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

Chapter 200: "Godson" million, "Biological Son" million
"The number of views has exceeded 20 billion! The online drama market is booming"

"Forensic Qin Ming tops the list of most popular online dramas. The suspense track is still the best solution for self-made online dramas."

"Two years, four dramas, an average score of 8.3! Why is Arclight Pictures called the 'No. domestic web drama team'?"

"'Word of mouth' vs 'traffic'! The future of online dramas still has the advantage of content!"

"..."

"Ugh!"

Looking at the endless reports online about "Forensic Qin Ming" "reaching the top", Bai Yicong sighed.

"Teacher Bai, what's wrong?"

Zhang Yuxin, who had just pushed the door open, heard his sigh and asked with a smile.

"Oh, Mr. Zhang is here." Bai Yicong bowed and greeted him, then shook the screen of his mobile phone, "I'm reading the discussion reports about the two dramas online."

Zhang Yuxin understood what he said and comforted him, "Don't worry too much. The final data is actually no different. The so-called 'first' is just an empty title."

"No, I don't care about the data or anything like that." Bai Yicong shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I'm paying attention to the ratings of the two dramas. The difference is really too big."

The opening score of "Forensic Qin Ming" was not high, only 7.4. However, as the series aired, it has been slowly increasing.

Especially after the broadcast of "Grave Robbers' Chronicles", the audience compared the two dramas.

"Forensic Qin Ming" far surpassed its competitors in terms of production standards, actor performances and sincerity, and its reviews immediately rose.

By the finale, the rating had risen to 7.8 points.

In comparison, "Grave Robbers' Chronicles" relied on the hard work of the leading actors' fans, and the final score was only barely raised to 3.7.

The gap is too obvious.

For Bai Yicong, this "gap" is particularly embarrassing, after all, he is the screenwriter of "Grave Robbers' Chronicles".

In fact, he felt wronged. Although he was the screenwriter, the director and the investors had more say than him.

If the director wants to change the plot, he can only adjust the script. If the investors want to add newcomers, they have to add original characters.

After so many changes, the final plot is already very different from the original script.

So now he is mainly envious of his "junior brother" Meng Bai.

He is the boss himself and uses his own team to make his own drama. No matter whether it is good or bad in the end, at least he has the final say.

"Anyway, the final data is still a success." Zhang Yuxin said: "Arc-Light has put a lot of effort into improving the plot and production, and the final result is similar to ours, which shows that the 'traffic + fan economy' route of online dramas is correct."

"The next film of 'Old Nine Gates' has been approved. This time the budget and the cast will be even stronger. We still have a chance to 'get revenge'."

"I understand." Bai Yicong nodded.

We did lose this time, but the main responsibility is not entirely my own.

In the newly launched project "The Lost Tomb", he is not only the screenwriter but also the producer.

Let's wait and see next year who will come out on top.
-
Haidian, Sigma Building.

"Mr. Sun, this is the project book for "Ghost Blows Out the Light: The Mystical Ancient City"."

In the president's office of Tencent Video, Fang Fang placed a project plan in front of President Sun Zhonghuai.

"Okay, let me take a look." Sun Zhonghuai responded, took the document and started to look through it.

Seeing how seriously he was looking, Fang Fang opposite couldn't help but become a little nervous.

Tencent Video started very early in the field of self-produced web dramas. Last year’s “The Darker Side” was produced by them and Ciwen Media.

It just left early, but there has been no development since then. Over a year has passed, and apart from "Darksiders 2", there are no other projects.

The reason for this is mainly due to adhering to the corporate philosophy of the headquarters - not to innovate, but to follow the trend; to rely on "cash ability" to come from behind and win.

The same goes for online dramas. Only after more than a year of development, when they were sure that this market could really take off, did they consider entering the market.

Tencent will officially start operating Penguin Pictures next month, which will be responsible for the production and distribution of TV series and movies. Sun Zhonghuai will concurrently serve as CEO, overseeing Tencent's entire film and television sector.

As the first drama of Penguin Pictures, "Ghost Blows Out the Light" naturally became a key project.

"Production team, do you want to find Arclight Films?" Sun Zhonghuai said, looking at the project book in his hand.

Fang Fang hurriedly said, "Yes, Arclight Films is very good at online dramas, especially suspense online dramas."

