Chapter 441 This award is not easy to get

"In the modern society of the Internet age, the new generation of young people are becoming more and more atomized and individualized under the ever-expanding urbanization process. On the one hand, many people are not used to getting along with strangers, and they all call themselves "socially anxious"; on the other hand, they yearn for a life of living in groups with friends."

"The planning of "Fifty Kilometers of Taohuawu" is actually a bit like a social experiment. The goal is to observe the living habits and psychological changes of young people today, explore the possibilities of "social boundaries" and "group integration", and show more possibilities between different lifestyles of "living in groups" and "being alone"..."

In the conference room of Arclight Film and Television, the staff explained the theme of the new program to the PPT on the projection screen.

At the table in front of the screen, seven or eight people sat opposite each other on both sides. On one side were Meng Bai and the staff of Heng Video, and on the other side were several strangers.

Among the strangers, the leader was a slightly fat middle-aged man. He looked at the content displayed on the projection screen carefully, and discussed with the people around him from time to time.

If Yang Chaoyue was here, she would definitely recognize it. This middle-aged man with a serious look is the chief director of Rocket Girls 101's group variety show "Rampage at Twenty Years Old", and also the creator of the popular "Metamorphosis" and "Where Are We Going, Dad?", Xie Dikui.

As the largest entertainment satellite TV in China, Mango TV has cultivated countless excellent variety reality show teams over the years. However, it is limited by the control within the system, so many people choose to jump out and work alone after growing up.

Xie Dikui is one of these people. Two years after "Where Are We Going, Dad?" became popular, he left Mango TV and founded Xiyue Media with his brother Xie Digang to create his own variety show production team.

Although Meng Bai made "Fifty Kilometers Peach Blossom Village" mainly to give a gift to his eldest niece, the program should be done seriously. After contacting many domestic variety show teams, it was finally decided that the experienced Xie Dikui would be the chief director of the new program.

As for Xie Dikui, he was really surprised for a long time when he first received the invitation from Arclight Film and Television.

Although he is a variety show producer, he still knows the reputation of Arclight Film and Television in the film and television industry. But he was wondering in his heart, Arclight's projects have always been movies and TV series, why did they find him to shoot variety shows?

He never expected that after the actual contact, he found out that they actually wanted to make a variety show this time.

Xie Dikui was happy and worried about this kind of "playful" party A.

He was happy that the program was backed by the two major platforms of Tencent Video and Heng Video, and the scale and funding of the project would definitely be no problem.

As for the worry, it was that this kind of party A often liked to intervene in the actual production of the project. The key was that they had no experience in producing similar projects before, and they would inevitably come up with some unrealistic ideas.

What's more, the direct contact party for this project was Arclight Film and Television. This kind of top team in a field often has a problem, which is to bring their experience and temper in the field to the new field.

Although variety shows and TV series are both entertainment works, they are actually different in nature. If Arclight really uses their experience in making TV series to treat variety shows, you can imagine how many fights they will have to fight when preparing future projects.

The staff of Arclight introduced for about ten minutes, and finally stopped after talking about the main idea of ​​the program "Fifty Kilometers Peach Blossom Village".

"Director Xie." Meng Bai asked in a warm manner: "I wonder what you think of the theme and idea of ​​this program?"

"Mr. Meng, you are too polite." Xie Dikui turned around and said carefully: "It is indeed a very interesting project planning, and the theme is indeed in line with the current concerns of young people. Arclight Film and Television is worthy of being the number one team in the film and television industry, and it can always bring some new ideas."

Listening to the official tone of the other party, Meng Bai smiled and suddenly changed the subject: "Director Xie, I heard from Chaoyue that she is quite familiar with you?"

"Chaoyue?" Xie Dikui was stunned for a moment, and then reacted, "Mr. Meng is talking about Yang Chaoyue, right? Yes, we have worked together before, and I have seen her several times on the show. I am familiar with her... Well, she is a pretty good girl."

I vaguely remember that Mr. Meng and Yang Chaoyue seemed to have had some scandals, and I don't know what the relationship between the two is. Anyway, he really has a good impression of Yang Chaoyue, and the other party suddenly mentioned it, so he might as well praise her more, anyway, it's just a matter of one sentence.

However, Meng Bai did not care too much about this, and continued: "Before this, Chaoyue and I had a general understanding of Director Xie's style of producing programs. We also learned about the programs he had produced before. Since Director Xie was chosen for this project, it means that he is the most suitable after comprehensive consideration."

"Thank you, President Meng, for your kindness." Xie Dikui hurriedly thanked him, "President Meng, rest assured, we will actively cooperate with Huguang and do our best to make the program

well." "Okay!" Meng Bai praised, "Since Director Xie also thinks that we should actively cooperate, then if you have any opinions or ideas about this program, just say it. Those official jargons can be omitted if possible."

"Ah..."

Xie Dikui finally understood that it was because his previous attitude made others feel dissatisfied. The bunch of words just now were actually telling him in various ways - we at Huguang know what level you are at, and we also have a strong understanding of our ability in variety shows, so everyone should be open to cooperation and just speak frankly.

