game trailblazer

Chapter 101 The DreamWorks TV Series

Not long after the in-depth conversation with Zhang Lexing, Yang Xinxin began to discuss Visual Software Group (in recent years, as VisualSystem has controlled more and more related companies, Yang Xinxin established a VS holding company, and transformed VisualSystem into a large-scale company through internal adjustments. Under the premise of keeping the original core business unchanged, some personnel were transferred to establish two new companies.A company named Explorer, whose main business will be Internet software in the future, will be responsible for the promotion of server software for Internet business, such as Web and FTP under KylinServer (server operating system) developed by VisualSystem. The new model of "free software, service charges", and under the suggestion of Zhang Lexing, a new research and development department was established to start research on Internet Explorer, an Internet browser based on World Wide Web standards.Another company called SI (System Integration), whose main business is to integrate the software and services of Visual Software Group, and package them into different products to meet the different needs of customers.

The new action of Visual Software Group has attracted a lot of attention, and many industry newspapers have reported it one after another. For example, "Computer World" wrote several series of reports "What VS Company Wants to Do" by special writer Hanks, and reported in depth Visual Software Group's sudden foray into two new industries this time.The successive reports in newspapers and periodicals have attracted many followers, and many companies in the IT industry and traditional industries have also begun to try to open up their own new markets on the Internet.

When Yang Xinxin was busy performing surgery on Visual Software Group, Zhang Lexing was not idle. He and several bodyguards came to Burbank, which is located in Southern California, about 480 kilometers away from San Jose. The factory (DreamWorksSCZ) is located here on Grandview Avenue.Since the establishment of DreamWorks, with James Cameron's "Terminator 2" released at the box office last year, DreamWorks became a hit and became a rising star in the American film and television industry, attracting many There are many differences between talent joining and the beginning of establishment.Last year, DreamWorks produced two new films. After their release this year, the response was mediocre, and the box office was not bad, but they lost the glory of last year.This year, DreamWorks has put its main energy on the great director Spielberg, hoping to make a comeback with the filming of "Jurassic Park".

When Zhang Lexing arrived at DreamWorks, he happened to meet Spielberg out to shoot "Jurassic Park", and Cameron was also out looking for a new script. It is said that he plans to cooperate with Schwarzenegger in the next film.Fortunately, Eddie Bergner, the general manager of DreamWorks, was in the company, otherwise Zhang Lexing's trip would have been in vain.

"Mr. Zhang, it's really rare to see you." Eddie Bergner looked up and saw Zhang Lexing who came in through the door, and said happily.

"I can't help it. I'm busy. I can't even run." Zhang Lexing sighed and said, "Well, I haven't been here for a while. How is DreamWorks doing now?"

"It's okay, but the current capital flow mainly depends on the income of the "Terminator" series, which is too single. The income of the two films released this year is not very good. If the next one can't reverse the decline, the company's funds may be reduced. Something went wrong. Mr. Zhang, this is the company's financial statement, please take a look." Eddie Bergner took out a document from a drawer and handed it over.

Zhang Lexing took it over and took a look. Although it is not possible to run out of cash right now, if the next "Jurassic Park" is still the same as the two films of this year, it is really a bit dangerous.So he asked, "Eddie, what do you think?"

"Mr. Zhang, we are considering producing TV dramas. The investment is much smaller than that of movies, and basically has no impact on the company's current own funds. Moreover, TV dramas can not only be shown on TV networks, but also can be produced and sold as videos. In this way, the company can increase its source of income and avoid the current over-reliance on movies."

What Eddie Bergner said is really reasonable. TV dramas are indeed a gold mine no less than movies, and Zhang Lexing himself still remembers a few TV dramas with relatively high ratings, so he may have a chance to use them.

"Eddie, I support your idea. Anyway, the investment should not be large. But do you have any specific plans now, and do you have a suitable TV drama script?"

Eddie Bergner's face changed slightly, and he said with a little embarrassment: "Mr. Zhang, I'm sorry, this idea was just proposed, and it hasn't had time to discuss it at the board meeting, so..."

Looking at Eddie Bergner's face, Zhang Lexing knew that the script probably didn't know where it was, so that wouldn't work.Zhang Lexing tried to think about it, and said: "As for the board of directors, you don't have to worry too much. With my support, it should be no problem to pass this resolution. But as for the script, you have to hurry up, and you must also pay attention to the director of the TV series."

"Okay, Mr. Zhang, we will start this work right away." Eddie Bergner nodded with a smile on his face.

"I heard that there is a screenwriter named Chris Carter in Disney. It seems that he is good at writing scripts. See if you can find him. I have a story. If he can change it, maybe it will be a good one. Good book."

Eddie Bergner is not an ordinary person, relying on his connections in the industry, he managed to find Chris Carter, who was still working on the script at Disney, within two days. Zhang Lexing finally did not wait in vain.

The meeting place was about a Starbucks cafe in Burbank. Zhang Lexing and Eddie Bergner sat down and waited for a while, when Chris Carter with silver-gray hair appeared at the gate of the cafe.

"Chris, here." Eddie Bergner waved his hand a few times, trying to get Chris Carter's attention.Seeing that Eddie Bergner, who had invited him, was in the cafe, Chris Carter hurried over.

