It took a while before Sera took a deep breath and excitedly said, "This story is really amazing! It has comedic elements, touching moments, and most importantly, depth. As long as the filming goes well, it's bound to be a hit!"
Wayne smiled.
He knew this too.
The movie had such a low budget, the actors weren't big stars, and none of them had much box-office draw. The only reason it could achieve such good reviews and success was because the plot was exceptional.
Though Wayne had made a few minor changes, they were mainly to emphasize the protagonist Bartleby's virtuous and righteous qualities, because he was going to play the lead role himself.
He was too handsome to pull off the original "loser" vibe.
But despite the tweaks, the quality of the story and logic wouldn't be compromised.
"So now we need to consider when the script will be finished and the time required for pre-production."
"I'll try to finish the script in five days—no, three. I'll do my best to finish it in three!" Bill thought for a moment before replying seriously.
The story was just too good. Even though it was Wayne's idea and he was just filling in the details, Bill would still get credited as a co-writer, which would be a significant addition to his resume.
"The main events of the movie take place in high school, college, and Bartleby's home. You won't need hundreds of students for the scenes. If you've already lined up the main cast, pre-production could be completed within ten days, and the shooting schedule shouldn't take more than a month," Sera added.
"Let's get started as soon as possible. I've already selected a few of the main actors." Wayne pulled a list from his pocket and handed it to Sera.
"For the female lead, Bartleby's crush, I've chosen Natalie Portman."
Strictly speaking, Natalie Portman wasn't particularly stunning and wasn't quite at the "goddess" level. But there was no other choice—she was one of the most popular young actresses in Hollywood at the time, and her price was right.
After some careful consideration this morning, Wayne decided to go with her.
"For the second female lead, one of Bartleby's best friends, I've picked Jessica Alba."
Sera showed a slightly puzzled expression, clearly unfamiliar with Jessica Alba's name.
Though Alba had entered the industry at age 12 with the 1993 comedy *Camp Nowhere*, she only gained some recognition last year after starring in a low-budget horror film.
"She was one of the leads in *The Sleeping Dictionary* that came out in March this year."
Sera nodded. Now that she knew which movie Alba was in, finding her wouldn't be a problem. With so many similar names in Hollywood, it would be easy to mix people up otherwise.
"For the main villain, the dean of Harmon University, I've chosen Hugo Weaving."
Hugo Weaving, known for playing Agent Smith in *The Matrix*, had left a deep impression on global audiences with last year's release. And as a supporting villain, his fee wasn't too high, making him a very cost-effective choice.
"As for the three remaining best friends of Bartleby, I've chosen Johnny Galecki, who played a supporting role in *I Know What You Did Last Summer*, and Simon Helberg, the son of director Harriet Helberg. For the last one, I haven't settled on anyone yet. We'll figure that out during auditions."
Johnny Galecki and Simon Helberg might not ring many bells now, but if you mention Leonard and Howard from *The Big Bang Theory*, people would know who you're talking about.
Although *The Big Bang Theory* wouldn't premiere until 2008, these two had a natural comedic and nerdy vibe that couldn't be hidden, even with just a little styling.
If Sheldon wasn't still a nobody in the industry, Wayne would have loved to bring him into the group too.
With those three together, they might not summon a dragon, but they could definitely summon some box office revenue!
"What about the director?" Sera noticed there wasn't a name for the director on the list and asked.
"You can decide. As long as they're competent, the main thing is that they follow instructions."
"Got it. I understand."
Although directors in Hollywood often held significant sway during production, it was all relative.
Even big names like Spielberg or James Cameron had to listen to investors. Many times, they didn't even have final cut privileges. Lesser-known directors had even less power.
"Also, for Bartleby's sister and parents, try to pick familiar faces, the kind that look instantly recognizable," Wayne added, suddenly recalling a name.
"Kristen Stewart—the little girl from last year's *The Safety of Objects*. If possible, cast her as the sister."
"No problem, I'll contact her guardian right away. By the way, Wayne, you don't have an agent yet, do you?"
"No," Wayne shook his head.
He had just started college and had already dated the campus beauty, only to get dumped. Since then, he had been focused on his rise to stardom. Even after being in school for over a year, he hadn't even played a minor role yet, let alone hired an agent.
"You should really get one soon, or things might get complicated down the road. I also suggest you join the actors' union as soon as possible."
At 11:30 a.m., Mia drove Wayne to the Beverly Hills office of the William Morris Agency (WMA), one of the top five talent agencies.
After learning Wayne's requirements, Sera didn't introduce him to any partners or senior agents but instead suggested Mike Jones, an agent in his early thirties who looked rather ordinary.
In fact, Mike was quite ordinary.
Though he had about a dozen clients, most were rejects—actors no one else wanted. None of them had reached the fifth tier of the agency's internal ranking system, meaning none had a starring role with a salary over $500,000. Most were just background actors.
Actors and agents elevate each other, and because of this situation, Mike had little access to high-quality resources.
Despite this, he remained diligent, trying to maintain relationships with whatever small-time resources and contacts he had. His dedication had already left him with thinning hair, despite being just over thirty.
But for Wayne's current needs, this was perfect.
He didn't need an agent to find him roles, so he just wanted someone who could provide services without being overbearing or meddling in his work and life. As long as the agent was competent enough, that was good enough.
A big-name agent would only complicate things.
"Oh my God! I'm so excited, Wayne. You're even more handsome than Leonardo!"
Perhaps Sera had already briefed Mike, or maybe he saw an opportunity for promotion and a raise. Either way, Mike greeted Wayne with enthusiasm.
"Thanks for the compliment, Mike. I hope we can work well together," Wayne replied with a smile.
Then came the contract signing. In this respect, Hollywood was much better than other places.
Thanks to the actors' union, the highest commission rate for agents was capped at 10%, and new contracts could only last a year. After that, the maximum length was three years.
Wayne carefully reviewed the contract, signed it, and handed it back.
"I'm going to be starring in a film funded by Hemera Productions, so I'll need you to help me join the actors' union."
"No problem! I've got that covered!" Mike said confidently.
Mike couldn't help but be amazed.
A newcomer landing a lead role in an independent film with a budget between $5 million and $8 million? And this person had chosen him as an agent?
If Sera hadn't personally called him earlier, he wouldn't have believed it!
"This film has several speaking roles for supporting characters. If your other clients are interested, they can audition." Wayne threw him a small benefit, as planned.
"Of course! They'd be thrilled!" Mike said, overjoyed.
For his clients, getting a speaking role sometimes required personal favors. Now, they had the chance to land a role through a regular audition. Mike could already imagine how happy they'd be.
"Great, Sera will contact you when it's time."
"Care to join us for lunch?"
Wayne thought for a moment and didn't refuse. The three of them headed to a nearby restaurant for a pleasant lunch.
Meanwhile, Sera had already started calling the agents of the key actors, setting things in motion.
(End of Chapter)