Chapter 208
Internet trends are ever-changing, and the most popular trend these days is parody videos. Building on this momentum, Zhou Xiao's video for Dai Linfei has once again become a hit on the short video platform thanks to New Town's efforts.
As a former beauty blogger on Douyin, many netizens in the comment section of Ster's recent funny video are urging her to return to the "right path" and imitate the recently popular Dai Linfei.
But was it that she didn't want to imitate? The makeup was easy to copy, but the camerawork just didn't quite capture the essence. The filming was a near 1:1 imitation, yet something was missing. Ster knew it was Dai Linfei's unique qualities that were missing.
So, when she saw netizens commenting on other people's imitation videos that it was "not right," she suddenly had an idea and thought of Zhou Xiao, the filmmaker of the video.
But Zhou Xiao's current situation was different from before. After sending a request for advice with a hint of trepidation, Ster immediately buried his face in the pillow like an ostrich and waited. Unexpectedly, his phone soon rang with a "ding dong" sound, and he received a reply from the other party.
A Zhou Xiao (photographer): If you are sure you want to shoot this theme, can I find a time to shoot it for you?
“…”
After watching this reply over and over again, Ster rolled over on the bed excitedly, howling like a mala.
Downstairs, assistant and editor Fang Zaichen poked his head out. Hearing Ster's voice, he couldn't help but wonder, "Could this be a trip to Monkey Mountain that's been possessed?" But when he heard Ster rush downstairs to say she'd invited Zhou Xiao, Fang Zaichen's brain froze.
The shooting time was set for the next day. Although it was urgent, it was all done to catch up with the popularity of Douyin! The location where Dai Linfei originally wanted to shoot had already been booked until next week. After listening to Zhou Xiao's requirements for the venue, Ster directly rented an office scene in a large photo studio.
Ster looked with satisfaction at the designer clothing and jewelry that had been prepared earlier. The feeling of being one step ahead was truly delightful. Although the venue couldn't be arranged, this was shot by Zhou Xiao, the original photographer of the video!
…
Inside the room, after watching the video Ster had sent her, Zhou Xiao sensed that his temperament wasn't in the comfort zone of a videographer. Even if she offered suggestions, photography is a subjective and personal matter. Even when she was "communicating" with Zhang Hongyu, she wouldn't directly make edits.
Once she realized the other person was trying to imitate her, Zhou Xiao offered to help film the scene. Although she already had a contract, the difficulty level wasn't that high for her. After all, she'd done it before, and the feel from that shoot was still there.
The next morning, in the studio, the two parties, having arrived early, exchanged pleasantries before filming began. Ster's styling had been completed early, but during the shoot, Zhou Xiao directed him to remove several luxury brand accessories.
Just because Dai Linfei can pull off high-end brands with ease doesn't mean everyone else can. When Ster, now known for his comedic style, wears them again, there's a sense of incongruity in the frame. When the deliberately adorned accessories are removed, Ster, captured by Zhou Xiao, begins to appear naturally and elegantly.
Zhou Xiao could have filmed a 1:1 remake, but that's unnecessary. The person is the most important thing in the video, and the original theme was tailored to the artist. There are already so many imitations and remakes on Douyin, but why haven't they been accepted by netizens, who are instead revisiting Dai Linfei's original video?
Fang Zaichen sat in front of the computer screen and was immediately amazed by the footage Zhou Xiao had captured. Before she even started working with Ster, she had seen the videos Zhou Xiao had filmed for him. Those videos were still pinned to Ster's feed, and they were among the most viewed.
The decision to film the video was made before Dai Linfei's hit video went viral again. After all, the comedic character was already selling too well, so she needed to release some beautiful videos to further enrich her image. However, after two shoots with the studio's photographer, everyone was a little quiet; the final product was far from perfect.
Fang Zaichen carefully examined the synchronized screen in front of her and noticed something was amiss. She had previously reviewed the original video many times, and this was a little different from the original. She looked up and saw the studio worker being directed by Zhou Xiao to set the lights, and Ster was also cooperating with him in filming the video.
Inside the office, a capable and fresh-faced woman sat on a leather sofa. The artificially created evening sunlight bathed her face, her hair flowing in the breeze. Though young, she possessed an elegance and composure rarely seen at her age. Even the glistening pearl earrings evoked a subtle elegance.
Texture! Texture! The assistant in front of the monitor screamed inwardly when she saw the look in Ster's eyes on the screen. Regardless of whether it was a replica or not, this was the style they had always wanted after trying it!
"Okay!" Zhou Xiao straightened his back, checked it through the camera, and then said to everyone in the studio.
As soon as these words were spoken, Ster, who had been gracefully lingering by the window, suddenly collapsed like a deflated ball, slumping swiftly onto the sofa. "Ouch! Today's shoot is killing me!" Ster said, his hands waving weakly. "This is more energy than playing ten consecutive PK matches!"
Zhou Xiaoyou was amused by her. "I remember when I first worked with you, you didn't seem to have such a hard time, right?"
"Ouch, after such a fat year, these pants are too tight!" Ste howled when she saw the workers from the photography base leave and only the three of them were left in the room.
The assistant stood up from the computer and walked over with a helpless sigh, "This show dress was specially copied by someone earlier. There's no other way but to make do with it."
