Made in Hollywood

It was said to be moving, but in fact there were not many things, mainly books and materials. It only took half a day on Saturday, and with the help of Sophia and Tina Fei, Duke managed it easily. Early on Sunday morning, Nancy The contacted party company drove into the manor and started busy arranging the garden for the evening party.

According to Duke's vision, he only planned to invite members of his team and a few good friends to the party, but was opposed by Nancy Josephson and the new publicist Penny Kelly.

"In Hollywood, you know the importance of relationships." Nancy Josephson advised him at the time. "You've been so focused on work in the past that you haven't held any formal social parties. This is an opportunity!"

Although like all the PR and agents in Hollywood, Penny Kelly agreed with Nancy, "Duke, you are not a new director, you are now a big man in Hollywood! The power of equal dialogue between people! If you want to maintain long-term success like Spielberg, you must take care of your relationship network. Hollywood is the first interest, but the human relationship within the rules can sometimes play an unexpected role!"

Although he knew that there was another director who could crush the world with his work alone, Duke knew he would not go that way. After all, there was only one James Cameron in the world.

As a result, the originally private carnival party has turned into a very commercial social party.

This is not just Duke's problem. Panney Kelly and Nancy Josephson also brought their assistants to the manor. Since "Independence Day", the entire Hollywood has formed a consensus that Duke is a box office hit. machine, they all attach great importance to this big gold master customer.

To put it bluntly, Duke can not only bring them financial benefits, just like Spielberg did to CAA, with a super director under his banner, he can easily pull in more business.

Compared to Nancy Josephson, Panney Kelly was like a working machine. Not only did he stand by Duke's side to explain the issues that should be paid attention to when entertaining, but even his new assistant Tina Fey was not spared.

Penny Kelly gave Tina Fey a half-foot-thick stack of documents, full of photos and general introductions of Hollywood stars, celebrities and powerful figures.

"This book, you have to remember their appearance, name and occupation! This book, not only appearance and name, but also hobbies and topics they like to talk about, and what they hate..."

Standing in front of Tina Fey, Panney Kelly was like the harshest teacher, "Duke's main focus will be on film, and you, as an assistant, must stand by his side, always reminding what you're encountering. Man, how should we entertain!"

Not just for the party today, it's for preparation for the future.

Duke also looked through the information brought by Panney Kelly just now. Most of the people who could be included in the key list were the top executives of the film company, the editors and executives of large media, and the members in the core position of the academy.

"Duke, I've seen the guest list."

After instructing Tina Fey, Panney Kelly walked over to Duke, who was sitting on the sofa, "No one on the list you invited is a core member of the academy, this pair..."

"Penny, take a rest first." Duke gestured to her to sit down, then waved to the maid behind, who immediately came over with a coffee pot, waiting for her to pour it for Penny Kelly Over a cup of coffee, he continued, "I neither know them nor have a common language with them."

Penny Kelly stared at Duke for a while, "Aren't you interested in Chong Ao?"

"Everyone likes the Oscar statuette." Duke shrugged, "If I don't want to win the best director, it must be false, but if it takes me a lot of time and energy to go to the Olympics, I have to try to please them. To make a movie that suits their taste, but I hate it very much, then I don't think the best director statue is worthy of me doing that!"

"So the impact on Oscar is not in your plan for the time being?"

Hearing the question of public relations, Duke nodded directly and said without any concealment, "Pani, I talked to you about my plan, I will indeed change the style, but the change is to meet the needs of the market and avoid the audience. Aesthetic fatigue, not for the Oscars."

"Of course, if the academy would give me the best director, I would be very grateful, and if it doesn't, it's no big deal."

"Based on your age and qualifications, you still have such a rapid rise," Panney Kelly said before drinking his coffee cup, "If there is no public relations and no behind-the-scenes operations, do you think you can get that golden statuette? "

"So, there is no need to pay too much attention to Oscar." Duke spread his hands, "I prefer to use the box office and commercial achievements to speak."

Panney Kelly nodded, understood the employer's mentality, stood up and walked aside, thinking about what she should do. Of course, she would not give up persuading Duke to hit the Oscars, because awards season is often the bulk of public relations revenue.

