Hugo was talking to Leonardo about the depression of being stuck on Santa Monica Avenue for nearly half an hour after work last night, and he didn't want to be interrupted by Joseph, but Hugo's turn to leave did not affect Leonardo and the others' complaints about the recent traffic congestion in Los Angeles, and Hugo was decisively ignored by everyone.

"Who?" Hugo looked at Joseph, but before he could react, after getting Joseph's prompt, he took the phone and walked to the side, "Hey, Rick, did you get my message?" Leo is not in a hurry, you can talk to him directly on the phone later. ”

"Leo?" Rick was stunned at this time, "What's the matter with Leo?" I'm not talking about him, I'm talking about Joanna Rowling. ”

"Oh, I've left a message for Jim about Leo, you can ask him, and you can tell me if there is anything going on." Hugo nodded, and didn't talk any more nonsense, and there was a burst of laughter behind him, which made him look back, and then took a step and walked a little further.

When passing by Brad and Gwyneth, who were sitting opposite each other, Hugo saw Gwyneth holding Brad's face with both hands, with a gentle expression, but Brad's face seemed to be a little tired. The two of them seemed to be isolated in another world, alien to the noise on the other side.

Hugo didn't intend to judge, he just passed by, didn't stop, and continued to move on, "I heard Jim mention the matter of Joanna Rowling just now, how did you talk about it?" ”

Although Rick was curious about what was wrong with Leonardo, he was not wordy and quickly turned his attention back, "I just talked to her, and to be honest, Hugo, I didn't see anything special about her, her novel...... I read it, yes, it's a good idea, but are you sure it's going to sell? I think publishing will be a very difficult thing to do. ”

Rick is worthy of being a top agent, and his vicious eyes read the awkward position of "Harry Potter" in the current market at once. Why did Harry Potter come up with rejections from more than a dozen publishers, but none of them were willing to accept it? Even if a publisher eventually takes over, they are only willing to publish the first 1,000 copies. Because that's the state of the publishing market as a whole.

On the one hand, the traditional publishing industry is experiencing a period of volatility, with the emergence of diversified entertainment such as television, movies, music, comics, etc., the influence of traditional books on people is weakening, so major publishers are more cautious and stricter; On the other hand, it is because "Harry Potter" is such an innovative and bizarre work, which is not the aesthetic orientation of the current market.

Although Rick does not specialize in publishing agents, his sensitive sense of the market as a whole is indeed superior.

"Rick, have you read her manuscript, how much have you read?" Hugo was not in a hurry to express his opinion, and after getting Rick's "quarter" answer, Hugo was sure that Rick had seen the part where Harry Potter understood that he was a wizard, and then continued, "There are a lot of myths and stories about wizards, magic, etc., but Joanna's story has established a new system, so that all children with dreams can find sustenance, I'm not sure if you see the part of Hogwarts House, but I tell you, if there is a house now where you can learn magic." , won't you get excited? ”

Rick laughed at Hugo's remark, "I hate to admit it, but I'm curious." But ......"

"I know what you're going to say." Hugo interrupts Rick's twist that a good idea doesn't mean a good story, and a brand new idea doesn't mean it sells.

The first book of the "Harry Potter" series, in fact, the opening part of the theme is relatively slow, and the whole wizarding world is like clearing the fog, presented to the reader little by little, which is now more and more impetuous modern society, many people often do not have the patience to read and have given up. This is also the reason why many publishers are not interested in this book. In addition, the elements of magic and wizards have already produced many classics, and it is not easy to open up a whole new world.

"Rick, you just ask you one question, what's the most important thing in this world?" Instead of explaining what a great Harry Potter book is, Hugo asks a very large question of worldview.

Rick smiled dumbly, "You can give me the answer." He wouldn't be foolish enough to answer.

Hugo didn't sell it either, "Creativity, Rick, it's creativity." We all know that if it weren't for the Wright brothers. Brothers), there is no convenience of flying around the world at will. Dare to think, and dare to do, this is the most important thing. In fact, everyone in the world knows this truth, and it is also the root of human progress.