After understanding this, Xie Dikui felt a little relieved. Obviously, Arclight did not rely on its achievements in the film and television field to arbitrarily intervene in variety shows that it did not know much about, but fully trusted these professional variety show people.

Sure enough, there was a reason why Mr. Meng had built such a big power with his bare hands at a young age. And it also fully proved that it was indeed more comfortable to cooperate with young people.

In this case, Xie Dikui no longer concealed the truth and said directly: "Mr. Meng, the themes and meanings just introduced are all part of the framework of external publicity. What is really important for the program is to look at the specific production form."

At this point, seeing that the other party's people were collectively thinking, he simply said: "How about this, Mr. Meng, you just tell us which similar variety shows we hope to benchmark for this project?"

As the saying goes, "There is a lot of plagiarism in the world", in fact, other entertainment projects are the same. Everyone is messing around, but in fact, they are all similar content, just changing the form.

So instead of listening to the other party talk about their ideas and thoughts for a long time, it is better to directly ask which program to follow.

It's like the classic joke in the programmer circle: the project manager said excitedly that he hoped to achieve the functions of this application, and then the programmer asked impatiently, "Just tell me who you plan to copy this time?"

Meng Bai naturally understood what Xie Dikui meant. After thinking for a while, he said, "There is no program that directly matches the other programs. If I have to say, it can be roughly understood as the domestic entertainment program "Longing for Life", plus the Korean entertainment program "Roommate", plus a Dutch reality show "UTOPIA" ("Utopia")."

In the past few years, with the popularity of Kpop, many reality shows from neighboring Kimchi were introduced to China, such as the classic "Running Brothers" and "Go Fighting", etc., which also opened a new era of domestic entertainment variety shows.

Because of these imported programs, many people think that Kimchi's variety shows are very creative, but in fact, the production level of Dutch variety shows is also excellent worldwide.

The most typical case is "XX Good Voice", which was popular all over the world and introduced by more than a dozen countries in the past few years. The original version of this program was actually "The Voice of Holland".

"UTOPIA" mentioned by Meng Bai is also a reality show in the Netherlands, and it is from the same team as "The Voice of Holland". The program team selected 15 amateurs and placed them in a living environment similar to primitive society. Everyone needs to live together for a year.

From building houses to feeding chickens and raising cattle, from working in the fields to chopping wood and cooking, the members' coexistence was fully recorded in the camera, exploring what kind of sparks can be created between humans and humans, and humans and nature in a closed environment.

This reality show was very popular in Europe and the United States, and Tencent Video also introduced it to China for a time, making a program called "We 15". Unfortunately, it was not suitable for local conditions, and the domestic audience at that time had no interest in "amateur variety shows", so it ended up in vain.

So for "Fifty Kilometers of Taohuawu", Arc Light learned from the lessons of the past and made a major adjustment to the format of the program. The environmental background was changed from primitive survival to community life, and the interaction between humans and nature was cancelled to focus on the internal impact of humans.

And the most important thing is to replace the amateur guests with celebrities, variety show people or other practitioners in the entertainment industry.

Xie Dikui is worthy of being a veteran variety show person. Although "Roommate" and "UTOPIA" are both niche in China, he has watched them. As for "Longing for Life", it goes without saying that this is already a representative work of "slow variety shows" in domestic entertainment.

Putting the content and format of these programs together with the theme of "Fifty Kilometers Peach Blossom Village" is really a good match.

He couldn't help but glance at Meng Bai and others sitting opposite him, and thought to himself: Arc Light is indeed the top production team in the film and television industry. The key point is not only their ability, but also their rigorous attitude. Even in the field of variety shows that they have never been involved in, they can have so much preparation.

Thinking of this, Xie Dikui's attitude became more serious.

"I roughly understand what you mean, Mr. Meng. So, after we go back, we will come up with a specific program plan and show it to you."

"Okay, then I'll trouble Director Xie."

Xie Dikui nodded in return, and then asked: "I don't know if we have any other requirements for the specific production of the program?"

Meng Bai shook his head: "Director Xie is a professional variety show creator. We believe in the level of professionals. Just design it according to your ideas."

Xie Dikui's eyes lit up when he heard this. Damn, there is such a good party A in the world!

"Well, Mr. Meng, do you really have no requirements?"

"There are indeed no requirements for production, but we may have some requirements for the selection of future members." Meng Bai said.

The guest list must be agreed upon first. This program was originally made to please Meng Ziyi. If there is no place for her in the final members, it would be too funny.

It's not just Meng Ziyi. Meng Bai is also going to ask this girl if she has any friends who like to play together. As long as they are suitable, they can be squeezed into the program.

Well, think about it this way, Yang Chaoyue is actually quite good. She is a close friend of Meng Ziyi, very popular, and the program effect is also good.

The only possible problem is that because of her high popularity, Xiao Chaoyue's schedule is also the most full in the group. Rumor has it that in the past two years, which program group can get her schedule, the program's producers will publicly brag in the circle of friends.

