Simon was a little helpless, Jonathan's question had pretty much become his mantra these days.

Walking with the agent to the buffet table full of food, Simon said, "Joe, you know me, as long as the conditions are right, I will definitely give priority to MA's clients." ”

"MA has more than 3,000 customers, and I'm sure any of your needs will be met, Simon. ”

Simon joked, "What if I need Robert Redford?"

"I've been trying to snatch some clients back from CAA lately, so, Simon, you're really going to have to help me this time. ”

Simon knew about it, too.

Compared to the seventy or eighty-year-old men of MA's past, Jonathan is in the prime of life, successfully becoming the new president of MA and successfully entering the board of directors, and he is ambitious to revive this long-established talent agency.

"Joe, I don't think you need to compete for customers anymore, the most important thing is to manage MA's existing customer resources well. As you said, MA has more than 3,000 clients, which is more than enough for any type of film. And, you know, I'm not the kind of person who likes to use A-listers too much. ”

Jonathan nodded, but insisted, "But, you have to dig some back." ”

Everyone has their own insistence, Simon no longer persuades, but said: "Actually, the "Intersection of Life" that Ella is preparing is a project that is very suitable for MA. You should have read the script, it's a massive group drama that requires dozens of actors. Robert Altman's directing is enough to ensure that this film receives the attention of major film festivals, this kind of art genre with an Oscar-level director at the helm of the role and a lot of room to play is actually the best platform for training actors, you can stuff some actors that MA intends to focus on training in the next few years, so that several similar projects continue, and then rush for some nomination awards, star in one or two excellent commercial films, and most of them can be firmly in the first and second tier ranks. ”

In my memory, the original version of "The Intersection of Life", the cast list includes Robert Downey Jr., Julian Moore, Chris Penn, Tim Robbins, Andy McDowell, Frances McDormand, Jennifer Jason Lee and a large number of well-known Hollywood stars, which can be described as star-studded.

However, in this era, these people are basically just second- and third-tier actors.

For Simon, who knows the future well, looking back, it is easy to find such a very standard path to fame for Hollywood actors.

Before the 90s, veteran Hollywood stars basically relied on luck to star in some successful commercial films and maintain their fame for a long time. Just like Robert Redford's "Haw Par Overlord", Harrison Ford's "Star Wars", Al Pacino's "The Godfather", etc., even Robert De Niro, who is known for his acting skills, only gained recognition in the industry after the very successful commercial "The Godfather 2", and then began to conquer the city at the Oscars.

However, after the 90s, the new generation of Hollywood stars gradually explored a career development model that accumulated popularity from participating in literary films to advance to commercial film stars, and the key reason for this trend is the resurgence of literary films in the 90s.

I have to say that a certain fat man did play a big role in this process.

Now, Hollywood has just recovered from the low ebb of the sixties and seventies, and Simon can clearly see this somewhat patterned road to fame, and Hollywood may have tried, but because the Hollywood film genre before the eighties was not as subdivided as after the nineties, at least before Simon appeared, there were not many obvious successful examples in the circle, and naturally no one referred to it.

When Jonathan heard Simon's words, he gradually showed a thoughtful expression.

After Simon's appearance, Hollywood has given birth to a similar type of fame, and Sandra, who became popular with "Lola Run", is the most special case.

Jonathan had in mind "Vulgar", although this movie also used big names such as Robert De Niro and Robert Redford, but Samuel L. Jackson and Nicole Kidman and other originally unknown actors also became famous through this movie.

Simon does not have the background of veteran directors like Robert Altman, but his fame is not lost to the other party.

Then, Simon's works can make many people popular, and the works of veteran directors such as Robert Altman also have such potential. Simon through the box office, these people through awards, and in the final analysis, as long as the qualifications and exposure of the actors are increased as much as possible, it is naturally easier for them to get more opportunities.

"I'm going to go back and take a closer look at the script for 'Intersection of Life,' Simon, MA to take on all the roles on this project, what do you think? ”

To participate in such a movie, don't think about the high salary, Jonathan believes that most actors should not lack this vision. If there is only money in your eyes, then there is no need to explore and cultivate.

Simon shook his head and said, "Joe, this request is a bit excessive, I can't agree to you." ”

"Okay, then, it should be okay to be as biased as MA as possible, right?"

"That's for sure. ”

The two came to the buffet table, Jonathan followed Simon to pick up the tray and select the food, and said: "Also, Simon, the new film that Brian is preparing, are you really not optimistic?"

Jonathan is talking about Brian de Palma.

Jonathan's client, who has been of great help to him, has always been in close contact with Brian de Palma.

After working on "Instinct" last year, Parma tried to make a transformation, working with Columbia Pictures on a Vietnam War-themed film "Vietnam Trauma" that has become popular in recent years, starring Sean Penn and Michael Fox, with a budget of $22 million and a schedule of August 18 later this month.

Simon had no impression of "Vietnam War Trauma", and he also felt that Parma's filming of war themes was a bit unreliable, so he was naturally not optimistic.

