Rebirth 09: Starting from taking charge of Running Man on CCTV

Olympic Park Management Committee, third-floor conference room.

Chen Yang sat across the long table, followed by Safety Director Dong Jun and Production Manager Wang Jianguo.

There were three people sitting opposite me.

The deputy director of the management committee is Lao Wei, the director of the security department, and a legal counsel.

Old Wei was in his early fifties, his hair was neatly combed, and he spoke in a businesslike tone.

"Director Chen, we understand your thoughts. But the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube are national-level Olympic core heritage sites, not film studios."

"After the Olympics last year, the authorities tightened their control over the use of resources after the Games, and the approval of cultural and sports activities had to be reported to each level."

"If you guys are going to engage in celebrity chases and name tag ripping inside, and something happens, none of us can afford the responsibility."

Chen Yang didn't rush to reply, but tapped the table lightly with his fingers twice.

"Director Wei, I completely understand what you're saying."

"But I'm not here today to discuss whether or not it can be approved."

Old Wei raised an eyebrow.

Chen Yang took a document out of his briefcase and pushed it to the center of the table.

"This is the approval document for CCTV's Variety Channel's Class A key project in 2009, personally signed by the station director."

"You know better than I what an A-level project means on CCTV."

Old Wei picked it up and glanced at it. His expression didn't change much, but he was a beat slow in turning the page.

Chen Yang continued, "Director Wei, let's look at this from a different perspective."

"It's been almost a year since the Olympics ended, and the Bird's Nest and Water Cube are now just relying on ticket sales and a few commercial performances to stay afloat."

"To put it bluntly, once is enough for ordinary people, and there are fewer and fewer repeat customers."

Old Wei paused for a moment.

These words are harsh, but they are also true.

Chen Yang leaned forward.

"The country just passed the National Fitness Regulations this year, and there has been a constant call to utilize the Olympic legacy after the Games and to make it more accessible to the public."

"But after almost a year of hype, what people-friendly content has the Bird's Nest actually implemented?"

Old Wei didn't say anything.

"Our program airs during prime time on CCTV, featuring seven celebrities running around in the Bird's Nest and overcoming obstacles in the Water Cube, watched by tens of millions of viewers across the country."

"Isn't this the best example of post-Games legacy utilization?"

"Isn't this exactly what the higher-ups want?"

Chen Yang's voice wasn't loud, but every word hit the mark.

Old Wei put down the documents and looked at Chen Yang.

"I agree with your intentions, but how will the security issues be resolved?"

Chen Yang turned and glanced at Dong Jun.

Dong Jun immediately stood up and opened a twenty-page contingency plan.

"Director Wei, this is our 'Bird's Nest and Water Cube Nighttime Lockdown and Traffic Flow Contingency Plan'."

"The entire recording was done at night with the venue closed and no audience members were allowed in."

"Three security lines were set up on the perimeter, and all traffic routes inside the venue were marked with soft-padded protective areas in advance."

"Each artist is assigned a dedicated safety officer, an ambulance is always stationed in the parking lot, and there is coordination with top-tier hospitals within three kilometers."

Dong Jun turned to the page with the diagram.

"Inside the Water Cube, we will only use the spectator passage and shallow water area, and will never touch the core facilities of the pool."

"The entire running track area inside the Bird's Nest stadium is covered with anti-slip mats, but not the field events area."

Old Wei took the plan and flipped through it page by page.

The head of security came over to look at it together, his brows furrowing before slowly relaxing.

"Director Chen, your contingency plan is even more detailed than what we do when organizing events ourselves," the security chief muttered.

Old Wei closed the plan and remained silent for more than ten seconds.

"Recorded at night, with zero audience, and CCTV provided security throughout."

"These three points should be written into the contract, in black and white."

Chen Yang stood up and extended his hand.

"no problem."

Old Wei shook hands with it.

"You're a capable young man."

As Dong Jun walked out of the management committee building, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Director Chen, I thought we'd have to work at least three hours today."

Chen Yang took out his phone and dialed Zhang Lei's number.

"Brother Lei, the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube have both been approved. Take Lao Zhou and the others to the sites and check out all the camera locations."

On the other end of the phone, Zhang Lei's voice almost cracked.

"It's really approved? I'll take people over right away!"

After hanging up, Chen Yang dialed a second number.

"Qi Lei, this is Chen Yang."

Props supervisor Qi Lei was checking equipment in the warehouse when he heard the director's voice and quickly put down the tape in his hand.

"Director Chen, please speak."

"Two things. First, contact the factory we're cooperating with and expedite the mold making for a batch of acupressure mats."

"Acupressure mat?" Qi Lei looked blank. "What kind?"

"Small protrusions shaped like bamboo shoots, with a hard plastic base and a non-slip surface. As for the size, they are made into one-meter square interlocking blocks that can be freely combined to lay out a running track."

"I've drawn a sketch, I'll send it to you via Fetion in a bit. Remember, the protrusion shouldn't be more than two centimeters high, otherwise it could hurt your foot."

