The production process of American dramas is quite perverted, and the screenwriter first makes a verbal explanation to the producer or film and television company. If the other party is interested, the idea will be further processed and then they will explain it to the TV station.

If the TV station decides to shoot it, it will buy this script, and note that it is only the script for the first episode of the first season. After the screenwriter, producer, and TV station have been polished, filming can officially begin.

After the first episode is completed, it will be broadcast within the TV station first, and the opinions of the top management must be completely unified, and then the big boss will announce the broadcast plan for this year at a trade fair.

An idea that has been created and modified for more than half a year may not be able to be put on the screen. Even if the first season is broadcast, the ratings are not good, and they are also cut. Even, if the ratings of the first few episodes are super bad, the TV station will cut it in half.

And in the whole chain, the producer has the highest status, followed by the screenwriter, and finally the director. A complete American drama has an average of about 20 screenwriters and more than a dozen directors, especially for sitcoms, and the screenwriters change faster than peeing, because everyone's stalks are limited.

Such a chaotic creative style also causes American dramas to often start like a god and then unfold like a neurosis......

Let's talk about "Ugly Betty", which started broadcasting in September and is currently airing to the fourth episode. According to the conventions of the plot, after the foreshadowing and small climax in the front, there will always be a turning point.

Betty has gained the trust of her boss and the friendliness of her colleagues when she joins Modern magazine, and has initially gained a firm foothold. If you think about it on your knees, you know that the next step must be a new plot, and then the new plot must have new characters, so there is Henry.

He is the accountant of the company and has a crush on Betty, who is entangled with that tragic ex-boyfriend, Walter. This role is not fixed, it is just an attempt by the screenwriters: if after the fifth episode airs. The audience likes Henry a lot, so they will naturally increase the role, if you hate it, it's small if you don't show up, and it's possible to write you to death.

……

Los Angeles, on set.

"Ugly Betty" is set in New York. But with the exception of the first episode, most of them were filmed in studios in Los Angeles.

At half past eight in the morning, Chu Qing felt very depressed, although he easily killed the competitor named Christopher, he was still very depressed.

According to the makeup artist who was busy chatting with the assistant director next to him, he learned that this drama has prepared 20 screenwriters and 18 directors.

it!

He couldn't understand it at all, could this be done in one go? Just look at that rotten line! Even if you promise it. But for a moment, I really felt like I was being cheated by Alex.

"Hi, Chu!"

At this moment, a slightly shrill voice came from behind, and then slipped to the left, and a blonde American girl was reflected in the mirror, Brigitte Newton, who played the role of the front desk lady and boss * friend.

"Hey, you're done with your makeup?" He beckoned.

"YES, I'M TWENTY MINUTES AHEAD OF YOU."

The girl was wearing a short skirt. Two good-looking thighs are exposed, and there is some curiosity and scrutiny on his face. smiled: "Chu, you are really similar to the movie." ”

"Heh, I think actors rarely resemble their own characters."

"Oh no, I still have a disc of Eros in my house, and I know what that little tailor looks like. Honestly, I heard you were coming for a cameo. I consider myself lucky to know ......"

As soon as the make-up artist was finished, she stood up, leaned into someone's ear, and whispered, "They don't like you much." ”

"Ugh. I can't ask everyone to like me. ”

Chu Qing didn't want to talk about this topic, turned sideways slightly, and said, "Can I ask who today's director is?" ”

"Cameron Litwack, who used to do 'Orange County Boys,' a stubborn old guy."

“……”

He pretended to nod his head, not knowing what that buddy was doing.

In other words, "Ugly Betty" has two major producers, one is called Salma? Hayek, himself an actor; One called Silvio? Horta, who also served as the chief writer.

There was no doubt that the latter had a higher status, and Hayek was not reconciled, so he split into two factions. Of course Chu Qing didn't understand, the master who was addicted to tricks flashed, expecting him to mix with some bullshit palace fight.

And the crew, on the other hand, maintained a subtle attitude towards this Oriental who suddenly appeared, whether it was his popularity in Europe and the United States, or his actual achievements, he was properly crushed.

So they have neutral ones, such as Betty's actor Americaica, some who release kindness, such as Brigitte Newton, and some who are inexplicably hostile, such as the actor Mabius.

Fortunately, the two of them had no rivalry, and they couldn't make a painful provocation and slap in the face.

……

It's a modern studio, with large glass doors, white walls, quirky tables and chairs, and crooked corridors.

In this scene, Betty is teased by her colleagues and goes to work in a shameful butterfly outfit, and she is chatting with Brigitte before Henry appears.

Waiting for the lights to be in place, the assistant director shouted on the walkie-talkie:

“READY？ READY？ ”

“ACTION！”

America is actually not ugly, even after putting on makeup, it is nothing more than thick eyebrows, messy hair, and a pair of ecstatic braces.

