Behind The Spotlight Chapter 75
When Collin was done selecting the members for the Talent Representation Team, he submitted the documents to the executives for approval, along with a formal outline detailing each member's responsibilities and expected contributions. It didn't take long before he was called in for a formal discussion about the matter.
The next day, Collin was invited to the 10th floor, the highest floor of the ANT building.
"Looks like we meet again, Collin. Then again, we both work in the same place, so it's only natural that our paths cross from time to time," Lila said casually, her voice laced with professionalism.
Lila gave him a faint smile as Collin took a seat across from her, maintaining his composed demeanor. She slightly raised her brows, noting how calm he was more so than she remembered. The last time he entered her office, he wasn't nearly this collected.
Back then, Collin had been visibly nervous, even if he tried to hide it. That first impression had stayed with Lila.
But now, the man sitting in front of her showed no signs of unease, not even the slightest hint of discomfort.
A lot had happened since last year. When they first met, Collin had no real assurance about his career as a talent agent and was constantly worried about whether he would survive in the industry. But once things began falling into place, he proved that his golden vision was real and that clarity resolved many of his earlier anxieties.
The reason he no longer felt nervous around Lila was simple: he no longer had a reason to be. He was confident in his abilities.
He had discovered his worth through tangible results. Even if he made a mistake in this meeting and ended up getting fired, Collin knew he had what it took to succeed on his own. This same mindset explained why he didn't feel intimidated negotiating with Noah, despite the gap in their status and Noah's bad vibes. Collin believed in himself.
Lila was impressed by how much he had grown over the past several months… but she was also a bit disappointed. She wanted to tease the handsome agent, but it seemed that trick wouldn't work on him anymore.
"You've changed, and I'm really sad…" she said with an exaggerated sigh, feigning disappointment.
"Yes, Ma'am?" Collin tilted his head slightly, confused by her tone but choosing to remain polite.
"Let's not stray off-topic. You've submitted a list of people you want on your team. You're aware that some of them are already part of other teams and might not always be available."
"I'm aware. If we can't find them when needed, then we'll look for others we can work with. They won't receive compensation if they didn't work on the project," he answered without hesitation. He had already thought it through.
"That's good. Not everyone on this list is needed at all times," Lila nodded, her eyes scanning the printed document in front of her.
Forming a team was a complicated process, sometimes even messy due to overlapping schedules and responsibilities. There were instances when the team would need outside help.
As long as the client could afford to pay, someone would always be available to take the job. There was no shortage of people willing to work in exchange for a paycheck.
"Now, let's talk about your commission rate."
Collin instinctively straightened his posture and listened intently.
"Looks like every one of your clients is showing potential. All of them are working on mid-budget films this year. That's impressive, I'm genuinely impressed. Keep it up."
"Thank you, Ma'am," Collin replied, grateful for the recognition.
"I'll make things easier for you since your stats are looking great. Your commission rate will be 5%, while the people involved in salary negotiations will receive 2%."
"Thank you," he said again, this time with deeper sincerity.
It was better than he had expected. Typically, he could only hope for a 3% commission if things went well and the executives were in a good mood. Receiving a 5% rate meant that Lila believed in him and expected more from him as a long-term contributor to the agency's growth.
"I'll make sure to do my best," he promised, feeling motivated by the trust she had placed in him.
As for the 2% commission, it usually went to the Entertainment Lawyer and the Accountant who assisted with salary negotiations. They would divide the commission based on their workload.
The lawyer's job was to legalize the contract and identify any loopholes studios might exploit to trap the client or insert hidden clauses that could go unnoticed. It was their responsibility to ensure the contract didn't harm the client. Reviewing the contract could take a lot of time depending on the project duration and the number of terms involved.
The Accountant's role was to ensure that the money was transferred on time, without deductions or errors. If a studio owed the client money, the Accountant made sure the balance was paid in full and without delay.
In a way, these responsibilities were too much for Collin to handle alone, so it was only right that the team received a share of the commission.
Thankfully, Collin still retained the biggest share of the earnings, and it felt like a well-earned reward for all his hard work.
'I think instead of calling it a 10% commission, it would be more accurate to say that it's 5% for me and 5% for the agency,' he thought, making the distinction.
"As for your other clients, they'll also be represented by your team unless they request their own. But that can only happen if they're at least B-list celebrities."
Lila added, and Collin nodded, making a mental note.
So far, his clients were at best C-list, recognizable in small circles but far from mainstream fame. They had starred in a successful movie, but by Hollywood standards, they were still considered nobodies, particularly his three client actors.
Note: the term "actor" can also refer to actresses depending on context.
To qualify as B-list celebrities, his clients would need to be recognized by a broader American audience by face and name. They would need to be invited to talk shows and events. The Accidental Wedding Crashers was a great start toward that goal since it had performed well enough to attract attention.
So far, Lawrence had the most potential to become a B-list celebrity… and Collin wasn't quite ready for the changes that would come next year.
"By the way, congratulations. The Accidental Wedding Crashers is one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of last year. Apex Network Talent is proud of you. Some of the executives even want to talk to you, but I'm trying to keep you under my wing. You should be thankful."
Collin nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure what she meant. Her words seemed to carry a double meaning he couldn't quite grasp. Was there more context he was missing? He didn't want to assume.
ANT was owned by Elijah Edward, a tech mogul and the founder of Database Giant. As the largest shareholder, holding 59% of ANT, his influence over the company was strong and absolute when necessary.
According to what Collin had heard, Lila Seraphina had been appointed CEO through Elijah's recommendation. She was the highest authority in the company. There was no Chairman, though if there were, Elijah would naturally take that position.
Some executives were shareholders, while others were simply hired. Not all shareholders were involved in company operations; some just collected dividends. Agents could also become shareholders, especially if they did exceptionally well or brought in top-tier talent that significantly boosted company profits.
If an agent was a major asset to the company, ANT would reward them with stock options each year they stayed.
'She's probably protecting me from internal politics since I'm just getting started,' Collin realized, grateful for her subtle support.
It was no exaggeration to say his clients were showing serious promise. Especially now that Wyatt had closed a deal with Uni-Versus Pictures.
'…Some executives are probably trying to steal Wyatt from me,'
That thought didn't sit well with Collin. After all, he had personally discovered Wyatt and helped him get to where he was.