….
The Governor's Ball was a blur of champagne, laughter, and golden statuettes catching the light - as the winners and losers alike making way to their private and public after-parties.
Regal also joined the party as a necessary stop, only to have his brand-new golden statues engraved before heading off to his own private party he had set up with his close personals.
The people attending are his most cherished ones who had been there from the beginning of his journey.
Everyone he had ever collaborated with, who had taken a chance on him, believed in his vision, or simply showed up when it mattered.
They were all here.
From [Following]:
Keanu Reeves stood near the bar, looking more relaxed than Regal had seen him in years.
Their first film together, made for $500K with money he had earned from publishing his first book as an Author of Harry Potter.
From afar, Keanu raised his glass when their eyes met, a silent acknowledgment of how far they had come.
Andrew Gleeson was deep in conversation with Grace Violet. Grace had been one of the first people to believe in [Following], and now she was here watching Regal hold an Oscar.
Simon Lombardozzi, now his line producer, was coordinating something with the waitstaff.
Darren, his long-lost friend and another line producer, appeared at Regal's elbow with two glasses of champagne.
Zack Bragg, his editor since the beginning, was showing his Oscar invitation to someone like it was a winning lottery ticket.
Every film they had worked on together had been a master class in visual storytelling.
Ludwig Göransson, his composer for every film from [Following], was chatting with someone near the piano.
From Death Note: Timothée Chalamet, their L, looked impossibly young in his tuxedo. He was talking with Stephen Hawking Jr., who had played Light with such a menace.
There was Kristen, who had played Misa with a vulnerability that surprised critics.
Ross Oakley.
Ross... well, Ross didn't need introductions.
Peter Cullen, the voice of Shinigami and future voice of Optimus Prime, though only Regal knew that, was regaling a small group with some story that had them all laughing.
Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe stood together, and Regal smiled at the irony. Alfred had read for Snape and Doctor Octopus. Willem for Voldemort and would become the Green Goblin. Both were waiting to find out which roles they would actually get.
Robin Williams was impossible to miss - he still carried the Rubeus Hagrid warmth that had made the entire casting team tear up. Seeing him here, laughing and gesturing wildly, Regal felt grateful they had cast him.
From The Hangover:
Zach Barg and Paul Rudd were doing something that looked like it might be an impromptu comedy bit, drawing a small crowd.
Ben Azelart stood slightly apart, looking overwhelmed.
Regal still remembered him, the very first person he had ever auditioned, back when he barely knew how to run a casting session.
So made his way over.
"Ben." he said, and the young actor's face lit up.
"Regal! Congratulations! This is... I mean, an Oscar? You actually won an Oscar!"
"We have come a long way from that first audition, haven't we?"
"You gave me my first real shot. I will never forget that."
And the–
From Harry Potter:
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Lily Harris were clustered together, the three of them looking simultaneously exhausted and exhilarated.
Lily's grandfather, Richard Harris, had been unable to attend due to health concerns, and Regal could see the slight shadow of worry in her eyes despite the celebration.
"How are you holding up?" Regal asked, joining them.
"We won three Oscars." Daniel said, still sounding slightly disbelieving. "Including yours for Best Original Screenplay. Do you know how mental that is?"
Leo Martinez, the sound designer behind both Harry Potter and the upcoming Iron Man, was comparing notes with some other technical artists.
From Iron Man:
Robert Downey Jr. stood slightly apart from the main crowds, nursing a drink and observing everything.
He had initially been reluctant to attend since [Iron Man] hadn't released yet, which meant he was still an actor trying to prove himself rather than a proven star.
But Regal had insisted. "I want to introduce you as the lead of my next film." he said. "Not as someone who needs to prove anything, but as someone I chose because you are perfect for the role."
Now RDJ caught his eye and raised his glass in a small salute.
Regal made his way over.
"Congratulations." RDJ said. "Oscar winner. That's a nice ring to it."
….
Christopher Bennett, CEO of Iconique Talent Agency, worked the room with his assistant Anne Whitmore, both of them making connections and cementing relationships.
