Jonathan Friedman returned to his office with heavy steps.

When he opened the door, he saw Simon standing up and turning to him. He cheered up and nodded to the other person. Then he turned back to his desk and sat down. Then he looked at the boy opposite again.

Simon noticed the strong aura of depression on the agent's body and the guilt in his eyes, so he gave up his original plan to question the other person, and said in a still concerned tone: "Qiao, what happened?"

Jonathan's lips moved, feeling Simon's bright eyes, hesitating for a moment, and then said: "Simon, it's like this, Matthew doesn't really want to cooperate with you, so Mr. Broca hopes that you can completely withdraw from "

The Butterfly Effect" project."

Simon's expression didn't change much when he heard this, and he asked calmly: "So, Qiao, what do you mean?"

Jonathan dodged Simon's gaze slightly, and said in a slower tone: "Simon, this time, I hope you can agree. However, I promise you that if I have the opportunity in the future, I will try my best to compensate you. By the way,

Aren't you planning to make an experimental film? If you need anything, you can tell me next. If the money is not enough, I can personally lend you some."

Listening to the agent say these words, Simon's originally tense body gradually relaxed. He put the script he had been holding on the desk in front of him, looked at the agent seriously, and said: "Qiao, you should

You know how bad this contract is. So, can you tell me what happened?"

Jonathan looked at the contract that Simon pushed toward him, but after all, he still didn't reach out to take it.

After a moment of silence, Jonathan finally spoke: "Simon, have I told you before? I hope to make this film a packaged project."

Simon nodded but said nothing.

Jonathan paused briefly, looked at Simon, and then said: "From the contact during this period, I think you are very clear about many things in Hollywood now. C+'s operation strategy of project packaging has threatened our company

status in Hollywood. Some time ago, many of WMA's top stars jumped to C+ because of this. Therefore, in order to avoid being so passive, WMA also plans to imitate C+'s business model. Your "Butterfly Effect" happened to be launched by us.

The first packaged project.”

Simon quickly weaved together everything he had just experienced and the many clues of these days in his mind, and then added with a wry smile: "It was very unsuccessful, right?"

Although he didn't want to admit it, Jonathan nodded and said: "The C+ packaging strategy not only caused the studio's budget costs to become higher and higher, but also deprived a large part of the power that originally belonged to the film and television production company. The current scale of WMA is still

It is several times larger than C+. If the packaged operation model is also implemented, the studio’s voice in front of the brokerage company will become increasingly smaller. Therefore, several major film companies have joined forces to disrupt this project."

Simon looked at the draft contract with Fox that was still in front of him, but did not ask what was going on.

Although the major Hollywood film companies often agree on certain things because of common interests, in the final analysis, they are still competitors. What's more, considering the content of this contract, Simon does not feel that Fox is agreeing to take over WMA.

How generous you were in the process of packaging this project.

His thoughts were running rapidly, and he thought of Norman Broca who had just appeared. Simon raised his head, looked at the agent opposite again, and tried with some certainty: "Qiao, I suddenly feel that Mr. Broca should not be the same."

I hope this project is too successful?”

With WMA’s strong foundation still far exceeding C+, if this company is determined to push forward this project, several major Hollywood film companies will definitely be the party to compromise in the end.

After all, C+ has successfully popularized the packaging model. Even if the major studios are very reluctant, it is not that difficult to accept it under the forced pressure of the WMA.

However, judging from the content of the stingy contract just now, WMA was obviously the one who made the compromise, and it was a compromise at the expense of the interests of its own customers.

Jonathan was obviously stunned when he heard Simon's words. He didn't expect Simon's intuition to be so sharp.

However, after a moment, a bitter smile appeared on Jonathan's face, and he nodded slightly. Of course, he did not explain anything to Simon. The power struggle within the company was seen through by a young man who had just turned eighteen. After all, it was not

What a glorious thing.

Seeing that Jonathan had acquiesced to this matter, Simon thought of the depressed mood that had been pervading the agent since the meeting today. He thought about it and said: "Qiao, since no one wants to see this project succeed, then, do you think it's better to see it succeed?"

Is it necessary to continue? Judging from the contract in front of me, Brian's salary should also be very harsh."

"Simon, you don't understand," Jonathan shook his head. Unknowingly, he no longer regarded Simon as a boy who had just turned eighteen. He patiently explained: "I just said that "The Butterfly Effect" happened to be

WMA's first packaging project, many people in Hollywood are watching. Therefore, if the first attempt fails, it will become more difficult for WMA to promote this operation strategy again. So, even if it does not

Even if it is successful, Norman and the others will not allow this project to completely fail. Otherwise..."

Jonathan said this, but did not continue. He paused for a moment, looked at the energetic young man opposite, and then suddenly changed the subject, with a hint of vicissitudes in his tone, and said: "Simon, do you know? I'm 19

I joined WMA when I was 46 years old. It took me 27 years to get to where I am now. This process is not easy."

In fact, what Jonathan has not said is that although he has been promoted to vice president, he has not yet been given any responsibilities. The WMA board of directors has been discussing this matter for a while.

He came up with the idea of ​​making "The Butterfly Effect" a packaged project, also in order to add some chips to himself in the process of allocating powers.

However, what he didn't expect was that this project would completely put him in a dilemma.

It is completely impossible to do it well.

But if he messed up, even if the vice president position he had just obtained was not removed, he would probably be directly put aside, leaving only an empty title. Even, he was not sure about the very talented people in the company.

Will the old guys who are good at power struggles just kick him out of WMA?

