Chapter 201: Jiang Heng on the Spring Festival Gala

"Really?"

Li Xiaoping was overjoyed; after the broadcast of The Return of the Condor Heroes, ratings rose steadily.

However, "Jinrong dramas" are vehicles for actors, especially those like Tianlong, She diao, Shen diao; as long as they're filmed decently, they can get decent buzz, not showing her talent.

The adaptation of Xianjian Qixia Zhuan from a game has relatively low fame; achieving national first or top three would be quite an accomplishment!

Jiang Heng was somewhat vague, because he suddenly recalled the national divine drama Liang Jian, which aired in 05 with an average rating of 10.3%, taking the year's ratings championship.

Coming in second was Jinghua Yanyun, which had also been promoted as the year's ratings champion.

However, this drama's average rating was 8.7%, only ranking second for the year, and it hasn't been rerun many times.

As for Xianjian Qixia Zhuan, its average rating was 5.77%, ranking twelfth for the year.

In this life, relying on the Outstanding Rising Film Company's production, Jiang Heng's producer gimmick, plus the upgraded visual effects, Jiang Heng feels competing with Jinghua Yanyun and Han Wudi for a top-three spot is still promising.

Li Xiaoping, hearing this, felt somewhat moved.

If he participates, he won't interfere elsewhere, just take more funding to let the crew have more leeway.

In 2004, domestic TV drama production exceeded five hundred series, reaching over twelve thousand episodes.

Of course, at this point it's just wishful thinking!

Yet he said, "A top-three finish for the year is still very promising!"

Many film and TV projects, at inception, aren't aimed at making the show good, but at promoting a girlfriend, or even just to get a girlfriend; whether the resulting show can air is then not important.

It's not about hoping to profit from joining this drama, but recalling that Liang Jian, aside from post-production costs, used only ten million for filming, with funds very tight.

Li Xiaoping doesn't have Jiang Heng's ambition; "If we make the top ten for the year, I'd be satisfied!"

Regarding this phenomenon, the famous screenwriter Wang Hailin's discussion well reflects its causes. He said coal bosses never interfere in their creation, aside from asking for actresses, they have no other demands.

Competing with Liang Jian for the year's top spot is really a stretch. A divine drama rerun fifteen years, three thousand times—who could compare?

Thinking of this, Jiang Heng still feels some regret, not having participated in such a great drama.

Cai Yirong also agrees with this, but always feels not doing something is unsatisfying.

"New Year greetings? That could work; should I go ask?"

"Or, let the Xianjian drama crew's actors record a New Year greeting video for the audience?"

However, of so many TV dramas, only 60% get aired; over 30% never get a chance to meet viewers.

"Director Jiang isn't lazy about managing these, right? Let's discuss and decide this!" Cai Yirong said temptingly.

"If we really do that, we'll also need to increase promotion!"

Of course, Li Xiaoping still cares about Xianjian Qixia Zhuan; she truly hopes this drama becomes a hit.

After returning to her office, Li Xiaoping contacted Cai Yirong and conveyed Jiang Heng's expectations for Xianjian.

Cai Yirong was somewhat excited; although she had already seen the finished product and thought it was well shot, she wasn't sure whether audiences would welcome it after broadcast.

At such a time, people are more prone to trust authority, and Jiang Heng is obviously the greatest authority.

First, supply indeed exceeds demand; more importantly, some dramas from planning to shooting are entirely shoddy and hastily made.

Li Xiaoping said: "I asked Director Jiang's opinion; he said 'good enough' is fine, after all, reputation is key!"

After all, it's just a small promotional activity before the drama airs; asking Jiang Heng is indeed making a mountain out of a molehill.

Furthermore, Jiang Heng has indeed been busy lately; besides promotion and interviews for Journey to the West: Flat Top Mountain, he's also started writing a new film script. Occasionally he also needs to keep an eye on Hollywood, and the CCTV side has still invited Jiang Heng to the Spring Festival Gala.

For the past two years, due to being too busy with work, he politely declined good programs.

But this year's Spring Festival Gala director team sent another invitation; the program is also very simple—just practicing a set of martial arts on stage with Elder Brother Cheng Long; refusing would really be not giving face.

Since Jiang Heng has decided to focus on the mainland, he definitely has to give face to CCTV; although work is busy, he still agreed to the Spring Festival Gala director team's invitation.

Only, the rehearsals haven't been attended much, and the director team has been making accommodations, giving the green light.

Today, it's again the day for rehearsals.

Jiang Heng arrived at the CCTV broadcast hall in the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class, greeting people all along the way.

Only after arriving did he discover that Elder Brother Cheng Long had already arrived, chatting casually with Rong Zhu'er.

Seeing Jiang Heng arrive, Cheng Long was delighted, waved his hand, stepped forward to hug, patted Jiang Heng's back, saying, "Good brother, long time no see!"

"Long time no see!" Jiang Heng said with a smile.

Actually, he doesn't interact much with Cheng Long; his relationship with Hong Jinbao is better.

It's just that Cheng Long is outgoing, warm, and quick to make friends; every time he sees Jiang Heng, he shows a happy, warm demeanor.

First he asked about the box office of "Journey to the West"; hearing the rough figures, he remarked: "Your effects blockbuster has become a trademark; just recently, a Middle Eastern prince called me and said he really likes your films, asking when he could come shoot with you, offering support."

Jiang Heng laughed: "That's great; if you have time, introduce us!"

"That's for sure, my friend—your friends are my friends!"

Cheng Long patted his chest, looked around, and asked Rong Zhu'er beside him: "Have you seen that brat Ah Ming?"

Rong Zhu'er laughed: "I saw him; he went out with a little actress!"

Cheng Long feigned anger: "That brat, really useless!"

He wanted to introduce his son to Jiang Heng, knowing this kid couldn't be a lead.

But although Jiang Heng also shoots international blockbusters, being able to run errands in them is still an extra in an international blockbuster!

Yet this kid's flirtatiousness follows him; one moment you see him, the next he's gone.

On the other hand, Rong Zhu'er, with eyes full of tender feeling, gently said: "Hello, Director Jiang, I'm Rong Zhu'er; I've long admired your name."

Jiang Heng reached out to shake hands: "Hello, I've heard your songs; they're great!"

"Really? Director Jiang actually listened to my song; I'm so happy— which one do you like best?"

Jiang Heng said this, but it was just polite talk.

But since Rong Zhu'er asked, he had to name one or two.

Fortunately, with the Super Microcomputer, finding her information is too easy.

Jiang Heng immediately mentioned the two relatively famous songs of Rong Zhu'er, giving a brief comment on each.

What a good partner! After listening, Rong Zhu'er couldn't move her eyes away.

Cheng Long, standing nearby, seeing this, was both angry and jealous.

He actually had no designs on Rong Zhu'er; it was just idle chat, nothing to do at the moment. But Jiang Heng's appearance seemed to prove he was more charming than him, which left him feeling somewhat depressed.

(End of chapter)