hollywood melon man

Chapter 161 The Weinstein Brothers’ Oscar Strategy
Although the internal struggle at Disney was quite fierce, it did not affect the production of films by Gilbert Jr.

To this day, it is a matter of course that little Gilbert has the highest authority, including final editing rights. Therefore, he can make movies the way he wants without any constraints.

Of course, this is also because the three major investors of the film trust little Gilbert and believe that little Gilbert will not stand out and produce a film that deviates from the mainstream. This is inevitable.

Any director who is not serious and likes to make special things will not make a film that deviates from the mainstream if he directs a film with a production cost of 80 million US dollars, let alone a mainstream commercial film director like Gilbert Jr.

Of course, it’s not like there aren’t those weird people who, after getting the opportunity to direct commercial films, suddenly want to create some non-mainstream elements.

These directors often quickly lose the trust of film companies after one or two films, and then disappear from Hollywood.

Although "Saving Private Ryan" is a commercial blockbuster, it is not a summer popcorn movie like "The Island".

How to balance the business and the spirit of the film has become a key.

The vast majority of summer viewers go to movie theaters not to think about the meaning of salvation or explore the purpose of life, but to have fun.

It can be said that watching movies is a process of finding happiness.

Once a film makes movie fans feel pain, no matter how well the film is shot, it will not be a big hit at the box office.

Therefore, happiness is a very important element in the summer season, and enjoyable films can always succeed in the summer season.

It is very difficult to educate people or tell people a truth through a movie.

But if the audience can have some thoughts while enjoying it through a pleasant way of watching the movie, then this movie will be a very good movie.

Michael Ovitz was quite excited after getting the opportunity to be in charge of Disneyland Paris from the board of directors.

He believed this was an opportunity to consolidate his power, so he actively contacted the Paris City Hall and the French Ministry of Culture.

I heard that Little Gilbert is quite well-known in France. French movie fans like Little Gilbert's movies very much. Michael Ovitz used Little Gilbert's name to get close to the French.

If little Gilbert hadn't been busy with the post-production of "Saving Private Ryan," Michael Ovitz would have thought of inviting little Gilbert to go to France with him.

But even so, after hearing that little Gilbert had a close relationship with Sophie Marceau, Michael Ovitz simply invited this French rose to be the image spokesperson of Disneyland Paris.

I have to say that Michael Ovitz still has certain abilities when it comes to marketing.

But Michael Ovitz forgot that the proud Gallic Rooster did not buy it. Even if Sophie Marceau served as the image spokesperson of Disneyland Paris, there were still few signs of improvement.

In fact, except for the French, because of the establishment of the European Union in 1993, regional restrictions among European countries are no longer so obvious.

French locals don't buy it, but people from other EU countries still like to go to Disneyland Paris to have fun.

Therefore, the opening period of Disneyland Paris was quite good, with no shortage of tourists.

The real resistance is the French government’s restrictions on Disneyland Paris.

The Gallic Rooster is dissatisfied with the United States' control of the European order, so the stingy French dare not quarrel with the United States in big things, but they will always embarrass the Americans in small things.

In addition, the most important peripheral business of Disneyland, the Disney Merchant Town, has not been handed over.

Michael Ovitz didn't understand that it was never Disneyland that made the money, but the Disneyland town.

This is a little trap set by Michael Eisner. His weak performance on the board of directors is to retreat in order to dig a hole for Michael Ovitz.

The struggle between Disney executives is felt by almost everyone in Hollywood.

It seems that every company and every giant has its moments of internal strife, and whenever there is internal strife, the company is at a period of low performance.

So other Hollywood giants are waiting to see if there is an opportunity to bite a piece of meat from Disney.

But the reason why a giant is a giant is because even in times of internal strife, its company's business can continue as usual. Companies whose performance has been severely affected by infighting have long since been eliminated.

Needless to say, animated films have always been a strong area for Disney. When it comes to live-action films, Disney is all about little Gilbert.

