Chapter 681: Sixth Senior Brother: What a Sin!

In the eyes of industry insiders, to be fair, given the status Luo Mo has reached now, promoting one of his own people really doesn't count for much.

But many people wouldn't pass up the chance to seize an opportunity to smear him.

Especially given that Liu Gongming is a complete novice in the film industry and has absolutely no experience in film or television acting.

Within the industry, nepotism is bound to be criticized. For example, children acting in dramas where their parents are the leads, or the son of some director participating in their big-budget production.

Of course, this situation is mostly because these people are incompetent and their skills are lackluster, which makes people feel it is purely based on connections.

Whether Liu Gongming can actually act is something everyone doesn't know yet.

Because not even a proper trailer has been released.

However, for those people stirring up trouble, their thinking is: do we need to know that?

Just start criticizing loudly and get the momentum going.

At the very least, this can affect the film's opening day box office.

If even one fewer person walks into the cinema, that's a good thing.

Discouraging one person is one person!

What's more, Liu Gongming also carries an identity that is at the bottom of the industry's contempt chain and which many viewers feel deep disdain for—an internet celebrity!

These puppet masters originally wanted to incite Xu Wai's fans the most at the start.

Your idol is already famous, eh! A rising New Star in the field of Comedy, eh!

Now you're going to play a supporting role for an internet celebrity; can you tolerate this?

These days, fans scolding a star's company, a star's team, or a star's boss is a very common phenomenon.

Like on Earth, a relatively well-known one is the phrase: Wajijiwa has gone bankrupt!

In many public settings, when the host on stage says "Thanks to our chief operating company 【Wajijiwa】," the audience below will immediately let out sounds of Curse: "Bankrupt!"

Or at a music festival, when a star is playing Yueqi on stage, the fans below can stomp to the beat in rhythm and shout loudly: "【Wajijiwa】 has gone bankrupt!"

When a boy band concert ends, the scene of ten thousand people shouting in unison will also appear.

The fans of the artists under this company fight very fiercely among themselves, but when it comes to scolding the company, they can always unite and share a common hatred.

In the eyes of these people behind the scenes, if Xu Wai's fans could take the initiative to start a fight, this kind of internal infighting is the ugliest and the most damaging to the public's favor.

This is just like many works that are actually of quite good quality. But if a few stars' teams or fans insist on 【fighting over billing】 online, many passersby will feel deep disgust, and their first impression of the work will be extremely poor.

However, Xu Wai's fans remained unmoved and were not led by the momentum at all.

The reason is simple.

"We are fans of Xu Wai, that is not wrong."

"But, have you ever thought about how many of Xu Wai's fans are also fans of Luo Mo?"

"Do you know how large the proportion of Luo Mo's fans is?"

If one really had to choose between Xu Wai and Luo Mo........ Sorry Xu Wai, the one I love is Luo Mo.

As for Xu Wai himself, he was also keeping an eye on the discourse on the internet.

Regarding his role as the second male lead and Liu Gongming, the connection-hire, playing the first male lead, he felt no resentment in his heart.

First of all, Liu Gongming's comedic talent is something he finds astonishing.

Having filmed together in the crew for so long, he really couldn't imagine how there could be someone in the world who does everything so hilariously?

Secondly, is me playing a second male lead the boss giving me the cold shoulder, or the boss not valuing me?

My boss even got hit by Liu Gongming in the movie!

What's more, Xu Wai feels that 【Yuan Hua】 is a very well-rounded Comedy character, a character that can definitely be remembered by the audience, and perhaps even remembered for a long time.

Therefore, he has not the slightest bit of resentment in his heart; he only has gratitude toward his boss.

"Everything is waiting for the release!" Xu Wai thought to himself.

………

………

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, another week went by.

During this week, it could be said that all parties entered the fray, and the situation was turbulent.

Many people were wondering if Luo Mo would come forward to respond to anything.

But in fact, Luo Mo had no such intention at all.

He was currently busy working on the post-production of The Wandering Earth with the special effects company every day, even thinking about whether to throw more money into the special effects.

In recent years, domestic special effects companies have actually developed quite well.

In previous years, audiences complained too fiercely about special effects.

The main reason they didn't change before was that everyone was racing to the bottom; the general environment was full of cheap effects, so if I made something slightly better, it was considered conscientious and could be praised by everyone, so why throw money into making special effects?

