hollywood draw

In Burbank, the cafe opposite the Warner Studios, Nina sat in the window, carefully sniffing the scent of the coffee in front of her. Until she nodded with satisfaction, she pushed the coffee to the opposite position as if no one was around, in front of the man who was eating sandwiches.

“thank you.”

The two of them were used to this, and Wayne didn't raise his head. He muttered and picked up the moderately warm coffee and took a big sip, then continued to pick up a piece of sandwich and sent it to his mouth.

Looking at the wolf opposite, Nina shrugged slightly, raised her wrist to look at the time, and said, "Boss, I received two calls in the morning, to be precise, two invitations."

"Ha, keep talking."

Put the last small piece of sandwich in his hand into his mouth, and Wayne picked up the coffee and drank it all.

The same scene was like a practice countless times. Nina took out a cigarette from her handbag and handed it to the man's hand. She watched the other party lit a cigarette comfortably, leaned on the back of the chair, and then reached out to test the temperature of the black tea, and gently pushed it along the table.

"Steven Spielberg called and wanted to invite you to a DreamWorks party. He did not hide his purpose. On the phone, he asked me about the progress of the Greenberg studio project and test whether we needed financing."

"It seems that the whole circle knows that I'm short of money." After taking a big sip of cigarette, Wayne picked up the black tea casually, smiled and joked, "There is indeed no secret in this circle."

Hearing his words, Nina raised her hand, habitually pushed the wide glasses on her face, and turned her head to look at the street view outside the glass window.

In fact, there are many rumors about Wayne in the circle now. As early as a few years ago, people in the circle generally had a conservative impression of him. The reason is that he has top-notch money-making ability, but he has never invested like most wealthy people. Instead, he would rather hold a large amount of cash flow in his hand.

The dollar is depreciating at all times, which is a consensus. The most common way for Hollywood billionaires to maintain value is nothing more than stocks, real estate, art, or luxury goods that celebrities love, such as private business jets and sports cars and yachts.

But these seemed to be of no appeal to Wayne. A few years ago, he held a large amount of money in his hand, but only had one property under his name. Apart from this top manor on the top of Beverly Hills, there was no asset that could be cashed in large quantities.

However, as time goes by, the rumors about him in the circle have become "prodigal son" and "arrogant investor", and the cause is the animation studio headquartered in New York.

In the past two years, Blue Sky Studio has fully updated its hardware facilities, and the money burned out of the facilities that can accelerate the development of the studio is entirely provided by Wayne. Not to mention private investors, in the simplest understanding of people in the circle, animation studios are completely money-burning machines that can only be played by media groups.

Most people in the circle think that he saw that the leader of the Qiao Gang followed the trend because of Pixar's great success in returning to fruit.

If investing in an animation studio is a legitimate investment, then using your own money to make movies is completely challenging Hollywood's traditional concepts for decades. Almost every elite in the circle has been warned that no matter when it comes, don't use your own money to make movies.

There are many reasons, but the biggest reason is that as long as you don’t use your own money to make movies, you will always be invincible. Not to mention the relevant successful practitioners, even the large Hollywood film companies, 90% of the money you invest in movies comes from borrowing chickens to lay eggs.

Everyone knows that the film industry makes money, and it makes a lot of money, but the history of Hollywood over the past few decades has been constantly telling senior practitioners in the circle that investing in movies is no different from gambling.

This year, Greenberg Studio seems to be acting low-key, but the large-scale auditions of "The Lord of the Rings" and "Quick Chase" and "King Kong" all show that Wayne was blinded by the profits of investing in films in the past two years and began to invest in huge risks, non-adapted and sequel films.

"It seems that many people want to see me go bankrupt."

In the past two years, Wayne has basically stopped watching various gossip tabloids, but he also guessed from the face of the assistant lady that there were not many reports on his "explosive" investment behavior, and he is likely to surpass the traditional gossip and romantic affairs.

He picked up the coffee and took a sip. Nina reached out and fanned the green smoke that floated over, shrugged and said, "There are always more confident in you, right?"

Smiling and shook his head, Wayne asked, "Tell me, who is the other person who wants to be interested in the studio project."

The rumors in the circle are not groundless, and most people are not wrong. Greenberg Studio has launched projects continuously, and the funds are indeed not sufficient.

