Birth of an actor

"We are here, gentlemen." Danny Byrne parked the car in front of a brightly lit luxury villa, rubbing his hands and said excitedly.

"Will, we should get out of the car."

Amon Goffman straightened his coat, opened the car door and walked down. After walking a few steps, he realized that no one was following him, so he turned around and got into the car, frowning and asked, "What are you in a daze for? Will? We've arrived."

"This Christopher Nolan—" William asked as he got out of the car, "Do you know him, Amon?"

"Christopher Nolan? Who is that?" Amon Goffman asked suspiciously. After seeing the script in William's hand, he suddenly realized: "Oh, you mean the person who sent me the script? He seems to be an amateur I am a film lover, a student of University College London, and my classmates set up a society called 16mm, and made a lot of short micro-movies. I remember that there was a catalog of their works in the original express mail. These young people really shot There are so many things, the reason why he sent scripts everywhere, just like other young people who are eager to succeed, are seeking investment and the favor of film companies-the letter seems to be short of five thousand dollars for their film? Seems to be this number."

After thinking about it, Amon Goffman added: "It's just an ordinary young man who wants to make a career in Hollywood. You know, I meet hundreds of people who come to Hollywood to pursue their dreams every day on the Sunset Boulevard." Anonymous."

Christopher Nolan is Anonymous?William was certain in his heart that his agent would definitely regret what he had said in the future.If Amon Goffman still remembers saying it years later.

"But don't you think the script is well written? It's a bit like Hitchcock, thriller, crime, but more suspense."

"The story is good, but it's not good enough to make people fall in love at first sight." Amon Goffman shrugged and said, "I receive a dozen scripts with about the same theme and about the same story every month."

"But what if this director named Christopher Nolan has a very whimsical idea? Although the script is an important foundation of the film, the director's narrative method is equally important to a film, isn't it? No matter how good the script meets the bad A director and bad editing can make a bad movie, but a good director and good editing can turn an ordinary script into a masterpiece. I think this script called "Following" has great potential. If it uses Quentin or Hitch Kirk's narrative technique, partial flashbacks? No, no, no, the entire film uses flashbacks to break the timeline into fragments—" William became more and more excited as he spoke, almost eloquently.

Amon Goffman stared at him suspiciously: "Could it be that you have taken a fancy to "Follow"?" Then he frowned slowly: "Don't tell me 'yes', I will not let you accept such an For student movies, don’t make movies with 800 million blades, go play innovation with college students-you haven’t released a movie this year, Will, if you don’t hurry up to make a few commercial movies now, next year you will start from Gone from the movie theater."

"Disappeared? How come, let's not say that "Gattaca" and "Titanic" are both scheduled to be released in the second half of the year. There is still about half a year before 10. It is enough to make two movies. As long as we divide the current installment If it is more reasonable." William explained to his agent: "And I am interested in Christopher Nolan, Amon. According to my calculations, if there is no major revision and addition of a lot of new content, this script It is very difficult to shoot more than 10 minutes, and if it is less than [-] minutes, it cannot be called a complete movie that can be released in cinemas, and the story seems to have been well written, adding new clues and characters If it goes in with the plot, it is very likely to ruin the script, so this kind of experimental film of newcomers and new works is still the most suitable for newcomers to participate in independent film festivals after filming. The Saint Denis Film Festival is very good, and the San Francisco Film Festival is also good. good."

Amon Goffman still felt a little weird: "I always feel that you are too curious about Christopher Nolan. Have you heard of this name before?"

"Maybe I just like the name Christopher." William shrugged. , is an interesting person with a high IQ but a bit of a geek, maybe I have a destiny with a person named this."

"Strange name collector." Amon Goffman muttered, "Okay, okay, I'll find this Christopher Nolan for you, and then I don't care if you want to give him money or show him love gone."

……

In Hollywood, about David Geffen, except for the information that everyone knows on the surface - the founder of Geffen Records and DreamWorks, a billionaire, a powerful man, a Jew, a homosexual - In addition, there are some widely circulated gossip news.

For example, David Geffen does not have a boyfriend who has been with him all year round, and he changes his male partners from time to time, and they are all young and handsome young people. The number of handsome guys who have arrived can be used to form a harem, and those handsome guys are collectively called "Geffen Babies". Fern's "help" and more.

In the past, William always sneered at such rumors. He always felt that people with ulterior motives were smearing David Geffen too much behind his back. Hit him, and demonize him from behind.

But now, at this huge party stretching from the main villa to the beach, when William saw the waitresses in bikinis and bunny ears, and the men in shorts and wearing only a black apron as a cover , He heard the manager muttering to himself: "Ha, a typical Geffen party." After that, William suddenly realized: Maybe the rumors are not just rumors.

Although there were people standing everywhere from inside and outside the villa to the beach, a circle of security guards in suits was on guard in the further periphery, and would stop anyone they thought was suspicious.

