Century City, Fox Tower.

In the office with the "PI" nameplate, director Ang Lee put down the "Hollywood Reporter" in his hand and said: "The media is building momentum for 'Escape from Tehran'." ”

Producer Jill Nate continued: "This film has a good reputation, meets the mainstream needs, and should not be underestimated if it is properly operated. ”

"Although the filmmakers have the names of Graham King and Louise Mayer, as far as I know, the person who really led the project is Martin Davis," he reminded. ”

Hearing this name, Ang Lee thought of "Brokeback Mountain" that year, because Martin chased Heath Ledger on the set and almost bumped into him and Aniston, causing "Brokeback Mountain" to lose a Best Actor nomination.

Even, he felt that "Brokeback Mountain" lost to "Crash" in the best movie, which was directly related to this incident.

Jill Nate said: "Martin Davis is a good player at running the Oscars, and our "Life of Pi" is also aiming for this Oscar, and the main impact award is Best Director and Best Picture, and the main competitor is "Escape from Tehran." ”

This time it collided with Martin Davis's film again, and it was impossible for Ang Lee to avoid it: "They have strengths, they must also have weaknesses, and it is impossible to win 100% of the awards." ”

Jill Nate agrees: "The film is too political, and exaggerating an otherwise prosaic rescue into a legend does add to the film's appeal and commercial attributes, but it also makes the film's content far removed from the facts, which can be a fatal wound during awards season." ”

Ang Lee won all the Oscars in the previous two times, and understood what Jill Nate meant: "The key to Weinstein's deal with "Saving Private Ryan" was to find World War II veterans to prove that the content of the film was untrue. ”

"That's true." Jill Nate thought for a moment and said, "Let's get ready first and see what happens." ”

Ang Lee reminded: "A few days ago, I watched the premiere report of "Escape from Tehran", and I remember that many people who experienced it back then attended the premiere. ”

"Find someone to find out where they are, and we'll be available if we need to," Jill Nate said. “

Ang Lee's first two Oscar awards, public relations is also the key, and the last time he won the best director, he accompanied the judges to eat until the chicken tasted plastic in his mouth.

He is well aware of the importance of PR for the awards and fully agrees with Jill Nett.

It's almost November now, and the North American film awards season in a broad sense has kicked off in September, and the Oscars are just around the corner, so we must act as soon as possible.

The two of them brought in their respective cronies and assistants and asked them to do the preliminary work.

…………

With a good audience reputation and professional reputation, the box office trend of "Escape from Tehran" is very stable.

The film spent its second weekend in North America, and although the weekend box office top was stolen by "Hurricane Rescue 2," "Escape from Tehran" fell by less than 40% the next weekend box office, to $27.89 million.

Counting the harvest of the previous four working days, the North American box office has accumulated $92.13 million.

Breaking through 100 million is only a matter of two or three days.

The film was undoubtedly a huge commercial success.

Disney Studios, the crew in the studio.

Martin, David Fincher, Louise Mayer and Graham King came together.

The commercial results can be put aside for the time being, and the awards season has begun, and they want to focus on the awards.

Louise taped her would-be competitors to the whiteboard.

Graham King said: "While many of the films have not yet been released, most of them have had test screenings, and based on the information gathered, it is almost certain that these will be the main competitors we face during the awards season. ”

Louise picked up the metal rod, pointed to the poster of "Lincoln", and said: "Since April, Daniel Day-Lewis has moved from the United Kingdom to Los Angeles to live, and now for more than half a year, he has been mixed in the jury group, he is the kind of actor who likes the academy best, almost does not take on commercial films, and public relations started earlier than anyone else, and the advantage is very obvious." ”

Graham added: "I watched the test screening of 'Lincoln' and there was no problem with the character. ”

Martin has already pressed the number, saying: "The primary goal of "Escape from Tehran" is Best Director and Best Picture, and I only need one nomination for Best Actor. ”

David Fincher's eyes were still on "Lincoln" and he said, "Spielberg and his film we have to pay attention. ”

Louise and Graham had similar ideas, and it was not news that Spielberg wanted to win Best Director again, from "Munich" to "War Horse", several attempts in succession.

But strangely, the resources invested are not much.

This "Lincoln" has a special theme and is a standard Oscar-winning proposition movie.

Martin took the metal rod from Louise's hand, pointed to the poster of "Life of Pi", and said: "I think this film should be taken seriously." ”

Graham asked, "Ang Lee?" ”

David Fincher pondered.

