Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 174 JB Drama

August 2003, 8, Beijing Wenjie Media.

The atmosphere in the conference room was very low.

Lu Kuan sat at one end of the conference room, flipping through the documents in front of him. The air conditioning was on high in the summer, enough to make everyone present feel cool all over.

Except for Ah Fei who was sitting in the second row, everyone looked confused and didn't know why the boss was so angry today.

"Lu Yao."

"Yes, boss."

"Last week, I asked you to discuss the second round of broadcast rights for 'Chinese Paladin' with Yao Jia from Hunan TV. Why haven't I seen your report yet?"

"Boss Lu, didn't you ask me to hand this matter over to Boss Zhong..."

At the beginning, the company was short of talent, and Lu Kuanbao sent Lu Yao to Hunan and Taiwan to discuss cooperation, and he has been following this matter to the end.

After Zhong Lifang was promoted from Vice President of the Film and Television Production Department to General Manager, the relevant professional matters were transferred between departments. Why did Mr. Lu come to me again?

Lu Kuan's face was sullen. "What handover? The work is shared. Doesn't a workflow require coordination among all departments?"

"You were in charge of this matter originally. Even if you handed it over, you should know the general idea when I ask you about it!"

Hey!
The boss must have taken the wrong medicine today!
Sun Wenwen quietly walked to Lu Kuan and whispered.

"Boss, Xu Xiyuan is outside clamoring to see you."

Lu Kuan frowned in confusion, suddenly thinking of the dozens of unread messages and missed calls on his phone in the past few days.

"Make her wait."

"Yes."

The managers on both sides of the conference table were watching each other closely, afraid that their eyes would meet Lu Kuan's.

"Zhongli Fang!"

"Boss, I already reported the latest progress to you verbally last Saturday. The paper documents have also been delivered to your office. I'm awaiting your approval!"

Damn, so thoughtful, no complaints.

"Well, come to my office after the meeting."

"Okay, let's make some work arrangements."

Everyone present breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. The sound of pages turning could be heard, and everyone held their pens, waiting for instructions from their leaders.

"First, the previously planned promotional plan for Liu Yifei's joining the entertainment industry is canceled. The artist contract you previously filed with the legal department, Lu Yao, is void. Go find Yang Siwei to sign a new contract regarding the revenue sharing agreement between our company and Liu Yifei's studio."

"Boss Lu, Yang Siwei..."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Yang Siwei has resigned. If you need to cooperate with Liu Yifei in the future, just contact her."

Lu Yao was overwhelmed. His most trusted general had resigned, and he was the last one to know about it.

The others had their own plans. A rumor that had come out from the legal department was that the boss was going to sign his own actress Liu Yifei from Hongxingwu to Wenjie.

What's going on?

She's the hottest young actress right now! How many people are eyeing Yang Siwei's position!

There was a lot of whispering below, there was more entertainment news to watch in the past two days!
"Secondly, Zhong Lifang, you must ensure the establishment of the 'Lush' project. This time, we won't be collaborating with any film and television companies or TV stations. I require you to assemble our own production team in the shortest possible time. I'm talking about a complete crew!"

"The ones from Shanying, Dongyang Sunny and Rainy, Xiangtai, Tangren, and Zhouyi, dig them one by one."

"As for the director, I've already discussed it with Professor Jiang Wei from Beijing Film Academy. He will be able to coordinate with our project schedule. You can contact him later."

"Let Zhang Songwen, Huang Bo and others audition. If they are good, they will be in. If not, they will be out."

"Yes, boss."

He is determined to win the Travel Channel, and he needs a hit drama to break the deadlock and soar in ratings and channel popularity.

He had written this script when he was just reborn, but there had never been a suitable opportunity to use it. It just happened to be returned to its original owner and given to Jiang Wei to shoot.

"Third, Ning Hao's "Crazy Racing" and Xue Xiaolu's "33 Days of Broken Love" should hurry up to file their scripts, obtain filming permits before the casting is complete, and start pre-promotion."

"Fourth, Xiao Jin is here, right? Where is Xiao Jin?"

