"I am thrilled to receive this award!"
On the television screen, Leonardo DiCaprio stood on the Golden Globe stage, holding the Best Actor trophy, and said, "I want to dedicate this trophy to those who support me and to those who attack me!"
Murphy sat on the sofa, calmly watching Leonardo DiCaprio's performance.
Leonardo DiCaprio suddenly pointed at the camera and said, "No matter what those people do, I'm standing here now!"
This statement was clearly directed at someone, and the TV broadcast was filled with gasps and murmurs from the audience.
Murphy, of course, understood that Leonardo DiCaprio was referring to people like himself.
"Such arrogance for a small Golden Globe!"
Shifting her gaze from the TV, Gal Gadot looked at Murphy. "He'll definitely be a runner-up at this year's Oscars again!"
Winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor might increase visibility, but it doesn't mean much. This award has never been an Oscar indicator, and the judging panels don't overlap.
"He has endured so much pressure and paid forty million dollars."
Before the Golden Globes, Leonardo DiCaprio had donated and refunded his earnings from "The Great Gatsby" and the 1MDB Foundation, which is why Murphy mentioned this. "He needs an outlet to vent."
What is a Golden Globe for Best Actor? At the recently concluded Screen Actors Guild Awards, Leonardo DiCaprio did not win Best Actor. The winner was... James Franco!
This is the most significant predictor of the Oscars for Best Actor!
Moreover, at various film critics' association awards, although Murphy and "Dark City" had mixed results, James Franco consistently took home Best Actor.
Critics have never favored Leonardo DiCaprio's acting skills, a well-known fact.
According to Murphy's assessment, if James Franco had a thirty percent chance of winning the Oscar for Best Actor, then Leonardo DiCaprio only had fifteen percent!
However, this Golden Globe ceremony had nothing to do with Murphy. Despite "Dark City" receiving numerous nominations, it didn't win a single award. The Hollywood Chinese Theater shooting and attacks from the Catholic Church seemed to have had a significant negative impact, likely causing the film to be overlooked this award season.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett took home the Best Actor and Actress in a Drama, respectively. Alfonso Cuarón won Best Director for "Gravity," and Best Picture unsurprisingly went to "12 Years a Slave."
Everything that happened at the Golden Globes seemed very unfavorable for "Dark City."
Even though Gal Gadot knew that the overlap between the Golden Globes and the Oscars wasn't particularly high, she couldn't help but worry.
After all, "Dark City" was cold-shouldered in all categories at the Golden Globes.
"Murphy Stanton won't win any awards."
In an office building in Santa Monica Beach, Archbishop Marquez Costello, upon learning of the Golden Globe results, said to his close followers, "We can't stop Murphy Stanton from making 'Spotlight,' but we can cause enough controversy to make Oscar voters wary. At most, they'll give some nominations."
"Murphy Stanton? No, no, no..."
After the Golden Globes, when facing reporters, Leonardo DiCaprio shook his head continuously. "What's there to regret? Tonight's winners are the best films, directors, and actors."
While the world focused on the prestigious Golden Globes, fewer paid attention to the Screen Actors Guild Awards announced beforehand.
"Best Actor is James Franco, Best Actress is Margot Robbie..."
In a photo studio, while taking a break from shooting for "Vanity Fair," Emma Watson chatted with her agent Bill Rossis. "Best Director is Murphy, and Best Picture is 'Dark City.' Looks like they're aiming to sweep the top four awards at the Oscars."
Bill Rossis smiled, "That's the plan."
"Is Murphy shooting at the Venice studio?"
Seeing Bill Rossis nod, Emma Watson said, "Let him know I'll visit in a few days to see him and Gadot."
"No problem." Bill Rossis knew Murphy and Gal Gadot had a good impression of Emma Watson. "They'll surely welcome you."
Emma Watson then went to change clothes and continued the shoot. As her agent, Bill Rossis stayed with her in the studio.
Some of Emma Watson's outfits were quite revealing, with one nearly exposing everything...