And the development of special effects companies also requires money, requires orders, and requires a market.

It has been much better in the last few years, and it has even become a bit of an internal rat race.

Luo Mo has also played a "negligible" role in this.

In other "Xianxia dramas," the special effects are just crap. Anyway, our focus is on immortals falling in Romance, right?

But after Celestial Sword 5 Qixia Zhuan burst onto the scene, everyone saw how cool and flashy the special effects Luo Mo spent money to make were.

For capital, the thing they fear most is that the audience's perception begins to change.

In the past, everyone thought: Huaxia cannot make good special effects.

Then, everyone's tolerance would be relatively high, feeling that conditions didn't allow it, or that conditions were limited.

But now everyone understands—it's not that they can't make them, it's that they aren't willing to!

The Anger instantly began to Burning in patches!

Like on Earth, although the drama Love Apartment had many flaws and was very controversial, the special effects in the Battle Through the Heavens part were indeed quite good.

This can serve as a sharp blade to attack other films!

Therefore, many special effects companies have an excellent attitude toward Luo Mo.

It is not just because he is a big client.

It is also because he has indeed indirectly made contributions to the field of special effects.

So, the question arises.

For a big production of the caliber of The Wandering Earth, with such a frightening investment amount, has Luo Mo thought about collaborating with foreign special effects companies?

The answer is—no.

It is not because domestic special effects companies can already stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those in Blue Star Hollywood; there is definitely still a gap.

But Luo Mo has no other choice.

This is a very realistic problem.

On Earth, the director of Goodbye Mr. Loser, Zhang Chiyu, once replied to reporters regarding the question of why they did not find foreign special effects companies to work on Moon Man.

"Even if I go to hire Hollywood special effects companies, they will not put their best talent on a Huaxia project."

"But if I collaborate with top domestic special effects teams, they will definitely pour all their efforts into it."

In fact, the special effects teams of Blue Star Huaxia really went all out for The Wandering Earth.

They are very clear—we are in a relationship of mutual achievement!

They are even a little moved.

In the past, they could not let go and do things, as they could not obtain such a level of support and funding.

There are fields they also want to dabble in.

There are experiences they also want to accumulate.

There are attempts they also want to make.

But there was no way!

Now it is different.

Therefore, the people in the various special effects teams are truly working themselves to the bone.

They are also very clear that this concerns their future.

If The Wandering Earth is done well, it will be an industry benchmark, opening a new door!

If it is done well, people will learn from it!

The team will be able to take on more big orders and handle more big projects!

The most terrifying thing is, if hundreds of millions are thrown in and the final result is still unsatisfactory... do you think other investors will still dare to take the risk?

"Spent so many hundreds of millions, and even after finding the top domestic team it still didn't turn out well? Scared, scared!"

"Can't touch this stuff in the future, it's a waste of money."

A vicious cycle would be created because of this.

Therefore, these few special effects teams collaborating with Luo Mo are carrying the future of the industry on their backs, fighting a battle with their backs to the river.

This battle can only be won, not lost!

………

………

July 20th, scorching hot.

In the sweltering weather, Sheep Without a Shepherd also continues to remain hot.

The current cumulative total box office for this film has already reached 2.46 billion.

Although with the release of other new films in the Shuji Dang, the screening count and attendance rate for Sheep Without a Shepherd have both declined, the single-day box office remains very stable.

Looking at the current trend, finishing at 3 billion is not a problem.

That is to say, Luo Mo has not only completed his small goal of 【8 billion for three films】, but can even directly—reach 10 billion for three films!

He himself is looking forward to the arrival of this day, and the Review Department is also maintaining expectations.

During this period, although Charlotte Troubles has not released a new trailer, Wang Rong has been taking the lead actors to actively appear on variety shows or accept interviews from the media.

All of this is exactly what Liu Shixiong wants.

He wants to escape Beijing too much!

Being separated from his girlfriend for a period of time, he will miss her.

But being together for too long, he will feel that this woman is simply a monster!

A gold-swallowing beast!

As a fitness coach, she truly loves fitness, liking that feeling of exhaustion and limbs feeling weak.

This feeling of limb weakness, Liu Shixiong admits he cannot give her.

And precisely because of this, Liu Shixiong in Beijing is like a walking corpse. Liu Shixiong away from Beijing is full of vigor.

