Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 530, Part 528: Oscar Night (Part 1)

Los Angeles time, 2 p.m. on February 29, 2004.

The tranquility of the Peninsula Hotel suites was replaced by a sense of bustling activity poised to begin.

Sunlight streamed into the living room, the air thick with the scents of hairspray, perfume, and a barely perceptible tension.

Wang Sheng had already changed into a Tom Ford tuxedo that was tailor-made for him.

The deep navy blue velvet fabric gleamed with a subtle yet luxurious sheen under the light, and the tailored fit was impeccable, perfectly highlighting his tall and slender figure.

Instead of a traditional bow tie, he paired it with a white silk shirt, leaving one button undone at the collar, revealing a casual and unrestrained style befitting his age and status amidst his solemnity.

His styling team—including a hairstylist, a makeup artist (to enhance contours and skin texture with minimal makeup), and a stylist assistant—is conducting final checks and fine-tuning.

An assistant carefully wiped the mirror of his Patek Philippe Nautilus on his wrist with a velvet cloth to ensure it was flawless under the red carpet lights.

"Chairman Wang, it's almost time." The assistant's voice came through the internal communicator; she was downstairs coordinating the vehicles and accompanying personnel.

Wang Sheng took one last look at himself in the full-length mirror, his eyes calm and revealing little emotion.

Meanwhile, in another room of the suite, Fan Xiaopang's preparations were much more complicated.

Her team occupied almost the entire suite.

Two designers from France are carefully helping her put on the "battle robe" that took months of painstaking work to create.

This is a dress that blends Eastern imagery with modern haute couture craftsmanship.

The main body is made of dark green heavy silk, with a deep color like a tranquil lake. The upper body is outlined with a phoenix with outstretched wings using Suzhou embroidery techniques. Starting from the waist, the skirt unfolds in layers, incorporating Western-style tulle and crystal beads. When walking, it seems like a flowing galaxy or a swaying phoenix tail.

The entire design not only highlights her mysterious charm as an oriental beauty, but also conforms to the glamorous standards of the Hollywood red carpet.

The makeup artist is creating a look that matches her, emphasizing her signature bright eyes, while choosing a retro true red for her lips, creating a strong and sophisticated visual impact against the dark green dress.

Her hair was styled into a slightly loose and languid Hepburn-style bun, with a few wisps of hair falling down her temples, adding a touch of charm.

Stephen Chow, on the other hand, seemed somewhat reserved in his room.

He chose a relatively conservative but well-made black Armani suit, with a standard black bow tie.

He looked at himself in the mirror, habitually touched his nose, and muttered to his assistant in Cantonese, "It looks like I've tied up a crab."
This made the assistant unable to suppress a laugh.

Matt Damon and Kate Beckinsale from "Spy Kids," and Jamie Foxx, Tyler James Williams, and others from "The Pursuit of Happyness," are all making their final preparations in their respective hotels or homes.

The entire city of Los Angeles, like a precision instrument, began to warm up for the globally anticipated spectacle that started at 5:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

A convoy of five black Cadillac Escalades quietly pulled up in front of the Peninsula Hotel.

Wang Sheng was the first to leave the hotel. He did not wait for Fan Xiaopang. This was a strategy that had been discussed beforehand. He would travel to the Kodak Theatre with Jamie Foxx, Taylor, and other members of the crew of "The Pursuit of Happyness" as the director, to show his respect for this serious subject matter.

Fan Xiaopang will later join Matt Damon and Kate Beckinsale from the "Spy Kids" cast, making a different kind of star-studded appearance.

Matt Damon and Kate Beckinsale are also more popular.

Once inside the car, Jamie Foxx seemed quite excited. He patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder forcefully: "Wang! How's it going tonight? I think we've got a chance!"

He received a Best Actor nomination for his role as Chris Gardner in "The Pursuit of Happyness".

Wang Sheng smiled and replied in English, “Relax, Jamie. Enjoy the process. The nomination is already a huge recognition.”

He looked at the somewhat nervous teenager Taylor beside him and said, "Taylor, remember what I told you: keep smiling and enjoy the lights."

Taylor nodded vigorously, her little hands gripping the seam of her pants tightly.

On the other side, after meeting up with Matt Damon and Kate Beckinsale, Fan Xiaopang also boarded the limousine.

Kate Beckinsale was nominated for Best Actress for her role in "Spy Kids," and she wore a silver fringed dress that complemented Fan Xiaopang's dark green phoenix outfit.

The two beautiful women, one from the East and one from the West, were quietly discussing makeup and dresses inside the car, creating a harmonious and stylish atmosphere.

