In an apartment building that was built less than three years ago, Martin followed his landlord Antonio to the second floor. Walking on the stairs, Antonio suddenly asked: "Are you an actor?" Martin was slightly surprised, but did not deny: "Good taste."
"Those who speak with your accent are all daydreaming actors." Antonio was as fat as a mountain and panted when he walked: "Don't be surprised, I have seen too many people in this apartment. Most of them are actors." Martin asked: "Has there been any stars here?" Antonio was surprised: "Are you kidding? Stars? Ha... let's put it this way, people who leave my place are more lucky and wake up in time. , go back and forth from wherever you go; those with average luck will work as high-end escorts; those with bad luck will work as street girls in the city center; the worst-case scenario, they may become homeless in some alley." Martin thought for a while, Then he asked: "Are there any lucky ones?" Antonio went to the third floor and turned into the corridor: "Two of them went to the valley to the north. I heard they can earn tens of thousands of dollars a week. They can be considered to have realized their dreams. When I became an actor." He took out the key, opened a door, and said, "The previous resident was also an actor. She was very lucky and went to the valley." Martin went around the room and checked again. It was the same as when he showed the house. It was not big. The two-bedroom and one-living room apartment is fully equipped with household appliances and furniture, and the table and floor are clean. You can move in with just your bags.
Antonio added: "How about it? It's expensive. From here, you can go to any studio in Burbank within 15 minutes, to Los Angeles International Airport in 25 minutes, and nearby restaurants, bars, cinemas, and art districts." There are no shortages like supermarkets." He came to the living room window and pointed diagonally opposite: "For long-term parking, go to the parking lot over there, it's 60 US dollars a week, and you can park as you like." Martin said casually: "It's pretty good, last time I fell in love with this place as soon as I came here." Antonio warned: "You can bring people back to spend the night, it doesn't matter one or two, as long as it doesn't affect the neighbors, but you are not allowed to hold parties here, I will call the police and drive you away."
"No problem." Martin decided to rent it: "Sign the agreement." The two signed the house rental agreement, and Martin paid half a year's rent at a time and went downstairs to get his luggage.
There was no way to park for a long time here, so he drove the car to the parking lot diagonally opposite and went to the management office to register for the weekly card.
The cost of living in Los Angeles is higher than in Atlanta. Martin returned to the apartment building with a trolley suitcase in one hand and a bag containing his computer in the other.
As he was going upstairs, a middle-aged man followed him. The light shone on his face, making him look like a ignited oil field in Iraq, dark, oily, and pitted.
Martin reached the second floor and turned into the corridor. Pothole Face also entered the corridor. Martin grabbed the shoulder strap of his computer bag and reached the door, focusing entirely on Pothole Face.
But the potty-faced man walked diagonally across the room and knocked on the door: "Jessica, open the door! I know you're in there, don't hide from me." The door opened, and a blond woman appeared: "Jessica has moved out long ago. No, not here." The potty face was still entangled, but Martin had opened the door, entered the apartment, closed the door, and the sound outside was much quieter.
He packed his luggage, organized his belongings, and cleaned. I always feel like something is missing. Martin quickly remembered that he was not used to missing Elena to help him with housework.
He looked at the time, calculated the time difference between the two places, and called Elena's mobile phone, which was quickly connected.
"I rented a house and settled down." Martin asked: "How is it over there?" Elena's voice was full of fatigue: "Everything is fine. Emma is back. Scott just talked to her this morning. There was a big fuss." She didn't plan to say more about her family's bad things, but instead said: "I asked Emma carefully, Jack may have gone to Australia or New Zealand." Martin didn't care where Jack went: "He'd better not go there. Come back again." Elena added: "Atlanta holds many events during Christmas, including a bartender competition, and I'm going to participate." Martin left Elena a lot of cocktail recipes: "I wish you the championship. ." The two talked for a few minutes. After hanging up the phone, Martin found the bag containing important items. In one of the hard-cover notebooks, the most important address and contact information were recorded.
Louise Meyer is still in Morocco and will not return to Los Angeles until Christmas vacation at the earliest. Martin will call her every few days to chat about life and cocktails.
Kate Winslet lives in London, temporarily pASS. Martin will find a suitable time to pay a special visit to Robert Patrick.
The same goes for Michel Gondry and Blanco. As for the Los Angeles Women’s Association, it’s not too late to wait until Louise comes back.
Then there is the agency introduced by Louise Meyer, William Morris. Coming to Los Angeles means that Martin has to say goodbye to Atlanta's extensive model. The provisions of the California Talent Act must be abided by, at least for now.
Jobs as actors and directors, etc., must be obtained through agents. Martin asked Louise last time they talked on the phone, and Louise had already recommended his information to William Morris.
Of course, a young actor like him doesn't have to expect the contracts and resources of a high-end agent. It's impossible even if you think about it.
