Reset Life with Infinite Talents - Chapter 242

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Infinite Talent Reset Life Episode 242

62. Drama Production

“What did you decide to do?”

“Didn’t you sleep?”

Emily must have been very tired from standing all day and working. That’s why I sent her home first, but she was waiting with sleepy eyes.

“If I knew this would happen, I should have gone together.”

“That’s why I told you to come with me, dummy.”

“Ugh.”

When Johann clicked his tongue and told her about the meeting results, the sleepiness disappeared from Emily’s eyes.

“Wow… Wow!”

She had so much to say that she could only clap her hands.

She barely managed to organize her thoughts and said one thing.

“So in the end, the key is bringing in director Baz Luhrmann.”

“There’s a high chance they’ll let him go due to The Get Down’s box office failure…”

“Hmm. Johann, I went home and watched The Get Down.”

Although he was already a successful director, she was worried about adapting Johann’s novel into film and watched it to see if his skills were still intact.

“You couldn’t see his mise-en-scène clearly?”

“…Yeah.”

“There must have been a lot of interference.”

No, there was a lot of interference. Not just from Netflix, but from Sony too.

Emily’s eyes widened.

“My goodness. I heard that Netflix puts PC elements into works they invest in, but…”

BlackRock, which has massive stakes in Netflix. So she also heard a lot through Edward.

“You know how sensitive our black friends are.”

The Get Down is a success story of black boys living in the Bronx of 1970s New York, where white supremacy ruled – a poor and rough neighborhood that could almost be called Harlem.

“There were bound to be many restrictions in various ways.”

“Even so, to go that far with such a director! …Wait. Then isn’t this easy?”

Director Baz Luhrmann must be feeling disillusioned by now. Just a little coaxing would make him come over immediately.

“Ah, Netflix must have attached various conditions when they recruited him. Like support for his next project…”

That’s why Baz Luhrmann didn’t quit and continued filming.

“Then it won’t be easy to coax him. No matter how much he suffered because of Netflix, it would be hard to give up massive support.”

Especially Casanova, set in 18th century Italy and Paris, is expected to require considerable initial production costs from sets to individual props.

It wouldn’t be easy to risk kicking away Netflix’s investment and seeking new investors, only to potentially not receive proper investment and have the work’s quality suffer.

“So we need to persuade him.”

We’ll even write the script, so just come over with your body.

“Will it work? Warner hasn’t even responded yet.”

Even if Wolf Pictures handles production, the problem is distribution. If this isn’t resolved, Baz Luhrmann won’t leave Netflix.

“We have to make that happen too.”

“…Starting now?”

“Yeah.”

“Coffee?”

“Please.”

Johann hugged her and headed to the second-floor study, where novels and academic books were shelved.

He sat in the chair, turned on his laptop, and closed his eyes.

‘Enter.’

When he opened his eyes again, the vast universe and the majestic flow of the galactic river spread out.

Johann narrowed his eyes and fell into thought.

“If I just directed it myself, this wouldn’t be necessary, but…”

The film adaptation of Casanova would cost an immeasurable amount.

‘Even if the Wolfies would support it, if the public turns away, it would be a huge blow.’

While it might not cost as much as a typical blockbuster movie, it was expected to require at least 50 million dollars in production costs.

No matter how much he was called an avatar sent down by the god of arts, it wasn’t an amount that could be readily invested in Johann, who had no experience. Rocky Management and Wolf Pictures would likely oppose it.

“I could use my own money, but there would be talk about that too.”

They’d say he was acting crazy with overflowing money, or that he should donate that money instead – even the Wolfies might turn their backs on this seemingly reckless challenge.

That’s not all. People aiming for money would also appear and cause trouble.

“In the end, having Baz Luhrmann direct is the best option for now.”

It’s unfortunate, but there’s no choice.

Johann, having organized his thoughts, settled his gaze.

“It would probably be better if he wrote it himself, right?”

Finding traces of himself in a stranger’s writing. He’d probably be surprised but also feel destiny.

‘First, he needs to be there for the dialogue to be more flavorful…’

“Search. Casanova, Giacomo Girolamo Casanova.”

