blueteamnovel Chapter 6 Give me the shed first.
Chapter 6 Give me the shed first.
When Shen Yan returned to Xinghe Video, it was already completely dark.
Half of the lights on the entertainment department floor were still on.
Some people were editing videos, some were revising plans, and others were eating boxed lunches at their workstations. Through the glass door, the sounds of arguing could be heard coming from the meeting room.
There's never a shortage of shows here.
What's lacking are shows that can survive.
As soon as Shen Yan swiped his card to enter, Tang Wan looked up from beside her workstation and gave him a wink.
"President Zhou is waiting for you in his office."
"How do you look?"
Tang Wan thought for a moment.
"It's like seeing your own child secretly mortgage the house."
Shen Yan smiled.
"That's alright, at least the house is still there."
Tang Wan lowered her voice.
"You really went to see Yang Mi Xue?"
"I met Liu An."
"and then?"
"They are willing to watch the internal test recordings."
Tang Wan gasped.
Do you know what this means?
Shen Yan glanced at her.
Tang Wan said, "That means President Zhou might not be able to sleep tonight."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the door to Zhou Qiming's office was opened from the inside.
Zhou Qiming stood at the door, his face even uglier than the data sheets from the afternoon video conference.
"Shen Yan".
"Come in."
Once the office door was closed, the sounds from outside were immediately shut out.
Zhou Qiming did not sit down.
He stood behind his desk, holding several printed copies of chat logs.
Bai Lulu's team's response.
Inquiry about Shen Teng's studio's availability.
Yang Mi Xue's studio received the sample requests through Liu An.
Every single one is genuine.
It was precisely because it was true that Zhou Qiming had an even bigger headache.
He slammed the paper on the table.
"I'll have you conduct low-cost interviews."
"I'm not asking you to go out and cause trouble for half of the entertainment industry."
Shen Yan stood in front of the table.
"Mr. Zhou, I didn't try to scam you."
"Bai Lulu is willing to audition, Shen Teng is willing to participate in the internal audition, and Yang Mixue only said that she is willing to see the sample footage."
"So you know you only want to see sample footage?"
Zhou Qiming stared at him.
"Shen Teng's studio just called me to ask if we've set a date for the audition. As the manager, I only found out about our department's audition plan from the artist's studio."
He laughed angrily.
"Shen Yan, you're quite the expert at acting first and informing later."
"I couldn't get them to sign a commitment before the project was officially approved."
Shen Yan said.
"But without any artists interested, it's impossible for this project to secure resources."
"So you're just going to go and talk to them directly?"
"Yes."
Zhou Qiming was speechless at his "yes".
He stared at Shen Yan for several seconds.
If it had been yesterday, he would have made Shen Yan go out and write a self-criticism long ago.
But things are different now.
Bai Lulu is one thing.
Shen Teng is not someone who can be easily persuaded by a low-level planner.
Not to mention that Yang Mixue's studio was willing to see the sample videos.
Even just looking at the sample footage, this is already beyond the reach of ordinary low-cost test videos.
Zhou Qiming sat back in his chair and pressed his temples.
"Do you realize that if this thing fails, it's the people at Xinghe Video who will be the ones who lose face?"
"Know."
"Bai Lulu's work was poorly edited, and her team contacted us."
"Shen Teng came and found it wasn't fun, so he won't be cooperating with us anymore."
"If Yang Mi Xue thinks we're using her to create hype, Liu An can shut the door on us with just one word."
"I've considered all of these."
"Have you considered it?"
Zhou Qiming looked up.
"Then tell me, what do you have right now?"
"A low-cost studio variety show that hasn't even been officially approved yet, a studio that hasn't been approved, and a pilot recording plan that doesn't even have an editor."
The office fell silent for a moment.
Zhou Qiming is right.
Shen Yan has very few things in his possession right now.
It's so small that anyone else would find it absurd.
But Shen Yan, having worked on television programs for so many years in his previous life, was most familiar with this very stage.
Before any hit product is released, it's just a few pages of plans, a few test recordings, a group of hesitant people, and a budget that could be cut at any time.
Before a project is completed, no one will treat it with respect.
Shen Yan turned on the computer and placed it in front of Zhou Qiming.
"So I'm not applying for formal recording now."
