At the end of November, Lu Yanhe attended the press conference of "Squid Game" as one of the main creative staff Lights Video's emphasis on "Squid Game" was also highlighted through this press conference.
Not only had almost all the well-known media in the country received invitations, the event was even more grand than some movie premieres.
The all-star cast was present.
In addition, Northern Lights Video also invited a number of celebrities to help out, watch the first episode live, and express their viewing experience as if they were attending a movie premiere.
At the scene, Lu Yanhe was inevitably asked about competing with the third season of "Friends".
Lu Yanhe smiled and said, "It's broadcast weekly, and we're broadcast daily. We're not competing on the same track. We can finish the show in less than half a month, and everyone will enjoy watching it."
Avoid the topic of comparison and just talk about the difference in scheduling.
Of course, the reporters would not let him go.
"After the trailer for the third season of Friends came out, many fans were complaining about how bloody it was. You left after the first season, and director Bai Jingnian left after the second season. Now the third season doesn't look promising either. Are you still unwilling to return to save this work you created?"
This statement is almost too blunt.
Lu Yanhe smiled and just said, "Today we are holding the press conference for Squid Games. Why do you always mention other dramas? Pay more attention to Squid Games. Is my new drama not worth your attention?"
He complained jokingly and avoided answering the question.
Are you kidding? When it comes to dealing with media reporters, he is considered an experienced player. How could he be troubled by such a situation?
No matter how difficult the reporters' questions were to answer, Lu Yanhe handled them with ease.
After all, this is the press conference for "Squidward Gamble", so the media present should not be too disrespectful, as they are here to support the movie.
"In this play, there are many actors you have worked with before, including Jiang Jun, Jiang Yuqian, Wang Jing... Did you recommend them to the director?"
"When I was writing the script, several characters were based on them." Lu Yanhe was also outspoken, "You all know that the reason why I wrote the script for "Squid Game" was because I shot "The Seventeenth Floor" myself and was inspired by it. At that time, I happened to be discussing cooperation with Mr. Lin of Northern Lights Video, and we talked about this script and quickly reached an agreement."
Lu Yanhe did not directly answer whether he recommended many of the actors in the drama. However, his answer has revealed a lot of information. He discussed this process with Lin Desheng, the general manager of Lin Desheng. The project of "Squid Game" is not an ordinary cooperation. It is conceivable how much say Lu Yanhe has in this project.
"Will 'Squid Game' be developed into a series?" another reporter asked.
Lu Yanhe smiled and said, "It all depends on the broadcast results. I certainly hope that this is a series that can be developed further. When I was writing the script, I left a few buttons open for the development of sequels. To be precise, I have an idea for a complete trilogy for this story. Of course, even if you just look at it as an independent work, it is still a complete story without the second and third seasons."
After Lu Yanhe finished asking questions, everyone's attention shifted to other people.
To some people, this scene seems quite magical.
What they found magical was not anything else but that everyone present had reached an unspoken consensus.
In "Squid Game", a drama neither directed nor acted by Lu Yanhe, he, as the screenwriter, is the soul and key helmsman.
The status of a screenwriter has never been higher——
Just because he is Lu Yanhe.
-
Regarding her participation in the film, Jiang Yuqian said: "This role is indeed suitable for me. When Yan He told me that it was suitable for me, I didn't expect it to be so suitable. Of course, I spent a lot of effort on fitness and losing weight. The roles I played before were all positive and had all kinds of good qualities. This role is very different. In order to survive, she gave up a lot of things, even her human side, but this does not mean that she has lost her humanity."
She glanced at Lu Yanhe and said, "So, I was very surprised when I read the script. I didn't expect Yanhe to write such a female character. After all, as you all know, the female characters he wrote were of this type. At that time, I basically couldn't get such a three-dimensional role. After I got it, it's no exaggeration to say that I felt like I had found a treasure."
The media at the scene all laughed.
Jiang Yuqian continued, "That's why I said later that as long as it's a script written by Yan He, I don't need to read it, and I don't need to ask what role it is, whether it's the main character or a supporting role, I will take it directly. My agent and I have reached a consensus on this."
A reporter asked: "There was a joke online before, saying that Lu Yanhe's first movie was shot with you and Huang Kairen, and then jokingly said that the small supporting role back then has now become your big brother. What do you think of this joke?"
