Acting school started in 1998

Chapter 382 Eager
"Director Gao, Sister Weiwei, please sit down!"

Gao Qunshu said with an apologetic expression: "Teacher Li, I'm sorry. I was drunk that day and lost my temper. I'm sorry!"

Li Tang smiled and said: "Understand, understand, everyone will have troubles sometimes, Director Gao, you don't have to worry about it. Come, come, have tea!"

At the banquet that day, Gao Qunshu held his hand and almost burst into tears. At first, he thought this guy was teaming up with Director Xiao Teng to sing an oboe in front of him.

But to be honest, he still sympathized with Gao Qunshu's experience. After all, his whole family was involved in it, and he owed a lot of debt. As a result, the TV series he produced was lost in his hands.

Comparing oneself with others, if I had invested in Cheng Er's "The Third Man", I would probably feel the same as Lao Gao.What's more, I still had my own funds at that time. If the money was gone, I could still continue filming and earn money.But for Lao Gao, if this drama fails, there will be almost no way out.

But for all his sympathy, he was helpless.People always have desires and demands.Throughout the ages, many people have gone bankrupt for the sake of so-called ideals, art, and wealth, and ended up with a dismal ending. There are also many people who have even been martyred for it.After all, very few people succeed.

After all, many things are done by oneself. For example, wouldn't it be better for Lao Gao to be a TV reporter? After all, it is a respectable profession, and his achievements may exceed 90% of the general public.Even if you have made some money by filming documentaries before, you still have to make a big gamble at all costs. Now that you are on the gambling table, you must be prepared to lose and be willing to accept defeat. It is as simple as that.

So all he can do is be a qualified listener, a tree hole, listen to Lao Gao's venting, and at least give him some help on a spiritual level, that's all.

He even complained afterwards that Director Xiao Teng was digging holes for him to cause trouble again.It wasn't until Director Xiao Teng swore that the curse had no intention, it was just a coincidence, that he reluctantly believed it.

This is mainly because the environment in Beijing is not very good. Especially at dinner parties, you can always see people with loud and scary voices. They range from Haili to Neighborhood Committees.Anyway, if you brag about it, you won't pay taxes. If you brag about it, it's just a waste of money.If you take it seriously, then you lose.

Lao Gao is a clear example. When he was filming "Conquest" last year, he was encouraged by this group of people. Before filming, he had all kinds of "money is no problem, I will vote!"

But when they really need money, they all come up with various excuses, but they just can’t get it anyway.They all said: I'll put the money aside first, and when it's filmed, I'll sell it to a certain TV station. I know the director of that station, it's just a matter of words.

When the TV series is filmed, well, this won't work, and that won't work either. In the end, I'll tell you that your TV series is worth 200 million, and the money can't be given to you right away. You have to give me the TV series first.

Fortunately, Lao Gao stepped back from the brink at the last moment, otherwise he would have been eaten by these people without leaving any bones or scraps.Now the money is gone, but at least the TV series is still there.

Originally, Li Tang was chatting with Zeng Jia about this matter as a joke, but the speaker was unintentional and the listener was interested.Zeng Jia thought that she might want to watch Lao Gao's TV series. If the quality was good, we could talk about it.

Li Tang was a little disapproving at first, and others were not fools. Gao Qunshu was rejected after so many opportunities, which in itself showed that this TV series was not very good.

But this kind of thing is really hard to say.

As the saying goes, it's hard to agree with everyone, which means that the taste of the audience is always unpredictable. It is obviously a hot subject, and the filming is both artistic and enjoyable, but the audience just doesn't like to watch it.On the contrary, you clearly think that this is a vulgar drama, but it can set off a ratings frenzy.

It is very difficult to find the greatest common denominator among all the opinions.Whether it’s a movie or a TV series, it’s just a matter of luck if you have time while it’s well-made.If you are lucky, the audience will welcome you and you will make a lot of money; if you are unlucky, if the audience does not like to watch it, then you can only look at it with big eyes and small eyes.

