Huayu: Starting from managing the Mahua FunAge Theater Troupe

After having two meals with his parents at home, Shen Feiyang returned to Harbin early the next morning.

Shen Teng and his group arrived yesterday afternoon and stayed at a hotel arranged by Heilongjiang TV.

Shen Feiyang went directly to the studio of Heilongjiang TV station, where the Spring Festival Gala for the Year of the Rooster was being held, and met up with Shen Teng and others.

The official recording will be in the evening; this morning will be for rehearsals.

Shen Teng, along with Ma Li, Ai Lun, and Du Xiaoyu, performed the skit "Catering to Their Tastes 2".

"To Cater to One's Tastes 2" is a rewritten version by Yue Xiaojun and others based on the previous work "To Cater to One's Tastes".

Even though the theme is the same, the plot points and jokes are all different.

The reason for releasing "Catering to Tastes 2" is that the previous work was very popular among the people of Heilongjiang.

When Shen Feiyang arrived, the rehearsal had not yet started.

Shen Feiyang shook hands and greeted Wang Yueren, director of Heilongjiang TV, Huang Kai, chief director of the Heilongjiang Spring Festival Gala, and others who were present at the scene.

If he were at CCTV, Shen Feiyang would only be able to stay backstage. He wouldn't even get close to the director, let alone talk to the station's leaders.

After talking for a while...

Rehearsal begins.

Huang Kai and the others went to get busy.

Wang Yueren and Shen Feiyang chatted casually: "Mr. Shen, do you know who Director Huang's brother is?"

Shen Feiyang shook his head.

"Another famous comedian who came from Heilongjiang, Huang Hong."

Shen Feiyang nodded in realization: "So it's Teacher Huang. I saw him backstage at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala a while ago."

"I saw in the media reports that your skit and Teacher Huang's skit both passed the final review. Heilongjiang has really made a name for itself this time," Wang Yueren said proudly.

Shen Feiyang nodded slightly: "Teacher Huang's skit was quite good."

Although "Renovation" was cancelled, Huang Hong's position on the Spring Festival Gala remains unshakable, as he passed the final review with another program.

Huang Hong will also participate in the recording of his hometown's Spring Festival Gala tonight.

However, Huang Hong's reputation in his hometown is only so-so.

The main reason was his classic line in the 1999 Spring Festival Gala skit "Cheering Up"—"We workers should think about the country. If I don't lose my job, who will?"

Shen Feiyang only remembers that he and his parents turned off the TV after watching the skit.

Shen Feiyang and Wang Yueren chatted for a while longer.

Wang Yueren then mentioned how Huang Kai had mentored Zhao Benshan back then, and then chatted about the development of Heilongjiang TV in recent years, as well as its struggles in the face of market trends, subtly trying to get Shen Feiyang to help plan a variety show.

Shen Feiyang pondered for a moment and asked Wang Yueren, "Director Wang, what is the approximate cost?"

Wang Yueren was surprised that Shen Feiyang was so agreeable. He smiled somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Of course, the lower the better."

Shen Feiyang knew his hometown was poor, so he simply nodded and then asked, "Does Harbin have any large indoor water sports venues?"

"Yes!" Wang Yueren quickly introduced, "The newly built HEB City Swimming Pool will be put into use next month. It is currently the largest and most advanced comprehensive swimming venue in Northeast China. It has a standard competition pool measuring 50 meters by 25 meters, and the adjacent spectator seating can accommodate more than 1,000 spectators."

Shen Feiyang nodded: "I'll contact Huanle Media later and have them send someone to the site to investigate and come up with a plan."

Shen Feiyang added, "Happy Media is the actual production company of 'Chinese Comedians'."

"I've heard of it. Mr. Shen, rest assured, we will cooperate fully. If the cooperation can be finalized, we will definitely give your opinion serious consideration," Wang Yueren quickly assured him.

Shen Feiyang was not surprised by Wang Yueren's reaction.

The directors of local TV stations across the country are pretty much the same; as long as they can make money, they'll lower themselves in a heartbeat.

……

It was past six o'clock in the evening.

The recording of Heilongjiang's Spring Festival Gala for the Year of the Rooster is about to begin.

Many high-ranking officials from the province came.

No wonder Wang Yueren spends all day here supervising the construction.

Standing at the back with the Heilongjiang Spring Festival Gala crew, Shen Feiyang watched Wang Yueren welcoming the various leaders and muttered to himself.

……

7:00 PM.

The recording of Heilongjiang's Spring Festival Gala for the Year of the Rooster has officially begun.

Shen Feiyang and hundreds of audience members sat in the audience seats.

The entire gala lasted for more than two hours.

The show "Catering to Tastes 2" was scheduled as the finale.

This is the biggest selling point of this year's Heilongjiang Spring Festival Gala, so it can't be revealed too early.

After watching more than twenty programs in a row, I finally got to "Catering to Tastes 2".

Shen Feiyang saw a group of high-ranking leaders sitting in front of him and whispered a few words to each other.

It's too far away to see clearly.

When Shen Teng appeared on stage, the audience gave him a warm round of applause.

The performance begins.

One burden after another.

Laughter and applause rang out continuously from the audience.

Following "Catering to Tastes 2" is a large chorus performance by local singers.

This whole thing was learned from CCTV's Spring Festival Gala.

The recording will be finished after the chorus is completed.

The group of leaders did not leave immediately, but went backstage to visit and comfort the performers.

Shen Teng is naturally the focus.

A group of leaders arrived at the lounge where Happy Twist was located.

Wang Yueren introduced the group to the leaders: "These are actors from the Happy Twist Troupe: Shen Teng, Ma Li, Ai Lun, and Du Xiaoyu. This is Shen Feiyang, the general manager of Happy Twist Company."

The top leader, representing all the leaders, shook hands with everyone one by one, while photographers and reporters took pictures and recorded the events.

"Hello, boss."

Shen Feiyang was the last to shake hands with the senior leader.

The senior leader chuckled: "Your constant 'Hello, leader' doesn't quite make me feel at ease. I just finished watching your performance in 'Catering to Tastes 2,' and I remember very clearly how that Section Chief Ma was promoted."

The senior leader looked around at everyone, his tone still gentle: "The skit was well performed, and the satire was excellent. What we leaders fear most is being surrounded by people who only say nice things and not hearing a single truth. The fact that you were able to perform this subject matter on the Spring Festival Gala stage shows that you are bold, and it also shows that our stage in Heilongjiang has this tolerance."

The senior leader then looked at Shen Feiyang: "Comrade Shen, you are truly a promising young man. I heard that your troupe has only been established for less than two years, but you have already made quite a splash. Keep up the good work, Heilongjiang needs young people like you."

Shen Feiyang then made a few more assurances.

We must keep up with the mainstream trends in our creations, so that audiences across the country know about Heilongjiang and understand Heilongjiang.

At last.

Shen Feiyang accepted several business cards from the leaders' secretaries, which was the biggest gain from his trip to Heilongjiang for the Spring Festival Gala.

……

1 month 22 day.

After returning to Beijing, Shen Feiyang contacted Wei Yonggang.

The idea for the indoor water obstacle course was handed over to Huanle Media, who were asked to send someone to Harbin to investigate and write a plan, specifying the size of the venue and how the obstacles should be set up.

Joy Media, busy maximizing profits from its GG business, naturally took on this job.

With a foundation for cooperation between the two parties, Shen Feiyang is not afraid of the other party plagiarizing his ideas.

The day.

The publicity department of Heilongjiang TV promoted the recording of the Heilongjiang Spring Festival Gala in several major cities through online and print media.

Shen Tenghe's "Playing to Their Tastes 2" is the focus of the promotion.

It attracted some attention.

……

The days that followed remained busy.

On January 27, Shen Teng and others participated in the first rehearsal with an audience for the CCTV Spring Festival Gala and were reviewed by the first batch of audience members.

There will be several more rehearsals to follow.

On January 31, Happy Twist held its annual meeting.

It is mainly aimed at administrative staff.

After Liu Hongtao was confirmed to take over the film and television business, Yu Kai focused on the performing arts business. Although no new employees were recruited during this period, the total number of administrative staff in the various companies had reached 114.

In addition, the entire 12 floors of the Zijin Building have been rented to build dedicated rehearsal rooms, new meeting rooms, workstations, and so on.

The annual meeting is over.

According to the company's bylaws, the employees received varying amounts of year-end bonuses.

Employees who joined the company within the last two months received a year-end bonus equivalent to one month's salary.

Winning hearts and minds is a preparation for establishing branch offices in other locations.

The target audience for stage plays is mainly the petite bourgeoisie, working people with rapidly rising wages, and the newly middle class. These groups are particularly numerous in cities with rapid economic development.

Therefore, Yukai plans to locate its first branch office in Shanghai.

The branch manager is Yu Kai's apprentice from his previous job. He graduated from the Communication University of China and has a high level of education.

Shen Feiyang did not interfere with Yu Kai's business and personnel arrangements.

He only needs to make decisions; everything else is up to Yu Kai.

……

2 month 1 day.

The film production license (single film) applied for for "Crazy Stone" has been issued.

After obtaining the single-film license, Feiyang Film and Television applied to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television for script approval.

The first draft of the script has been completed. Although the details are not yet polished, it is sufficient for submission for review.

Since it's Lunar New Year's Eve in a few days, and we'll be on holiday, we probably won't have a result until early March.

……

the other side.

Preparations for "Struggle" are 90% complete, with only a few finishing touches left.

Tian Youliang plans to move the filming to mid-to-late February to accommodate Gao Yuanyuan's schedule.

The shooting order is randomized. Since it's still cold now, we're shooting scenes depicting the cold weather. We'll shoot other scenes when it gets warmer in April.

Shen Feiyang had no objections.

He doesn't understand these things.

Leave professional tasks to professionals.

……

From February 1st to February 5th, CCTV's Spring Festival Gala underwent multiple rehearsals.

The atmosphere of the Lunar New Year is getting stronger, creating a festive spirit.

On February 5th, the Happy Twist Troupe and the Yuyun Society finished their year-end closing performance.

Performances will resume on February 11th, the third day of the Lunar New Year, to compete in the Spring Festival film season.

Despite having nearly a week off, the actors didn't dare go home, especially those who landed leading roles.

Shen Feiyang asked Yu Kai to organize everyone to have New Year's Eve dinner and watch the Spring Festival Gala together.

It was like a make-up party for the actors.

……

2 month 6 day.

The final rehearsal for CCTV's Spring Festival Gala of the Year of the Rooster has arrived as scheduled.

This rehearsal is for recording a backup tape.

The thought of performing in front of hundreds of millions of viewers across the country the day after tomorrow kept Shen Teng up at night, so he pulled someone together to play cards.

After playing with the deer for a few days, Shen Feiyang also took some time to play cards with Shen Teng, and lost a lot of money to Shen Teng.

Famous people are often superstitious, and Shen Teng is no exception. This has nothing to do with his level of education; he simply needs a psychological anchor he can trust to cushion the pressure of the moment, such as luck in the game.