Rebirth of the Industrial Tycoon

Li Weidong has obtained the original source of "Meteor Garden". Compared with those episodes recorded directly from TV, the original source has clearer pictures, clearer sound, no station logo, and no advertisements inserted by the TV station.

"How can we do it without advertisements!" Li Weidong shook his head dissatisfied and said: "Old Zhong, add our advertisements in it, add one paragraph every ten minutes, I guess we can add six or seven paragraphs of advertisements!"

The length of an episode of Taiwanese dramas is about 70 minutes, and longer ones can reach 90 minutes, which is an hour and a half. When it's broadcast on a TV station, including commercials, almost two hours are spent there.

According to the normal work and rest time, during the prime time period in the evening, after watching an episode of TV series, it is almost time to rest.

However, mainland TV dramas are not that long, so when Taiwanese dramas are introduced to the mainland, some deletions and edits are made to shorten the time of each episode and lengthen the number of episodes.

For example, "Destined", which has the highest ratings among Taiwanese idol dramas, has 24 episodes in the Taiwanese version, 39 episodes in the mainland version, and 44 episodes in the TVB Hong Kong version. The length of each episode of the mainland version is actually similar to that of the TVB Hong Kong version, but due to deletions, the number of episodes is smaller.

The original version of "Meteor Garden" had 20 episodes. When the TV station introduced it to the mainland, 300 minutes were deleted, which is equivalent to 15 minutes deleted from one episode. However, in the end, it was still close to 30 episodes in the broadcast and television filings. But it was banned after 6 episodes. .

The original version of "Meteor Garden" is a TV series with an episode of more than 60 minutes. Six or seven commercials are more than enough. As long as the duration of the commercials is controlled well, not only will the audience not be lost, but it will give the audience time to reflect.

The reason why Li Weidong spent money to buy the original source of "Meteor Garden" was to insert advertisements for puppy electrical appliances in it.

"Meteor Garden" became popular in mainland China not because of the broadcast on TV stations, but because of pirated VCDs.

Initially, "Meteor Garden" was only introduced by a certain local station, and it was not a satellite channel, but an economic channel of the local station. Naturally, the ratings exploded, and other provincial and municipal TV stations began to follow suit.

Non-starred channels only targeted local audiences and had little influence. Therefore, at that time, "Meteor Garden" was only spread by word of mouth.

Until a certain star channel introduced this TV series and aired six episodes before it was banned by radio and television.

Since it can't be seen on TV, the VCD of Meteor Garden has naturally become popular.

At that time, the genuine "Meteor Garden" VCD was a 19-disc set and sold for 200 yuan. The average price is ten yuan a piece, which is not expensive when compared to genuine VCDs.

But pirated copies are cheaper. A VCD only costs 5 yuan, and the retail price of a set of pirated copies of "Meteor Garden" is more than 100 yuan.

In addition, there are so-called compressed discs, which are many episodes compressed into one long VCD disc and can be bought for thirty or forty yuan.

Pirated VCD discs are cheaper and have more sales. The special ones are compressed discs that cost 30 yuan and are often sold out.

Young people born in the 1980s in mainland China first came into contact with the TV series "Meteor Garden" through pirated VCDs.

Since pirated VCDs are the main way to spread "Meteor Garden", then Li Weidong simply found a way to add Puppy Electric's advertisements to the pirated VCDs of "Meteor Garden". This publicity effect may be even better than TV advertisements.

It is undeniable that at the beginning of the 21st century, although the production of pirated VCDs was not visible, it was indeed a huge industrial chain.

Many people who make pirated VCDs have become industrialized. They are no longer small workshops with dozens of recorders. Instead, they use production lines to make pirated copies. The quality of the pirated VCDs produced is already comparable to that of genuine VCDs.

Moreover, the outer packaging of pirated VCD discs is made the same as the genuine ones, and the materials and printing are all made by regular companies. Apart from being cheaper, there is almost no difference from genuine VCDs.

In fact, in terms of cost, the pirated VCD discs coming out of the production line are almost the same as the genuine ones. The only difference is the copyright fee. However, it is this copyright fee that makes the price of genuine VCDs two to five times that of pirated ones. .

At that time, there were many companies producing pirated VCD discs in the Pearl River Delta region.

Firstly, it’s because the Pearl River Delta region’s economy is relatively open. Secondly, it’s also because the transportation there is convenient and products can be transported to various places. Thirdly, of course, it’s relatively close to Hong Kong Island, so it’s easy to get film sources.

After all, Hong Kong Island in the 1980s and 1990s was the vane of Asia's entertainment industry, and Hong Kong films were also the most popular films in Asia. Therefore, those who make pirated VCDs like to pirate Hong Kong films because they are easier to sell.

