Chapter 711: Take out all your strength
Although it can be called the first event in the entertainment industry in the United States, it is an indisputable fact that after entering the new century, the influence of the Oscars has been decreasing year by year.
Under the onslaught of new forms of entertainment such as television, the Internet and video games, the Academy Awards, once a symbol of American popular culture, are losing the halo that shrouded it, especially after "The Lord of the Rings 3: The Return of the King", the films nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture have a smaller and smaller audience base.
Among the Best Picture nominees last year, there was also "Argo", a film that grossed more than 100 million in North America, and the box office of the films nominated for Best Picture this year was miserable, and the total box office revenue of five films, including "Brokeback Mountain", has only grossed $187 million in North America so far, the lowest record in the past 10 years.
The box office figures are nowhere near the box office of films such as King Kong and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which were not nominated for any major awards.
These five films on realistic themes such as homosexuality, race, politics and terrorism are not even as appealing to audiences as a documentary about the life of Antarctic penguins that was nominated for the Best Documentary Award, and it may be an exaggeration to call it Hollywood's sadness, but a recent survey clearly shows that nearly three-quarters of Americans believe that the quality of Oscar-nominated films is not as good as it used to be, and that they prefer to stay at home and watch movies or spend time in other forms of entertainment.
The lack of audience base for the films that received the major nominations has also been overlooked along with this year's Oscars, and according to rough estimates by several companies, the audience for this year's Oscars is likely to drop by about 10 percent from the previous edition, reaching its lowest point since 1987.
But no matter what. The 78th Academy Awards arrived on time in early March.
The film industry needs the Oscars, and Hollywood needs the Oscars. Media conglomerates in North America, such as Viacom, News Corp and Walt Disney, also need Oscars.
Hollywood and the media industry need such a spectacular, colorful, star-studded, and lively event. In North America and even around the world, promoting their production industry, and by the way, promoting American culture, perhaps the American public may not be interested in Oscar-winning films, but the big-name stars who appear at the ceremony will still arouse many fanatical followers.
Even though the weakness of this year's Oscars cannot be reversed, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made some positive efforts to postpone the date of the Oscars in order to maximize the ratings of the Oscars. In order not to collide with the Winter Olympics in February, the red carpet ceremony was extended from half an hour to an hour, and the acceptance speech was strictly limited to 60 seconds......
In addition, the college invited Jon Brown, the most sought-after TV host in the United States, known for his news show "The Daily Show". Stewart, hoping that Stewart's influence can attract more young audiences for the Oscars.
If the ratings of the Oscars decline every year, how can the academy start by raising the broadcast fee?
In recent years, Disney's ABC television station has been the broadcaster of the Oscars, although the ratings of the Oscars have been declining year by year. But ABC's commercial development has been a success.
This year, each ad inserted on an Oscars live was sold for an average of $1.7 million, with each 30-second ad running time, or an average of $57,000 per second. Advertising alone can bring in more than $90 million in revenue for ABC TV.
Of course, whether it's selling ads to make money. Or to entertain the public, Hollywood is actually the biggest winner of the Oscars.
After several years of solo travel. Ryan walked the red carpet with Taylor in his arms this time, unlike other stars. The two of them were very fast, and they barely stopped before they walked in front of the Kodak Theater.
The Oscars are not just for entertainment, they are also for fashion.
However, these basically mean nothing to Ryan, who wears the traditional dark dress and bow tie that has not changed for thousands of years, and Taylor next to him looks more fashionable than him.
Taylor? Miss Swift's CT white satin embroidered bodycon dress is impeccable, the small fishtail hem is also very charming, and the long curly platinum blonde hair is neatly tied behind the head, highlighting her fresh and shrewd temperament.
Simple femininity, this is the latest global fashion trend in 2006 conveyed by the outfits of this year's Oscar actresses -- the dazzling intricate evening wear and huge jewels at last year's Oscars are gone, replaced by plain dresses and smooth bare necks.
Of course, as in previous years, some people have caught up with this trend, while others have not caught up with it.
Every Oscar red carpet is like a fashion trend show, but the celebrities and their stylists have different touches of fashion and different tastes, so every year there are people who feel good about themselves when they walk on the red carpet, but they are criticized by public opinion afterwards.
Therefore, for celebrities, especially actresses, regardless of whether they have their own share when they win the award, the Oscars' 'in-class test' about dressing must get a high score.
For example, when entering the Kodak Theater, Uma was the first to walk up and greet Ryan? Thurman, her lotus lotus silk skirt is light and thin, with just the right amount of transparency, as if the flowing shape of the spring fairy looks particularly pleasing to the eye in a heavy evening dress, and the design of the upper body is cleverly integrated with Greek elements, fully setting off her long legs and thin waist.
