Extracting skills from movies

Du Sheng pretended not to see her and walked past her.

Blake followed behind, muttering to himself:
"Why get injections at such an old age? Your face will become as stiff as a stone."

Julia sat there motionless, pretending not to hear.

Du Sheng quickly pulled Blake aside without saying a word.

Blake wouldn't give up:
"She's a good friend of Brad Pitt, and she's said a lot of bad things about you in previous interviews, saying you have no manners."

You're a man, so don't talk back. I can stand up for you!

"When I get my chance, I'll teach her a lesson she won't forget."

Du Sheng smiled and said:
"You just focus on filming, I can handle this little thing myself."

Just then, Nicholson strolled in, deliberately passing by Du Sheng's side.

Du Sheng took the initiative to greet him:
How's your recovery going lately?

This old guy had his ribs broken by a black woman and had to stay in the factory for more than a month to recover.

Nicholson patted his chest:

"Handling a few wolves is no problem!"

Du Sheng glanced at him and teased:
"Isn't your favorite big-butt black girl? Why the change of taste?"

Nicholson chuckled, leaned closer, and lowered his voice:

"Would you like me to send Blake some private photos and videos? I guarantee she'd be thrilled."

Du Sheng rolled her eyes:
"Keep it and enjoy it yourself at your leisure."

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Aniston arrived at that moment.

Blake was sitting in the back chatting with Elizabeth when he saw people coming and quickly got up to greet them.

Jennifer Aniston walked over and shook hands with Du Sheng:

"When do you have some free time, can we talk privately?"

Du Sheng nodded:

"After tonight, I'm available anytime."

Jennifer made a phone call gesture:

"I'll contact you later."

"Easy to say."

Du Sheng agreed readily.

As more and more people gathered, the group realized they didn't want to block the road, so they dispersed and sat down.

Elizabeth sent a message asking:

"Are you close to Jennifer?"

Du Sheng spoke the truth:

"It might involve her ex-husband Brad Pitt, so some collaborations need to be avoided."

Elizabeth sighed:

"Why did things have to come to this point?"

Du Sheng shrugged and didn't say anything.

Jennifer Aniston, known as the "Lighthouse Sweetheart," is currently one of Hollywood's top actresses, with extensive connections, abundant resources, and exceptional organizational skills.

Maintaining his network is essential for expanding his business in North America.

As one of the world's three major film festivals, the Oscars are a golden statuette that countless filmmakers dream of touching.

Even world-renowned directors Spielberg and George Lucas devoted themselves to it, working tirelessly until their hair turned white.

Not to mention that Brad Day Lewis rented a house in Los Angeles for several years in order to win an Oscar.

Then he spent a whole year building up his network, smiling at everyone he met and attending every event, just to become a familiar face to everyone.

Even Leonardo DiCaprio, who is known for his carefree and irresistibly handsome looks, has been tormented by the Oscars in recent years.

Nominated every year, but always a runner-up, they're practically become the "Oscar mascot."

As an outsider to Hollywood, Du Sheng must seize every opportunity if he wants to win the Oscar.

At this moment, Leonardo DiCaprio, sitting in the same row, took advantage of the brief moment when the big screen switched to an advertisement and the camera temporarily moved away to whisper to Du Sheng next to him:

"Ugh, this host keeps bringing up my never-ending runner-up run, it's so annoying!"

He paused, then added with a mischievous grin:
"I'm sending you a special blessing."

Du Sheng is quite something this time, getting two nominations in one go.

One is Best Adapted Screenplay for "Wanted," and the other is Best Foreign Language Film for "Taken."

The production team originally wanted him to be nominated for Best Actor.

But seeing how fierce the competition was this year, with so many top talents, they decided to take a step back and instead nominate the best adapted screenplay.

After all, he was the one who put together the script.

Nicholson, who was standing nearby, immediately chimed in with a chuckle:
"Du Sheng, quickly cover your ears!"

Leo has a venomous tongue; his words are like curses!

Du Sheng remained calm and smiled.

"Is Leo's little beak poisoned? I'd like to hear that."

Leonardo squinted and slowly began to speak:
"Starting this year, you will be nominated for the Oscars for eight years, but you will lose every year."

Du Sheng chuckled and immediately retaliated with a "double payback" move:
"Someone has been a runner-up for eight years, and it's estimated that he'll have to run for another eight years to break the record."

Leonardo suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and almost couldn't breathe.

That was a brutal counterattack!

He instinctively wanted to raise his hand to make a chokehold gesture, but Du Sheng grabbed him and pressed him down.

"There are several cameras pointed at him, don't make yourself a trending topic for 'out-of-control male celebrity'."

