Exploiting Hollywood 1980

Ed Limato met Ronald and Michelle Pfeiffer in an executive suite at the Peninsula Hotel, along with yawning lawyer Lindsay Dole. In order to persuade her to give up her beauty sleep on weekend mornings and work overtime to review the contract, Ronald paid three times the consulting fee.

"I noticed you very early, Michelle." Limato said to Pfeiffer, "but then you lost contact with everyone and I couldn't find you. I originally wanted to sign you last year. You, make your official Hollywood debut at the Golden Globes and Oscars and Sly has a lot of ideas for his next movie, I just didn’t find you.”

Sly means cunning. No one would use this as a name. I guess it's a nickname.

"Sly?" The lawyer asked Ronald the question.

"Sylvester Stallone, we all call him Sly."

"Let me first talk about my original arrangements for Miss Michelle Pfeiffer. I found many ways to make Michelle appear, including appearing as Richard Gere's companion at the Oscar ceremony... shooting commercials, I don’t recommend Michelle to continue wasting time on TV series, you made the right decision to switch to movies.”

Ronald frowned when he heard that Ed was going to arrange for Michelle Pfeiffer and Richard Gere to appear together at the Oscars. He knew the name because he starred in the movie "Days of Heaven" the year before last.

The film was highly praised by the photography class teacher and was also shown to the students. All photography was shot using natural light in the early morning or dusk, for which the photographer won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Richard Gere is the starring role, a handsome guy with long hair.

"But now that the Oscars have passed, we need to re-plan your appearance." Ed Limato was unaware and was still talking about his plan for Michelle Pfeiffer.

Ronald felt that he might not have changed Pfeiffer's fate much. Limato valued her so much that as long as Pfeiffer returned to Los Angeles, he would discover her sooner or later.

The lawyer lady read the contract and said yes. Pfeiffer signed his name, held Ronald in his arms and stamped his feet to express his happiness. Ronald could only pat her back to express comfort.

Ed Limato called the concierge and asked them to send a bottle of champagne to celebrate, "The heroine of Endless Love is not a good choice for the debut. The heroine will be positioned as a flower vase and an ignorant girl. Pfeiffer's favorite It’s best not to debut with this kind of role, otherwise your acting career will be limited.”

When there was no strong agent, of course, every opportunity had to be fought for. Now with the support of a strong agent from WMA, Pfeiffer can naturally choose movie roles.

The waiter knocked on the door and pushed the cart in. Limato took a dollar and handed it to him as a tip. The waiter happily asked if he wanted to open the champagne now. After receiving the signal, he skillfully took out the fragrant biscuit from the ice bucket, opened it and poured it for the four of them.

"Cheers!"

Ed Limato then said to Ronald and the lawyer: "After signing the contract, I will officially represent Miss Michelle Pfeiffer. I need to ask her some private things. Please give me some private time. You You can watch TV here first.”

Pfeiffer gestured to Ronald, then entered the room with Limato. Ronald turned on the TV out of boredom and watched the replay of entertainment news.

"Did you have this kind of conversation when you signed the contract?" the lawyer asked curiously.

"No, I'm a screenwriter. Maybe actors have more privacy issues to deal with."

"When Sylvester Stallone attended the premiere of the movie 'Coal Miner's Daughter,' he expressed that he wanted to take a break and had no plans to shoot new movies for the time being."

News about Limato's biggest client, Stallone, appeared on the TV. While sipping champagne, the lawyer said, "His face really looks like a boxer's, it's been deformed."

"Pfft." Ronald laughed so hard that he almost spit out the champagne.

Limato, who was in the room, had no idea Stallone was being aired on entertainment news. He unplugged the phone cord, locked the door, and then said seriously to Michelle Pfeiffer:

"This is truth time, Michelle. You need to tell me all the dirty stuff in your closet. I'm your agent, your interests are mine, and I need to know upfront whether you're going to let Your embarrassing past, so that you can take precautions and prevent the paparazzi from digging you out after you become famous.”

"I used to have serious addiction to cigarettes and alcohol, and then I was cheated by vegetarians in order to quit..." Michelle Pfeiffer recounted her experience of being cheated.

"Leave this matter to me. God's children are now being targeted by the FBI. It's not difficult to deal with. What about the relationship between men and women? Are there married couples, couples, etc.?"

"No, I was controlled very strictly by two liars. For a long time, I didn't have the opportunity to develop a relationship with anyone alone, or even have an in-depth conversation, until I met Ronnie..."

"Movie screenwriters..., well, the combination of female stars and movie screenwriters is quite common, but it is limited to female stars who have passed away, and female stars who have given up on their career..."

