Jonathan Friedman walked heavily back to his office.
Pushing open the door, Simon stood up and turned to himself, nodded at the other party with a vigorous spirit, turned back to his desk and sat down, and then looked at the boy opposite.
Simon noticed the strong depression in the agent's body and the guilt in his eyes, and gave up his original intention to question the other party. His tone was still concerned: "Joe, what happened?"
Jonathan moved his lips and felt Simon's bright eyes. He hesitated before saying: "Simon, this is the case. Matthew doesn't want to cooperate with you, so Mr. Broca hopes that you can completely withdraw from the " The Butterfly Effect" project."
When Simon heard the words, his expression did not change much, and he asked calmly: "So, Joe, what do you mean?"
Jonathan dodges Simon's gaze slightly, and said in a slow tone: "Simon, this time, I hope you can agree to it. However, I promise you that I will compensate you as much as possible if I have the opportunity in the future. By the way, Don't you plan to make an experimental movie? If you need anything, you can tell me next. If the money is not enough, I can lend you some personally."
Hearing these words from the agent, Simon's tight body gradually relaxed. He put the script that he had just held on the desk in front of him, looked at the agent seriously, and said, "Joe, you should I know how bad this contract is. So, can you tell me what happened?"
Jonathan looked at the contract that Simon had pushed some toward him, but after all he didn't reach for it.
After a moment of silence, Jonathan said: "Simon, did I tell you before? I hope to make this movie a package project."
Simon nodded, but did not speak.
Jonathan paused briefly, took a look at Simon, and then said: "From the contacts during this time, I think you are clear about many things in Hollywood now. C+ has threatened our company through the operation strategy of project packaging. Position in Hollywood. Some time ago, there were many top stars of WMA who switched to C+. Therefore, in order to avoid being so passive, WMA also intends to follow the C+ business model. Your "Butterfly Effect" happened to be ours. The first packaged project."
Simon quickly weaves everything he has just experienced and many clues from these days in his mind, and then smiles bitterly: "It's very unsuccessful, right?"
Although he didn't want to admit it, Jonathan nodded and said: "The C+ packaging strategy not only leads to higher and higher budget costs for the studio, but also deprives a large part of the power that originally belonged to the film and television production company. The current scale of WMA is still the same. It is several times larger than C+. If the packaging operation model is also implemented, the studio's right to speak in front of the agency will be lower and lower. Therefore, several major film companies want to stir up the project together.
Simon looked at the covenant with Fox that was still in front of him, but did not ask what was going on.
Although several major Hollywood studios often agree on certain things because of some common interests, in the final analysis, they are still competitors. What's more, thinking about the content of this contract, Simon doesn't feel that Fox has acted generously in agreeing to take over the packaging project of WMA.
His thoughts moved quickly, thinking of Norman Broca who had just appeared, Simon raised his head, looked at the agent on the opposite side again, and tentatively said with some certainty: "Joe, I suddenly felt that Mr. Broca shouldn't Hope this project is too successful?"
Given that WMA is still far superior to C+, if this company is determined to force this project, the major Hollywood studios will definitely be the compromise party in the end.
After all, C+ has successfully promoted the packaging model. Even though major studios are very reluctant, under the forced pressure of WMA, it is not that difficult to accept it.
However, judging from the content of the stingy contract just now, WMA is obviously the party that made the compromise, and it still compromised at the expense of the interests of its customers.
Jonathan was stunned when he heard Simon's words. He didn't expect Simon's instinct to be so sharp.
However, after a while, Jonathan showed a bitter smile on his face and finally nodded slightly. Of course, he didn't explain anything to Simon. The power struggle within the company was seen through by a young man who had just turned 18. After all, it was not a glorious thing.
Seeing that Jonathan had acquiesced to this incident, Simon thought of the depression that has been permeating the agent since the meeting today. After thinking for a while, he said: "Joe, since no one wants to see this project succeed, then, do you think Is it necessary to continue? Judging from the contract in front of me, Bryan's salary should also be very demanding."
"Simon, you don't understand," Jonathan shook his head. He had unknowingly no longer regarded Simon as a boy who had just turned eighteen. He explained patiently: "I just said that "Butterfly Effect" happened to be a success. Many people in Hollywood are watching WMA's first packaged project. Therefore, if the first attempt fails, it will become more difficult for WMA to promote this operation strategy again. So, even if it doesn't Counted as successful, Norman and the others will not allow this project to fail completely. Otherwise..."
Jonathan said this, but did not continue. After a pause, looking at the energetic young man on the opposite side, he suddenly turned his face, with a bit of vicissitudes in his tone, and said: "Simon, do you know? I joined WMA at 19 years old and I am 46 years old. 27 years old. To get to where it is now. This process is not easy."
In fact, what Jonathan hasn't said is that although he has been promoted to vice president, he has not yet received any powers in charge. The WMA board of directors has been discussing this matter all this time.
He gave birth to the idea of making "Butterfly Effect" a packaged project, also in order to add some bargaining chips to himself in the process of power allocation.
However, what he didn't expect was that the project now put him in a dilemma.
It is completely impossible to do well.
But if it messes up, even if the vice president position he just won is not removed, he will probably be left alone next, leaving only an empty title. Even, he is not sure that the old men in the company who are very good at power struggle will directly kick him out of WMA.
