Chapter 125: Finding a Ghostwriter

The banquet hall was crowded. After finally finding a quiet spot, Amanda Seyfried sat down and quickly lifted her feet. Wearing those mid-heeled shoes indeed made her taller, and the pointed toes made her feet look great, but after walking for a while...

Only those who wear them know the pain.

Amanda adjusted to a comfortable position and said to Michael, "There's an important issue, and I don't know who else to ask." Her delicate face looked troubled, and after a long pause, she said, "Michael, you're a great producer. Can you help me?"

Michael didn't agree right away. "Can't your mother help you with this?"

"No, she can't," Amanda Seyfried said, seemingly making up her mind. "My friends don't understand, and besides you, I don't know anyone else in Hollywood. This is an issue my mom and dad brought up…"

Hearing this, Michael didn't respond. He didn't want to meddle in someone else's family affairs.

Amanda, only 14 years old, didn't fully grasp the nuances of reading people's expressions. Regardless of Michael's hesitation, she continued, "I overheard my parents discussing that they want me to drop out of school at sixteen to focus on acting, thinking it will benefit my future in Hollywood."

Michael understood Amanda's dilemma. This was common in Hollywood. Many child stars followed this path. Few Hollywood actors who became famous young took the time to complete their education. This was both a personal and familial issue.

Hollywood's turnover rate was incredibly high. If you didn't capitalize on your fame quickly, you could be forgotten in no time.

You have to seize fame and money early.

Actors dropping out of school at sixteen or seventeen were countless.

Amanda Seyfried had just transitioned from modeling to Hollywood, having only appeared in 'The Purge.' Her parents' idea of having her drop out made it hard to seek advice from others.

Seeing Michael's prolonged silence, Amanda quickly asked, "Michael, do you think I should drop out?"

"Amanda, everyone's path is different. I can't give you a direct answer," Michael said indirectly. "I'm part of the dropout army."

"Really?" Amanda's face suddenly lit up with joy. "You dropped out too? Does dropping out lead to success?"

Michael was speechless. Did Americans really believe that dropping out and success were necessarily linked?

"I dropped out and experienced a painful failure, which made me realize my severe lack of ability," Michael said without giving a direct answer. "Even now, to keep up with the company's development, I return to my old school every fortnight to seek help from professors. My spare time is mostly spent reading and studying various cases, things I should have completed during my student days."

The joy on Amanda's face faded. Her big eyes blinked continuously as she pondered Michael's words.

Michael continued indirectly, "Dropping out might present a great opportunity to become a star. Staying in school can broaden your horizons and enrich yourself. Even if you don't become an actor, you'll have other options."

"Is that so…" Amanda Seyfried, limited by age and experience, seemed confused.

After thinking for a while, Amanda realized that Michael hadn't given her a clear suggestion.

Michael glanced over at Mrs. Seyfried. This middle-aged woman might represent many ordinary people, genuinely loving and protecting their children, hoping for their success, yet valuing immediate benefits, wanting big gains without much effort.

This situation was common worldwide. For instance, back across the Pacific, there was a time when the notion that studying was useless was prevalent, even in the information age, with sayings that graduates end up working for dropouts circulating widely.

However, those who wrote such motivational pieces wouldn't dare let their own children drop out.

Amanda's fingers intertwined as she thought back to what she had seen and heard on 'The Purge' set, making her feel that Michael was trustworthy and righteous.

"Michael, besides you, I have no one to consult." Amanda was anxious, blurting out, "I'll be sixteen soon, and I need to find a way to change my mom's mind."

Hearing this, Michael understood her true feelings. He said, "Follow your heart and do what you think is right."

Amanda Seyfried had already shown a clear inclination in her choices, though she might not fully realize it yet.

"What I think?" Amanda was puzzled for a moment.

Michael reminded her, "Aren't you trying to change your mom's mind?"

Amanda scratched her curly blonde hair, clearly recalling her previous statement.

Seeing Amanda Seyfried's inclination, Michael didn't beat around the bush. "Amanda, do you know what impression I have of you after working together?"

Amanda immediately asked, "What is it?" She seemed worried, twisting her fingers. "Is it bad?"

