America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 141 Creating Surprises

In the producer's office, Martin met Susan Levine.

The female producer was in high spirits because of her sweet relationship with her prodigal fiancé.

Martin also heard some news and specifically asked, "When will I attend your wedding with Donnie?"

When Susan mentioned this, she was happy: "We just made a plan, and it will be in the first half of next year at the earliest."

Martin added: "Don't forget my invitation."

"How could I forget you? I would have invited you in advance." Susan had a good impression of Martin, not only because he was a prodigal son, but also because he had helped the crew avoid trouble.

That kangaroo really hurt Menez, and it would have caused a huge loss in terms of money alone.

Susan then asked, "Have you finished filming your new play?"

"Just got back from Mexico." Martin handed over a lucky totem and pointed to the newspaper in his hand: "Paris has been all over the entertainment media lately. I'm a little worried."

Susan played with the lucky totem and consoled him, "It's okay. She's had bigger scandals before. This little scandal will only increase her exposure. It may not be a bad thing for the movies she's starring in."

Martin understood what she meant. The crew was hoping for more scandals for Paris. He continued her words and asked, "Has the crew made any publicity plans?"

Susan smiled and shook her head: "No, she's too uncontrollable." Although she has been independently responsible for less than five films, her ability is unquestionable. She couldn't help but look at Martin: "Why, do you have an idea?"

Martin said: "Recently, everyone around me has been talking about Paris. She was arrested for the second time and went to jail. It was a big mess."

Susan also paid attention: "And the assistant she had when she was on the set, her name was..."

"Kim Kardashian," Martin reminded.

Susan nodded: "Yes, Kardashian, she reveals Paris every other week. Paris is more popular than Spider-Man 2." She said with regret: "Unfortunately, Paris is a completely uncontrollable factor."

Martin didn’t beat around the bush: “What if Kardashian is controllable?”

Susan looked up at Martin and said, "Are you kidding me?"

Martin said appropriately: "You have met my manager, Old Bull, he has a good relationship with Kim."

Susan suddenly laughed: "Martin, you are really good at creating surprises." She looked at Martin carefully again: "I finally understand why Louise admires you so much."

Martin didn't respond to this, but instead said: "If the film performs better, it will benefit us, the main creative staff."

Susan took Martin's words seriously: "Tell me what you think."

Martin said: "I asked a few neighbors before, if Paris was killed in the film, would they be willing to watch it? They were surprisingly unanimous and said they would cheer loudly."

Susan understands this mentality: "Ordinary people want to see more scandals of this rich princess to conform to their self-judgment that all rich people are scumbags, but they also hate these scandals so much that they wish the ugly rich people would die."

"For example," Martin couldn't help but say, "I am just like all ordinary Americans. I think it's okay for a pig to sit in the White House. If something goes wrong with the pig..."

Susan smiled again: "I'm the same as you." She quickly put away her smile: "Go contact Kardashian, I'll have someone start a sample survey."

As for Paris, the relevant investors have been very unhappy since the scandal broke out again.

Susan made a few phone calls and quickly convinced them with the producer's professionalism and the expected profits of the film.

…………

In the satellite city of Venice, a hotel by the sea is located on a closed beach.

Jin Chao twisted his waist and ran towards the sea.

Although not as exaggerated as later ones, it was still relatively straight and curvy among normal people.

Bruce, wearing a floral shirt, is a truly civilized man.

The cell phone rang, he picked it up and said a few words to Martin, then shouted to the front: "Jin, come here."

Jin trotted back, sat next to Bruce, and asked, "What's the matter?"

Bruce had already grasped her key point: "Do you want to appear in more media and have more people pay attention to you?"

"Of course I do!" Jin was thoughtful: "But my personal ability and resources are limited."

She moved her hips towards Bruce, turning them like a millstone. "You've got another idea, haven't you?"

Bruce said with a mixture of lies and truth: "A producer from the crew of "House of Wax" called me and asked if I knew you. He knew that we were close on the crew."

Kim realized something, but she hasn't figured it out yet: "The movie that Paris invested in and starred in? The crew asked me to help promote it? But I stand on the opposite side of Paris, and it's impossible for her and I to reconcile in a short time..."

Bruce said, "No need to reconcile. The crew will work with the film distributor to invest more media resources in you, and you can reveal the news according to the crew's rhythm."

King knew that Warner Bros. was behind House of Wax, so he agreed without much thought: "No problem!"

If the crew and Warner Bros.' media resources were invested, the publicity effect would be several times, or even ten times, better than it is now.

Bruce stood up and walked towards the hotel: "Let's go back and make preparations. It will only take a few days. They will send someone to discuss it with you in detail."

