Behind The Spotlight Chapter 12
The deal ended in just one meeting, something that rarely happened in the film industry. Collin and Wyatt didn't expect a situation like this at all. They were prepared for negotiations, rejections, or at the very least, a counteroffer. They thought the investor would ask for more benefits and perhaps even demand creative control.
Collin had even prepared a document presentation and a persuasive pitch to convince William. He was ready to lie if that was what it took to seal the deal. He knew how difficult it was for newcomers like them to secure funding, especially without any major hits to their names. So he was determined to use any means necessary, no matter how shameless it might be.
Yet the young guy agreed so easily, as if it were the most casual business deal in the world. He didn't even ask for detailed breakdowns of the budget or a production timeline. It was as if William didn't take it seriously and just threw money at it like it was nothing.
Collin and Wyatt left the building to find a place where they could talk and clear their heads. The two of them were still speechless, stunned by what had just happened in that meeting.
They eventually found a quiet park near the building, where benches lined the path beneath shady trees. Wyatt broke the silence with an explosive outburst.
"Fuck yeah!" he shouted, his voice echoing with joy and relief.
Collin smiled for the first time that day, his usual stress temporarily replaced with genuine happiness.
Both of them had been under intense pressure ever since they scheduled the meeting with the investor. The anticipation had nearly crushed their nerves. They had run through countless scenarios in their heads, from awkward silence to flat-out rejection.
Now, the hardest part was behind them, and everything had gone unbelievably smoothly. It felt like a miracle.
Wyatt and Collin laughed so loudly that passersby gave them weird glances and steered their kids away.
"Phew, I thought I was going to lose my shit," Wyatt said, wiping sweat from his forehead.
Collin didn't mind the language. He nodded in agreement, a grin still on his face.
"Collin, I didn't know you had connections with the CEO of ANT. You even set up the meeting on the top floor."
"Nah, it's not that deep. I'm just a normal agent in the company, nothing special."
Wyatt didn't believe him for a second. He figured Collin was just being modest, trying to downplay his abilities. What he'd witnessed earlier confirmed that he'd signed with a capable agent, someone who could actually help him survive and thrive in this cutthroat industry.
A few months ago, when he applied to ANT with only his school credentials and a short horror film, Wyatt had no confidence that the agency would take him seriously, let alone offer any real opportunities.
At first, he thought Collin was just another rookie agent with only three years of experience, probably still learning the ropes.
But Wyatt's opinion of Collin began to change when the agent pulled off a bold move and got him an internship as Assistant Director of Director Esteban. Wyatt had been ecstatic at the time.
Now, after watching Collin seal a $300,000 investment deal in just a few days, something that started with a casual conversation in a hospital, Wyatt believed that Collin was a rising star at the agency. Maybe even a hidden ace.
His agent had just proven himself in the best possible way, and Wyatt knew this was his moment to step up and prove himself as both a director and an artist.
"I thought it would take us months to find an investor. We were planning to start the project next month if things went well. But now that we have the budget, I think I'll resign from my Assistant Director position and focus completely on this project."
Wyatt spoke with conviction. He knew this decision would shape the course of his career.
"You don't have to worry about breach of contract or any legal hassle, I'll talk to Henry and Director Esteban myself and explain everything," Collin assured him.
To be fair, resigning from a job wasn't necessarily a breach of contract under normal circumstances. But Wyatt's situation was a little more complicated. His position came with certain obligations. There was a clause in his contract stating he had to complete the current project or risk damaging his professional record.
Director Esteban relied on him to help manage the tight filming schedule and coordinate scenes.
Fortunately, Esteban's film was expected to wrap in three to four weeks, which made things a bit easier to manage.
If Wyatt handled his resignation properly, it wouldn't cause major issues with the production.
However, leaving the project midway would still be noted in his work history and could affect his chances of joining other production crews in the future.
This decision showed that Wyatt had no backup plan. If the movie failed, he would be in serious trouble. He was going all in.
But that kind of risk served as fuel for his motivation. It ignited a creative fire. Wyatt had no intention of failing, not even a little. Ever since he talked to Collin about making a comedy film, he had been renting successful comedy movies and studying what made them work at the box office.
While the two were talking in the park, Collin suddenly remembered something about William's surname. It had sounded familiar.
"William Edward... If I remember correctly, the owner of Database Giant has the same last name, doesn't he?"
Database Giant was a tech company that provided database management systems across nearly every major industry. It had become the foundation for storing and managing large volumes of business data around the world.
The company specialized in database systems, enterprise software, cloud computing, and Java development, making it a global leader in the tech industry.
(Note: I have no fucking idea what I'm writing. I just searched about Larry Ellison and Oracle.)
The company was worth billions of dollars and had branches in more than 30 countries. It was owned by Elijah Edward, a pioneering tech mogul. The Edward family had begun expanding from technology into other industries like media, entertainment, and finance.
"Maybe they're related. His son, perhaps?" Wyatt replied, scratching his head.
"I guess that explains why $300,000 is nothing to William. Just pocket money for the heir of a tech empire."