The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 366: Pawns]

"Compared to the Los Angeles fires, these are minor issues," Hawke said dismissively. "Not a big deal."

Tom Cruise nodded slowly.

Hawke felt that the film project was worthwhile and told Eric, "You work on the script. I have all the firsthand materials here; I'll have someone deliver them to the studio for you. It will definitely help with your adaptation."

Eric was less apprehensive than Tom Cruise and replied, "Sounds good. Once we wrap up Nightcrawler, I need to prepare my new movie. The Los Angeles fires make for a great subject."

Tom Cruise glanced at Hawke. Although Scientology didn't directly engage in the messiness of elections, it was in the loop enough to know that George W. Bush had an edge in the current election, largely thanks to the work done by Hawke and Brian in California.

After pondering briefly, he said, "Let my production company handle the filmmaking."

Eric had previously collaborated with Tom Cruise and said, "I'm okay with that."

"As long as this movie gets made and maintains a certain quality, it will receive ample support," Hawke was confident about that.

Tom Cruise understood and chose to remain silent.

Eric, being a more pure artist and less politically savvy, had missed the subtext but remained quiet, lost in self-reflection. Inspiration for artists often struck unexpectedly and in those moments, ideas flowed freely.

...

This project required significant planning, and Tom Cruise handed over a briefcase containing the materials he was supposed to gather. "Everything you wanted is in here."

The volume of photos and documents was so large that Hawke needed time to go through it all. "Go ahead and fill me in."

Tom Cruise had Oscars on his mind. He had been willing to clash with his longtime collaborator Pat Kingsley for a shot at the award, which had resulted in Kingsley turning against him and later landing in prison, thanks to Hawke's efforts.

Trusting Hawke considerably, he continued, "The precursor awards are already initiated. The top-rated films so far are Million Dollar Baby directed by Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese's Aviator, and our Nightcrawler."

Hawke inquired, "What about Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain

"Compared to winning the Venice Film Festival, it has more controversy in North America," Tom Cruise believed. "Both Brokeback Mountain and Nightcrawler participated in the Toronto Film Festival, and Nightcrawler has received good media and critical reviews, while Brokeback Mountain sparked quite a bit of debate."

"Is it because of its themes of homosexuality?" Hawke was fairly in tune with social dynamics; even in Los Angeles, homosexuality was still somewhat marginalized.

Tom Cruise confirmed, "Yes, homophobia. Europe has advanced further on these issues than we have."

Hawke nodded slightly, rifling through the pile of documents to find information on Million Dollar Baby, which had become a major contender for the Academy Awards next year.

If he remembered correctly, that film starring Hilary Swank had won her Best Actress and Clint Eastwood Best Director.

A staunch conservative won big with a feminist film?

Having seen the film, Hawke understood that this description didn't precisely fit because the main character was a female boxer, representing genuine feminism, not just a girl throwing punches.

Tom Cruise then shared the awards he genuinely wanted to compete for: "For Best Actor, a few contenders have real potential. One is Eastwood, but I hear he's leaning towards Best Director. Leonardo DiCaprio, the lead in Aviator, is priming for his chance at the Oscar too, and Johnny Depp with Finding Neverland is working closely with the Weinsteins for awards recognition."

Hawke recalled information from his previous life: "Just like you said, Eastwood isn't focused on Best Actor. As for DiCaprio, I think he'll continue to be in the running; Johnny Depp? Did he really throw in his lot with the Weinsteins?"

Tom Cruise understood the underlying implications of this statement: "Harvey Weinstein tends to favor actresses."

Eric snapped out of his introspection and interjected, "It's because he has a normal sexual orientation."

This observation was too spot-on. Weinstein excelled at Academy Awards PR, especially for Best Picture and Best Actress categories.

Eric felt a twinge of envy.

Tom Cruise returned to discussing his own situation: "And then there's Jamie Foxx, who's starring in a biopic about a famous Black singer, along with the male lead in Brokeback Mountain."

He forgot the character's name, glanced at the material and said, "Heath Ledger."

"Jamie Foxx?" Hawke remembered him as the lead in Quentin Tarantino's Django, recently awarded Best Actor.

Tom Cruise replied, "A couple of years ago, Denzel Washington won Best Actor. I doubt it will go to another Black performer so soon."

Hawke found Jamie Foxx's information; he recalled and knew Foxx had won Best Actor but wasn't clear on when and for which film.

