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

Chapter 371 "I just treat her as a sister!"

"Audience reaction?" Li Qin was a little confused: "Can this also be used as a promotional point?"

“It’s hard to say, but I think it should be effective.”

Meng Bai was not just trying to change the subject, he really had this idea: "You see, many viewers decide whether to watch a movie, in addition to the cast and publicity, they are also keen to ask their friends who have already seen the movie for their opinions."

"If we film the audience's reactions and spread them, we are also creating an atmosphere of personal experience. For those who haven't seen the movie yet, it may be more useful than a simple trailer. After all, compared to the film's promotional ads, people are more willing to believe in the subjective feelings of their fellow audience members."

Li Qin, who was standing by, listened to his words and thought about it, and felt that it made sense. Indeed, even if you are an insider like yourself, when you want to watch a movie or TV series, you will habitually ask your friends if anyone has seen it and what they think of it.

“But this kind of promotional video is not very convenient to promote, right?” Li Qin asked.

"Weibo and WeChat Moments are indeed quite restrictive, but there is a type of platform that is very suitable."

"What platform?"

"Short video."

Like other commodities, the promotional media of movies has also been changing with the development of the times. From early newspapers and magazines, to television and the Internet, and then to the WeChat Moments and public accounts in the mobile era, anyway, they will go wherever there are more young people.

Since the second half of last year, short video platforms represented by Douyin have developed rapidly and have gradually grown into a new social media platform second only to Weibo.

Arc Light’s “Psychological Crime: City Lights” has identified Tik Tok as one of the most important promotional platforms since the very beginning of its publicity and promotion plan.

Compared with other traditional film and television companies, ArcLight has a unique advantage, that is, the MCN company under Taiyang Chuanhe has a large number of internet celebrity bloggers, so it has an advantage in the dissemination of short video platforms.

It has to be said that Yang Ming is a bit foresighted, and has been on the dual track of "celebrity + internet celebrity" from the beginning. He has a first-mover advantage over traditional brokerage companies and has more upper-level resources than emerging MCN agencies.

In addition to the promotion by internet celebrities and bloggers, ArcLight also contacted and cooperated with ByteDance's advertising department to put a large number of movie cuts on Douyin.

You know what, there was actually a promotional plot clip that went viral on TikTok.

That plot was the first time that "Liao Yafan" played by Zhao Jinmai appeared in the movie version, and was mistakenly thought to be Fang Mu's daughter by "Minan" played by Li Qin.

As a result, Liao Yafan, who looked like a little girl, hugged Fang Mu's arm and introduced herself to Minan in a arrogant tone as "Fang Mu's wife."

Liao Yafan: In another seven years I will be twenty years old. Then we will get the marriage certificate!

Minan: Ha, teach your husband well, and in seven years, you can enjoy happiness~
Fang Mu: ...

Arc Light posted a total of five plot-related clips on TikTok, and the other four only received about 100,000 to 200,000 likes combined, but this clip alone has over a million likes.

Not only that, in addition to ArcLight’s own official account, this clip was also forwarded by a large number of accounts on the platform, and the total number of likes on all platforms is conservatively estimated to be over 10 million.

[Tsk tsk, thirteen years old. Punishment, real punishment!]

[Police officer, this is the person who is practicing! ]

[Police: She took the initiative, didn’t she? Keep talking, I’m listening.]

[That's fine, Fang Mu. You're different when you become a policeman. You're skilled and brave! ]

【…】

Netizens made jokes under the video, including many fans who had watched the "Psychological Crime" web drama before.

The popularity of "Psychological Crime: City of Lights" has also increased significantly. As of today's premiere, the "audience wants to watch" data on Maoyan and Tao Piaopiao has exceeded 100 million.

This result is almost the same as the top three films in this summer's blockbuster season: "Dying to Survive", "The Richest Man in Xihong City" and "A Good Show", and even surpasses Jiang Wen's "Hidden Man".

Although many users here are just interested and may not buy tickets to watch the movie when it is released, it at least proves that the movie has attracted a lot of attention.

With the help of this popularity, "Psychological Crime: City Lights" has secured 26% of the premiere screening time.

This amount of filming may not seem high, but it is not because theaters are not optimistic about Arc Light's film.

The main reason is that the competition in this summer season is too fierce.

Also being broadcasted at the same time as "City of Lights" are "The Richest Man in Xihong City" and "A Good Show" which have not yet been taken off the screen, the movie version of "Love Apartment" which relies on sentimental marketing, and the just released "Ant-Man and the Wasp".

