Chapter 75

Request for recommendation votes!

This year is 2001. If the new film can enter the theaters like "Hard Candy," wouldn't it be suicidal to release it in September? Without mentioning other factors, the psychological resilience of the entire country would certainly be at its lowest point at that time. How many people would still be willing to watch such a bloody and cruel film?

If possible, Murphy wants to complete the project as soon as possible, find a suitable distributor, and strive to have it enter the theaters before August.

Lunchtime came quickly. After finishing lunch at the studio and giving a few instructions to Paul Wilson, Murphy left, got into his Ford car, and went to meet the person he had previously arranged to meet.

The meeting place was a café in Century City. Both parties had agreed to meet at 2 PM. Murphy arrived a bit early and waited for about half an hour before Nick Kleibert, whom he had met once before, arrived.

"Hello, Nick." Murphy's tone was quite familiar, showing no signs that this was only their second meeting. "We meet again."

Sitting opposite him was a middle-aged man in his thirties, the prop master introduced by Cara Fice. They didn't reach an agreement last time due to salary issues.

"Hello, Director Stanton." He nodded at Murphy.

"I am preparing a new project," they had already discussed this over the phone, so Murphy didn't beat around the bush. "I need an experienced prop master."

The prop master and makeup artist are crucial for a new project. He would continue to use Jack Watson as the makeup artist, but he still needed to find a suitable prop master.

Nick Kleibert is currently Murphy's top choice. He has been in the industry for over a decade and has participated in the production of many films, including several second-tier productions with investments exceeding ten million dollars, making him highly experienced.

"Director Stanton, I have seen the work plan you sent to my email." Nick Kleibert placed his hand on the coffee cup, frowning. "It might conflict with my schedule. I have a major project with DreamWorks starting in July."

Hearing him subtly use DreamWorks to boost his value, Murphy smiled and said, "The two jobs don't conflict. It's only March now, and my project can be completed by late May at the latest. You would only need to stay in the production for five weeks..."

After Cara Fice recommended him, Murphy had reviewed the projects Nick Kleibert had worked on. He is indeed a very capable person. To win over someone like him, flowery words wouldn't do; the most practical approach would be better.

Murphy spoke calmly, "I guarantee that your weekly salary will not be less than five thousand dollars."

For a second-tier prop master, this is already a very high number.

Hearing this figure, Nick Kleibert was clearly moved but didn't immediately agree. After some thought, he said, "My agent is not here, so I cannot give an answer."

"Can I have his contact information?" Murphy knew he was already interested. Nick Kleibert took out a business card and handed it over. Murphy took it and said, "I will contact him."

If everything goes as planned, this prop master is set.

Leaving the café, Murphy didn't return to the studio. He first called Bill Rosiss, then drove around Century City and entered the CAA building.

Taking the elevator directly to the floor where Bill Rosiss works, Murphy recalled the route, walked down a long corridor to the end, and knocked on the door of an office.

This was a large shared office. Besides Bill Rosiss's desk by the window, Murphy saw at least four other desks, giving him a sense of Bill Rosiss's position in the agency and CAA.

As Murphy had expected, he was just one of the many ordinary agents at CAA.

"Hi, Murphy." Bill Rosiss walked over, greeting him warmly, "This way."

The office wasn't a place to talk, so he led Murphy out and into a nearby meeting room.

"Sit wherever you like." Bill Rosiss pointed to the sofas in the meeting room, walked to the drink stand, and turned to ask, "What would you like to drink?"

"Water is fine." Murphy looked around the luxurious meeting room.

Bill Rosiss brought a glass of water and placed it on the coffee table next to Murphy, then sat on another sofa.

"Is the script completed?" He seemed very concerned. "When will you start preparations? What do you need from me?"

"I am still revising the script." Murphy took a sip of water and said calmly, "I will start preparations next month."

"Okay." Bill Rosiss nodded and then reminded him, "Let me know if you need anything."

From "Hard Candy," he received a five percent commission, which would at least increase his income by nearly half this year.

Moreover, as an ordinary agent, who wouldn't want to climb higher, to have an independent office and a dedicated female assistant?

Forget about having a big-name director; just having a second-tier director under his belt would allow him to enjoy such treatment. The value a second-tier director can create and the attention from CAA far exceed that of a second-tier actor.

But who would a director with a certain level of fame want to work with an agent like him? Like other agents who climbed the ranks through actors or directors, the most reliable path is to discover talent on his own.

Now, he has elevated Murphy's potential to this level.

Bill Rosiss received the exact news: under Miramax's operation, "Hard Candy," with a production cost of $300,000, has generated nearly five times the North American box office and over ten times the total market output, and this number is still increasing...

In this industry, it ultimately comes down to results. Bill Rosiss believes that Murphy could bring him a breakthrough.

For such a super-potential client, he must be extremely attentive.

Bill Rosiss looked at Murphy as if he were the most beautiful woman in the world.

Murphy, who had come specifically to see him, must have something to discuss. Putting down the water glass, he said, "As you know, when shooting 'Hard Candy,' most people were hired at low salaries, and their abilities were insufficient. Apart from Jack Watson, I won't work with them again."

Bill Rosiss nodded lightly. This was one of the reasons he valued Murphy. Despite working with a group of incompetent people, he successfully completed "Hard Candy," and the final result exceeded his expectations.

He had spent a long time on the set. The lighting technicians and set designers were purely laborers, completely unable to keep up with Murphy's ideas. They could only passively follow his directions, not even forming basic cooperation.

Of course, he also knew that with the salary Murphy offered, encountering someone like Jack Watson was sheer luck.

"Many behind-the-scenes roles are needed for the new production." Murphy continued, "I need people with guaranteed abilities. CAA should have plenty of such people, right?"

"Definitely. Even newbies who sign with CAA have guaranteed abilities."

After saying this, Bill Rosiss had a thought, recalling CAA's fundamental strategy. Isn't this a good opportunity? He suggested, "Murphy, let me handle all these matters for you."

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