Although I was still lying on my studio account a few months ago, as long as I invest in a movie project with real money, the spending speed will be like a dam that opened a gate, and the accumulation will never flow out quickly.

The investment in "Shapes' Love History" has been thrown in more than 10 million US dollars. Of course, it also includes some of the public relations fees for the film during the upcoming awards season.

The estimated production cost of "Quick Chase" is about 20 million US dollars, and the estimated production cost of "King Kong" is about 160 million US dollars. These two projects can be said to have started production. Although Greenberg Studio and Warner Bros. jointly invested with only half of the investment, the financial pressure was still quite large.

The only good news is that movie investment is not a one-time transaction, and it does not require all investments at once. But there are "A Dog's Mission", "Tomb Raider", "Resident Evil", and the amazing superhero that Avi Adra chased her butt and urged her to do. These projects are all on Wayne's desk and are definitely going to be produced.

So, if there are suitable financing targets, he really doesn't mind accepting investment. After all, these projects are of racing against time.

"Remember that Mr. Rokencourt?" Nina put down the coffee cup in her hand and looked across the table and said, "Christopher Rokencourt, we've seen it at the cocktail party before."

Seeing Wayne's eyes flashing with memories and a hint of confusion on his face, the assistant rolled his eyes invisibly and reminded him again: "It's the investor from New York, who likes to change female stars like you..."

"Shit!"

With a fierce glare at Nina, Wayne swears in a low voice.

There is no doubt that he has recalled the movie investor. The cocktail party he met was at the Vanity Fair party after the Oscars ceremony. At that time, the New York film investor was a certain Oscar winner.

"That's right, it's him." After seeing his boss remembering, the assistant lady spread her hands and curled her lips and continued: "He is very direct. She asked on the phone whether Greenberg Studio needs investment. He also hopes to ask you to play basketball."

Considering the need for financing, Wayne kept knocking his fingers on the coffee table. It was not until several minutes later that he looked at the assistant lady and ordered: "Wait until we finish the audition for "The Lord of the Rings", well, let's help me with York Kristoff Rokencott."

Speaking of this, he suddenly stopped, under the doubtful gaze of the assistant lady, lowered his voice and continued to instruct: "Let the Hollywood Eye Anthony Pelicano take advantage of the past few days to investigate this person."

"Okay, I understand." Nina nodded in understanding.

The reason why Christopher Rokencott was first made Wayne's intention was to see if there were any advantages to take. This involved Hollywood's convention of accepting film investment, that is, the money for investment projects comes from inside or outside the circle.

If you accept investment from insiders, it will undoubtedly be difficult to do anything. But if it is money from outside the circle, he really doesn't mind. He has a tacit understanding with Warner Bros. to borrow chickens and lay eggs, and it is best to keep all the borrowed chickens in his home.

But if you accept the investment from DreamWorks, you will basically not be able to play any tricks. The difference between the two is quite big. This is also the reason why Hollywood movie projects have the first choice to be the funds outside the circle.

It is actually not difficult to borrow chickens and lay eggs with outside funds. Even in just a few minutes, Wayne can think of several common methods.

Just like the most commonly used method of Warner Bros. Before each movie is prepared, a separate named movie studio will be set up, and then borrowed from the head office to produce it. After the film is produced, the distribution will of course be left to Warner Bros.

In this way, the advantage is that the box office share must be returned to the headquarters' loans first, and then various issuance expenses will be reimbursed. If the tacit understanding is sufficient, Warner Bros. can make the accounts of specially established film studios lose money in just these two steps.

Finally, the left hand turned to the right hand, allowing Warner Bros. to acquire the movie studio at a loss, and then use the copyright of the movie to conduct commercial operations, firmly tie the long-term income to one's own hands. However, it involves a tacit understanding and trust between both parties. If you can't play well, Warner Bros. will never mind cheating Wayne's money.

In investigating Christopher Rokencourt, it was just Wayne's caution at work. Strictly speaking, this is the first time he is preparing to accept external investment, and it is not too much to be careful.

In his impression, Hollywood has never lacked the need for unclean funds to finally get a mess of movie projects. Since Hollywood movies were commercialized, various rumors of money laundering have been with them. Almost every successful film invested by multiple parties has a wide range of conspiracy theories behind it.

But that was just rumors and unreasonable speculations about the sales of gossip tabloids. However, in his unclear memory, it seems that there are actually some projects, because of the unclear source of funds, a certain Earth Ball Grass returned all the videos' salaries, and the little golden man who was not yet warmed up.

