America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

In a restaurant near North Hollywood, Martin and Bruce were having breakfast when they heard the morning news broadcast and simultaneously looked towards the TV ahead.

The news footage, taken by paparazzi, clearly recorded Paris Hilton being detained by the police last night for reckless driving.

Martin pointed at Bruce.

Old Cloth spoke in a low voice, "I just saw her last night, didn't expect it to happen so fast."

Paris's temporary spokesperson Kim appeared, speaking eloquently into the reporter's microphone, justifying Paris's action, and one could only wonder how long she had been preparing.

Bruce's cell phone suddenly rang, he looked at the message and said, "TV stations and newspapers want to interview Paris. She doesn't feel like facing the media after being bailed out, so she let Kim respond for her."

Martin commented, "Riding on Paris's fame."

"And then causing more trouble," said Bruce. "All are tricks of the trade in the entertainment industry."

Martin thought for a moment, "Civilized man, you've been observing for so long, help a little. I've got a movie where I'm the real leading role soon, and I need some creative ideas for promotion."

Bruce considered carefully before finally saying, "Like you, I only know how to use underhanded methods."

Martin laughed, "Old Cloth, since when have you and I stood on ceremony?"

"Aren't you fighting against deformed psychopaths? A water bottle is essential!" Bruce, thinking only of terrible ideas, gestured as he spoke, "Normally, you drink from a water bottle, but in a critical moment, use the water bottle to smash the psychopath's head. Then, through the media, promote that the water bottle is your invention, and the model is based on you.

I guarantee it will attract a lot of attention."

Martin was helpless, "You truly are a talent!"

The skin on Bruce's face was getting thicker, "Just a bit stronger than you."

But Martin was pondering, "No, the water bottle should be used by a woman or a black person. The point that I am the inventor can be utilized. Chairman Caroline said that because of the water bottle, I have some fame across America. Maybe that can be put to use too."

He immediately took out the notepad he carried and wrote everything down.

For normal ideas, there was no need for him to think of them, as those professional marketers always had bigger and wilder imaginations.

After breakfast, Martin went to the talent agency and sought his agent, Thomas.

Upon arriving at the office cubicle, he noticed Thomas's hair on the forehead seemed to have thinned out.

This was a good sign, it implied Thomas had been under pressure, carrying the burden and moving forward with it.

Thomas reminded Martin, "You must frequently visit Craven and Aga's side, to prevent others from finding an opening."

Martin nodded, "I visit Craven's studio every day."

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The project hadn't been made public, but it was no secret to those with a keen sense for news.

Thomas added, "About 'The Summer of Jeans' project, I've already applied for you. The company will recommend you to the crew first. The role is a football coach, and if you can secure the part, I'm confident of negotiating a salary of over 200,000 US dollars. Filming won't take more than a month."

Martin's focus was elsewhere, "Let me know the time of the audition, you handle the specifics."

"No problem," said Thomas.

"Right, Old Cloth and I just came up with an idea..." Martin briefly recounted the earlier discussion, "You're the professional, can you make it happen?"

Thomas, who had seen the water bottle, took a moment before responding, "It can be utilized. If handled well, the effect won't be bad, since it's always been a topic of social interest and aligns with mainstream values."

Martin didn't stay long at the agency and soon went to Craven's studio, mentioning the same idea.

Craven considered, "Without changing the main storyline of the script, we could appropriately adjust certain characters. Publicity is sometimes more important than the movie's quality. Since you have such a foundation, we must make use of it."

Aga exclaimed, "Hollywood plays a more nuanced game than European cinema, which focuses all its attention on showcasing the dark side of humanity, neglecting market marketing."

Martin believed that matters should be viewed from both sides, "Some movies with bold scenes are very good, I especially like Sophie Marceau."

Watching Sophie Marceau's movies, he would usually fast-forward and then pause at certain segments.

Later, with the advent of the internet, it became even simpler, with various compilations available.

Three days later, an assistant team under Craven prepared a preliminary budget.

The film's involved people and scenes were actually not many, and a production cost of 10 million US dollars was expected to suffice.

However, a reasonably accounted production cost came to 16 million US dollars.

As for post-production publicity, there were too many areas where they could get creative.

Martin promptly made a call to the Atlanta support group, "Boss, it's me, Martin. Before I left Atlanta, you and Sophia urged me to look out for investment opportunities. The one I mentioned a while back can now be confirmed."

Vincent in Atlanta replied, "Sophia and I have been waiting for your message. Tell me more."

Martin roughly explained, "It's a horror movie. The producer and screenwriter are Hollywood's horror godfather Wes Craven, and the director is the famous Frenchman Alexander Aga. I'm the lead actor. Hollywood's golden producer Louise Mel's Pacific Pictures will be organizing the consortium, and Kelly's Gray Film Industry will also participate."

Having tasted success before, Vincent said directly, "How much should we invest? Give us a number."

Martin replied, "I'll send you the budget later, 16 million US dollars."

