Chapter 458 Chaoyang Public Security: Is this Meng Bai?
April, Beijing North Huairou Hotel Villa Complex.
As a famous hotel-style villa area in Beijing North, it is very popular because it is close to Yanqi Lake.
In early spring, it is a good time to travel and vacation. In previous years, it would have been booked out. However, due to the flu, the entire villa area has been deserted since the Chinese New Year.
However, since two months ago, there have been a lot of people and vehicles coming and going here, moving a large number of film and television equipment and stage props.
The largest conference center in the villa area has been closed since last month, and the sound of renovation and decoration can be heard from time to time. At the same time, a huge poster was erected at the door, which read "Sister Riding the Wind and Waves Recording Center".
The original conference hall has now been transformed into a large and gorgeous stage.
Heng Video also attaches great importance to this program. Although it is just a "girl group audition" and most of the members are non-professional players such as actors, from audio to screen, all of them are rented with top-notch equipment configurations in the industry.
In Meng Bai's words, good things may not be expensive, but expensive things are definitely good, so just spend money.
Of course, in this way, the cost of the entire program has also risen. The investment in hardware alone is over 100 million yuan.
In comparison, although there are some big-name artists among the 30 contestants, such as Ning Jing, Zhang Yuqi, etc., the overall pay is really not as high as the equipment cost.
"... At present, a total of six companies have been identified for the program investment. The largest is Pinduoduo, and the title fee is 200 million. The next one is Proya and Douyin, both of which are 100 million. Then there are Evergrande Ice Spring, OPPO and Meituan, with prices ranging from 50 million to 80 million."
In the conference room on the second floor of the recording center, the head of the Hengten Network Business Department is reporting on the current investment situation of the program.
Sitting in the first place is Chen Zhixi, who is now the head of the entire entertainment business group of Hengten Network and the chief producer of the project "Sister Riding the Wind and Waves".
Meng Bai sat next to her. In addition to them, there were also directors and production teams of the program group, and heads of various departments on the scene. Due to the current situation, the staff has been streamlined a lot, but all in all, there are still more than 30 people.
Fortunately, the whole room is very large, and even if they are more than 1.5 meters apart according to the new regulations, it is enough to accommodate them.
After hearing the report from the head of the Ministry of Commerce, Chen Zhixi asked: "What is the total amount of investment now?"
"According to the current quotations of these companies, it is about 500 million." The head said, and added: "But we still have a few companies in talks, and there may be new additions before the official broadcast."
Chen Zhixi frowned, but did not respond.
Although there is still more than half a month before the official launch of the program, investment promotion started before the end of last year. The brands that have not been confirmed at this time will not join temporarily unless there is a big explosion in the program.
In other words, the investment promotion cost of the entire first season of "Sisters Riding the Wind and Waves" is basically set at 500 million.
However, Chen Zhixi did not pour cold water on everyone, but simply said: "Okay, then the Ministry of Commerce will continue to follow up and report any progress at any time. How is the popularity data on the publicity side?"
The person in charge of the publicity group who was named leaned forward slightly with a smile on his face: "The data on the publicity side is very good, especially the pre-heating promotion song "Priceless Sister" released last week, which topped the hot search list on multiple platforms and is very popular."
As early as the beginning of April, Heng Teng released the promotion song "Sister Riding the Wind and Waves" against the popular "Youth With You 2" and the newly launched "Creation Camp 2020".
Unlike the other two talent shows that recorded group dances, "Sister" adopts the form of individual recording for each contestant. And it is not the program team that is responsible for shooting, but each "sister" completes it independently according to their preferences.
The program team said to the outside world that it was restricted by influenza management regulations, so it was impossible to record collectively. But unexpectedly, this "simple" way of publicity has attracted the attention of many fans and viewers.
Many people even left comments under the official Weibo of each contestant's promotional microblog - "This kind of 'I am beautiful alone' is the mental state that the sisters should have. It would be meaningless to make a stereotyped group dance."
Obviously, the label of "middle-aged independent women" set by the entire program has hit the point of a large number of female audiences. Coupled with the magical melody of the promotional song "Priceless Sister", the attention of the entire program has spread all at once.
For the program team, this is undoubtedly excellent news. At the same time, the program team has fully understood the needs of the female audience as the main body, and has new ideas for the development of subsequent programs.
This internal meeting lasted for more than two hours before it ended. The staff of the program team left one after another to continue their busy work. Only a few logistics responsible for cleaning up were left in the venue, as well as Chen Zhixi and Meng Bai.
