American fame and fortune

Century City, in the reception room of WMA.

Martin sat on the sofa and flipped through the script catalog provided by Thomas.

Diagonally across from him, Ridley Scott carefully flipped through the printed manuscript of "The Martian."

Two agents, Ali and Thomas, sat not far away and whispered.

Martin looked through the script catalog and found nothing, then put it on the table aside.

Ridley raised his head at this time, shook his head to relieve his cervical spine, and said at the same time: "This novel involves too many technical details. Without NASA's participation and support, it would be difficult to complete the adaptation and filming."

He asked: "Is the author doing work or research in this area?"

Martin said: "Andy Weir worked as a programmer for a game company before writing full-time."

This identity was beyond Ridley's expectations. He nodded and said directly: "I am very interested in this project. It is my favorite genre, second only to epic films."

Hearing the latter sentence, Martin didn't know what to say.

Sure enough, science fiction movies are just a way to make a living, epic movies are my favorite!

Ridley added: "If possible, please wait for me for a while. By the end of the year at the latest, I will be able to complete Pharaoh and the Gods and start a new project."

Martin was worried. After all, Ridley was in his seventies. He asked tentatively: "Is the time too tight?"

"I'm not nervous." Ridley Scott said: "One movie a year is a common pace for directors of my generation."

Ali interjected: "Martin, don't worry, Ridley's shooting and production are all about efficiency, and he is not in the same style as David Fincher."

"There's no problem waiting until next year." Martin saw the old man's gray hair and said simply: "Andy Weir's novel will be completed soon. In fact, we can cooperate now."

Ridley rejected it outright: "I have to finish the project at hand first."

Ali shook his head slightly at Martin.

Ridley's determination and will are unshakable: "When I fall in an epic film, I have to stand up from the epic film!"

Martin sensed an obsession in his tone and demeanor, as if he would never give up until he achieved great success!

Ali interjected again: "Martin, don't you still have "John Wick 2" to shoot? When you are free, Ridley will be almost there."

"Okay." Martin couldn't force this kind of thing. He stood up and shook hands with Ridley: "Let's make an agreement!"

Ridley shook his hand hard: "It's settled!" He returned the manuscript to Martin: "The crew still has work to do, I'll leave first."

Martin sent people out of the reception room.

Ali and Thomas also came out.

Originally, Martin wanted to leave, but the door of Ali's office next to him opened, and Natalie Portman and a tall and thin man came out.

"Hi, Martin," Natalie greeted.

Martin smiled and responded: "Hello, Nat."

Natalie introduced the man next to her: "This is my boyfriend Benjamin Millepied."

Martin shook his hand.

Ali pointed to the reception room and asked Martin: "Go in and chat?"

Martin asked directly: "Is something wrong?"

Natalie said: "I have something about movies that I would like to ask you for advice."

For Ali's sake, Martin said, "Go in and talk."

Benjamin Millepied didn't seem to be very sociable, and said: "You guys talk, I have something to go to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra."

Several people entered the reception room one after another.

Thomas closed the door.

"It's such a pity that I couldn't play opposite you in "Gone Girl."" Natalie smiled very naturally: "I failed in the last round of the audition."

Martin said vaguely: "I believe there will be opportunities to cooperate in the future."

Natalie Portman is Ali's number one female client. Ali interrupted at this time: "Nate was very sad that she missed the role of Amazing Amy. I helped her find the heroine of "Black Swan". The director is independent The genius of the film industry, Darren Aronofsky."

Martin has no connection with the independent film industry and has never heard of the director's name, but he knows about "Black Swan."

Ali added: "This literary film has been fully produced. I have participated in the preview. It is an artistic masterpiece, especially Nat's performance, and deserves a big award."

Martin spread his hands and said: "I have never made an independent film. My only experience in literary films is "Life and Death Reading". I am seriously lacking in experience in this area and do not understand the related operations."

Natalie took over: "Martin, you have competed for Oscars several times and won the Best Supporting Actor last year. You are very experienced in winning awards. Can you give me some advice?"

After hearing these words, Martin understood immediately. He ignored Natalie and looked at Ali instead: "You planned today, right?"

Ali smiled and said: "You always have a lot of ideas, please help me."

Martin looked at Natalie again and said, "You have a natural advantage. You are highly educated, Jewish, and famous for your acting skills."

Natalie said: "Many times, these are not the key to winning the award."

Of course Martin understands this. For example, he is the best supporting actor. On the one hand, the Joker is indeed excellent, but the key lies in the Santa Monica Pier incident.

If it hadn't been for this shooting incident during the awards season, in which Martin saved many people and directly eliminated the possibility of causing a greater disaster, it would have been very difficult for him to win the award.