Among those who make pirated VCDs in the Pearl River Delta region, Shen Dafu is relatively well-known.

Many years ago, Shen Dafu started making pirated tapes. In recent years, he found that making pirated VCDs was very profitable, so he started making pirated VCDs again. Nowadays, Shen Dafu has two sets of VCD production lines, and its scale is among the best in this industry.

Of course, although Shen Dafu's main business is making pirated VCDs, he also takes on other businesses. There are two production lines anyway, so he can't be idle.

For example, many books at that time would come with a VCD disc; for example, some products, such as health care equipment, audio equipment, high-end home appliances, etc., would also give customers a VCD disc, which was both an instruction manual and a promotional tool. Effect.

These are not formal publications, so people like Shen Dafu who make pirated VCD discs will be found to produce them.

For Shen Dafu, although taking these jobs is not as profitable as doing pirated VCDs, it is a serious legal business, which makes him feel more at ease.

Therefore, Shen Dafu inevitably has business dealings with some publishers or advertising companies, and he also gives gifts during holidays. These are Shen Dafu's God of Wealth.

On this day, Shen Dafu attended another dinner party, where people from the advertising company were all present.

It was also at this dinner that Zhong Yemao was favorably placed as the guest of honor.

Zhong Yemao's identity is quite special. Although he has a background in advertising planning and is also an advertiser, to major advertising companies, he is the client!

Zhong Yemao is responsible for the entire Puppy Group's advertising. Puppy Electric spends a lot of money on advertising every year, and Puppy Health's health products almost rely on advertising to maintain sales.

The planning of these advertisements all came from Zhong Yemao, but for the specific execution, an advertising agency was needed. Therefore, for advertising companies, Zhong Yemao is a major financial backer.

The Puppy Group's huge annual advertising expenditures are a big piece of meat, so the advertising company naturally has to kneel down and lick Zhong Yemao.

Shen Dafu wants to lick the advertising company, and the advertising company wants to lick Zhong Yemao, so Shen Dafu naturally has to find a way to have a good relationship with Zhong Yemao.

"Mr. Zhong, let me toast you!" Shen Dafu finally found an opportunity to toast Zhong Yemao.

"Old Shen, I heard that you have recently joined a VCD disc production line. It seems that you have made a lot of money this year!" Zhong Yemao said with a smile.

"It's all the bosses who enjoy the meal." Shen Dafu said humbly.

"I don't think so!" Zhong Yemao lowered his voice and continued, "VCD machines have become more popular in the past two years. The sales volume of your pirated VCDs will definitely increase several times!"

"I'm just making a living just to make ends meet!" Shen Dafu said quickly.

Shen Dafu's piracy of VCDs was not a secret in the industry, so Shen Dafu didn't hide it.

Just listen to Shen Dafu continue to say: "Mr. Zhong, your Puppy Electric Appliances puts out so many advertisements every year, do you have any business that you can take care of me?"

"I really have a business here that is suitable for you." Zhong Yemao continued; "There is a TV series recently, which is very popular in the other side of the country, Japan and Southeast Asia. I have the source of the film here. Are you interested in doing it?"

"Where is the TV series? If it is a Japanese TV series or a Korean TV series, we Chinese cannot understand it, and it must have subtitles to sell it. Even if it is a Hong Kong TV series, it is best to have a Mandarin version, otherwise it will not work outside the Pearl River Delta. It can’t be sold anymore," Shen Dafu said.

"It's a Taiwanese drama." Zhong Yemao said.

"With Taiwanese dramas, there is no language barrier." Shen Dafu nodded.

"And what I gave you is the original source. The clarity and sound are much better than those recorded on TV." Zhong Yemao said.

"Original film source, that's great! I wonder what TV series it is?" Shen Dafu asked.

"Have you heard of "Meteor Garden"?" Zhong Yemao said.

Shen Dafu shook his head: "As for TV dramas, I have been mainly doing Hong Kong dramas recently. After all, there are many people watching Hong Kong dramas. Occasionally, I will also do Japanese dramas, mainly to sell to Hong Kong Island. Our mainland audiences are not interested in Japanese dramas. I’m not too interested. As for Taiwanese dramas, there haven’t been any outstanding ones in recent years, so I haven’t paid attention to them.”

Zhong Yemao smiled slightly and said, "Old Shen, this "Meteor Garden" I'm talking about is different. It will definitely become a hit. If you make the VCD of this TV series, I guarantee you will make a lot of money! If you lose money, forget it. I belong to Zhong Yemao!”