You must find an agent. Having an agent can save you a lot of trouble. If Martin is new to the country, an agent can help him get familiar with Hollywood as quickly as possible.
Martin found the phone number left by Louise, called her, introduced herself, and made an appointment to meet in the afternoon.
William Morris was in Beverly Hills Century City. Martin had lunch, changed into formal clothes, and drove there. He came to the company's front desk a few minutes early. After giving his name, someone took him into the company's open office. hall.
In the office partitions, there are men and women in suits and ties. They are extremely busy and rarely leave their phones.
The front desk took Martin to the innermost partition of the hall, where sat a man in a gray suit who was less than thirty years old. After seeing the two people, he gestured to them to wait.
The man spoke quickly into the phone, but he probably didn't achieve the effect. He hung up the phone with a bang and cursed: "Bitch!"
"Thomas, I'm looking for you." The receptionist said and left.
"Who are you?" Thomas Lane asked.
"Martin Davis." Martin said simply: "I called in the morning and they asked me to come over to you." Thomas thought about it: "The little actor assigned to me." Just like the examiner, he looked back He stood up on his swivel chair and looked at Martin with his arms folded: "Young man, where did you study acting at, what roles have you played, and who recommended the company you came to?" Martin was digging out information.
Thomas said quickly: "Don't show me those useless things, you have to establish the awareness of saving time." Martin said truthfully: "I worked as an extra when I was sixteen and learned acting from many people, too many teachers to count. I just starred in a B-level movie called "Zombie Gigolo." Thomas frowned slightly, he came from a wild background and his resume was too bad.
At this time, a text message rang on his cell phone, and he reached over to read the text message. Martin continued: "My recommender is Ms. Louise Meyer." Thomas raised his head suddenly: "Louis Meyer? Ms. Meyer from Pacific Pictures?" Martin nodded: "It's her." Thomas threw his cell phone back on the desk and pointed to a swivel chair next to him: "Sit down and chat." When Martin sat down, he stretched out his hand: "Where is your personal information? Give it to me." Martin was not surprised. He took out the information and handed it over. There was nothing strange about his expression or demeanor.
Thomas looked carefully and saw that he was very inconspicuous in front of him. He was a background actor in a late-night scene in Atlanta, and then he worked as a supporting role. Such a resume can be found in Los Angeles by tens of thousands of people.
But seeing the male protagonist of "Zombie Gigolo", Thomas felt that the name was somewhat familiar. He didn't ask any more questions, turned his swivel chair towards the computer, and typed quickly on the keyboard with his hands. Information about "Zombie Gigolo" was displayed on the screen.
The theatrical movie released by Lionsgate has grossed millions of dollars at the North American box office. The male protagonist is named Martin Davis, who looks exactly like the man opposite him.
Interesting, the leading actor in a theatrical movie is a very good resume for a young actor. Then I clicked on a video I searched for, and it happened to be two of the film's leading actors' scenes - the zombie machine gun dance and the trapeze.
This was followed by an impromptu dance performance at the fan meeting. After the video was played, Thomas subconsciously lowered his head and looked at his lower abdomen. His deep self-esteem was like an alien shape, piercing his heart and soul.
Looking at the young man opposite, he has an outstanding appearance and a calm demeanor, as if he has an aura of contempt. Thomas quickly calmed down and put on a smile: "It's a theatrical movie with a male protagonist. The reputation is a bit bad, but the box office is not bad compared to the investment. You have a good starting point." At this point, Thomas thought of a possibility, Pacific Ocean Although the film industry is small in scale and never produces independent films, it often participates in various platters. The relationship between Louise Meyer and this person will not be simple.
They all work in Hollywood, and some things can be understood after a little thought. Louise didn't care. Of course Martin wouldn't hide it. He would bring out this kind of personal connections directly, which would save a lot of trouble: "I have been in Atlanta. Louise recommended me to come to Los Angeles for development. I don't have an agent or an agency. She Recommended my information to William Morris." Thomas understood now that the person assigned to him was not a burdensome newcomer, but a potential customer. He said: "You just came here and don't understand the industry situation. I can introduce it to you. First Let’s talk about the agency contract.” After reading the book, he introduced in detail: “wmA implements the unified standards in the industry, with a commission of 10%. Newcomers sign for one year for the first time, and three years after that...” Martin has understood these in detail, but he still takes it seriously. Listen to Thomas.
One of the biggest advantages of a Hollywood agency contract is that there is no contract of sale. The relationship between actors, agents and agencies is very complicated. How they get along depends on the power within the industry.
For example, when it comes to Leonardo's level, if he fires cAA and uses a manager instead of an agent, there's nothing he can do with him.
After getting to know enough, Martin called Louise again and then signed a one-year agency contract with William Morris.
