"Is Craig Perry that influential?" Arthur arrived at ITA and heard that american pie had been picked up by New Line, New World, and Universal!
Tracy Jacobs said helplessly, "CAA has a large and powerful team. They plan to directly package and trade american pie to a film company, with the highest bidder winning."
New Line Cinema and New World Pictures are both independent distributors, though New Line also has some fame from The Nightmare on Elm Street series.
Universal, in its early days, had a special fondness for horror and comedy works, and only became renowned after collaborating with Steven Spielberg.
"It seems CAA's agents are quite interested in you too," Tracy Jacobs suddenly added.
Arthur was thinking that this matter could be used to his advantage.
He snapped out of it and asked, "Hmm, what did you just say?"
"Ah," Tracy Jacobs, knowing Arthur was an ambitious person, waved her hand and said, "It's nothing."
"However, if Universal is interested, New World and New Line can't compete with Universal, so the script's price should be higher!"
Arthur nodded. "No rush. First, go tell Nora Ephron about this. If Castle Rock isn't determined enough to develop sleepless in seattle;"
"Then we don't necessarily have to cooperate with Castle Rock. Perhaps catching a ride with other companies isn't impossible!"
New World, New Line, or Universal—they're all integrated production and distribution companies, Castle Rock, heh...
"You mean..." Tracy Jacobs certainly understood Arthur's intention. This was to put pressure on Castle Rock Entertainment.
"I understand!"
The script for sleepless in seattle is still Arthur's, and the chosen director is Nora Ephron. The two have nothing to do with Castle Rock.
"What about american pie? Do you really not want to play a role in it?" Tracy Jacobs still wanted to remind Arthur,
"Although you are the screenwriter, your image perfectly fits the roles in it!"
Arthur shook his head. "It's not suitable for me. If three companies are interested, an auction is fine. Just give it to whoever offers the highest price."
"Alright, do you have a price in mind? New World has already offered $250,000, so I estimate the final script price will exceed $400,000," Tracy Jacobs continued.
Arthur stood up.
"You handle it. I think $500,000 is about right. After all, I'm not some famous big screenwriter who can just scribble an idea on a napkin and have it be worth millions!"
If he remembered correctly, the script for american pie in his previous life was sold for $750,000 right after it came out, also written by a newcomer.
However, that was in the late 90s. Now it's only the early stage, not that crazy yet!
"I'm leaving now!"
"Arthur, you should get a mobile phone now. Otherwise, I can never find you," seeing Arthur about to leave, Tracy Jacobs quickly reminded him.
"Got it, but that thing is inconvenient," Arthur was used to smartphones and GSM phones.
The mobile phones now are like 1G, and quite bulky. He doesn't even have an assistant to carry it for him?
"If anything happens these next few days, call my home..."
Tracy Jacobs could only nod helplessly. Fortunately, Arthur was usually home in the evenings!
After Arthur left ITA, he drove to the airport to pick up Winona Ryder, and then they returned to West Hollywood together.
As soon as Winona Ryder entered the door, she saw a large bouquet of flowers in the room, with a beautifully wrapped heart-shaped box on top.
"A gift I prepared for you. Go open it and see if you like it?" Arthur said with a smile, his arm around Winona Ryder's shoulder.
Winona Ryder smiled and opened the box. It was a Cartier necklace. "Arthur, it's really beautiful!"
Arthur nodded. "As long as you like it."
Arthur had specially spent $15,000 two days ago to buy this for Winona Ryder.
"Here, let me help you put it on," Arthur then helped Winona Ryder put on the necklace.
The necklace looked really good against her fair skin.
"I went to ITA today. The american pie script was picked up by Universal, New Line, and New World," Arthur said, helping Winona Ryder sit down on the sofa with him.
"I have to thank you. If Craig Perry hadn't liked it, it probably wouldn't have been discovered so quickly."
Winona Ryder smiled and shook her head. "It was just an accident. At CAA, several agents work together to support an artist."
"Craig Perry only discovered this script through the script agent. I just mentioned your situation specifically!"