"Hahaha." Jiang Yuqian laughed without hesitation. "Who said it wasn't? I'm jealous. Yan He acted with me in all the scenes in The Golden Era, so how come Huang Kairen got the better of me and won the Best Actor award first? No, we can't be partial. Yan He, you have to give me a Best Actress award too."
Jiang Yuqian didn't seem to care at all about being said that Lu Yanhe had become her right hand, and she openly joked with Lu Yanhe in front of everyone.
Lu Yanhe immediately said, "Sister Yuqian, you asked me to give you a Best Actress award, but I don't even have a Best Actor award myself."
The whole audience burst into laughter.
Jiang Yuqian also laughed.
As soon as Lu Yanhe said this, all the teasing reached its climax.
All the sarcastic atmosphere deliberately stirred up by those reporters turned into bubbles in the sun - they burst at the slightest touch.
-
Jingtai, Xu Bin and others all looked gloomy.
"What do you think? Did Lu Yanhe do this on purpose?" After a while, Xu Bin spoke.
"It's probably not intentional. He doesn't have the final say on when Squidward will be broadcast," Hu Siwei said immediately. "This show is in the hands of Northern Lights. And, looking at the broadcast time of Maxine, we can actually tell that Northern Lights has discussed this with Maxine."
"This time it just happens to coincide with the broadcast time of the third season of Friends." Xu Bin said with a gloomy face, "Now everyone is watching to see which of these two dramas will perform better. If the third season of Friends really cannot compare with Squidward Floyd, then you will see how many people will laugh at it."
"How could that be? Our third season of Friends was exclusively broadcast by the TV station and was only released on video platforms after it was broadcast. It is not of the same nature as Squidward, so how can one perform better and the other worse?" Someone immediately said, "Besides, judging by the ratings and popularity of the first two seasons of Friends, the third season will not be any worse."
Xu Bin glanced at the person who was speaking, then looked at the others.
Except for a few people like Hu Siwei, in fact, most people have the same expression on their faces as this person.
They don't believe that the third season of "Friends" will lose to a new show. It has been almost three years since the first season of "Friends" was broadcast. The benefits brought by this show to the station have made these people in the room "walk sideways" in the station.
Xu Bin suddenly felt like something was stuck in his chest, making him uncomfortable.
Everyone in this room had once followed him to build his empire in the company.
So many years have passed, some have grown old, some have passed away, some have retired, and only a few are left, all living in a shell like Beijing and Taiwan, safe and secure.
For them, if Friends is successful, they will make more money, and if it fails, no one will die.
There are not many people who really put their heart and soul into making "Friends" a success.
Xu Bin saw Hu Siwei again, one of the few people under him who was actually thinking and working.
How many times had he told himself in the past two years about how Friends had gone off the rails?
At the beginning, Bai Jingnian wanted to ask for a higher salary and the market price, but a group of people disagreed. When they forced him to leave, everyone said that Bai Jingnian was gone and that "Friends" did not rely on Bai Jingnian.
He actually felt so too.
The success of "Friends" is the result of the right time, right place and right people, it is not the result of just one director.
If we really talk about ability, people in the industry all say that the script is strong enough.
It is impossible to get Lu Yanhe back to write the script. Even if Bai Jingnian continues to be the director in the second season, the reputation will still decline.
Now, after watching the main episode of the third season of "Friends", although it has not been aired yet, many doubts have already emerged within the station.
Hu Siwei got angry with him, which was rare.
Of course Xu Bin also knew that the third season would definitely be a failure.
But he always felt that at least there were past achievements. Even if its reputation was ruined, its ratings could still remain stable.
If it really doesn't work, just offer a high price to invite Bai Jingnian back to direct the fourth season.
There is always a remedy.
Bai Jingnian was usually a quiet person, so if he could satisfy his request, would he refuse? Sometimes he felt that Hu Siwei attached too much importance to the importance of some individuals.
However, the release date of "Squid Game" was like someone suddenly reaching out and tearing off Xu Bin's self-deceiving fig leaf.
Xu Bin really couldn't sit still anymore.
Two years have passed, and Lu Yanhe's myth and miracle are like a legend in the industry. Two years ago, he relied on the Beijing stage behind him and looked down on this cluster of newly lit torches. After all, compared with a lighthouse, no matter how bright the torch is, it is just swaying in the wind and no one knows when it will go out. Now, not only is the flame of this torch not fading, but it is burning brighter and brighter. His speech at the seminar on "Road to Glory" not only attracted the attention of the leaders of the film department, but also helped his play invisibly and silently. In terms of dramas, the leaders above have already realized his international influence.
