Chapter 421: Mane's Love Affair

On the film set, Bruce handed Martin a classic Nokia 1100, assuring him, "Don't worry about your moves. I loaded the bullet myself; it won't go off on its own." Martin pocketed it and grabbed the pistol.

Then, he picked up a black bag containing the UMP45 and headed onto the set.

Cross, Nokia's marketing director, approached Bruce, handing over a handbag, saying, "A little gift from our company."

Bruce, puzzled, asked, "Mr. Director, what does this mean?"

Cross explained, "Nokia wants to hire Mr Martin Davis as our long-term global spokesperson. Please put in a good word."

Bruce accepted the handbag, and Cross smiled before stepping aside.

As filming commenced, everyone not involved had to hold their breath.

"No need to be timid; just do it!" Bruce encouraged.

With the Martin submachine gun on his shoulder, he marched tactically, firing occasionally. Gunshots echoed, causing gunmen on the opposite side to fall.

The blank bullets' bang-bang-bang sound filled the open-air studio.

Switching to his pistol after the submachine gun ran out of bullets, Martin finished the nearly half-minute shot and took a breath. In the next scene, he used a rocket launcher, causing a fleeing car to burst into flames.

After discarding the bazooka, Martin grabbed his phone, ready to make a call. The camera focused on the Nokia, displaying a shattered screen with a pistol bullet stuck in it.

Ignoring the damage done, Martin dialled a number as a pre-recorded voice said, "Jonathan..."

"Stop! That's a wrap!" Chad declared, signalling a half-hour break for the crew.

Returning to the rest area, Martin tossed the Nokia to Bruce, took a seat, and sipped from the kettle. "Old Jack should witness these fireworks," he remarked.

Bruce agreed, "These fireworks could set Warren Beatty's house ablaze." He then placed the Nokia-marked handbag on the table.

Directly, Bruce stated, "Nokia wants you as its global image spokesperson. Let me help with a few good words."

Martin glanced at the handbag, responding, "Just keep those things yourself. I heard the good words about it."

With a tacit understanding, Bruce took back the handbag, planning to give it to others later.

Mene, with a bossy air, joined them, saying, "Jonathan, your killing spree will upset the High Table. They'll send someone."

Bruce shared, "The High Table plans to send a 50-year-old female judge. Winston, with your speaking skills, you can handle her."

Mene assured, "Leave it to me."

Martin patted him, advising, "Move freely."

Mene grinned, "It's my most important role; I'll play it well."

Discussing his recent photography venture, Martin was asked by Bruce, "Who do you think I met in the hotel?"

Bruce jokingly interjected, "Can't be Paris Hilton's mother."

"If I meet Pari's mother is not bad either. It's better than that woman who always pesters me. She is too young and does not suit my taste." Uncle Menet sighed emotionally and then said: "I met Celine Dion and asked her for an autograph. I got a signed photo."

Bruce asked: "That female singer who was raised when she was twelve or thirteen years old?"

Martin had a rough impression: "It seems to be her current husband, right?"

Mene nodded and said, "I and Celine chatted for a while, and she seemed to be living a bit depressed, so she came to New York early to prepare for this year's METGALA."

Martin had read relevant reports in his previous life, and it seemed that Celine Dion later changed her role to a male model. It's like changing clothes.

It was pulled down from the front, and it was all made up as I got older.

Mene asked: "Can you help me get tickets to METGALA?"

Martin responded: "Leave it to me."

Although tickets are paid, not just anyone can buy them. Martin planned to ask Warner's Daniel to get a few more.

Bruce asked: "You don't want to do anything with Celine Dion, do you? What about Emma Thomas?"

Mene said: "Emma and Nolan."

Martin was too lazy to pay attention to these two people. When Marcus came over with the dog, he shouted: "Daisy!"

The dog immediately ran over and circled Martin, wagging its tail.

Martin found the prepared dried meat and fed it to Daisy.

In the next scene, Daisy comes on stage and is brutally killed, which also kicks off the story of you taking my life and I taking yours.

After lunch, Martin was about to go into the trailer to rest, and Nokia's marketing director Cross came over.

"Mr. Davis, I heard that you used Nokia mobile phones for a long time when you were in Atlanta and even in Los Angeles you are seen using it from time to time." He directly stated his intention: "Nokia intends to invite you to be the brand's global image spokesperson. I wonder if you have Interested?"

