Depressive Screenwriter

Su Yan's temporarily requested verified account's statement was indeed effective.

In less than a day, the posts in the comment section that had been complaining and cursing at Su Yan were reduced by more than half.

Casual drama fans were no longer influenced by the comment section, and the paid views of 'Gu Xiang Si Qu' on Sakura Network increased rapidly.

The average paid views of the entire series have exceeded 6.4 million.

Not only did the paid viewing data within Sakura TV exceed that of 'The Gilded One,'

but looking at the entire autumn season market, only the latest episode of 'Painting of People,' which ranked first in the season with a viewership rating of 4.13%, was stronger than 'Gu Xiang Si Qu.' Similarly, with an average paid viewing data of 6.7 million, it also ranked first in the online broadcast market.

For this reason, Kozeki Aya and two others, direct leaders of Ayumi Shinozaki, specially invited Ayumi Shinozaki and Su Yan to a dinner at a well-known hotel near the TV station in late November.

Among the various factions within the production department of Sakura TV, the strongest undoubtedly belonged to the faction of the production department director, Yoshizaki Shigeharu.

It was just a pity that Yoshizaki Shigeharu was indeed old and not in good health. As the director in charge of coordinating and managing various project productions of such a large enterprise as Sakura TV, his burden was heavy. He had been hospitalized and recuperated twice last year and this year due to overwork.

This was also why Akasaka Yoshitoki, despite being only the deputy director, had so much say in the production department.

Many people did not want to offend him, the future leader.

If Yoshizaki Shigeharu were to retire at any time, Akasaka Yoshitoki would become the dominant figure in the production department.

And below these two, the group of three high-level production department executives led by Kozeki Aya had always had a bad relationship with Akasaka Yoshitoki.

But since Kozeki Aya failed to compete with Akasaka Yoshitoki for the position of deputy director of the production department four years ago, their small group had gradually fallen into a disadvantageous position.

The works and project funding applications of their subordinates were often deliberately suppressed and deducted by Akasaka Yoshitoki.

No matter how far the achievements of 'Gu Xiang Si Qu' could ultimately go this season, it was 100% certain to surpass 'Night Sakura.'

Kozeki Aya had once again tasted the feeling of winning in the competition with Akasaka Yoshitoki after several years, and the look in her eyes towards Su Yan at the dinner table was comparable to looking at her own son.

A large table of delicious dishes was served at the dinner, and the wine was brought by Kozeki Aya from her hometown on Sakura Island. It was said to be a fine wine she had treasured for more than ten years.

However, Su Yan really felt that it was not as good as the local wine of Xia Country when he drank it.

"As expected of a young genius, Su Yan, you were buried in the scriptwriting department for a year or two before being discovered this year. This is indeed a problem with the station's promotion mechanism, but, facts prove that talented people will eventually shine."

Kozeki Aya sat next to Su Yan and said gently.

Although these words were polite, they were indeed comfortable to hear.

However, although Su Yan had a few drinks, he was not so dizzy that he lost his head. He remained conscious at all times and responded with a smile.

"Not at all, it's all thanks to Director Kozeki and Producer Shinozaki for being willing to help invest in my work and approve the project."

Ayumi Shinozaki, who was next to him, watched with a smile at Su Yan's embarrassment of having to flatter and praise her aunts, even though he was unwilling.

She could see that Su Yan really didn't like this kind of thing, but there was no way.

The film and television industry is "human relationships" plus "ability."

If you lack either of these two, you won't be able to make a name for yourself in this industry.

The other party's invitation to Su Yan to dinner at this time was naturally not just to meet and cultivate relationships with Su Yan.

As the dinner entered the second half, Kozeki Aya tidied up the messy cuffs of her wrist and looked at Su Yan with shrewd eyes.

"Su Yan, I remember that you signed a one-year standard contract with the TV station, right?"

Su Yan, or rather, Su Yan's predecessor before the transmigration, signed a formal employment contract with the TV station in March of this year.

The term was one year. Generally speaking, when the contract period of these new screenwriters expires, the TV station will consider whether to dismiss them or offer a long-term contract, depending on their performance during their tenure.

The TV station would not include ridiculous non-compete agreements and heavy liquidated damages in the contracts of newcomers.

Xia Country's laws are much stricter than those of Su Yan's previous life. A contract where a streamer with a monthly salary of 5,000 yuan bears a penalty of 10 million yuan is directly illegal.

