Hollywood Immortal

[T/N: I tried looking for free sources for these chapters but I couldn't find any. The chapters I am updating now are paid chapters from qidian.]

[Chapter 344: Oscar Campaign Strategy]

Before he knew it, January 14 had arrived. Tomorrow was the deadline for Oscar submissions.

Pulp Fiction was still carefully controlling its screening scale. Although it had expanded slightly, even in its third week it did not exceed 100 theaters. On the other hand, the film's reputation was exceptional, and critics were singing its praises.

The excellent word of mouth paired with limited screening availability created a stark contrast, drawing audiences flocking to see the film. Peak showings often sold out, with average weekly box office revenue reaching an astonishing $40,000 per theater.

---

After wrapping up the day's shoot, Linton hurriedly left Universal Studios and returned to his company. He convened Robert, Harvey, and Klinsmann to discuss strategies for the Oscar campaign.

Linton Films had box office success, profits, and fame, but it lacked was authoritative awards.

Riding the major success of The Man from Nowhere, the company felt it was time to show its strength during the awards season.

According to Oscar submission rules, the distributor is the primary party responsible for submitting a film.

Besides Pulp Fiction, Get Out also posed serious competition, with The Fault in Our Stars having a slim chance.

As for The Rock, it was distributed by Universal Studios; they would handle their own submission. That film was pure popcorn entertainment - major awards weren't in consideration, only some technical categories like Best Cinematography or Best Visual Effects at best.

The Man from Nowhere, which was still wildly popular in theaters, had no chance of winning any awards. The only possible recognition might be for Best Stunt Coordination or Best Action Effects, but neither the Oscars nor the Golden Globes offered such categories.

Linton decisively rejected submitting The Man from Nowhere.

The distribution department suggested submitting all three films but focusing the campaign on select award categories to balance success chances and campaign costs.

Pulp Fiction, having won the Palme d'Or, had tremendous momentum. Both audience and critical reception were highly favorable. Everyone pinned big hopes on its chances at the Oscars.

The plan was to aggressively campaign for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress (Winona, though a lead, had insufficient screen time to qualify beyond supporting actress).

Of course, winning all five was unlikely, but securing nominations seemed manageable. The real focus was on snagging Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

Get Out aimed for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress nominations.

The Fault in Our Stars targeted Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film was touching, but Freddie Prinze Jr. and Charlize Theron's performances weren't quite award-worthy.

These films would also be simultaneously submitted for the Golden Globes.

---

Linton approved the distribution department's recommendations but added two more campaign targets: Sophie Marceau for Best Actress and Winona Ryder for Best Supporting Actress.

"Boss, it's not a problem for the two of them to get an Oscar nomination," Harvey said hesitantly, "but it will be very difficult for them to actually win the award."

"If it wasn't difficult, why do you think I'd need you to campaign so hard? I don't want to hear about difficulties -- I only want results," Linton said, showing no mercy.

Harvey, an expert in this arena, presented a complete plan.

---

Simply put, it involved four steps.

First, there were over 5,000 Oscar voters, and although the list was supposed to be confidential, Harvey had already obtained detailed lists and addresses of more than 3,800 members.

Step one was to send each of these voters a package containing videotapes of the three films, a $100 Parker pen, and a heartfelt recommendation letter.

The letter wouldn't directly ask for votes but earnestly praised the unique highlights of each film. After viewing, voters would understand the implied request.

Step two involved spending extensively on advertising in key media outlets focusing on Oscar voters, employing film critics to analyze the strengths of these films from various angles.

Step three was to host numerous parties under various pretexts, inviting influential opinion leaders among Oscar voters for on-site campaigning.

Harvey mostly took on the organizer role. The stars benefiting from the awards took center stage at these events.

Harvey planned to hold 48 parties over the next month -- that averaged about 1.6 events daily.

Linton was scheduled to attend one party targeting the alumni of the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, a significant voting bloc with nearly 200 Oscar members.

Step four involved smearing key competitors to weaken their chances and ultimately knock them out of contention. Among their main rival targets was Robert Zemeckis, director of Forrest Gump.

At this time, the Oscar voting process hadn't become fully commercialized nor corrupted like it later would under figures like Harvey. The process remained mostly objective and fair.

Campaign tactics typically involved soliciting favorable press, placing ads in media, and holding a few parties inviting influential Oscar voters. Nothing more elaborate than this.

Seeing Harvey's campaign plan, Linton couldn't help but admire it. No wonder Harvey's success rate was so high -- it basically outclassed other rivals.

The Golden Globes campaign was simpler. With only 96 voters, Harvey planned to rent a large yacht and host all voters for a decisive sea party -- simple, direct, and efficient.

The campaign budget was substantial, about $8 million.

---

"Boss, if we go full force for Sophie Marceau as Best Actress and Winona as Best Supporting Actress, we'll need to increase the budget by another $2 million."

"That makes it $10 million total, right? No problem -- if the job's done well, that money's well spent."

"Actually, not all of it comes from the company. By Hollywood custom, the directors or actors competing individually for nominations chip in $500,000 each, and for those advancing to final award contention, an additional $500,000. This cuts our company's actual spending down to $6 million."

"Are they willing to pay?"

"They're willing. They're very willing. You know, it's the Oscars -- the payoff is massive once they win, even nominated."

"Okay, let's do it your way. You have full responsibility for this campaign. I only care about results. If all the awards are achieved, I'll give you an extra $1 million bonus."

"Thank you, boss. Just wait for the good news." Boosted by Linton's promise, Harvey felt pumped and ready to work harder than ever.

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.