"It seems that the rumors in the circle are not wrong."

In the same cafe, not far from Wayne and the others, Liv Taylor and his agent watched the whole process of lunch. The agent approached his client a little and sighed: "That Nina Klein is completely a hand in Wayne Greenberg's life."

Nodding silently, Liv Taylor stared at Wayne with his eyes, thinking about how to use the short lunch break to create convenient conditions for himself.

There have been various rumors in the circle that Nina, as Wayne's personal assistant, not only took charge of all his wealth and helped him plan his career, but also was fully responsible for everything in his life. Genius always had some quirks, just like what they saw, just having lunch, Nina naturally arranged everything.

No one thinks these things are strange. Compared with those celebrities in the circle with more weird quirks, Wayne only deteriorates his life ability when he enters work.

The public is always more tolerant of extremely focused geniuses. Whether in the East or the West, people basically do not blame the geniuses who "do not diligent in the four bodies and do not distinguish between grains".

“Where to see.”

The agent reached out and patted the client's arm, and turned his head to the outside of the cafe door. "After a while, when Wayne Greenberg returns to the studio, you will find a chance to pick up a conversation."

Turning her head, Liv Taylor looked at the entrance of the cafe, where seven or eight reporters, or paparazzi, were squatting, with cameras on her back, and she instantly understood what the agent meant.

“Ok.”

Her eyes turned back and forth between the man and the paparazzi twice, and finally she looked at her agent and nodded firmly.

"go, just take advantage of the moment."

Seeing that Wayne and the other two had already stood up, pressed a few banknotes under the coffee cup, they whispered and walked out of the cafe. The agent gently pushed Liv Taylor.

With the launch of "Superman" and "Wonder Woman", the media attention who followed Wayne had always been looking at it. As soon as he and Nina walked out of the cafe, more than a dozen reporters waiting at the door surrounded him.

"Hi Wayne, you chose Angelina Jolie to play Diana Prince because she got out of the sheets with you..."

"Wayne, Wayne, can you talk about Superman?"

"Mr. Greenberg, will your relationship with Naomi Watts be influenced by Angelina Jolie?"

“…”

Shaking his head helplessly, Wayne ignored the reporters who were pressing the shutter around him, lowered his head and walked quickly to the studio across the street.

He understood the idea of ​​these tabloid reporters. The reason why they shouted about sensitive topics was to let themselves say something. No matter what they said, as long as they spoke, they would not lack things to write. As for whether the report was true or not, it was purely nonsense. If the gossip tabloids did not distort something, how could they have sales?

After seeing this scene, the security personnel at the entrance of the studio immediately trotted to the opposite side.

“Ah~”

Wayne, who was only concerned about lowering his head and walking forward, felt that he suddenly bumped into someone, and then heard a woman screaming.

He didn't care about the flash of the paparazzi around him, so he bent down immediately and reached out to hold the woman who was knocked down by him. "Are you okay?"

But the moment I saw the woman's face, I couldn't help but frown.

"Sorry, Director Greenberg, I'm involved in the journalists..."

"Get in first."

Wayne glanced at the woman with a panic look, and didn't bother to think too much, and nodded and walked towards the studio.

The woman seemed to be frightened, and couldn't help but hug his arm, lowered her head, and followed closely. This scene happened to be photographed by paparazzi around her.

"I'll audition for the Elf Princess Muxing. The crew notified that the audition time was set until the afternoon..."

After getting on the tram, Wayne looked at the woman carefully. This is a typical American girl with unusual black hair. Even wearing flat sneakers, she is not much shorter than him. Her light blue eyes are like two gems, and she keeps talking and looks at you seriously.

What is very rare is that this woman is nearly 1.8 meters tall, but her figure does not look generous. At the same time, she can also maintain a popular figure unique to North American girls. I have to say that this can be regarded as a talent.

As we all know, North American women mature very early. If you only observe their figure and face, Wayne is really hard to determine the other person's age. But according to his experience, this actress should be in her early twenties, and the other party is very good at showing her strengths. Through simple clothing, she highlights her tall and hot figure.

"I've seen your "Perfect Heavenly Tribulation".

Although the woman kept chattering and deliberately showing the excitement of seeing him since she got on the tram, Wayne still chose not to expose it. He wanted to see what tricks this woman wanted to play.

