America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 850 The Academy Encourages Competition and Smears

Another year has arrived, and during the New Year holiday, Martin borrowed Leonardo's island in the Caribbean and spent a happy holiday with Lily and Elizabeth.

Lily and Elizabeth hadn't taken a long vacation in a long time, and the three of them stayed for quite a while. When they returned to Los Angeles, the Golden Globe Awards had just ended.

La La Land swept the Golden Globe Awards, winning a series of awards including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

Saoirse Ronan also received the most prestigious acting award of her life.

She threw a party to celebrate, but didn't invite Martin and the others; she only invited a few girls she had known for years.

At that time, as Martin's student, Saoirse often went to Martin's house to play, became acquainted with Martin's neighbor Kristen Stewart, and also got to know many Hollywood girls in Los Angeles.

For example, the Fanning sisters, and the Stallone sisters.

Saoirse mainly invited them to this party.

"A Golden Globe for Best Actress!" Sofia Stallone stroked Saoirse's trophy, her eyes full of envy. "We haven't even figured out what acting is yet, and you've already won such a big award."

Her sister, Sistine Stallone, said, "You're an actor, and you don't even have a memorable role."

The youngest sister, Scarlett, is already twelve years old and knows a bit about Hollywood: "Sofia is as dumb as a pig and has absolutely no talent."

Elle Fanning laughed and looked at Saoirse: "Could you share your secret to success?"

"Because I have a great teacher!" Saoirse emphasized. "My teacher has helped me so much."

Dakota Fanning exuded envy: "Who wouldn't want a teacher like Martin?"

Sofia came up from behind and hugged Dakota, saying, "If you had a teacher like Martin, the transition wouldn't have been so difficult."

Dakota's face darkened, but what Sofia said was true. Before she was fifteen, she was the most talented child star in Hollywood. Then her career declined instead of progressing. Now, she can't even get a supporting role, let alone a leading role.

Ellie asked curiously, "Even if Saoirse is Martin's student, there must be other conditions for him to help you so much, right?"

The Stallone sisters all perked up their ears; having grown up in Hollywood, they were fascinated by these gossips.

Saoirse understood what the question was asking, because it had an ulterior motive, so she said frankly, "It's nothing, I often dance for the teacher and play games with her, you know what I mean."

Sofia couldn't help but ask, "I've heard some rumors in the industry that Martin is very strong?"

"Extremely strong, not only physically strong, but also technically top-notch." Saoirse didn't need to boast, she just needed to tell the truth: "To be honest, it's very, very difficult to handle alone. Every time, I lose control. I don't know if you've ever experienced it, it's that feeling of not thinking about anything, your mind going blank so much that you just want to fly in the sky forever, even if it means dying."

The group was filled with intense curiosity, and they asked Saoirse questions about details as if they were discussing intimate matters with close friends.

Saoirse picked out what she could say and told the truth.

These people were amazed.

Saoirse took the opportunity to pry into their secrets, using this method to get closer to them and become true best friends.

Girls of the new era, growing up in the chaotic entertainment industry, are more curious and enjoy having fun.

Saoirse further stated, "While the Hollywood ecosystem has improved somewhat since Harvey Weinstein's downfall, how can an actress possibly succeed without support?"

Dakota knew the difficulties: "You're right, it's better to play with one person than to play with a lot of people! Even if you play with a lot of people, their promises are worthless. There are too few big shots like Martin in the industry who keep their word."

Ellie also knew what actresses, especially those with some looks, would face after they grew up. Her sister was a typical example of someone who played with many people but gained very little.

Saoirse said, "I am a lucky person to have met a teacher early on. The teacher not only taught me carefully, but also kept every promise he made."

Dakota said enviously, "Actually, I've known Martin for a long time, but unfortunately..."

Elle Fanning said, "I also acted in the same movie as Martin, the one called The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where I played the same role as Elizabeth Olsen."

Saoirse remembers the film: "Martin remembers you too; he said you were a very talented actress."

"Really?" Elle Fanning looked surprised.