But then again, the program "Fifty Kilometers Taohuawu" is estimated to be officially launched in the middle of next year, including the early preparations and investment promotion. By that time, Rocket Girls will be disbanded, and each contestant will return to their respective companies. Without a group plan, it is much easier to arrange the schedule.

Meng Bai thought about it and decided to wait until the time comes to ask Meng Ziyi who she wants to go with her and invite whoever she wants.

Xie Dikui naturally agreed to this request. For the program team, the condition of the investor adding their own people is not a big deal at all.

Just like the coal boss at the beginning, except for sleeping with the heroine, he never interferes with the rest of the work, which can be called the conscientious capital of the film and television industry.

——After

Ruyi Pictures was merged into Hengten Network, it obtained 32% of the shares according to the current market value of the other party. At the same time, the original shareholders of Ruyi Pictures, the brothers Ke Liming and Meng Bai, also became new shareholders of Hengten Network, holding 17% and 15% of the shares respectively, becoming the second and third largest shareholders of the company.

Evergrande is still the largest shareholder, and Tencent, the original second largest shareholder, has slipped to fourth. As for the rest of the shares, they are held by retail investors in the secondary market.

This is also a common situation for many Hong Kong-listed companies. The proportion of circulating stocks is small, the market liquidity is poor, and it is easier to be manipulated by company shareholders.

After acquiring Ruyi, Hengten Network successfully expanded its business scope to the film and television field. The market is also optimistic about this acquisition, and the company's stock price has risen a lot recently.

However, this rise is only driven by temporary emotions. Whether it can really be supported depends on the subsequent film projects and the performance of the streaming platform Heng Video.

The filming of the "Zijin Chen Trilogy" has been completed, and the second phase of the "Green Ivy Criminal Investigation Universe" is somewhat difficult to produce due to censorship. Arclight's current main energy is all on the new "Retrospective Series".

The drama "Twinkle Twinkle Star" has started filming in Blue Island in the past two days, and the leading actors Meng Ziyi and Qu Chuxiao have also joined the group to start filming. The other two dramas in the same series, "The Beginning" and "Want to See You", are what will be done next.

Although many people in the circle want to get involved in these two "big cakes", Arclight has actually decided on the specific lineup.

"Want to See You" is the heroine, and it is also the one with the most exciting script in the trilogy. Meng Bai plans to leave it to Li Qin. However, this girl has just joined the group of "Golden Years" recently, and it will take until next year if she wants to shoot.

As for the other "Beginning", the heroine was chosen to be Zhao Jinmai. This little girl is currently free and can join the crew directly after the preparation is completed.

Meng Bai did not hide it and told her the news directly.

"Heroine? For me?" Zhao Jinmai's surprised voice came from the phone: "Really, Brother Meng Bai!"

"Why would I lie to you for no reason?" Meng Bai said: "Besides, didn't I promise you a long time ago that I would give you a heroine drama after the college entrance examination? Now it's just a little earlier."

"I thought you were joking... Thank you, Brother Meng Bai!"

"Just thank you verbally, you have to be practical." Meng Bai joked.

Zhao Jinmai agreed without hesitation: "Okay! Aren't you going to participate in the Golden Rooster Awards next week? I will give you a formal gift, Brother Meng Bai."

"Oh, okay, then I'll wait." Meng Bai responded casually, but didn't take it to heart.

Mai Mai is a little girl, and her film pay is in the hands of her parents. She doesn't have much pocket money, so what kind of gift can she give. He was just joking, and he would just pretend to be surprised and make the little girl happy.

However, when Zhao Jinmai talked about the Golden Rooster Awards, it was indeed one of the few major events at the end of the year.

A few days ago, the Golden Rooster Awards jury announced this year's shortlist. Arc Light's "Psychological Crime: City Lights" and "Detective Chinatown 2" were not selected.

But this does not mean that this year's Golden Rooster Awards have nothing to do with them. "The Wandering Earth", which was released at the beginning of the year, is also within the scope of the selection, and in the announced shortlist, it won a total of six nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Recording, Best Art, Best Editing, and Best Music.

When seeing the nomination list, Guo Fan regretted that he could not get another Best Screenwriter. Meng Bai didn't care. Originally, his script was built on Liu Cixin's original novel, and it was not purely original. If he couldn't get it, he couldn't get it.

The outside world is very interested in "The Wandering Earth" being shortlisted for the Golden Rooster Awards. This is the first time that an orthodox domestic science fiction film has been seen in a mainstream domestic award.

Especially after the failure of "The Fortress" in the summer season, the audiences paid more attention to "The Wandering Earth", the only remaining film, hoping that it could win an award to prove the rise of domestic science fiction themes.

But the competition this year is just as fierce, with last year's big hits "Dying to Survive" and "Operation Red Sea", "So Long, My Son" which was a big hit at the "old European Big Three" Berlin Film Festival, and "Gutian Bugle" which has a superior subject matter.

This award is not easy to win.

(End of this chapter)