Two hours later...
Dring... dring...
"Hello, Ms. Mo. What's up?" a man answered the call.
"Sir, Dylan, a new permanent job just came in," Ms. Mo informed him over the phone.
"A permanent job? What's the name of the studio?" Hearing about a permanent position, Dylan's ears perked up, and he quickly asked for more details.
"Umm... This is a newly opened studio, KS Entertainment Studio, and it's owned by an E-Rated Director," she replied with some hesitation.
Dylan felt a twinge of disappointment. "Oh... an E-Rated Director... Thank you, Ms. Mo. I'll discuss it with my crew and let you know," he said, ending the call.
He looked around at the people seated near him.
"A new studio opened by an E-Rated director?" one of them asked.
"Yes,Hans " Dylan confirmed.
"So, Brother Dylan Should we, with our D-Rating, even consider working in a permanent job for an E-Rated Director?" another man questioned.
"You all decide. There aren't any other permanent jobs right now. I'll give my decision after hearing from everyone," Dylan said.
"Brother Hans, what do you think about this job?" the man sitting next to Hans asked.
"We haven't had any decent job in the past three years—just short 15-day gigs in advertising. Higher-profit jobs are going to C-rated crews, and they're taking work from D-rated crews like ours. I think we should at least meet with the owner of KS Entertainment," Hans suggested seriously, looking at everyone.
Their crew has 30 members, with Dylan as their leader and Hans. They are like family, supporting each other.
Fifteen minutes later ...
"Brother Dylan, we all agree with Brother Hans," everyone voiced their decision together.
"Alright, I'll read over KS Entertainment's details. The studio owner is Max Kingston, an E-rated director certified five years ago. There's a five-year gap due to health issues. And the studio's address is 10-60-333/C, 5th Road, Doxy Area, LA." Dylan explained, reading from the Workers Guild's post.
"Alright, let's try our luck at this studio," Dylan thought. They've been trying to make a name in this field for 10 years, but success has always eluded them. Maybe this new studio would finally bring them recognition.
"I'll send an email to KS Studio right away. Hans, inform the others that we need to go there tomorrow," Dylan ordered, tapping on the KS Studio post on his phone.
"Got it, Brother Dylan," Hans replied, taking out his phone.
---
@Moxar crew: "Who would be crazy enough to work with an E-rate director? Trying to start a studio without improving his rating first? Hah! Should've spent a few years as an assistant director under someone with a higher rating before opening a studio. #MaxKingston #ERatedirector"
@Knight crew: "These E-rate directors these days think too highly of themselves. Should've checked the state of E-rate movies before opening a studio. Stop wasting your parents' money and improve from E to C first! #improvefirstrateEtoC"
@Actor Yu - C: "I wouldn't ever appear in an E-rate director's movie, no matter the offer. Working in those films just ruins our public image."
@Director XTon: "I have an assistant director position open. I could give you that spot if you're interested. Just tap this number T1064@, and it'll link you directly to me. #learnfirstttrynext"
@Risingstar X: "Guys, don't apply for the job. I just watched a movie by an E-rate director yesterday, and the public rated it in the negatives. People were really disappointed, and they criticized not just the director but everyone involved. #dontapply"
---
There were so many negative comments under the post, each one feeling like a direct insult. Dylan hesitated, reading them, as if standing face-to-face with his critics. But deep inside, his gut told him that this studio held the key to his bright future. Ignoring his doubts, he went ahead and applied for the job.
"Yes, Mom, I've had dinner... What? Oh, tonight... No, actually, I think I'll just stay here at the studio. You go ahead and eat. Alright, goodnight." Max was talking to Helen over the phone, deciding to stay at the studio overnight to finish up his workload.
Ding...
"Ohh... Someone applied by evening!" Max muttered, a bit surprised as he checked his emails. But as he read through the job post and saw the comments on the Workers Guild site, he was left both shocked and frustrated.
"What the...!" Max said, fuming as he noted the harsh comments. "I'll remember these forty people. I'll make sure I respond to each one of them in the future," he said, jotting down the names of the forty most negative commenters.
After replying to the recent email, Max turned to Dolly and asked, "If I complete this mission by tomorrow, will I get any extra rewards, like a new skill?" The mission deadline was five days, but Max hoped that finishing early might grant him an additional bonus.
"The mission clearly states that the reward is 100 FP and nothing else," Dolly replied, glancing at Max from the computer monitor.
"Ohh... " Max disappointed. "What's the point in finishing early then?" he mumbled under his breath.
---
In the center of LA stood a massive, towering structure—the only building of its kind, dwarfing even Earth's Burj Khalifa with its height, reaching nearly 400 floors and illuminating the whole city with its lights.
"Tch... tch... We need to enforce a new rule for these E-rated directors," said a man in an expensive suit, glasses perched on his nose, with white hair and a strikingly handsome face. His voice held a hint of irritation as he gazed at the screen before him.
"Yes, I agree. E-rated directors shouldn't be allowed to make movies anymore," added another man in a similar suit and glasses, his voice carrying a slight tone of annoyance.
"I stand with Mr. 9 King and Mr. 10 King on this. This year alone, E-rated directors have disappointed audiences, with most of their movies receiving negative ratings," another person in the same attire chimed in.
"So, what kind of rule are you thinking, Mr. 9 King?" asked a man seated across from Mr. 9 King.
"First, all E-rated directors should be required to work as assistant directors under D, C, or B-rated directors for at least two years. Second, their certificates must carry a signature from these senior directors upon completion of the course. How about that, Mr. 5 King?" Mr. 9 King proposed confidently, as if the world was under his control.
"Hmm... It's a bit harsh, but I like it," Mr. 5 King replied, nodding in approval.
"I think our first step is to issue a notice to all E-rated directors certified this year, recommending them to work as assistant directors," said another suited individual, wearing a tag labeled "2."
"I agree with Mr. 2 King's suggestion," Mr. 1 King added.
These were the elite 10 Trillionaires, known as the Kings of Hollywood, who sat on the 400th floor of the towering TITAN TOWER, establishing rules for E-rated directors. This towering structure, aptly named, was the brain of the entertainment industry.
And a haven for industry professionals, as all film ratings are recorded here. Any movie that makes it to the Top 100 list receives an award and provided with advanced technology facilities for filmmaking. This tower serves as the office for the 10 Trillionaires, known as the Kings of Hollywood. They control all information within the industry, from S-rated to E-rated members, and store details of every entertainment guild. This is why it's called the brain of the entertainment industry.