"So what do you want to do?"
"Internal test recording."
On the screen was the test recording plan he had prepared on his way back to the company.
There's no pretty cover.
The first page contains the test recording targets.
[Internal Filming Plan for "Celebrity Detective"]
[Objective: To verify whether the rules can motivate guests to actively express themselves, and to produce a three-minute sample clip.]
Zhou Qiming looked at the line of text and his brows twitched.
Shen Yan said:
"This trial recording will not be distributed externally, uploaded to any platform, promoted, or advertised. It will only verify three things."
"First, will celebrities speak up after entering the identity system?"
"Second, can the act of gathering evidence and raising suspicion create natural conflict?"
"Third, can Bai Lulu and Shen Teng cut out effective highlights?"
Zhou Qiming didn't reply and continued reading.
List of audition guests:
Bai Lulu.
Shen Teng.
Lin Jiahe.
One actor employed by the platform.
A non-professional assistant will be hired to fill the vacancy.
Zhou Qiming looked up when he saw Lin Jiahe's name.
"You want to use her?"
Lin Jiahe is a new host from Xinghe.
Business is alright, but there's not much brand recognition. Usually, they do voiceovers and interludes in small programs.
"She's cheap, obedient, and needs an opportunity."
Shen Yan said.
"Furthermore, the first episode needs the perspective of a newcomer who isn't very familiar with the game. As viewers are just getting into this mode, someone also needs to ask questions on their behalf."
Zhou Qiming glanced at him.
"You're even including new hosts?"
"During the trial period, everyone needs to be useful."
Zhou Qiming continued reading.
The trial recording process was broken down into very detailed steps.
Three minutes after entering.
The guest thought they were recording an interview, but the host disappeared, and the rules were announced over the loudspeaker.
Five minutes to read the ID card.
Each person receives their own secrets and suspicions.
The first round of evidence collection lasted fifteen minutes.
Three areas are open to the public: the producer's office, the dressing room, and the archive room.
We will have a focused discussion for twenty minutes.
They questioned each other and presented the first batch of clues.
The first vote lasted five minutes.
Create pressure points to form the final sample image.
As Zhou Qiming watched, the anger on his face subsided a little.
What he feared most was that Shen Yan might act impulsively and drag a few celebrities into an out-of-control board game.
But this proposal is not.
At least the process is clear.
He flipped through the pages and saw the sample image.
[Bai Lulu, with a highlight: smiling as she elicits the timeline.]
[Shen Teng's brilliant move: Using jokes to force the guests to explain.]
[Highlight of the program format: Celebrities no longer chat, but interrogate each other.]
Zhou Qiming's finger stopped on this page.
"Who are you planning to show this three-minute sample video to?"
"This is the first version for you and the production team."
Shen Yan said.
"If it works out, the second draft will be submitted to Liu An. Yang Mi Xue Studio will only look at the final cut, not the ideas."
"What about attracting investment?"
"Don't give it to the investment promotion department yet."
Zhou Qiming was surprised.
Why?
"If we offer it now, they'll only ask about the guest lineup and platform resources."
Shen Yan said.
"Once we've edited out the highlights of Bai Lulu and Shen Teng, then we can let the sales department assess the brand exposure. Otherwise, what they'll see is just a new format with no broadcasting experience, where the risks outweigh the benefits."
Zhou Qiming leaned back in his chair, staring at him.
This doesn't sound like something the original would say.
In the past, Shen Yan would only talk about what the program wanted to express, what it wanted to convey, and what it wanted the audience to feel.
It sounds good.
air.
The current Shen Yan doesn't use those words.
He was talking about test recordings, sample videos, guest functions, risk isolation, and the next delivery recipients.
It's cold, and it's also very practical.
Zhou Qiming's phone vibrated.
He glanced at it, then put it down.
"Lu Jingran is outside."
"Let him in."
Shen Yan knew that Zhou Qiming hadn't just randomly invited Lu Jingran in.
Lu Jingran's "Sisters' Afternoon Tea" has just passed the test, and he represents the safest approach currently recognized by the platform.
If Shen Yan can't even get past Lu Jingran's skepticism, Zhou Qiming won't provide him with resources.
The office door opened.
