Chapter 68: Trailer p1
Mi Hongdou wasn’t a newcomer just a few months into the industry. She understood Qiao Rubai’s implication: clarify immediately and lose the hype, or continue riding the wave of controversy.
In her previous life, Mi Hongdou had been signed with Mengguan, then Qiong Yu. Both companies were known for protecting their artists. Any negative press, they would fight back. So, this time, Mi Hongdou wasn’t too worried. If the sky fell, the higher-ups would hold it up. However, Qiao Rubai explicitly giving her a choice was unexpected.
She knew she could become famous through hard work and talent, she had proven it in her previous life. This time, with the opportunity to be in “Imperial Secrets,” she believed she would become famous even faster. Riding the wave of controversy to gain fame was something she would have disdained in her previous life. But now, she hesitated.
The desire to become famous quickly, to establish herself, to no longer need protection, to have the power to protect others, this desire clouded her judgment. There were many successful cases of rising from controversy, from being “black and red” to simply “red,” Mi Hongdou was tempted.
Qiao Rubai’s voice was low, and the diners at the red broth pot, too engrossed in their food, didn’t hear. Only Qiao Rubai and Ji Junxin noticed Mi Hongdou’s hesitation. Qiao Rubai had set a trap, waiting to see how Mi Hongdou would react. Ji Junxin, however, was anxious.
What was there to hesitate about? Mi Hongdou had the acting skills, the good script, and the connections were all here, gnawing on bones. With a little more time, she would definitely become famous. Wouldn’t fame earned through hard work and talent be better than fame gained through hype? Seeing Mi Hongdou’s silence, Ji Junxin couldn’t help but tug at her sleeve. “I think…”
“No, this is Mi Hongdou’s path, let her choose,” Qiao Rubai interrupted.
Ji Junxin hesitated. Qiao Rubai was… right. It wasn’t her place to choose Mi Hongdou’s path. She pouted slightly, not saying anything more, but her hand didn’t release Mi Hongdou’s sleeve.
The commotion at the white broth pot attracted the attention of those at the red broth pot.
“I think…” Mi Hongdou’s gaze cleared, and she smiled, squeezing Ji Junxin’s hand on her sleeve. “I think Ji Junxin is right.”
Qiao Rubai glanced at Ji Junxin and said to Mi Hongdou, “What did she say? She hasn’t even said anything yet, and she’s already right?”
Even without Ji Junxin saying anything, seeing her anxious expression, Mi Hongdou knew what she wanted to say. Ji Junxin had her own pride, she wouldn’t approve of using controversy to gain fame. Compared to a faster rise to fame, being liked by Ji Junxin was more important. Mi Hongdou quickly realized this, and her earlier temptation vanished.
Facing Qiao Rubai’s question, Mi Hongdou just smiled. “Whatever she says is right. I think… it’s better to clarify this quickly…”
The red broth group agreed with Mi Hongdou’s decision. Jiang Lingling looked away, feeling that Mi Hongdou’s public display of affection was becoming increasingly blatant. Had she discovered her feelings for Ji Junxin? Jiang Lingling gnawed on a bone. She had already freeloaded two meals from Mi Hongdou and felt a little embarrassed about her plan to expose her feelings. It seemed she wouldn’t need to intervene.
With Mi Hongdou having made her decision, Qiao Rubai could only offer some comforting words, filling the hole she had dug herself. She silently scooped bone marrow for the little girl, feeling puzzled. Mi Hongdou’s earlier hesitation had revealed an ambition different from her steady and cautious approach in her previous life. Why had it suddenly disappeared, as if it were just her imagination?
Life was full of choices, each choice potentially leading down a different path. Mi Hongdou slowly released Ji Junxin’s hand, the warmth and softness still lingering on her palm. At this moment, she knew that she needed to reach greater heights, to have the power to protect Ji Junxin, and at the same time, she couldn’t lose the right to protect her.
Since Mi Hongdou wanted to clarify things quickly, and Qiao Rubai and Yang Lianyi had the same intention, their conversation shifted to how to effectively clear Mi Hongdou’s name, while they continued gnawing on bones. The bones in the styrofoam box were replenished three times, and everyone had already eaten at least five.
When Mi Hongdou went to refill the pots again, only the ends of the bones were left.
