed that he already knew what had just happened.

Jimmy stared at him with a confident look on his face and said, "It seems that Martin Bob finally noticed this. Well, I want to quit my job and start my own business."

After hearing his words, Wayne understood what he meant. He was not prepared to renew his contract with CAA, and wanted to resign and start his own business with himself, his only client.

He took out a cigarette and lit it, and looked at the other person with interest. He was absolutely happy to see the people around him develop better.

"Tell me your plan."

"I will hand in my resignation letter tomorrow."

Jimmy looked determined. "I originally wanted to prepare for a while longer and wait until you are busy with the post-production work of "Batman Begins" before discussing it with you. Now that Martin Bob has discovered your contract issue, I will resign tomorrow. .

After resigning, I need your investment. Let's register a new company. This company will basically only act as an agent for your business, and will only focus on serving you as a customer. I understand my shortcomings and will bring in other agents to form a complete agent team for you.

In this way, whether it is food, clothing, housing, transportation, or media and public relations activities outside of work, you can leave it to the agent team to take care of it, and put all your energy into film production. "

Jimmy poured out all his thoughts at once, and looked at Wayne nervously after speaking.

He understood that no matter what he said, everything would remain on paper as long as the other party didn't nod. That is to say, now that the other party has a high enough status and leaving CAA will not have any impact, this matter has the possibility of success.

"Jimmy, that's a good idea." Wayne nodded and asked seriously: "I don't need the so-called media resources of CAA, and I have almost no dependence on them. However, you have to know that every time a new project starts filming, , most of the low-level behind-the-scenes staff in the crew are CAA's clients, how do you ensure that these people will not be affected?"

"Those are just minor issues."

After hearing his words, Jimmy immediately regained his confidence. "Believe me, Wayne, compared to working on your crew, most of those people will not follow the arrangements of their agents. I know them better than you do, and those at the bottom will understand the importance of opportunities better."

"All right."

Reaching out to his agent, Wayne smiled. "I wish you success in starting a business. When you are ready, you can communicate with Nina, and she will allocate investment for you from the studio."

When the two people held hands together, he returned to his serious expression. "Listen, Jimmy, I will invest in your company. You heard it right, it's your company. Greenberg Studios will only own 30% of the company. I hope you don't take this matter to heart." Screwed up.”

Jimmy was obviously stunned, looked at him and whispered, "Thank you."

After settling the agent issue, Wayne plunged into the post-production studio and ignored Angelina Jolie and Harvey Weinstein. Normally, he wouldn't mind having an in-depth communication with the beautiful woman, but Now he really can't spare the time or energy.

As for Harvey Weinstein, he won't even care about it. He has written out the necessary plans and transferred the funds. He doesn't want to care about the rest.

It was just a whim, a flash of inspiration to make some quick money, and it was impossible to let the incident of "Blair Witch" affect my important work.

Because of sufficient preliminary preparations, it took only half a month for Wayne and Dwayne Scott to complete the first rough cut. Each subsequent fine cut is the top priority, as it determines the film's quality. Final quality.

The tedious post-production work lasted until the end of January, when Wayne had to leave the post-production studio again. This Super Bowl was about to begin at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami.