Chapter 140: Interview

[Chapter 140: Interview]

"Link, the CBS crew has arrived."

Link heard his assistant's voice from the office door.

"Coming!"

He quickly put on his suit and stepped out of the office. Just before reaching the exit, he paused and lifted his chin, asking, "Lily, do you think I look handsome?"

"Get over yourself! Let's go!" She shot him a teasing glance and playfully patted his back.

After his name appeared on the Forbes Rich list and the annual box office rankings from The Hollywood Reporter were published, Link had received media interview requests from dozens of outlets. They were eager to know how it felt to go from rags to riches and from a small-time director to the top box office director of the year.

After sorting through the requests, he agreed to interviews with thirteen media outlets. This list included prominent publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, along with major TV networks such as NBC, ABC, and CBS.

Previously, when he participated in TV interviews, he had to drive to the studio for live recordings. Now, the studios catered to him. He could either go to the recording hall when he had time or send for someone to come to Guess Pictures office to record the program.

Today's recording took place in the large conference room at Guess Pictures.

The person coming to interview him was the well-known CBS host, Lesley Stahl. At 52 years old, Lesley Stahl was a seasoned reporter with over thirty years in the media industry. Her show, 60 Minutes, ranked among the highest-rated news programs in America. The show often invited both political figures and popular celebrities to discuss the latest developments in the entertainment industry.

Out of courtesy, Link arrived at the venue early and welcomed Lesley Stahl at the door.

...

"Ms. Stahl, welcome!"

"Mr. Link, you're even younger and more handsome in person than in your photos!"

Lesley shook his hand with a smile.

"Billy Crystal said the same thing, so I'll take your word for it."

"Ha! You might not want to believe Crystal, but you should believe me. I'm a journalist; I only state facts."

"I appreciate media that speaks the truth, and I respect journalists who stick to the facts. Once again, welcome, Ms. Stahl."

After some pleasantries, Link and Lesley settled down on the sofas. Once the director and cameraman adjusted the lighting and angles, the interview officially began.

...

"Link, a fun tidbit has emerged from Utah lately. It's been reported that a motel in Park City exploded in popularity right after you made it onto the Forbes list. The motel's manager claimed that you had once stayed there, and those who reside there will gain the same luck and success as you. Local media reported an influx of visitors heading to Park City, specifically to stay at that motel, leading to bookings that extend into next year. Is this the place you once stayed?"

Lesley handed him a photo.

The image showed an ordinary motel featuring red walls and a yellow doorframe with a sign reading "King's Inn" at the entrance. It was indeed the small lodge where he had camped in Park City, where he had a rather vivid dream and later had a conflict with the staff during checkout -- definitely not a pleasant experience.

Link chuckled as he held up the photo. He didn't mind the motel owner using his name to attract guests; he just hoped they wouldn't disclose any details about the dreams he had there. If that got out, it would be embarrassing.

"Yes, I stayed there for a week during last year's Sundance Film Festival. I was pretty broke at the time, so that motel was cheap -- only ten bucks a night."

Link shrugged.

"I hear you went back to the Sundance Film Festival this year. Did you revisit that motel?"

"No, it holds no special significance for me. I wouldn't make an effort to stop by."

"Does Sundance hold special meaning for you?"

"Yes, it's considered the starting point of my career, or perhaps a turning point. If Buried had become a hit at Sundance last year, my career and life might look completely different."

Link smiled.

"Would it be better than now?"

"No. Everything happening now is the best arrangement."

"Indeed! Before last year, you could only afford a ten-dollar motel, and now you're on the Forbes list -- it's quite a change. Link, transitioning from an average person to a multi-millionaire, what's your biggest takeaway from this shift in identity?"

"My mindset has improved. In the past, when I walked down the street and saw luxury cars, I felt envious. Now, I drive an upscale sedan and people might call me a nouveau riche."

"Ha! Anything else?"

"Plenty. For instance, I used to stress about burger combo prices rising, but now I worry about controlling film production costs to stay within budget and trying to shoot in tax-friendly locations to maximize savings.

In the past, I closely followed entertainment news, reading magazines like Playboy and Sports Illustrated. Now, I regularly watch 60 Minutes to stay informed about domestic and international affairs."

"Ha! Hearing this, I should expect everyone to become millionaires so that my show can have a larger audience!"

Lesley joked, then continued, "Link, do these changes create any sense of disconnection from your past? Many stories talk about people becoming wealthy and feeling lost -- do you ever feel that way?"

"No. What you describe as feeling lost is losing direction, but my goals are numerous. I have multiple film projects in the works, and my company requires my attention daily. I also hope my films continue to be well-received, achieving better box office results and professional recognition. Those are my goals and the motivation propelling me forward. Moreover, I have many friends I knew before becoming a director, all of whom are talented and full of potential. We meet regularly to discuss work and dreams. Feelings of confusion won't come into play."

Link spoke confidently.

When he first transmigrated, he occasionally felt lost, torn between whether to look for his past life connections or fight for a future here. After experiencing the vibrant world of Hollywood, what remained in his heart was strictly ambition and a craving for success.

"Link, you've achieved the top box office spot, yet you still strive to do better. Does this indicate a greater ambition for you in the film industry?" Lesley asked.

"Absolutely. My agent has told me that Hollywood is a competitive arena. Without ambition, you can't survive here. We must maintain our drive and determination to avoid being left behind."

"What's your ambition?"

"Winning the Oscar for Best Director or another round of being the top box office champion -- would that count as ambition?"

Link chuckled.

"Indeed, that's quite ambitious."

...

After a few minutes of interviewing, Link and Lesley took a brief break while the crew reset. They resumed filming for the second segment, where Lesley began to ask more formal questions.

She asked, as a young director, if Link had encountered any difficulties and obstacles entering the Hollywood circle.

Link responded that if a film was good, audiences would embrace it. Citing how Paranormal Activity became the top box office film as proof, he added that it was ultimately the audience's ticket purchases that demonstrated this.

Lesley then probed further, asking how Link felt about the criticisms from some film critics who labeled him as "the next Ed Wood" after the success of Paranormal Activity, suggesting that he was merely a filmmaker chasing box office returns rather than art.

*****

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