Simon was a little helpless. Jonathan's question had almost become his mantra these days.

Taking the agent with him to the buffet table filled with food, Simon said: "Qiao, you know me, as long as the conditions are right, I will definitely give priority to WMA's clients."

"The total number of WMA customers exceeds 3,000. Simon, I believe any of your needs can be met."

Simon joked: "What if I need Robert Redford?"

"I'm trying to get some clients back from CAA recently, so, Simon, you really have to help me this time."

Simon also knew about this.

Compared with the old men in WMA who were in their 70s and 80s in the past, Jonathan is in the prime of life. He has successfully become the new president of WMA and successfully joined the board of directors. He is ambitiously trying to revive this old talent agency.

"Qiao, I don't think you need to compete for customers anymore. The most important thing is to manage WMA's existing customer resources well. You just said that WMA has more than 3,000 customers, which is enough to meet the needs of any type of film. Moreover,

You also know that I am not the kind of person who likes to use A-list celebrities too much."

Jonathan nodded, but insisted: "But, we have to dig back some."

Everyone has their own persistence. Simon stopped persuading and said instead: "Actually, the "Intersection of Life" that Ella is preparing is a project that is very suitable for WMA. You should have read the script, it is a big movie.

A large-scale ensemble drama requires dozens of actors. Robert Altman's direction is enough to ensure that this film attracts the attention of major film festivals. This kind of art-oriented film has an Oscar-level director at the helm and a lot of room for character development.

It is the best platform to train actors. You can include some of the actors that WMA plans to focus on cultivating in the next few years. In this way, several similar projects can be continued, and then they can be nominated for some awards and star in one or two excellent commercial films. Most of them

Everyone can stay in the first or second tier."

In memory, the original "Intersections" cast list includes Robert Downey Jr., Julianne Moore, Chris Penn, Tim Robbins, Andie MacDowell, Frances

McDormand, Jennifer Jason Leigh and a large number of well-known stars in Hollywood can be described as star-studded.

However, in this era, these people are basically only second- and third-tier actors.

For Simon, who is familiar with the future, looking back, it is easy to find such a very standard path to fame for Hollywood actors.

Before the 1990s, established Hollywood stars basically relied on luck to star in some successful commercial films to become famous and maintain their fame for a long time. Just like Robert Redford's "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", Harrison

Ford's "Star Wars", Al Pacino's "The Godfather", etc. Even Robert De Niro, who is famous for his acting skills, only gained industry recognition after the commercially successful "The Godfather Part II", and then began to

Capture the city at Oscar.

However, after the 1990s, the new generation of Hollywood stars gradually found a career development model by accumulating popularity by participating in artistic films and then becoming commercial film stars. The key reason for this trend is the resurgence of artistic films in the 1990s.

I have to say that a certain fat man did play a big role in this process.

Now, Hollywood has just recovered from the low period of the 1960s and 1970s. Simon can clearly see this more or less standardized path to fame. Some people in Hollywood may have tried it, but because there was no Hollywood movie type before the 1980s,

After the 1990s, there was such a segmentation. At least before Simon appeared, there were not many obvious success models in the circle, so naturally no one took reference.

When Jonathan heard Simon's words, he gradually showed a thoughtful expression.

After Simon appeared, Hollywood has given birth to similar models of fame. Sandra, who became popular with "Run Lola Run", is the most special case.

What Jonathan thought of was "Pulp Fiction". Although this movie also used big names like Robert De Niro and Robert Redford, it also used unknown actors such as Samuel L. Jackson and Nicole Kidman.

But he also became famous through this movie.

Simon does not have the background of veteran directors such as Robert Altman, but his reputation is not inferior to him at all.

Well, Simon's works can make many people popular, and the works of veteran directors such as Robert Altman also have such potential. Simon through box office, and these people through awards. In the final analysis, as long as the actors' qualifications and exposure are increased as much as possible,

They are naturally more likely to get more opportunities.

"I will study the script of "Intersection of Life" carefully when I get back. Simon, what do you think about WMA taking over all the roles in this project? I promise to provide Daenerys Entertainment with the best and cheapest actors."

When participating in a movie like this, don't think about a high salary. Jonathan believes that most actors should have this vision. If money is all that is in sight, there is no need to explore and train them.

Simon shook his head and said: "Qiao, this request is a bit too much. I can't agree to it."

"Okay, then, it should be okay to be as biased towards WMA as possible, right?"

"Definitely."

The two of them came to the buffet table. Jonathan followed Simon and picked up the tray to choose food, while saying: "Also, Simon, do you really not like the new movie that Brian is preparing?"

Jonathan is talking about Brian De Palma.

Simon is also a client of Jonathan and has helped him a lot. Simon has always maintained close contact with Brian De Palma.

After cooperating on "Basic Instinct" last year, Palma tried a transformation and cooperated with Columbia Pictures to shoot "Vietnam War Trauma", a Vietnam War-themed movie that has become more popular in recent years, starring Sean Penn and Michael J. Fox.

The estimated cost is US$22 million, and the deadline is August 18, later this month.