Lu Jingran came in with a proposal and saw Shen Yan there as well, his expression showing just the right amount of surprise.
"Shen Yan is here too?"
Zhou Qiming turned the computer around.
"Take a look."
Lu Jingran took the computer and quickly scanned a few pages.
He looked at it very carefully.
There was no immediate mockery, nor any sarcastic remarks.
After watching it, he put the computer back on the table.
"It's a topic that generates discussion."
Zhou Qiming asked, "And then?"
Lu Jingran looked at Shen Yan.
"But the risks are also obvious."
Shen Yan was not surprised.
"you say."
Lu Jingran held up one finger.
"First, the rules and regulations. The biggest fear for low-cost studio variety shows is that viewers won't understand the content within three minutes. Your show has identity cards, evidence collection, voting, and a timeline. If the beginning isn't handled well, the completion rate will be very risky."
He spoke very objectively.
Zhou Qiming also looked at Shen Yan.
Shen Yan replied:
"Therefore, we cannot handle complex cases in the first phase."
"At first glance, viewers only need to understand three things."
"Who disappeared? Who is a suspect? Who is lying?"
"Save all the advanced reasoning for later; let's see the celebrities' reactions in the first episode."
Lu Jingran nodded and said:
"Second, there's the risk to fans. Bai Lulu's fans are worried that she'll be edited to look silly, Yang Mixue's fans are worried that she'll be edited to look scheming, Shen Teng's fans are okay, but if he covers everything throughout, the show will become Shen Teng leading newcomers through games."
Shen Yan said:
"Therefore, Shen Teng cannot be the only source of laughter in the test recording."
"He's in charge of stirring things up, but the key counterattacks must be given to Bai Lulu."
"Bai Lulu is not a newcomer who needs to be taken care of; she has to prove that she can move things forward."
Lu Jingran glanced at him.
The answer was quick.
It happened so fast, as if it had been planned long ago.
"third."
Lu Jingran paused.
"When celebrities suspect each other, it's easy for the footage to be edited into a public feud. Short videos may have a strong reach, but the platform's long-term reputation may not be stable."
Shen Yan smiled.
"Tearing it up is not a problem."
Lu Jingran looked up.
Shen Yan continued:
The problem is whether there's anything for them to tear apart.
There was a half-second of silence in the office.
Zhou Qiming's brow twitched.
Shen Yan said:
"The drama in regular variety shows is about fans arguing about who steals the spotlight, who is rude, and who has a higher status."
"We need to let them argue about the clues."
"Was Bai Lulu deliberately diverting attention?"
Was Shen Teng's remark a joke or a warning?
"Is Yang Mi Xue's strong presence due to her assertive personality, or because she obtained crucial clues?"
"As long as the controversy lies in the content of the program, it will in turn drive up the level of discussion."
Lu Jingran did not speak immediately.
He looked at Shen Yan, his gaze more serious than when he had just entered.
He can't be wrong about this logic.
It's even quite beautiful.
He originally thought that Shen Yan had just gotten lucky and talked to a few celebrities.
Now it seems that's not entirely true.
Zhou Qiming took the computer back.
"Jingran, do you think this thing is worth trying?"
Lu Jingran remained silent for a while.
"If it's just an internal test recording, we can try it."
He added a sentence.
"But I recommend strict cost control."
Zhou Qiming looked at Shen Yan.
"Did you hear that?"
"I heard you."
"The shed is yours."
Zhou Qiming finally admitted it.
"But only for one day."
Shen Yan nodded.
"enough."
"We'll give you four cameras, no more."
"Can."
"You'll have to coordinate the lighting and set design with the producer yourself. Don't even think about making major changes to the studio."
Shen Yan said, "It won't do if we don't make some major changes."
Zhou Qiming's face darkened again.
"You're still being picky?"
"Crime scenes cannot be filmed in the interview studio."
Shen Yan said.
"The sofa, coffee table, and warm-colored background wall all need to be torn down."
Lu Jingran smiled to himself.
Zhou Qiming glared at Shen Yan for a few seconds.
Do you know how much it costs to dismantle a shed?
"We can use the old shantytown renovation project from the 'Tonight We Talk' program."
Shen Yan brought up the set design.
