I Want to Make It on My Own

That afternoon, Aaron drove to Propaganda Films in Los Angeles and smoothly collected Nicole Kidman's final payment check.

As he was leaving, he suddenly discovered that Madonna was filming a music video there.

A few months earlier, Madonna Ciccone had gotten involved with Warren Beatty, the director and male lead of Dick Tracy, while filming the movie.

At the time, Madonna had not yet divorced, and she clashed with her husband Sean Penn. By September, the two had divorced outright!

"Hollywood really is a mess. Men and women, everyone sleeps with everyone else."

Aaron glanced at the set as he passed by, then lost interest.

"Director David Fincher, you have a call!"

Having only taken a few steps, Aaron Anderson heard the name and turned to look. A young man emerged from behind the camera and took the portable phone.

David Fincher? Aaron froze for a moment. Could this be that future David Fincher?

He had started out shooting television commercials and music videos, and he was so young—not even thirty. He would have to go back and look into his work.

Propaganda Films was one of Hollywood's top commercial and music video production companies. It had not made many films, after all, given its small scale.

There were indeed quite a few major Hollywood directors who had started out making commercials. Michael Bay, David Fincher, and Zack Snyder were all examples.

Come to think of it, David Lynch had also gotten his start in television commercials. Did that mean David Fincher had joined the commercial production company founded by David Lynch?

David Fincher was a master of thrillers and mysteries, and he knew visual effects too. Now, 20th Century Fox had not yet developed Alien 3, and David Fincher had not yet entered the film industry!

Halloween had only ended a few days ago, and traces of the holiday's celebrations still remained in Los Angeles storefronts.

Next up would be Thanksgiving, followed by next month's Christmas celebrations.

Culver City, Los Angeles.

In the café at the Culver Hotel, Aaron met with David Fincher. After explaining his purpose, he handed the other man the script for Phone Booth.

Twenty-seven-year-old David Fincher had previously worked as a visual effects artist and camera assistant at Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm's visual effects company.

He had joined Propaganda Films two years ago and had shot television commercials for major brands such as Coca-Cola, Nike, and Chanel, as well as music videos for The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, and Madonna!

After carefully finishing Phone Booth, David Fincher looked up. "Mr. Anderson, do you really want to turn this into a movie?"

"Yes, just call me Aaron." Aaron smiled at him. "There are few characters, and the setting is simple."

"But the story is fresh and the style is distinctive. I've watched many of your previous music videos and commercials these past few days."

"I'd like to work with you and turn this script into a film!"

Naturally, David Fincher would not pass up the chance to direct a movie. "Aaron, it seems this script could still use some revisions?"

Aaron nodded. "Of course. Some details can still be fleshed out. As for the lead actor, I've already spoken with Nicolas Cage, and he's very interested."

"You know my budget is limited, so we need to be thorough with the early preparations!"

David Fincher naturally had no objections. The budget was obviously inadequate—otherwise, why would Aaron have him direct it?

"Understood. This story has a lot of tension, and many aspects of the plot are compelling. I'd be very willing to direct this film."

Besides, Nicolas Cage was currently filming Wild at Heart for his boss David Lynch, and his acting ability was trustworthy.

"It's just that, Aaron, after reading the script, I feel the movie might end up being a little too short?"

Aaron smiled. "Even an ordinary movie runs about a hundred minutes, while this script would only be a little over eighty minutes, right?"

"There's no helping it. Nearly the entire film takes place in a single phone booth. It's already quite good for the story to sustain over eighty minutes. Stretching it any further would only ruin the pacing."

"The key to Phone Booth is continuously giving the audience a sense of tension and excitement!"

"That's true." David Fincher agreed.

"Study the script carefully for now. When the time comes, I'll cooperate with Propaganda Films in the company's name, and you'll serve as director."

Propaganda Films was already a company capable of producing films, so it lacked neither equipment nor personnel.

Aaron also needed to register a company, then say goodbye to CAA for good!

There were plenty of entertainment law firms and accounting firms in Los Angeles, so it was very convenient for Aaron Anderson to find someone to register a film company.

He named it Dawn Pictures, deliberately choosing Delaware as its place of registration.

Delaware had no state business tax and no minimum capital requirement. One person could serve as president, director, and shareholder.

If the company did not operate within Delaware, it would not be charged state income tax. Shareholders who did not reside in Delaware also did not need to pay state personal income tax!

A few days before Thanksgiving, at CAA headquarters, in Michael Ovitz's office.

"Have you really decided to leave CAA? You're developing very well right now. You'll soon become one of CAA's partners!"

Naturally, Michael Ovitz did not want Aaron Anderson to leave. His performance this year had been impressive, and it was only his first year.

"Mr. Ovitz, I've decided. Being an agent isn't part of my career plan. My true interest is film production!"

Michael Ovitz frowned. "Then you could become one of CAA's producer clients yourself."

"This place can always provide you with a platform."

Aaron smiled. "I want to make it on my own in Hollywood first!"

"ICM and WMA should both have contacted you. You should understand that CAA offers the highest compensation in the business."

Michael Ovitz knew that Aaron Anderson had some conflicts with Warren Beatty, one of the company's clients. Dustin Hoffman had also expressed dissatisfaction with Aaron.

"They contacted me," Aaron admitted. His performance this year had indeed been excellent. Within CAA, the conflict between Pretty Woman and Dick Tracy had largely centered on him.

It was no secret. It was perfectly normal for other talent agencies to come looking for him.

"Don't worry. I have very little interest in the agency business. Even if I continue in this field later on, it'll be by moving into management..."

Aaron Anderson leaving CAA was hardly major news, just a small pebble in the water. The public only cared about celebrities now.

Besides, Aaron was still just a newcomer. Even with such strong results in his first year, plenty of people thought he had merely gotten lucky.

Outside CAA, Nicole Kidman was already waiting for him. "Did you really resign?"

"Yeah. I've even registered the company, so of course I'm starting my own business. Come on, let's head back first!"

"Mm. Wasn't this car CAA's?"

Aaron shrugged. "I've been driving this Roaster for over half a year, and I got used to it, so I just bought it from CAA."

CAA naturally wouldn't make things difficult for him over something like that. It wasn't some limited-edition discontinued car, after all.