Chapter 51: A Promise is a Promise

  A cup of black beer was sent to a dozen tables like a stream, the aroma of roasted meat floated around, the sound of clinking glasses kept ringing out, the busy crew ushered in a rare moment of relaxation, especially being able to let the boss and director spit blood for once, this kind of refreshing feeling for the employees of the crew was really too rare.

  In their eyes, Murphy was simply synonymous with Scrooge.

  But Bill Rossis, who sits at the table with Murphy, doesn't see it that way, in his eyes, Murphy is instead a person who knows how to make plans very well.

  The importance of the plan for a director is self-evident.

  Having already talked about the topic of the agent business side of things before, after the wine was full, Murphy talked about it again, "Bill, to be honest, I don't need an agent right now, I'm shooting a movie that I'm fully invested in."

  Putting down his glass of wine, Bill Rossis raised his finger and shook it at Murphy, "That's right, your crew has gotten through the toughest of beginnings and is in the midst of normal operation, and showing up with an agent really isn't going to help your shoot."

  He increased his tone, "But Murph, have you thought about how the movie you're producing is going to get into distribution?"

  Murphy opened his mouth but didn't say anything, he had long considered the distribution aspect, and there was no better way than to go to the numerous distribution companies in Hollywood to market the movie.

  There really wasn't much to say about this approach that any random industry insider could come up with.

  "With me on board, it's a different story." Agents are undoubtedly articulate people, and Bill Rossis is certainly no exception, "I'm just a regular entertainment agent, but I have a huge company behind me, and there are quite a few resources in the company that I'm able to use, and I'm sure you're aware of the strength and standing of my agency in the industry."

  When signing with Carey Mulligan, Murphy knew that Bill Rossis came from a huge entertainment agent empire, CAA!

  Bill Rossis continued, "I know a lot of people, even if I don't count the company's resources, I have my own network of connections that can introduce you to some buyers from distribution companies, and I can also help you operate to go to independent film festivals for screenings to market the movie."

  Murphy's right index finger gently tapped the desktop, obviously thinking.

  "I'm sure you know ... very well," Bill Rossis continued to pursue, "A movie that is shot but can't get into the distribution channel has almost zero meaning to exist."

  This viewpoint coincides with Murphy, any wonderful movie is only the foundation of success, complete distribution is the necessary conditions to bloom.

  Let's not talk about the actual average quality of the kind of film he made, even those recognized classic films, how many because of the distribution problems pounced on the street pounced on the investor to spit blood and die?

  He has no seniority, no network, and no distribution channels, if he can borrow the power of the agent, the movie will inevitably face fewer difficulties after the production is completed.

  Murphy has not been naive enough to think that when the filming of the movie is over, he will find a few distribution companies and throw out a publicity program, and the other side will obediently take the bait and sign a fairer distribution contract with him.

  That was the kind of thinking that only kindergarteners had, and how difficult it was to distribute an independent movie in Hollywood, even he, a first-timer in the entertainment industry, knew all about it.

  "Murphy, I can't guarantee how much resources CAA will put into you, and I can't make that guarantee with my position in the company."

  Bill Rossis knew that if he wanted to impress someone like Murphy, it was best not to boast, it was more effective to show enough sincerity, "But I personally will do my best to run this movie for you, to find the right distribution channel for it, so that Fruity Hard Candy can really appear in front of the audience, instead of accumulating a backlog inside the warehouse."

  "Oh, that sounds really appealing." Murphy raised an eyebrow but loosened up, "One thing you need to know, I knocked a hundred thousand dollars off of Kobe Bryant, the handler would have come from your CAA."

  "Those aren't issues." Bill Rossis looked like he didn't care at all, "We're two completely different departments from sports agents, and the basketball department isn't American soccer, and it's not something that's looked upon very highly within the CAA."

  This is an invitation from CAA's agent, think about CAA's strength and position in the field of entertainment brokerage, Murphy said that he was not moved is certainly a lie, the words of the back of a big tree is good is not without reason.

  After weighing for a while, Murphy slowly spoke, "Let me think about it for a while, before the production of 'Fruit Hard Candy' is completed, I will give you a definite answer."

  Bill Rossis held out a hand, "It's a deal."

  Murphy slapped his hand, "It's a deal!"

  Both of them are actually harboring their own ideas, Murphy wants to borrow the resources of Bill Rossis, who has a certain seniority in Hollywood; Bill Rossis' words may not be completely credible, Murphy signed a brokerage contract with him, his banner is nothing more than an additional potential stock, Murphy did not sign in the end, in addition to the waste of some saliva, there is actually no loss.

  Entertainment agents are all very shrewd characters, how could they possibly do a losing deal?

  The promise they just made was just lip service.

  Murphy of course knew this, but with an outstanding agent, the future would inevitably take fewer detours.

  "It's getting late." Bill Rossis looked at his wristwatch and took the initiative to say goodbye, "I have to rush back to Los Angeles, so I'll go first."

  "Bye." Murphy didn't leave him behind, but just reminded, "Bill, return my leading lady to me as soon as possible."

  "You'll see him soon."

  Bill Rossis turned to leave, and before he could walk out of the grill, James Franco approached Murphy with a large mug of stout, and he was not polite, sitting directly across from him.

  "Cheers!" He touched the table on top of Murphy's glass and tilted his head back to take a good sip of the beer as Murphy picked up his glass, "Cheers."

  He took an equally large swig.

  Perhaps a little too much to drink, James Franco's face with a few drunkenness, "You know, Murph, in this crew, the person I admire the most is you."

  "No ..." he waved a hand, "Of all the people I've met in the last two years, you're the one I admire the most."

  "Huh?" Murphy said in disbelief.

  "Isn't it admirable to be able to play a demonic girl ..." James Franco said through his drink, lowering his voice, "and still think you're the best person in the world? "

  Murphy shook his head, did not pick up his words, instead said, "You've had too much to drink, Jim, it's time to go back and rest, there's still filming tomorrow."

  After saying that, he stood up and clapped his hands vigorously, "Alright guys, that's it for tonight, go back to rest early, you have to work tomorrow!"