Hollywood Director 1992

[Chapter 302: Best Keep It Professional]

While working on the set of Hachi: A Dog's Tale, Link was not only helping Jodie Foster direct and providing guidance to Cameron Diaz on her performance, but he also took time to check on the progress of the Batman sequel. He urged the various teams to pick up the pace and do their best to complete the set construction within the deadline.

In January and February, he attended several award ceremonies, including the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the BAFTA Awards, and the Critics' Choice Awards, in addition to the recently held Golden Globe Awards. These four awards were often regarded as the major precursors to the Academy Awards. Films that won at these events had a higher chance of winning Oscars in the future. Conversely, films that missed out on these awards but still won an Oscar were often labeled as "dark horse" wins.

...

The Screen Actors Guild Awards was in its inaugural year and featured only four film categories -- Best Actor, Best Actress, and the Best Supporting Actor and Actress. Given its first year status, the judging panel was quite cautious, and the winners were four seasoned actors. The Best Actor award went to Tom Hanks for Forrest Gump, while the Best Actress went to Jodie Foster for Nell. The Best Supporting Actor was Martin Landau, aged 64, who had previously been nominated twice for an Oscar, receiving another nod for Ed Wood this time.

The Best Supporting Actress award went to Dianne Wiest, 49, who won the Oscar in 1987 for Hannah and Her Sisters and garnered a nomination again this year for Bullet Over Broadway. Unfortunately, Guess Pictures had nothing to show for at this award ceremony.

...

At the 48th BAFTA Awards, Se7en received nine nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor/Actress. Ultimately, it won for Best Cinematography and Best Editing, with Link himself walking away with the Best Editing award. Speed took home the award for Best Sound Effects, while Good Will Hunting won the award for Best Original Screenplay. The biggest winner of the British awards ceremony was the British film Four Weddings and a Funeral, which took home five prestigious awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and the People's Choice Award. Forrest Gump only received the award for Best Special Visual Effects.

...

At the Critics' Choice Awards, Se7en snagged eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, and Best Screenplay, ultimately winning for Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Supporting Actor. Leon: The Professional won for Best Foreign Language Film. Forrest Gump and the film directed by Woody Allen, Bullet Over Broadway, emerged as the biggest winners. Based on the results from the four award ceremonies, Guess Pictures' films were expected to struggle at the upcoming Oscars.

...

After the awards season, Link wrapped up most of his responsibilities at Hachi: A Dog's Tale. The narrative spanned across all four seasons, leading to a year-long filming process, with the shooting often interrupted. Therefore, Link didn't need to remain on set for the entirety.

If any issues arose during filming, Jodie Foster knew she could reach out to him over the phone. ...

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Link led the cast and crew into the pre-production for the Batman sequel, which included casting actors, rehearsing scenes, shooting exterior locations, and preparing CGI sequences.

"Ha ha, Link, it's great to be working with you!" exclaimed Jim Carrey as he enthusiastically approached Link during the script reading meeting, wrapping him in a big hug.

"Don't get too excited," Link chuckled, patting his shoulder. "I hold my actors to a high standard. If you don't perform well, I won't hesitate to call you out on it. Don't say I didn't give you the superstar treatment."

"Ha ha, don't worry. The Riddler is a character I can totally nail. I guarantee you I'll do a great job," Jim Carrey proclaimed, gesturing animatedly with exaggerated expressions.

"I have no doubt. I've spent six months preparing for this role, training every day, reading the script, studying the character. I'm 100% confident I can portray Batman," Ben Affleck declared, crossing his arms and raising his chin, striking a brooding pose.

He showed up in just a tank top, displaying his muscular arms and well-defined shoulders. He looked like he could play Superman in a blue leather suit and red underwear.

"You're in good shape, but I hope you can convey Bruce Wayne's aristocratic charm rather than just being a brawny jock," Link advised.

"Uh, I can do aristocratic. I underwent a month of etiquette training," Ben Affleck replied, lowering his arms as he suddenly started feeling a bit chilly.

"Ha ha ha! You calling that aristocratic? How many aristocrats do you know who show up to a meeting in a tank top?" Jim Carrey laughed, clutching his stomach.

"I am a noble doing workouts." Ben Affleck shot him a glare as he grabbed a jacket from his assistant.

...

"Hey, Link!" came a sparkling voice as Nicole Kidman arrived, dressed to the nines.

She wore a stunning gold Dior sleeveless gown that accentuated her tall, slender physique. The elegant cut of the dress and the floral embroidery along the neckline and hem highlighted her luxurious style. The high slit of the skirt showcased her long legs, paired with silver high heels that added a touch of regality and allure.

With her striking height and porcelain skin, coupled with her golden hair and dress, she seemed to radiate a captivating glow that drew everyone's attention.

As she entered, both Jim Carrey and Ben Affleck instinctively ceased their conversation, their eyes glued to her.

"Link, it's such a pleasure to see you here. It was hard to catch you!" Nicole Kidman said, walking gracefully toward him, infused with a delightful fragrance and a charming smile that added an edge to her beauty.

Link noticed Jim Carrey and Ben Affleck behind him gulping at the sight of her.

"Nicole, welcome to the script meeting. I hope we can work smoothly together moving forward," Link said, extending his hand for a shake.

"Link, from now on, I'm your girl, so I hope you'll take good care of me," Nicole Kidman replied, winking her blue eyes as she again flashed an enchanting smile.

"Of course, I'll treat all the actors equally here," Link assured her.

Jim Carrey and Ben Affleck exchanged glances, their eyebrows raised and eyes darting suspiciously. Were they reading too much into that?

They leaned in closer, eager for any hints of something brewing between Link and Nicole Kidman.

However, soon after Nicole's arrival, the rest of the crew began filtering in, including the two joint screenwriters, the actor portraying Two-Face, Gary Oldman, the actor for the Butler, Michael Caine, Ryan Phillippe as Robin, and Drew Barrymore and Salma Hayek playing Two-Face's seductive assistants.

...

"Alright, everyone's here -- please take your seats," Link said, signaling for the discussion to begin.

Taking a seat at the far end of the large round table in the conference room, Link was initially joined by Ben Affleck, who was supposed to play Batman beside him. But Nicole Kidman elegantly approached, lifting her skirt and smiling sweetly at Ben.

Ben, attempting to be the gentleman, quickly offered her his spot.

"Thanks!" Nicole smiled charmingly before gracefully sitting down.

Ben Affleck shrugged and was about to sit elsewhere when Drew Barrymore, batting her beautiful eyes and pushing out her plump, red lips, coyly mentioned she wanted to sit closer to Link to hear him discuss the script in detail.

With no other options, Ben Affleck could only retreat further, ending up between Jim Carrey and Ryan Phillippe.

As Link noticed everyone settling down and prepared to speak, he felt a foot come into contact with his own from under the table. He frowned at Nicole Kidman with a warning glance, silently reminding her that this was business and she'd best keep it professional.

Startled by his look, Nicole quickly withdrew her foot, straightened up, and focused intently on what Link had to say.

*****

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