America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 596 Martin's Prize-Winning Strategy for Natalie
Century City, in the reception room of WMA.

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

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

Ali and Thomas, the two agents, sat not far away and whispered.

Martin looked through the script catalog, found nothing, and put it on the table at the side.

Ridley then raised his head and shook it to relieve his cervical spine, saying, "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, "Does the author do work or research in this area?"

Martin said: "Before Andy Weir became a full-time writer, he worked as a programmer for a game company."

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

After hearing the last sentence, Martin didn't know what to say.

As expected, science fiction films are just a means of making a living, and epic films 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 finish Pharaohs and Gods and start a new project."

Martin was a little worried. After all, Ridley was over 70 years old. He asked tentatively, "Isn't 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 interrupted, "Martin, don't worry. Ridley's shooting and production are all about efficiency, which is not the same style as David Fincher's."

"It's no problem for you to wait 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: “If I fall on an epic film, I will stand up on an epic film!”

Martin sensed a kind of obsession from his tone and expression, as if he would not give up until he succeeded!

Ali interrupted again: "Martin, don't you still have John Wick 2 to shoot? By the time you have time, Ridley will be almost done."

"Okay." Martin couldn't force this kind of thing. He stood up and shook hands with Ridley: "We have a deal!"

Ridley shook his hand vigorously: "It's a deal!" He returned the manuscript to Martin: "I still have work to do on the crew, I'm leaving first."

Martin escorted the person out of the reception room.

Ali and Thomas also came out.

Martin was about to leave, but the door of Ali's office next door opened, and Natalie Portman and a tall and thin man walked out.

"Hi, Martin," Natalie greeted.

Martin smiled and responded, "Hi, 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, "Let's go in and talk?"

Martin asked directly: "What's the matter?"

Natalie said, "I have something to ask you about movies."

Martin, for Ali's sake, said, "Let's go in and talk."

Benjamin Millepied seemed not very good at socializing and said, "You guys chat, I have to go to the Los Angeles Philharmonic for something."

Several people entered the reception room one after another.

Thomas closed the door.

"It's a pity that I didn't get to 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 for cooperation in the future."

Natalie Portman is Ali's number one female client. Ali then interjected: "Nat was very sad to miss the role of the amazing Amy. I helped her get the leading role in Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky, a genius in the independent film circle."

Martin had no connection with the independent film circle and had never heard of the director, but he knew "Black Swan".

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

Martin spread his hands and said, "I have never made an independent film. My only experience with art films is The Reader. I am seriously lacking in experience in this area and don't understand the relevant operations."

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

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

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

Martin looked at Natalie again and said, "You are born with advantages. You are highly educated, Jewish, and well-known for your acting skills."

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

Martin certainly understands this, for example, for his Best Supporting Actor award, the Joker was indeed outstanding, but the key was the Santa Monica Pier incident. If it weren't for the shooting incident during the awards season, Martin saved many people and directly eliminated the possibility of causing a greater disaster, it would be very difficult for him to win the award.

Ali's brother in the White House had done a lot of work in Harvey's case. Now that Ali came to help, Martin couldn't refuse.

When there is communication, there must be give and take.

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

Natalie misunderstood Martin's meaning and immediately said, "Don't worry about him if you need anything."

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

Natalie didn't rush 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: "First go to Venice, it would be best if I could win the Best Actress Award at the Venice Film Festival, and then there are all the publicity and public relations, you know."

He took a sip of water. "Now that Harvey has fallen, I think a lot of people will rush over to share the Oscar pie. If Nat wants to win this year's award, I think she must prepare some advantages that others don't have."

Martin joked, "I can't just get a bunch of Russian spies here and have Nat shoot them all."

Natalie followed his joke and said, "I'll be the only one to get shot."

Martin recalled some gossip he had read and said, "I thought of a less reliable way, which may be offensive."

"Just tell me," Natalie said.

Martin nodded slightly: "Are you planning to have children?"

Natalie was stunned for a moment, but she was a very smart girl with a lot of ideas. She gradually understood what Martin meant: "You mean..."

Anyway, Natalie would probably figure it out soon if he didn't say it, so Martin simply said, "Have a child, and show your pregnancy during the critical period of Oscars. When you show your pregnancy, publish more photos of you in the media. You don't need to say much, and you will naturally receive certain preferential treatment."

According to the gossip he had read in his previous life, Natalie competed for the Best Actress Oscar twice and showed her pregnancy twice during the award season. This was too much of a coincidence.

However, the first time was successful, but the second time was just average.

Ali, the golden bachelor, came to his senses and shouted at 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 the two bastards were joking, so he covered his chest and said, “You are murdering me and want to kill me!”

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

Preferential treatment of pregnant women is ubiquitous in society as a whole, including 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 buying publicity.

Natalie is not Martin. She does not have so many sponsors behind her, nor does she have the strong support of a large group like Coca-Cola.

Ali came to Natalie's side, sat on the sofa, and said, "I think it's possible. It's highly feasible and has cheating advantages!"

Martin said no more. He said that these public relations people could inspire Ali and others with their ideas, but when it came to making plans and putting them into practice, they were not as good as these professionals.

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

Ali pointed outside: "Your boyfriend?"

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

Ali said, "Leave the rest to me. This time I will equip you with the best PR team!"

Martin stood up and said, "If nothing else, I'll take my leave. The crew will leave for Europe tomorrow for publicity, and I need to go back and prepare."

Ali came over and bumped fists with him, saying, "Man, if you hadn't been a star, you would have been a top agent and public relations manager!"

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

The lowest level of education required by WMA is a bachelor's degree from a prestigious university.

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

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

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

"What a joke, I'm not interested in her." Martin fastened his seat belt and said, "I'm doing this for Ali's sake."

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

Martin was stunned: "What does this mean?"

Bruce said, "Wait till she gets engaged to her boyfriend, then you'll be interested in her!"

Martin reached for his gun and said angrily, "Old Bull, I will use the most civilized way to make you shut up!"

(End of this chapter)