I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

The shift in marketing focus from a dramatic change to a platform-specific approach is probably only necessary for Tudou Video among the three major video websites.

Because neither Tencent nor iQiyi actually need to worry too much about their platform's traffic and user numbers.

Only potatoes have always been number three, watching the number one and number two fight back and forth.

However, Tu Qiao'er is now very ambitious.

He wants Tudou Video to catch up with its two other competitors.

Most importantly, of course, is the exclusive broadcasting rights to Feng Ge's new drama.

Therefore, even if it means giving up most of the profits and spending a lot of money on promotion, so that the "Ghost Blows Out the Light" project doesn't make a profit, it's necessary to ensure that the Tudou Video platform can get more traffic and monthly active users.

Fortunately, "Ghost Blows Out the Light" is indeed a series.

For them, having so many films in a row is good news.

At least it's not like a show becomes a hit and then there's no follow-up.

The traffic-generating effect of a TV series is absolutely terrifying.

……

At this point, after a period of auditions, Feng Ge has finally had all her roles in the Legend of Sword and Fairy 2 finalized.

It's a bit of a pity that Xu Kong originally gave Mu Mian a second audition opportunity because of Huang Zexuan.

But in the end, the result presented by the other party was still unsatisfactory.

The main reason is the lack of fit with the character. Her overall temperament and personality are not a good match for the character of Zi Xuan.

So, the idea of ​​using the real-life relationship between the two characters to add some details between them in the play ultimately failed.

However, Xu Kong still gave Mu Mian another supporting role, which didn't have much screen time but was more suitable for her.

As for the actress to play Zi Xuan, a suitable one was found among the artists under Feng Ge's own management.

……

"The final of 'The Masked Singer' is coming up."

"The production team has sent you an invitation."

Seeing Xu Kong enter his office, he began to get down to business.

Currently, Zhu Yu spends most of her working time in the artist department.

As for Xu Kong's manager, he should have been extremely busy.

However, Xu Kong hardly considers most performances, announcements, endorsements, etc., and he can simply refuse them all the time.

On the contrary, there is almost nothing that needs to be done.

……

"Is it only the finals now?"

Xu Kong was somewhat surprised.

In fact, in his memory, weren't all the matches he participated in before the semi-finals?
It's almost July now, and they're only recording the finals.

Zhu Yu then answered his question:

According to some rumors, Mango TV is reportedly unable to find a new variety show to take over the show.

"So, to make matters more abstract, several episodes were added, including a so-called revival competition and a performance segment without voting, all to allow the audience to guess the true identities of some of the singers."

Xu Kong felt somewhat helpless after hearing this.

It's clear that after Wu Youxue began to take charge of more of Hunan TV's business as deputy director.

Without him, there really isn't anyone on Mango TV who can smoothly take his place.

Wu Youxue was previously just a variety show director.

But in the entertainment industry, no one can naively treat the other party as an ordinary variety show director.

Basic skills for a variety show director are just the most fundamental things.

This includes Wu Youxue's understanding of the domestic variety show market, as well as his control over various details and audience opinions.

Including that terrifying network of connections in the entertainment industry.

These are not things that can be replaced in a short period of time.

……

"To be honest, even though the final took so long, the audience's appetite was really whetted."

"But the episodes during this period have received surprisingly good reviews and ratings."

Zhu Yu added a sentence.

Xu Kong was not surprised by this.

For Wu Youxue, this was actually not a very difficult task.

Although the other party is not the director of the show "The Masked Singer".

However, because of her dedication to the program, Wu Youxue was involved in it from the very beginning.

Xu Kong, as the person who provided the core idea of ​​the entire program—the masked persona—was certainly aware of this.

……

"By the way, did Wu Youxue approach you for help privately?"

Zhu Yu asked a question out of curiosity.

Xu Kong shook his head.

"He didn't mention it."

Zhu Yu spoke thoughtfully:
"It seems that he really hopes that Mango TV's variety shows can still consistently produce hit shows even after he is no longer involved."

"However, it probably won't be something that can be accomplished in a year or two."

