America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 896: Chapter 851: The Best of Times

Chapter 896: Chapter 851: The Best of Times

“What does the Academy mean by this?”

Having received the latest news, Martin was somewhat puzzled and asked the two women in the room, “Are they complaining that this year’s Oscars competition is too bland?”

After reading the newspaper, Jolie said, “Clearly, the Oscars are lacking attention, and the Academy is anxious.”

Aniston put on her clothes and said, “Our PR efforts are insufficient, the Academy is dissatisfied; our PR efforts are excessive, the Academy is still dissatisfied. It’s really difficult.”

Martin figured it out, “Now that the Oscars’ influence isn’t as strong as before, the Academy’s executive committee probably has feedback on this year’s data, and the data must look quite bad… Looking at it this way, the PR environment for the next few Oscars will be a lot more relaxed.”

Upon hearing this, Jolie knew Martin had something in mind and asked, “What do you plan to do?”

Martin said, “I have a very important bet about the Oscars with that bastard Leonardo, the loser has to solve a century-old problem for a lifetime, so I can’t lose.”

Aniston was surprised, “Best Actor at the Oscars?”

“Pretty much, Leo is up for Best Actor, and I’m up for Best Director.” Martin briefly explained the bet, “You should know, in the history of the Oscars, there has never been anyone who has won both Best Actor and Best Director. It’s been over eighty years, and no one has held both awards simultaneously.”

Jolie heard such matters from Martin for the first time and opened her mouth in surprise, “You want to be a director?”

Martin shrugged his shoulders, “Actually, the screenplay for the project is already complete, and the female lead has been selected; preparations will start soon.”

Jolie touched her own face, “Actually, I have plans to try directing too.”

Martin encouraged her, “You can totally try, you have what it takes.”

Ignoring Jolie’s plan, Aniston continued with the topic and asked Martin, “Do you really want to win Best Director at the Oscars?”

Martin responded, “The century-old problem is something for Leonardo to calculate.”

“That’s a bit tough,” Aniston was relatively conservative in her thinking.

Jolie, however, disagreed, “External factors play a big role in winning an Oscar, and Martin is the best at handling those external factors.”

She picked up the newspaper and shook it, “From the news here, it’s not hard to deduce that the Academy will loosen its control over PR in the coming years, which will also be advantageous for Martin.”

Aniston, not a newcomer in the industry, obviously knew how increasingly important external factors are for the Oscars, and said, “If the Academy really relaxes on PR, it really is a good opportunity.”

Martin couldn’t help but smile, “You have so much confidence in me?”

Jolie said, “We have confidence in the resources you hold and your ability to manage external affairs. As for your directing skills… hehehe, about the same as mine?”

Martin, uncharacteristically, did not retort.

Aniston understood Jolie’s meaning; Martin, being WMA’s top client, owned a financially robust and independently functioning film company, which could assemble an experienced production team anytime he wished.

As long as Martin had a complete vision for the film and didn’t want to make something excessively complicated and personalized, he merely needed to give commands, and these people could shoot the scenes he wanted and edit the film effects as desired.

Even without a complete creative concept, if willing to pay the price, he could still produce a film.

WMA definitely didn’t lack such clients and personnel.

Martin said, “I’ve already given WMA the heads-up, the shooting and production team will be organized this month.”

Jolie glanced at the time and said, “I’m off to the Middle East this afternoon, might stay there quite a while, hurry up and finish a few more rounds, getting everything ready for the near future.”

She looked at Aniston, “Jen, push hard from behind.”

Aniston, who had a love-hate relationship with her, replied, “Got it, I always keep fit, I guarantee the strength will be ample.”

The three got busy.

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Martin turned into a battering ram, his engine roaring, and soon he opened a gateway through the city gate.

…

Century City, WMA headquarters.

Steven Downton sat in the agent’s office, pondering over a matter.

Agent Corleone said, “You’ve served as the assistant director in ‘Scream,’ ‘The Hills Have Eyes,’ ‘Piranha,’ and ‘Dark Invasion,’ amassing vast experience in shooting horror thrillers. This ‘Shark Beach’ is a project by Davis Studio, with gold-medal producer Louise Rayer acting as the producer, and superstar Martin Davis serving as the production manager and director.”

Having been an assistant director in Hollywood for nearly a decade, Steven Downton had no fame among movie fans and not much of a reputation in Hollywood either. However, among the many assistant director clients at WMA, he had the most experience in shooting horror thrillers.

Thomas Ryan, as a senior partner of the company, found it not difficult to choose the right candidate for Martin’s project from among the thousands of WMA clients.

Steven Downton had never independently directed any film, but all directors who had worked with him praised his capabilities as an assistant.

In addition to the assistant director, Thomas also contacted many key professionals and their agents.

“Martin as a director?” Steven Downton certainly recognized Martin, remembering the times ten years ago when he collaborated with Martin on ‘The Hills Have Eyes,’ where he was a member of the assistant director team and Martin was the lead actor, not lacking interactions.