superstar: sings for everybody

July 14.

The people were rolling from one side to the other. It was the kind of work that always evoked a sense of nostalgia, whether it was in cinema or the world of theater. It was questionable how Billy found himself there, so lost in thought. He wore a Drumstrang uniform and had already filmed some scenes on the ship, all against a green screen. Now, under various setups, they were moving to the supposed rapid recordings on the Hogwarts set.

It all began in the dining hall, where the four houses gathered. People's focus was on the protagonist, Harry Potter, portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe. The ceiling hinted at the merging of the three houses, marking the beginning of the true plot of the fourth book, which set the stage for a groundbreaking film that would leave a lasting legacy. Unlike the earlier installments, this one started transitioning between light and dark themes. A shadow loomed, hinting at a more mature narrative.

–Hey,– Billy murmured to the not-so-young Clémence Poésy, who played Fleur Delacour. She was a charming blonde, and it never hurt to have a few extra friends. Billy preferred women as confidantes—they tended to get involved more than they should but kept his secrets if he asked. Yet, he always left her in a gray zone, where she remained devoted to him. A flawed thought.

–Nice to meet you,– said Clémence, flashing her bright white smile. The way she conveyed shyness was remarkable.

–A little... but not too much. Good luck,– Billy said. He had been practicing his lines for a long time. Not only was he assigned a coach to improve his acting, but he also received feedback from Robert Pattinson. It was a real challenge to handle the different takes proposed, and the two of them often competed to outdo each other. Although Billy had started auditioning, his performances weren't yet noteworthy.

The cameras were rolling. Women in blue dresses shimmered vibrantly as they danced and sang, their voices akin to cappella harmonies. Billy watched the entire scene unfold until the choreography was perfected over an hour and a half. The space seemed larger than it appeared.

–You need to capture the scene from this angle. You and Bjelac will represent your respective schools. Keep a serious face and avoid looking at the camera—either focus slightly above or directly at the cameraman,– instructed Roger Patt, the director of photography, alongside Johnny Evans, a production team member and the liaison for the cameras.

Scene 106, Take 2.

Different youths appeared in brown uniforms with fur-lined capes, wielding staffs they struck against the floor. The sound was subtle, with only the rhythm of their feet and staffs echoing through the hall. They spun, flipped, and moved effortlessly—seasoned performers, not amateurs. Their skill was exceptional.

From the village, the camera movements were closely monitored. Meanwhile, some performers used a green liquid they blew into the air, which would later be enhanced with special effects. They executed flawless rolls and leaps, even jumping over others.

They shouted "Hoo!" at intervals.

Billy entered after a cue, walking a step ahead of actor Pedja Bjelac, who wore a dark leather costume. Various takes were shot.

–Albus.–

–Igor.–

The two actors embraced.

–Please, come this way. Your school is assigned to Slytherin's class. Severus, if you would,– said Albus Dumbledore, portrayed by Michael Gambon.

The scene lasted nearly five minutes.

–Cut.–

That was easy, Billy thought, knowing full well that acting wasn't simple. It required immense effort, and Jerry wouldn't relent, pushing him into more acting classes.

The next scene was shot with Billy seated in the Slytherin common room. The close-up surprised even J.K. Rowling—Billy was remarkably photogenic. Every picture taken of him was stunning, regardless of the angle. His charm captivated the camera, especially when he smiled. That smile was disarming, drawing audiences effortlessly. It was his redeeming quality—the reason young fans worldwide would associate Harry Potter with him.

–I want to shoot more scenes in the hall,– director Mike Newell remarked, unusually serious as he whispered with producers. Changes could be transformative, and this time, Billy's scenes were like pure gold. Shifting the focus from the three champions to him might have been irrelevant at first, but now it changed everything, including shots of Viktor Krum.

Jerry sipped whiskey on the rocks, feeling at ease. Billy's contract had improved, with every angle meticulously reviewed. Warner executives—five sharks—were negotiating the fine details of Bill Carson's agreement. They wanted not just an eight-year commitment but fifteen years of albums.

Graham Anderson, Warner Music's director; Edgar Bronfman Jr., Warner Music's president; Cameron Strang, Warner Music's executive producer; Michael Lynton, Warner Music's deputy president; and Roger Ames, head of Warner's subsidiaries and operations—all of them were involved.

–Then I'm afraid we need to enhance the contract. The best years of a rock star's career are between 20 and 30—the prime time for rock legends. The agreement must reflect the value of those years,– Jerry stated.

–We're aware of that and are prepared to offer more than material support,– replied Edgar Bronfman Jr., the true face of Warner, its actual leader.

–So, you agree to my terms,– Jerry responded.

–As long as the Billy Carson brand belongs exclusively to Warner Music. We demand total loyalty,– Edgar retorted, beginning to read a list of clauses. They were imposing, filled with countless conditions and subconditions. Billy's lawyer had reviewed them earlier and explained the finer points.

–I can accept some of these terms. However, the conditions are one-sided—pure obligations with no rights. The tax burden is disproportionate. For instance, we reject exclusivity in areas beyond music and insist on freedom for online media, interviews, and personal events (charity, private gatherings, etc.),– Jerry argued.

Over the next few hours, they debated every detail. The contract, spanning 15 years or albums, was set to last until 2020. However, in Billy's favor, Jerry ensured he retained the right to re-record his songs under his name after ten years for each album.

Royalties were set at 28%, concert ticket revenue at 20%, and recording rights remained with Warner Music, though re-recording rights would revert to Billy eight years post-publication. Exploitation rights were held by Warner, provided they paid him the 28% royalty—essential for each license. Every new song had to be recorded with Warner, which retained the right of first refusal, followed by public bidding.

–The young man has an entire album in Spanish and plans to record songs in Italian and French. This means we're reaching nearly 50% of the global population directly, with Spanish, Italian, English, French, and Portuguese audiences. Still, we know English is the universal language,– Jerry explained.

He emphasized the deal's value. Despite Warner's hesitations, the prospect of 15 albums from an artist with staggering sales of over 150 million copies was compelling. At $15 per album—a minimum price—the revenue was at least $2 billion. With Billy's 18% royalty rate, his earnings were $396 million before taxes, reduced to $308 million after deductions. A third of this, roughly $100 million, was secured in a Swiss bank, with the rest invested in Apple shares ($25 million), Amazon ($25 million), and Facebook ($35 million). The remainder funded Billy's lavish lifestyle, costing over a million dollars annually.

–It'll be a pleasure to sign with all of you,– Jerry concluded.

...