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Chapter 90: Major Award Winner
🕑 Added 2024-11-23 09:16:34 +0000 UTCChaThe first award closely related to Ethan was for Best Hip-Hop Music Video of the Year.
The competition was fierce, featuring notable entries like Pass the Courvoisier (Part II) by P. Diddy in collaboration with other rappers.
However, as predicted by some media outlets, the winner of this award turned out to be Re invention, the music video directed by Ethan for Raymond.
Thanks to its unique use of color, this music video surpassed even the one Ethan had directed for Nelly, earning the title of Best Hip-Hop Music Video of the Year.
"Woohoo!" Raymond was so excited he could barely contain himself. He could already envision the surge in sales his song would experience following the announcement of this award.
For singers, one great song can provide lifelong benefits.
When it was time to accept the award, Raymond took the stage alongside Ethan.
Raymond gave a lengthy speech, thanking his family, mother, manager, and, of course, Ethan. Much of what he said was essentially lifted from a letter Ethan had once written for him, with some minor adjustments.
After Raymond finished speaking to a round of applause, it was Ethan's turn.
Ethan kept his remarks brief, smiling as he said, "I have to thank Raymond and his manager, Budman, for giving me this opportunity. As for the rest of my gratitude... I'll save it for the next award."
"Haha!" The audience erupted in laughter, their applause echoing throughout the venue.
After Ethan left the stage, host Jimmy Fallon added, "It's true, you know. Re Invention is Ethan's first music video! This year marks his debut as a photographer and director for music videos—he's a total rookie. Oh, my God!"
"What?!"
"Really?" The audience of celebrities gasped in disbelief, their eyes filled with curiosity as they looked at Ethan.
Avril, who saw how well Ethan was being received, raised her head proudly, as though sharing in his glory.
The awards continued to roll out, with No More Drama by Mary J. Blige taking Best R&B Music Video and P!nk's Get the Party Started winning Best Dance Music Video. Interestingly, during her acceptance speech, P!nk's flushed face and slurred words revealed she was drunk, prompting laughter from the entire audience.
Soon after, awards for Best Rock Music Video and Best Group Music Video were also announced following more performances.
As the evening wore on, the ceremony moved on to the more prestigious awards. The first was Best Male Artist Music Video of the Year.
When Jimmy Fallon announced Eminem as the winner, the crowd erupted. The award was well-deserved, as Eminem's new song had become one of the year's best-selling singles, dominating both the U.S. and global charts.
As Eminem took the stage with Joseph to accept the award, Dylan and Norstein, seated in the media section, let out sighs of relief. Although Ethan had already claimed one award, Eminem's win carried significant weight.
But when Jimmy Fallon revealed the next award, their relief was short-lived.
"The next award is Best Female Artist Music Video of the Year... The nominees are..."
The screen showed each nominee, including Avril.
Without much suspense, Jimmy Fallon announced, "And the winner of Best Female Artist Music Video of the Year is... Avril Lavigne!"
Cheers and applause filled the venue as congratulations poured in.
Avril, accompanied by Ethan, made her way to the stage. While giving her acceptance speech, Avril mentioned Ethan and even gazed at him fondly.
This tender moment was, of course, captured by photographers, eager to use it in their reports.
Once again, Ethan kept his remarks short, briefly thanking the crew and Avril before stepping off the stage.
The MTV Awards continued, with the International Viewer's Choice Award going to a familiar name—Zheng Jun for 1/3 Dream.
Following this, the ceremony transitioned into the technical awards, recognizing achievements in special effects, choreography, editing, and more, giving backstage professionals a moment in the spotlight.
The highlight among these was undoubtedly the Best Director of the Year award.
When Jimmy Fallon announced this category, all eyes turned to Ethan and Joseph. The other nominees were hardly contenders; they had all but conceded defeat.
After all, the works by these two were simply too outstanding.
Dylan and Norstein clenched their fists, anxiously awaiting the announcement.
The host, observing the tension in the room, smiled slightly. "The winner of Best Director of the Year is..."
