America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 852 Don't you feel any remorse for betraying me like this?

Baja California, Mexico.

Martin arrived in Rosarito Island the week before the Oscars ceremony.

This area is home to Hollywood's largest studio complex in Mexico.

Many nautical films, including "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," primarily feature scenes of sea voyages and naval battles filmed here.

Because this place has what is said to be the world's largest infinity pool used for filming.

The pool was built by James Cameron.

That's right, it was originally an artificial lake dug out for the filming of "Titanic".

The top recommended beach location for location shooting is also on Rosarito Island.

Rosarito Island has become Hollywood's largest film production area in Mexico not only because of its studio complex centered around an infinity pool, but also because of its clear waters, golden beaches, and status as a haven for water sports.

At the edge of the golden beach, Martin stood high on the cliff, holding a viewfinder, observing the beach and bay opposite.

Director of Photography Dan Rostensin instructed his assistant to set up a tripod and use a camera to shoot wide-angle shots.

There weren't many tourists on the opposite beach, but there were seven or eight people surfing and windsurfing in the sea. Every now and then, someone would fall into the water, but would quickly climb back up.

Martin asked, "Dan, I think this place is pretty good. Look over there." He put down the viewfinder and pointed to the far left: "There's a rocky area at the end of the beach, which is good for taking pictures."

The two had already exchanged many words while in Los Angeles, and Rostens said, "This bay is nice, let's go down and take a look."

"Let's go down and meet up with the professionals." Martin walked around the cliff, along the path beside the coconut grove, and then down the gentle slope to the beach.

As Martin approached the sea, he heard someone shouting at him.

In the middle of a wave, Blake Lively, wearing an orange bikini, is riding a surfboard and battling the waves.

She did a mid-air spin, but didn't land smoothly and fell into the sea.

Soon, he climbed back onto the surfboard and swam towards the beach.

Beside her, a tall woman in a red bikini kept staring intently.

This is the surfing instructor the production team hired for Blake, who will also serve as her stunt double during filming.

Blake got out of the water, carrying his surfboard, and walked toward Martin.

After a period of swimming, fitness, and surfing training, Blake is in even better shape than before.

In terms of physique and sex appeal alone, Blake Lively undoubtedly stands at the pinnacle of Hollywood.

She ran to Martin, threw her surfboard onto the beach, and intended to hug him and get her clothes soaked. But seeing the viewfinder in his hand, she knew he was working, so she simply put her arm around his and asked, "Want to go for a swim?"

"Let's do it another day," Martin said, continuing to observe through the viewfinder. "We still have a lot of work to do today."

Blake understood Martin's style and immediately said no more.

The director of photography, Rostensin, followed with his team, set up the camera on a tripod, and continued filming the scenery.

Surf instructor Bruna also came ashore.

Martin put down the viewfinder and asked this professional, "How's the surfing here?"

"Excellent!" Bruna exclaimed. "The sea here looks calm, but every now and then, waves appear. The waves aren't very big, making it perfect for water sports enthusiasts who have just finished their beginner phase."

Martin was also keeping an eye on the wave conditions.

Blake also said seriously, "I can handle waves like today's."

Martin nodded, then observed the beach from several different angles and locations, and was quite satisfied with it.

He immediately called one of the producers who was with him and asked him to inquire whether it would be convenient for the crew to film on the beach.

Because Hollywood film crews have been shooting here for a long time and have even built a huge filming base, Rosarito Island is considered to have good security in Mexico. Of course, there are no shortage of gangsters there, but even the dumbest gangsters know that it's best not to mess with these film crews from Hollywood, America.

These are lessons learned by our predecessors through blood and lives.

The group left the beach and went directly to the infinity pool film production center, which was not far away.

Surrounding the huge pool, the studio built a large soundstage area.

Martin decided to shoot the outdoor scenes here, so the parts that needed to be filmed on set were naturally placed here, as they were the closest available location.

Strictly speaking, all the scenes in the film take place on the beach, with no interior scenes whatsoever.

