Chapter 186 Penguin Video and the Dilemma of Suspense Theater
Yu Huai probably didn't expect that he was originally scheduled to be on the show, but his spot was suddenly gone.
Of course, the program team will not tell who will replace this type of person.
However, since Yu Huai signed with Mango, he has obtained all kinds of resources that other artists in the industry could not even imagine.
But it didn't have much effect at all.
Compared to the beginning, the popularity even feels like it has declined instead of rising.
Even this time's "Autumn Concert" not only fails to bring traffic to the program, but is still sucking blood.
It is normal for these Mango directors, including Deng Baoliang, to feel dissatisfied.
After all, even some resource celebrities who are forcibly promoted can feed back the program and bring them a certain amount of traffic and program effects after they become popular.
Although he was determined to participate in the next "Autumn Concert", the normal time did not affect Xu Kong's own schedule.
In addition to helping Su Zhi record songs, she also stayed in Feng Ge's post-editing room most of the time.
Although the current post-production progress of "The Long Season" is slow, it is still progressing in an orderly manner.
Mainly because there are too many details in many places, requiring Xu Kong to go through almost every shot and picture completely.
Fortunately, it was like this when we first shot it, and there were no scenes that I only discovered now that I needed to reshoot.
Hearing that Xu Kong felt that the progress of post-production was still too slow, Ding Decong couldn't help but want to complain.
If this kind of progress is still slow, wouldn't it mean that most of their self-made dramas before Penguin were completely slow?
I have to say that although he has been a producer for so many years, this collaboration with Xu Kong has indeed directly subverted many of Ding Decong's original perceptions.
"Director Xu, this speed is actually pretty good."
“The project cycle given by our company is not that tight.”
Ding Decong couldn't help but mention it.
The main reason is that when the suspense theater project was originally established, Xu Kong was given quite ample time to play the show.
It would be acceptable even to complete filming and post-production in February or March next year.
In addition, Vice President Zeng Xi attaches great importance to Xu Kong himself. It can be said that even if it is postponed to May or June next year, it will be completely acceptable.
But obviously, Xu Kong felt that the progress was a bit slow. In fact, it was completely based on his own standards.
At present, it seems that it will only take more than five months and less than half a year from the filming of the entire drama to the production of the film.
"The main thing is that my time is still precious."
Xu Kong replied lightly.
Recently, he was writing songs for Ding Lixin's new drama, and helping Su Zhi produce a new album and shoot a music video, etc., which made Xu Kong feel the lack of time.
Mainly because I was a little too tired.
Later, I will participate in the recording of the new program of "Autumn Concert".
Although there were no endorsements, advertisements or commercial activities during this period, Xu Kong still felt extremely busy.
Ding Decong remained silent in response to Xu Kong's answer. If it were anyone else, he might have shouted that this was too pretentious.
Your time is valuable, other people’s time is free, right?
But facing Xu Kong, he really had nothing to refute.
After all, he can see Xu Kong's working mode every day. Although he does not edit it himself, the workload is definitely not comparable to other directors.
Moreover, Xu Kong was even able to find time to write songs for his company's dramas and help Su Zhi produce an album.
This ability in time management is a bit incredible.
In the evening, Ding Decong, who spent the whole day with Xu Kong in Fengge's post-editing room, returned to the hotel.
Although he stayed for a day, there was almost nothing he needed to do, just stay with Xu Kong.
At the post-production stage, he, the producer, will definitely be able to offer some opinions or ideas.
In the past, for some dramas that Ding Decong was responsible for supervising, he would also give some of his opinions to the director.
Most of them are considered from the perspective of the company and investors.
But this time in Xu Kong's drama, this is obviously not necessary.
First of all, even if he mentioned it, with Xu Kong's style, it would be completely useless.
Not to mention, this time Xu Kong is considered the most valued director in the suspense theater and the company.
The authority is far higher than that of the producer himself.
Even if there is a conflict due to these, Penguin Video will probably still be based on Xu Kong’s ideas.