"I know." Sun Zhonghuai smiled. "I had dinner with Mr. Gong from Qiyi TV a few days ago and talked about them. They are indeed a very capable film and television team."

Seeing that the leader affirmed her idea, Fang Fang felt relieved. But then, she thought of another question.

"Mr. Sun, I have talked to Mr. Meng, the boss of Arclight Films, before. He is also very interested in this project. However, they usually require full production rights for the projects they produce and rarely accept management from the investors. It is said that Leshi.com has always been a cooperative relationship with them, and they are the kind that 'follow orders but not propaganda'."

"That's okay. A capable team will always have their own ideas." Sun Zhonghuai said nonchalantly, "Let professionals do professional things. Otherwise, why would we look for them, right?"

He smiled and continued, "Tell them that if they are interested in cooperating, we at Penguin will only be responsible for investment and promotion, and they will be responsible for the production."

"Okay, Mr. Sun." Fang Fang said excitedly, "Then I'll make an appointment with Mr. Meng to have another chat in the next few days."

"Well, wait a few days. They should be very busy recently."
-
Just as Sun Zhonghuai said, Arclight Films has indeed been very busy these days.

Mainly busy celebrating.

22.5 billion views, the most watched online drama of the same period, and the best online drama of the year (so far)...

Such an achievement would not be enough to express everyone's emotions if they didn't celebrate it.

There is no doubt that Arc Light held another celebration party.

"Everyone, everyone."

On the stage in front of the banquet hall, Wang Wei took a microphone and said to the crowd below: "Before the celebration banquet begins, let me first invite the soul of our "Forensic Qin Ming" project, Mr. Meng Bai, to say a few words to everyone."

"Wow—"

Amidst the applause and cheers, Meng Bai was helplessly pushed to the front by the crowd.

"Old Wang, I'm not saying anything bad about you, but this is not a state-owned enterprise. There's no need to make these speeches or anything like that."

Meng Bai took the microphone and first said something to Wang Wei, then looked at everyone present and said, "We are in the film and television industry, efficiency comes first, so I won't say too much. Over the past six months since the filming began, I would like to thank everyone present for their joint efforts, which has resulted in such a proud achievement for Forensic Qin Ming."

"Thank you Director Wang, thank you to our three leading actors, and especially thank you to Mr. Qin Ming who has been providing consulting guidance to the crew."

As the original author and consultant of the entire drama, the crew also invited Qin Ming here today.

Hearing Meng Bai mention his name, the chubby middle-aged man greeted the people around him somewhat uncomfortably. Because of his profession, he rarely participated in such activities, and usually only had dinner with colleagues.

Just like he had specially asked Meng Bai to add a plot to the play. Indeed, when some people heard that he was a forensic doctor, they immediately backed away, which made both of them quite embarrassed.

Fortunately, at least this situation will not happen today. Most of the people present have seen the "real scene".

On the stage, Meng Bai continued, "I believe that no matter which crew or project you join in the future, "Forensic Qin Ming" will become a piece of experience worth talking about."

"That's all I have to say. Everyone, have a good meal and have fun tonight. Oh, by the way, there will be a red envelope grabbing event later, don't miss it."

After saying that, Meng Bai walked away amid cheers.

Although gratitude, fame and so on are good, they are still not as real as red envelopes.

As a "semi-amateur" boss, Meng Bai always believes in one truth: when you have no money, you can talk about feelings and ideals with everyone, but when you have money, you still have to talk more about money.

"Teacher Qin Ming, thank you for taking the time to come here."

After returning to the stage, Meng Bai first went to Qin Ming to express his gratitude.

"No, no, it's my duty. I am also half a member of our crew." Qin Ming said with a smile: "And I should be the one thanking Mr. Meng for being able to use such a good work to showcase our forensic industry."

"Ha, as long as the forensic practitioners in our industry don't find it unbearable, we will be very satisfied."

Speaking of which, Arc Light's "Forensic Qin Ming" has received quite a lot of praise within the forensic industry.

Although there are inevitably some missing details, or modifications that have to be made due to film and television presentation, most of the content presented is true.

In particular, the emotional line of this drama is also very weak. Many viewers commented that they did not expect that a suspenseful criminal investigation drama would be the most standard "professional drama" in recent years.

If we really have to say what forensic practitioners complain about the most, there are mainly two points.

