The next day, Chen Lin went to Star TV to take a look at the newly established TV drama department and the progress of the script preparation of "Evil Force".

Lawrence, or Americans, is very efficient, Chen Lin has only returned to China for about 10 days, not only the new TV drama department has been operating in an orderly manner, but also found 8 first-class American screenwriters to work on "Evil Force", the first season of the script has completed the creation of eight episodes, and at this rate, all the scripts of the first season can be completed in mid-July.

Chen Lin looked through the 8 episodes of scripts that had been completed, and found that it was very good and fully met his requirements, the level of the 8 screenwriters was indeed first-class, and the division of labor and cooperation between them was very skillful. This made Chen Lin curious about how Lawrence did it in such a short time, because in China, Jade Emperor Entertainment first had to spend a lot of manpower and material resources to find first-class screenwriters, and secondly, it would take 2 months to half a year to make new screenwriters familiar with teamwork.

"Boss, it's very simple to find a screenwriter in the United States, just go to the Screenwriters Guild." Lawrence explains: "There are 12,000 registered screenwriters in the Writers Guild of America, and finding a team of writers is simple. ”

Next, Lawrence further introduced Chen Lin to the characteristics of American television production.

American TV dramas generally only broadcast one episode a week, and in the production process, the main creator (producer) usually first conceives the story idea, and then finds a team of several screenwriters, and the producer and director do the preliminary preparation, shooting, post-production, distribution and broadcast. Therefore, American drama producers have a very high status in overall planning, and a strong screenwriter is a magic weapon to win, while the director of American dramas is usually different in each episode, so he does not have much right to speak.

is different from Asian TV dramas, when recruiting leading actors, the first consideration is whether the character temperament does not meet the requirements of the script and whether the acting skills are excellent, rather than whether the popularity is high or not and whether the face is beautiful (except for youth idol dramas), so most American drama actors have solid acting skills. The characteristics of weekly broadcast and heavy ratings doom the fate of the characters in the hands of the screenwriter. Therefore, the status of American drama actors is not high.

In the American television industry, screenwriters are king.

This is in stark contrast to the film industry, where the director is in charge of all the creative content. Just like film directors Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, they are the absolute bosses who direct the cast and crew. In the field of television, it is the famous screenwriters who are in charge.

These writers not only create TV series, they also act as executive producers, often referred to as "show operators". Because they control the show/episode according to the script, they can hire actors and also hire various directors for different plots.

"For American dramas, screenwriters are king. They are at the very top of all the staff in a TV series. Lawrence seems to appreciate the system, but he quickly explains: "Of course, that doesn't mean that American screenwriters can be alone." The so-called "screenwriter is king" is actually talking about the 'script center', which values the book rather than a certain person. ”

Unlike the solo work of Chinese screenwriters. The characteristics of the American drama screenwriter team's combat are very distinct. Like "The Sopranos" and "Friends" have no less than 8 screenwriters. And "Lost", which was released in 2004, is said to have 10 screenwriters discussing the plot when writing the first draft. And the plot is broken down to every minute. Every six minutes, there must be a "flashpoint" that catches the eyeball. "Friends" has been filmed for ten years, and the crew is generally no less than 12 screenwriters, who get together for a long time to discuss a certain detail and improve the plot at any time.

"Lawrence, you've done a great job. It seems that our first American drama will start filming in mid-July, do you see if the first season can be released in October? Chen Lin smiled with satisfaction.

"Boss. I'm going to correct your mistakes. Lawrence suddenly laughed and said: "You don't have to wait for mid-July, you can start filming in early July, and you don't have to wait until October to be released, you can release the first three episodes after filming." ”

"Is that so?" Chen Lin was stunned when he heard this. He looked up at Lawrence and listened to his explanation. Chen Lin is self-aware, he really doesn't know much about the American TV market, and some common-sense mistakes are inevitable.