She scribbled on the paper with a pen, and Brigitte was crooked across like a cat, chewing candy in her mouth, asking, "How many women have you called?" ”

"He doesn't remember when he fell, so I called every woman last week!"

"It's funny!"

Brigitte made a look of disgust.

"I need you to find out where Miss Tuesday and Wednesday live."

America wrote a few more strokes and handed the paper to the other party.

"Milbertie butterflies?"

A sudden inquiry, then the camera shifted, and Chu Qing entered the mirror.

He looked very unsteady, his feet seemed to be stepping into a pile of cotton, and his body swayed from side to side. And the trousers seemed to be pulled down and made loose.

This image is completely a stuffy man who lacks exercise and is unkempt, but is extremely fanatical about something.

"Click!"

The director immediately shouted to stop and asked loudly: "Chu, why are your pants like this?" ”

"Well, I think that's a good fit for the character."

"Dude. The screenwriter didn't write the characters' personalities, so you'd better not mess around! ”

“OK！”

He couldn't argue, so he grabbed his pants.

“ACTION！”

"Milbertie butterflies?"

Chu Qing asked again, his eyes nailed straight to Americaka's body, and he said excitedly: "This is Milberty's tortoiseshell?" ”

"I, I don't know. All I know is a butterfly pattern. She replied.

"Hah, that happens to be one of the few things I know...... In fact...... I also know the circumference of the earth......"

"Click!"

Within two minutes, the director shouted to stop for the second time and asked again: "Chu, why are you panting?" ”

"I think Henry is going to be nervous and eager to behave, with his character...... SORRY, LET'S DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN. He paused abruptly and waved his hand.

"You adjust your state as soon as possible!"

“ACTION！”

“…… In fact. I also know the circumference of the Earth. He laughed silly.

Brigitte turned her head and teased, "I also know that the next plot is, you're right, but it's boring." ”

"Alright, it's time for me to go back to the accounting department."

Chu Qing showed a little embarrassment, and said with a smile: "We gave a person fifty dollars, and we want to see how much honey he drinks before he will be sick to his stomach." You should also come down and have a look, if you have time. ”

After speaking. He turned and walked away.

"24,901 miles!"

Amerika clutched her pen and suddenly spoke: "The circumference of the earth." I happen to know that. ”

“……”

He stopped, didn't turn around, and his back seemed to be smiling.

"Click!"

The director had a headache and tried to communicate: "I think the effect of your turn is better." ”

“OK！”

He has given up communication, and he will do whatever people ask for it.

In just one scene, it was NG three times. The dozens of onlookers, including America and Brigitte, some understood, some didn't, and some thought he was hanging.

And one way or another. This set of shots is finally complete.

When Chu Qing left the scene, before he could find a chair, the assistant director came over and said, "Chu, you can go back." ”

"That's the end of it?" He was startled.

"Of course, you'll come back tomorrow."

“……”

He couldn't complain, should he say that you are well-made, or is it meaningless procrastination? After filming forty episodes in three months in China, that's God!

Well, he doesn't care.

As a result, the next day, another set of shots, Henry helped Betty repair the butterfly wings, put on makeup for 30 minutes, and shoot for 8 minutes.

On the third day, there was a special set of shots of Henry and Betty eating Japanese food, and finally being disrupted by Walter.

The above is all his role.

……

Mainstream TV viewers in the United States are also aunts and uncles, and only watch the prime time from Monday to Thursday and Sunday, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and CW five free channels.

Trendy young talents will go to HBO, AMC, Showtime and other cable stations, and only pay for them.

"Ugly Betty" airs every Thursday night, and this week is the fifth episode. There was no special preview on the TV station, and the uncles and aunts who were watching Qi Qi found out, eh, who is that Oriental?

It's pretty cute!

Screenwriters and directors understand, if you don't play style, you will be popular if you are stupid, at least within the safety line. Sure enough, the audience responded well, and even attracted the attention of some young people who wanted to see what HAN was like when he filmed a TV series.

So, producer Baba still wanted to sign a long-term contract with Chu Qing to play a fixed role in the first season, but the goods directly refused - this is a very painful experience, and I don't want to experience it a second time.

There was no way, the producer found Christopher, who was killed by him, and asked the screenwriter to rewrite the role. Because Betty must have a new relationship, there must be a man to chase, and there must be blood, so that the audience will love to watch it.

(I rarely say my feelings, but I want to write a few words today.) I used to read books, but after I wrote the book, I felt the author's difficulty, just over a year, and obviously felt that my body had deteriorated, especially my eyes and waist, and I was sore from time to time. I know that this book has changed a little bit compared to the beginning, whether it is because of the fading of creative passion, or because of the bottleneck of the plot, I try my best to maintain the original mentality: the words I write should be sincere.

But the recent state is very bad, the body is extremely tired, and I just happened to hit a plot turning point, which made me very bad. There have been a few times before, and this time it feels the most serious, of course, I will also try to adjust well and let this stage pass as soon as possible, thank you all for your support for so long. (To be continued......)