Echoes of Hollywood

This is Century City, home not only to Twentieth Century Fox but also to numerous entertainment agencies of varying sizes. For those aspiring to break into Hollywood, it is undoubtedly a land of opportunity, especially for those brimming with talent and dreams for the future, who desperately need a chance.

Murphy had encountered such situations before, so when the young man introduced himself as a screenwriter and director, he slowly put away the enthusiastic smile he reserved for fans.

"My name is Creighton Wilkinson, from Massachusetts..." The young man continued his self-introduction, brimming with confidence. "I studied at the NYU Film Institute, majoring in screenwriting and directing."

Murphy nodded slightly. Not many well-known Hollywood directors came from NYU Film Institute; the most famous one he knew of was Ang Lee.

There was also a saying within Hollywood that compared to the closer University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, students from NYU Film Institute often lacked a realistic approach.

In a place like Hollywood, if you don't operate based on reality and only follow your imagination, the results are predictable.

Despite these thoughts, Murphy didn't show any of it. He simply watched Creighton Wilkinson. Since he had some free time today, he wanted to see if this young man could indeed present something surprising.

Creighton Wilkinson was very young, appearing to be around twenty-five. There was a barely noticeable pride on his face, and his words were full of confidence. "During my time at NYU Film Institute, I wrote and directed three experimental films, each causing a significant stir on campus, and I received joint recommendations from five professors..."

Murphy frowned slightly. Creighton Wilkinson was too verbose. If he didn't have time today, he would already be impatient.

Wilkinson continued to boast about his school accomplishments, but Murphy wasn't interested at all. Any Hollywood producer would feel the same.

Every year, many outstanding film students graduate from professional universities, but very few make it big.

Only a fool would believe that just listening to someone boast about their school achievements would deem them a super genius.

So, Murphy interrupted Creighton Wilkinson's speech, asking, "What do you want from me?"

Hearing Murphy's question, Wilkinson swallowed hard, holding back the rest of his glorious experiences. He opened his new briefcase, took out a not-too-thick stack of bound printed paper, and handed it to Murphy.

"This is a script I wrote," Creighton Wilkinson explained. "Director Stanton, please take a look."

If it were another film company executive, they wouldn't even take it. But Murphy was different. He had experienced being ignored at the bottom and knew how hard it was to start. If the project could move him, he was willing to give young people a chance.

Murphy took the script and pointed to the seat opposite. "Have a seat. I'll take a look."

"Mm!" Wilkinson was obviously confident in his script. He sat opposite Murphy and waited calmly.

Murphy opened the script and began to browse quickly. But after only three pages, he frowned. The script wasn't a linear narrative!

Flipping through another twenty pages, his frown deepened. It was a science fiction genre!

Converting the script's text and scenes into images in his mind, Murphy's years of experience immediately concluded that it required extensive use of special effects, meaning a high investment.

A sci-fi script with a non-linear narrative and obscure plot requiring relatively high production costs...

These equated to enormous risks!

No investor would like huge risks, including Murphy, especially when the potential huge returns were not evident.

He closed the script and was about to return it to Wilkinson, but the young man spoke first.

"Director Stanton..." Wilkinson was full of confidence. "If you want to buy this script, my basic condition is to direct it! Otherwise, I won't sell!"

"Uh..." Murphy was not only surprised but also a bit shocked.

In all his years in Hollywood, he had never encountered a scriptwriter or director making such demands.

Maybe influenced by Robert Downey Jr., Murphy hesitated and then asked with a hint of amusement, "Any other conditions? Just say them all."

"Of course!" Wilkinson was unabashed and continued confidently. "If your company wants to invest in my script, I must be both the screenwriter and director. I can waive the director's fee..."

This was the most reasonable thing Murphy had heard from Wilkinson.

But what he said next made Murphy wonder if he was dealing with a so-called 'super genius.'

"My condition is that your company signs a profit-sharing agreement with me." Wilkinson seemed somewhat knowledgeable about Hollywood. "If the North American box office exceeds $25 million, I get a 1% bonus. If it exceeds $50 million, it increases to 2%. At $75 million, it's 3%, and at $100 million, it's 4%..."

Wilkinson looked at Murphy, convinced that given his outstanding script, Murphy and Stanton Studios would agree. He believed this film could succeed, and with Stanton Studios taking the lion's share of the profits, giving him a small portion was no issue.

Everyone from his school, the NYU Film Institute professors, and most who had seen his experimental films believed he was a genius!

If they could see his genius, surely Murphy Stanton would too!

Of course, he had set such high terms to leave room for negotiation. If Murphy Stanton showed enough sincerity, he could make concessions.

Even if Murphy Stanton disagreed, it didn't matter. With such an excellent script and his genius, surely Hollywood's major companies would be eager to snap it up?

Murphy was quite speechless. He didn't know if it was his own intelligence that was lacking or if this 'super genius' was truly out of touch...

He pushed the script back to Wilkinson and asked, "Director Stanton, how is my script? Can we collaborate?"

"The script..." Murphy shook his head and straightforwardly said, "Since you plan to direct this film, can I see your project proposal?"

Wilkinson was stunned. "Project proposal?"

A screenwriter-director pitching for investment in Hollywood without even the most basic project proposal was like assuming film production companies were charitable organizations.

Murphy was too lazy to say more. Without even a basic project proposal, just a script, he came looking for investment and a directing role. It was indeed a genius move.

Besides, the script was too creative, combining creativity with a novice's risk. Murphy didn't want to bear that risk, and probably 99% of Hollywood producers wouldn't either.

And with no project proposal, the remaining 1% would have no interest.

"Let's end here for today." Murphy stood up and said casually, "I have something else to do, goodbye."

Wilkinson was taken aback, not understanding what Murphy meant. As Murphy walked away, he finally realized.

Murphy Stanton didn't want to collaborate! Wilkinson immediately realized this.

But he didn't move, just glanced at Murphy, picked up the script, put it back in his briefcase, and his face grew more arrogant.

After following Murphy Stanton in, waiting so long, he didn't expect such a result. Wilkinson muttered to himself, "A director who doesn't respect art! Doesn't understand the importance of creative talent, not worthy of his reputation!"

Although it sounded like he was talking to himself, Murphy could hear it.

Murphy didn't look back. Engaging with such a 'super genius' would only make him one as well.

People like Wilkinson, who thought a script alone could secure investment without any plans or other considerations, were either naive or fools.

Leaving the café, Murphy no longer concerned himself with Creighton Wilkinson. Hollywood sees countless young people arrive with dreams every day, and while few succeed, those as naive and childish as Wilkinson were extremely rare.

If Wilkinson had presented a conventional script and a detailed proposal without unrealistic demands, Murphy might have considered it.

As for his talent and creativity, Hollywood never lacked those.

Many people believe that talent will always shine in Hollywood and that good stories and movies will conquer Hollywood and the world. But Murphy, after nearly a decade in Hollywood, having initially struggled and now climbing to the top, deeply understood.

Hollywood is indeed a place of art and creativity, but in reality, filmmaking is a business, not an art.

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