The Big Picture

Chapman? Very good.

Now, in closing, I'd like to quote Frank Capra:

"Don't compromise. For only the valiant can create.

Only the daring should make films.

And only the artistically incorrupt will earn and keep the people's trust".

Good luck, and goodbye.

Thank you, Penny.

And thank you, Frank Capra, for those words of wisdom.

Before I announce the nominees and the winner...

...of the 10th Annual Student Film Awards...

...keep in mind these films were made by students...

...without any outside assistance of any kind.

In many cases, it meant...

...reaching into their own back pockets.

Now, the first nominee is:

Carl Manknik, for The Trial of Janet Kingsley.

Isn't it true that you were with him on July the 3rd?

I have no idea what you're saying. I've never seen him in my life.

Oh, really?

Well, well, well.

Know what I think, Mrs. Kingsley? I think you're a liar.

- No!. - A liar!.

- No!. - Liar!.

- No!. - Liar!.

No!. You nasty man!

Order.

Your Honor, I object. This is a travesty!

I motion for a mistrial!

Order.

Order in the court.

Ladies and gentlemen, Carl Manknik.

Go on. Go on, Dad. Take a bow.

Ladies and gentlemen, Frank Manknik.

My agent for 20 years...

...and the president of the Manknik Talent Agency.

Now, nominee number two:

Jonathan Tristan- Bennett...

...for Crossed Sabres of Truth.

On June 3rd, 1817...

...ten thousand men took the field of battle at Avignon.

By the noon hour, only two were left to tell the tale.

My humble thanks for this belated, yet welcome, recognition.

I reserve special thanks for Jimmy Delvecchio...

...special effects man extraordinaire...

...regrettably, killed during the filming of Crossed Sabres of Truth.

Thanks also to the Tristan- Bennett family trust fund...

...for their intuition and good faith. Thanks.

And now, nominee number three:

- Lydia Johnson. - Oh, my God!

Lydia Johnson for...

...Afterbirth of a Notion?

Roll it.

Our final nominee is:

Nick Chapman for First Date.

Yeah.

- You must be Joey. - Yes, sir.

I suppose you have come for my daughter.

Yes, sir.

Do you play chess?

A little.

I'll be right down, Joey.

- It's your move. - I just moved.

Move again.

What are you trying to pull?

- Hi, Joey. Are you ready? - Yeah.

Where the hell do you think you're going?!

- We're going on a date, sir. - You're not going anywhere...

...ever again!

And the winner is:

If I can just get this thing open.

Oh, here we are.

Nick Chapman, for First Date.

Congratulations.

Wow.

First, I'd like to thank the institute...

...for this great honor.

I'd like to thank my mom and dad...

...for buying me my first camera when I was 4.

I'd like to thank...

...the cast and crew, most of whom were made up...

...of our fellow students. I'd like to thank...

...Emmet Sumner...

...my friend and cinematographer, for his great images.

He couldn't be here, he's at a Lamaze class.

Most of all...

...I wanna thank Susan...

...for being there when I needed her.

Thanks.

- I liked that dance you did a lot. - Oh, well...

- You must be very proud. - We are.

Nick? Could I see you for a second, please?

Yeah.

- Hello, my name is Allen Habel. - Hi.

- This is Lydia Johnson. - Yes.

- Oh, okay. So congratulations, sweetie. - Thanks.

See you.

- May I call you Nick? - Yeah.

Brilliance. Absolute brilliance.

- Thanks. - Your film had a very unique quality.

- Thank you. - I think we can work together.

Great. You know, I'm completely available.

- May I call you next week? - Yeah. All week. Any day.

Perfect.

Call my secretary.

I'll call you back.

- Okay. - Brilliance.

- Brilliance. - Okay.

Who was that guy?

He's from one of the studios.

- Let's have a speech from Mr. Chapman. - Speech!

Speech! Speech!

I would like to propose a toast...

...to Emmet Sumner for his brilliant cinematography.

Well...

Emmet, you should tell Nick about your movie.

What movie?

It's this low- budget movie this guy wants me to shoot.

- What is it? - It's this stupid movie.

It's called Coffins From Hell.

- What is it about? - Coffins from hell.

That's great, Emmet.

- It'll finally get him into the union. - Yeah.

So you don't seem excited.

It's this piece of shit. I mean, there's no story...

...it's incredibly violent, and I wouldn't want my kid to see it.

- Don't do it. Why compromise? - You make that sound easy.

It is easy. Just do the work you want, and stand by it.

Yeah, I know you're right.

We don't have that luxury. Emmet's been trying...

...to get in that union for six years.

He'll get in when he does my movie.

That would be great.

Nick, congratulations. This is Gail Murphy...

...with IPF Talent Agency. I saw your film.

It's marvelous.

Nick, Herb Bevis. Congratulations.

Loved the film. Give me a call regarding representation.

Hello, Nick. This is Shawna at the Clemsor Agency.

Give us a call tomorrow or at your earliest convenience. Thank you.

Tim Freelander at Freelander- Morris. I didn't see the film...

...but I've heard it's sensational and terrific. We ought to talk.

Party of two.

- Yes, sir? - I'm meeting Mr. Sussman.

He's right there, sir.

Mr. Sussman?

Mr. Sussman is my father, and he lives in Miami Beach.

It's Neil. Please sit.

My wife and I come here all the time. The gaucho steak is wonderful.

Okay, sounds good.

Are those contacts?

No.

I would kill for that color.

I've always been stuck with hazel.

Look, Nick, I'm not gonna bullshit you.

I don't know you or your work.

But I think you're very talented, and I'm never wrong about these things.

Excuse me. Keith?

Could I have another Cointreau and sodie...

...and send an almond torte to the man in the white suit.

Certainly.

Look, Nick, I'm not going to bullshit you...

...because it's a waste of time, and then it becomes like that thing.

I'm not talking to you!

I'll call you.

I'm very, very aware...

...you are seeing other agents.

I think it's good that you are. It's healthy.

But this is the thing. If you decide to sign with me...

...you'll get more than an agent. You'll get three people.

You're gonna get an agent. A mother. A father.

A shoulder to cry on.

Someone who knows this business inside and out.

If anyone ever tries to cross you, I'll grab their balls...

...and squeeze till they're dead.

Excuse me.

- Keith, did you send the torte? - Yes.

And what was his reaction?

He seemed pleased, but beneath the surface, I detected sadness.

So...

...think about what I've been saying.

I'd hate to see you walk into Allen Habel's office with your pants down.

Yes?

Mr. Habel will see you now.

Thank you.

Are we in or out?

Well, just tell me, are we in or out?

Yeah, well, because I can call Jerry right now.

I don't want to call Jerry right now, but I will if I have to.

Look, EL...

Elliot, please, do not make this a nightmare for me, okay?

You like thimbles, Nick?

Well, yeah.

I guess I do.

Thimbles have a very long history.

All the way back to the Greeks. Maybe even before.

- Can I get you anything to drink? - Coffee.

Cheryl, can we have some coffee? And tell Todd to come in, please.

Yes, sir.

So, did you grow up out here, Nick?

- No, I'm from Ohio. - My first wife is from Illinois.