Hollywood Domination Chapter 361: Yangmou

"Christian Colson, Slumdog Millionaire!"

When Tom Hanks' voice was transmitted to every corner of the Kodak Theater through the microphone, Danny Boyle's ears seemed to still be filled with the sharp echoes of the previous applause, which made his reaction more than usual It was several times slower, staring blankly at Christian beside him jumping up excitedly, and then leaning down towards himself, as if to give him a hug——he reacted slowly, and was caught before the award. "Millionaire", which is regarded as having the lowest chance of winning among the three heroes, can even be said to be relatively unpopular, really won the two most important awards of best director and best film!

What should be the response?

How could this be the result?

Is there any shadow of human manipulation behind it?

The flood of questions made his brain unable to deal with it at all, let alone excited about this award-although he has been pulled up by Christian to stand up and move forward to the podium together, so far , this matter still doesn't have much sense of reality to Danny, did they really get the award? Really won the award? Isn't he dreaming? Is the best director just now a fact? If this is a dream, how can he wake up?

All the details from the start of this film project, like a replay montage in the movie, flowed quickly in my heart, from the amazing feeling at the beginning of seeing the script, to the twists and turns of finding a producer for the script, but finding After Christian, the two sides worked together to persuade the film company to invest in the twists and turns—yes, Danny didn’t like Jennifer Jefferson that much from the beginning, this girl doesn’t know what a movie is, to her, it’s just She doesn't know the pain, frustration and fear of finding investment for a script, the pain and joy of grinding the budget and haggling with the production company for post-editing and production companies, and she doesn't know that she has worked hard to shoot the film. The embarrassment and self-deprecation that her masterpiece was cold at the box office. For her, the movie is like a low-difficulty game with rich rewards. She wants to shoot, ok, top-level configuration and a lot of investment are waiting for her. The position is waiting for her, and the first-class publicity resources are waiting for her-not to mention that she is also working hard, the fact is that there are many people who work as hard as her in the world, and most of them are under her efforts. In addition, they still need to endure several times more pain than her, and what they gain is still very likely to be frustration and contempt.

There is nothing to encourage these people to persevere, only the love of movies - Danny does not discriminate against rich people, being rich does not mean you have no dreams, the reason why "Millionaire" can start shooting is exactly It’s because they found a company with money and dreams. What he regrets the most is that it didn’t have such luck in North America. It was first bought independently by Warner, and then re-purchased by Big Dream—and let Jennifer buy it What is it? He didn't think it was a dream, but an ambition to change things with movies. She didn't have such feelings for "Millionaire". The reason why she bought its global copyright was entirely out of being an investor and studio owner. She is shrewd, even including wanting them to make reshoots later. In his feeling, she is also out of businessman's considerations, hoping that they can try their best to win awards and earn box office.

Danny was very cooperative in the reshoots - I have to admit that Jennifer's vision in the professional field is really sharp, and the few flaws she pointed out were due to the lack of budget in the later stage of the film, so she could only do it perfunctorily And he also wants to make his film to a higher level, but this does not mean that his heart knot will disappear. For Dameng, he bought the global copyright of this film, and then sent it to Cannes Exhibiting in the exhibition, he has always been worried about it - the copyright of this movie has been transferred to Dameng, which also means that "Millionaire" has broken away from the "matrix" that really has feelings for it, and has fallen into a "matrix" that only wants to get it. In the hands of capitalists who made money, even if it made the best efforts afterwards, those partners who worked with Danny for this movie at that time could no longer get full returns.

Actually, it’s not that the Indian company that was willing to pay for the film didn’t want to send the film to the exhibition, and it’s not that Christian didn’t work hard, but it’s not easy to get into the Cannes Film Festival without connections. Danny didn't really like the big dream that has superior resources but is always producing bad movies like "Twilight". My heart was revealed—although I couldn’t say I had any feelings for the movie, but under the superb operation of Dameng, "Millionaire" achieved an impact that would not have been possible in the hands of Warner Independent (he heard that Warner I want to pack and sell the film library), and Danny is of course happy to see his film succeed, the most important thing is to let more people see this film, like this film, and think about this film—— As for Oscar, he was far from expecting so much at the time.

"Danny! My God, we really did it!" Dave hugged him excitedly and shook, "Ah! I never thought this day would come!"