Jin Zhiwen adjusted his glasses and stood up: "Director, over here!"

"Well, sit down."

"Under the first-level internal organization, the Film and Television Production Department, a second-level organization, the Ringtone Studio, has been added."

"Xiao Jin, take your people and go buy songs and sign singers according to the list I gave you."

Jin Zhiwen was dazed as he looked at the list in his hand. Who were these people? What songs were they? He had never heard of any of them.

"Mouse Loves Rice", "Pig Song", "Lilac", "Above the Moon"...

Let’s look at the singers: Luo Lin, Ling Hua, Zeng Yi, Pang Long…

The copyright of "Mouse Loves Rice" was sold by Yang Chengang to Wang Qiwen in April 2003. Later, the two had a dispute over the original singer, so they bought out all the copyrights in this life.

Dao Lang's "The First Snow of 2002" was actually written in January 2004, and at that time he had just released his "Love Songs of the Western Regions".

Pang Long's "Two Butterflies" was also born in 2004. These two can sign and copy it.

However, based on the principle of original soup and original food, it seems safer to restore the world line of later generations.

After all, everyone has a strong personal style, and someone else may not be able to sing with that feeling.

"Please take a look at the research materials prepared by the company's strategic office. Regarding the ringback tone service currently launched by China Mobile, everyone should pay attention to it."

"Xiao Jin will temporarily take over as the head of the ringtone studio and take care of the song copyrights and singer contracts."

In May, China Mobile started a pilot program for its ringback tone service in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong Province, and Zhejiang Province.

The next step is to expand it nationwide, and now is the right time to intervene.

Ringback tone cannot be called a blood-making machine, it is simply a blood bank. Since it was introduced to the mainland in 2003 after being inspired by Korean operators, the number of users has grown explosively year by year.

后世2004年统计的全国彩铃使用人数是2000万，2005年已经增长到4000万，2009年底全国用户已逾9000万。

Zhong Lifang said, "Boss, the company doesn't have many talented musicians, and Manager Jin is the only one in charge right now, so it might be a bit overwhelming."

"If you're struggling, just hire someone. What's the point of having you as the general manager of a business unit?"

"Our core purpose is to collect the copyrights for ringtone songs. Don't think these songs are tacky. The ultimate tackyness is elegance!"

"As content creators, our main channels are blogs, but we also want to talk to other portals."

The revenue sharing ratios of the ringback tone service between SP and China Mobile are 15% and 85% respectively.

SP also has to distribute 85% of the proceeds to downstream: CP (content provider) and singers. This ratio is generally 50%-60% in later generations.

The company can take 85% of the profits by releasing songs and creating ringtones on its own. Even if it signs a contract with a singer, the songs are mainly provided by the company, and it can continue to lower the price and reduce the share ratio, so it will make a lot of money no matter what.

This wave of dividends will last for at least ten years, and the next step is to collect some copyright fees in a steady stream.

Boss Lu concluded: "Okay, that's all for now."

"Is Hugo here?"

A tall and thin junior in the corner of the third row stood up.

"Director, I'm here."

"Well, come to my office."

Hu Ge participated in the entire meeting and saw how this famously dictatorial director acted dictatorially during meetings.

He has a really bad temper and his aura is really scary!

He had long been very curious about Lu Kuan. When chatting with Jiang Wei, the director of "Chinese Paladin", the other party admitted that his choice was directly decided by Lu Kuan.

When did the guide see me?
"Come on, we're all about the same age, don't be so reserved."

"Oh, yes, Director."

Hu Ge then moved his butt a little further into the sofa, feeling a little nervous about what Director Lu wanted to talk to him about today.

Lu Kuan asked as he signed the financial documents, "Are you familiar with Concubine Liu Yi?"

"Ah? Still... not familiar! Not familiar!"

"Shit!" Hu Ge's familiar words came to a halt as he suddenly remembered the gossip about Director Lu and Concubine Liu's relationship...

Lu Kuan looked up and glanced at him: "Why are you so nervous?"

"No... not nervous."

