Chapter 687: One Billion Media, Source of Terrible Films

People are, after all, different from one another.

Director Xu spent a great deal of effort before finally obtaining a channel from Chu Chenliang to sell DVDs abroad.

However, when Jin Li sent messages in her private capacity to major directors and powerful investors, their replies to her were much more enthusiastic.

It wasn't that these investors hadn't seen such messages before, but the people sending them were usually asking for favors, and the status between the two parties was unequal.

Those people would forget the messages after reading them, not taking them to heart.

But when Jin Li sent them in her own name, it was different.

If they helped Jin Li handle this matter, Jin Li would owe them a favor.

A favor from a famous star is incredibly useful.

It can be used for filming commercials, shooting TV dramas, appearing on variety shows, doing magazine shoots...

Of course, these would certainly not be unpaid appearances.

But given Jin Li's status, there are some gigs that no amount of money could secure an invitation for.

With a favor owed, she would agree.

Upon learning that Jin Li was inquiring about overseas distribution channels for *Counterattack*, those famous directors and investors took it very seriously, one after another replying that they would help her ask around.

Hard work pays off!

Three days later, Jin Li received some news from Director Zhong (the director who filmed *Dream Builder*).

Zhong Wentai had originally tried to call Jin Li, but couldn't get through, so he switched to calling Dawn Entertainment to speak with Sui Lingfang.

Director Zhong hesitated for a moment and said, "I've gathered some information, but this isn't my own channel; I'm just passing on a message for someone else."

Sui Lingfang asked sharply, "Who?"

Director Zhong: "One Billion Media."

Sui Lingfang searched her memory for this company, found it quickly, and felt a bit puzzled:

"Hasn't One Billion Media been investing in idol dramas in recent years? They've been involved in both modern and historical idol dramas; how do they have channels for overseas film distribution?"

Director Zhong said, "That goes back to the background of One Billion Media.

The shareholder composition of One Billion Media is complex; 20% of the shares are held by a foreigner, and that person holds distribution channels in dozens of Southeast Asian countries, including Country T and Country M.

It's not to say that relying on that person guarantees distribution in dozens of Southeast Asian countries, but rather that he can provide introductions, and the probability of getting an opportunity is 70%."

Director Zhong thought of something and added, "Do you know about the idol dramas One Billion Media has released in recent years?"

Sui Lingfang didn't have much of an impression; after all, who goes out of their way to search for the production company of an idol drama they're watching?

She took out her tablet and quickly searched for One Billion Media's track record over the past few years.

She didn't know until she looked, and she was shocked when she did.

Her expression turned serious.

"Everything One Billion Media has distributed in recent years has been terrible. Whether modern or historical idol dramas, they are all rotten to the core. The ratings on professional film and television websites are all between 5 and 6 points; not a single drama is even passing."

Netizens' reviews of those dramas are all terrible. Last year, they finally managed to get a popular young actor and actress to join a historical idol drama, but the editing of that drama had major problems.

Netizens all said the viewing experience was chaotic, and the director filmed it in such a confusing way that it was incomprehensible, which is why the ratings still couldn't go up."

Sui Lingfang asked suspiciously, "So, does One Billion Media really have overseas distribution channels?"

Their production quality is so poor that she really doubts if they are just bluffing.

Director Zhong said firmly, "They definitely have overseas distribution channels. This time, they heard that Jin Li wanted to find overseas distribution channels for *Counterattack*, so they took the initiative to approach me, hoping I could introduce them."

He explained, "Actually, many people in the director circle know that One Billion Media has overseas distribution channels because we often receive filming invitations from them; they hope to invest in us to film a TV drama."

"As for why they aren't looking for directors in the TV drama circle, but are looking for directors in the film circle..."

Director Zhong paused and said with a laugh, "It might be because the few dramas they've recently distributed and produced haven't performed well, and they believe the problem lies more with the directors. They've lost trust in them and don't want to train newcomers.

So they hope that we film directors can switch to shooting TV dramas, poaching us directly.

Among these, having overseas distribution channels is the advantage they always insist on talking about whenever they approach us."

Director Zhong revealed another secret that many people don't know.

"Although the dramas One Billion Media has produced in recent years are all terrible, not a single one of them has lost money.

They would definitely lose money if they only aired domestically, but all those dramas have earned it back through overseas distribution channels in various ways, so their overseas distribution channels are very strong."

Sui Lingfang suddenly understood. So that was it.

When she saw those reviews online, she felt something was a bit strange.

