Huayu: When the director changed his major

Chapter 22 Tudou is a bit stingy

After everyone finished lunch at noon, Liu Jingbang and his friends suggested going back to school, saying that it would not delay everyone's filming.

This visit ended like this.

Cheng Xi also found an opportunity to talk to Yi Xiaoxing about his roommates' sponsorship.

"Sure, Cheng Xi, it seems like you two have a good relationship and are very popular. You'll be a big producer in the future!"

Yi Xiaoxing smiled.

"Of course, otherwise how could we possibly invite Director Yi? It wouldn't be possible without some charisma."

Cheng Xi is a bit of a scoundrel.

"Hahahaha. You can do it, kid. Don't let down these good friends. Especially female friends like Reba."

Yi Xiaoxing specifically emphasized female friends, and then said with emotion:

"It's great to be young! Not only do I have the hair, I can choose my girlfriend, and there's Yang Zi."

"Yang Ziqing and I are innocent."

Cheng Xi replied, and then said sarcastically:
"The director is also very young. If we go out, at most people will say we are uncle and nephew."

"Hello, uncle."

Yi Xiaoxing immediately spoke in the cross-dressing voice he used in the play.

"."

This is a real old man, Cheng Xi thought.

"Director, we can finish filming the costume drama today. Let's record a preliminary version of the theme song tonight." Cheng Xi said.

"Is that the one you wrote last time, 'I never expected it, la la la la'?" Yi Xiaoxing asked.

"Yes, just one line. We'll record the full version later when we have time."

"Okay, then I'll hurry up and do the sound dubbing after we finish recording tonight. The special effects for the first two episodes are already done, so we can start the sample reel after the sound dubbing."

Yi Xiaoxing continued:
"Let the crew take a day off tomorrow. We'll take the sample footage to Tudou and Youku to discuss cooperation with their production managers."

"Okay, I'll try to win it tomorrow!"

The next morning, Cheng Xi, Yi Xiaoxing and Bai Ke arrived at Tudou headquarters.

Yi Xiaoxing is familiar with several executives of Tudou, while Bai Ke has been posting videos on Youku, so the three of them came together to talk.

Bai Zhongchun, the production manager of Tudou.com, warmly welcomed them into the office. It was obvious that he was very familiar with Yi Xiaoxing.

But after watching the sample, Manager Bai looked embarrassed.

It’s not that he thinks this short film is not good, but the entire company is now focused on going public in the United States, hoping to become the first listed video company before Youku.

Everything else has to be put aside for now.

So they are not enthusiastic about buying movies.

In his opinion, this is just an ordinary comedy video, no different from the complaints videos that Yi Xiaoxing uploaded on Tudou.com before. He can continue to post it directly on Tudou as a podcaster without them having to spend a penny.

Although they now also want to support the creation of original content, it is not such a low-end drama.

They want a big cast and a big production.

Public companies look down on these.

Moreover, Yi Xiaoxing’s previous videos were released on Tudou. Despite such a large amount of traffic, Tudou never gave Yi Xiaoxing a penny.

He earned a little hard-earned money by generating his own love, attracting fans, and getting advertisements.

Manager Bai looked at Yi Xiaoxing's ugly expression, thought for a while, and said:

"Zhenxing, we're pretty familiar with each other. To be honest, the department's budget is really tight lately. For our old friend's sake, I'm going to make a deal: 1 yuan per episode, and you can broadcast the film exclusively on Tudou."

"Otherwise, we can only discuss the film after we go public."

Cheng Xi and the other two looked at each other without saying anything. This was far different from what they had expected when they came.

Finally, Yi Xiaoxing said:

"Thank you, Manager Bai. It's true that your company is busy with its IPO, and I understand that. But 1 per episode is way off our budget. Let's go back and reconsider it."

"Okay, then I'll see you off." Before everyone left, Manager Bai chatted with Yi Xiaoxing alone for a while.

But no matter what, this discussion did end a bit unpleasantly.

So the three of them came to the Wanhe Cafe where they had been last time to rest, feeling a little depressed.

"Tudou is really stingy. 1 yuan per episode, how can you say that?"

Bai Ke didn't have a good impression of Tu Dou, so he said directly.

Tudou.com had been pirating his videos before, and no matter how he complained, it was useless.

The three of them had previously discussed that based on the current filming situation, the crew would need at least 20 yuan in funds to complete the filming of the series.

In other words, they don't make any profit, and the minimum expected sales volume is 2 per episode to cover the subsequent filming costs.

"Maybe their budget is really tight. They're trying to become a listed company now, so they probably don't have the time to bother with us. And to be honest, Manager Bai is quite polite."

Cheng Xi knew that Yi Xiaoxing had a good relationship with Tu Dou, and didn't want him to be caught between the two.

"Actually, Manager Bai just told me before he left that he's in a difficult situation right now. The company is at a critical juncture, and he doesn't want to take any risks of being caught by his opponents. He hopes we understand."

Yi Xiaoxing said slowly.

After hearing this, Cheng Xi and Bai Ke also fell silent.

Indeed, this kind of film seems to have nothing to do with it, just a funny skit, and some of the content is even very vulgar. If you support it, you will take some risks.

After all, it hasn't been aired yet, so no one knows what it's like.

But at 1 per episode, Tudou.com is really stingy.

Cheng Xi and the other two could only place their hopes on Youku. After a quick lunch and a discussion about the afternoon's response, the three of them set off for Youku's headquarters.

Since they had already contacted each other, they met Lu Fanxi, the production manager of Youku.com, in the office as soon as they arrived.

A few people introduced themselves to each other and exchanged a few pleasantries.

"Xiao Cheng is from the Beijing Film Academy, so you're my junior. I'm a graduate of the directing department, class of 93, what about you?"

Unexpectedly, Manager Lu asked about Cheng Xi right away.

"Manager Lu turned out to be my senior. I'm in the Management Department this year, in Teacher Cao Jinnan's class."

Cheng Xi said with a little surprise and a little happiness.

When doing business outside, it is always a happy thing to meet senior brothers.

Lu Fanxi is not tall, has a square face, and speaks in a capable voice.

After listening to Cheng Xi's words, he nodded and said with interest:
"Then let's see how the film invested by my junior brother turns out."

After saying that, Cheng Xi took out the notebook from his bag and put it on the coffee table. Everyone sat on the sofa and watched the first episode together.

"My name is Wang Dachui. I'm an actor and I'm currently filming a low-budget martial arts drama."

"As expected of the successor of the Nine Suns Divine Fist, I have no regrets in my life."

"I think of running under the sunset that afternoon. It was my lost youth."

Then the second episode "My Dad is Liu Bei" was played.

"My name is Wang Dachui. Even though my father is the emperor Liu Bei, he always throws me when he encounters a problem."

"I never thought that my father would never throw me down again. I was already thrown to death. What a life without dignity!"

"Dad, you really are such a jerk to your son~"

Cheng Xi and the other two paid close attention to Manager Lu's reaction while watching. Seeing him laughing every now and then, they felt a little relieved.

At least there's something to watch, and it's not just us a few people entertaining ourselves.

Cheng Xi fully understood the creator's confidence and the nervousness of showing his work to others.

Not to mention that I had failed on Tudou.com this morning.

After the broadcast, Cheng Xi looked at his senior from Beijing Film Academy and asked:
"Brother, you are a professional. Please give me some comments and give me a chance to improve."

(End of this chapter)