Made in Hollywood

In the past, Duke had heard of "The King's Speech", but hadn't read it. Now that he has seen it in person, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is an excellent assembly line composition tailored for Oscars.

Frankly speaking, the storyline of this film is not as good as "Black Swan", let alone "Inception".

As we all know, the Oscars generally do not choose the best story, because the concept of "good" is not very applicable when the disparity in strength is not too large, so they generally choose the "suitable" story.

For a typical Oscar story, first of all, it cannot be too commercial. If it is too commercial, Oscar will directly label it as "technical". It has been criticized as rubbish by industry insiders. Oscar has never been willing to act as an avant-garde art school. They prefer to find the most proficient among the existing standards.

Harvey Weinstein and Duke each tried a few words, and gradually determined each other's Oscar goals.

"Let's put it this way, Duke." Harvey Weinstein completely gave up talking in circles and began to speak bluntly. There are only the two of them here, and some words don't have to be too scruples at all. "The only weight in "The King's Speech" The heavier female role is the wife of King George VI, and we are going to apply for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her."

Hearing this, Duke couldn't help smiling, and said, "My two films, "Inception" and "Gravity" are both sci-fi genre. Harvey, you should be very clear, I have always been a very realistic people."

This is not the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which has a huge influence in North America, this non-adapted genre with little to do with reality, wants to get the best picture, unless Duke hangs up and makes them his posthumous work.

But how is that possible?

Harvey Weinstein is well aware of this. "In this way, we will not be competitors."

Duke lightly tapped the armrest of the sofa, and replied, "In terms of best picture, I am very optimistic about "The King's Speech."

He offered a bargaining chip, and Harvey Weinstein frowned. After hesitating for a few seconds, he said, "I haven't seen "Gravity", but I know Miss Johnson's acting skills, and her acting skills will not be a problem, but Duke, you want to get this best award. Divas are hard."

"I know." Duke coughed lightly. "I was also approached by someone who lobbied that Natalie Portman is indeed the most outstanding representative of the new generation of Jewish actresses."

Harvey Weinstein nodded silently. In fact, he and most people in Hollywood don't know anything about Duke and Natalie Portman.

Duke looked at the fat Jewish man next to him, "Don't forget, Harvey. Our Jewish club just wants to set up a Jewish example. Natalie Portman is Jewish, and so is Scarlett!"

But Duke didn't say a word, even though he grew up with his mother. But Scarlett does not have much sense of identity with the Jewish identity, nor will she be like Natalie Portman. Constantly use their ethnicity to make a fuss.

After being silent for nearly half a minute, carefully considering the pros and cons, Harvey Weinstein said, "Even if you can win our vote. Duke, your chances of winning are not great."

Harvey Weinstein is definitely an Oscar public relations expert. He has a clear view on this aspect, "Have you noticed that Natalie Portman is pregnant, and the pregnancy is very obvious!"

This is a factor that cannot be ignored, but Duke doesn't seem to care too much, "Harvey, we support you for the best picture, and you support me for the best actress. In other respects, I will solve it myself."

Yes, pregnant women can indeed increase sympathy points, but is it difficult for a woman in Hollywood to split her legs?

This is a naked transaction, and neither party has any intention of hiding it.

Last month, Harvey Weinstein met with Natalie Portman's mother, and he also promised her that he would support Natalie Portman in the Best Actress Oscar.

There is no doubt that there is a powerful driving force behind Natalie Portman, but no matter how great this force is, can it surpass Duke Rosenberg?

Harvey Weinstein is very clear that Duke is not a director that the academy likes, and he doesn't even have a strong influence on the academy. However, looking at the entire Hollywood, he is definitely a member of the top level in this circle, saying that he can influence It's no exaggeration to say where the Hollywood industry is headed.

And behind him is Warner Bros. and the entire Time Warner Group...

Choose Duke? Rosenberg, or choose Natalie? Portman, this question is not difficult at all.

The most important thing is that Harvey Weinstein can see obvious benefits from it. The most direct one is the Oscar vote. After all, everyone knows that Duke Rosenberg is not representing himself, and there is a big group voice.

