Chapter 7 My Clients
Are you Matthew
He has no assistant at all; he is merely shirking responsibility
I am Matthew Horner. Dennis does not remember this name, an actor who was registered with you some time ago.
Dennis Kurt picked up the phone, and before he could speak, an enraged voice came through, "Dennis, what are you doing? I want cheap non-union actors! Not expensive union actors! Why are there union members among the actors you contacted? If I wanted union members, I wouldn't be going to the union to issue a notice, would I? What do I need you for?" If I wanted union members, I wouldn't be going to the union to issue a notice, would I? What do I need you for?
Julie? Angelina Jolie? Dennis Kurlton stood up with a speed that was completely at odds with his corpulent body, rushing directly to the other side, snatching the telephone receiver, ignoring the anger in the young man's eyes, and loudly said, "I apologize, I just received an urgent call. I am your agent, Dennis Kurlt."
Therefore, Matthew has a clear understanding of his current role, which is that of a temporary actor, also referred to as an extra in another country.
I have obtained a temporary actor position in a film crew, and I need a manager to sign a contract.
Apologies! Dennis Kurt hurriedly offered his apologies, "I am sorry! It may have been my assistant's oversight..."
He glanced at his watch and said, "Let's go, we will talk in the café on the first floor"
Matthew never expected to achieve success overnight, nor was it possible; this essentially aligned with his expectations
Ah, hello. A somewhat unfamiliar voice came through the receiver, "You must be Mr. Dennis Kurt."
The younger agent took the microphone and began to speak
The person making the call is a bespectacled man, and even though the other party is merely a casting director for a small production team and cannot see this side, he still wears a fawning expression. "Don't you need twenty corpses for your film? I've already contacted the personnel! Rest assured, there will be no problem; these individuals have all played corpses before, and if you kick them while they are lying on the ground, they won't move at all! When shall we sign the contract?"
How could these prestigious names be associated with that minor actor whose name he couldn't even remember
The phone suddenly rang, and Dennis picked it up to take a look. He saw that it was a casting director he had business dealings with, so he immediately set the microphone aside. He happened to notice a young employee who had just joined the company last month sitting idle at the desk across from him. He waved his hand and said in a rather condescending tone, "I have a task here; come over and handle it."
Dennis Kurlt immediately said, "Yes! Of course!"
Over there, a few more curses were uttered, and Dennis Kurt could only listen. After hanging up the phone, he sat in his chair, so angry that he rolled his eyes.
If I remember correctly, this Sony Columbia Pictures investment amounts to 40 million dollars! Not to mention him and his subordinate extras, even the head of the company cannot access this level!
It seems that they agreed over there, and the fat man smiled so much that his eyes were nearly invisible, "I will go over there first thing tomorrow!"
Hello ... ... '' He picked up the microphone, `` This is Dennis from Starlight Company. ''
After approximately forty minutes, the receptionist outside brought in a young man. As soon as he entered, he said, "Dennis, here to see you."
Dennis showed some interest, "How many portions?"
He assured, "The suitable actor's information will definitely be delivered to you by tomorrow morning"
Good! Good!
Is it possible to get it wrong? Dennis Kurlt is unbelievable
Hanging up the phone, standing at the entrance of Red Penguin Company, Matthew clenched his fist tightly. This first step towards his dream of stardom, opening the door to a beautiful future, is finally about to arrive
Regardless of the type of actor, obtaining a job requires the assistance of an agent
Wait a moment, I would like to confirm!
What? Dennis Kurlt was taken aback, "James Mangold? Winona Ryder? Angelina Jolie? 'Girl, Interrupted'?"
Matthew took out his phone, glancing at it while walking towards the bus stop. There were no better options at the moment, and he could try to reach out to the agent whose number was saved in his phone.
He himself is not particularly familiar with Hollywood, and what he knows is mostly the mainstream information from the era of rampant information dissemination, such as Angelina Jolie later marrying Brad Pitt. However, the previous individual, due to the desire to enter Hollywood, had collected a lot of information, and these memories have remained.
Damn business! The fat man rubbed his stiff, smiling face and complained in a low voice, "It's all this kind of low-level business!"
The young person, seeing the shamelessness of the overweight individual, felt an urge to say something in anger, but was ultimately subdued by the threatening gaze and the imposing demeanor of the other party
The telephone on the desk rang
According to the memories left by the previous individual, agents are not only essential for actors to secure work, but an outstanding agent can also assist employers in planning their future career paths. Matthew also wishes to attend a specialized acting training school for further studies, which is necessary. However, he is completely in the dark and requires advice from professionals like agents.