Vincent was quick to respond, "Reserve a 12 million US dollar share for me and Sophia. We will make our way to Los Angeles as soon as possible to handle the related matters."

Martin promptly agreed, "I'll prepare the materials on my side and send them to you. You can take a look first, and if it looks good, then come over."

With the support of his hometown backing group, there was a greater confidence in handling affairs.

Subsequently, Martin also called Kelly Gray.

Soon, a deputy manager from Pacific Pictures and an assistant from Craven's studio rented an office at Warner Bros. Studios and officially established "The Hills Have Eyes" film studio.

The studio's finances would be independently accounted for, and it would welcome consortium investments.

After the combined investment of one million US dollars from Pacific Pictures and Gray Film Industry had been transferred, the film crew was officially formed.

Wes Craven served as the screenwriter and producer, while Alexander Aga took on the roles of director and executive producer. Martin acted as a representative for Louise and Kelly in the crew, and besides playing the lead male role, he also held the position of co-producer.

Martin's total salary for both positions amounted to six hundred thousand US dollars.

Of course, all of this hinged on actually attracting the investment.

...

At Los Angeles International Airport, Martin, along with Mene, waited early at the VIP exit.

Mene asked, "Boss, why isn't Old Cloth coming?"

Martin replied casually, "Old Cloth is scared."

The reason was simple, in addition to Vincent, Sophia was also coming.

She was a shadow in civilized life that could never be erased.

In the distance, four people turned the corner and walked down the corridor.

The leading Sophia was dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, her arm and leg muscles bulging, ready to explode at any moment.

Vincent still wore his cowboy hat.

Behind him followed Ivan, dragging along his suitcase.

To Martin's surprise, the person dragging Sophia's suitcase turned out to be Scott!

Martin stepped forward to greet them, "Boss, Sophia."

Vincent hurried over, opening his arms for a hug with Martin, "My friend, my brother, I knew you were extraordinary, and you're just as outstanding here in Los Angeles."

Martin was unchanged from before, "Luckily I haven't let the boss down…" He let go of Vincent and shook hands with Sophia, "And the lady's great trust."

Sophia's handshake felt like gripping a rock, yet she was smiling, "You've given me a pleasant surprise."

Martin asked Mene to lead the way, and they headed towards the luxury business van.

As they got in the van, Scott, who walked with a swagger, came over and whispered, "Kid, you're doing pretty well."

Martin pointed to his own plain clothes and then gestured towards Scott's branded gear, "Not as well as you're doing."

Scott raised his head and with a swagger, got into the vehicle.

Once Martin was in the car, he asked, "To the hotel first?"

Sophia was impatient, "The movie studio first."

Martin told Mene, "Warner Bros. Studios."

Vincent was curious, "Are you collaborating with Warner Bros.?"

"We're just renting office space at the studio," Martin explained briefly. "At the moment, the studio is in talks with Warner Bros. about distribution. This time, we're signing a global distribution contract with profits coming from box office revenue sharing."

Sophia, who had been professionally learning about the film industry for half a year, remarked, "Revenue sharing from the box office is good!"

Martin added, "The studio plans to shoot the entire film in Mexico, with interior scenes being filmed in sound stages built in Southern California, and we are currently looking for suitable locations for exterior shots."

Sophia was even more delighted, "Great! Mexico is a wonderful place for filming."

All these were very conducive to accounting, and she gave Martin a thumbs up, "You've thought everything through very well."

Martin said, "If you're willing to invest, of course I have to make sure the crew is well-prepared."

Upon arriving at Warner Bros. Studios, they switched to two golf carts and quickly arrived at the rented offices.

Along the way, Martin had already made a call, and both Aga and Craven were waiting at the entrance of the small office building.

The moment they got off, Martin introduced everyone.

Sophia's eyes widened a bit upon seeing Craven; the old man had such style.

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That artistic air was indescribable.

Then she looked at Scott, who suddenly wasn't so appealing anymore.

During the studio visit, Craven gave a brief introduction to the progress of the project.

Martin noticed that Sophia was always enthusiastically asking Craven questions. Before she and Vincent went to discuss the specific investment details with the studio head, she even invited Craven to dine with them that evening.

As the people entered the conference room, Craven let out a slight sigh of relief and quickly found Martin, asking, "What's the deal with that female King Kong? I had the feeling just now that I was being eyed by a hyena mother."

Martin probed, "What about her?"

"Are you joking?" Craven said. "I'm perfectly normal, how could I like a woman like that? Her arms are thicker than my legs; you really are a freak..."

Martin could only remind him, "Keep your distance for the sake of the US dollars."

Thinking of the multi-million dollar investment, Craven nodded, "I'll bail first, you cover the rear."

The old man had weathered countless storms in Hollywood; it was best to make a swift exit when faced with anything abnormal.

The investment negotiations went very smoothly, and before the end of the workday, both parties had reached a preliminary agreement.