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However, in recent years, Brian De Palma's two consecutive big-budget films with an investment exceeding tens of millions of dollars all ended in failure. Friedman believed he would lose this client soon.

Now, "The Butterfly Effect" couldn't be more appropriate.

Enough innovative ideas, wonderful story script, and at the same time, it is the thriller type that Brian De Palma is best at.Moreover, judging from the storyline, the film's budget is not too high, which undoubtedly makes it easier for the studio to approve the project.

Adding all these favorable elements together, Jonathan Friedman believes that "The Butterfly Effect" really does not have much possibility of failure, and it will not even be much worse than Brian De Palma's famous work "Witch Carrie".

Moreover, as a group drama with rich characters, this film can be used to support young artists under its own name.Since CAA can produce a series of successful packaging projects, there is no reason why WMA, whose overall strength is no less than CAA, cannot copy the experience of the other party.

Now, the low-budget, low-stakes The Butterfly Effect is clearly a decent package to try.

After weighing all the details, Jonathan Friedman looked up at the young man opposite him.Perhaps it's also a good idea to sign a screenwriter once in a while.

After making up his mind, Jonathan Friedman spoke again: "So, Simon, do you have any other scripts?"

Listening to Jonathan Friedman's tone, Simon knew that his trip today would be worthwhile.

However, since "Butterfly Effect" has aroused Jonathan Friedman's interest, he does not intend to immediately take out another script, which will only distract the agent's attention during the script sales process.

In fact, Simon originally planned to submit scripts every one to two months as long as he could find an agent.

Even so, in order to continue to increase his weight in Jonathan Friedman's heart, Simon still confirmed: "Yes, but the script is still being perfected and it will take some time. This is a story about death, combined with Eastern Some kind of fatalism. In the Eastern conception, they believe that if the god of death confirms the date of a person’s death, then the person will not be able to escape the entanglement of death no matter what.”

Jonathan Friedman originally just asked casually politely, but Simon's remarks aroused his interest again.

However, Simon did not continue, and Jonathan Friedman stopped asking.

There will definitely be many opportunities to chat in the future, but we still have to solve the current matter now.

"In this case, let's talk about the signing. Simon, since you have done so much preparation, you must have some understanding of signing with an agency company. Let me talk about your requirements first?"

Simon nodded, not politely, and said: "First of all, I only write scripts that I am interested in, and I do not accept commissioned scripts or long-term employment, so I hope to only sign pure script agency contracts."

Just hearing Simon's first request, Jonathan Friedman couldn't help shaking his head.

The total number of movies and TV programs based on original scripts in Hollywood is only a few hundred each year. If they only rely on original scripts to make a living, the two major screenwriter unions on the east and west coasts of North America combined with more than 1 members may starve to death.Therefore, the jobs that most screenwriters in Hollywood depend on for a living are still commissioned tasks such as various adapted scripts, script doctors, and long-term employment by film and television production companies.

Simon's request at this time is tantamount to limiting his personal career to a very narrow range.

I wanted to explain, but looking at the young face opposite, Jonathan Friedman chose to dismiss the idea.

Since you are young and frivolous, it is better to experience more setbacks.

Simon could probably understand Jonathan Friedman's thoughts from the changes in his expression, but he continued without pausing: "Secondly, if conditions permit, I hope to try the job of a film director. One’s own script retains a certain degree of autonomy.”

Jonathan Friedman still felt the corners of his eyes twitch, looked at Simon again, and finally said: "Actually, Simon, I'm very curious about your age?"

Simon took out his wallet and handed over his driver's license, saying: "Mr. Friedman, although I don't intend to hide this from you, I still think that in the process of promoting the script, you need to avoid any interaction with Studio executives talk about my personal age."

Jonathan Friedman took Simon's driver's license and glanced at the date of birth on it.

1968 2 Month 22 Day.

Although he knew it in his mind, Jonathan couldn't help but glance at the date on the display screen of the desk phone. Today is June 1986, 6.

In other words, the little guy in front of him just turned 18 at the beginning of this year.

Shaking his head and laughing speechlessly, Jonathan Friedman handed back the driver's license to Simon, and said, "Well, I'll try to ignore this as much as possible. However, Simon, you know, most of Hollywood Directors only get their first opportunity to direct a film after the age of 30, so you are still too..."

Simon didn't wait for Jonathan Friedman to finish, he couldn't help shaking his head and interrupted: "You're wrong, Joe. Steven Spielberg is not, Martin Scorsese is not, George Lew Cass wasn't, and neither was Francis Ford Coppola. So why should I be the mediocre majority?"

Jonathan Friedman froze for a moment.

Until many years later, Jonathan Friedman still clearly remembered that one afternoon in the summer of 1986, the high-spirited teenager spoke loudly in his office.

Steven Spielberg is not;

Martin Scorsese is not;

George Lucas was not;

Neither was Francis Ford Coppola.

What's more, he didn't know that the teenagers at that time had less than $100 left in their pockets. If they couldn't find a job that could make ends meet as soon as possible, they might have to sleep on the streets.

