章 90: The Oscars pt.1
Today was the day of the Oscars, and I had begun preparations for it since morning. The makeup artists had arrived early and had set up in the room they always used. I sat on the makeup chair as they buzzed around me, applying makeup and styling my hair. This was not something I looked forward to when attending events, but it was part of the process.
Both 12 Angry Men and Toy Story 2 had been nominated for several awards. Toy Story 2 had already won the Best Animated Feature Film at the Golden Globes, BAFTA, and had swept the Annie Awards. It was also nominated for an Oscar, so there was a big chance it could win tonight.
12 Angry Men had also garnered its share of accolades. It won Best Picture at the Golden Globes, and both J.K. Simmons and Tom Hanks had won awards for their performances. However, the Golden Globe and BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay, for which I was nominated, were won by The King's Speech. Everyone was expecting it to win the Oscar as well.
The Oscar for Toy Story 2 and J.K. Simmons in 12 Angry Men seemed all but guaranteed, but the other categories were still in contention.
The stylist behind me worked on perfecting my hair, ensuring every strand was in place for the big event.
As they worked, my mind replayed the speech I had prepared in case I won. The words echoed in my thoughts, each sentence meticulously crafted to convey my gratitude.
"...to stand here today is a dream come true, and I am deeply grateful for this recognition. I'd like to thank Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, and the incredible cast and crew of 12 Angry Men for their unwavering dedication and talent. This film wouldn't be what it is without each and every one of you. To my family, especially my mom, who has been my constant support and inspiration, thank you for believing in me even when I doubted myself. And to all the young writers and creators out there, keep dreaming and keep creating. Anything is possible..."
"Hold still for a moment," the makeup artist instructed, snapping me back to the present.
"Sorry," I muttered, trying to remain as still as possible.
As the makeup artists finished up Lucy walked over with a huge smile on her face.
"You are now this close to signing with Étoile Public Relations," Lucy said, holding her fingers a hair's breadth apart to emphasize her point.
"Is that, um, good?" I asked. I was already signed to a PR firm, and Lucy had been wanting to change for some time.
"Good?" Lucy exclaimed. "This is great! Étoile is the crème de la crème of PR firms. We're talking about a company that handles the biggest celebrities—actors, musicians, athletes. They only sign clients who they believe are truly important and can elevate their brand. With them, you could practically get away with murder. They're that good!"
"Get away with murder, you say?" I trailed off, trying to lighten the mood.
"That's what you got from it?" Lucy asked, slightly annoyed.
"I'm just kidding," I said, grinning.
"We will have a meeting with Victoria St. Claire, the CEO," Lucy said, glancing at her phone. "Yes, this Thursday. We have a meeting this Thursday."
"Cool, let's join the fancy PR firm," I said with a smile.
The makeup artists finished, and I looked at myself in the mirror. My face was styled impeccably: a slight hint of bronzer accentuated my cheekbones, my eyes looked sharp and my hair was perfectly styled, with each strand in place.
I looked ready for the biggest night in Hollywood.
I saw Julie come over, "The representatives from Tom Ford are here."
"Aha, the suit," I said. "Lucy, I'm going to suit up." I said.
I walked over to the representatives from Tom Ford, who stood by with my tuxedo. The black tuxedo had a classic cut with a modern touch, featuring satin lapels that added a touch of elegance. The fabric was rich and smooth, reflecting the high-quality craftsmanship Tom Ford was known for.
One of the representatives handed me the crisp white dress shirt, and I slipped it on, feeling the fine cotton against my skin. They then helped me into the tuxedo jacket, which fit perfectly over my shoulders, tapering down to a fitted waist. The pants were tailored to perfection, with a slim but comfortable fit. The final touch was the black bow tie, which they expertly tied around my neck.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting the jacket and straightening the bow tie. The tuxedo emphasized my shoulders and chest while tapering neatly down my torso. The satin lapels caught the light just right, giving the suit an elegant sheen. The polished black leather shoes completed the look.
I came down the stairs wearing the new tuxedo. Mom, Nathan, Lucy, and Julie, were waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
Mom's eyes lit up the moment she saw me. "Oh, Danny, you look absolutely handsome," she exclaimed, her voice filled with pride.
Nathan gave me a once-over and nodded approvingly. "Sharp, man. Really sharp."
Julie, who had been busy on her phone, looked up and gasped. "Wow, Daniel. That looks amazing on you."
I reached the bottom of the stairs, and Mom stepped forward, adjusting my bowtie slightly. "You're going to do great tonight,"
I smiled at her, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "Thanks, Mom."
