Chapter 65: Advantage Is Mine!
"Oscar? Let's be honest, How much is that thing worth at the box office??"
Shinji asked disdainfully.
"It can still rake in quite a bit of money... at least in North America."
Cloris's tone carried a hint of uncertainty.
Shinji nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "But for FSN, it has no significance. It's not a film released massively after the Oscars. Moreover, the old guys at the Academy don't appreciate me."
Cloris shook her head. "You can make things happen. Maybe you can get a few technical awards?"
"Don't even think about it. I'm already busy coordinating like a 'Gudao,' where do I have time to chase awards?"
"Gudao? Is that your ex-girlfriend?"
Shinji didn't answer that question. Instead, he continued, "Moreover, even if the Time Group does PR, for the sake of the European gentlemen, they won't give me the award."
Because without the dominating influence of Hollywood in the global film market, the Oscars in this world couldn't compare to the influence of the three major European film festivals. There were even cases where the Academy, to demonstrate the fairness and influence of the Oscars, awarded a large number of prizes to European films.
In the industry's words, "The movie doesn't lack an Oscar, but the Oscar needs this award to prove itself."
Shinji, who wasn't even considered by the three major festivals, looked down even more on the second-rate awards like the Oscars.
Cloris felt it was a pity. As an American, she naturally hoped that the influence of the Oscars could increase.
Unable to match the three major film festivals in terms of art, Cloris thought that the Oscars might take a commercial route to achieve a breakthrough.
"You're dreaming." Shinji shook his finger, mocking Cloris's naivety. "The old men at the Academy have long admired the European magecraft, dreaming of gaining recognition from the European gentlemen. They would even sell their souls for it."
"Get lost, you talk too much."
Cloris scolded Shinji with a hint of disdain.
However, when she thought of those old men bending over to please others, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Alright, let's stop talking about the Oscars." Cloris steered the conversation back to the main topic. "Before coming here, I had already communicated with the distribution and publicity departments of the group. They both expressed that during the movie's promotional period, the media resources under the group will be inclined towards Fate/Zero."
This was good news, and Shinji nodded.
"I've looked at the feedback data from Europe and America that you sent me before. The current promotional effect is very good, much better than I expected."
Cloris praised, "After all, it's the promotional strategy you devised."
"It's purely because the existing promotional methods are too primitive." Shinji shrugged his shoulders casually.
Currently, movie companies mostly rely on column reviews by film critics for promotion, and then advertise through various channels. The promotion content is also very monotonous, focusing on the star cast and movie plot, with the addition of a few awards the movie has won.
Shinji, on the other hand, had prepared numerous promotional plans, ranging from online promotion to interacting with fans, covering almost everything. He even prepared many alternative and improvement plans, adjusting them promptly based on feedback.
"Regarding promotion, don't you plan to arrange press screenings and media reviews for Fate/Zero?"
"For the media, arranging it for the premiere is enough. As for film critics, forget it. Why would I invite people to come and criticize my own work? Am I that cheap?" Shinji sarcastically commented.
"If you're willing to spend money, there should be film critics willing to say positive things, right?"
"Those small fry are useless. Moreover, if I really want to manipulate them, I might as well use suggestive magecraft hypnosis, without even spending money."
Shinji waved his hand casually. "Just ignore them."
"Whatever, your movie, your call."
Cloris shook her head helplessly. Shinji was currently at the peak of his career. Unless his movie flopped, he held absolute authority over the promotion of the film.
"Alright, I'm going to Fuyuki City to shoot promotional materials with the Heroic Spirit actors. Ah, dealing with Heroic Spirit actors outside of Fuyuki City is really troublesome. Even for interviews and program recordings, they have to come to Fuyuki City. I really don't know when those actors can directly come to the United States."
Saying this, Cloris deliberately glanced at Shinji.
But Shinji silently put on his headphones, confirming the sound effects for the movie's post-production, as if he hadn't heard Cloris's words.
"You—!"
Cloris clenched her fists forcefully, trying to restrain her impulse to hit someone.
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After Cloris left, Shinji continued with his post-production work.
Although the majority of Fate/Zero's scenes were shot using live-action, there were still a few scenes that required computer-generated effects. Fortunately, these scenes were limited, and the equipment at Tsuburaya Productions was more than capable of handling them.
Apart from the effects, Shinji also had to work with the sound engineer to add various sound effects, pay attention to the composition of the soundtrack created by the composer, and ensure that all the sounds in the movie perfectly matched his standards.