The sun is gradually turning to the west, and the garden outside has a new look. In addition to a few long dining tables in the center, many oak tables and chairs are also set up on the periphery. A lot of food and drinks are also ready, and the waiters of the party company have been shuttled in the early stage. Among the dozens of guests who came over.

When it was originally planned to hold a carnival party, Duke also asked the party company to contact several companies that provide professional models, but now it has become a high-end social party, and naturally it has been cancelled.

Besides, like all parties held by major Hollywood directors or film company executives, there must be many women who will find ways to come in, and those who like to hunt for beauty will definitely not lack goals.

As the sun is getting lower and lower, people have walked into the manor one after another. Although it is not comparable to the award ceremony of well-known awards, it is not lacking in famous Hollywood stars.

Because of "Brave to the Dead Island", Nicolas Cage and Christopher Lee, who were popular all over the United States, came one after another.

A number of leading actors in "Independence Day" also followed.

After the divorce, Uma Thurman greeted Duke warmly with her new love.

Not to mention the actors who basically did not have many conflicts during the cooperation, even Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp, two famous Hollywood ex-boys, were also happy to come.

"Duke, I've been meaning to say sorry to you, but I haven't had the right opportunity."

Standing at the entrance to the garden, Keanu Reeves, who was opposite Duke, was less bohemian and cynical, and his temperament became much calmer. I said a lot of things that shouldn't be said, did a lot of things that shouldn't be done, and ignored that you were actually helping me, I solemnly apologize to you."

At this time, Keanu Reeves already had a few temperaments in Duke's memory. Of course, this has something to do with the status gap between the two sides. As long as he is not an idiot, no actor will be with a top director unless it is necessary. Deliberate confrontation.

This has something to do with how the death of River Phoenix touched him, as well as his growing age and experience, and the lack of any progress in his career after "Speed ​​of Life".

The reality is that several years have passed since "Speed ​​of Life and Death", and Keanu Reeves is still living his life.

The status of the two sides is completely unequal, and Duke will not care about these old events. He patted Keanu Reeves on the arm lightly, "It's all in the past, and you are welcome to come as guests."

"Hi, Duke."

When Keanu Reeves was over about this past, Johnny Depp came over to shake hands with Duke, "It's been a while since I've been back in Los Angeles? Why don't you come to see me."

He leaned closer, "Viper Bar is a place that many actresses like to go to."

"After this time," Duke laughed, "I'll definitely go check it out."

Asked to bring Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp into the garden, Duke did not wait a few minutes before Tom Hanks and his wife came over under the guidance of the waiter.

"This is your new house?" Tom Hanks came over and hugged him directly, "Very good, I've always wanted to buy a house in Malibu, but it's not very convenient recently. If "Saving Private Ryan" If we can sell it, maybe we can be neighbors.”

After greeting Rita Wilson, Duke laughed. "I don't want to be your neighbor, Tom."

"Why?" Tom Hanks asked.

"You're going to be an Oscar winner again, let me think..." Duke mused, then said, "This should be the second person in Hollywood history to do it, think about it, Tom! Yours! In the future, I will be surrounded by paparazzi, and I don’t want to suffer together when I think of it.”

"It's still unknown." Tom Hanks shrugged. "Any changes are possible before the final result."

"By the way, Duke." He looked straight, no longer in a joking tone, and said solemnly, "Ino got the exact news, there are many people who want to force the Golden Raspberry Award to you."

"Whatever they are." Duke understands who "many people" are and doesn't care at all. "I don't need their approval for my film."

"Don't ignore the negative effects that raspberries can have."

Maybe it's because the crew gets along well, Tom Hanks reminded, "It can lower the expectations of many audiences for the winner's new work."

"I see!" Duke said, nodding. "Thank you, Tom."

Watching Tom Hanks walk away, Duke actually knew very well that, judging from the intensity of the public opinion war last summer and his overwhelming victory, a professional film critic with huge influence and a certain right to speak during the awards season People will definitely not let him and "Independence Day", and the worst director of Golden Raspberry is almost what he has in his pocket.

Known as the most authoritative Oscar in the circle, he is likely to win a golden raspberry award first.

Maybe you can go to the scene to receive the award? This very boring thought popped out of Duke's mind.