From "L.A. Confidential" to "Perfect" to "Truman's World", the door of interests behind the Hollywood film industry is truly revealed in front of Hugo little by little.

Although Hugo knew that this was a profit-oriented society before, and he had experienced it many times, the world he saw from different positions was very different. In the eyes of these big production companies, anything can be tied to profits, and they are used to measuring everything in numbers, even with friends and family, which reminds Hugo of the bitter Jeffrey Katzenberg and Michael Esner.

The only thing to be thankful for is that Hugo is still standing at the top and the initiative is still in his hands. But behind the joy is a sigh: if "Perfection" or "Truman's world" fails, then what answer will this incomparably realistic and incomparably cruel world give Hugo?

Hugo took a deep breath, he knew that now was not the time to be sad, he quickly dialed Rick's mobile phone number, Rick did not pick up the phone as usual, which made Hugo inevitably nervous, and couldn't help but gently bite the dead skin on his lip flap, that every beep sound was like a hammer on the eardrum, and the emotion was like a wire rope, little by little straightened.

"Hugo ......" Rick's tired voice came from the other end of the phone, and he had been thinking about what part of "Truman's world" went wrong. It's not scary to fail, it's scary to not know the reason for it. But Rick never came up with a clear idea, and he had to go to the bathroom to wash his face and calm himself down, which was too late.

"Rick, Shirley called me just now." Hugo's first sentence stunned Rick, and then with Hugo's simple explanation, Rick's train of thought gradually became clear. Unlike Hugo, Rick knows the whole big picture and the details well, and he understands the ins and outs in an instant.

Why are the three major Hollywood agencies in their status transcendent? It is because of their connections that they ensure that the information is well-informed - and true; and their resources, which cover almost every aspect of the entertainment industry; and their hole cards, so that they have enough confidence to bargain with the production company.

During the "L.A. Confidential" period, Rick realized that the current Endeavor elite brokerage company still has many shortcomings, and it has been walking on thin ice in the past few months. But this time the "world of Truman" has made things clearer, Endeavor Elite Brokerage has the ability to challenge the three major brokerage companies, but the real strength is still more than one grade behind.

If the same thing had happened to the big three agencies, Rick wouldn't have been so passive - there was no clue that the news had gone wrong.

Rick closed his eyes, rubbed his sore eyes, cheered up, and said solemnly, "Hugo, I know you don't mind, but I still have to express my apologies again, sorry, this time my negligence and mistake are too obvious." ”

The corners of Hugo's mouth twitched, revealing a small smile, "Rick, I know what you mean. "Actually, you really can't blame Rick, if the eight major Hollywood studios want to set up a game, Endeavor Elite Agency is the same as United Elite Agency, they have the ability to fight back, but it is difficult to clear and see through the entire chess game." Now the most important thing is that Shirley has made the conditions, and I have nod. ”

"Fifteen million dollars in salary, five percent box office dividends?" Rick had just heard Hugo mention it, and although it was only in passing, he remembered it clearly.

Hugo gave an affirmative response, "I'm sorry, I gave up the rights of producer, I know it's important for the company." "Rick would have a tense atmosphere with Shirley before, and the core focus was actually the production rights, Rick was unwilling to back down, and Shirley was unwilling to let go. The results are clear at a glance - the experienced Shirley is still a step ahead.

Rick shook his head, "No, I'm greedy. "Even Steven Spielberg can't hold the production rights of all the works tightly now, especially now that no actor in Hollywood can get his hands on the producer position except for Hugo and Tom Cruise, not even Tom Hanks. So, this time it was Rick who was in a hurry and his ambitions got out of control.

"We'll talk about the specifics later, fortunately, I've got a chance to redeem it now, and I'll take care of it." Rick also quickly cut through the mess, and directly came to a conclusion, "You go get busy first, I need to sort out my thoughts now and take the initiative." ”

After hanging up the phone, Rick stood still and thought quietly, Hugo had just sent too much information, and he needed to sort it out carefully. But apparently Shirley wasn't going to give Rick time to catch his breath, and Jim Snow knocked on the door and walked in, "Rick, Shirley's phone." This is her second call. Jim's expression was a little embarrassed, "When you went to the bathroom just now, she already called one." ”

Rick was only slightly stunned, and then realized that he wanted to take the initiative and disrupt Shirley's plan; But in fact, Shirley is also holding the same idea, and will make a quick decision, before all the uncertainties surface.