Otherwise, he, a producer with a weak character rather than a stronger character, would not be sent to take charge.
In addition, Ding Decong has watched the first few episodes of the film that have been produced so far more than once.
I can only say that I was deeply shocked.
Even when I first read the script, I was already touched by the story.
But when the film was actually made, it gave him a completely different feeling.
"Is everyone here?"
Although he has returned to the hotel after get off work, Ding Decong's work is far from over.
Because the top management of Penguin Video, especially the person in charge, Zeng Xi, the company's vice president, attach great importance to this suspense theater.
Some time ago, there was a conflict between the director and the producer on the set. The quarrel lasted for a long time, which directly delayed the original filming progress.
Therefore, in recent days, the producers of the first six dramas of Suspense Theater will hold relevant temporary meetings on time in the evening.
"Xue Yu seems to have not arrived yet."
Someone mentioned it.
Xue Yu is the producer who had a conflict with the director not long ago.
It can be said that there are meetings every night now because of Xue Yu, a guy with a bad temper.
The other five producers, including Ding Decong, often complained to each other in private.
However, it can be seen that several other dramas are still in the filming stage at this time.
Under normal circumstances, the producer has a heavy workload on the set. At this time, the faces of several people were full of fatigue and sleepiness.
The only one who doesn't need it is Ding Decong, although he has been worrying about it.
But even when I was filming, it was still quite relaxed.
Sometimes I feel guilty and don’t try to help, but instead the people on the set find myself in the way.
Most of the work that he was supposed to do, Xu Kong asked his assistant named Guo Zihao to do it out of distrust.
Not to mention, although he is only an assistant, his work ability is indeed very strong.
Ding Decong may even feel that he might not be as good as a producer like Xu Kong.
"Would any of you urge him to hurry up?"
Zeng Xi looked a little impatient.
Mainly because this time the suspense theater was far less smooth than he thought.
It was such a big project, and it was also the first project he was mainly responsible for after being promoted to vice president and gaining real power. Of course, he didn't want any problems to arise.
But making a self-produced drama is completely different from directly buying the rights to a film and television drama produced by a film and television company.
Even though most of the work was outsourced, various troubles still arose in the middle. The dispute over the script of one of the dramas lasted for almost a month.
The only one that goes well may be Xu Kong's side.
Mainly because Xu Kong is the only director who has completely delegated power to their investors.
Zeng Xi adheres to the principle of not interfering if he can.
Although the film was shot by the producer, it belongs to Ding Decong who has a relatively kind personality. Before leaving, he had specifically warned Xu Kong that as long as Xu Kong was not really messing around, all decisions would be made by the other party.
"Okay, everyone is here."
"The main content of today's meeting is still about the progress of your projects."
"There were no problems with my filming here, but the class teacher's efficiency was a bit... not very high."
One of the producers spoke hesitantly, and his wording was quite strict.
But after all, Zeng Xi knew all of these directors when he invited them.
Ban Shibin definitely has no problem with his business ability. At least for a suspense drama, the finished film produced by the other party will be able to maintain a good standard.
The only problem is that he likes to work hard.
Although he is Feng Ge's director, as far as he knows, this habit has been warned by Feng Ge's senior management several times before.
There are six dramas in total. In fact, according to what the producers of each crew said, it was the three directors under Feng Ge who had the least problems.
After all, it is one of the leading film and television companies in the industry. From the director to the entire production team, they are all very professional.
On the contrary, the other three crew members, namely the directors Zeng Xi had scouted, frequently had problems.
The project progress is the slowest.
There was even a situation where the director and producer quarreled directly and the entire crew went on strike.
"Where's Producer Ding?"
"How is the post-production progress of Xu Kong's drama?"
Zeng Xi didn’t mention Ding Decong’s name until the end.
Mainly because there seems to be no need to worry at all.
The progress of Xu Kong's drama is really too fast.
Several other dramas are still in the filming stage, but Xu Kong's drama has already been completed, and even post-editing and production has been underway for some time.
