Chapter 637 Cultural Output
At the end of March, the finale of "Go Go Squid!" confirmed its status as the first hit TV series of 2018 with absolute data.
With the joint broadcast on TV and the Internet, not only did the show have high ratings and online broadcast volume, but its sweet and positive plot also sparked widespread social discussion.
From the beginning of the show to the finale, official media published articles praising the show three times.
Praise for "Dear, Beloved" for showing the positive spirit of the younger generation in the form of a group portrait, especially the young people who grew up in the era of rapid development of technology and the Internet.
But this is not the end. With the popularity of "Go Go Squid!", the online broadcast volume will continue to grow due to the long-tail effect. After the first broadcast on Mango TV, the second and third rounds of broadcast rights will also be sold one after another.
"Currently, the copyrights for Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have been sold to Taiwan's CTV, Japan's BS TV, and South Korea's SBS TV.
The copyrights for some Southeast Asian countries are still under discussion, but it is only a matter of time."
At noon, Gu Wei received a call from Yang Liwen on the set of "Sito", reporting to him on the recent overseas copyright transactions of "Go Go Squid!"
CTS, BS TV and SBS TV are all old partners of "Wei Ming Tian Xia". In recent years, they bought the overseas copyrights of "Love O2O" and "Eternal Love".
In the end, the local playback data were good and we were able to make money, so subsequent cooperation was a natural progression.
Now that "Go Go Squid!" is so popular in China, they are willing to continue the cooperation.
"The overseas copyright of "Go Go Squid!" was sold so quickly?" After chatting for a while, Gu Wei hung up the phone. Da Tiantian, who was sitting opposite him having lunch, looked curious.
Gu Wei didn't turn his back to her when he made the call, so Jing Tian could roughly understand what he said.
"To be more precise, it's the overseas rights for Asia. We're still in discussions with Netflix in North America, and a deal may be completed in the future."
“That’s amazing!”
"What's so great about it? It sounds good. In fact, the broadcasting rights of all overseas countries combined are not worth much. It can't be compared with domestic ones. But even a little bit of money is still meat. It's a waste not to make money."
Gu Wei was telling the truth. Compared with domestic copyright fees that often reach hundreds of millions of yuan, many overseas copyrights can be considered very cheap.
Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are better off because they are all from the Confucian cultural circle and are rich, so the copyright fees can be slightly higher.
The small countries in Southeast Asia really can't offer a price, and North America and Europe have different cultures, so their asking prices are particularly low.
Just now, Yang Liwen told Gu Wei that Netflix offered the copyright price for "Go Go Squid!" to be US$10,000 per episode, which means the total is only US$410,000.
"Making money abroad is secondary. The main thing is to expand your influence, and this can also be regarded as the export of Chinese culture." Da Tiantian said after thinking for a while.
Gu Wei nodded. Jing Tian was right. He actually thought so too. How much money he made was secondary. The most important thing was to expand his fame.
Exporting Chinese culture is also one of the goals.
In fact, although Gu Wei has not done anything earth-shattering since his rebirth, he has changed a lot unknowingly.
At the very least, he used his influence to export many hit TV series and movies to Asia.
From the earliest "Swords of Legends" and "My Sunshine" to the later "Nirvana in Fire", "Love O2O", "Eternal Love" and "You Are My Glory".
These idol dramas, whether ancient or modern, are very popular in Asian countries.
On the contrary, most of his movies that sold well in China did not perform well abroad and had limited box office, so he could only use Gu Wei's fame to attract support from his local fans.
From this point of view, cultural output still depends on idol dramas. "The Domineering CEO Falls in Love with Me" is popular among people of all countries and nationalities, and everyone loves to watch it.
In recent years, "Korean Wave" has long lost its popularity, and instead, "Chinese Wave" has gradually become popular in East Asia.
Gu Wei’s idol dramas have made great contributions.
"Speaking of which, Japan bought the copyright and changed the name of Go Go Squid!. Do you know how they translated it?"
Jingtian looked curious after hearing this.
The corners of Gu Wei's mouth rose slightly.
"It's called [GO! GO! Cinderella's Unrequited Love]."
"Haha, this is in line with the naming rules there, very Japanese style."
“You have two choices, follow me or don’t.
If you follow me, you have to obey my orders. I have a bad temper and like others to be respectful and polite to me.
I know what to do just by looking at him.
You smile when I want you to smile, and you don’t smile when I don’t want you to smile.
For example, I want you to kneel down.
Whether you really want to kneel or are forced to kneel by a knife, as long as you kneel, I will be satisfied."
In the ancient hotel, Gu Wei was lying on the ground tied with rattan, and Jing Tian, wearing a cheongsam, was explaining the rules to him elegantly.
"So you mean, let me kneel down for you?"
"That's not necessary. I was just giving an example."
"Click! Great, passed!"
When the director's voice came, Jingtian, who had just been acting like a queen, immediately changed her expression and squatted down with a smile.
