Chapter 144 If you win, you make a lot of money; if you lose, you don't lose money
. In early March, the severe cold subsided a little.
The "Seminar on the Review System of Audiovisual Programs on Online Platforms" that has been discussed in the industry for more than half a year has finally begun.
"Hello, this is the meeting outline of this seminar. There are nameplates on the tables inside. We can just sit according to our seats."
At the door of the conference hall of the Radio, Film and Television Planning Institute, two staff members handed Meng Bai a paper bag containing documents and notebooks.
After saying thank you, Meng Bai took the bag and went in through the door at the side. After taking a look, this conference hall is not very big, and it can probably only seat about a hundred people.
It really fits the saying that small matters should be held in big meetings, and big matters should be held in small meetings.
He didn't come early, and there were already quite a few people in the conference hall when he entered.
Looking around, he found quite a few familiar faces, almost all of whom were the heads of the online drama centers of various film and television platforms and representatives of film and television companies.
"Mr. Meng, you're here."
"Mr. Liu, you're here so early."
"Mr. Meng, you young man are slower than us middle-aged people."
"Haha, there's nothing I can do. I came through Dongcheng. The morning rush hour in northern Beijing is really crowded and no one can make a sound."
"Hello, Mr. Meng."
"..."
As the producer of the hottest "explosive drama" in the online drama market today, Arclight Film and Television is well-known in the industry. As the soul of Arclight Film and Television, although not many people know Meng Bai in the public eye, he is still quite popular in the industry.
The leaders present had more or less contact with each other before, so when they saw Meng Bai, those who were far away nodded, and those who were close started to say hello.
While responding, Meng Bai looked for his name tag - his seat was in the middle of the second row. It seemed that Arclight Film and Television was quite valued at this meeting.
Looking around, he found that Liu Jun and Hou Hongliang seemed to have not arrived yet, but Zhu Zhenhua had arrived first.
He also saw Meng Bai, waved, and then came over.
"I plan to start auditioning for "The Best of Us" next week." Zhu Zhenhua said, "Do you have any recommendations?"
Meng Bai touched his chin and thought about it. Arclight Films now has only three actors. Wang Longzheng's style is a bit different from campus dramas, and even playing the role of "dean of teaching" will look weird.
Li Yitong and Zhu Xudan are fine, but they don't seem to match the character of the heroine "Geng Geng". As for the other characters...
"Keep the role of 'Luo Zhi' for a while, I have a recommendation here." Meng Bai said, "In addition, the heroine will recommend a girl to audition."
The role of "Luo Zhi" is the senior sister of "Geng Geng" and the heroine of "Unrequited Love in the South" in the "Zhenhua Series".
Meng Bai plans to give this role to Li Yitong. First of all, this role can be regarded as a "hidden heroine" and can give her experience.
Secondly, we can wait and see the audience's reaction when the show is broadcast. If she is highly evaluated, she can be postponed to the main film of "Orange Born in Huainan".
As for Zhu Xudan, we can also let her audition at that time. If she can be selected, it would be the best. If not, we can find other dramas for her.
Seeing that Meng Bai only mentioned an audition and a supporting role, and did not forcefully intervene in the leading role, Zhu Zhenhua breathed a sigh of relief.
As the first drama of the entire series, he has high hopes for "The Best of Us", and naturally hopes that the most suitable actors can be chosen for the main roles.
As the investor and producer, Arclight Film and Television has a lot of say in this project. If they really plan to directly assign the leading actor, it would be difficult for him to refuse.
If Meng Bai knew what Zhu Zhenhua was thinking, he would definitely pat him on the shoulder and say that you think too much, brother.
He is not a coal boss who makes dramas just to promote people and pick up girls. As a film and television practitioner, his primary purpose for investing in every project must be to ensure that he makes money.
"Do you have any good candidates here?" Meng Bai asked back.
"I don't have any idea about the female lead, but for the male lead, I think Liu Haoran is quite suitable. I sent him an invitation two days ago." Seeing that Meng Bai was unfamiliar with this name, Zhu Zhenhua introduced: "He is the guy who filmed "Beijing North Love Story" before."
"Oh, him." Meng Bai suddenly realized.
He had an impression of this movie, mainly because the director of this drama was his senior brother Chen Sicheng from the Central Academy of Drama.
As for why he paid attention to Chen Sicheng, it was because he "stole" Tong Ya, the "flower of the Central Academy of Drama" during Meng Bai's years in school.
I remember that when the two of them just announced their relationship, many classmates were full of "resentment".
Meng Bai actually understood his senior brother. When he was in love with Song Zhi in school, his reputation among the boys in the acting department of the "06 class" was also average.
The two were chatting, and Dai Ying from Qiyi TV came over. Behind her, there was a round-faced and slightly fat man.
"Mr. Meng, this is Bai Yicong from Linghe Culture, Mr. Bai." Dai Ying gestured to the man behind her and introduced.
Meng Bai looked at the man in surprise. He had not heard of Linghe Culture, but he was very familiar with the name "Bai Yicong".
He was the producer and screenwriter of Penguin Video's "The Darker Side" and this year's "Grave Robbers' Chronicles".
"Boss Bai, I have heard of your name for a long time." Meng Bai extended his hand.