"Danny, let's go, let's go." Christian has already yelled, "Go to the stage, remember our acceptance speech!"

After embracing each other for a short time, the huge cast members moved towards the podium. Of course, they were frequently stopped to hug and congratulate along the way. Danny mixed in the crowd in a daze. He saw Jennifer and Cesare Vijay There was a smile on his face, and he vaguely remembered hugging them, and Jennifer said something in his ear - he just couldn't react.

In the background music of "jaiho", they dragged their way to the podium, Danny stared at the back of Christian, a good friend, and looked around blankly, he knew what Christian was saying What are they talking about, most of them are the award speeches they prepared with the help of Dameng's public relations——

Yes, yes, this is what he is most dissatisfied with, Dameng's step-by-step, lack of sincerity-for Oscar, Danny doesn't really care that much, to be honest, he is not determined to win, for a movie For a film that has been in jeopardy from the start—maybe never made, might not be released, might fail at the box office, might not win an award at all, this year's "The Hurt Locker," "In the Clouds," and "Inglourious Basterds" siege Under the current situation, if "Millionaire" can get an Oscar, or even just be nominated, he is already overjoyed. Even if he loses to "The Hurt Locker" from the outpost award, Danny will not be too unbalanced.

But the problem is, the problem is that "Millionaire" didn't lose at the Sentinel Awards, the problem is that it seems to have a good chance of winning-at least it can compete with "The Hurt Locker" in full swing, and as long as the film The film has a little love, and finds some new publicity and marketing - the Oscars are even very promising!

OK, at this juncture, the "Avatar" that Dameng participated in the production also exploded, and Jennifer began to speak out to promote the "Avatar" competition. Danny can understand this, and of course he has no intention of interfering. Dameng is still doing the Olympic competition for "Millionaire", this is nothing more than a dispute between gentlemen - or even if Dameng said it bluntly, for the sake of "Avatar", you have to give up the promotion of "Millionaire" for the Olympics, you Danny .Boyle can go back to England, then he is ok, he is a mess in the circle, he will not lose so much, "Millionaire" is not his own, and the box office is not that big, so we can't give it to everyone. Dreams bring so much profit, it is understandable to be abandoned. ——But you can’t play with me in your dream? "Avatar" played "Is the Oscar's positioning comprehensive or artistic?", and directly shocked the judges from the mentality of the awards. "The Hurt Locker" also immediately played the feminist card, and naturally occupied a political advantage. It is still a pure American film pedigree. What about "Millionaire"? Throughout the awards season, the crew is nothing more than attending some commercial parties step by step, and even the slogan is used for half a year, "This movie will change the slums of Mumbai"!

The box office is unmatched, the pedigree is unmatched, and the importance is unmatched. If it’s a big deal, don’t play. Big Dream just arranged for them to live in Los Angeles and attend business receptions one after another. Danny is not like that. It’s the little actors who are still enjoying this kind of thing, and feel deeply lucky. His impatience and aggrievedness are increasing day by day. This has nothing to do with winning or losing, but the sincerity of Dameng—Jennifer and his On the phone, he said again and again that "Millionaire" is 'playitsafe', but does "Millionaire" need to be played safely? Does Oscar need to play it safe? Play it safe, how can you get a prize?

"Thank you to the thousands of extras in Mumbai. You may not realize this, but without you, there would be no film. Art is born in suffering. I hope art can also save suffering and change suffering. Thank you! "

The rumbling speakers and deafening applause made Danny even have the urge to shrink back. He was stunned for a second before he realized that Christian had finished his prepared acceptance speech and handed him the microphone.

And he—and he—

Almost instinctively, Danny made a humble expression, and handed the microphone to Dev Patel beside him, and the applause rang out again because of his demeanor, Danny looked blankly at The eager faces under the stage are searching and distinguishing——

He saw the crew of "The Hurt Locker". With a well-trained smile, Christopher Hanks was listening intently to the acceptance speech. He didn't seem to be depressed by the disappointment of "The Hurt Locker" tonight. , while Catherine Bigelow's complexion was a little dark, but she still maintained a smiling expression.

