"...You said to call you if needed, but I don't recall giving you a call."
Anson got straight to the point.
He didn't beat around the bush. Edgar wasn't the first self-promoting agent to approach him, and he certainly wouldn't be the last.
Lately, discussions about "Friends" had been heating up, and the na "Anson Wood" had truly entered the public eye, sparking widespread interest.
Opportunists had begun to surface.
Upon hearing that Anson still didn't have an agent, one, two, three, four, five agents all ca knocking, hoping to seize this mont, like sharks slling blood in the water. Each one was more eager and proactive than the last, and to so extent, more aggressive than the reporters.
But as Jas had pointed out, how many of them truly understood Anson? How many had actually planned for his future? How many were rely looking to capitalize on Anson's current buzz? How many were just there for the spectacle? And how many believed that Anson had so hidden backing that they could exploit?
Of course, they didn't talk about dreams or grand ambitions, only about profits.
The key was how much profit these opportunists could create for Anson, and what profit they were willing to exchange for it.
If Anson casually signed with an agent who had no plan, this wave of attention might disappear in an instant.
It wouldn't even take a year or half a year—just one or two months would be enough. Then, no one would rember Anson, and everything would have to start over.
So, Anson needed patience.
Not just Jas, but Brad Renfro had expressed similar thoughts. They both genuinely hoped that Anson would find an excellent agent.
So, what made Edgar different from the other opportunists?
Edgar wasn't surprised by Anson's reaction.
In the world of agents, they didn't like actors who were too opinionated or too individualistic. Such actors often believed they were always right, ignoring professional advice from their agents, acting independently, and ultimately leaving the agent to clean up the ss.
If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad—after all, cleaning up sses is part of an agent's job. But more often than not, these actors would bla the agent entirely for the mistakes: "You should have tried harder to convince " or "If you knew I was making a mistake, why didn't you stop ?"
And then, things would end with the actor firing the agent.
In the eyes of an agent, having strong opinions and individuality often equated to foolishness, and this tendency increased with the actor's fa.
Edgar was a little different.
He liked actors with personality.
Of course, he had witnessed, experienced, and helped resolve the troubles, chaos, and disasters that ca with such personalities, and he hated the foolish arrogance that often accompanied them.
However, Edgar believed that everything has two sides, and an actor's personality and pride were no exceptions.
Indeed, that arrogance and conceit could be unbearable, constantly testing the limits of the agent and other collaborators, making the process fraught with conflict, argunts, and pain. But at the sa ti, it was precisely this arrogance and conceit that could make an actor great.
To Edgar, acting was a profession that required narcissism, pride, and a strong sense of self because actors stand in front of the cara, projected onto the big screen, with every movent scrutinized under a microscope, subject to the audience's gaze, and embodying their fantasies of beauty.
If they weren't confident and strong enough, those gazes and fantasies could crush their souls into dust.
Moreover, personality often translates into charisma.
Without personality, there's no charisma. Like a Barbie doll, no matter how beautiful, it's still a soulless doll, subject to manipulation.
---
To have personality and charisma is to shine with color and distinctiveness on the big screen, standing out from the masses and achieving greatness.
Therefore, those top stars are often jerks.
Of course, this isn't entirely fair to say, as not "all stars" are like this. Good people like Paul Newman and Jas Stewart do exist, but overall, these "good guys" are indeed rare.
This is a contradictory but true situation.
The Anson in front of him further confird the impression Edgar had from their last eting. His sharpness was hidden beneath the surface, appearing gentle and reserved, seemingly indifferent to everything. But in reality?
It was impossible to know.
The only thing certain was that everything seen on the surface was an illusion.
Edgar believed that this move of his was the right one—
Artists choose their agents, but at the sa ti, agents also choose their artists. This is a mutual selection, a partnership.
Edgar smiled and looked at Anson sincerely, "That's right, so today, I decided to co in person."
Anson raised an eyebrow slightly, "Do you usually show up uninvited at strangers' doorsteps?"
Slightly sharp.
Edgar spread his hands, "Honestly, this might be my worst habit. Trust , I'm full of bad habits, but I'm not soone who gives up easily. I prefer to try until the very end."
"Moreover, I believe you deserve support from soone with this ntality. I am confident that you and I will be a golden team, and we can achieve great things together."
Bold and direct.
Candid and sincere.
And also... arrogant.
Anson couldn't help but smile.
The first part was due to Edgar's self-deprecation, that joke was quite funny; the second part was because of Edgar's audacity—neither overly confident nor arrogant but extrely determined, with eyes full of certainty.
Given the earlier circus performance, Edgar now seed like a stranger.
Anson admitted that Edgar had piqued his interest.
The sa thing happened at the theater last ti, and today was no exception.
Able to adapt and handle situations appropriately, and always capable of grasping the key mont—this ability is more valuable than any boastful self-promotion.
Edgar is indeed an interesting guy, just like his appearance.
At first glance, he leaves no impression, and you might pass him by; but if you're willing to stop and take a closer look, getting to know him, he can easily leave a lasting impression.
After a slight pause, Anson made his decision.
He made a gesture of invitation.
"Why don't we sit down and talk? Do you need a drink?"
"Water? Whiskey, brandy... water?"
It's not that Edgar is being treated specially. Anson had also given previous agents who ca to his door the sa opportunity—at least to hear what they had to say.
Anson believed that everyone has many ideas—so plans, so blueprints, so ambitions, so wishes—but what's most important is the willingness to put those ideas into action, even if it's just casting a wide net.
So he was willing to give these agents a chance and also give himself a chance.
Edgar imdiately picked up on the teasing in Anson's words: either alcohol or water.
Sure enough, still young.
Edgar also laughed, "No worries, I'm fine as I am."
This ti, as he sat down, Edgar was particularly careful.
Anson couldn't help but laugh, "Edgar, that's not a common na. Who gave it to you?"
Edgar showed a slightly awkward smile, "My mother."
"Have you heard the story behind Leonardo's na?"
Second update.
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