Chapter 47: Thoughts of All Parties
On the tenth day after its launch, Soul Ferry had over 50 million views, and was rated 8.5 by 30,000 people on Douban.
On the twelfth day, the views exceeded 70 million, and it ranked first on the TV and film hot search list of Qiandu.com, surpassing Love Apartment 4.
On the fourteenth day, the views officially exceeded 100 million, becoming the third web series to have over 100 million views after Youku's Never Expected and Sohu's Diaosi Men.
In less than half a month, 100 million views, a hit at the beginning of the year!
This web series, which cost only three million yuan and was broadcast on a pure video platform, was a heavy bomb for the entire film and television industry at the beginning of 2014.
Many industry practitioners and film and television companies began to ask each other whether the new track of "web series" would become the next outlet for the film and television industry.
Among them, several video platforms are particularly concerned.
--Beijing
North, Qiyi TV headquarters building.
"Sorry, Mr. Gong, this is my mistake." In the president's office, the manager of Qiyi TV's film and television department apologized to CEO Gong Yu: "If I had been bolder at the time, I would have kept this project."
As competitors in the same industry, these video websites are well aware of the movements of their "friends", but they are definitely paying close attention.
Although Leshi.com has developed vigorously in recent years, most of them are scattered in various fields. In terms of platform content, except for "LeTV Sports", which is relatively good, there is basically no popularity.
But I didn't expect that they would quietly make a big deal for everyone!
This can be regarded as stimulating other websites, and they have launched their own channels to start understanding the details of Leshi.com.
With the information channels of these big companies, Meng Bai's identity and his past experience were quickly understood by these websites.
An outstanding graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, a new screenwriter who was put on the gray list by the traditional film and television circles in northern Beijing. He attracted an investment of 3 million with a script, and then took his own "piecemeal" team to shoot a high-scoring boutique web drama with hundreds of millions of views.
No one would believe this experience if I told anyone about it a month ago, but now it is in front of everyone.
I don't know what the heads of other companies think, but the manager of the film and television department of Qiyi TV is quite regretful.
You know, Meng Bai first approached Qiyi TV. And he also read the script at that time and thought it was really good. But
when it came to the issue of investment, he hesitated for a long time and chose to give up.
If Meng Bai's drama was just an ordinary one after it was broadcast, no, even if it was a slightly better work, then he would at most feel a little pity and would not take it too seriously.
But it happened that this "Soul Ferry" was a "masterpiece" that could be booked as a hit throughout the year from the beginning of the year, and he let it go after careful consideration.
This is like, the most devastating thing for stock traders is not to lose money as soon as they buy, but to study a stock for a long time and not dare to buy it at a low price, and when they see it again next time, it has doubled several times.
This kind of mood is very sour.
Compared to his manager's regret, Gong Yu did not take it too seriously. Instead, he comforted him, saying, "You can't be blamed for this. In that situation, no one would trust a new screenwriter without experience and team. Even if it was Leshi.com, wasn't it half based on personal relationships at the time?"
After comforting him, Gong Yu returned to his serious tone and said, "A Meng Bai or a hit movie has limited effects on video platforms. We need to look beyond the surface to observe the information and trends hidden behind a hit movie."
"Are you referring to the new film and television genre track of 'web drama'?" The manager is also a senior executive of the platform, so he naturally understands what his boss means.
"That's right. I've seen many people talking about 'web drama' recently. In fact, there is no need to discuss it at all, because it is already a fact that is happening." Gong Yu said.
As the founder of Qiyi TV, Gong Yu is very sensitive to changes in the online entertainment ecosystem. As early as last year when Youku's online short drama "Never Expected" became popular, he had already thought about whether this would be a new direction for video websites in the future.
However, "Never Expected" is only a short skit of a few minutes, and it is very different from traditional film and television dramas.
But now the popularity of "Soul Ferry" has completely confirmed his guess.
Looking at the crew of "Pendulum", the director, screenwriter, starring, and production model are still the foundation of traditional film and television dramas in the past. The only difference is that it has a brand-new film and television logic, a brand-new story style, and a brand-new communication channel.
All of these represent that the "web drama era" with video platforms as the main body is really the future development direction.
Such a vast "blue ocean" is in front of us, why bother about one more or one less high-quality work?
But then again, you can ignore the hit works, but the people who create the hit works are still very important. After all, no matter how vast the market is, you have to have something to show in order to compete.
He heard that Penguin Video also has a web drama produced with film and television standards that will be released after the new year.
Gong Yu thought about it and said to the manager: "Ask about the cooperation model between Meng Bai and Leshi.com. Whether it is bound or not, go and get in touch with it."
Youku has "Never Expected", Leshi.com has "Soul Ferry", and Penguin also has a work to be broadcast. Even if it's Sohu, at least it has its own "Diaosi Nanren".
In comparison, Qiyi TV has already lost the lead. Next, we have to find a way to catch up.
-
Penguin Video Beijing North Headquarters.
"How is the promotion of "The Darker" going?" Xi Dan, the president of Penguin Video, asked in the office.
"The promotional video and promotional materials have been sent out, and some cooperating media have been contacted, and they will promote and promote according to our needs." The person in charge replied.
"Okay, just follow the original plan." Xi Dan nodded, and then smiled and said, "I thought we were in the front, but I didn't expect that there would be someone who started earlier than us."
The person in charge complained a little angrily: "I heard that it seems that the producer of the drama "Leshi" inquired about our broadcast plan, and then deliberately started broadcasting before us."
Xi Dan glanced at the person in charge and frowned, "They found out about the opponent's plan before they started filming, and you only found out that they also have a drama to be released when it is about to be released. You still have the nerve to say it!"
"Sorry, President Xi." The person in charge apologized with a little embarrassment.
"I'm not blaming you, but don't force the responsibility on your opponent's plan just because of your own mistakes." Xi Dan slowed down his tone.
"Yes, I understand." The person in charge thought about it and carefully suggested: "Then Mr. Xi, do you think we should also contact this Meng Bai and sign a script with him in advance?"
Xi Dan heard this, nodded after thinking for a moment, and shook his head: "Contact is right, but compared to the script, I value this young man's ability as a 'producer' more."
Although his own "Darker" is not a big investment project, it is at least a project planned by a professional team. But even so, it has been nearly a year since the project was established.
In comparison, "Soul Ferry" has only been about half a year from attracting investment, to project establishment, to preparing the crew, and to filming and broadcasting. Of course, there are differences in subject matter, content, and scenes, but it is enough to show that the creator of this drama is a very promising "project producer".
And it is said that this young man named Meng Bai, in addition to the funds, the rest of the filming and production is a team he has pulled together, which is even more eye-catching.
As a company, what they fear is not that your project needs a lot of money, but that they give you the money and then it fails for various reasons.
Meng Bai is a good producer who can solve the rest by himself as long as he is paid. He is undoubtedly a perfect match for the wealthy Penguin Video.
Thinking of this, Xi Dan said to his person in charge: "Find an opportunity to contact the other party to see if there are any new script projects. Remember, as long as the quality of the script is excellent, don't be afraid to spend money!"
(End of this chapter)
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