America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 275 Weird Customer
In the morning, Martin made food such as toast and fried eggs and bacon sandwiches.

Blake came down from upstairs, stretched, sat at the dining table, tasted the fried eggs on the white porcelain plate, and said, "It smells good."

Martin poured two glasses of Cowboy: "You've been exercising a lot lately, so eat more."

Blake forked a fried egg from the plate onto Martin's plate and said, "You've consumed a lot of protein these days, so add more."

Blake took a bite of the sandwich. The taste didn't matter. She was intoxicated by the feeling of having her idol cook for her. She couldn't help but say, "It would be great if I could have such a loving breakfast every day when I wake up."

This kind of thing is fun to do once in a while, but it becomes torture to do it every day. Martin will not give her such unrealistic fantasies: "I will make breakfast for you when I have time."

Blake suddenly came back to reality. They had known each other for such a long time, but it seemed like this was the first time Martin made breakfast.

Usually she doesn't make breakfast, and neither does Martin. Instead, it's Old Bu who makes breakfast more often.

Martin changed the subject: "When are you leaving? I'll take you there."

"No, we'll go to the airport together after the crew reunites." Blake is currently confirmed to star in a movie and a series. The former is about to start filming, and she will be going to Louisiana soon: "We've been together for only a few days, and we're going to separate again."

Being apart from each other is a daily routine for celebrities. Martin consoled him, "I will also be leaving Los Angeles soon to shoot outside."

The story of "Limitless" takes place entirely in New York. The crew obtained a tax refund quota in New York and the entire filming will be done in New York.

Blake said, "I'll go to New York to see you after I rest."

Martin nodded: "I will visit you in class when I have time."

After the two had breakfast, Martin took Blake's luggage from upstairs and took her to Burbank's Broadway.

Eric Lively took the luggage that Martin had taken down, waited for the two men to say goodbye, and called his sister to go into the studio together.

Blake stood at the door until Martin got in the car.

When his sister entered a lounge, Eric reminded her, "He has a lot of scandals, don't you care?"

Blake seemed not to hear him and ignored him completely.

Eric added: "He fought with Brad Pitt over Aniston!"

"Martin won the fight, that's awesome, isn't it?" Blake's thoughts were totally different from his brother's: "I have such a good eye, the man I found is so charming!"

Eric was so angry that he couldn't speak. After a while, he pointed at Blake and said, "You have good taste? That's a man of honor? He's obviously a scumbag!"

Blake warned: "Shut up and don't say that about my idol."

Eric was angry: "I'm too lazy to tell you."

Blake reminded: "You should prepare well for the role. Being an actor requires dedication and professionalism."

"How many years have I been an actor? I have more experience than you." Eric is the type with very poor talent, but he does not admit it: "All I lack is the opportunity! As long as there is a good play and a good role, I can surpass Martin Davis with just one play!"

Blake curled his lips, feeling that his brother had no self-awareness at all.

Eric shook his head secretly, thinking that his sister had a problem with her judgment of people.

…………

Century City, WMA.

As soon as he got to work, Thomas contacted several senior executives of the company and arranged a meeting time.

As soon as it was half past ten, he entered a small meeting room on time.

Whitesell and Ary-Emanuel were waiting for him.

After Thomas sat down, he got straight to the point: "Yesterday, Maha Dakshir, the executive agent under CAA Brian Lord, had direct contact with Martin and clearly expressed his desire to recruit Martin to CAA."

Whitesell is in charge of the company's daily affairs. This matter is within her jurisdiction. She quickly asked, "Did Martin tell you?"

Whether it is said or not, it reflects the customer's attitude.

Thomas then said: "Martin told me so."

Whitesell breathed a sigh of relief.

Ali frowned slightly. WMA had just poached Halle Berry from CAA, and CAA immediately targeted Martin. Even if it was a one-to-one exchange, the deal would still be a huge loss.

How can a black Oscar-winning actress who is on the decline compare to Martin, a new generation male star who is rapidly becoming popular?
Ali warned: "This may be CAA's revenge for our poaching of Halle Berry, or they may be targeting Martin! Thomas, don't be careless. Now the commercial value of two Halle Berrys is not as good as one Martin."

"Martin still wants to continue working with me. After all, he and I have been together since the beginning." Thomas was talking about himself, not the company. He wanted to ensure his own interests first to avoid being replaced by the big boss of the company.

He went on to say, "But CAA offered him resources to be on par with Brad Pitt, and the agent's commission was only 7%..."