"The main set is the producer's office. The long table can be converted from an old interview table, the background wall can be covered with documents and photos, the sofa area can be turned into a lounge, and the makeup mirror can be borrowed from the inventory of the lifestyle program next door. The only things that really cost money are props and lighting."
Zhou Qiming looked at the set design.
"You've even thought this through?"
"I had it all planned out before I came."
Zhou Qiming laughed in anger.
"You've been planning to tear down my shed all along."
"There's no point in continuing to film 'Tonight We Talk' in that studio."
The office fell silent for a moment after those words were spoken.
Lu Jingran coughed lightly, as if trying to suppress a laugh.
Zhou Qiming grabbed the documents at hand and wanted to smash them.
In the end, I held back.
"We'll provide you with an editor for post-production."
"I want Lao Chen."
"No, Lao Chen is editing the second episode of 'Sisters' Afternoon Tea'."
Lu Jingran looked up.
"Mr. Zhou, we can borrow Old Chen for half a day. The rough cut for Afternoon Tea Phase Two is already done."
Zhou Qiming glanced at him.
Lu Jingran smiled.
"It's just an internal test recording; if it's not edited well, it'll be a waste of footage."
Shen Yan also glanced at Lu Jingran.
This person may not be a friend.
But he is indeed clever.
He knew that if "Celebrity Detective" was just a plan on paper, it posed no threat to him.
However, if the trial recording is successful, the earlier we participate in the judgment, the clearer we can see how much Shen Yan really has.
Zhou Qiming thought for a moment.
"Old Chen will give you half a day."
Shen Yan said:
"one day."
"Shen Yan".
"The sample footage not only needs to be viewable, but also needs to be delivered to Yang Mixue's team."
Zhou Qiming closed his eyes.
After a few seconds, he said:
"one day."
"Thank you, Mr. Zhou."
"Don't thank me yet."
Zhou Qiming pointed at him.
"Test recording materials must not be leaked, must not be posted on marketing accounts in private, and must not be used to promote information in the name of the artist."
"clear."
"If the test recording doesn't produce anything, you don't need to wait three days; go to HR yourself."
"Can."
"besides."
Zhou Qiming leaned forward.
"You'd better remember that you're not working on a formal project right now."
"You're fighting for your own vote to stay at the poker table."
Shen Yan nodded.
"I know."
Zhou Qiming stared at him for a few seconds, then waved his hand.
"go out."
As Shen Yan packed up his computer and walked to the door, Zhou Qiming called him back.
"Shen Yan".
"Um?"
"I'll have the producer send out formal audition invitations to Bai Lulu and Shen Teng."
"But what about Yang Mi Xue?"
Zhou Qiming paused.
"Don't say another word before the sample photos are released."
"clear."
After Shen Yan left the office, Lu Jingran followed him out.
There weren't many people in the corridor.
Lu Jingran stopped next to the vending machine, bought two cans of coffee, and tossed one to Shen Yan.
"Congratulations."
Shen Yan caught it.
"What's the congratulations for?"
"At least we got the shed."
Shen Yan pulled the ring.
"Only one day."
"A day is already quite a lot."
Lu Jingran leaned against the vending machine.
"President Zhou may seem fierce, but he's actually most afraid of his subordinates causing trouble that he can't control. The fact that you were able to get him to back down today shows that Bai Lulu and Shen Teng are influential enough."
He smiled as he said this.
"However, Shen Yan, I still think your thing is very difficult."
"Where is it difficult?"
"Your reaction is too real."
Lu Jingran said.
"But celebrities are most afraid of being real."
That's a very insightful statement.
Shen Yan took a sip of coffee.
"So we need to give them a real reason."
Lu Jingran looked at him.
"case?"
"rule."
Shen Yan said.
"Without rules, authenticity is out of control. With rules, authenticity becomes the key to a good show."
Lu Jingran was silent for two seconds, then nodded.
"That sounds plausible."
Shen Yan smiled.
"You didn't actually come to congratulate me, did you?"
Lu Jingran also smiled.
"I've come to see what you're up to."
"Do you understand now?"
"not yet."
Lu Jingran shook the coffee in his hand.
"So I'll go watch the auditions."
Shen Yan did not refuse.
"welcome."
Nine o'clock in the evening.
