Made in Hollywood

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"Hello, Mr. Reed. I'm Nancy..."

Sitting in her office, Nancy Josephson couldn't remember the number of calls she made today. Although her voice was a little hoarse, her smile was still bright, and her tone had a natural affinity. , "Have you seen the CD you sent a while ago? Are you satisfied with the performance of the new CD player?"

Hearing the satisfactory answer from the other side, the smile on Nancy's face became more and more charming, "What do you think of Duke's films? In the purpose of the academy, it has always advocated the recognition of outstanding filmmakers, as well as the promotion of technical research and technical methods and equipment improvement. Man, Duke has done a lot of these things..."

Finally, Nancy Josephson reminded again, "The Academy is committed to promoting the sustainable development of the public and film companies. I wonder if you have been watching the news these days? Duke has just spent a large sum of money and established Duke The Film Fund, specifically for those talented newcomers."

Satisfied and hung up the phone, Nancy glanced at the phone book and dialed another number...

The word public relations is very simple to say, but it is quite cumbersome to do, and it must be mastered well, otherwise the effect may be counterproductive.

To put it bluntly, Oscar PR is a big systematic project. At the critical stage of Oscar PR, Duke followed the advice of Panney Kelly and set up a special film foundation, which was made public to help new directors. As for the future use, after the Oscar is over, how can he possibly fund projects that have no income at all?

Duke is also very clear that he is not a director that the Academy likes, and he is destined to go further and further away from Oscar in the future.

In fact, most people know that the Oscars are indeed the most authoritative awards in the United States, but they may not necessarily represent the development direction of mainstream movies.

Except for private persuasion. Publicity in the media is also essential. For example, Vanity Fair and The Hollywood Reporter have published similar reviews.

"Duke has played a huge and even irreplaceable role in promoting the development of the entire Hollywood film industry. Looking at the world film market, Hollywood is the dominant player. This situation started from Duke's "Independence Day" and was replaced by "Independence Day." "Titanic" zoomed in. Then it reached its peak in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Perhaps it would be an exaggeration to say that without Duke, there would be no internationalization of Hollywood movies, but Hollywood movies are absolutely impossible to conquer cities around the world like they are now. to any real opponent!"

"In terms of seniority, Duke is a director who has been in Hollywood for 12 years and has directed films with a total box office of more than 5 billion US dollars! In terms of film technology, he has created a new situation in action films and explosive films, and has become the object of imitation around the world. On nominations Number, he has been nominated for best director four times in the past. If he can win the best director statuette, he will definitely deserve it!"

Every year when awards season comes, the whole of Los Angeles is in turmoil. After attending a series of events, Duke temporarily hid in the Warner Studios in Burbank and began to work with Mike Dawson on the post-production of "Hurricane Rescue".

The first commercial for the film has been edited by Duke and will be shown at halftime of the Super Bowl in early February. However, because of the relationship between the Oscar nominee luncheon, Duke can not go to the scene to watch the Super Bowl.

Compared to the massive Lord of the Rings trilogy. The post-production work on "Hurricane Rescue" was much simpler. Duke only prepared three months of post-production time, and the film will be fully finished in mid-April.

The editing techniques used in this film are very similar to the two films he started, "Speed ​​of Life and Death" and "Breaking the Dead Island". The sharp editing techniques are no longer uncommon in today's Hollywood. Editing was not difficult for Duke or his dedicated editor Mike Dawson.

Even, the two are more in supervision and control, the most basic editing work. All were handed over to Mike Dawson's assistants.

When the work was over, Duke and Mike Dawson left the editing room and walked into the adjacent lounge. Tina Fey was sitting on the side of the statistics. Seeing them come in, they quickly read the last email.

"How's it going?"

After taking three cups, Duke poured a cup of coffee for each person. Mike Dawson was also very curious. Although he is one of the few people in the Duke team who has won the Oscar, who would think that there are too many statues?

"The data that Nancy and Panney just fed back." Tina Fey said, staring at the laptop screen, "They are sure to win about a quarter of the votes from the producers' union and the directors' union, and these people will basically be in the The best director aspect will choose you first."

"George and Frank also called." She recalled briefly, and continued, "The people around them will also vote for us first."

After so many years by Duke's side, Tina Fey has long been on her own. She added her analysis, "I think there's a 70 percent chance that we'll be victorious."