Louise stood next to Martin: "Tell me about it." ”

"Spielberg has already won two Best Director statuettes, and it is very difficult to win again." Martin specifically mentioned one thing: "In recent years, Spielberg's films have attracted a lot of criticism, excessive sensationalism and templated production mode, resulting in his works being generally evaluated in the circle. ”

He thought for a while: "I've talked to him a few times, Spielberg's two best director statuettes are in hand, and he himself is not as urgent as the outside world sees, he belongs to winning the best again, and it doesn't matter if he doesn't get it, so it's hard to say how much resources DreamWorks will invest in the awards." ”

Graham said directly: "I'll talk to Spielberg when I have time." ”

David Fincher asked, "I remember Ang Lee won Best Director once?" ”

"Brokeback Mountain." Louise remembered one thing: "Some people think that Brokeback Mountain's loss to Crash in Best Picture had something to do with Martin chasing Heath Ledger. ”

Martin shrugged: "What does this have to do with me?" That guy knocked me a lot and almost knocked me off the set, and I can't get justice yet? ”

Several people laughed, and they still had an impression of what happened back then.

Martin Zheng'er said: "Don't underestimate Ang Lee, a "Brokeback Mountain", so that his favorability soars among some special groups in the circle, and it is easy to get tickets, you all know the situation in the circle, there are a lot of special people. ”

Louise continued: "Many people in the circle regard "Brokeback Mountain" winning the Oscar for Best Director as a turning point for the rainbow flag flying in Hollywood, and these people have a special recognition for Ang Lee. ”

Martin added: "Ang Lee won the Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director awards for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Brokeback Mountain", what does this mean? Not only is he not a layman, but he is also very familiar with the rules and rules, which should not be underestimated. ”

Graham thought back carefully and said: "Ang Lee won the first two awards, which is not something that ordinary people can do. ”

David Fincher also took it seriously and asked, "Is Life of Pi released?" ”

"Not yet." Louise said: "There was a test screening some time ago, and the distributor should be Universal Pictures. ”

Martin asked Graham, "Did you go to the test screening?" ”

Graham shook his head, picked up his phone and made a call, and after talking for a while before hanging up, he said: "A friend of the critics, he went to the test screening of that film, and said it was a visual spectacle, mixed with Ang Lee's philosophy of combining East and West. ”

He finally emphasized: "My friend asked several critics and columnists who went with him, and they all thought that the film was made quite well, and the quality was still above 'Brokeback Mountain'. ”

Martin said again: "Pay more attention to this film and the news from Ang Lee. ”

Louise nodded, "I will." ”

Graham added: "If the film is tested again, I will find a way to get a few invitations and go over and see it then." ”

David Fincher watched last year's Oscar contest throughout the whole process, and although he didn't know much about the situation inside, he also knew that winning the award was not only up to himself, but also how the opponent was, and said: "Remember to inform me. ”

The metal rod in Martin's hand pointed to Ang Lee's poster again: "Hurry up and collect relevant information, and wait for us to understand more details, and then make targeted arrangements." ”

The four-member meeting basically unified their views, and the main competitors for this year's Oscars were identified as Spielberg's "Lincoln" and Ang Lee's "Life of Pi".

After the meeting, Martin followed Louise to Pacific Pictures.

The two have to discuss the advancement of the next few films.

Pacific Pictures has been working with Warner Bros., and Louise has also invested in "The Dark Knight Rises."

Martin wants to promote the Joker's independent films, and Louise fully supports it, and will also put pressure on DC Pictures through her channels.

In addition, Louise is also pushing the script for "Split".

After Jonathan met with Billy Milligan several times, he went to Billy's hometown and the mental illness center where he was admitted and treated to collect information about Billy.

Back in Los Angeles, Jonathan closed his doors and began adapting the script.

This talented screenwriter, who is good at creating mentally unstable characters and plots, has planned ten months of creative time for himself.

Two days later, Kelly Gray traveled from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

Elizabeth accompanied Lily to the art show and went to Miami, where Martin stayed at Sherman Oaks Louise's house for two nights.

The three of them seemed to have gone back to five or six years ago, with no other thoughts in their heads, just enjoying the most primitive joys.

Rao is Martin's combat effectiveness is amazing, and he is still tossed by two prodigal goods.

Entering November, Martin temporarily put aside his work and concentrated on the filming of "La La Land".

This is his first attempt at a song and dance genre film, and it is a very novel test.

(End of chapter)