Ah, he saw it, behind them - Jennifer Jefferson and Cesare Vijri, Cesare Vijri is always that smile that seems sincere and easy-going, just like Dan Ni didn't feel the commerciality after that, he didn't seem too surprised by this result, and the same was true for Jennifer Jefferson, she still had the same happy, calm smile, and the blue-green eyes shone with mystery. smiling, as if everything is under her control——

"Sometimes, the safe play is the good play." Danny suddenly remembered what she said in his ear, so indifferently, even though it was only a few seconds after the announcement, there was something in her words. Not the slightest bit of surprise, as if—really, as if she had fully guessed what was going on—"Really, Danny?"

A safe way of playing is a good way of playing——a safe way of playing is a good way of playing——

As if someone punched him in the stomach, Danny almost bent over, resisting this epiphany that spreads from the abdomen as the center-safe play is good play-if it is safe If the gameplay is good, then it must mean that its playmates are not playing safely!

Jennifer was listed in the producer list of "Avatar", and she was on the platform for "Avatar" throughout the promotional period, and the word "Millionaire" was hardly mentioned.

Her theory of "Oscar repositioning" is the focus of people's discussions this month, commercial and artistic - "Avatar" has commercial but not artistic, "The Hurt Locker" has artistic but not commercial.

Only "Millionaire" has both, which is a safe card!

Originally, this movie was too deeply imprinted with big dreams. As its global copyright owner, after the film produced by Jennifer won the best movie for two consecutive times, "Millionaire" must be favored in the Oscar voting. Natural restrictions, but now that "Avatar" has a deeper brand, aggressive, and fundamentally changes the voting attitude. They have nothing to do. The Oscars don’t need to be judged as Jennifer Jefferson’s traces are too deep’, the original weakness of this movie has become a strength instead.

Under the threat of "Avatar", "The Hurt Locker" began to play the feminist card, but for the age of the Olympic judges, whether this politically correct card is good or not depends on the strength and strength of the competitors back then. No, both are politically correct, and human rights and racial peace must be higher than women's rights!

Avatar's 'thinkingoutsidethebox' is the guarantee of 'Millionaire' 'playitsafe', if Avatar wins, it's Jennifer's win, take a step back, even if Avatar doesn't win, Playitsafe "Millionaire" can also be favored by the judges with its relatively low-key and steady performance and average quality in all aspects. It is very likely to step on "The Hurt Locker" to win the award. The momentum of Avatar!

It’s not that Dameng didn’t put their heart into "Millionaire", it’s just that their intentions are too ingenious. It can even be said that Murdoch, Cameron, and all the big names hired by Fox have made their voices for "Avatar". The publicity is all trying to gain an advantage for "Millionaire" and weaken its real competitor "The Hurt Locker"... Dameng is just making "Millionaire" in a very labor-saving and genius way!

"Danny." Someone was pushing him, and the microphone returned to Danny's hands at some point, he picked up the microphone, looked at the sea of ​​people in the audience, and said almost mechanically, "At this award, I think I should thank—"

At this moment, as if it were a flash of lightning, in an instant, his and Jennifer's eyes collided, and time seemed to slow down around them. At this moment, their hearts seemed to be connected together , Danny understood the mysterious smile on Jennifer's mouth——

"Thanks to our Indian partner production company, thanks to Raj..." He said, just like when he got the best director, he didn't intend to mention the big dream movie. Of course, at this moment, the mentality is different. "Thank you to all the people who made us meet, and those who helped this movie..."

The classic scene of Jamal and Latika running relative to each other was shown on the big screen. Amidst the warm applause, the unexpected and reasonable Oscars came to an end completely, and the winners will have to accept various This kind of interview, of course, also includes attending the afterparty organized by "Vanity Fair"-for them, the real work has just begun.

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"Christian Colson, Slumdog Millionaire!"

It really is "Millionaire"...

Jenny raised her hands and showed a calculated smile - a smile that could show that as the company owner, she was happy with the success of "Millionaire", without being overly happy to stimulate James and Kevin Lai The smiles of losers such as Lee, Jon Doyle—she has practiced for this smile for a long time.

"Congratulations, Christian." Seeing the excited producer walking to her row first, she stood up and hugged Christian, followed by Danny who was still a little stupefied—— When he won the best director, he hadn't recovered, and now he was completely dumbfounded on the spot. Obviously, after the public opinion war last month, Danny never thought that "Millionaire" would be released. be the ultimate winner.

