Exploiting Hollywood 1980

The Best Foreign Language Film Award is different from other Oscars. The nominations are not voted by the members of the Film Academy. Instead, they are selected by the film associations or management agencies of various countries, and then a special committee of the Academy selects five nominated films.

Because it is selected by the film associations or management agencies, unlike the Best Picture Award, the honor belongs to the producer, but the director goes on stage to receive it.

New World Productions, as the importer of this film, can get five seats in the back row of the awards ceremony. Roger and Julie Coleman, Ronald, director Menshov and the leading actress Vera Alentova, just occupy five seats.

Ronald promised to give Ronald a seat on the aisle, close to director Menshov, to ensure that he will be scanned by the camera when the nomination is introduced.

"My love,

You are my every breath

You are every step I take."

Ronald hummed a few lines of the theme song of the movie Endless Love, feeling happy.

It doesn't matter if "Famous" doesn't provide good seats, he still has a seat brought by the Best Foreign Language Film Award nomination. And this nomination is purely based on his own vision, which is more fulfilling than copying lyrics in a dream.

"It seems that I still have talent. I can make a name for myself as a film buyer in the future." Ronald was smug.

He received many congratulatory calls, which reminded Ronald that he should also call other nominated filmmakers to congratulate them.

First, congratulate David Da Silva, the producer of "Famous".

"Ronald, congratulations to you too. You have a good future in this industry to get two nominations at this age." Da Silva did not get a nomination for Best Picture, and Famous did not get Best Director and four acting nominations. He simply rested at home for a few days and stopped canvassing.

"It's a pity that Irene Cara didn't get nominated for Best Actress."

"I expected this a long time ago. MGM has already drastically reduced the number of productions. There is no energy to publicize awards. I saw that the situation was not good, so I gave up the publicizing nominations for Irene Cara and Barry Miller in advance.

The qualification for this year's Oscars is that the film must be screened continuously for one week in America in 1980.

Universal has 18 films eligible for Oscars, Warner Bros. 17, United Artists and 20th Century Fox 16 each, Paramount 15, Columbia 14, and even Orion, which was established not long ago, has 10.

MGM only had 5 films released last year, which is less than the live-action films of Disney, the cartoon studio. Soon, the eight major studios in Hollywood will become seven."

Da Silva made some sense to Ronald and had a deep grudge against MGM.

"All my resources are now used to get Irene Cara to perform at the Oscars, and it would be best if she could sing both nominated songs. There are 3,200 judges at the Oscars, 70% of whom are actors, and their votes are the key to deciding who wins. Whether or not the Best Original Song can win is up to fate, sorry Ronald."

"You can't say that, the success of this movie depends entirely on you. Do you think I have a chance for the Best Original Screenplay?"

It seems that Da Silva has given up on public relations for the award, and he didn't even mention the Best Screenplay. Ronald took the initiative to ask for advice.

"MGM is not investing, and your opponent is Bo Goldman, who won the Best Original Screenplay once for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". Universal is doing its best to publicize the Best Supporting Actor and Actress, and the Best Original Screenplay for "Melvin and Howard."

"I see. Thank you, Mr. Da Silva, how is your TV series going..."

To be honest, Ronald has been nominated, and it would be a lie to say that he doesn't want to win. Having a little golden man at home will make you more confident in negotiating prices in the future. He had long forgotten the Oscar curse that Walter Merz, his editor's mentor, had told him.

Next, he called Michael Gore, a nominee for Best Original Song and Best Original Score, to inquire about his prospects for another nomination.

"Congratulations, Michael!"

"Ronald, hahaha..." Michael Gore was so happy to have received two nominations in the music category that he couldn't stop smiling.

"Congratulations to you too. I heard that you were nominated for Best Screenplay?

Yes, I have two songs nominated, so my chances of winning are twice as high as yours, hahahaha...

To be honest, we have a great chance this time. The chance of winning the interlude written by my sister Leslie is not as high as your theme song FA.

The reason? My family is a musical family, and we are very clear about the music awards at the Oscars. Most of the votes are cast by actors, so how do they know which song is good? They will vote for the one they are familiar with.

Da Silva is desperately pushing Irene Cara to appear on the show. Now, you can see Irene singing FA on a certain channel anytime and anywhere when you turn on the TV, so your chances are great. Don't forget to prepare your acceptance speech, Ronald. Maybe we can go on stage together to receive the award like the Golden Globe Awards."

"Ohoh, yea, yea

iloveyouorethanisay"

Ronald was even happier after listening to the analysis of the chances of winning. Next, he called Martin Scorsese, the teacher who received eight nominations for "Raging Bull", to congratulate him.

"Marty, this is Ronald." Isabella Rossellini answered the phone. "I'm packing his luggage. He's going to Hollywood to campaign soon. It's a pleasant surprise to be nominated for Best Director."

"Which Ronald? Oh, my student." Scorsese answered the phone, "Hi, Ronald, congratulations on your nomination for Best Original Screenplay. You are my first student to be nominated for an Academy Award. I never thought I would be old enough to be nominated as a student.”

"Congratulations, Marty. I heard that Raging Bull got eight nominations. Do you have a good chance of getting the best director?" Ronald knew that this was the first time this teacher had been nominated for the best director. He had been very good before. Taxi Driver missed out on being nominated for Best Director.