"Fuck!" Whitesell couldn't help but curse: "The bastards at CAA are breaking the rules. This will only make those stars more arrogant and unscrupulous in firing their agents!"

WMA was able to recruit Halle Berry because, on the one hand, the failure of Catwoman had dealt a serious blow to her career, and she had not seen any improvement at CAA.

On the other hand, Halle Berry is famous for firing her agent, and once her career encounters ups and downs, her agent will always be blamed.

Neither Thomas nor Ali said anything. As first-line entertainment agents, they both knew very well that the Entertainment Act and other industry regulations tended to protect the interests of clients.

The contract can only be signed for a maximum of three years. If the client cannot obtain the corresponding job within six months, the client has the right to terminate the contract unconditionally, etc.

Ali asked directly: "Does Martin want to leave WMA?"

Thomas gave a definite reply: "I can guarantee that wherever I am, Martin is there!"

It is the most common situation for an agent to have his salary increased because of his clients. Ali has been in the industry for decades, so he naturally understands what Thomas means.

Whitesell said: "We can't give Martin the treatment of a first-tier star, let alone a superstar. His influence and appeal are far from that level."

She considered a lot: "If the conditions we offer are too good at once, how can we improve his treatment when Martin's status rises further? If he becomes a superstar, or even a superstar, will we only take 1% of the agent's commission? This will cause a chain reaction. What will other clients think and say?"

Ali still asked Thomas: "What do you think?"

"Martin is different from ordinary star actors. His influence spans the film and entertainment circles." Thomas knew very well that as long as he had Martin as a client, he would have enough capital. If WMA couldn't satisfy him, other companies could.

He also had the confidence to talk to the company's top executives: "Martin is a Los Angeles hero and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This halo can at least help the film he stars in bring in $500 million in first-week box office revenue!"

Ali agrees with this because this is the assessment made by WMA based on "Wanted".

Thomas continued, "Although Martin's status is far inferior to Leonardo, he has the same ability to initiate and participate in projects as Leonardo. The Wanted project was first initiated by Martin, and the currently preparing Never Ending was also initiated by Martin, and he participated in the actual investment. Other companies such as Pacific Pictures, Gray Pictures and Beast House Entertainment also support Martin."

Ali told the truth: "Because Martin's project made them profitable."

"Yes, it's still a huge profit!" Thomas emphasized again: "How many actors in Hollywood can bring in tens of millions of dollars like Martin?"

He joined the crew of a project he initiated himself! When Ali thought of this, he felt a toothache. He always felt that Martin had found a stable investor before coming to Los Angeles.

When Thomas said this, he suddenly realized that, for him, Martin was the most important, and WMA and the like had to take a back seat!
Without Martin, where would he find such a unique client?
Thomas's butt was slightly leaning towards Martin before, but now he almost sat on Martin's side. He said, "I think it is necessary to improve Martin's salary. CAA is not the only one eyeing Martin."

He specifically emphasized: "Among the Hollywood stars born in the 80s, how many of them have stronger commercial appeal than Martin? Elijah Wood? Christensen Hayden? The former is in an ensemble cast, while the latter is starring in Star Wars! And what about Martin? The Hills Have Eyes is just a small project, and the original work of Wanted is unknown, but both have achieved a North American box office of over million!"

Whitesell said: "The company system has no precedent for reducing commissions before becoming a quasi-superstar. Once this precedent is set..."

Thomas raised his voice slightly and said, "You are worried about the chain reaction, but aren't you worried that such an important customer will be disappointed?"

Ali raised his hand to stop the two from talking any further, then picked up his phone and called Jim Witt, another co-partner who was out of town, to say a few words.

He looked at Thomas and said, "The company's share of Martin's business has been reduced from 10% to 8%! In addition, he enjoys quasi-giant-level resource treatment in the company."

Thomas was basically satisfied: "I'll inform Martin."

Ali added: "If he needs to use company resources, please notify the company in advance."

Thomas nodded: "No problem."

Whitesell said no more.

Ali has his own considerations. Martin can initiate and recruit people to participate in the event, which is a very important ability. For WMA, it means that many small stars or new actors can join in and get the opportunity to show their faces.

How could he let someone else poach a client like Martin?

Ali added: "When Martin has time to sign a new contract with the company, please let me know so I can have a good chat with him."

Thomas became alert instantly. Now he not only had to guard against people outside the company, but also people inside the company.

Tired!
(End of this chapter)