Originally, with his status as a newcomer film Actor, even if he went on variety shows, he would be treated differently.

Many resident guests on variety shows only interact with whoever is popular and only play with whoever is popular.

Newcomers and obscure celebrities are nothing more than background boards.

In fact, Shen Teng and Ma Li on Earth, when promoting Charlotte Troubles on Earth, also suffered cold shoulders and differential treatment, just because they weren't popular enough at the time and no one was optimistic about the film.

But Liu Gongming's side is actually okay; unless one has a grudge against Luo Mo, one must give this entertainment industry bigwig some Face.

And don't even mention it, this guy is truly funny!

After these few episodes of the variety show aired, many viewers were won over by him.

At first, when everyone saw him on the variety show, they all thought: "Isn't this that guy with the connections? That internet celebrity!"

After watching: "Hahaha! Hahahaha!"

They laughed so hard they couldn't even speak.

Just yesterday, Liu Gongming suddenly shot up onto the Hot Search again.

The reason is simple: on a variety show, the host asked the cast of Charlotte Troubles to perform some talents.

Xu Wai sang a Cantonese song and also did a bit of Dancing.

Xu Ying was even more impressive; she... performed a split.

Qiu Ya doing a split—damn, I love her even more!

Originally, Liu Gongming could have played the suona and performed a segment of Luo Mo's "Wedding".

But he insisted on not doing that.

Our Liu Shixiong always keeps the master's teachings in mind: we fellow disciples must take on the responsibility of promoting Opera culture!

"Junior brother incorporated Opera Element into his song, which was done very well."

"And I heard him say that when the time is right, he also wants to make a movie related to Opera."

"Now, I, as a senior brother, am also standing on the stage of a large-scale variety show."

"So..."

Liu Gongming stood up, looked at the whole audience, and with a serious and earnest expression, said: "Noble Consort Dances with Sword, have you heard of it?"

Then, he danced.

Honestly, if you cut the video and only looked at the sword, the dance was as graceful as a startled swan, as soft yet firm, and as uniquely charming!

But once you combine it with this person...

"Pfft, this Noble Consort, I can't afford her!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty has suffered!"

"He just gave a coquettish smile, and I sprayed my drink!"

"This Emperor, it's better not to be one!"

"Someone come, quickly rebel for me!"

"The folds of flesh on his face when he smiles, even an iron couldn't smooth them out."

"What puzzles me most is—he is so confident!"

Yes, Liu Shixiong's posture and expression revealed confidence and seriousness everywhere.

It wasn't until the laughter at the scene was so loud that no matter how focused he was, he couldn't ignore it, that Liu Gongming stopped in astonishment.

This video brought joy to countless netizens.

Today's portion of happiness was provided by Liu Shixiong!

Everyone even started looking forward to Charlotte Troubles because of this.

He is really hilarious; I suddenly feel like he might actually be able to act well?

"As long as this movie is half as funny as the sword dance, I'll give it a good review!"

"I laughed my head off."

"Sorry, he is so serious, but I can't help it."

Originally, this matter would have ended in laughter.

But don't forget, netizens love to "archaeologize."

And those silly netizens are truly Ox; I don't even know where they found the video of Liu Shixiong's "Noble Consort Dances with Sword" from his early years.

In an instant, one person was stunned, two people were stunned, three people were stunned...

At first, everyone thought he was just being purely funny.

But after watching the video, everyone's emotions could be summed up in two words—stunning!

It was absolutely amazing, this sword dance was just too amazing!

Every look and smile was uniquely charming!

Dancing gracefully was perfectly embodied; he seemed truly light, as if he had escaped gravity.

This man, was he playing with contrast all along?

"My beloved consort! My beloved consort!"

"Help me up, I want to ascend the throne again!"

"The joy of being an Emperor, I have experienced it!"

—Traveling far to the human world for a stunning banquet, catching a glimpse of the beauty of a Prosperous Age in the mortal world.

Although it is hard to believe that this is the same person.

However, this is the fact.

Many people also felt the charm of Opera because of this.

Later, some Opera performers also stepped in one after another, sincerely stating: "Noble Consort Dances with Sword, Liu Gongming was the best in the world back then—Peerless!"

Perhaps, in your eyes now, he is an internet celebrity.

However, many years ago, he was a star!

