48: The Unexpected Series?

In front of the mottled gates of the Beijing Film Studio, a group of people carrying dreams gathers every day.

They stand or sit, their eyes flickering with the desire and expectation to make a name for themselves.

This is the main place in Yanjing where most background actors wait for and pick up roles.

Recently, the name Wang Baoqiang has spread rapidly through the circle of Extras at the gates of the Beijing Film Studio.

Like a sudden clap of thunder, this name has left these usually obscure Extras in utter shock.

You see, Wang Baoqiang was once one of them, waiting just as they do at the gates of the Beijing Film Studio for an inconspicuous role.

"Do you guys remember Wang Baoqiang? That guy who used to pick up work here all the time," an Extra said while munching on a steamed bun.

"How could I forget? He played a corpse alongside me back then!" another Extra chimed in.

"I really didn't expect it. Who would have thought he'd become a big star! I heard the movie he was in before the New Year was incredibly popular!" A middle-aged Extra with a face full of stubble had a hint of envy in his eyes.

He had been toiling here for over a decade and was still just an Extra.

"Sigh, we're all Extras, so how did he get so lucky?" someone sighed.

These people wait here every day, fantasizing about being spotted by a Great Director from the Beijing Film Studio and getting a role with lines, even if it's just a tiny part.

Hearing this person's lament, the crowd of Extras felt complicated.

Watching Wang Baoqiang transform from an inconspicuous Extra into a rising star in the entertainment industry, they felt a mix of emotions—envy, jealousy, and even resentment.

It was as if a pheasant, just like them, had suddenly turned into a phoenix, becoming someone they had to look up to.

"If you ask me, it's just fate!"

"Some people are just born for this industry. As for us, we just have to keep waiting for work here."

An Extra sighed, his voice filled with helplessness.

"You can't say that."

"Maybe one day we'll run into a great opportunity and become an overnight sensation too!"

Someone still held onto hope and couldn't help but retort.

"Give it a rest, stop dreaming."

"Just stay here and wait for work honestly."

Indeed, there's no telling how many Extras like them are here.

The hope of making it big is extremely slim.

In all these years, they had only heard of one person making it. Becoming an overnight success is easier said than done... Chenxing Film and Television Media.

Chen Le sat in his office and called Gang Zi over.

Just today, the first installment of box office dividends from lost on journey arrived, totaling 8 million.

Inside the company, Chen Le called Gang Zi into his office.

Chen Le's purpose for calling him was to have him work on a web series.

Previously, Gang Zi felt he was too idle; having nothing to do made him very uneasy.

Now it was just right; he didn't have to look for work himself, as Chen Le had prepared a script for him.

Conveniently, filming a web series didn't have high requirements for his directing skills, making it very suitable for him.

And this web series was the unexpectedly series, which had been so popular in his previous life that it shocked the industry.

Back then, this web series had five-minute episodes, with over 30 million views per episode and over a billion views for a single season. Once released, it took the entire internet by storm.

Its Movie Review Platform score was as high as 8.3, a height that many big-budget films wouldn't even dare to dream of.

From then on, web series began to flourish everywhere.

But right now, the concept of web series as a type of film and television media hasn't even formed yet.

Chen Le certainly wanted to seize the initiative and produce unexpectedly.

"Gang Zi, take a look at this script." Chen Le handed a script to Gang Zi.

Gang Zi took the script and looked at Chen Le with confusion. "What's this?"

"This is a web series I'm planning to film called unexpectedly," Chen Le explained.

Gang Zi opened the script and began to read it carefully.

However, as he read further, his brow furrowed tighter and tighter. By the time he finished the last page, he was completely bewildered.

"What... what even is all this?" Gang Zi looked at Chen Le, looking completely lost.

"What's wrong? You think the script is no good?" Chen Le asked, seeing Gang Zi's expression.

"It's not that it's no good, I just don't know how to describe it!" Gang Zi immediately shook his head.

"If we film this thing, will people actually watch it?"

Seeing this, Chen Le smiled. He knew what Gang Zi was thinking.

After all, in this era, the concept of a web series had not yet formed.

However, Chen Le knew that web series would have a massive market in the future.

"Gang Zi, do you not trust my vision?" Chen Le looked at Gang Zi and said seriously.

"Although unexpectedly seems a bit bizarre, its creativity and humor are very fresh. I believe that as long as it's filmed well, it will definitely be loved by the audience."

Looking at the determination in Chen Le's eyes, Gang Zi's resolve wavered.

Because Chen Le's vision really was excellent; whether it was nightclub or lost on journey, both had achieved explosive success with small investments.

"But... we've never filmed a web series before. This is a completely new field for us; I'm afraid I won't do a good job," Gang Zi said worriedly.

It wasn't that he lacked confidence in Chen Le, but rather in himself.

He was very aware of how much talent he actually possessed.

"Exactly. Because it's a completely new field, we need to seize the initiative," Chen Le explained.

"The web series market hasn't reached scale yet, so competition is relatively low. If we can be the first to launch a high-quality web series, we can establish a firm foothold in this field."

"Besides, filming a web series doesn't require high-level directing skills; your current level is sufficient. Otherwise, I would definitely do it myself. Do you think I'd engage in a losing business?

So you need to have confidence in yourself. If you don't even have confidence, how can you become a Great Director in the future?" Chen Le continued to explain as he looked at Gang Zi.

Gang Zi felt there was some truth to Chen Le's words.

He thought about it and then nodded. "Alright, Old Chen, I'll give it a try."

Although he lacked self-confidence, he was Chen Le's employee. Since the boss had spoken, he had to do it whether he wanted to or not.

"Good. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me. I'll guide you," Chen Le continued.

He had Gang Zi film this web series not only to seize the market but also to train him.

To train Gang Zi into a director who could stand on his own, specifically for web series.

While he himself would have time to film other movies.

After all, he was just one person; he didn't have three heads and six arms, nor could he clone himself.

Relying on himself alone, who knew when he'd finish bringing over all those movies from his previous life.

Hearing Chen Le say this, Gang Zi immediately felt a sense of relief.

With Chen Le's guidance, he suddenly felt that filming a web series might not be so difficult after all.