2001 Media Godfather

Chapter 16 Project Proposal Discussion Meeting

Chu An had previously used the drama "You Are My Glory" as an example, and it wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment decision.

In another time and space, as a veteran in the industry, if he had to choose a drama, it would be the one he most wanted his artists to star in, or the one he most wanted to personally manage. It wouldn't be those epic productions that cost hundreds of millions, nor those masterpieces directed by famous directors. It would be this drama, "You Are My Glory".

From an investment perspective, this drama is extremely feasible.

After transmigrating, Chu An did consider returning to the entertainment industry. To be honest, before the Lu Mingze incident, Chu An wasn't in a hurry.

He wants to make up for the lack of family and university education in his previous life, and then find an opportunity to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry of this time and space.

However, Chu An never expected that fate would present Lu Mingze with his predicament.

This predicament came at the perfect time, both making Chu An eager to try his skills and giving him the opportunity to make up for the regrets of his previous life.

At the same time, it gave him a perfect opportunity to pry open the door to the entertainment industry in this time and space, and he couldn't even find a reason to stand idly by.

At that time, he hadn't even figured out how to intervene in Director Lu's predicament, but the script had already appeared in his mind—

You are my glory!
It will be the perfect stage for Chu An to showcase his talents in this time and space.

……

One week later, in the conference room of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

Lu Mingze, Sister Lan, and Tong Meng, who was working as a project assistant, all looked like college students fresh out of school, sitting upright with their hands neatly placed on their knees.

Facing a group of broadcasting leaders and elderly scientists with white hair, the three of them dared not breathe.

The reason the three were nervous was simple: they had gone through countless hardships to finally have this script proposal discussion meeting.

In Chu An's words, "Success or failure hinges on this!"

How could he not be nervous? The script had actually been approved by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television—a feat Lu Mingze had never experienced before.

Moreover, this is related to his success or failure for the rest of his life!

Okay, Chu An is just fooling him!
Looking at Chu An, who was dressed in a sharp suit and looked much more mature, and another dignified old lady with a full head of silver hair, who both had calm expressions, it was clear that the matter was not as strange as he had described.

The old lady's surname was Zhang, and her given name was Zhang Yulan. She was a national treasure-level performing artist from the 1970s and 1980s.

Yes, Tongmeng's mother.

It's really speechless. With Lu Mingze's terrible temper and ridiculously low emotional intelligence, asking him to pull strings is a joke.

In the end, it was Tong Meng who persuaded this veteran artist to come up with the script discussion meeting we have today.

Zhang Yulan knew perfectly well that those three idiots were no match for Xiao Chu.

Do you think it's possible that the leaders of two state-owned enterprises have been alerted to your script reading here?
He glanced at Chu An and thought to himself that the project approval should be no problem. However, the approval was not the goal. A mainstream drama showcasing aerospace workers and embodying their spirit of dedication would still be organized and filmed even without this approval meeting.

The only difference is how many resources can be obtained through this project approval meeting.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yulan couldn't help but feel a little solemn. It all depended on Comrade Xiao Chu.

It remains to be seen whether this seventeen-year-old genius screenwriter can handle such a large-scale event.

In Zhang Yulan's view, Chu An is very outstanding, but it is difficult for him to let loose in such a situation.

Chu An glanced at the time, stood up naturally, and walked to the projector at one end of the conference room, still showing no signs of nervousness.

Grandma Zhang's worries were obviously unnecessary. Chu An had chaired countless project proposal meetings like this in his previous life.

Taking a deep breath and keeping calm, I said, "Dear seniors of the broadcasting industry and respected unsung heroes, as the screenwriter of 'You Are My Glory,' I will be hosting this script discussion today."

His very first sentence was a blatant display of flattery.

He addressed the leaders of the broadcasting station as "senior," which made the group of leaders smile and look at the incredibly young comrade on the stage, especially knowing that Chu An was only seventeen years old.

Isn't that an elder?

Some people even sighed in their hearts, "The cultural industry has successors!"

As for those elderly scientists who were called unsung heroes, they blushed and even raised their hands to interrupt.

"They have names! They have names! They don't deserve to be called heroes."

He laughed loudly, "It's not like decades ago anymore; there's no need to hide your identity."