"Honestly, I'm also surprised. United Artists doesn't have money to compete for awards, unlike Paramount, which held a lot of canvassing parties for ordinary people. The box office of Raging Bull wasn't very good either. Fortunately, the critics liked my movie this time. No matter what, I will try my best this time. I will get your vote, right?"

"Well, I'm not a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences yet, so I'm not qualified to vote." Ronald was embarrassed.

"Ha, I forgot. If you get the nomination this year, you will be invited by the academy next year and you will be eligible to vote."

"So my nomination?"

"No problem, I will vote for you." Scorsese hung up the phone. Now he is very busy and has to deal with many canvassing parties until the voting closes.

And then there's David Lynch, director of "The Elephant Man." "The Elephant Man" also scored eight nominations, just like "Raging Bull."

But he didn't have David Lynch's phone number, so Ronald called CAA's agent Niceta.

"Hi, Ronald. Do you want to congratulate David Lynch on his Best Director nomination? He's very busy right now, with an average of three parties waiting for him to attend every day, and Paramount's Best Director and Best Picture battles.

Both he and Robert Redford of "Ordinary People" are directing commercial feature films for the first time, so if he wants to compete, I can't persuade him. Redford himself is a popular movie star, and Paramount said he would be treated fairly, but everyone knows who the resources will be given to.

I'm going to attend the Los Angeles Film Critics Association party with him tonight, how about I pass on my regards to you? "

Ronald wondered why Niceta spoke as if she could make the decision for David Lynch.

"Rick, you and David Lynch?"

"Yes, I am close to signing him and becoming his agent," Niceta replied.

"Oh, then will he take over the job of directing 'Fast-paced Richmond High'? Will I have the opportunity to observe and learn on the set?" Ronald's eyes lit up. If he could share an agent with Lynch, how would it be? Not everything is easy to discuss. Follow me to learn how to direct a commercial feature film.

"It's too early to talk about this matter, Ronald. As you know, it's the final sprint for Oscar voting. Before the voting closes on March 25, all nominated acting award candidates will party hard. Social, please vote for one vote.

Before the awards show, I'm afraid David Lynch will not make any statement. Studios also know that an Oscar is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most directors.

If he can sign a new Oscar-winning director, it will be a strong boost to the movie box office. Not only will he not be forced during this period, he will also be facilitated in various ways, such as helping with parties and so on. "

"Okay, Rick, you always have your reasons." Ronald was a little unhappy. Niceta never took himself very seriously. He had several heavyweight clients, such as Al Passi, the star of The Godfather. No, Bette Midler, who was nominated for an Oscar last year.

"Don't be angry, Ronald." Niceta seemed to feel his displeasure. "When I was cooperating with Paramount to win the award, I was also praying for your best original song. But best original screenplay is difficult. , you also know this year’s MGM… Alas, MGM is now a gaming company.”

Ronald hung up the phone, thought for a while, and called his main agent Richard.

"Richard, this is Ronald, is Niceta with you?... I'm not looking for him. I just hung up the phone on him. I want to ask you, tell me the truth, what are my prospects for being nominated and winning? ?”

"Best Original Screenplay is hard, Ronald. If you're not in Hollywood, if you don't hold your own parties, if you don't attend other people's parties, you don't have a chance to win votes.

But there is a chance for Best Original Song, and when we were at the party, Niceta and Paula Wagner would mention your name to the voting Academy members if they had the chance. "

That's right. If you can win an award, it's a good thing for your agent no matter how you look at it. And among the songwriters for the best original song, no one else is a client of his own agent. CAA mainly focuses on the representation of directors, screenwriters, and actors.

It's far away from Hollywood, the center of the movie, and that's the problem. It's lagging behind on all news. Ronald began to seriously consider moving to Los Angeles in the future.

"Okay", Ronald thought to himself that he also knew some seniors in the industry, so why not ask if he was qualified to vote? One vote counts.

"By the way, I bought a movie at New World Productions, 'Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears', which was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film. Mr. Roger Corman also gave me a seat. Can you and me At the awards show, should we sit closer to Michael Gore and across the aisle?”

"Of course, it's no problem. I'll take care of it for you. I'm surprised you have such a vision, Ronald. Have you ever considered turning to a producer? Hollywood is looking for producers with a sense of market, and There is also a desire for directors with artistic ability, and generally good producers have more power than good directors.”

Richard has been surprised by this only young client for the nth time.

"I don't have this idea yet. If 'Richmond High' can give me an assistant producer position, I am willing to accept it. I hope to understand the filming process in all aspects and prepare for my first work."

"I've made a note of it. By the way, now you have two seats. Have you considered bringing a female companion? Do you need CAA to introduce you?"

Yes, now he has two seats. Ronald didn't expect this. He smiled and joked, "Do you CAA still help you pull xx?"

"Haha, the agent will be responsible for solving all the problems of the client. If you don't plan to invite a female companion, you can consider giving up that seat. We can exchange some voting resources for you."

"I need to think about it, Richard." Ronald thought for a while and said.

For the actress, this seat is sitting next to the double Oscar nominee, and there is a chance to be photographed by the camera. To some extent, if the seat next to him can be auctioned, the price will be cheaper than that next to Scorsese and David Lynch, but it will be much more expensive than some seats that have no chance to be photographed by the camera.

While thinking about how to deal with this position, Ronald's phone rang again.

"Hello," a female voice said, "Congratulations on your Oscar nomination, Ronnie."