He paused dramatically, letting the camera linger on Ethan and Joseph. Joseph wiped his forehead nervously, while Ethan remained calm and composed, an obvious contrast.
"And the winner is... Sk8er Boi! Ethan!"
"What the hell?!" Dylan shouted, his face turning pale with disbelief.
This outcome shattered his understanding of MTV's typical award selections, which historically favored avant-garde and daring works.
While Dylan admitted that Ethan's music video was excellent, it was almost too perfect. The fantasy-like production lacked any flaws, making it seem unreal. To him, Joseph's more raw and authentic work seemed more deserving.
At least with Joseph's video, he could analyze its strengths and weaknesses. But Ethan's work? He couldn't find a single fault.
It left him wondering if the video had been crafted by a professional film crew. If Ethan had truly made it himself, it challenged everything Dylan had come to believe in his decades-long career.
Norstein shared Dylan's frustration. He knew this meant they couldn't use the Best Music Video Director title to market themselves to clients. Meanwhile, Edison and his team could capitalize on the title to attract more business.
"Damn British guy, such luck."
Their only hope now was that Best Music Video of the Year would go to Joseph, salvaging some pride.
In stark contrast, Avril and Raymond applauded enthusiastically. Raymond, in particular, was so thrilled that other artists congratulated him, acknowledging Ethan's talent.
Taking the stage alone this time, Ethan addressed the audience.
"You know, this is my third time up here tonight."
The crowd burst into laughter.
"Yeah, I'm sure many of you are thinking, 'Damn, Ethan, how does he keep winning?'" Ethan strolled across the stage like a stand-up comedian. "Well, sorry to disappoint some folks out there, but I did warn you not to be too upset tonight!"
More laughter followed.
"If you're feeling down, come have a drink with me. If you can out-drink me, I'll even give you this astronaut." The MTV trophy was shaped like an astronaut planting a flag on the moon.
"But if you can't, then I have to say: buddy, you suck!"
Outside, at home, a drunken Thorn threw a bottle against the wall, shattering it. His face was filled with rage, wishing he could step into the TV and punch Ethan.
If Ethan hadn't taken his job, he wouldn't have been beaten twice by a group of Black men or ended up in the hospital, nearly bankrupt. His months of unemployment had pushed his life into a downward spiral, even straining his marriage.
"Thorn! What are you doing?!"
Speak of the devil, his wife appeared, carrying a baseball bat.
"Uh, sorry! I didn't mean to!" Thorn hurriedly knelt to pick up the broken glass, on the verge of tears.
Back at the award ceremony, the night was nearing its end.
After another band performed, Jimmy Fallon took the stage holding a crucial envelope. "The night has flown by, and we've reached the final award. I know you're all eager to find out who it will go to."
"Yes, it's Best Music Video of the Year! And now, I'll announce the nominees."
"First up, Eminem with Without Me!" The camera panned to Eminem, who raised an eyebrow coolly.
"Second, NSYNC with Gone!" The shot shifted to the boy band members, who waved warmly.
Jimmy continued through the third to fifth nominees, each smiling at the camera.
"And finally, Avril Lavigne with Sk8er Boi!"
The camera showed Avril pulling Ethan into the frame as they both made goofy faces.
"And the winner of Best Music Video of the Year is... Avril Lavigne with Sk8er Boi!"
Gasps and cheers erupted as Avril and Ethan exchanged smiles, holding hands as they walked to the stage together.
In the audience, Joseph removed his glasses and wiped them, visibly disappointed. Norstein closed his eyes with a sigh, regretting not signing Ethan earlier.
As for Dylan, he stormed out of the venue, heading to a boxing gym to vent his frustration. Tomorrow, he planned to write an article criticizing MTV for unfair judging.
Meanwhile, after the ceremony ended, every artist sought out Ethan. Even Michael Jackson wanted to meet the newly crowned Best Director.
Unfortunately, Ethan had already disappeared, leaving only his manager, Carl, to handle the flood of questions, compliments, business cards, phone numbers, and party invitations.
Ethan, after accepting his awards, was already on a flight to Chicago.
The next day, the Oscar-winning musical film he was directing was set to begin production!
