HuaYu: Starting with Photography to Navigate the Entertainment Industry

"Product placement of GG in a TV series?"

Zeng Jia had never heard of this before.

Xu Lang understood Zeng Jia's astonishment, after all, the practice of productizing GG in TV dramas began in 2007.

"How should I put it!"

Xu Lang gestured with his fingers to indicate names, giving Zeng Jia an example.

"For example, in the TV series, Liu Yifei carries a bag, which is a commonly used prop and appears frequently in the shots."

Do you think a bag manufacturer would be interested in this kind of exposure opportunity and willing to pay for it?

Think about it, this isn't a hard erection, it's subtle and gradual, happening without you even realizing it...

"Oh, I see!"

Zeng Jia's eyes lit up instantly, and her gaze towards Xu Lang was filled with disbelief.

"Boss Xu, your idea is absolutely brilliant! It's creating a whole new market, and it has such a promising future!"

Zeng Jia, true to his business acumen, quickly grasped the essence of the situation.

"Besides bags, everything in TV dramas—food, drink, housing, transportation—can be used for product placement; the market value is limitless!"

As she spoke, her eyes gleamed like gold coins.

Seeing that look in his eyes, Xu Lang couldn't help but shudder.

To be honest, he was really afraid that Zeng Jia would turn his TV series into a collection of bad movies.

Thinking of this, he quickly stopped Zeng Jia.

"This model is good, but we can't use it too much, otherwise it will become a disaster and we'll get criticized."

After thinking for a moment, Xu Lang added:

"Here's what you're doing. Go back and study the script carefully. Incorporate all the possible GG elements into it. Remember, the GG must be seamlessly integrated so that the audience can't tell."

Anything too direct and straightforward is better left unsaid!

"Okay, I understand."

I'll go back and take care of it right away.

After saying that, Zeng Jia then said to Xu Lang:

"By the way, I had already arranged for Yang Mi to play Yang Xiaoyun before I resigned. Just do what you said, 10 will do."

"it is good."

With the last female lead cast decided, the casting for "Struggle" is basically complete.

After that, Xu Lang pulled Ning Hao aside and started preparing for filming.

Filming a TV series seems simple, but the actual process is incredibly complex, involving actors, costumes, makeup, set selection, props, extras...

Fortunately, Ning Hao was on the production team's side, and Zeng Jia was on the logistics side. The two of them, one inside and one outside, managed to handle a series of messy matters clearly.

Xu Lang really did become a hands-off manager.

However, in the process of participating, he also learned about the organization and arrangement of the entire filming process.

In addition, Xu Lang spent most of his time exploring camera techniques.

He put away his old camera and instead spent a lot of money purchasing video recording equipment:

Sony HDW-F900, camcorder set, 85;

Panasonic Varicam, one secondary camera set, 72 NTD;

The two sets of cameras alone cost Xu Lang 157 million yuan, which even the spendthrift Xu Lang couldn't help but feel a little heartache for.

As for Ning Hao, he was extremely envious and kept urging Xu Lang to comply:

"That camera of yours, Hollywood uses this for Star Wars. We're just shooting a modern TV series, we don't need something that good, it's too extravagant!"

"If it's for my own use, shouldn't I get something better?"

In particular, Xu Lang also has his own [god-level camera system], so buying a camera that costs tens of thousands of yuan would be a disservice to that system.

He activated the [God-level Camera System] and filmed several sample clips.

You know what, it really makes a difference to spend money; the results are just different.

After seeing the sample photos Xu Lang casually took, Ning Hao clicked his tongue even more.

"Junior brother, why do your photos look different from those taken by other photographers?"

"Why is it different?"

Xu Lang asked the question knowing the answer already.

Looking at the sample footage on the monitor, Ning Hao pointed and said:

"Your lighting, color, and interplay of light and shadow are absolutely amazing. Even top photographers from our photography academy couldn't achieve this level."

besides..."

Ning Hao looked at Xu Lang with some disbelief.

"The biggest difference between videography and photography lies in focus control, which is also the core technique in shooting TV dramas."

It's not just about filming for aesthetics; it serves the storyline.

Try to find suitable camera angles by following the characters' dialogue, actions, movements, and changes in the scene.

This cannot be compensated for by photography or videography techniques; it requires a great deal of practice and experience.

At this point, Ning Hao looked at Xu Lang.

"Tell me the truth, have you studied or practiced this before?"

"ha!"

Seeing Ning Hao's expression, Xu Lang felt a surge of smugness.

"I haven't practiced at all! This machine is brand new!"

We just have this talent!

Let me put it this way: this kind of urban drama lacks opportunities to showcase my skills. When I have more money in the future, I'll definitely make a film like *The Lord of the Rings* or *The Matrix*.

Holy crap!

Ning Hao was taken aback by Xu Lang's words.

As a director, he wouldn't even dare to dream of making films of the caliber of "The Lord of the Rings" or "The Matrix."

Even 20 years later, these two films remain gems of the film industry.

High above, unshakeable!

"Okay, let's not talk about feasibility yet. The fact that you dare to think about it makes you way more impressive than most directors. I admire you, I admire your ignorant and fearless spirit!"

Ning Hao's words were still giving Xu Lang face; what he really wanted to say was:

"I admire your bragging skills!"

"Ha ha!"

Xu Lang didn't care about Ning Hao's reaction; it was normal, wasn't it?

If word gets out that he said that, he'll definitely be considered crazy.

After all, the film industry is a complex undertaking that cannot be accomplished by one person alone.

In 2005, the gap between China and Hollywood in film was even greater than the technological and military gap between China and the United States.

Everyone should have dreams; what if they come true?

Xu Lang said optimistically.

"Hmm, what you said makes sense."

Ning Hao nodded.

At this point, Xu Lang suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, senior, I saw a young man named Guo Fan on the cast list you gave me, right?"

"oh."

Speaking of Guo Fan, Ning Hao was a little embarrassed and explained:

"This young man just graduated this year and works in post-production for film and television. He also takes on some freelance work in his spare time. We have a good relationship, so I brought him here."

But don't worry, although he's not formally trained, his skills are definitely top-notch.

"Yeah, it's nothing, I was just asking."

After Xu Lang finished speaking, his mind was in turmoil.

"Holy crap, I, with just a small urban drama, got a movie director position, and even got the title of the pioneer of Chinese heavy industry cinema! It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut—no, not a sledgehammer, it's a guillotine!"

If we're talking about rebirth, Xu Lang's biggest regret is not seeing "The Wandering Earth 3".

Thinking about this, Xu Lang suddenly had a goal:

"I've decided, I'm going to adapt 'The Three-Body Problem' into a film!"