Xu Kong understood what those words meant.

If Wu Youxue really wants to save Mango TV's variety shows, which are now clearly showing signs of fatigue.

Inviting Xu Kong would be the best solution.

Whether they come to be a regular guest or just a guest for one episode.

Given Xu Kong's popularity and influence, this is a perfectly feasible approach.

Especially the latter, given their personal relationship, Xu Kong definitely couldn't refuse to be a guest on a variety show for one or two episodes.

……

"By the way, do the artists in the company have any objections to the casting for the second season of Chinese Paladin?"

Xu Kong asked a question.

The main reason is that they subsequently chose to hold open auditions, and did not restrict the participation to artists who are only Feng Ge's.

"Have all the artists in our company already auditioned?"

"No one complained about not being selected."

Zhu Yu answered.

When Xu Kong first took over Feng Ge, the atmosphere among these new actors was indeed quite poor.

But as time went on, many of the newcomers who were originally unknown alongside them began to have new opportunities.

Therefore, naturally no one would continue to question the fairness within the company.

Compared to other film and television companies in China, Fengge is now offering the most opportunities to newcomers.

After all, there are a large number of film and television projects, and each of them is very likely to be the next blockbuster.

Feng Ge also prioritizes selecting artists under her own management.

Therefore, although many of Fengge's veteran actors with high status have already gone to Changyun Film and Television, in terms of the development of new talents, Fengge has a number of promising new talents that are no less than any other company.

At the same time, there are veteran actors who came in with Chen Shuang back then.

It can be considered that they have finally gotten a chance to make it through.

Many actors have spent most of their lives acting, but they may only be familiar to the audience.

But thanks to works like "The Hidden Corner," "The Beginning," and "Infernal Affairs," which is about to be taken off the screens, audiences have slowly started to remember his name.

In this respect, Xu Kong did not break his promise to Chen Shuang.

……

"In terms of timing, it's just right."

Xu Kong calculated that the second installment of the Legend of Sword and Fairy series is expected to officially begin filming in July.

We are currently making some final preparations.

It's not about him being the director or the male lead; it's perfectly acceptable for him to participate as a guest in the finals of "The Masked Singer."

So he asked Zhu Yu to help him go back to the production team.

I will attend the recording of the finals.

……

Having finished discussing business, Xu Kong certainly wouldn't be idle at this point.

Naturally, they started getting down to business.

Have I gained weight?

Because she has been busy with work almost all this time, Zhu Yu hasn't had time to exercise properly.

The only thing that was most physically demanding was probably the daily office exercise with Xu Kong. Of course, when it came to her figure, she believed that Xu Kong was indeed the most qualified person to speak on the matter.

After all, even Zhu Yu herself probably didn't know her body as well as Xu Kong did.

"Have it?"

Xu Kong was stunned for a moment.

In Xu Kong's opinion, Zhu Yu's figure was definitely of the standard type.

Unlike Shang Yuxin, whose situation is somewhat flatter, and unlike Su Zhi and Youyou, whose resources are too abundant.

I think it's just right!

Xu Kong directly compared the two hands and found that he could grasp them perfectly.

Because of the indentation, Xu Kong himself can no longer perform the finger-gripping action that he prefers when holding it.

……

"Can you please stop focusing on this!"

Zhu Yu glanced at Xu Kong speechlessly.

When someone mentions that you've gained weight, why is the first thing they think of trying this?

"Then let me take a closer look at it for you..."

Xu Kong answered.

They then began to put it into practice.

For Zhu Yu, it was soon impossible to continue thinking about whether she had gained weight.

Of course, Zhu Yu felt tired every time she talked about it, even the energy she expended in the office.

It's also higher than what she used to do when running or exercising outside.

At least running rarely leaves you completely exhausted to the point where you don't want to move anymore.

But Xu Kong was able to help her do it.

……

"Xiao Mian, how about I try to talk to Director Xu again and give you another chance?"

Huang Zexuan and Mu Mian's move to the capital went very smoothly.