Moreover, the more additional clauses attached to the contract, the more costs the TV station would have to pay. It was not cost-effective to target the scriptwriting department, which was unlikely to achieve results during the newcomer period.

But Su Yan was too exaggerated.

Most new screenwriters have no chance to gain the favor of producers in the production department and get their works approved for projects within a year of joining the company.

They all start by doing odd jobs under other senior screenwriters in the station, accumulating contacts and abilities, and making friends with employees in the production department. Often, they only have the opportunity to get their works approved for projects in the second or third year.

But Su Yan's two dramas produced in the past six months were both explosive works that achieved great success with small investments. Kozeki Aya must be unable to sit still at this time.

Before Su Yan's contract expires in April next year, she is preparing to offer Su Yan a long-term contract with generous benefits, completely binding Su Yan to her command.

However, after Kozeki Aya expressed her intention, Su Yan remained silent for a long time, and then said softly.

"Regarding the renewal of the contract, I haven't considered it that much yet."

When Kozeki Aya heard Su Yan's words, her expression froze, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes piled up, and her eyes rolled as she thought of something.

"Su Yan, tell me honestly... Has anyone from Zhongxia TV and Shanghai TV contacted you? Don't worry, this kind of thing is normal. The TV station will not take any punitive measures against you for contacting them privately. But no matter what generous conditions they offer you, I can responsibly tell you that our Sakura TV can also afford it."

Then Kozeki Aya told Su Yan a lot of behind-the-scenes rules of the three major Shanghai TV stations.

The three major TV stations would poach people from each other, but the best treatment must be given to the talents and employees they cultivated themselves. Those talents poached from the outside would always be suppressed and discriminated against by the employees who grew up locally.

Even if the other two TV stations gave Su Yan the exact same or even slightly more generous treatment, he should never go there to be a second-class employee, and so on.

Su Yan could hear that although Kozeki Aya's words had exaggerated elements, they were all true.

When Ayumi Shinozaki heard this kind of topic, her ears immediately perked up.

In fact, whether the other party had poached Su Yan or not, Kozeki Aya already had the answer in her heart without asking.

Unless the people from Zhongxia TV and Shanghai TV were fools, how could they let go of a genius screenwriter like Su Yan, whose contract was about to expire?

"Indeed, people from seven or eight TV stations have called me and wanted to arrange a meeting with me," Su Yan interrupted Kozeki Aya's long speech and said directly without hiding it.

"But I refused."

Kozeki Aya and Ayumi Shinozaki's eyes lit up when they heard this.

Su Yan took a deep breath. Although he didn't like flattery, Kozeki Aya had helped him twice, allowing the scripts of 'Rurouni Kenshin' and 'Gu Xiang Si Qu' to be approved for projects. For this kindness, Su Yan didn't mind being shameless occasionally.

"I will repay your kindness with my golden platform, and I will sacrifice my jade dragon for you!" Su Yan's eyes were sincere.

"The reason why I can achieve some success in the film and television industry now is all thanks to the care of Producer Shinozaki and Director Kozeki. If some stranger comes to contact me, and I leave without considering any affection... how can that be possible?"

Recalling the relevant flattering articles from his previous life.

Su Yan endured the discomfort and continued to praise.

I will repay your kindness with my golden platform, and I will sacrifice my jade dragon for you.

Kozeki Aya and Ayumi Shinozaki had to learn Xia Country's ancient poems and classical Chinese from a young age. Without translation, they could understand the meaning of these words.

They were immediately shocked in their hearts, and the look in their eyes towards Su Yan also changed.

The most important thing for a screenwriter is the accumulation of knowledge reserves. Although Su Yan is so young, what screenwriter in the scriptwriting department of Sakura TV can match his level of speaking eloquently?

Su Yan actually had plans for his future direction, but he could only say half of what he wanted to say at this time.

"Under the same conditions, I will definitely not consider leaving Sakura TV. Secondly, as long as I am in Sakura TV, I will definitely choose to cooperate with Producer Shinozaki. As for the contract renewal... I plan to wait until the contract expires before talking about it," Su Yan said with a smile.

The previous paragraph was flattery, and the latter paragraph was the actual thought.

Under the same competitive conditions, he would indeed stay in Sakura TV, but the problem was that he didn't plan to jump ship at all, nor did he plan to stay in Sakura TV.

Indeed, after Su Yan's 'Gu Xiang Si Qu' viewership ratings improved, not to mention Zhongxia and Shanghai TV, there were several other large TV stations with slightly less influence that were also contacting Su Yan, hoping that Su Yan would join them after his contract expired.

