Chapter 27

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“Mr. Stanton...”

In a Burbank coffee shop, a man in his thirties looked at Murphy. “Three thousand dollars a week is my latest offer, and that’s the best I can do.”

He turned to the woman slowly sipping coffee next to Murphy. “If you weren’t introduced by Cara, I wouldn’t even consider your project.”

His words were confident.

Murphy frowned. “Mr. Kleibert, given your experience, this price is not unreasonable.”

Kleibert had been in the industry for over a decade, participating in the production of several films, some with budgets exceeding ten million dollars. Although he was a relatively unremarkable prop master, he was a seasoned professional compared to Murphy, a newcomer.

“But my total budget for the film is only three hundred thousand dollars.” Murphy tried to persuade him. “If your price is too high, it will reduce the budget for other aspects of the film, and my project...”

Strictly speaking, Kleibert’s asking price wasn’t too high for someone of his caliber. In Hollywood, second- and third-tier prop masters typically earned around five thousand dollars a week. However, three thousand dollars was a significant amount for Murphy.

Murphy had already made a plan. Optimistically, the film would take at least two and a half months from pre-production to completion. As a prop master, Kleibert would need to start working early. Even if he worked for ten weeks, his salary alone would amount to thirty thousand dollars, which was one-tenth of the total budget. This was something Murphy could not accept.

Kleibert insisted on the three thousand dollars, and Murphy glanced at Cara Fice. She quietly sipped her coffee, saying nothing, clearly not wanting to interfere with the negotiation.

This was not surprising. In North America, business and personal relationships were usually kept separate.

Murphy had skills in many behind-the-scenes roles in filmmaking, but he knew little about props. The film would use a lot of fake blood and related props, and a skilled prop master could solve many problems and ensure the project ran smoothly.

Like Kleibert, a skilled prop master would naturally command a higher price.

Moreover, Kleibert had already lowered his salary demands out of respect for Cara Fice’s introduction. Three thousand dollars was actually quite reasonable for someone of his level.

Murphy had no connections, no network, and no experience. If it were a Spielberg project, Kleibert might have joined for free.

This was just an initial meeting. Murphy quickly got up and left the coffee shop with Cara Fice.

Outside the coffee shop, under the streetlights, they walked along the one-way street toward the parking lot. Cara Fice, wearing high heels, walked slowly, probably tired from a long day. Murphy, carrying a briefcase in his left hand, followed her at a steady pace.

“How’s the preparation going?” Cara Fice gathered her golden hair, which had been blown by the night wind, and turned to look at Murphy. “You seem to be facing a lot of difficulties.”

Murphy pointed to his face. “Is it that obvious?”

Cara Fice shrugged and quickened her pace. “You’re in a successful news career, yet you insist on transitioning to one of the most challenging industries...”

She tapped Murphy’s head. “I really wonder if there’s something wrong with you.”

“Cara, you’re missing one thing.” Murphy looked up at the dark sky, reminiscent of the future of his previous career. “I’m already on the LAPD’s blacklist. If I continue shooting social news, won’t they cause me trouble?”

Cara Fice’s eyes flashed, but she didn’t argue.

“Also, if I continue, do you think I can achieve much?” Murphy turned his gaze to the side. “Do you think I can own a TV station?”

Cara Fice was silent.

“You know, that’s harder than winning the lottery.” Murphy shook his head. “At best, I could become the owner of a small video production company.”

“But will you succeed in the film industry?” Cara Fice finally found a point to counter. “Your news videos are indeed unique, but that’s different from making movies! You haven’t had any professional training, so how can you just barge into Hollywood? That’s just foolish.”

After the Bill Road incident, she had fully recognized Murphy’s abilities, especially the police chase video that led to her promotion, making her see him as a role model.

However, a person she thought was naturally suited for journalism had betrayed the industry.

Murphy suddenly stopped, and Cara Fice instinctively stopped as well, turning to look at him.

“Dear...” Murphy looked at her, half-serious, half-joking. “Are you concerned about me?”

Cara Fice turned away and walked forward, leaving a remark behind. “I’m looking forward to your bankruptcy.”