Simon had no impression of "Vietnam War Trauma" and felt that Palma's war-themed filming was a bit unreliable, so naturally he was not optimistic about it.

However, what Jonathan was talking about at this time was another new film that Palma was preparing recently, called "The Bonfire of the Vanities". It was adapted from the original novel of the same name and tells the story of a Wall Street elite who was targeted by a tabloid reporter because of a traffic accident.

The story of how his work and life became a mess since he fell into the whirlpool of public opinion.

In my memory, this urban comedy with a realistic satirical style, starring Tom Hanks, invested a large production budget, but failed miserably at the box office.

Tom Hanks has not played a bad guy on the big screen since "The Bonfire of the Vanities". Brian De Palma also started to be conservative because of the box office failure of this movie. Since then, there have been few films with distinctive personal styles.

When a masterpiece appears, it can only serve as a foil for Tom Cruise in commercial blockbusters such as "Mission: Impossible".

"I think this story lacks highlights. Moreover, if Brian insists on filming, he must pay great attention to casting issues and try to keep the budget within a reasonable range. It is best not to exceed US$20 million."

Jonathan suggested: "How about this, Simon, you take the time to talk carefully."

Simon nodded and said: "Yes, but I have to confess that Daenerys cannot take on this project."

With Palma's reputation, as long as the budget is reasonably controlled and there are no major casting mistakes like the original time and space, even if the new version of "Bonfire of the Vanities" still loses money, it will not lose too much, and it may still make money through later operations.

to some.

However, if Daenerys Entertainment takes over this project, it must arrange a relatively good schedule for it and invest sufficient publicity resources.

Hollywood's popular schedules are limited each year. Think about the same summer schedule, the same budget of 20 million US dollars, and the same investment in promotion and distribution. "The Bodyguard" can sell 100 million US dollars at the box office, while "Bonfire of the Vanities" can only sell 10 million. This is

The potential losses are huge.

"This is not a problem, Simon. After "The Butterfly Effect" and "Basic Instinct", there is no shortage of investors for the projects Brian wants to shoot now. He actually just wants to try more types. You are a director, and you should be in this mood.

I can feel it more.”

Simon nodded in understanding.

While chatting like this, they picked some food, and the two of them were about to find another place to eat when someone at the scene finally couldn't wait for their conversation to end and intervened directly.

When Jonathan saw Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith approaching, he realized that he had taken up too much of Simon's time and had probably caused dissatisfaction among many people at the party tonight.

Jonathan and Simon had many opportunities to communicate, so they were not in a hurry. After simply greeting the Johnsons, who were also clients of WMA, they readily gave up the conversation space to them.

Simon had contact with Melanie Griffith during last year's Cannes Film Festival in France, and they met again. This actress from a Hollywood family has married another actor Don Johnson, and she is still pregnant today.

Come to the party.

After patiently chatting with the Johnsons for a few words, Simon pretended to be curious and asked about the gender of the baby.

When I found out it was a girl, I couldn't help but become a little more enthusiastic and asked the little guy's name.

When Melanie Griffith heard Simon ask this, she stroked her belly and said happily: "Name, we haven't considered this issue yet. Simon, do you have any good suggestions?"

"I'm even more inexperienced," Simon said with a smile, "But since she's a girl, how about Dakota?"

Melanie Griffith repeated: "Dakota?"

"yes."

Don Johnson was also curious: "Simon, does this name mean anything?"

Simon searched his memory and said: "It probably comes from the Indian indigenous language and means 'eternal smile'."

"'Eternal Smile' is such a beautiful name," Melanie Griffith praised, looking at her husband: "Don, what do you think?"

Don Johnson nodded and said: "Very good."

"Then our little guy's name will be Dakota, Dakota Johnson," Melanie Griffith said, then looked at Simon and said: "Since it was you who gave the name, Simon, how about

How about you being the little one’s godfather?”

Simon shook his head and refused: "Forget it, I'm not prepared for this. Besides, I'm not religious either."

"This is really a pity." Melanie Griffith didn't have any expectations at all. She reached out to her husband and pulled her to her side, saying: "Simon, "Miami Vice" will probably end next year. Don

If you want to try to develop into the big screen, are there any opportunities suitable for him in your 10 movies this time?"

Don Johnson is about forty years old this year. He is still in the golden age of Hollywood actors. He has a handsome appearance and a tall figure that are very suitable for a tough guy on the screen. However, he used to develop on the small screen. In recent years, he has starred in

The hit drama "Miami Vice" can be said to be the peak of his career.

Naturally, Simon would not agree to anything immediately, nor did he refuse directly. He said: "If there is a suitable role, I will contact you."

Melanie Griffith was not polite and said: "Then, let's leave each other's contact information."

As he spoke, he poked his husband.

Don Johnson quickly took out his business card and handed it to Simon.

Simon took the business card handed over by Johnson, took out his wallet with one hand and rummaged through it, took out a small stack of business cards and put it on the food tray he was still holding in his other hand, and handed one to Don Johnson.

The business card handed over by Don Johnson contained various public and private contact information, but Simon's business card only had his office phone number.

However, the Johnsons were very satisfied after getting Simon's business card.
To be continued...