At the same time, both the Time Group and Bandai simultaneously released the second official trailer edited by Shinji himself.
This trailer continued the style of grand scenes and large-scale production. After Shinji finalized the movie, footage from the second half was added to the trailer.
"The king will admit it. The king will allow it. The king will bear the whole world on his back."
Gilgamesh's resolute words in the face of the corruption by the Black Mud satisfied many of his sparkling female fans.
Since being captivated by the handsome appearance of Gilgamesh, they have been continuously protesting against the negative portrayal of this handsome character in Fate/Stay Night (FSN).
"A king as handsome as Gil should not be just a nouveau riche without depth!"
"How could Lord Gilgamesh possibly be interested in that English country girl!"
Such criticisms can always be seen on the relevant forums of FSN.
And now, Gilgamesh can finally showcase the kingly aura that belongs to a ruler, exciting numerous fangirls.
It's not just the fangirls; even housewives feel excited and joyful.
The second teaser released instantly sparked a strong response. According to the data from the Shinji Time Group's survey, it's easy to see the high level of anticipation for Fate/Zero (FZ), which has been consistently rising.
This excitement reached its peak in April.
At this point, Shinji has completed the post-production of the film, and the promotion of Fate/Zero enters the final sprint.
Character posters, exclusive trailers, interviews in film magazines, and more – the presence of Fate/Zero can be seen in various media and magazines worldwide.
What fans are particularly thrilled about is the official announcement of the film's duration – 3 hours and 12 minutes (including the credits).
In a world where films tend to lean towards artistry, with generally slower pacing, films exceeding 3 hours are not common, but there are still a few.
This is Shinji's biggest reliance in daring to edit Fate/Zero into a movie. In the world before, he might not have dared to do so.
Even so, fans were still amazed by this duration.
Considering that FSN's two and a half hours are already breath-taking, Fate/Zero having a runtime of 3 hours – while enjoyable – raises questions about the volume of the movie's plot.
Many Fate fans started jokingly suggesting that viewers should refrain from drinking water before watching FZ and empty their bladders. Missing a crucial plot point due to a bathroom break could lead to a disconnect with the entire movie.
Some viewers even joked about preparing a chamber pot for the movie to ensure they don't miss any exciting scenes.
For the 3-hour runtime, fans mostly approach it with a humorous attitude. Being able to enjoy it in one go is undoubtedly a good thing for them.
As May approaches, more and more promotional material for Fate/Zero is being released, and audiences are becoming increasingly eager for the film's release.
In their eyes, this will be the only movie worth watching this year, their sole spiritual sustenance since 2004.
Besides Fate fans, there's another group eagerly awaiting the release of Fate/Zero – the group of film critics.
However, unlike the joyful anticipation of fans, the film critics are rubbing their hands together, ready to give Fate/Zero a thorough evaluation (or criticism).
The success of FSN at the box office last year repeatedly rubbed the faces of film critics in the ground.
Now that FZ is releasing, film critics are determined to regain their reputation!
Especially the Japanese film critics, they cannot accept that a film they collectively deemed as a flop became the box office champion in Japan last year!
The Japanese film market is sick, and they must administer strong medicine to cure it!
In the eyes of the film critics' group, their dismal failure last year was because they were not united; everyone fought individually, giving Matou Shinji, that little rascal, an opportunity.
So, in order to coordinate their efforts, film critics held a meeting.
During the meeting, the critics expressed their dissatisfaction with FSN's global box office of over 600 million dollars and their disdain for Japan's 17.3 billion yen.
It's not that they, the film critics, are incapable; it's the fault of this generation of audiences!
What's even more infuriating is that director Matou Shinji actually manipulated audiences without discerning abilities!
Truly heinous, he must be annihilated!
In this context, Shinji's old rival among the film critics, Kawachi Ippei, even conducted a pre-war mobilization.
"Twenty years ago, I embarked on the journey of a film critic, starting the struggle for the art of cinema!"
"The public opinion of the Japanese film industry became united, becoming a holy land for art!"
"Wherever we film critics went, the audience welcomed us wholeheartedly. It was truly a time of vibrant vitality."
Kawachi Ippei raised his fist high, passionately delivering his speech.
"In just twenty years, has the Japanese film market turned into a burial ground for us?!"
Kawachi Ippei forcefully slammed the table, shouting with vigor.
"No matter how you put it, there are hundreds of us film critics compared to Matou Shinji, and the advantage lies with us!"
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