Top talent managers

After the curtains fell on the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards, the backstage area buzzed with the energy of post-award interviews.

Lucas, among others, was swiftly ushered in front of the cameras. The interviewer, a keen observer of the night's events, couldn't help but dive straight into the highlights, "Lucas, Ricky Gervais had the audience in stitches tonight, especially with his playful nudge about you and the Golden Globes. What's your take on that?"

Lucas, maintaining a light-hearted demeanor, responded with a chuckle, "Honestly, I'm not even sure if I'll ever be nominated for the Golden Globes. Ricky sure has a way of setting the bar high, doesn't he?"

The interviewer, smiling, leaned in, "Well, Lucas, many would say he's not far off. You've shown tremendous talent in '127 Hours'. It seems like Ricky might be onto something. There's a strong feeling you do have the potential to be on that Golden Globe stage."

Lucas smiled, taking the compliment in stride but keeping the mood light. "Well, I guess we'll have to see what happens. But for now, I'm just soaking in tonight's experience."

---

After his interview and a quick photo session, Lucas made his way to the glittering after-parties. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the buzz of celebrations and conversations about the night's events. It was here, amidst the revelry, that Lucas encountered Sam Levinson and Ava DuVernay, two individuals he knew had expressed an interest in managing him, according to his agent, Vincent.

Lucas approached them with a warm smile. "Sam, Ava, it's an honor to meet you both in person," he started, extending his hand.

Ava returned the smile, her enthusiasm evident. "Lucas, we've heard so much about you! Your performance in '127 Hours'—phenomenal!"

Sam nodded in agreement, "Absolutely. There's a unique intensity you bring to the screen. We're fans."

Lucas blushed slightly at the praise. "Thank you, that means a lot coming from both of you. My agent mentioned you were interested in managing talents?"

Ava chuckled, "Well, we dabble in different areas, but yes, we've had our eye on you. However," she glanced at Sam before continuing with a playful grin, "We also know when to step back when the big guns come into play."

Lucas felt a flicker of confusion at Ava's comment, still processing the transition from casual conversation to potential career shifts.

Just then, Larry Rudolph and Dave Becky approached, their demeanor exuding authority and experience. Lucas remembered his agent's words; these two were giants in the world of talent management.

"Lucas, great to run into you here," Larry greeted, offering a firm handshake, his tone full of assurance. "We've been following your career closely. We've already reached out to your agent. You should be aware by now that we're interested in taking you under my wing."

Dave chimed in, "Yeah, choosing me as your manager could really elevate your career to new levels."

Lucas was taken aback, hardly believing that such prominent Hollywood talent managers were directly approaching him at the Emmys.

Sam laughed, breaking into the conversation, "See what we mean, Lucas? These are the professionals you should be considering. We'll just stick to the filmmaking side."

Ava added with a smile, "Exactly. But remember, if you ever decide to venture from management to the world of film, we're just a call away."

Lucas shared a quiet laugh as he continued chatting with Sam and Ava, then gradually shifted his focus to the two talent managers. It dawned on him why Sam and Ava had seemingly stepped back—they knew they were in the presence of industry giants, dedicated managers who operated in leagues of their own.

What Lucas didn't realize, however, was that Sam and Ava had never genuinely planned to manage him themselves. Their strategy was subtler; they had reached out to Lucas's agent with the intention of steering Lucas toward them at the after-party, only to introduce him to these top-tier talent managers, positioning it as a friendly handover rather than a direct competition.

As Lucas turned his attention to the two influential top-notch managers, he extended a warm greeting, "It's truly a pleasure and an honor to meet both of you."

Larry and Dave acknowledged him with nods. Larry then began, "Lucas, I've seen your performance in '127 Hours' and 'Modern Family.' You've been selective with your projects, which I respect. But let me be clear, I can elevate your career in ways Dave here can only dream of—"

Dave, unable to contain a chuckle, interjected, "Hold on there. I'm not sure you're the right fit for Lucas. My network runs deep, deeper than yours, I'd wager."

Larry snorted dismissively, "Oh really? That's what you think? I've got the track record to prove my worth. Don't get me started on success stories."

As the banter continued, Lucas watched, finding it almost surreal. Here were two top-notch managers, vying to represent him, each boasting of their connections and successes. It was an unexpected, yet flattering tug-of-war.

As Lucas engaged with the two managers, his mind raced, weighing the reputation and background of each.

Larry Rudolph was best known for his long-standing association with Britney Spears, guiding her through various stages of her career. His expertise wasn't just limited to music; he had a knack for branding and had successfully navigated the complex waters of celebrity culture. In Lucas's eyes, Larry was the quintessential comeback king, someone who understood the entertainment industry's highs and lows.

On the other hand, Dave Becky was a powerhouse in the world of comedy management, with clients like Kevin Hart and Amy Poehler. His name was synonymous with successful television shows and stand-up specials. Dave had a keen eye for talent and was known for his ability to foster comedians' careers, guiding them from small gigs to major headlining events and hit TV shows.

As Lucas considered them, he recognized that each brought a distinct set of skills and networks to the table: Larry with his deep understanding of the music and broader entertainment industry, and Dave with his unparalleled access to the comedy world and television. In 2010, both were at the height of their careers, making the decision all the more challenging for Lucas.