Except for "Love Apartment" which failed miserably at the end of its first week due to "fraudulent" marketing tactics, the remaining films were all big hits this summer.

In addition, some screens have to be reserved for those small-budget movies with no name, so it is already very good to be able to get a quarter of the premiere screenings.

It has to be said that in addition to the distribution efforts of Wanda and Maoyan, the popularity brought by the short video platform also made a significant contribution to this treatment.

Meng Bai stood up and said to Li Qin, "You take a rest first. I'll go talk to the publicity department about my thoughts just now."

As a film and television company, ArcLight doesn’t have much else but a lot of photographers.

After receiving the request from the big boss, the publicity and promotion department immediately arranged several cameras near the audience and guest seats, ready to capture everyone's reactions.

Most of the audience who can attend the premiere are fans or drama fans, and they will pay more attention to the plot. As long as the quality of the movie is up to standard, it can always achieve good results.

Mr. Meng is quite respectful towards the audience. Although he can promote something, he is not the type to pose for photos.

I don’t know if it will work, but it’s not expensive or difficult, so it doesn’t hurt to try it.

There was still some time before the premiere officially started, so Meng Bai took a look around and found Qin Hao.

"A new drama of Arc Light?" Qin Hao heard the purpose of Meng Bai's visit and said without any surprise, "It's The Bad Kids, right?"

"You know?"

"That director Xin Shang contacted me before." Qin Hao explained, "but I didn't agree."

Meng Bai suddenly realized that it was no wonder that Xin Shuang insisted on asking him to invite people. It turned out that he had failed once.

"Why, do you think the script is bad?"

"The script is fine, but I'm not very interested in the character of 'Zhang Dongsheng'."

Qin Hao said: "I have played too many villain roles before, and similar characters are not very attractive. Also, I have a daughter now, and I don't want her to see such a negative image on the screen."

"Zhang Dongsheng isn't a negative person, right? He's a physics teacher, a role model, has a wife and a family, is very patient with children, and often plays well with the kids..."

Qin Hao smiled bitterly: "Boss Meng, when you described Wang Dading to me last time, you also said that he was passionate about his country and full of literary and artistic atmosphere, which was different from the traditional image of a bandit."

Meng Bai waved his hand: "Just tell me if my description is correct?"

"..."

Meng Bai laughed: "Just kidding, but we do think that the role of 'Zhang Dongsheng' is very suitable for you. Why don't you consider it again?"

Qin Hao pondered for a moment and nodded: "Since you, Mr. Meng, came to me, I won't play tricks. I will accept the role. However, I have some personal ideas about the character's image."

Meng Bai said simply: "No problem, I'll let Xin Shuang contact you, tell him if you have any ideas." "Okay."

Seeing that Qin Hao agreed, Meng Bai smiled and stretched out his hand: "This is the third time we have worked together. I hope this time will also go smoothly."

After shaking hands, he gave another reminder: "There are three young actors in the lead roles this time, please give them more guidance on the set."

"That's hard to say. I can act but I can't teach." Qin Hao said, "I remember there is also Teacher Zhang Songwen in the group. He is an acting teacher himself. Let him come."

"Zhang Songwen?"

Meng Bai thought about it and he had some impression of this person. He signed a contract with Taiyang Chuanhe last year and played a role in the online drama "Detective Chinatown".

As for this time's "The Hidden Corner", he played a supporting role, the father of the little boy "Zhu Chaoyang", a seafood factory owner who is keen on playing cards.

"Do you two know each other?" Meng Bai asked.

"We worked together on the filming of Spring Breeze Intoxicated Night." Qin Hao said: "Although he is not very famous, his acting skills are really good."

Qin Hao couldn't help but smile when he said this. Before he starred in Peace Hotel, his popularity was similar. He was a talented but not very famous actor.

Of course, his luck was a little better. He had a reputation in art films before, and then he took on the role of Peace Hotel, which finally made him a bit popular.

Therefore, Qin Hao has always been particularly grateful to Meng Bai.

Just like the character "Zhang Dongsheng", he refused when Xin Shuang invited him, but he immediately agreed when Meng Bai asked.

Hearing Qin Hao's words, Meng Bai nodded: "Since you recommend him so much, it seems that he is indeed very capable. Let's ask Director Xin Shuang to see if he can give more guidance on the spot."

