Duke of the past had heard of The King's Speech, but never watched it. Now that he had seen it in person, saying it was a well-polished, Oscar-tailored formulaic essay wasn't an exaggeration.
Frankly, this film's storytelling didn't compare to Black Swan, let alone Inception.
As is well known, the Oscars usually don't go for the best story, because in cases where the gap in quality isn't too big, the concept of "best" becomes irrelevant. So they typically choose the "most fitting" story.
A typical Oscar-winning story, first of all, can't be too commercial. If it is, the Oscars will slap a "technical category" label on it. Second, on the artistic level, it shouldn't be too original. Things that are too innovative might just be a flash in the pan and could soon be criticized by industry professionals as trash. The Oscars have never liked to act as vanguards of artistic revolution. They'd rather find the most refined example within existing standards.
Harvey Weinstein and Duke tested the waters with each other and gradually confirmed their respective Oscar targets.
"Let me put it this way, Duke." Harvey Weinstein gave up on circling around and started speaking plainly. There were only the two of them here, so there was no need to be too cautious with words. "The only significant female role in The King's Speech is the wife of George VI. We're planning to campaign for her to win Best Supporting Actress."
Hearing this, Duke couldn't help but smile and said, "My two films, Inception and Gravity, are both science fiction. Harvey, you should know I've always been a very realistic person."
This wasn't The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which had immense influence in North America. Non-adapted genres with virtually no ties to reality had little chance of winning Best Picture unless Duke dropped dead and they became his posthumous works.
But how could that be possible?
Harvey Weinstein understood that well. "That means we're not rivals."
Duke lightly tapped the armrest of the sofa and replied, "For Best Picture, I'm very optimistic about The King's Speech."
He had put his offer on the table, but Harvey Weinstein frowned. After a few seconds of hesitation, he said, "I haven't seen Gravity yet, but I know Miss Johansson's acting. Her skills won't be an issue, but Duke, it'll be very difficult for you to win Best Actress."
"I know." Duke cleared his throat. "Some people have already lobbied me. Natalie Portman is indeed the most outstanding representative of the younger generation of Jewish actresses."
Harvey Weinstein nodded silently. In fact, like most people in Hollywood, he didn't know much about the personal history between Duke and Natalie Portman.
Duke looked at the plump Jewish man beside him. "Don't forget, Harvey. Our Jewish club just wants to establish a Jewish role model. Natalie Portman is Jewish, and so is Scarlett!"
But Duke didn't say the rest although Scarlett had grown up around his mother, she didn't really identify much with her Jewish heritage, nor did she use it as a selling point like Natalie Portman constantly did.
After nearly half a minute of silence and carefully weighing the pros and cons, Harvey Weinstein finally spoke. "Even if we give you our votes, Duke, your chances of winning still aren't great."
Harvey Weinstein was an Oscar PR expert, and he saw things very clearly. "Have you noticed? Natalie Portman is already pregnant, and it's very obvious!"
This was an unavoidable factor. But Duke didn't seem too concerned. "Harvey, we'll support your push for Best Picture, and in return, you'll support our bid for Best Actress. As for the rest, I'll handle it myself."
Yes, being pregnant did earn some sympathy points, but was it really that hard for a woman in Hollywood to spread her legs?
This was a stark, naked transaction. Neither side made any attempt to hide it.
Just last month, Harvey Weinstein had met Natalie Portman's mother. He had also promised her that he would support Natalie Portman for Best Actress at the Oscars.
No doubt, Natalie Portman had powerful forces backing her, but were they stronger than Duke Rosenberg?
Harvey Weinstein was very aware that Duke wasn't the Academy's favorite director, nor did he wield that much influence over it. But in the broader scope of Hollywood, Duke was absolutely among the top-tier elite. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he could sway the direction of the entire industry.
And behind him stood Warner Bros. and the entire Time Warner Group...
Choosing between Duke Rosenberg and Natalie Portman wasn't a difficult decision at all.