However, Bill Rossis said nothing. Emma Watson was nearly twenty-four, no longer the little girl stuck in the Hermione Granger phase.
The only potential issue was that such revealing photos might draw the ire of so-called "feminists," and "feminism" was a carefully crafted banner for Emma Watson by CAA.
Watching Emma Watson shoot, Bill Rossis folded his arms, resting his chin on one hand, contemplating how to handle any potential backlash.
The day after the Golden Globe Awards, Murphy's crew officially began shooting "Spotlight" at the Venice warehouse studio.
When Seth Rogen, playing Buddy Malone, sat across from the "Catholic Archdiocese's Bishop," Murphy signaled the clapperboard.
The clapperboard was placed in front of the camera. "Spotlight, Scene 1, Take 1, Action!"
Two very different 35mm cameras from different angles focused on the actors. Cameraman Philippe Rousselot and his first assistant used no special techniques, instead capturing the dialogue between the archbishop and the Boston Globe editor in a simple, textbook style.
Before shooting, Murphy emphasized that the footage should maintain his usual realism while presenting a calm and restrained style.
No film or director can achieve absolute fairness, but Murphy aimed to keep the film as impartial as possible.
Historically, no one had dared bring the Vatican's scandals to the screen in Italy. Murphy and "Spotlight" were the first. They sought global resonance, not biased ridicule.
This would be a typical true story film. Murphy planned to include unembellished elements, and the camera work would be non-invasive.
"I've always admired the newspaper industry."
The veteran actor playing the bishop sat across from Seth Rogen, speaking calmly. "Back at Harvard, I often attended classes with the Nieman Fellows."
Seth Rogen's voice was low, his demeanor restrained. "I understand you were once an editor."
"Yes, a long time ago." The veteran actor smiled faintly. "The Mississippi Record, a small diocesan paper, but to a thirty-year-old priest, it felt like a great responsibility."
Seth Rogen said nothing.
The veteran actor added, "Sometimes, the responsibility was overwhelming."
Seth Rogen raised an eyebrow slightly. "What do you mean?"
The veteran actor smiled. "My relationship with the Ives brothers..."
"Cut!" Murphy stopped the shoot, walking over. "You two aren't ordinary people; maintain relative restraint and calm!"
He first addressed the veteran actor. "Dennis, your smile was a bit too much."
Then, turning to Seth Rogen, he said, "Control your expressions. You raised your eyebrow just now!"
The scene was plain. As opposing parties, the archbishop and Marty Baron had no heated arguments. All the underlying tensions were concealed in the calmness.
As the new editor-in-chief, Marty Baron attended church-sponsored social events as a community figure. When he and the church leader sat face-to-face on the sofa, one exchanged pleasantries while the other remained silent, those few minutes capturing the psychological nuances of a professional journalist handling a complex situation.
"As an editor-in-chief managing a newspaper, you must assume part of a social role while understanding the necessity of maintaining independence from various power groups."
Murphy was dissatisfied with Seth Rogen's performance, pointing to Dennis. "When this man in a cassock politely offers the paper's help, you must respond, 'I believe the media should remain independent.' This brief moment is a crucial turning point in the film, signaling a clear declaration of war to some extent!"
"It means refusing to join the game of deals. On the surface, he can maintain basic courtesy," Seth Rogen continued Murphy's point. "But at the same time, he will not hide his firm stance. This is a mature yet uncompromising attitude."
"Exactly!" Murphy pointed at him. "That's it!"
In many ways, Marty Baron, seemingly silent and introverted, is someone who dares to challenge authority.
After a brief adjustment, filming resumed. Seth Rogen's performance improved significantly. However, after reviewing the footage, Murphy wasn't satisfied with the camera work. He had Philippe Rousselot reposition the cameras and reshoot the scene.
As the crew had just started filming, everyone needed time to adjust. Murphy wasn't in a rush, taking a whole morning to shoot just two scenes.
But after three days of adjustment, the crew began operating at full speed. Filming progressed smoothly until the Oscars nominees luncheon approached.
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