5:30 p.m., outside the Kodak Theatre.

A 500-foot-long red carpet, like a burning river, stretched from the guest drop-off area all the way to the iconic entrance to the Kodak Theatre.

On both sides of the red carpet, behind the metal railings, were a bustling crowd and a dense forest of cameras.

ABC's live broadcast signal has reached 129 countries and regions worldwide. The red logo of CCTV-6 (China Central Television's movie channel) is particularly eye-catching in the media area, with their cameras positioned directly at the start of the red carpet, ready to provide live coverage to domestic viewers. The air is filled with screams, the sound of camera shutters, and the enthusiastic introductions from the hosts through loudspeakers.

The atmosphere was so intense it almost seemed to solidify.

Wang Sheng and the cast and crew of "When Happiness Knocks on the Door" walked the red carpet.

Instantly, the outcry from Chinese media and movie fans reached a peak.

"Wang Sheng! Look this way!"

"Director Wang! Congratulations on your nomination!"

Wang Sheng waved calmly, his steps steady.

He deliberately slowed down, giving Jamie Foxx and Tyler James Williams more screen time.

Jamie Foxx displayed the approachability typical of Black celebrities, constantly interacting with fans and making various funny faces.

Eleven-year-old Taylor, dressed in a small suit, seemed a little shy, but he followed Wang Sheng closely as if he were following an elder. His clear eyes and slightly nervous smile drew many words of affection and encouragement.

Wang Sheng stopped in front of the CCTV movie channel camera and gave a brief interview.

"Director Wang Sheng, how do you feel about coming to the Oscars again?" a CCTV reporter asked in Chinese.

"It is an honor to stand here on behalf of Chinese filmmakers," Wang Sheng said to the camera in a calm tone. "This is not only a personal honor, but also a reflection of the progress of the Chinese film industry and the achievements of international cooperation. We come here with the mindset of learning and exchanging ideas."

What are your expectations for the award?

"A nomination is an affirmation in itself. More importantly, through film, we have allowed the world to see Chinese stories and hear Chinese voices." His answer was impeccable, expressing both humility and confidence.

Next, the cast and crew of "Spy House" appeared.

Matt Damon's elegance, Kate Beckinsale's radiance, and Fan Bingbing's visually striking oriental costumes immediately ignited a new wave of photo shoots.

Fan Xiaopang's face beamed with a well-trained, confident, and charming smile.

She tried her best to answer the questions from red carpet host Billy Bush in English. Although her accent was still noticeable, her poised and elegant demeanor, along with her uniquely designed dress, successfully attracted the attention of many fashion commentators and cameras.

The red carpet was dazzling with stars—

Jude Law, nominated for Best Actor for his role in "Cold Mountain," is incredibly charming.

Last year's Best Actress winner, Nicole Kidman, looked as elegant as ever in a champagne-colored gown.

Charlize Theron, a frontrunner for Best Actress thanks to her transformative performance in "Monster," arrived in a silver gown with her agent, displaying an intimate demeanor that led the media to describe her as "petite and dependent."

Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith appeared together, and during an interview, he humorously thanked his mother for helping take care of the children, allowing them to attend the event with peace of mind.

Tim Robbins (nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Mystic River) and Catherine Zeta-Jones met in the middle of the red carpet, embracing and chatting warmly, becoming one of the classic scenes of the night.

Thirteen-year-old Keisha Cassel Hughes (nominated for Best Actress for Whale Rider), dressed in a cute pink dress, innocently revealed that she had brought candy to cope with the long ceremony.

At the end of the red carpet, Wang Sheng met up with the cast and crew of "The Pursuit of Happyness." As they waited to enter, his gaze swept over the glitz and clamor.

He spotted Quentin Tarantino being interviewed not far away.

He also saw Kevin Brown of New Line Cinema talking quietly with the Weinstein brothers.

At 6:30 p.m., inside the Kodak Theatre.

After the red carpet event concluded, all guests entered and took their seats.

The interior of the enormous theater was resplendent with gold and every seat was filled.

The air was filled with the scents of fine perfumes, cigar burnt notes, and an invisible competitive pressure.

The 76th Academy Awards ceremony has officially begun.

Host Billy Crystal, a frequent Oscar attendee, opened the show with a talk show that lasted more than ten minutes, packed with information and laughs.

He made fun of popular films and figures from that year, including the long journey of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," the loneliness of "Lost in Translation," and even joked about Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ."

When the camera panned across Wang Sheng, Billy cleverly mentioned "the director of miracles from the East and his eighteen nominations," eliciting laughter and applause from the audience.

Wang Sheng accepted the offer with a smile.

(End of this chapter)