Chapter 405: Mentioning My Name

The order of the Oscars is usually not announced to guests in advance, because until the very last moment before the ceremony begins, the order may be adjusted based on the situation of the guests or presenters.

Presenters are generally informed in advance of the approximate time slot they will take the 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 little more about it.

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

In other words, "The Fault in Our Stars" would likely not win Best Director.

"The Fault in Our Stars" had caused such a sensation before its release, and it was the last film produced under Tom Rothman's leadership before he was promoted from Columbia to Vice Chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide.

Given Tom Rothman's relationship with Oscar President Sid Ganis, it was impossible for such a sensational film to leave the Oscars empty-handed.

Then the answer was obvious: Best Picture!

Only Best Picture could make Tom Rothman's personal "achievements" stand out even more.

This point could also be seen from the order of the awards.

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 make it back to his seat after circling around from backstage.

Only by having two awards between Best Director and Best Picture could Cao Yang have enough 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, the media hyped it up every year, which actually led the three to maintain a good relationship in private, at least not the "bitter fighting" or "never speaking again" that the media described.

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

Moreover, just a few days ago at the Berlin Film Festival, Cao Yang had chatted with old Martin at a small gathering; old Martin seemed a bit down at the time, and he didn't know what it was about.

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

"Martin, seeing you smile so happily, I'm relieved. You didn't seem very happy in Berlin a few days ago, but fortunately, it's all 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 had said to make the little girl laugh like that.

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

For any major program, 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 communicate in advance, find one's own team to write the script, and after coordination and approval, use one's own script.

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

Of course, this applies to most guests.

For guests like old Martin and Cao Yang, it was much freer, and the time limit was not so strict.

They could improvise a bit on stage, and as long as they didn't go too far over time, the director wouldn't remind them.

An "old hand" with special status like old Martin wasn't nervous before going on stage, and even had the mood to flirt with the young and pretty staff member.

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

"I knew it..."

Cao Yang asked suspiciously: "What?"

"Nothing."

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

"Really?"

Cao Yang glanced at old Martin, but why did he always feel that he looked like someone who had seen it all 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 filming 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 laughed, imitated old Martin's shrug, spread his hands, and joked in a low voice with a smile:

"Perhaps it's because we are two people presenting the award, the Coen brothers happen to be two people, or perhaps 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 him for Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival, so how could the always-proud 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 was dumbfounded, but didn't dare to say a word.

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

Finally, the director's voice came through the earpiece, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said: "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 broke out, and after 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: "And you?"

Damn, old Martin, your words are a bit sharp; how am I supposed to respond to that.

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

The applause broke 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 was 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 off the crew by the producer.

In Hollywood, most directors' power is limited; the producer-centered system is no joke, unless one has proven oneself more than once in terms of awards and box office to have autonomy.

"The nominees for the 80th Academy Award for Best Director 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.