Chapter 176: CAA Packaging Service

In the evening, the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills was hosting the premiere of the fantasy film Hook, directed by Steven Spielberg.

Director Steven Spielberg, and stars Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, and Bob Hoskins all attended!

Since it was a TriStar Pictures release, Sony held a grand premiere, with even Sony Pictures Entertainment Co-Chairman Peter Guber attending.

Meanwhile, at a seaside villa in Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Winona Ryder, having just finished her bath, looked at Arthur sitting on the couch in a bathrobe and asked with a puzzled expression, "Aren't we going to the Hook afterparty? Why haven't you changed yet?"

Arthur raised his wrist to check his watch, a Patek Philippe Nautilus that Winona had given him, "No rush, we still have time. The movie should not be over yet!"

Attending the afterparty was a show of respect from Arthur, given that Galaxy had collaborations not only with Steven Spielberg but also with Robin Williams and Columbia TriStar.

As for the premiere, Arthur certainly wouldn't attend just to help Sony promote their movie!

"Oh," Winona Ryder sat down next to Arthur with a smile, "Father of the Bride has been out for ten days, and the box office has reached $24 million. The reviews are quite good too. It's currently the highest-grossing film I've starred in."

Arthur gently touched Winona Ryder's face, "Father of the Bride should easily surpass $100 million globally. Don't worry, the box office for The Pelican Brief will be even higher!"

Winona Ryder laughed and leaned into Arthur's embrace, "The Pelican Brief hasn't even started filming yet, and you're that confident?

Emma is wrapping up soon. It won't be long before I go to Krakow for a cameo in Schindler's List."

"Don't worry, my role is small. It should only take a day to film," Arthur said, sliding his hand inside her robe, feeling the softness.

Winona Ryder's breathing grew heavier, "I heard from Jessica that no one wants to invest in Schindler's List. Everyone thinks it's going to be a sure flop. Aren't you worried?"

Arthur chuckled and teased her, "Spielberg is still filming. No one knows if the movie will be a failure before it's even released!"

"Honey, we need to leave in an hour..." Arthur whispered in Winona's ear, then leaned back on the couch.

Winona Ryder gave Arthur a squeeze, then lowered her head and started kissing his chest. Soon, she was on her knees on the carpet... then on came back up on to his lap.

By the time Arthur and Winona were dressed and ready to leave, an hour and a half had passed. The Hook afterparty was being held at the Hilton Hotel on Santa Monica Boulevard.

When Arthur Smith and Winona Ryder arrived at the hotel entrance, the party had already started. There were even some young people without invitations trying to sneak in.

"Hollywood really is a place that everyone flocks to," Arthur glanced at the scene, noting some young and pretty girls who might be sampled if someone could get them inside.

Winona Ryder looked out the car window but said nothing, patting Arthur's thigh, "Are you planning to go to Asia?"

Arthur nodded, "I will go before Christmas. I plan to discuss about distributing Hong Kong films!"

"Want me to go with you? You've been busy these past two years without much of a break," Winona Ryder suggested softly.

Arthur smiled, "There'll be a chance. You focus on your films first. I'll come to find you in England later."

Leaning into her ear, Arthur added, "I want you to wear a court dress then!"

Winona Ryder pursed her lips, "As long as you come find me, I'll do whatever you want."

After the driver parked the car, Arthur led Winona Ryder into the Hilton Hotel.

"Arthur, Winona, you're here," Spielberg greeted them with a handshake.

Not far away, CAA's CEO Michael Ovitz and President Ronald Meyer were chatting.

"Galaxy's The Addams Family has grossed $80 million in North America," Ronald Meyer noted with admiration, watching Arthur Smith chatting with Spielberg.

Michael Ovitz sighed, "The Golden Boy of Hollywood indeed. In just two short years, Galaxy has rocketed to become one of the brightest stars in Hollywood!"

"Did all our CAA projects get rejected by Galaxy?" Ronald Meyer asked.

Michael Ovitz nodded, "Our script department gets hundreds of scripts and novel rights every month. Not a single CAA package deal has been successfully recommended to Galaxy!"

CAA's package deals start from the script stage, where CAA selects a script and forms a crew with its clients — directors, actors, producers — and hands it over to the film company.

CAA takes a cut from the project's overall budget and revenue, and since the producers and directors are CAA clients, actors can be picked from those CAA wants to promote, tying them into the deal!

"Packaging" has its pros and cons for film companies. It saves them a lot of time, allowing them to focus on project development.

But CAA often drives up budgets by negotiating high pay for its clients, and their practice of taking a cut from the film's total revenue hits the film company's profits hard!

Three years ago, Rain Man was a full CAA project, with even its marketing plan handled by CAA.

Spielberg's Hook managed to gather so many stars largely thanks to CAA!

Ronald Meyer added, "Galaxy is great at developing new talent, and Arthur Smith's film production skills are top-notch. Perhaps we should negotiate with Galaxy using actors, either bundling other clients or offering high pay!"

Michael Ovitz nodded. CAA dared to stand up to the big six studios, and even if Galaxy was strong, it couldn't compete with the big six.

*****

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