Martin thought for a moment and said: "You have to talk to my agent Thomas. I can't make any work commitments without him being present."

Cross said: "I will contact WMA right away."

Martin went into the trailer for a lunch break, slept for a while, and woke up on time. Not long after, Bruce came over with his cell phone.

He said: "Thomas called, about Nokia endorsement matters."

Martin took the phone and called back.

Thomas said: "Nokia is very sincere in cooperating and has initially offered a four-year endorsement contract worth up to US$12 million per year." "The salary is okay, but the contract period is too long, two years at most," Martin recalled carefully After a while, Nokia's serious decline in the previous life should have happened in 2010s. He couldn't remember the specific year. Anyway, it fell from the altar two or three years after my phone was introduced.

He added: "If Nokia insists on a long-term contract, we will give up."

Thomas did not ask why. The most important reason why he has been able to cooperate with Martin in the past few years is that he will implement Martin's decision without compromise. He immediately responded: "I booked a flight and will go to New York today to interview people from Nokia."

Martin said a few more words and hung up the phone.

Commercial endorsements are one of his important incomes. If a brand declines significantly during his endorsement period, it is impossible to say that it will not hurt him.

Even when other manufacturers discuss business cooperation with him, they will think of the brands that have failed during the endorsement period.

In this regard, Martin has seen a lot of cases, such as an actor and a pop star getting burned due to taking a bad endorsement contract. Many of the brands they endorsed died down.

Especially, Jack Chen, at least ten of his endorsed brands have shut down. He is simply the poisonous king of advertising.

Although there are still some manufacturers who do not believe in this bad luck, most brands will not consider them at all when looking for commercial endorsements.

Martin's choice of a two-year contract was also due to Nokia's final glory run.

Originally, he asked Thomas to pay attention to Apple mobile phones, but Apple's best spokesperson in recent years has been Jobs and will not use other celebrities.

The afternoon shooting was a rare theatrical performance for the crew.

Martin enters the Continental Hotel and has several conversations with Winston, played by Mene.

In recent years, Mene has dedicated considerable time to honing his vocal skills and enhancing the flexibility of his facial muscles. His acting prowess has seen significant improvement as he adeptly portrays the mature, steady, and restrained owner of the Continental Hotel in New York, impressing those around him.

When his vocal cords are treated with special substances, the resulting sound gains a thickness, particularly evident when he shares the screen with Martin. The phrase "Jonathan" that he utters carries a profound, heart-penetrating resonance.

Alexandra Daddario has also joined the film, although her role is limited. She spends extended periods on set, ostensibly observing and learning. Her father's substantial support during location shooting made it difficult for her to decline the opportunity.

Despite entering the film and television industry in 2001 with a privileged background, Alexandra has not gained fame or popularity in the seven years since. She focuses mainly on Martin during filming but is discerning in choosing the right moments to approach him, never disturbing him when busy or tired.

Whenever Martin is genuinely free, Alexandra seeks his advice on acting. In the rest area, she raises her head and questions, "I feel that the character settings in this film are relatively simple."

Martin agrees, saying, "She knew Jonathan and had an old relationship with him, but she still wanted to kill him for money and finally died in his hands. In fact, there is no need for anything else in the performance. It is enough to highlight the two points of greed and ruthlessness."

"Yes, the role's biggest features are these two points," Alexandra acknowledges, emphasizing her assets with tight-fitting, low-necked T-shirts.

Martin, a serious individual, focuses on performance nuances rather than appearance. He advises, "If you want to make a breakthrough in performance, you must first find the biggest characteristic of the character and then maximize this characteristic. It is easy to leave a deep impression on others."

Alexandra, contemplating her future roles, asks, "What kind of role is suitable for me?"

Martin, thinking of prominent roles in True Detective, Earthquake, and The Baywatch, suggests, "There are many acting classes in Los Angeles, and I guess there are many here in New York. You can find someone more reliable to further strengthen your studies."

Alexandra nods repeatedly, her movements resonating loudly. The crew wraps up work in the afternoon, and Martin prepares to return to the hotel.

Alexandra approaches again, extending an invitation, "Tomorrow weekend, there will be a party for the cultural and art circles in Manhattan. Are you interested in going to see it?"

Martin, unable to refuse this kind invitation, accepts graciously.