As a favorite for wins, The Return of the King crew appeared relatively late, and Gilbert made his entrance towards the end.
Ignoring age, experience, and respect, he ought to have been the final act.
Yet, in deference to some of Hollywood's old-timers, it was better to let them have the closing spot.
The red carpet, after all, is a showcase for the actresses.
When the elegant Scarlett and Gilbert stepped onto the carpet, they struck multiple poses in the center for the press.
Gilbert spent some time interacting with fans in the crowd, then rejoined Scarlett at the carpet's center before making their way to the interview zone.
The hosts were already waiting and asked a few questions. Gilbert responded casually.
When asked if they'd win, Gilbert was modest: "I have confidence in The Return of the King, but there are many great films this year. Ultimately, it depends on the outcome."
Scarlett asserted confidently: "Gilbert will definitely win this year. The Return of the King will win at least seven or eight awards."
Scarlett's bold prediction was understandable while Gilbert remained modest, Scarlett had no need for restraint.
After the carpet interviews, Gilbert escorted Scarlett into the Kodak Theatre's awards hall, where the Return of the King team's seats awaited them.
By then, Elijah Wood, Anne Hathaway, Orlando Bloom, Howard Shore, and the rest of the main crew were already seated.
"How's Pirates of the Caribbean, filming in Mexico?" Anne Hathaway seemed genuinely interested.
Orlando Bloom replied: "You'll have to ask the director I'm just an actor."
Gilbert shared: "Post-production is almost done. I've finished the rough cut. We should make the summer release."
Anne Hathaway was eager: "Great! Be sure to invite me to the premiere."
She then patted Gilbert's head in amazement: "I sometimes wonder how your brain works why do you have so many ideas? They never run dry. It's incredible."
Scarlett giggled: "He's the Son of God, sis. Only the gift from God could explain it."
Elijah Wood chimed in teasingly: "Damn it God's too biased. Why didn't He give me that talent?"
Though Gilbert was serious at work, in life he was approachable and easygoing.
He knew everyone was joking before the ceremony to lighten the mood, so he laughed along instead of taking offense.
Once the celebrities and elites had all entered, the awards ceremony officially began.
Perhaps due to the flopped viewership the previous two years, this year's Oscar staging was lavish and meticulously designed grand orchestra performances and dazzling dance routines.
Those unaware might think they were in Britain's Royal Theatre.
Host Steve Martin then took the stage. With his eloquence and wit, he ribbed every celebrity in attendance.
Gilbert was his main target. Steve Martin jokingly confessed envy of him.
"Gilbert, if you don't mind, may I kidnap you, take you to Area 51, and open your skull for study?"
The crowd of stars burst into laughter. Everyone knows Area 51 claims secrecy, yet leaks abound.
Conspiracy theories run rampant some say alien corpses are hidden there for viral research.
Hence, Area 51 has long been a comedic target.
Steve Martin continued: "Oh, look at Scarlett she's not happy. Fine, if they find anything worthy, I'll split Gilbert's brain with her."
His uniquely American humor made Scarlett laugh and break into applause.
As the jokes wrapped up, the first Oscar of the night was awarded.
Typically, to garner attention, the first award is Best Supporting Actor. But The Return of the King is an ensemble piece, and acting awards had little to do with it.
The presenter was Jennifer Connelly, whose career had thrived in recent years thanks to Gilbert last year she took home Best Supporting Actress.
By tradition, previous year's winners present the opposite gender's award: a female actor presents to a male actor, and vice versa.
Watching Jennifer Connelly read the nominees, Gilbert thought of something:
If history hadn't remained static and multiple genders emerged, wouldn't the Oscars have to change too?
For example, performance categories—instantaneously one hundred new awards: Best Plastic-Bag Actor, Best Armed-Helicopter Actor.
Just picturing it felt absurd.
Of course, the Oscars could choose not to change.
In that case, sorry Oscar prepare to be criticized!
The Best Supporting Actor Oscar that night went to Chris Cooper from Adaptation. A single acting award enough to make the Adaptation team beam with joy.
It was enough, given the presence of one massive contender this year.
After the Supporting Actor award, several technical awards followed: Best Makeup, Best Costume Design, Best Original Song—all claimed by The Return of the King.
Scarlett did mental math: "That's three awards already ten more to go. I think we can sweep the lot tonight."