The interview studio that originally belonged to "Let's Talk Tonight" has been lit up again.
When the studio door was pushed open, the setup of the previous program was still preserved inside.
Light-colored sofa.
Round coffee table.
Warm-colored background wall.
There was also a slogan posted on the wall.
Hear the true voice
Old Zhao, the head of the stage design team, stood at the door with a cigarette between his fingers, but he didn't light it.
"Director Shen."
He looked at the shed in front of him.
"General Manager Zhou said you need to renovate the shed."
Shen Yan handed him the set design.
Old Zhao glanced down and immediately frowned.
"This isn't a renovation."
"You're dismantling the shed."
"almost."
Old Zhao looked up.
"We're having a test recording tomorrow, and you're telling me to tear it down now?"
"Dismantle tonight, set up tomorrow morning, run the lights this afternoon, and do a test recording tonight."
Old Zhao stared at him as if he were a madman.
"Don't you planners ever sleep?"
Shen Yan looked at the row of soft sofas in the shed.
This place is indeed suitable for interviews.
It's a good time for guests to sit down and tell some stories they've prepared beforehand.
Suitable for the host to nod, suitable for soft lighting, suitable for soft music.
But it's not suitable for "Celebrity Detective".
He went in, stood under the phrase "Hear the true voice," and looked at it for a few seconds.
Then he turned to Old Zhao and said:
"Move the sofa away."
"Remove the coffee table."
"The feature wall has been removed."
Old Zhao opened his mouth.
Shen Yan spread the set design for "The Vanished Producer" on the table.
"This area will be converted into a long table."
"The dressing room is on the left."
"Make a filing cabinet on the right."
"The walls are covered with photos of the deceased, fragments of contracts, and call logs."
"There should be a patch of fake blood on the ground, but not too exaggerated. It should look like an accident, not like a horror movie."
As Old Zhao listened, his expression gradually changed.
Having worked in stage design for so many years, he's seen his fair share of strange shows.
But turning an interview studio into a crime scene is truly a first.
"What's the name of your show?"
"Celebrity Detective"
"A celebrity solving a case?"
"almost."
Old Zhao looked at the set design, then at Shen Yan.
"This is more interesting than letting them sit and cry."
Shen Yan smiled.
"So Brother Zhao will have to work hard."
Old Zhao tucked the cigarette behind his ear and shouted to the workers behind him:
"Get to work."
The workers were stunned for a moment.
"Are you really going to demolish it?"
Old Zhao looked at the warm-colored background wall and waved.
"dismantle."
The studio lights flickered when the first screwdriver was screwed into the background wall.
The phrase "Hear the true voice" was torn off the wall by the workers, rolled into a ball, and thrown into a corner.
Shen Yan stood at the monitor, looking at the empty shed.
My phone vibrated.
Bai Lulu sent a message.
Has the audition date been set?
Shen Yan replied:
[Tomorrow night.]
Bai Lulu replied quickly:
[Teng Ge said he'd bring a thermos.]
Shen Yan smiled.
Another message popped up.
It's Shen Teng's assistant.
[Teng Ge has confirmed he can arrive tomorrow night.]
Looking at the two confirmed messages, Shen Yan finally felt relieved.
This is no longer a solution.
People will come.
The shed will be erected.
The camera will turn on.
As for whether these rules will actually work, we'll find out tomorrow night.
By 1 a.m., the interview booth had been almost completely dismantled.
The sofa was moved away, the coffee table was piled up in the hallway, and the black support behind the background wall was exposed.
Old Zhao and his men pushed a long table to the center.
The lights weren't adjusted yet, so half the studio was dark and the other half was bright.
As Shen Yan stood at the doorway, a picture suddenly appeared in his mind when he saw the long table placed in the center.
Bai Lulu sat on the left, smiling as she flipped through her ID card.
Shen Teng held his thermos cup, saying he didn't want to use his brain.
Lin Jiahe stared nervously at the clues.
The lights came down, and the announcement began.
Welcome to "Celebrity Detective".
He glanced down at the flowchart in his hand.
The top of the first page reads:
[The goal of the trial recording is to make the guest forget that they are being interviewed.]
Shen Yan folded the paper and put it in his pocket.
There will be no interviews here tomorrow.
To set up a crime scene.