Hollywood starts with a broker

The next day, Aaron had someone find a detached two-story apartment near Plummer Park in West Hollywood and moved out of Koreatown. After all, he was a wealthy man with a huge sum of $100,000 in his hands, and he needed to live in peace!

Two bedrooms, two living rooms, plus a study, and three bathrooms, Aaron was quite satisfied.

At the end of the month, Steven Soderbergh came to CAA and signed a contract. Aaron was, of course, his lead agent, and he even specifically had Jack Welles participate.

"It feels like a dream," Steven Soderbergh said with surprise in the office. He absolutely didn't expect that 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' could sell for a high price of $1.2 million.

Aaron leaned back in his chair. Because Steven Soderbergh himself was signing with an agency for the first time, according to the 'California Talent Agency Act':

When an agent signs a contract with an artist, the initial contract is valid for one year, and subsequent renewals can be extended for a maximum of three years!

Since they are all newcomers, basically everyone will choose to renew the first time. Subsequent renewals are mostly signed for two years.

Aaron played with the huge brick-like mobile phone in his hand, looking at Steven Soderbergh, "Miramax called, they need your input on the re-editing of the film;"

"Next, we need to cooperate with Miramax's participation in the Cannes Film Festival!"

Steven Soderbergh nodded, "That's no problem, but I don't know when Miramax will arrange for the film to be released?"

"Don't worry, Harvey spent $1.2 million to buy this film, which means he himself is very optimistic about this film, so don't worry;"

"We'll know the results after the Cannes Film Festival in May!"

Aaron stretched, "Any new plans next?"

"Not so fast, the first feature film hasn't even been released yet?"

"That's true, you can go on vacation. Just call me if anything happens," Aaron wouldn't babysit anyone, not even Stallone or Tom Cruise.

In the afternoon, several roars came from the office of Ronald Meyer, president of CAA.

Michael Ovitz frowned in his own office and asked his assistant, "Why is Ronald so angry?"

"Judy Hofflund and David Greenblatt left CAA and founded ITA (Independent Talent Agency)!" Office assistant Susan Miller explained.

Michael Ovitz nodded. Judy Hofflund and David Greenblatt were both Ronald Meyer's assistants before, and now betraying CAA is indeed infuriating.

CAA has always poached people from other companies, but this time someone left CAA and took away several young agents and their clients.

"Mr. Ronald Meyer has organized a group of people to specifically target ITA!"

How to target them? By defaming and suppressing their company, poaching ITA's clients, and engaging in unfair competition.

Michael Ovitz nodded, agreeing with his old friend's approach. It would be even better if his old friend wasn't so fond of gambling!

In the CAA share allocation, Michael Ovitz owns 55% as the largest shareholder, while Ronald Meyer owns 22.5%, and the rest belongs to others.

In the evening, in West Hollywood, Aaron sat in the chair in his study. On the table were two blockbuster movies that CAA was packaging this year:

One is 'Dick Tracy', a large-scale detective film directed and starred by Warren Beatty, adapted from the best-selling American comic book of the same name;

The other is 'Goodfellas', a film directed by Martin Scorsese based on the American legendary gangster Henry Hill!

CAA's packaged movies definitely involve stacking stars. Obviously, these two movies will definitely be filled with big names.

'Dick Tracy' is a work of Touchstone Pictures under Disney, and 'Goodfellas' is a work of Warner Bros. Both are gangster films;

Currently, gangster films and action films hold a significant position in Hollywood.

Subsequently, Aaron took out a four- or five-page script outline, 'Ghost', adapted by screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin!

After searching for so long, Aaron finally found a heaven-defying script, but it's still languishing at CAA?

Michael Ovitz had no interest in this script. A ghost love story was dismissed out of hand!

"Be an agent?" Aaron laughed. How much can an agent earn?

Aaron Anderson now only regards CAA's work as a platform to expand his network;

At the same time, Aaron Anderson also needs to improve his reputation as soon as possible!

Because it's awards season, especially the Academy Awards ceremony held in late March, Los Angeles is unusually lively;

Countless star parties and film receptions are held in various hotels in Hollywood.

'Ghost' was not valued by CAA, but Aaron regarded it as a treasure and directly approached the original screenwriter Bruce Rubin!

A coffee shop on Hollywood Boulevard.

"What, you want to buy this script?" Bruce Rubin was surprised. "I know you, the agent who helped Steven Soderbergh sell 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape'."

Aaron Anderson just wanted to have this script in his hands and was very direct, "Although CAA doesn't value this script, I like it very much. 'Ghost' is an original script, I'll offer $150,000 to buy it from you;"

"Moreover, within three years, I will definitely develop this script!"

Bruce Rubin nodded, "The price is quite reasonable, so, now you want to buy the copyright for a three-year period first?"

"That's right, $40,000 deposit, if I can't develop it after the expiration date, you can completely take back the script!"

Bruce Rubin smiled, "You seem very confident that you can develop it within three years, but it seems you don't have many clients on hand now, right?"

Aaron took a sip of coffee, "I don't have much time to serve those clients!"

"It seems that you are wholeheartedly thinking about transitioning into a producer," Bruce Rubin thought it was because the other party wanted to develop this film at CAA but didn't get support, so he came up with this idea.

"How about it, agree?" Aaron just wanted to own this script, and once he had the opportunity, he would leave CAA to develop it himself.

"Of course, but I also have corresponding conditions. I also want to participate when the script is developed," Bruce Rubin explained.

Aaron nodded, "Of course, you are the original screenwriter, so you will definitely be needed when adapting it!"

In this way, the two found a law firm and signed a purchase contract. Aaron Anderson paid $150,000 to acquire the script for 'Ghost';

Three-year term, $40,000 deposit. When the time is up, both parties can negotiate to extend the term, or the other party can take back the script without refunding the deposit.

"How about I introduce you to an agent?"

After signing the contract, Aaron suddenly suggested to Bruce Rubin.

There was no way, Bruce Rubin was also a new screenwriter, where would he find an agent?

"Uh, you don't want to be my agent?"

Aaron shrugged, "Do you think I would be suitable?"

"Okay, you're indeed not suitable…"

Antitrust law, agents cannot participate in film production business, Aaron's agent career entered a countdown from the beginning!