Zhou Xiao was silent. It turned out that this tiredness was physical, not mental. She looked up at Ster and said, "Let's go and watch the film. If it's okay, I can send it to you the day after tomorrow."
…
At five in the afternoon, Ster, wearing a bright red cotton-padded jacket and with two braids, curled up on the sofa with her legs crossed. She turned around and looked at her best friend and assistant standing behind her and said, "So I'm going to post it now, right?"
"Hurry up, hurry up, the traffic is good at this time!"
"Alas, I don't know what my family will think of me."
"Don't be so hypocritical in front of me. Hurry up, or I'm leaving!"
"Ouch, it's coming out!"
A co-creation video was just posted by Ster, and when she refreshed the page, many replies popped up in the comment section.
@ster×@zhouxiao: It’s a complete life [sly smile]
[video]
[Ahhh, Teacher Aster, you are so beautiful!]
[Who understands? I've been watching the video with trepidation, afraid that this sister will suddenly go crazy]
[Oh my god, this video has Dai Linfei's vibe. I declare it the most similar imitation on Douyin!]
[Shocked! Has the blogger been possessed? Is this still my same funny anchor who dances in a flowery cotton-padded jacket every day?]
[You're actually collaborating with Zhou Xiao. Tejie, please, shoot more! I was hooked when you two first started collaborating.]
【……】
The afternoon traffic was good, and the video was high quality, so after a while the number of views and likes increased rapidly. Ster, who was still downstairs reading the comments section and was immersed in the praise, heard the screams of his friends upstairs.
"Fang Zaichen! You still scold me every day! Aren't you also noisy?" Ster, who stretched his neck on the sofa, took the opportunity to teach him a lesson.
Fang Zaichen rushed out of her room at the second-floor railing, holding her phone, her face brimming with excitement. She ignored Ster's words and said happily, "WP has found us! Let's promote our pearl earrings. Just post a link in the comments section!"
"Ah? What about the quotation?" Hearing this, Ster quickly put down his phone and asked.
"The brand said they'll pay according to the order!" Fang Zaichen was extremely happy, shaking her phone. When she came to her senses, she remembered that this was all thanks to the photographer who only let Ster keep the pearl earrings on the scene, so there was no need to reshoot.
Thinking of this, she lowered her head and communicated with Ster, "Thanks to Teacher Zhou, remember to show your appreciation! WP gave quite a lot of promotion fees."
Zhou Xiao said she was helping Ster shoot, and that was exactly what she meant. Fang Zaichen felt a little embarrassed when she saw the finished film; even the work they had done before the Lunar New Year wasn't as detailed as this.
Because it was Chinese New Year, the company's photographer was a little reluctant, and only after a big red envelope was given to persuade him to come. Now it seems that the two are completely different, and the studio's photographer looks like a bunch of idiots.
From below came Ster's serious reply, "I've always kept it in mind!"
Inside the Huashang Times Hotel, Zhou Xiao was looking at photos sent by Chen Si's agent. The pictures showed two sets of modern Chinese-style clothing with bamboo leaf motifs. The wide hems were embellished with embroidered bamboo leaves, giving them a lifelike appearance.
Chen Si's outfit is a dark green Neo-Chinese style. It's said to be hand-sewn by local embroiderers at the filming location, and its complexity is no less than the period costumes they filmed. Furthermore, after the drama airs, it will be auctioned at a charity gala, making it a truly impressive outfit.
The phone beside her rang, and seeing it was Ster, she picked it up curiously. He had just informed her that he was going to send a video, so what was the matter with her calling now?
The woman on the other end of the line sounded excited, and even the dog beside her started barking. When Zhou Xiao heard the woman say that she had unexpectedly received a business order from WP, he immediately understood why the woman had called.
Without further ado, she simply accepted the red envelope. The money wasn't a big deal to Zhou Xiao, but she knew it would be estrangement if she didn't accept it. Ster had called her out of gratitude.
…
Zhejiang Film and Television City is a small town where you can see filming crews every few steps. Even entering requires a ticket. Of course, because of the construction of the film and television city, the buildings inside are extremely rich and have a lot of sights to see.
The early spring rain was drizzling, and the stone pavement, soaked by the rain, still shimmered with an oily sheen. The original ravines had been smoothed and worn away by the passing foot traffic. Under this rainy scene, the scene became unexpectedly poetic and picturesque.
Zhou Xiao, carrying a backpack and opening her umbrella, stepped out of the car when she spotted someone standing beneath the archway. With her sharp memory, she instantly recognized the person as the assistant who had filmed Chen Si. While in the taxi, Chen Si's agent had already told her they had arranged for someone to meet her. If this person hadn't been transferred, he was probably waiting for her.
The man under the archway was also looking at his phone, comparing it to the woman walking toward him with an umbrella across the street. When Zhou Xiao accepted the award at the 20th anniversary of Shang Ken, it was posted on the official blog. As for the assistant, although he was present when the photographer photographed his boss, he never paid any attention to what the photographer looked like.
Just as the assistant confirmed this, someone walked up to her and asked in a clear voice, "Excuse me, is this Teacher Chen Si who arranged to pick me up?"
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