Zeng Jia's idea is very simple. The company must carry out business after all. As a film and television company, it is impossible to rely solely on self-production and sales.Of course, the best TV series on the market now won't be their company's turn, so it doesn't hurt to give it a try if you come across one.This is just like visiting Panjiayuan, what if you can miss something?
Another very important reason is that at the end of next month, MK2's sub-account will come in, and there needs to be a project to offset the cost, otherwise the corporate income tax alone will be a huge sum.

If something were to happen, it would be a double benefit.

Li Tang felt that Jia Jia had thought carefully, and he was idle anyway, so today's meeting was held.

In fact, Gao Qunshu received a call from Li Tang, which was both unexpected and pleasant.At the dinner table that day, he was half-truthful and half-false at first. To put it bluntly, he was just showing off his misery to gain sympathy, but later on when he got to the bitterness, he unknowingly became fully involved.

You said he drank too much, but that's not necessarily the case. It was just that in the end he realized that he had lost his temper, so he simply tried to cover it up by being drunk.It's a pity that although Li Tang looked sympathetic, he never showed the slightest hint of sympathy.

Originally, he had completely given up hope. After all, he had already encountered too many cold receptions. Li Tang was pretty good. At least he always maintained respect on the surface and did not make any mockery.

The surprise is that people asked to watch the drama, which shows that the last time they did it was not superficial, but a decision made after careful consideration afterwards.Regardless of whether this thing happens or not, at least they have shown sincerity.But for Gao Qunshu, who was desperate at this time, it was undoubtedly a life-saving straw.

As soon as Lao Gao entered the door, he kept his posture very low, and even the confidante beside him had a careful smile.You must ask for something from others, but everything must be based on your works.

After everyone sat down and exchanged some polite words, Zeng Jia walked in and said, "Brother, the theater is ready."

"Then let's take a look first?"

"Good good!"

Lao Gao brought a set of burned CDs with him today and couldn't wait to get up.

Zeng Jia personally led the way, taking everyone downstairs and out the back door.In mid-November, the weather in Beijing has a huge temperature difference. It is quite warm during the day with bright wind and sunshine, but at night the temperature will plummet to below ten degrees, which makes it quite chilly.

The Manila grass on the large sloping lawn of the office building has long since turned yellow. If you look closely, you will find that this large piece of withered yellow is mixed with dots of green. This is because the ryegrass seeds that have just been sown have begun to sprout. .

Lao Gao was walking on the wind and rain corridor, looking at the large lawn in front of him and the huge factory building with sawtooth roofs in the corridor lens, he couldn't help but be surprised and said: "These all belong to your company?"

"Yes, we rented some more space to leave some room for future development." Zeng Jia said with a smile, pointing to the factory building in front and introducing: "We have built a screening room here for the time being, and the rest are not yet there. Enable."

The so-called watching movies actually means getting a TV and a DVD player, and you can watch them in the reception room, including in Li Tang's office. However, Zeng Jia wanted to arrange it in the newly completed screening room just to show off the company's strength. Put psychological pressure on potential collaborators to take the initiative in future negotiations.

"Isn't it going to be demolished here?" Lao Gao couldn't help but asked curiously.

In preparation for the Olympics, almost the entire capital is undergoing demolition and construction.Especially along the Airport Expressway where the 798 is located, it is the face of Beijing.

"We don't know yet. Let's see, if it really needs to be demolished in the future, we will have to find another place!"

As he spoke, he walked into the empty factory building. The factory building with simple floor and wall treatment was clean and clean, and the floor height was extremely high. It would be more than enough to build a two-story space.The screening room is set up in a corner on the left hand side of the entrance. It's a bit like building a small building inside a large building.

The screening room is not big, with more than a dozen soft sofas and chairs divided into four rows, and a 16:9 200-inch screen hangs in front of it.

