All major Hollywood studios have their own relatively fixed talent reserves.
In recent years, Daenerys Entertainment has cultivated a large group of long-term collaborators and top filmmakers through the DC movie universe plan and other series of box office hits.
However, Simon would never be satisfied with just that.
This time, Simon planned to cultivate two new directors, Michael Bay and David Fincher.
Compared to Fincher, Simon actually valued Michael Bay more.
In the original timeline, although Michael Bay was often mocked by critics for his flashy style and lack of substance, earning the nickname "Explosive Bay," he was highly sought after by Hollywood studios because he could always complete projects within budget, and his films consistently performed well at the box office with very few flops.
On the other hand, David Fincher, although equally outstanding, specialized in genres (suspense and thriller) that typically didn't generate high box office returns. He also had a penchant for burning through money, making his film's box office performances very unpredictable, which caused studios to have some reservations about working with him.
After a brief conversation about "Se7en," Simon quickly let Fincher leave.
Michael Bay noticed Madonna's gaze at Simon and felt a bit envious but wisely left to continue his work.
Once the extra people were gone, Madonna immediately scooted closer to Simon, disregarding the many eyes around the studio, and said, "Simon, I heard you're looking for a guest performer for this show. Do you think I'd be a good fit?"
Simon gestured toward a tall model nearby and teased, "Madge, do you think you'd fit in among them?"
"Just a little taller than me," Madonna replied nonchalantly. "And since they're all taller than me, I'd be the most noticeable one in the middle."
Simon once again overlooked Madonna's innate confidence and smiled, "Well, we initially considered having guest performers, but we decided against it."
At first, Simon considered inviting a few guest performers as in his memory, but after careful consideration, he decided that for the first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, it was best to keep the audience's attention on the Victoria's Secret Angels, which was the best way to establish the Victoria's Secret Angels brand.
Madonna didn't seem disappointed and continued, "So, can I at least come to watch?"
"Of course," Simon nodded. "I'll have some tickets sent to you."
"I'm already looking forward to it."
As she said this, Madonna's hand casually reached over to touch Simon's, but he lightly flicked her finger away. She withdrew her hand, feigning an innocent look.
Simon reached out to pinch Madonna's chin and said, "No more flirting with me, or I'll have to deal with you."
Madonna, with her chin lifted by Simon, didn't back down and flirted back, "In bed, you can do whatever you want."
"Bitch."
"Asshole."
"…"
"See, we're a perfect match, aren't we?"
"…"
"Hahaha."
Simon withdrew his hand, pretended not to know the laughing Madonna, and turned towards the runway. The staff who had been curiously watching quickly resumed their work upon noticing Simon's gaze.
After a while, Madonna stopped laughing but still asked somewhat wistfully, "Hey, Simon, why aren't you interested in me?"
Simon replied, "I'm not someone who wants to taste every dish. You just aren't my type."
Madonna got curious, "What kind of 'dish' do you like? I thought... But I saw you with a young girl last time."
Simon chose to ignore her.
Madonna persisted, "Hey, is it because you think I'm too promiscuous that you don't want to sleep with me? You did call me a bitch earlier."
Simon nodded, "Yes."
Madonna scrutinized Simon, then shook her head, "No, I don't think that's it. You don't seem to care about that too much, or you wouldn't even talk to me. But you men are so awful. Why can you have many women, but we can't have many men?"
"Have you ever seen a cup with many teapots?"
"Why can't we women be the teapot?"
"How's the preparation for your movie 'Body of Evidence' going?"
Madonna saw Simon change the subject and didn't pursue it further. She had decided to just keep this man as a friend. Having a friend like Simon Westeros wasn't bad at all.
"Columbia Pictures has agreed to invest $30 million. The director and lead actor are confirmed, and it should start shooting by the end of the year," Madonna said, then asked, "Simon, how much do you think the movie will make at the box office?"
Simon candidly said, "Probably around ten or twenty million."
Madonna's eyes widened, "Only ten or twenty million for all my hard work?"
Simon shrugged, "You might be overestimating the public's interest in watching Madonna's sex scenes."
"Impossible," Madonna, still full of confidence, said, "How about we make a bet?"
Simon shook his head, "No bet. You have nothing to lose to me."
"Really want to punch you."
Simon thought for a moment and said, "Maybe if you rewrite the script, focus less on the explicit scenes, and more on making the female lead a femme fatale."
Madonna seized the opportunity, "How about you help me rewrite it?"
"I'm very expensive."
"I'll pay whatever it takes," Madonna said generously, then added, "Sony will foot the bill anyway."
Simon felt sorry for Sony again and said helplessly, "If I rewrite it, it might turn into a different story altogether. And your acting skills, well, you know."
"Wasn't I great in 'Pulp Fiction'?"
"That's because I was the director."
"You can be the director for my movie too," Madonna quickly added, "Sony will pay."
Simon began to pity Sony even more. He tapped Madonna on the forehead and said, "You should just play around by yourself. I don't understand why you're so determined to break into Hollywood. Isn't it great being the queen of pop?"
"Why are you doing so many things?"
"I'm different from you. It's hard for you Earthlings to understand someone as gifted as me."
Madonna pretended to discover a big secret, "Hey, which planet are you from?"
"Alpha Centauri."