Sure enough, the American drama production model that Lawrence said is very different from China.

American dramas are basically written and filmed now, as long as the outline is created, you can shoot after writing a few episodes, so you don't have to wait for all the scripts to be written.

After filming the first few episodes, it can be screened, which is mainly determined by the characteristics of weekly broadcast and heavy ratings of American dramas. There are many relevant research companies in the United States that can let you know the preferences of the audience, for example, a supporting role is very outstanding, originally he appeared in one or two episodes, but 80% of the audience likes him, then the screenwriter will soon add drama to this supporting role.

Another advantage of this is to save costs, if the ratings of the first few episodes of the premiere are not ideal, you can cut it down, and the eunuchs in the back don't have to shoot, won't this save the loss? People's TV stations also give money for one episode to broadcast one episode.

However, such a model is not without disadvantages, generally speaking, good-looking dramas, dramas with relatively high ratings, and deep feelings for the audience will be constantly renewed, and even filmed for more than ten seasons, resulting in a decline in quality and a bad ending. For example, "Prison Break" is dragging on the scene the more it goes to the back, and it is the last to end.

Many Americans who come to China are very envious that Chinese audiences can watch three or four episodes of TV dramas in one night, and they can watch one drama in a month, and they only watch one episode a week of American dramas, and some classic dramas have to be chased for about 10 years.

Only the American people have such a strong heart to withstand it. With the rise of the video network, a large number of American dramas have been introduced to China, and Chinese audiences do think that American dramas are wonderful when they first watch them, but his weekly broadcast mode has created a large number of eunuch audiences.

After listening to Lawrence's introduction, Chen Lin finally had a preliminary understanding of the American TV production model, the system of screenwriters being king is indeed different from that in China, even if the domestic Jade Emperor TV has attached great importance to the status of screenwriters, but it still can't be as thorough as the United States, the current model of Jade Emperor TV is still based on the joint decision of the producer, director, and screenwriter, and the proportion of power occupied by the producer is still the largest.

"Lawrence, it seems that I am relieved to hand over the company's first American drama to you and the people in the TV drama department, and I can be the shopkeeper."

"I have to thank you for your trust, boss, otherwise I wouldn't dare to let it go like this."

"We have a saying in China that people are not suspicious and suspicious, you can rest assured to give full play to your talents and bring the company's team up. I can get some insight into the bottom line, Star Media will also prepare for listing in three to five years, and once listed, your senior management team will get no less than 5% of the shares, which is my boss's commitment to you. ”

"Boss, I already know your generosity, if it weren't for your appearance, I would still be anxious now, maybe now I have gone back to my hometown in the countryside to spend the rest of my life, how can I be full of energy like this. In Chinese, boss, you are my nobleman. ”

"Hehe~~"

Chen Lin was happy, he was very satisfied with Lawrence's attitude, and he trusted the president's ability and character. Lawrence, as the boss at the time of the acquisition of Belo TV, did not fight for his own interests at that time, but could sacrifice his own interests for the interests of the station's employees, for example, he was willing to lower the conditions in exchange for the new boss to continue to hire the original personnel.

Chen Lin, an American who talks about feelings, likes it very much, which is also why he promoted him to be reused after less than 2 months with Lawrence.

The crew is currently composed of 8 screenwriters led by a producer in the TV drama department, and they will go to the three major film art schools in the United States in half a month: the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, the New York University Film School, and the University of California, Los Angeles to interview actors. As for director Lawrence, he knows a few friends in the director's guild, and through their introductions, there are already several candidates.

Chen Lin nodded after listening, it seems that having a professional team is different, as long as he, the boss, formulates the direction of the general policy, and the people below will do it properly for you.

Before I knew it, it was almost noon, Chen Lin got up and walked out of the office with Lawrence, and at noon Chen Lin held a banquet to entertain 8 screenwriters, and it was also a reward for the hard work of the TV station. (To be continued......)