The film and television industry in Xia Country is so big. The three major TV stations have tense relationships, but the employees of the TV stations may still meet for dinner and drinks together after work.

The story of Su Yan being disgusted by Akasaka Yoshitoki twice had already spread throughout the Xia Country TV station industry.

The achievement of 'Rurouni Kenshin' with an investment of 1.2 million and a return on investment of 1600% with sales exceeding 20 million.

'Gu Xiang Si Qu' premiered on Sunday midnight, and the viewership rating of 1.38% actually rose to over 3%, making it into the top ten of the season!

This was already one of the legendary talking points of the Shanghai TV station industry this year.

As for Su Yan, he had already become famous among the producers and screenwriters of the three major TV stations.

Such a talented screenwriter who was suppressed in the production department must be angry in his heart.

At this time, giving Su Yan a little temptation might be able to attract him over at a very small cost.

But the reason why Su Yan did not agree to jump ship.

It was not because he felt too sorry for Ayumi Shinozaki, who had been working with him until now.

They were all adults. If Su Yan really had a better place to go, and others offered better conditions to poach him, Ayumi Shinozaki might feel uncomfortable and unwilling, but she would also understand the reason.

But what Su Yan could not accept was that the conditions offered by those poaching TV stations invariably included the condition of signing a long-term contract of five years or more.

Even including Sakura TV, Su Yan could guess with his feet that the conditions they would offer him next would definitely be a long-term contract starting from five years, and most likely more than ten years.

To be honest, the TV station invested 1.2 million in 'Rurouni Kenshin,' and with almost zero publicity when it was broadcast on Sakura Network, the final sales exceeded 20 million, and about 500,000 yuan of copyright royalties were distributed to Su Yan, the screenwriter, plus a project bonus of 200,000 yuan and a script fee of less than 50,000 yuan.

The paid views of the first episode of 'Gu Xiang Si Qu' are estimated to break 10 million sooner or later. The final average paid views are predicted to start at seven or eight million based on the current situation. If you add up the fourteen episodes, the sales will be at least over 100 million.

Even if it is a Sunday midnight slot, after the viewership rating of the fifth episode of 'Gu Xiang Si Qu' rose, the TV station also found two companies to invest in traffic, earning more than 10 million in traffic fees.

But even so, the copyright fee that can be distributed to Su Yan in the end may only be a little over three or four million.

Su Yan can calculate this account himself.

He has only one thing in mind from beginning to end.

To be independent and be his own boss.

Work? Screw that.

How could he possibly work for a long time, earning tens of millions, hundreds of millions, or even more profits for others, and get that less than 5% profit share?

Not all dramas of the three major TV stations are filmed by themselves. Occasionally, they also purchase large-scale dramas filmed by other film and television companies and top-level gold medal screenwriters and top-level gold medal producers in Xia Country to broadcast.

In addition to the three major TV stations, there are also four online drama platforms and dozens of large, medium, and small TV stations.

If Su Yan independently establishes a film and television company, he will not have to worry about his works not having a place to broadcast.

Moreover.

Sakura TV is not a long-term solution.

Akasaka Yoshitoki will eventually become a full-time director.

By that time... not only will the achievements made by Su Yan be considered a contribution of Akasaka Yoshitoki, but he will also have to bow his head and beg him to allocate funds for his script project at the production department meeting.

That's too disgusting.

New contracts with a term of five years or ten years must not be signed. If signed, Su Yan will be completely controlled after Akasaka Yoshitoki becomes the director.

Therefore, Su Yan's first goal is to let the contract expire in March next year, not to renew the contract with any TV station, to be independent, and to establish a company to invest in filming film and television dramas himself.

But there are many things in film and television filming that he cannot complete alone, nor does he have the energy to learn how to be a producer himself.

Therefore, Su Yan's second goal is to think about how to trick Ayumi Shinozaki into resigning from Sakura TV to help him at that time.

But Su Yan's thoughts will naturally not be said at this moment.

It is only November now, and there are still four or five months until the end of March next year.

Kozeki Aya thought that Su Yan was planning to wait until 'Gu Xiang Si Qu' achieved better results before negotiating terms with the TV station.

She could understand Su Yan's thoughts, and in terms of the results of the conversation, she was satisfied.

As long as Su Yan does not jump to other TV stations and is not tricked by Akasaka Yoshitoki into cooperating with his producers on new dramas, then there is no problem.