"Are you here to invade Earth?"
"Yes."
"Great, I can help."
"You're so eager, it's embarrassing."
Madonna laughed again, then curiously asked, "Do you think aliens will really invade Earth?"
Simon didn't answer but instead said, "Would you go all the way to Africa to invade an anthill?"
Madonna seriously replied, "If the anthill had particularly interesting ants, I think I would."
Simon shrugged, "Then we can only leave it to fate."
As they chatted, Michael Bay had gradually adjusted the equipment for the runway. Some officially signed Victoria's Secret Angels also began to arrive.
Today, there would be a simple rehearsal to test some lighting and camera effects.
The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was scheduled for early November, but most of the rehearsal time was concentrated in August. The models would be busy with the four major fashion weeks in September and October, so Simon didn't want to prevent the Victoria's Secret Angels from participating in those crucial events.
Of course, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was still the most important.
Three of the five signed Victoria's Secret Angels arrived: Helena Christensen, Tyra Banks, and Stephanie Seymour. Cindy Crawford was very busy and couldn't attend every rehearsal, and "Waist Genie" Yasmeen Ghauri also had a tight schedule and didn't come today.
Other top supermodels participating in this show were also absent.
In short, the ones who came were relatively free models with lower status in the fashion world. The three angels who did arrive considered this show their most important event of the year and would stay in Los Angeles as much as possible unless they had other significant work.
Noticing Simon nearby, the tall, beautiful models quickly gathered around to greet him and chat with Madonna.
Although Madonna had seemed unconcerned earlier, she felt a bit of pressure being surrounded by such stunning women.
Michael Bay, who had personally adjusted the side rail of the runway camera, stood up, ready to start. Seeing the models gathered around Simon, he wisely waited for a moment before signaling a staff member to call them over. He once again envied Simon's good fortune.
Even as a music video director, there were always young actresses eager to get close to him. Michael Bay certainly took advantage of this.
However, regarding these top supermodels participating in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Bay had no interest in approaching them.
Regardless of what Simon might think, many people naturally saw this show as Simon Westeros's "private territory." If someone foolishly tried to hunt in this territory, the consequences would not be good.
Hoping to use this opportunity to break into Hollywood, Michael Bay didn't want to lose everything for a minor gain.
When the staff reminded him, Simon sent away the group of models. Stephanie Seymour, who had managed to secure a spot next to him, leaned in and asked, "Simon, do you have any free time recently?"
Simon nodded, "Yes, I'll call you then."
If it were anyone else, Stephanie Seymour would be sure that the call would come and might not even want to answer. But with Simon, she felt there was no sincerity in his words.
Seeing her wistful look, Simon urged, "Go work. I'm a strict boss, and if you don't do well, you might get fired."
Knowing he wasn't joking, Stephanie Seymour obediently got up and walked towards the runway.
Once the models had all left, Madonna asked, "With so many of them, can you handle it?"
Simon looked at the pleasant view and smiled, "Just because you can eat something doesn't mean you have to."
Such exquisite top models were better
suited for appreciation and admiration rather than necessarily taking them to bed.
Although Simon never deprived himself of pleasure with women, he never excessively pursued physical desires.
On the runway, the angels were getting into position, ready for a simple rehearsal without changing outfits. They began waiting at the end of the runway under the staff's guidance.
Madonna and Simon watched as the rehearsal started. At first, Madonna didn't think much of it, but soon she noticed the accompanying music playing in the studio.
It was an instrumental track with finger snaps, no vocals, but Madonna was sure it was a song she hadn't heard before.
It became clear that the lack of lyrics was for confidentiality.
She turned to Simon, "Simon, is this a new song you wrote?"
Simon nodded, "Yes."
"It sounds like it would be great for a female vocalist," Madonna said excitedly. "What do you think about me performing it?"
"Are you willing to break your contract with Warner?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't forget, I now own Universal Music. Good stuff should be saved for our artists."
Madonna complained, "Universal doesn't have any famous artists. Don't you think it's a waste?"
"Nope."
"…"
Madonna was speechless.
Even if she wanted to break her contract with Warner, Warner wouldn't let her.
And with her current status, she preferred to run her own record company and collaborate with major labels rather than being signed to one.
"So, what's the name of this song?"
"Since it's for the Victoria's Secret Angels, the song is called 'Paradise.'"
"Paradise," a word with meanings like 'heaven,' 'Eden,' and 'utopia,' had inspired many English songs.
Simon chose a song titled "Paradise" by a relatively unknown future online singer duo named "NLSN/THUYMY."
However, compared to other songs with the same name, Simon felt this "Paradise" truly had an ethereal, serene quality that made it endlessly listenable.
As the music continued in the studio, Madonna grew increasingly curious and pestered Simon to hear more.
Simon, unable to provide the record immediately, sang along softly with the music.
*Fear the vast blue sky, yet yearn to soar
*Long to be a beacon, guiding you forth
*Can you hear the distant horn blowing all night
*Seeking the world's wonders, casting aside earthly woes
*Dream of treading through marvels, finding companionship on this mortal plane
*Let's together upend the world's order
*Nothing compares to my chaotic thoughts
*No matter where we make our home
*Nothing can stop our yearning for paradise
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!] [www.p@treon.com/INNIT]