Hollywood starts with a broker

After lunch, Aaron Anderson left CAA to run errands for clients and scout for Hollywood's next potential big stars!

“Whew,” Aaron said, having just delivered a check to a star living in Santa Monica. He arrived at the Santa Monica Pier, gazing at the Pacific Ocean, feeling a sense of connection.

Los Angeles wasn't hot at the moment; the temperature was even a bit chilly, but Aaron Anderson still wiped the sweat from his forehead.

During his time in the mailroom, Aaron Anderson had done almost every odd job imaginable, except for anything related to 'agent' duties.

CAA only taught one thing: 'The client is supreme!'

Now, Aaron Anderson's responsibility was to be a talent scout, and he needed to find himself a few clients as soon as possible.

“I need a used car,” Aaron Anderson said, preparing to return to Koreatown and find a used car dealership to buy one.

Two days later, Aaron spent $680 at a used car dealership in Koreatown to buy an '82 Chevy Cavalier.

Now he didn't have to wait for the bus to get to work. The car was a bit old, but at least it could get him around.

As the new year arrived, Aaron Anderson continued running errands at CAA in the mornings, and in the afternoons, he wandered around Hollywood film sets and university film schools, hoping to discover some good talent!

One day, Aaron Anderson and Jack Wills came to the USC School of Cinematic Arts again.

Aaron exhaled a mouthful of smoke. “This kind of needle-in-a-haystack talent search is like buying a lottery ticket; the chances are too small.”

“Is it better to believe in yourself than to believe in God?”

Jack Wills said helplessly, “What else can we do? It’s originally about casting a wide net, finding suitable newcomers, and then finding opportunities for them. We still need to expand our network of contacts!”

Aaron frowned. “What about some fringe actors from New York? Would the odds be a little better?”

Aaron also hoped to meet some guys he remembered from his previous life, but these past few days, he'd been wandering around Los Angeles every day and hadn't bumped into a single one.

“A few years ago, many actors from New York didn't have professional agents, so there were many good opportunities.”

Jack Wills shook his head as he spoke. “But it’s hard to find them now. More and more agents are casting a wide net, and even newcomers with a little potential are often snatched away by more experienced agents.”

“It’s best to cultivate them from scratch, do a good job of planning and packaging the client, build up their reputation, and form a long-term cooperative relationship!”

CAA adopts a joint agent model for big stars, with several agents working together to be responsible.

This is to prevent poaching, but many big stars are tied to their main agent, so poaching a star is like poaching their agent.

“It seems that I should focus on some foreign actors,” Aaron pondered, “or look for works by some new directors. Finding people from their works is much better than searching blindly like this.”

“Alright, let’s go grab a drink,” Aaron said, too lazy to think more. Anyway, his main reason for being an agent was to get to know more filmmakers.

Producers, directors, actors, and screenwriters were all Aaron's primary focus.

In the evening, Aaron returned to his rented apartment, took out two Glock pistols from under the bed, played with assembling them for a while, and then went out with the pistols.

Soon, Aaron drove to an empty factory on the outskirts of East Los Angeles and began practicing shooting on his own. He loved the great equalizer more and more. When else would he have had this kind of opportunity?

“Bang, bang, bang…”

“I’m really a shooting genius,” Aaron couldn't help but exclaim to himself as he saw his shooting skills rapidly improve.

Then, he changed the magazine and continued shooting before driving away!

Beverly Hills, CAA Headquarters.

“Hmm, you want to go to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah? Why, do you want to try your luck there?”

Paula Wagner was a little surprised to hear Aaron Anderson's idea.

“That’s right, go take a look. Maybe some up-and-coming independent directors will catch my eye.”

Aaron didn't hide anything. “Searching for clients aimlessly like this requires too much luck. It’s not what I want!”

Paula Wagner shrugged. “But you’re only 19 years old, you haven’t been to college, and your network of contacts is extremely simple.”

“The Sundance Film Festival is a platform specifically prepared for independent filmmakers. Are you sure you can discover those good films?”

The Sundance Film Festival was founded by Hollywood superstar and director Robert Redford, and this year is its fifth.

The current market and awards are still mainly dominated by traditional studios. Many people are calling for more opportunities for independent films, but the commercial market has its own selectivity.

“I want to try,” Aaron said, staring at Paula Wagner. “If I really find a good opportunity, then I need to get the company's support!”

“That’s a given,” Paula Wagner said, nodding, then writing a check for $1,000 and handing it to Aaron. “These past few days, your performance has made Tom and me very satisfied. Take it.”

No mistake, one first, one hair, one inside, one appearance, one in, one look!

“Okay, thank you!”

Aaron took the check, saw the number, and felt pretty good. $1,000! Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner were quite generous.

Aaron's current net worth is only more than $3,000 in cash, but he'll be getting paid soon, with another nearly $2,000.

It wasn't in vain that he helped Tom Cruise book restaurants and arrange their New Year's Eve celebration these past few days!

The Sundance Independent Film Festival lasts for more than ten days in total. It's just right for Aaron to go now. When he returned to his Koreatown apartment, he ran into the landlord.

“Hi, Aaron, the rent is due,” the bald landlord, licking his lips and patting his stomach, reached out to Aaron with a smile.

“Dear Rafael, you’re always so proactive when collecting rent!”

Aaron said, pointing to the wooden staircase in the corner, and then said angrily, “It’s too noisy here. Isn’t it unsafe? And the door lock is often broken. You should get someone to fix it!”

“Oh, dear Aaron, the price here determines these conditions,” the bald Rafael spread his hands, looking helpless, truly deserving of a beating.

“Then remind the neighbors that if there’s a second time they throw a party in their room and disturb me, I’ll definitely let them know how serious the consequences of me not getting a good night’s sleep will be!”

“Uh, I’ll remind them of that. You’re not the only one who’s complained,” Rafael decided to tell the neighbors to be careful when they got back.

Now Aaron's temper has obviously become more irritable than before. He really can't tolerate things he can't stand.

After taking out a prepared check for $150 and handing it to the bald landlord, Aaron opened the door and entered his room.

He packed some clothes, preparing to head to the Sundance Film Festival as soon as possible!