Charlize spent the whole night reading the script for "Monster" twice, and if she had more time, she even considered reading it a few more times. She admitted that she was tempted. It was a very enticing role, and she believed that if she could achieve the desired results, she might indeed win the Best Actress award, just as the boss had mentioned.
Which movie actor wouldn't want that award? Call her ambitious or vain, but that award was more attractive to her than becoming a worldwide sensation!
Moreover, she had a thought in her mind. Since the boss said she would be an essential part of her future plans, did that mean she would have access to more resources for future choices? Looking at how the boss had cultivated Roy, taking steady steps, the path he walked out on was much better than becoming a mere vase.
"Transformers" could indeed become popular and successful, but that wasn't what she was pursuing!
So, early the next morning, as Laila stepped out of the elevator, she saw Charlize waiting there.
Seeing the faint bruises on her eyes that even makeup couldn't hide, Laila smiled; she knew Charlize had made a decision.
"Have you decided? Once you make a decision, I will arrange everything for you on that path."
Charlize nodded firmly, "Yes, I've made up my mind."
"Good." Laila smiled slightly, "Let me see your choice."
Charlize didn't speak; instead, she handed over the script.
Laila looked at the name on top and then seriously looked at her, "Choosing this one, you will face a lot of challenges."
"I think it's worth it. It's a good story, and I hope to gain a rebirth by interpreting this story!" Charlize's voice was not loud but very determined. You could see from her eyes that nothing could change her decision.
Laila patted her shoulder twice, "I'm very happy you chose this role. Trust me, you won't be disappointed."
"Yes, I trust you very much." Charlize nodded firmly once again.
Why was she crying? It was because she saw the boss, along with Roy and the crew, achieving success at the Golden Globe Awards. Meanwhile, she had yet to achieve satisfactory results. She wasn't jealous but disappointed in herself, and she hated herself for being so useless. She had hoped so much to become a good actress, but now she watched others far ahead of her.
Since the boss gave her such an opportunity, she had to seize it tightly!
Later that day, Laila sent the production plan to the relevant personnel.
"Laila, am I seeing things or misunderstanding your intentions?" Louise, holding the just-received task, felt the urge to take a break and check her heart.
Laila looked at her amusingly, "I thought you should have adapted to my rhythm by now."
Louise was speechless. She wanted to adapt, but did Laila give her time to adapt?
Initially, a budget of $100,000 made her heart tremble for a long time. Mind you, the company was already on the verge of bankruptcy at that time, unable to bear such expenses. Fortunately, the final box office results made everyone tremble, saving her heart.
Then came one movie after another, each with a higher budget than the previous one. Starting from $500,000, then $30 million, and finally reaching $100 million! In just a few years, the films she needed to plan already had budgets in the billions. She wondered if this continued, would she need to plan with billions as the unit in the future?
It's not that she was slow to adapt, but her boss's pace was simply too fast.
Looking at last year, Laila released three movies at once. Luckily, one was a collaboration with Disney and Miramax Films, and they didn't have to contribute a significant budget. However, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and the unreleased "Iron Man" both drained the company of over $300 million.
That was over $300 million! Every time she saw an expenditure detail with at least tens of millions, her heart would shake. Although the company now was completely different from the previous Phoenix, sometimes she missed the old Phoenix. Back then, if they made a mistake, she could simply pay for it herself. But now... even if she sold herself, she wouldn't be able to come up with so much money.
To avoid making mistakes, she didn't know how anxious she felt every day, repeatedly checking everything!
Well, at least Laila's results each time satisfied her, so she endured it. But why couldn't she be given some time to adapt? Filming three movies in a year was already challenging her limits, and now suddenly three more, all fully funded by the company. Was this a test of her psychological endurance?
"Laila, you're presenting three movies again. Shouldn't you reconsider? You were too busy last year. How about giving yourself some time off? Take a break, come back more refreshed, and you'll be more spirited to make movies, right?"
Louise felt that she wasn't easy either. How many subordinates would cry and plead for their boss to take a break? Especially for such a profitable company.
If it were the previous Reynolds, who was good at making money, she would tie him up in the company and not let him go until he squeezed out the last drop of inspiration. But with Laila, facing such a hardworking kid, she really couldn't bear to see her overworked.
"Filming is the best way for me to take a break." Laila couldn't help but remember some things from the past when she said this.
If back then she could have the current good conditions, even if she didn't eat or sleep, she would probably immerse herself in filming, right? It was just that she had lived her post-rebirth days too comfortably, making her work only a little each year.
Her expression seemed a bit melancholy, reminding Louise of the little Laila who could only lie in a hospital bed, witnessing the whole world through a TV screen and glass window. If it were her who had been sick for so long, after getting better, she would probably want to use all her strength.
Thinking of this, she couldn't say more comforting words. Louise secretly felt sorry for her, but at the same time, she could only try her best to cooperate with her work, letting her not worry about anything other than filming.
"Well, I understand. It's just that this time, all three movies are major productions that require a long cycle. I'm afraid it's impossible to finish them within a year."
Laila understood her meaning and smiled, "Don't worry. 'Monster' will be finished in a month at most, and there won't be much post-production. I'll leave 'Transformers' to others; I won't get involved."