Chapter 881 How Oscar Can Get Rid of His Decline

By the time Martin came back from his overseas promotion, the 87th Academy Awards nomination luncheon had already ended.

The list was somewhat unexpected, Christopher Nolan was not nominated for Best Director!

In contrast, although Martin did not make much effort, he was closer to the Academy and easily got a Best Actor nomination.

In addition, "Interstellar" did not get a Best Picture nomination.

The polarized reputation, coupled with Nolan's record as a superhero movie director, all seriously affected "Interstellar"'s award rush.

Nolan was ambitious to make a push for the Oscar for Best Director, but the Academy poured a bucket of cold water on him.

In addition to Martin's nomination for Best Actor, "Interstellar" was nominated for a bunch of technical awards such as Best Art Direction, Best Original Score and Best Visual Effects.

"I didn't expect this result."

In the office of Davis Studio, Nolan picked up the teacup, drank a sip of black tea, and said to Martin: "I thought I could at least get the nominations for Best Director and Best Picture."

Martin told the truth: "I thought so too. I haven't paid much attention to Oscar public relations recently."

Nolan put down the teacup and said: "I didn't pay much attention to Oscar before. When I paid attention, I found that Oscar didn't care about me either."

He didn't have much experience in Oscar, so he humbly asked Martin: "Is there anything special to pay attention to in the Oscar competition?"

Martin didn't answer immediately, but thought about it seriously for a while and said: "First of all, don't I was in a hurry. I really got some lucky. I got Oscar soon, but this small probability event is best to ignore. "Nolan knows that this situation is no longer suitable for him:" Hollywood business is my biggest sign. If you can say these things, the situation is different now: "For example, Spielberg, it took more than ten years to get the first best director. Needless to say, George Lucas has withdrawn from the director's union, it is impossible to take Oscar anymore." There are many examples such a lot of examples, and Nolan can think of a lot. To formulate a long-term plan, let the film combine the situation at the time, and then decide whether to really make efforts. Criticized by countless people. He said: "We should pay attention to the Oscars, but we can't just win awards for the sake of winning them."

Martin said seriously: "This attitude is very important."

Nolan asked again: "Is there anything special about winning Oscars?"

Martin thought for a while. After all, he had worked with Nolan many times and the relationship between the two sides was very harmonious. He simply said: "Whether you can win an award depends not only on yourself, but also on your competitors."

"Competitors." Nolan repeated. As a director who is good at marketing, he quickly understood the essence: "I know what to do."

Martin said: "Chris, you'd better make a ten-year plan."

Nolan replied: "I will."

Martin said everything he could say. How to do it specifically depends on Nolan himself.

As we all know, the Oscars have a discrimination chain, and Nolan's level of discrimination is only one level lower than Leonardo.

According to Martin's understanding, Nolan's chances of winning will only increase if he makes a movie that is not so Nolan-style.

There is another point that Martin did not tell Nolan, but they both knew it well. Nolan's relationship with the Jewish forces in Hollywood is not very good.

During the filming of Inception, the kidnapping case that occurred in Morocco caused tension between the two sides. Nolan once had a strong opinion on Jews and even jumped from CAA to WMA.

Martin didn't know whether this had anything to do with Interstellar not being nominated for Best Director and Best Picture.

The two chatted for nearly three hours before Nolan said goodbye and left.

Martin also thought about the Oscars. He won the Best Actor Oscar for The Martian before, and it was impossible for him to win another one for the same type of Interstellar this time.

The mental illness type of character in Split is very much in line with the Academy's appetite.

On the contrary, Joker will have some troubles. After all, it is a superhero movie, and he has won a Best Supporting Actor for this role.

For this film, some special preparations need to be made, and preparations should be noticed by the whole society, especially the Academy.

Martin thought of The Dark Knight back then, and many of his and Nolan's operations at that time can still be used.