Sofia interjected, "Didn't Martin say anything about me?"

Saoirse said with a smile, "Martin always remembers how outstanding you three sisters are."

The group chatted merrily, and Saoirse suggested holding regular parties to maintain their sisterly bond, a suggestion that was met with enthusiastic agreement from everyone.

During their conversation, Saoirse asked Sofia, "I remember you're turning 18 this year. When are you having your coming-of-age party? We'd like to prepare a gift for you in advance."

Sofia said, "My birthday is in August. I'll call you then, and you all absolutely have to come to the party."

Elle Fanning chimed in, "I'm turning sixteen in April, and I'm planning a small party. You'll be the only ones invited."

Sistine Stallone said, "Ellie is my age."

"No matter our age, we're all best friends!" Saoirse raised her glass and said, "Sisters, cheers!"

Everyone else raised their glasses and clinked them together: "Cheers!"

…………

The several major awards won at the Golden Globe Awards gave "La La Land" a small rebound at the box office, with its North American box office exceeding $2.5 million.

The film has also received a strong response overseas, with its overseas box office already catching up with its North American box office, bringing its global box office to a total of $5.11 million.

With the Oscars approaching, La La Land still has the potential to climb at the global box office.

Netflix also approached Davis Studios early on to discuss the offline streaming rights for the films.

Martin wasn't in a hurry and planned to wait until after the Oscars ceremony.

At this year's Oscars, the Academy made many reforms to demonstrate its spirit of "innovation".

The biggest change is that the award winners will no longer be announced at the nominees' luncheon, but will instead be announced at a press conference beforehand, and the attendees at the nominees' luncheon will be the actual nominees.

In late January, the Oscars announced the nominations for all awards.

With the promotional efforts of Davis Studios and Disney Studios, "La La Land" garnered a total of 14 nominations, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Actress, Best Original Song, Best Director, and Best Picture, tying the previous record for most Oscar nominations for a single film, held by "All About Eve" and "Titanic".

However, this is not good news either. La La Land itself is not that strong, and too many nominations may cause the vote to be split in the final vote.

Martin's goal remains unchanged: his primary public relations target is Best Picture.

At the subsequent Directors Guild Awards and Producers Union Awards, La La Land won Best Picture awards.

Many entertainment media outlets and industry insiders are puzzled as to why "12 Years a Slave," which has received consistently positive reviews during its run, perfectly aligns with Oscar tastes, and resonates with American societal needs, was not nominated for a series of Best Picture awards.

The production team did not apply for the awards, so these awards cannot be given to them out of thin air.

In early February, a luncheon for the nominees was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

"I don't understand why '12 Years a Slave' would voluntarily withdraw its nomination for Best Picture." Although they were from different production teams, Leonardo DiCaprio still sat at the same table as Martin Scorsese: "The film was produced by Plan B, and Jennifer Aniston has absolute control of Plan B."

He was very curious: "Martin, how did you manage to win over Jennifer Aniston?"

Martin continued Leonardo's words, saying, "You mean it literally."

Leonardo was taken aback.

Nicholson, standing nearby, said, "You're such an idiot! Of course Martin handled it!"

Leonardo suddenly realized: "Oh, it really was done!"

Martin casually remarked, "To avoid hurting feelings, Jenny and I had a little competition beforehand. Jenny even got Julie to help her, but I still won in the end."

Nicholson suddenly sighed: "If Leo had competed with his rivals this way, he would never have won an Oscar in his life!"

"Don't say that," Martin defended Leonardo. "Leo is working towards a 100-meter time of 30 seconds."

Leonardo didn't want to deal with these two idiots anymore.

After attacking one, Nicholson moved on to another: "Martin, you can write an Oscar memoir someday, describing your entire Oscar-winning process, from the sob story to the fair and square victory, the brutal competition. It will definitely be a significant chapter in Oscar history!"

Leonardo immediately perked up and said, "Martin will become a true Oscar hero!"

Martin shrugged: "Becoming only the second member in history to be expelled from the Academy."

Nicholson and Leonardo both laughed happily.

