Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 64 Chen Xiang 6:30
The atmosphere at the dinner table gradually warmed up.

The mushroom broth in the copper pot bubbled and steamed, blurring the boundaries between the people.

Just as Jiang Ye picked up a piece of bamboo fungus with his chopsticks, Qiuqiu quickly moved the dipping bowl in front of him closer, picked up a small earthenware pot, poured some amber-colored liquor into the cup, and said softly, "Director Jiang, try this. It's Yanglin Feijiu, the favorite local to pair with mushroom hot pot. It has a slightly sweet medicinal aroma and helps cut through the greasiness."

Jiang Ye picked up the glass and took a sip. The liquor had a warm, sweet aftertaste as it slid down his throat. He couldn't help but nod. "It's smoother than beer. No wonder it goes well with mushroom soup. Did they add honey to this liquor?"

“Yes,” Chen Xiang replied, “It’s a recipe passed down from the older generation, with more than a dozen medicinal herbs added. In the past, it was something that caravans carrying on their journeys would use to keep warm.”

“Really good!”

After several rounds of drinks, Chen Xiangxian finally lost his composure.

"Director Jiang, you've come here for more than just to try our mushroom hotpot, haven't you?" Chen Xiang put down his wine glass and looked at Jiang Ye's face.

Jiang Ye paused in his chopsticks, then looked up with a bright smile: "To be honest, I really enjoy watching short videos. Among all these teams, you guys are truly hilarious, and you even bring a touch of warmth to the videos."

Chen Xiang chimed in, "It's just random shooting, just for fun. Director Jiang is knowledgeable and experienced, what future do you think this kind of thing has?"

"I wouldn't presume to say I'm knowledgeable," Jiang Ye waved his hand. "But I think some things are interconnected!"

“Like Guangxian Media, I have a friend who is currently promoting a ‘short to long’ plan, which is to turn good short video IPs into online movies or TV series.”

"The neighborhood disputes and workplace embarrassments you film can be easily compiled into a ready-made script."

Chen Xiang and Runtu's eyes lit up, and they exchanged a glance.

"Besides, there are a few teachers at the Beijing Film Academy who always say that the things they shoot nowadays are too superficial, and they want to find some more grounded content. If you want to refine your camera language to a higher level, I can help you make connections?"

The soup in the copper pot was still bubbling, and the steam blurred Jiang Ye's expression, but it couldn't hide the weight of his words.

Chen Xiang raised his glass and tilted it towards Jiang Ye: "Director Jiang, what you said really resonates with us. We do want to take this step forward, but we just lack the connections."

"All connections are built by people." Jiang Ye clinked glasses with him. "When I was filming 'Princess Promotion,' I had no money or connections, and I relied entirely on the help of my friends."

"I think we can become friends in the future!"

Then we continued chatting, and that was enough.

Everyone here is a smart person; there's no such thing as a free lunch!

Chen Xiang and his team also need time to consider this.

In business, you can't just rush to accept something that's offered to you.

The group agreed to meet at the filming location the next day, but Jiang Ye declined Qiuqiu's offer to help arrange rooms.

He could see the desire for improvement in the girl's eyes.

Actually, he didn't really mind, but only if he knew the person's background well...

Safety first when you're out and about!

The entertainment industry is a very complex place; no one can be sure what the other person is really thinking.

Anyway, he has Sister Meng, and Dudu...

If all else fails, the egret is an alternative...

Xiaotian is still too young!

? ? ? ? ?

Jiang Ye quickly banished Xiaotian from his mind; he didn't know why he had even thought of that girl...

……

After leaving the restaurant, Jiang Ye did not immediately hail a taxi, but instead strolled slowly along the streets and alleys.

The night breeze in Huacheng carries the fragrance of flowers, the shadows of the plane trees along the roadside sway gently, and the occasional shouts of night market vendors can be heard in the distance.

He looked up at the sky; the stars here were much brighter than in Yanjing, and the air was much fresher.

On the street corner, several young people were filming short videos with their phones, laughing and repeating the same action. Jiang Ye stopped and watched for a while, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his lips.

Chen Xiang's team played a significant role, going beyond simple investment.

This team is so mature, from the screenwriter Runtu's down-to-earth humor to Mei Daye's theatrical skills, and Qiuqiu's natural audience appeal.

They had already developed an efficient working model through countless real-world experiences, so he didn't need to bother training them anymore.

More importantly, it's their style.

It's hilarious with a touch of absurdity and nonsensical humor, and absurdity with a hint of warmth. Plus, Qiuqiu occasionally pushes the boundaries, making it practically tailor-made for web series!

Or rather, a short drama!

He needs to quickly build his own team!

The history of web dramas can be traced back to 1995.

The American web series Location was the world's first web series.

A group of young Americans filmed their seaside life and, for the first time, created a continuous series of episodes through an internet platform.

Its dissemination relies entirely on the internet, which is considered a hallmark of web dramas.

In China, the first web series was "Original Colors," produced in 2000 by five college students from Changchun University of Posts and Telecommunications.

The most popular one before that was probably Hu Ge's "A Bloodbath Caused by a Steamed Bun" from 2005...

It broke the heart of the great poet Chen!

But this doesn't really qualify as a web series.

The earliest to break into the mainstream were Youku's "Hip Hop Quartet" in 2008, LeTV's "Northeast Past" in 2012, and Da Peng's "Men's Diary".

Another one is Professor Beast's "Unexpected".

During this period, online dramas mainly consisted of sitcoms and parody content, and were still generally regarded as "low-quality dramas".

However, in 2014, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television reiterated the review standards for overseas films and television dramas, and promoted platforms to shift towards self-produced content.

Several leading companies increased their investment, launching 205 online dramas throughout the year, with total viewership exceeding 10 billion.

It's been called the "Year Zero of Chinese Online Self-Produced Dramas"!
The following year, 2015, marked a turning point for the full-scale explosion of capital investment in online dramas.

Because of the strong entry of BAT giants!

Tencent will establish Tencent Pictures in September, acquire the rights to eight novels in the "Ghost Blows Out the Light" series in one go, and announce a collaboration with top producers such as Hou Hongliang.

In the same year, Alibaba completed the full acquisition of Youku Tudou, incorporating it into its digital entertainment empire. Youku Tudou then bought out the online rights to "Spring Breeze Ten Miles" for twice the price paid by TV stations.

Baidu's iQiyi consolidated its market position with the success of "The Lost Tomb" and launched big-budget dramas such as "Psychological Crime", forming a competitive landscape with Youku and Tencent Video.

Competition also represents opportunity.

As long as he consistently produces hit content, he can ride the fast-growing train of the platform.

Companies are competing on intellectual property and special effects, often investing hundreds of millions of dollars.

Jiang Ye can't afford to play this game right now, but...

skit
This was the key to his breakthrough!

He has so many short dramas and adaptation materials stored in his mind. If he were paired with an excellent and mature team, plus the technical support of Beijing Film Academy and the distribution channels of Guangxian Media, he could achieve great success.
And there's also the newly launched Tencent platform!
Low cost, short cycle, and quick results!

Perhaps this can quickly produce a batch of online dramas!
Even if it doesn't work out, he'll still make a profit from this investment.

If it succeeds, his development will start much faster!

Time is crucial!

(End of this chapter)