"Otherwise, we wouldn't need to sit together and bring the entire space program onto the television!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yulan quickly chimed in, "Gentlemen, it's not just about televisions!"

"Now that we live in the internet age, if this work can be released, it will be available online and spread even wider!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" The old scientist nodded repeatedly, lamenting that times had changed and they had all grown old.

Chu An continued, "Before explaining the script, I need to clarify something for everyone..."

"The production of 'I Am Your Glory' is expected to take a year to prepare, with filming scheduled to begin in 2002 and the series set to premiere in the summer of 2003."

Chu An simply outlined the production schedule, but it stirred something in the hearts of several veteran experts from the space agency present, who unconsciously straightened their posture slightly.

Chu An keenly noticed this, but pretended not to see it and continued:

"The series has a guaranteed investment of 3000 million yuan, with no upper limit, and we strive to create a masterpiece of domestic fashion dramas."

These words made the leaders of the broadcasting bureau twitch their brows. They leaned close to the people at the aerospace bureau and whispered, "This is definitely a big production."

It should be noted that although this timeline differs from Chu An's original timeline in many ways, the basic historical process and cultural structure are roughly the same.

As of 2001, the most expensive production in this era of China was "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" in 1994, an epic 80-episode series with a total investment of 170 million yuan.

But that's an exception and has no reference value.

In addition, there's "Kangxi Dynasty," a historical drama released this year, directed by Lu Mingze, with a total investment of 3500 million yuan, including marketing and distribution costs.

A modern fashion drama with an investment of 3000 million yuan can certainly be called a big production.

Several veteran experts beamed with joy upon hearing this. The scale of the investment clearly demonstrates the importance that the producers of "You Are My Glory" and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television attach to the aerospace theme.

Zhang Yulan saw all of this and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that she had underestimated Xiao Chu.

This kid came up with flattery and grand promises, which made all the old folks quite happy.

Now it will be easier to make demands and start the conversation.

Little did Zhang Yulan know that the point wasn't flattery or the big production, but rather the filming schedule he seemed to have mentioned unintentionally.

That's the key point.

Next, Chu An gave a brief summary of the script's main content in the most concise language.

"You Are My Glory" is adapted from Gu Man's novel of the same name. Gu Man doesn't exist in this timeline, so the plagiarism is justified.

The story's most appealing aspect lies in its use of a trendy format easily accepted by young people to tell a tale about patriotism, ideals, and dedication. To put it bluntly, in 2001, this was a "serious drama" packaged with popular elements such as romance, gaming, and the entertainment industry.

The story follows superstar Qiao Jingjing, who unexpectedly reunites with her high school classmate, an aerospace worker, through a game, leading to a hilarious tale of a girl pursuing a boy. Ultimately, the superstar becomes the aerospace worker's family member, and the lovers live happily ever after.

Actually, the script was the key to getting these big shots to sit here and listen to him.

The mainstream films of 2001 still appeared in a didactic and serious manner.

A propaganda-driven message is definitely not something the younger generation likes.

People have long since stopped liking to watch it, and have even developed a rebellious attitude towards it. The voices criticizing the mainstream ideology for being out of touch with reality are also getting louder and louder in society.

In this era, "You Are My Glory" is not just an entertaining script; it also shows the broadcasting system a possibility—a possibility of combining edutainment with the new era.

Everyone present had read the script beforehand, so Chu An's explanation was not difficult to understand.

After Chu An finished speaking, an elderly scientist spoke first, "Young comrade, we've already read this story, so there's no rush to give our opinion."

"And..." he said with a smile, "we believe in letting professionals do professional things. You are experts in artistic creation, and we have no right to speak on it. We just have a question: what is the purpose of you inviting us here?"

"Yes," the old scientist guessed, "is it trying to attract investment?"

Upon hearing the word "investment," Lu Mingze's eyes lit up.

He's a bit obsessed now; he can't resist money.

I thought to myself, "It would be great if the space agency could invest some of it!"

As a result, Chu An didn't leave him any hope at all.

He quickly explained to the old man, "We don't need any investment. Even if we wanted money, we wouldn't ask the aerospace professionals for it."

"Oh!" The old man looked relieved.