Jin deliberately walked in front of him, twisting her waist, turning her head and throwing him a wink: "Old Bu, you will always support me from behind, right?"

Bruce focused his eyes on one point. …………

Warner Studios, in the post-production studio.

Parker, the show's publicity director, is dealing with the agents of Martin, Eliza, and Paris.

The three agents were arguing fiercely over the placement of the actors' names and images on the opening and ending credits, promotional posters and other materials.

Although the contract has provisions, there is still room for maneuver in setting the specific location.

Eliza's agent requested that the promotional materials must highlight Eliza as an individual. In addition to requiring her to be the center of attention, the image must be at least twice as large as that of the other main actors.

Thomas, of course, disagreed. He thought that Martin and Eliza had equal roles, so their image could only be slightly smaller than Eliza's. The title of the film could come after Eliza's, but the size and color should remain consistent.

Paris's agent demanded that Paris should be treated equally with Martin.

Then there was another argument over the color, shape, etc. of their respective client images on the promotional materials.

All three agents are very tough. The crew is not a gentle and kind one. Whoever is weak or peaceful will be unlucky.

Eliza's position as the heroine cannot be shaken, and what Thomas fights for Martin is that the treatment in terms of various materials is as close to that of the heroine.

Finally, in the opening credits, Martin's name was listed alone, appearing in the picture after the heroine Eliza. Paris Hilton's name was also listed alone, after Martin, with the words "special appearance" added.

On the main poster, Eliza is still in the center of the front, Martin's portrait is one-third smaller than her and is located on her right, and Paris is another one-third smaller and is located on her left.

The poster lists the main actors, with Eliza and Martin's names prominently placed above their respective images, and Paris's name placed alone to the left of her portrait.

Additionally, Martin and Eliza will have special twin showdown posters.

Martin will also attend media events where heroine Eliza appears.

As for Paris, she can't get out of prison for the time being.

"It's a pity that Eliza and Martin broke up." Parker said with regret: "It would have been a good publicity point."

Thomas and Eliza's agent Victor, who had just been arguing fiercely, looked at each other in tacit understanding at this moment.

The latter directly asked: "Do you want them to get back together?"

This is one of the most common promotional methods in the industry, and Thomas himself does not object to it. For example, when "Spider-Man 2" was released this year, the media were hyping up Peter Parker and Mary Jane.

In fact, Tobey Maguire hooked up with the daughter of Warner CEO Barry Meyer.

Thomas mentioned a key issue: "I can convince Martin, provided that the woman does not force Martin to become a vegetarian."

Parker immediately picked up the phone and called Susan for the routine briefing.

Susan replied, "No need. Our key promotional point is not this. Parker, have you finished your discussion? Come to the meeting immediately."

Parker ended the meeting here.

When Thomas left, Paris's agent Steve came over.

"How about letting Martin and Paris have a relationship?" Steve was very considerate of his client: "Martin can use Paris' popularity to attract attention."

Thomas asked, "Is Paris using her romance to deflect attention? To get people to stop talking about her scandal?"

Steve knew his peers were not fools, so he admitted: "It's good for both of us."

Thomas couldn't make the decision on his own: "Let me ask Martin for his opinion."

Steve exchanged business cards with him: "I'll wait for your good news."

……

In the director's office, Martin was chatting with Zomi-Serra.

After that special art party, although Zomi and Martin couldn't talk about anything, they could be considered friends.

As it was his first time directing a movie, Zomi was nervous: "The film has been completed. Warner had an internal preview and the response was good. It will soon be sent to the MPAA for rating. I estimate that there will be a screening for theater managers in mid-September, and then we will know how many theaters will premiere it."

Martin smiled and said, "Your first time was treated much better than mine. My first theatrical movie was only screened in eight theaters on the first weekend."

Zuomi is under a lot of pressure: "Recently I've been dreaming about the release of my film. I'm afraid of failure."

Martin suggested: "You need to relieve stress, go out for a drink in the evening, call Wes, Aja and Michelle, Wes has a place that is very inspiring."

Zuo Mi responded, "It's okay to have a drink. Wine can help you sleep." He rubbed his temples and said, "I screwed up this time. There won't be a second chance. I can only go back to filming music videos and commercials."

Martin joked: "That's not stressful enough. Let me tell you how stressful a director can be. If the movie he shoots fails at the box office, he can only go home miserably and inherit billions of dollars."

Zuo Mi was stunned for a moment, then he burst into laughter: "Martin, it's still fun to be with you."

Martin called everyone separately. Michelle was attending film festivals to prepare for awards and was not in Los Angeles. Wes Craven and Alexander Aja were willing to come out and relax.

(End of this chapter)