chapter 1

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Squatting between the large boxes in the small living room, Duke glanced at his California Academy of Art diploma, then threw it into the glove box, took the tape to seal the box, and prepared to ship it back to his home in Santa Monica tomorrow.

"What's about graduating from film and video majors with full A grades? There are tens of thousands of people who go to Hollywood to look for opportunities every year."How many of them are really succeed?"

While talking to himself, Duke dropped the tape on the old sofa, returned to the bedroom, ready to change clothes and go out, "I have been in this world for 21 years. Yet have done nothing worth mentioning so far."

Having said that, Duke sat in a chair, and that memory came to his mind again. There were some things that could never be completely forgotten.

Although he has lived in the greater Los Angeles area for 21 years from his birth in 1970 to the present, Duke cannot forget the real experience that happened on the other side of the Pacific just like yesterday.

In the other life, after graduating from the directing department of a famous film academy on the other side, he spent some time in the circle, but he didn't get to meet many famous people. So he wasn't in the circle of any famous or big figure in the industry. It is really difficult for newcomers to get ahead.

In order to climb up to the dream of becoming film director position step by step, Duke has worked in various crews to accumulate qualifications, and even worked as an assistant in the props and pyrotechnics crew. With his hard work and spirit of research, Duke had worked hard for several years. He worked hard and became a well-known pyrotechnician in the circle. He also practiced the ability to create explosions and shoot explosions. He finally got the position of an assistant director in a low-cost war film in his thirties.

However, before he enjoyed the joy of initial success, he was affected by a set explosion and became Duke Rosenberg, who was just born in Los Angeles.

It seems that heavens were fair, taking away the possible success of the previous life, but also giving Duke a good life in this life.

He grew up with his mother in a single-parent family. Like most savvy Jews, his mother, Leah Rosenberg, has her own industry. Although she doesn't have a huge wealth, she has a net worth of tens of millions of dollars. The most important thing is, her advertising agency has close business relations with Hollywood. As early in the 70s when George Lucas hadn't made his fortune, the two were close friends.

In this life, Duke was no longer ignorant and clearly knows what he wants, and has been working hard for it. The family environment has also provided enough convenient conditions. He frequently meet George Lucas from his childhood and adolescence. The film set by Sri Lanka Films even played a small role in "Star Wars", although it was later completely cut out, it is also a rare experience.

On the set, he observed the Hollywood-style production model, and silently become familiar with everything in the world film factory. This is the road he chose for the future.

In normal times, in addition to participating in several sports that he is interested in, most of his time was devoted to his passion for film knowledge. Screenwriting, photography, editing, coordination, etc. are all essential elements for success.

Duke was like a sponge absorbing water. For more than ten years, he has absorbed knowledge that is useful to him. After graduating from high school, he did not choose the business school recommended by his mother. Instead, he joined the California Academy of Arts, which is closely related to Hollywood and the film industry. After the age of sixteen, he found an agent who was also a "novice" for himself. With the help of a wider family relationship, he moved back and forth between many crews as extras and temporary workers to increase his practical experience.

To date, Duke has played more than a dozen roles without lines and frontal shots, and has also taken vacation jobs in many crews including Spielberg's "Captain Hook", After ten years of accumulation, he has always been like a desert traveler, never feeling satisfied.

As a member of the Rosenberg family who has a glorious tradition in his mother's mouth, from the age of sixteen, Duke has been responsible for his living expenses and other expenses except tuition fees. No one can deny that learning to become an outstanding person The process of directing is actually a costly process.

Purchasing various related books and expensive films, renting photographic equipment, shooting experimental films, etc., are all financial burdens that bother Duke, even now that he has finally reached the age of 21 as an adult and officially graduating from California. After graduating from college, his financial situation has not improved, and his credit card has been in a negative state.

"What should I do next?"

Going back to Santa Monica's home, he can take advantage of his mother's food for the time being, but he urgently needs a suitable job, "I had to struggle for more than ten years before becoming a assistant director in my last life.Do I Still need to follow such long process?"

It's already 1991. Every past year, the chances he can get will decrease one by one. Duke has been waiting for 21 years and has learned and accumulated for more than ten years. What he urgently needs now is the opportunity, an opportunity to direct a real movie.

"But who doesn't need an opportunity? Who wants to get into Hollywood doesn't need an opportunity?"

Thinking of this, Duke stood up and opened the closet, took out his formal clothes, and walked to the full-length mirror. "Maybe Lovett can help me?"

Lovett is Duke's agent. Unlike Duke's career as a temporary worker who hasn't improved for a few years, Lovett is good at what he does and after several years of hard work, he is now the agent of the younger generation that CAA pays more attention to.

