America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 83 Challenge Your Abilities

Following the fan meeting, Lionsgate hosted a small reception at a nearby hotel to entertain media reporters and entertainment bloggers.

Like other industries, the production, promotion, distribution, and even commentary surrounding the film and television industry are all businesses.

Martin, Benjamin, and Katharine received $5000 in publicity fees from Lionsgate, so they naturally had to cooperate with Lionsgate and were also present.

In addition, a senior executive from Lionsgate named Michelle came over specifically for the occasion.

Blake introduced Martin and the other two, but Michelle only shook hands with Martin and Benjamin before turning her attention to Catherine.

From the moment they started at the theater, Catherine stopped speaking to Martin, clearly harboring a prejudice against him.

"Did you mess with Catherine?" Benjamin asked, grabbing a glass of wine.

Martin knew perfectly well, but wouldn't say it outright, given Benjamin's strained relationship with Catherine: "I'm not really sure, maybe she's on her period?"

Benjamin didn't think too much about it: "Women's emotions can be troublesome sometimes."

Martin had no time to dwell on such things: "Ben, don't worry, I'm not that petty."

Benjamin's eyes, however, shifted to the other side, where Michelle was chatting with Catherine.

I don't know what he said, but Catherine laughed very happily.

Michelle's gaze roamed over the beautiful actress, but her words were serious: "You're very attractive; you should have come to Los Angeles sooner."

Catherine smiled broadly: "I've wanted to come too, but I've never had the chance. I can't just come and go, becoming a passerby."

Michelle's eyes lingered on her pretty face as she said, "I have a project, and one of the roles is perfect for you."

Catherine barely hesitated: "Really? Could you elaborate? I'd love to stay."

Michelle extended a very direct invitation: "I didn't bring the script with me. If you're interested, you can come to my place to take a closer look, and we can study it together."

For her audition for the female lead in "Zombie Dancer," Catherine simply stripped down to her clothes. Faced with an invitation from Lionsgate executives, how could she refuse? "No problem, when?"

Michelle smiled and said, "I'll be waiting for you in the hotel lobby after the party."

The party ended quickly, and Martin prepared to leave and return to his hotel.

Benjamin said, "Take Catherine with us."

He found Catherine at the entrance of the banquet hall.

Martin wanted to go out too, so he followed behind.

"I'm sorry, Ben, I can't go back right now." Catherine had made her choice: "Lionsgate has given me an opportunity; I need to go and discuss it in detail."

Benjamin immediately understood what was going on: "Where to talk? At a hotel, or at his home?"

Catherine bluntly stated, "Michelle has a script and a role, and I can't miss this opportunity."

Benjamin warned, "You're naive. Hollywood isn't that simple."

Catherine was preoccupied with the pursuit of fame and fortune and couldn't hear anything else. She said an apology and walked towards the elevator without turning her head.

When Martin and Benjamin arrived at the hotel lobby, they saw Catherine leaving arm in arm with Michelle.

Benjamin couldn't help but say, "She's so stupid."

Martin said, "You can't take her back from the path she's chosen."

Benjamin sighed.

The two got into a Lionsgate car and returned to the hotel.

The hotel had a bar, and Benjamin suggested, "Have a drink with me."

Martin could tell that Benjamin was a little depressed.

The bar wasn't crowded. When they got to the bar, Benjamin asked, "What would you like to drink? It's on me."

Martin tentatively asked, "Ben, you haven't actually fallen for him, have you?"

Benjamin quickly denied it: "We only lived together for a few months."

Any man who gets dumped by his girlfriend and then watches her fall into the arms of another man, even if there are no feelings between them, will not feel good.

Upon hearing Benjamin's words, the bartender said, "I recommend a new cocktail to you, Louise's Penicillin, which can heal a wounded soul."

He pointed to a poster and specifically introduced it: "This is the signature creation of Los Angeles bartender Louise Mayer."

Benjamin leaned closer to look, surprised: "Isn't she the producer?"

"I'm not quite sure either," Martin said to the bartender. "A bourbon, please."

Benjamin asked for penicillin and gestured towards the poster with his eyes: "Are you in contact with her?"

Martin neither denied nor admitted it: "I heard from Kelly that after the cast and crew of 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' left Atlanta, she went to Morocco, apparently to work on a big production with Warner Bros. and several other companies in Mollywood. Kelly doesn't know the specifics."

"Hollywood movies always love using code names." The bartender brought over the penicillin, and Benjamin took a sip, frowning slightly. "It really does have a healing effect."