Arthur kissed Winona Ryder's face, who was in his arms. "Your contribution is indispensable. They've already made an offer, and it will be sold soon."
Winona Ryder nodded. "CAA likes package deals. You're not with CAA, so do you want to try for a role in it?"
"Of course not. You know my attitude towards acting, let alone these kinds of roles?" Arthur said, shaking his head.
"Although I don't pick roles, I definitely can't let loose with these kinds of roles!"
"Hmm, that's good too. These kinds of roles can indeed typecast an actor," Winona Ryder naturally supported Arthur's idea.
"Oh, by the way, I went to Venice this time. The beaches there are beautiful," Winona Ryder said, putting her arms around Arthur's neck.
"Next time, let's go together!"
Arthur smiled and nodded. "Did you attend the Venice International Film Festival?"
It was already late September, and the Venice Film Festival had indeed ended earlier.
"Yes, I went for three days to promote the previous film!" Winona Ryder said, as if she thought of something else. "I've already submitted my resume to the production team of the godfather part iii, directed by Francis Coppola."
"I'm vying for the role of The Godfather's daughter in it!"
"Have you auditioned?" Arthur asked.
Winona Ryder shook her head. "I haven't received any notification yet."
Arthur smiled. "Don't dwell on it. Italians value family and kinship. The Coppola family are Italian immigrants, so they will prioritize their own people!"
Arthur, of course, knew that even if Winona Ryder's audition was very good, Francis Coppola still gave the role to his youngest daughter, Sofia Coppola, a young newcomer with no acting experience.
In The Godfather series, basically all of the Coppola family's relatives got roles, but in the godfather part iii, the role of The Godfather's daughter was the most important female role!
People of different nationalities all have their own advantages: Americans are innocent, enthusiastic, and daring; Japanese have a strong sense of belonging and team spirit; Jewish people people are strong-willed and united; while Italians value family and kinship!
-------
In West Hollywood, at The Viper Room, Arthur sat on a sofa with Winona Ryder in his arms. "The atmosphere here is much livelier than in Hollywood Hills!"
Winona Ryder, wearing a sweet and cool pink knit top, looked up and kissed Arthur. "If you like it here, you should move in."
"You're often not around, and besides, I have my own house," Arthur said, sipping his drink and enjoying the rock performance on stage.
"Alright, then you can come over anytime," Winona Ryder felt Arthur was just being a man.
"Hey, isn't that River Phoenix?" Winona Ryder pointed at a young man on stage holding a guitar.
Arthur nodded. "Yes, I heard he's a talented actor in Hollywood. A few years ago, Stand by Me made him quite famous!"
Of course, Arthur knew this guy would die of an overdose in a few years. He hadn't even starred with Keanu Reeves in my own private idaho, the work that made him famous.
Johnny Depp, River Phoenix, and Keanu Reeves and their group of friends were all wilder than the last, refusing no hallucinogens, marijuana, or cocaine!
Winona Ryder touched Arthur's face, a little disagreeing.
"Arthur, in my heart, you're the genius. You're only 20, and you've already written several screenplays."
"And they're about to be made into movies. Everyone will admire you then!"
Arthur found it a bit funny. Was Winona Ryder trying to comfort him?
"Being an actor isn't my main profession," Arthur said, pulling Winona Ryder into his arms and whispering into her ear, "My ambitions are very big!"
"Hmm, I know," Winona Ryder said, then cupped Arthur's face and gave him a passionate kiss.
After the kiss, Arthur brushed Winona Ryder's hair back. "Just got back to Los Angeles, aren't you tired?"
"Not really, but let's go home now and get some rest!" Winona Ryder linked her arm through Arthur's.
After Arthur and Winona Ryder left the nightclub, they saw two young men pushing and arguing with each other at the entrance.
"That's River Phoenix," Arthur recognized him at a glance, then asked the woman beside him, "By the way, is he your friend?"
Winona Ryder shook her head. "I don't know him. We haven't worked together!"
