America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 217 Russians
In the new week, Martin followed the crew to attend a film forum event in Los Angeles to continue promoting the film.

He met a Los Angeles Film Critics Circle critic at the event, Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times.

The two found a quiet place to chat alone for a while.

"I saw your new film, and the character is too superficial." Kenneth Turan was very optimistic about Martin, a new actor, but he was very disappointed with the new film and the new role. He pointed out directly: "This character only plays cool and has no spirituality."

This is one of the top critics in Los Angeles, so Martin acted very humble and taught: "I know, I was aware of these problems during the filming."

Kenneth Turan was quite satisfied to see that he listened, and reminded him: "In your last role, your performance was explosive and you could control it freely, which is very rare."

As a critic, he felt it was necessary for him to remind a very talented actor to take the right path: "Young actors should be more patient and hone their acting skills in roles and films with depth..."

Martin said very seriously: "That's what I thought, so I tried my best to get the second male lead in Scorsese's new film. It's a very complicated role, a two-faced person."

Kenneth Turan nodded as he recalled the related news he had read.

Martin also wanted to gain support from the critics, and specifically explained: "I was born in the slums, and my economic situation was very poor. All the money I received from the wax museum was invested in my own training. I took accent lessons at Paramount Pictures, and the price was so high that it made me vomit blood."

He was helpless: "In order to have better development, I had to keep investing in myself. During that time, even rent was almost a problem. I had to solve the economic crisis first. If I didn't even have a place to stand, I couldn't concentrate on performing."

Kenneth Turan understands that artists also need to make a living, and agrees with Martin's words: "It is indeed difficult for young people to start their careers. I can understand that."

Martin automatically switched to his specially practiced accent: "In order to prepare for the role directed by Scorsese, I practiced Boston accent and went to BPD to experience life on the ground for more than 20 days..."

Kenneth Turan could tell that Martin was speaking with a standard Boston accent, and he encouraged him, "I'm looking forward to your further advancement in character creation."

Martin said: "I will give 200 percent of my effort."

When he left, Martin breathed a sigh of relief. It was a bit tiring to play a character with such lofty artistic pursuits.

It's not like perverts, two-faced people, and despicable people can be easily found.

Bruce, who was following behind, came over and whispered, "Your acting skills have improved."

Martin said, "I'm still not high enough. I need some critics to cheer me on." He glanced at Kenneth Turan who was walking away and said, "You can learn about the interests of the most famous critics in Los Angeles, Kenneth Turan, Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter, and Courtney Howard of Variety."

Bruce had been with Martin in Hollywood for a year and a half, and was fully aware of how the industry worked. He understood Martin's intention: "Are you preparing for the role in Scorsese's film?"

Martin is thick-skinned enough: "If the critics don't praise me, how can others understand my hard work and excellence?"

The event ended and the two walked out.

Bruce deliberately asked, "What if they like men?"

Martin patted him on the shoulder and said, "I have the fierce general Bruce. Who dares to fight?"

Bruce said: "You are completely inhuman."

After getting in the car, Martin checked the time and said, "Let's find a place to have lunch. I have an important appointment this afternoon."

He picked up a newspaper, saw the entertainment section, and couldn't help saying, "Oh, it's starting."

Just this week, multiple media outlets simultaneously revealed that Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were experiencing a relationship crisis and the former had moved out of their love nest in Beverly Hills.

The conflict between the two is that Aniston suffered a miscarriage last year.

It's basically about how Pitt values ​​family and loves children, while Aniston insisted on having an abortion despite Pitt's opposition.

All the blame was put on Aniston.

Bruce couldn't stand it: "You are bullying an honest person."

Martin said frankly: "If I could get the role purely based on my acting skills, and if I could succeed based on the quality of the movie, I would never do bad things. I also want to be a good person, but the environment in Hollywood does not allow it."

"You're right!" Bruce had heard his old friend's shameless remarks so much that he simply joined in: "So, it's not us who are rotten, but the world."

Martin snapped his fingers and said, "Old Bull, your ideological awareness has finally improved."

In the afternoon, in a cafe near the LAPD headquarters, Martin met McLean, who is in charge of public relations for the LAPD.

The latter shook his hand and congratulated him first: "Congratulations on another hit movie."

Martin smiled and said, "Without you guys helping me get the Golden Key, I wouldn't have achieved such a good result. I will never forget the help that LAPD has given me."

