Even when spoken by himself, Renly still found this notion to be utterly surreal.
Regardless of public opinion, the potential for criticism, or even the commercialized nature of the event, no one could deny that the Oscars reigned as the pinnacle of the global film industry. Its prestige, recognition, attention, and popularity surpassed all else, cementing its unrivaled position as the foremost event.
For an actor to have their debut work receive an Oscar nomination was a rarity in the annals of history. And yet, it wasn't a singular instance like "Buried". Recently, the spotlight had been on "Like Crazy", which made waves at the Sundance Film Festival, and coupled with the approaching promotions for "Fast 5".
One could easily envision Renly as a focal point upon his entrance onto the red carpet.
Renly comprehended Andy's words well. The Oscars, with their radiant stars, made standing out a Herculean task for anyone. Even recipients of the coveted golden statuette could have their glory overshadowed, let alone newcomers like Renly. Nonetheless, the significance of attending the Oscars went beyond a mere accolade; at least, that was the perspective of a talent agent.
The Oscars were a platform for networking, socializing, and sky-rocketing one's career—a celestial ascent that shattered barriers, providing unprecedented access to the industry's upper echelons. Moreover, it was the apex of Hollywood's limelight, capturing the world's gaze. Countless newcomers and even established actors dedicated their lives to the aspiration of gracing the Oscars' red carpet.
Hence, ever since "Buried" premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, Renly had been meticulously planning, orchestrating, and toiling. Months were invested with the ultimate goal—success at the Oscars.
And Renly's efforts bore fruit. On the back of "Buried", Renly secured his first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Actor—an enchanting beginning for any talent agent.
Starring consecutively in "50/50" and "Detachment" wasn't a retreat, but rather a strategic move to avoid over-hype and undue attention, guarding against being a target of scrutiny. The ultimate goal remained moving forward, and the Oscars ceremony stood as a pivotal juncture in that journey.
Throughout this period, Renly had been engrossed in Hollywood's whirlwind. While the other artists under his management also had their corresponding activities during the awards season, Renly's focus had inevitably shifted towards Renly:
Disseminating Renly's positive comments at various parties, keeping the media engaged with "Buried", maintaining a close liaison with the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" production crew, representing Renly at film critics' association award ceremonies...
As a talent agent, Renly was to some extent Renly's representative. Even when Renly was momentarily absent from Hollywood, the concept of "reputation" could accrue, settle, and shape itself—akin to the formation of a brand identity.
All of Renly's endeavors paved the way for Renly, poised for the Oscars' arrival, where Renly could rightfully harvest the rewards. It wasn't merely about the award ceremony itself. Post-Oscars, Renly could ingeniously expand his influence, laying a robust foundation for the future while capitalizing on the limelight.
Renly had strategized it all. Through the Oscars stage, Renly's acclaim and visibility would scale unprecedented heights. Afterward, he could gracefully pivot, immersing himself in "50/50" and "Detachment", embodying a subdued yet professional actor's demeanor. A two-month hiatus would precede the premiere of "Fast 5", reinvigorating his exposure. Recent filming experiences would then be showcased through exclusive interviews, further embedding a positive impression within the audience's psyche...
Without exaggeration, the Oscars stood as the nucleus within the nucleus. Their level of attention and exposure were irreplaceable. What was Renly's most pressing need right now? It wasn't industry recognition or media acclaim; it was the awareness of the ordinary public. Thus, the Oscars were undoubtedly the paramount stage.
However, the present circumstances...
Andy knew he had a hundred, even a thousand reasons to convince Renly to attend the Oscars, and he believed Renly would attend. Yet, it only took one reason to undermine all the others:
Renly's condition.
Andy wasn't sure about Renly's overall state—both physically and mentally. Nor was he certain about the depth of Renly's immersion into his role, when that almost trance-like state might erupt. But what Andy was sure of was that Renly's current situation wasn't good; one could even say it was dire.
As Renly had said, attending this year's Oscars was essentially running alongside the main event. The real objectives were socialization and exposure. This implied that Renly had to face a slew of social events, managing the media was a minor concern; dealing with seasoned actors who held themselves in high regard, influential producers, and even the titans of film production companies—that was the real challenge.
Considering Renly's present state, or rather, based on his recent conversation, Renly was akin to an unpredictable time bomb. No one knew when it might detonate or whom it might be aimed at. Attending in this state might very well backfire.
Nevertheless, if it were any other talent, Andy wouldn't be concerned. Like other agents, he'd use coercive methods if necessary, even if the actor resisted, to ensure their attendance.
Setting aside the nomination, occasions like the Oscars guaranteed exposure, even if not much in terms of networking was achieved. To put it bluntly, attending an awards ceremony was a surefire investment. Otherwise, why would the entire Hollywood community swarm toward the Oscars? Even the concept of the awards season revolved around the Oscars as its epicenter!
Yet, Renly wasn't just anyone; he wasn't any ordinary actor.
When Andy had persevered and chosen to sign with Renly, he had prepared himself mentally. He knew the kind of actor he was choosing.
Hollywood boasted over four hundred thousand actors, while agents numbered in the tens of thousands. Each year saw an unending influx of new actors, and simply seeking a potentially malleable performer, Andy had countless options. Yet he chose Renly, the most challenging of them all, because Andy steadfastly believed that Renly was exceptional.
And now, this was such a unique moment.
In pursuit of delivering an unparalleled performance, Renly was almost lost in a fervor, utterly immersed in his role. He dedicated himself wholly to mastering the nuances, merging completely with the character. This passion, this intensity, this unwavering commitment—such qualities were scarcely found even throughout all of Hollywood.
For "50/50", Andy couldn't comprehend why a comedic film had pushed Renly into such a state. He needed to discuss this matter thoroughly with Seth. But one thing Andy could discern was that the line between reality and illusion had blurred for Renly. He couldn't even tell whether what was before him was Renly or Adam.
The sensation was profoundly eerie, as though a virtual character from a movie screen had stepped into real life. It was even stranger than those moving pictures in "Harry Potter". Yet, it was undeniably unfolding before Andy's eyes.
Andy couldn't help but think of Heath Ledger.
Even before "Brokeback Mountain", Heath had been considered a promising rising star by many. Ang Lee provided a platform that witnessed his ascent. Later, while filming "The Dark Knight", Heath was engulfed in the Joker's world, too immersed to break free. He tragically passed away at a young age.
From "Buried" to "Like Crazy", and now "50/50", Renly's relentless pursuit and fervor for acting had genuinely touched Andy. He was convinced that someday, Renly would become a top-tier superstar, shining as brilliantly as Marlon Brando or Tom Hanks, but beyond the glare of stardom, Renly was, first and foremost, an actor—a true actor.
Andy unwaveringly believed that this wouldn't be Renly's only nomination. Even though Renly was merely twenty-one, an age brimming with uncertainties, Andy saw it differently. It was because Renly was only twenty-one that the future was replete with countless possibilities and hope.
Moreover, Andy didn't want to witness another star's downfall.
Missing out on the Oscars was unfortunate, but not the end of the world. However, missing out on an actor like Renly—now, that would be truly catastrophic.
In the real world, people could be ambitious but not too greedy, nor too blind. Only by embracing the truth of "you gain, you lose" could one walk the path enduringly. Perhaps, having secured the rare opportunities of "50/50" and "Detachment", with both roles coincidentally fitting Renly's age, missing the Oscars would be an inevitable loss.
In a brief span of time, Andy's internal balance had already made its choice. But... this was truly insane! Even though Andy had tumbled in Hollywood for nearly a decade, such an implausible situation was a rarity.