[Chapter 332: You're Not Worthy Of Speaking With Me]
"Link, a few days ago, Harvey reached out to me, hoping I could speak out on behalf of independent filmmakers against the monopoly of the Big Eight Studios, to give independent films a fighting chance.
Considering it was a meaningful cause, I didn't refuse. But I didn't expect that just a few days later, the public sentiment suddenly shifted, and everyone started criticizing you. I realized it was too late to take back what I said. Can you understand my frustration?"
On the film set, Link received a call from Quentin. Quentin explained his recent critique of the Big Eight Studios in the media. While filming, Link had also caught wind of what was happening.
At first, he thought Samuel Goldwyn Jr. and others were targeting the Big Seven and Guess Pictures. He was contemplating whether to scale back promotion for the next two films to provide independent films some exposure.
However, before Guess Pictures could respond, the Los Angeles Times suddenly published an interview with Rob Reiner that took a direct aim at him. He faced accusations of betraying independent cinema and transforming from an independent film director into a Big Studio that suppressed the development of independent films.
With the media leading the charge, Quentin, Robert Redford, the Coen Brothers, and other independent directors spoke out against the monopolistic practices of the Big Eight, turning their criticism into personal attacks against Link, claiming he was expelled from the independent film community.
This tactic was a clever diversion, something that only someone well-versed in strategy would deploy.
Before Quentin called to apologize, a dozen independent filmmakers reached out through various channels, hoping to clarify the situation and prevent any misunderstandings.
Link didn't blame them. If he were to hold a grudge against those filmmakers, it would only serve the enemy's divide-and-conquer strategy.
"Alright, I know your frustration, but this won't be easy to resolve. You really have to take me out for drinks to show your sincerity," Link joked.
"Sure, when are you coming back?"
"Probably not for another month," Link said after a moment of thought.
"You're such a bastard, you finished filming Batman in April, and now you're off shooting a new film. You've shot three films back-to-back since last year. Aren't you afraid you'll wear yourself out?"
Quentin gritted his teeth from the other end of the line.
"I'll be fine; I take care of myself. You should do the same and avoid distractions. Having good health is essential for us directors."
"Ha! With all those women you juggle, you have the nerve to advise me against distractions?" Quentin scoffed.
Link shook his head and, after hanging up, contacted Lily to ask about the PR efforts.
...
Lily assured him everything was going smoothly and that the impact wouldn't be too severe.
Trusting her abilities, Link handed the PR tasks over to Lily and her team, then continued filming in Mexico.
...
In response to the public outcry, the PR department at Guess Pictures enlisted the help of Aaron Kutz, the associate editor of The Hollywood Reporter, to clarify the misunderstanding.
In his article, Kutz painted a somber picture for Guess Pictures, emphasizing their struggles as an independent film company facing increasing pressure from the Big Seven.
Since 1993, every time Guess Pictures released a new film, they faced pushes from the Big Seven. Guess Pictures was surrounded by enemies in Hollywood and had a difficult path ahead. Without the support of the audience, they might have been swallowed whole by the Big Seven.
From this perspective, Guess Pictures was certainly not in league with the Big Seven; on the contrary, they stood as a banner for independent cinema. In recent years, Guess Pictures had supported an array of independent filmmakers, including Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Richard Linklater, Sofia Coppola, and Paul Thomas Anderson, to name a few.
They also produced a series of successful independent films, including Paranormal Activity, Se7en, Before Sunrise, The Man from Earth, and The Butterfly Effect.
Moving forward, Guess Pictures intended to continue supporting independent cinema and filmmakers while resisting the monopoly of the Big Seven, paving a way for the survival of independent films.
The PR team at Guess Pictures also provided media evidence of suppression from the Big Seven during the releases of Se7en, Final Destination, The Butterfly Effect, and To Die For.
From this standpoint, Guess Pictures was undeniably a victim of the Big Seven's monopoly.
...
