"Come on, let's go say hello to Director Spielberg," Gilbert said, leading Matt Damon over to greet Steven Spielberg.
"Huh? Can I really?" Matt Damon seemed a bit hesitant.
"What's there to be shy about? Director Spielberg will love a talented young person like you."
Without waiting for Matt Damon's hesitation, Gilbert pulled him directly in front of the famous Steven Spielberg.
"Uncle Steven..." Gilbert greeted him respectfully.
"Oh? Gilbert, you're here." Spielberg patted Gilbert's shoulder. "I heard your movie turned out quite well; that makes me really happy!"
"It's all thanks to your guidance that I'm here today. I'm afraid I'll never be able to repay your kindness in this lifetime," Gilbert became even more humble.
"There's no need to be so modest. If you didn't have the ability or talent, my help would be useless anyway. In Hollywood, you still have to rely on yourself," Spielberg advised, like a kind elder.
"Thank you for your guidance, I'll always keep it in mind," Gilbert's respectful attitude pleased Spielberg greatly.
Matt Damon, standing to the side, was completely stunned. Only people with a very close relationship would talk like this. Just who was Gilbert? Spielberg's secret son?
At this point, Spielberg noticed Matt Damon standing nearby and asked Gilbert, "Who's this?"
"A friend, Matt Damon."
Without Gilbert needing to prompt him, Matt Damon actively greeted him, "Hello, Director Spielberg, I'm Matt Damon. I'm an actor currently, just starting out in Los Angeles."
"Mm," Spielberg simply nodded, then advised, "You two go on. This kind of event is a great place to meet people and build connections; you should learn to participate in them."
"Understood, Uncle Steven, we'll go now..."
After they walked away, Matt Damon composed his excited heart and said to Gilbert, "Thank you for the introduction. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have even gotten in, let alone met Director Spielberg."
"No problem," Gilbert waved his hand. "When you become a big star someday, you can't refuse if I ask you to act in my movie, okay?"
"Hahahaha, alright! As long as you invite me, I definitely won't refuse," Matt Damon laughed.
The most important thing about this party was meeting the future superstar Matt Damon. Gilbert didn't gain much else.
At this point, Gilbert wasn't important enough for Spielberg to introduce him to others, so he could only shamelessly try to strike up conversations himself.
However, the big shots in Hollywood weren't interested in chatting with two unknown newcomers. After making the rounds, Gilbert and Matt Damon quickly found themselves huddled in a corner, eating from their plates.
Gilbert was just enjoying a pastry when a voice behind him said, "Director Landrini?"
Gilbert turned around, and it was Sheena Boone! He smiled and greeted her, "Long time no see, Miss Boone. How have you been lately?"
Usually, people would say they're doing well at this point, but Sheena Boone replied, "Not so great. I resigned from CAA."
"Oh? What happened?" The moment Gilbert asked, he realized he'd been too nosy and quickly made a 'zip it' gesture.
"It's nothing I can't talk about," Sheena Boone chuckled when she saw Gilbert's gesture and explained, "I didn't have any clients, and CAA rules say agents without clients have to go back to the mailroom, so I quit."
"That's pretty good," Gilbert nodded. "CAA's rules aren't very humane; it's good that you quit. So, what are your plans now?"
"Next, I plan to work as an independent agent, sign clients independently, and secure resources," Sheena Boone revealed her plan.
"Being an independent agent is really tough. Can you handle it?" Gilbert expressed his doubts.
But Sheena Boone was full of confidence: "Don't worry, I've already scouted one or two clients who are interested in signing with me. After that, it's just a matter of promotion and resources, which I'll handle."
Fighting for a career in Hollywood, especially as a woman, meant Sheena Boone deserved Gilbert's praise and admiration, no matter the outcome.
"The fact that you could even get in here means you still have some connections," Gilbert decided to help this stubborn female agent.
Perhaps this woman would bring him a surprise.
Gilbert tapped Matt Damon, who was currently focused on some salmon sashimi. Matt Damon turned around and asked, "What's up?"
"You don't have an agent yet, do you?"
"No? Why?" Matt Damon seemed a bit clueless.
Although Matt Damon had appeared in his first film, Mystic Pizza, back in 1988, he indeed didn't have an agent. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been unable to secure any opportunities after that movie, idling until now, barely even getting into this party.
Of course, the biggest reason was that Matt Damon went to Harvard University and only recently decided to drop out with his friend Ben Affleck to try their luck in Hollywood.
"Let me introduce you to an agent," Gilbert turned and introduced Sheena Boone to Matt Damon: "This is Sheena Boone, a former CAA agent who's now an independent agent. Miss Boone, this is Matt Damon, a very promising actor."
"Hello..."
"Hello..."
The two shook hands and introduced themselves, then simultaneously looked at Gilbert, curious why he would introduce them to each other.
"Right now, one of you lacks resources, and the other lacks clients. You're a match made in heaven," Gilbert said.
That's so casual! Can't he be a bit more serious? Matt Damon and Sheena Boone thought at the same time.
For some reason, the more they looked at each other, the more they seemed to like what they saw.
"Alright, you two can chat about this privately. Just don't forget to treat me to dinner if it works out," Gilbert said.
"What about you?" Sheena Boone asked Gilbert, "Are you still sticking to those previous conditions?"
Gilbert spread his hands, "I know my demands are excessive, and no agent would agree. So, until my first movie is a success, I don't plan on finding an agent."
"Alright then," Sheena Boone shrugged, imitating Gilbert. "If you ever do look for an agent, remember to consider me first."
"Okay, no problem there..." Gilbert agreed.
The party ended. After eating his fill, Gilbert politely declined Sheena Boone's offer to drive him home and took a taxi instead.
Next, he had a big test to complete.
As September drew to a close, Universal Pictures' invitations for the media and fan test screening finally arrived in Gilbert's hands.
Upon receiving the invitation, Gilbert instinctively punched the air a few times.
Universal Pictures was finally starting their promotional efforts! This whole process had been so agonizingly long, and he'd waited forever. For a moment, he thought even if the world ended, Universal Pictures still might not start promoting.
Now, it was finally happening. As long as the promotion began, Gilbert was confident that the movie's quality would impress the media and audience, prompting Universal Pictures to invest more resources.
In Hollywood, there's an iron rule: greater investment leads to higher returns.
For a film to succeed, necessary promotional investment is crucial. The saying "good wine needs no bush" simply doesn't apply to the film industry.