China Entertainment's Standout

Chapter 1092 Governor Zhou's Playful Use of Beacon Fires to Amuse the Feudal Lords
Just after the news of "The Story of Minglan" being moved up in time came out.

Fans are overjoyed, but for major video platforms in China, this is quite a headache.

Each company, one by one, quickly convened internal meetings to discuss the matter.

In the conference room of the kiwi fruit company, senior executives were gathered, and the atmosphere was gloomy and somber.

"Jiang Dong is messing things up! Originally, it was supposed to be released at the end of the month, but we put 'You and My Glamorous Time' at the beginning of the month so that we could stagger the release dates."

The content director slammed his fist on the table and fired the first shot: "Now they've suddenly moved up the schedule at the last minute, without giving us any advance notice, and our broadcasting plans are completely messed up!"

When a video platform wants to promote a show, it doesn't just make a decision on a whim; it must do a lot of preparatory work beforehand.

Wait for the buzz to build up on social media, then unleash it all when it premieres.

Now that Jiangdong has pulled this stunt, it's essentially disrupted the kiwifruit family's subsequent broadcast schedule.

"How about... we just go head-to-head?"

One of the executives, having made a bold decision, proposed...
"We've teamed up with Tencent and added another 3000 million to our marketing budget. If we promote 'Our Glamorous Time' together, we might just be able to compete with 'The Story of Minglan'!"

The current ecosystem of domestic video platforms is no longer the era of fierce competition that it was a few years ago.

This marks the official start of a dominant position for Bilibili in Jiangdong, with one superpower and many strong contenders.

The so-called "top leader" is Bilibili, which is backed by the Jiangdong Group, followed by iQiyi, Tencent, and Youku, which are all backed by powerful internet giants.

There are no eternal enemies, nor eternal friends.

The pressure from Jiangdong was too great, and driven by self-interest, the three kings often switched places and joined forces to set up schemes.

For example, the TV series "Our Glamorous Time" is an S-level project co-produced by iQiyi and Tencent.

With a total investment of 2.3 million yuan, the film is adapted from the novel of the same name by Ding Mo, a popular female author. It not only features top actress Zhao Liying, but also popular young actors such as Yang Yang and Yu Haoming. It is planned to be released at the beginning of the month to kick off the New Year's season.

But now that "The Story of Minglan" has suddenly moved up its release date, it's like it's stealing the spotlight.

With the reputation of Jiangdong and Noon Sunshine, plus Tangren's top actress Liu Shishi in charge, it's sure to stay on the top of the trending searches across the internet. With such overwhelming attention, who can stop it?

"A desperate gamble?"

These words immediately sparked discussion in the conference room.

Kiwifruit is no pushover either; it's been on a roll this year, with success in both variety shows and film and television, producing numerous hits. It certainly has the confidence to challenge the competition.

Some radicals were eager to pull off a big heist, but CEO Gong Yu poured cold water on their plans:

"What if the broadcast doesn't meet expectations? What will happen then?"

When the issue of accountability came up, the previously noisy meeting room quieted down.

One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand. Jiangdong, the leader of the Chinese entertainment industry, has been on its way to the top for ten years. Its past achievements are verifiable, and its path is littered with white bones.

They were all stubborn, defiant rivals who wanted to confront Jiangdong head-on.

The high-ranking official who had been so assertive just moments before lowered his head.

It's better to do nothing than to make a mistake; that's the survival rule of the workplace followed by seasoned veterans.

After some discussion, Gong Yu finally made the decision: "We will temporarily change the schedule and push 'Our Glamorous Time' to January, placing it between 'The Story of Ming Lan' and 'Like a Flowing River'."

"Mr. Chen, you should communicate with Tencent first. The subsequent publicity and marketing plan will also need to be redone."

"I'll arrange it right away, Mr. Gong."

"."

Not only was the kiwifruit company on high alert, but even Youku, part of the Alibaba group, was thrown into a panic.

Kiwi and Tencent have teamed up to adapt a popular female-oriented novel into a TV series, and Youku's self-produced drama "So Young 2: Never Gone" is also adapted from the novel of the same name by popular female-oriented author Xin Yiwu.

Li Yifeng and Yang Ying are both top-tier celebrities, and their show premiered at the beginning of the month, aiming to be the first to air during the Lunar New Year season.

As a result, the Youku team was thrown into disarray when Jiang Dongjia suddenly changed the schedule.

In order to develop a corresponding publicity plan in advance, the broadcast schedule of the big-budget TV series is determined in advance so that subsequent publicity and marketing can be carried out accordingly.

Jiangdong Entertainment suddenly pulled this stunt, with the Grand Commander declaring that he would cut in line for all the popular variety shows, so everyone else can only wait and see.

Meanwhile, another period drama originally scheduled to air during the Spring Festival also held an emergency meeting to discuss whether to adjust its publicity strategy in order to avoid losing viewers to "Like a Flowing River".

Zhou Yutang remained firmly in the Jiangsu Province production team, but with just one sentence, he triggered a chain reaction in the scheduling of the entire film and television industry.

