The Wolf of Los Angeles-Chapter 380: Internal Evolution

[Chapter 380: Internal Evolution]

Burbank, Warner Bros Studios.

New Line Cinema collaborated with BlackRock Film Foundation to hold a joint press conference in the studio's press room. The confirmed director Chris Weitz and star Nicole Kidman were also present.

New Line Cinema President Robert Shaye faced dozens of media representatives and officially announced that the project The Golden Compass would accept an investment from BlackRock Film Foundation totaling $90 million. The project's production cost was $180 million, and BlackRock Film Foundation secured half of the investment amount. When Anderson exchanged contracts with Robert Shaye, the room filled with warm applause.

After the press conference, Anderson gave a brief interview with reporters and then returned to Universal Studios to have a confidential meeting with James Schamus.

Despite the lackluster reception of Brokeback Mountain during the awards season, BlackRock Film Foundation did not retreat. The BlackRock headquarters insisted on continuing to advance its marginalized community initiative in Hollywood. However, the failure of Brokeback Mountain made other studios hesitant about producing films in this genre.

Without a heavyweight Oscar endorsement, the commercial performance of Brokeback Mountain was disappointing, earning just over $10 million at the North American box office after several attempts to expand its release. The distributors, seeing an inability to profit, were preparing to pull it from theaters. Anderson believed the failure stemmed from various external factors and that the film itself was of notable quality. He decided to continue collaborating with James Schamus.

...

Faced with the check from the BlackRock Film Foundation, James was very attentive. He searched extensively within Hollywood and found a suitable script project, which was a biographical film about a gay politician.

James explained in detail, "He was a pioneer in the national gay rights movement and the first openly gay person in politics, serving as a commissioner for San Francisco's District 5, until he was tragically shot by conservatives; a truly representative figure."

Anderson replied as he reviewed the script, "I've heard of this person."

James, understanding the needs of the BlackRock Film Foundation, tailored his pitch: "I plan to release the film just before the next election. The film will feature all gay extras, numbering in the thousands, which will deepen collaborations with gay organizations and create a poignant collective memory."

Anderson agreed, "Let's proceed as you suggested. The BlackRock Film Foundation will invest in this project."

James breathed a sigh of relief; after all, investors like this were hard to come by.

---

At Coastal Building, Twitter was moving to finish its relocation.

Andrew Miano, a producer from New Line Cinema, visited Hawke. He represented the newly established Golden Compass studio.

After exchanging pleasantries, Andrew immediately expressed an apology: "I'm very sorry for declining the investment from the West Coast Fund. New Line would like to collaborate, but some unforeseen factors forced us to turn it down."

Hawke politely responded, "It's alright."

New Line Cinema wanted to avoid losing this potential investor, so Andrew quickly added, "If your side is interested in investing in film, New Line has other projects we can collaborate on."

Hawke waved his hand, "I personally really liked The Lord of the Rings trilogy, so I have a special fondness for epic fantasy films and am only interested in that genre."

Andrew contemplated whether the company should start a new fantasy film project.

Hawke asked, "I saw the news report that you accepted an investment from the BlackRock Film Foundation; did they impose any conditional clauses?"

"There are indeed regulations in this regard," Andrew replied, hoping to lure investment from Hawke. He explained, "The BlackRock Film Foundation covered the remaining funding gap for the project, but there's a stipulation that prevents us from accepting any other individual or institutional investment, forcing us to turn down outside offers."

Hawke smiled, "I believe we'll have opportunities to collaborate in the future."

After exchanging contact information, Andrew took his leave.

...

Hawke hadn't expected that direct connections could indeed reel in partners.

Analyzing the current situation, it appeared that the BlackRock Film Foundation had been involved in installing listening devices.

It was evident that there were eavesdropping devices installed in Meeting Room 2.

Continuing to release misinformation? The more direct inquiries were made, the more they raised suspicions.

After a moment of contemplation, Hawke decided to take a multifaceted approach.

He planned to use channels through the FBI to catch them on a critical point, ideally to obtain direct evidence. On the other hand, he looked to exploit the marginalized community initiative pushed by BlackRock.

Hawke had previously considered internal evolution regarding the so-called BlackRock marginal group initiative.

---

In a seaside cafe at the foot of Santa Monica, a pair of hand-holding Hispanic women arrived. They appeared to be under thirty, with somewhat masculine features.

They seated themselves at a booth by the sea, across from Betty.

