Returning to Linton Manor, Linton found the script outline for step up and handed it to Mira to register the copyright, saying, "I plan to start filming this movie in the first half of this year. The script is mostly written, but I still need to find two script doctors to help me refine it, especially some street life and daily dialogues that I'm not sure about. Oh, I need one white and one black script doctor."
"Ah, you're going to make a movie?"
"Yes, didn't you forget? My major in university was directing."
"You didn't say, I completely forgot. The problem is your singing career is booming right now. Isn't it too risky to transition at this time?"
"It's fine, I'm not stopping singing. Making movies won't delay me from releasing albums. Besides, it's common for singers to make movies; I'm not the only one."
"But they all invest their own money, dive into Hollywood, and most of them end up paying tuition fees, with box office failures, unrecoverable investments, and ridicule from the media and industry. Very few genuinely succeed."
"It's fine, I'm different from them. They were all outsiders when they ventured into film, so it was easy for Hollywood to manipulate them. But I graduated from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and didn't you sign me back then because you valued my excellent directing academic performance?"
"That's true. So, do you want to be a director or a lead actor?"
"My plan is to be both the director and the lead actor."
"Then you won't find investment."
"It doesn't matter. The investment for this movie isn't large; at most, it won't exceed 10 million us dollars. I can invest myself."
"10 million us dollars isn't small! That's enough to produce a medium-budget commercial film. For the sake of 10 million us dollars, many production companies will actively approach you. But what then? They'll use various methods to spend all your money, but they can't guarantee the quality of the film. Hollywood movies are much deeper than the music industry. The unknown Dao within is probably longer than the Amazon River. Let me put it this way: even the Mafia eventually cut their losses and left, and Wall Street funds can easily go to waste."
Mira still wanted to persuade Linton not to easily venture into film. She hoped Linton would focus on his booming singing career.
"It's fine. My own studio will be in charge. We can cooperate with experienced production companies. If not, my studio can independently produce it; there's no problem."
"Then the risk is even greater. Your studio is currently just an empty shell; it has nothing. How can it take the lead in producing such a large project?"
"First, the most important aspects of a film project are investment, script, director, crew, and actors. Now, the investment, script, and director are in place. I can find a capable producer from my Senior Brothers who graduated from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts to help manage the crew. As for the rest of the crew, I remember your WMA also promotes package services, right? Actors are even easier to find. This is Hollywood; why worry about not finding suitable actors? Of course, besides the main actors, other cast and crew can also be entrusted to your package."
"What about the even more important distribution? How will that be solved?" Mira wasn't carried away by the package business.
"We can approach Universal. Otherwise, why did I prioritize cooperating with Universal or Warner for my initial singer contract?"
"But Universal Records would have difficulty influencing Universal Pictures, wouldn't it?"
"It would be difficult, but I'm not asking Universal Pictures to unconditionally support me or sacrifice their interests to support me. I just need Universal Pictures to give me a regular distribution contract. They should still have that much Face."
"It seems you're determined to make this movie, so I won't try to dissuade you anymore. However, I still need to remind you that the waters are very deep in Hollywood filmmaking, and there are countless ways to extort money. You'd best find a reliable producer and an accountant who understands Hollywood accounting."
"Okay, then I won't keep you. Remember to help me find two script doctors as soon as possible." Linton was very satisfied with Mira's attitude and stance.
"Don't worry, there should be a result this afternoon, tomorrow at the latest."
After seeing Mira off, the housekeeper Amy brought Li Fuhai to report to him and asked Linton what he wanted for lunch.
"Li Fuhai, good, you're here for work. Are all the procedures completed?"
"Thank you, boss. Everything is done. What would you like for lunch?"
"Let's have Chinese food. I haven't had Chinese food in a long time. Make a few of your best dishes to satisfy my craving."
Li Fuhai went ahead, while Amy stayed to report on the situation of Linton Manor over the past few days. There wasn't much going on, but Amy was concerned that such a large Linton Manor would be vulnerable without security personnel at night, so she reminded Linton to arrange for them as soon as possible. Hearing Amy mention security, it was true that if he and Nicole weren't there at night, the entire Linton Manor would be practically undefended. Thinking of this, he picked up the phone and called Goodman, "Goodman, are the background check results for the four security guards from last time out yet?"
"They just came out yesterday. There are no issues; they meet your requirements, but I haven't been able to reach you."
"I was out yesterday. Since the background checks are fine, notify them to complete the onboarding procedures. Have them start work as soon as possible, and remember to have them sign non-disclosure agreements."
"Okay, I'll notify them now. They can complete the onboarding procedures today and start work tomorrow."
"Okay, are you handling the onboarding procedures at your firm this afternoon? Tell me the scheduled time. I want to meet them before they complete the onboarding procedures."
Linton remembered the importance of security. To prevent ill-intentioned individuals or spies planted by others, he decided to test them first with Soul Induction to be at ease. Next, Linton also used Soul Induction to test Amy. After confirming that Amy had no ill intentions towards him, he let her leave. Amy had no idea that Linton had just tested her, nor did she retain any related memories. Sitting back in his office, Linton picked up the step up script again and began to consider the operation of this film project. The target audience for this film is primarily teenagers, and the best release window would be during the summer, no later than August. It was already late January, so time was very tight. It was time to officially launch and fully operate this film project, otherwise, it would have to be postponed until next year. Now that the script was ready, he planned to direct it himself, and funding was not an issue. The most urgent task was to find a reliable producer. Thinking of this, he called Professor Mike, his mentor at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and arranged to visit him at 4:30 PM. After calculating the time, he called Goodman again, arranging to meet the four new security guards at Goodman's the firm at 2:00 PM. After making the calls, Linton picked up the step up script again and continued to refine it. At noon, Li Fuhai prepared several Huaiyang dishes, which left Linton's mouth watering. It seemed that hiring Li Fuhai as a chef was the right decision. At 2 PM, Nicole drove Linton to Goodman's the firm, where Linton met Nicole's four comrades. Nicole's four comrades were all battle-hardened special forces soldiers with formidable skills. Three were white, one was black, all around 35 years old. Their names were Hayden-Koman, David-Reed, Sandy-Glick, and Guli-Ge Te. They all came for the high salary Linton offered. Linton then had individual interviews with each of them, which was essentially using Soul Induction to test if they had any malicious intentions towards him or were planted by someone else, and also to test if they had any personality flaws. Linton was very satisfied after the tests and asked Goodman to expedite their onboarding procedures so they could officially start work tomorrow, under Nicole's unified management.
