Chapter 167 If you give me one billion, I won’t be able to finish it
Xu Kong had a good sleep, and when he woke up the next day, he felt much better.
In addition, the suburban camping ground is almost entirely covered with woods, and the air is obviously much better than that in the capital city.
But in sharp contrast, Zhu Yu looked obviously depressed.
"What's wrong, sister Yu, didn't you sleep well?"
Xu Kong moved his body and then asked with a smile.
Zhu Yu rolled her eyes at him angrily.
But there was definitely no answer.
How could she speak about such a thing?
After Zhu Min got up and packed up all the camping things, the three of them drove back directly.
It can be seen that Zhu Yu did not get a good rest.
The way back was relatively obvious, so Xu Kong simply asked Zhu Yu to sit in the back row and rest.
This camping trip was just a sideshow.
But it is not without any gains for Xu Kong.
At least Zhu Yu's side has made significant progress.
But after just coming back and just resting for a day at home, Xu Kong really started to get busy.
Time gradually enters mid-to-late July, which is also the hottest time in Beijing.
However, I almost always stay in Fengge's artist department building, so I don't have any obvious feelings on weekdays.
"Legend of Sword and Fairy" has been airing for almost half a month, and its popularity is definitely gradually declining.
However, the relevant score is as expected, and has risen back to above 8.5.
In addition to writing scripts in the past two days, Xu Kong also accepted his first endorsement since coming to Fengge.
It's not a so-called high-end luxury brand, but the image ambassador of a certain classic beverage brand.
Although the beverage brand seems a bit too down-to-earth.
But compared to some so-called luxury brands, the other party is really willing to spend money.
One year of endorsement directly gave Xu Kong 120 million in endorsement fees.
Moreover, I only shot three commercials of a few minutes and some so-called posters. All in all, it probably took less than a week.
The money came in really fast.
Of course, this is also related to Xu Kong's current popularity.
Don't look at the fact that I was chased and scolded by countless viewers online.
But after the broadcast of "Legend of Sword and Fairy", Xu Kong's popularity has almost reached its highest point since his debut.
Those so-called popular niche students, top-notch domestic entertainers, etc. are completely incomparable to Xu Kong.
This is the traffic brought by a hit drama. The data and popularity of Fairy Sword are among the hits.
If you look at it from this point of view, you can understand it.
This was despite Xu Kong rejecting most of the announcements and cooperation.
During the period when Fairy Sword finished airing, all kinds of resources in the entertainment industry that others envied and envied came to her in droves and took the initiative to find her.
Except for one endorsement, Xu Kong declined almost all others.
Of course, it's not just Xu Kong, almost all the actors who have a lot of Fairy Sword scenes are beneficiaries.
The most obvious one was from Shang Yuxin, who happily told Xu Kong that she had received a lot of scripts after Fairy Sword finished airing.
Others are movie roles.
It seems that he has joined the group during this time.
I didn't feel it before, but suddenly I couldn't see Shang Green Tea in his studio. Xu Kong was a little uncomfortable for a while.
However, although Xu Kong's new script has not yet been written, there is indeed no role that is very suitable for him, so it is not easy to stop him.
Although he personally felt that the movie script Shang Yuxin received was indeed quite average.
But it can be seen that Shang Yuxin has a deep obsession with entering the film industry.
This was such a good opportunity, but he didn't try to persuade her.
"Youyou also joined the group?"
Hearing Yan Rui's words, Xu Kong was stunned for a moment.
He originally planned to let Song Youyou participate in this new drama.
"Sister Hong's arrangement."
"And after all, your new drama this time was not invested by our company. Although you are the director, you certainly don't have that much freedom in casting."
Yan Rui didn't say it clearly, but Xu Kong heard some of the meaning behind the words.
In the past, whether it was "Want to See You" or "Legend of Sword and Fairy", Xu Kong himself had almost the highest authority.
Not to mention being an actor, even all the positions on the crew were decided by Xu Kong himself.
But this time, the investor is Penguin Video. Although Xu Kong still has a high say, it is estimated that it will no longer be the same one-spoken model as before.
But this is the normal operating mode of the film and television industry. Now that we have agreed and signed the contract, we can only continue filming.
Within two days, Xu Kong also received an invitation from Penguin Video.
