“... You said, if needed, you’d call me, but I don’t remember calling you.”
Straight to the point.
Anson didn’t beat around the bush. Edgar wasn't the first agent to recommend himself. Of course, he probably won't be the last.
Recently, the discussion surrounding “Old Friends” has been steadily increasing, and the name “Anson Wood” has truly appeared in the public eye, sparking heated debate.
Opportunists have emerged.
Learning that Anson still didn't have an agent, one, two, three, four, five agents came to his door, hoping to seize this wave of popularity, like sharks smelling blood, each more active and proactive than the last. In some ways, they were more ferocious than reporters.
But.
Just as James said, among these people, how many truly understood Anson, how many had planned for Anson's future, how many were just trying to exploit Anson's popularity, how many were just joining in the fun, and how many thought Anson might have a backer and were preparing to dig deep?
Of course, they didn't talk about dreams or great achievements, only about benefits—
The key is, how much benefit can these opportunists create for Anson, and what benefits are they prepared to exchange?
If Anson casually signed with an agent who had no plans, then this wave of popularity might vanish in the blink of an eye.
Even without needing a year or six months, one or two months would be enough, and then no one would remember Anson, and everything would have to start from scratch.
So, Anson needed patience—
Not only James, but Brad Lanflow also expressed similar views. They sincerely hoped that Anson could find an excellent agent.
So, what was the difference between Edgar and other opportunists?
Edgar wasn't surprised by Anson's reaction.
In fact, in the agent industry, they don't like actors who are too opinionated or too individualistic, because such actors often think they are right, ignore the agent's professional advice, act on their own, and in the end, the agent has to take the blame and clean up the mess.
If it was just like that, then so be it. After all, taking the blame and cleaning up the mess is also part of the agent's job, but more often than not, these actors will push all the blame onto the agent, "You should have advised me more," "Knowing I was making a mistake, why didn't you stop me?"
Then, the matter ends with the actor firing the agent.
Ideas and personality often represent stupidity in the eyes of agents, and are directly proportional to the level of fame.
Edgar was slightly different.
He liked the actor's personality.
Of course, Edgar had also witnessed, experienced, and assisted in dealing with those troubles, those chaos, those disasters. He also hated those stupid arrogance and pride.
However, everything in the world has two sides, and the actor's personality and pride are no exception.
Indeed, that arrogance and arrogance are simply painful, constantly challenging the bottom line and limits of the agent and other collaborators, and the cooperation process is full of disputes, conflicts, and pain; but at the same time, it is precisely this arrogance and arrogance that can achieve the greatness of an actor.
In Edgar's view, an actor is a profession that requires narcissism, pride, and self-centeredness, because they stand in front of the camera, and then are projected on the big screen, every move is placed under the microscope, accepting people's gaze, and projecting the audience's fantasy of beauty.
If they are not confident enough and not strong enough, those gazes and those fantasies can destroy their souls and crush them into powder.
In addition, personality often means tension and charm.
Without personality, there is no charm, like a Barbie doll. No matter how good-looking the doll is, it is still a doll without a soul, at the mercy of others.
Having personality and charm can bloom with color and edges on the big screen, stand out from the crowd, and achieve great achievements.
So, those top superstars are often bastards.
Of course, it is not fair to say that, it is not that “all superstars” are like this. Good people like Paul Newman and James Stewart also objectively exist, but on the whole, the existence of these “good people” is still rare.
This is a contradictory but true situation.
The Anson in front of him further confirmed the impression Edgar had left on their last meeting. His sharpness was hidden, seemingly gentle and restrained, indifferent to everything, but in reality?
There was no way to know.
The only thing that could be determined was that everything seen on the surface was a facade.
Edgar believed that this move of his should be the right one—
Anson raised his eyebrows slightly, "Do you usually show up uninvited at strangers' doorsteps like this?"
Slightly sharp.
Edgar spread his hands, "Honestly, this should be my most serious problem. Believe me, I have flaws all over my body, but I'm not someone who gives up easily. I still hope to try and see before it's over."
"Moreover, I think you should get the support of someone with such a mentality. I'm confident that you and I will be a golden partner, and we can achieve each other."
Bold, direct.
Frank, sincere.
And also… arrogance.
Anson couldn't help but smile.
The first half was because of Edgar's self-deprecation, that joke was very funny; the second half was because of Edgar's madness, not confident or flamboyant but exceptionally firm, and there was a certainty in his eyes.
Referring to the circus performance just now, Edgar at this time was like a stranger.
Anson admitted that Edgar had awakened some interest.
It was the same last time in the theater, and it's the same today.
Being able to bend and stretch, advance and retreat appropriately, and always be able to grasp the right key at the right time, this ability is more valuable than flowery self-promotion.
Edgar was indeed an interesting fellow, just like his appearance.
A quick glance, without any impression, and they might have just brushed past each other; but if you are willing to stop and look again, and understand deeply, you can easily leave a deep impression.
After a slight pause, Anson made a decision.
He made an inviting gesture.
"Why don't we sit down and talk? Do you need a drink?"
"Water? Whiskey, brandy… water?"
It wasn't special treatment for Edgar. Anson had given the same opportunity to the other agents who had come to his door, at least to listen to what the other party had to say.
Anson believed that everyone had many ideas, some plans, some blueprints, some ambitions, some wishes, but it was most important to truly be willing to put ideas into action, even if it was just casting a net to catch fish.
So he was willing to give these agents a chance, and also give himself a chance.
Edgar immediately heard the teasing in Anson's words, either alcohol or water.
As expected, still a young man.
Edgar also smiled, "It's okay, I'm already fine like this."
This time, Edgar was particularly careful when he sat down.
Anson couldn't help but smile, "Edgar, that's not a common name, who gave it to you?"
Edgar showed a slightly restrained smile, "My mother."
"You should have heard those stories about the origin of Leonardo's name, right?"
Second chapter.