"Even if I lose money, I won't be able to ask for it from you!" Shen Dafu thought to himself, but he still had an apologetic smile on his face, and then thanked Zhong Yemao with tears in his eyes.

After the dinner, Zhong Yemao really sent over the film source of "Meteor Garden".

People of Shen Dafu's age have no interest in idol dramas such as "Meteor Garden". He prefers martial arts movies like Jackie Chan and Jet Li, or gun fight movies by Chow Yun-fat. If that doesn't work, zombie movies by Lin Zhengying can also make do. .

At that time, police and gangster themes were very popular in Hong Kong dramas. "Popular Garden" was really not to his liking, so he didn't even bother to look at the film source sent by Ye Mao Chung.

But since it was a free gift, Shen Dafu decided to inquire about the reputation of "Meteor Garden".

People all over the world know some of the people who make pirated VCDs. Even in places like Japan where copyright protection is very strict, there are still people selling pirated VCDs, not to mention other parts of Asia.

As a result, I wouldn’t know it if I didn’t ask, but when I asked, I was really shocked. This “Meteor Garden” has become a huge hit in other parts of East Asia, and all major TV stations are competing to broadcast it.

After learning the news, Shen Dafu immediately arranged for the factory to produce pirated CDs of "Meteor Garden"!

The technician pointed at the computer and said in Cantonese: "Boss, each episode of this TV series is relatively long, almost eighty minutes. An episode of TV series is almost as long as a movie!"

This technician was specially hired by Shen Dafu from Hong Kong Island, so he liked to be called "boss".

The length of each episode of Hong Kong dramas is similar to that of mainland TV dramas, about forty minutes per episode. For Taiwanese dramas, each episode is more than sixty or seventy minutes. And the "Meteor Garden" given by Chung Ye-mao is remote and has an advertisement for Puppy Electrical Appliances. , so the length of each episode reaches eighty minutes.

At that time, Hong Kong Island also produced many shoddy movies, which were only seventy or eighty minutes long, so this episode of "Meteor Garden" is really worth the length of a movie.

"Is each episode eighty minutes?" Shen Dafu frowned, and then said: "Maybe it's because the episodes of Taiwanese dramas are relatively long! The Japanese dramas we used to do also had one hour per episode! As long as If it can fit on a VCD disc, there will be no problem.”

Shen Dafu's production efficiency is still very high, and those who make pirated VCDs in this profession have already established their own sales channels. Therefore, it didn't take long for domestic street stalls selling pirated VCDs and roadside shops that rent VCDs to Here, pirated VCD discs of "Meteor Garden" appeared.

Young Zhao Xiaomei was an insurance salesman. At that time, the general public was not aware of the insurance routines, so the insurance at that time was relatively easy to sell.

For example, the kind of insurance that allows you to pay how much you pay per year, how many years you pay continuously, and how old you are to get your money back, the sales volume is very high.

Many wealthy families are very keen to buy this type of insurance for their minor children. They feel that this is a guarantee for their children's future. Even if they pass away in the future, their children can continue to receive money from the insurance company. Not to starve to death.

But these people who buy insurance have not calculated that for this type of insurance, they will probably have to wait until their children are 70 or 80 years old before they can get their capital back. If interest and inflation are taken into account, grandma's family will really lose money.

Zhao Xiaomei's insurance policy tasks for this month have been completed, so Zhao Xiaomei decided to relax after get off work, go to the VCD store to rent a few VCD discs, and go home to watch them.

In a small shop on the roadside, Zhao Xiaomei was carefully selecting VCD discs. Soon, several handsome faces came into Zhao Xiaomei's sight.

Zhao Xiaomei looked at Zhou Yimin on the cover of the disc and couldn't help but sigh: "So handsome!"

Looking at the other guys, they are also pretty good looking.

Looking at these faces, Zhao Xiaomei decided to rent back this box of "Meteor Garden" discs.

In the evening, Zhao Xiaomei washed the fruits, turned on the TV and VCD player, and prepared to enjoy the wonderful time on the weekend.

"Unforgettable, the first time I saw you..." The opening song sung by Yu Chengqing sounded, instantly attracting Zhao Xiaomei's attention.

"This song is quite nice." Zhao Xiaomei thought to herself.

After a few minutes, Zhao Xiaomei was attracted by the plot.

However, at this moment, the scene suddenly changed, and the scene of Yan Chengxu drying his hair with a hair dryer suddenly appeared on the TV.

Zhao Xiaomei thought it was a plot and looked straight at Yan Chengxu.

At this time, Yan Chengxu mentioned the advertisement for the puppy hair dryer.

Zhao Xiaomei was shocked: "This is an advertisement!"

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