Anthony Johnston only stayed in Los Angeles for a few hours before flying back to Australia that evening.
The renovation of the Fifth Avenue apartment had been ongoing and couldn't be left unattended for long. After Anthony left, Janette also rushed to New York the next day.
Since he had decided to buy Point Dume Park, Simon subsequently instructed his private lawyer, George Norman, to begin working on the matter. There had always been cases of park privatization in the United States, and without considering the cost, buying a state park was not particularly difficult.
In the original timeline, Tony Stark's silver, streamlined mansion, from the Iron Man series, was located on the tip of Point Dume Park. Compared to most other buildings in Malibu, the mansion indeed looked extremely impressive. Since he had already decided to recreate the 'Avengers Tower' in Manhattan, the Malibu mansion, which also perfectly fit Simon's aesthetic, naturally couldn't be missed.
The commotion caused by the birthday party gradually subsided, and Simon's life returned to peace, allowing him to focus on the series of projects Daenerys Pictures was currently working on.
'Pulp Fiction' completed its final cut a week after Simon's birthday. Although Orion had always had doubts about the project, they still proceeded with the film's promotion and distribution, as well as preparations for participating in the Cannes Film Festival in May, as planned.
Simon didn't lack anticipation for 'Pulp Fiction', but after completing the film, he didn't pay too much attention to it. After all, Daenerys Pictures only enjoyed a 10% share of North American box office revenue and a 5% share of North American video sales for 'Pulp Fiction'. Simon's greater energy was still focused on projects independently invested by Daenerys Pictures.
'When Harry Met Sally', confirmed for a March 25th release, had also been completed. After several internal test screenings, considering the film's quality and subject matter, Disney decided to begin small-scale preview screenings two weeks early, with an estimated 30 screens opening in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago on March 11th.
'Basic Instinct' began filming in mid-February, with an estimated two-month shooting period and another two months for post-production. The film's release date was set for July 15th, which seemed ample time as long as no unexpected issues arose.
For the other films, such as 'Rain Man', 'Steel Magnolias', 'Scream', and 'Dead Poets Society', Simon and Amy adopted a division of labour, steadily advancing their progress.
On another front.
On March 7th, after once again rejecting the latest contract offered by the Producers Alliance of Motion Picture and Television, the Writers Guild officially began its strike.
No one but Simon himself expected this strike to last for five months.
After the strike began, the operations of major television networks were quickly affected. Daytime soap operas switched to rerun mode, and late-night talk shows also cut many segments that required scripts, such as current event commentary. Because preparations had been made in advance, prime-time TV series airing in the spring season were not significantly impacted.
Furthermore, the new Academy Awards Ceremony, originally scheduled for late March, was also postponed after the strike began. 'Run Lola Run' only received a consolation technical nomination, so Simon naturally had no expectations for it.
Since the strike arrived as expected, just like in the original timeline, Simon, while busy with film matters, also began planning several television programs. He didn't intend to produce TV dramas; the workload for TV drama scripts was far greater than for film scripts. Although he remembered many classic American TV shows, Simon couldn't afford to waste too much time on scripts now, and Daenerys Pictures couldn't hire professional screenwriters during the strike.
Simon intended to produce reality shows.
In his memory, it was this major Hollywood writers' strike in 1988 that spurred the genesis of reality TV shows on American television networks.
However, due to the generally conservative business strategies of North American television networks, reality shows truly began to flourish in the late 1990s, when a series of proven successful reality shows from Europe were successively introduced to the United States, gradually leading to the subsequent two decades of prosperity for various reality shows in the North American television industry.
Including the newly formed Fox Television Network, there were currently four national mainstream television networks in North America. Simon also planned to produce four reality shows at once, and if possible, sell them to the four networks separately. As for whether they would be willing to buy, after the strike continued for several months and content became scarce, the television networks wouldn't have many choices when faced with ready-made programs.
