By Zorianna Kit

Not long ago, Lee Daniels received a phone call out of left field: George Lucas had seen his film "Precious" and wanted the director to come to his Skywalker Ranch for a visit. Daniels flew up north, had lunch with Lucas and even spent the night in one of his cottages.

"I was nervous and intimidated at first," recalls Daniels, who brought along his leading lady, Gabourey Sidibe. "Then we just kicked back and talked about life and about how the film affected him and his girlfriend. We also talked how sound can help me on my next movie, because I have limited funds. It was a really chill conversation."

Daniels says he now has a new friend whom "I can feel free to call for further advice."

Having Lucas as a mentor is just one of the doors that have opened for Daniels as a result of "Precious." And he's not alone: For many of this year's Oscar nominees, the success of their films has resulted in unimaginable job offers, higher paychecks, more respect within the industry and incoming phone calls from Hollywood power players.

"Before, I complained that I would only get considered for a specific type of film, but now they're all over the place." -- Lee Daniels      Daniels, who is nominated in two categories -- best picture and best director -- says he's been offered up to $2.5 million to direct everything from a Western to a musical. That's a far cry from the roughly $600,000 he received for "Precious," which he also produced.  To read the rest of the story, click here.
 

OTHER HOLLYWOOD REPORTER AWARD SEASON PIECES

Best Picture nominees here.

Best Director nominees here.

Best Actor nominees here.

Best Actress nominees here.

Best Supporting Actor nominees here.

Best Supporting Actress nominees here.

Best Original and Adapted Screenplay nominees here.

The turning point:  How these award contending films got off the ground.

PGA honorees like Joss Whedon, Mark Burnett and John Lassiter speak here.

Potential Oscar nominees like Tarantino, Bridges and Mirren tell me who they'd like to see get nominated here.

Palm Springs Film Festival overview piece here, while PSFF honorees such as Helen Mirren, Jeff Bridges and T-Bone Burnett share their favorite festival moments here.

Producers such as Jon Landau, Lawrence Bender, Ivan Reitman and more recall their memorable moments of working on their 2009 films here.

Directors such as JJ Abrams, Kathryn Bigelow, Michael Moore, Quentin Tarantino and others recall their memorable moments of the 2009 season here.