RBCT Chapter 13 Huge Risks
Chapter 13 Huge Risks
On the tenth day, the entire cast and crew held their first collective meeting.
The meeting was held in an open space outside the Qin Palace. Zeng Hao stood in the middle, looking around at everyone.
"I called everyone here today to discuss a few things." His voice wasn't loud, but it was very clear. "First, the budget for this drama is only 90 yuan, so all expenses must be carefully calculated. Second, the filming period is within three months, and we must wrap up on time, no earlier, no later. Third, everyone will have a very heavy workload, but I guarantee that as long as you do your job well, you won't be shortchanged by a single penny."
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
Zeng Hao scrutinized everyone's expressions, secretly calculating in his mind.
He made similar remarks before, but mainly directed at internal staff such as the lighting and photography teams.
This time, however, it applies to all the actors.
Although there is a contract as a guarantee, it is still essential to take necessary precautions.
"I know some of you are not satisfied with your pay, thinking that a few thousand or ten thousand yuan is too little," Zeng Hao continued. "But I want to tell you that the success of this drama does not depend on how much money I spent, but on whether you can play your roles well."
He paused, then said, "I don't expect you to produce stunning visuals or lavish sets, but I do require a smooth storyline, a tight pace, and something the audience will enjoy watching. Can you do that?"
No one in the crowd responded.
Zeng Hao smiled and said, "It seems that no one is confident. Let me put it another way. If we can't do it and the show flops, not only will you actors not get the bonus, but your salary of 1 yuan per month may also be reduced. This is already written into the contract. But if we do it and the show becomes a hit, everyone's value will increase, and you will have more opportunities to act in the future."
He looked around at everyone and said, "Now, anyone who wants to quit can say so. I won't force them to stay."
The crowd fell silent for a few seconds; no one spoke.
"Very good." Zeng Hao nodded. "Then starting tomorrow, the actors will officially enter the high-intensity filming phase, and everyone needs to be prepared."
After the meeting, the crew members gathered together and whispered among themselves.
"That's incredibly stingy! A maximum salary of 1 yuan, but a budget of 90 yuan? Is he trying to starve us?"
"Exactly, they even rent the cheapest props. What good stuff can they possibly make?"
"I think this show is likely to flop."
Just then, someone shouted, "Dinner's ready!"
The film crew's boxed meals arrived, and everyone lined up to receive them.
Zhang Tianai took the boxed lunch and sat down to the side.
Opening the lunchbox, I found one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and rice inside. The portion of vegetables was very small, and it looked quite meager.
She took a bite; the taste was so-so, but still edible.
Just then, she saw Zeng Hao carrying a boxed lunch and sitting down on the steps not far away.
He opened his lunchbox, and like everyone else, he had one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and rice.
Zhang Tianai was stunned.
Several actors nearby also noticed and stopped eating.
"Holy crap, even CEO Zeng eats this?"
Shouldn't producers receive individualized training?
"He's the boss, yet he's eating the same boxed lunches as us?"
Zeng Hao seemed oblivious to the surrounding chatter, focusing on his food and eating quickly.
Zhang Tianai looked at him, and a complex emotion suddenly welled up in her heart.
This producer is extremely stingy, exploiting the actors, the props, the location, and even the cheapest boxed lunches.
But he himself also eats the cheapest boxed meals.
At that moment, most of everyone's complaints about Zeng Hao suddenly disappeared.
"Damn it, even the boss eats this, what are we complaining about?" someone muttered.
"Exactly, he's a producer, and he can squat on the roadside eating a boxed lunch. What else can we say?"
"Looks like this show is really short on money."
"Even if we're short on money, we have to make a good film, otherwise we'll be letting Mr. Zeng down."
The tense atmosphere gradually eased.
Zhang Tianai lowered his head to eat, a slight smile playing on his lips.
She suddenly understood why Zeng Hao could so calmly exploit everyone, yet no one truly resisted.
Because he was not a high-and-mighty capitalist, but a leader who suffered alongside everyone.
After finishing his meal, Zeng Hao stood up, threw the empty lunchbox into the trash can, and then walked over to photographer Lao Li.
"Old Li, is the afternoon's shooting schedule ready?"
"Ready, Mr. Zeng." Old Li quickly stood up.
"Okay, let's continue this afternoon and try to finish filming the first three scenes of episode six today."
"no problem!"
That afternoon, Zeng Hao called director Peng Bing aside.
"Director Peng, I have an idea that I'd like to discuss with you."
"Please speak."
"We won't follow the traditional broadcasting model for web series," Zeng Hao said. "I plan to move up the schedule again, filming and broadcasting simultaneously."
Peng Bing was stunned. "Filming and broadcasting simultaneously? This...this is too risky!"
"The risks are high, but the rewards are also high." Zeng Hao's tone was very confident. "The traditional model is to film and then broadcast, which takes several months. During this time, the market may change. If we film and broadcast simultaneously, we can adjust the plot and pacing at any time based on audience feedback."
Peng Bing frowned. "But what if the audience feedback is bad, and we don't have time to make changes?"
"That means this script was never going to work, so it's better to die sooner rather than later," Zeng Hao said bluntly. "But if the audience feedback is good, we can continue filming while it's still popular. The higher the popularity, the more views, and the higher the revenue."
Peng Bing remained silent for a moment.
There are already some footage of Zhang Tianai's personal scenes, which can save a lot of time for subsequent filming; there should be enough time.
He thought for a moment, then finally nodded. "Okay, I'll do as you say."
"Then it's settled." Zeng Hao patted him on the shoulder. "After filming the first two episodes, we'll release it online, filming and broadcasting simultaneously, and see the audience's reaction."
Peng Bing took a deep breath. "President Zeng, I just have one question: what if we really fail?"
Zeng Hao chuckled, "If we fail, we fail. We can just switch to another project and start over."
He paused, his tone turning serious, "But I don't think it will flop."
Peng Bing looked at him and suddenly had a dazed feeling.
For the next short period, the crew entered a high-intensity filming mode.
I get up at 6 a.m. every day to do my makeup, start filming at 7 a.m., and finish at 10 p.m., working more than 15 hours a day.
Everyone was exhausted, but no one complained.
Because Zeng Hao also endured the hardships with them, arriving at the set first every day and leaving last.
The crew has finally finished filming all the content for the first two episodes.
Zeng Hao called Peng Bing over, "Is the editing finished?"
"Okay, I cut it all night." Peng Bing took out the USB drive.
"Okay, I'll take it and talk to the platform about going live." Zeng Hao took the USB drive. "Keep filming the rest of the content, don't stop."
"clear."
Zeng Hao left Hengdian and rushed back to Qianhu City overnight.
He wanted to launch "Go Princess Go" on online platforms in the shortest possible time, starting a simultaneous filming and broadcasting mode.
Whether this show becomes a hit depends on the audience's reaction.