Du Sheng even deliberately added insult to injury:

"Besides, I don't have your 'endurance' to last that long as you do."

Leonardo glanced at him and said, half-jokingly:

"With your face and physique, wouldn't those old men in the academy be envious?"

Only when you get old, with many wrinkles on your face, drooping eye bags, and a 'weathered' look, will you have even the slightest chance of winning an award.

Du Sheng waved his hand and said:
"I'd rather change my temperament than learn to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle from you."

Upon hearing this, Nicholson immediately turned his gun on Leonardo and said:
"I happen to have a boning knife with me. Why don't you help Du Sheng 'modify' his face in advance?"
So that he doesn't become too handsome and steal your thunder later.

The three were exchanging barbs when the stage lights dimmed and the award presenter came on stage.

Rachel Weisz, who won Best Supporting Actress last year, gracefully walked onto the stage.

She stood in front of the microphone, and, in conjunction with the nomination video on the big screen, slowly read out the list of nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay:
"Paul Thomas's *There Will Be Blood*, Christopher Hampton's *Atonement*, the Coen brothers' *No Country for Old Men*, Du Sheng's *Wanted*..."

The entire room fell silent; even the sound of breathing became softer.

She opened the envelope, glanced at it, and then raised her voice to announce:

"No Country for Old Men, by the Coen brothers!"

Applause erupted instantly!

Cohen, who is over seventy years old, stood up with a smile, hugged each member of the crew, and then calmly walked onto the stage to accept his trophy.

The entire audience stood up and applauded to pay tribute to this dedicated worker.

Du Sheng sat in the audience, a smile on his face the whole time, clapping enthusiastically.

He was mentally prepared for this outcome.

The Coen brothers, nominated for the third time and veterans of the academy, truly deserved their award.

His nomination this time is more about "making his presence known" and paving the way for the future; there's no rush.

Next, host Ellen DeGeneres came on stage and started telling those old, corny American jokes, which elicited only scattered laughter from the audience.

The Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards had just started to create a small buzz when a series of technical awards followed.

Best sound effects, best editing, best art direction...

One after another, at a pace as slow as simmering soup.

The most problematic part was the "nostalgic reminiscing" segment. The older the professors at the academy are, the more they love reminiscing about the past.
The "remembering the past" segment at each Oscars has become increasingly long.

What "paying tribute to the golden age" or "commemorating deceased filmmakers"? They just show a short film of ten minutes or so, which makes people drowsy.

At this point, the ratings plummeted.

Many viewers simply switched to their phones to browse, only switching back when the major awards for Best Picture and Best Director were announced.

Honestly, nostalgia at least has some sentimentality, but in the following years, the Oscars became increasingly "politically correct."
What's with all this talk of "diversity" and "equal rights"? The judging criteria are getting increasingly mysterious.
The more viewers watched, the more confused they became, and the ratings plummeted, eventually turning into a small, self-indulgent party.

Du Sheng kept yawning as he listened. Midway through, he was pulled away to be an award presenter, where he was given the "Best Cinematography" award. Then he slipped away and headed backstage.

The back-end system is a complete mess.

Staff members moved back and forth, with wires scattered all over the ground. Some people were running around carrying equipment, while others were squatting down to repair machines.

Several award-winning behind-the-scenes figures took the opportunity to chat with the celebrities, and some even took photos with others, making the scene even more lively than the red carpet.

Du Sheng leaned against the wall and took a sip of water to moisten his throat.

"Du! Can I take a picture with you?"

A pretty young woman with a golden ponytail suddenly walked over, followed by an assistant with a camera. Her eyes shone like stars.

Her smile was especially sweet:

"My name is Anne Hathaway!"

I became a complete fan of yours the day I watched "The Man from Nowhere"!
So that I could jump and leap like you, I even learned parkour!

After saying that, she actually did a backflip and a spin in mid-air, which made the people next to her gasp in amazement.

Du Sheng had seen this kind of scene many times and was already immune to this kind of "celebrity-style talent display".

However, since the other person was so enthusiastic and was a junior, he didn't put on airs and simply nodded.
"bring it on."

Anne Hathaway immediately beamed, jumped to his side, affectionately took his arm, and winked at her assistant.

The assistant understood immediately and snapped more than a dozen photos in quick succession, afraid of missing a single angle.

"Thank you so much, Du! I'd be a fool not to sleep tonight!"

Anne Hathaway was so excited she was incoherent.

Looking at her drive, Du Sheng suddenly felt a little dazed.

Isn't this just like me when I first came to Hollywood?
Full of dreams, they dare to greet anyone they meet and are not afraid of being rejected.

