American fame and fortune

In Malibu, a huge mansion occupies an entire hillside by the sea.

Harris-Carter stood on the roof, looking out at the Pacific Ocean to the west. The beautiful view of sea and sky is undoubtedly one of the selling points of this house.

Schneider, the real estate agent, was on the phone from a distance, communicating with the homeowner about the price.

Harris was not in a hurry and waited patiently.

After a while, Schneider hung up the phone and came back. He said: "The homeowner wants a minimum of $30 million. If it is lower, he doesn't feel the need to sell."

Harris understood the homeowner's situation and shook his head: "$20 million is my highest offer."

Schneider refused to let go: "If you say this, we can't talk."

Harris shrugged and said, "Since there are so many luxury properties to choose from in Los Angeles, let's go here."

This was a price negotiation that was not equal at all. The homeowner there was constantly urging the transaction to be completed as soon as possible. Schneider also knew that people who could spend such a large amount of money to buy a luxury home in a short period of time could not always meet him. .

He was helpless: "Wait a minute, I'll make another call."

Harris felt that it was almost done, so he added an important weight: "I have sufficient funds here, so I don't need to take out a loan or anything like that. The transaction will be paid in full directly."

Schneider called again, and the house, which was listed for $36 million, was finally sold for $20 million when the seller was in desperate need of money to live on.

The seller also put forward the necessary conditions: to handle the delivery procedures and fund transfer as quickly as possible.

Both parties reached an agreement and Harris prepared to go downstairs and leave.

"Wait, Mr. Carter." Schneider stopped him and asked proactively: "You told me before to pay attention to the houses in Los Angeles. I have a penthouse apartment here that occupies an entire building. On the top floor, the owner bought it for $18 million and is now willing to sell it for $13 million."

Upon hearing this, Harris understood which house he was talking about and said, "Let's go over there tomorrow and have a look."

Schneider smiled and said, "Okay."

Harris went downstairs, got in his car, drove out of the mansion and called Martin.

Martin got through and asked, "Did it go well?"

Harris said directly: "The deal for the house in Malibu was completed, and the price was $20 million."

Martin smiled and said, "Well done."

"It's not that I'm doing well, but that the homeowner needs cash too much." Harris said modestly, "The real estate agent specially invited me to see a penthouse in the city tomorrow. I think it might be That’s what Depp did.”

Martin said: "If the price is right, get it. If you take the long term, these houses will not have to be sold."

If Depp hadn't been desperate for money, such a price would have been a no-brainer.

At Davis Studio, Martin hung up the phone and refreshed the webpage with the mouse. On the TMZ homepage, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's daily exchange of insults appeared again.

The court will not open so soon, this bad battle will inevitably continue, and the little good reputation Johnny Depp has left will slowly dissipate.

For the most part, Amber Heard is just making up rumors.

But some of them are not rumors, such as the part about Lily Depp.

It is conceivable that when Lily Depp grows up, she is likely to become like Robert Downey Jr.

The office door was knocked twice by someone outside, and Bruce immediately opened the door and came in, saying to Martin: "Ivan just got some interesting news."

Martin closed the TMZ page and asked, "What's going on?"

Bruce simply said: “There are rumors circulating recently that Annapurna Pictures is preparing to sell the rights to The Seventh Son.

Martin couldn't help but laugh: "Megan Ellison has no confidence?" He thought for a while: "This is to sell the copyright to make money."

Bruce pulled out a chair and sat across from him: "It's very possible."

Martin tapped his finger on the table lightly and said: "We can't miss such a good show. Let Ivan pay more attention to the situation of this film."

"I asked, this film uses too many special effects shots, and the post-production has not been completed yet." Bruce said: "Even if the deal is made, it will wait until the film is completed."

"We're also going to fight for the rights," Martin said.

Bruce didn't understand: "Why?"

"Epics are big productions, and many companies in Hollywood like them." Martin explained simply: "Just like Ridley Scott has screwed up again and again in the epic genre, and can still attract huge investments, maybe there will be companies I was so confused that I bought the copyright of "The Seventh Son" at a high price."

He was prepared to participate, of course, to cause trouble: "If we join, we can grasp the dynamics in time, and we can take action at critical moments to reduce the copyright transfer fee of the film."

Bruce said, "This movie isn't going to be a success?"

Martin said seriously: "The success probability of "The Lone Ranger" is higher than that of "The Seventh Son."

After the new century, except for the costume epics in the "Lord of the Rings" series, Hollywood has too few that are not pitiful.

Bruce goes to call Ivan.

