Chapter 4 Breaking the head and not looking back
Words and images are two completely different carriers. Duke is very clear about this, and he was not hit by his mother's evaluation. After a short rest for a few days to adjust his mental state, he is like all newcomers who are eager to get ahead in Hollywood. , plunged headlong into this unfathomable circle.
He has his own advantages. As a native of Los Angeles, his family is also somewhat connected to Hollywood. He is very familiar with the studio and the Hollywood model, and he will not be like a fledgling Lengtouqing, like a headless flies.
Before dispatching, Duke made certain preparations and set the target he was looking for.
In Hollywood, if a screenwriter writes a script that he thinks is good, there are generally two paths.
One is to go to some influential producers or brokerage companies—such as CAA—to sell their ideas, like a director who writes and directs himself. If he can gain the appreciation of the other party, these relationships will be closely related to well-connected producers or agencies. The company will recommend the project to the production company, and after a rigorous review, it will pull in the necessary investment.
The second is to go directly to the relevant department of the production company to deliver the script, and then go through the screening and assessment of the film company layer by layer. This is the simplest and most direct method, and it is also a method with little hope.
Duke knew a few producers, but none of them knew him except George Lucas, who had a relationship with his mother.
So Duke wanted to try the second option first, and even if he failed, he would have nothing to lose.
With a few script drafts he ordered, Duke drove directly to Century City on the west side of Beverly Hills, one of the most famous large-scale commercial districts in Los Angeles, where many film, television and music companies are located. Here, Duke's target is the largest of them - Twentieth Century Fox, which occupies the entire Fox Building!
Carrying a handbag, Duke walked into the main entrance of the Fox Building, his eyes quickly swept across the wide hall, and walked towards the front desk unhurriedly.
Is there anything I can help you, sir?
The receptionist at Twentieth Century Fox showed good professionalism and showed Duke a warm smile.
I'm looking for Mr. Tim Fisher from the editorial department.
Someone who can be sent to an important face department by a big company is definitely not a fool, so Duke did not spare the circle and directly stated his intention, Excuse me, is he here?
Do you have an appointment? The lady at the front desk still smiled brightly.
No... Duke shook his head slowly, I really want to make an appointment, but I don't know his secretary's desk number.
Even if he knew, I'm afraid the other party would not make an appointment for him.
May I ask the purpose of your coming here?
Hearing the skilled questioning from the front desk lady, Duke gestured to her with his handbag, I am a screenwriter and director, and there is a script that I want Mr. Tim Fisher to read.
Seeing the slightly surprised expression on the other side, Duke said, Don't I look like that?
That's not what I meant. The lady at the front desk slightly apologized, It's just that you look too young.
With a sigh in his heart, Duke can only secretly say that it is true, his age and qualifications are indeed flawed.
Can you make a phone call for me? he asked again.
This……
Seeing that the other party was a little embarrassed, Duke immediately showed a sincere expression, just like all young people who yearn for opportunities.
I can get in touch with Mr. Fisher's secretary desk.
I have to say that Duke's sincere and handsome face played a lot of roles. The lady at the front desk quickly dialed a phone number, said a few words, and then hung up.
Sorry, this gentleman...
Duke, you can call me Duke.
Okay, Duke, Mr. Fisher doesn't have time right now. You can send the script directly to the editorial department on the seventh floor, and someone will handle it.
thanks!
This sentence Duke said was very sincere. After all, they were strangers, and the other party could not do more.
Taking the elevator to the seventh floor, Duke did some inquiries and found an office. This is the department that Twentieth Century Fox specializes in handling scripts. To put it simply, the number of scripts received every month is often Hundreds.
The speed of life and death?
A man in his thirties received Duke. He took the copy and handed over a form. Leave your name, phone number, address and email address. If there is any news, we will notify you as soon as possible.
thanks……
Picking up the carbon pen, Duke quickly filled out the form and handed it back to the other person. The man took it and glanced at it, clipped it into the script, and placed it on the file cabinet next to it.
Duke has been watching all of this, especially the thick stacks like hills on the filing cabinets, which are obviously scripts waiting to be reviewed, and some even have a lot of dust on them.
He didn't raise the director's question, and it was useless to say it to the staff at this level, and from the situation on the scene, 20th Century Fox's call to activate the script... Well, he didn't have to hold out too much hope.