Carrying the briefcase, Murphy followed her at a steady pace. “If I continue shooting news, I might become the owner of a small video production company, but my potential in the film industry is limitless.”

Cara Fice, walking ahead, said nothing, treating Murphy’s words as mere boasting.

“I’ve studied a lot of courses related to filmmaking.”

His past experiences were not convincing, and the special parts he couldn’t share with others. He could only use self-study as an excuse. “I believe I can achieve something in this industry.”

Cara Fice stopped and turned to look at him, her bright eyes under her golden hair filled with questions.

Murphy understood her meaning and felt no shame. “Who knows, I might be the next Steven Spielberg...”

Her bright blue eyes showed a hint of ridicule, and Murphy shrugged. “At least I have a chance to be the next Ridley Scott or Quentin Tarantino. At the very least, I could be the next Robert Rodriguez.”

Murphy quickened his pace to catch up with Cara Fice, put away his playful expression, and said seriously, “My project still needs a producer to oversee the big picture.”

Cara Fice had recently served as the producer of a documentary for "Sin City" and understood Murphy’s meaning. “Can you afford my salary?”

“Um...” Murphy tapped his forehead and decided not to bring up the topic again.

With Stanton Studio’s current capabilities, they definitely couldn’t afford Cara Fice’s high salary.

Just as Cara Fice recognized Murphy’s work abilities, Murphy also highly regarded Cara Fice’s work abilities. Like himself, she could use various means to achieve her goals, and these means were effective.

At the parking lot, Cara Fice approached her car, glanced at Murphy’s used Ford, and waved. “It’s getting late, I’m heading back.”

Murphy nodded and reminded her, “Drive carefully.”

Cara Fice got into the driver’s seat, started the car, and then lowered the window. “If you need any help...”

She made a gesture as if calling someone.

“I will.” Murphy waved back.

After working at the TV station for a few years, Cara Fice had some connections, but Channel 6 was a small local station with little connection to the film and television industry. Apart from the prop master she introduced, she could offer Murphy limited help.

Leaving the parking lot and driving back to downtown Los Angeles, despite the late hour, Murphy didn’t sleep. He sat at his desk, continuing to refine the script, especially the plot development after the opening.

This was a story about two people, and to create more conflicts and highlights in a simple character relationship, the script needed constant refinement.

Over the next ten days, Murphy worked on refining the script and drawing storyboards, while also collaborating with Jessica Chastain, the only employee of Stanton Studio, to prepare more.

Interviewing candidates for positions such as makeup artist, lighting technician, set designer, and prop master, finding and renting suitable and affordable equipment, and scouting locations for low-cost rentals...

All these tedious tasks kept him busy, reducing his sleep to just five hours a day.

Fortunately, the previous owner had spent years wandering the streets of Los Angeles, and his body had been well-exercised. The current Murphy was very strong and full of energy. Combined with the excitement of his first real foray into the film industry, he was brimming with enthusiasm.

However, Murphy gave up on the prop master introduced by Cara Fice. A weekly salary of three thousand dollars was simply beyond his means.

After half a month of busy work, interviewing dozens of candidates, Murphy selected a team of behind-the-scenes staff from a group of Hollywood failures, including a makeup artist, lighting technician, set designer, and prop master.

Especially the male makeup artist, who was exceptionally talented, making Murphy curious about why he had remained so down on his luck in Hollywood for so long.

After a brief inquiry, Murphy understood the issues. There were two main reasons: first, Hollywood was never short of talent, and this was true for all professions; second, the makeup artist himself said it was because he wasn’t gay and didn’t want to engage in same-sex relationships...

These words made Murphy think of many rumors he had heard before. Certain unwritten rules not only prevailed in the large industry of Hollywood but also in smaller circles of specific professions.

For example, in the film industry, especially among male makeup artists, not being gay often meant taking many detours.

Hollywood was known for its prevalence of homosexuality and bisexuality, and often, it wasn’t a matter of personal choice but rather the result of the environment.

Fortunately, there were no such unwritten rules in the director’s profession, and Murphy could only hope for the best.

Putting aside these chaotic thoughts, Murphy turned his focus to the next step: officially establishing the production team and confirming the two lead actors.

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