[Chapter 296: Oscar Nominations]
"Let's hope I don't catch athlete's foot," Link thought as he entered the restroom to wash his hands and calm himself.
But he wasn't worried about athlete's foot. In the past, he would've caught a cold from the wind, but since last year, he had strengthened his body and become healthier. No more minor illnesses had plagued him. Common ailments and bacteria found it hard to penetrate his defenses, which was one of the perks of his improved physical condition.
He reminded himself, "I need to focus on making movies. Once I finish dealing with company matters, I should concentrate on filmmaking and ignore everything else."
...
After turning off the faucet, Link stepped out of the restroom, only to bump into a woman with cascading blonde hair wearing a red dress. With his enhanced reaction time, he quickly sidestepped, avoiding the nearly disastrous collision.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Director Link! I didn't notice you!" the woman said, stopping to apologize.
She was a familiar face -- Cameron Diaz, the lead actress from The Mask. After the film's success, tabloid rumors had circulated claiming she was his girlfriend, insinuating that she wouldn't have landed the significant role otherwise. However, Cameron had gotten the part through a standard audition, and the rumors were unfounded. So, Link found himself caught in a situation that lent him no advantages.
"It's okay; you didn't hit me," Link reassured her, waving his hand as he prepared to leave.
"Director Link, I'm a huge fan! I really love your movies. Can we exchange phone numbers?" Cameron asked, her blue eyes sparkling and blush rising to her cheeks.
At 22 years old and almost five foot nine, Cameron's looks and figure were striking. When she made such a cautious request, few would turn her down.
Link pulled out a business card and handed it to her.
He wasn't sure if Cameron had been waiting for him on purpose or if it was just a spontaneous request, but either way, he felt no need to overanalyze the situation.
...
After Link left, Cameron watched him walk away, her heart racing. Before coming over, she had hesitated, unsure if this would backfire. Yet, some risks paid off. Link was now one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, possessing a wealth of resources that overshadowed even the heads of the major film studios. If she could gain his approval, her career in Hollywood would undoubtedly flourish.
Gazing down at the business card, she smiled brightly, then abruptly recalled she had unresolved matters to attend to. She touched her flat abdomen and confidently re-entered the restroom.
...
Back in the lobby, the Golden Globe party had moved into its second half, and guests began to leave. Link, along with Monica Bellucci, Jennifer Connolly, Sandra Bullock, and Julianne Moore, hopped into the SUV and returned to his Beverly Hills mansion.
While the night in Beverly Hills was quiet, Link's mansion buzzed with excitement, feeling like a vibrant oasis.
---
Following the Golden Globe Awards ceremony, the news of Guess Pictures' films being nominated for ten awards but receiving none circulated through multiple media outlets.
Whispers in Hollywood suggested it was a direct result of the major studios undercutting Guess Pictures. For months and even years ahead, Guess Pictures was likely to face similar challenges. The path to securing significant awards in North America would be incredibly tough for their films.
Professionals in the industry advised filmmakers seeking Golden Globe and Oscar accolades to steer clear of Guess Pictures.
...
Notably, famous film critic James Jones recently raised concerns about the fairness of the Golden Globe nominations.
He pointed out that Guess Pictures' film Se7en had been last year's box office champion in North America, achieving remarkable commercial success while also receiving widespread critical acclaim. Its narrative style, cinematography, and audio-visual effects showcased extraordinary craftsmanship, balancing commercial viability and artistic integrity.
Yet, a film so well-received by critics and audiences alike received no recognition from the Golden Globe Awards, a puzzling outcome.
Jones went on to mention several other classic films produced by Guess Pictures, such as Good Will Hunting, Eat Drink Man Woman, Before Sunrise, Speed, and The Mask, all of which were highly regarded and integral to film history.
These films warranted further awards recognition but, similarly, had gone home empty-handed at the Golden Globes.
He asserted that such an occurrence should not be seen as commonplace. The nomination criteria for the Golden Globes clearly exhibited biases that warranted deeper industry contemplation.
Jones's commentary sparked extensive discussions within the community. Many fans and industry insiders voiced their support for the need to enhance the transparency and fairness of the Golden Globe selection process, ensuring that genuinely outstanding works received their deserved acknowledgment.
...
In contrast, there were dissenting voices in response to Jones's criticisms. Last year was an exceptionally strong one for the film industry, with numerous iconic movies competing fiercely.
For instance, titles like Forrest Gump, The Lion King, True Lies, Interview with the Vampire, Legends of the Fall, and Pulp Fiction all received acclaim and box office success, intensifying the competition for awards.
