I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Chapter 167 Even if you give me billion, I can still build it

Xu Kong had a good sleep, and when he woke up the next day, he felt much better.

In addition, the suburban camping site is almost entirely surrounded by trees, and the air is significantly better than in the urban area of ​​Beijing.

In sharp contrast, Zhu Yu looked visibly depressed.

"What's wrong, Sister Yu, didn't you sleep well?"

Xu Kong stretched his body, then asked with a smile.

Zhu Yu rolled her eyes at him in annoyance.

But there was definitely no answer.

How could she talk about this?
After Zhu Min got up and packed up all the camping stuff, the three of them drove straight back.

It can be seen that Zhu Yu did not get enough rest.

The way back was relatively obvious, so Xu Kong simply let Zhu Yu sit in the back row to rest.

This camping trip was just a small episode.

However, it was not without any gain for Xu Kong.

At least there has been obvious progress on Zhu Yu's side.

However, after just returning and resting at home for a day, Xu Kong really started to get busy.

Time gradually enters mid-to-late July, which is also the hottest time in Beijing.

However, I mostly stayed in Fengge's artist department building, so I didn't feel it too obviously on weekdays.

"The Legend of Sword and Fairy" has been aired for nearly half a month, and its popularity is definitely gradually declining.

However, the relevant ratings are as expected and have risen back to above 8.5.

In addition to writing scripts these days, Xu Kong also took on his first endorsement after joining Laifengge.

It is not a so-called high-end luxury brand, but an ambassador of a classic beverage brand.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that beverage brands seem a bit too down-to-earth.

But compared to some so-called high-end luxury brands, the other party is really willing to spend money.

For one year's endorsement, Xu Kong was paid 1.2 million yuan in endorsement fees.

Moreover, we only shot three commercials of several minutes each and some so-called posters. All in all, it probably took less than a week.

The money really came too quickly.

Of course, this is also related to Xu Kong’s current popularity.

Don’t be fooled by the countless viewers online.

But after the broadcast of "The Legend of Sword and Fairy", Xu Kong's popularity and popularity almost reached the highest point since his debut.

Those so-called popular young actors, top stars in the domestic entertainment industry and the like are nothing compared to Xu Kong.

This is the traffic brought by a hit drama. The data and popularity of "Legend of Sword and Fairy" are among the hits among the hits.

From this point of view, it is understandable.

This is even the case when Xu Kong turned down most of the announcements and collaborations.

During the period after the broadcast of "Legend of Sword and Fairy", all kinds of resources that others envied in the entertainment industry came to him.

Except for one endorsement, Xu Kong declined almost all others.

Of course, it’s not just Xu Kong. Almost all the actors who have played more roles in the entire Legend of Sword and Fairy are beneficiaries.

The most obvious one was Shang Yuxin, who happily told Xu Kong that she had received quite a few scripts after the broadcast of "Legend of Sword and Fairy".

Some are movie roles.

It seems that I have joined the group during this period.

He didn’t notice it before, but suddenly he couldn’t see Shang Lucha in his studio anymore, and Xu Kong was a little uncomfortable for a while.

However, although Xu Kong’s new script has not been completed yet, there is indeed no role that is suitable for the other party, so it is difficult to stop it.

Although he personally felt that the movie script Shang Yuxin received was indeed quite mediocre.

But it can be seen that Shang Yuxin has a deep obsession with entering the film industry.

Even though this was such a good opportunity, he did not try to persuade anyone.

"Youyou has also joined the group?"

Hearing Yan Rui's words, Xu Kong was stunned for a moment.

He did originally plan to have Song Youyou star in this new drama.

"Sister Hong's arrangement."

"Besides, your new drama is not invested by our company after all. Although you are the director, you certainly don't have that much freedom in casting."

Yan Rui did not say it explicitly, but Xu Kong could hear some meaning behind his words.

Before, whether it was "Want to See You" or "The Legend of Sword and Fairy", Xu Kong himself had almost the highest authority.

Not to mention the actors, even all the positions in 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 he will no longer be the one-man show as before.

But this is the normal operating mode of the film and television industry. Since we have agreed to it 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 project meeting for the suspense theater.

"It's been more than half a year, and I'm finally back!"

As soon as he left the airport, Guo Zihao muttered to himself in a very childish way.

"Why, is there any unfinished business here?"

Xu Kong made a joke.

He actually felt a little emotional. After leaving Fengqing Entertainment, Xu Kong hardly came here except for participating in one event.

If it weren't for the invitation from Penguin, he probably wouldn't come here in the short term.

"Don't talk nonsense. Lili and I have a good relationship now."

Guo Zihao opened his mouth to refute.

The Lili mentioned by the other party was naturally Zhu Yu's little assistant.

After joining Fengge for more than half a year, Guo Zihao finally succeeded in finding a new partner thanks to his perseverance.

It is indeed not easy for a young girl who just graduated from college to agree to marry Guo Zihao, a fat man who is about to turn 30.

So it can be seen that Guo Zihao still cherishes this relationship very much.

"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 never revealed it, as someone who has been following Xu Kong since his debut, Guo Zihao knows it very well.

Not to mention Song Youyou, Su Zhi and others, even Zhu Yu, the artist manager downstairs, has something wrong with her relationship.

Of course, it would be a lie to say I wasn't envious.

However, Guo Zihao knew that he did not have the capital that Xu Kong had, and all he could do was curse him as a scumbag.

"Director Xu, welcome, welcome."

Soon, the person in charge of reception from Penguin Video came over.

Looking at the familiar city outside the car window, Xu Kong suddenly thought of Yu Yaqing.

Over the past six months, he and Yu Yaqing have been in contact from time to time.

But both of them are very busy and definitely don't have much time to chat.

It's just a few greetings.