In less than ten minutes, this kind of reception that the film company has to repeat every month will come to an end. Although he is unwilling, even though he wants to see a big man with more say in Fox, Duke knows that. , with his own way, this is almost impossible.
Back in the lobby on the first floor, Duke waved to the receptionist just now, but did not leave, but walked to the rest area on the side of the lobby, found a position where he could basically see the entrance and exit of the elevator, sat down and began to be patient. waiting.
Success has never been easy, let alone a nobody like him, who used to wait for an opportunity, and he has enough patience.
Waiting until it was close to noon, Duke's concerned eyes keenly caught the three figures who had just walked out, walking on the side closest to him, almost completely blocking the people behind him, and the people who had appeared in the newspapers. Tim Fisher is very similar, it should be himself.
Taking out the script from his handbag, Duke walked over without hesitation, but instead of running to the other side immediately, he followed out of the Fox Building.
Duke?
Just as he walked out, a very familiar voice came from the front, Why are you here?
Hearing this voice, Duke, whose eyes were always on Tim Fisher, turned his head slightly, only to find that the one of the three who was furthest away from him was his agent Lovett.
Ah... no, it should be the former agent, the contract between the two parties expired as early as May.
With a slight nod to the other side, Duke turned to the front of Tim Fisher.
I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr. Fisher, he said very quickly and politely. I have a script here, please take a look.
Perhaps often encountering this situation, Tim Fisher was not surprised. He reached out his hand to stop the security guard who wanted to come over, took the script handed by Duke, and turned his head to look to the other side, Lovett, this is a CAA subsidiary. people?
Mr Fisher, Mr Bob.
Lovett, the outermost, said respectfully to Tim Fisher and Martin Bob in the middle, He used to be my signing actor, and the company did not renew his contract after the contract expired in May.
His meaning is very obvious, CAA is not optimistic about Duke, and voluntarily gave up on him.
Actor? No contract renewal?
Tim Fisher frowned, and let go of the hand that was about to turn the script, Duke, right? I've accepted the script, and if there are any questions, I'll have someone contact you.
After he finished speaking, he waved his hand here, stopping what Duke wanted to say.
Duke is not an idiot either. He knew that if he was entangled, the security guard behind him would definitely come over. He politely said 'thank you', turned around and left slowly.
Is this the kid from the Rosenbergs?
A middle-aged man's voice sounded from the rear. Duke knew that this was Martin Bob, the earliest big five in CAA and now the top Hollywood figure. To, I thought he had some potential, but in CAA's evaluation of its artists this year, his ability evaluation was D, his potential was E, and he was a person who was abandoned by CAA.
Even if he doesn't look back, Duke can guess Tim Fisher's expression. Does anyone who has been abandoned by CAA, who is in full swing, still have a future in Hollywood?
Resisting the urge to turn back, Duke turned his head slightly and glanced at the Fox Building when he was walking around the corner, just as Tim Fisher handed over the script after he sent the two CAA agents away. One of the staff members turned around and entered the Fox Building without looking back.
Actually, this is not surprising, is it?
After starting his second-hand Ford, Duke turned the steering wheel and slowly drove out of the parking lot. Big people need face, and they also need to show that they value talent in public. After Lovett's words, Tim Fisher said It's just a beautiful scene, after all, he didn't even have the idea to ask his name and contact information.
Maybe the other party doesn't have the power to directly decide the movie project, but it is not difficult to reject a script.
Outside the confines of Beverly Hills, Duke found a random place to settle his lunch and set out on the journey again. Failure didn't hurt him, it only made him more tenacious.
This time, his destination was Burbank. The car drove into the city, and without much effort, he found the iconic Warner Building, inquired at the front desk, and took the elevator to the office floor belonging to Warner Bros.
Probably because of God's blessing, when Duke went to deliver the script, he actually met Jeff Robinoff, who was in charge of the film business of Warner Brothers. For Jewish love, Duke was given five minutes.
...a bus that had been bombed by the criminals sped through the city and exploded once the speed dropped below 50 miles per hour, with many innocent passengers, a temporary replacement female driver, and a man chosen by the criminals to join the game. police……
Five minutes is neither too short nor too long. Duke only briefly explained the main idea of the script and his desire to become a director.
The slightly bald middle-aged Jew raised his eyes, leaned back on the office chair, looked at Duke standing beside him, and asked, If I understand correctly, young Mr. Rosenberg, you ...want to direct your own script?
Yes. Duke nodded seriously.
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