Michael smiled, "You're like a fairy-tale Christina Ricci or an elf-like Natalie Portman."

Amanda's mood improved. "Really?"

Both were among Hollywood's most famous child stars of the 90s.

"I understand," Amanda said, understanding her peers. "Christina Ricci, who dropped out to focus on acting, is declining, while Natalie Portman, who continued her education, has a brighter future."

"You're a smart girl," Michael said, standing up.

Amanda looked up at him, "Michael!" Her large, expressive eyes regained their sparkle, and her delicate face showed a dimpled smile. "I know what to do now. Thank you."

Michael pointed to his chest. "Follow what your heart tells you."

The party ended at ten. Company employees then went to a nearby nightclub for a real celebration. Michael and the management didn't join, as their presence would affect the atmosphere, and it was necessary to maintain some distance from regular employees.

Michael had just returned home when he received a call from Amanda Seyfried, who thanked him again earnestly.

Faced with such choices, gains and losses were inevitable.

In Hollywood, there were many grassroots stars and also many scholar-type stars.

In the past, whenever high-education and scholar-type actors were mentioned, Natalie Portman was the first to come to mind for those familiar with Hollywood. However, many Hollywood stars were graduates from prestigious schools, though most didn't flaunt their academic achievements.

Entering his study, Michael saw a photo left by Carmen Kess. He put it away with some important documents, deciding not to let it bother him long-term, having already moved past any lingering sadness.

Michael took out the latest information on Indian cinema and related investments collected by Robert and George Clinton and began reading it carefully. He took notes and cross-referenced them with legal guidelines sent by Attorney Dana to minimize risks and loopholes in his plans.

After reviewing these, he took out a teaching plan he had received from Professor Johnson a week earlier and began studying it carefully.

This was a teaching plan from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, using 'Cutthroat Island' as a case study.

As one of Hollywood's biggest flops, 'Cutthroat Island' was worth studying and summarizing for any producer or production company.

The teaching plan included in-depth analyses from financing to budget control to internal crew issues.

Although it might seem like hindsight, it was certainly useful to Michael for avoiding certain mistakes.

Relativity Entertainment also needed to avoid following Carolco Pictures' path.

Carolco, which had produced 'Terminator 2' and 'Basic Instinct,' was once a leader among mid-sized Hollywood companies.

One big-budget failure had sent Carolco into oblivion.

'Cutthroat Island,' to some extent, was a victim of bad timing.

Pirate ships could sink quickly. Since 'Cutthroat Island,' only one pirate movie series had truly succeeded.

Michael studied until midnight, then took a walk around the living room. He returned to his desk, checked his email, and logged into his blog.

Seeing his nearly abandoned novel on the blog, Michael couldn't help but cover his face. Fortunately, there were no readers; otherwise, he'd be receiving hate mail.

This was a fallback plan, but given the current situation, it was almost obsolete.

The company was developing smoothly, funds were relatively sufficient, and he was too busy to write blog novels.

Hiring a ghostwriter was the solution.

Under U.S. copyright law, as long as a relevant employment contract is signed, all works created by the employee within the contract's scope belong to the employer.

In other words, it's like a producer finding an idea and hiring a team of writers to create the script.

Michael took out a notebook and wrote down a few names: 'Fifty Shades of Grey,' 'Twilight,' and 'The Hunger Games.'

Apart from 'Fifty Shades of Grey,' which he read out of curiosity, he had only seen the movies for the other two series. He only vaguely remembered the main plotlines and the Mary Sue aspects.

Fortunately, he still had a clear grasp of the basic settings.

Michael looked at these three names. All the protagonists were female, typical of women's fiction.

It seemed he needed to find a female ghostwriter.

He didn't integrate this into the company's operations but asked Mary to post a job ad the next day, seeking a suitable female writer nationwide, preferably younger.

This would make it easier to understand the mindset of young girls.

He vaguely remembered that the original authors were not too old when they wrote these novels.

Michael also took the time to draft background settings, main storylines, and major characters.

Finding the right ghostwriter would take patience. Michael's main focus returned to film distribution.