"Did it hurt when you fell?"
In the scene just now, Qin Fang, played by Gu Wei, was about to leave after a disagreement. Si Teng used magic to control the vines to tie him up, and then Gu Wei fell straight to the ground.
According to the director's request, the scene of him falling was shot several times.
This was a real fall. The room had a wooden floor and there was nothing padding it. There were a few bangs and Jingtian, who was standing by, felt the pain just watching.
"It's okay, I have thick skin and I don't feel much," said Gu Wei, and a staff member came up to help him untie the vines that were tied around his body.
"You've been performing well recently. You've got the demeanor and temperament very well. It seems like you've finally gotten the hang of it." After being untied, Gu Wei stood up from the ground, patted himself and praised.
"Hehe, I'm very smart." Jing Tian said proudly, then looked at Gu Wei.
"But it's also Teacher Gu's good teaching."
The staff adjusted the camera position and finished shooting the next few shots of this scene.
Then everyone started filming the last scene of the night.
Si Teng discovered that her magical abilities were disappearing, and while experimenting, she accidentally set fire to the hotel where she was staying. At this time, Qin Fang discovered her and rushed in, carrying Si Teng, who was standing there in a daze, out.
This scene is not difficult, and Da Tiantian doesn't even have a single line.
Jingtian put on makeup and painted some black on her fair face to show that she was smoked by the fire. The camera was set up and Gu Wei rushed in to see Jingtian standing there at a loss in the fire.
"What have you done!"
This was also the first time Qin Fang yelled at Si Teng after they met.
After saying that, Gu Wei rushed forward without hesitation, picked up Jing Tian in a princess hug, and then ran out of the fire scene quickly.
"This is outrageous, how can we play with fire casually?
Do you know how dangerous this fire would be if it started? It could kill people!"
Outside, next to the fire truck, everyone was busy putting out the fire, and Gu Wei was scolding Jing Tian with a serious face.
Actually, this part of the plot is somewhat different from the original.
In the original novel, the fire was set deliberately by Si Teng in order to show Qin Fang that she was not human and therefore not subject to human laws and morals. She was a powerful person who was above the rules and could do whatever she wanted.
But TV dramas definitely can’t be shot like this.
The subject matter of "Sito" itself is somewhat sensitive, and the monsters in the original work were changed into plants that were infected and evolved by alien spacecraft, called the Yi tribe.
Arson would send the wrong message, so it was changed to a fire accidentally caused by a spell test.
In fact, there are several similar changes in the script. For example, in the original text, the tile house was eaten by Shen Yindeng, but in the drama it was changed to being protected by vines and escaping the disaster.
In the original text, Si Teng buried herself to heal her wounds. In order to prevent the potential danger of children imitating the plot, the drama changed it to Si Teng weaving a cocoon with vines and absorbing nutrients from the soil through the vines.
These changes do weaken and reduce the character's "demonic nature", but they do not affect the overall story structure and are more easily accepted by the public.
The night breeze is blowing.
Gu Wei and Jing Tian were strolling on the tree-lined path below the crew hotel.
Tonight's night scene didn't take too long to shoot. After the crew finished work, Da Tiantian, who had nothing to do, asked Gu Wei to go out for a walk.
“The environment here is really beautiful, with green mountains and trees everywhere, and the air is exceptionally fresh.
If nothing happens, it would be very comfortable to live here for a while."
After the filming, Da Tiantian has changed out of her beautiful cheongsam and put on casual clothes, a gray sweater and a black leather jacket on the upper body, and dark blue jeans on the lower body. She has transformed from an elegant queen into a modern and fashionable young woman.
Gu Wei raised his head slightly, and saw the sky full of twinkling stars. This kind of scenery is rarely seen in the city.
"Sure, if you have time, you might as well come here for vacation. This shoot will be a good one."
“Hehe, when I was filming [Fire King], I went to Iceland with the crew. The scenery there was also very shocking, a different kind of beauty.
There are so many places I want to go, I don’t even know where to go when I have some free time.”
The two walked for a while and stopped by a nearby stream. The gurgling water became the only sound in the quiet night.
"Given my personality, if I really have free time, I will definitely not go anywhere. I will just stay at home and sleep." Jingtian took two quick steps, squatted by the stream, and stretched his slender little hands into the water, paddling back and forth.
"Do you feel tired from filming?" Gu Wei walked to her side and looked at Da Tiantian who was happily playing in the water like a little child.
"It's okay, it doesn't matter if I'm tired or not, I'm used to it after all these years.
And unlike those actors who take on many dramas in a year, although I debuted early, I don’t have too many works. Basically, I take a break after filming a drama and then take another one. Overall, it’s quite easy.
Acting is not a burden to me, but I am quite depressed because I have been criticized by netizens over the years.
But it’s much better now. In the early years, I paid more attention to everyone’s evaluation, but now I have become more open-minded.