Promises mean nothing to Harvey Weinstein in the face of enough interest.

He turned around and extended his right hand to Duke, "I think this will be a pleasant cooperation."

Duke shook his hand, "Happy cooperation, Harvey."

Afterwards, Duke and Harvey Weinstein left the waiting room and walked into the banquet hall where the rally party was held. Duke quickly found Scarlett, who was basically invited by Harvey Weinstein. They are all members of the academy, and at worst have the right to vote for Oscars. She is also a smart person, and she communicates skillfully among these people.

To be precise, hitting the Oscars is a comprehensive marketing process.

The marketing of the Oscar statuettes is very different from the marketing of the box office. Unlike marketing, many tricks must be exposed to the outside world, and more work is done in places that the public cannot see.

The biggest controversy ever generated by the Oscars was actually the result of marketing invisible to the general public. At the 71st Academy Awards, "Shakespeare in Love" beat "Saving Private Ryan" to win the best picture; Gwyneth Paltrow edged out Cate Blanchett for Best Actress, sparking seas of controversy over who won the two awards.

Everyone knows that this is the result of Harvey Weinstein and Miramax Films' public relations efforts, but few people know exactly what they did.

The other Duke just watched the fire from the other side, and it is not very clear, but the current Duke has witnessed Miramax Pictures win again at the end of the last century, although there is no "Saving Private Ryan" this time, which makes the controversy less big , but Gwyneth? Paltrow is still considered to be one of the worst actresses in the history of Oscars, and even the best actress in the past 30 years.

Duke knew something of Harvey Weinstein's methods. The fat Jewish man's extensive network at the academy did play an important role, but money was the key.

Oscar competition has long been turned into a money game.

Harvey Weinstein’s expenditures in this area have already reached 3 million US dollars when the public relations funds of other films are only 500,000 US dollars. When other people’s investment reaches the 100% level, his expenditures have reached 5 million or even tens of millions. grade level.

Today's Oscars have formed a rule, perhaps it is very appropriate to use the law of European professional football leagues to describe it-those who invest heavily may not win awards, but those who do not invest heavily will definitely not win awards!

Of course, this award refers to the most important awards.

Duke also took a turn at the party. This kind of networking is a routine event of every awards season, but compared to the Weinstein brothers, he can only be said to be a stranger in awards season.

Before it was too late, Duke left the hotel with Scarlett Johansson and prepared to return to Malibu by car.

On the car ride back, Duke asked Scarlett, "Honey, how many people have you won the support of?"

"Who knows." Scarlett shrugged, "The oldest people are the most influential, but they are all a bunch of old foxes, and they are not willing to express their opinions easily."

Duke nodded, "Most people won't make a choice lightly if they don't see enough benefits."

Not all members of the Academy are very good. Many older actors or people from other industries are bankrupt and destitute after retirement. The annual awards season can be said to be a harvest season for these people...

However, Hollywood never advertises this to the outside world. From the outside, it will always be so glamorous.

For this Oscar heroine, Duke has prepared 15 million US dollars in public relations expenses in addition to the promotion and marketing of Warner Bros. To him, the money is nothing at all. But it can impress many people.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has various regulations on Oscar public relations, but people in the circle are very clear that most of the time these regulations are just regulations.

Of course, the public relations party can't go too far, and must grasp the measure.

Duke's public relations manager Pani Kelis is a veteran in this field, and as he grows older in recent years, he has only served Duke alone, and the remuneration he has received from him is also sufficient. , Duke's side is mainly in charge of her coordination.

Not only that, after learning that Scarlett was going to win the Oscar for Best Actress, Mrs. Leia also rushed to Los Angeles on Christmas, and had two old friends, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, respectively. We met.

All the preparatory work is already in place, but "Gravity" must first obtain the basic qualifications for the Oscar competition-it will be released before the new year.

After Christmas, "Gravity" started its screening tour in North America with 50 theaters. (to be continued ~^~)

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