Chapter Eight Hundred and Eighty Eighth Heavy Responsibilities and a Long Way to Go

The Theory of Relativity Building belongs to the office floor of the crew’s production business. There has always been a dedicated office for Ang Lee. After returning from the Toronto Film Festival, Ang Lee basically came to the Theory of Relativity Building two to three days a week to discuss with professionals from the embassy film industry. Related publicity and PR progress.

The cooperation with Relativity Entertainment in the past few years, especially the victory of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" at the Oscars, gave Ang Lee a deep feeling that public relations are not only in the awards season, but the long-term public relations work is a kind of investment.

The public relations period of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" lasted for more than seven months, probably due to special educational experience and understanding of Western society. Focus on building relationships with publishers and media from all over the world, and continue to operate.

He has always believed that the accumulated relationship will become an important network support in the future.

In fact, this is also the case. The subject matter of "Brokeback Mountain" is a bit sensitive, and the media has been arguing endlessly, but the voice of support has always been heard.

These not only come from the film itself and the relativity entertainment behind it, but also Ang Lee's own efforts.

Ever since "The Wedding Banquet" allowed him to break into North America, Ang Lee has paid attention to that golden trophy, that important director award.

But Ang Lee also knows that if he wants to win the trophy, it is not enough to rely on his own efforts, and he must choose the right partner.

Ronan Anderson and Relativity Entertainment have supported him very much, and Ang Lee has also tried his best to repay him with high-quality movies.

The US$8 million awards season public relations expenses specially allocated by the Embassy Films have already been put in place, plus a series of previous expenses including the Venice Film Festival, the total budget for awards public relations is as high as US$12 million.

Today, the gay rights movement in the United States is on the rise, and Ang Lee is very sure that "Brokeback Mountain" is another sprint for him to the Hollywood pyramid.

In order to get something for next year's Oscars, this great director is doing his best. From Asia to Europe to America, from Cannes to Venice to Toronto, and various film festivals, Ang Lee will introduce the film to the world bit by bit. Media from all over the country to achieve the purpose of successfully building momentum.

Because he knows that although the Oscar judges are concentrated in North America, they are distributed all over the world.

A vote from these overseas judges is worth as much as a vote from the North American judges.

In North America, the public relations work of Embassy Pictures has already started.

From "Brokeback Mountain" won the Venice Golden Lion,

Embassy Pictures has set up three highly professional public relations teams to take charge of the planning.

After experiencing several Oscar battles, the personnel in Relativity Entertainment who are responsible for the awards business have grown rapidly.

One group is responsible for contacting the media, one group is responsible for New York, where the judges are relatively concentrated, and the other group is responsible for public relations in the Los Angeles area. According to different time and regions, corresponding strategies are formulated and adjusted.

"I had lunch today at noon with Todd Mountbatten, vice-president of the directors' union."

In the office, Ang Lee said to Ronan who just came over: "He participated in the screening of "Brokeback Mountain" at the Toronto Film Festival and spoke highly of the film."

Ronan nodded slightly: "The opinions of industry leaders are very important and can often affect many people. You should pay attention to them."

Li An said very seriously: "My daily schedule for the next three months is almost full, and I don't know how many lunches or dinners like this I will eat."

Ronan couldn't help laughing: "Li, I know this kind of food is hard to eat, but if you want to win an award, it's basically impossible not to eat more than 20 meals."

Ang Lee knows very well that art is never the only criterion for Oscars. Factors such as luck, popularity, and public relations will all determine the award in the end.

"No matter how unpalatable it is." Li An said very firmly: "I will eat it."

As the director and producer of the film, winning awards is not only his business, but also related to the investment production company and distribution company, the main creative team of the crew, and even all the staff.

There is a long way to go!

No matter how unpalatable the meal is, you have to eat it. The actors union, directors union, and film critics association all have to go to build relationships. You can't talk nonsense, and you have to step by step to win the Oscar.

Ang Lee recalled a piece of news he heard before: "It is said that "Good Night, Far Away" directed by George Clooney will invest more than 8 million US dollars in the awards season."

Ronan said directly: "George Clooney's reputation as a director is far inferior to yours, and Relativity Entertainment is not short of money."

The embassy film industry's publicity campaign will soon be rolled out. Inviting the academy judges to participate in many private screenings and various cocktail parties with the presence of star creators, and buying boards for publicity, these are the most conventional publicity methods.

Because this film is "Brokeback Mountain", Ronan also specifically asked the embassy film industry to prepare well, and the highly professional navy will be dispatched at any time.