Anne Hathaway echoed her confidence: "Absolutely, Scarlett. We'll triumph tonight."
The other teams had gone numb they knew that outside of acting awards, they stood little chance this year. Best Foreign Film, Best Documentary they were unreachable.
Following Best Original Song, the performance segment began. The orchestra played the Return of the King song, with Annie Lennox performing "Into the West"—earning broad acclaim.
With the performance done, the ceremony continued.
Not far from the Kodak Theatre, David Ellison and Michael Ovitz watched the broadcast they knew this evening marked Gilbert's peak moment.
This year, Sky Films had no major projects they'd focused on Van Helsing.
Moreover, David was quite interested in aerial combat films, and he and Michael Ovitz had been discussing producing one.
"You said Gilbert would soon decline is he not even brighter tonight?" David, seeing Return of the King win again, frowned.
He'd thought his own early fame in Hollywood put him on par with Gilbert turns out, Gilbert and Hollywood's poor folks were cut from the same cloth: short-sighted.
Michael Ovitz inwardly frowned, but outwardly tried to reassure David.
"David, don't worry. Yes, Gilbert shines tonight, but it's his last crescendo. Peaks always signal decline."
"Hmph!" David Ellison remained displeased. "I hope you're right."
Would there be decline? Michael wasn't sure Gilbert was nearly thirty-three, entering middle age.
But for directors, thirty-three is still young.
Many Hollywood directors never got to helm independently in their thirties, yet Gilbert had been famous for over a decade. That's the difference.
The "peak then fall" theory fits others but does it apply to Gilbert? Michael doubted it.
As they spoke, The Return of the King picked up Best Sound, Best Sound Editing, Best Original Score all three.
Howard Shore was elated. He'd previously won Best Original Score Oscars for The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.
This marked his second win in three years of course he was thrilled.
He embraced Gilbert warmly and said, "Thank you, Gilbert thank you for collaborating with me. This honor belongs to you."
Gilbert waved his hand and replied, "Success belongs to everyone. Go up and claim your glory!"
"Thank you," Howard Shore again expressed gratitude. "Tonight we'll see our dreams realized."
After Best Original Score came Best Supporting Actress. The Oscar Goddess Meryl Streep won for Adaptation.
With that, Adaptation took two awards, becoming the night's largest winner after The Return of the King a surprising result.
Films like Gangs of New York, The Hours, and many others went home empty-handed.
The Adaptation team's celebration created creases in their faces from smiling.
Next awards: Best Animated Feature was claimed by icon Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away.
Gilbert could only congratulate a well-deserved win.
Best Foreign Film followed. Notably, China's team for Hero attended the Oscars, with Hero nominated for Best Foreign Film.
But disappointingly for Master Zhang, he didn't win Best Foreign Film went to Germany's Nowhere in Africa.
Although Master Zhang didn't take home the award, the film at least established some recognition for him in North America.
Earlier, in an interview, Gilbert had praised Master Zhang: "I believe Chinese director Master Zhang is quite outstanding."
For a foreign director to receive Gilbert's praise was rare now Master Zhang attracted attention from Hollywood production houses.
After the Oscars, Master Zhang might receive offers from Hollywood.
Following Best Foreign Film, the first award relevant to Gilbert came: Best Editing.
As is well known, Gilbert typically co-edits his films with an editor, so his name was also on the nomination.
No surprise the Oscar for Best Editing also went to The Return of the King.
Gilbert didn't go up but handed the spotlight to long-time collaborator editor Mehdi Thomson.
Mehdi Thomson, by then a seasoned Hollywood editor, already held two Oscars for Best Editing. This was his third.
But Thomson credited the award fully to Gilbert: "I'm just doing the work. The editing ideas all spring from Gilbert's direction. Without him, there's no editing. So this award belongs to him."
Other nominated editors silently scoffed, calling Thomson a kiss-up. If they could, they'd work with Gilbert too.
Too bad they didn't have the chance!
.....
Hi For access to additional chapters of
Director in Hollywood (40 chpaters)
Made In Hollywood (60 Chapters)
Pokemon:Bounty Hunter(30 Chapters)
Douluo Dalu: Reincarnated as Yan(40 Chapters)
Hollywood:From Razzie to Legend(40 Chapters)
The Great Ruler (30 Chapters)
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu