Chapter 40: Oscar Nomination

  After entering February, the crew moved to Nevada. Due to the filming progress far exceeding the plan, Cameron made adjustments to the crew, and Ryan got a two-week vacation, returning to school that had already become unfamiliar to him.

  For Ryan, the school is both delightful and a headache. Delightful that they have such a star student to attract more students and gain fame, but also a headache because he often takes leaves of absence, sometimes for several weeks or even months. Fortunately, his grades are always good, and his guardian is generous with donations. So far, the school has received two $100,000 sponsorships.

  Sitting in the classroom, Ryan rarely didn't write or draw, seemingly listening attentively to the lesson, but actually his mind had wandered far away.

  "Home Alone" has gradually withdrawn from the North American box office, with a total of $280 million in North American box office revenue. Although Disney did some work behind the scenes, it is almost impossible for this film to surpass "The Sixth Sense". However, the second place on the box office chart is definitely secure.

  Entering the new year, a new awards season kicked off, and "The Sixth Sense" received a slew of nominations and wins, especially for him, with Best Supporting Actor nods from the Chicago Film Critics Association and Golden Globe Awards, and even a Youth in Film Award gave him a big hat as Best Young Actor.

  Of course, he did not attend any of these award ceremonies, all of which were handled by Jin Silie, otherwise it would be exhausting.

  To be honest, apart from the Oscars, he doesn't care about any other awards, including the Golden Globes.

  Although the Golden Globes are second only to the Oscars in North America, they have long been plagued by rumors of corruption and he didn't want to get involved any further. Besides, Pat Kingsley and Harvey Weinstein had almost all their energy focused on Oscar PR.

  Yes, the Oscars are still fair, but not immune to influence. Of course, this influence is not about bribery or corruption, that's suicidal and would cross the bottom line of the Academy, who wouldn't mind throwing you in front of the public to show off their fairness.

  To know that many of the Academy's voters, before voting, have not even seen the nominated films. Those who can find a clip to watch are already considered responsible, so what is their basis for voting?

  Media reports and reviews from famous film critics!

  Undoubtedly, films released closer to awards season have an advantage. In this regard, "The Sixth Sense" is undoubtedly at a disadvantage.

  But with the popularity of "Home Alone", he once again became the focus of the media, and "The Sixth Sense" was also brought out by many media outlets for comparison with this purely comedic film, which served as a free promotion for him.

  These are absolutely not enough, before entering the new year, the public relations war of "The Sixth Sense" has already begun. Ryan and Miramax jointly invested in buying 12 pages of "Variety" and "Hollywood Reporter", starting to create momentum for "The Sixth Sense". He also gave an exclusive news to the Los Angeles Times that the third installment of Harry Potter will be released in March, and the other side will report more or less with some bias.

  By this month, "Sixth Sense" won the national audience vote for 1990's most favorite movie, adding another weight.

  What they did was just to get an Oscar nomination, and thus a ticket to the ceremony. As for winning, it's not only about strength but also luck. "The Sixth Sense" is another thriller, which has inherent weakness from the start. In Miramax's PR plan, as long as they can grab any of the little gold men, that would be a big victory.

  The school bell rang, Ryan packed up his things, took out his backpack from the locker and headed towards the school gate. Before he had gone far, Jerry and Peter caught up with him from behind.

  "Ryan, will Harry Potter 3 really be published in March?" Jerry asked.

  "That's right." Ryan nodded.

  "Are you done writing? Can we take a look first?" Peter asked with a conciliatory smile.

  "I've finished writing."

  Just as the two guys' eyes lit up, he made a helpless gesture, "I've already mailed it to the publisher, no draft was left."

  Seeing the two looking somewhat downcast, Ryan sighed and said, "Alright, after I get the sample book, I can let you take a look first, but don't spread it around."

  "No problem! We guarantee it!"

  Ryan had just walked out of the school gate when he realized something was off. The flashing lights that rose and fell in a wave seemed to be able to dazzle people's eyes, with at least twenty or thirty reporters swarming around him like green-headed flies smelling blood. Behind them, some weird TV station even brought over a live broadcast van.

  He himself was fine, after all, he had experienced even bigger and more chaotic scenes than this, while Jerry and Peter beside him were scared pale and their bodies trembling.

  Fortunately, those reporters targeted him and didn't bother his two classmates.

