What was Shen Fang doing at this moment? He was receiving a guest, or more precisely, meeting with Zhang Da Hu Zi.
"Producer Zhang, I've agreed to film Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, but as you know, I'm quite busy. Filming will require concentrated shooting, and I might have to leave at any time if something comes up. Please make sure to coordinate things accordingly."
Zhang Dahuzi quickly patted his chest and said, "No problem, Mr. Shen, it's up to you."
Shen Fang nodded: "Okay, turn on the computer more often, Qianqian and I will get ready."
Zhang Dahu smiled and said, "The casting is basically complete now, and we are preparing to start filming in three days, on February 28th."
"Okay, I understand. Lao Zhang, please take good care of her on set. Qianqian is still young, and her mother will be coming with her. We won't be eating or living with you. I don't want to hear any gossip or people saying that Qianqian got the role by paying her way into the production."
Zhang the Bearded Man looked embarrassed: "Well... uh, Mr. Shen, I've already started releasing press releases to generate buzz, it's a bit late to say this now..."
Shen Fang's face darkened. Damn it, he had completely forgotten about this. Zhang Da Hu Zi always liked to stir up scandals, create negative stories, generate topics, and generate buzz. This was one of his methods as a successful producer; he was a master of publicity.
Whether it's *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, or *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer*, he's mastered the art of adapting Jin Yong's novels. From the moment his projects are conceived, from investment and casting to filming, they generate constant buzz and appear out of nowhere, amidst all sorts of gossip and scandals. It's 100% all orchestrated by Zhang Jizhong; his methods are completely different from everyone else's.
Others rely on hype after a TV series is broadcast on satellite channels and win over audiences with its quality. In other words, in the early stages of a TV series' broadcast, there is basically no hype involved.
What kind of tactics does he employ? From the very beginning of casting, he packages the characters, providing them with all the necessary elements: popularity, scandals, and negative press. He ensures they generate maximum buzz, treating them like second-tier celebrities even before filming begins. He guarantees they'll become famous, because only when they're famous will the show garner more attention. This kind of manipulation is inevitable in any show he directs; there's always something going on or up. He's an expert in this art.
Take, for example, the hype surrounding Liu Yifei's role as Xiaolongnü. Initially, they created two actresses, one to elevate her status and the other to diminish it. Liu Yifei was the one Zhang Jizhong had pre-selected for the role. Then they arranged a meeting with Jin Yong, releasing materials in the media claiming that Jin Yong saw her and immediately knew she was Xiaolongnü—utter nonsense. Jin Yong was just being polite; Zhang Jizhong had the final say. He wielded that much power. In other productions, the director and investors might have the final say, with the producer having less influence, but Zhang Jizhong was different.
He controlled the entire show because the shows he put on were popular with TV stations, entertaining, and generated a lot of buzz.
That's partly his skill, but his character is definitely not great.
When Zhang Jizhong's remake of Jin Yong's novel *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer* aired, he was subjected to indescribable online abuse. Sina.com alone received over 50,000 comments condemning him—the more online criticism Zhang Jizhong faced, the more popular he became.
There were also rumors that Zhou Xun and Li Yapeng would play lovers, even though the two had already broken up at the time. Zhou Xun never even went to the set, so it was all just exploiting her fame.
The reason Huang Xiaoming is so famous is because this person made him a star.
Starring a bearded man in a TV series will make you famous and your value will skyrocket, making you a first or second-tier artist. Zhang Jizhong's TV series have become a star-making factory. Huang Xiaoming was made famous by this hype master, Teacher Zhang Jizhong. It was Zhang Jizhong who used Jin Yong's influence to hype Huang Xiaoming up.
Zhang has been instrumental in the rise to fame of many well-known first- and second-tier celebrities in China, including Liu Yifei, Yang Dami, Hu Jun, Liu Tao, Jiang Xin, Huang Shengyi, Li Jie, Li Yapeng, Xu Qin, Chen Zihan, Xiu Qing, Tu Men, Bayin, Sun Haiying, Zhou Xun, He Qin, Ding Haifeng, and Jiang Qinqin.
Many people say that Huang Shengyi was made famous by Stephen Chow, but that's not true. Stephen Chow only brought Huang Shengyi into the entertainment industry; the people who truly made her famous were Zhang Jizhong and Yang Zi.
She glanced at Zhang Dahuzi and said, "I know this is your basic tactic. It can greatly increase Qianqian's fame, but be careful with the details. Just a little bit of dirt is fine. Everyone likes gossip, but I don't want to see or hear anything too outrageous, unfounded, or containing personal attacks, understand?"
Zhang Jizhong nodded repeatedly: "I understand, I understand, I understand."
Just kidding, Zhang Dahu knew perfectly well what ranking Shen Fang was in now. This man was absolutely a top-tier figure in Beijing's arts and culture circle, with incredibly powerful connections and influence that extended to all levels of society. Zhang Dahu was someone Zhang Dahu couldn't afford to offend. He'd better treat him with respect.
Shen Fang nodded: "Let's not hype things up about me. After all, I need to keep a low profile. I'm acting in this show just to make Qianqian happy."
He patted the bearded man on the shoulder: "Work hard. Once this show becomes a hit, Longteng will fully support whatever projects you want to undertake in the future, and you'll make a fortune."
Upon hearing this, the bearded man was overjoyed and quickly stood up: "President Chen, please rest assured, I, Lao Zhang, will definitely do my best this time. If this drama loses money, I will quit the industry."
Shen Fang smiled and said, "Okay, I'll watch your performance. I'll arrange any support you need. By the way, if you have any good connections, remember to recommend them to Longteng Media. Longteng is short-staffed right now, so I won't let you work for nothing."
Zhang Jizhong smiled and said, "If you're talking about this, I do have a few good ones. How about we meet up tonight? If you're not busy."
Shen Fang waved his hand: "I have something to do tonight, see you when I turn on my phone. Okay, that's all, I won't keep you any longer."
Zhang Jizhong got up and left Shen Fang's office.
A knocking sound came from the door.
Suddenly, a little princess in a black tutu rushed in, followed by a stunningly beautiful woman. There was also a powerful-looking professional woman in business attire.
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