Just after the New Year of 2007, Hollywood professionals were back to their busy schedules. Actors aiming for award season were pulling out all the stops to get votes. Various movie companies were reviewing their plans for the new year, agents were busy cultivating or scouting clients, and many others were focusing on their futures.
Martin Davis had one of the most common names in the USA, and he had the typical white man's look with brown hair, blue eyes, and a prominent nose. The past year had not been kind to him. In the first half of the year, he was laid off from the distribution department of DreamWorks and became part of the downsized staff. Later, thanks to his experience at DreamWorks, he managed to secure a job in the marketing department at Sky Dance Film Company, but lost a bid for a managerial position to someone with less experience.
He then faced office politics, and his promoted competitor relegated him to a frontline market research team. Since November, he had been running around the Greater Los Angeles area conducting in-depth market research on the prospects of "Fast & Furious."
Amidst his hard work and complaints, he was also very curious why a series with no connection to Sky Dance Film Company required a market evaluation by a rich second-generation individual.
His curiosity led him to eavesdrop on a conversation between his competitor superior and the bald executive, finally understanding that Sky Dance Film Company's owner planned to buy the "Fast & Furious" series rights from Universal Pictures.
The owner's bold move was backed by Matthew Horner's advice.
Martin Davis had met Matthew Horner and had heard of his stellar reputation. Matthew Horner was a close friend of the super-rich second-generation owner David Ellison. Sky Dance Film Company's only successful film since its inception, "300 Spartans," was recommended by Matthew Horner, bringing instant fame to the company.
Sky Dance Film Company now had great faith in Matthew Horner's judgment.
He knew well that Hollywood acknowledged Matthew Horner's unique ability to pick films, as someone who had multiple consecutive successes couldn't simply be lucky.
Thus, being one of the employees directly involved in the market research for the "Fast & Furious" series, Martin Davis didn't have to work too hard to figure out the situation.
Perhaps his luck was turning, as an acquaintance from CAA happened to be looking for information about the "Fast & Furious" series. Hearing that he worked at Sky Dance Film Company, the acquaintance reached out and offered a considerable reward.
Driving from North Hollywood to Burbank, Martin Davis navigated through several streets, parking in front of an old-fashioned coffee shop on 43rd Street. He got out of the car and walked into the coffee shop.
"I'm over here, Martin," a greeting voice came immediately.
The coffee shop wasn't large. Martin Davis turned towards the voice and saw his acquaintance, a second-tier agent from CAA, Brock Lesnar.
He quickly walked over and sat across from Brock Lesnar.
Brock Lesnar ordered a Blue Mountain coffee for him and said, "Long time no see, Martin. I didn't expect you to leave DreamWorks."
Martin Davis shrugged and said, "DreamWorks disbanded the distribution department, nothing I could do. At least Spielberg was kind enough to give a decent severance package."
Anyone working as an entertainment agent must be good at reading people. Brock Lesnar understood immediately that Martin Davis was implying he wasn't in dire need of money.
They had briefly discussed the matter over the phone, but the details needed to be discussed in person.
Brock Lesnar pretended not to understand and instead said, "Your friend mentioned you weren't very happy at Sky Dance Film Company."
Brock Lesnar had specifically sought someone to introduce him to Martin Davis, as they had only known each other in passing.
Martin Davis's poor situation was hard to hide from those in the know, so he said bluntly, "Brock, just tell me what you want directly."
"It's about what we discussed on the phone," Brock Lesnar said calmly. "Why is David Ellison conducting a market survey for the 'Fast & Furious' series?"
Martin Davis realized he had been too hasty and quickly regained his composure. "Sorry, I can only tell you that Sky Dance Film Company is conducting market evaluations for the 'Fast & Furious' sequels. I can't say more; it's a trade secret, and I must abide by my employment contract."
Brock Lesnar almost lost his cool. "These so-called secrets aren't worth a dime inside your head," he said calmly. "Do you think Sky Dance Film Company values your personal worth?"