As a result, it was understandable that Guess Pictures' movies did not win awards, and it could not simply be attributed to unfair judgment.
...
In light of the controversies, Guess Pictures maintained a composed stance, refraining from seeking sympathy or making any statements, demonstrating professional decorum.
Meanwhile, the major studios remained silent regarding the rumors, neither denying nor confirming the alleged "suppressions."
Such an approach may have been intended to convey a signal, hinting to the industry that caution should be exercised when collaborating with Guess Pictures, to avoid unnecessary disputes.
This series of incidents not only sparked debates about award-selection standards but also reflected the complex ecosystem within the film industry.
Whether regarding awards or competition among studios, deeper layers of industry logic and economic maneuvers often lurked beneath the surface.
To insiders, it was a philosophical discussion; to the general public, merely entertainment.
...
As the controversies lingered, the nominations for the 67th Academy Awards were announced.
Each year, the Golden Globe Awards occurred just days before the nominees for the Oscars were revealed, signifying the former's credibility.
This year, Guess Pictures had six films nominated with 22 total nominations.
Se7en received eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.
Good Will Hunting garnered eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Original Screenplay.
Speed received three: Best Sound, Best Sound Editing, and Best Film Editing.
The Mask received one nomination for Best Visual Effects.
Eat Drink Man Woman secured one nomination for Best Foreign Film.
Leon: The Professional also received one nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Guess Pictures' co-production Pulp Fiction earned seven nominations.
Jennifer Connolly's performance in Se7en earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Jodie Foster and Winona Ryder both received nominations for Best Actress for their roles in The Piano and Little Women, respectively.
However, the film with the most nominations this year was Forrest Gump, making it the fifth film in Oscar history to receive 13 nominations.
...
Once the Oscar nomination list was released, many called to congratulate Link, proclaiming him the youngest Best Director nominee in Oscar history.
The previous record holder for youngest nominee was African American director John Singleton, who received a nomination for Best Director at the 64th Academy Awards in 1991 for his film Boyz n the Hood when he was 24 years old. Now, at 23, it was Link's turn.
For Link, this honor didn't weigh heavily.
Receiving an Oscar nomination meant little without actually winning.
The Academy Award voters had a reputation for teasing young, talented filmmakers, rarely awarding them right away. Usually, they'd wait for multiple nominations until the filmmakers aged and changed and finally bestowed the honor, making it seem truly hard-earned.
Take the esteemed Irish actor Peter O'Toole, for instance. He was nominated for the Best Actor award eight times since 1963 but never won.
Even Martin Scorsese received six nominations before he finally won Best Director.
Link wasn't sure when he would receive the accolade but knew it wasn't to be this year.
While he received congratulations, Link also called to congratulate his acquaintances who had secured nominations, wishing them luck.
...
"Ha ha! Link, we both snagged the Best Screenplay nomination! Want to see who can win?" Quentin excitedly said over the phone.
"I'm in for Best Adapted Screenplay, and you're in for Best Original Screenplay -- those aren't in the same league," Link responded.
"No worries; as long as we both win, that counts. If we lose, drinks are on you at the Covell bar -- how about that?"
"Fine! I can handle that bet."
...
After hanging up, Link summoned Lily, Michael Leeson, and Jon Gordon for a meeting. He instructed them to get in touch with the Academy Awards voters and ramp up PR efforts to secure more awards, not to worry about spending money in the process.
According to media surveys from the past decade, a film that secured an Oscar nomination for Best Picture saw an average global box office increase of 18%, about $26 million. Obtaining additional Oscars resulted in an average box office rise of 13%, approximately $18 million.
For example, the film Platoon, released in 1986, saw its box office jump from $34.5 million to $104 million after winning the Best Picture Oscar. Similarly, Dances with Wolves, released in 1990, saw its earnings rise from $47.1 million to $137 million after winning the same award.
In terms of actor salaries, those who received acting awards experienced significant pay rises within a year, with newcomers surpassing secondary tier pay, and mid-tier actors reaching leading status. Leading actors often doubled their pay or received a portion of the box office profits.
This exemplified the Oscar's value and was one of the reasons countless filmmakers sought its recognition annually.
If Guess Pictures' PR efforts proved successful, they might just recoup the expenses from box office revenue.
Furthermore, if Se7en won an Oscar, according to the system's subsidy rules, its box office earnings would also experience a boost.
Investing more in award PR was worth the effort.
*****
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