Most of the scenes in this drama fall on three "little kids", so the requirements for the young actors are naturally higher.

After finishing the performance, Meng Bai did not talk much about the new drama. After all, today was the premiere of "Psychological Crime", so the main focus must be on the movie.

"Brother Meng Bai!"

A clear and sweet voice sounded at the side. Meng Bai looked up at the person who came and smiled: "Mai Mai is here. I thought you couldn't come to school today."

"I've asked for leave." Zhao Jinmai said cheerfully, "After all, this is my first movie to be released, so I definitely can't miss it."

"Isn't your first movie Balala the Fairies?"

"Oh, I told you not to talk about this movie anymore!"

"What's the big deal? You know, not every kid has the chance to go to the Magic Fairy Castle."

"I told you not to mention it!"

Zhao Jinmai hurriedly stepped forward and raised his hand to cover Meng Bai's mouth, stopping him from speaking any more.

Although children's dramas like "Balala the Fairies" cannot be considered a "black history", it is indeed too shameful for the teenage girl Mai Mai.

"cough!"

A light cough interrupted the two people who were laughing. Turning around, they saw Li Qin standing beside them and watching them.

"Hello, Sister Qinqin."

Zhao Jinmai withdrew his hand from Meng Bai's arm, stood up straight, and greeted him somewhat embarrassedly.

"Hello, Mai Mai." Li Qin responded with a smile: "I just saw your mother, and she said that you ran away as soon as you came in. I guess you are here to see Teacher Meng...Meng."

"Ah, yes, come and say hello to Brother Meng Bai."

Compared to Meng Bai, who had worked with her on four or five dramas over the years, she and Li Qin were not that familiar with each other, so she was a little shy. Seeing that the two seemed to have something to say, she hurriedly said, "Then I'll go over first."

"Well, see you later."

Meng Bai waved at the little girl, turned around and saw Li Qin staring at him with a smile.

"What's that look in your face?"

"Huh! You said you were looking for publicity, but it turns out you were chatting with a little girl."

"Wow, come on, Mr. Li, are you jealous of Mai Mai? She's just a little sister."

"It appeared! One of the must-have excuses for men, 'I just treat her as a sister'."

"What nonsense! Mai Mai was practically raised by me. She is not one of those 'sisters' you mentioned."

"Oh - as expected, I knew you had other 'sisters'!" Li Qin had an expression of "I got you" on her face.

But then, she was flicked on the head by Meng Bai.

"Sister, what the hell." Meng Bai looked at Li Qin, who was covering her forehead and glaring at him, and smiled as he embraced her: "Does it hurt? Let me blow it for you."

Li Qin struggled for a moment: "Others will see it..."

"Just see it, and you can't take pictures. It's just more rumors." Meng Bai said nonchalantly.

As his strength and status gradually increase, he is no longer so worried about the scandals between him and the girls.

Just like Zhu Xudan’s previous “threat”, not to mention that he knew she was just talking nonsense, even if she really did it, Meng Bai was confident that he could handle such a thing.

What's more, in addition to the Arc Light, he will soon get a much larger asset.

For the film and television industry, which is currently in a turbulent period, Meng Bai, who has more and more capital, has gradually been able to develop from "forming his own school" to "expanding territory".

Li Qin looked at Meng Bai, her eyes sparkling. Although Meng Bai was usually very nice, she still preferred his current confident look.

The two stayed in the corner backstage for a long time. Seeing that the premiere was about to begin, they straightened their clothes and walked out with serious expressions.

As the first theatrical film produced by ArcLight, the premiere of "Psychological Crime: City Lights" is much more important than that of "Soul Ferry: Yellow Spring", and the invited guests are also star-studded.

Like Huang Xiaoming, Yang Tianbao, Huang Bo, Wang Baoqiang, Chen Sicheng, Tong Liya, as well as many artists under Taiyang Chuanhe and those who have previously collaborated with Arc Light, basically all of them were invited to attend and show their support as long as they had time.

Of course, most of the people here come here because of Meng Bai’s personal appearance.

The procedures for most movie premieres are pretty much the same, and Meng Bai didn't intend to do anything fancy with it.

The movie will be released tomorrow, and everything that needs to be done has been done. The next real showdown will all depend on the quality of the movie.

　During the period of doubling monthly tickets, there will be a lottery at the activity center. Don’t forget to try your luck after casting your votes!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)