Chapter 161: Flower Films
Chapter 161: Flower Films
“Eric, did you want to tell me something earlier?” Nicole returned to the living room after washing the dishes and noticed that Eric had not gone to the company as usual. Instead, he was still sitting in the living room reading the newspaper. The woman, being very smart, realized that he was waiting for her.
Eric gestured for the woman to sit across from him before saying, “Sleepless in Seattle is expected to begin filming in early September, and I happen to have a little free time recently, so I think we should talk about the film.”
The woman only nodded and looked at Eric, waiting for him to continue.
“It’s already been two months. I imagine you know the script for Sleepless in Seattle by heart by now. First, tell me your understanding of the female lead,” Eric said, placing the newspaper back on the coffee table and casually crossing his legs as he looked at Nicole. It was a question usually asked during an actor’s audition.
During these past two months, Nicole had indeed already memorized her lines in Sleepless in Seattle. Hearing Eric’s question, the woman only thought briefly before answering smoothly, “I think Annie’s greatest characteristic is that she is a very emotional woman. This is also the main reason this story can happen. She only hears the male lead’s story on a radio broadcast, yet she can fly alone to Seattle just to meet Sam once. And merely because of a beautiful fantasy inspired by a movie, she resolutely breaks up with the boyfriend she’s already engaged to and rushes to the top of the Empire State Building.”
“From the sound of it, you don’t seem to like this female lead very much,” Eric asked with a smile.
The woman pressed her thin lips together. As a very shrewd and rational woman, if Nicole truly encountered someone like Annie Reed in real life, she would only scoff at her. But the woman was also smart enough not to answer Eric’s question directly. Instead, she said more tactfully, “That doesn’t prevent me from playing the role well.”
Eric shrugged and pushed over the newspaper he had been reading about When Harry Met Sally. “Take a look at this first. I saw an actress more suited than you for the female lead of Sleepless in Seattle. Her name is Meg Ryan.”
The slender hand the woman had placed on the small apron of her maid outfit trembled slightly. She raised her eyes and carefully studied Eric’s expression, but found no useful information. She could only take the newspaper uneasily and quickly read through the promotional article about When Harry Met Sally.
Eric explained from the side, “This film is performing well, so Meg Ryan, who originally wasn’t very famous, will definitely gain a much stronger box office draw. If we can invite her to play the female lead, Sleepless in Seattle can perfectly take over from When Harry Met Sally around the New Year, which would also be very beneficial for the box office.”
“I... I already signed the contract,” the woman weakly protested, lacking confidence.
“Of course. I’m not saying I’ll replace you. I’m only telling you one possibility,” Eric said. “If your performance can’t satisfy me, our contract also states very clearly that I have the right to replace the female lead midway. But I believe you have that potential, which is why I’m giving you this opportunity.”
In his memory, Nicole had indeed played this kind of sweetheart-style silly and pure role before. It was in Bewitched from 2005 in his previous life. The sweet witch Isabel she portrayed in the film was very successful and completely overturned her previous sexy and cold screen image. However, that film’s plot had too many fatal flaws and no highlights at all, ultimately leading to the film’s failure. Moreover, the male lead Will Ferrell was heavily suppressed by Nicole in terms of acting. He probably did not even steal as much attention as the agent character who often appeared beside him and looked very much like Tom Cruise. Many people felt that the production side had deliberately found that character to stir up discussion, because Tom Cruise had indeed played an agent in Jerry Maguire, although that was a sports agent.
“...Thank you,” the woman said, slightly relaxing after hearing Eric’s final words.
“Alright, another matter. You’ve been living in my house for more than two months. It’s time for you to leave.”
“Ah, well... isn’t there still another month before filming starts?” The woman raised her head. Although her expression did not show reluctance, it did show some unease. She knew that the reason she had obtained this role was because the price she paid was to work as Eric’s little maid for a period of time. Now there was still more than a month left, yet he was telling her to leave. The woman could not help feeling as though she had bought something at a convenience store but had not paid enough money. If the money was not enough, the shop owner had the right to take back the goods.
Eric did not quite understand why the woman felt uneasy, but he still patiently explained, “Starting next month, Sleepless in Seattle will begin official preparations. Some information will also slowly be revealed to the public, such as the male and female leads. At that time, the media will definitely be curious about who you are. In order to warm up publicity, you’ll certainly need to appear in public from time to time. Continuing to live here definitely wouldn’t be appropriate.”