Lao Gao was very careful and went to watch it during the screening. This was not because he didn't trust it, but because it was too important. After all, it cost 400 million to shoot. It is not an exaggeration to say that the TV series condensed all his hard work in the first half of his life.If someone secretly records it, the TV series has not been sold yet, but pirated copies are everywhere, then Lao Gao may even have a death wish.I finished the first episode very quickly, and I can only say that it was quite satisfactory. Just like the opening of documentary TV series in the past, someone was killed, and then the police began to investigate.The picture is average, with no composition or photography skills at all. Probably the only novelty is that the deputy director played by Shi Zhaoqi looks particularly fierce.As for the male and female protagonists, they haven’t appeared yet.

This makes Li Tang, who has a bit of a pick-up mentality, a little disappointed, but it is normal to think about it. If the first episode is eye-catching, Lao Gao will not hit the wall frequently.

Li Tang and Zeng Jia, who probably felt the same way, looked at each other and looked down patiently.In the second episode, Jiang Shan appeared first, driving a big Buick, looking like a strong woman, and then the protagonist Liu Huaqiang appeared.

Not to mention that after a few scenes, Li Tang couldn't help but shine.To be honest, there are many images of gangsters these days. At most, there are various gangster images in Hong Kong movies. They all give people the same impression. They are basically exaggerated images such as arrogance, fierceness, and yelling.

Otherwise, they are the kind of elegant, gentle scum images portrayed by Li Youbin, Wang Zhiwen, and Dao Mingshu in domestic police and gangster films.

It's just that the above two always feel unreal. The former is just an act, and the latter seems too far away from one's own life.

But at this time, Gong Li's male mistress presented a real and down-to-earth feeling, rather than the exaggerated facial expressions in Hong Kong movies, and it was not like the previous mainland criminal investigation. The kind of deliberate play on depth and technique in the play makes it seem very high-end.

The second episode finally showed some flavor, then the third, fourth episode...

Generally speaking, to judge the quality of a TV series, you only need to look at the first four episodes, which are like the three golden chapters in online articles. It is to see whether the audience (readers) like it and whether they have the desire to continue watching.

Li Tang had just noticed the taste at this time and was about to continue watching. At this time, the lights in the screening room turned on, and assistant Zhao Luoyao walked in and said, "Teacher Li, lunch has been delivered."

But no, after four episodes of the TV series, even if you cut the beginning and end, two hours have passed before you know it, and it’s lunch time.

"Director Gao, Sister Weiwei, I'm really sorry. Let's just have a box lunch at noon. I'll cook in the evening and let's have a nice drink then." Li Tang, who was in a good mood, said with a smile.

Lao Gao had been secretly observing Li Tang, and he was secretly happy to see that he was looking at him seriously. At this time, he quickly said: "Teacher Li, you are too polite. I should treat you tonight."

Everyone chatted and laughed and went back to the small office building to have a quick lunch.Taking advantage of a break after eating, Li Tang pulled Zeng Jia and asked, "How do you feel?"

"It's just average, but Liu Huaqiang did a good job." Zeng Jia said flatly.

"Tsk, why do I think it looks good?" Li Tang couldn't help but be surprised.

"Does it look good? It's just two gangs of people running around, one helping to arrest people, and the other helping to avenge and kill people. There is nothing special about the shooting, so let's just leave it like that." Zeng Jia looked at Li Tang suspiciously.

"Uh……"

Li Tang suddenly realized that he was asking the wrong person. Zeng Jia was the kind of white-collar elite. He might only watch the kind of criminal investigation dramas played by Wang Zhiwen and Dao Mingshu that were deep and technical, and looked high-class.

"In this way, you can bring Shen Lin, the other drivers from the company, the cleaning lady, and others to see if they are free. I want to hear their feedback."

Zeng Jia was very smart and immediately understood Li Tang's intention.The audience group of TV series is a large number of ordinary people, ordinary viewers.Some plays may seem high-end on the surface, but in fact they can only win the approval of a small group of people, and the average audience doesn't like them at all.The opposite is also true. TV series that a small number of people dislike and think are vulgar or even mentally retarded can gain a large number of viewers.

The "Returning the Pearl" series is the most obvious example.