When Chris Carter approached, Eddie Bergner got up and introduced: "Chris, this is what I mentioned to you, Mr. Zhang, the shareholder of DreamWorks, wants to talk to you about the TV script. Mr. Zhang, this is the Chris Carter you are looking for, the screenwriter of Disney."

The two sides greeted each other a few words, and Chris Carter sat down on the seat opposite Zhang Lexing, then called the waiter, ordered another cup of coffee, and the coffee was delivered soon.

Chris Carter took a sip of coffee, then put down the cup, and said, "Mr. Zhang, I heard from Eddie that you have a story that you want to write into a script. Tell me about it first."

Chris Carter didn't look impatient when he spoke, perhaps because he didn't have many famous works at this time.Zhang Lexing took out a few pages from his bag and handed them over. These are the relationships between the main characters and the stories of the most impressive episodes that he wrote based on his memory in the past few days.

Chris Carter took those few pages and looked at them. He didn't pay much attention at first, but soon the intricate relationship between the characters and the thrilling and suspenseful story attracted him.Carefully reading page after page, Chris Carter even forgot to drink the coffee in front of him.

After reading the few pages in his hand in one breath, Chris Carter showed an unfinished expression and asked, "Mr. Zhang, who wrote this, is there any more?"

"I wrote it, but it's just my random thoughts. I don't know if it's possible to write it into a TV script." Zhang Lexing said without blushing.

"Of course I can. I believe that good TV series can be adapted based on these stories. I just don't know if Mr. Zhang has any other similar stories. These are still a little less."

To put it bluntly, Zhang Lexing loved this drama very much. He watched it several times and still remembers most of the stories. Of course, it is impossible to write the script directly, but it is still okay to tell it as a story.Since Chris Carter asked, in order to make him willing to help, Zhang Lexing simply said something he remembered.He told seven or eight stories in one breath, and Chris Carter was fascinated, and even Eddie Bergner next to him was also fascinated.

After Zhang Lexing stopped, Chris Carter couldn't help but said: "Mr. Zhang, I really admire your wonderful ideas. It seems that you oriental people are really mysterious. By the way, Mr. Zhang, you can find I'm sure I didn't come just to let me hear stories."

"I don't know much about screenwriting, so I can only tell my own story, but if you want to adapt it into a script, you have to find a professional screenwriter. And you are a more suitable candidate, since you like these stories very much , are you interested in helping me adapt these stories into TV scripts?"

Chris Carter hesitated for a while. The stories in front of him are obviously suitable for being adapted into a TV series, and the script is definitely no problem based on his own ability, but he is still working at Disney after all. It's hard to make up your mind.

Zhang Lexing noticed Chris Carter's hesitation and definitely helped him: "In fact, our company wants to make these stories into TV dramas, but we have never been a TV drama director. If you can write the script , are you interested in doing the director's job by the way?"

This sentence became the straw that completely crushed Chris Carter's psychological defense. He can't be blamed for this. He has been a screenwriter for several years. It is inevitable that sometimes he will have the idea of ​​​​directing his own script. Unfortunately, Disney has not yet. this opportunity.Now that there is an opportunity to be a director, how could he let it go easily, so Chris Carter agreed to Zhang Lexing's request without hesitation.

Now that we are all partners in the future, naturally there will be no barriers. Chris Carter asked Zhang Lexing to listen to more stories. The reason, of course, is to better write the script.Zhang Lexing had no choice but to tell five or six more stories before he was dismissed.

Chris Carter listened carefully this time, writing something in his notepad while listening.After Zhang Lexing finished speaking, Chris Carter pondered for a while, and said: "The stories you told have a suspenseful atmosphere, but they seem a bit incoherent. It seems that I have to think about it."

It's normal for the stories to be incoherent. Zhang Lexing doesn't have a photographic memory. It's been so many years. It's good to be able to remember some stories, and he can remember the order, but fortunately, he still remembers the general main line.

"Chris, these stories actually have a big background, and you can properly embed them into this main line." Zhang Lexing thought about it, and decided to tell the main storyline that he still remembered: "The X-Files is the investigation bureau. A department of the Bureau, which stores unexplained paranormal cases encountered for decades. Fox Mode is the most unpopular person in the entire bureau. Staff member Dana Scarlin came to this department with a mission, and since then Fox Mode's life has been broken..."

Chris Carter nodded again and again, and finally he asked again: "Then the name of this drama, does Mr. Zhang have any suggestions?"

"Since it takes place in a special department of the Bureau of Investigation, why not call this episode The X-Files?"

……

Not long after, DreamWorks established a new TV drama production department. Of course, before that, Zhang Lexing was still in touch with other shareholders. Everyone welcomed this move to find new profit points for the company. After all, it didn't cost much.Chris Carter acted very quickly. It didn't take long for him to come up with the outline of the first season and the scripts of the first three episodes. After showing it to Zhang Lexing, he passed it smoothly in DreamWorks.Chris Carter, who was authorized, rented an office in Los Angeles and started the casting of the X-Files, while Zhang Lexing had already gone to Las Vegas.

(End of this chapter)