"Ring ring ring ring..." I remembered the ringing of the phone in the living room, but Limato didn't answer it for a long time. Ronald went to knock on the door, "Mr. Limato, it's your number."

"Ask me who it is?" Limato replied.

Attorney Lindsay Dole answered the phone and said, "Hello, this is Ed Limato's room."

"Are you his assistant? Tell him I'm Sly and ask him to answer the phone."

"Oh, Mr. Stallone, please wait a moment, I'll call him." The lawyer lady winked at Ronald. It seemed that she was very excited to talk to the star on the phone.

"Mr. Limato, it's Sly calling."

"Sly?" Ed opened the door and said to Ronald, "I'm listening inside."

"Sly, I'm Ed, what do you want from me?"

"Ed, I hate to say this to you, but whether it's a matter of procedure or because of our friendship, I have to tell you: I will not renew your contract."

"What? Sly, we are both of Italian descent, from when you were a penniless little screenwriter to now. Are you leaving me now? Have you forgotten what I often say, we are a big Faily?"

Ed Limato became anxious and involuntarily put his fingers together and made a gesture of emphasis with his palms upward.

Stallone on the other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds, seemingly moved by Limato, and then began to say, "Of course I haven't forgotten it, but at this stage of my career, what I need is to broaden my acting options, and you always don't." Let me try the drama route. As long as I can break through in drama, I can become the number one actor in Hollywood, not the number one action actor."

"Sly, if you really want to, we could try starting with a mid-level comedy, or an action comedy... drama isn't your strong suit."

Stallone was silent for a while, then interrupted Limato, "It's too late. I don't want to waste this most precious time on boxing. I have to try a new role."

Ed Limato was suddenly alert, "Who are you with? Sly."

"Which Motherfuxxer is teaching you how to speak? Stand up, you coward."

"Okay, Ed, I didn't want to confront you..."

"Ron Meyer? You, the Motherfuxxker of CAA, sent a little fox to show your kindness yesterday, and today you suddenly attacked me."

"What little fox? Listen Ed, this is a done deal. You'd better accept the reality. Only by working with CAA can Sly maximize his star value."

"What star value? Just wait for the lawyer to sue. This bastard has forgotten the history of our common struggle during the Rocky period. He wants to leave our Faily, woo woo woo..."

Ed Limato hung up the phone ruthlessly. A man in his 40s actually covered his face in the room and started crying.

Ronald, lawyer Lindsay, and Michelle Pfeiffer looked at each other in confusion. No one could have imagined this kind of scenario.

It was Ronald who poured a glass of champagne and approached Limato, "Ed, come and have a drink. It's common for Hollywood stars to come and go."

"Thank you," Ed Limato took the glass, "No, you don't understand. I treat my customers like my own relatives, and Sly is like my younger brother. I have always regarded him as a member of my Faily team." , losing him is like losing a family member, it represents the failure of my philosophy.”

As he spoke, Limato pulled the handkerchief from his suit jacket pocket and wiped his tears.

"Marlon Brando was also tempted, but he still chose to stay in this warm Faily. I don't know why Sly was tempted by the evil CAA and betrayed the Italian tradition."

After crying heartily, Ed Limato immediately began to pack his luggage, "Michelle, when I go back, I will help you contact Zeffirelli and get you a supporting role in Endless Love, but next I I will be very busy and need to fight CAA with all my strength, so I will postpone the matter of those two cheaters."

Ronald called the concierge and ordered a ride to the airport for Ed.

"You wait patiently for the results of the audition in New York, and I will arrange an opportunity for you to shoot the commercial appropriately." Ed patted Pfeiffer's hand to reassure her, and then quickly ran to the elevator to prepare for the airport.

"So is this crybaby Italian guy really a big agent in the industry?" Lindsay Doerr asked.

"Probably, I think he is sincere to his customers and also to his Faily philosophy." Ronald shook his head and replied, "Maybe Italians are more emotional?"

"Ronald, I..." Michelle hesitated.

"I know, I was planning to help you deal with the liar matter. But you already have an agent, do you want my help?" Ronald nodded and looked into Pfeiffer's eyes.

"Yes, Ronald. I owe you again. I still have to stay in New York until Endless Love starts. I can't place my hopes on Limato. He must be focusing on Stallone now. And those two A liar is looking for me now." Pfeiffer is extremely determined, she knows who she should rely on most now.

Ronald looked at the lawyer.

"The police attorney Rudy's commitment was very shallow. The Manhattan police stopped acting when they couldn't find them. We still start with Assistant Prosecutor Helen Gable." Lindsay Dole replied, "But you have to do a good job. Be prepared to pay some price.”