There were almost no obstacles.

The main reason is that the apartment they rented when they were at Changyun Film and Television was about to expire, and they hadn't lived there for very long, so they didn't have much luggage.

In the end, he simply packed his things and came to the capital.

"Don't!"

"I've already said it, it's just that I'm not suitable for that role."

"And I'd be very satisfied if I could get another role."

Mu Mian quickly spoke up.

She cherishes the opportunity to join Feng Ge and even Xu Kong's crew.

Although it wasn't a major role with a lot of screen time, I'm still quite satisfied.

Therefore, what she least wanted at this moment was for Xu Kong's impression of her to worsen.

Mu Mian felt that she had only gotten the opportunity because of Huang Zexuan, and she couldn't let director Xu Kong think that she was the kind of actress who was good at using personal connections to get things done.

On the other hand, Huang Zexuan has landed the role of the second male lead this time.

She couldn't let the other party go and find Xu Kong separately just because of her role.

……

"Your most important task right now is to focus your time on the script!"

"I need to thoroughly understand the character and prepare for joining the crew after filming begins."

Mu Mian made the arrangements.

Huang Zexuan obediently nodded.

Mu Mian had had a similar feeling before.

But now I've come to a complete understanding.

Huang Zexuan, who supposedly accompanied her to become an actor, is actually a very talented actor.

In comparison, I, who consider myself extraordinary, am actually just an ordinary, unremarkable actor.

Although Mu Mian never said it out loud, she couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable about this kind of disparity.

……

Of course, Mu Mian was very touched by Huang Zexuan's help, which included joining Feng Ge, giving her an extra audition opportunity, and securing her a role in Chinese Paladin 2.

In addition, she later learned that the two of them had come together to join Feng Ge.

Huang Zexuan did receive the contract.

But I was the one who was turned away.

For her sake, the other party even gave up the opportunity to join Fengge and instead went to Changyun Film and Television with her.

……

Huang Zexuan spoke:
"I'm almost ready..."

"There will definitely be no problem starting filming."

Mu Mian didn't believe it at all.

Because, like himself, the other party had only received the script for Chinese Paladin 2 for a mere three days.

In addition, both of them were busy moving on the first day.

All in all, I only had about half a day yesterday to look at the script and such.

It's not that simple.

For Mu Mian herself, even for a minor role with few scenes, the preparations required take a lot of time.

Moreover, Huang Zexuan is playing the second male lead this time.

……

"You don't even blush when you lie now?"

Mu Mian smiled and said it as if it were nothing.

Huang Zexuan then spoke up: "I'm telling the truth."

"Then why don't we give it a try?"

"You've read the script, come on, let me help you with the scene!"

"Let's see if you can really join the crew right now and start filming immediately."

……

Mu Mian originally thought that she would just expose the other party's lies and give Huang Zexuan a good lesson.

This will allow him to approach acting with a more serious and dedicated attitude.

But to her surprise, Huang Zexuan got into character almost instantly and performed so well that she couldn't find any fault with his acting.

On the contrary, she herself became increasingly less confident during the process.

Holding the script, he looked more like he was reading lines, and was completely outmatched by the other person.

"Is this what they call the difference between geniuses and ordinary people?"

Mu Mian muttered something under her breath.

"What did you say?"

Huang Zexuan didn't hear clearly and subconsciously asked.

Mu Mian shook her head.

"nothing."

……

Huang Zexuan couldn't understand why Mu Mian suddenly looked so listless.

I'm feeling incredibly down.

But only Mu Mian knew the truth.

She was very grateful to Huang Zexuan and happy that her best friend had such acting talent.

He might become a top-tier actor in the future.

No, he played the second male lead in Chinese Paladin 2, so he probably won't be in the future; it's likely already very soon.

But at the same time, she also felt a strange sense of jealousy and resentment.

She was clearly so hardworking and earnest.

But then he suddenly realized that his months of hard work could not compare to Huang Zexuan's mere half a day of reading the script.

This industry is far too cruel and unfair for ordinary people.

...(End of chapter)