The middle sections, with their tender and flavorful meat and rich bone marrow, were incredibly satisfying. But now, everyone knew that the supply was exhausted.
So, finally, they turned their attention to the plates of hot pot ingredients.
They added the ingredients to the pots, mixed their sauces, and without the distraction of gnawing on bones, they could finally have a proper conversation.
“I think we should focus on two things. One, have ‘Donghuan Entertainment Weekly’ issue an apology quickly. Two, Xiaomi is currently filming two dramas, should we release some trailers or promotional materials early? That way, although she doesn’t have any released works yet, people will at least have some idea of who she is and her acting skills,” Director Pan, who had been busy eating, finally joined the discussion, adding a plate of luncheon meat to the red broth pot.
Yang Lianyi quickly fished out a piece of luncheon meat. “Although she’s in two productions, the criticism is mainly about her replacing Bao Yueqiao in ‘Imperial Secrets.’ Even if we release trailers for ‘Divorce, So Be It’ to showcase her acting skills, it won’t be very effective. If we want to release something, it should be from ‘Imperial Secrets’.”
A pair of chopsticks appeared in Yang Lianyi’s bowl. Qiao Rubai, reaching across the table, snatched the luncheon meat. “It was just added, it’s still cold. Take some from the pot later when it’s cooked.” Qiao Rubai calmly took the luncheon meat and then returned to the topic. “We’ll have ‘Donghuan Entertainment Weekly’ issue an apology, and for ‘Imperial Secrets,’ we’ll see what kind of positive material we can release. Then I’ll have Bao Yueqiao issue a statement.”
“Since the script was revised, and the empress’s character changed significantly, no longer suitable for Yueqiao, which was why she was replaced, should we also announce the script revision?” Ji Junxin asked.
Qiao Rubai, not wanting to waste the slightly cold luncheon meat, ate it. The cold and spicy combination made her frown, and she took several sips of the hot bone broth before answering, “I think it’s time. We’ll publicly announce the script revision, which is a legitimate reason for the casting change.”
“Wasn’t that the reason for the change?” Ji Junxin seemed to sense something.
Qiao Rubai, realizing her slip of the tongue, exchanged a look with Pan Xiang and quickly corrected herself, “Yes, that was the reason, why else would we replace the actress? The point is, we know the reason, but the public doesn’t. After the announcement, everything will be clear, and Mi Hongdou replacing Bao Yueqiao will be justified, no more talk about her using connections. And with some trailers, the audience can see for themselves.”
Ji Junxin nodded in agreement. Qiao Rubai was relieved, she had managed to recover. She hadn’t been able to replace Jiang Duo and Zhang Zijing earlier, so she had wanted to bring Mi Hongdou in early and had asked Pan Xiang, who was famous in her previous life but still unknown now, to revise the script, to justify Bao Yueqiao’s departure. Of course, Bao Yueqiao was from Qiong Yu, Qiao Rubai wouldn’t let her suffer. After leaving “Imperial Secrets,” she immediately arranged another role for her, a leading role, so it wasn’t a loss. Wait, thinking of this, Qiao Rubai suddenly felt a sense of foreboding. As expected, Ji Junxin continued.
“I heard that after Yueqiao withdrew, she immediately took on Director Gu’s project, but there wasn’t much news about it. If she issues a statement, mentioning Director Gu’s film would be more convincing, right?” Ji Junxin said thoughtfully.
“Gu Tiansheng?” Director Pan frowned and put down his chopsticks. “He’s starting a new project?”
Qiao Rubai regretted her slow reaction… Director Pan and that Gu Tiansheng already had some conflict, oh, well, it wasn’t as intense as later…
“Ahem…” She had to clean up her own mess. Qiao Rubai put on a sincere expression and looked at Director Pan. “After the script revision, Bao Yueqiao wasn’t suitable for the role of the young empress anymore, and she couldn’t learn from you, Director Pan. She was very disappointed and unhappy. Coincidentally, Director Gu’s project was starting, and I thought, although she couldn’t be in your film, being in Director Gu’s would at least be some consolation for her, right?”
Director Pan’s expression softened slightly. He took a meatball from the pot, ate it, and his expression returned to normal.
