Poverty alleviation variety show goes to the countryside, my talent can no longer be hidden

Chapter 548 Crazy Stone

If you show your love for nothing, it is either adultery or theft.

Zhang Mo's sudden invitation made Zhou Hao secretly alert.

Lin Xina was also on high alert. She was surrounded by all kinds of obscene looks that night and had become a little nervous.

However, after the show, she still followed Zhou Hao obediently.

Anyway, as long as he is around, there is nothing to worry about.

Finally, they chose a small pub with an ordinary facade. It was small in size, in a remote location, and quite quiet.

The lighting inside was a little dim, and soothing music was playing on the speakers, and the environment was quite good.

After ordering some drinks and dried fruit snacks, the three of them sat down in a corner booth.

"You two, I have no ill intentions. You don't have to be so defensive against me." Zhang Mo came up and said directly, "I just want to get to know you guys."

Zhou Hao laughed it off and of course didn't take it seriously.

Those who keep saying they are “law-abiding citizens” are often scum.

Zhang Mo seemed to have seen through Zhou Hao's thoughts, and decisively gave up on further explanation and instead got straight to business.

"Mr. Zhou, I actually came to you today to discuss a script."

Ok?
"I have signed a contract with Youying Video and must produce a web drama within a year..."

Zhou Hao understood instantly.

After all the trouble in the relationship, I'm here to pay my respects to you!
Tell me earlier!
At this moment, even Lin Xina relaxed.

"I'm okay as a director, but I can't write a script. I tried a few times before, but I was always criticized for being worthless..." Zhang Mo smiled bitterly, "So recently, I have been looking for a better script as my debut work."

Zhou Hao pondered for a moment and found it a bit strange. "Your debut is quite high. With these two trophies in hand, you can go straight to theatrical movies. Why do you have to get involved in the online movie circle?"

"I would like to make a movie for theatrical release, but..." Zhang Mo took a sip of water to clear his throat, and lowered his voice and said, "That contract is a real pitfall. After careful calculation, unless the box office explodes, I will basically be making things easier for others."

“No way?” Lin Xina couldn’t help but interrupt, “Although the commission of theaters is higher than that of streaming platforms, it’s not to the point of not making money, right?”

"That's just on the surface." Zhang Mo sighed, "The secret war behind the box office these days is so complicated! All kinds of treacherous marketing and publicity wars are going to burn money!"

"For many films on the market now, their publicity and promotion costs have actually exceeded the filming costs themselves, plus the various shady operations after the release... that's all a waste of money."

Although Zhang Mo didn't say it explicitly, Zhou Hao understood.

Buy big Vs and film critics to hype, hire internet trolls to deceive potential audiences, buy ratings on major platforms, and even use connections to steal box office revenue...all of this requires money to pave the way.

What should we do with this part of expenditure that cannot be made public?

Just share it. In name, everyone shares a little, but the money is in their hands, so don't they have the final say on how to divide it?
Unless you are a famous director with extraordinary status, what can you use to fight with others?
Love or not, get out of here!

Even if you don't want to take photos, there are plenty of people who are willing to do so!
In order to get screenings and boost box office sales, some producers will even go to great lengths to give commissions to theaters... Where does this money come from?

Just take advantage of whoever is weaker!

Not convinced?

If you don't agree, get out! "It would be fine if I earned less, I'll just treat it as a low-paid internship." Zhang Mo sighed, "But in fact, I calculated that if I'm not careful, I might even have to pay for it myself... What do you think is going on?"

Lin Xina couldn't help laughing out loud. Paying money to find her classmates was really outrageous.

"Then you can go the route of art films." Zhou Hao tried, "Take it to an overseas film festival to win an award, and then you will be able to take off right after you come back, right?"

Zhang Mo shook his head directly, "Teacher Zhou, please stop slandering me. The tricks here are known to heaven and earth, you and I. These days, if you don't slander the country and the Chinese nation, it's basically impossible to win an award. Wouldn't I be like Zhu Bajie looking in the mirror?"

Zhou Hao smiled indifferently. OK, this guy is still clear-headed.

Unlike some "old actors" in the global village next door, who are still thinking about the dog chain medal given by foreigners at their old age, and even do not hesitate to shoot those weird and miserable films.

Wow, that movie depicts the countryside... If you don't know, you would think that China has remained stagnant in the 70s. The rural people are all confused after watching it.

“So you’re going to use streaming platforms as a springboard?”

“It’s not entirely a stepping stone,” Zhang Mo said. “I’ve only shot art films before, and I don’t really understand the rhythm of commercial films, so I plan to polish it on the streaming platform for two years and then decide on the next step based on the situation.”

Yes, this guy is reliable.

The two trophies did not make him go crazy or give him the illusion that "God is the boss and I am the second best". At this time, he still knew how to develop step by step, which was quite pragmatic.

"And there is another consideration." Zhang Mo smiled awkwardly, "You are doing very well in Youying, so if I look for your cooperation, I should be able to benefit from it."

Wow, he really doesn't hide anything from me.

Since Zhang Mo was so frank, Zhou Hao couldn't play it safe anymore. "We can work together, but I need to watch your film first to understand your style."

"That's easy!" Zhang Mo took out a USB flash drive from his bag. "Teacher Zhou, everything I've shot over the years is in there. Some are editing materials that haven't been completed yet, and some are finished short films, including the one called 'Demolition'."

Well, it looks like he came prepared.

"Okay, I'll go back and take a look."

After reaching an agreement, the party ended quickly.

After returning to the hotel, Zhou Hao immediately inserted the USB drive into the computer.

He was too lazy to look at those messy materials and directly opened the award-winning "Demolition".

The image quality is very rough, and it looks like it was shot with a handheld DV and is very shaky.

After watching the whole film, Zhou Hao nodded in agreement.

Those two awards are truly well-deserved.

The overall quality of this film is very solid!
The whole film uses a multi-line narrative technique. The three forces each advance the story line. In the last quarter of an hour, the three lines converge and merge, pushing the story to a climax.

Pretty solid directing skills.

This narrative technique reminded him of a young director next door...

That guy is also good at showing off his multi-line narrative skills. His debut work was a low-budget film of only three million yuan, which amazed audiences and achieved great success in both box office and reputation, and he once became one of the legends in the circle.

Comparing it with Director Zhang in front of me...isn't the script here?
Create a new document and name it "Crazy Stone"!
(End of this chapter)