However, Jamie Foxx had transformed into a significant threat in Hawke's mind.

Pondering over the competitive landscape, Hawke concluded Eric wouldn't win Best Director. It would be tough for Nightcrawler to clinch Best Picture, but Tom Cruise might stand a chance for Best Actor.

Failure wouldn't matter; it simply couldn't be Brokeback Mountain taking home an award.

Blackrock has come up with a marginalized personnel plan; as an opponent, Hawke would not allow them to succeed.

Those nefarious figures...

Eric seemed eager to speak but Hawke raised a hand to stop him.

From his position and with the resources at his disposal, along with the influence he wielded, those troublesome figures could serve as tools just like the female boxers.

Their internal conflicts were fierce.

Hawke's mindset evolved, and as his perspective broadened, he felt a rush of clarity.

Even though he didn't have a seat at the table, viewing the situation from outside made a significant difference.

Northern California was still largely under the control of the Democratic Party.

The groups in Southern California could indeed serve as pawns.

Eric and Tom Cruise waited a decent amount of time before the latter inquired, "Do you have a plan?"

Hawke nodded slightly, "The hopes for Best Picture are slim."

Tom Cruise agreed, "The new Eastwood film gained a ton of positive reviews during its preview; plus, Martin's new film, the biopic about Howard Hughes..."

"I suggest we focus on the two awards," Hawke stated directly. "Eric can aim for a Best Director nomination. Let's go for that."

Eric's artsy face lit up with an effusive smile, "I just need one nomination."

Hawke added, "We will concentrate our advantageous resources on the Best Actor award."

This strategy aligned with the formal plans laid out by Tom Cruise's dedicated team. He remarked, "If we go about PR methodically, I'll end up repeating last year's failures."

Hawke replied, "Formal promotion and PR should be handled by your team."

He already collected five million dollars from Tom Cruise the previous year; if he accepted money, he would do the work: "My focus is two-fold: obtaining highlight reels of your role's strong performances and strategically promoting them via Twitter to judges who have accounts."

Getting the judges to remember the film and the name was never easy; achieving a record where 30% of Oscars judges had viewed film clips would be groundbreaking.

Tom Cruise asked, "And the second part?"

Hawke smiled, "It's not my forte to elevate a person's performance. I can only assist in undermining your main competitors."

Tom Cruise followed up, "Using Harvey Weinstein's tactics?"

"No, no," Hawke shook his finger. "Harvey's methods still belong in the primitive stages; the techniques he utilizes are not suitable for you."

He analyzed the situation: "You can't directly confront competitors like Harvey would, Tommy; you're the target of envy among those old white guys. Maintain a normal awards rhythm; we'll find ways to let the competitors rip into each other while we allow social organizations and public opinion to amplify the fallout."

Eric followed behind Hawke, offering free assistance, saying, "Hawke excels at this."

Hawke turned to Tom Cruise and instructed, "Gather as much information as you can on Jamie Foxx, Heath Ledger, and Johnny Depp, particularly the first two -- Jamie Foxx is a Black man with a significant advantage, and that film starring Heath Ledger has a robust support team behind it."

He paused slightly, "As for Johnny Depp? Even if he truly aligned with Harvey, Harvey wouldn't likely assist him."

Tom Cruise replied, "I'll set people on it right away."

Hawke offered some additional instructions.

Tom Cruise excused himself to leave first. Eric stayed behind.

...

Hawke had Edward collect all paper, photo, and video materials regarding the Los Angeles fires from Twitter, duplicating a set for Eric to assist in his script adaptation.

All of this represented a clear standpoint; while the materials appeared neutral, they aligned with opposing Antonio and Democrats.

The documentation was comprehensive, covering everything from Antonio's gender equality fireman initiative to the fires burning over 300 square kilometers.

After reviewing some of it, Eric realized, "If I adapt this into a film, am I going to grotesquely expose America's wounds?"

"Don't worry; it won't come to that. A movie like this can serve as a warning for America." Hawke wasn't concerned about that, as for every opponent, there would be an equal number of supporters.

The materials piled high required two boxes; Eric couldn't carry them all alone, so Edward helped bring them downstairs.

...

Hawke meticulously reviewed the information Tom Cruise provided to find the best angle for entry into the project.

Although those troublesome figures now appeared as mere pawns in his eyes, it was vital to hold the pawns in his control rather than leave them to the opponent's bidding.

*****

/Sayonara816.