The Wolf of Los Angeles.

Ethan Studios, West Hollywood.

Roger Keane, director of the West Coast Investment Fund, walked quickly into Eric Eason's office. Eric Eason came up to shake his hand and said, "Are they coming soon?"

Keane nodded slightly: "There's still an hour to go."

Eric had already finished the script and was working on the storyboard. He had a lot of work to do. He asked, "Are the investors here today very powerful?"

Keane reminded him, "Yes, they are very powerful overseas investors. I used my previous connections to attract them. To put it in an exaggerated way, they are so poor that they only have money left."

As soon as these words came out, Eric quickly stood up, went to the dressing mirror, adjusted his tie, and then buttoned up his collar as quickly as possible.

Keane elaborated: "One of them is the son of the Malaysian Defense Minister, who has been in office since 1990 and served as Deputy Prime Minister last year."

Although he is a film artist, Eric naturally understands the meaning of these words because his two best friends are involved in social issues. What does it mean to be the Secretary of Defense for 15 years?
Hawke chose Keane as director, in addition to his family, his past resume was also an important factor.

Keane added, "Another one is the financial assistant of Prince Rashid of Abu Dhabi. Although this prince is not one of the most direct descendants, he is not a marginal figure. Zayed, who was appointed crown prince last year, is his cousin."

Eric has received a formal college education and is not one of those American idiots who are produced by happy education. He said, "Middle Eastern guys are only poor in oil and dollars."

After accepting the job, Keane had already dealt with Eric many times. He picked up the script storyboard and quickly looked through it: "Bring all these things with you later! Eric, you must promote our project as much as possible, and it's best to say it in a big way."

Eric frowned slightly: "Flattery?"

"Highlight our advantages." Keane gestured and said, "You have to understand one thing, they are not ordinary investors, they need projects! We are in Hollywood, and Hollywood's film commercialization is the best in the world. It has a fatal attraction to some people overseas."

Eric smiled and said, "I know what to do."

It didn't take long before a phone call came in and Keane called Eric to the courtyard of the studio to wait for the VIPs to arrive.

A few minutes later, four cars drove in one after another.

Keane was the first to step forward and shake hands with the two men.

The deputy prime minister's son from Malaysia is called Riza Aziz, and the financial assistant to the prince of Abu Dhabi is called Otaiba.

Keane introduced the two parties and they went into the reception room together.

The reception room here was rearranged specifically according to Keane's requirements.

In the most conspicuous glass display case is the Oscar statuette for Best Original Screenplay that Eric won.

On three walls, there are posters and group photos in glass frames.

Among them, the photo with Tom Cruise is the highlight.

Aziz and Otaiba sat down and quickly glanced over these.

Keane said again: "You two, the film project that the West Coast Foundation is going to invest in is the one created by Eric."

Eric waved his hand, and his assistant immediately handed the prepared storyboard drawings and plans to the two investors.

He said: "This film project is adapted from the Los Angeles fire that occurred last year. The fire had a huge impact, directly affecting more than 50 people and indirectly affecting more than 1500 million people. The project began to be prepared last year. I obtained a lot of first-hand information from Fox TV and Twitter, which reported the fire in depth, and contacted hundreds of victims and front-line personnel such as firefighters."

Aziz continued: "The fire last year was indeed shocking. We did not expect such a tragic accident to happen in Los Angeles."

Eric touched his stubble and said, "This is a natural disaster, but also a man-made disaster. I have completed the script and invited Oscar winner Tom Cruise to play the leading role. Tom Cruise's film company will also invest in this film."

Otaiba happened to come across a copy of the document, which contained a copy of the contract between Tom Cruise's company and the project.

Eric said: "This is my second collaboration with Tom Cruise. The last one was Nightcrawler. He won the Best Actor Oscar and I won the Best Original Screenplay. The film was also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture. We want to replicate the last success in this project and make a bid for the Best Picture Oscar!"

Whether it is Aziz or Otaiba, the thing they have the most is money.

The latter involves the strategy of the entire Abu Dhabi consortium. In addition to oil, investments must be diversified to enhance Abu Dhabi's image around the world and let people know that the UAE is more than just Dubai.

The publicity effect of movies is huge.

Aziz needed an investment channel for the money he had, and the film industry was the perfect choice.