"I met an ABC Television Network vice president last time I was in New York. He's a very good person. I originally planned to poach him after acquiring New World Entertainment, but as you know, that's definitely not possible in the short term. However, he agreed to introduce me to a few TV program producers. I'll have Jenny give you his contact information later, and you can talk to him about this".
In the corridor of Daenerys Pictures headquarters, 'Rain Man' was scheduled to begin filming next week. After the final production meeting for the film, Simon and Amy returned to the office together after seeing off the main creators.
"Simon, for such... reality shows, do we really not need to communicate with the TV networks first?"
"Now is not the time to contact the TV networks", Simon shook his head and said, "We'll see. Anyway, the budgets for these reality shows won't be too high, and the initial preparation costs will be even less. If the strike ends quickly, the possibility of TV networks buying such novel programs is low, and even if they are willing, we won't get very good contracts, so we'll just cut them then. However, if this strike lasts for a long time and affects the production of fall season TV dramas, we'll have an opportunity. As long as that opportunity exists, we must be prepared".
Amy nodded and added: "Also, regarding 'Steel Magnolias', Meg Ryan still owes us a film contract, and I think she could play Shelby. Her agent has also expressed this sentiment".
"Meg Ryan's temperament is too sweet; she's not suitable for a frail character suffering from a terminal illness", Simon shook his head and said, "Moreover, I've already arranged for an actress to come over. She should be here by now. Do you want to come and see her?"
Amy was stunned for a moment and asked, "Who is it?"
"A newcomer", Simon said, "I saw her in a recent movie, and I hope she can play Shelby".
Amy was startled, then smiled and shook her head slightly, "Okay, if you think she's suitable. But I have to go to Disney later, so I'll see her when I have time".
Simon knew Amy had misunderstood, but he was too lazy to explain.
The two parted ways, and Simon returned to his office, where three people were already waiting in the outer lounge.
First, he nodded to the other man and woman, then Simon looked at Courteney Cox, whom he had only met at his birthday party recently, and asked in confusion, "Courtney, we scheduled for four o'clock, but you seem to be an hour early?"
Courteney Cox had also attended Simon's birthday party last month, but Simon had been busier then, and she hadn't found an opportunity to speak with him alone.
At this moment, looking at the young man who seemed even more composed than when they first met, and thinking of the 10-million-dollar birthday party last month, Courteney Cox felt even more bitter, but she still wore a relaxed smile and said, "Simon, I was worried I'd be late, so I came early. You can go ahead and attend to other matters; I'll just wait".
"Then please wait a moment".
Simon said, turning to the other man and woman.
The middle-aged man actively extended his hand to Simon, saying, "Mr. Westeros, hello, I'm Marvin Josephson, it's a pleasure to meet you".
Although he hadn't met him in person, Simon knew that Marvin Josephson was second only to the president in Hollywood. With Ed Limato taking a large number of top stars like Mel Gibson and Denzel Washington to ICM at the beginning of the year, ICM's strength had greatly increased recently.
"Hello, Marvin, just call me Simon", Simon shook hands with Marvin Josephson, then turned to the young woman beside him with long, wavy flaxen hair, smiled, and extended his hand, saying, "Hello, Julia".
Julia Roberts, hearing the young man's tone, which was not at all distant and even very familiar, felt somewhat flattered. She quickly reached out and shook Simon's hand, saying, "Hello, Mr. Wes... Simon".
"Then, let's go inside and talk".
Simon said, giving instructions to his secretary Susan, then nodded to Courteney and led the other two into his office. Courteney Cox watched as the door to Simon's office closed, feeling even more dejected that she hadn't received any special treatment.
Inside the office.
The three sat down in the reception area. While waiting for Susan to bring coffee, Simon observed Julia Roberts.
The big-mouthed beauty, just turned twenty, still looked a bit green. Simon had found this actress, who would become Hollywood's most bankable female star in the 90s in the original timeline, in a musical film called 'Satisfaction' that premiered last month. Julia played a guitarist in a female rock band in 'Satisfaction'. Moreover, Simon also saw another future famous Hollywood male star, Liam Neeson, who was also playing various small roles in that movie.
