Just like most of the time in the past, the five films nominated for Best Picture can be considered low-cost films, but the difference is that these five films have completely different performances in the box office. The $14.52 million North American box office of "The Strange Things of Benjamin Button" alone exceeds the total box office of the other three films except "Weakness".

As for "Weakness", the cumulative box office of North America has reached US$285.76 million. Even if less than 300 theaters are still being screened in North America, the final box office of North America exceeds US$300 million is not a luxury.

However, the high box office of "Weakness" and "The Strange Things of Benjamin Button" is not helpful for the film's awards. Unless they can become "Titanic", they will still have the fate of being discriminated against by conservative judges when accepting the vote.

On February 22, the Kodak Theater at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Hollywood Avenue once again became the center of the world's film industry. The hustle and bustle, the glamorous and glamorous fame and fortune-maker - the Oscars [No][Wrong] ceremony kicked off again.

Although the financial crisis had an impact on Hollywood, the reaction to the Oscars was not seen as any difference from the past.

Perhaps behind some glamorous stars or studios has become debt black holes, and they still want to show their best side on the red carpet.

For example, Nicholas Cage, Sophia Coppola's cousin is like once. Because of financial management, brokers and accountants, he has been burdened with huge debts that he may not have paid off in his life. In recent years, even though he has starred in the "National Treasure" and "Ghost Rider" series that are sold by Disney in the past few years, he has not improved at all. Now he almost takes on film contracts, and he has already shown signs of a bad movie king.

The only improvement that Ryan's foundation is one of Cage's largest creditors. Even for the sake of Sofia Coppola and Francis Coppola, the foundation will not collect debts too much, and even reduce the interest on Cage's loans.

This also has benefits. The Italian Gang is also a major force in Hollywood. Regardless of whether Cage is an adult or has changed his surname, the Coppola family must bear this kind of goodwill to a certain extent.

Everyone is smart, and some things can reach a tacit understanding without having to be explained clearly.

For example, at the beginning of the awards season, Sofia Coppola took the initiative to call Italian judges, and they would inevitably be tilted when voting.

For the goals of this year and next year, Ryan can be said to have used most of the means that can be used within the rules.

The competition for Oscars canvassing is fierce, and even so, he is not absolutely sure.

He hurriedly walked past the red carpet, and Ryan did not enter the interview area at all. The live broadcaster's ABC TV station did not mean to disturb his boss, but instead focused his target on the most attractive female stars on the red carpet, especially the red carpet queen like Nicole.

"Hi, Stephen. Hi, George."

Entering the Kodak Theater, Ryan saw two familiar backs in front of him and hurriedly chased after him. The two were George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg.

The three of them greeted each other and walked into the VIP lounge next to them. There was still some time before the award ceremony began, and they sat together and started chatting.

"Ryan, you're so generous." George Lucas looked at Spielberg and joked. "Lucas Films has also had a difficult capital turnover recently. Can you continue to lend?"

"As long as you need it." Ryan naturally understood that this was a joke, and he shrugged. He said deliberately, "George, I heard you want to retire again. Since that's the case, just sell Lucasfilm."

"I did have such a thought." George Lucas seemed to be joking, "Do you want to take over?"

"As long as you are willing to sell."

After Ryan said that, all three of them laughed. No one would take such words seriously. Even if George Lucas had a good relationship with him, it involved billions of dollars in assets for sale. If someone offered a price more exciting than Disney, Lucas Pictures would not consider the cooperation between the two sides over the years.

Except for a small number of commercial blockbusters under Walt Disney, most of the special effects productions are outsourced to Industrial Light and Magic. From 2002 to the present, their cooperation has been very pleasant.

"Ryan, I haven't thanked you yet."

Spielberg, who hadn't spoken much, suddenly spoke, "I can't count how many times you have helped me."

"You have helped me a lot." Ryan gestured a little golden man, "So, Stephen, I'll ask you for the Oscar next year."

"Ryan, it's too difficult for you to do." George Lucas lowered his voice, "Don't forget that this is a completely male-dominated industry."

"So, I'll ask you," Ryan said slowly. "George, she's your student in director."

"Ryan, you seem to have forgotten." George Lucas laughed, "I'm not a member of the academy."

"Are the members of the academy important?" Ryan said with his hands spread out.