Martin immediately found the right person to accompany him and to film him. He called Nicholson and Lorraine separately and asked Leonardo again.

All three said it was okay and they could take action after the Oscars.

The North American awards season is gradually coming to an end. Martin has been nominated for Best Actor in various awards, but has won very few awards.

Especially the first weathervane Screen Actors Guild Award, the Best Actor was won by British actor Eddie Redmayne who played Hawking.

In this way, the result of this year's Best Actor is basically set in stone.

Although it is certain that he will not gain anything at the awards ceremony, Martin still actively participates in various Oscar activities to express his yearning and recognition for the Oscar.

This is an attitude.

Tom Hanks, vice chairman of the Academy Executive Committee, called to visit.

With him came Hamilton, the producer and director of the 87th Academy Awards.

Martin prepared to receive them in the studio.

…………

The car that Tom Hanks and Hamilton took left South Broadway, and Tom Hanks hung up the phone with Martin.

When he finished, Hamilton said, "Think about the first time I was the director of the Oscars more than a decade ago. I didn't need to take the initiative to invite people like I do now. At that time, all the top Hollywood stars were proud to be on the Oscars."

Tom Hanks felt it very clearly: "Times have changed. There are more and more entertainment methods, and the platforms for stars to promote themselves are also increasing. The appeal of the Oscars has been declining."

Hamilton said, "Martin Davis is the first time to be the Best Picture award presenter. I hope there will be some eye-catching effect."

"Yes, I hope his appeal can continue to the Oscars." There are some things that Tom Hanks will not say to Hamilton, the director.

For example, Martin has not really made efforts in the public relations and publicity of the awards season in the past two years, resulting in insufficient competition during the promotion period of the awards season, and thus a lack of highlights. Even though the Academy hinted last year that the bottom line of the rules would be relaxed a little, there are still relatively few crews with large investments.

Tom Hanks understands where the problem lies. After Harvey Weinstein's downfall, the financial situation of Weinstein Pictures was exposed. In the past, people inside and outside the circle believed that he had won so many Oscars and had so many films that were covered with the aura of Oscars, so the company must have made a lot of money.

The data released showed that except for a few, the profits of other Oscar-winning films were not high. Due to various reasons including high investment in the awards, Weinstein Pictures had a terrifyingly high debt.

Even if Harvey Weinstein was not finished, the debt crisis of Weinstein Pictures would erupt in a few years.

The film company's Oscars are for commercial benefits. If the Oscars' benefits are lower than expected, the investment of the Oscar-winning crew will naturally be reduced.

With low investment, the movement will naturally be small.

"I miss Harvey Weinstein a little bit." Hamilton suddenly said: "Although Harvey is a complete bastard, when he was there, the awards season would be lively from November, and every Oscar would be full of controversy and attract the attention of the whole country."

Tom Hanks said: "There will be the next Harvey."

The Academy also misses people like Harvey.

But in the end, it's still a matter of money.

The car stopped at the door of Davis' studio. The two entered the studio. Martin was waiting in the lobby and led them directly to the VIP reception room.

After shaking hands and exchanging a few words, Tom Hanks said directly: "Martin, I asked you to come here mainly for the Oscars ceremony."

Martin smiled and said: "Katherine Kennedy greeted me yesterday."

Compared to Hanks, he and Katherine Kennedy have worked together several times, and the relationship between the two sides is also good.

Hamilton took over and said, "We plan to invite you to be the guest presenter for the Best Picture award."

Martin thought carefully about the list of nominees for this year's Oscars and confirmed that there was no such a scumbag as "Moonlight Boy". He replied, "It's my honor."

Tom Hanks said, "The Academy has always paid attention to your support for the Oscars. Among the young actors born in the 1980s in Hollywood, no one is more suitable than you to present this award."

Since Martin agreed, he simply said, "Send me a schedule later and let me know when the rehearsal time is confirmed so that I can adjust my schedule."