Julia Roberts was the actress who played Shelby, the character who suffered from kidney disease and eventually died unexpectedly in the original 'Steel Magnolias'. Shelby's prototype was the sister of 'Steel Magnolias' screenwriter Robert Harling. Robert Harling wrote the script for 'Steel Magnolias' because of his sister's death, so a lot of effort was poured into this character.
Julia Roberts even received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress that year for her role as Shelby. Compared to Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts's fresh-faced temperament indeed fit Shelby better.
The three chatted casually for a few moments before Simon brought up the main topic.
"Marvin, I saw Julia's performance in 'Satisfaction', and as you both know, Daenerys Pictures is currently producing a series of films. So, I won't waste too much time with pleasantries. I hope to sign a long-term contract with Julia for five films. What do you think?"
Marvin Josephson and Julia Roberts had not at all expected this situation.
Everyone in the industry knew about Simon picking Meg Ryan to star in when harry met sally, and many, including the two present, didn't doubt that Simon Westeros had some kind of relationship with Meg Ryan.
Julia Roberts was currently just a newcomer who had only played a small role in an independent film. As the president of ICM, Marvin Josephson had come today simply to take the opportunity to connect with Simon Westeros and secure more opportunities for ICM's artists. Therefore, Marvin Josephson hadn't paid much attention to the girl beside him; he had even privately convinced Julia Roberts and originally planned to leave alone after their discussion.
Now, neither of them had expected Simon Westeros to open with an offer that made them both think they had misheard.
For newcomers just entering Hollywood, being able to occasionally secure a decent role was already very fortunate. Most men and women chasing their star dreams got stuck at this stage, and after wasting their youth, had to give up voluntarily.
Five film contracts!
Julia Roberts hadn't expected such a stroke of luck. After a brief stunned moment, she quickly nodded and said, "Mr. Wester... Simon, I'm willing".
As Julia spoke, Marvin Josephson also reacted. After calming himself slightly, he asked, "Simon, could you elaborate?"
Simon said, "Five films. Besides the supporting role in 'Steel Magnolias' that I had someone send to Julia, I guarantee the other four will be leading roles."
Julia Roberts immediately nodded again, but this time she stopped herself from speaking and looked at Marvin Josephson. To receive such a bundled contract all at once, she was willing to pay any price. If Marvin Josephson dared to mess this up, she would absolutely jump ship from ICM without hesitation.
Marvin Josephson, however, became even calmer. He glanced at the rather pretty young woman beside him, then at the young man opposite, and said, "Simon, I believe you have the sufficient strength to offer Julia a five-film contract, but what is the duration of this contract, and how will the remuneration be calculated?"
Simon said, "The contract duration is 10 years. As for remuneration, Julia will only receive newcomer's pay for the first two films. Starting from the third film, Julia can renegotiate."
Marvin Josephson then asked, "Simon, during the period of these five film contracts, can Julia participate in other films?"
"Unless I agree, no. Moreover, since such a generous contract is being offered to Julia, Daenerys Pictures will certainly include very strict restrictions and breach of contract clauses in the agreement".
Marvin Josephson considered for a moment, then said, "In that case, 10 years is too long. For five film contracts, I think 5 years would be more appropriate".
Simon shook his head and said, "It must be 10 years, Marvin. We both know that an actor's performance fluctuates".
Marvin Josephson said, "But only being able to appear in five films in 10 years, Simon, don't you think that's too few?"
Simon shook his head and said, "I just said that Julia can still participate in other films as long as I agree. Moreover, the contract is for 10 years, but it doesn't necessarily take 10 years to complete. If all goes well, perhaps we can indeed complete this contract in 5 years".
Marvin Josephson again glanced at Julia Roberts beside him, finally unable to suppress his curiosity. He simply couldn't believe that a young man who had amassed such a fortune at a young age would offer such terms for the sake of a woman: "Simon, may I ask why?"