However, what Jonathan is talking about at this time is another new film that Parma is preparing recently, called "Bonfire of the Vanity", adapted from the original book of the same name, telling the story of a Wall Street elite who was targeted by tabloid reporters because of a traffic accident, and since then he has been caught in the whirlpool of public opinion, and his work and life have become a mess.

As far back as I can remember, this urban comedy, which leans towards a realistic satirical style, starring Tom Hanks, invested a large production budget, but failed at the box office.

Tom Hanks has not played a bad guy on the big screen since "Bonfire of the Vanities", and Brian De Palma has also become conservative because of the box office fiasco of this film, and since then there have been few masterpieces with a distinctive personal style, and can only serve as a foil for Tom Cruise in commercial blockbusters such as "Mission Impossible".

"I felt like the story was missing highlights. And, if Brian insists on filming, he must pay great attention to the casting and try to keep the budget within a reasonable range, preferably no more than $20 million. ”

Jonathan suggested, "Why don't you do that, Simon, and you take the time to talk about it." ”

Simon nodded, "Yes, but I also have to confess that Daenerys can't take on this project." ”

With Parma's fame, as long as the budget is reasonably controlled, and there will be no major casting mistakes like in the original time and space, the new version of "Bonfire of the Vanities" will not lose too much even if it still loses money, and it may be able to earn some through later operations.

However, if Daenerys Entertainment takes over this project, it must arrange a relatively good schedule for it and invest enough publicity resources.

Hollywood's annual popular schedule is fixed and limited, think about the same summer file, the same $20 million budget, the same publicity investment, "Bodyguard" can sell $100 million at the box office, "Bonfire of Vanity" can only sell 10 million, this potential loss is huge.

"It's not a problem, Simon, after "Butterfly Effect" and "Instinct", there is no shortage of investors in the projects that Brian wants to shoot now, he actually just wants to try more genres, you are a director, you should be more aware of this feeling. ”

Simon nodded in understanding.

After chatting like this, they picked out some food, and the two were about to find another place to eat, when someone at the scene finally couldn't wait for their conversation to end and plugged in directly.

Jonathan saw Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith approaching, and realized that he was taking up too much of Simon's time, which probably caused a lot of displeasure at the party tonight.

Jonathan and Simon had too many opportunities to communicate, and they were not in a hurry, and after simply greeting Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, who were also MA's clients, they gave up the conversation space to them very happily.

Simon had been in contact with Melanie Griffith during last year's Cannes Film Festival in France, and when they met again, the Hollywood actress who was married to another actor, Don Johnson, still came to the party with a big belly today.

After patiently chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Simon also pretended to be inadvertently curious about the sex of the baby.

Knowing that it was a girl, I couldn't help but be a little more enthusiastic and asked the name of the little guy.

Melanie Griffiths heard Simon ask, stroked her belly and said with a happy face: "Name, we haven't thought about it yet, Simon, do you have any good suggestions?"

"I'm even less experienced," Simon laughed, "but since it's a girl, how about Dakota?"

Melanie Griffith repeated: "Dakota?"

"yes. ”

Don Johnson was also curious: "Simon, does this name mean anything?"

Simon gathered his memories and said, "Probably from the Native American language, which means 'eternal smile'." ”

"'Eternal smile,' what a beautiful name," Melanie Griffith praised, looking at her husband, "Don, what do you think?"

Don Johnson nodded, "Very good." ”

"Then our little one's name will be Dakota, Dakota Johnson," Melanie Griffith said, looking at Simon again, "Since you gave it the name, Simon, how about you become the godfather of the little one?"

Simon shook his head and refused: "Forget it, I don't have this kind of preparation." Also, I'm not religious. ”

"It's a pity," Melanie Griffiths didn't have any expectations, reached out and grabbed her husband and pulled him to the side, and said: "Simon, "Miami Vice" will probably end next year, Don wants to try to develop on the big screen, do your 10 movies this time have a chance for him?"

Don Johnson is about forty years old this year, still in the prime of Hollywood actors, with a handsome appearance and tall figure that is very suitable for a tough guy on the screen. However, he has always developed on the small screen, and the hit drama "Miami Vice" starring in recent years can be said to be the peak of his career.

Simon naturally didn't agree to anything immediately, and he didn't refuse directly, saying, "If there is a suitable role, I will contact you." ”

Melanie Griffith was not polite and said, "Then, let's leave each other's contact information." ”

As he spoke, he stabbed his husband.

Don Johnson hurriedly took out his business card and handed it to Simon.

Simon took the business card handed over by Johnson, took out his wallet with one hand, rummaged through it, pulled out a small stack of business cards and put it in the food tray he was still holding in his other hand, and handed one to Don Johnson.

Don Johnson handed over a business card with all sorts of public and private contact information, but Simon's business card only had his office phone number.

However, with Simon's business card, the Johnsons were already very satisfied.

Many of the guests who were watching the situation around saw Simon handing out business cards, and they were obviously a little more excited. No sooner had the Johnsons turned past Simon than someone else approached.

Simon only symbolically contained five or six business cards in his wallet, and in the blink of an eye, he was robbed clean, and he also had an extra stack of other people's business cards in his own hand.