Therefore, from yesterday afternoon to now, Jonathan has actually had the urge to give up this project completely more than once. But he finally endured it, and even had to deliberately accommodate the various demands of his immediate boss, Norman Brocka.

.

Simon felt the desire for understanding in Jonathan's eyes, nodded very sincerely, and said: "Qiao, I actually understand."

Simon really understands Jonathan's difficulty.

As the oldest agency in Hollywood, WMA has been operating for nearly a century. Its internal system has long been very rigid, and the change of power is entirely based on seniority and is very slow.

The three helmsmen of WMA who passed away one after another in the first half of the year were actually old men in their 70s and 80s. These people were like ancient emperors who were unwilling to completely let go of their power until they died of old age.

In such a company, even if there is no lack of personal strength and network support, it is extremely difficult for a person to climb to a high position.

It is precisely because of this that people like Michael Ovitz, who had no prospects of rising at that time, chose to leave the WMA and start their own business.

However, not everyone has the courage of people like Michael Ovitz.

What's more, if it hadn't been lucky enough to create a more advanced packaging operation model, the former C+ might have disappeared into obscurity like many other brokerage companies that have tried to challenge the authority of WMA over the past century.

In his previous life, Simon also rose from the bottom to the position of director step by step.

Therefore, he can deeply understand the weakness and helplessness shown by a single individual facing the constraints of rules in a highly competitive company or industry.

Onlookers always wonder why the people in the situation don't resist injustice and why they compromise. Even if they can't do this, why don't they just jump out of the circle?

They are naive and don't know what kind of disaster a person who doesn't have enough strength to challenge the rules will fall into.

Feeling Simon's understanding eyes, Jonathan's inner frustration dissipated somewhat.

However, looking at the contract on the table, Jonathan sighed again in his heart, but he still had to continue: "So, Simon, what about this contract?"

Simon weighed for a moment and did not answer Jonathan's question directly. Instead, he looked at the agent and asked in a serious tone: "Qiao, if you don't consider other factors, do you still hope that this project will continue?"

Jonathan's eyes flickered, and he realized something. He hesitated for a moment, and finally said: "No, actually, I would rather I never had the idea of ​​turning this script into a packaged project."

"Then, this matter is actually easy to solve," Simon relaxed and leaned back on the chair behind him, shook his head, and said firmly, "So, I don't agree."

Jonathan immediately understood Simon's intention.

After all, the script of "The Butterfly Effect" still belongs to Simon. If the boy does not accept the contract in front of him, the entire project will not continue anyway.

Moreover, Simon rejected the contract in a big way, causing the project to abort. So, as long as he handles it properly, although some twists and turns are inevitable, he can largely blame Simon for the failure of the project.

Jonathan even came up with some rhetoric in a split second.

What can I do for a stupid young man who doesn't have enough food and salt?

However, Simon's actions are destined to face a lot of pressure in the future. After all, it is completely easy for the largest talent agency in Hollywood to deal with a fledgling screenwriter.

However, for this talented young man, Jonathan instinctively did not want him to fall into this situation.

With this thought in mind, Jonathan had already stood up from the leather chair, looked at the young man in front of him and urged him eagerly: "Simon, you'd better not do this. Really, even if it's for your own sake."

Simon shook his head firmly again, stood up as well, and said: "Qiao, I know it's not easy for you to get to this point, but I also have my own persistence. You have to know that a person cannot live without his own persistence.

So, that's all I can help you with. Tell those people that I don't agree. Then, the matter will be over."

After Simon finished speaking, he nodded to Jonathan again, turned around and walked towards the office door.

Opening the door, Simon stopped, turned to look at the agent who was still standing there, and said: "Also, Joe, if possible, I hope to terminate the agency contract with you in the next few days. I miss you."

You definitely won’t care about the liquidated damages, right? Of course, if it doesn’t work, I will think of other ways.”

Watching Simon leave, Jonathan stood silently for a long time, repeating Simon's words in his mind.

A person cannot live without his own persistence.

these years.

So many years.

How much persistence does that young man still have left who was full of longing for the future?

Is it worth persevering?

Sitting down again, Jonathan put his hands on the table and felt a long-lost trembling feeling in his limbs, mixed with fear of the future and fearlessness. These emotions were like a burning flame, burning him from yesterday afternoon to

All the accumulated frustration and despondency is now gone.

Finally taking a deep breath, Jonathan Friedman picked up the phone and pressed the landline in Norman Brocka's office. After dialing, he said directly: "Norman, I have thought about it. "The Butterfly Effect"

》This project ends here, I can’t treat my customers like that.”

After saying this, Jonathan hung up the phone without waiting for Norman Brocka to respond.

Ignoring the landline ringing that had started ringing again in the blink of an eye, Jonathan opened the safe at his feet, packed the address book, memos and other documents that were very important for an agent and stuffed them into his briefcase, hurriedly

Left WMA headquarters.

When Jonathan made this move, he did not intend to leave the WMA directly.

No matter what, as long as he can stay, he will still choose to stay. After all, this company has various relationships and connections that he has been running for more than 20 years.

However, now that he had made the phone call just now, Jonathan was prepared for the worst.

Although the decision to remove his position needs to be made by the board of directors, Jonathan does not dare to take the risk that Norman Brocka will not forcefully change his position.

However, as long as he takes these things in the briefcase out of the company and makes complete backups, even if he has to face the worst situation of being kicked out of the company, he can pull many people to change jobs together.
Chapter completed!