Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 213 The Big Winner: Public Relations
The Golden Globe Awards ceremony may seem like a closed event to the outside world, but for the winners and popular production teams, it's just the beginning.

Since most of the film crews nominated for the Golden Globes are also aiming for the Oscars, this is an excellent place for them to network.

Of course, the media wouldn't easily let go of the Golden Globe-winning production teams, especially the big winner "Get Out".

Wu Chen and his group were already surrounded by major media outlets in the backstage interview area.

At this moment, flashes of light went off one after another.

The live host from the movie channel seized the opportunity to ask Wu Chen a question, smiling as he stepped forward:
"Director Wu, congratulations to 'Get Out' for winning four awards."

You just said something that really struck a chord with the audience: "At the end of the lens, the world is watching." Could you explain the meaning of that statement?

Wu Chen smiled, paused slightly, and calmly replied:

"Often, when we make films, it's not to convince anyone, but to give some overlooked people, voices, and truths a chance to be seen."

I've always felt that the camera is not just a tool for expression, but also a responsibility.

When the camera falls, the world is still watching. What you've captured isn't just a film, but your response to the world.

Because Wu Chen answered the movie channel's questions in Chinese, the other foreign media reporters nearby were a little confused for a moment.

The host on the movie channel provided a special translation.

The crowd erupted in commotion and immediately began to press for answers.

As the biggest winners of this year's Golden Globe Awards, Wu Chen and his team have to deal with a lot of people, one wave after another.

The Golden Globe Awards banquet didn't end until the early hours of the morning local time as attendees gradually left.

"Wu, you should rest well tomorrow morning, and in the afternoon you need to study how to do public relations."

Jason Blum patted Wu Chen on the shoulder, still in a slightly excited state.

Tonight's Golden Globe Awards also benefited him greatly; at least some producers and superstars he hadn't interacted with before have now made contact with him.

"The people at Universal said that an Oscar nomination is highly likely, and now we need to prepare for the PR awards."
You'll likely be very busy for the next three days.

Wu Chen nodded upon hearing this.

He already knew what the coming period meant.

The Oscar campaign season is an annual behind-the-scenes battle in the film industry that lasts from the Golden Globes to the deadline for Oscar voting.

Cocktail parties, internal screenings, association meetings, a series of interviews and potential attacks by film critics' associations, celebrity public relations, gift offensives, private lobbying, association referrals, and networking—these all fall under the category of public relations warfare.

The reason why public relations are needed is partly due to the large number of judges.

This year, there are nearly 6000 judges. This large group of judges cannot naturally reach all the films in the competition, so they need to use public relations activities (such as private screenings and media promotion) to ensure that the films are seen and leave an impression.

Secondly, the Oscar voting mechanism relies on "preference guidance," and the award winners are particularly susceptible to the influence of public opinion and peer reviews.

Of course, the most important reason is the high economic return. Being labeled as an Oscar-winning film and having received a nomination, the film has great potential for appreciation, which is what major production companies and distributors are most eager for.

Before Jason could finish speaking, Wu Chen's phone vibrated in his pocket.

He looked down and saw Liu Yifei's name flashing on the screen.

His lips curved slightly, as if the tension that had been building all night had finally eased.

He answered the phone, lowering his voice.

On the other end came the girl's familiar soft voice, tinged with a mix of excitement and restrained joy:
"Congratulations, Director Wu!"

"Hmm?" Wu Chen smiled. "You've become 'Director Wu' so quickly?"

"You are now Wu Chen, the director who won the Golden Globe Award for Best Director and Best Picture. Your status has changed, so naturally you need to be more serious."

Her voice was light, yet filled with undisguised joy, before suddenly changing its tone:
"Shouldn't you thank me too? I've been watching the live stream since 7 a.m., and I'm still starving after you finished receiving your award. I haven't eaten anything."

"Sisi, come down and eat! What are you dawdling for?"

Just then, other people's voices came through the microphone. Perhaps because of the distance, the sound didn't penetrate very well, but it was still audible.

"Hey, aren't you going to eat?" Wu Chen chuckled.

At that moment, a girl's soft, clear voice came from the other end of the phone, like a night breeze blowing across a lake, gently touching the eardrums:

"I just wanted to hear your voice."

"Okay, then don't hang up!"

"Hehe, no way, I'm going to have lunch first."

Wu Chen put away his phone, looked up at the banquet hall lights that were still flickering not far away, and felt a warmth in his heart.

At that moment, Jason Blum waved his hand in front of Wu Chen.

"What are you doing?"

Wu Chen couldn't help but find it funny and slapped Jason's big hand away.

"A woman?" Jason Blum winked and gave Wu Chen a suggestive smile.

"Girlfriend," Wu Chen replied softly.

"Ok?"

Jason Blum paused for a moment, then realized what he meant and became much more serious. "Then you'll have to introduce her when she comes to Hollywood sometime."

"Of course!"

"."

The following afternoon, Los Angeles.

The sunlight, as always, spread across the foot of Beverly Hills, the palm trees in the distance swayed slightly, and the sky was pure white, like a watercolor painting made with heat waves and gold dust.

Although it was mid-January, the air here seemed oblivious to the meaning of "winter," as if spring had lingered there.

Meanwhile, in Santa Monica Heights, which extends from Sunset Boulevard, a private cocktail party, known only to those in the know, is quietly taking place.

Its name won't appear on any newspaper headlines, but it's already written in the year-end memos of various production companies, distribution companies, and public relations agents.

This was the second private pre-Oscars event in the "Awards PR Season," a "Creators' Roundtable" hosted by Norman Loy, a senior producer and one of the Oscar voting members.