"Really? I heard he has a good relationship with Depp," Arthur smiled. "By the way, what do you think of Depp?"
Arthur had, in a sense, stolen Johnny Depp's girlfriend, but it didn't matter.
"He's alright. Depp's work ethic is pretty good, and he's a decent person," Winona Ryder squeezed Arthur's waist. "It's just a normal movie collaboration!"
Johnny Depp isn't famous yet. When he becomes globally popular later, you'll see how difficult he is to deal with.
Work ethic? Johnny Depp's work ethic and temper are notoriously bad, but he projects an image of a simple big boy in front of the media!
Arthur mused, Hollywood, beneath its glamorous exterior, is full of darkness and filth.
"Let's go. It's just kids playing house," Arthur was merely a tiny bit curious about River Phoenix; why would he pay attention to him?
Soon, Arthur's american pie screenplay was acquired by Universal for $470,000. Although it was a little lower than Arthur's expected $500,000, it was harmless.
Tracy Jacobs used this to pressure Castle Rock Entertainment, making Castle Rock Entertainment's president, Alan Horn, feel the pressure and quickly greenlight the sleepless in seattle project!
Castle Rock invested $20 million for Nora Ephron to direct sleepless in seattle, and Arthur also got a producer credit.
However, no one knew how many people would listen to Arthur, but as Nora Ephron's assistant in operations, it was enough for Arthur!
In Culver City, at Columbia Pictures' office.
"Finally, we can start," Arthur exclaimed to Nora Ephron with a smile. This place should soon be renamed Sony Entertainment.
Nora Ephron also nodded. "Indeed, it's time to start. The lead actress, Meg Ryan, should be signing soon!"
"Director, what about the male lead?" Arthur was already calling her director. "Tom Hanks' current salary isn't high, he's quite suitable."
"Let's see the audition results first. Actually, I'm quite optimistic about him too," Nora Ephron smiled, reaching out and patting Arthur.
"Young man, don't rush. Castle Rock has done a lot of preparatory work, and this movie doesn't have any complex scenes."
"By then, some outdoor shooting locations in Seattle and New York, plus the indoor studios at Warner Bros. Studios, will be enough."
"I plan to start filming in November. You'll go with the crew to scout locations in Seattle in a few days. I'll find someone to sort out the Empire State Building in New York!"
The observation deck scene at the Empire State Building in New York is a crucial scene at the end of the movie, and applying to film there would definitely require advance notification.
Arthur nodded. "No problem!"
Moreover, Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank is jointly owned by Warner Bros. and Columbia TriStar.
Because Columbia TriStar was also in Burbank before, Warner Bros. had always wanted to renovate the studio, but Columbia's parent company, Coca-Cola, was not interested in expanding the studio, so it simply moved to Culver City this year!
sleepless in seattle is distributed by Columbia TriStar, so it's normal to film in the studios at Warner Bros. Studios.
Now, Arthur had also completed the revisions for the pretty woman screenplay, and just needed to submit it.
Tracy Jacobs was also discussing her compensation with Castle Rock Entertainment, and everything was moving in a good direction!
In the afternoon, Arthur went to the Disney studio, also located in Burbank, to submit the pretty woman script to the crew.
"I heard Nora Ephron's sleepless in seattle is about to start filming, right?" Garry Marshall thought the script was good after reading it, and took the opportunity to ask about his old friend Nora Ephron's first directorial work.
Arthur nodded. "Actually, Castle Rock Entertainment has been preparing for a while, but now with financial support, the crew should be completed quickly."
"Director Marshall's pretty woman is also a romantic comedy. Director Nora Ephron said she feels a lot of pressure!"
There's no helping it, pretty woman is also scheduled for release next year, so it's going to clash with sleepless in seattle.
Arthur knew that pretty woman was an unstoppable force. Losing to this pretty woman didn't matter, as long as sleepless in seattle could meet Arthur's expectations!
After hearing Arthur's words, Garry Marshall just smiled. "We all know Nora's talent."
"She will succeed..."