Chapter Five: Crystal's First Job
1495 Words
Hollywood only has two kinds of people: those from CBB and the rest. This statement isn't an exaggeration.
CBB boasts not only actors like Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks but also top directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, along with outstanding producers, writers, novelists, and athletes. When any film company or TV network plans a new project, CBB provides the entire cast, from script to post-production, and handles publicity and distribution. Many actors choose CBB to easily select roles and scripts from within.
The alumni directory gets updated yearly, containing contact info, industry, and positions of USC alumni. Crystal Campbell scrolled down to find a USC alum working at CBB, specifically in the film financing department. It's one thing to find the right person, but building a relationship is crucial; otherwise, even if you know relevant information, it won't be shared with a stranger.
Alumni connections aren't enough; there needs to be a closer link, like sharing the same course or having the same professor. After preparing her script, Crystal picked up her phone and dialed the number.
"Ding, ding, ding."
After about twenty seconds, the call was finally answered. "Hello, this is Holmes Levy."
To prevent the call from being abruptly ended, Crystal got straight to the point, "Hi, I'm Crystal Campbell, a student of Professor Joseph Adamsen at USC. I'm calling to inquire about CBB's signing agreements."
Hearing her alma mater and the familiar professor's name, Dalton's voice softened, "Wow, didn't expect a call from a fellow alum. How's Professor Joseph doing?"
"He's doing great, shot a short film with us just last month. Quite impressive."
Despite not being Professor Joseph Adamsen's star student, Crystal had only taken one course with him. However, leveraging this relationship here was helpful.
Holmes Levy excitedly responded, "I heard about that short film when I visited him last year. Can I see it now?"
"It's been produced on DVD. If you're free tomorrow when I come to sign with CBB, I can bring it to your office." Crystal subtly redirected the conversation toward her agenda.
She was here to gather information about Clark Dyson and CBB.
As expected, Holmes inquired, "You're signing with CBB? What kind of contract is it?"
"I want to become a film actor, and I got a referral to Clark Dyson, a CBB agent. I'm planning to sign with him tomorrow."
"A wise choice. CBB is unmatched in Hollywood. I don't know why you chose to become an actor, but no other company suits you better. Clark, well, he's probably the most average agent in CBB."
Thinking about it, Bob Collins wouldn't assign a savvy agent to her. If Clark had any notable qualities, he would have climbed the ranks by now, probably performing adequately but without any distinguishing features.
"Thanks for your time. Tomorrow when I come to sign, I'll drop the DVD off at your office."
"Much appreciated. I can't wait to see Professor Joseph's new work! Just a reminder, changing agents within CAA is easy. You sign contracts with the company, not the agent. If you find Clark lacking, you can switch within the company, provided another agent is willing to take you on."
It's not uncommon for a star to change agents five times in a year at CBB, as long as they stay within the company.
Crystal got a hint and was in high spirits, "Thank you, sir. You've been very helpful."
"I'm stating industry common knowledge. Young lady, entering Hollywood isn't an easy path."
"No job is easy."
"See you tomorrow, and good luck with your signing."
After hanging up, Crystal stood up excitedly from her window and began rummaging through her pile of stuff. Jessica, who had been silently listening, inquired with curiosity, "Dear, what did the senior say?"
"Clark seems like a blue-collar agent. If I'm not satisfied after signing, I can change. Now, I need to find Joseph Professor's DVD quickly; I'm not sure where I put it!"
Every student involved in the short film has a DVD, partly for commemoration and partly as a calling card for job interviews.
"I remember you threw a lot of books directly under your bed. Why not check there?," Jessica suggested, watching her friend flipping everything around.
Crystal tied her hair up with a hairband and bent down to pull out two tightly sealed boxes from under her bed, filled with various film-related books and shooting materials.
"Thank God, I finally found it!" Crystal pulled out the DVD from the disc binder, kissed the cover, and quickly packed it away.
"Tonight, let's go to a bar to celebrate your successful signing!" Jessica suggested, eager to explore bars now that she had turned 21.
However, Crystal pointed to her hair and said, "Sorry, I need to go to the salon to fix this hair; it looks ridiculous!"
"Don't be ridiculous. It looks great, and it's the latest trend!" Jessica disagreed.
Crystal, having traveled from the 21st century, was already despairing at the current aesthetic trends.
...
Well-dressed individuals streamed in and out of the CBB office building. Crystal, observing the vastness of the company's presence in the prime Beverly Hills location, felt a bit more at ease.
For actors, finding the right talent agency was akin to getting married.
"Hello, may I help you with something?" a polite young woman at the front desk, wearing a white shirt and a suit skirt, smiled.
Crystal handed over her business card. "I have an appointment with Mr. Clark Dyson."
"One moment, let me check." The girl dialed a number and spoke a few words into the phone. She then looked up, "Mr. Clark Dyson is waiting at the elevator on the third floor; you can go up directly."
"Thank you." Crystal said quietly, "By the way, your lipstick color today is beautiful. May I ask which brand it is?"
"Armani's latest, really? Does it look good?" the girl asked.
"Absolutely!"
After praising her, Crystal took the elevator to the third floor.
*Ding*, the elevator door rang as it opened.
Clark Dyson stood at the entrance, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar figure in the elevator, feeling a bit stunned!
When he received a call from the girl last night, he was somewhat uneasy. The two he had previously represented were both male actors, one disliking the hardships of Hollywood and returning home to inherit a farm, and the other transferring to another agent.
He expected to meet someone from a well-connected family, but it turned out to be a drifting girl who graduated from the University of Southern California.
He had yet to know about her acting skills, but her looks and figure alone were enough to leave a mark in Hollywood.
Clark's eyes flashed with amazement; he didn't expect such a transformation from a change in hairstyle. The plasticity was incredible!
"Hi, Mr. Dyson. We meet again."
"You look like a real star today; the photographers will be thrilled. By the way, call me Clark; 'Mr. Dyson' is too formal."
Crystal got up at 7:30 this morning just to make a good impression. She only hoped that her agent could quickly help her find work; otherwise, her wallet was almost empty. She spent dozens of dollars on getting her hair done last night.
Following Clark into a cramped office, Crystal saw the contract and related forms in front of her, including various detailed information.
"Before signing, I must ask seriously, as a USC student, you shouldn't have been to prison or committed any illegal acts, right? If there are any issues, please tell me in advance so we can handle them better. It's to prevent any potential problems when the press digs into your past after you become famous; that could be fatal."
Crystal thought about it in her mind and promptly replied, "No, I never engage in illegal activities."
As for the hastily married and divorced situation with Desmaius Lewis, she didn't plan to mention it due to the confidentiality agreement. It was to avoid trouble with Bob Collins.
Fewer people knowing the secret meant less danger of exposure.
After signing her name, Crystal saw her agent's delighted expression.
"I'll take you to the photographer for a photo session, and by the way, I have good news for you. Your first job is already arranged."
"What job?" Crystal asked curiously. She hadn't expected Robert to be so efficient.
"A music video shoot!"
Not requiring much acting skill, just playing a role in the MV plot. It was an easy job with good pay, a dream for a new actress.
But from Crystal's face, Clark could tell there was disappointment. "What's wrong? Don't you like appearing in music videos?"
"I prefer acting in movies. But now, doing an MV is good; at least it's a job."
"That's the right attitude. The singers are dream guys for girls all over America and even the world. You'll be envied to death."
Clark spoke mysteriously, not revealing which singer it was.
- Writer
