NABC Chapter 79 The Wind Begins to Change
Chapter 79 The Wind Begins to Change
In late August, the entire Hollywood entertainment media was completely ignited by this wave of enthusiasm.
Matthew McConaughey's name swept across North American entertainment pages almost like a virus.
"Former sex symbol suspected of drug overdose," "Mental breakdown," "Career on the verge of collapse"...
Sensational headlines were being thrown around like they were free.
Although the internet has begun to rise, traditional print media still wields enormous influence.
Once a celebrity is targeted by a group of people, public opinion can completely condemn them to the status of "out-of-control artist" within just two or three days.
At his Malibu seaside villa, Brian tore the newly delivered newspapers to shreds, finally unable to resist:
"Paramount even reassessed your insurance rating this morning! If this continues, you'll be placed on their high-risk actor list!"
Insurance ratings are a very real part of the Hollywood production system. Once an actor is identified as having drug, mental, or health risks, the insurance company will increase the premium.
What production companies hate most is this kind of uncontrollable actor.
Because nobody wants to take on a project worth tens or hundreds of millions of dollars and gamble on a madman who might overdose on drugs and go into shock in his trailer on set at any moment.
But Matthew, sitting on the sofa, simply kept his head down, quietly flipping through a thin script.
He is deliberately destroying the commercial star image he has built up over the past decade. This is not so-called dedication to art; it is a true gamble.
Meanwhile, within Searchlight Pictures, discussions about "Dallas Buyers Club" were gradually heating up.
In Pete Rice's office, his assistant had just placed the latest round of media trend statistics on the table, with industry predictions for "Brokeback Mountain" taking up a full three pages.
"Focus Media has really gone mad this time," the distribution manager next to me couldn't help but exclaim.
"They poured almost all their resources into the second half of the year, not only organizing private screenings for film critics in 30 core cities in North America, but also bribing a large number of columns in major newspapers in New York and Los Angeles."
Pitt leaned back in his large executive chair, his hands clasped together and resting on his chin. His shrewd eyes, typical of Jewish filmmakers, were constantly flashing with thoughtful intent.
He didn't say anything, but he knew better than anyone that the trend in the art film market was never random, but rather the result of the combined operation of capital and political correctness.
In 2005, the conservative policies of the George W. Bush administration were provoking a strong backlash from liberal intellectuals in the United States. Hollywood, as the stronghold of democratic liberals, urgently needed a work with sufficient rebelliousness and concern for marginalized groups as an outlet for their pent-up emotions and to boost its approval ratings.
Because the three major European film festivals are essentially the conductors of global film art trends.
Venice, in particular, had a far greater influence on the Oscars than outsiders imagined, before it was completely replaced by the Toronto International Film Festival as a precursor.
Focus Features recognized this and chose to send "Brokeback Mountain" to Venice.
If Brokeback Mountain does win the Golden Lion, the entire industry's attitude towards marginalized themes like LGBTQ+ issues will change instantly.
Thinking of this, Pete suddenly opened a drawer and took out a project proposal that he had shelved for almost half a month. This was a script that had almost stepped on all the risk control minefields of major film studios.
Three months ago, any mainstream Hollywood producer who saw this topic would have thrown it into the shredder without hesitation.
But if the winds change, those risks could instantly turn into prize money.
He vaguely realized that the young Chinese director might have seen the trend earlier than anyone else.
"Pete, this is the latest trending topic on the internet that just came from Yahoo Entertainment and TMZ this morning."
The assistant noticed the change in the boss's expression and immediately handed him a printed screenshot of an online message board.
The screenshots are filled with vicious attacks and sensational discussions about Matthew McConaughey's dramatic weight loss and suspected drug overdose, with the accompanying traffic trending chart showing a shockingly steep red line.
"Both Columbia and Paramount are downgrading his rating, and there are even rumors that William Morris Agency (WMA) is considering crisis management for him," the assistant whispered.
A moment later, a knowing, cold smile crept across Pete's lips.
"Crisis PR? No, this isn't a crisis; it's an extremely clever immersive marketing campaign."
"Keep an eye on Venice. Also, keep an eye on Lin's project rating for now; don't rush to reject it."
Just a few days ago, Pitt's attitude was clearly conservative, but now he's changed his tune...
Meanwhile, in Yanjing (Beijing).
The Pioneer Films offices, however, present a completely different picture.
The fat man was staring at the expense report from the finance department with a look of utter despair.
"Wait... is our company a film and television company or a fan club now? Yesterday's SMS poll reimbursement was over 1300?"
"Another dinner party? You know the company's making money, there's no need to be so extravagant, is there?"
At the other end of the desk, Lin Ruiyang didn't even look up.
"Did you vote?"
"I voted."
"That'll do."
"What a load of rubbish!"
The fat man almost exploded.
"Do you know how ridiculous it was yesterday when a bunch of employees were squatting in the office frantically sending text messages on their phones? The company downstairs that makes Google thought we'd all gone crazy from idol worship!"
"How's the result?" Lin Ruiyang finally couldn't help but laugh.
The fat man rolled his eyes.
"I have to say, it's really engaging. Especially those young women who just graduated, they're as excited as if it were New Year's. Now the company has automatically split into corn fans and pen fans."
Lin Ruiyang suddenly felt a little regretful. Could these people really turn the company into an entertainment fan circle?
However, he still accepted the current result. This year's Super Girl was extraordinary. It was the first real explosion of the fan economy and public discourse power in the domestic entertainment industry.
Having the young women in the company invest is not only for fun and team building, but also to let them witness firsthand how much energy capital and traffic can unleash when the public has the power of choice.
This will be the best living example for the company's future promotion and distribution of local films.
That night, at 11 p.m. Beijing time, it was morning in Los Angeles.
Lin Ruiyang dialed the transoceanic call. On the other end, Brian's voice sounded like that of a workaholic who had been working non-stop for 48 hours, hoarse and filled with anxiety.
"Lin! Thank God you finally called. Matthew is in a crazy state right now. He's lost a full 28 pounds and looks like a skeleton that just walked out of a refugee camp."
Those damn paparazzi are always lurking in the bushes outside his villa. TMZ even offered a $50,000 reward for a high-resolution, frontal photo of him looking like he's under the influence of drugs!
"Brian, calm down," Lin Ruiyang said calmly.
"Tell Matthew that the doctor's nutritional monitoring absolutely cannot be stopped, and weight loss must be done scientifically. As for those media reports, don't clarify a single one, and don't let the lawyer send a warning letter."
"Why? Do you know that if this continues, his commercial value will drop to zero!" Brian asked, puzzled.
"Because Hollywood's favorite stories are never about the perfect life of a saint, but about the redemption of a prodigal son," Lin Ruiyang explained coldly.
"The worse the media is attacking him now, the more worthless his image becomes. The visual and emotional shock to Hollywood will be when the movie is released. This is called emotional rebound in psychology. All the negative press he's getting now will be a boost to his future coronation."
Just then, a slight rustling sound came from the other end of the phone, followed by a slightly weak but extremely excited male voice—it was Matthew McConaughey himself:
"Lin, Brian's too conservative, ignore him. I feel fantastic right now. Although my body is getting lighter, my mind has never been so clear!"
"Keep this up, Matthew," Lin Ruiyang encouraged with a smile.
"Remember, you are the one who is shaping the performing arts for your soul. Focus Features is paying for your ticket to the game, so just wait for my news."