Yes, George Lucas has never been a member of the School of Film Arts and Sciences, but no one can deny his influence.

"I have always liked Nat very much and I am optimistic about Nat." George Lucas pinched his eyebrows, as if he was a little embarrassed, "She is a smart and ambitious girl..."

"George." Ryan gently tapped the armrest of the chair, "The feminist movement is becoming more and more prosperous. I believe that the first female best director will soon appear in the Academy's politically correct position, then..."

He didn't speak loudly, but his tone was very serious, "Why is this person not us Jews?"

George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg were silent at the same time. After half a minute, the two nodded slightly.

In fact, those who know something about Hollywood will understand that even if the circle is becoming more and more mixed, some privileges really only belong to the Jews.

After leaving the VIP lounge, Ryan walked into the main hall of the Kodak Theater, walked through the long aisle, and walked to the front two rows, where the crew of "Weakness" was located, and his seat was next to Nicole.

"Hey, dear."

After sitting down, he looked at Nicole and said, "You look so pretty."

"Thank you!" Nicole smiled reservedly.

She was wearing a moon-white shoulderless low-cut evening dress, dyed her long honey-gold hair, drooping on her white shoulders, and her neck was elegantly curved into a beautiful arc, as beautiful as the goddess of the moon came to the world.

"Where did you go just now?" Nicole asked.

"I met George and Stephen." Ryan looked back at the two big directors sitting together, "talk with them for a while."

"I seem to say thank you to Stephen himself."

As part of the top Hollywood circle, she knows a lot about things, “Anyway, he is trying his best to canvass for me.”

"I've told you." Ryan turned around and leaned into Nicole's ear, "Don't worry, although I can't see the final result, according to my people's statistics, you may win at least 70% of the awards."

Seventy percent can be said to be a very, very high chance. If Ryan only had public relations, it would be at most 40% to 50%. Now he has joined forces with the power of DreamWorks, Paramount and Walt Disney, and used off-trading tricks in advance to get rid of his biggest competitors. The possibility of Nicole winning the award is infinitely increasing.

Of course, these things can't be hidden from the crowd. His unfair friendship with Kate Winslet has disappeared from now on.

People came to say hello one after another, and Ryan and Nicole changed the topic.

"I heard that Kodak is in trouble."

With his eyes off Cate Blanchett, Nicole said to Ryan, "They haven't paid the title fee for the new period of Kodak Theater until now."

"The film has fallen." Ryan shook his head, "If Kodak does not transform, or the transformation fails, Kodak Theater will really change its name."

In his opinion, Kodak's decline was inevitable. Their largest film business was greatly impacted by digital technology. After losing the film market, their business volume in Hollywood, the largest film market, was also shrinking sharply.

Although many directors and producers are calling on the industry to pay attention to traditional film, technological progress and development will not stop because of this. Digital photography and digital screening have long occupied the mainstream of Hollywood.

If you don’t talk about other advantages of digital technology, just on the cost side, it will save a lot of expenses for producers and issuers.

The most typical example is that as the cost of copy production, the cost of printing a 35mm format film copy is about 800 to 1,000 US dollars. The main commercial films are about 3,500 theaters and screens with more than 8,000 yuan. The copy alone costs about 7 million US dollars. What about digital copies?

It's not even a tenth of this money.

With such a huge gap, there is no need to think about which Hollywood manufacturers will choose.

Kodak has missed the best opportunity to transform. They have neither advantages in digital technology nor face patent cages, so where can they easily turn over?

The sound of music on the stage interrupted Ryan's thoughts. The most eye-catching thing at this award ceremony was naturally the luxurious crystal waterfall composed of Swarovski. In addition, the seats of the front row nominations and award presenters were infinitely close to the stage, and even only a few steps away.

"Good evening, welcome to the annual Oscars, the biggest celebration in the film industry."

The one who came up from the backstage was Hugh Jackman. Although he was not a comedy, he was versatile and rarely got close to the next three routes. His singing and dancing with Anne Hathaway was also a highlight.

Hugh Jackman, who has appeared in opera many times, has a good singing voice.

"I'm a wrestler, I'm Harvey Milk, I've participated in "Millionaire", I've read "Weakness."

He stood on the wrestling stage, raised his hands, and finally sang, "I am Wolverine!" (To be continued...)
Chapter completed!