Huayu: The director just wants to save money

Chapter 599: "Name" is coming
"Director Zhou, I'm calling this time to ask about the investment we discussed earlier..."

"Well, I've finished reading the script. Teacher Gao, when are you free? We can chat about it." Zhou Mo responded.

Xia Donghai immediately said: "I'm available anytime, it depends on your availability, Director Zhou."

"Then let's do it today. I happen to be at the company, so I might need to trouble you, Mr. Gao, to come over."

Xia Donghai said again: "No problem, I'll be there in three minutes."

"Ok?"

"I'm already downstairs in your company."

Zhou Mo: ...

Fine.

It seems that Teacher Gao has been troubled by funding issues recently.

Xia Donghai came to him, naturally, because of the drama that was extremely popular in his previous life.

"The Name of the People."

Last year, Xia Donghai acquired the original novel of "In the Name" and began looking for investors.

But after going through a lot, investors chose to give up, either because of funding or because of the scale of "In the Name".

Just when Xia Donghai was at his wits' end and even considered selling the house, someone suggested that he try Shanhe Company.

If we talk about who is the most courageous in the industry right now and dares to shoot these risky scripts, it must be Shanhe Company.

So, Xia Donghai contacted Da Tiantian.

Da Tiantian read the novel and thought it was good, so she called Zhou Mo, but Zhou Mo was still in America at the time and later had to work on "The Students".

After a while, time has dragged on to the present.

Two and a half minutes later.

Xia Donghai came to the office.

The first time I met Zhou Mo, I said a few words of blessing.

"Congratulations to Director Zhou for another masterpiece, "Students" is a huge success."

"Teacher Xia, you are too polite. Please take a seat."

Sit down and add tea.

Zhou Mo didn't waste any more time and got straight to the point.

"Teacher Xia, I've read the script you gave me before. The level of adaptation is very high, the story is very good, the characters are very distinct, and the conflict is arranged very smoothly..."

The whole speech was full of praise from beginning to end, but the more Xia Donghai listened, the more empty it sounded.

When those investors rejected him before, they all made similar remarks.

First he praised the script a lot, and then he said "but".

"but!"

Zhou Mo changed the subject.

Xia Donghai's heart trembled, and a feeling of loss rushed straight to his brain.

Sure enough, he still came.

It seems that Lian Shanhe’s attempt has also failed.

If he wants to make this drama well, he has to sell the house.

Xia Donghai didn't think there was anything wrong with Shanhe's decision. After all, as a producer, he knew best how big the scale of the drama "In the Name" was.

I totally understand not wanting to invest.

Xia Donghai was in a trance and didn't hear what Zhou Mo was saying at all. He smiled bitterly and said to Zhou Tao, "Director Zhou, I understand what you said. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me."

Zhou Mo clapped his hands.

"That's great. The script has been decided. I will immediately arrange for the crew to be set up. Teacher Gao, don't worry about the funding."

Xia Donghai's butt had almost left the sofa, but when he heard the second half of Zhou Mo's words, he was stunned for a moment.

What the hell?

Set up the crew. Don't worry about it yourself?

"Director Zhou, you just said you want to invest in this drama?"

"Yeah, any other questions?"

"No, no, no..." Xia Donghai waved his hands repeatedly, hesitating for a while, and explained to Zhou Mo: "Director Zhou, I was too excited just now and didn't hear what you said clearly. How about you say it again?"

Zhou Mo probably guessed the situation and explained it again with a smile.

"There are mainly two things. One is that it may take some time for our crew to select people. I have to go to America in the next two days.

Another thing is that I took a look at our script and maybe a small part of it needs to be slightly modified."

Xia Donghai immediately waved his hand and said, "No problem, these are all small matters. As long as the TV series can be filmed, everything will be decided by Director Zhou."

The sponsor is willing to pay, what else does he want?

Zhou Mo smiled and nodded, then called someone over to draw up a contract.

Another two hours later, the process was roughly completed, and Zhou Mo called Xia Donghai out for dinner.

At this moment, Da Tiantian also came back from outside.

Several people went to the hotel together.

After eating for a while, the topic at the table gradually turned to "In the Name".

Xia Donghai asked about the script.

"By the way, Director Zhou, you just said that the script needs some minor revisions. Can I know in advance what the specific changes are?"

Although he has decided to give the final decision to Zhou Mo, Xia Donghai definitely wants to keep his work as authentic as possible.

After these words were spoken, Zhou Mo and Da Tiantian looked at each other.

Under Xia Donghai's slightly nervous gaze, Zhou Mo slowly spoke: "It's like this, Teacher Gao. I don't know what you think after reading the script, but including me and some other teachers, we all have a feeling about the script after reading it, that is, the whole plot has a taste of apparent praise but actual criticism."

In the past, after "In the Name of People" became a huge hit, the audience had great differences in opinion about the plot.

These are the main characters on the righteous side of the play, all of whom have some background to a greater or lesser extent.

A typical example is Hou Liangping.

The typical villains in the play, such as Qi Tongwei and Zhao Dehan, are typical grassroots.

Therefore, a nickname appeared in the later period of "In the Name of People".

"In the Name of the Second Generation".

Some viewers even think that the drama is "low-level red and high-level black".

Xia Donghai panicked instantly.

"So this script was flagged?"

Once a script is marked, it means that the follow-up of the drama will be much more difficult, and in serious cases it may even not be able to be broadcast.

Zhou Mo shook his head: "It's not that serious yet, Mr. Gao, you don't have to be nervous, but no matter what your original idea was, some of the character experiences and personality settings in the original script do need to be slightly modified."

Xia Donghai nodded immediately.

"Okay, then I'll listen to Director Zhou, but I don't know what needs to be changed."

"For example, Hou Liangping."

Zhou Mo simply took out the script and picked out Hou Liangping's character card in the character setting section.

"Teacher Gao, I don't know if there was a prototype character in the script when Hou Liangping was arranged, but in my opinion, the character of Hou Liangping is very obvious. The character's experience cannot support the character setting, and what is ultimately presented to the audience is a sense of "why not eat meat porridge?"

According to the setting in "In the Name", Hou Liangping is undoubtedly the kind of character who is controversial but not completely rigid.

When faced with attempts to win him over, he was able to remain true to himself.

When faced with threats, he is not afraid of them.

Such a character should be an absolutely positive character.

But everyone knew what Hou Liangping's reputation was like after the previous life's "In the Name" was really broadcast.

(End of this chapter)