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

Chapter 115 Happy New Year
What Yang Ming said made sense, but Meng Bai always felt something was not right.

"Senior brother, if we start a new business as you said, what should we do with Huayi?" Meng Bai asked.

This is a somewhat contradictory question. If you accept Huayi’s resources, you will still be controlled by others; if you don’t accept Huayi’s resources, then why should other artists follow you?

Yang Ming smiled, obviously he had considered this a long time ago: "I didn't say I would completely reject Huayi. After all, he is still the top star in the domestic entertainment industry and the 'big boss in the Beijing circle'."

Perhaps because of the familiarity brought by "being from the same school", Yang Ming introduced his plan to Meng Bai with a bit of intimacy. According to him, in the early stage of development, it is still necessary to use the name of Huayi to attract popular artists to join, and after the foundation is solid and the business is developed, Huayi's weight will be gradually reduced.

Of course, we also need the help of other partners, especially in the film and television industry, to at least ensure that there are new channels for cooperation after leaving Huayi’s resources.

"No, Senior Brother, you seem to have overestimated me a bit." Meng Bai said in surprise: "If you expect Arclight Films to replace Huayi, you will have to wait for years."

Although Huayi has indeed been on a downward trend in recent years, it is still far from being as bad as Arclight Pictures, at least not something that Arclight Pictures can rival in the past one or two years.

"I know. I didn't mean to let Arclight Films replace Huayi." Fortunately, Yang Ming immediately said, "If you want to fight against Huayi, you need Internet capital like BAT."

He looked at Meng Bai and said seriously: "The value of Arc Light lies in attracting these capitals."

Meng Bai raised his eyebrows: "I really didn't know that arc light has such a strong appeal?"

"For the investors behind it, it doesn't matter much. But for the video platforms and film and television groups under them, ArcLight has a very valuable advantage."

Meng Bai said with realization: "Original content."

"That's right." Yang Ming said: "Just like we said before, if you want to overtake others, you have to seize the new market. What is the new market in the film and television industry? Online dramas!"

With the rise of the online drama market, website-produced dramas have gradually become the top priority for all websites. To make online dramas, you need content support and a production team.

As far as the current domestic online drama market is concerned, there are only three online drama teams with successful experience and investment value - Wanhe Tianyi of Youku, "Bai Yicong Team" of Penguin, and Arclight Pictures of Leshi.com.

Here, Wanhe Tianyi focuses on mini-short storylines, while Bai Yicong mainly relies on Penguin's IP adaptation.

Only Arc Light Pictures has both "original IP" and produces long dramas that are closer to traditional films and TV series, which is exactly what all websites urgently need.

Meng Bai touched his chin and thought about what Chen Jing had told him a few days ago about many people asking about Arclight Films' financing.

If you don’t tell me, you wouldn’t know that Arc Light is so powerful now. It can be called the "succubus" of the online drama capital market.

Come to think of it, this is actually a pretty good cooperation model.

Taiyang Chuanhe relies on Huayi to attract popular stars, and then uses the two advantages of stars and Arclight Film and Television's content to attract Internet capital to compete with Huayi.

Arclight Films can use Taiyang Chuanhe as a substitute for artist brokerage business, and at the same time borrow its star and channel resources.

As long as the terms of cooperation can be negotiated, it will be a win-win situation.

"It's too early to talk about the specific cooperation model now. After all, I only have a prototype here." Yang Ming said: "Wait until I deal with Huayi and Baby, then we can discuss the specific cooperation plan."

"Okay." Meng Bai stood up and shook hands with Yang Ming, saying with a smile, "This time, you won't tell me that everything has been resolved in two or three days, right?"

"Hahaha, no way." Yang Ming laughed and said, "If everything goes well, it will take at least half a year. Let's communicate immediately and have a happy cooperation."

"Pleasant to work with."
-
After talking with Yang Ming, it was New Year's Day in a blink of an eye.

"Well, 2015, it's a new year again."

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Meng Bai woke up from his bed in the apartment, stretched himself and sighed loudly.

On New Year's Day last year, he was busy promoting "Soul Ferry" before its broadcast and had no time to pay attention to New Year's Day at all.

Fortunately, the development this year was good. Both works were hits after they were broadcast. Arc Light Pictures was built from scratch, and its own assets reached eight figures.

Recalling the hard days more than a year ago, one can't help but feel emotional. After three seconds of silent thinking, Meng Bai regained his spirits. The past is the past, what's important is the future.

Hopefully this year will be smooth sailing as well.

I got up, washed, and then collapsed on the sofa, waiting for the takeaway while opening WeChat.

I first looked at the blessings and concerns sent by Meng’s father and mother in the family group, as well as the photos of breakfast.

Although it was the New Year's Day holiday, Meng Bai did not go home. The Spring Festival would be here in a little over a month, so he would go back and stay a few more days then.

Scrolling further down, there are some greetings sent to each other by friends, classmates, etc., but they are all quite simple.

After all, it’s just New Year’s Day and there’s no need to wish each other a happy new year.

After scrolling down a few times, Meng Bai grinned and saw the message from Li Qin.

[Mr. Meng, in the new year, I wish you great wealth and a big hit in your new drama! ]

It was followed by a chubby and cute expression, which is consistent with her usual personality.

Seeing that cute expression, Meng Bai rarely said anything mean, and replied honestly: [Happy New Year, Teacher Li. I wish you a smooth new year and all the best.]

Scrolling down further, he saw a message from his "cheap junior sister" Zhu Xudan. She didn't have many extra words, mainly blessings, and congratulations on winning the "Internet Drama Award" at the National Drama Festival.

Meng Bai then remembered that the National Drama Festival that he had recorded previously was broadcast as Anhui Satellite TV's New Year's Eve program last night.

Alas, it has been so long that he has almost forgotten about it.

Meng Bai replied with a blessing and reminded her to find time to come over after New Year's Day to discuss the contract.

Scrolling down, Zhang Ruoyun, Wu Bai, Yu Yi and others all responded one by one. What surprised him was that he even saw a message from Song Zhi.

It must be said that Meng Bai has always thought that she had deleted him in the past few years.

【Happy New Year, Meng Bai! Also, congratulations on winning the award. 】

Meng Bai hesitated for a moment, but still replied: [Thank you, and I wish you a happy new year! How is the script preparation going? ]

Song Zhi seemed to be playing with his phone. He replied after a few seconds: [I have been preparing for this period of time. Don't worry, I will work hard. ]

Meng Bai: [Come on! See you at the start-up.]

Song Zhi: [See you when the machine starts.]

These few sentences were very official and formal, and they were in line with the current atmosphere of their relationship.

After scrolling down for a while, Meng Bai felt a little surprised that he had not received any message from Li Yitong.

This girl has been staying at home very rarely since she was admitted to the advanced training class of the Central Academy of Drama a few months ago. Anyone who sees her can tell that she looks very hardworking.

Just as I was about to make a phone call to ask, I suddenly heard the doorbell of the apartment ring.

It must be the takeaway that has arrived. Meng Bai walked lazily to the door, opened it, and habitually prepared to take the takeaway and say thank you.

"Thanks...eh?"

Meng Bai let out a light exclamation. The person who appeared at the door was not a delivery boy, but Li Yitong who was carrying large and small bags.

Seeing Meng Bai's surprised look, Li Yitong smiled sweetly with her eyes curved: "Meng Bai, Happy New Year!"

(End of this chapter)