Duke is very clear about what the current CAA means to Hollywood. In fact, his brokerage contract is about to expire. The meeting with Lovett is also to discuss the renewal of the contract. After all, he can make use the power of CAA which helps him avoid lot of unnecessary detours.

Taking off his loose home clothes and putting on a straight formal suit, Duke looked at himself through the mirror again. As a person with a good family education, he didn't want to make mistakes in such an important meeting.

The dark brown short and medium hair inherited from the mother is neatly divided on both sides of the top of the head. Above the tall nose are deep eye sockets. A pair of black eyes show the depth and introversion different from the age. The tough lines on the face seem to be rice, carved by Michelangelo himself...

"Maybe it's easier to be a vase man in a commercial film?"

Seeing his apparently mixed-race appearance, combined with a height of six feet an inch, Duke couldn't help but think of the other side, and then shook his head.

He is to be the person in charge of the set, not a vase.

After finishing his clothes a little, Duke walked out of the rented apartment, locked the door, and went downstairs, got on the side of the road with his second-hand Chevrolet, and drove towards California academy of arts

As a satellite city of Los Angeles, Valencia isn't too big. Duke's residence isn't too far from the school. After driving through Central Avenue and turning two intersections, the car successfully reached the side entrance of the California Academy of Arts.

Lovett's designated location was in a cafe next to the side door. Duke found a parking space on the side of the road to park the Chevrolet, bypassed a green belt, and opened the glass door of the cafe.

Entering the door and turning left, Duke saw Lovett in the quiet corner at the end of the passage, but it was different from what he thought. There was another person beside Lovett.

"Why is he here?"

Frowning slightly, Duke strode over, and Lovett apparently saw him too, and nodded to this side, "Duke."

"Hi, Lovett."

Duke greeted him familiarly, opened his chair and sat directly opposite Lovett, and then stretched out his hand to the other side, "Hello, Rick Solomon, I didn't expect to see you here."

The other party didn't plan to shake hands at all, but simply waved his hands.

Withdrawing his right hand, Duke didn't let Rick Solomon attitude get to him.This person is his classmate at the California Academy of the Arts. The relationship between the two is very ordinary. They were both quarterbacks of the college football team and both pursued the cheerleader captain. All things directly competed.

Of course, Rick Solomon was the loser.

He didn't come here to fight against each other. Duke looked directly at the opposite side. Like all agents in Hollywood, Lovett wore a neat suit with professional shrewdness and indifference on his face.

"Lovett,"

Seeing that the other party didn't mean to speak, Duke had no choice but to speak first, "New contract..."

"Sorry, Duke!"

Putting down the coffee cup, Lovett interrupted him directly, "I wasn't able to clarify some things on the phone. I came to Valencia this time mainly to negotiate a brokerage contract with Mr. Solomon..."

He paused for a moment, and said unceremoniously, "CAA evaluates each artist under its umbrella, but Duke, your acting skills are very poor and you have not made any progress. As for your aspiration to become a director, sorry, I see no possibility of success, and neither does CAA nor I will renew a new contract with you."

Hearing this somewhat unexpected remark, Duke raised his head slightly, and looked at his agent in a slightly surprised way—the hope of holding onto his thigh was going to fail...

"Very sorry."

Having said that, Lovett didn't seem apologetic. "The company's management has officially invited me to become one of the partners. Next, I will co-manage some well-known artists. The workload and resources in my hands will increase, and I won't have extra energy to plan the future for those who cannot see hope..."

Although Lovett's complexion remained shrewd and plain, Duke was not a person with shallow experience. He could sense the uncontrollable contentment from the other's bent eyes and upturned mouth.

Indeed, to be a partner at CAA, you must have the confidence to give up on newcomers like himself who seem to have no future.

Almost in the blink of an eye, Duke's surprise disappeared and he returned to his original expression. He didn't say anything.

"You know, Duke."

Lovett stood up, patted him on the shoulder as he passed by, and said in a condescending tone, "You have disappointed me greatly. In five years you have played 17 roles, but your career hasn't progressed. Listen to my advice, you're not suitable for this industry, you will only waste your time and energy if you continue."

With that, he walked towards the cafe door without looking back, never casting another glance at his five-year partner again, as if he wanted to use this method to express his complete abandonment of Duke.

"Have you heard? You are not suitable for Hollywood."

These words came from Rick Solomon, who hadn't left. His tone was sour and mean. He continued to stab Duke, whom he thought was bleeding in his heart. "Lovett is known as the most insightful among the emerging agents, but when it comes to you, he obviously overlooked something."