Martin clinked glasses with him and said, "Ben, take it easy. You'll have so many beautiful women coming your way that your brother won't be able to hold his head up high."

Whether it was the penicillin that worked or Martin's words that made him feel better, Benjamin said, "Brother, you're really good with words. If I were a woman, I would definitely fall for you..."

"No, please." Martin looked at his bald head and quickly interrupted his offensive words: "I want to live a few more years."

Benjamin said, "If you don't have strong connections, you might as well go back to Atlanta. You've already made your way there."

Martin said, "If I can't make it out, I'll definitely go back to Atlanta and come to you."

"No need." Benjamin brought up something: "You have Jenna's contact information, right? Not far north of Los Angeles is the San Fernando Valley. With your talent and abilities, becoming a multi-millionaire might be a bit difficult, but becoming a millionaire is definitely not a dream."

Martin said frankly, "This was one of my backup plans."

The two had a few drinks and didn't stay too late before returning to their respective rooms.

Martin carefully kept the autographed book, thinking he might need it someday.

When Martin checked out the next morning, he discovered that Catherine had not returned.

A Lionsgate employee came and took her luggage.

Before leaving the hotel, Benjamin, who was heading back to Atlanta, specifically asked Martin, "Do you have any plans?"

Martin said, "Let's find a place to settle down first."

…………

Over the weekend following Thanksgiving, a post by a female film and entertainment blogger was reposted by B-movie enthusiasts on a film forum, attracting some attention.

"It's rare to find a B-movie that made me buy tickets twice like 'Zombie Dancer.' The film itself is of average quality, with its share of flaws such as shoddy production and clichéd plot, but the male lead delivers a god-like performance."

Below are movie stickers authorized by Lionsgate, as well as short clips of Martin Scorsese's zombie machine gun dance and aerial acrobatics in the film.

Lionsgate was also busy; no one can underestimate the creativity of professional marketers.

They teamed up with a well-known blogger and a movie forum moderator to post the video of Martin performing the zombie machine gun dance from the movie on a popular movie forum.

Originally, people automatically ignored it and found it boring.

Not long after the video was posted, some people posted challenge videos, but the rhythm and intensity were noticeably different.

With someone taking the lead, more people began to take on the challenge, and related discussions also increased.

"It's impossible to maintain that pace and intensity for that long. That's just a scene from the movie 'Zombie Gigolo,' not reality."

Skeptics quickly emerged.

As the number of dissenting voices on the forum increased, someone posted a video of Martin Scorsese performing a zombie machine gun dance at a fan meeting.

"It's actually true!"

"This actor is amazing! Is his back mechanically modified?"

"I worship the man with four kidneys!"

The buzz has increased considerably, although it can't compare to the trending topics of popular movies, it has still attracted some attention.

A film gaining attention means it will generate box office revenue.

This weekend after Thanksgiving, "Zombie Stripper" expanded its screenings to 650 theaters, raking in $312 million at the North American box office.

Including previous revenue, the film grossed $388 million in North America, far exceeding the cost Lionsgate paid to acquire the rights.

Lionsgate saw hope in recouping its investment through box office revenue and will continue to expand its screenings to 787 theaters the following week.

By the end of the new weekend, "Zombie Dancer" had surpassed $600 million at the North American box office.

The film's market potential has also been largely exhausted, as its reputation has been rather poor.

On multiple rating websites, including IMDB, it has only around 5 points, which is considered a failing grade.

B-movies are ultimately niche films and can never become mainstream.

The buzz surrounding "Zombie Dancer" and the zombie machine gun dance was like a wave crashing onto the shore, coming and going quickly.

However, several newspapers and film magazines mentioned "Zombie Dancer" and Martin Davis's name.

The zombie machine gun dance has also spread to many male dancer bars.

Meanwhile, Martin began looking for a house in Los Angeles.

Single-family homes in affluent neighborhoods like Beverly Hills and Santa Monica are not considered, as their rents are relatively high.

Martin's goal is to be located near Burbank, a city teeming with entertainment companies, where rent won't be too expensive, transportation will be convenient, and an apartment will suffice.

He looked at several houses in Glendale, Burbank, and North Hollywood, and decided to choose an apartment in North Hollywood.

It's located right next to Burbank and very close to Sherman Oaks, where Louise Mayer and Robert Patrick live, just a 10-minute drive away.

Before moving, Martin bought an ordinary Volkswagen sedan, as well as essential electronic devices such as a laptop and a small video camera.

After viewing several properties, Martin finalized his choice of the apartment.

(End of this chapter)