After a few exchanges, they finally found time to sit down at a free round table, and a blonde girl followed Jessica Langer and Sam Shepard.

Simon recognized the sexy actress named Rebecca Demony, didn't get up again, pointed to his tray, and joked, "It's only crab cakes, do you want it?"

Rebecca DeMony saw that Simon was not unfamiliar at all, and responded with a smile that was also familiar: "Okay." ”

With that, Rebecca DeMony bent over, twisted a piece of crab cake from Simon's tray across the table, sat down across from him and took a small bite, occasionally licking her lips, which were very sexy for Westerners. The woman was wearing a low-cut black evening dress tonight, and the vacuum inside the action room was completely exposed to Simon.

Simon didn't feel anything, although the scenery was good, it was not his own dish.

Rebecca DeMoni chatted with Simon casually, finished eating the crab cake, put the bamboo skewer in the space of Simon's plate, took out a card from her handbag and handed it over, and said, "Simon, this is my business card, remember to come to me." ”

Before Simon could react, Rebecca DeMony got up and floated away in a graceful manner.

Simon picked up the hard card in front of him, which was obviously a magnetic stripe, a room card with the room number attached to it.

"Interesting 'business card', isn't it?"

Another female voice sounded on the opposite side, slightly hoarse, Simon judged from experience that the other party should smoke, and raised his head, this is the round face of a mature woman with charm in her innocence. However, what attracted Simon the most was the woman's deep V dress that was held up high.

Linda Carter.

The heroine of the "Wonder Woman" series of TV series in the seventies, a sexy idol of a generation.

Simon still rubbed the key card and said with a smile on his face, "Good evening, Ms. Carter." ”

Linda Carter put her arms on the table, leaned forward slightly, and said, "Mr. Westeros, aren't you going to treat me to a piece, well, that?"

Simon pushed the tray towards the woman and said, "If you want." ”

"It's really reluctant," Linda Carter didn't stretch out her hand, and raised her chin slightly to signal the room card in the man's hand: "Will you go to 'visit' the young lady just now?"

Simon shook his head and smiled, "No." ”

"Huh?"

"I have a shadow on a place like a hotel and don't stay in a hotel room unless I have no other choice. ”

"Very interesting quirks, why?"

Simon said: "I guess Hitchcock's 'The Shining' is to blame." ”

Linda Carter laughed and said, "Mr. Westeros, do you think I don't know that The Shining is Kubrick's?"

"Oh, mistaken," Simon asked, shrugging his shoulders, "what about you, Ms. Linda, what have you been up to lately, but I've been a big fan of Wonder Woman." ”

"Simon, you can actually call me Linda," Linda Carter said, her tone became lonely again, and said, "I recently came to Los Angeles to audition for a TV movie, I don't know if I can make it, I'm already angry." ”

"Which company, if you don't mind, I'll say hello for you. ”

Linda Carter's eyes rolled slightly, and she said, "How can I mind this kind of thing." Still, don't bother you big guy. ”

Simon smiled and didn't say anything more.

beckoned the waiter to bring a new glass of champagne, and carefully helped Linda Carter take a glass and hand it over.

Linda Carter thought that Simon would continue to be courteous to her, but he did not expect him to be quiet. Unwilling to get up and walk away like this, he took the initiative to find a topic and said: "Just talking about "The Shining", Simon, do you like Stephen King very much?"

Simon nodded, "I'm generally impressed." ”

"No wonder you've written so many great horror screenplays, I watched 'The Sixth Sense' last month, and seriously, it's a lot better than Stephen King's film adaptation. ”

"Thank you. ”

Linda Carter paused for another moment, waited for Simon to eat the last sandwich on the plate, and said as if complaining: "Simon, do you always let women take the initiative to find topics like this?"

Simon pushed the empty plate away and said with a smile, "Of course not, it's just that I'm usually a little unresponsive in front of beautiful women." ”

"Is this a compliment?"

"yes. ”

"Unfortunately, I'm not one of those little girls anymore. ”

Simon looked at the woman opposite, his eyes were a little more aggressive, and said, "Actually, I don't have any feelings for the little girl. ”

Linda Carter subconsciously avoided Simon's eyes, and inexplicably gave birth to a feeling that she was playing with fire. A voice in her heart had begun to urge her to get up and leave, but her body did not move.

There are also some rumors about Simon Westeros in the circle.

It seems to be true.

It's just that.

I'm really playing with fire!

On the other side of the table, Simon had already stood up, took the initiative to stretch out his hand to the woman, and said, "Linda, can I ask you to dance?"

Seeing that the man had completely restrained the aura he had just had, and looked very gentlemanly, Linda Carter comforted herself that it was just a dance, so she smiled and nodded, raised her hand and handed it over, letting Simon pull her to the dance floor in the hall.

And then.

And then.

It was about eleven o'clock in the evening, and Linda Carter felt like she was being taken out of the hotel, got into a car at the private exit of the lobby to the parking lot, and arrived at a mansion halfway up the hill in Palisad, a western suburb of Los Angeles.

At one point, Linda Carter even felt that the little man must have let the ghosts around him cast a spell on him.