  "Ryan, I'm Ivan from FOX TV. What are your thoughts on getting an Oscar nomination?" The fastest runner among the reporters, although blocked by school security guard George, stretched out his microphone and shouted loudly.

  "Ryan, at just eleven years old, you received an Oscar nomination..."

  "Oscar?" Ryan seemed to understand something and then raised his voice, "Quiet!"

  "Everyone, please keep order, I can't hear anything with all this noise." Ryan pointed to his ear and quickly spotted a familiar face, Mike Taylor of the Los Angeles Times. "Mike, what's going on?"

  "Ryan, the Academy just announced the nominees for the 63rd Oscars this afternoon and 'The Sixth Sense' got six nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing, among which you got two nominations!" Mick Taylor said in one breath.

  "So it was like that!"

  No wonder these guys are all crazy, but he didn't have too many surprises and weirdness, after all, this movie has won several Oscar nominations in the past, although he can't remember how many.

  "Ryan, what do you think?" someone asked eagerly.

  "I'm extremely grateful for the recognition from the film academy, it's my honor, thank you!" This is a must-say phrase, that's the power of authority.

  "Do you think you will win an award?"

  "You'll know after the Oscars ceremony." He shrugged.

  "Sixth Sense and The Others both took in nearly $300 million at the box office. How did you do it?"

  "That was a team effort." Ryan wouldn't be led astray by them.

  "In the history of Oscars, only The Exorcist and Jaws have been nominated for Best Picture in horror movies. Sixth Sense is the third one, do you think it will make an unprecedented breakthrough?"

  "You'd better ask the Academy about that." Ryan rolled his eyes, wanting to tell him that the breakthrough would be next year and the movie was called "The Silence of the Lambs".

  "Ryan, recently several couples have publicly claimed you as their lost child..."

  Just then, a group of people forced their way in. It was Nicole's assistant who had come to pick him up. Seeing the reporters blocking the entrance, he immediately realized that something was wrong and called for backup from school.

  Under the escort of several male teachers, Ryan and his two companions squeezed into the car. When the car drove onto the highway, they finally let out a sigh of relief.

  "Sorry, Jerry, Peter, for dragging you into this." The two classmates were still a bit shaken, so the boy just patted their arms.

  "It's...it doesn't matter."

  Although they knew that Ryan was now a star, just how famous he had become wasn't clear to kids of this age group until today's scene gave them some idea.

  "Where is your home? I'll send you back first."

  ……

  "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Fox Television's news broadcast program. Just today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for the 63rd Academy Awards. Ryan Jenkins, the Los Angeles boy who caused a sensation across America, received two nominations for his outstanding performance in 'The Sixth Sense', one for Best Original Screenplay and another for Best Supporting Actor. Now we have arrived at St. John's Elementary School where Ryan is studying... He has come out, Ryan..."

  "Ryan... Ryan? Jenkins left the school by car after answering a few questions from reporters, and we will wait to see if he can win another Oscar..."

  Natalie Hershler stared at the TV program with her eyes wide open, unable to express what she felt in her heart. That annoying guy had become a dazzling superstar in just one short year, when would she be able to shine?

  "Nate, what's wrong with you?" asked her mother who was sitting on the other side.

  "Huh? Mom." Natalie pointed at the TV, "I'm just happy for Ryan."

  Back in her own room, sitting at the desk, Natalie was a bit distracted. In front of her was a photo frame with a picture of her and Ryan together, taken when he last came to visit her at home.

  Before she knew it, another half year had passed and she was still performing on the community stage while he was about to step onto the Oscars' grand stage!

  Shortly after returning home, Ryan received many congratulatory calls from Paramount Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Miramax Films, Harvey Weinstein and more.

  "What a pity, Al, you didn't get nominated for Best Actor." he said into the microphone.

  "It's okay, there will always be opportunities." Al Pacino's mentality is indeed very good.

  Similarly, Ryan also made congratulatory calls to others, such as David Fincher, who was greatly influenced by him. Not only did he change his debut work, but he also received a nomination for Best Director on his first attempt at directing a film. Whether this is good or bad for him, the boy can't say clearly.

  Of course, the happiest one was Nicole. She was so excited that she kissed Ryan's face several times in a row. Considering the mainstream media's evaluation of her - "Her acting skills are as stunning as her beauty" - it's easy to understand her mood.

  There are only two chapters today~~