Chapter 1123: 1123 Million Worth

Rick put the script in his hand on the table, wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at Hugo who had just ended the call with Adam Lancaster, and asked seriously, "Hugo, tell me, are you Didn't you come back from the future in a time machine?"

This sentence made Hugo stunned for a while, but his heart was stunned: Where did Rick's mindless words come from? Hugo subconsciously glanced at Joseph. Compared with Rick, Joseph, who knew him better, didn't find anything abnormal. Did Rick find it?

But Hugo's reaction was still very fast, his head was thinking, and the words in his mouth had already caught up, "You caught me." Hugo said with a smile that was not a smile, shrugged his shoulders to express his helplessness, "But don't worry, I have nothing to do with Skynet." Skynet, this is the computer system that ruled the earth in the "Terminator" series of movies.

Hugo's calm teasing made both Rick and Joseph burst into laughter, and Samora came over with coffee, "So are you a Les or a T-800?"

Hugo didn't answer, but raised his arm to reveal his biceps, and then curled his lips helplessly, as if to say: I'm far worse than Arnold Schwarzenegger. One action made everyone burst into laughter.

"Recently, the 'Future Water World' crew had a conflict again. Costner and Universal's producer John Davis (John. Davis) had a conflict, and the two had great differences in the editing of the film." Ke's words changed and he changed the subject.

"Haven't they already set the schedule? I remember it was the fourth week of July." Joseph frowned and asked curiously, as Hugo's manager, his current work is mainly Hugo, and he can grasp The trend of the entire industry is also one of the important contents. "The editing hasn't been finished yet? This..."

Rick shrugged, "That's why I thought this movie was a big problem. They invited Hugo a few times before and after, but Hugo refused, so I wondered if Hugo had foreseen this. thing."

No wonder there was a joke just now. Hugo smiled and nodded, "If you think that my picky and unique taste is also a kind of 'foreseeing', then I do have the ability to predict."

Rick couldn't help chuckling, "Then let's pray that this predictive ability can continue forever." Rick paused, then turned the topic to the topic, and pointed to the script in front of him, "This is what I went through. You can take a look at the script selected after two rounds of screening, and if you like it, stay and read it carefully, and then we will discuss it.”

Hugo nodded, leaned forward, picked up the first script and was about to flip through it, and greeted Joseph and Samora to join him. Although Samora was an assistant, especially after Joseph's manager's job was on track, Hugo always regarded him as a friend, and Samora's point of view from a general audience point of view was also very interesting, so they all watched the script together. Of course, it was Hugo who made the final decision.

However, Rick interrupted Hugo's movements again, "It's like this, the discussion about your salary has not stopped recently..." Rick just started, and Hugo raised his head and looked over. Rick couldn't help but paused.

Hugo is naturally clear about these rumors. Joseph mentioned it to him, and even Alex and Charlize heard about it. Hugo also knew the current pressure on Rick's shoulders, especially the pressure on the entire Endeavour Elite Agency. Although Hugo never felt that his own salary issue would be so involved - "I am an actor, how much I am willing to pay is my business, I am the party, and everyone else is worrying about it"; but It is undeniable that social connections are not simple mathematical addition and subtraction.

But Hugo didn't take the initiative to speak, he was curious how Rick would handle this. Joseph faced similar pressures back then, but he didn't handle it well. Trust is never easy.

"I think this matter should be divided into two parts," Rick looked into Hugo's eyes without hesitation or dodge, and continued calmly, "On the one hand, these news also mean that you are currently in Hollywood. The location, the situation is very good, so there will be corresponding... Negative discussions burst out, you know, in this circle, jealous eyes are everywhere;" Rick understated the broker circle to Endeavour elite brokers The pressure brought by the company has been exposed. Although Hugo is also one of the senior partners of the company, Hugo has limited understanding of the company's affairs, so more often Rick still treats Hugo as a customer - a special customer , "But on the other hand, the composition of your next work must also be considered."

Rick cut into the topic unhurriedly, and seemed to have a clear mind, but his eyes kept looking at the expression on the corner of Hugo's mouth. From this small detail, he could see his nervousness - a rare sight, "If it is a literary and artistic work, For independent works, I think you should consider it more comprehensively, including follow-up promotion strategies, distribution company selection, cooperative cast, etc..." In other words, it is more topical and convincing, like "Sunrise" "Before" that way, landing at Sundance is not enough, going to the Berlin Film Festival is enough; if it can reach the height of "Pulp Fiction", it will be even better. This is also an important reason why Rick is still able to persevere despite the huge pressure on his shoulders.

