America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 713 The Greatest Shame in Life

In the WMA office in Century City.

Thomas brought over several newspapers, including Variety and Entertainment Weekly, and placed them on the low table in front of Martin, saying, "Since this morning, there have been many comments unfavorable to The Martian in print media, online videos, and television commentary programs."

"It seems someone sees us as a major competitor." Martin picked up a newspaper and started reading.

On the front page of the newspaper's entertainment section, a retired astronaut named Walter criticized "The Martian" for being unscientific and containing many inaccuracies.

"It is not scientifically sound for Martin Davis to maintain a walking and carrying method similar to that on Earth on Mars. The gravity on Mars is only one-third that of Earth. NASA has conducted multiple experiments to prove that normal walking on Mars should involve jumping or taking small steps, rather than Martin Davis's method."

This former astronaut immediately pointed his gun at Martin, saying that his role was wrong.

There's more to come.

"Major storms are impossible on Mars. The atmospheric pressure on Mars is very low, less than one percent of that on Earth. Even if the wind speed on Mars reaches 160 kilometers per hour, the wind force is actually only equivalent to 16 kilometers per hour on Earth. That's only enough to fly a kite."

"The dangers of space radiation are completely ignored in the film. Based on Martin Davis's actions and self-rescue methods in the film, he would inevitably become seriously ill from space radiation, and even if he were to return to Earth, he would quickly die from cancer!"

Even Martin, the film's protagonist, couldn't find fault with these statements, as they are based on current scientific research.

Later, the former astronaut pointed out numerous inconsistencies in the film, including the toilets, campsites, spacesuits, and Mars rovers.

Although it doesn't say anything about "The Martian" being unreliable, it's full of criticism that the film is garbage.

Martin didn't get angry; instead, he said, "Now this is more like awards season."

After more than a decade of Harvey Weinstein's operations and influence, the rules of the game for the Oscars have long since changed. Acting skills and roles are now just the most basic things, and even large-scale publicity and public relations are just routine.

To win an award, you not only have to do well yourself, but you also have to let your competitors down.

What if your opponent doesn't want to crumble? Of course, you just spread their legs and help them crumble!

It's obvious that someone wants to hold Martin back and help him fail.

Martin switched to another newspaper.

This is an entertainment weekly, which also contains an article about The Martian.

A botanist from Caltech criticized one of the most talked-about parts of the film.

"I watched the movie 'The Martian' and noticed that everyone was praising Martin Davis's potato-growing scene, but this most brilliant performance of his is completely contrary to common sense. NASA's Mars rover has already landed and verified that Martian soil contains highly toxic substances. Martin Davis did not treat the Martian soil when he planted the potatoes..."

Martin put the newspaper aside and picked up another one, which also contained criticisms and accusations against "The Martian" from so-called professionals.

Thomas then turned on the LCD screen connected to the computer and played several video news videos from websites, the content of which was similar to what Martin had just watched.

"The voting process has already begun," Martin asked. "Do you know where this news is coming from?"

Thomas said, "It's not clear yet, but the scope is clear. It's just a few main competitors, such as the production teams and companies behind films like 'Moneyball,' 'War Horse,' 'The Tree of Life,' and 'The Descendants.'"

Martin, having seen this many times before, smiled and said, "The war has begun."

Thomas said, "Many people think this year is a weak year for the Oscars, and everyone wants to grab a piece of the pie. Last year, Harvey got in, and things were a bit calmer. It seems that all the pent-up enthusiasm for winning awards is going to be released this year."

Martin thought for a moment and asked, "How do you plan to deal with this?"

"There's no need to figure out who's behind it all; all competitors are competitors." Thomas had already planned it out: "Drag all the competitors down, let them all sabotage each other, lower the bar to the same level, then it won't matter who's who."

Martin thought it made a lot of sense and said, "Think of a way to impersonate the cast of 'Moneyball' or Matt Damon's people and contact the media, then smear all the competitors, especially Spielberg."

"Spikel?" Thomas was surprised at first, then he understood: "This is not difficult, it just requires Old Brooks' cooperation."

Bruce, who had remained silent until now, asked, "What do you need me to do?"

…………

The Hollywood Reporter, one of North America's two major entertainment publications, Los Angeles editorial office.

Bernat came out of get off work, crossed the street, and walked towards the parking lot.

Ivan, now made up, emerged from behind the GG sign and said, "Editor-in-Chief Bernat, would you like to chat for a bit?"

Bernat, an editor at The Hollywood Reporter in Los Angeles, wielded considerable authority. He glanced at the stranger beside him and said, "I don't know you. What do you want to say?"

"It's about the Oscars," Ivan said directly. "A big deal."

The Hollywood Reporter wields considerable influence in Hollywood, and during awards season, there's a constant stream of people and companies buying advertising space and publishing advertorials behind the scenes. Bernat pointed to a roadside coffee shop: "Let's go in and talk."

