novelraw Chapter 16: The Detective X Project Launched
Chapter 16: The Detective X Project Launched
If the copyright belongs to Earth Studios, Tencent can acquire the copyright for "Detective X" by acquiring Earth Studios, without being affected by the copyright buyback clause.
However, the copyright was under Lin Yi's personal name, which directly dashed their hopes of buying out the copyright of "Detective X".
At most, they can secure exclusive agency rights and priority renewal rights, and the two parties can cooperate to develop the product.
In fact, even if it were an exclusive agency, Lin Yi wouldn't give it to Tencent.
Penguin has a powerful distribution channel, but its strategic resolve is highly questionable, often exhibiting short-sightedness and a desire for quick success.
This is also one of the important reasons why Tencent, despite possessing a massive amount of online literature IPs, has lagged behind its competitors in the cultural and entertainment reforms in China.
You can cooperate with penguins, but you shouldn't trust or rely on them too much.
...
After Lin Yi returned to Yangcheng University Town, Earth Studio hired two more screenwriting assistants.
Once filming begins for "Detective X" and "Detective Challenge", Earth Studio will select two people from the original five "tool people" to work with the two newly recruited script assistants on set.
In addition, Lin Yi interviewed four directors recommended by Tencent Video.
After a fair, open and impartial written test and interview, Zhuoyue was selected to direct "Detective X" and the twin "Detective Challenge".
(The former is a short drama series, the latter is a variety show)
Before the army moves, logistics must come first.
Before the actors were in place, the scouting and construction of the filming location, as well as the preparation of key props, had already begun in full swing.
Meanwhile, promotional resources from various channels were scheduled in advance.
The production cost of each episode of "Detective X" is set at A-level, which is a result of the subject matter restrictions.
The promotional resources stipulated in the contract are S-level.
Episodic series like "Detective X," which have almost no special effects, naturally have lower production costs.
Unless you throw money at hiring a bunch of big-name stars, or create a six-minute fantasy martial arts sequence (like the Love Apartment showdown at the Forbidden City), it's unlikely to work.
Within the behemoth that is Tencent Video, it is difficult to keep any news or activity completely secret.
The news that Director Zhuo had strongly promoted the establishment of the "Detective X" project and confirmed Zhuo Yue as the director quickly reached the ears of Director Li, another powerful figure at Tencent Video.
An office in Nanta, Penguin Video.
After listening to his subordinate's report, Director Li picked up his teacup, took a sip, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"No wonder that kid Zhuoyue suddenly withdrew from the competition for 'Battle Through the Heavens'." He put down his teacup and said to his subordinate sitting opposite him.
"Give me the information on the project that our CEO Zhuo is pushing so hard for. I want to see what kind of script made him give up on 'Battle Through the Heavens'."
"Battle Through the Heavens" is an S+ series currently being prepared by Tencent Video, adapted from a classic literary IP under Tencent's online literature department.
The director who secured the rights to direct "Battle Through the Heavens" is Director Liang, a close associate of Director Li.
This news significantly expanded Director Li's influence within Tencent Video.
However, if the show flops, or its ratings fall short of other shows airing on the same platform, the situation will reverse.
A moment later, the subordinate printed out the script for "Detective X" and placed it on Director Li's desk.
Once the project is approved, the script becomes a core confidential asset, inaccessible to ordinary personnel.
But Director Li is not an ordinary person.
Upon receiving the printed script, Director Li felt it was somewhat flimsy.
Upon opening it, I found there were only 12 episodes.
He glanced through it.
An episodic drama series with a detective theme.
This type of film, if shot well, becomes a niche gem; if shot poorly, it goes unnoticed.
"Our CEO Zhuo is probably going to get his eyes pecked out by the goose he's been hunting all day," Director Li said with a hint of schadenfreude.
Zhuo Yuanhang's demotion to director of Tencent Video is tantamount to blocking his promotion path, and he can't wait for Zhuo Yuanhang to suffer.
Director Li tapped his fingers on the table and instructed his subordinates to seal up the script for "Detective X".
Director Li has access to the script of "Detective X," but this action will leave traces.
If the script isn't properly sealed, he could be held accountable and blamed if it gets leaked.
...
The casting process for "Detective X" and "Detective Challenge" has begun.
According to business practices, priority is given to selecting from the Penguin family.
The core role of the variety show "Detective Challenge" is just one host.
Typically, low-budget variety shows like "Detective Challenge" can't afford big-name hosts, but...
The final choice was a host from Tencent Video.
Their professional skills may not be top-notch, but their popularity is no less than that of top-tier celebrities.
The host is a top-tier celebrity.
This also shows Director Zhuo's support for Lin Yi.
The NPCs in each episode are played by the actors involved in the case, and the guest stars are mostly ordinary people (potential internet celebrities) or internet celebrities from the Penguin series.
These types of people ask for low prices and are highly controllable.
If "Detective X" or "Detective Challenge" becomes a hit, the guest stars may be replaced by Tencent artists.
Of course, it's a low-priced appearance.
There are three core characters in Detective X.
The main character is X, the female lead is Xiaolan, and the key character is the uncle.
The female lead, Xiaolan, is beautiful and valiant, excelling in both literature and martial arts.
The character is positioned as a "handsome middle-aged man," with a touch of humor and even a hint of irreverence to lighten the mood of the show.
Yes, when Lin Yi decided on the main characters, he copied it from "Detective Conan," only making changes to the main character X.
After all, this is a live-action drama, and if a child is cast in it, the audience's sense of immersion will be much weaker.
Moreover, scheduling is difficult, as the kid also has to attend classes.
Lin Yi only had three requirements for the protagonist X: tall, thin, and handsome.
Only by meeting these three requirements can one master X's unique attire and posture.
Suihan will secretly reveal to you that the character X, Lin Yi, was actually copied from L in "Death Note".
The casting directors from the Zhuoyue directing team were mainly responsible for the non-core roles, while Lin Yi and Zhuoyue mainly interviewed the three core roles.
Thanks to the reforms in Xia Kingdom's cultural and entertainment industry, the artists in Xia Kingdom's entertainment industry now generally have good acting skills, and the men and women in the entertainment industry are generally handsome and beautiful.
The roles of the female lead, Xiaolan, and the older man were quickly confirmed.
They are all high-quality artists who meet the requirements and don't ask for high prices.
It's still a penguin-themed design.
This is a business rule, and also Tencent Video's way of binding Lin Yi to its platform.
To prevent Lin Yi from kicking aside Tencent Video and collaborating with other platforms after becoming popular in the first season of "Detective X".
Lin Yi didn't care about this at all, but he took the opportunity to demand more publicity resources.
Tencent Video has its clever strategies, and Lin Yi also has his ways of overcoming obstacles.
Faced with Tencent Video's attempt to cram people into "Detective X" and bind the "Detective X" IP to Tencent Video's platform, Lin Yi has a radical counterattack.
I'll leave you in suspense for now; readers who guess correctly can leave a comment below.
Other characters were easy to identify, but protagonist X was not so easy.
Being handsome is easy, but in the entertainment industry, there aren't many male actors who are both tall and thin.