"We just looked after each other during filming, and we also met a few times last month during promotions. Overall... we're not very familiar with each other."

"She doesn't talk much on the set. She gets up every morning to do some morning exercises, then sits alone in a chair and reads a book or something."

Lu Kuan called the internal line and asked Sun Wenwen to take the materials away and file them. Then he closed the pen cap and walked to the sofa and sat down.

"Well, I don't mean anything else. The second round of broadcasts will be sold soon, and you'll probably have to go to cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou to promote it."

"And that Hunan TV show Happy Camp also arranged an episode specifically for your crew, right?"

Hu Ge said obediently: "Yes, Director Lu, we will go to record the broadcast in a while to match the second round of broadcasts."

"Well, if there's anything...just tell me anytime."

"Understand me?"

Hu Ge was stunned for only half a second before he quickly agreed, "I understand, I understand, I understand!"

"Ah."

"By the way, what are your thoughts on future development? Lu Yao is leading you now, right?"

"Yes."

"I still want to be a good actor. My songs 'June Rain' and 'Xiao Yao Tan' are quite popular recently, but I always feel that I am not cut out for it."

Lu Kuan nodded: "Okay."

"How about this, Director Ning Hao's new film, which is also part of the 'Stone' series, is about to be launched. You can go and audition."

"I'll say hello to him, and you can take your chances."

"Whether it works or not, I won't interfere. Everything is subject to the director's opinion."

Hu Ge stood up excitedly: "Thank you, Director Lu! Thank you, Director Lu! I will definitely work hard!"

"Well, just do your 'job' well." Hu Ge was startled when he heard this. As a professional actor, he keenly caught the logical emphasis of two certain words.

The secretary knocked on the door: "Mr. Lu, Miss Xu is here!"

Hu Ge stood up tactfully and said, "Director Lu, I'll go first."

Sun Wenwen also closed the door carefully, and together with A Fei, she designated the area around the office as a restricted area, not allowing anyone to approach.

She had also heard about her boss's habits...

Boss Lu looked at the crazy beauty and said with a smile, "What's wrong with Miss Xu? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Director Lu, do I make you hate me so much..." Xu Xiyuan acted cute with tears in her eyes.

She knew very well that only when she softened could the other person become hard.

Lu Kuan frowned and remained speechless.

Can you please just look in the mirror yourself?

He leisurely lit a cigarette and said, "Tell me, what do you want? What do you want?"

Xu Xiyuan looked innocent: "What do you mean? Are you insulting me?"

"I came to you on my own initiative because I like you and I think there's potential for us to develop. It's not what you think!"

Boss Lu looked at his watch impatiently: "I have something else to do this afternoon, don't waste my time."

Xu Xiyuan bit her lower lip, sat next to Lu Kuan and put her arm around him.

"Director Lu, please don't be so cruel to me, okay? There hasn't been a single day in the past few months where I haven't thought about you. I..."

Lu Kuan felt annoyed. He was already upset because of the incident with Concubine Liu Yi, and now this crazy criticism made things worse.

"Miss Xu, do you have a younger brother who needs to go to school, or an elderly mother who needs medical treatment?"

Xu Xiyuan was stunned: "Director Lu, what do you mean?"

"Nothing, seeing you reminded me of an old friend of mine."

Boss Lu thought of Shanshan, who lived at No. 77 Jiangnan Foot Bath in her previous life and whose younger brother was in school, whose father was disabled, and whose mother was seriously ill.

Finally, I topped up her card with 10,000 yuan before she stopped making noise.

"How about this!"

Lu Kuan stood up and put out the cigarette.

"There's a movie in the entertainment industry with a supporting female role. Go audition."

"The role is not big, the lines are few, and the pay is very low. If you don't mind, you can give it a try."

Xu Xiyuan felt that his obsession had yielded some small rewards, and excitedly asked, "Director Lu, is this your next movie?"

"It's a company project, and I'm the producer."

"But I have to tell you in advance, I only recommend you to audition. Whether you can do it depends on you. The final decision will be based on Director Xue Xiaolu's opinion."

