Capítulo 98: Chapter 98: I Want to Teach Them Boxing
"Hey, Richard, don't leave, we agreed to start a business together."
In West Hollywood's Bliss Bar, Norman grabbed his clothes.
"Yes, Richard, if you have any opinions, just say it. Don't forget that BAA has your last name."
Anthony said.
Richard shook his head. He didn't know much about this industry before and casually created BAA. Now, the more he understands, the more he feels that it's too difficult to do well in this industry.
Currently, there are three major agencies in the entertainment industry: Creative Artists Agency (CAA), William Morris Agency (WMA), and International Creative Management (ICM).
These three agencies represent more than half of the world's big-name stars, including actors, directors, athletes, writers, and so on.
The reason why these big agencies are powerful is, on the one hand, they have strong connections and can get more resources. For actors, these three have strong casting capabilities.
For example, CAA has big directors like Spielberg and Cameron, as well as big-name stars like Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock, Nicolas Cage, Keanu Reeves, etc.
CAA can easily cover all the roles in a movie production. For example, after the success of "Tootsie" in 1982, CAA easily arranged all its clients like Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, and Julia Roberts into "Hook", from directors and actors to screenwriters, all CAA clients, completely monopolizing the project.
Secondly, strong public relations capabilities.
They can help celebrity clients win important awards, whether film awards or awards in other fields. They can also help clients deal with negative news. It is said that the former head of CAA, Michael Ovitz, had a good relationship with the owner of Fox TV, Murdoch.
Once, a big-name celebrity client of Michael Ovitz had an affair with a married woman and was chased and beaten by the woman's husband, and the video was also taken.
This video was then obtained by Fox TV's entertainment channel, ready to be released. After Michael Ovitz knew about it, he directly called Murdoch, and the video disappeared forever, and the incident was not exposed.
In addition to connections and public relations capabilities, there also needs to be an agent team. Each of the three major entertainment agencies has at least two hundred official agents, as well as executive agents, assistants, and so on, totaling tens of thousands of people.
And what does BAA have?
Richard looked at the three people around him: short and stout Anthony, tall and thin Norman, and muscular Paul. None of these three looked like business talents.
He pulled at the corner of his mouth. "What do you think is the most important thing in running an agency?"
"Money! With money, you can settle everything."
Norman smiled, shaking his wine glass.
"You're right, you also need connections and talent. Look at us, who has connections, who has the ability to manage an agency well?"
"Why not?"
Anthony pointed to Norman. "He has extensive connections and a wealthy family, exactly the capital tycoon we need. Me, a NYU graduate, good at agency affairs and business negotiations, can manage the company. Paul, he..."
"Quick, tell me, what kind of talent am I?"
Paul blinked.
"You, with you here, no one can say we're racist."
"Fuck, is that all I'm good for?!"
Paul was furious.
"Don't get physical, Paul. You have good boxing skills and are a security talent. With you here, no one would dare to cause trouble in our company."
"That's more like it. So what about Richard, what's he good for?"
Paul pointed at Richard and asked.
"Richard... he's good at picking up girls. We can use him as a signboard to attract more ignorant girls to join our company."
Anthony said, squinting his small eyes.
"You guys have fun, I'm leaving."
Richard put down his wine glass and said.
"Don't rush, I haven't finished. You have a good brain, you can give us more ideas. You also have a good eye, you can be the head of the HR department."
"Not interested, I'm only good at being chairman, not good at anything else."
"Hey, Richard, when the company is established, I'll invest the most, I'll be the chairman, you have to accept this fact."
Norman smiled, shaking his wine glass.
"Whatever."
Richard shook his head.
Last time, the group made some money betting in Atlantic City. Norman made the most, more than half a million, Anthony made more than 400,000, and Richard also made more than 500,000, 400,000 from betting and 80,000 from the competition prize.
Afterwards, Norman and Anthony planned to invest this money in the agency.
Norman, with his deep pockets, invested 500,000, Anthony invested 350,000, and Richard only invested 150,000. The rest of the money was given to the financial manager, Ellie Adler, to invest in the stock market.
Compared to the agency, he was more concerned about the returns on internet stocks.
"In addition to the four of us, I plan to bring Mike in. He's good at communicating with women and can start as an agent and then become an artist manager."
"Nonsense!"
Richard paused with his wine glass and said, "Mike is a pimp, are you relieved to hand over the artists to him?"
"This, we can make it clear to him."
"It's not appropriate, we can arrange for him to do other work."
"Okay, Mike is tentative, do you have any other opinions?"
Anthony took out a small notebook and said.
"Norman and I are laymen, we don't interfere in the company's affairs. The company still needs to find some professionals, such as poaching some agents from several big companies. If the agency wants to gain a foothold in Hollywood, it must have a group of high-quality agents."
Richard said, touching his chin.
"Okay, Norman, do you have any opinions?"
Anthony asked again.