During post-production, Gilbert Jr. also met the famous Harvey Weinstein.

When this big fat man saw little Gilbert, a top-notch director in Hollywood, the arrogance on his face remained unabated.

"You know? Little Gilbert, I originally wanted to invite Naomi Watts to star in "The English Patient," but I heard that you blocked it." Harvey Weinstein seemed to be expressing dissatisfaction.

Little Gilbert glanced at him and then said: "I didn't stop her from taking the role, I just gave her some suggestions. Her choice not to take it is her own decision."

"You are trying to prevent her from getting an Oscar. You and I both know that she is an excellent actor."

As Harvey Weinstein spoke, he came closer and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "The English Patient is targeting the Oscars next year. I heard that your film is also targeting the Oscars. Do you want me to help you with public relations?" ?”

"Thank you for your kindness, Harvey." Little Gilbert flatly refused: "But I think the public relations team is already good enough and does not need your help."

"Really?" Harvey Weinstein returned to his arrogant look: "If you don't cooperate with me, little Gilbert, it won't be that easy for you to get an Oscar."

After saying that, he ignored little Gilbert's reaction and left directly.

Harvey Weinstein's words made little Gilbert think. In fact, little Gilbert had no expectations of whether he could win an Oscar. His goal from beginning to end was just to get a nomination.

If the film can win Best Picture and be nominated for Best Director, Best Actor and other awards, it will be considered a great success.

Little Gilbert watched the movie "The English Patient" when it was being screened at the film school in his previous life, and learned some of its history.

In terms of excitement and beauty, "The English Patient" is definitely not as exciting as "Saving Private Ryan", but at least it is worse than "Shakespeare in Love".

In the previous life, "Saving Private Ryan" could lose to "Shakespeare in Love", so it is not surprising that it lost to "The English Patient". Among them, Harvey Weinstein is indispensable. Starting from the founding of Miramax Pictures, Harvey Weinstein made people see the power of Oscar public relations experts.

Films invested and distributed by Miramax are often regular recipients of Oscar awards.

It is also because Miramax Pictures is a shortcut to Oscars. Many stars treat Harvey Weinstein as a guest, and there are even some secret deals.

Miramax Pictures spends hundreds or even tens of millions of dollars on Oscar publicity every year, raising the cost of winning Oscar awards by several levels.

Later, Miramax Pictures was acquired by Disney and became a subsidiary responsible for independent film production and distribution, which was clearly distinguished from Touchstone Pictures.

It seems that at next year's Oscars, films from two subsidiaries of the same group will compete on the same stage at the Oscars.

Since the original condition for agreeing to the acquisition was that Disney would not interfere with the internal operations of Miramax, it is very likely that Harvey Weinstein would not be influenced by Disney, would not accept concessions, and would give it his all at the Oscars.

For Miramax Pictures, Oscars are everything, but for "Saving Private Ryan", there are no Oscars and there is still a summer market.

Harvey Weinstein is very concerned about "Saving Private Ryan", but unfortunately, he can't reach out to the "Saving Private Ryan" project, so he has to use other methods to understand the quality of the film.

Fortunately, as has been the norm in recent years, trailers for Little Gilbert's films will be released at the Super Bowl halftime show, so Harvey Weinstein can get a glimpse of his true appearance.

"Harvey, do we really want to fight in the ring with little Gilbert? I heard that little Gilbert was so cruel that he put Mel Gibson in jail. It's better that we don't offend him." Bob Weinstein compared Worry.

Harvey Weinstein, however, was full of confidence: "Don't worry Bob, little Gilbert is a man who plays by the rules of the game. Mel Gibson broke the rules of the game, so he paid the price, but I won't."

Bob Weinstein is still worried: “After all, we are still under Disney and belong to the same group as Little Gilbert.

It would be very detrimental to us if Disney executives were dissatisfied. "

Harvey Weinstein is still very confident: "Little Gilbert is important to Disney, and we are equally important to Disney. Michael Eisner treats us as a trump card, a secret trump card."