Although Xu Xiyuan was somewhat disappointed, he did gain something at least, which was better than being dragged down by the failure of "Meteor 2".

The crazy beauty rubbed Lu Kuan's arms with her delicate hands, and then tried hard to squeeze them into her body, trying her best to be charming.

Lu Kuan felt a faint bulge and some blood was rushing up. He had been eating a bit more vegetarian food recently.

But he doesn't want to get involved with this crazy guy, it's too troublesome!
Thinking of Wang Weizhong's polite words on the phone, I decided to just make friends with this big boss of variety shows in Taiwan. We will inevitably exchange resources in the future.

"Director Lu, are you free tonight? It's my first day in Peking. Can you have dinner with me?"

"No, I have an appointment with Mr. Han from China Film Group to discuss something tonight, so it's not appropriate to bring you along."

"I'll have someone get you a script later. You should study the character's image as soon as possible. This supporting actress will be very captivating if she performs well."

Xu Xiyuan secretly complained, "You still want me to read the script? It's not up to you, Lu Kuan, to decide whether I can act or not."

Lu Kuan called Xue Xiaolu in front of her and finally got rid of the annoying guy.

Xu Xiyuan and his assistant got into the car and left at the bottom of Wenjie Building with satisfaction. A few "click-click" sounds of shutters were heard from a Santana 2000 parked not far away, which was extremely harsh.

The area near Xiaoxitian in Peking is known as a food desert.

However, for leaders of Han Shanping's level, they usually patronize some private restaurants hidden in sparsely populated alleys and lanes.

There is no storefront, no signboard, and you cannot order food. You must make a reservation in advance.

There are only three people in the small private room reserved for President Han today, and they are already busy.

"Xiaolu, I've discovered that your alcohol tolerance is truly incredible!"

Gao Chengsheng agreed: "Drinking, sweating, and occasionally going to the bathroom, you're really amazing."

Lu Kuan patiently picked out the bones of the knife fish on the plate.

"Boss Han, this Luzhou Special Liquor from your hometown is better. It won't make you drunk."

"Look, Director Gao, his mouth is always open while drinking!"

Gao Chengsheng's face turned dark. This kid always picked on the weak and stared at him, teasing him and forcing him to drink.

"Director Lu, please slow down. No one is going to snatch this knife fish from you."

Han Shanping laughed heartily. "Indeed, Lao Gao specially asked the store to prepare this. It's authentic Yangtze River knife fish, shipped from your Jiangsu Province."

"Only you have the patience to pick out all the thorns one by one. We've already finished our meal in that time!"

"Boss Han, even though you're a leader, you don't really know much about food."

"Take this knife fish for example. The store owner must have been scammed. This batch of fish tonight must be farmed."

Han Shanping was puzzled: "Why? How did you know that?"

"That's too simple. You're not from Jiangsu Province. This knife fish is a migratory species. It only migrates from the sea to the Yangtze River every spring. Now is not the time to eat it."

"It must be farmed. 300 yuan per pound is the highest."

"A genuine sea knife costs over 2000 yuan per jin, and a river knife costs at least 3500 yuan. The price changes every year."

Gao Chengsheng was stunned. Needless to say, Han Shanping always paid for banquets he arranged and never cared about the price.

The shop owner is Mr. Han’s fellow villager, so it seems he needs to be persuaded as well.

"By the way, Mr. Han, the schedule for 'Thief' has been confirmed. It will be a few days later than 'Heroes of Heaven and Earth'."

"Heroes of Heaven and Earth" premiered on September 9rd, and it looks like "Thief" is preparing to hit the National Day holiday again, just like last year's "The Drummer."

"Xiaolu, the release dates of 'Thief' and 'Heroes of Heaven and Earth' overlap. Aren't you afraid that the audience will be siphoned off by the blockbuster movies?"

Lu Kuan chuckled, if it weren’t for this pseudo-blockbuster to get ahead, I might not even be here in October!

Boss Lu said confidently, "Competition will be the norm in the future domestic film market. Aside from 'Heroes of Heaven and Earth,' there have been Hollywood blockbusters before and after. If you're all timid, then don't make any more."

