Entertainment: I just want to be the boss behind the scenes

Chapter 100 Arc Light Alliance
"There are awards for online dramas?" Meng Bai asked in surprise.

Liu Jun explained: "The National Drama Festival is not really a professional award, it is at most an industry recognition. However, this event usually invites many popular stars, and most of the dramas selected are the most popular dramas of the year, so the ratings and attention are not bad."

"That's great." Meng Bai didn't have any opinion on whether it was professional or not. Winning an award was already a pleasant surprise.

Moreover, it is impossible for online dramas to appear in official awards such as Feitian Awards and Golden Eagle Awards, because the first condition for applying for these awards is that the works must be approved by relevant national departments.

All I can say is that judging from the current situation of the online drama market, any work that could pass normal review would have been sold to TV stations long ago. Who would make online dramas?

"What time? I'll clear that space in advance."

"On the 17th of next month, in the reception hall of Communication University of China." Liu Jun said with a smile, "Everything else doesn't matter, but you have to prepare well for your acceptance speech on stage."

Meng Bai was surprised when he heard this: "I'm going on stage?"

Liu Jun was even more surprised than him: "Brother, you are the producer, screenwriter, and main creator, if you don't do it, who will?"

That's true. It can almost be said that "Soul Ferry" was created by him from scratch, and no one else is qualified to accept the award except him.

"Don't the big guys just sit down and nod and applaud?" Meng Bai said, "Okay, I'll get ready."

It’s my first time to go on stage to receive an award. What should I prepare? No rush, just wait a long time! ——
As the end of the year approaches, the days are getting colder.

Outside a desolate abandoned factory, Meng Bai hid in the relatively warm photography crew, watching the crew members setting up the scene.

After more than two months, the "Soul Ferry" "2+3" part finally filmed the last unit, which is also the last story of the entire "Pendulum" series - "Taishan Fujun Sacrifice".

The main storyline of "Pendulum" is actually about the story of "two dead people trying to resurrect".

One is Chi You, the "ancestor of ancient mankind" sealed in the male body, who was killed by the gods and has been sleeping for a thousand years, waiting for reincarnation; the other is Hao Ji, the adopted daughter of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who lives a simple life. In order to continue her ancestors' delusion of "conquest", she tries to resurrect her adoptive father with the help of Yin-Yang secret techniques.

According to Meng Bai's original "trilogy" plan, the first season introduces the three main characters, the second season introduces the secondary line of daily life, and the third season is the final battle between the resurrected Chi You and "Hao Ji".

"It's finally over." Wang Wei, who had just finished instructing the production crew on how to set up the scene, returned to the director's seat and sighed after sitting down.

Meng Bai at the side smiled and said, "Why, Lao Wang, are you feeling tired after directing independently for the first time?"

"It's not that I'm tired, it's mainly because of my lack of experience and the last-minute shooting that made me a little flustered." Wang Wei said.

"This is a special case. It will be fine next time." Meng Bai pulled his chair closer to the other person and whispered, "What do you think about the idea of joining Arclight Films that I mentioned to you last time?"

As a film and television production company, Arclight Pictures may not need artistes or actors, but behind-the-scenes staff such as directors and photographers are absolutely indispensable.

Meng Bai had invited Wu Bai before, and the old man was quite interested. However, everyone had too many things to do during that time, so the two agreed to talk about it in detail after the New Year.

He invited more than 500 people, including Wang Wei, Liu Yingjian, the cinematographer who had been with him on "Pendulum" and "Psychological Crime", and Sun Jingliang, the director of the lighting team, who were also on his "invitation list".

"I discussed this issue with Director Wu last time, and we both agree with you, Mr. Meng, and Arc Light." Wang Wei said carefully, "But you also know that the job of director requires a lot of freedom. I am a little worried that if Arc Light joins, there may be some restrictions."

After saying that, he looked at Meng Bai, not knowing how the other party would react.

In fact, he was quite interested in Meng Bai's invitation. He himself preferred the theme of "suspense crime" and was particularly interested in Arclight Films' "Criminal Investigation Universe Project".

Especially after participating in the filming of "Psychological Crime", he was particularly curious about the subsequent works.

Meng Bai had naturally anticipated Wang Wei's worries. He patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Wang. ArcLight will definitely be very lenient with directors. And we don't just have one form of cooperation, such as setting up an independent studio or forming an alliance, which can guarantee your creative freedom."

"Form an alliance?" Wang Wei asked in confusion. "Oh, this is an idea I had when I was chatting with Director Wu Bai last time. Everyone can set up their own studios and then form a film and television alliance. Normally, each of them can operate independently, and if there are new projects, they can be released within the alliance, and then everyone can come together to form and prepare." Meng Bai explained.

Wang Wei's eyes lit up. This form of alliance sounded quite good.

"What is the name of the alliance?"

Meng Bai said: "Director Wu said he didn't care, so I said let's call it the Arc Light Alliance."

The alliance led by Arclight Pictures is called the "Arclight Alliance", which is very reasonable.

Wang Wei was obviously very interested in this "Arc Light Alliance" and he pulled Meng Bai aside to talk for a long time about the feasibility of its implementation.

Finally, he also said that after the New Year, everyone can sit down and talk together, and then discuss the specific form of cooperation.

The two chatted briefly, and something happened at the venue that needed Wang Wei to deal with. Meng Bai stood up and was about to go and check the situation, but found Zhang Ruoyun coming over with the script.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with the script?"

"The script is fine, but I have some questions." Zhang Ruoyun pulled Meng Bai to sit down again, pointed at the plot and asked, "I don't quite understand the process of the last part of the 'Taishan Fujun Festival'. In the end, whose soul was exchanged for whose soul?"

"To put it simply, Chi You's soul was replaced by Zhao Li's soul." Meng Bai said.

"...How about you take the trouble to explain it in a more complicated way?"

"Are you sure you can understand the more complicated ones?"

"Damn!" Zhang Ruoyun couldn't help but give Meng Bai the middle finger.

Meng Bai smiled, picked up a pen that belonged to someone unknown, and drew a flow chart for him on the script, explaining as he drew: "According to the sequence, Zhao Li killed Hao Ji, but the 'Taishan Mansion Lord Ceremony' continued. Then Dong Qing killed Zhao Li, harvested his soul that grew through the 'Ghost Pill', completed the 'ferrying' task, and his soul was resurrected. The extra soul of Chi You was taken away by the Taishan God and exchanged for Zhao Li's soul. But because Zhao Li had no body, he hid in Dong Qing's body..."

Zhang Ruoyun never thought that one day he would be explained the script by the screenwriter using a flowchart. But let’s be honest, this method is indeed clear and concise.

"Do you understand now?" After Meng Bai finished explaining, he put the pen into his pocket and asked at the same time.

Zhang Ruoyun nodded: "I understand."

"Do you admit the difference in our IQ?"

"You're so different!"

"Quality, pay attention to your quality. Don't fucking swear."

After joking for a while, Meng Bai asked, "By the way, when will the filming of your crew start? It should be in time, right?"

"It's okay, there's still time. They won't start filming until next month, so we can finish it before the end of the month."

Meng Bai nodded in relief: "That's good. I may not be able to come during the wrap-up days, so I won't see you off."

"It's nothing. We'll meet again when we have a chance." Zhang Ruoyun waved his hand nonchalantly, and then asked curiously, "What are you going to do?"

"There are auditions for the drama I'm working on with Noon Sunshine. I'm going to take a look."

(End of this chapter)