A large orb fell fiercely from one of the celestial bodies in the universe, as if it had been waiting for this call.

“Search. Baz Luhrmann.”

Whooom!

A fairly large orb that jumped up from the galactic river and flew over.

Johann looked at the two orbs floating in front of him, waiting for his touch, and tilted his head.

“There should be some capacity limit remaining?”

The capacity limit had increased enough that there was room even after simultaneously absorbing and reading both Casanova, a talent mass who left a mark in history, and Baz Luhrmann, a great director who had already made his mark in Hollywood.

Johann, who had been feeling proud of how hard he’d worked and how many experiences he’d had, sparkled his eyes.

‘What if I add one more playwright here?’

A playwright who had already firmly established their own domain.

“Whew.”

This would mean simultaneously absorbing and reading three people – three beings who had firmly established their own domains.

This was his first time attempting such a thing.

‘What will happen?’

Will they fight like Rachmaninoff and Tupac, or hide like Michelangelo?

‘Let’s try it!’

“Search. Famous playwright.”

Whooooom!

The entire universe roared as orbs began pouring down like a meteor shower.

Such a beautiful and mysterious sight.

“No, you’re a bit…”

[Shakespeare, William Shakespeare]

A massive orb that shone while threatening and pushing away surrounding orbs, as if it had been waiting for this moment.

“You too.”

[Father of Modern Drama, Henrik Ibsen]

A massive orb that pressed down on surrounding orbs more sharply than a blade.

It wasn’t just them. Anton Chekhov, Arthur Miller, Samuel Beckett – such great figures were emanating their presence, asking to be chosen.

Each one was a person who could only be absorbed and read if either Casanova or Baz Luhrmann was removed.

“Hmm. It would be good if the remaining person also had modern sensibilities…”

Since the audience who would watch the work would be modern people, Casanova was enough to capture the sensibilities of that era.

“Oh?”

His quickly scanning eyes caught one person.

“This person would be good.”

One of the two screenwriters who adapted The Chronicles of Narnia and completed the narrative of America’s hero Captain America.

[Soulmates, Christopher Marcus]

[Soulmates, Steven McFeely]

Johann reached his hand toward one of them.

* * *

Knock knock!

Emily lightly knocks on the door and enters even though no response comes back.

At that moment, intense heat and the sound of furiously pounding keyboard keys greet her.

‘As expected….’

She knew he would already be concentrating.

Emily’s eyes narrow as she shakes her head as if there’s nothing she can do about it.

“Hmm.”

Why is that? Is it because of the intense heat radiating from Johann’s entire body?

Something hazy seems to be visible around Johann. Human figures, no less than three people.

As if they’re standing behind Johann, looking at the laptop and teaching him that’s not how to do it.

“…I must be really tired.”

The hallucination-like phenomenon disappears when she closes and opens her eyes.

Shaking her head, she quietly sets down coffee and fruit next to Johann and turns around.

“Thank you. Go to bed first.”

“…You can’t sleep in late just because you’re all grown up now.”

“Yeah. I’ll come soon. Love you.”

“Me too.”

‘Ugh. I’m an idiot for liking this kind of man.’

She has so much to say about today’s individual exhibition, but it seems she’ll have to postpone that until tomorrow.

Maybe she’ll never get to say it. Johann has already immersed himself in his next experience.

‘Well, I fell for that side of him.’

She chuckles and closes the door as she leaves, and Johann stops his hands from typing on the keyboard.

“If you keep giving each other advice, I’ll switch to someone else. And Casanova, you really are a bastard so stop glorifying yourself. I have all your memories too. …Good.”

Johann nods and his hands start moving again.

* * *

A few days later, late at night, in a spacious Irish-style kitchen.

Rustle!

Bane Warner flips through pages with text while drinking wine.

“Hmm.”

“What are you doing?”

“Just getting off work?”

Bane Warner looks warmly at the woman in a suit with a tired face, his daughter who would have lost her child if not for Johann during the Eagle Street fire a few years ago, Laura Warner who now lives with them in this house.

