Hollywood starts with a broker

With the close of the Sundance Film Festival, the independent film "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," which sold for $1.2 million, made headlines.

Harvey Weinstein of Miramax's incomprehensible maneuvering directly astonished other independent distributors!

At the same time, Aaron Anderson, the CAA newcomer who facilitated this deal, also became famous within CAA.

"You kid, you're really something," Paula Wagner said with surprise in her office at CAA headquarters.

Aaron Anderson shook his head. "I'm a little regretful now. I was impulsive at the time. The price could have been higher. $1.5 million would have been about right!"

"It's already very good. You've set a sales record for the Sundance Film Festival. There are a lot of people outside saying Harvey Weinstein is crazy."

Aaron smiled. "Harvey's crazy? That guy made a profit. The box office for 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' will exceed $20 million in my mind."

"Once the movie is released, Miramax will definitely be a hit!"

"$20 million?" Paula Wagner gasped. "You really dare to think!"

"Alright, Mr. Ovitz has already heard about your achievements. Go to his office."

Aaron nodded and left, heading for the office upstairs.

CAA internal staff do not have job title classifications; the office doorplates only have names and no positions.

Aaron knocked on the office door of CAA Chairman Michael Ovitz.

"Come in!"

Michael Ovitz, 46 years old this year, looks energetic and full of vigor.

"It's really surprising that you've done such a big thing just after finishing the mailroom trial," Michael Ovitz said with satisfaction.

"There were quite a few coincidences," Aaron said modestly.

"Heh heh, it's a reflection of your strength," Michael Ovitz said, handing Aaron a check.

"The commission for 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' was originally $120,000. Although Steven Soderbergh is not yet with CAA, you are."

"So, $100,000 here is what you deserve, and the other $20,000 is for CAA!"

Aaron nodded. After all, he was working under the CAA name, which was normal, and he took the check.

"Steven Soderbergh should sign with you, right?"

"Yes, he agreed and can come to the company to sign at any time," Aaron shrugged.

"Then what plans do you have for him?"

Aaron thought for a moment. "Not specifically. Next, the main thing is to help him promote the release of 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' and make him famous quickly."

"Very good. Now you are officially a CAA agent. When the time comes, you will personally host Steven Soderbergh's signing ceremony," Michael Ovitz smiled.

"Steven Soderbergh already has some fame in the independent film circle. Several big directors have praised this film."

"When the time comes, CAA will get a share of the movie's international income and videotape income. If you continue to have such achievements, your bonus will be considerable!"

"Don't worry, I will," Aaron thought for a moment and then reminded, "Next, I may go abroad a few times to look for potential people."

"Of course, many directors started with independent films. Do it according to your own ideas," Michael Ovitz naturally had no objections.

An assistant agent's annual salary is less than $30,000. Aaron Anderson's ability has already been proven.

With his performance like this, the income of some CAA partners will not be as good as his. What else is there to consider?

After Aaron left Michael Ovitz's office, he came to the script library and began looking for useful scripts.

This period should be the time when low-budget romantic comedy works become popular!

"Mr. Anderson, these are all draft scripts for romantic comedies," the mailroom assistant pointed to a pile of manuscripts.

"So many?"

"Yes, we receive some of these scripts every day, and they accumulate!"

"Okay, thanks."

It used to be Aaron, but now I'm Mr. Anderson, which is interesting.

In the evening, Aaron and Jake Wells went to a bar in West Hollywood for entertainment. The TV was broadcasting George H.W. Bush succeeding as the 41st President of the United States. The Reagan era was over!

"This Hollywood president really made a lot of contributions to the development of Hollywood," Aaron took a sip of wine. The Reagan tax reform greatly reduced personal income tax and corporate income tax.

After the Reagan tax reform, the highest personal income tax bracket was 28%, and the highest corporate income tax bracket was 46%.

Jake Wells smiled. "Reagan was also an actor, maybe he was very dissatisfied with the taxes at the time!"

However, the person who replaced Reagan was also a Republican, George H.W. Bush, so he shouldn't pay too much attention to the Democratic Party's calls for tax increases.

Hollywood now is not the Democratic Party's world of the future; the Republican Party is the king.

"By the way, you're about to sign with director Steven Soderbergh, so that should be considered officially embarking on the path of an agent, right?"

Jake Wells' tone was full of endless envy.

Aaron stood up, smiled, and patted the other person's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll introduce you to Steven Soderbergh when the time comes. I don't have that much time to handle some of his small matters."

"You should build a good relationship with him. Steven Soderbergh's future is limitless!"

Well, Aaron just thought that this kid Jake Wells was good. After contacting him for a few months, he was considered a friend and could be given a hand.

As for himself, the job of an agent, for Aaron, is like a restaurant waiter. How much promise can one have if one continues to be an agent?

Even if he reached Michael Ovitz's position, it would not be able to support Aaron's ambition!

At night, in his apartment in Koreatown, Aaron, lying in bed, was awakened by a burst of noise from next door. He immediately sat up and scratched his head.

"I told you a long time ago that if you disturb me again, the consequences will be serious," Aaron Anderson said, taking out a handgun and going out the door.

"Bang... Bang... Bang..." Aaron directly hammered on the door of the next room.

"Who is it?" An impatient voice came from the noisy room as the door opened.

Aaron saw the situation inside clearly. Four or five men and women were inside playing music, drinking alcohol, and the whole room was smoky.

"What's the matter?"

Aaron didn't bother to say much, directly pulled out the handgun from his chest, and pointed it. "Turn off the music, be quiet, and don't make any more noise."

"The neighbors next door need to sleep, and they have to go to work tomorrow. Do you have any public morality, you scum?"

The few people in the room swallowed. Are young people so irritable these days? Directly pointing a gun at you to make you be quiet.

"Uh, we..."

Aaron roared angrily, "Answer me, can you keep quiet tonight?"

"Yes, yes, yes," the guy who opened the door wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"That's good," Aaron patted the other person's face and looked at the stunned people in the room, his tone suddenly softening.

"Well, don't let me come over again, otherwise I'll send you guys to see God."

"By the way, if you want to cause me trouble, you can go directly to the Fairfax Jewish mob territory in Los Angeles!"

Aaron is moving out tomorrow. He's a rich man now, so why would he live with this group of scum?