Eric glanced at Keane and said, "More than 40% of the Oscar judges live in Los Angeles. Last year's fire burned down the mansions of countless stars, directors, and producers. I am very confident that this film will win the Oscar for Best Picture."

He thought of what Keane had said before, and after boasting about the film, he boasted about the investment: "The production cost of this project is expected to be 1.2 million US dollars. I will restore part of the fire scene one-to-one on the set. This will be a super disaster film that will shock the world!"

Otaiba frowned: "1.2 million dollars?"

After hearing this, Eric's heart began to beat fast. Was he exaggerating too much?
It was hard to change what he had said, so he quickly gave Keane a look to help smooth things over.

But Keane had no intention of speaking. Aziz asked hesitantly, "The project investment is only $1.2 million?"

"Actually..." Eric wanted to say that it didn't matter if it was a little less, but when the words came to his lips, he realized that something was wrong.

Otaiba asked: "This is an Oscar-level disaster movie, with two Oscar winners involved. Is $1.2 million a little too small?"

This was the first time that Eric encountered an investor complaining about the producer's low budget. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and said, "If the budget is more sufficient, we can restore more fire scenes, make the film more interesting, and even invite celebrities and famous directors whose houses were burned down in the fire to make cameo appearances!"

Tom Cruise and Oscar are both famous names. Aziz came with the purpose of investment and said directly: "1.2 million US dollars is too little for a movie like this. How about 1.6 million US dollars?"

He looked at Keane and said, "Otaiba and I will make up for any gaps in your financing."

At this moment, Eric was under great pressure. It was a $1.6 million production, and anyone would be nervous.

Keane knew very well that rather than investing in the project "Los Angeles Fire", it would be more accurate to say that these two people were investing in Tom Cruise as a person.

Eric's forehead was covered with sweat and he was under tremendous psychological pressure, but he knew that this was a crucial moment in his career.

If you succeed, you can become a front-line director.

After failing, I can only make small productions.

Eric was determined to move forward and said, "For $1.6 million, I will make a super movie!"

Aziz and Otaiba's investment will not go directly into Ethan Film Studios, but will be financed by the West Coast Investment Fund and then invested in film projects.

In this way, the most important financing issue in the production of "Los Angeles Fire" was successfully resolved.

…………

On his way to a party in Washington, Hawke received a call from Roger Keene.

The film project, which was originally planned to invest $8000 million, doubled to become a $1.6 million production.

Hawke is more particular than those bastards in Hollywood, and most of the extra funds will be invested in film production.

It would be ideal if "Los Angeles Fire" could achieve both box office success and Oscar success.

Hawke replied directly on the phone: "The film investment should be finalized as soon as possible. The next stage of work will be to transfer to the company acquisition. Tomorrow I will ask the Savior to fax back the information of the two companies."

Roger Keane responded: "I'll get it done as soon as possible."

The West Coast Investment Fund fired the first shot, and Hawke was very satisfied.

The car pulled into a business club, Hawke got out, and joined Hurst, and together they entered the club's grand banquet hall.

This was a banquet hosted by Condolee Rice in the name of Secretary of State, and not only celebrities from the political and business circles were invited, but also many diplomats from other countries stationed in Los Angeles.

Hawke came to the center of the banquet hall, greeted Rice and chatted with him for a few words.

Next month Rice will visit several countries and will bring along many people from large companies to explore the market. Caroline Jones has already confirmed that she will join the delegation.

Hawke also met members of the Morgan and Rockefeller families.

That is to say, get to know each other.

These old money families have a sense of rejection towards the newly emerging wealthy.

Musk appeared from behind Hawke like a white ghost and said, "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Hawke smiled and said, "As expected, in their eyes, we are just nouveau riche."

Musk snorted disdainfully: "They were also nouveau riche back then, and the means by which they amassed wealth were despicable."

That being said, he could see clearly: "The so-called new tech elites were also created by them. They deliberately created a circle to isolate us."

Circles were everywhere. Hawke thought for a moment and said, "We can also draw a circle of our own."

Musk paused, then laughed: "Good idea, the power of one person is limited. If we can unite more people, we will form a powerful force."

Hawke thought about it and said, "We'll talk about this with Till and the others when we return to California."

"Okay." Musk suddenly looked behind Hawke and reminded him, "There's a beautiful woman coming over here. I don't know her. Is she looking for you?"

Hawke turned his head and saw a blonde woman he had never seen before walking towards him. (End of this chapter)