In the Harvey incident, Ali's brother in the White House contributed a lot. Now that Ali has come to help, Martin can't refuse.

There will naturally be comings and goings.

Martin stared at Natalie for a while and said, "Your boyfriend..."

Natalie misunderstood what Martin meant and immediately said: "If you need it, don't worry about him."

"No, Nat, you misunderstood." Martin searched his memory and asked, "I remember reading in the newspaper that your boyfriend was on the crew of "Black Swan"?"

Natalie was not in a hurry this time and said slowly: "Yes, we met on the set and fell in love."

Martin nodded and asked Ali: "You haven't formulated a strategy yet?"

Ali said: "Go to Venice first. It would be best if you can win the Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. Then there are the public relations, as you all know."

He took a sip of water: "Now that Harvey has fallen, many people will rush to share the Oscars cake. If Nat wants to win this award, I think she must prepare some advantages that others do not have."

Martin joked: "I can't get a bunch of Russian spies to come over and let Nat slay them all."

Natalie followed his joke and said, "I will be the only one who gets annoyed."

Martin recalled some of the gossip news he had read and said: "I thought of an unreliable method that might offend."

Natalie said, "Just say it."

Martin nodded slightly: "Do you plan to have children?"

Natalie was stunned for a moment at first, but she is a very smart girl with a lot of ideas. She gradually grasped the meaning of Martin's words: "You mean..."

Anyway, if he didn't say it, Natalie would probably think of it soon. Martin simply said: "If you want to have a child, show your pregnancy during the critical period of Oscar competition. When you show your pregnancy, there is no need to post more photos of you in the media." If you say anything more, you will naturally receive certain preferential treatment.”

According to the gossip news he had seen in his previous life, Natalie had twice won the Oscar for Best Actress and shown her pregnancy twice during the awards season. This was too "coincident".

However, the first time it was successful, the second time the effect was average.

Ali, the prime bachelor, came to his senses and shouted to Martin: "You are such a genius! The Academy and the Oscars should set up a special contribution award just for you!"

Martin smiled and said: "I don't want the special contribution award Ali, just give me one of your properties."

Thomas interjected: "Ali's properties are all over the world!"

Ali knew that the two bastards were joking, so he covered his chest and said, "You are committing murder and want my life!"

Natalie sat on the sofa, maintaining a ladylike smile, but her head was thinking about Martin's words rapidly. The more she thought about it, the more feasible it became.

Preferential treatment of pregnant women is ubiquitous in society at large, and the same is true within the academy.

When she shows her pregnancy and announces her engagement to Benjamin Millepied, she can also attract the attention of the media and the audience, and even save a lot of money on advertising announcements.

Natalie is not Martin, there are not so many sponsors behind her, and she does not have the full support of a large group like Coca-Cola.

At this time, Ali came to Natalie's side, sat on the sofa chair, and said: "I think it is possible, it is very maneuverable, and it has the advantage of cheating!"

Martin didn't say much anymore. These public relations propaganda he said an idea can inspire Ali and others. Compared with making plans and actual operations, they are not as good as these professionals.

Natalie only thought about it for less than half a minute before nodding and saying, "I agree. How to do it specifically, Ali, please let someone make a plan."

Ali pointed outside: "Your boyfriend?"

Natalie said: "Benjamin loves me very much and there is no problem at all. I will get engaged to him when the time comes and I will not let the pregnancy become a scandal."

Ali said: "Leave the rest to me. This time I will equip you with the best public relations team!"

Martin stood up: "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. The crew will leave for Europe tomorrow for promotion. I have to go back and prepare."

Ali came over and fist-bumped with him and said, "Man, if you hadn't been a star, you would have been the best in the industry as an agent and public relations manager!"

Martin said: "With my academic qualifications, I can't even get through the door of your company."

The lowest academic qualification of WMA is a bachelor's degree from a prestigious school.

Natalie got up to see Martin off, came to him and said, "No matter success or failure, I owe you a favor. Whenever you ask me to pay it back, I will be here at your call."

Martin smiled: "Nat, you don't have to be so polite."

After coming out of WMA, Bruce, who had been silent the whole time, got in the car and asked: "Are you very interested in Natalie Portman?"

"Are you kidding? I'm not interested in her." Martin fastened his seat belt and said, "I do it for Ali's sake."

Bruce started the car: "I believe you are not interested in her right now."

Martin was stunned: "What do you mean?"

Bruce said: "You will be interested in her when she gets engaged to her boyfriend!"

Martin reached out to touch the gun and said angrily: "Old Bu, I will use the most civilized way to make you shut up your stinky mouth!"