It does have a similar feel to the story of the feudal lords being amused by the beacon fires.

However, at this time, he focused all his attention on filming "The Captain".

There aren't many scenes left to film in the studio, and today's rehearsal is for the most thrilling scene in the entire film: the cabin depressurization.

Inside the photography studio, in a 1:1 replica of the Airbus A319 simulator, the atmosphere was extremely tense.

"What's going on? Why is it so bumpy!"

Wang Jianhui, who made a cameo appearance as a passenger, gripped the seat armrest tightly, his face filled with terror.

"I want to go home! I don't want to die!"

Another female extra, who was making a cameo appearance, screamed with a sob in her voice and even tried to unbuckle her seatbelt.

After the flight encountered distress, the cockpit door burst open, and the entire cabin went into a state of depressurization, which then descended into chaos.

When people are in a desperate situation, they will always experience an instinctive sense of fear.

However, it was precisely the passengers' panic that highlighted the absolute calm of the pilot and crew members.

"Please trust us. We are professionally trained and have the confidence and ability to protect your safety."

Zhou Yawen was thrown to the ceiling and fell into a coma after being injured. She received emergency treatment.

Zhang Junmi was trying her best to calm the passengers; her sweet and gentle voice seemed to contain a special power.

The cockpit temperature plummeted to minus 40 degrees Celsius. Captain Liu Changjian manually piloted the aircraft amidst strong winds, low temperatures, noise, and the malfunction of some instruments.

In this situation, if even one detail is overlooked, everyone on the plane could be killed.

It wasn't until the 17th take, when Zhou Yutang stared at the monitor and slowly said "That's a wrap," that the actors finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The intense, focused state is also a huge drain on the actors themselves.

clap clap clap!
Applause broke out nearby, and a leader from the local publicity department couldn't help but remark:
"President Zhou's management of the film crew is truly breathtaking!"

"This meticulous attention to detail is why he can produce such excellent works!"

It's important to know that Zhou Yutang filming in Wuxi is a top priority for the local area.

The local leadership attached great importance to this, and after the top leader personally came to inspect the site, he issued clear instructions.

If there are any needs, we must fully cooperate with the film crew. Various departments in Wuxi will send people to inquire about our well-being from time to time.

The production team originally planned to film in seclusion and not accept any media interviews, but there are always exceptions.

Today, the leader brought representatives from the Wuxi Daily to conduct a brief interview.

In reality, what do leaders know about film and television art?

However, he has a masterful command of the art of speaking, and his words are as gentle as a spring breeze, making people feel indescribably comfortable.

After this scene ended, only a few scenes remained in the studio. Before heading off to film on location, Zhou Yutang, at the warm invitation of the local publicity department leaders, enjoyed some local cuisine. During his time filming in Wuxi, Zhou Yutang basically worked day and night, eating all his meals on set.

Although Yancheng and Wuxi are both in Jiangsu Province, their food tastes are actually quite different.

Yancheng is located on the coast of the Yellow Sea, and its cuisine is mainly salty and savory; Wuxi is located on the shore of Taihu Lake, and its cuisine is characterized by rich, dark sauces and sweet flavors.

This Taihu Hotel is quite famous, said to be a local time-honored brand. However, after Zhou Yutang tried it, he found it rather unpalatable.

It seems like every dish needs seasoning and sugar added. It tastes delicious at first, but becomes a bit cloying after a while.

"Mr. Zhou, I heard that the Huabiao Awards will be presented next week. Let me raise a glass to you in advance and wish 'Dying to Survive' another big award!"

"Thank you for your kind words, leader."

"Wuxi is also Mr. Zhou's hometown. If there are any opportunities for film and television cooperation in the future, on behalf of the people of Wuxi, I would like to welcome Mr. Zhou back home."

"I'll definitely come if I have the chance."

"."

The film crew, who had been working overtime for days, finally got a half-day off, so Hu Lianxin dragged Wang Churan out shopping together.

Ultimately, they're only in their early twenties, a lively and fun age.

Seeing the staff accompanying Xiao Hu carrying filming equipment, Wang Churan was speechless:

"Do you have to take pictures every time you go out? Can't you just relax?"

"There's nothing we can do!"

Hu Lianxin clasped her hands together and acted cute towards Wang Churan, "I have a mission, I need to shoot a vlog, dear sister, please please."

"OK then."

Wang Churan reluctantly nodded in agreement.

After experiencing the Taihu Star Ferris Wheel, we turned around and strolled around the Lihu Scenic Area.

The pavilions and towers in the gardens of Jiangnan are built along the lake, and the green tiles and white walls are reflected in the green lake water, making them as beautiful as an ink painting.

This waterside scenery was quite an eye-opener for Hu Lianxin, a native of Shenzhen. While boating on the lake, Hu Lianxin suddenly had a whimsical idea:

"Boat, do you think Fan Li once rowed a boat on this lake with Xi Shi?"

Wang Churan's name sounds similar to "boat" when pronounced a little faster, so fans and close friends call him that, and Hu Lianxin follows suit.