"No, Richard is right. We don't have time to manage the company, and the specific matters still need to be done by you. If you recruit talent, your work can be easier, if you can't find it, then you'll have to be busy."
Norman stared at a beautiful woman in the distance.
"The company hasn't even opened yet, and you two are shirking responsibility, how can this work?"
Anthony said with a dark face.
"Anthony, I'm a boxer and an artist, Norman is an investment tycoon, of course we don't have to worry about anything else. More specifically, BAA is actually your own business, if you do well, maybe you will become the next Michael Ovitz, so good luck!"
Richard patted his shoulder.
"Good luck, Anthony!"
Norman smiled and walked towards the beautiful woman with his wine glass.
Anthony shook his head and picked up a bottle of ice beer, chugging it down.
"Aside from the company business, there's my personal matter. Have you arranged the interview for the film program in Burbank tomorrow?"
"Yes, everything's set. Here's the interview outline. You should review it."
Anthony pulled a folder out of his work bag.
"Got it."
Richard clinked his beer with his.
"Hey, Richard, Paul, can you help me out?"
Norman squeezed through the crowd and asked.
"What do you need?"
"See those two hot girls over there? They said if I smash that bald guy with a beer bottle, they'll go out with me tonight. Both of them, with me. Isn't that awesome?"
Norman grinned widely.
"Not really. I just think it's stupid. That bald guy has a bunch of tough guys with him. If you hit him, can you get away?"
"That's why I'm asking you and Paul for help. How about it? There are only five of them. You two can definitely take them."
Norman suggested.
"If you want to impress them, just show them your Ferrari keys or write a check. Why fight?"
"No use. They drive Maseratis, which are more expensive than my car. Richard, Paul, help me out. How about $10,000 each?"
Norman offered.
Richard shook his head and saw Paul slightly move. He sneered, "Paul, remember your goal is to be a champion. If you injure someone, the boxing association will revoke your license."
"I know. I never planned to agree."
Paul shrugged.
"Man, you guys aren't cool. You won't even help with something this small."
Norman complained.
"We don't want to hit someone and then get played. Right now, go ask those girls if they'd be willing to do it here if we help them. We don't accept post-payment."
Richard played with his glass.
"Here?"
Norman laughed, "Isn't that too thrilling with so many people?"
"Thrilling is good. Go ask!"
Paul chuckled.
"Alright!"
Norman squeezed back through the crowd and returned with the two girls a moment later.
"Fuck, these two look really good. The one with the hat looks sexy, and the short-haired one walks like a model. I wonder if they'd be interested in becoming stars. Maybe we could recruit them."
Anthony squinted.
"Yeah, I agree. They're both really hot. I want to teach them boxing."
Paul stared at them with wide eyes.
Richard raised an eyebrow, "You really didn't recognize them?"
"Recognize who?"
"Hey, Richard, they agreed."
Norman grinned.
"Stop kidding."
Richard shook his head, walked over, and extended his hand, "Ms. Jolie, Ms. Shimizu, nice to meet you here."
"You recognized us?"
The woman with the hat brushed her blue hair back in surprise.
"Yes, I'm a fan. There aren't many women with lips like yours."
Richard smiled.
"Alright then."
The woman pouted her full red lips.
The woman was Angelina Jolie, and her companion was her close friend, Jenny Shimizu. They developed a deep friendship while filming *Foxfire*, with reports of their relationship in the news.
Angelina was married to Jonny Lee Miller but also had a spark with Jenny, which was considered infidelity.
"Richard, I heard Gisele mention you."
Jenny smiled. She was an Asian woman, short-haired, tall, and covered in tattoos. Known in the circle as a lesbian, she had been linked to Madonna and many other female stars, more adept at wooing women than most men.
Fortunately, Gisele didn't have that inclination, or Richard would be worried.
"Hi, Jenny!"
Richard shook her hand.
"Jenny, you know him?"
Angelina asked, scrutinizing him.
"He's the most handsome man in boxing, International Champion Richard Brad. His popularity has been high lately."
"Oh, I remember. He said he wanted to fight Tyson, and Tyson said he wasn't good enough, just a fraud. I didn't expect you to be Richard Brad."
Angelina examined him with interest.
"Yes, I'm Richard. This is Norman, Anthony, and Paul." Richard introduced the others. "Ms. Jolie, you just asked Norman to hit those guys. Do you have a grudge?"
"No, we were just teasing him, and it almost worked."
Angelina laughed.
Hearing this, Norman's face turned black. How embarrassing.
"Richard, I heard you're also an actor. Want to exchange contact information?"
Angelina took out her phone.
"OK!"
After exchanging numbers, Angelina and Jenny left the bar.
"Fuck! I've hooked up with so many girls, but today I almost got played. I'm so angry."
Norman slammed the counter.
"Want revenge? I have her number."
Richard teased.
"Um, forget it. She's too cool. I don't think I can handle her."
Norman shook his head.
"Smart. There aren't many men who can. So, don't be too upset."
Richard chuckled and poured him a drink.
(End of Chapter)
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