Those who came here were not film enthusiasts or ordinary media reporters, but a group of gatekeepers deeply embedded in the film industry's mechanisms: Academy members, senior film critics, representatives of major North American theater chains, veteran agents, and film fund operators. Of course, they also had another identity: Oscar judges.

"What voters fear most is having no impression of a movie."

David Lyndon walked along while discussing key public relations points with Wu Chen.

The Oscars' public relations game is half about winning through ratings and half about winning through memory.

Several major film crews also came, including producers, directors, and actors from productions such as "The Queen," "Babel," and "Being a Mother."

Although we are competitors, it doesn't hurt to exchange glances when we pass by.

By this time, the table around Get Out was already crowded with people.

The group included a columnist from the well-known North American cultural publication Slate, an Oscar commentator from The New York Times, members of the Producers Guild of America, and even several retired directors who were members of the Academy, all of whom were smiling and chatting with Chadwick Boseman.

“You acted wonderfully,” one of the white-haired elderly men said cheerfully, “but my heart almost couldn’t take it.”

Chadwick couldn't help but laugh, "Thank you so much for the compliment. It's my good fortune to be able to play this role."

"Of course, the script, the acting, and the direction of the cinematography are the most insightful films I've seen at the Academy in the past twenty years."

The elderly white man then raised his glass and clinked it against Wu Chen's, saying, "You've made a truly remarkable film."

Wu Chen smiled politely and said, "Thank you!"

After finishing their conversation, Jason Blum finally took a break and asked Wu Chen with a smile:

"How's it going? Are you still getting used to it?"

"I'm not tired, but I can't remember many of the names. They just flash through my mind," Wu Chen said with a smile, shaking his head. In just a short while, he had already talked to more than ten people.

"It doesn't matter if they can't remember their names, as long as they can remember our movies."

Jason Blum shrugged, then looked at David Lyndon, who was chatting and clinking glasses with others a short distance away:
"Actually, I don't look at business cards. There are many people here that I don't know either, but David probably knows more of them."

Just then, in a corner of the party, a middle-aged man slowly walked over, holding a wine glass.

"Wu, do you still remember me?"

He raised his glass, gently clinked it against Wu Chen's, and looked at Wu Chen with a smile.

Wu Chen was taken aback, recalling the scene from Sitges: "CAA?"

"Bingo, but you probably don't remember my name anymore. Let me reintroduce myself: Ethan Kessler, Senior Agent at CAA."

Ethan Kessler handed over another clean and crisp business card, then couldn't help but sigh:

"Do you remember Sitges back then?"
I truly regret not risking my career to secure an A-level contract for you.

He never expected that in just a few years, Wu Chen would become a top international director, making big-budget films and now being favored by major Hollywood studios.

"It's truly a pity."

Wu Chen smiled slightly.

Even if he had another chance and was offered an A-level contract, he still wouldn't sign with CAA agency, but there's no need to bring that up.

“My wife and kids really love your movies.” Ethan raised his glass and clinked it against Wu Chen’s again. “I’ve already put your name on my vote list. I wish you all the best in your nomination and the award.”

After saying that, he finished his drink and turned to join the small talk at another table.

For industry professionals, this cocktail party is both a public relations event and a social event.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ziyi appeared at the party with her new white boyfriend, Ivy Nevo.

Zhang Ziyi looked delighted. She was no stranger to this party; she had attended it with Lee An in the past and returned last year for "Memoirs of a Geisha".

Her gaze swept across the room and she spotted Wu Chen, surrounded by a crowd, his aura dazzling.

A complex, indescribable look flashed across her eyes.

The news that Wu Chen won the Golden Globe for Best Director and Best Picture had already spread throughout Hollywood, and she was following it up last night.

I never imagined that after all this time I've been trying to break into Hollywood, I'd be no match for someone else who's only been in Hollywood for two short years.

"This is your country's genius director!" Ivy Nevo's eyes lit up when she saw Wu Chen. "Come on, let's go say hello to him. You have to introduce me to him."

"Huh?" Zhang Ziyi was taken aback and didn't react immediately.

Ivy Nevo thought Zhang Ziyi was unaware of Wu Chen's status in Hollywood, and spoke quickly:
"You should cultivate a good relationship with him. Among the most powerful directors in Hollywood, his ranking is rising rapidly, and major Hollywood studios, including Warner Bros., are very optimistic about his future."

Unfortunately, Warner Bros. is releasing Martin's work this year.

"Director Wu!"

The familiar Chinese brought Wu Chen's attention back. He turned around and saw Zhang Ziyi standing in front of him with her mysterious boyfriend, who had recently been frequently appearing in domestic gossip columns.

Congratulations, Director Wu!

"Thank you!"

"Director Wu, this is Avi Nevo, he's also a film investor!" Zhang Ziyi then introduced the man beside her, her smile carrying a hint of inexplicable confidence and control.

“Hello.” Ivy Nevo extended her hand. “This is my business card.”

"Hello!"

Wu Chen gave it a light squeeze and accepted the beautifully printed business card.

After a few brief pleasantries, the two said their goodbyes and left, turning to the other side of the party.

Wu Chen turned around and happened to see Jason Blum walking slowly towards him, a strange smile on his face.
"That's Zhang, an actress from your country, right? She's really unlucky?"

"Huh? What do you say?"

Jason Blum lowered his voice:

"The man you just took my business card from, Ivy Nevo, is indeed an investor and one of the individual shareholders of The Weinstein Company and Time Warner."

However, he was a notorious womanizer.

Of course, that's a nicer nickname. In reality, we in the industry jokingly call him a womanizer, so you know what I mean.

(End of this chapter)