The woman nodded. “I understand. Then I’ll... move out today?”
“There’s no need to rush. I’ll first have someone find you a place. There’s another very important thing too. After you move out, find time to watch When Harry Met Sally several times. I hope you can study Meg Ryan’s acting style. My ideal Annie is roughly similar to her image in that film.”
“You want me to imitate her?” The woman leaned forward slightly and asked carefully.
Eric gestured with his hand as he said, “No, not imitate. Besides, you wouldn’t be able to imitate her. Your temperaments are worlds apart. Meg Ryan is the standard sweetheart actress. Her acting path will also be tightly restricted for a very long time. If you imitate her too closely, you’ll definitely be labeled as a sweetheart actress in the future, which won’t be good for your development. What I want you to study is the kind of feeling in Meg Ryan’s gestures and movements, that kind of... alright, to put it plainly, those slightly silly little movements and details.”
If she could successfully break into Hollywood, Nicole did not mind being labeled anything. In Hollywood, being a sweetheart was still much better than being a vase. However, she could also hear that Eric was considering her future, so she nodded obediently.
After chatting a little more, Eric stood up and picked up his jacket. “Then find some time to pack your luggage. Once a place is found, move out immediately. I’m going to the company.”
Nicole also quickly stood up and smiled at Eric, wanting to see him out.
Seeing the woman’s rare faint smile, Eric could not help stopping. “Nicole, smile again and let me see.”
The woman did not quite understand, but obediently revealed a smile. It was slightly more exaggerated than the faint smile just now and revealed two little rabbit teeth.
Eric immediately shook his head in disappointment. “Forget it. You’d better not smile like that. It feels like you’re plotting to do something bad. That faint smile just now was good. Practice that more.”
“I will,” the woman said, seeing Eric all the way out the door before returning to the villa. She habitually did the usual cleaning once more. Two hours later, after finishing everything, the woman sat somewhat melancholy on the living room sofa, staring blankly at everything around her.
“Eric, these are the materials you wanted on New Line and Miramax.” In Firefly’s office, Eric’s assistant, Allen, placed two document folders in front of him.
“Leave them here for now. Contact Robert Shaye from New Line and the Weinstein brothers from Miramax. Ask when they’re free. I’d like to have dinner with them separately. As for the purpose, there’s no need to hide it. Reveal a little to them,” Eric instructed while lowering his head and writing something.
Allen wrote Eric’s instructions in his memo, then raised his head and asked, “Eric, is there anything else?”
“Mm, wait a moment.” Eric continued writing with his head lowered. After a while, he handed the sticky note to Allen. “Two more things. First, rent an apartment in Beverly Hills. Nothing too expensive. Something with a monthly rent no higher than five thousand dollars. Second, register a shell film company under my name according to the name on the sticky note. I have a use for it.”
Allen looked at the sticky note and read it aloud. “Flower Films?”
“Mm.” Eric nodded and did not explain anything. “Go handle it. The apartment needs to be quick. It would be best if it can be rented within the next two days.”
“I’ll pay attention to it. But should the apartment rent go through the company account?”
“No. Personal. After you find a place, just have the real estate agent prepare the contract.”
Allen stuck the sticky note into his memo booklet and confirmed the matters with Eric once more before leaving Eric’s office.
After the office door closed, Eric opened the information on the two companies. Although he would soon establish Firefly’s distribution channels, Eric had no intention of starting from zero. Most importantly, time was tight. Therefore, acquiring a film company that already had distribution channels was the most convenient and fastest option.
In Eric’s memory, the two film companies with great potential that he could think of were New Line and Miramax. As for Lionsgate, which in the new century had almost advanced into the ranks of film giants, it had not yet appeared. Companies like Orion, United Artists, and TriStar were already tightly linked to the Big Six, so there was no possibility of him acquiring them. Even if he offered a high price, once the Big Six realized that he intended to stand independently, they would not easily let go. Although there were still quite a few second- and third-tier film companies in this era that were as well-known as New Line and Miramax, Eric had never heard of them in his previous life. Presumably, those companies were either acquired and completely lost their independence without even leaving behind a studio label, or they went bankrupt due to poor management or failed investments.