Chapter 678： Fox

Fox Television is happy for a reason.

If the results of "Breaking Bad" were put 5 or 6 years ago, it was actually nothing, because before 2000, the main means of home entertainment for the people was TV or DVD players to watch DV and video tapes.

When there are not many choices, 30 million viewers are not uncommon. For example, "Friends" often has more than 40 million people chasing the drama, covering a large age group, so it is called "national comedy".

But now, the TV station is not easy to mix.

The new generation of young audiences are gradually abandoning TV dramas, and the quality of general dramas may be maintained at the level of 8 to 9 million viewers, or better than 13 million...

In short, 30 million has changed from the passing line of a big hit drama to a ceiling, which is easy to touch.

As for "Breaking Bad", the first season ended on the bright side with less than 20 million real-time maximum audiences, but the starting point of the series is low.

Not to mention, the very low audience retention rate on the paper makes people more hopeful for its performance in the second season.

At a low level, close to 20 million people is very good. Looking at a high point, if the second season continues to rise, and this audience retention rate can be maintained, wouldn’t that be a phenomenon-level American drama with high reputation and high ratings?

This kind of anticipation for the future is what Fox takes most seriously, because the show has already shown that potential.

As the most critical person who caused all this, Lehman was woken up by the tireless phone ringing early in the morning. Looking at the time, it was less than 7 o'clock.

Soon, after getting up, more calls came in impatiently, and Lehmann spent the whole morning answering the phone repeatedly.

Among them, Fox's people first raised the ratings on the night of the end of the first season of "Breaking Bad" and said something decent, and then they hoped to immediately renew the copyright for subsequent broadcasts and let Firefly produce well. Everything can be discussed with Fox. In short, renewal is their main purpose, and everything else is false.

Because the official terms signed by the two parties after the pilot broadcast only stated that they would purchase the copyright first, and that they had not yet requested to renew the subscription. If the episodes were yellow, would Fox have a way to return them?

Therefore, they are now attaching great importance to the follow-up negotiation work, and have repeatedly asked to negotiate before hanging up the phone.

Then, there was a call from Joseph, mainly about the "Breaking Bad" project. Last night, he got the news, and he didn't sleep all night. He was thinking about how the company could make money and expand its influence. change. If it's not too late, I guess I want to have a good talk with Lehman.

The third is Ryan, and then other TV stations came to invite dramas. Of course, this is normal.

Seeing a good drama, TV stations should have a better attitude towards good content providers.

In the environment where production and broadcasting are separated, TV drama producers have a pretty good life.

Compared with the complicated environment such as theaters, TV stations, especially if they have formed a complete distribution network, the demand for content is definitely more urgent than that of theaters.

A good drama means that it can attract more advertisers, which means high profits.

Isn't the show bad...usually gets axed.

Waking up inexplicably, Lehman found that he had become a fragrant pastry again.

But in this matter, he knew who was behind the scenes with a lot of credit.

So, the first thing he did on the phone was to invite Vince Gilligan.

After the ratings of the series have risen, Vince's thoughts on making the series have to be higher.

He was really happy because he knew he was going to make it.

This is indeed the case. Soon, the big boss of the company has an appointment with him, right in the mansion where he lives.

What this closeness means, both of them know very well.

However, Vince is still very useful. Before that, no one would take him so seriously.

In other words, the feeling of being valued is very good.

Before the tumult of the TV world had dissipated, Lyman and Vince Gilligan were sitting in the courtyard, drinking coffee and talking about life.

Oh no, talk about the future.

Seeing Lyman talking to him with a smile, Vince's heart beat fast uncontrollably.

Confused, Vince didn't know what he was talking about, he just kept echoing.

"The first season is regarded as laying the foundation, and we still need to maintain this creative attitude in the future. Good dramas are ground, don't be sober because of the results."

"Yes."

"In my opinion, you are a talented person. If you want to stand taller and sit more stably in the future, you should think more and be more proactive. As the producer, director and screenwriter of the drama, you have a lot of responsibility. It’s important, as much as your subsequent grades can go up, so will your achievements. I hope you can get better and better.”

"Ok."

"Vince, from today onwards, are you willing to take over the business of Firefly's TV department in the form of a studio. Firefly will be responsible for the rest of the episodes produced with your heart."

"Huh?" Vince Gilligan regained his senses and swallowed secretly. He said, "I'm afraid I can't do that well."

"Haha." Lehman lightly smiled and knocked on the table, "I like you because you have achieved good results. Continue to maintain this momentum, what can't you do well? I believe in you, you You still don't want to believe in yourself?"

Vince understood, did not refuse, and said solemnly: "I was very grateful for my husband's willingness to give me the opportunity to take charge of this project. I am so kind today, I really don't know what to say. In short, I You must not slack off and work hard.”

"You don't have to. You are capable. Sooner or later, you will come out. You work hard. In terms of treatment, Fireflies are not stingy."

Vince smiled wryly: "Is there still few capable people in this industry? This project means a lot to me. I'm really grateful."

Everyone is having a hard time.

Especially in the film and television industry.

For more than ten years in the industry, Vince has done the most as a screenwriter.

Do you think he likes writing?

No, it's not that there is no chance, only the threshold for screenwriting is the lowest. Even if you are not famous, you can help the big crew, write character dialogues or situational plots and other tasks, which is barely a job.

You must know that Vince Gilligan graduated from the Tisch School of Art at New York University. He has a serious academic background. This school has produced the most Oscar winners, and many teachers also serve as Oscar judges.

You said, if he keeps fighting, can he be reconciled?

Naturally, he is unwilling, but what can he do if he is unwilling? He is a screenwriter and has never led any major projects, so who would pay attention.

That's the problem with not being famous.

If it wasn't for the screenwriter's strike in his previous life, Vince would probably have made his mark.

It was because those veteran screenwriters joined forces to fight for welfare that he got some resource support.

At that time, AMC didn't think that it would be able to make any achievements, but there were no new dramas, so it would be good to have some fresh ones.

At that time, if the make-up work did not rely on word-of-mouth to turn around, but the ratings continued to be poor, and there were no bright spots, Vince Gilligan was afraid that it would not be directly reduced, and there would be no future.

So, Vince is really grateful to Lyman.

It took so many days to realize how rare the opportunity is.

Nowadays, "Breaking Bad" is relatively successful, which means that he has made a name for himself, and people will notice him, so there is no need to go around like a headless fly to take chances, but others come directly to find him. he.

In fact, in the second half of "Breaking Bad", many studios sent invitations for cooperation, directly stating how much funds and resources they would give, and asking them to film by themselves. However, Vince never agreed.

——With a hen that lays golden eggs in his hand, who would let go?

How has the current situation changed? Of course, it is the most beneficial thing to continue filming "Breaking Bad".

Perhaps, for Lehmann, he still has many options, but for Vince, consolidating the achievements he has finally saved is the most correct and most important.

——Even if Lehman doesn’t show his favor, Vince will simply make the decision to take refuge in Firefly.

Of course, in this way, the friendship will be shallower after all.

And Lehman's move undoubtedly made Vince more comfortable on top of this.

These so-called standards of measurement constitute many ways of dealing with the world.

It's like, for a person who is hungry and embarrassed, someone gives a meal and helps to find a job, gratitude is naturally grateful, but if you always don't care about others later, you always put other people's work. Take it for granted, how can this person stay for a long time?

It's the 21st century, and the ideology has long since changed.

If Firefly does not give some benefits and respect, it will be **** if they can retain talents.