After Aaron Kutz's article was published, Guess Pictures garnered considerable sympathy and support, and public sentiment began to shift positively.
However, merely portraying Guess Pictures as a victim wasn't enough. To clearly distinguish themselves from the Big Seven, president Michael Leeson publicly announced that over the next two to three months, Guess Pictures would dial back on film promotions and would not be competing for box office revenue with the Big Seven, in order to facilitate the smooth release of independent films.
Directors like Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh publicly expressed their support for Guess Pictures' approach.
...
As it appeared Guess Pictures was on the verge of a successful PR turnaround, the media outlets owned by the Big Seven began to release an array of false news stories, attempting to muddy the waters.
However, Guess Pictures backed up their claims with real data that could withstand scrutiny.
The Big Seven's attempts to mislead the public didn't produce much effect.
With Guess Pictures' vigorous PR efforts, Link and the company's reputation gradually restored.
Nonetheless, this round of PR ended up costing over six million dollars -- a significant loss and enough for him to buy several thousand shares of Apple stock.
He kept a mental note of this debt owed to Michael Ovitz and the Big Seven.
---
"Cut!"
On the set, Link reviewed a scene where Matt Damon's agent faced off against other assassins. It was better than the previous take, and he waved his hand to announce it was good to go for the next shot.
"Link, do you want to answer Michael Ovitz's call?"
During a break, assistant Lewinsky approached him with a mobile phone.
"What does he want?"
Link set down the speaker and took the phone, asking Michael Ovitz what was up.
"Link, congratulations on clearing your name."
Michael laughed heartily.
"Is that why you called?"
Link frowned, curious.
"Exactly. As a friend, I was unhappy to see you getting dragged through the mud. Now that I've seen you clear up the misunderstanding, I'm genuinely happy for you!"
"Thanks! But it's unnecessary. This little issue is less impactful to me than a breeze at the beach. I've never cared about it from the beginning, so you don't need to feel happy or sad for me. Of course, if you're bored, no one's stopping you from feeling that way."
"Come on, Link, don't fool yourself. If you didn't care, you wouldn't have committed to lessening promotional efforts in the next three months to avoid competing directly with the Big Seven for box office revenue. Ha! Everyone knows that your films at Guess Pictures are of average quality; it's only the promotion that drives those box office numbers.
Once you stop promoting, your films will struggle and certainly lose out in the summer market to the Big Seven. This year, Guess Pictures' performance will drop from first to eighth.
Link, you lost the summer box office battle against me, ha-ha!"
Michael Ovitz relished the moment with loud laughter.
Link shook his head. "Michael, regardless of whether Guess Pictures wins or loses, this is a battle between Guess Pictures and the Big Seven. The players at the table are myself and the Big Seven's presidents -- you aren't even relevant enough to sit at the table.
I don't understand why you're so pleased."
"Damn! You're saying I don't qualify to sit at the table?!"
"Do you? You're merely an agent, someone who serves clients through words -- a servant. What qualifies you to sit at the table and play with the masters? Don't call me again; you're not worthy of speaking with me."
Link chuckled coldly and calmly ended the call, cutting off Michael's furious outburst.
Though insulting Michael Ovitz like this may have been somewhat harsh, it was his own doing, so he had no one to blame.
...
Later that night, back at his hotel, Link stepped out of the bathroom, steam trailing behind him.
Cameron Diaz, already sprawled out on the bed, took one look at him and burst into laughter. With a playful squeal, she sprang up and bolted for the door.
"Oh, no you don't," Link smirked, launching after her. There was no way he was letting her escape that easily.
Soon, the noises inside the room harmonized perfectly with the sound of waves outside.
Sandra Bullock and Catherine Zeta-Jones, who were outside, chuckled softly, expressing their sympathy for Cameron's 'unfortunate fate.'
However, as family, they wouldn't abandon her.
After a little over ten minutes, having finished their warm-up exercises in front of the television, they also got up and headed inside.
*****
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