novelraw Chapter 47 Theme Song for the High-Priced Solicitation
Chapter 47 Theme Song for the High-Priced Solicitation
If the song isn't right, the movie loses its soul.
Director Fang thought for a while, then picked up his phone and called producer Chen Jianguo.
"Old Chen, I need to request a budget of five million."
On the other end of the phone, Producer Chen nearly choked on his water: "How much? Director Fang, our post-production and marketing budgets are almost empty. What are you going to do?"
"The theme song." Director Fang's tone was very steady.
"I plan to use this money to publicly solicit theme songs from all music companies and musicians."
Time is tight, we have to do it this way.
"Five million? Are you alright?" Producer Chen's voice rose eight octaves.
"In the current market, unless you hire the most popular celebrities or top stars, the total cost for a full package is at most two million."
"I know." Director Fang looked out the window, his tone flat.
"But what I want isn't a product that can be bought at market price. What I want is a song that matches this story, a song that touches people's hearts."
At the regular price, you can only buy regular works.
This money isn't for expenses; it's an investment, an investment in the soul of our film.
After hanging up the phone, the office fell silent.
Director Fang knew this decision was quite risky.
Spend five million to find a song that doesn't even know where it is.
If he doesn't find a suitable song in the end, or if the song isn't good, he will definitely become a laughing stock in the industry.
But he knew even better that this risk had to be taken.
Just like in 1993, those Xia Guo police officers who, knowing the dangers ahead, still resolutely went to Moscow.
He's now using those five million to gamble on a song that can rekindle the heartbeat of that period of history.
……
Suzhou, at the semi-finals of "The Voice of Heaven", special guest seats.
The seats here are much more spacious than the crowded stands behind, the chairs are comfortable, and they face the center of the stage with an unobstructed view.
Lin Yi is sitting here.
There were a few other people nearby who were quite interested in Lin Yi, but Lin Yi wasn't interested in them.
Before the show officially started recording, Lin Yi simply took out his phone and casually browsed the news.
Discussions and topics related to "Moscow Mission" kept popping up, and his finger paused as he scrolled the screen.
Thinking about how the Orient Express murder case inexplicably made it back to the trending topics a few days ago, Lin Yi had some guesses in his mind.
He clicked on several related topics, quickly browsed the comments that were clearly manipulated, and confirmed his guess.
The other party is using the popularity of "Detective X" to promote their own movie.
Lin Yi pondered, weighing the pros and cons.
The other party did not try to force their way in.
Instead, it is the real background cited in the popular science version of "Murder on the Orient Express" (Blue Star Edition).
The Sino-Russian train robbery of 1993.
In this way, the public's enthusiasm for the final choice made by Detective X in the drama was redirected to the movie.
This technique is quite sophisticated.
While riding on the popularity of "Detective X", it also deepened the sense of depth in the story of "Detective X".
This is beneficial for the character development of X and the long-term reputation of the entire IP.
Lin Yi decided to wait and see for the time being and not to intervene.
This level of leveraging is commonplace in the industry and is considered standard practice.
There's no need to bother with this as long as you don't smear "Detective X".
Lin Yi continued browsing the discussions when a message notification from QQ chat suddenly popped up at the top of the screen.
The sender was Deng Nan from Songshi Records.
Lin Yi clicked on it casually.
Deng Nan: The film crew of "Moscow Mission" has released some big news: a five million yuan reward for a theme song. Teacher Lin, do you have any ideas?
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. Five million?
Lin Yi: Buyout or licensing fee?
Deng Nan: Licensing fee.
Deng Nan then sent another link with the comment: "These are their official requirements and details for the recruitment. Take a look."
Before Lin Yi could click on the link sent by Deng Nan, another message from Deng Nan popped up:
So, Mr. Lin, do you have any ideas? If we can get it, it would be a great exposure opportunity for both the song and the singer.
Deng Nan's words were very true.
For master musicians, 500 million is certainly tempting, but the huge traffic and potential market that come with it have greater long-term value.
Film and television OSTs have always been a valuable resource for musicians.
Lin Yi: Let me see if I have any inspiration.
Lin Yi clicked on the link and quickly browsed through it.
"Moscow Mission" is adapted from the real "China-Russia train robbery" that occurred in 1993. It tells the story of Chinese police officers overcoming numerous difficulties to carry out cross-border law enforcement in a foreign country.
Lin Yi's gaze fell on one of the lines of specific requirements.
The theme song must profoundly reflect the courage and determination of the police officers handling the case during the cross-border arrest, as well as the despair and resilience of individuals burdened with a mission and facing an uncertain future under that special historical background.
Lone courage...despair...
These words were like a gentle breeze, dispelling a corner of the fog deep in Lin Yi's mind.
A stirring yet tragic melody suddenly resounded in his mind.
"Loving you, I walk alone through dark alleys"
I love you without kneeling
love you confronted with despair
don't cry
... "
"The Lone Warrior" is a phenomenal song performed by superstar Eason Chan, with lyrics by Tang Tian and music by Qian Lei.
This song was originally the Chinese theme song for "League of Legends: Battle of Two Cities," but because of its core theme of ordinary heroes, it has become a battle song that transcends age groups.
He will appear on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala in 2025.
Lin Yi didn't know that he was going to be on the Spring Festival Gala. Before he transmigrated, he was from Guangdong Province, and people from Guangdong Province don't watch the Spring Festival Gala.
Perhaps we can give it a try.
Lin Yi did not reply to Deng Nan immediately, but closed his eyes slightly.
Amidst the growing noise of the recording studio, that melody from Earth resonated even more clearly in his heart.
……
The lights gradually dimmed, signaling the start of the show, and the noise from the audience subsided.
Lin Yi, however, did not immediately turn his attention to the stage.
He had watched Yu Nuannuan and Liao Yuzhu's rehearsal; they were the final performers and wouldn't be appearing on stage so soon.
Lin Yi's eyes were still slightly closed, his fingers tapping out a rhythm unconsciously.
In my mind, the melody fragments of "The Lone Warrior" became clearer and more coherent, and the lyrics gradually emerged from the depths of my memory.
Without further hesitation, he took out a notebook and a pen from his briefcase.
This has always been Lin Yi's habit: to be ready to capture fleeting inspiration at any time.
The stage lights came on, the first contestant took the stage, and the music began.
Lin Yi also opened his notebook and began to write quickly on the blank pages.
Lin Yi's untimely and frantic writing seemed somewhat out of place among the guests who were sitting upright and looking at the stage.
A seasoned music critic sitting next to Lin Yi was originally sitting upright and enjoying the performance, but his body was swaying to the rhythm of the song.
He caught a glimpse of Lin Yi's profile as he hurriedly wrote with his head down, and couldn't help but click his tongue in disapproval.
On Lin Yi's other side, a media representative known for his sharp commentary also noticed Lin Yi. He curled his lip and muttered to himself.
What a pretentious act.