"Sometimes, safe play is not bad, isn't it, Danny?" She suddenly became interested in joking, and when she hugged Danny to congratulate him, she joked in his ear: If "Avatar" really She won the award, of course she can curse her as snobby and careless as Danny wants, but since "Millionaire" has become the winner as expected, now she can show her cleverness.

Watching Danny and a large group of people walk up to the podium, the applause paused, Jenny and the others also sat down, waiting for Tom Hanks to hand the trophy to Christian, Jenny turned her head and met Carme Long looked at each other, and the latter spread his hands with a wry smile, not looking so disappointed.

"Okay, now I can finally wake up from my dream." He said, his tone was very calm, "Normal result, isn't it? After all, it is impossible for the Oscars to change their attitude 180° within a year and really give the grand prize to "Avatar" .”

"It didn't happen overnight," Jenny said reassuringly, "—but it's a good start. By Avatar 2, maybe we can add some more esoteric content, and that may be the real sci-fi blockbuster." The day I got the Oscar."

"nah——" Cameron seemed to have completely regained his composure and calmness, he shook his head, "forget it, I'm not an Oscar-type director, it's best not to expect anything from the beginning— —Who knows what will happen in these five years? I have my 2.5 billion, haha."

Jenny couldn't help showing a smile, but the two of them didn't continue their conversation. Instead, they fell silent after Christian's acceptance speech, and they all stood up to applaud him, doing their last bit of being an audience obligation.

"Thanks to the tens of thousands of extras in Mumbai, you may not realize it, but without you this movie would not be--" Christian's face flushed, and his British accent became extraordinarily Obviously, "art is born in suffering, I hope art can also save suffering..."

"Best Director, Best Movie!" Kevin Riley, who was sitting behind Jenny, sighed softly behind Jenny, "Who would have thought that it would be the big winner in the end?"

There was no emotion in what he said, as if he was implying something, but it seemed to be pure emotion. Jenny looked back at him, and she laughed.

"Our publicity expenses are not in vain." As if she didn't hear any implication, she comforted Kevin with a simple tone, "Nine out of five, in terms of numbers, we are the winner."

This is completely true. At least the best cinematography is definitely the result of publicity. Without marketing and hype, "Avatar" may end up with a special effects award, and there may not even be an art director. Kevin laughed Laughing, I didn't go any further, but followed what Jenny had just encouraged Cameron to say, "Yes, Rome wasn't built in a day - science fiction movies will have this day, James."

"I have no doubts about it," James said calmly, as if he didn't realize the confrontation between the two, "it's just that the movie that is affirmed may not be "Avatar 2"—but, What does it matter? As I said earlier, 2.5 billion is enough for me."

Several people laughed, and Cesare said, "The camera is coming—"

"For this award, I should be grateful..." On the stage, Danny had already taken the microphone, his eyes searched the audience, and soon circled around the area of ​​Jenny and Cameron After a while—it can be seen that he is still a little bit weak now, and he feels a little like a dream, but after winning two awards, his knots should disappear without a trace. "...my Indian production partner production company..."

Very well, it seems that Danny is not completely unreasonable—or in other words, the two parties have reached a settlement. If he thanks Dameng at this time, the media may stop talking about it. It will be a little embarrassing in front of them, that's it, the more the relationship is weakened, the better, now Dameng doesn't need anyone to remind the public how good they are, what they want is to make a fortune in such a low-key manner.

Jenny nodded from the bottom of her heart: Of course, she is also happy to see the success of a good relationship with Danny. Although in terms of the supply and demand relationship between the two parties, offending Danny is nothing to her, but doing business is very important It's about a good relationship, and this principle must be universal in the world. It is always better for Danny to figure it out in time and avoid suspicion for her than to communicate and explain to Fox later.

The classic scene of Jamal and Latika running relative to each other was shown on the big screen. Amidst the warm applause, the unexpected and reasonable Oscars came to an end completely, and the winners will have to accept various This kind of interview, of course, also includes attending the afterparty hosted by "Vanity Fair"-for them, the real work has just begun, but for Jenny, it is very rare that she can finally go home after the Oscars in a few years : Although "Avatar" also won five awards, it is regarded as the winner in terms of absolute numbers, but the winners of these five awards have nothing to do with actors and directors. In terms of the status of Jenny and Cameron, There is no need to participate in the Vanity Fair to fight for the page, brush up the intimacy, and go home directly, and no one will dare to think that they are too arrogant.