Go to Hangzhou to attend the other party’s suspense theater project meeting.
"After more than half a year, I'm finally back!"
As soon as he got out of the airport, Guo Zihao said to himself in a very neutral way.
"Why, are there any old feelings left over here?"
Xu Kong joked.
He actually felt a little emotional. After leaving Fengqing Entertainment, apart from attending one event, Xu Kong almost never came.
If it weren't for the invitation from Penguin, he probably wouldn't have come over in a short time.
"Don't talk nonsense, Lili and I are in a good relationship now."
Guo Zihao retorted.
The Lili the other party mentioned was naturally Zhu Yu's little assistant.
It has been more than half a year since I joined Fengge, and with Guo Zihao's perseverance, I finally succeeded.
It is indeed not easy for a young girl who has just graduated from college to agree to Guo Zihao, a fat man who is about to run away for his third year.
So it can be seen that Guo Zihao still cherishes this relationship.
"And I'm not you."
Guo Zihao added in a low voice.
He felt that compared with Xu Kong, he was a model good man.
After all, although Xu Kong himself has not revealed it, as someone who has been following Xu Kong since his debut, Guo Zihao knows it very well.
Not to mention Song Youyou and Su Zhi, even Zhu Yu, the artist department manager downstairs, has something wrong with their relationship.
Of course, if you say you're not envious, you'd be lying.
However, Guo Zihao knew that he didn't have the capital that Xu Kong did, so all he could do was curse a scumbag or something like that.
"Director Xu, welcome."
Soon, the receptionist from Penguin Video came over.
Looking at the familiar city outside the car window, Xu Kong suddenly thought of Yu Yaqing.
For more than half a year, he and Yu Yaqing have been in contact from time to time.
But both of them are very busy, so they definitely don't have that much time to chat.
It's nothing more than a few words of greeting.
Xu Kong's previous promise to come to Hangzhou to meet him has been delayed.
"Director Xu, let me introduce, this is Ding Decong, the producer of your new drama."
The headquarters of Penguin Video, Zeng Xi recommended.
Ding Decong looks to be in his thirties or younger than forty. He is a bit thin, but he has a smart and capable temperament.
If nothing else happens, Ding Zicong will be the person with the same authority as Xu Kong in this new drama.
Including the entire drama's actors, filming, post-production, etc., all need to be discussed with the other party. "Director Xu, I have admired you for a long time. You are really young and promising."
Ding Zicong smiled and shook hands with Xu Kong.
I have to say that the suspense theater of Penguin Video this time was quite grand.
Although it was an internal project meeting, there were many more people present than Xu Kong imagined.
"Director Xu, I never had the chance, but this time I finally met."
Someone smiled and took the initiative to say hello to Xu Kong.
Although it was the first time to meet him, this middle-aged man Xu Kong was no stranger to him either.
Ban Shibin is also a director under Feng Ge. He is not very well-known in the industry, but he has very senior qualifications.
After Ban Shibin arrived, several other directors from the suspense theater soon arrived.
Including Xu Kong, a total of three of the six directors are under Feng Ge.
Including Ban Shibin, who took the initiative to greet him just now, and another female director named Long Wen.
His previous major works were all about youth romance dramas. The hit drama that Song Youyou filmed when she debuted was the other party's work.
Among the six directors, the youngest is definitely Xu Kong. At twenty years old, sitting with several others, he feels a bit like a junior.
In addition, there is a young director named Yan Yujun, who looks to be in his early thirties.
And Xu Kong had never even heard the other party's name.
Only after Ban Shibin, who was next to him, told him, did he know that this person was the new director that Penguin Video planned to train himself this time.
I have made several low-budget short films before, but strictly speaking, I don’t actually have much experience at all.
This is understandable, after all, even Penguin himself cannot be unaware of his talent vacancies in film and television.
Although many so-called self-made dramas have been filmed, from the director to the actors, the entire crew does not include any of Penguin's own people, and they are all hired from outside.
Not only Penguin, but now the three major video platforms, including some TV stations, have begun to try to cultivate their own artists and teams.
"Guys, do you have any questions?"
The main part of the entire project meeting is to introduce the style of suspense theater and some self-proclaimed content of Penguin Video.