"It's not a problem, it's just"
Ding Decong hesitated.
This made Zeng Xi's heart suddenly lift, and he quickly asked: "What's wrong? Was there an accident?"
Fortunately, Ding Decong shook his head.
"No, but Director Xu still seems a little dissatisfied with the current progress. I'm wondering if I should persuade him"
Ding Decong's words are like naked Versailles to several other producers.
The project progressed so quickly, and there was almost no need to worry at all. The whole process went smoothly without any problems.
In the eyes of a few people, this is completely unthinkable.
"No, just cooperate with Director Xu. If he needs anything, please contact the company in time."
Zeng Xi breathed a sigh of relief at this time, and then said rather speechlessly:
"And next time, don't gasp like this when you talk."
After the producer meeting of the six Suspense Theater dramas ended, Ding Decong was retained by Zeng Xi.
"I heard you say that the first few episodes of Xu Kong's drama have been produced?"
Zeng Xi's biggest hope for the suspense theater currently lies in Xu Kong.
After all, Xu Kong has the highest investment in this drama, and he also knows that Xu Kong has invited the two best actors, Guan Hua and Chen Shuang.
It can be said that the most critical reputation of Penguin Video's suspense theater is Xu Kong's "The Long Season".
So it's impossible not to care.
When talking about the finished film, Ding Decong also seemed a little excited.
"How should I put it? I feel that Director Xu is filming this drama just to win three major awards!"
Ding Decong expressed his guess.
Although Xu Kong never mentioned this.
"Are you there to win the prize?"
Zeng Xi was slightly surprised.
But Ding Decong soon explained the corresponding basis.
"Just take the first episode of this drama as an example, the length is a terrifying over 70 minutes!"
Zeng Xi knew this news for the first time and was obviously stunned.
The length of Xu Kong's drama is only 12 episodes, which is quite common among current suspense dramas.
But the length of more than seventy minutes is too scary, right?
Totally worthy of a movie.
But Zeng Xi really guessed it right this time, because Ding Decong soon followed and said:
"And the entire season, whether it is the shooting, the texture of the finished film, or all aspects, it is completely movie-level quality."
"Director Xu's drama was shot and produced entirely according to film-level requirements"
After hearing this, Zeng Xi sighed inwardly that there was finally good news.
As a late entrant to their suspense theater, word of mouth is definitely the most important thing.
With Xu Kong’s drama, it looks like it’s going to get off to a good start.
"But there is also a problem, that is, the pace of Director Xu's drama is really slow."
"Commercially it may not reach the level of Fairy Sword, and it may not even be as good as the previous "Want to See You"."
Ding Decong still poured cold water on Zeng Xi.
From the very beginning of the casting process, it can be seen that Xu Kong’s attitude towards this drama is different from the previous Fairy Sword.
It is very possible that it will be well received but not popular.
These words also made Zeng Xi feel a little embarrassed.
The main reason is that the situation in Penguin Video has become a bit tense recently.
After the broadcast of Fairy Sword ended, it was Kiwi who began to exert their strength in the follow-up, and most of the drama statistics were completely overwhelmed by them.
Especially the recently aired "The Promise of the Night" has vague signs of becoming a hit.
Speaking of this drama, I really have to mention Xu Kong.
The theme song that Xu Kong helped write provided considerable help for the early publicity of "Ye Wuji".
Otherwise, the popularity after the launch would not be so high.
But it has already reached this point.
The filming is also completely completed.
What he told Xu Kong at the beginning was to focus on the quality and taste of the drama.
There was no way to change my mind.
He originally thought that the level of another movie "Want to See You" would be the ideal effect.
But now according to Ding Decong's judgment, it is unlikely that he will be able to achieve very good results in business.
The only thing that can be expected is the quality of the finished film.
The worst case scenario would be to exchange losses for the early reputation of the suspense theater project.
So he gritted his teeth and said:
"It doesn't matter, just follow my previous arrangements over there"
"Except for Xu Kong's needs, don't interfere with anything else."
(End of chapter)