Hamilton stood up and said, "We have confirmed the plan here and will email you immediately."

Martin shook hands with him, "Okay."

Hamilton said goodbye and left the reception room first, but Tom Hanks did not leave.

Martin was a little curious. He and Hanks were not very close and did not interact much.

Tom Hanks showed his signature honest smile, "On behalf of Tom and Catherine, I invite you and your female companion to attend an informal banquet at the Academy tomorrow night."

Martin accepted the invitation.

Tom Hanks left the reception room and left with Hamilton.

The next afternoon, Martin got off work early, went home to change clothes, and then took Elizabeth Olsen to a business club near the college to attend the college's informal dinner.

The college invited many people, including top directors such as Spielberg and James Cameron, and superstars such as Leonardo and Tom Cruise.

If you are not a big shot of a certain industry association in Hollywood, you are not qualified to be here at all.

Elizabeth accompanied Martin, assisted him in socializing, and handled all kinds of relationships in an orderly manner.

Elizabeth always reminded him of some people or things that Martin could not remember.

In the middle of the dinner, Katharine Kennedy suddenly found Martin and said that she and Tom Sherak wanted to talk to him.

Martin took Elizabeth by the hand and went into the lounge on one side of the banquet hall.

Tom Sherak and Hanks came up to shake hands with the two.

Martin made a few polite remarks, sat on the sofa, and looked at the three people in the lounge curiously.

Tom Sherak is the chairman of the executive committee of the academy, and Katharine Kennedy and Tom Hanks are vice chairmen.

Martin was also very curious about the three people talking to him together.

Tom Sherak smiled and said, "That's right. In recent years, the Oscars have been reforming. There have been some successes, but also some difficulties. The Executive Committee has been soliciting opinions from members."

He knew that Martin understood the current situation of the Oscars, so he said directly, "Martin, I'm sure you know the specific situation. You have always had ways to promote and market. What do you think of the current situation of the Oscars?"

Martin fell into a brief silence and his eyes swept across the faces of the three Academy presidents.

Since they took office, they have taken various measures to try to stop the decline of the Oscars' influence. There are indeed some effects, but it is too difficult to reverse it.

Martin has no other choice. This is a problem of the times.

To put it bluntly, people have too many entertainment options to choose from. Why choose an Oscar that doesn't suit their taste?

After a while, Martin said, "The pre-promotion and influence of this Oscar are not as good as last year."

Tom Hanks continued, "There are fewer film crews willing to invest heavily in the promotion period. In the past two years, Hollywood companies have been cutting their budgets for Oscars."

Katherine Kennedy, who is most familiar with Martin, said, "In the current business environment of the film industry, there is not enough influence without sufficient investment."

Martin nodded, "If you calculate it this way, it is still a problem of funds."

Tom Sherak admitted this: "Funds cannot solve all the problems of the Oscars, but they can solve some of the difficulties."

The main income of the Academy comes from the Oscars and membership fees. The latter is actually not much, because many members are eligible for lifetime membership fee exemption.

The income of the Oscars is closely related to influence.

Martin thought for a moment and said, "Tommy mentioned earlier that the lack of influence of the Oscars is related to the lack of investment by the crew during the promotion period. The three of you know the overall situation of the industry better than I do. In the current economic environment, it is unrealistic to expect Hollywood companies to increase their investment in this area."

"Disney has been cutting its budget for awards." Kathleen Kennedy has been the CEO of Lucasfilm since Walt Disney acquired Lucasfilm.

Tom Hanks said, "Hollywood has been greatly affected by the economic downturn."

Hearing these words, Martin's thoughts became clearer: "We have been attracting international capital in the production and budget of film projects. Overseas funds have become an important source of investment for Hollywood. Can we also work in this direction in the Oscars?"

Martin remembered clearly that in order to win the Oscar, a Korean film created an unprecedented single film award expenditure in the North American awards season - more than 30 million US dollars!