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

Chapter 96 Where Does the Enemy Come From?

In the Internet age, hot topics change very quickly. A few days ago, you felt that the topic that the whole world was concerned about might have become outdated after a weekend.

Several video websites initially thought the same thing about the online debate about the web series, thinking that it would slowly fade away after everyone talked about it. After all, this is not entertainment gossip or hot news, and few people would be interested in this kind of debate.

However, what is unexpected is that after half a month, the topic of "online drama censorship" has not only not subsided, but has become more and more intense.

At first, it was just some netizens who were discussing it in comments and posts. Gradually, some self-media marketing accounts and news websites also began to have similar topics. In the end, even some traditional media, and even central media such as People's Daily and Xinhua, began to discuss the topic of "whether online self-made dramas need to strengthen cultural censorship."

"There must be someone behind the scenes deliberately guiding this." In the office of Leshi Pictures, Liu Jun took a sip of the tea in his hand and said in an affirmative tone.

Wu Bai frowned and asked, "It is certain that someone is guiding us, but the key is who would do this? What is the purpose?"

"I don't know who did it..." Liu Jun sneered, "But the purpose is very clear, which is to get the authorities to intervene and readjust the censorship system for online content."

After saying that, he looked at Meng Bai who was standing beside him and asked, "What do you think, Brother Meng? Who do you think is behind this?"

Meng Bai smiled when he heard this: "There is a famous saying in our mystery and reasoning circle, which is that if you don't know who the murderer is, then you only need to see who is the biggest beneficiary."

Liu Jun and his companions frowned. If the attack was only targeting one or two video platforms or one or two works, it would most likely be done by several other "friendly sites". However, the scope of the attack now includes all video platforms and the entire online drama market. Then the beneficiary...

"It's the TV stations, right?" A person in charge of the film and television department of Leshi Films said, "They are the only ones who have the reason to indiscriminately attack the entire online drama industry."

Everyone else now realized that, indeed, those old traditional TV stations were the most likely candidates.

As for their motive for doing so, it is very simple: a struggle for interests.

Traditional TV stations make a small portion of their income from government grants, but the vast majority from advertising and sponsorship fees from companies. The higher the TV ratings, the higher the advertising fees. It can be said that "ratings" are the lifeblood of a TV station.

Since the advent of the Internet, the ratings of TV stations have been slowly declining. Ten years ago, a TV series was considered excellent if it had a rating of over 3 or 5, but now it is considered a hit if it can get over 2.

For TV stations, entertainment content products such as TV series and variety shows are equivalent to their biggest moat. Although various dramas can be watched online, they can still stand firm by relying on the advantage of being the first to be broadcast.

But with the rise of online dramas, this "moat" seems to have become much shallower. The previous "Never Expected" could be considered a mini-drama that was "not up to par". But with the emergence of a number of high-quality "long dramas" such as "Soul Ferry" and "The Darker Side", the last "fig leaf" of traditional film and television has been torn apart.

The most important thing is that companies and advertisers seem to have noticed the situation of online dramas. Compared with TV stations, advertising on video websites is cheaper, more efficient, and more targeted to the target audience.

Since you are investing money anyway, why not invest it in something that is more cost-effective?

Therefore, starting from the third and fourth quarters of the second half of the year, the revenue and profit growth of many TV stations have slowed down to varying degrees. And the more entertainment-focused TV stations are, the more obvious this slowdown is.

Obviously, a considerable amount of advertising money has flowed into the emerging online drama market.

As the saying goes, blocking someone's financial path is like killing their parents. With such an obvious loss of profits, the TV station will naturally not sit idly by and will inevitably take action to target the opponent's weaknesses.

From the current perspective, their attack is very accurate, hitting the weak spot of "online drama censorship".

"It may not be a deliberate collaboration, it is more likely that they have a tacit understanding." Meng Bai said: "Not only the TV stations, but also the film and television companies and traditional media that rely on them for their livelihood will also follow suit and add insult to injury."

"Then how do we deal with it?" Wu Bai frowned and asked. Although he started out as a micro-film producer, the biggest profit for him came from online dramas, so he subconsciously brought himself to the video website side.

Liu Jun heard this, smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I'm afraid there's nothing we can do. I've heard rumors that after the Chinese New Year next year, the relevant cultural departments will likely hold a meeting for online dramas and online movies to discuss new online broadcast review methods."

"So fast!" Meng Bai was surprised: "Any news about the specific form of the review method?"

Liu Jun said: "There is no detailed information yet, but there are only two ways. Either it is the same as TV dramas and movies, with a review-before-broadcast approval mechanism, and it can be released online only if it has a license; or it is a filing system, where it can be broadcast after filing with the relevant departments and obtaining a filing number."