One is that 99% of forensic doctors would not be as "BKing" as the male protagonist in the drama, and the other is that the setting of the autopsy room in the drama does not look like a forensic department at the district or county level. It must be at least a municipal bureau or above, and a wealthy municipal bureau at that.

The two chatted briefly and asked about the progress of the second book. Meng Bai then turned to Zhang Ruoyun and the other three main actors.

"What are you talking about?" Meng Bai asked, and took the bottle of mineral water that Zhang Ruoyun "handed" over to him, "Thank you."

"Fuck, I took that for myself, okay?"

Zhang Ruoyun complained and stood up to get another bottle.

Bai Yu and Zhou Yutong on the side couldn't help laughing when they saw this.

In comparison, Zhou Yutong and Meng Bai were not that close, so he chuckled and said, "We were just talking about when the second part will be filmed?"

"It's hard to say. In addition to Arc Light's project planning and the schedules of the leading actors, we also have to consider coordinating with the publication of Teacher Qin Ming's novel." Meng Bai said, "It will take about a year or so."

Compared with foreign dramas, few domestic dramas can still gather the original cast for sequels. Many of them are like "My Fair Princess" and "Young Justice Bao", which change three groups of leading actors in three seasons.

The main reason is that many dramas were not expected to have sequels when they were first filmed. They were only added temporarily after the show was aired and the performance was good.

Furthermore, even if a project is confirmed to have a sequel from the beginning, the crew's budget is often unable to afford it because the lead actors' salaries are too high.

The situation is better for Arc Light. Except for the first part "Soul Ferry", the leading actors of the following dramas have signed contracts for sequels, which at least guarantees that the original cast will remain for the second part.

Of course, the pay will definitely increase with the value of the leading actor, but due to the upper limit of the contract, it will definitely not be a "sky-high price".

But then again, even if there is a contract, it is more symbolic than practical.

If the pay gap is really too big or the person just doesn't want to come, the worst that can happen is that you have to pay the penalty for breach of contract.

Therefore, the contract is just a means of insurance, and it mainly depends on the relationship between the parties.

"Xiao Zhou." Meng Bai looked at Zhou Yutong, "Are you used to being at Taiyang Chuanhe recently?"

"Fortunately, the company team is quite professional."

“Are there any resources to recommend?”

"Yes." Zhou Yutong nodded, "Recently my executive agent is asking me to prepare for an audition for a drama."

"What drama?" Meng Bai asked curiously.

"It's also adapted from a novel called Love O2O."

Meng Bai didn't react when she finished speaking, but Bai Yu beside her asked in surprise: "Hey, you also went to the audition?"

"Why, Old White, you're going too?"

"Yes, I auditioned for the role of the second male lead. But..."

"What's the matter? Is there a problem?" Meng Bai asked.

"It's not the show's fault." Bai Yu said with a little embarrassment: "It's just that the male lead of this show is... Yang Yang."

"what--"

Meng Bai suddenly realized, and asked why the attitude was so strange. But you are not the producer, what does it have to do with you?

To put it bluntly, most actors in a film and television project are basically just tools.

If you are not there, there will be someone else. This kind of dispute between projects actually has little to do with the actors.

Even if Huanrui Century or Qiyi TV starts a new drama now, actors from Arc Light will be more likely to be accepted when they audition because of their popularity.

This is the relationship between most companies in the film and television industry. They are fighting each other one second and shaking hands and cooperating the next. It mainly depends on interests.

"By the way, Lao Meng, is your TV series about to start airing?" Zhang Ruoyun asked, "I saw Teacher Li's circle of friends a few days ago, and he even sent a message asking us to help promote it."

"Yes, it will be broadcast at the end of the month." Meng Bai nodded.

Speaking of which, when I was talking on the phone with Li Qin and Song Zhi (separately) in the past half month, I was indeed promoting this drama.

However, Meng Bai's enthusiasm for "The Disguiser" is obviously not as high as that for "Forensic Qin Ming".

After all, he is just a "godson" at most.

The show was sold to Mango TV, with a total revenue of 1.08 million yuan. After deducting the cost of 6000 million yuan, the profit was about 4800 million yuan.

Arclight Films’ investment ratio is about 20%, which means it can get nearly 1000 million.

In comparison, "Forensic Qin Ming" has a total revenue of at least 2000 million, and the repayment speed is fast. This is the real "son".

Of course, a "godson" is still a son, and Arclight Films will still help with promotion.

(End of this chapter)