"Don't you want a broader platform?" Pat Kingsley asked Matthew in return, "CAA's operating model and the resources it controls are unrivaled by any other agency in Hollywood."
CAA was indeed the industry leader, Matthew knew that very well.
Pat Kingsley continued, "Your current agency, Angel Agency, can no longer provide you with better resources. Your agent, Helen Herman, although she worked at CAA, was merely a receptionist who only learned the basics.
If it weren't for her father Michael Rosenfeld's network of connections, would she have achieved what she has today?"
Matthew just listened and didn't respond.
He had known last year that Helen Herman's father, Michael Rosenfeld, was one of the five founders of CAA, but his reputation was far less than that of Michael Ovitz and Ron Meyer.
Moreover, after CAA became strong, he was also squeezed out of CAA's core by Michael Ovitz and can now basically be considered retired.
Helen Herman's surname came from her grandmother. When he asked about it, Helen Herman's reason for using it was similar to Nicolas Cage's.
However, he had heard Amanda mention before that this involved issues such as Helen Herman's parents' divorce, and it wasn't appropriate to ask too much about other people's family matters.
Helen Herman's father's network of connections did play a significant role in her current achievements.
But Matthew knew very well that Helen Herman was not as Pat Kingsley described her.
Pat Kingsley's words continued, "Matthew, you can look at CAA's client list. Eighty percent of the best stars in Hollywood are now under CAA, and most of them were pushed to A-list status by CAA!"
She suddenly asked, "Don't you want to become an A-lister? Or become a superstar like Tom Cruise?"
"Yes! Very much so!" Matthew didn't hide it at all, "I dream of becoming a superstar!"
"Has Angel Agency ever produced a superstar? Does Helen Herman have experience with superstars?" Pat Kingsley was very confident. In recent years, after the pain of Michael Ovitz's departure, CAA's development has been even faster, and poaching talent is effortless.
She slowed her tone and pointed to herself, saying, "CAA has these, and I have them even more!"
Matthew nodded slightly, because Pat Kingsley was absolutely right.
CAA's position in the entertainment agency industry was evident, and Pat Kingsley was definitely a top-tier super agent.
Frankly speaking, Matthew was indeed tempted. Under normal circumstances, between Angel Agency and CAA, and between Helen Herman and Pat Kingsley, ninety-nine percent of people would choose CAA and Pat Kingsley.
Matthew didn't hide his temptation, and Pat Kingsley also noticed it, saying, "When I first took on Tom Cruise, his standing in the industry was roughly similar to yours, and I brought him to superstar status!"
This middle-aged woman, whose style and temperament were completely different from Helen Herman's relatively reserved type, said, "You should know that my collaboration with Tom Cruise has ended. I need a new candidate with enough potential to fill the void left by Tom Cruise."
Hearing this, Matthew tentatively asked, "Push me to the position of a superstar?"
Pat Kingsley said very seriously and confidently, "Exactly!"
Matthew raised his hand and pinched his chin. Anyone could say such words; Helen Herman was also pushing him towards superstar status.
But helping a second-tier star become a superstar doesn't rely on empty talk.
He looked at Pat Kingsley and tentatively asked,
"Do you have a concrete plan?"
Pat Kingsley, representing CAA, had naturally come prepared and said, "CAA will tailor a plan for you. I can briefly disclose some of it to you."
"Oh, really?" Matthew became interested. If CAA was truly sincere and the plan they formulated suited his development, switching agencies wasn't out of the question. "Tell me about it."
Pat Kingsley, however, asked in return, "Matthew, what is your biggest weakness?"
Matthew didn't quite understand what she meant. "Weakness?"
If he were to talk about weaknesses, he had too many, such as being greedy for money and lustful, opportunistic, two-faced, morally corrupt, and even forgetting righteousness for profit...
"In terms of being a star!" Pat Kingsley said directly, "You lack major awards!"
She explained, "With your current commercial appeal, if you had a Golden Globe, a performance award from the three major European film festivals, or an Oscar performance award, you definitely wouldn't be a second-tier star!"
Matthew nodded slightly, "What you said makes a lot of sense..."
Unfortunately, he didn't want to take this path.
Pat Kingsley had no idea about this, as the awards she mentioned held immense appeal for most actors.