This company is not large in scale and has not been established for long, with only seven or eight licensed brokers who have recently obtained their licenses and possess limited resources. The office consists of only three rooms, with the owner occupying one, the finance department using the smallest room, and the remaining staff crowded into an oversized office.
Securing a job in Hollywood is not easy, but the threshold to become a nominal actor is relatively low. Anyone who wishes to become an actor, whether a professional or a background actor, must first find a photographer to take several headshots and full-body photos. Then, they need to register their height, weight, eye color, and other information with an agency, sign an agency contract, and have their details entered into a database for the agency to liaise with production teams.
Matthew had long made the necessary preparations, embellishing what he could say. In summary, he came to Hollywood to pursue his dreams, and by chance, he met Jolie, who then helped him secure a role as a background actor
Ding ding ding
The person who called was Angelina Jolie's assistant, who informed Matthew that next Monday he would go to the Universal Studios soundstage in Burbank with his agent for an audition. It was also mentioned that it was merely for the casting director to take a look, after which he would sign a temporary actor agreement with the production team
"It is!" The voice coming from over there was very certain, "It is the job introduced by Miss Julie."
Just call me Dennis, the chubby man said familiarly
Only a fool would want to forever represent the temporary performance business and remain in such a small company with no prospects
For an agent, this business is hardly significant, but being able to represent this business means having the opportunity to interact with individuals of the caliber of Angelina Jolie and the cast of "The Soul Stealer," a level he has never encountered before
One of them is the Starlight Company located on Sunset Boulevard
This is essentially a stepping stone, a stepping stone that opens the door to higher-level business opportunities
In fact, finding an agent came to mind after he spoke with Angelina Jolie, but he was busy renting a house yesterday and went to work in the evening, so he has not yet had the time to spare.
He always feels that the temporary actor business represented by the company is beneath his talents. Having worked here for nearly a year, none of the films he collaborated on with the company have been released on a large scale in theaters; they are mostly products that go directly to the video market. The situation is slightly better in television dramas, but this aspect of the business is always controlled by the boss, leaving him no opportunity to intervene.
Hollywood is not only home to the five major talent agencies, but also to many smaller companies that survive in the gaps between these five major firms
Hello, Director Kuka, it's me, Dennis. We had dinner together the day before yesterday
Following the gaze of the receptionist, Matthew saw a large man wearing glasses, who appeared to weigh at least 200 pounds or more
Mr. Dennis Kurt? It seems that the sound cannot be heard over there, and he begins to urge, "Are you still there?"
The previous individual had already completed this step long ago; he had registered with a small brokerage firm and still had the phone number of an agent saved in his mobile phone. Unfortunately, the other party had never contacted him.
There was a hint of impatience in his voice
Upon hearing this, Dennis immediately understood that this was not a business matter, but rather the ramblings of a daydreamer. "Do you have something to discuss?"
Thinking about the opportunity to establish a higher-level network, Dennis Kurlt eagerly said, "How about this, Matthew, let's meet in person; come to the company, and we can discuss in detail."
After listening, Dennis Kurlt said with great confidence, "Just focus on acting, I will take care of the rest"
He was not wrong, the young person looked back with indignation for one last time and helplessly sat back down in the chair
Matthew had no objections and followed the fat man to the café. The fat man ordered two cups of coffee and asked, "Is this job introduced by Miss Julie?"
The words from the young agent across the way were conveyed, "Are you saying that you have secured a position in the cast of 'Girl, Interrupted,' directed by James Mangold and starring Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie?"
Rest assured, I will accompany you on Monday
It is me! He thought there was a business opportunity coming in
Hanging up the phone, the fat man retracted the flattery from his face and plopped down into the chair, which emitted a series of terrifying creaks, as if it might collapse under his weight at any moment
As for the character, it is that kind of passerby who flashes by in a fleeting shot.
A copy
The large man approached with a beaming smile, and Matthew nodded, "Are you Mr. Dennis Kurt?"
Dennis Kurl nodded slightly and said, "Please give me an overview of the situation."
If it really doesn't work out, then look for other small brokerage firms, as Los Angeles is after all the home of Hollywood
Yes. Matthew unhesitatingly pulled the tiger skin to make a large flag, while saying, "Please keep this confidential, Miss Julie does not want outsiders to know."
Do not say it is him; even if the entire company has not come into contact with it.
Putting down the phone, Dennis Kurt noticed that the young man across from him was still staring at him. He snorted coldly and said, "What are you looking at? This is my client."
Hello, I am Matthew Horner. The person on the other end seemed unaware of anything, "Can you represent my business?"
Upon hearing this response, Dennis's recently sparked interest vanished without a trace. To run errands for a background actor? Just to earn a few bucks?