After all the explanations, Zeng Xi, the project leader, also took the initiative to ask.
Almost at the same time, four of the six directors present spoke directly.
"Mr. Zeng, can you make a little mention about the budget?"
"Well, it's the same here. The budget feels a bit insufficient."
"My requirements are not high, just add a production cost of about 50 million."
Zeng Xi did not refuse directly, but said that the project budget should be discussed later.
Penguin Video will also have corresponding producers to connect them.
"Brother Xu, why didn't you ask for money?"
After the morning meeting, Ban Shibin took the initiative to ask Xu Kong.
"I didn't have time to speak."
Xu Kong answered truthfully, this time Penguin offered 150 million, which in Xu Kong’s opinion was barely enough.
But he was still a little surprised, and he also hoped that Zeng Xi could give him more budget.
But I didn't expect that I was not the only one who was short of money. It seemed that most of the directors in the suspense theater seemed to have insufficient budgets.
"Teacher, is your budget this time very different?"
Xu Kong asked back.
Ban Shibin shook his head.
"The money is definitely short, but if we really start shooting, it will definitely be enough."
Xu Kong:?
Seeing that Xu Kong looked confused, Ban Shibin took the initiative to explain:
"Brother, don't be so honest."
"This TV series can be filmed as much as you invest."
"I can shoot even 10 million. If Penguin is really given 1 billion, I won't be able to finish it!"
“But no matter what, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a bigger budget.”
"What is this called? Crying children get candy."
Xu Kong also understood at this moment.
Good guy, he really thought everyone thought the budget was not enough just now.
But if you think about it carefully, apart from themselves, these directors probably haven't even found a screenwriter to write the script.
I have never prepared a budget sheet related to the project, so there is no money left to talk about.
It's completely a subconscious behavior. Regardless of whether the investment is enough, investors are crying out for poverty now.
A little more is a little more.
And judging from this, it is estimated that this is already an unspoken rule in the industry.
That is why he, a new director who has filmed two dramas but is still not familiar with the relevant rules, finds it strange.
Ban Shibin looks to be in his forties, and he entered the industry much earlier than Xu Kong.
But perhaps because they all belong to Feng Ge, there is no airs at all.
He was very enthusiastic and couldn't stop talking to Xu Kong.
In addition to this incident, Ban Shibin also taught Xu Kong many tips.
The types are rich and the forms are diverse.
Xu Kong felt that it was even enough to publish a book.
The name is "One Hundred Ways to Get Investors to Invest More."
However, it can be seen that although Xu Kong is the youngest, he is indeed special among the six directors in this suspense theater.
This batch of six dramas started filming at the same time. Apart from Penguin, it is estimated that not many domestic companies can have so much cash.
Of course, the current six dramas are definitely not all the works of Penguin Suspense Theater, and there is a high probability that new ones will be produced in the future.
But Penguin still takes these first series of suspense theater shows very seriously.
"Director Xu, although I have already said it once, don't think it's troublesome for me."
"For this new drama, what we mainly focus on is word-of-mouth, so."
Zeng Xi didn't say the next words.
In fact, reputation is the key to Xu Kong's drama. As long as they don't lose money or lose less money, they can accept it.
What I said before can be said generously.
But Xu Kong is not currently paid for the film, so the market performance of the new drama is closely related to his remuneration this time.
"I understand what you mean."
Xu Kong didn't care.
After all, such a large cost has been invested. The data of Penguin's suspense theater this time may be slightly worse, but the reputation must be maintained at a good level.
"Are there any main goals in this regard?"
"Such as scores on rating websites."
After all, he was the sponsor, so Xu Kong asked one more question.
"As long as a score of 8 or above is required, it is definitely not a problem for Director Xu."
Zeng Xi complimented Xu Kong inadvertently.
But it can be said to be honest. After all, Xu Kong's previous two dramas, even the subsequent "Fairy Sword", have now risen to 8.7 ratings.
"Of course."
"It would be great if I could win a prize."
Zeng Xi added.
Of course, he didn't have high hopes.
Although the three major TV drama awards in China have not set restrictions on web dramas that have not yet reached stars in recent years.
But except for the Golden Eagle, there is no precedent for a web drama to win the other two major awards.
(End of chapter)