However, many close-up scenes involving sharks and the female lead are not actually suitable for filming in the complex environment of the sea.

Martin plans to renovate and build a large swimming pool resembling a beach in the studio for filming purposes.

This film studio complex is frequently used by Hollywood production crews to shoot water-related scenes, and many studios feature large pools.

Martin contacted the production company, went directly to one of the sound stages, walked around the pool to confirm that the size was not a problem, and then immediately sent someone to negotiate.

Martin then called over the art and set design teams who had come with him and said, "Set up the pool according to the beach theme, sign the contract here, and start immediately."

After a busy day, I returned to my hotel, and it was already dark.

After dinner, Blake Lively followed Martin into his room, immediately slumped onto the sofa, hugged a cushion, and said, "I'm so tired!"

Martin went around to her back and massaged her shoulders, saying, "You've had a tough few months."

Blake turned back, resting his face on Martin's arm and stroking it repeatedly, deliberately feigning misery: "Do you know how I've survived these past few months?"

She looked pitiful: "Every morning, I study theory, read interviews and reports about shark attack survivors, and also take time to visit marine biologists to learn about the habits of great white sharks, and go to medical schools to communicate with doctors and medical students to learn about basic wound treatment."

Martin gently rubbed Blake's face with the back of his hand to comfort her.

Blake continued, "The hardest part was the afternoon. After gym workouts, swimming, and surfing, I was so exhausted I felt like a lump of mud and couldn't even stand up."

Martin knew about her preparations: "You did a great job."

Blake grabbed Martin's hand forcefully, making him lower his body and turn around to kiss Martin passionately.

It was a long time before they parted ways.

Once his breathing had calmed down a bit, Blake took out his phone again and opened Twitter and Instagram, showing Martin: "The number of social media followers of the Gossip Guru is definitely in the top five in Hollywood."

Martin thought for a moment and said, "Your social media will be an important platform for the film's promotion. Once filming begins, you'll need to update with filming-related content every few days. The production team's publicity department will communicate with you about the specifics later."

Blake replied, "I have no problem."

Martin picked her up: "Alright, let's not talk about work anymore, there are more important things for us to do."

"Hurry up, we can't waste time." Blake hugged Martin back and said, "I've been exhausted these past few months and desperately need to replenish my energy."

Martin said, "Taylor and the others aren't here this time, so it's all yours."

Blake got excited and said, "That's awesome! I can eat it all by myself now, and that'll make those two little bitches Taylor and Carly furious!"

The following morning, Martin, on behalf of the production team, signed a lease agreement with the studio and returned to Los Angeles that same day.

The Shallows production team is still being assembled, and specific personnel matters are currently being handled by Louise and first assistant director Steve Downton.

The film requires a small cast, no more than ten people. The production team will not conduct large-scale auditions. Apart from Blake Lively, who plays the female lead, all other actors will be selected internally by the WMA.

With the Oscars just around the corner, and La La Land being a top contender for multiple awards, Martin Scorsese has shifted his focus from preparing his new film to the Oscars.

Putting everything else aside, Davis Studios and Disney Studios have focused almost all their publicity and public relations efforts on Best Picture.

The 86th Academy Awards ceremony kicked off at the Dolby Theatre on the first weekend of March.

But what attracts the most attention in front of the Dolby Theatre is not the female stars on the red carpet, but the hundreds of men dressed in black.

These people were dressed in flamboyant colors, like chimpanzees covered in makeup and wallowing in a muddy swamp filled with engine oil; their colorful appearance couldn't hide their blackness.

Black people, homosexuals, and shapeshifters—many media reporters made way for them, placing them in the center position closest to the red carpet.

Martin left the interview area and arrived at the entrance of the Dolby Theatre, where he met Leonardo and Nicholson, who were waiting there.

The latter looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, said to Martin, "Did you see that? How terrifying the beast you released is."

Martin stood by the window, glanced at the men in black women's clothing, and said, "The more excited they are now, the stronger their counterattack will be in the future."