There are not many Chinese actors who are really well-known and influential overseas. Among young actors, there is only Lu Yanhe. For the film and television industry, which has been holding high the banner of "cultural exchange" and "going global" in recent years, his significance is becoming more and more important.
He is not a person who is sitting on the past glory and enjoying the afterglow of it; he is a person who is constantly creating new miracles.
Two years ago, Xu Bin had the confidence to force Lu Yanhe to suffer losses, and he didn't care about the heated discussion on the Internet.
Two years later, he was no longer qualified to do so.
There are more and more people behind Lu Yanhe, and his power is growing stronger and stronger.
Xu Bin has been in the system for so long that he knows very well how much Lu Yanhe is valued and protected by some people in his current situation.
Ordinary people can’t even touch Lu Yanhe.
-
Northern Lights video.
Zheng Huairen accompanied Lin Desheng out of the conference room and whispered in his ear: "The number of reservations for "Squid Game" on our website has exceeded 400 million. Just now, someone from Beijing and Taiwan tried to ask me if we can change the broadcast time of "Squid Game"."
Lin Desheng: "Who in Beijing or Taiwan contacted you?"
"It's not official, it's a private question from someone I met before, asking if there's any possibility." Zheng Huairen said, "The release date of Squidward has put a big threat to the third season of Friends, because it's being broadcast in the same time slot, and several advertisers seem to be wavering and want to withdraw their investment and invest in Squidward."
Any brand has limited advertising and marketing expenses. Especially in a quarter or in the same period of time, they don’t have a lot of money to burn. The third season of Friends and Squidward are both S+ level shows. Compared with other shows, the advertising sponsorship expenses are not a difference in numbers, but a difference in magnitude.
Not many brands are wealthy enough to invest in two companies at the same time.
Of course they have to make a choice.
Lin Desheng asked Zheng Huairen: "How is the investment situation of "Squid Game"?"
"There are already 14 brands sponsoring the show." Zheng Huairen said, "Just relying on the current advertising sponsorship, our show has already recouped more than half of its revenue. The advertising parties are still very fond of Yan He's shows. There are even two brands that have offered nearly nine-digit prices to ask Yan He to shoot product placement ads, but Yan He's team refused."
"How could he possibly agree to this? You don't even need to ask his team about this. Don't you know how much his team values him?"
"I know, but I can't refuse it." Zheng Huairen said with a smile, "The procedures still need to be followed. There will be many more such situations later."
Lin Desheng nodded.
"In addition, Hongcheng Satellite TV has been in contact with us, hoping to win the exclusive broadcasting rights for the first round of satellite TV." Zheng Huairen said.
"We already have the exclusive broadcast rights on all networks, so why do they want the exclusive broadcast rights on satellite TV? What's the point? It's not like Friends, where the show was only released on video platforms after it was broadcast on TV."
"They still have a large base of middle-aged and elderly people who only watch TV." Zheng Huairen said, "Should we talk to them seriously?"
Lin Desheng thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, "Since we have the exclusive broadcasting rights for this drama, we can make less money, but we must leave an impression on everyone that this drama can only be seen on our Northern Lights Video. After we finish broadcasting, if there is a TV station that wants to buy it, we will sell it to them. We are not selling it now."
Zheng Huairen nodded.
"By the way, what are the data from Maxine?" Lin Desheng asked.
Zheng Huairen said: "The trailer has been viewed over 54 million times, breaking the record for Chinese dramas. Related searches and statistics show that % of people on Maxine are interested in the drama because of Lu Yanhe. However, it's a pity that the drama doesn't have Lu Yanhe as the lead actor, so it didn't reach the expected number."
Lin Desheng said, "This is Maxine's business. You told me before that you and Lu Yanhe were going to negotiate a new round of cooperation framework agreement. When was it signed?"
"This Friday." Zheng Huairen said, "Icefield Video acted too quickly and snatched the adaptation rights of "The Call" and "Rouge Button". This is my fault. I didn't react as fast as them, so we can't let them get ahead of me this time. Yan He now has several scripts in his hands, such as "Love Letter" and "You Are the Apple of My Eye". I have studied and judged with the people in the script review department and decided to buy the adaptation rights of these two dramas. Other video platforms are also in contact and will probably compete with us. The bottom line in my mind is to package the two dramas for 10 million plus Yan He's personal % share of the profits. Mr. Lin, what do you think?"