The two went into the coffee shop and found a secluded spot.

Without any preamble, Ivan took out the printed manuscript from his bag and placed it on the table in front of him: "My employer hopes these will be published in the newspapers one after another."

Bernat opened the document and glanced at it; it was all advertorials, with checks tucked inside.

Ivan asked directly, "Would these appear in The Hollywood Reporter?"

Bernat quickly skimmed through the manuscript, which was mostly malicious articles criticizing "The Martian," "War Horse," "The Tree of Life," and so on. There was only one piece of promotional material praising Matt Damon and his film "Moneyball."

The content of these articles is fine. Traditional media are having a tough time these days, even a leading print media outlet like The Hollywood Reporter. Bernat glanced at the amount on the check and said, "I can guarantee they will be published in the next few days."

"It's a deal," Ivan said. "There will be many more deals like this. Don't make it difficult for me to explain to my employer."

Bernat didn't ask many questions; he could tell who his employer was just by reading the article.

It seems that Warner Bros. wants "Moneyball" to contend for the Oscar for Best Picture, and Matt Damon wants to contend for the Oscar for Best Actor.

Ivan said no more, got up and left, contacting his partner and heading to his next deal.

Bernard then left the café, but instead of going to the parking lot, he returned to the editorial office to discuss the publication of the article in tomorrow's newspaper.

The following morning, numerous newspapers widely distributed in cities such as Los Angeles and New York began publishing scandals and attacks against the Oscar contenders.

Criticisms include a poor story and acting in "War Horse," with some claiming that director Steven Spielberg has run out of ideas and can only use a template to make sentimental films.

They angrily denounced "The Martian" as a Robinson Crusoe story wrapped in a Martian and space veneer, lacking any sincerity.

She vehemently criticized Woody Allen, the director of "Midnight in Paris," as a clown, and then brought up his affair with his stepdaughter in public.

Many films that were considered Oscar contenders were criticized as utterly worthless.

Only "Moneyball" received high praise, becoming the only good movie in the eyes of these media outlets.

The lead actor, Matt Damon, was especially praised to the skies, and with a series of advertorials, he seemed to be the most deserving of the award.

The media coverage spread rapidly.

…………

Glendale, DreamWorks headquarters.

Despite the poor reception of his films in recent years, with constant talk in the media about his outdated ideas and creative exhaustion, 65-year-old Steven Spielberg remains ambitious and wants to win another Oscar.

In addition to "War Horse," which was released this year, he is also preparing a film starring Lincoln, aiming to once again compete for an Oscar.

Spielberg had just arrived at work when his assistant came to report: "Boss, there's been a lot of negative news about War Horse in the media."

"The newspaper," Spielberg said.

The assistant brought over several newspapers, which Spielberg quickly flipped through.

"War Horse is filled with chaotic logic and unrestrained sentimentality. Spielberg has really gotten old. After all these years, he's still resorting to excessive sentimentality."

"This is just a children's movie, what artistic merit does it have? Spielberg doesn't deserve an Oscar, he's just a fraud trying to fool the Oscars with another sentimental, fabricated story..."

Spielberg's face darkened as he recalled events from over a decade ago.

This scene is strikingly similar to what happened to "Saving Private Ryan," when the media relentlessly smeared him and the film, resulting in the loss of one of the most important awards.

That year's Oscars were the biggest humiliation of Spielberg's life.

Spielberg then browsed the comments on other Oscar-nominated videos and said to his assistant, "Find out who did this."

The assistant immediately made a phone call.

Spielberg's name was very useful. Not long after, his assistant returned and said, "I contacted acquaintances at The Hollywood Reporter, People, and Variety. They didn't know anyone at the newspapers, but judging from the contacts within the newspapers, the employer is most likely Warner Bros. or Matt Damon."

Upon hearing this, Spielberg thought of a movie: "Moneyball?"

The assistant said, "This film is also a strong contender for the Oscars."

Spielberg and Matt Damon collaborated once, but the collaboration didn't end well, because Matt Damon sided with Harvey Weinstein during the subsequent Oscar race.

Some even secretly revealed that Matt Damon relayed what he learned from the Big Soldier crew to Harvey Weinstein. So Harvey Weinstein seized on Matt Damon and Big Soldier's weaknesses, brought out a group of WWII veterans, and smeared Big Soldier all over the city, causing DreamWorks to lose the Best Picture Oscar.

Matt Damon and Harvey Weinstein have a close relationship, and using the media to smear rivals is one of Harvey's most common tactics...

Spielberg told his assistant, "Use our connections, fight back!"

The same scene also occurred in several other film crews.

There's no need to investigate who's behind it all; just look at who benefits.

Catch the one who benefited and beat them to a pulp!

(End of this chapter)