Before Martin Davis could respond, he added, "No, they don't."
He then made a gesture, "If you can tell me everything, this money is yours."
Martin Davis hesitated, about to say something.
Brock Lesnar didn't want to waste too much time on him. If it weren't for the top executives at Universal Pictures contacting him after he convinced the bald guy to join CAA, he wouldn't have bothered with someone laid off by DreamWorks.
He opened his briefcase, took out an envelope, placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it towards Martin Davis. Martin Davis picked it up and seemed to examine the contents.
"You should know, I work at CAA and have extensive connections in the industry," Brock Lesnar said confidently. "I can introduce you to a new job at Universal Pictures if you leave Sky Dance Film Company."
CAA agents also vary in status. To become a partner, one must either have top stars under their wing or be able to manage quality projects with one-stop services.
This opportunity was rare for him. After convincing the bald guy to join CAA, Universal Pictures' top executives contacted him, wanting to use the bald guy to pull funds and restart the "Fast & Furious" series.
Even though most within Universal Pictures were not optimistic about the "Fast & Furious" series and had temporarily shelved it, those two top executives from Universal Pictures saw this as an opportunity. If Vin Diesel and he could pull in funds, they could persuade Universal's management to restart the series, with him as the one-stop service head.
Success would bring enormous benefits, although there was a risk of failure. But Vin Diesel agreed that without taking risks, their careers would stagnate.
In Hollywood, standing still is equivalent to moving backward, with countless people waiting to pounce and devour them.
Like those two ambitious executives from Universal Pictures, ambition, greed, ability, and resources are necessary to climb higher.
Martin Davis closed the envelope and asked, "Can you really get me a better job?"
"Of course," Brock Lesnar said confidently. If the "Fast & Furious" series proceeded as planned, getting Martin Davis into Universal Pictures would be easy. If not, he could work on the film set. "CAA agents always keep their word."
Martin Davis didn't believe in CAA's credibility, as agents weren't known for their integrity. But the dollars in the envelope were real benefits, and he was unhappy at Sky Dance Film Company, where staying would only drag him further into office politics. He already considered resigning.
"I believe your promise," Martin Davis said insincerely, but this was an opportunity. He then said, "We're conducting market research for the 'Fast & Furious' series because David Ellison, the rich second-generation, plans to buy the series rights from Universal Pictures."
"That's it?" Brock Lesnar stared at Martin Davis.
Universal executives had speculated as much and informed him. He had his own guesses, but he needed to confirm the details.
Martin Davis hesitated and said, "David Ellison has already contacted Universal Pictures, and they are considering it."
Brock Lesnar's main concern was not this and asked, "Why does he want to buy the 'Fast & Furious' series rights?"
"Because of Matthew Horner!" Martin Davis said slowly. "Matthew Horner advised David Ellison to do so and is even willing to co-invest with him."
"Matthew Horner!"
Brock Lesnar clenched his fists. So, it was true!
This was his main concern. If the "Fast & Furious" series were only David Ellison's idea, he would have to carefully consider cooperating with those two Universal Pictures executives.
Now that it was confirmed as Matthew Horner's advice, with him willing to invest...
What does it mean? With Matthew Horner's track record of selecting films, the "Fast & Furious" series must have potential.
"How do they plan to buy the 'Fast & Furious' series rights, and at what price?" Brock Lesnar asked again.
"I don't know," Martin Davis replied honestly. "My department only handles market research for the series."
Brock Lesnar nodded and stood up first. "Let's leave it at that. Goodbye, Martin."
"Goodbye."
Seeing Martin Davis wave, Brock Lesnar left a dollar bill and walked out of the coffee shop without looking back. Spending a few thousand dollars and a trivial promise for such good news was well worth it.
But he also knew that even with Matthew Horner's optimism about the "Fast & Furious" series, they still had much planning to do.
Making any film successful is never easy.
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