Lin Desheng said: "You have dealt with Yan He a lot. Do you think he will be satisfied with this condition?"
"From our previous cooperation with him, he doesn't care about price the most. He is strict and cautious in evaluating the production team, resources and other aspects." Zheng Huairen said, "Bingyuan Video invited Miao Yue, who had worked with Yan He on Late Spring, to be the screenwriter for the project "Rouge". Miao Yue is also Lu Yan He's classmate."
Lin Desheng said: "Looking at Yan He's projects, you should know that Yan He still wants to use people who have worked with him before. When you negotiate with them, put more effort in this regard."
"But Yan He himself will not come to this negotiation." Zheng Huairen said, "Yan He's Linghe Film and Television Production Company is now headed by Xu Tianming, who used to work at Longyan Film, and Chen Yin is his deputy."
Lin Desheng: "Then won't they still have to listen to Lu Yanhe in the end? Just cater to their preferences."
Zheng Huairen nodded, "Okay."
"Also, you guys have to come up with a plan for the second season of Squid Game as soon as possible. You can't wait until the first season is over before you talk to Lu Yanhe about it. You need to show your sincerity up front."
"Yes."
……
"Season 2?" Lu Yanhe was a little surprised. "Season 1 hasn't even aired yet, and you're already discussing Season 2?"
Chen Ziyan smiled and said, "Who made the data of Squid Game so good? In this data age, everything depends on data."
Lu Yanhe: "I haven't written the script for the second season yet."
Lu Yanhe thought that when he traveled through time, the show had only just aired its first season.
He doesn't know what the second season will be like.
Do I have to write it myself?
Lu Yanhe hissed silently.
This is really... unexpected.
Chen Ziyan said: "Let's write it. The second season of Squidward is a foregone conclusion. It will definitely be filmed."
Lu Yanhe: "What if it's broadcasted and the audience finds it ugly and scolds us? I'd rather be cautious and not rush."
"You are not in a hurry, but Northern Lights is. The copyright of the story of this drama is not in their hands. They only have the broadcasting rights. If you don't cooperate with them for the second season and cooperate with other platforms, where can they go to cry?"
Lu Yanhe: "How can I cooperate with other platforms? They don't trust me at all."
"This kind of big project involving hundreds of millions of dollars, do you think it can be decided by a few people who trust each other?" Chen Ziyan rolled her eyes at Lu Yanhe, "Also, they want to ask us for the development rights of derivative products. They want to do surrounding development."
"What kind of peripheral development? Character cards, mobile phone cases and the like. They said that when they negotiate the next round of cooperation framework agreement with us, they will show us the formal derivative development agreement at the same time." Chen Ziyan said.
Lu Yanhe nodded, "Okay."
Chen Ziyan: "I haven't asked you yet, what are your psychological expectations for "Love Letter" and "Those Years"? Give a bottom line condition, so that Xu Tianming and others can go and negotiate with Northern Lights."
"You guys decide for yourselves. How would I know?" Lu Yanhe said, "I don't have any bottom line conditions."
Chen Ziyan smiled and said, "I heard that Northern Lights is planning to cater to your needs and give a leading role to each of the two projects, Love Letter and Those Years, for your good friends to play."
"Ah?" Lu Yanhe was stunned and confused.
Chen Ziyan said: "The news I got from the people at Northern Lights is that you have no bottom line conditions, and they are trying to study your ideas and try to please you."
Lu Yanhe scratched his head and said, "The problem is, I don't know which of my friends will play in the drama version of these two plays."
Chen Ziyan said: "Really? Why do I feel that Li Zhibai is quite suitable for "Those Years"? "
After Chen Ziyan said this, Lu Yanhe was stunned.
It seems true.
Chen Ziyan said: "In short, since they are willing to show such sincerity to impress you, you might as well think about what you want. Within a reasonable range, nothing you want means anything."
Lu Yanhe thought for a moment and said, "Really? Why should I ask them to keep the leading role of Those Years for Li Zhibai? With Li Zhibai's current popularity, they have to be sincere if they want to invite him. Li Zhibai doesn't have to play in Those Years. He's already famous enough."
Chen Ziyan: "I'm just giving you an example. Even if you want to arrange a completely unknown newcomer to play these roles, Beijiguang will agree. That's what I mean. Have you forgotten that the heroine you chose for "Love Letter" is still signed to me? After she finishes the college entrance examination, don't you plan to find her some roles to play?" (End of this chapter)