After a while, after regaining consciousness, Jonathan Friedman continued to discuss the signing with Simon.

Simon had already left a deep impression on him during this meeting, and Jonathan Friedman couldn't help but no longer put forward too harsh signing conditions for Simon based on the standards of a newcomer.

In fact, in the final analysis, the height that a screenwriter can achieve in Hollywood is limited after all, and the benefits brought to the agent are irrelevant compared to the agent of Jonathan Friedman's level.

Jonathan Friedman instinctively felt that if he gave this young man a little convenience at this time, he might be able to get unexpected gains in the future.

Therefore, the two quickly negotiated the basic contract framework.

A simple script agency contract, the signing period is three years, and the commission is 10%.Simon has some autonomy over his script.To put it simply, if he wants to direct one of his scripts himself, he doesn't need to use an agent to prepare the project himself.

The detailed contract content is naturally not that simple, so Simon needs to sign again tomorrow.

Finally, in order to ease the feeling that Jonathan Friedman was obviously scared by himself just now, Simon also took the initiative to explain a few words, saying that his next goal is just to make some ultra-low-cost experimental films as an exercise.

Probably the kind with a 16MM camera, a few thousand dollars, and two or three people.

Jonathan Friedman was indeed more willing to accept Simon's rhetoric, and offered to provide some help within his ability.

The two chatted happily, and when the meeting ended, 5:40 passed before they knew it.

Saying goodbye to Jonathan Friedman who personally sent him to the door of the office again, Simon turned around and found two men and a woman waiting in the outer lounge, all young people.

As the office door opened, the three people who were chatting stood up respectfully, and couldn't help but look at Simon, the guy who had made them wait for more than an hour.There was obvious envy and vigilance in the eyes of the two young men, and the girl with short black hair also looked at Simon curiously.

Simon just nodded slightly to the three of them. Although he felt that the short-haired girl looked familiar, he walked out without thinking too much.

It wasn't until he left the WMA headquarters building that Simon remembered a certain name that Jonathan Friedman mentioned more than an hour ago, and he didn't realize it. The girl with short hair should be Courteney Cox, the one in the famous "Friends". Syndrome Monica Geller.

Chapter 007 Hitchhiking

Watching the boy leave very curiously, she hurriedly walked towards the agent's office when Jonathan Friedman called her voice.

Jonathan just motioned her to sit down first, and then began to whisper something to Owen Wright who was called in together.

She could only continue to wait patiently, not daring to show any dissatisfaction, but she also envied the boy just now in her heart.To be entertained so solemnly by Jonathan, could it be that he is a member of a Hollywood family?

This idea was overthrown by her as soon as it arose, the other party's clothes did not look like a rich man.

Although pretending to be nonchalant, she still clearly heard that Jonathan asked Owen to prepare a contract based on his memorandum, and also took a script to copy, which was obviously related to the boy just now.

What a lucky guy. Fortunately, he is a boy and won't compete with him, but Pasda and the others will have rivals in the future.

Thinking of this, I felt a little gloating in my heart.

Jonathan didn't talk about her until Owen left.

NBC ended up killing The Incredibles, her first starring role.But she wasn't too disappointed, she still wanted to become a movie star, and participating in TV dramas was just to accumulate qualifications.

Jonathan has just been promoted to the vice president of WMA recently. Although it is easy for talent agency companies to get a vice president position as long as they have agents with big-name clients, the vice president of WMA should still be able to bring him more opportunities.

The agent did not disappoint her.

Warner Pictures is preparing a fantasy comedy called "Beetlejuice" with a budget of 1500 million US dollars. This is a big production, and the production cost of "Top Gun" is only 1500 million US dollars.Jonathan had already helped her secure one of the costly supporting auditions.There's also an audition for a lead actress in an MGM TV movie, both next week.

After talking about things, she happily left with two audition materials.

I picked up my car in the parking lot, turned onto Camino Street, thought about it, and planned to go south on Olympic Avenue back to Santa Monica.It's rush hour now, and Wilshire Avenue in the north can definitely block people.

The traffic on Olympic Boulevard really seemed sparser. She drove forward for two or three minutes, and was about to leave the area of ​​Century City, but unexpectedly found a figure not far ahead, wearing a cheap black T-shirt, and jeans that were washed a little white. A light gray rucksack, obviously that's the guy.

What's more, his shabby clothes and casual appearance walking on the side of the urban road under the setting sun, which is like running water, gives people the feeling of wandering around the world, like a lonely wandering poet.

Her eyes were attracted, she slowed down the speed of the car without knowing it, and leaned towards the side of the road.

This guy is in great shape.

With such shallow thoughts in her mind, she pressed the car window and greeted the figure on the side of the road: "Hi."

……

Leaving the WMA company headquarters, Simon called the woman at a phone booth on the street using the contact information left by Catherine, wanting to tell her that he had confirmed that he had signed a contract with Jonathan Friedman.

But no one answered the phone, so Simon could only choose to leave a message.

Then start to figure out what to do next.

It is definitely impossible to rent a house for the time being, so I can only choose to live in a hotel.

If you only consider the price, there are naturally many places to go.