“You’re late. Still haven’t adapted?”

“I don’t know. I feel like I’m dying.”

Warner Music, where she started working at Bane Warner’s insistence. Since it’s a field she never studied or even thought about before, she still can’t adapt.

“…How about Mother?”

Susan Boeing Warner, who generously accepted her and her son Ross, even though she’s Bane Warner’s illegitimate child.

If not for her, she would still be hating Bane Warner, the father who abandoned them long ago.

“Why else would I be here?”

“…Would it hurt to just say she’s sleeping? And why does a rich person living in such a big mansion drink in the kitchen?”

Isn’t the typical image of a white rich person living in such a mansion elegantly drinking whiskey in a study that smells of ink?

“Because it’s easier to clean up?”

“Geez.”

Father Bane Warner, who values efficiency and is ordinary despite being rich enough to have employees wipe his ass. The only difference from ordinary people is the unit of money he spends.

“…What are you reading?”

“Want to see?”

It’s a scenario sent by Johann, who is a benefactor to him, who saved his grandson Ross from near death during the Eagle Street apartment complex fire, and ultimately changed his wife Susan Boeing Warner’s heart to bring daughter Laura and Ross to this house.

“From Mr. Jefferson?”

To her, he’s a benefactor whose kindness she could never repay in a lifetime.

Laura quickly looks at the scenario.

(Looks up and forces a smile) Will you write back if I send letters?

(Turns around while holding the door handle and grins. Her eyes don’t smile.) Take care of your health.

“It’s a situation where he’s visiting a widow who committed murder because of him and is imprisoned, a woman who lost all her wealth and power.”

“What kind of bastard is this?!”

“Right?”

Bane Warner twists his lips.

“A scenario that moves people’s emotions with just this brief situation description and these two short sentences.”

He gave his number during the internal screening of “Fire Always Targets Us,” saying to contact him anytime if there were difficulties, and now he’s sent something this incredible.

Johann was trying to bestow another favor on him.

‘How many filmmakers wouldn’t covet this scenario?’

The god of art seems to favor only one person too much.

‘To have this level of talent in screenwriting too!’

He snorts and looks at Laura.

“I’ll transfer you to HBO, so participate in the production of this work.”

HBO (Home Box Office), another subsidiary of Time Warner, the parent company of Warner Brothers.

It’s a company that holds a monopolistic position in the pay cable industry as the first in America to provide nationwide pay cable service.

HBO is arguably the most closely connected to the general public among all Time Warner subsidiaries, so it will provide the necessary career experience for when Laura becomes a Time Warner executive in the future.

“What?”

“Wait.”

He picks up his phone and calls someone.

“We’re going to dramatize the novel from the link I’m about to send. I’ll attach the scenario too, so review it carefully and prepare. It might become as big a hit as Game of Thrones.”

The drama Game of Thrones, currently one of the works keeping HBO alive.

Laura’s eyes widen greatly.

* * *

Los Gatos in Silicon Valley, California.

A chill pervades one of the upper-floor offices at Netflix headquarters.

“That employee?”

“We, we fired him. I’m, I’m sorry!”

“Of course you should be sorry.”

Netflix’s Chief Content Officer (CCO) and the person who could be said to have created the current Netflix, Ted Sarandos.

When director Baz Luhrmann requested to find a certain novelist’s location, he wondered what made Baz Luhrmann so desperate and felt a powerful destiny the moment he read Casanova.

This absolutely must be dramatized by Netflix.

He felt the destiny that it would become mega content comparable to series like Law & Order, Game of Thrones, and Vikings that fed the platform through multiple seasons.

But upon investigation, the novelist who wrote it was a newcomer whose first work this was, and it was expected that the copyright could be acquired by throwing some modest money.

However, perhaps nervous about the name Penguin Random House, the employee in charge mentioned Baz Luhrmann, and since then Penguin Random House has been avoiding contact, let alone providing the author’s contact information.

They’re probably knocking on the doors of famous distributors and production companies like Columbia and Warner with the title of being a work coveted by Baz Luhrmann and Netflix.