A company that specializes in making terrible films, and not just one, but for several years.

Why hasn't such a company gone bankrupt? Instead, they continue to make terrible dramas and even show a trend of growing bigger and stronger.

If their overseas distribution channels are very strong, this makes sense.

They have many ways to sell the films, specifically collecting copyright fees from each country that imports them, which might be enough to recoup the investment costs.

If they are strong in distribution, they can even negotiate a high buyout fee and perhaps even get a share of the broadcast revenue.

While chatting with Director Zhong, Sui Lingfang was also checking the information on One Billion Media.

She raised an eyebrow, feeling it was quite interesting.

Some netizens say that although One Billion Media specializes in making terrible films and domestic audiences don't buy it, some foreign audiences have a good impression of their films.

At the same time, One Billion Media is also teased by netizens as OST Media—they are in the TV drama business, but their hearts are in the music industry.

Because they have produced divine songs in several of their terrible dramas.

Whenever music bloggers make a list of the "divine songs from terrible films" series, their dramas are always included.

Well, perhaps the licensing fees for those divine songs alone could also make them a fortune.

This looks a bit like a film and television company that doesn't attend to its proper duties.

The topic turned back to overseas distribution channels.

Sui Lingfang said, "But *Counterattack* is a film. Currently, One Billion Media's strength seems to be in TV drama distribution. The two don't really match, do they?"

Director Zhong smiled: "That's why they didn't approach you directly; they were worried you would think they weren't professional enough, so they came to me to talk to you.

Based on my understanding of that shareholder of theirs, he has the ability to tap into theater distribution channels in dozens of Southeast Asian countries.

The reason One Billion Media hasn't made films is that their idol dramas are terrible but have various channels to recoup costs, whereas if their films are terrible, there are fewer channels to recoup costs.

And compared to TV dramas, audiences are much less forgiving when it comes to films, while many foreign audiences are actually more tolerant of TV dramas."

Director Zhong admitted: "Simply put, they have the ability to enter the overseas film distribution circle, but they also know their production might not be up to par, so they have stayed in the comfort zone of TV dramas."

Sui Lingfang hesitated for a moment, "I understand. Send me their contact information, and I will take the initiative to communicate with them."

Director Zhong breathed a slight sigh of relief.

One Billion Media holds overseas distribution channels and has experience in filming TV dramas.

If they really get in touch with Dawn Entertainment, they might ask Jin Li to film a self-produced drama for One Billion Media.

This drama could be a film or a TV series.

But as a director, he knows very well that One Billion Media doesn't have suitable directors or good scripts; they really only know how to make terrible dramas from start to finish.

In all honesty, he didn't want to introduce One Billion Media to Dawn Entertainment.

He didn't want Jin Li, a star with such good momentum, to suddenly film a terrible movie and damage her reputation.

But he happened to owe One Billion Media a favor, so he had no choice but to help bridge the gap.

Thinking of this, Director Zhong's eyes dimmed slightly.

If it weren't for his niece, Qiu Qiwen, coming to him personally to beg, he wouldn't have chosen to repay One Billion Media's favor in this way.

Sigh, stars!

As brilliant as flowers, yet as fleeting as flowers.

Who can remain evergreen?

Sui Lingfang acted quickly.

She first held a meeting with the team to discuss One Billion Media.

Everyone felt they could make contact and see.

Besides One Billion Media, some other directors had also sent relevant channels, but they didn't seem as reliable.

On the contrary, One Billion Media, introduced by Director Zhong, clearly had distribution channels, and their terrible dramas relied on overseas distribution channels to keep recouping funds.

This is their economic pillar, so it looks more reliable.

Furthermore, before Sui Lingfang could contact One Billion Media,

the relevant person in charge at One Billion Media, after receiving the "recommended, not opposed" reply from Director Zhong, couldn't wait to take the initiative to contact Dawn Entertainment.

The two sides communicated back and forth for over half an hour.

One Billion Media stated clearly: "Although we have only distributed TV dramas abroad in the past, we also have channels for films.

If Jin Li is willing to cooperate with us, we can ensure that *Counterattack* is screened in at least 10 Southeast Asian countries, and we can guarantee basic scheduling without having the screenings cut.

As for how the scheduling will be arranged one week after the release, it will depend on how *Counterattack* performs.

If the performance is good, the theaters will also actively arrange more screenings."

One Billion Media also said: "Jin Li's influence in Southeast Asia is very strong, so don't worry too much; the theaters might even take the initiative to add more screenings from the start."

