The Greatest Showman (Big Play Bone)

Chapter 37 First test

In the Hollywood film industry, agents play a very special role. They will not personally participate in any film production process, but they can grasp the lifeline of the development of the film, which can be called a turnaround. The army division behind the rain with his hands covered.

Simply sum up the tedious and complicated work of the agent, that is, the intermediary. They find suitable film projects for the actors, and at the same time sell suitable actors for the film company, and strive for higher salaries for the actors. Many people don’t understand the work of agents and think that they are just relying on a mouthful, but in fact, Hollywood’s truly high-end agents have no worse status in the industry than any producer, and even many directors and directors. Actors have to please them.

For example, “Avatar” is about to start shooting, James-Cameron (James-Cameron) wanted to find suitable actors, then his first move is to find the top agents in the industry, by these agents Perform measurement selection, and then submit a list of alternate actors to provide selection, and then the actors’ time to play.

In other words, not just any actor can get such news, even a top celebrity like Tom-Crusie without a powerful agent, his source of information will be greatly restricted. , Let alone those second-line and third-line actors.

Generally speaking, the large projects newly established by major Hollywood film companies are basically controlled by the top agents, and the resources are firmly controlled and never leaked. The selection of crew members is always delineated in a specific range, whether to give newcomers opportunities, Whether to push a certain actor, or to use a top actor to drive its digital supporting actors, the initial selection of power is decided by the agent, from the director to the actor to the screenwriter, and even the photographer, etc., this is the case—unless It’s like when Michael-Bay filmed “Transformers”, he made up his mind to pick new people from the beginning.

The reverse is also true, Leonardo-DiCaprio (Leonardo-) heard that Alejandro-Gonzalez-Inarritu (Alejandro-Gonzalez-Inarritu) is preparing to shoot the new work “Wilderness” “Hunter”, he wants to play, so the agent will also go to negotiate, and even arrange the opportunity for direct face-to-face conversation. Or Leonardo now wants to shoot a commercial film, the agent immediately set about contacting major film companies to obtain the latest, most complete and best projects, and then the agent will give it to Leonardo after a preliminary selection. .

It can be understood that the more advanced the agent, the more resources in hand; the film company hopes to find more suitable actors through these agents, and the actors also hope to find more excellent projects through these agents. The agent is like a The huge transfer station, countless news and information are digested in their hands, and then redistributed, becoming the foundation of a film project.

An excellent agent can make an actor completely reborn. For example, the audience is always curious, why is he/she again? It seems that in the past year, you can see this actor everywhere, including commercial films and art films, everywhere. This is the credit of the broker.

As a senior agent of an innovative artist agency, Andy’s ability is naturally extraordinary, and he can be called the top presence in the industry. Although he manages the brokerage business of several big-name actors, he occasionally taps newcomers, or from competitors Digging the foot of the wall to strengthen yourself is one of the daily tasks of an agent.

When the filming of the “Pacific War” started, Andy received the news that Steven Spielberg gave up the default Joseph Mezzero and chose an unknown newcomer to play the lead role. I talked about it for a while, but the “Pacific War” was just a set of TV series, with limited impact, and the news was quickly forgotten in the back of my head.

Not long ago, HBO watched the “Pacific War” internally, and discussions about this newcomer spread intermittently. I heard that the five directors of the series all praised this newcomer, thinking that this is a natural actor; Together with the cast members, they also expressed that the talent and performance of the newcomer really make people shine.

This attracted Andy’s attention. He couldn’t help being a little curious about what kind of newcomer he was and what potential he had.

However, this kind of curiosity is not enough to make Andy act. There is a saying in the industry, “Hollywood can have a hundred geniuses every day, but not a single star can be born in a year.” On this land, There is never a shortage of genius.

This time, Andy came to New York for a business trip and will stay here for two days. Tonight’s flight back to Los Angeles, before heading to the airport, there is a three-hour gap in the afternoon. On second thought, he decided to visit Pioneer Village. Just passing by.

After meeting, Lan Li brought a little surprise to Andy, not because of his appearance, but because of his conversation, the calmness and wit that did not match his age, showing a rare atmospheric demeanor. Hollywood, the Vanity Fair, does not mean that it is a rush. Every footprint is built on the tired bones. The temperament of Lan Li is really commendable, and it is likely to help him go further.

