章 108: Chapter 108: Do You Believe in Love at First Sight?
[Chapter 108: Do You Believe in Love at First Sight?]
"Motorola agreed to pay $3 million for sponsorship, but their one stipulation was that the lead actor must be one of those two names previously mentioned: Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks.
Lamborghini's sponsorship offer this time was a one-time payment of $800,000. They were smart this time and wouldn't accept fluctuating sponsorship fees based on box office performance.
As for the others, Ray-Ban sunglasses opened at $500,000, requesting over five seconds of close-up shots featuring the Ray-Ban logo, while the Hershey Chocolate Company also bid $500,000, looking to secure the product placement for that box-shaped bomb..."
In the conference room, Jeffrey read off the various sponsorship bids with excitement in his voice.
Eric had a similar document in hand, but Jeffery couldn't help but read them out loud; he was just thrilled. If all the figures on the document were finalized, that would mean that even before shooting had started, Firefly Films would already have made over $6 million in profit.
In those days, Hollywood released over 500 films each year, but even counting profits from later video rights and other revenue, only about 50 films would clear $6 million in profit.
Eric reviewed the bids and jotted down his thoughts next to each, then closed the folder and handed it to Jeffrey. "Alright, Jeffrey, you're overjoyed at just $6 million in sponsorship?"
"Just $6 million?" Jeffrey looked up, dissatisfied, and repeated Eric's words, countering, "Eric, why don't you find me another film that can get $6 million in sponsorship?"
"Just because there's none now doesn't mean there won't be in the future," Eric shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe in another ten or twenty years, films could recoup most of their costs just from product placements."
"You don't even have to wait that long," Jeffrey noted wistfully. "If we had gotten this much in sponsorship for the last film, we would've already made back our costs."
"That assumption is absolutely valid," Eric suddenly remembered something important. "Did you let the sponsors know about keeping everything confidential until the film is released?"
"Of course I didn't forget," Jeffrey responded. "I explained the stakes to them clearly; they won't say a word until the film hits theaters."
With that, Eric felt reassured and stood up, asking, "Good, then. The auditions are about to start. Do you want to join?"
"Forget it, it's too torturous. I won't go," Jeffrey hurriedly declined. He had initially enjoyed the power of being a producer, having control over the actors, but sitting through auditions for several days, repeatedly asking questions and watching the actors perform over and over, gradually washed away that feeling of superiority until only boredom and fatigue remained.
The auditions had made Eric dizzy as well, mainly due to the sheer number of candidates. For each role, there were hundreds of actors vying for a chance, even after massive screening processes. Additionally, many of those who didn't make the cut were continuously looking for ways to secure a second audition, adding to the chaos.
Eric decided to hand over the auditioning for both films to directors Jonathan Demme and Martin Brest. He planned to have them narrow down the list to ten potential candidates each, before conducting a final round of auditions himself. That approach would definitely be much easier.
The only audition that was a bit better than the chaotic villain roles from the previous days was today's audition for Yoyo, the girl Andy met on the bus. She was the one that friends jokingly labeled as the interloper, who disrupted the pure, beautiful feelings between Andy and Sean.
Eric had previously set the criteria for this role as a beautiful woman aged between 18 and 30, with a professional charm. So, today's audition was sure to be a visual treat.
...
A girl walked out of the audition room, gently pulling the door shut. Once she turned around, her expression quickly closed off, ignoring the curious glances from the others in the corridor. She grabbed her bag and walked toward her waiting agent a short distance away, murmuring a few words to him before they left together.
The staff came out and called the next name; another girl was hurriedly summoned inside. Gwyneth Paltrow pulled out a compact mirror from her bag, checking her makeup once more.
She was born in 1972, making her just 17 this year. By Eric's standards, Gwyneth shouldn't have even gotten an audition opportunity. However, she wasn't daunted because she knew Drew, who had a close connection to Eric. Steven Spielberg was godfather to both of them.
That little brat, it was said that Eric Williams was supporting her -- it was really getting out of hand.
Gwyneth's father was a producer, and her mother was a well-known actress, making her background a hundred times better than Drew's. She had always looked down on Drew, who was riding on her pretty face to act cute. Even at Spielberg's gatherings, Gwyneth seldom acknowledged Drew, preferring to hang out with peers from similarly affluent families, as that would better serve her future prospects.
However, when she learned about the opportunity to collaborate with Eric Williams, Tom Cruise, and Tom Hanks, Gwyneth felt her heart race.
If she could land this role, her career start in Hollywood would surpass that of many struggling actors. Without hesitation, she contacted Drew, hoping she would help her secure an audition slot.
Even though her relationship with Drew hadn't been close, they didn't have any grudges either. A few flattering words were enough to charm that little brat; it was no wonder she was now resorting to being supported. Gwyneth thought disdainfully.
Less than five minutes later, the girl who had gone in before her emerged looking disheartened.
All the waiting actresses perked up; one less competitor.
"Next, Miss Gwyneth Paltrow."
Gwyneth quickly stood up, took a deep breath to steady herself, and walked into the audition room with a faint smile. She took a seat and confidently locked eyes with the blonde young man sitting in the center, who had his head down writing something. It was Eric Williams -- seriously handsome.
Gwyneth felt her heart quicken a little more, unable to help but fantasize whether he would invite her to dinner. Maybe she should reject him first to show some modesty; men who get things too easily never treasure them. She held a great deal of confidence in her looks.
After more than ten seconds, the young man across from her raised his head, smiling. "Hello, Miss Paltrow, please start by introducing yourself."
In the brief exchange of glances, Gwyneth sensed that Eric Williams likely recognized her, which excited her; it seemed that little brat had made an impact, at least he didn't treat her like a stranger.
"Hi everyone, my name is Gwyneth Paltrow, I'm 17 years old, and I graduated from..."
After a short self-introduction, Eric asked, "Miss Paltrow, the records show that you have had no previous film experience. What makes you think you can nail this role?"
With a smile still on her face, Gwyneth answered without hesitation, "Because I come from a family of performers. My mother is an actress, and when I was very young, I began helping her with her lines. Growing up in such an environment, I've always had a strong interest in acting. I was a key member of my school drama club since middle school and performed in many famous stage plays, accumulating a wealth of experience."
After Gwyneth finished, she saw the judges nodding in agreement.
"Miss Paltrow, do you believe in love at first sight?" one of the judges posed another question.
Gwyneth was taken aback, not quite understanding the intent behind the question. As someone familiar with the sparks of attraction, she did believe in love at first sight to some extent. However, she worried that just giving an affirmative answer would make her seem frivolous.
The panel didn't rush her, and after thinking for about a minute, she replied, "No, I don't believe in love at first sight. I prefer sincere feelings that develop over a long period of time."
*****
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