Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 259, Section 257: "Infiltration"

The following day, Wang Sheng plunged into the mixing studio and editing room of the Beijing Film Studio's post-production base.

He convened a post-production orientation meeting with the core post-production team, including editor Lao Zhang, sound director, composer, and executive director Wu Yiyi.

"Happy Family" was filmed and edited simultaneously.

A rough cut version is already available for reference.

Wang Sheng offered several directions for refinement.

The edited version should be available by the end of the month.

……

While the post-production work of "Happy Family" is in full swing, the promotional period for another movie, "First Love," which has already completed production and is scheduled for release on November 5, has also entered its final sprint stage.

In this era of relatively limited information and limited publicity channels, production companies, especially those deeply involved in and leading projects, must assume primary responsibility for pre-project publicity.

The so-called "publicity and distribution" involves two stages. The publicity stage refers to the distribution stage, which involves the production company laying the groundwork for pre-production publicity, and then the distributor using its channel advantages to promote the film in theaters and distribute copies.

Whether the production team can generate buzz and attract the first core audience largely depends on their investment and strategies.

In the conference room of Shengying Media in Jingxin Building, Wang Sheng presided over the last publicity planning meeting before the release of "A Little Thing Called First Love".

"The core of the publicity campaign is just two points," Wang Sheng said succinctly: "the emotional resonance of 'the whole nation's unrequited love,' and the visual miracle of 'the ugly duckling turning into a swan.'"

He reviewed the plan prepared by the propaganda department:
"Newspaper advertorials will continue to be effective, focusing not on praising how good the movie is, but on sparking discussion. Topics can revolve around questions like 'Who did you have a crush on during your school days?' or 'What's the silliest thing you've ever done for them?', guiding readers to share their stories and linking the movie to everyone's youthful memories."

"We will collaborate with radio stations, selecting several music and traffic stations that cover universities and young white-collar workers to play the movie theme song 'Courage,' and organize a ticket giveaway event where listeners can call in to share their stories of unrequited love."

"Courage" was copied by Wang Sheng and sung by Jin Haixin.

"Regarding television media," Wang Sheng said, looking at the vice president in charge of media relations, "we'll contact a few influential entertainment programs and arrange for Gao Yuanyuan and Huang Xiaoming to do interviews on them."

The focus should be on highlighting the contrast in Gao Yuanyuan's image in the film, using comparison photos of her transformation from an 'ugly duckling' to a 'swan', and distributing these images extensively as core promotional materials.

He also specifically instructed: "Universities are an important battleground for us. Organize several advance screenings at key universities in the capital, invite students to watch the film, and hold meet-and-greets with the main creators. Students are the group that spreads word-of-mouth the fastest and can generate the most buzz."

Wang Sheng also personally oversaw the design of the posters and trailers.

He demanded that the poster highlight the stark contrast between Gao Yuanyuan's before and after image, and that the trailer capture the bittersweetness of unrequited love, her unwavering determination to change, and the stunning effect of her final transformation, while retaining suspense for key plot points.

“The publicity budget will proceed according to this plan,” Wang Sheng finally decided. “I want to make sure that the name ‘First Love’ is seen and heard by the major media outlets in Beijing and places frequented by young people a week before the film’s release.”

"..."

……

After handling the matters related to the two films.

Wang Sheng immediately shifted his focus to the television drama industry. His next major project was "Lurking".

This project held immense importance for him.

The script was started as early as March when Wang Sheng and Li Youbin agreed on the schedule for the second half of the year. After several months, the spy drama writing team finally wrote a script that satisfied Wang Sheng.

……

Compared to the fast pace of movies, TV series have a longer preparation cycle and require consideration of more complex factors.

Wang Sheng summoned Huo Jianqi, Li Guoli, Cai Yinong, and other core production and directing team members, as well as the head of the company's arts management department, to his office.

A huge character relationship diagram and a whiteboard were brought in.

"I have high expectations for the 'Lurking' project."

Wang Sheng got straight to the point: "This is not only a spy drama, but also a drama about humanity. It needs to showcase faith, betrayal, love, and struggle within a tense and exciting plot. Everyone has read the script outline, and now the key is to assemble the team and cast the actors."

He picked up a marker and wrote down the list he had carefully considered on the whiteboard:

"The male lead, Yu Zecheng. I'm tentatively casting Wang Zhiwen," Wang Sheng said. "He has the elegance and restraint of an intellectual, and his eyes are expressive, which can support the complex inner drama of this character. I'll extend an invitation directly."

"The female lead..." Wang Sheng paused here, "The role of Cui Ping is very important. From a rural woman to a temporary partner, and then to a revolutionary comrade, the transformation is huge. It requires an actress with acting skills and talent. It is currently pending. We are also sending out invitations to outsiders. If any of our internal trainees are suitable, we can recommend them for auditions."

"Zuo Lan will be played by Li Xiaoran." He made this decision quickly. Li Xiaoran's temperament is cool and intellectual, which is suitable for Zuo Lan, a mature and determined revolutionary woman.

"Station Master, Teacher Li Youbin." Wang Sheng wrote down this name: "The collaboration on 'The Birth of a Nation' was very pleasant. Teacher Li's aura was able to overpower this cunning and shrewd character."

At this time, Li Youbin had not yet played Li Yunlong in "Bright Sword", but he had already shown a tough guy image with both good and evil sides and a strong aura in works such as "Death Certificate" and "Love Debt".

His portrayal of the station chief is less slick and cunning than Feng Enhe's version of the "smiling tiger," but more ruthless and shrewd.

His ruthlessness will be more overt, but his shrewdness and ability to see through everything and manipulate power will make his scenes with Wang Zhiwen full of tension, like two tigers fighting in the dark.

“Li Ya,” Wang Sheng paused, then wrote down a name that surprised everyone: “Tentative, Chen Daoming.”

A murmur of discussion arose in the conference room.

Chen Daoming's acting skills are beyond question, but his star power and potential price tag are... for a TV series.

Wang Sheng raised his hand to urge her down: "I know it will be difficult, but let's try to make contact first. Li Ya is a very charismatic villain, and I believe Professor Chen will be interested. If it really doesn't work out, we can have backup options."

"Lu Qiaoshan, Li Xuejian, and Mu Liancheng, Lei Kesheng." This is another important name.

He put down his pen: "We will try our best to win these core roles. As for the other actors, such as Ma Kui and Wan Qiu, important supporting roles, apart from a few we have specific candidates for, the casting director will conduct a wide selection process. There is only one principle—they must fit the role and have excellent acting skills."

Next, Wang Sheng made preliminary arrangements for the selection of the director, filming locations (tentatively set in Tianjin and Shanghai), art style, production budget and timetable, and requested the establishment of the "Lurking" project team to begin pre-production, with the goal of officially starting filming at the end of December.

(End of this chapter)