"Joanna had a brilliant idea, and she used feminine delicacy and children's fun to create this novel, and I think it's a very rare story, and maybe one day, all children around the world will read Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales as if they were reading a fairy tale and make it a part of their lives."

Hugo's words silenced Rick, in fact, Hugo's words were not complicated, but they triggered Rick's deep thinking. Because as an agent, his job is actually to find the shining points that others can't notice. As Hugo said, one idea is enough to be Joanna's shining point.

Rick further recalled Hugo's sensitive judgment, in addition to the "Seven Deadly Sins" being filmed, Hugo achieved a 100% success rate in the past seven movies, especially "Before Sunrise", which was just released not long ago, which really impressed Rick. Nowadays, Hollywood insiders joke that Hugo has a golden finger, which is why the major studios want to stuff the script to Hugo - whether it is appropriate or not.

"Okay, I see, I'll read all the manuscripts she's been working on." Rick took a deep breath and said with some leeway. In fact, in Rick's mind, he has already made a decision.

Two days later, Rick met with Joanna again, and this time Joanna's attitude was noticeably more positive. In fact, Joanna vaguely understood that with her qualifications, there was no possibility of negotiating conditions, whether it was facing an agent or a publishing house, so Endeavor Elite Brokerage Company had an absolute advantage. What's more, Joanna also learned that the contract of Endeavor Elite Agency is not harsh, and it is basically the average of the author who has entered the industry, which is enough for her.

Rick didn't hesitate too much, and after reading Joanna's currently completed manuscript, he also understood the meaning of Hugo's words better, so when they met again, they seemed to be more proactive.

The two parties were willing, and soon an agreement was reached and the contract was signed.

Unhappy with her daughter staying at home, Joanna is the first to go back to Edinburgh – she doesn't even have a chance to meet Hugo, while Rick takes action to seek support from the Foundation for Joanna.

With the help of his agent, things gradually became clear, and Rick quickly applied for support from two foundations, one from Los Angeles and one from England, to ensure that Joanna could get rid of all distractions and concentrate on her work.

With a single thought, Rick signed the best-selling female writer for Endeavor Elite Agency for the next two decades, and also won the priority initiative for Endeavor Elite Agency to adapt the highest-grossing film series in the next two decades. Although no one felt it at this time, before they knew it, Endeavor Elite Brokerage Company had the strength to challenge the three major brokerage companies.

Ten years later, Joanna and Rick marvel when they recall the collaboration as a joke.

At the same time as signing Joanna, Rick also completed Leonardo's contract work, after learning about Leonardo's needs, Rick was overjoyed, having such a famous actor take the initiative to send to the door, this is simply pie in the sky, and it is even better for Endeavor Elite Agency that aspires to become a top player, which is undoubtedly a signal to everyone: this is a well-run company, and there are artists who are willing to take the initiative to come and sign up.

Naturally, Rick didn't let go of this opportunity, and he got it done within a week, turning Leonardo into a member of Endeavour Elite Agency, and the whole process was almost unhindered, and it was an instant hit.

It's just that Leonardo and Rick have some deviations in the selection of agents, and after discussion and collegiality, Leonardo still signed under Rick's banner and handed over all his brokerage work to Rick, which further increased Rick's workload. Correspondingly, Rick also has an assistant for Leonardo to help share his work.

This move made Rick one of Hollywood's top agents, Tom Hanks, Al Pacino, Clint Eastwood, Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Hugo Lancaster, although Rick Rosen has only six artists, which is really not enough compared to those agents with more than a dozen or twenty people, but they are all big names, which makes the momentum of Endeavor Elite Brokerage further rise. People have a faint sense of the impending storm in the Los Angeles broker industry.

Leonardo on the surface, Joanna in secret, this is undoubtedly two powerful support for Endeavor Elite Company, starting from last year's "Life and Death Speed" victory, to more than a month ago, "Mission Impossible" and "Seven Deadly Sins" layout of the force, Endeavor Elite Brokerage Company has ushered in an excellent opportunity, and now the two strong reinforcements are just to continue to add fuel to the firewood.

In the midst of a historical wave that the competitors did not realize, in a situation that Rick did not perceive, and even in the tide of history that Hugo did not feel, a turbulent wave was brewing.