Julie and Aniston arrived at that moment and sat at the next table.

The latter looked at Martin and said, "You are the big winners in the nominations."

Martin smiled and said, "12 Years a Slave has received quite a few nominations, and it has a good chance of winning Best Actor."

Aniston pointed to Leonardo DiCaprio: "He's also competing for an Oscar."

Martin dismissed it with utter contempt: "You're calculating your competitors, but Leo is negligible."

Leonardo said helplessly, "It was indeed quite difficult for me to win this award."

"The frontrunner is Matthew McConaughey," Julie interjected. "His performance in 'Dallas Buyers Club' was truly superb."

Aniston sighed. "Martin, you have to make it up to me."

Nicholson chimed in, "Martin just told me he'll compensate you with tens of billions. Jenny, I'll catch him after the luncheon, remember to come and take him away."

Aniston didn't mince words: "Then I'll leave it to you, Jack."

Julie leaned close to Martin's ear and whispered, "We've had a lot of torture devices custom-made, specifically for you."

Martin remained unfazed: "Don't worry, I'll use them on you one by one."

Then, the nominees' luncheon began.

After this year's Oscars reforms, the nominations were announced in advance, turning the luncheon into a purely promotional event.

A group of people ate and drank, posed for photos and interviews with the media, and warmed up for the Oscars ceremony a few weeks later.

Perhaps the Academy's severe warning to Ang Lee and "Life of Pi" last year has made this year's contenders more restrained; or perhaps Martin Scorsese didn't participate much in public relations and promotion, making this year's Oscar competition less intense and lacking in real hype.

After the group photo of the nominees, several college presidents huddled together, looking somewhat worried.

Chairman Tom Sherrak sat in the lounge, looking troubled, and said, "This year's competition isn't fierce enough, resulting in a lack of highlights and a significant drop in viewership compared to the same period last year."

"Last year, the email scandal involving 'Life of Pi' broke out and garnered attention across the country," said Kathleen Kennedy, the only female vice president.

Tom Hanks chimed in, "Was last year's punishment too severe, causing film crews to be hesitant and lacking in tact when making public relations moves this year?"

"We can't let them cross the line without punishing them, but punishing them will affect the enthusiasm of other production teams." Tom Sherac felt that striking the right balance was too difficult: "I'd rather have some reckless production teams jumping out every year than see this year's stagnant situation again."

Kathleen Kennedy pondered, "It's not necessarily a bad thing for the Oscars if their competitors smear each other; at least it keeps the buzz going."

Tom Hanks also expressed his concern: "We can't exactly encourage them to smear each other, can we? How can the Oscars maintain their high standards if we do that?"

Tom Sherac shook his head slightly at these words. After thinking for a long time, he said, "If the Oscars' viewership falls below 2000 million and its influence declines further, what kind of prestige do we have?"

What's the point of having high standards if you've lost your influence?

Tom Hanks nodded. This is a very real problem.

Without commercialization, the Oscars are like the Academy without money. If the Academy runs out of money, how can it maintain its aloof status in Hollywood?

Catherine Kennedy, taking a practical approach, said: "Let's relax the rules a little. As long as it's not too serious, we'll turn a blind eye."

"This is all we can do this year." Tom Sherac felt that this year's Oscars might set a new low in viewership, and everything would have to start next year.

He instructed, "Starting from the middle of next year, try to release information to the outside world and make the competition fierce as soon as the awards season begins."

Tom Hanks took responsibility: "Leave this to me. I'll find a way to quietly leak the information out there, so that even though we encourage competition, we can maintain the academy's integrity."

The three quickly reached an agreement.

They were also thinking about the Oscars.

In this new era, the Oscars face far too many challenges.

After the nominees' luncheon ended, Martin didn't leave the hotel; he was instead recruited by Julie and Aniston.

Unfortunately, "12 Years a Slave" withdrew from the project voluntarily. Although it was because Aniston was defeated, Martin, the winner, had the American style and naturally sent billions of troops to the loser's homeland.

(End of this chapter)