Even Taylor, who was beside him, was overwhelmed by the other party in terms of clothing.
"Height and long legs are advantages."
Uma? Thurman just left, Drew? Barrymore's voice rang out from the left, and her eyes were on Taylor, "Allison, you're so pretty. ”
"Thank you." Taylor nodded politely, "Drew, you're beautiful too." ”
"Alright, you two don't compliment each other." Ryan tilted his head at the entrance to the hall, "Let's go inside, Drew is still waiting to come on stage and pick up the best picture." ”
"Brokeback Mountain doesn't stand a chance."
Drew said as he walked ahead as she had been in Hollywood for so many years. I understand very well, "Compared to an authentic Los Angeles film like "Crash". We can't win. ”
"But best director above Ann? Lee should have an advantage. Taylor took Ryan by the arm and walked into the main entrance of the hall. He whispered, "I heard that this is also the focus of your PR. ”
"Just get a heavyweight award."
The seats were not together, and before parting, Drew added, "The post-production rights of the film can only be sold for a higher price." ”
Like other producers and distributors, the competition for the Oscars is more for profit than fame, as long as the fame and fortune can be brought more than the pay, this glamorous game. It never stops.
"Hi, Nat."
Walking to the edge of his seat, Ryan took Natalie's hand next to him, "When did you arrive, why didn't I see you." ”
"It's been a while." Natalie nodded at Taylor, who was waving to her, "About ten minutes before you guys." ”
"Have you read the script?" Ryan said that it was "Black Swan" that was delivered to her only yesterday.
"I skimmed through it roughly, but I haven't looked at it carefully." Natalie thought for a moment and said, "I think it's a good fit for a female director to shoot." I've made two copies, and I've had them delivered to Scarlett and Gale this morning, but ......"
She leaned into Ryan's ear, "I want to put the obscure homosexuality and self-esteem in it. The consolation plot was changed to be more subtle. ”
"It's good that you can discuss the changes."
Ryan has made a lot of changes in this regard. Since Natalie wants to change it more obscurely, let her be, "I've got Jenkins Pictures ready for the check." By the time you're done filming The Hunger Games 2, you'll be ready to start work at any time. ”
"Then you can help me keep an eye out for excellent ballet choreography."
Speaking of which. Natalie remembered that Ryan was busier than she was, and changed her tune. "Forget it, I'll ask someone to find it from the ballet troupe in New York, the film will definitely be filmed in New York, I'll find someone to contact you."
"That's good." Ryan didn't pay much attention to it, in his opinion it was just a small thing, "If you need help, give me a call." ”
"I will." Natalie nodded slightly.
"Hey, hey, hey......"
Taylor, who was sitting on the other side of Ryan, suddenly leaned closer, "What are you talking about, ignore me." ”
"Talking about Nat's new movie." Ryan nodded her forehead, "She's going to shoot another work in the second half of the year." ”
"Oh......"
The girl's eyes lit up, she leaned closer, and asked in a low voice, "Nat, is this part of your plan to challenge for the best director?" Fantastic, the first female Oscar for Best Director! ”
Natalie didn't answer, but looked at Ryan.
"It's an important part of that." Ryan said in a voice that only three people could hear, "But I think Nat should have won Best Actress first." ”
"You...... You mean......" Natalie opened her mouth slowly, "this character ......"
"So, Nat." Ryan nodded his chin slowly and hard, "Take out all your strength." ”
The music suddenly sounded, and Oscar was about to kick off the curtain, and then Natalie's hand held Ryan tightly.
As in previous years, the Oscars will be preceded by a video featuring the nominated films and their hosts, and this year's Oscars video will focus on finding the host of the awards gala.
The tent of Brokeback Mountain opens, Billy? Christo showed his head first, "I'm not hosting this year, I don't see that I'm busy in love." ”
Amid the laughter of the theater, the camera is pointed at the black movie star Whoopi again? At the door of Gordonburg's room, Her Majesty the 'Queen' said unceremoniously, "Get out!" I'm really not available, I'm crazy busy with housework! ”
Finally, the camera falls on a bed, and this year's host Jon? Stewart was sleeping when he was woken up by a phone call.
"God, you want me to be the host of the Oscars? Oh, it's not a dream, how do I see Harley? Berry lying on the other side? ”
At this time, the sexy Harley was lying next to him and discharged electricity, and Stewart quickly said, "Let me close my eyes again." "When he woke up, next to him was George in his pajamas? Clooney, "Go ahead, get dressed and go host the Oscars." ”
And so, the award ceremony began. (To be continued......)