Therefore, from yesterday afternoon to now, Jonathan has actually had the urge to abandon the project completely more than once. But after all, he endured it, and even had to deliberately accommodate the requirements of his boss Norman Broca.
Simon felt the desire for understanding in Jonathan's eyes, nodded very sincerely, and said, "Joe, I actually understand."
Simon can really understand Jonathan's difficulty.
As the oldest brokerage company in Hollywood, WMA has been operating for nearly a century. The internal system has long been very rigid, and the change of power is completely based on seniority and is very slow.
The three WMA helms who died in the first half of the year are actually 70 or 80 years old. These people are like the ancient emperors, until they die of old age, they are willing to completely let go of their power.
In such an enterprise, even if there is no lack of personal strength and network support, it is extremely difficult for a person to reach a high position.
It is precisely because of this that talents such as Michael Ovitz, who could not see the upward channel at all, will choose to leave WMA and stand on their own.
However, not everyone has the courage of Michael Ovitz and others.
What's more, if you are not lucky enough to create a more advanced packaging operation model, the former C+ may disappear in obscurity, like many other brokerage companies that have tried to challenge the authority of WMA over the past century.
Simon in his previous life also stepped into the position of director from the bottom.
Therefore, he can deeply understand the weakness and helplessness of individual individuals in a highly competitive company or industry, facing the constraints of rules.
Onlookers are always wondering why the people in the game don't resist injustice, and why they will seek perfection. Even if you can't do this, why not just jump out of this circle?
They are naive and don't know how a person will fall into a dead end without challenging the rules.
Feeling Simon's understanding eyes, Jonathan's frustrated mood dissipated a little.
However, looking at the contract on the table, Jonathan sighed again in his heart, but still had to continue: "So, Simon, about this contract?"
Simon weighed in for a moment and did not answer Jonathan's question head-on. Instead, he looked at the agent and asked in a serious tone: "Joe, if other factors are not considered, do you still hope this project will continue?"
Jonathan flashed his eyes, realized something, hesitated a little, and finally said: "No, in fact, I would rather never have the idea of making this script a packaged project."
"Then, this matter is actually solved very well," Simon relaxedly leaned back in the chair behind him, shook his head, and said firmly, "So, I disagree."
Jonathan immediately understood Simon's intentions.
After all, the script of "Butterfly Effect" belongs to Simon. If the boy does not accept the contract in front of him, the whole project cannot continue anyway.
Moreover, Simon rejected the contract with great fanfare, causing the project to abort. So, as long as he responds properly, although some twists and turns are inevitable after all, he can to a large extent push the responsibility of the project failure on Simon.
Jonathan even conceived some rhetoric in an instant.
What can I do for someone who is stunned by oil and salt?
However, Simon did this, and he was doomed to face great pressure next. After all, Hollywood's largest talent agency company wants to pack up a fledgling little screenwriter.
However, for this talented young man, Jonathan instinctively did not want him to fall into this situation.
Thinking about this, Jonathan got up from the leather chair and looked at the boy in front of him, eagerly persuading: "Simon, you better not do this. Really, even for your own consideration."
Simon shook his head firmly again, stood up, and said, "Joe, I know that it is not easy for you to go now, but I also have my own persistence. You must know that one cannot do without his own persistence. So, that's the only thing I can help you. Tell those people that I don't agree. Then, the matter is over."
Simon finished speaking, nodded to Jonathan again, turned around and walked towards the office door.
Opening the door, Simon stopped again, turned to look at the agent who was still standing there again, and said: "Also, Joe, if possible, I hope I will terminate the agency contract with you in the next few days. I miss you Surely you won't care about the liquidated damages? Of course, if it doesn't work, I will think of other ways."
Watching Simon leave, Jonathan stood silently for a long time, repeating what Simon had just said in his mind.
One cannot live without his own persistence.
these years.
For so many years.
How much persistence is left for the young man who was also full of longing for the future.
Is it worth persisting?
Sitting down again, Jonathan supported the table with both hands, feeling a long-lost tremor in his limbs, mixed with fear of the future, and fearlessness. These emotions are like scorching flames, dispelling all the frustration and depression he has accumulated from yesterday afternoon to the present.
Finally, let out a deep breath, Jonathan Friedman picked up the microphone, pressed the landline in Norman Broca's office, dialed in and said directly: "Norman, I thought about it, "Butterfly Effect" "This project ends here, I can't treat my clients that way."
After that, Jonathan hung up without waiting for Norman Broca to respond.
No longer paying attention to the landline bell that had re-ringed in a blink of an eye, Jonathan opened the safe at his feet, organized the address book, memos and other documents that were important to an agent and stuffed it into his briefcase. Leaving the WMA headquarters.
Jonathan made this move without intending to leave WMA directly.
In any case, as long as he can stay, he will still choose to stay. After all, this company has a variety of relationships and contacts that have been in business for more than two decades.
However, now that he has made the call just now, Jonathan is also prepared for the worst.
Although the board of directors needed to make a decision on his job removal, Jonathan did not dare to risk that Norman Broca would not force his face.
However, as long as these things in the briefcase are taken out of the company and a complete backup is made, even if he has to face the worst situation of being kicked out of the company, he can pull many people to quit together.
With the customer resources accumulated over the years, neither C+ nor ICM will reject themselves, even if it is a separate brokerage company that is completely its own.