The man spoke nicely, and McClain smiled: "If you get into trouble in Los Angeles, feel free to call me."

"I won't be polite to you." Martin knew very well that this kind of favor should not be used casually, and it should be used at the critical moment. McLean turned to the main topic: "I want to meet you today because of a few things. Because it involves you, I need to tell you."

Martin asked, "Something about Burbank High School?"

"Yes, there is a direct connection." McClain introduced the details: "One of the two gunmen captured was seriously injured and died after many days of treatment. The news will be published in the newspaper after the next LAPD routine press conference."

Martin didn't have much psychological burden, and he wasn't so saintly as to blame himself. In that situation, if he didn't get angry and fall, he would be the one to fall. He asked, "Will I be in trouble?"

McClain said: "There won't be any legal issues, but you should be careful about the Russians. When you were in Atlanta, the LAPD launched a special operation against the Russians and basically wiped out their forces."

He smiled and said, "It will be difficult for Russian gangs to survive in Los Angeles in the next few years. They don't have the courage to retaliate against you. The immediate family members of those three people have all been arrested. It will be difficult for them to get out within 15 years."

Martin heard the key in his words: "The problem is outside Los Angeles?"

"The Russians living in America are not stupid and will not do anything reckless. You are not an ordinary person and they cannot afford the consequences. They also have families and friends and the authorities will not allow them to do anything reckless."

McClane emphasized a situation: "The gunman who died recently was Andrei who was shot in the head by you. His grandfather was also involved in illegal criminal organizations in Russia. The LAPD is powerless. It is not a common place over there. It is impossible to pressure them to cooperate and hand over the person."

Martin understood: "So, the Russians from overseas might be harmful to me?"

"It's just possible that the powerful United States will keep them out of customs," McLean said.

Martin just listened to this kind of talk and said, "I'll pay more attention to it."

McLean also specifically warned: "For some time to come, you'd better not go to Russia, or even Eastern Europe."

Martin nodded: "I won't joke about my own safety." He thanked him specifically: "Thank you, Mike."

“You are a hero in Los Angeles and we will not allow anyone to be used against you,” McClain said.

If the Russians really did harm Martin on LAPD territory, what difference would that make to the LAPD? He added: "LAPD can only govern downtown Los Angeles, and we have also notified the FBI of the relevant situation."

Martin took it very seriously and asked, "I want to apply for a concealed carry permit. Is that easy?"

McLean said, "Given your situation, it won't be a problem to apply. I'll send you a form later and you can fill it out and give it back to me."

Martin responded: "No problem."

McClane then added: "I am planning to shoot an official promotional video for the LAPD, but it has not been decided yet..."

Martin was very sensible: "Just call me if you need anything."

The atmosphere of this meeting was more harmonious and both parties left.

After getting in the car, Bruce reminded Martin: "There are many crazy people in the Russian mafia, so you still have to be careful."

Martin said directly: "Tell Thomas hello and cancel all activities involving traveling to Eastern Europe and Russia in the future."

He sought Bruce's opinion: "Should we hire some bodyguards?"

Bruce thought for a moment and said, "Two people will do. On the one hand, it's more expensive. On the other hand, if you really encounter a situation, they won't rush over to help you block the gun. They can only follow around as a warning."

Martin understood: "Being a bodyguard is a job, and you need a life to survive."

Movies are not reality. How can people who earn a few thousand dollars a month risk their lives?

Bruce contacted WMA. There are security companies in Hollywood that specialize in providing services for celebrities. They may be inferior in other aspects, but because their service targets are all related to celebrities, they are particularly good at detecting stalkers.

Before the end of the get off work day, WMA forwarded the news that the Civilian Service Award Committee in Washington formally submitted the nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the White House and it was approved by the current President Bush.

Martin's name was among them.

The award ceremony will be held at the White House on Independence Day.

In addition, the agency also asked Martin whether he would attend this year's Saturn Awards ceremony.

Martin was nominated for Best Actor.

This award is impossible to win, as other nominees include Jim Carrey, Tom Cruise, Will Smith, and Johnny Depp, among others.

Martin is self-aware. After being nominated this time, he did not do any work. The last time he went out to wash his face with Wes Craven, he didn't even mention this matter.

Martin will not be attending the awards ceremony due to scheduling conflicts with his filming in Atlanta.

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(End of this chapter)