Chapter 5: Set up the stage and prepare for the show

Both Wang Liming and Zong Shuai are very efficient.

In just two days, the cast and crew list was almost complete.

The first person to be confirmed was the producer, whose name was Zhou Chenggong.

I am in my thirties this year. Although I have never been involved in the theme of youth campus drama, I have been with several crews and have rich experience. I have my own assistant and can serve as a production assistant.

Lin Yicheng discussed this project with him in detail. Zhou Chenggong was quite interested in it and was optimistic about it.

Some of the suggestions he made about the crew were worthwhile, so Lin Yicheng quickly decided to make him the producer.

After Zhou Chenggong joined, he, Zong Shuai who took time out to help, and Lin Yicheng were responsible for interviewing the cast and crew.

On the first day, we interviewed behind-the-scenes staff and selected candidates including lighting technicians, costume designers, prop masters, coordinators, and life producers from the list provided by Zong Shuai.

None of them are famous, but they all have some skills, and their prices are low.

Given Lin Yicheng's current situation, this is the best choice he can recruit.

"I have contacted Huang Shengyi's agent, and they said they would consider it, but they are not sure about it, so you need to have a backup plan."

When there were only three people left, Zong Shuai spoke.

"Okay, we'll audition as usual tomorrow. Brother Zong, you can come back and confirm whether you want the role or not. Let them give you a definite answer."

"Also, Brother Zhou, you should work hard these few days to check out the venues and contact various schools in Beijing. We will start filming during the summer vacation, which will not have any impact on the schools. Moreover, after the show is broadcast, it can also bring them some fame."

"As for sponsorship, mobile phones, bicycles, and beverages are the biggest items, and there are also school bags, pencil cases, etc. Let's see if we can get the manufacturers to customize a batch."

"You two should calculate based on your own situations. I will give you 10 points for the sponsorship you have brought in. It will not be in vain for the two of you to work hard."

If you want the horse to run, you have to let it eat grass first. Lin Yicheng has never been a stingy person. He always believes that profit is the best motivation.

After listening to Lin Yicheng's arrangements, Zong Shuai was okay. He had known him for a long time and understood him better.

Zhou Chenggong, however, was impressed by Lin Yicheng. Although he was young, he was able to organize everything and had a good grasp of worldly affairs. He was not one of those young men who acted like they were second to everyone else as soon as they became famous.

Zhou Chenggong's mentality became more serious, and he recognized Lin Yicheng even more. Otherwise, how could he have made such a big name at such a young age? He was indeed outstanding.

"No problem. Your name is here, and our project is also a well-known work. We can negotiate almost all these sponsorships. If we can really attract Huang Shengyi, I can raise the price further."

Zhou Chenggong is full of confidence in this sponsorship negotiation. It is just a matter of how much money is involved.

……

After bidding farewell to Zong Shuai and Zhou Chenggong, Lin Yicheng continued with his work.

There are not many characters in the drama "Hello, Old Times", and only a few of them have important roles.

The male lead, Lin Yang, will play by himself. The female lead, Yu Zhouzhou, is to be determined, and Huang Shengyi is preferred.

The second female lead is Mi Qiao, the second male lead is Ben Ben, the third female lead is Xin Rui, and the third male lead is Chen An.

Students from Beijing Film Academy can basically get these roles, and if all else fails, they can still find them from the Central Academy of Drama next door.

The role of the dean of studies is a highlight, and we need to find an actor who is both capable and pleasing to the eye to support the overall acting skills. This requires careful consideration.

Lin Yicheng did the math and found that the expenses for the behind-the-scenes staff, including Zhou Chenggong, were about 30.

As for the actors, excluding Huang Shengyi, 20 is about enough for everyone else.

After all, most of them are students and newcomers, and the outstanding thing is that they are cheap. Lin Yicheng scheduled the filming time for two months. The daily labor expenses, accommodation, food, travel, water and electricity, and the rental of several indoor and outdoor locations are estimated to be around 50.

That's one million, not to mention the initial purchase of equipment, rental of equipment, and making of props; and the later stage of renting an editing room, editing, dubbing, color grading, etc., as well as recording the opening, ending, and interludes, all cost money.

Lin Yicheng wrote 50 and put a question mark at the end.

Although he didn't know whether Huang Shengyi could come, and what price she would ask if she came, Lin Yicheng knew that her salary alone was enough to match the pay of all the other actors.

After all, she is a "Star Girl", not an unknown person.

Moreover, given the nature of Xinghui Company, there is a high possibility that they will ask for too much.

In this drama, Lin Yicheng himself served in three positions: director, screenwriter, and male lead.

There is no pay for any of them.

Firstly, the tax returns for personal and corporate income are different. Secondly, this drama is solely funded by Lin Yicheng, so it is just a transfer from one hand to the other, and there is no need to make it so complicated on the books.

Rubbing his forehead, Lin Yicheng couldn't help but sigh, this era is still good, actors are not expensive, in another ten years or so, the money in his pocket will not be enough to make what Sister Shuangzi earns in a few days.

Now, it depends on Zong Shuai and Zhou Chenggong.

How can it be more comfortable to spend sponsors’ money than to spend your own money?

Moreover, after this success, you don’t have to be too proactive in attracting sponsorship for subsequent projects.

After finishing my work and just about to leave the company, my cell phone rang.

It is Lin Yicheng’s father, Lin Xueliang.

"Hey, Dad. Don't worry about me... Brother Zong has also helped a lot..."

"We have only confirmed the behind-the-scenes personnel now, and the roles have not yet been determined."

"...It depends on who the actors are... We can estimate the price after the finished product is out..."

"Your station, Dad, I'm not being mean, but given your situation, I'm afraid you can't afford my drama... Second round, let's talk about it later... I'm your son, how can I deceive you?"

"I definitely won't have time to go back during the summer vacation, let's go back during the Chinese New Year...Okay, okay, don't let my mom call anymore...Okay, hanging up."

Lin Yicheng is the only son in the family. No matter how successful he is outside, he will always be the apple of his parents' eyes. Their son is alone in Beijing, so they can't help but worry and care about him.

Lin's mother, Zhao Yuxia, is a shareholder of a publishing house in Shaanxi Province. All of Lin Yicheng's works in China are published by this publishing house.

It can be considered as keeping the money within the family. If it weren't for this, how could Lin Yicheng easily publish his debut work? And get relatively generous and relaxed conditions? Do you really think those publishing companies are just eating grass?
Lin's father, Lin Xueliang, is a director of Shaanxi Provincial TV Station, mainly responsible for the two channels of life and film. It is said that he is expected to move up in the next two years.

Therefore, I was very concerned about my son’s first TV series and wanted to see if I could help.

After all, there are too many examples these days of TV series failing to sell and gathering dust in warehouses.

Although he has confidence in his son, as a father he always prepares for the worst and provides his son with some protection.

After so many years, Lin Yicheng has already truly recognized the two elders.

I left the company, got in the car and drove to school.

I haven't shown up at school these few days. Although I have asked for leave, I still have to explain to my tutor.

The next step is to report on the project progress. Ask for instructions and report more often, and you will generally be right.

(End of this chapter)