Christopher had taken a chance on Regal early, and that bet had paid off spectacularly.
Deonte Maravich from Red Studio held court near the center of the room, Red Studio's success written all over his satisfied expression.
His right-hand man, Pete Harty, stood beside him, Pete, who Regal still remembered as one of many who had initially thought [Following] would fail.
Pete caught Regal's eye and actually looked embarrassed.
He made his way over.
"I was wrong." Pete said without preamble. "You still hold a grudge against it?"
"You weren't the only one that was wrong so no worries." Regal said with a laugh.
….
Seren Seraphsail, his twin sister - stood examining the Oscar statue like it was a piece of art to be deconstructed.
As the costume designer behind Spider-Man's visual spectacle, she had been instrumental in creating the film's distinctive look.
"It's heavier than I expected." she said when Regal approached.
"Everything about tonight is heavier than I expected."
She smiled.
Samantha Cross, his assistant, was somehow managing to coordinate about five different things at once, scheduling interviews, confirming meeting times, and apparently planning the after-after-party.
She was indispensable, and Regal made a mental note to give her a substantial raise.
And finally, near the edge of the room, stood Gwendolyn Oulworth, his girlfriend - with her assistant Maggie Hartwell.
Gwendolyn caught his eye and smiled, and for a moment the entire room seemed to fade away.
He made his way through the crowd toward her.
"Hey."
"Hey yourself, Oscar winner." She reached up and straightened his slightly crooked bow tie. "How does it feel?"
"Pretty proud actually." He glanced around the room. "Everyone I have ever worked with is here. Everyone who believed in me when they didn't have to."
"That's because you are worth believing in." She said it simply, like it was an obvious fact.
From [Following] to [Death Note] to [The Hangover] to [Spider-Man] to [Harry Potter], and now [Iron Man]
–Every film had been built on collaboration, on trust, on people saying 'yes' when the safe answer was 'no'.
As Regal walked to the center stage accompanied by Gwendolyn, suddenly everyone was raising their glasses, toasting him.
Regal felt his throat tighten with unexpected emotion.
"Speech!" someone called out, it might have been Zach Barg.
"Speech!" others echoed.
Regal held up his hands in surrender, then raised his Oscar.
"I don't have prepared remarks." he started, and there was warm laughter. "But I want to say... Everything I have accomplished has been because of the people in this room. You took chances on an unknown kid with a $500K in his pocket and more ambition than sense. You believed in weird projects that studios said wouldn't work. You showed up, did the work, and made magic happen."
He paused, looking around at all the faces.
"Keanu, you were my first real collaborator. The duo of [Death Note]. [The Hangover] crew. Andrew, you brought Peter Parker to life in ways I never imagined. Ludwig, your music elevates everything.
"Daniel, Rupert, Lily, you have grown up on screen and become the faces of a generation. RDJ - I can't wait for the world to see what you do as Tony Stark. Chris Columbus, thank you for directing your vision into reality."
Another pause.
"To everyone here: we didn't just make movies. We proved that blockbusters can be art. That commercial success and critical acclaim aren't mutually exclusive. That taking risks and trusting your collaborators is how you create something lasting."
He raised the Oscar higher.
"This belongs to all of us. Thank you for believing."
The applause was thunderous, accompanied by whistles and cheers. Champagne flowed. Conversations resumed. The party continued.
But for Regal, this moment, surrounded by everyone who had helped build his vision - was worth more than any award.
His phone buzzed.
A text from Ryan Reynolds: [Saw the results. Congratulations! Now can we PLEASE talk about Deadpool? I have ideas…]
Regal smiled.
Tomorrow, the work will continue.
[Iron Man] needed finishing.
[Deadpool] needed developing.
…and finally time to kick start the project to make Keanu the super star he will be in the near future.
There were always more stories to tell, more risks to take.
But tonight was for celebration, for gratitude and acknowledging that success was never a solo achievement.
He pocketed his phone, took Gwendolyn's hand, and let himself enjoy the moment.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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