Betty ordered some coffee and asked, "How's life at the Mattachine Society?"

"Some people are very friendly, but others have gone a bit overboard," Rosa seriously replied. "They're convinced that society and the country owe them something. If anyone looks at them differently, they immediately label it as discrimination, declaring everyone an enemy of the gay community."

Solana had a different perspective from typical members of LGBTQ communities: "When they were being seen as normal, others looked at them like they're regular people. Now that they identify as gay, they still want to be seen that way, but isn't that shifting their identity?"

Rosa agreed, "What you're saying makes complete sense."

Betty looked at the pair, unsure of what to say.

Solana smiled, "When we were police officers in Mexico, we both liked men. After our husbands were killed by drug traffickers and colluding associates, we had to lean on each other for support. We just love each other; we're not labeled as gay."

Betty acknowledged their past, "Those bastards have all been dealt with by our hired mercenaries."

Rosa asked, "What do you need us to do?"

"Nothing too special; it's just as stated," Betty responded. "Your main task will still be to ascend the ranks of the Mattachine Society. There will be funds coming in from overseas to help you, and we'll create some disruptions here to help push you into higher positions."

Solana looked around and whispered, "The Mattachine Society isn't exactly rolling in cash. As long as we invest a reasonable amount, adding two more director positions shouldn't be difficult."

Betty assured her, "No problem, I'll get the funds arranged and notify you when it's ready."

Rosa quietly asked, "Besides that?"

Betty elaborated, "From what I understand, BlackRock Group or its subsidiary, BlackRock Film Foundation, may sponsor the Mattachine Society. They will undoubtedly have a series of demands, and you'll need to influence the association's leadership to let BlackRock set an example."

Solana inquired with curiosity, "What kind of example?"

Betty stated plainly, "BlackRock should showcase their sincerity by recruiting a certain number of LGBTQ individuals as employees."

Rosa grasped the implication, "You're saying to send those tricky LGBTQ individuals into BlackRock, turning them into bombs ready to go off?"

Betty shook her head, "Not like that, but rather to promote BlackRock to establish an equality department for sexual orientation, addressing a series of issues related to fairness within the company."

Solana nodded, "If BlackRock itself doesn't take LGBTQ seriously, they'll lose trust; those individuals are very sensitive."

Rosa contemplated further, "If a company invests some resources in this matter, it will inevitably impact employee morale and hinder the company's normal operations."

Betty picked up her coffee, took a sip, and continued, "Remember one thing: outside of our affairs, you must unwaveringly stand with the LGBTQ community."

"We will," Rosa confirmed.

The three women sipped their coffee and continued discussing affairs regarding the Mattachine Society.

---

Los Angeles District Court.

Alongside her lawyer, Alice signed the settlement documents with a pen. On the other side, Jamie Foxx's dark face resembled coal, so dark it shone.

Both sides signed the agreement, and the mediator announced that a settlement had been reached.

Alice was the first to exit the mediation room.

Her lawyer hurriedly walked with her toward where the car was parked, reminding her, "I will urge the other party to make their payment as soon as possible."

At that moment, the car door opened, and Fiona stepped out, saying, "As soon as the funds are in place, we will immediately pay the attorney's fees."

The lawyer smiled, "You're a wise lady."

In contrast, the woman beside her seemed a bit clueless, failing to grasp that without an attorney, she wouldn't get the compensation.

The lawyer got into the nearby Benz and left the court first.

"Get in," Fiona said as Alice buckled her seatbelt, and they drove onto the main road.

...

Alice rubbed her forehead, looking dissatisfied, "The lawyer takes 40%! $800,000! Oh God, they sure make money easily."

"Don't forget, you're receiving 1.2 million," Fiona reminded her. "You signed a retainer agreement; don't mess with the lawyer, and make sure to pay him on time, or it'll get really complicated."

She emphasized, "They have dozens of ways to turn you from a winner into a loser!"

Alice felt a pang of hurt but kept a clear head, saying, "I will pay him on time; I can't afford to mess with lawyers."

Fiona drove her to her temporary residence in the San Fernando Valley and asked, "What are your plans moving forward? You can't act anymore."

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"Once I get the settlement, I plan to become an actress in the Valley," Alice had already considered this: "After this incident with Jamie Foxx, I got famous -- really famous. This kind of fame will help me negotiate a good deal in the Valley."

Fiona turned to glance at her.

Alice continued, "In Hollywood, you get fucked for free, but in the Valley, there's compensation for it."

*****

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