Amon Goffman obviously didn't know any of the security guards, and he looked a little out of place with the atmosphere of tonight's party in his suit jacket, but they still entered the party without being stopped by the security guards—probably because The black security guard was trying to give Armon Goffman his arm when he saw William.

As soon as they got near the villa, more people knew Amon Goffman.

If William is not dazzled, he also seems to see Steven Spielberg, Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and some other A-list directors in the crowd or star.

"Hi, Amon."

"Strange, are you willing to let your boy enjoy the nightlife?"

"Hi, Amon—oh, my God, is this Will?"

"God, Will?!"

"Is the National Weather Service calling for a tornado? To see you and Will at a party."

"See? This is the downside of you not being social." Amon Goffman gritted his teeth, but couldn't help but lower his voice and whisper into William's ear: "Everyone thinks I'm banning you from parties, or hiding you Woke up--"

"Oh come on, Amon, if I were a party animal, I would be high until two or three o'clock in the morning every day, and the next day the paparazzi would take a bunch of photos of carousing and drinking and taking my girlfriend home all night, you would have more headaches."

"..." Amon Goffman admitted that William was telling the truth. Compared to the typical bad boy in Hollywood who can keep making trouble for his agent every day 360 days a year, he really prefers the more obedient type.

Wait, is that why more and more people started calling him "The Tyrant" behind his back?Just as a bad-tempered star can only be tolerated by a good-tempered manager, a caring sweetheart like William and a submissive assistant like Eric will be used to a manager with a "tyrant" character?

——This fresh knowledge made Armon Goffman unable to bear to think, even the host of the party, David Geffen, his eyes lit up when he saw him, and he quickly walked over with a champagne glass without noticing.

William also failed to notice in advance that when Amon Goffman was in a daze, he was busy diverting Danny Byrne's eyes from the chest of a bikini waitress: "Don't look so explicit, Danny, you Acting too much like a horny pervert, even if there are beautiful girls who have a crush on you, you will scare them away."

Danny Bourne rubbed his nose embarrassingly: "Because my ex-girlfriend has dumped me for half a year, and I haven't seen such a punctual one for a long time—" Seeing William's eyes, he immediately stood up straight and said, " Understood, Will, I will obediently take care of my eyes so as not to embarrass you!"

"Look who this is?" A laughing strange male voice suddenly approached.

A hand was suddenly placed on his shoulder, and the muscles of his forearm were pinched. William felt a chill all over his body. He turned around and was almost startled by a middle-aged man who was almost standing close to him behind him. ——Because William only saw a skull with a worrying hairline in his sight—— he took a quick step to the side before he could see the whole picture of the person coming: medium height, thin and long face, half-gray hair, brown eyes, whole body Everyone has an aura of "I am power". Although they are not outstanding in appearance, they are the kind of people who can leave a deep impression on people when they meet for the first time.

It's David Geffen.

"After so many invitations, you are finally here, Will." David Geffen took a glass of wine from the passing waiter's tray and handed it to William: "Come and taste it, this is my private collection."

"Will's not yet 21, David." Amon Goffman stood between David Geffen and William, trying to take the drink from David Geffen.

David Geffen lifted the wine up to prevent Armon Goffman from holding it, looked at William, and showed a kind smile that was a bit fake.

William readily took the wine glass from David Geffen, then turned to Armon Goffman and said, "It's okay, Armon, with David's guarantee, which tabloid dares to write about this matter? Besides, I'm not a few months away from turning 21." His voice was not loud enough to be heard by David Geffen.

"Haha, you're right, Will, no one would dare to disrupt my party." David Geffen turned his head and asked behind him while talking: "Will you report Will to the police for drinking? "

"Hahahaha!" Everyone around responded with bursts of laughter, and someone joked: "If it's 'that kind of policeman' in uniform, of course we will report it, sir!"

Amon Goffman heaved a sigh of relief: He was not worried about William drinking, but worried that someone would make a fool of it. After all, William is now one of the most eye-catching upstarts in Hollywood. I don’t know how many pairs of eyes are staring at him. look.Drinking at a party or something really isn't a big deal unless someone messes it up.

——Although American laws expressly stipulate that teenagers are not allowed to have sexual relations before the age of 17 (in some states), and are not allowed to drink alcohol before the age of 21, there are very few young people who really abide by this regulation, even in schools The most law-abiding "Nerd" group, when they encounter beautiful women and carnival parties, will secretly indulge themselves, not to mention the open-minded Hollywood.As long as no one breaks the news with the media or reports to the police, generally no one cares whether any star under the age of 21 has touched alcohol at the party, and the reason why William didn't pick it up immediately is because of Amon Goffman. So I tried to stop him, not because he was incapable of drinking, but because it was a public place. David Geffen probably invited a hundred people. Who knows if there are any informers with ulterior motives?William doesn't hate being in the newspapers, but it's best not to be especially cared for by tabloid reporters every time. If the media is incited to report that William drinks alcohol under his age, it will always damage his good image now.