Tina Fey picked up the mouse, clicked a few times, then turned the laptop screen to Duke, pointed to the picture of the crowd and said, "Since three days ago, your supporters have been in the Hollywood area and Wesher Street. Gather to protest the academy's unfair treatment of you. Now the Internet is full of voices supporting your award. If the academy really does its best, it will inevitably lead to a large-scale protest afterwards. Judging from the current public opinion, it will even affect the Oscars. fairness and justice.”

Although the film academy has done something contrary to public opinion, the power of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is huge, especially Duke, who is indeed a purely commercial director, and it is not false that he is a very young director, but Now qualifications are no longer a problem, after all, there have been four nominations for "Saving Private Ryan", "Chicago", "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers"!

If there is still a problem with such a director's qualifications, then the academy is slapping its own face.

As for the Academy's final selection, it won't be revealed until the Oscars, but from the list of nominees, one or two can be guessed.

On February 14, 2004, the traditional Western Valentine's Day, Duke and Ivanka did not spend the holiday alone, but came to the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, California together. The seventy-sixth Oscar nominee luncheon was held here, hosted by Jennifer Garner.

"The nominees for Best Score are..."

The actress, who has just made a name for herself, has announced the nomination list one after another, "Big Fish", "Cold Mountain", "Finding Nemo", "Home of Dust and Mist", "The Lord of the Rings 3: The Return of the King" ."

Duke sat quietly at the round oak table, occasionally taking a sip from his coffee cup, looking quite relaxed. Ivanka on his right, with her pretty face tensed all the time, seems to be more nervous than his client. She only smiles when she hears the name "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" in the nomination list.

"Relax, darling." Duke gently shook her hand hanging under the table, "I'm getting a little nervous with you."

"How can I not be nervous!" Ivanka whispered to him, "This is your best chance to win the Academy Award. Do you want to wait any longer?"

She looked at the members of the college's executive committee sitting in front of her, and said with dissatisfaction, "If they are still so stubborn, even if I go to the bank for a loan, I will launch the media to criticize them!"

Duke smiled, stopped talking, and held Ivanka's hand a little tighter.

The announcement of the nomination list has come to an end.

"The best director nominees are Fernando Merrill - "City of God." Sofia Coppola - "Lost in Translation," Peter Weir - "Fight." Duke Rosenberg - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Clint Eastwood, Mystic River!"

As soon as the list was announced, Duke and Ivanka breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. They made so much effort, and at a moment like this, it would be a lie to say they didn't care.

Anyway. Getting a nomination is a kind of victory. After all, a nomination is a ticket to the awards ceremony. If you don't even have a ticket, how can you compete for awards.

Unsurprisingly, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King went on to be nominated for Best Picture.

Although not nominated for Best Supporting Actor or Best Actor. But the two heavyweight nominations for best director and best picture are enough to guarantee the gold content of the nomination list for "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King".

What's more, Duke heard very clearly that "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" won not the eleven nominations in memory, but twelve nominations - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Effects, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup, Best Score, Best Original Song and Best Cinematography!

Although not breaking or even tying the nomination record held by "Titanic", it has the opportunity to break another Oscar record - a single film won 11 Oscars!

Twelve nominations and winning twelve golden statuettes is indeed very difficult, but there has never been an easy success in this world. Since the academy has given the film twelve nominations, Duke naturally wants to make this a success. Twelve nominations turned into bona fide awards.

The nominee luncheon has ended, and Duke has welcomed a lot of people to congratulate the table.

"Congratulations, Duke."

Harvey Weinstein came over and shook hands with him. There was not much communication between the two, but there was no personal conflict, and they were not tit-for-tat enemies.

"You're doing well, Harvey."

Duke shook his hand lightly, and there was no friendship between the two either.

Finally, a monotonous nasal voice sounded in Duke's ear, "Do you need me to hug you?"

"I should hug you."

After speaking, Duke stretched out his arms and gave Sofia Coppola a congratulatory hug. Both of them patted each other on the back with their hands. They had worked together for many years, and naturally there was a tacit understanding.

"Congratulations on being the first American woman to be nominated for Best Director!"

Hearing Duke's words, Sophia urged, "I may win the lowest award, and you are the highest. But, Duke, don't be careless." (To be continued..)