"Then the filing system is better." Wu Baidao.

Meng Bai sighed. The difference between the two systems is about the same. In short, no matter how it is changed, the current bonus period of online dramas that do not require censorship at all may never come back.

And he is now facing another problem. According to the original plan, the Soul Ferry series is to have three parts in total. But at present, the broadcast of Soul Ferry 2 should not be affected, but the third part will definitely run into the censorship reform. His subject matter can be said to be the "hardest hit area" among the hardest hit areas. No matter whether it is approval or filing, it will definitely not pass. If it happens to be caught in the crossfire, it may be pulled out to make an example of others.

Liu Jun and the others had obviously also thought of this problem. They all looked at Meng Bai and asked him what he planned to do.

"The second part has already been shot for three quarters. According to the original plan, it will be finished by the end of the month." Meng Bai introduced the situation with a frown. After a long silence, he put the cup in his hand on the table next to him, as if he had made a decision.

"Brother Meng, whatever your plans are, we at Leshi can cooperate with your arrangements." Liu Jun said without hesitation.

"Thank you, Brother Liu. There are indeed some things that need your help." Meng Bai's eyes flickered, and he said seriously, "I plan to abandon the original 'trilogy' plan, combine the remaining plot of the second part with the third part, streamline some units that do not affect the main plot, and shoot them all together."

Calculating the time, if we cut out some side plots and only keep the main plot and a few important units, it will only take another month to complete the filming.

Afterwards, post-production editing and publicity preheating will be carried out simultaneously. If there is really not enough time to finish the remaining part, it can be edited and broadcast at the same time. In this way, it can be launched online at the beginning of next year and can be completed before that "reform meeting".

Maybe it's a bit rushed, but at least the whole story is told, which is pretty good.

However, in this case, the project budget, actors' schedules, scene props needed for the new plot, etc. will all have to be adjusted accordingly.

"Don't worry, I will apply for the budget funds." Liu Jun said.

"If you need my help, I'll be there at your service." Wu Bai on the other side said the same thing.

The drama "Soul Ferry" is quite important to all of them, and no one wants the story to end halfway.

Meng Bai thanked Liu Jun first. The problem of budget funds was actually easy to solve. "Pendulum" was also considered a "top-tier project" in the online drama market. It had no shortage of investors as long as it issued a financing request.

Then, he looked at Wu Bai again and said, "In the original script for the third part, there are two very important units that I don't plan to delete. Both of these units only require one or two of the three main characters, so I'll have to trouble you, Director Wu, for help. When the time comes, discuss with Brother Wang to see if we can divide them into groups and shoot at the same time."

"Don't worry, leave it to me." Wubai agreed without hesitation.

He had worked with Meng Bai for so long that he knew that he was not the kind of screenwriter who would not cut out any of the plots he wrote. On the contrary, he would cut out any scenes that he felt would not turn out well in the filming.

Therefore, it must be very important to be able to make him say that he “does not want to delete” the plot.

Time waits for no one. The online turmoil is still going on, and Meng Bai and others have already started to take action.

Meng Bai returned to the crew and first called over the three main actors, Wang Wei, Li Qin, and introduced the current situation. He also told them about his plan to finish filming the entire main storyline together.

Wang Wei naturally had no problem, he just needed to coordinate with Wu Bai on the content of their respective shoots. Li Qin and Yu Yi also said that they could extend their schedules, since they didn't have any other roles to take on. If there were any scheduled events, they could just take a leave.

The only one who has some difficulties is Zhang Ruoyun. He has passed the audition for the second male lead role in Tangren and the filming will start around the end of the year, so there may be a few days of overlap.

Meng Bai thought for a moment and said, "Well, let's finish shooting your scenes first. I calculated the time, and if nothing unexpected happens, we'll have enough time."

Zhang Ruoyun didn't think too much about it. He smiled and said, "Just do as you say. It doesn't matter if it's a few days overdue. I'll discuss with the crew over there and see if they can push my role back. After all, I'm the second male lead and won't have that many scenes."

"Okay, Lao Zhang, that's nice." Meng Bai and Zhang Ruoyun exchanged punches.

There is no need to say too much between friends, as they all know each other.

With the lead actor confirmed, Meng Bai had solved half of the problem. The only thing left was the location involved in the new plot.

One of the two important units he had mentioned to Wu Bai before involved period scenes, and there was no suitable location on Blue Island. Fortunately, Meng Baifu was inspired and remembered that Noon Sunshine was currently preparing for "The Pretender" in Shanghai, and they must have a suitable choice.

So after remotely asking his senior brother Zhou You for help in asking about the venue, Meng Bai brought Wu Bai, Yu Yi, and other actors to the Chedun Film and Television Base in Shanghu.

(End of this chapter)