………

………

No one expected that before the movie was released, Liu Gongming would become popular in this way.

This caused the original negative momentum to vanish by more than half in an instant.

All of this was within Luo Mo's expectations.

For this reason, he had made a small layout.

Luo Mo had instructed Liu Shixiong: "If you are going to perform a talent on a variety show, it's best not to do Noble Consort Dances with Sword."

Just this one sentence was enough.

Originally, Liu Shixiong might have been too embarrassed to perform Noble Consort Dances with Sword again after so many years.

The development of the situation was indeed as Luo Mo had expected; he smiled and said in his heart: "Sure enough, he's still this rebellious even at his age!"

The reason he loved playing with Liu Shixiong the most after becoming his apprentice was that he was interesting.

"Now that the movie's popularity is also skyrocketing, why not strike while the iron is hot?" Luo Mo thought to himself.

He had been holding onto the official trailer without releasing it, and he planned to release it directly tonight.

There were some Surprise elements he definitely wanted to keep, and he would not spoil them before the movie was released, such as the luxurious guest star lineup.

However, some relatively minor, non-essential comedic points could be put into the trailer.

Luo Mo did not want to reveal too much about the movie theme of rebirth in entertainment for the time being.

Therefore, this trailer avoided these.

At 7:00 in the evening, the official trailer for Charlotte Troubles was released across the entire internet.

Luo Mo also used his personal Weibo to repost it.

In an instant, it directly triggered a massive online frenzy.

A large number of film industry professionals also poured in, wanting to get to the bottom of it.

Most importantly, through the trailer, one could actually see whether Liu Gongming was qualified to be the male lead.

Comedy is a peculiar thing; it doesn't mean that just because someone has acting skills, they will necessarily be funny.

If the effect of his performance was poor, then they could increase the intensity of the smear campaign, continue to stir up trouble, make the movie's box office collapse even further, and make Luo Mo fall from his pedestal!

If the effect in the trailer looked good, then... save some money on buying hit pieces.

It could be seen that this official trailer was still focusing on the theme of 【Rebirth】.

It showed Xia Luo, played by Liu Gongming, returning to the past—to his school days—from a restroom at the wedding of his goddess, Qiu Ya.

One is your tough wife from the future, the other is your goddess from your student days; how do you choose?

The trailer showcased the entanglement between the three.

The school bell rang, and Qiu Ya, wearing a school uniform, fled the classroom as if running for her life.

Xia Luo got up to chase her, but was stopped by Ma Dongmei.

"What are you doing?" Xia Luo asked.

"You were Singing quite well just now, sing it for me again," Ma Dongmei said.

"Hey! Get lost!" Xia Luo was in a rush to chase Qiu Ya.

"What's wrong with you singing it for me once?" Ma Dongmei was still relentless.

The two began to push and shove, one wanting to block, the other wanting to get out.

"Hey, you!"

"Sing for me!"

"Hey! Stop messing around!"

"Sing it for me once!"

Annoyed, Xia Luo forcefully broke free from Ma Dongmei's hand; everyone thought he was about to lose his temper, but unexpectedly, he subconsciously said:

"Stop messing around, wifey!"

A classic scene in the movie.

After saying it, Xia Luo instantly realized he had said the wrong thing; he was currently in his reborn student days, so he was completely stunned.

And Ma Dongmei, who was in front of him, was even more stunned.

"Who are you calling wifey!" Ma Dongmei shouted loudly.

"Shameless!" she shrieked at the top of her voice.

Then, while going "Ooh-hehehehehe," she ran out of the classroom, dancing and gesturing.

Leaving Xia Luo standing in the classroom, his body hunched, hands swinging inward, feet stomping the ground fiercely, as he shouted:

"What a disaster!"

At the very end of the trailer, a few large characters were flashed—Charlotte Troubles!

(PS: Per the editor's Requirement, continuing the 【Update Forecast】: This chapter was updated on August 9th at 6 o'clock, and the next chapter will be before 8 o'clock on the evening of August 10th.

Also, there is a lucky draw event this month; you can follow it in the book review section. The first prize is an autographed album of Zhou Jielun, "Ai Yo, Not Bad," which I managed to get directly from JVR Music—it's genuine, and I'm parting with it with a heavy heart.

Additionally, there are three autographed photos and 30,000 Qidian coins; all readers who have purchased the full book can participate.)

(End of chapter)