"Are you still thinking about investment promotion?" Meng Bai leaned on the backrest and asked with a relaxed expression.
"Yeah, for the producer, what else is the big deal except money." Chen Zhixi chuckled, "Venue, equipment, personnel, pay and publicity, each of them is a big expense. Judging from the current investment, the show will probably lose money in the end."
"So what if it loses, just treat it as a sign." Meng Bai said: "This kind of program is very convenient to make into a series. It doesn't matter if the first season doesn't make money. As long as the brand is established, it will naturally make it back later."
"Indeed, this is how I comfort myself now, haha." Chen Zhixi smiled and said: "But having said that, I really think this show is quite interesting. If I were still an actor, I might have signed up to participate."
"If you really like it, you can sign up now. Zhang Meng, the boss lady of Yaoke Culture, and that Huang Shengyi, haven't they all participated?"
"Forget it, if I really want to participate, it would be too embarrassing to reveal my identity. How can the organizer be a contestant himself?" Chen Zhixi waved his hand.
Meng Bai said nonchalantly: "It's okay, I'll talk to the program crew and eliminate you in the first round."
Chen Zhixi rolled her eyes at him and said: "Boss Meng, I have to save my face too!"
The two chatted for a few words about the program, and Chen Zhixi changed the subject: "By the way, I was just thinking of asking you. Haven't you been busy with something for more than a month? How come you have time to come to the discussion meeting today? Are you done with your work?"
"About that." Meng Bai nodded.
"What is it? I haven't had time to ask." Chen Zhixi asked curiously.
Meng Bai smiled mysteriously: "It's hard to say now."
"Oh, it's kept secret." Chen Zhixi asked jokingly: "You didn't hook up with a girl, did you?"
"Ha, just kidding, Sister Xi, now only girls hook up with me, okay." Meng Bai said: "It's not that I deliberately kept it a secret, it's just that it's not confirmed yet. Wait, if it can be finalized in the end, everyone in the circle should know."
Chen Zhixi was stunned. This sounded like it should be a serious matter, and it was a serious matter with a great influence.
After chatting for a while, the two talked about the recently popular "Twinkle Twinkle Star". Since the popularity value exceeded "Eternal Love of Dream", it has been suppressing each other for some time.
"Xiao Qu has been very popular recently." Chen Zhixi said with emotion: "Many young girls I know have been posting pictures of 'Zhang Wansen' in their circle of friends recently."
"The character has a good personality and he performed well." Meng Bai said: "And male actors of his style are actually quite rare in the circle, which is a differentiated track. Whenever there is a similar role, he will be the first person to think of."
"Indeed." Chen Zhixi said: "By the way, have you read the new movie script directed by Han Yan that I gave you last time?"
"Director Han Yan?" Meng Bai recalled, "Oh, it's called... "Send You a Little Red Flower", right?"
"Yes! Don't you think the image of the male lead is quite suitable for Xiao Qu?"
"The male lead... Don't say it, it's a bit like that."
Chen Zhixi's performance as an actor was average, but her vision as a producer was surprisingly good. This is not only reflected in the selection of projects, but also extends to the selection of directors.
Over the years, she has discovered and cooperated with many new directors, from Xu Zheng to Chen Sicheng to Dapeng, and each of them has achieved good results.
Han Yan is one of them. Although his name is not as big as those actors who have transformed, he has produced quite a few hit works.
The earliest "Go Away! Tumor King" and the later "Animal World" are both excellent in both word of mouth and box office.
Ruyi Films has cooperated with Han Yan a long time ago and founded a director studio together. The relationship between them is quite good.
"Send You a Little Red Flower" is Han Yan's latest film project. The theme is a realistic theme that has been popular in recent years. It tells the story of two boys and girls with brain tumors growing up together and fighting the disease.
Meng Bai had read the script sent by Chen Zhixi before. The male protagonist of the movie "Wei Yihang" lost his passion and hope for life because of a brain tumor. He has always maintained an indifferent and alienated attitude towards everyone.
However, this is actually just a disguise for him to protect himself. In fact, he is still feeling everything in the world with his heart.
This kind of role is easy to play and easy to play. It has a strong personality style and grasps a few key labels. It is basically not too bad. But it is also difficult to play. If you don't pay attention to details, it is easy to play a stereotyped character. Although it does not affect the expression of the plot, it does not add much color.
Speaking of which, the character of this male lead is actually a bit similar to "Liu Qi", but when filming "The Wandering Earth", Qu Chuxiao had no experience, so his performance was actually average.