Qi Lei quickly took notes on the other end of the phone.

"Second, the name tag. The material should be Velcro, with strong adhesion but easy to peel off. The name and team color should be printed on the front, and the entire back should be attached to the back of the sportswear."

"What about the size?"

"A4 paper size, large font, so that the camera can clearly see distant views."

"Understood, I'll contact the manufacturer today."

Chen Yang added, "By the way, confirm the sportswear with Li Ning. Prepare several colors, bright and eye-catching. The recorded footage should look like a rainbow."

Qi Lei smiled and said, "Okay, I'll take care of it right away."

……

Mid-June, Friday afternoon.

The conference room for "Run, China!" is located on the twelfth floor of the CCTV main building.

Ma Li stood at the door, clutching a stack of attendance confirmation forms, ticking them off one by one.

Deng Chao arrived first, pushed his sunglasses up over his head, and casually sat down on the sofa.

"I was the first one there, shouldn't I give the captain some face?"

Li Chen followed him in, carrying a black backpack. He nodded to Deng Chao and found a corner to sit down.

Shen Teng arrived right on time, carrying a cup of soy milk, and strolled in leisurely, then plopped down next to Li Chen.

"Brother Chen, your bag is quite heavy. What's in it?"

"Change my clothes," Li Chen answered honestly.

"Did you bring a change of clothes to the meeting?"

"No... what if we record it today? I'm afraid I won't have time to go back and get it."

Shen Teng paused for a second, then laughed so hard he almost spat out his soy milk.

"Brother Chen, you're too honest."

Wang Baoqiang followed closely behind and burst in, beaming as soon as he saw Deng Chao.

"Brother Chao!"

"Brother Qiang!" Deng Chao stood up and shook hands with him. "Did you finish filming?"

"Filming's wrapped up, so I rushed over here." Wang Baoqiang scratched his head. "I took an overnight train."

Chen He and Zheng Kai arrived together.

The two almost bumped into each other at the door. Chen He squeezed in first, and Zheng Kai kicked him from behind.

"Could you walk a little faster?"

"Could you please stop kicking me?"

Shen Teng murmured from the sofa, "The Crouching Dragon and the Young Phoenix are both here; the show is about to begin."

Chen He: "Who is the Phoenix Chick?"

Zheng Kai: "Anyway, it wasn't you."

Chen He glared at him: "You're the Phoenix Chick!"

Deng clapped his hands: "Alright, alright, stop pinching, there's still one person who hasn't arrived yet."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a soft, sweet voice came from the doorway.

"I'm sorry, am I late?"

Baby stood at the door, her hair tied in a high ponytail, wearing a white sports jacket, clutching her phone, her eyes looking a little nervous.

Ma Li quickly went over and pulled her aside: "No, no, it's perfect. Come on, sit here."

Deng Chao was the first to stand up and greet them: "Baby! Welcome, welcome! I'm Deng Chao, you can just call me Brother Chao from now on."

Baby nodded and said softly, "Hello, Brother Chao."

Li Chen also stood up and waved his hand somewhat awkwardly.

Wang Baoqiang grinned and said, "Sit down, sit down!"

Baby was a little bewildered by the enthusiasm of the crowd, but she couldn't help but smile.

Shen Teng leaned back on the sofa and raised his hand towards Baby.

"Don't be nervous, we're all decent people."

He paused, then pointed at Chen He and Zheng Kai.

"Except for the two of them."

Chen He and Zheng Kai asked in unison, "Brother Teng, who are you talking about?"

The whole audience laughed.

Just as the atmosphere was getting warmed up, the meeting room door was pushed open.

Chen Yang walked in.

Unhurried and composed, he held a stack of A4 papers in his hand.

"Have they all arrived?"

All seven people turned to look at them.

The last meeting was a one-on-one communication; this is the first time the entire team has met the director face-to-face.

Deng was the first to shout, "Director Chen!"

Chen Yang smiled and waved his hand.

"Don't be nervous, we're not recording anything today, we're just getting to know each other and chatting."

He divided the A4 paper in his hand into seven portions and had his assistant distribute them.

"Before we officially start discussing the program, please fill out this form first."

Deng Chao looked down, then looked up at Chen Yang.

"Questionnaire survey?"

"Yes." Chen Yang leaned against the whiteboard, his tone casual. "It's mainly to understand everyone's physical condition and personal restrictions. After all, our program has a lot of outdoor physical activities, so getting a feel for things beforehand will help us design games that avoid potential pitfalls and prevent problems."

Shen Teng flipped through the questionnaire and read it aloud.

What are you most afraid of? What is your least favorite food? Do you have any physiological restrictions? What kind of punishment do you find most unacceptable?

He looked up at Chen Yang.

"Director Chen, this doesn't look like a job questionnaire, it looks like a psychological test."

Chen Yang remained unfazed.

"We just want to get to know everyone better. Variety show filming is intense; what if someone is afraid of heights and we arrange high-altitude activities? Wouldn't that be dangerous?"

That makes sense.