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Chapter 21: Party Anecdotes
🕑 Added 2024-09-03 11:23:13 +0000 UTC"Let's go and greet Director Spielberg," Gilbert said, leading Matt Damon over to Spielberg.
"Uh, can I?" Matt Damon hesitated.
"It's fine. A talented young person like you will surely be liked by Spielberg."
Before Matt Damon could hesitate any further, Gilbert brought him directly to the famous Steven Spielberg.
"Uncle Steven…" Gilbert greeted respectfully.
"Oh? Gilbert, you're here," Spielberg said, patting Gilbert on the shoulder. "I've heard that your film is doing well. I'm very pleased!"
"It's all thanks to your support. I probably can never repay your kindness in this lifetime," Gilbert responded with even more respect.
"No need to be so modest. If you didn't have the ability, all my support would be in vain. In Hollywood, it still depends on yourself," Spielberg said earnestly, like a kind elder.
"Thank you for your guidance. I will always remember it," Gilbert said seriously, which pleased Spielberg.
Matt Damon was utterly stunned. Such words are only used with people very close to one another. Who exactly is Gilbert? Spielberg's illegitimate child?
At this point, Spielberg noticed Matt Damon standing beside Gilbert and asked, "Who's this?"
"A friend, Matt Damon," Gilbert introduced.
Without needing Gilbert's reminder, Matt Damon proactively greeted, "Hello, Director Spielberg. I'm Matt Damon, an actor, and I just arrived in Los Angeles."
"Hmm," Spielberg merely nodded and advised, "You should go. This is a good place to meet people and build connections. Learn to participate in such events."
"Alright, Uncle Steven. We'll go now…"
After they walked away, Matt Damon composed himself and said to Gilbert, "Thank you for the introduction. Without you, I wouldn't have gotten in, let alone meet Director Spielberg."
"You're welcome," Gilbert waved his hand. "If you become a big star in the future, don't refuse if I offer you a role."
"Haha, sure. If you extend an invitation, I definitely won't refuse," Matt Damon laughed.
The most important thing Gilbert gained from this party was meeting the future star Matt Damon. He didn't achieve much else.
At this stage, Gilbert wasn't influential enough to be introduced to others by Spielberg, so he had to make his own way and approach people shamelessly.
However, Hollywood's big shots weren't interested in conversing with two unknowns, so Gilbert and Matt Damon soon retreated to a corner with their plates of food.
While Gilbert was enjoying some pastries, a voice came from behind, "Director Landrini?"
Gilbert turned around and was surprised to see Sina Boone. He greeted with a smile, "Long time no see, Ms. Boone. How have you been?"
Typically, the response would be "good," but Sina Boone replied, "Not so well. I resigned from CAA."
"Oh? What happened?" Gilbert asked, realizing he might have pried and quickly made a gesture to close his mouth.
"It's nothing that can't be said," Sina Boone saw Gilbert's gesture and chuckled. "I had no clients under me, and CAA's rule is that agents without clients have to return to the reception. So, I resigned."
"Hmm, that's understandable," Gilbert nodded. "CAA's rules aren't very humane. Resigning was a good decision. What's your plan next?"
"I plan to become an independent agent, signing clients and seeking resources on my own," Sina Boone explained her plan.
"Being an independent agent is tough. Can you handle it?" Gilbert expressed some doubt.
But Sina Boone was confident. "Don't worry. I've already identified a couple of potential clients who are interested in signing with me. It's just a matter of promotion and resources, and I'll handle that."
Struggling in Hollywood as a woman, Sina Boone deserved Gilbert's praise and admiration, regardless of the outcome.
"You're here, so you must have some connections," Gilbert decided to help this stubborn female agent.
Perhaps she might bring him some surprises.
Gilbert tapped Matt Damon, who was busy with some salmon sashimi. Matt Damon turned around and asked, "What's up?"
"You don't have an agent, do you?"
"No, I don't. Why?" Matt Damon looked confused.
Although Matt Damon had appeared in his first film *Modern Cinderella* back in 1988, he still didn't have an agent. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in a situation where he couldn't get any resources and almost missed the party.
The main reason was that Matt Damon had gone to Harvard and only recently decided with his friend Ben Affleck to drop out and try his luck in Hollywood.
"I'll introduce you to an agent," Gilbert turned and introduced Sina Boone to Matt Damon. "This is Sina Boone, a former CAA agent who is now an independent agent. Ms. Boone, this is Matt Damon, a promising actor."
"Hello…"
"Hello…"
They shook hands and looked at Gilbert with curiosity about why he introduced them to each other.
"Well, one of you needs resources, and the other needs clients. You're a match made in heaven," Gilbert said.
Is this so hasty? Can't you be more serious? Both Matt Damon and Sina Boone thought at the same time.
For some reason, the more they looked at each other, the more they seemed to like one another.
"Alright, you two can discuss this privately. Don't forget to treat me to a meal if you succeed," Gilbert said.
"What about you?" Sina Boone asked Gilbert. "Are you still sticking to your previous conditions?"
Gilbert shrugged. "I know my demands are excessive, and no agent would agree to them. So, until my first film succeeds, I don't plan to find an agent."
"Alright," Sina Boone mimicked Gilbert's shrug. "If you need an agent, remember to consider me first."
"Okay, no problem…" Gilbert agreed.
The party ended, and a satisfied Gilbert declined Sina Boone's offer to drive him home, opting for a taxi instead.
Next, he had a major test to face.
By the end of September, Gilbert finally received the invitation for the media and fan screening from Universal Pictures.
Receiving the invitation, Gilbert couldn't help but throw a few celebratory punches in the air.
Universal Pictures had finally started the promotional process. It had been such a torturous wait, and he had almost felt like Universal would never start promotion, even if the world were ending.
Now, as long as the promotion started, Gilbert was confident that the quality of the film would win over the media and audience, leading Universal to invest more resources.
In Hollywood, there is an ironclad rule: more investment leads to higher returns.
To achieve success, adequate promotional investment is essential. The saying "good wine needs no bush" does not apply to the film industry.