Martin finished the work at hand, took a bracelet gift box specially selected from Cartier, and left the studio.

After crossing the overpass between ABC TV station and Disney headquarters, Martin entered the Disney studio. Bruce was just about to drive the battery car when a car came from behind and stopped beside the two of them.

Elena Satine sat in the driver's seat and waved to the two of them: "Martin, Old Boo, get in the car."

Martin and Bruce got on the battery car together.

Elena Satine drove inside and said, "I haven't been here for a while. I didn't expect such a coincidence that I met you when I came here today."

Martin asked casually: "You are starring in Marvel's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.", aren't you busy filming?"

"I played a small role." Elena Satine said a few words specifically: "A banshee named Lorelei, a fugitive from Asgard who fled to Earth."

Martin followed her words and asked: "What super powers does she have?"

Elena Satine smiled: "You can use your voice to charm men and control them."

Martin nodded: "A very good super power."

"Eastern European actors like me can basically get this kind of roles." Elena Satine smiled helplessly: "It is difficult for us to get serious and good roles."

Martin didn't recognize her accent and asked, "Which country in Eastern Europe are you from?"

Elena Satin said: "I am Georgian, but I grew up in Russia."

"We're here." Martin pointed to the "La La Land" studio on the left front: "Just park on the street."

When the battery car stopped, he picked up the handbag containing the gift box and got off the car, and said to Elena Satine: "Thank you."

"Goodbye." Elena Satine waved and continued to drive forward.

Martin entered the studio, and the girl at the front desk said: "Mr. Davis, after Ms. Mel asks you to arrive, go directly to her office."

"Got it." Martin smiled at her, nodded, and went straight to Louise's office.

Seeing Martin come in, Louise turned on the TV, took out a DVD and stuffed it into the player.

Louise simply said: "A young director sent it here. He really wants to be the director of "La La Land". His name is..."

After looking at the information on her desk, she said: "His name is Damien Chazelle. He was born in 1985. He is younger than you. He has no impressive resume. In the past, he only directed one movie called "Park" Guy and Adeline on the Bench."

Martin went over to pick up the director's information. He should have heard of the name, but he didn't remember watching the film Louise mentioned.

Louise said: "He knew that he was not qualified enough. Yesterday during the first interview with the director, he gave me this DVD, which contained a music short film he shot. I watched it and it was very distinctive."

Martin said: "I'll watch the short film first."

Louise has pressed play.

At the beginning of the short film, there was a burst of intensive jazz drums.

A young drummer sat in front of the jazz drums, practicing the drums almost crazily, until his hands bled, and he continued to practice until he put on a band-aid.

This is a story about the growth of a young drummer, which may be limited by funds and only lasts about 20 minutes.

The story is incomplete, but enough to remind Martin of a movie.

"Crack Drummer".

With an almost crazy jazz drummer and a somewhat familiar director's name, Martin thinks it's very possible, but he still has to look at the script for details.

When the short film ended, Louise said: "This director wanted to adapt it into a movie based on his experience in the band in high school, but he couldn't find investment, so he had to finance this simple short film to attract investors. I think this short film is very unique.”

Martin pointed to the DVD player: "Call him and ask him to come over in a few days. I am interested in investing in this project."

Louise is now almost superstitious about Martin and has no hesitation: "This project counts as a share of Pacific Pictures."

Martin nodded: "Talk to him and let him shoot a clip of "La La Land". If it passes our evaluation, the director position will be his."

Louise said: "Maybe he can surprise us."

"I'm going to practice piano. If you need anything, come to me in the music room." Martin left Louise's office.

On the way to the music room, when passing by the dance studio, he went over to take a look. Mandy Moore was rehearsing dance, and Saoirse Ronan was also here.

Martin waited until they finished dancing and waved to Saoirse Ronan.

Saoirse, who was wearing a dance costume, immediately ran over and asked with a smile: "Do you want to see me for anything?"

Martin handed her the handbag in his hand: "Happy eighteenth birthday, a gift for you."

"Thank you." Saoirse saw the Cartier logo and asked, "Can I open it now?"

Martin made a gesture of invitation: "As you wish."

Saoirse opened the gift box, and inside lay a beautiful platinum and diamond bracelet. She stretched out her hand, revealing her white wrist: "Can you put it on for me?"

Martin took out the bracelet and put it on Saoirse's wrist.

Saoirse raised her arms and waved them back and forth in front of her eyes, looking at the front and back. The more she looked at it, the happier she became: "It's so beautiful, I like it very much."

Martin pointed to the front: "I'm going to practice piano."