William shook the wine glass gently, sniffed it, then took a sip, narrowing his eyes slightly: "Agave produced in Mexico? The production area should be near San Miguel de Allende. Lantner blends white oak barrel aging with new wine, so the layers are very rich-pleasant aroma of vanilla and citrus, with a hint of sweetness at the beginning of the mouth, and then the rich fruit flavor explodes in the mouth , an impressive taste, one taste is unforgettable.”

"You really know what to buy, Will, and you are the first person to tell the place of origin after just one sip tonight!" David Geffen looked at William, his eyes sparkling: "This agave is indeed from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, has sales in only fourteen regions in the world, four of which are in the United States, and I am not only one of the largest customers, but also a shareholder of the winery. Oprah Winfrey Just love my collection, has she never shown her alcoholic side to you? Ha, actually she loves alcohol."

William laughed a few times to save face.

The two chatted for a few more words, and Steven Spielberg began to call David Geffen not far away. David Geffen took the initiative to give William a hug, and patted his face with a smile before leaving. Back said: "Fun, Will. By the way, your jeans are well chosen, they look tight."

"...Thank you?" William decided not to think about whether there was any other meaning in David Geffen's words.

And never, never look in the mirror.

……

"Mr. Steve Jobs?"

Standing over six feet two inches tall, stocky, with dark mid-length hair, a bit of a beard, and wearing round glasses, the man who was talking turned around and looked at William questioningly.

The few impatient men behind Steve Jobs who had been dragged into the conversation by him recognized William first: "Hi, Will."

"Will, what a surprise to meet you."

"I heard that you have a new movie coming out, is it in the fall?"

"Hi, good evening. It's a pleasant surprise to meet you." William greeted everyone one by one, with a warm smile on his face and a very familiar attitude (although he was sure that he didn't know anyone here at all, except Jobs) : "Yes, the global release of Gattaca is scheduled for October, but the film will be screened in Canada first in September because it was invited by the Toronto Film Festival."

"What about the big ship, is it still difficult to deliver?" One person thought it was very humorous: "Although we all know you must be very good in the movie, but James Cameron and [-]th Century Fox... poor Will. Hahahaha!"

Although William didn't think there was anything funny in these few words, many people around except him and Steve Jobs laughed together.

"Titanic" was originally planned to be released in the summer vacation, but this month, James Cameron skipped the ticket again because he was still not satisfied with the edited version.This is the third time since the filming ended and entered the post-production and publicity period. It is James Cameron, thanks to his previous title of "Box Office Miracle Maker" and his never-failing directing experience. , and the good cooperation performance with [-]th Century Fox in the past few times, Fox can tolerate him so much. Otherwise, if it was replaced by other directors, Fox would probably have snatched the editing rights from the director and re-cut and arranged for release.

From 95 to 97, the filming and production cycle was more than two years, and the release was postponed three times in a row. How did the fans respond? There is no company to do a questionnaire survey yet, but inside Hollywood, people in the industry are very interested in "Titanic" Expectations have fallen from the highest peak to the lowest, from optimistic to unanimous bad-mouthing.James Cameron really dragged on for too long, so long that people began to wonder: Did the movie suck so badly that Cameron and Fox were so slow to release it?After all, it is a huge production of [-] million US dollars (not counting the promotional expenses in the later period), if it is really so bad that the box office fails, James Cameron probably will finish playing with Fox.

——Wait, maybe William doesn't find those words funny because he knows that "Titanic" is destined to succeed, and these people in front of them find those words funny because they think "Titanic" will become James Camer Long and [-]th Century Fox's Waterloo?This is really, very unfriendly remarks.

William had to fight back, if someone bad-mouthed him in front of his face and it was a movie that hadn't been released yet, but he didn't respond or worse, even echoed other people's words, then he as an actor would do the same. So incompetent.

William coughed lightly, and after attracting the attention of everyone around him, he smiled and said, "Gentlemen, I don't actually think that I am pitiful, nor do I feel pitiful for Jimmy and Fox. After all, we are waiting for the release of Titanic." In the end, we will all make a lot of money." Although his voice was not loud and full of smiles, he was very firm and confident.Like what he said was actually the truth and never doubted what he said.

The man who spoke at the beginning and laughed at Cameron and Fox, was laughing and suddenly choked on William's words. After turning into a dry smile, he quickly nodded to the people around him and turned away.

Steve Jobs, who had always been a bystander, suddenly looked at William with interest.

"The real version of you is more attractive than the movie, Will." Just as William wanted to say hello to Steve Jobs, a man with an overly bright smile on his face suddenly squeezed in, one hand pointing towards William. Stretching out, holding a business card on it: "My name is Jim, and I am the assistant of Ms. Stacy Schneider of Universal Pictures, and I also work as a producer in the studio."