Xu Kong's previous promise to meet the other party in Hangzhou has been delayed.

"Director Xu, let me introduce you. This is Ding Decong, the producer of your new drama."

The headquarters of Penguin Video, Zeng Xi introduced.

Ding Decong looks to be in his thirties or forties, and is a little thin, but he looks smart and capable.

If nothing unexpected happens, Ding Zicong will be the person with the same authority as Xu Kong in this new drama.

Including the actors, shooting, post-production, etc. of the entire drama, all need to be discussed with the other party. "Director Xu, I have heard of 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 on Penguin Video this time was quite grand.

Although it was an internal project meeting, there were many more people on site than Xu Kong had imagined.

"Director Xu, we never had the chance, but we finally meet this time."

Someone smiled and greeted Xu Kong.

Although it was the first time they met, Xu Kong was no stranger to this middle-aged man.

Ban Shibin is also a director under Fengge. He is not very famous in the circle, but he has a lot of experience.

After Ban Shibin arrived, several other directors of the suspense theater soon arrived.

Including Xu Kong, three out of the six directors are under Fengge.

Including Ban Shibin, who had just greeted him, and another female director named Long Wen.

Their previous major works were all 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, who is twenty years old. Sitting with the 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 of the other party's name.

It was only after Ban Shibin next to him told him that he realized that this person was the new director that Penguin Video planned to train.

I have made a few low-budget micro-films before, but strictly speaking, I don’t actually have much experience.

This is understandable. After all, even Penguin itself cannot be unaware of its talent gap in film and television.

Although they have filmed many so-called self-made dramas, from directors to actors, the entire crew does not have any of their own people, all of them were hired from outside.

It's not just Penguin. Now the three major video platforms, including some TV stations, have begun to try to cultivate their own artists and teams.

"Everyone, do you have any questions?"

The main part of the entire project will be to introduce the style of suspense theater, as well as some content that Penguin Video boasts about.

After all the explanations were over, 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 please raise the budget a little bit?"

"Um, it's the same here. The budget seems a little insufficient."

"My requirements are not high. Just add about 50 million to the production cost."

Zeng Xi did not refuse directly, but said that the issue of the project budget could be discussed later.

There will also be corresponding producers on Penguin Video 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 get to speak."

Xu Kong answered truthfully that the 1.5 million given by Penguin this time was barely enough in Xu Kong's opinion.

But he was still a little surprised, and he also hoped that Zeng Xi could give him more budget.

However, 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 entire suspense theater looked like they didn't have enough budget.

"Class teacher, is your budget this time far off?"

Xu Kong asked back.

Ban Shibin shook his head.

"We are definitely short of money, but if we really start filming, we will definitely have enough money."

Xu Kong:?
Noticing Xu Kong's confused look, Ban Shibin took the initiative to explain:
"Brother, don't be so honest."

"For a TV series like this, the filming method depends on the investment."

"I can shoot it for 10 million. If Penguin really gives me 1 billion, I can still finish it!"

"But anyway, a little more budget certainly wouldn't hurt."

"What do you call this? The crying child gets candy."

Xu Kong also understood at this moment.

My goodness, he really thought that everyone felt that the budget was not enough.

But if you think about it carefully, apart from myself, these directors probably haven’t even found a screenwriter to write the script.

I haven’t even made a budget sheet for the project, so how can I say I’m short of money?

It is a completely subconscious behavior. No matter whether the investment is enough or not, I will just cry poor in front of the investment.

The more you can ask for, the better.

And judging from the situation, this has probably become an unspoken rule in the industry.

In other words, only he, a new director who has filmed two dramas but is still not familiar with the relevant rules, would find it strange.

Ban Shibin looks to be in his forties, and he entered the industry much earlier than Xu Kong.

But perhaps because they are all Fengge's, he doesn't put on airs at all.

He was very enthusiastic and couldn't stop talking to Xu Kong once he started.

In addition to this incident, Ban Shibin also taught Xu Kong many little tricks.

Rich in types and diverse in forms.

Xu Kong felt that it was even enough to publish a book.

The name is "One Hundred Ways to Get Investors to Make Additional Investments".

However, it can be seen that although Xu Kong is the youngest, he is indeed special among the six directors of this suspense theater.

These six dramas are being filmed simultaneously, and apart from Penguin, it is estimated that not many domestic companies can afford so much cash.

Of course, the current six dramas are definitely not all the works of Penguin Mystery Theater, and there is a high probability that new ones will continue to be filmed in the future.

However, Penguin still attaches great importance to this first batch of suspense theater dramas.

"Director Xu, even though I've already said it once, please don't think I'm bothering you."

"For this new drama, we mainly focus on word of mouth, so..."

Zeng Xi didn't say the rest of the words.

In fact, for Xu Kong's drama, word of mouth is the key. As for the data, as long as it does not lose money, or loses less, they can accept it.

I could say what I said before openly.

But Xu Kong is not currently receiving pay 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 huge cost has been invested, the data of Penguin's suspense theater may be slightly worse, but the reputation must maintain a good level.

“Are there any major goals in this regard?”

“Like scores on rating websites or something.”

After all, he was the financial sponsor, so Xu Kong asked another question.

"A score of 8 or above is fine. It will definitely not be a problem for Director Xu."

Zeng Xi inadvertently praised Xu Kong.

But it is true. After all, the ratings of Xu Kong’s previous two dramas, and even the later "Legend of Sword and Fairy", have risen to 8.7.

"certainly."

“It would be great if I could win an award.”

Zeng Xi added.

Of course, he didn't hold out much hope.

The three major domestic TV drama awards have not set any restrictions on non-satellite online dramas in recent years.

But apart from the Golden Eagle Awards, there has been no precedent for a web drama winning the other two major awards.

(End of this chapter)