Before I came, the leaders in the bureau had already told me that as long as I didn't have to pay money, everything would be fine!
Chu An said, "There are two main reasons for bringing you here. First, the script involves sensitive units, and we are not sure if it can be filmed."

"Besides, this is your story after all, so we need your permission first."

"The second purpose, to be honest, I personally think is a bit excessive, is that this play involves a lot of professional knowledge and aerospace science popularization, you see..."

With a sincere attitude, he said, "Could you ask our aerospace workers to spare some time to participate in part of the filming as consultants and give us some professional guidance?"

After saying this, Chu An seemed genuinely embarrassed, his eyes revealing sincerity. "Actually, we also know that, given your status, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call you all unparalleled national heroes."

"Time is precious, is this request excessive?"

The senior scientists burst into laughter, saying, "Not at all, not at all. Don't the aerospace workers in your play still have time to play video games?"

Another elderly person said, "If that's the case, then this play should be made even more. We need to let the people know that we are ordinary people too, with emotions and desires, and that we need to be down-to-earth!"

Upon hearing this, Chu An inwardly roared, "It's done!!"

Zhang Yulan, who was sitting quietly watching from the side, also breathed a long sigh of relief and gave Tong Meng a reassuring look.

This kid's performance exceeded her expectations.

Tong Meng didn't understand anything, so what did her mother's look mean?
Seeing Chu An engrossed in chatting with the elderly, she quietly approached and asked, "Grandma, what are they doing, practicing Tai Chi?"

Zhang Yulan glared at her but didn't answer. Instead, she asked Chu An with concern, "Where did you find such a person?"

Tong Meng: "What's wrong? It's my brother! We're getting along great."

Zhang Yulan, "Amazing!!"

Tong Meng was even more confused, "It's just making a script outline, what's so great about it?"

Zhang Yulan said, "If you were even half as good as Xiao Chu, I'd be burning incense in gratitude."

"What Chu An just said wasn't just idle talk. He not only got the space agency to agree to filming, but also cooperated with the filming, and solved two major problems."

At first, Zhang Yulan was worried that Chu An wouldn't mention any conditions, but he didn't explicitly state them at all. He just mentioned them during the conversation, and you happily accepted them.

Tong Meng asked curiously, "What's the problem?" She couldn't see anything special about it.

Zhang Yulan, "One is that it passed the review."

Censorship is always an important aspect that cannot be ignored.

If the people from the space agency agreed to film the movie in front of the broadcasting leaders and even cooperated with the filming, then is there still a problem with the broadcasting censorship?
As for the other one, the principle is the same.

"Didn't Director Lu have a falling out with Tian Du? Now Tian Du can't stop him from filming."

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television held a project approval meeting, and two state-owned units approved the filming. No matter how domineering the government is, would anyone dare to stop it?
Tong Meng, "..."

She still didn't quite understand; it was beyond her comprehension.

Zhang Yulan ignored her; her daughter didn't seem like her own at all.

With these two issues resolved, today's project initiation meeting can be considered a great success.

However, Zhang Yulan did not expect that Chu An's next words would completely shock her.

Chu An smiled and aptly interjected a remark amidst the lively conversation of the elderly.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I need to discuss with you."

"Filming is ultimately a commercial activity. Once it's finished, our mission is complete, and when it's sold to the TV station, it will definitely be the highest bidder who gets it."

Looking terrified, he said, "It might premiere on a local TV station... does anyone have any objections to that?"

Upon hearing this, the senior scientists were taken aback, and then their brows furrowed silently.

That's a real problem!

Think about it, it's not easy for someone to make a big-budget drama about space travel, but it ends up being broadcast on a local TV station?
This is like making a film to celebrate National Day, but it doesn't air on CCTV; instead, it premieres on a local TV station.

Is this still a tribute film?

Not only is the person taking the picture embarrassed, but the person being photographed is also embarrassed!
Several elderly people couldn't help but look at the leaders of the broadcasting company.

“Look at this…”

How could the leaders of the broadcasting industry not know what was going on?
He immediately replied, "Well, that's easy!"

He immediately made the decision: "I'll personally go and talk to CCTV later. Even if we can't get on CCTV-1 during prime time, we'll at least guarantee a spot on CCTV-8!"

He said with a smile, "We need to let more people see the stories of us aerospace workers!"

.

(End of this chapter)