Chapter 340: Oscars

On March 20, the 66th Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Los Angeles Music Center, where the competition for various awards was exceptionally fierce.

Universal's In the Name of the Father won Best Picture, while Galaxy's Redemption won Best Director.

Tom Hanks from Philadelphia and Holly Hunter from The Piano won the Best Actor and Actress awards, respectively.

Tommy Lee Jones from The Fugitive and young actress Anna Paquin from The Piano won the Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards, respectively.

Farewell My Concubine won the Best Foreign Language Film award.

...

After the Oscars ceremony, Arthur also attended the large Oscar Night celebration jointly hosted by Premiere and Vanity Fair.

Since this event was held for the second time this year, the Oscar Night charity event was significantly grander and more lively!

Frank Darabont's Redemption narrowly missed out on Best Picture but won Best Director, which was still quite an achievement. "It's actually okay. The box office for Redemption was too low, and not many people saw it, leading to insufficient influence."

After two rounds of screenings, Redemption only raked in over $35 million at the box office. Given the current situation, Redemption was Galaxy's biggest loss to date!

Arthur smiled, patted Frank Darabont on the shoulder, "This movie is great. At least it won Best Director, which is a validation for you!"

There was nothing to be done. Redemption received much critical acclaim, but for the Academy voters, the film wasn't mainstream enough. It couldn't ignite Hollywood's vested interests' passion for jailbreaks.

If anything was unfortunate, it was that the director of The Piano faced similar restrictions due to being female. If it had been a male director, The Piano would undoubtedly have won Best Picture this year!

"Arthur, it's a bit unusual that the Best Picture tonight isn't from Galaxy," Winona Ryder said as she came up to Arthur after he finished chatting with Frank Darabont.

Arthur shook his head, "Galaxy has won for three consecutive years. What's there to get used to?"

The two then went to the hotel's balcony, leaning against a pillar. Arthur affectionately put his arm around Winona Ryder, "Is Little Women completely finished with filming?"

"Yeah, we'll see if there are any reshoots needed," Winona Ryder said as she kissed him.

On the other side, Castle Rock's Rob Reiner found Amy Pascal. Redemption was a co-production between them, and winning Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay was certainly worth celebrating!

"Amy, Sony has given a budget of over $60 million for Aaron Sorkin's script, The American President," Rob Reiner got down to business. "This time, Castle Rock will directly collaborate with Sony on this film."

"The American President, a political romance about the president, and Sony is offering a budget of over $60 million?" Amy Pascal's mouth dropped open in surprise. "No kidding?"

Rob Reiner shook his head. He would direct The American President himself. After all, his previous collaboration with Aaron Sorkin on the screenplay for A Few Good Men was highly successful.

Now, with The American President, another screenplay by Aaron Sorkin, it was only natural for him to direct again.

"Rob, the collaboration between Castle Rock and us at Galaxy has always been pleasant. Why not continue it?"

Amy Pascal knew about the distribution deal between Castle Rock and Sony Columbia, but Galaxy could also work with Rob Reiner. Castle Rock could serve as the second production company.

Rob Reiner smiled, "Amy, no director can refuse a large filming budget."

If Galaxy was prepared to provide a $60 million budget for The American President, Rob Reiner and Aaron Sorkin would undoubtedly choose Galaxy. After all, they had a longstanding relationship!

Amy Pascal couldn't argue. Providing a $60 million budget for The American President? Not only would it not get past Arthur, but she wouldn't agree to it either.

Moreover, Castle Rock's parent company was now TBS Broadcasting, which gave it some confidence in film production without entirely relying on the distributor's funds.

Meanwhile, Galaxy's other president, Tom Rothman, was chatting with director Mike Nichols.

Mike Nichols had previously won an Oscar for Best Director with The Graduate, and this time he produced the Best Picture nominee Shadowlands, a British film.

Tom Rothman asked, "Mike, does seeing Redemption tonight remind you of The Graduate back in the day?"

When Mike Nichols directed The Graduate, it also received many nominations and was highly regarded by many critics.

But in the end, The Graduate lost to In the Heat of the Night, winning only the Oscar for Best Director.

Mike Nichols smiled, "It's all in the past. Any of the nominated films tonight winning wouldn't be surprising. But I must admit, Galaxy's strength is indeed formidable."

Tom Rothman nodded in agreement, "Yes, I've just joined Galaxy, but I've learned quite a lot about it. Balancing commercial and artistic films is exceptional."

Back when he was with Samuel Goldwyn Films, the heavily promoted Much Ado About Nothing didn't even get a single Oscar nomination.

Galaxy, on the other hand, was an Oscar sensation, consistently snatching nominations and wins.

"I thought you'd join 20th Century Fox," Mike Nichols laughed. "But given Galaxy's current momentum, anything is possible!"

Tom Rothman clinked glasses with him, "Haha," joining Galaxy was eye-opening. He didn't expect Galaxy had quietly acquired Pixar, and its first 3D computer-animated film would be released next year.

Everyone knew that Disney was the absolute king of 2D hand-drawn animation, but Galaxy was now investing heavily in 3D computer animation. Arthur's ambition was evident.

The animation market mainly targeted families and children, who were the main consumers of merchandise. Galaxy's goal was clear: expand the supply chain for movie merchandise and consumer goods!

"Galaxy is too dazzling, and surely there will be many challenges ahead, right?" Mike Nichols finished his drink, reminding his friend.

Tom Rothman was unfazed, "But right now, it's not us at Galaxy who should be worried, but the other Hollywood studios.

Galaxy will become a colossal presence looming over other film companies!"

*****

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