Since Harvey Weinstein hired professionals to discredit "Saving Private Ryan", Oscar public relations are no longer just to promote themselves, but also to suppress powerful competitors.

When major studios spent only $2 million on Oscar PR for a film, Miramax was willing to spend $5 million on Oscar PR.

Harvey Weinstein does have something unique, but the role of money in the Oscars can never be ignored.

After 2010, the public relations expenses of those hot Oscar candidates will basically reach the level of 20 million US dollars.

This has also spawned a related industry chain. Nowadays, there are marketing companies specializing in Oscar projects. In fact, this kind of behavior is very common in North America. There are also a lot of public relations fees, which are reasonable and legal.

Ang Lee said: "In terms of movies alone, I am as confident as anyone else. I am not afraid of public relations. My communication skills are still guaranteed."

Ronan nodded lightly. Compared with other directors from the East, Ang Lee's biggest advantage is not his director ability, nor the combination of Eastern and Western cultures, but his active integration into the Hollywood circle.

"I'm worried about some accidents." Li An said softly: "For example, a certain director will be seriously ill or something else."

Ronan said: "This can only be dealt with after it appears."

Having said that, the advantages of the dead are incomparable to the living no matter what.

Even if you are seriously ill, you will have sympathy points.

Before the Oscar voting, Elizabeth Taylor underwent an operation because of a serious illness. The operation almost killed her, but she was a blessing in disguise and won the Oscar queen in an upset.

The defeated Shirley McClain said afterwards: "I lost to a tracheal operation!"

The two chatted for a while, and Ronan said again: "No matter what the situation is, Li, we only have two goals, the best director and the best picture!"

Ang Lee said, "I understand."

Ronan warned again: "You should communicate with the leading actors. If the situation permits, it is best to participate in activities such as the gay parade in the Los Angeles area."

"Jack, Annie, and Michelle all participated today." Ang Lee pointed in the direction of the Film Academy: "They are all over there."

He thought for a while, and then said, "Heath didn't participate. According to Michelle, he locked himself in the hotel for a long time and was preparing for the new film directed by Nolan."

Ronan said, "I know about it, The Dark Knight."

Although Heath Ledger has various flaws, he is really impeccable in terms of professionalism.

In order to play the clown well, he began to study the character's psychology very early on.

A role that bears the name of a supporting role but is actually the protagonist also allows Heath Ledger to have plenty of room to play.

Since the protagonist halo is basically handed over to the clown, Christian Bale's performance in the role of Batman has been greatly restricted.

Most typically, the clown in the setting can always easily enter various high-level places, be omnipresent and omnipotent.

Ronan left Ang Lee's office, went to the post-production room on another floor, and found David Fincher.

This great director, who works slowly and meticulously, finally finished all the shooting of "girl" and led the crew to transfer to post-production.

Ronan specifically chatted with David Fincher about "House of Cards". The script for the first season of Shahai Entertainment has been written.

This is not the future, streaming media will be popular in the future, and famous directors will devote themselves to the filming of drama series, thinking that they can earn better "money".

In this day and age, established film directors seldom direct TV shows unless their passion dictates it.

David Fincher didn't say no, but he didn't agree either.

"Can I ask Shahai Entertainment to give me the script first?" David Fincher knows a little about Ronan, knowing that it is not a particularly high-quality project, and the other party cannot invite him to be a director with a lot of money: "I will do it after reading the script." Decide."

A director at the level of David Fincher can't force it, Ronan said: "I will let Shahai Entertainment deliver the script to you as soon as possible."

David Fincher said, "Yes."

Ronan turned to ask: "When will the post-production of this film be completed?"

David Finch thought about it for a while, and said, "It will be March or April next year at the earliest."

Ronan didn't say anything. After all, the half-year-long post-production is a normal speed in the industry. For a director with a style like David Fincher, it can even be said that the speed is relatively fast.

Not every director is a quick shooter like Spielberg.

Taking advantage of the time, Ronan deliberately watched a short clip edited by David Fincher, but in terms of the style of the picture, the gloomy tone is very David Fincher.

The performance of the heroine Rachel McAdams is very brilliant, maybe it is the relationship that this role can resonate with her strongly.

This kind of film may not be a box office hit like a commercial production, but if it works well, it will also have a huge market space.

When Ronan left, he met Lindsay Bill.

"Do you have time?" Lindsay Bill said, "I happen to be looking for you too."