However, over the past few years, his acting skills have improved a lot, otherwise this time's "Zhang Wansen" would not be so attractive.
So it is really suitable for him to play the male lead "Wei Yihang".
This movie is in preparation recently, and Chen Zhixi thought of Qu Chuxiao, who is currently very popular, and it is just right to take advantage of his popularity.
"Okay, I'll ask the team over there and let them connect with Director Han Yan." Meng Bai said.
Chen Zhixi nodded, and then asked again inquiringly: "What about the female lead? How about Ziyi to work together again?"
"Meng Ziyi?" Meng Bai shook his head without hesitation, "She can't do it. The character of the female lead Ma Xiaoyuan belongs to the temperament of the 'first love little white flower', which is a bit different."
"What about Mai Mai?" Chen Zhixi asked again.
"Mai Mai..."
Meng Bai hesitated for a moment, feeling that she was more suitable than Meng Ziyi, but still a little reluctant.
"I'll talk to her later and ask her to go to Director Han for an audition. But she's going to shoot The Beginning next, so I'm afraid she can't make time for it."
"Oh, yes, I almost forgot about that." Chen Zhixi said, "Okay, let's look for one here. But to be honest, it's not easy to find a young actress with this kind of 'little white flower' style in the circle."
Meng Bai suddenly smiled, and when he saw Chen Zhixi looking at him in confusion, he waved his hand, "It's okay, you just suddenly mentioned a 'little white flower' actress, and I remembered a candidate who was very suitable in the past."
"Who?"
"Chu Yuxuan."
"Chu Yu...ah."
Chen Zhixi suddenly realized, and then he couldn't help laughing.
It's true that if this movie was shot ten years ago, Shuangzi would really be very suitable for the role of the heroine.
It's a pity that she has been going further and further on the "crazy" road in recent years, her popularity has been almost consumed, and her relationship has been on and off. At present, only a few core fans are still supporting her.
Many people on the Internet think that with this girl's current state, she will have a big wave sooner or later.
"Send You a Little Red Flower" is the first film project controlled by Hengteng Network after Ruyi was acquired, so Chen Zhixi attaches great importance to this project.
In fact, she also feels that Meng Ziyi and Zhao Jinmai are a little different from the character of the heroine "Ma Xiaoyuan", but one of the two girls is Meng Bai's relative and the other is his "sister", so she asked one more question.
Fortunately, as she knows Meng Bai, the first requirement for selecting roles is always adaptation, followed by closeness and distance.
After discussing the movie, there was nothing else to say. Meng Bai was about to leave, but the phone rang.
"Hello, is this Mr. Meng Bai?"
A strange man's voice came from the other end of the phone, sounding polite but with some habitual stiffness.
"I am Meng Bai, who are you?"
"Hello, Mr. Meng Bai, we are here at the Chaoyang Branch of Beijing North Public Security Bureau."
"Chaoyang Branch?"
Meng Bai was stunned for a moment, and his mind quickly began to recall what he had done recently.
Chen Zhixi, who was standing by, had said hello and was about to leave, but when he heard this, his eyes flashed with gossip. He held his phone in his hand and pretended to be busy, but in fact, he pricked up his ears to listen to see if there was any explosive news.
That was the famous "Chaoyang Branch" in the entertainment industry, and many celebrities had fallen here.
Now he suddenly called Meng Bai, did something happen to him?
Could it be that he got a girl pregnant, then denied it, and finally the police were called?
Chen Zhixi was guessing in her heart. Anyway, based on her understanding of Meng Bai, it seemed that there might be problems with his work style.
While she was thinking about it, Meng Bai went through his memory and confirmed that there was no problem, then he asked: "Hello, comrade, what do you want to talk to me about?"
"It's like this, we have a message record here. You once reported a case related to "fund fraud" in October 2013, right?"
"October 2013..."
The timeline in Meng Bai's mind began to go back.
Wasn't this the time when he first met Li Qin?
"Yes, there was such a report." Meng Bai said, "But it has been many years, and the swindler is said to have fled abroad. Is there anything else to re-investigate?"
He remembered that he had asked the police officer in charge of the case a few years ago, but he said that the swindler had fled to northern Myanmar and there was no news after that.
At that time, the arc light had already begun to develop, and Meng Bai no longer paid attention to it.
"It's like this, we recently received a suspect who may be the perpetrator of the original fraud case. If you have time recently, could you please come to our place to help identify him?"
"Fuck, he's caught!"
(End of this chapter)
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