Of course, it’s just “possible”.

“I know you starred in the’Pacific War’, and I watched the internal screening.” Andy said, this is a lie, HBO has not opened any form of screening for the time being.

“This is good news.” A glow of excitement appeared in Lan Li’s eyes, “The results of our seven months of hard work are finally out. It seems that we will be able to see the finished product with our own eyes soon.”

A dark light flashed through Andy’s eyes. Lan Li’s performance was normal, but not normal. Shouldn’t the focus of the conversation just now be the strong ability of the agent? “This is a very good work, and I believe it will trigger a storm of praise once again like’Brothers’.”

“Haha, I will cross my fingers to pray.” Lan Li’s response was still pampered, which made Andy even more interesting.

For any newcomer actor, an invitation from a top agent, even if it is not flattered, should not be so peaceful. So, Lan Li’s performance is so indifferent, is it because he does not have a clear understanding of Andy’s agent identity, or is it because he does not have an accurate understanding of the importance of the agent?

Looking at Lan Li’s smile like a spring breeze, Andy felt that these two possibilities were not high, so it was the third one. Lan Li was also weighing it up. However, Lan Li was so well-informed. Is it because of arrogance or wisdom? ?

However, this is not important. The agent and the actors are originally a two-way selection process. Both parties hope to choose a better partner for cooperation and seek higher benefits together. Whether it is arrogant or wise, it all shows that Lanly is a smart person, which also means that the future cooperation between the two parties may collide with more sparks.

An actor who has goals, ambitions, and beliefs can often go further in Hollywood.

“Do you want to be a star?” Andy raised a similar question for the second time, trying to explore further.

Lan Li smiled and shook his head, “No.” This answer made Andy’s eyes flash slightly, a little surprised, “I want to be an actor.”

Andy’s smile bloomed, overwhelmed, or, idealist, “The real top actors are all stars.”

“But not all stars are actors.” Lan Li’s answer went seamlessly.

Andy did not speak immediately, but paused for a moment. He carefully looked at Lan Li’s eyes and tried to pry into the emotions hidden behind his eyes. He saw self-confidence, tenacity and determination, “In this world, there are many geniuses. But not every genius can succeed; likewise, there are many dreams in this world, but they often end in tragedy. “In Hollywood, dreams are the cheapest thing.

“Hehe.” Lan Li chuckled lightly, spread his hands and shrugged slightly, “I think only time will know the answer, right?”

There was no anger, no excitement, no impulse, or even justification. Lanly’s response really made Andy’s eyes shine. He showed a big smile, like Maitreya Buddha, “I can’t refute this, can I?” After a pause, Andy began to test again, “So, what kind of actor do you want to be? Jack-Nicholson? Or Tom Cruise?”

The former is the most representative acting star in contemporary America, and the latter is the most successful box office star in modern history Andy’s questions are very clear.

“I don’t know. The’Pacific War’ is just my first work.” Lan Li’s answer made Andy raised his eyebrows slightly, frankly and honestly, he didn’t know how to pretend to understand. The impression is even more profound, “Of course, if possible, I hope to challenge different roles and try different possibilities.” Lan Li smiled, “I came from the British Academy.”

Andy suddenly realized that the definition of an actor in a British academy party is: competent for different roles, with thousands of people, and an actor who can be good at any one of a thousand or even ten thousand roles, this is a performance; not the kind of focus on one category A character, or a performance in which only a certain character can be enchanted.

“This is not a simple task.” Andy exclaimed, two short sentences, but the information revealed made Andy very satisfied.

Lan Li chuckled lightly, looking relaxed and free, “If it is simple, then everyone can achieve it.”

This is a rebuttal to the bucket of cold water Andy just now, sly and wise, and this is another bright spot. Andy’s eyes narrowed because of the brilliant smile, “I start to miss my youth.” The subtext is Lan Li didn’t know the heights of the sky, but only relying on the impulse and enthusiasm of his youth, he didn’t understand the cruelty of real life at all.

Lan Li also replied with a smile, “So you are not me, and I am not you.”

Is this sarcastic that he is too timid, too mundane, and too boring? This… It’s really interesting, too interesting. Andy laughed happily, picked up the Coke in front of him, raised his head and finished drinking, then stood up and said with a smile, “If I don’t want to miss the flight, then I should go to the airport now.”