But in Los Angeles, safety is an issue that must be taken very seriously.Also, he doesn't have a car, so he can't live too far from the WMA headquarters.

After deliberating between Hollywood in the north and Santa Monica in the east, Simon decided to go to Santa Monica.In my memory, there are many cheap motels on both sides of the 405 highway between Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

Making up his mind, Simon headed south along Camino Street, then turned onto Olympic Boulevard.The downtown area of ​​Santa Monica is about six or seven kilometers away, and it takes up to an hour to walk, and Simon is not in a hurry.

After walking for about 20 minutes, Simon felt a white car slowly approaching him. He was a little puzzled, and a girl's voice came from the lowered window to say hello.

The driver's seat was on the left, and Simon looked down into the car and found that it was Courteney Cox whom he had just met at WMA.

Entering Hollywood, he will also sign a contract with a giant in the brokerage industry such as WMA. Simon knows that he will definitely meet many faces that he could only see on the big screen in the past. There is no special feeling.

At this time, seeing Courteney Cox taking the initiative to greet him, Simon was a little surprised, but still responded politely: "Hello."

Seeing the boy looking at her brightly from the car window, Courteney Cox raised her hand and made a random gesture before saying, "Well, we just met in Jonathan's office, I live in Santa Monica, Do you want a ride?"

"Okay, thank you."

Simon nodded with a smile. The curbs under his feet were painted in eye-catching red, which was a sign that no parking was allowed, so he didn't hesitate to reach out and open the car door.

Courteney Cox put away the audition materials that had just been placed on the passenger seat and threw them in the back row. When Simon came in and sat down, she immediately stepped on the accelerator.

After the car was running smoothly, Courteney looked up at the boy beside her through the rearview mirror, and said, "My name is Courteney Cox, what about you?"

"Simon Westeros."

Simon replied, looking at the girl beside him through the rearview mirror.

At this time, Courteney Cox was in her early 20s, with short tomboy haircut and a thin face, so her eyes appeared large, giving people a radiant look.Although the whole person is very beautiful, it is hard to hide his youthfulness, and he lacks some of the style in "Friends" later.

"Oh," Courteney nodded, she looked back at the boy beside her in the rearview mirror, and looked at the road ahead to find a topic: "So, are you familiar with Jonathan?"

Ximen shook his head and said, "No, it was just introduced by a friend, and we met for the first time today."

"Then you are really good. You can chat with Jonathan for more than an hour after meeting for the first time. Have you just arrived in Los Angeles and plan to be an actor?"

"No, I'm a screenwriter."

Courteney turned her head to look at Simon in surprise, then quickly withdrew her gaze and said, "That's even more powerful."

After all, it was the first contact, and the two were just chatting casually.

A few minutes later, the car crossed the 405 highway and entered downtown Santa Monica, and continued to drive for less than one kilometer. Simon motioned Courteney to stop and put herself down.

After saying goodbye to the girl, Simon began to look for a place to stay in the streets of downtown Santa Monica.

As Simon remembered, there were quite a few motels nearby.

However, most of the hotels turned Simon away when they learned that Simon did not have any type of bank card and wanted to stay for a long time but could not pay enough deposit in advance.

After searching for several blocks in a row, Simon finally found a hotel willing to accept him in an alley near the southern edge of the city.

Because the boss who introduced himself as Diego Salcado is Hispanic, in his 60s, and a first-generation immigrant.After listening to a few words of the boss's English with a strong accent, Simon tried to communicate with the other party in Spanish, and the conversation turned out to be very happy.

In the end, the boss agreed to rent a single room on the second floor of the hotel near the road to Simon for $100 a week.Simon only needs to pay a $50 deposit first, and the subsequent rent can be paid weekly.

Apparently seeing that Simon was struggling, the boss kindly reminded him that he didn't need to reserve tips for the house cleaners, because his wife was doing this.

The whole process made Simon realize again the truth of 'how important it is to master a foreign language'.

It took a whole day to sign the contract the next day.

In order to avoid any clauses that caught him off guard, Simon carefully studied the content of the more than 20-page contract several times.Although he couldn't afford a lawyer now, fortunately, the relevant information in his memory was enough.In the end, I re-discussed some additions and deletions with Jonathan Friedman.

After signing the agency contract, the next thing to do is to wait.

Even though Jonathan Friedman is very optimistic about the script of "The Butterfly Effect", the sales of the script will definitely not be completed overnight, and many scripts will even stay in the hands of the agent for several years. Simon is also psychologically prepared for this situation.

However, despite signing a three-year deal with Jonathan Friedman, Simon will not hang himself [-]% defenseless on the WMA tree.

There is also a restrictive clause in the detailed contract content. If Jonathan Friedman fails to reach a deal with the film company after Simon submits three consecutive scripts, Simon has the right to submit the third script for three months and After the full contract period exceeds nine months, the agency relationship with the other party is terminated.

After getting the contract with WMA, Simon began to work on his own livelihood.

In fact, Simon is obviously more comfortable with this aspect than with other things.

In just two days, Simon found a job at a 7 Eleven in midtown Santa Monica.