[Shout out to Cosmicuni!]
Hollywood What If Chapter 28
Kazir and Salvatore Barlowe had a brief verbal agreement.
The real reason was simple.
Kazir really needs an agent. As soon as Se7en made more money at the box office, film companies would contact him.
The one who usually talked to those companies was the agent. The two sides would start making offers and negotiating. The client would only show up once the deal was finalized .
Besides, Kazir didn't want to be bothered because he was still editing Napoleon Dynamite.
The other reason was Salvatore's honesty. Cutting the commission to 3 percent was actually a tough move for an agent. It basically reduced his income.
Although if Kazir became a successful director, Salvatore's decision would be the right one.
To Kazir, Salvatore showed a tendency to gamble.
'Well, I'm also gambling with my future. So I can empathize.'
All Kazir could do was prove himself. To make sure this young-looking agent would never regret his decision.
"Kazir, about the movie..."
"Don't worry, I'm half done. Two-thirds, to be exact. But I want to take it slow. At least wait for the box office of Se7en this week."
Se7en was released in theaters for five days and made 23 million. He wanted to see if the movie's performance would increase this week.
"Okay. I will wait then," Salvatore nodded.
He was just a new agent and Kazir hadn't signed a contract with him yet. It was just a verbal agreement.
He knew that making a movie would take time.
"You can give the contract to my lawyer first and I will sign it later."
"That's good to hear."
The two men shook hands firmly.
Several years later, many agents would regret their decision of not signing a contract with Kazir Grey.
'I didn't know Salvatore Barlowe in my previous life. He is probably not famous and his clients are small-time actors. But I'm just like him. I'm not famous in my past life.'
There were famous agents in Hollywood like Pat Kingsley, Kevin Huvane, and Bryan Lourd.
Kazir knew damn well that these agents would never look at a small-time director like him.
They went their separate ways after the meeting. In a way, their first meeting was eventful.
"Let's call my lawyer first so that he will not be surprised."
Kazir contacted his lawyer when he returned to the studio.
"Hello, Terrence? Yeah, it's me. Oh come on, are you still mad at me for giving the house to Cassandra? What? You're disappointed in yourself for not defending your client against a cheating bitch? Dude, let's just forget about it. I have a job for you. Yes, it's job-related. Yes, you will get a contract later. Okay, thanks."
He sighed. The first hurdle was successfully overcome.
The first five days of Se7en were a great start and Kazir could finally relax his nerves.
"Hello, Director Grey!"
"Hm?"
Suddenly, before he could enter the editing room, a woman greeted him.
Kazir turned to see Reese Witherspoon approaching him.
"Reese? Why are you here?" He was confused.
"I'm here for the dubbing."
"Ah, I'm sorry, I forgot."
Maybe because of too much pressure, Kazir didn't remember that part.
Reese and the other actors have to dub their speeches in the movie. So far, Ed Helms had the most lines, and he finished dubbing all of his lines in just two weeks.
Reese was attending acting school, so she was very busy during those days. She also had a part-time job. She listened to Kazir's suggestion.
When shooting a scene, there was usually a problem with recording the sound. That's why dubbing was needed.
'I hired a sound director last week.'
The sounds you heard in the movies were usually created by the sound director. I'm not talking about music, I'm talking about sound.
The sound of punching might be created by sound directors by literally punching a piece of meat. Sound directors are an important part of post-production.
"This will be my last day dubbing, so Director Kazir, can you please do me a favor?"
Reese smiled sweetly and leaned closer to Kazir.
Kazir caught her scent. If he was being honest, Reese smells so good. Of course, he was a man who appreciated the scent of a woman.
He smiled bitterly. As a man who had just been divorced last October, he wanted to stay away from relationship as much as possible. However, a raging man like him couldn't maintain his rationality for long.
He needed a release. On the other hand, he wanted to keep his sanity.
"After my dubbing is over, can I take you out to dinner?"
The one who initiate the first move was Reese!
"..."
Kazir kept his smile. To be honest, he wanted to say no.
"Reese, I'm sorry, but..."
"Are you going to say no again? Mr. Grey, you're quite annoying."
She smiled, but not a smile. To be honest, she didn't know why she was doing this either.
Maybe she was just interested in Kazir after watching his shooting. Unlike most directors who would yell and scream, Kazir was always patient and encouraging. Besides, he was quite good and handsome while doing what he loved.
The other reason was her pride. She had already been rejected three times, so she wanted to win a victory by seducing him... What do you know? A woman wants to prove her worth by seducing a stoic man... maybe?
In that respect, Reese saw this as nothing more than a fun but frustrating game.
"What do you think, Mr. Grey?"
She said and moved closer to him, almost touching his broad chest.
[There is actually a smut chapter next but it's only exclusive to my Patrons.]
[Hi, I just want to promote my other novels:]
1) MC is not part of the story
- This novel is already finished with 526 chapters.
2) The only fuel is to use the D.
-This is my most read novel for some obvious reasons, ahem.
3) Reincarnated As A Deadbeat Dad
-This is a new novel. A slow progressive slice of life about a deadbeat dad.
4) Hollywood What If
- Mc returned to Hollywood in 1994.
[I post my novels mostly on Scribblehub, Webnovel, RoyalRoad and Questionable Questing].