Chapter 208: Chapter 208: Follow-up
The work on the new screen was done very well, and the publicity was really effective. In the evening newspapers all over the country that day, there were reports on the new film by Lao Mouzi. In the evening entertainment news, he took the headlines without fail, talking about how he was concerned about the old district and supporting local education and so on.
However, Feng Zhenchang and Mei Qiuping, who were eager to see their son's appearance on TV, were greatly disappointed. The camera flashed back and forth, but it was always focused on Director Zhang. Occasionally, in the corner of the screen, you could see a corner of the blue and white school uniform.
The newspaper reports also focused entirely on the new film being planned by New Pictures and the good deed in the morning. For Feng Yiping, they generally just referred to him as a high school student.
However, there was one exception to the coverage. For example, the provincial evening newspaper not only reported on the signing, but also mentioned that the novel that Director Zhang Da had picked up was written by an 18-year-old high school student in the province when he was in junior high school, once again emphasising how our province is rich in natural resources and talented people.
The city's report focused on a different aspect, emphasising that under the correct leadership of the municipal party committee and government, and with the unremitting efforts of the education system, the recent results have been very gratifying. These include the work of Feng Yiping, a second-year student at the city's No. 1 Middle School, which has been favourably received by a well-known domestic director, and a film of the same name is currently in production.
Of course, the focus is still on that correct leadership. From the past to the present, of course, it is all about Mayor Fang. However, the city newspaper, being for the children of the city, is not so stingy and finally mentions Feng Yiping's name.
The evening news on the city channel reported on the signing ceremony, focusing on the protagonist, Mayor Fang. Now, Director Zhang Da is in the background, and Feng Yiping finally gets to show his face a little.
In short, although outside the city, Feng Yiping is still just the 'high school student', but in the city, he is also considered to be a minor celebrity, and at No. 1 Middle School, he has become a complete celebrity.
Writing a novel, getting involved with a big director, selling the copyright for 50,000 yuan, and then donating it, these have all been hot topics of conversation.
Feng Yiping didn't want to be the centre of attention like this, and for the past two days, he has been afraid to drive to school, for fear that everyone will find out about him driving.
Things in the entertainment industry are always like this: they come quickly and go just as quickly. After a few days, everyone's attention was once again on the casting issue with director Zhang. After whetting everyone's appetite for a few days, just as Feng Yiping had remembered, New Pictures unveiled their plan. This time, they were going to let an amateur actor play the lead role in his natural role. This was a new and bold attempt on the domestic widescreen, so once again they successfully grabbed a lot of headlines.
In short, just like when he was in the real estate business before, Zhang, the boss of New Pictures, successfully attracted enough attention to the film even before it started shooting.
However, the same old clichés and similar headlines did not significantly increase the sales of their own newspapers or magazines, and thus bring in more advertising contracts. So a weekly magazine in the south took a different approach and started questioning Feng Yiping, focusing on whether a twelve-year-old first-year middle school student could have written such a novel in the first place.
Then they analysed the novels published by Feng Yiping before and after the harvest. The second was the story of an old man and his dog, and the third was the story of migrant workers after they had moved to the city. There really wasn't anything wrong with the three novels written by a junior high school student on these subjects.
It had to be said that Feng Yiping's initial caution was well-founded, and in terms of the subject matter and age suitability, there really was no flaw that could be found.
However, the weekly magazine was not willing to give up like this, and finally concocted an article questioning how a teenager, whose world view, outlook on life and values have not yet taken shape, could have such mature thoughts. Then they went on to ask the question, 'Did Feng Yiping really write these articles?'
They had not even conducted an on-site interview at Liangjiahe Middle School, and had concocted an article based on their own subjective assumptions. The article was titled, 'Genius or Forgery?'
Needless to say, it really boosted the sales of that issue of the magazine. The reason is simple: compared to people being brilliant, more people want to see people make a fool of themselves, and to feel good about themselves by seeing other people's misfortunes.
Some employees of the Dacheng Law Firm in Guangzhou also saw this magazine, and they really wanted to speak out. This is definitely not a fake article. Feng Yiping has also written many songs under the name Deep Sea, and some of them can be rightfully called classics! However, they could not say anything because Feng Yiping had signed a confidentiality agreement with them.
Then, Feng Yiping received a call from Deputy Director Zhang, who said to Feng Yiping indignantly over the phone, 'The article in this weekly magazine is downright slanderous. Do you want us to seek justice on your behalf?'
Feng Yiping simply and decisively refused him, 'Thank you Director Zhang for your concern, but really no, I don't mind.'
He instinctively felt that the old guy definitely wanted to make another profit from him in legal fees. Those weekly magazines just want you to sue him in court. The more lawsuits there are, the higher their sales.
As long as no one pays attention, it won't be long before everyone automatically forgets about it.
However, things often develop in unexpected ways. Just when this matter was about to be forgotten, the Taiwanese publishing company that represented Feng Yiping's novel of the same genre suddenly spoke out. The new novel of the same genre they published, 'Those Years,' was written by the same author as the novel that director Zhang Da had his eye on: Feng Yiping.
This is actually quite simple. The influence of the veteran filmmaker in the three places across the strait is undeniable. One of the publisher's fans saw a related report and noticed the name Feng Yiping. The same name, the same pen name, the same place, the same school, so it must be the same person. What's there to hesitate about? Take advantage of this publicity and maybe it will be republished.
When the other party informed Feng Yiping by express mail, Feng Yiping was also at a loss. He and the publishing company had not signed a confidentiality agreement. At the time, a new author like him had no bargaining power with the publishing company at all.
The subsequent impact can actually be said to be positive. A Hong Kong publishing company that had originally rejected Feng Yiping wrote back to discuss publishing matters with him.
After that, a literary journal in the mainland also published a review of Feng Yiping's novel. 'The story is peaceful and slow-moving, the writing is fresh and timeless, the brushwork is delicate. Based on his experiences over the years, he writes about the story of "those years". After reading it, it will evoke memories of your youthful days, a kind of faint emotion, faint joy, and faint sadness. In short, it can be described as a masterpiece that started a trend.'
Then it became a hot topic. Many domestic publishers, including some who had originally rejected Feng Yiping's manuscript, wrote to him to discuss publication. For a while, Feng Yiping's fame even overshadowed the first New Concept Composition Competition held in China.
To be honest, Feng Yiping had almost given up on the delusional idea of becoming the founder of a school. Who knew that things would turn out so well in such a way, which was really beyond his expectations.
Of course, he wholeheartedly welcomes such things that bring fame and fortune, especially the fortune part!