Didn't you say that we would lose money after filming?

"Variety show?"

Xia Yuan asked suspiciously, "Why do you suddenly bring this up? I never go to variety shows."

This kind of thing is usually a script, what's the point of going there?

Others may not know, but as a director who has been working in the industry for many years, how could he not know?

There are no real variety shows in the film and television industry these days. To put it bluntly, they are all a series of programs disguised as variety shows, but in fact they are just things with a targeted process specified by the script.

There are even scripts. Every sentence and even every detail may seem random, as if they are from a game or something, but in fact they are all carefully designed, especially for reality show-type variety shows.

This even involves the personality of each guest.

Maybe the program team wants to express the plot guidance of a main guest and needs the cooperation of other guests.

Even the main guest position in a popular variety show can be sold through major brokerage companies.

As a well-known director and senior industry insider, Xia Yuan dares to say it very confidently. In China, there are no real variety shows in the true sense at all, and any that exist are all acted out.

Without exception!

As an actor or artist, you really need the support of variety shows to increase your popularity, and you also need to participate in variety shows frequently to maintain your popularity.

But for Xia Yuan, he doesn't need it.

He is actually a director, although he would act in the films himself or play guest roles every now and then.

But in the final analysis, he is not someone who relies on his public image to make a living. On the contrary, people like him are at the "daddy" level in the entertainment industry.

The director is the father, and a great director is the actor’s real father.

The national master is the father among directors.

Does he need to take the trouble to participate in any variety show?

Not at all.

Even for any of the popular variety shows in China, if he wants to direct one, or expresses his willingness, the producers and major TV stations will probably kneel down and beg him to do it, and then say: Dad! You said it!

Just so outrageous.

What's more, Xia Yuan has never been very interested in domestic variety shows and has never thought about entering the variety show market.

The audience of this thing is too easy to fool. It is harder to lose money than making a movie. So it is naturally not in line with Heye’s strategic approach and aspirations.

"No, I'm not interested, don't look for me." Xia Yuan immediately gave three consecutive rejections.

With this much time, he might as well cast a few more rods. Maybe he could catch something big later?

However, Chu Zhongtian quickly said: "Don't worry! Listen to me first, I know what you are thinking, but don't be anxious, the situation is like this, and the matter is like this."

"Speak human language!" Xia Yuan shouted with a frown on his face, interrupting Chu Zhongtian's nonsense.

"Well, this variety show is different from the previous ones. There is no script this time. It is a purely improvisational reality show. The director team may have some small requirements that need to be coordinated. Generally speaking, the degree of freedom is relatively high. And my fans are also very supportive. They say they hope to see the two of us work together and it will be very effective for the show. So I thought I would ask if you are interested. We can be together."

Chu Zhongtian said on the other end of the phone.

"Improvisational reality show?" Xia Yuan frowned and remained silent. Is there such a thing in China?
But it’s not impossible, it’s just that it’s unlikely from a logical point of view.

After all, the most important thing that domestic companies generally have to do and think about is often just one thing, and that is to make money.

Whatever can make money is absolutely right, and everything else must give way to making money, which naturally includes variety shows.

Overall, although unscripted variety shows are realistic, they do fit the positioning of variety shows and are what the concept of variety shows looked like when it first appeared.

But on the other hand, improvisation without a script can also lead to instability.

You can't guarantee the quality of every episode, everything is highly uncertain.

This is not acceptable in the eyes of many businesses.

The script also has the advantage of a fixed plot, which was revealed at this time.

That's stability.

Although setting up the script and determining the general direction in advance is indeed false from some perspectives, it can allow the program as a whole to present a more uniform quality through advance setting, and there will not be a situation where one episode is good and another is bad.

Moreover, by manipulating the plot, the main actor can be given some conveniences, and those main actors who receive more money can be supported by sponsors to consolidate their fame, let others play supporting roles for them, and increase the public recognition and popularity of the main actor.

Doesn't this give us more room for maneuver?
In this way, a variety show can make more money, and it is far more than just a way of making money from the show itself.

Xia Yuan never expected that there would be a company in China that would choose this approach?
I have to say, this did arouse some interest in him.

"How about it? Come on? It's a reality show about travel. It's perfect. Don't you want to take a break during this period? And you're traveling everywhere with your senior, so this is a great opportunity."

"Okay then, you can contact me." Xia Yuan hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and agreed.

After all, he had nothing to do during this period of time. If he stayed at home every day, he would just be doing nothing.

It would be nice to go out and have some fun.

Anyway, as long as you don't let him act or work, he will just go there to have fun.

And after Chu Zhongtian said this, he actually got some inspiration.

That's about shooting variety shows.

Is there a possibility that he could also consider trying to shoot variety shows? After all, if there is no script design and it is purely improvisation, the quality of the work produced is still relatively unstable.

Just see how they do it. If the variety show doesn’t perform well, then he will observe for a while and then follow up. He can also enter the variety show field himself and see if he can take advantage of the opportunity to make a profit.

Xia Yuan did what he said. He stopped fishing and packed up his things, stuffed everything including the tent, automatic water surface detector, various camping equipment and fishing gear back into the car, and left.

Anyway, it's probably not going to be like this if I continue fishing. I'm going to come up empty-handed today. I'll just have to buy a few fish at the market on the way back and report back to my senior.

Before leaving, Xia Yuan took a last look at the silent water surface, was silent for a moment, and finally said, "I'm here now."

Then he leaned over the water and took a big sip.

You have to drink two mouthfuls of fish soup! (End of this chapter)