The Town with Matthew Belloni

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Does an Oscar Matter More or Less Than Ever?

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Feb 28, 2025

Guest

Robert Newman

Matthew Belloni speaks with Robert Newman, a Partner at William Morris Endeavor known for representing auteur filmmakers. They dive into the enduring impact of Academy Awards on filmmakers' careers, discussing how wins can significantly enhance project opportunities and industry recognition. Newman shares insights on the evolving relevance of the Oscars amidst changing viewer interest and suggests ways to improve the awards. The conversation also speculates on the ratings for the upcoming ceremony, highlighting the influence of streaming platforms.

39:04

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ANECDOTE

Del Toro's Pinocchio

Guillermo del Toro's Oscar win for "Shape of Water" helped him secure funding for "Pinocchio".
This demonstrates how awards can validate a filmmaker's vision and open doors to passion projects.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Cuarón's Roma

Alfonso Cuarón's "Gravity" Oscar win helped finance his subsequent film, "Roma," which also earned him an Oscar.
This showcases how awards recognition can build momentum and enable directors to pursue personal projects.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Boyle's 127 Hours

Danny Boyle leveraged his "Slumdog Millionaire" Oscar win to secure funding for "127 Hours."
This illustrates how an Oscar can be used as leverage to pursue less commercial, passion-driven projects.

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The Oscar Effect: Transforming Filmmakers' Futures

04:21 • 6min

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Navigating Filmmaking Finances

10:39 • 4min

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The Impact of Oscars on Filmmaking and Studio Decisions

14:12 • 2min

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The Evolving Significance of the Oscars

15:49 • 16min

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Oscars Outlook: Ratings and Relevance

31:26 • 6min

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28 Days Later (Film Series)

Post-apocalyptic Horror Films

Alex Garland

The 28 Days Later series includes films like 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, focusing on a world devastated by the Rage Virus. The series explores themes of survival and human nature in a post-apocalyptic world.

Fruitvale Station

Robert Newman

No information available.

Genesis One and the Origin of the Earth

Second Edition

Herman J. Eckelmann, Jr.

Robert C. Newman

Perry G. Phillips

This book integrates the latest scientific findings on the origin of the solar system with theological interpretations of Genesis chapter one. It discusses astronomical and geological evidence supporting the ages of the universe and Earth, and explores various models for the solar system's formation, focusing on the nebular theory.

No detailed description available for 'Roma' by Robert Newman. If you are referring to a different book or author, please provide more details.

127 Hours

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Aron Ralston

127 Hours is Aron Ralston's gripping account of being trapped for six days in a remote Utah canyon. His right arm was pinned by an 800-pound boulder, and he had to amputate it to survive. The book details his ordeal and the events leading up to his rescue. It is a testament to human resilience and determination.

Ex Machina

Robert Newman

No description available.

There is no available information about a book titled 'Complete Unknown' by Kōnstantinos Tzoumas.

Anora is the first book in the Elven Princess series by Tessa Escalera. It follows the journey of a 12-year-old elven princess as she navigates the onset of war. The series is designed for middle-grade readers and explores themes of adventure, magic, and personal growth.

The shape of water

Anne Spollen

The Shape of Water is a narrative that delves into the life of Magdalena (Magda), a 15-year-old girl who is struggling with mental illness. The story explores her journey as she grapples with the legacy of her mother's madness and her father's oppressive normalcy. The book is described as a 'darkly lyrical and surprising tapestry of the mundane and the surreal'.

Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs. The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities. The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people.

Conclave

Lawrence D. Klausner

Conclave, written by Lawrence D. Klausner, is a novel that explores themes and settings that were relevant at the time of its publication in 1981. The book is known for its engaging narrative, although specific details about the plot are not widely available. It is a work of fiction that has been cataloged and sold through various bookstores and libraries.

Wicked

The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Gregory Maguire

In 'Wicked', Gregory Maguire delves into the life of Elphaba, the green-skinned girl who becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. The story begins with Elphaba's childhood, marked by her unique appearance and her father's missionary work in Quadling country. As she grows older, Elphaba attends Shiz University, where she meets Galinda, who will later become Glinda. The novel follows Elphaba's journey through her involvement in resistance against the Wizard, her personal struggles, and her eventual transformation into the Wicked Witch. Maguire's narrative explores themes of social class, political oppression, and the nature of evil, creating a rich and vivid world that challenges the traditional view of Oz.

The Substance

Arlette Elkaïm-Sartre

Jean-Paul Sartre

This would depend on the specific content of the book. Sartre's works often delve into existentialist philosophy, human freedom, and the responsibility that comes with it.

The great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Published in 1925, 'The Great Gatsby' is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life during the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in the lives of his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and Gatsby's obsession to win back his first love, Daisy Buchanan. The story delves into themes of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past, ultimately reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream.

Parasite

Seanan McGuire

In this novel, humanity has achieved near-immunity to diseases thanks to the SymboGen Corporation's genetically engineered tapeworms. However, these parasites start to become restless and seek their own lives, leading to a potential apocalypse. The story follows Sally Mitchell, a young woman who survived a car accident thanks to one of these tapeworms but now faces strange medical crises and must navigate a world where the tapeworms are causing people to become erratic and violent. The book blends elements of science fiction, horror, and thriller genres, with a strong focus on the scientific plausibility and the immediate, scary implications of the tapeworms' actions.

The Lost Daughter

Elena Ferrante

The novel follows Leda, a 48-year-old English literature professor, who spends her summer alone on the Ionian coast after her daughters move to Canada with their father. She becomes fascinated with a young mother, Nina, and her daughter Elena, and their lives become intertwined. The story delves into themes of motherhood, identity, and the emotional struggles of women, particularly highlighting Leda's own past as a mother who abandoned her daughters for three years to pursue her academic career. The narrative explores the psychological and emotional implications of Leda's actions and her connection to Nina's family, leading to a profound reflection on the complexities of motherhood and personal identity.

Moulin Rouge

Robert Newman

No description available.

Matt is joined by WME senior partner Robert Newman to talk about how much an Academy Award win still matters. Robert represents several accomplished auteur filmmakers and can speak to the impact an Oscar win could have on an up-and-coming director, how it influences their next project, and whether that cache has dwindled. Later he shares a few opinions on how to improve the Academy Awards (02:31). Matt finishes the show with a ratings prediction for the 97th Academy Awards (30:09).

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Robert Newman

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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