Ji Junxin saw this exchange and, although she didn’t understand what was going on, she didn’t mention Gu Tiansheng again.
Getting an apology from “Donghuan Entertainment Weekly,” a magazine with no integrity, was easy. Bao Yueqiao was from Qiong Yu, getting her to issue a statement was just a matter of asking. As for “Imperial Secrets,” the original plan was to start publicity after filming and post-production were completed, but starting a little earlier shouldn’t be a problem.
So the question now was, what kind of trailer should they release?
At the table, the only ones qualified to offer opinions on this matter were Qiao Rubai, Director Pan, and Pan Xiang, perhaps also Mi Hongdou, and maybe Ji Junxin.
These five people were divided into two camps.
Director Pan and Ji Junxin felt that a character’s brilliance should be shown within the context of the story. Since they were releasing a trailer, it should showcase the highlights, a few impactful scenes to demonstrate Mi Hongdou’s acting skills and promote the film.
However, Qiao Rubai and Pan Xiang disagreed. In their opinion, the film had just started filming, and the script was still being revised. The film itself wasn’t even a third complete, it would be difficult to capture the overall feel of the story with just a few clips. In this situation, even if the chosen scenes showcased Mi Hongdou’s acting skills or the brilliance of a particular scene, it might not be beneficial to the overall promotion of the film. Their suggestion was to edit some of Mi Hongdou’s individual scenes, just to give the audience a positive impression. As for how good or brilliant the film was, that should be experienced after watching the entire movie, they shouldn’t give the audience too many preconceived notions with the trailer.
As for Mi Hongdou, she didn’t express her opinion. But in her view, Qiao Rubai, having experienced many ups and downs in two lifetimes, still believed that good work would speak for itself. In the current industry environment, many movies, TV shows, and even variety shows, when releasing trailers or previews, would edit the most dramatic and conflicting parts to attract attention. But when the audience’s expectations were raised, and the actual film was released, either the only highlight was the part shown in the trailer, and the audience, their expectations too high, would be disappointed, or the content in the preview wouldn’t even appear in the final product, a complete waste of anticipation. This method guaranteed initial viewership or box office numbers, but the final word-of-mouth… There were even cases where the trailers showed so many highlights that the audience could piece together the entire story, losing interest in the actual film.
Qiao Rubai, with her experience from two lifetimes, could easily manipulate the trailers to generate hype. But she didn’t. Mi Hongdou thought that perhaps Qiao Rubai, like in her previous life, still hoped that the audience would watch the story patiently, without too many preconceived notions. This wasn’t necessarily the most effective method, but it was Qiao Rubai’s own form of idealism. Regardless, Qiao Rubai had stayed true to her principles, even after being reborn. And herself? … Mi Hongdou clenched her fists slightly. She couldn’t lose her own principles for the sake of quick success.
As Yang Lianyi and Jiang Lingling, who had no say in the matter, finished their fourth plate of beef and lamb rolls, Qiao Rubai and Pan Xiang finally persuaded Director Pan and Ji Junxin. And Director Pan even offered a helpful suggestion.
“If we’re just showing Xiaomi, I remember a scene that’s quite suitable. It’s the one from the investment…” Director Pan stopped mid-sentence, glanced at Jiang Lingling, coughed awkwardly, and continued, “It’s the scene from the estate test shoot, where the young empress makes egg fried rice, what do you think?”
“Good!” Ji Junxin was the first to agree. Good cooking skills were definitely a plus for attracting fans.
“No…” Pan Xiang objected. “That scene, although well-filmed, showcasing the young empress’s culinary skills and the tempting aroma, would have a positive effect on the audience. But it was filmed in the estate setting, such a dilapidated place, the audience will definitely speculate about the plot. More people, more wild imaginations, someone will definitely guess the major plot point of the upheaval in the palace. Revealing such a major plot point so early isn’t beneficial to the film.”
Qiao Rubai agreed, and Director Pan, after thinking about it, also felt that it made sense. “Then there’s the scene of the young empress alone in the palace, when the emperor didn’t visit her on the first and fifteenth of the month, and she drowned her sorrows in wine, then angrily smashed the cups. Xiaomi’s performance in that scene was also excellent, and it was just her alone in the palace, not revealing any plot points. What do you think?”
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