"Everything is as expected."

In public, Cesare has always been very reserved, especially when he plays 'Jennifer Jefferson's husband'. Luye, in the confrontation between Jenny and Kevin just now, he also wisely pretended to be stupid like Cameron, and didn't point out the matter to escalate the embarrassment. After getting into the nanny car, he commented, "Although That's the logical most likely outcome—but this year's Oscars have been lacking in surprises."

"Yeah, even though you know it's impossible, you still can't help but hope that Oscar will change—at least it will change more than you thought, and bring some surprises, right?" Jenny sighed He breathed a sigh of relief and kicked up the partition in front of the seat in boredom, "Of course, it's still the same in the end—no surprise, "Avatar" still can't win the best movie, and Oscar is still getting more and more niche——"

"You don't seem to be happy with tonight's results." Cesare looked at her for a while, and said his observations. "I find this somewhat puzzling."

"Yeah," Jenny grimaced at him, "I should be happy, shouldn't I? It was a super-successful game, we got the most out of the smallest investment and didn't cause Fox dissatisfaction—”

Yes, this time "Avatar"'s trip to the Olympics can be said to be a conspiracy led by Jenny herself. By the way, washing away the imprint of the big dream on "Millionaire" also enhances the odds of "Millionaire" winning after "Avatar" fails. If you look at it purely from the results, Fox was completely taken advantage of by her—you can even say that without the money Fox spent on "Avatar" and the momentum it created, "Millionaire" would have been impossible. Winning the Oscar, this year's double award should belong to "The Hurt Locker".

However, just like Kevin Riley, although he saw through the contribution of "Avatar" in the award of "Millionaire", he was not angry and did not intend to tear face with Jenny at all. James Cameron also insisted Just like being silent, this conspiracy did not fundamentally harm the interests of Fox: From the beginning to the end, if Jenny took the initiative to say anything, it was that she said that "Avatar" is not impossible to compete for the Olympic Games", and after that Everything that happened, it was the result of Fox's initiative.

——Fox spent a lot of money on "Avatar", because "Avatar" made more money, Fox now has plenty of money and is willing to spend. Fox adopted the Olympic plan planned by Jenny, because this is the only plan that can bring "Avatar" closer to the Oscars. If it weren't for the "Oscar's positioning", could "Avatar" win 5 Oscars? Did you even say that Jenny doesn't want "Avatar" to win an award? She is the main producer of "Avatar", and "Avatar" won the award, she can also be on stage, and she is the number one triple villa in history, such a legend, would she not want it? She personally produced and starred in this movie, and the long-term investment dividends brought to Dameng are expected to exceed 2 billion. Emotional tendencies, she has no reason to be partial. If she did anything, it was at most that she left a convenient door for "Millionaire" in the publicity, so that it could take advantage of it after "Avatar" was defeated. But for Fox, since the judges have decided after weighing, even if the Oscars want to adjust their positioning, they cannot award the award to "Avatar" which lacks storytelling, then "Avatar" has already lost. Thinking 'you can't win even if I lose', not happy to see the more intimate "Millionaire" become the winner, but want "The Hurt Locker" to win?

Of course, if you say that, you can’t fuss about some details—why did Jenny say after Fox had already sent out the registration form and listed her as one of the three producers of "Avatar" It’s not that I can’t go to the Olympic Games’, she has been emphasizing the ‘balance between artistry and commerciality’ since last year. Is it for “Avatar” or “Millionaire”? Did she have a premonition of “The Hurt Locker” at that time? The box office will not be very good... If you want to study it carefully, Fox has something to be angry about, but——

What's the use of getting angry? Without Jennifer, I might not even be able to win five Oscars, and people have already made it clear—Kevin also clearly realized that Jennifer’s ideas are working, and the Olympic judges were really affected, and began to pay attention to adjusting the science fiction films. The discriminatory attitude, in addition to the technical department awards, forcibly awarded the important best photography award, if "Avatar" was even a little bit more artistic, maybe it really won the best movie——

The mentality of the judges has begun to adjust, but there is no movie on the market that can satisfy this hunger. This is a market vacuum, and the 3D sci-fi movie with a literary and artistic atmosphere that is being shot and produced now is Fox's " "Life of Pi"? Even Cameron has already admitted this point: the fruit trees planted in the promotion of "Avatar" are very likely to let Ang Lee, who has a stronger Austrian atmosphere, pick peaches in the end. Before the filming of "Avatar 2", if "Life of Pi" is good enough, it is very likely to catch up with the judges' reflection and adjustment, and win the best movie in one fell swoop!