Lucy then motioned for me to sit down. She had a serious yet supportive look on her face.
"Okay, Daniel, let's go over the essentials for tonight. This is a big night, and we need to make sure you handle it perfectly," Lucy began.
"First, punctuality. We're aiming for an hour or two before the ceremony starts so you can walk the red carpet without feeling rushed."
"Next, the dress code," she continued, eyeing my tuxedo. "You're already looking sharp, so just make sure everything stays neat. Your tuxedo is perfectly tailored, and you're well-groomed. Keep that hair in check."
"On the red carpet, you'll be posing for lots of photos. Smile, be confident, and maintain good posture. There will be interviews, so be prepared to answer quickly. Keep your answers positive, concise, and engaging."
"During the ceremony," she said, "follow the ushers' instructions and sit where you're assigned. Be polite to everyone around you. Stay seated during the ceremony unless instructed otherwise, and only leave your seat during commercial breaks or designated times. When it comes to clapping, be respectful and applaud for all winners, regardless of your personal opinions."
"If you win," Lucy added, leaning in slightly, "keep your acceptance speech heartfelt but concise. Thank the Academy, your colleagues, and your loved ones. Avoid controversial or overly long speeches."
"Got it," I said, trying to absorb everything.
"Networking is crucial," she continued. "During breaks and after-parties, be friendly. Introduce yourself, engage in light conversation, and if you make a good connection, exchange contact details for future collaborations."
"After the ceremony, you will need to attend key after-parties like the Governors Ball and the Vanity Fair Party. Be courteous, thank the hosts, and engage respectfully with other attendees."
"And when handling the media," Lucy said, "be prepared for post-ceremony interviews. Maintain your composure, be gracious, and express gratitude for the opportunity to attend."
"Now, the do's and don'ts," she emphasized. " Be humble. Humility is appreciated, especially as a newcomer. Show respect for all attendees, be gracious, congratulate winners, and listen attentively during speeches and the ceremony."
"And for the don'ts," she warned. "Don't interrupt the ceremony, speeches, or conversations. Don't overindulge in alcohol—keep it professional. And don't self-promote excessively. Networking is encouraged, but avoid coming across as too self-promotional."
"I got this" i said confidently
Lucy looked at me with a reassuring smile. "Yeah you do," she said with a wink.
Lucy leaned in, her tone becoming more serious. "Now, one last thing, Daniel. When you're at the afterparties, I want you to stay close to Chris. There are some not-so-nice people there."
"I can take care of myself, Lucy."
She nodded, but her expression remained stern. "Oh, I'm sure you can. But you have to understand, people drink at these events, and you'll be surrounded by egomaniacs. It can get pretty intense."
I nodded, prompting her to continue. "Hollywood isn't all glitz and glamour, you know that. There are a lot of people with big egos and even bigger agendas. Some will try to get close to you for their own gain. They'll flatter you, offer you deals, or try to drag you into drama. And then there are those who might just want to bring you down because they're jealous of your success."
"You need to be careful about what you say and who you say it to. Gossip spreads like wildfire in this town. A casual comment can be twisted into a headline by morning. And trust me, you don't want to be the subject of some tabloid scandal."
Lucy continued, "There are also a lot of temptations. Drugs, alcohol, and... sex. It's easy to lose yourself if you're not careful, especially at these parties there will be some predatory people there. Keep your wits about you, and don't let anyone lead you astray."
"Got it," I said, feeling the weight of her words.
"And one more thing," she added. "Always have an exit strategy. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, have a way out. Whether it's a call to Chris or a quick escape plan, just be prepared."
"Thanks, Lucy," I said sincerely. "I appreciate the advice."
She smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Daniel. I just want you to be safe."
"You are starting to worry me Lucy" mom said, hearing Lucy speak.
"I will be fine" I said, getting up as it was time to leave.
We walked to the door outside and as I stood by the door, Mom and Nathan gave me a final once-over.
"You look great, honey," she said, smiling warmly. "I've already picked out a spot in the living room for your Oscar."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "You jinxed it, Mom."
Mom and Nathan laughed. She stepped forward and gave me a short, careful hug, making sure not to mess up my suit.
"Be careful," Nathan said, clapping me on the back.
Lucy was waiting by the car that the studio had assigned to me for the evening.
We got into the car.
"Ready" Lucy asked, giving me an encouraging smile.
"Yeah," I said, nodding. "Let's do this."
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