Michael boarded the plane with Tony Koch, found their seats in business class, and prepared to head to Park City, Utah, the location of the Sundance Film Festival.
"I came to Hollywood to experience the charm of female stars," Tony Koch complained while fastening his seatbelt. "But I haven't even left the airport, and you're dragging me to a film festival."
Ignoring Tony's complaints, Michael replied, "Film festivals are an important part of Hollywood."
Tony's eyes darted around as he asked, "Are there many beautiful actresses at the festival?"
"There might be beautiful women," Michael said honestly, "but seeing big-name actresses at Sundance is rare."
At this time, Sundance was purely an independent film haven, not yet overrun by Hollywood films, which would happen in the coming years, making it more of a promotional and transaction venue for Hollywood.
Tony grumbled, "Beautiful women and beautiful actresses are two different species!"
Michael asked deliberately, "Is there a difference?"
Tony retorted, "Would your psychological feelings be the same with a big star as with an ordinary woman?"
Michael was momentarily speechless; the answer was obvious.
A star's aura, status, and fame had a significant psychological impact.
Thinking back to Hollywood's infamous scandals, why did so many people watch them? The appearance and figure of those involved weren't necessarily superior to top stars, but the star halo had a substantial effect.
"Do you know my main goal this time?" Tony asked again.
Michael shrugged. "Isn't it to understand our future collaboration better?"
"That's part of it," Tony said. "I also want to meet a few actresses, preferably…"
He laughed and then asked, "Honestly, Michael, how many actresses have you been with?"
Michael remained silent, unsure how to answer.
Tony, curious, pressed on, "Ten? Five? Three? One?" His face was full of disbelief. "None? You're wasting resources! Wasting resources is a crime, Michael!"
Michael, unconcerned, replied casually, "Not yet. When your status is high enough, these things won't be an issue."
He shifted the topic. "Speaking of business, have you started a new financing round?"
"Not yet," Tony said seriously, dropping his joking demeanour. "We need a film project to attract investors. Besides, my mother's connections used up the last $40 million; we need new investment sources. Right now, we can only do some preparatory work."
Michael nodded. "Good, when I start a new project, you'll be ready."
Tony adjusted his seatbelt and asked, "How much investment will your next project need?"
After a moment's thought, Michael said, "I haven't decided yet, but at least fifty or sixty million dollars."
"I need to speed up the financing process then," Tony said, a bit troubled. "That's not a small amount."
Michael patted his chair and said, "Let me give you some motivation. If the financing source isn't from Aunt Helen's friends and business partners, you can increase the handling fee. I mentioned before that many companies' fees are as high as fifteen percent."
Tony's eyes lit up with stars. "Let me calculate; fifteen percent is…"
A person in the adjacent seat turned and greeted Michael, "Hello, Michael."
Recognizing the familiar voice, Michael turned and smiled, "What a coincidence, Gray."
The speaker was Gray Enrique from Lionsgate.
"Are you also heading to Sundance?" Gray asked.
Michael nodded. "We're headed to the same destination."
Gray looked at Michael and said, "I heard you acquired a distribution company?"
"Embassy Films, a small distribution company," Michael did not deny it, as Lionsgate had bought Embassy Films' film library. "Its distribution capacity is quite average, not comparable to Lionsgate."
Gray Enrique reiterated, "It's more prudent to let Lionsgate distribute 'The Purge.' With such a large investment, you can't afford any distribution issues."
Michael deferred, "Let's talk after the film is completed. I have to be responsible to the distribution company as well."
Gray Enrique frowned, sensing Michael's reluctance to let Lionsgate distribute "The Purge."
What a double-dealing merchant!
Michael dismissed Gray Enrique and continued chatting with Tony. After the plane took off, he pulled out a book, still about the entertainment industry.
It's said that many profitable avenues are written in the law, so he needed to familiarize himself with industry regulations and related rules to find profit opportunities.
Michael and Tony arrived in Park City smoothly. At the end of January, it was quite cold, and snow was still visible on the mountains outside the city.
Although the festival had yet to start officially, the cold weather did not dampen the enthusiasm for films.
Films were being screened everywhere, from small to large theatres in Park City. People were even promoting their movies in city squares and designated streets.
Many of these people had no real connection to Hollywood. Some were purely enthusiasts who made films for fun and came to Park City to try their luck.
From short films costing hundreds or thousands of dollars to feature films costing tens of thousands, they could be seen everywhere.
At night, small screens were set up along streets and squares, where filmmakers repeatedly showed their movies, hoping to sell them.
Some didn't expect to make much money but hoped more people would see their works.
After all, movies were made to be seen.
However, most people came with dreams of overnight fame.
Regardless of their intentions, their passion for film was undeniable.
It was indeed cold here for someone accustomed to Southern California's climate. Michael donned a newly purchased down jacket, a knitted hat, and even gloves to keep warm.
The cold night did not diminish his passion for film.
As Michael and Tony descended the stairs, they again encountered Gray Enrique in the hotel lobby.
Since we were staying at the same hotel and had similar purposes at Sundance, it wasn't surprising that we ran into each other.
"Found any targets, Gray?" Michael asked.
Gray Enrique had spent the afternoon browsing the square.
Having acquired a distribution company, Gray Enrique wouldn't reveal his targets quickly, so he shook his head and said, "No."
A middle-aged man nearby curiously asked, "And who is this?"
Michael smiled and introduced himself, "Michael Davenport, a buyer for Seashore Entertainment."
The middle-aged man shook hands with Michael and introduced himself, "Billy Horford, from Artisan Entertainment."
Michael knew the company, which was more widely known in his previous life as Artisan Entertainment.
They left the hotel together. Michael's goal was the square and roadside, searching for valuable films like hunting for treasures among countless low-value goods.
It wasn't easy, but Michael's selection process was more straightforward.
If he recognized any film shot for tens or hundreds of thousands, it was likely valuable.
Michael and Tony visited one film booth after another, watching each roadside screening for a while and then reminiscing.
From six in the evening until after nine, they found nothing.