Rick took a deep breath, "I see, let's take it in." Jim nodded and stepped out again, Rick walked over to the desk and let out a long exhale, a confident smile on the corner of his mouth, "Hey, Shirley, this is Rick, sorry, I was too tired from the meeting just now and missed your call." ”

"Looks like everybody's been busy lately." Shirley's voice seemed to be at ease, "I also had a few meetings in a row just now, and this year's summer season is not normal, obviously we are all starting to get busy." Everyone is a little unsure of next year's summer file. ”

"Batman and Robin", which were expected to create box office successes, and "Speed of Life and Death 2" collectively hit the streets, and the low-cost production of "My Best Friend's Wedding" achieved a box office counterattack; "Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World" did well at the box office, but it failed to break the record, but "Men in Black" quietly showed a more ferocious momentum, and had the appearance of winning the annual championship.

"Hehe, can you call me about Paramount's plans for next summer?" Rick pretended not to know anything, and said with a smile.

"Don't you know?" Shirley showed just the right amount of surprise and expressed her surprise, "Didn't Hugo call you?" ”

"Is there anything I need to know?" Rick's voice was completely confused, showing no flaws.

Such an attitude made Shirley a little uncertain, but there was no need for her to change her plan, anyway, Hugo had already nodded and agreed, "We decided at the last moment to hand over 'Truman's world' to Hugo......"

"What!" Rick raised his voice and interrupted Shirley in surprise, "Wow, that's great news, great news, God, you don't know how much Hugo takes this project, trust me, you won't regret this decision." Rick laughed a little smugly, "Of course, this is Jim Carrey's loss, and I'm sorry." ”

Shirley listened to Rick's somewhat exaggerated voice, pursed her lips slightly, and her eyes kept rolling, "Of course, we all believe that this is a wise decision. So, I've talked to Hugo just now, and I've set the general direction of the contract, and then I just need to find a suitable time, everyone sits down and signs, and these formalities are completed. ”

Rick chuckled, "Of course, no problem, no problem. Hugo nodded in agreement, which was naturally better. Rick's voice was extremely cheerful and sounded completely normal, which made Shirley's doubts suppressed slightly, "However, what are the specific terms of the contract?" What conditions did Hugo promise? ”

Shirley bit the tip of her tongue lightly, "Fifteen million dollars in salary, two percent of the box office dividends." She lied, just to test Rick's reaction.

Rick frowned slightly, and secretly cursed the old fox. In fact, Shirley's condition is very in line with Hugo's style - Hugo has never had high requirements for salary. However, Rick was fully prepared at this time, so he shook his head with a smile, "Shirley, you know that this condition is impossible, and it is impossible for us to sign. ”

Shirley thought she had taken back the initiative, and her voice relaxed again, "Oh? Why? ”

"Inviting Hugo to star in 'Truman's World', what you expect is definitely not just a 'King of Big Talk', but a 'Man in Black'." Rick's words made Shirley chuckle, but did not speak, "So, two choices, either $10 million in salary, but fifteen percent box office dividends, we can slowly discuss the box office bottom line; or $20 million in salary, 6% box office dividends, and no bottom line. ”

In short: Maximize the topic! Increasing the dividend ratio is to link the box office and Hugo more closely, even if Hugo is not a producer, he is bound to do his best, especially during the promotion period; Increasing the salary is to ensure Hugo's "20 million club" posture, creating a topic at the same time, but also making Paramount bleed.

In Rick's opinion, Shirley is absolutely unwilling to let go of power, so he recognized that Shirley would choose the latter, which can be regarded as holding the previous revenge, and breathing a sigh of relief for Hugo and himself.

Shirley also saw the trickiness in a blink of an eye, and she chuckled, "This is not the condition I negotiated with Hugo. I refuse. ”

"Then I refuse on behalf of Hugo." Rick says it plainly and simply, leaving little room for it. Everyone in Hollywood knows that Hugo doesn't care about the pay, and at the same time, they all know that Hugo left the issue of pay to Rick. Rick has the absolute right to speak.

As for whether Hugo is willing to give up "Truman's world", this is a gamble, it depends on whether Hugo is more eager or Paramount is more eager for it.

Shirley bit her lower lip lightly, "Two million dollars, six percent." ”

A smile tugged at the corner of Rick's mouth, "Twenty million dollars, six percent." ”

Final word!