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

Li Tang's biggest feeling after watching the first four episodes was that Gong Li's male mistress, oh no, should be called Sun Honglei, otherwise it would seem disrespectful.Sun Honglei used a very personalized performance, and he looked like a gangster in every gesture.Moreover, he is affectionate and loyal to his younger brother and Li Mei, played by Liu Weiwei, and his character image suddenly becomes much fuller.

To put it in layman's terms, the character stands still.Just like the TV series "The End" with the same theme that was popular in the first half of this year, the most critical factor in its success is that Ding Yongdai brought Bai Baoshan to life.As long as the protagonist of this type of TV series can stand firm, at least the show is half successful.

Standing opposite Liu Huaqiang is deputy director Xu Guoqing with sharp eyes and an equally strong aura.The two characters, one good and one evil, are in clear opposition, which adds to the sense of hierarchy.In comparison, "The End" is a bit inferior, because the opposite of Bai Baoshan is a group of people, and there is no outstanding and distinctive character like Xu Guoqing.

Also similar to "The End", every vicious criminal can't do without a woman who falls in love, but compared to that conventional role, Li Mei, played by Liu Weiwei, is very unique.Although her acting skills seem a bit immature and cannot be compared to Jiang Shan at all, it is precisely the neurotic character of this immature character that made Li Tang see Claire in the hit American drama "Homeland" in his previous life. Dennis' shadow.

After eating the lunch, Gao Qunshu watched the two people who greeted him and Liu Weiwei very politely and walked out. Compared to Li Tang, who looked very interested, Mr. Zeng's reaction was obviously dull.After receiving a call from Li Tang yesterday, he immediately called Director Xiao Teng. While expressing his gratitude, he also inquired about some information about Li Tang and Shengtang Film and Television.

Although Li Tang is the big boss, Mr. Zeng also has a small stake, and Mr. Zeng has been with Li Tang as an executive agent for a long time.Although Gao Qunshu didn't know whether Li Tang's relationship with Mr. Zeng was like his relationship with Liu Weiwei, he learned from Director Xiao Teng that Mr. Zeng had a very powerful say in Shengtang Film and Television, and Li Tang basically It's just a hands-off shopkeeper.

Watching the two of them go out to exchange opinions, Lao Gao couldn't help but feel uneasy.Because he has encountered this situation too many times, he usually sends the film to the TV station and watches the first four or six episodes like today. There are also people like Li Tang who are very interested, but after communication, After that, the result is that it is not needed.

Fortunately, the waiting time was not long, and Li Tang and Zeng Jia quickly invited him to go to the screening room to continue watching the movie.This made Lao Gao finally breathe a sigh of relief. No news was the best news. At least Li Tang and Zeng Jia were willing to continue watching.

But when they entered the screening room, Lao Gao and Liu Weiwei couldn't help but were stunned at the same time, because this small screening room was actually packed with people. Not only were there four sofa chairs in the front row, but the back rows were also full, and there were even people He took chairs and sat in the aisles on both sides, especially since he recognized a few faces inside, including Li Tang's assistant, driver, and the pretty front desk girl who greeted him in the morning.

Lao Gao was stunned for a while, and was about to open his mouth to ask, when suddenly an idea came to his mind, and he finally came to his senses.I finally understood why I had hit a wall so often in the past.

The first two documentaries he made, including "Thirteen Murder Cases" that later made him famous, were all directed at ordinary people, but not many of them were seen in his circle of friends, and many people saw them because of His factor as a director.

What does this mean?
It shows that this type of TV series is for the public, not for the elite.

In the past, those who reviewed films were precisely the elite, and the content he shot was simply not within the aesthetic scope of this group of people.

At this time, he finally understood why Zeng Jia had a dull reaction after watching the first four episodes.

The people appearing in the screening room now are probably the result of the exchange between Li Tang and Zeng Jia just now.

Elites like to watch high-end things, including those so-called friends who originally criticized these documentaries as not being documentaries and TV series as not being like TV series, and even himself. They are all elites in essence, but they have just ignored the ordinary audience's opinions on this show. Feel.

While Lao Gao kept reviewing in his mind, his eyes on Li Tang became more and more eager.

(End of this chapter)