Leonardo DiCaprio, with his hands behind his back, said: "The fact that '12 Years a Slave' didn't get a Best Picture nomination has caused a lot of dissatisfaction among Black people in the industry. I heard that Will Smith and his wife wanted to protest, but they were appeased by the Academy and various unions. Tonight, there will definitely be an acting award that goes to a Black person."

Nicholson had a more accurate assessment: "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should be Best Supporting Actress."

Martin shook his head: "If whoever makes the most noise gets to win, the Oscars won't be the Oscars for long."

Leonardo said, "The current social situation, especially in places like California and Los Angeles which are heavily left-leaning, is unstoppable."

"Very good." Martin nodded slightly. "When I'm vying for Best Director, I'll announce that my gender is an attack helicopter."

Nicholson asked, "What?"

Leonardo realized what was happening: "You can do that?"

"Heh..." Martin sneered, "What they're playing now is all stuff I was already doing back in Atlanta. If they want to compare versions, I'll crush them in a second!"

Seeing someone approaching, Nicholson stopped talking about these trivial matters: "Let's go, into the theater."

The three walked toward the hall, and on the way they encountered some people from the "12 Years a Slave" crew, including the black actress who had been nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

The chances of this Black woman winning tonight are almost 100%.

Martin and his two companions entered the main hall of the Dolby Theatre. Before they even reached their seats, Tom Hanks suddenly appeared, called out to Martin, and asked to have a word with him.

"Tommy, is something important?" Martin asked.

Tom Hanks asked in bewilderment, "You've been nominated for Best Actor for several years in a row, why aren't you nominated this year?"

"I also want to get nominated again." Martin looked helpless. "The production team also submitted my application for this award, but after the vote, the judges didn't choose me."

He shook his head: "Maybe the judges thought my performance was just average this time. To be honest, I'm not particularly good at singing and dancing roles. I can manage to dance, but singing is a bit difficult."

Tom Hanks smiled and said, "You can keep trying next year. I believe you'll definitely be back next year and make a run for the next Oscar."

Martin seemed to have a different meaning to these words and couldn't help but glance at Tom Hanks.

Tom Hanks's aging face still displays his signature憨厚 (honest and simple) smile.

But no one would think that he was really a kind and honest old man.

Martin said very seriously, "The Oscar is the highest honor in the industry. I have been working hard to win another Oscar, and I will definitely continue to work hard next year."

Tom Hanks said, "I wish you good luck next year."

"Thank you." Martin said goodbye and left, heading towards the location of the film crew.

He figured it out before he even got to the film crew.

Tom Hanks wasn't saying these things as a Hollywood star, but as the vice president of the Academy's executive committee.

Martin wondered to himself, "Is this an encouragement for me to intensify the competition next year?"

Upon arriving at their seats, Leonardo DiCaprio's "The Wolf of Wall Street" crew was right next to the "La La Land" crew.

Nicholson, a special figure who attends every Oscar ceremony, was seated next to Martin.

The three bastards are sitting together tonight.

Martin lowered his voice and briefly recounted Tom Hanks' words to Leonardo and Nicholson.

Nicholson, who's practically become an Oscars mascot and knows the Academy inside and out, said, "It's quite clear that the public relations competition this year has weakened, resulting in a serious lack of trending news and insufficient pre-Oscar buzz, which could affect tonight's ratings."

Leonardo DiCaprio chimed in, "This time, my PR efforts, including playing the victim, didn't work very well. The response from the media and the judges was extremely lukewarm."

Martin bluntly stated, "Playing the victim only works once. Leo, can't you use your brain? With a Best Actor Oscar already in your hand, do you really think playing the victim in your PR will work?"

Leonardo glared and frowned, then hissed angrily, "Why didn't you remind me of this when I suggested playing the victim at the party in December?"

"Leo, get this straight!" Martin declared vehemently. "We're rivals! You and I are having an Oscar competition, and the loser will spend their life solving the age-old problem. Why should I remind you?"

Leonardo clutched his chest: "I'm your brother, how can you betray me like this? Don't you have any conscience?"

Martin replied directly, "No."

(End of this chapter)