"If it is a commercial film, I hope that the investment can reach a certain scale, and the remuneration must go up. Ten million US dollars is the bottom line." It was clearly felt, and this was the result of his deliberation.

In fact, Rick's attitude is very clear, he will not limit Hugo's choices - to put it bluntly, he will not force Hugo to accept commercial films and get a salary of 15 million US dollars, but he hopes that the next film The works can give Endeavour Elite Brokerage more chips to fight back.

I have to say that Rick is indeed a very good agent. The whole conversation took into account not only Hugo's personality and actual situation, but also his own position and concerns. to a suitable solution. The compromise is yet tough, the thinking is clear and at the same time thoughtful, and there is room for negotiation and negotiation, which makes it difficult for Hugo to say "no".

Hugo could feel it, and Rick obviously thought about the salary for a long time. Although it is not obvious on the surface, in fact, deep down, Hugo is relieved. At least from the current point of view, it was a wise decision to choose Endeavour Elite Brokerage Company and Rick.

"Is there anyone shouting at the recent 20 million salary?" Hugo's sudden remark made Rick stunned. He didn't expect Hugo to react like this, but Hugo went on to say, "If others I'm going to laugh when I hear it, everyone else wants their salary to be higher and higher, but I despise the salary here, so I pretend to be arrogant."

This remark made Samora laugh directly. Hugo's words were quoted from the previous comment of the "New York Post", and Hugo repeated it with a sarcastic tone, which seemed very joyful.

Joseph looked at the relaxed Hugo and sighed in his heart. Although Joseph had long accepted the fact that he was not suitable to be a good agent, he could not help but sigh when he witnessed Rick's handling of difficult problems. However, relatively speaking, Joseph's ability is highlighted in the manager position, and Joseph has grown a lot in the past year.

Samora's laughter made Rick relax, and he twitched the corners of his mouth, "It's true that there are fewer projects, but there are still some, Columbia Pictures and Paramount are still very active."

"Paramount?" Columbia Pictures Hugo was not surprised, but Paramount didn't expect it. "Is it still James Bond?"

Rick smiled mysteriously, did not answer, but pointed to the script on the table, "You can find the answer here."

It can be seen from this that the articles in the "New York Post" not long ago were still influential. As Colin Meyer said, "Life and Death", "Pulp Fiction" and "Before Sunrise" These three The work presents a development as it descends the ladder, which raises some concerns.

However, what people in the circle are worried about is not the so-called "box office decline", they all know this is absurd; what they are worried about is that Hugo's vision of selecting works is getting more and more remote, and major studios are often not aware of such rare works. Too dare to bet - in fact, the cost will not be too high, which means that the salary must also be reduced.

Therefore, the number of projects shouting "20 million" has gradually decreased.

Hugo held up the script he had just brought over in his hand, "Twenty million dollars..." He couldn't help but be speechless. Imagine that the new contract between Glory to Death and EMI Records is 20 million for two albums - and it has to be split among five members, but Hugo can get 20 million for one movie. The film industry really It is much more dynamic than the record industry. "Three movies is a Beverly Hills mansion. Can ten movies buy an island in the Caribbean?"

Hearing Hugo's sarcastic joke, Rick couldn't help laughing, "The premise is that you have the ability to get the film company to sign the checkbook for three or ten consecutive films."

This is Hollywood. If you become a superstar overnight, you may be able to enjoy a lifetime of worry-free work after a year of work, but once the scenery is gone, everything will fall apart.

"So many actors in their prime will take a lot of stupid works for the salary." Joseph curled his lips and said, but Hugo gave him another look: Does Joseph know that this is the future of Nicolas Cage? Is Joseph complaining about Nicolas Cage? But Joseph's puzzled expression told Hugo: he was just talking casually.

Rick brought the topic back to the topic again, "Look at the script in your hand, the stack over there is..." Rick probed to confirm, "It's Columbia Pictures' script, they are sincere this time. Very satisfied, I sincerely hope to work with you again.”