Hollywood: Behind The SpotLight Chapter 10

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 10

"That's what I thought!" Wyatt exclaid.

"You just got out of the hospital yesterday, and now soone's already talking about the script? That's unexpected. Did you et soone today?"

Collin combed his black hair in a casual motion, a smile spreading across his face. He was surprised but also happy that soone had taken interest in their project.

"Not much. I talked to soone, just a short eting."

Wyatt's excitent was obvious, even through the phone. He was probably smiling just like Collin.

"Dude, this is it! We did it!"

Collin chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"Let's not celebrate yet, we might jinx it. We still have a long way to go before anything's guaranteed. I'm not sure if this deal will really happen or if it might fall through. For now, focus on your job with Esteban."

"Y-Yeah, I will. I won't screw this up."

Wyatt's tone turned serious imdiately.

He knew he couldn't afford to waste the chance Collin had created for him. An opportunity this big doesn't co around twice. Working with Director Esteban was the opportunity of a lifeti, one many film school graduates could only dream of.

If they didn't get funding, failed to make the movie, or if their movie flopped at the box office, Wyatt still had a chance to work with Director Esteban again, if he played his cards right... As long as he left a great impression and proved his worth on set.

So, working hard was the best way to show he was worth hiring again, or maybe even promoting to permanent.

"I think the person I talked to might've had a hand in it, maybe pulled a few strings. But we'll know soon enough."

Collin hesitated, unsure how much to reveal about his earlier eting.

He didn't want to say he had spoken to the CEO of ANT. Lila might not be comfortable with that information being shared.

As they discussed the potential investor, Collin's decision to make the film grew stronger. A resolve was building inside him, stronger than any of his doubts. This was a chance for him to make a na for himself as an agent in Hollywood.

A sudden thud from the phone snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Collin, I have to go. I'll call you later, okay?"

"Sounds good, Wyatt. Take care. We'll talk later."

Collin hung up, his eyes fixed on the stack of docunts on his desk. They looked like a mountain waiting to be conquered.

He couldn't shake the feeling that sothing big was coming. Perhaps sothing positive for his career.

He just hoped his intuition wasn't scamming him.

Suddenly, his office phone rang again before he could even stretch his back.

"Collin East speaking, how may I help you?"

"Hello, Collin. This is Rachel, executive assistant to CEO Seraphina of Apex Network Talent. The CEO would like to schedule a eting with you and Wyatt to discuss your project further and possibly explore investnt terms."

Collin's heart skipped a beat.

"That's great news! When and where would you like us to et?"

"Tomorrow, here at Apex Network Talent. Please arrive at 2 PM sharp."

The executive assistant probably didn't know that Kazir also worked in the sa building.

"We'll be there without a doubt."

Collin understood how difficult it was to secure film investnts, especially for first-ti directors.

Most of the ti, production studios were the ones providing funding because they had the resources and infrastructure. Once a contract was signed, the copyright to the movie would also belong to them.

In a sense, production studios hired directors like employees, just to fulfill a creative order.

Sotis, the director would pitch the movie to the studio in hopes of getting funding and support, trying to retain at least so creative control.

Of course, once a studio invested in the film, the copyright would be transferred to them. At the end of the day, it all ca down to negotiation and who had better leverage.

That's where agents ca in, to protect their client's best interests.

An agent would work to secure the right amount that satisfied their client, while also ensuring the deal was appealing to the studio.

...

...

...

The next day, Collin and Wyatt dressed in formal attire. Wyatt wore a black suit, buttoned shirt, and a suffocating necktie. Collin wore a similar outfit, it was his standard office uniform.

Wyatt wore the suit mainly to look presentable and to give off a professional vibe.

They took the elevator to the 10th floor. Collin approached the receptionist and explained they had a scheduled eting with the CEO.

The receptionist looked slightly confused as she flipped through her notes. She recalled one of the n worked at the company, he was hot, so she rembered him.

She did rember hearing about the eting from the CEO's executive assistant and suddenly rembered sothing important.

"The CEO ntioned it, but she said she can't attend due to a last-minute ergency or schedule conflict. Instead, she wants to introduce you to the investor who's interested in your project."

The receptionist relayed the ssage left by the CEO in a polite tone. She was clearly trying to impress Collin.

"Is that so? Well, that's unexpected."

Collin and Wyatt exchanged a look, they were a bit confused.

"Please lead the way. We're ready."

The two were led through a hallway to another room.

A spacious reception area awaited them, one that looked stunning.

Located on the highest floor, the reception room exuded refined elegance and wealth. It stood in stark contrast to the first-floor reception, which felt more corporate and generic.

Warm lighting illuminated the polished tiled floors. Comfortable seating areas and tasteful artwork lined the walls like a gallery. It was all set against a breathtaking view of the city stretching far beyond the horizon.

"It's nice to et you. I'm William Edward," the man said with a forced confident grin.

The man was already seated in the room, casually browsing sothing on his phone. He stood up and greeted Collin with a handshake.

'He looks young, probably in his late teens or maybe early twenties,' Collin thought.

He was wearing a T-shirt and baggy pants, like he had just co from a skatepark.

Collin felt like he was being scamd, or worse, pranked by so hidden cara show. The man in front of him didn't look professional at all. Certainly not soone who handled six-figure investnts.

"I'm Collin East, and this is my client, Director Wyatt Bray," he said, keeping a calm expression.

Collin suppressed his thoughts with practiced discipline. What they needed was an investor, and this young man, William, might fit the criteria, even if he didn't look like one.

As long as he had money, who gave a fuck about appearance?