Most importantly, Harvey Weinstein could clearly see the benefits most directly, the Oscar votes. Everyone knew that Duke Rosenberg didn't just represent himself; he carried the voice of an entire community.
When the benefits were big enough, promises meant nothing to Harvey Weinstein.
He turned around and extended his right hand to Duke. "I think this will be a pleasant cooperation."
Duke shook his hand. "Pleasure working with you, Harvey."
Afterward, Duke and Harvey Weinstein left the lounge and entered the banquet hall where the screening party was being held. Duke quickly found Scarlett. Almost everyone invited by Harvey Weinstein had Academy membership—at the very least, they had Oscar voting rights. She was also a smart woman, skillfully socializing among these people. Although she didn't openly say anything, she was subtly canvassing support for herself.
To be precise, campaigning for the Oscars was a full-on marketing effort.
Marketing for the Oscar statuette was very different from box office promotion. Unlike marketing to the public, where tactics are displayed openly, Oscar campaigns operated mostly behind the scenes, invisible to the masses.
One of the most controversial Oscar outcomes in history was actually the result of such behind-the-scenes marketing. At the 71st Academy Awards, Shakespeare in Love beat Saving Private Ryan for Best Picture, and Gwyneth Paltrow edged out Cate Blanchett for Best Actress. These results sparked a storm of controversy.
Everyone knew this was the outcome of Harvey Weinstein and Miramax's aggressive PR campaign, but hardly anyone knew the specific tactics they used.
Another Duke had merely watched from the sidelines back then and didn't know the details. But the current Duke had witnessed another victory of Miramax at the end of the last century. Although there was no Saving Private Ryan this time, reducing the level of controversy, Gwyneth Paltrow was still considered one of the weakest Best Actress winners in Oscar history arguably the least deserving of the past 30 years.
Duke had come to understand Harvey Weinstein's methods. The fat Jewish man's wide network within the Academy did play a role, but money was the real key.
The Oscar battle had long turned into a money game.
When other films had public relations budgets of only $500,000, Harvey Weinstein's spending had already reached $3 million. When others' investments hit the hundred-thousand-dollar level, his expenditures had climbed to $5 million or even tens of millions.
Nowadays, the Oscars had formed a rule that could be aptly described by the law of European professional football leagues those who invest heavily might not win, but those who don't invest heavily definitely won't win!
Of course, this winning referred to the most prestigious awards.
Duke also circulated around the party. Such socializing was a routine event every awards season. However, compared to the Weinstein brothers, he could only be called a stranger to the awards season.
Not staying too late, Duke left the hotel with Scarlett Johansson and took a car back to Malibu.
In the car, Duke asked Scarlett, "Darling, how much support have you managed to get?"
"Who knows." Scarlett shrugged. "The oldest ones are the most influential, but they are a bunch of old foxes who rarely reveal their opinions easily."
Duke nodded. "Most people won't make a decision unless they see enough benefits."
Not all Academy members were glamorous; many older actors or people from other industries ended up bankrupt and destitute after retirement. Every awards season was a harvest season for these people...
However, Hollywood would never publicize this fact. From the outside, it always looked so glamorous.
For this Oscar Best Actress, besides Warner Brothers' publicity and marketing, Duke had also prepared $15 million in PR expenses. For him, this money was nothing. When transformed into seemingly inconspicuous little gifts, it could win over many people.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had various regulations regarding Oscar PR, but insiders all knew that in most cases, these rules were just rules.
Of course, the PR side couldn't go too far; they had to grasp the right limits.
Duke's PR manager, Panny Kallis, was an expert in this area. In recent years, as she aged, she only served Duke alone, receiving plenty of compensation from him. This Oscar PR campaign was mainly managed by her on Duke's side.
Not only that, after learning Scarlett was vying for Best Actress, Leah also rushed to Los Angeles for Christmas and met separately with two old friends, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.
All preparations were ready, but Gravity first had to secure the basic eligibility to participate in the Oscars it had to be released before the New Year.
After Christmas, Gravity began a limited release in North America with 50 theaters.