HWI 216

Hollywood What If Chapter 216

Kazir knew that his status was not that simple anymore. His hard work paid off and he was recognized as a true top director who could bring profit to an agency. 

From 1995 to 1999, he created movies that were blockbusters. 

Napoleon Dynamite

The Hangover

Taken 

John Wick

The Bourne Identity

In just five years, he created five big movies. Honestly, that was amazing. After all, making a movie was never simple. The manpower, budget, and creation of the movie were never simple. 

For Kazir to consecutively make good movies, he was already a top director. It would be detrimental for CAA to let him go. 

At first, Kazir Grey never had the intention of making conditions. He wanted to work with CAA for a long time. 

However, lately, many agents have been trying to contact him. Some of them even knocked on his car just to talk to him. Honestly, it was frustrating and these agents didn't respect his privacy. 

Suddenly, he thought of an idea. He "agreed" to Franklin Maxwell's conditions, telling the agent that he might return to WMA if they agreed to his conditions. 

With that, CAA felt a certain danger. They didn't want to lose and hoped that Kazir would give them a chance to prove themselves. 

CAA was an agency and they had to find or cater jobs for their actors until the clients had a steady income that CAA could profit from. 

The projects that Grey Pictures made cater to CAA, most of the crew and cast came from CAA, making jobs and money for both sides.

If CAA lost Kazir Grey and Grey Pictures, it would be devastating. 

Kazir used this situation to his advantage. Actually, Kazir didn't have anything he wanted from CAA. He had money, fame, and authority over his projects. 

The 2% commission rate was not that enticing for him, even if he earned millions. If there was one thing he was worried about, it was the future of Grey Pictures and Continental Cinematic Universe. 

Being a veteran in this industry, Kazir knew that Fremont Smith would have a change of agent. It might be bad or not bad, but it would never be good or better. 

Changing an agent would possibly affect Fremont's contract with Grey Pictures. Note that Fremont Smith signed a trilogy contract with Grey Pictures and he has to film three movies for Grey Pictures in a decade. 

Now, the agent might alter the contract, for his and Fremont's as well... The thing was, Kazir didn't want that to happen. 

It might sound bad but Kazir didn't want that. He wanted to keep the trilogy contract. As for salary, Fremont Smith had all the right to ask for more. He deserved it anyway, besides, Salvatore was there to negotiate between the two. 

So he used this situation to ask one of the co-chairmen to agree to his request. Again, Kazir was not a simple director anymore. He had the status to negotiate with the CAA. 

So fast forward... He got what he wanted. CAA lowered their commission rate and they decided to keep quiet about changing Fremont's agent. 

Kazir won this battle without facing Kevin Huvane. That was a victory. 

As for WMA and other agencies, he didn't give a fuck if they wanted to make a contract that would satisfy him. Kazir already signed the renewal contract, of course, with his lawyer Terrence Downey. 

.........

......

...

"... So you really passed."

Kazir weakly muttered as he looked at the woman who was waiting for her number. 

The last round of auditions for female roles was today. Kazir decided to take a break since they kept going for half a day now. When he left the audition room, he looked at the actresses who were waiting in the hallway. 

The women started posing and kept their poise, they gave their sweetest smiles to the director of the movie. 

This was not the first time that this thing happened so Kazir was already used to it. Although, he admitted it, everyone in the hallway was beautiful. 

'Unfortunately for them, the leading female role is already taken by Angelina Jolie. She didn't bother attending the audition today because she already signed the contract yesterday. We are now looking for actresses who can fill the other female roles.'

Angelina Jolie was still a rising star and her salary was acceptable, it didn't even reach 1 million. The woman lost her credibility a few years ago because of drug addiction. 

The woman was okay now and Kazir even confirmed it personally yesterday. The woman was in her right mind... She didn't look wasted anymore. A good thing since she was the woman whom Kazir portrayed in Wanted. 

"Good morning, Director Grey!"

Anyway, while walking, someone greeted him and Kazir instinctively looked at the person who called his name.

"You..."

He was surprised to see a young woman in the line-up. 

"Ah, I'm sorry, perhaps you don't remember me anymore. I'm Jessica Alba. We met last in time in--"

"No, I remember you."

Kazir replied. 

The women who were in the hallway looked at the two. They glared at Jessica Alba who started a conversation with the director without shame. Jessica Alba was the youngest participant in this competition. All of the actresses except Jessica were over 20 years old. 

They didn't like that Jessica Alba hoarded all of Kazir's attention. Because if that happened, then the outcome of this audition would be obvious. 

Yet it seemed that Jessica Alba disregarded their hatred or she just didn't sense the actresses' hatred towards her. Well, this is a rare chance to form a connection with a hot, young, and talented director like Kazir. 

Note that Kazir Grey was only 31 years old. In this industry, that age was still young. Some actors and actresses bloomed late in this industry.