He smiled, his tone very soft:
"Don't be shy, we're all in the same industry, let's support each other."

After taking the photo, Annie skipped away like a little bunny.
She turned and headed straight for Daniel Day, the Best Actor nominee for tonight.

After some pleasantries and persistent coaxing, I actually got her to take a few more photos together.

Du Sheng didn't look at it for long and got up to go to the restroom.

On my way back, I turned into the backstage corridor and was about to return to my seat when I heard Reese Witherspoon's clear voice ring out from the stage:
"The winner of this year's Academy Award for Best Actor is..."

Daniel Day!

Applause erupted like a tidal wave, sweeping across the entire venue.

The burly Irish actor slowly rose, his expression composed, and walked step by step onto the stage. When he accepted the Oscar, his eyes were a little red.

This scene instantly ignited the atmosphere in the entire venue.

But then the camera panned, and all the cameras were pointed at Leonardo DiCaprio.

Another runner-up, another nominee who failed to even make it to the finals!
This is the nth time he has missed out on the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Countless eyes were fixed on him from below the stage, waiting to see his disappointment and whether he would force a smile.

Du Sheng noticed and reached out to pat him on the shoulder:

"Don't take it to heart, it's really nothing special."

Leonardo was taken aback, thinking:

'Wow, this guy's being unusually well-behaved today?'

The next second, Du Sheng delivered the finishing blow:

"Because next year, we'll most likely be just another runner-up."

He paused, then added:
"Even next year... it's uncertain."

Leonardo's lips twitched, and he almost fainted on the spot.

Nicholson, standing to the side, laughed so hard he slapped his thigh.

"Leo, Leo, didn't you curse Du Sheng to be a runner-up for eight years before?"

Now this 'curse' has all bounced back on you!

Leonardo was so angry he gritted his teeth.
If he could communicate with God, he would love to pack those two bastards up and send them to hell!

Tonight's Oscars had a particularly strong nostalgic feel to it.

Marion Cotillard won Best Actress for her role in the art film "La Vie en Rose," and the entire audience rose to their feet to applaud.

Following that, Spielberg, Coppola, and George Lucas, several "living fossils" of the film industry, walked onto the stage side by side.

Anyone with eyes can see the implications of this situation.

Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tonight, it's highly likely that the four directors will be featured.

George Lucas started off with a joke:

"Many people have won Oscars, Cannes and Venice director awards, but why is there no one giving out the 'Lifetime Achievement Award'?"
"Do the judges think we're not old enough?"

The whole audience burst into laughter.

Spielberg chimed in, shrugging:

"Those standing here should have all taken it by now."

Fourteen years ago, he received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 50th Venice Film Festival.

Coppola looked aggrieved:
"Should I confess that I really didn't take it?"

The three of them chatted back and forth, and the audience burst into laughter.

Once the atmosphere was right, George Lucas solemnly opened the envelope, and the three of them announced in unison:
"Martin Scorsese, recipient of this year's Academy Honorary Award!"

In an instant, thunderous applause erupted from all directions.

Scorsese sat in his seat, filled with emotion.

A 40-year directing career, including films such as *Taxi Driver*, *Goodfellas*, and *The Departed*...

He has won the Golden Globe and the Cannes Film Festival awards, but he is missing only an Oscar for lifetime achievement.

Today, my dream has finally come true.

Du Sheng reacted the fastest; upon hearing the name, she turned around and gave Scorsese a firm hug.

Congratulations, you truly deserve it!

Scorsese smiled and patted him on the back, then hugged each of the people around him.

As he walked to the center of the stage, Du Sheng stood up and led the applause, which inspired everyone around him to stand up as well.

Nicholson was the most enthusiastic; he stood right in the aisle, waving his hands and shouting:

"Martin! You are a legend!"

Leonardo also turned around and gestured for the back row to stand up.

Soon, almost all the guests in the Kodak Theater stood up.

The applause lasted for a full two minutes and continued for a long time.

At this moment, there is no competition, no scheming, only a tribute to a cinematic master.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Scorsese accepted the weighty Oscar Lifetime Achievement Award, then took a deep breath and began with a series of "Thank you"s.

He rattled off seven or eight names in one breath, eliciting laughter and even louder applause from the audience.

Then, he began to thank each person individually.

"Thank you, Leonardo. We've worked together for seven years, and I hope we'll have the opportunity to work together again for the rest of our lives."

"Thank you, Du Sheng. He is a talented and skillful actor who doesn't play by the rules. His new ideas have benefited me a lot."

"Thanks to Jack Nicholson, that old bastard filled the set with laughter and made the whole movie different..."

…(End of this chapter)