Sui Lingfang asked: "So, how do you want to cooperate with Jin Li?"

One Billion Media said without hesitation: "Let Jin Li film a self-produced drama produced by us, with her as the absolute lead.

She can choose the director, choose the script, change it however she wants; she calls the shots for the entire crew, and it will be filmed however she wants."

Sui Lingfang: ...

She took a deep breath and said with suppressed anger: "With Jin Li's current market value, there are plenty of films waiting for her to shoot; why would she go back to shoot a TV drama?"

One Billion Media sensed the unfriendliness in her tone and quickly said: "No, you misunderstood. It's not asking Jin Li to film for free; we will pay according to the market rate.

Whatever her market value is for filming a TV drama, we will pay that amount. As for the director, we don't have to use our own; if she has a director she likes, we will hire him to film it.

As for the actors, besides Jin Li as the absolute lead, Dawn Entertainment can decide roles like the third female lead, third male lead, fourth female lead, fourth male lead, etc. We only want the second female lead and second male lead!"

Sui Lingfang frowned. To be honest, the conditions offered were too good.

So good that it felt like a scam specifically targeting Jin Li.

She asked: "You want the second female lead and second male lead—is it because you want to use Jin Li's popularity to make them famous, acting as supporting roles?"

One Billion Media was so scared that sweat broke out on their forehead, and they quickly said: "Of course not! We just want to make a high-quality drama that can wash away our previous shame!

We will absolutely not let Jin Li act as a supporting role; we can give her immense power.

If she is not satisfied with the script, she can change it at any time; if she is not satisfied with the supporting actors' scenes, she can also change them; she can even designate the director.

Including the film and television crew, if she is not satisfied, we can replace them!"

Sui Lingfang roughly understood.

Perhaps One Billion Media was also scared by the title "Source of Terrible Films" on the internet and swore to make a high-quality hit drama, which is why they targeted Jin Li.

Although Jin Li's status in the film and television circle is very high, it doesn't mean she can't film TV dramas.

Because she started out in TV drama filming from the very beginning.

Unlike those actors who entered the film circle from the start, she doesn't have the so-called burden of dropping in status.

She fought her way from the TV drama circle into the film circle, and although she has been rising in status all along, Jin Li herself has never limited herself to filming movies.

When choosing scripts before, Jin Li had said that if she couldn't pick a good film script, she could look at TV drama scripts.

But...

Jin Li might not care whether she films a movie or a TV drama, but the company cannot be indifferent.

Sui Lingfang was still very hesitant.

One Billion Media said again: "How about this, we can sign a script contract for up to two years, and Jin Li only needs to film one self-produced drama for One Billion Media within two years.

She has the right to freely edit, choose the director, and choose actors other than the second female and second male leads.

If you don't trust our scripts, you have two years to produce a script Jin Li likes yourself. What do you think?"

Sui Lingfang's heart was truly moved.

Two years is not long, but it's not short either.

Using two years to polish a TV drama script is definitely no problem.

And with plenty of time, if there is a director they like, they can also coordinate the schedule.

She almost agreed on Jin Li's behalf.

Sui Lingfang said: "I need to communicate with Jin Li and ask for her opinion."

The person in charge at One Billion Media breathed a sigh of relief. If they were willing to pass the message to the artist, it proved there was a chance.

If there was absolutely no chance, the artist wouldn't even need to know.

The person in charge said: "Looking forward to your next call."

That evening, Jin Li received a call from Sister Fang, specifically to talk about this matter.

Jin Li asked: "Is One Billion Media's distribution qualification reliable?"

Sister Fang said: "Director Zhong recommended them personally, so it should be reliable. And we can write these exchange conditions into the contract.

*Counterattack* will be released soon. If One Billion Media fails to secure overseas distribution channels by then, they will be in breach of contract first, and we can choose not to film."

Jin Li said with interest: "It sounds like all the terms of the contract are in my favor, except for asking me to lower my status to film a TV drama. They showed the greatest sincerity; they even let me choose the director and change the script as I please."

Sui Lingfang: "Yes, I was a bit moved too, but after calming down, there are risks."

"You have already achieved good results in the film circle. Rashly going to film a TV drama will cause a lot of questioning, and One Billion Media's self-produced dramas..."

She couldn't bring herself to say a good word with a clear conscience.

"The dramas they've filmed in recent years are all terrible; I really suspect if there's some kind of curse on them."