Chapter 405

The order of the Oscar awards is usually not disclosed to guests in advance, because until the very moment the Oscar ceremony begins, the order may be adjusted based on the situation of the guests or presenters.

Presenters are generally notified in advance of roughly what time slot they will be going on stage.

When Cao Yang was informed that this year's Best Director would be presented before Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Actor, he couldn't help but think a bit more about it.

*The Fault in Our Stars* is a project led by Cao Yang as producer and screenwriter, and this film is nominated for Best Director. As a last-minute addition to the presenters this year, he likely wouldn't be presenting an award to a project he led himself.

In other words, *The Fault in Our Stars* will likely not win Best Director.

*The Fault in Our Stars* caused such a huge sensation before its release, and it was the last film produced under the leadership of Tang Mu Rothman before he was promoted from Columbia to Global Vice President of Sony Pictures.

Given Tang Mu Rothman's relationship with Oscar President Sid Ganis, it is impossible to let such a sensational film leave the Oscars empty-handed.

Then the answer is obvious: Best Picture!

Only Best Picture can make Tang Mu Rothman's personal "achievements" more prominent.

This point can also be seen from the clues in the presentation order.

If Best Director were still presented before Best Picture as is usually the case, as the presenter for Best Director, it would be impossible for Cao Yang to have enough time to go around from backstage and run back to his seat.

Only by having two awards between Best Director and Best Picture can Cao Yang have more time to return to his seat from backstage.

Backstage, Cao Yang met his old friend Martin Scorsese.

For the previous several consecutive Oscars, it had been a "battle" between Cao Yang, Martin Scorsese, and Eastwood.

At the time, it was hyped up by the media every year, which also kept the three of them in a decent relationship privately, at least not the "fighting" or "never seeing each other again" that the media described.

Last year, Cao Yang and old Martin even "encircled" Eastwood with great "tacit understanding."

And just a few days ago at the Berlin Film Festival, Cao Yang also chatted with old Martin in a small circle gathering. At that time, old Martin seemed a bit dejected, and he didn't know what was going on.

What a good person Cao Yang is; as soon as he saw old Martin, he first gave him a big hug.

"Martin, seeing you smile so happily, I feel relieved. You didn't seem very happy in Berlin a few days ago. Fortunately, everything is in the past."

Old Martin was whispering and laughing with an Oscar staff member backstage. Well, the staff member was a pretty girl who looked very young and full of youthful vitality.

It was mainly old Martin doing the talking and the girl doing the "giggling." He didn't know what old Martin said to make the little girl laugh like that.

Generally speaking, when presenters are waiting backstage to go on stage, most are very nervous, and almost everyone at this time is silently memorizing their lines in their hearts, thinking about how to deliver them better later—

For all major programs, presenters and performers have fixed time limits.

Presenters also have fixed scripts. The humorous or teasing remarks the audience sees are mostly not improvised, but pre-written presentation speeches.

If one has enough fame and reaches a certain status, one can also communicate in advance, find one's own team to write the script, and after coordination and agreement, use one's own script.

However, the time is fixed and cannot exceed the time given by the organizers.

Of course, this is for most guests.

For example, guests like old Martin and Cao Yang are much freer, and the time limit is not that strict.

They can improvise a bit on stage, and as long as they don't go too far over time, the director won't remind them.

An "old fox" with special status like old Martin is not nervous before going on stage, and even has the mood to tease the young and pretty staff member.

However, when Cao Yang appeared, old Martin's face instantly fell, he muttered an internationally common greeting, and then said softly:

"I knew it..."

Cao Yang asked suspiciously: "What?"

"Nothing."

Old Martin opened his mouth and said: "I said, I am very happy to be able to present this award with you."

"Is that so?"

Cao Yang glanced at old Martin, but why did he always feel that he looked like someone who had experienced all the vicissitudes of life and had no desire for life.

"Who do you think can win Best Director?"

Old Martin changed the subject and asked casually.

Cao Yang thought for a moment and said: "Probably the Coen brothers."

"Why?"

Old Martin asked with some confusion: "Why not *There Will Be Blood*? I actually think the shooting technique of *There Will Be Blood* is more interesting.

I admit the Coen brothers' *No Country for Old Men* is okay, and that novel is also good, but this is Best Director, not a screenplay award or Best Picture."

Cao Yang smiled, imitating old Martin's shoulder-shrugging, spread his hands, and teased in a low voice:

"Perhaps it's because we are two people presenting the award, the Coen brothers happen to be two people, or perhaps it's because at the recently concluded Berlin Film Festival, *There Will Be Blood* lost to me in the competition for Best Director."

Cao Yang was joking.

His underlying meaning was that *There Will Be Blood* lost to me for Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival; how could the always arrogant Oscars give Best Director to a "loser"?

Unexpectedly, old Martin thought for a moment and actually nodded very seriously.

"What you said also makes sense."

The two talked freely, and the Oscar staff member next to them listened in a daze, but didn't dare to say a word.

It was fine for Cao Yang and old Martin to discuss and complain about the Oscars, but if she dared to interrupt, this job would be in jeopardy.

Finally, the director's voice came through the headset, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief and said hurriedly: "Two gentlemen, prepare to go on stage."

"A director is very important in a film; they are one of the soul figures of the film."

After the two went on stage, applause rang out loudly. When the applause stopped, Cao Yang spoke first.

"Director Cao Yang is right, especially for the films I direct; I can make anyone who hinders my creation get out, in the name of film."

Old Martin interjected: "What about you?"

Damn, old Martin, your words are a bit sharp; how do you expect me to respond?

Cao Yang looked up at the audience and said: "I can let anyone who is beneficial to my creation come in, in the name of film."

The applause rang out again.

Old Martin also laughed along and said: "So, those directors with ideas, stick to your ideas; perhaps one day, you will also stand here, either as a presenter or as a winner."

This counts as a very good blessing; presenters are generally the winners of the previous year's Best Director, and the winners go without saying.

However, if a director who hasn't made a name for themselves really listens to old Martin's words, the likely outcome in Hollywood is being kicked out of the crew by the producer.

In Hollywood, the power of most directors is limited. The producer-centered system is not a joke, unless one has proven oneself more than once in awards and box office to have autonomy.

"The nominees for Best Director at the 80th Academy Awards are..."

The big screen began to play the five nominated films, and finally, the five directors were displayed on the big screen at the right time.