Nowadays, there are ongoing disputes within Disney. The Harvey Weinstein brothers certainly side with Michael Eisner and believe that Michael Eisner is still the ultimate winner.

The executives of Disney's subsidiaries seem to be choosing a camp. At this critical period, the choice is crucial.

Harvey Weinstein analyzed to his brother: "Michael Eisner gave little Gilbert several hints to come forward and publicly support him, but little Gilbert ignored them.

With Michael Eisner's personality, even if he still supports little Gilbert, he no longer has the trust he once had.

I also heard that Michael Eisner also wanted Gilbert Jr. to change his production style and make films more in line with Disney's mission, but Gilbert Jr. didn't agree. "

"You mean, kick little Gilbert out of Disney?"

“No,” Harvey Weinstein said, “Disney is not giving up on its live-action franchise, and Robert Iger will remind Michael Eisner.

We just need to use this to achieve our goals. "

There is one thing Harvey Weinstein didn't say. If Michael Ovitz can become the president of Disney, why can't he?
Being the CEO of an independent film studio is certainly not as enjoyable as being the president of Disney, which is one of the most powerful positions in Hollywood.

Harvey Weinstein became excited when he thought about the scenes of beautiful actresses fawning over him after he became the president of Disney, and a perverted smile appeared on his face.

But ideas are ideas, and the road still has to be walked step by step.

The Super Bowl is a regular carnival day in North America every year. Even if they are not interested in the sports of the Super Bowl, many people will choose to sit in front of the TV and watch the Super Bowl commercials and halftime show.

Just like Chinese audiences watch the Spring Festival Gala every New Year's Eve, this is not only because the Spring Festival Gala is beautiful and interesting and has a strong festive atmosphere, but also because it has become a habit.

Of course, Harvey Weinstein also watched the Super Bowl. He was not interested in American football. When the halftime commercial time was almost over, Harvey Weinstein switched to ABC TV to watch the commercials.

As the opening blockbuster of the summer season, "Saving Private Ryan" has already prepared a trailer, and a thirty-second trailer was released in the midfield commercial show.

The short thirty-second trailer contains no unnecessary nonsense and only shows the scene of landing on the beach. As soon as the landing craft opened, the soldiers who rushed out were knocked down like wheat.

In the scene of blood and flesh flying everywhere, you can also see soldiers dragging their intestines forward. One second they were sighing about their luck, and the next second they were shot to death by bullets.

This trailer is exciting and exciting enough.

The explosion scenes are still the specialty of Little Gilbert, but comparing with past films, you will find that compared to the exaggerated style of "The Island", "Saving Private Ryan" has a realistic shooting technique.

Harvey Weinstein discovered that in the film "Saving Private Ryan", Gilbert Jr. abandoned his past style.

The characters in the film have no protagonist aura, there are no short shots with quick cuts, and there are very few picturesque wide-angle shots.

Even the character played by Tom Hanks seemed so insignificant in this landing battle.

"This is a very high-quality film. It is different from the style of Little Gilbert's past films. It is not a refreshing popcorn movie." Harvey Weinstein made a judgment.

He and Bob Weinstein said: "I have said before that if Gilbert Jr. maintains his past style, he can only be a first-rate popcorn commercial film director.

Audiences will quickly tire of his style and prefer other directors.

But now it seems that Gilbert Jr.'s production style has changed, which has given him the opportunity to move to a higher level. "

Bob Weinstein expressed his doubts: "Judging from the trailer, the bloody war scenes shown in the film are very realistic and will be a style that Oscar judges will like.

As long as the literary and dramatic aspects remain up to par, this movie looks like it has a lot to offer. Can we compete with "The English Patient" and "Saving Private Ryan"? "

"Don't worry, Bob, this is the importance of our work." Harvey Weinstein looked at the Disney headquarters building and whispered: "Now we need to get the opportunity for internal test screenings to formulate targeted strategies. "

(End of this chapter)