"Helen Herman is clearly setting you up for failure." Pat Kingsley was very skilled at poaching talent. Some things don't need to be immediately believed by the other party, but they can plant a seed. Moreover, she wasn't just speaking casually; she had carefully prepared. "Matthew, your current path is too focused on commercial success and neglects awards.
Commercial success reflects your appeal, while awards highlight your prestige. Developing both simultaneously..."
She smiled and said, "Let me put it this way, Matthew, as long as the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series maintains the box office performance of the first film, your commercial appeal won't be an issue."
Matthew suddenly felt that the time spent in the coffee shop was a complete waste.
Sure enough, Pat Kingsley began to talk about CAA's so-called tailored superstar plan for him: "Both I and CAA believe that, commercially, besides the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series, you shouldn't take on other types of commercial films.
You should focus your energy on awards. As long as the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' sequels achieve the box office results of the first film, and you then spend four to five years winning a major acting award, becoming a superstar won't be a problem."
Matthew nodded slightly, feeling there was no need to continue the conversation, and said, "I understand."
"You can think about it." Pat Kingsley, of course, didn't expect Matthew to give an immediate answer. She said, "Both CAA and I are very sincere; the commission can be reduced to five percent."
Matthew didn't want to have too unpleasant an incident with CAA. The other party was very powerful in Hollywood, and he vaguely heard Helen Herman mention something about her returning to CAA in the future.
"Very generous terms." Matthew wouldn't voice his thoughts, and said politely, "Ms. Kingsley, I will seriously consider it."
Pat Kingsley smiled confidently again, "Alright then, I'll wait for your good news."
With that, she handed a business card to Matthew.
Matthew took it, carefully put it away, stood up to say goodbye, "That's all for today."
Pat Kingsley also stood up and shook his hand in farewell.
Matthew didn't linger, leaving the coffee shop. He vaguely saw paparazzi hiding in the distance taking pictures, guessing that his meeting with Pat Kingsley might be exposed soon.
It was also possible that the paparazzi were arranged by CAA to use the media to encourage him to join CAA.
Most small agencies find it difficult to retain stars. The generous terms offered by large companies like CAA and William Morris are often hard for newly famous second-tier stars to refuse.
For example, the chances of winning acting awards such as the Golden Globes and Oscars, or even just getting a nomination, are much higher with a large agency.
Matthew remembered seeing statistics that showed over ninety percent of the more significant Oscar awards in the past decade went to clients of major agencies like CAA and William Morris.
If he was interested in the Best Actor Oscar, CAA and Pat Kingsley, who had successfully propelled Nicole Kidman to the top, would indeed be good choices.
Getting into the Mercedes G-Wagon parked by the roadside, Matthew didn't immediately start the car to leave. He sat in the driver's seat and thought for a while.
Since he had no intention of switching to CAA, he could inform Helen Herman. Aside from other aspects, it would also benefit his contract with Angel Agency.
His first three-year long-term contract with Angel Agency was about to expire. Previously, Helen Herman's agent commission was eight percent. Using CAA's attempt to poach him, he could completely push down the agent's commission in future negotiations.
Suddenly, Matthew felt that being poached was a good thing. He wished William Morris and other agencies would hurry up and try to poach him.
That way, he could easily push Helen Herman's agent commission down to five percent.
Thinking of this, Matthew directly dialed Helen Herman's cell phone. After she picked up, he said, "Helen, it's me. I have something to tell you: Pat Kingsley, a famous agent under CAA, just approached me."
The voice on the other end of the phone remained calm, "Did you agree?"
"No! Of course, I refused!" Matthew said righteously, "Am I that kind of person? I have a strong sense of contract!
You're not just my agent; I also consider you a partner and a good friend. How could a small company like CAA possibly poach me?"
Helen Herman on the other end was silent for a while before saying, "I hope what you think in your heart is the same as what you say with your mouth."
Matthew didn't say anything more; that was enough. He chatted a few more words with Helen Herman, started the car, hung up the phone, and drove towards the office.
As the Academy Awards ceremony gradually approached, the planned strategy was about to be officially implemented. He was preparing to fully pursue Charlize Theron...
More than half a year had passed since the Stuart Townsend incident, and with this half-year window, no one would think he was a homewrecker or anything similar.