"Really? God, you actually remember my performance." Liv Taylor covered his mouth with one hand, his face full of incredible excitement. "I am your fan, director Greenberg, I have watched every work of you more than twice. Uh, can I call you Wayne? Sorry, I'm so happy..."

"You have great insights in performance and will definitely become a first-line actress in the future."

Looking at the woman close at hand, Wayne was talking nonsense.

Liv Taylor noticed that the man's eyes kept wandering on his chest and face. She suppressed the pride in her heart and acted like a silly sweet person. She was not stupid at all to gain a foothold in this circle and understood very well some of the dark hearts of men.

"Although it's a bit presumptuous."

As the tram gradually approached the studio, Liv Taylor looked at Nina silently without a trace, and looked up at Wayne with a nervous tone and asked, "Can I have a contact information for you? You are my favorite director, I want to find an opportunity to invite you to have dinner. Wayne, several times throughout Los Angeles, no actor expected to get your guidance..."

"Well, guidance?!"

Looking at Liv Taylor with a smile, Wayne curled his lips silently in his heart. Seeing the tram stopping in front of the studio, he got up and got out of the car to tidy up the buttons of his suit and shirt, while shook his head under the other party's surprised eyes. "There will be a chance in the future, Taylor."

"laugh..."

Nina, who followed him out of the car, couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, especially when she saw Liv Taylor's incredible expression, she deepened the joy of the scene.

Watching the man who had just chatted and laughed with him, he walked towards the studio without hesitation without any nostalgia. Liv Taylor was indeed at a loss for a moment and stood there in a daze.

She was sure that when a man observed his figure, he must have been moved. He just couldn't understand why he suddenly changed his face.

"Is my hint not obvious enough? Damn it!" Looking at the man's back, she muttered angrily.

"How about it?"

At this moment, the agent saw her standing alone in front of the studio, and rushed up a few steps. He didn't bother to observe the surrounding environment and asked in a low voice.

"I don't know..." A brief description of the process just now, Liv Taylor looked at the agent in confusion. "Everyone is adult, is it not obvious enough that what I suggest? Or am I not beautiful enough or hot enough?"

"No, I'm very sure, you're pretty and spicy." The agent sweated heavily, stretched out his hand and loosened his tie buckle, and guessed in confusion: "After all, the other party is Wayne Greenberg, and there is definitely no shortage of beautiful women who hint to him. Maybe you are not proactive enough..."

"f**k, how do I take the initiative? Did I just meet and I couldn't wait to kneel down and untie his belt?!f**k, what should we do now?"

"Life," the agent saw her constantly swearing, and quickly spoke, "If it really doesn't work, let's give up this role. You just starred in "The Peerless Heavenly Tribulation". Even without this role, there will be no shortage of invitations for other projects. Why should we......"

"No, I want this character." Liv Taylor looked at the tall studio in front of him, his face full of stubbornness. "Horden, don't say you don't know the success rate of Wayne's investment project. Think of a solution, and think about it now. Forget it, help me find out the location of Wayne's office."

"OK."

Not to mention Liv Taylor felt inexplicably, even Nina, who had been with Wayne, felt particularly unreasonable.

She knew very well that when her boss faced the gifts she delivered to her door, she never knew what kind of politeness was. But this time she suddenly rejected the temptation, which was hard not to make her feel confused.

"Why?boss, that Miss Taylor is very hot, isn't it?"

When facing his boss, the assistant lady always insisted on being straightforward. Since she was curious, she simply asked in person.

"She doesn't fit my aesthetic."

Back in the office, Wayne responded casually while looking through the storyboard of "Wonder Woman".

"Isn't she beautiful? Long black hair, not inferior to the model's hot figure, beautiful face..."

Wayne shook his head helplessly glanced at the gossipy assistant lady. "I don't like women with long faces."

“…”

"Call Charlize Theron and ask where she is." Ignore Nina, who looked speechless, and directly ordered: "Tell her that if she can't catch up, this character will be out of her!"

“Ok.”

The assistant lady nodded, looked out of the mobile phone, and left the office lightly. She just hoped that the South African diamond really had time due to flight delays and other reasons. Otherwise, no one would say whether the man in the office would really change people.

"Tsk tsk tsk, it's obviously very beautiful, does your face have a long face?" Nina murmured in a low voice and called.