"how could I know."

Wang Churan rolled her eyes: "By the way, do you guys want to go to the Toutiao Annual Awards Ceremony?"

"Yes, I have to go. We also have to go to the Star Awards. Our group has a stage performance."

Hu Lianxin, with her slender white fingers raised, counted them with a hint of distress:

"I have to record Rocket Girls' group variety show, and I also have to take time off to practice dancing. Before the New Year's Eve gala on Shanghai's Dragon TV, there's also a tour performance."

Since their debut and subsequent meteoric rise to fame, Rocket Girls have been unstoppable.

These members are currently very popular, and their agencies rely on them to make money, so naturally they are given as many schedules as possible.

Hu Lianxin thoroughly enjoyed the cheers and applause from her fans.

The only problem is that it has very little time to spend with its owner.

However, thinking about how she could ask her master for acting advice after he finished his social engagements that evening, the little fox spirit bit her lip and giggled.

The dimples that appeared on her cheeks made Wang Churan stare in disbelief, and she said with a hint of sourness, "When you're famous, you get a lot of trouble."

Little did she know what the little fox was thinking; she simply felt that the saying that red aura nourishes people was indeed true.

Hu Lianxin used to be known for her pure and innocent temperament, but after becoming famous, this pure temperament seemed to have been mixed with an indescribable seductive charm.

In the words of netizens, she is both innocent and alluring.

Even she, a woman herself, was amazed, let alone her fans. No wonder the media listed her as a strong contender for the title of one of the four most popular young actresses this year.

Every year at the end of the year, celebrities are extremely busy, with award ceremonies and various platforms holding a flurry of events.

Just a few days ago, Weibo was buzzing with activity, and now the Jiangdong faction is making its moves.

Aside from the highly anticipated Starlight Awards, which is hosted by Bilibili, Toutiao, a subsidiary of Jiangdong, also held its own event this year, which garnered significant influence.

From the outside world, Disney, which is at the height of its success, has another big project besides "Mulan," which is currently being filmed in New Zealand.

Disney's latest super IP, "Pinocchio," is set to launch soon, and rumors suggest that Hollywood A-lister Tom Hanks has been cast as the role of the old carpenter Geppetto.

In addition, Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Disney, also released a major announcement.
"After careful consideration, Marvel Studios has officially put its first Asian superhero film project, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, into production."

To better represent the specific cultural context, it is expected to be produced in a manner similar to that of *Black Panther*, employing a large number of Asian cast and crew members, and plans to invite a world-renowned Asian director to helm the project.

Since Zhou Yutang's "Now You See Me" made a name for itself in the global film market, Liu Yifei's "Lucy" has also performed well.

Moreover, the explosive growth of China's film market has shown Hollywood even more possibilities.

In addition to the two superhero films co-produced with Zhou Yutang, Warner Bros., one of the six major Hollywood studios, also tried its hand at "Crazy Rich Asians" this year. It was directed by Jon M. Chu and starred Constance Wu and Jonathan Yang, both of whom are Asian actors.

Originally a low-budget comedy film with an investment of only $2900 million, it unexpectedly grossed $1.18 million at the box office.

With a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A grade from theater audiences, it became a prime example of a low-budget, high-return film of the year.

It has been proven that film and television projects with Asian-led teams can absolutely succeed in the global market!

What are you waiting for?
There is never a shortage of smart people in the world.

Hollywood giants are getting restless, and after tasting the sweetness of the Chinese film market, Marvel has played its trump card.

Is there any potential in combining superheroes with Chinese-American celebrities?

The official announcement of "Shang-Chi" traveled across the ocean to China, causing an instant uproar in the film and television industry.

Everyone knows that superhero movies are the current answer.

Marvel has been raking in huge profits in the global film market this year, with the Chinese film market being its largest box office market.

This film, Shang-Chi, is clearly aimed at the Asian market, especially China, where it is expected to dominate the box office.

To tap into the Chinese market, Marvel Studios has its own mature marketing strategy, and its initial promotion was quite ambiguous.

They only made statements such as inviting "top Asian stars," "giving the audience unexpected surprises," and "planning to join hands with top Asian directors to create a superhero masterpiece belonging to Asians."

The text makes no mention of the Grand Commander of Jiangdong, but it's almost as if they're about to reveal his identity.

As is customary, opportunistic marketing tactics are commonplace.

In recent years, if imported blockbusters want to hold their premieres in China, they have to pay their respects and say a few nice compliments at the press conference.
In the past, Zhou Yutang had always been too lazy to deal with such matters because his time was precious.

But this time the situation is different. On the very day that Marvel released its smokescreen to build hype, Jiangdong Entertainment's public relations department directly issued a public clarification letter:
"Jiangdong Entertainment and Mr. Zhou Yutang have no cooperative relationship with Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi project in any form, nor have they ever had any contact with it."

"Please do not use vague language to make misleading claims. We hope that relevant parties will respect industry boundaries and refrain from excessive marketing!"

Otherwise, we reserve the right to pursue their legal responsibility.

(End of this chapter)