"Haha, Junior Brother Meng Bai is too polite. I have also heard of you for a long time." Bai Yicong shook hands happily and said with a smile: "It's rare to have brothers in the same industry. We should communicate more in the future."
Like Meng Bai, Bai Yicong also graduated from the Central Academy of Drama, but in the directing department.
To some extent, he is actually a bit like a "middle-aged version of Meng Bai with a weaker appearance".
To say "famous for a long time", Bai Yicong is really not being polite, the two have indeed had intersections since a long time ago.
At the beginning, Meng Bai used the information gap to broadcast "Soul Ferry" before "The Darker", and successfully reaped the first wave of dividends in the online drama market.
Don't underestimate the difference of ten days and a half months, which has a great impact on the status of the two dramas.
Although both are the earliest batch of online dramas, the audience's evaluation of "The Darker" is at most a "good work", while "Soul Ferry" is the "originator of self-made online dramas".
Even if someone wants to summarize the development history of domestic online dramas in another ten years, "The Darker" may not be mentioned, but the name of "Soul Ferry" is definitely indispensable.
Both are online dramas, and the main theme is "suspense". Strictly speaking, the two are actually closer to competitors.
Bai Yicong was half in admiration and half in caution towards Meng Bai, his "junior brother".
He admired him for his talent and for starting from scratch to open up a new market, but he was naturally wary of the competition between them.
"When will my senior brother's "Grave Robbers' Chronicles" be broadcast?" Meng Bai asked for information.
Bai Yicong did not hide it, or rather, this kind of news could not be concealed: "Probably in the summer vacation, and it is currently scheduled for July."
"July, what a coincidence." Meng Bai said in surprise. Seeing him looking at him curiously, he explained: "Our next drama from Arclight Films is also scheduled to be broadcast in July."
Bai Yicong was stunned, thought for a while and said: "It is the second drama of the 'Green Ivy Series', I remember it is called "Forensic Qin Ming"."
Meng Bai nodded, obviously the other party also knew a lot of news from his side.
The drama "Forensic Qin Ming" began preparations this month. Including shooting and post-production, it will take about four months, just in time to be broadcast in July.
Otherwise, it's no wonder that the traditional film and television industry has such strong opinions about online dramas. It often takes one or two years for TV dramas to go from project establishment to broadcasting. In comparison, online dramas take as short as three to five months, and as long as half a year.
This kind of project time and capital recovery speed are really good for film and television companies.
This is why traditional film and television companies such as Huace, Huanrui, and Ciwen also sent people to participate in this online drama seminar today.
Everyone is jealous of the online drama market.
"That's great." Bai Yicong smiled: "When the time comes, you have to let us go a little more."
"Senior brother, you said it the other way around." Meng Bai made a wry smile: "With the name "Grave Robbers' Chronicles", I plan to go back and discuss with the platform to postpone the broadcast for one month."
Bai Yicong frowned, and this sounded like a sign of weakness, but he always felt that he was hinting that he was relying on the big IP of "Grave Robbers' Chronicles".
"You're too polite, junior brother. With the explosive start of "Psychological Crime" and the high sales of the original novel, I believe the popularity and heat of this drama will not be low."
Everyone is hyping the popularity of the IP, so no one should say anything about anyone else.
"Then we will have to cooperate more at that time."
"Of course."
The two brothers shook hands "friendly" and pretended not to know that the other party was "having ulterior motives.
" Watching Bai Yicong leave, Zhu Zhenhua on the side said, "Brother Meng, are you really going to compete with "Grave Robbers' Chronicles" head-on?"
Although the main themes are different, for this kind of super IP, people in the circle understand what it represents.
Meng Bai shook his head: "There are more and more online dramas, and there will be more big IPs in the future. It's impossible to avoid them just by thinking about it. Instead of waiting until then to be in a hurry, it's better to try it now to see how powerful these big IPs are."
After that, he joked: "Besides, a head-on collision is not without benefits. Maybe it will arouse discussion among the audience and get some popularity. Anyway, with the name of "Grave Robbers' Chronicles", it's not shameful for us to lose."
Zhu Zhenhua was stunned for a moment, and then laughed dumbly.
It must be said that Meng Bai's idea is really good. The popularity and traffic of "Grave Robbers' Chronicles" are obvious to all. PK with such a big IP at the same time, if you win, you will make a lot of money, and if you lose, you will not lose.
And then again, after a year of development, the current online drama market can fully accommodate two popular online dramas at the same time.
After all, this is not like a movie, and the ticket price must be considered. The audience can watch one and then another every week without any delay.
After chatting for a few more words, Meng Bai finally saw Liu Jun. He said something to Zhu Zhenhua and walked over.
"Come, Meng Bai, let me introduce you." Liu Jun called out, and when he came closer, he gestured to a middle-aged man beside him and said, "This is Director Nie from the Radio and Television Planning Institute."
"Hello, Director Nie." Meng Bai said politely.
Director Nie was quite enthusiastic, and said with a smile, "It is said that this new industry still needs young people. President Meng is indeed young and promising."
"Director Nie is polite. We young people lack experience. The future planning of the industry still needs more guidance from the leaders."
"Haha, I'm afraid everyone still hopes that we don't give guidance." Director Nie laughed, and then continued, "I wonder what President Meng thinks about the future development of the online drama market?"
(End of this chapter)
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