What others say is their right, just be yourself and you can’t change others, you can only change yourself.”
As she spoke, Jing Tian turned to look at Gu Wei.
"Why did you want to be an actor in the first place?"
"I?
Because I played around and didn't study hard in middle school, my grades were only good enough to get into a second-tier university.
Later, for some unknown reason, my parents arranged for me to attend an art class for two months, and I was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy during the art exam."
Gu Wei told the truth.
"Haha. With your looks, you don't have to do anything. Just stand there during the art exam and the teacher will let you pass."
Jingtian said with a smile.
"So it seems like you didn't choose to study acting out of your own will, but because of your family's request.
Fortunately, my uncle and aunt had a long-term vision, otherwise the entertainment industry would have lost a superstar."
"I'm not a superstar, I'm just an ordinary actor."
"If you were an ordinary actor, who would dare to call themselves a big star?" Jing Tian curled his lips.
"So what happened next? Did you gradually fall in love with acting after you started school?"
Gu Wei glanced at Da Tiantian and thought, you are quite curious, but there is nothing you can't say.
He squatted down, picked up a straw from the ground and scooped up the water.
"I guess so. I didn't really have much feeling for what I learned in school. I just followed the textbook and did whatever the teacher told me to do.
Later, by chance, I filmed my first movie "The Sword of the Assassin", which was also my first time to actually join a crew to shoot a movie.
I feel that playing a role is like experiencing a new life, which is novel and exciting. Later, I gradually fell in love with acting."
"Coincidence? I heard that your coincidence cost a lot of money."
"Haha. It's all for art, so spending a little money is nothing."
"Do you know when I first knew you?"
"The first time we met was at the premiere of Detective Chinatown 1. I remember it was Mr. Zhang from Wanda who introduced us."
Jingtian shook his head.
"I knew you before that and was quite curious about you"
Gu Wei turned his head slightly, waiting for her to explain.
"Before the release of Detective Chinatown 1, you had already filmed three TV series, Blade of the Assassin, Swords of Legends, and My Love for You, all with popular actresses in the industry.
As a newcomer who hadn't even graduated from Beijing Film Academy, you were the leading male star right after entering the industry, with such top-notch resources. At the time, the media called you "the most resourceful person in the entertainment industry."
Jing Tian paused when he said this.
"Stand with me."
"Hahaha" Gu Wei couldn't help but laugh.
"So at the time I was curious, what exactly was this actor named Gu Wei like?"
"So you weren't disappointed to see me later?"
Jingtian glanced at him.
"It's okay. I had a good impression of her on our first meeting. Her appearance, in particular, exceeded my expectations."
"Not bad? That's not what you said when we first met." Gu Wei touched his chin.
"I remember that Tiantian you were very enthusiastic towards me back then, which made me think that you admired me very much."
"Hmph, that's not the case." Jing Tian spoke very arrogantly, but his eyes were a little evasive.
“No?
It seems that I was too sentimental. I feel a little sad." Gu Wei teased her with a smile.
"I just think you're a little bit amazing, just a little bit."
Da Tiantian stretched out a hand and gestured to show how much a little bit was.
"Besides, I am Miss Si Teng now, a queen. How could I possibly worship you?"
"Oh no, if I had known earlier, I would have found a script about a domineering CEO and his little wife to act out with you.
Tiantian, who was so cute back then, has now become a "vine-like" person. After saying this, Gu Wei couldn't help laughing.
However, he thought of the future meaning of the word "藤化".
The night sky is clear and dotted with stars. The lights of the nearby hotel are on, and the mountains in the distance are silent.
The two of them talked and laughed, and were very happy for a while.
The night wind blew gently through the woods and valleys, bringing a hint of chill.
Jingtian shuddered, stood up and shook the water off his hands.
“It’s so cool.”
Gu Wei also stood up, threw away the straw in his hand, and rubbed his hands.
Looking at Da Tiantian with her arms crossed, he shook his head slightly, took off his dark brown wool coat and put it on her.
Jingtian felt the warmth on the clothes which carried his body temperature.
"Give me your hand." After Gu Wei put clothes on her, he stretched out his hand again.
Da Tiantian blinked her big round eyes and obediently placed her hands on Gu Wei's hands.
"My goodness, you have such beautiful hands. They are so cold." Gu Wei put his hands together and wrapped Jingtian's hands in them.
“The water is cold.”
At this moment, Da Tiantian was like a good baby. She did whatever she was told to do and spoke softly, staring at Gu Wei with her big watery eyes.
"It's cold, let's go back. We still have to shoot tomorrow, so don't catch a cold," Gu Wei suggested.
"Okay," Da Tiantian agreed softly.
The two turned around, Gu Wei let go of his hands but still took Jing Tian's hand and walked back.
Da Tiantian also held the warm big hand tightly and followed forward.
(End of this chapter)
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