Han Shanping couldn't help but nod as he watched Lu Kuan lowering his head to pick out fish bones.

Putting aside his achievements in film art, in terms of market vision and overall perspective, this guy is a unique figure in the current domestic film industry.

"Okay, let's talk about that Travel Channel you mentioned. What's going on?"

Now came the main part, and Lu Kuan began to leisurely sell the joint venture project.

Han Shanping nodded as he listened, and asked Gao Chengsheng to go out and make a few phone calls to inquire about the situation.

If you want to snatch food from Baoli Culture, you must make thorough preparations.

"Overall I agree with this plan, but you have to give me a reason."

"China Film Group can help you resolve the issue of the nature of state-owned assets, but what is the reason for China Film Group to intervene?"

"We're a state-owned enterprise that makes movies. If we get involved with your TV station without a legitimate reason, Poly will have a problem with it!"

Lu Kuan began to explain it to him in detail.

"Mr. Han, there's actually a more compromise form between movies and TV series."

"This is what I saw when I went to the United States to attend Sundance and investigated their film and television production industry. They call them American dramas, but they are actually American TV series."

"Its quality and content are less than movies, but more than TV series. An episode can be as short as 60 minutes, or as long as 90 minutes. A TV series only has a dozen episodes."

Han Shanping was puzzled. "Aren't you talking about the TV movies on the movie channel? It's just that TV movies don't have that many episodes."

“It’s a bit similar, but there are differences.”

“The biggest feature of this film and television format is that you can write and shoot at the same time!”

"They have a broadcast season and a non-broadcast season. The broadcast season is from September to April of the following year, and the remaining four months are used to plan scripts and collect audience feedback."

Gao Chengsheng had never heard of this concept before and asked curiously, "Is it too late? Why not finish filming and production before broadcasting it?"

"Yes, there are advantages. The biggest advantage is that the screenwriter and director can adjust the plot in a timely manner based on audience feedback."

"For example, in the current episode of 'Chinese Paladin', Zhao Linger died. So I'll end this season first to whet everyone's appetite."

"This is the off-season, and we start constantly marketing and hyping topics, just like the way "Chinese Paladin" has been doing on blogs recently."

"Then we can add or subtract plot points depending on the situation. Whether it's bringing her to life or adding other characters or plot points, it's all up to the audience."

Han Shanping and others looked at each other in bewilderment, feeling that this concept was both strange and familiar. It was about making some adjustments in the production and broadcasting of domestic TV dramas to make them more in line with the market.

But if we follow this approach, as long as the main creative team is competent, it is indeed better than shooting dozens of episodes of TV series now and then throwing them into the warehouse if they cannot be sold.

Gao Chengsheng said: "The cost of this kind of high-quality drama should not be low. There are only a dozen episodes in a season, and the length is long, which is equivalent to a micro-movie or short film."

“It’s not low, so there are prerequisites for the success of this model.”

"If a series of more than ten episodes wants to attract audiences, each episode must have a small climax to quickly arouse emotions and provide feedback. Therefore, the requirements for the subject matter, special effects, and professional ability of the cast and crew are extremely high."

"In other words, Mr. Han, you two need to tighten your censorship standards. We can show things that other channels can't show, and we can film things that other channels can't film!"

"Of course, the content won't be too vulgar, and the political stance will definitely be both red and professional."

"The second thing is the special effects. We want to differentiate ourselves from ordinary TV dramas. First, the plot, and second, the scenes, so that the audience can feel like watching a blockbuster movie at home."

"As for the cast and crew, we could even consider inviting movie actors to participate, because there are only a dozen episodes in a season and the audience will watch them over and over again, so the quality of each episode must be guaranteed."

Han Shanping stroked his stubble-covered chin and said, "Well, I think it's feasible. Let's call it a seasonal drama!"

J8 drama...

Old Han, you know how to come up with names.

　The National Day is coming soon, and my fellow readers must have stayed up late. I will update as soon as 12 o'clock passes during this period~~~ I wish you a happy National Day~~~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)