The money spent on the promotion of "Avatar" will eventually benefit from Fox's own movie. What is there to say? Moreover, the money spent for the Olympics can be offset into the marketing costs of the film, and it is not within the scope of the distributor's payment. It means that Fox will lose a sum of dividends for Dameng. Fox has to worry about it again. It was too stingy to say, so Kevin just clicked and stopped poking. He even sincerely congratulated and congratulated Jenny and Danny immediately afterwards, and also showed the demeanor of a big company executive—and he Her reaction was also completely within Jenny's calculations, and she never escaped from the track she set from the very beginning.

The entire propaganda layout costing tens of millions of dollars finally achieved the ideal result, preventing "The Hurt Locker" from escaping from the encirclement and suppression of the sky and the sky - with the number of voters reaching 5,000, and there is also a preference design, And when the number of people who can be affected by public relations is always limited, the results of the final two awards have been manipulated to this point (but Jenny did not expect that "Millionaire" won two awards in the end, and the best film went to "Millionaire" For Rich Man, she thought that the best director would go to Catherine or James), anyone should be satisfied and proud of this: Although she did not appear on stage this year, she undoubtedly has a higher power——if she was still desperately trying to win the favor of the judges in the past, in this year's publicity drama, she really regarded the judges as her pawns... To be honest, her manipulation of Oscar is true. has reached this level.

However, when she has reached this level of understanding of all this, when she can even influence the result to some extent, Jenny finds that whether it is "Millionaire" or "Avatar", whether it is Who has won a few Oscars - all of this can't make her have any emotional fluctuations, even if "The Hurt Locker" won the final award, she won't feel any loss - this award is important to her It is said that it is no longer mysterious and no longer cherished. In this case, what is the difference between getting or losing?

"Why am I unhappy...it's really inexplicable," she stopped her boring kicking legs, looked at the night scene flying by outside the window, sighed, and announced, "But I want to , that’s the truth—I won’t be happy or depressed about the Oscars in the future.”

Cesare raised his eyebrows at her, and Jenny spread her hands.

"From today onwards, Oscar is just a game that has already been cleared for me," she said, "Will I replay it? Of course I will. Like you said, I have my work ethic, and I will replay again and again, and start again and again, but, seriously, this game can no longer affect my emotions-Oscar, Whether I get it or not, rushing or not, it doesn’t make any difference to me. Maybe I used to be happy, guilty, nervous, and impulsive because of it, even though I knew how many dirty inside stories were behind it. Still would be honored to have it, but now, thinking of the Oscars?"

She raised her finger and shook, "em-hing."

"It sounds like you've finally reached the level of Woody Allen." Cesare said, with a touch of humor in his tone, as if telling Jenny that she doesn't have to be so "overwhelmingly cold", the world There are not many people who share similar views with her.

And Jenny really laughed out: "Yes, indeed, yes, Cesare, now I finally understand what those masters are thinking - I finally understand that they are not pretending to be noble .”

She turned her head and looked out the window, and said quietly, "I finally understand why Sidney said that - the more successful you are, the longer you stay in this circle, the more you will understand: in the end, what matters There are only movies..."

"Avatar" won 5 out of 9 nominations and became the numerical winner. "Millionaire" won two awards, 4 out of 9 nominations, tied with "Avatar". "The Hurt Locker" got 2 out of 9 nominations and only best editing To save face, this year's Oscar results are indeed unexpectedly balanced. There is no one dominant player, and many conventions have been broken. Of course, it has attracted a lot of discussion from the media. The season also came to an end.

However, the entertainment industry will never be lonely for too long: year after year, week after week, when the curtain of the Kodak Theater is closed, the annual summer file war will sound its first horn——