What could have been finished with tens of thousands of dollars, or at most hundreds of thousands, has become uncertain whether a contract is possible even paying dozens of times that amount.

“Then it would be secondary creation rights, not copyright.”

Even that would likely only get rights for video creation and distribution.

“I’m sorry! I’m really sorry-!”

“Start by monitoring Baz Luhrmann.”

A novel that matches Baz Luhrmann’s mise-en-scène so perfectly it could be called a soulmate, where he can fully display his mise-en-scène.

That’s why Baz Luhrmann coveted it so much, and the distribution company officials whose doors are being knocked on now probably think the same.

In other words, they might approach Baz Luhrmann.

The Get Down, which failed at the box office despite the production budget invested, but had decent critical and viewer ratings.

Ted Sarandos foresaw that if Netflix’s subscriber count increased more and Baz Luhrmann adapted just a bit more to the OTT market with a more popular approach, he could create another masterpiece like Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge, or The Great Gatsby.

‘How did I bring that person here! How am I taming him!’

Various large corporations that watched Netflix’s success are quietly jumping into the streaming service market.

To defeat them and maintain the top position, self-produced content is ultimately essential, and for that, it was necessary to make as many good directors and writers like director Baz Luhrmann exclusive as possible.

So despite skeptical evaluations of Baz Luhrmann flowing not only from public opinion but also from within the company due to The Get Down’s failure, Ted Sarandos alternated between carrot and stick to tame Baz Luhrmann.

After investing so much time and money, he absolutely couldn’t stand to see Baz Luhrmann leave.

“Ah, understood! I’ll definitely monitor them 24 hours a day!”

“Tell the content search team to mark all internet novel sites from now on. I’ll check every month.”

If he had known about this Casanova before Baz Luhrmann did, he could have used it as bait to make Baz Luhrmann exclusive.

Upon further investigation, Casanova was already a bestseller with millions of copies sold both online and offline combined. Not knowing about this despite that was nothing but dereliction of duty.

“Yes, yes!”

“…Phew. Get out.”

“Th-thank you!”

For not firing him.

Ted Sarandos watched the employee hurriedly leave and pulled out his contact book from his jacket.

“Who can connect me with Penguin Random House.”

Buying the original work before other distributors and production companies approached Baz Luhrmann was the best method in the current situation.

He began making calls to the contacts written in his book.

* * *

A spacious room in a Korean BBQ restaurant in LA Koreatown.

“Writer!”

“Colin! Michelle!”

Colin Shaker and Michelle Cole from Penguin Random House, who handled everything for the novel Casanova including publishing, planning, and editing.

Johann’s face, hidden under a cap pulled low, bloomed with a smile at the sight of the two looking around disappointedly.

“Is Paganini better, or Rachmaninoff better?”

Perhaps because he had recently absorbed and read Baz Luhrmann and ‘soulmates Christopher Marcus and Steven McFeely,’ he was dying to turn all the figures he had absorbed and read so far into screenplays – Paganini, Rachmaninoff, Tupac, Michelangelo, and even Wolf Who Howls at the Moon.

“Oh?! Whatever work you want, please just write it whenever you wish.”

Everyone in the world knew Johann was busy, so how could they rush him.

“We at Penguin will gladly and joyfully wait for that day.”

“…I’d rather you tell me to write it right now.”

“Uhahahaha!”

‘Or at least adapt some of our Penguin’s successful works into screenplays!’

It turned out Johann had tremendous talent in screenplay writing too, truly seeming like someone sent down by the god of arts.

Of course, these were words that couldn’t be spoken aloud.

“Ah, Casanova will be going into additional printing this time.”

“Oh, how many copies will that make in total?”

“The additional printing run is 250,000 copies, so…”

Knock knock!

‘He’s here.’

Baz Luhrmann.

“Yes, please come in.”

“Excuse me…?!”

Johann smiled broadly at the three people who entered through the door and looked at him in shock.

‘Ted Sarandos… that bastard came along too.’

It seemed like he had been monitoring Baz Luhrmann.

Johann’s eyes turned coldly serious.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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