diymy Chapter 16: A Precise Stroke of the Pulse of the Times
Chapter 16: A Precise Stroke of the Pulse of the Times
"Is the station throwing money away? Spending two thousand on an interview with a student? How are they going to write a budget report for that? Paying for an interview with Lin Hanjiang, a contestant from the CCTV Young Singers Competition? Unheard of!"
"What do you know? Dude, times have changed. Didn't you hear what that kid just said? Value equals value. He's worth that much now. A record-breaking score in the semi-finals of the CCTV Young Singers Competition, and he sang a timely song like 'The Story of Spring,' and I heard the judges' praise was incredibly high. How many eyes across the country are watching the finals? If Guangdong TV digs up his background, his creative insights, and even the story behind that song, and makes a sophisticated documentary about it, airing it when the hype is at its peak before the finals, just imagine the ratings! The impact!"
"But this is too... too blatant. Isn't this turning into a business transaction? What about the ethics of our news media?"
"Integrity? Hmph, just wait and see. If this Guangdong TV special becomes a hit, do you think those contestants with some fame will also start holding out for higher prices next year and the year after? Once this precedent is set, won't the cost of interviews skyrocket?"
"Let's go, let's go. The exclusives have all been bought. What are we still standing here for? Let's go back and think about how to write the article. 'Controversial exorbitant interview fee'? That's a sensational headline..."
The discussion was in full swing.
As Lin Hanjiang turned and left, the smile on his lips deepened.
Lin Hanjiang knew he had made the right bet.
1992 was a delicate year.
After a period of hesitation, the economic train has once again been firmly pushed onto the fast track.
The spring breeze of Deng Xiaoping's Southern Tour speeches has swept across the country, and going into business has become a hot trend.
Behind the joke that "making missiles is not as profitable as selling tea eggs" lies a dramatic upheaval and reshaping of people's concept of wealth.
More and more families have saved enough money to replace their old black and white televisions with brightly colored flat-screen TVs.
Television, this magic box, is invading the daily lives of ordinary Chinese people with unprecedented depth.
It is reshaping how they access information and entertain themselves.
CCTV, as a national authoritative platform, has an absolute advantage in terms of timing and location.
The CCTV Young Singers Competition is now in its fifth year. It has long since changed from its initial immature form to a sacred place that countless young people with musical dreams yearn to reach, and it has also become one of the most important entertainment events for ordinary people during their leisure time.
In an era where entertainment options are relatively limited, being able to stand out on this stage signifies national recognition and, in a sense, a form of prestige.
Lin Hanjiang understood the influence of this platform better than anyone else, and he also understood his timely composition, "The Story of Spring."
In this special year, it transcends the symbolic value of music itself.
As the mouthpiece of the province at the forefront of reform and opening up, Guangdong Television undoubtedly possesses the most acute sense of policymakers.
They may have also experienced internal debates and hesitations.
Ultimately, the potential for generating buzz and significant media impact outweighed any concerns about the cost.
All of this confirms Lin Hanjiang's judgment.
In this era when values are beginning to loosen, the consciousness of a commodity economy is permeating every corner, and the influence of television media is at its zenith.
Any resource that is scarce and has the potential for explosive growth can be sold at a higher price.
His arrogant asking price was not the recklessness of an ignorant person.
Rather, it is a precise tapping of the pulse of the times by the reborn.
The early summer afternoon sun slanted through the tall glass windows of the lecture hall.
Fine dust particles floated in the air.
The interview has finally come to an end.
Su Xiao closed her notebook and let out a long sigh of relief.
The two-hour interview was less of a questioning session and more of an intense intellectual exchange.
Lin Hanjiang's clarity of thought, meticulous logic, and precise articulation of his musical philosophy completely exceeded her expectations.
He talked about the original intention of creating "The Story of Spring", which was not only to praise the construction of the special economic zone, but also to delve into the resonance between personal destiny and the tide of the times.
He spoke candidly about the competition in the CCTV Young Singers Competition, yet remained sharp and incisive.
He even has unique yet unbiased insights into the current phenomenon of southern pop music spreading to the north.
What impressed Su Xiao even more was the look in his eyes when he mentioned that he would be singing another original song in the finals.
It was a confidence that contained the power to withstand raging storms.
"Lin, thank you so much for your cooperation today."
Su Xiao stood up, extended her hand, and spoke with a tone much more sincere than when they first met.
"Many of your insights have been very inspiring for us in making this feature. I will definitely do my best to make the film as good as possible and live up to such excellent content."
Lin Hanjiang also stood up and shook hands with her.
"Thank you for your hard work, reporter Su. Your questions were very professional. I look forward to the final product."
Next came the somewhat tedious but crucial procedures.
"I'll urge the station to transfer the money to your account as soon as possible. It will definitely arrive by next Monday at the latest," Su Xiao assured her.
"No rush, just follow the contract." Lin Hanjiang put away his copy of the contract and carefully tucked it into his notebook.
He glanced at the clock in the lecture hall; the hands pointed to 3:30 p.m.
The lecture hall was empty on the weekend.
Lin Hanjiang then brought them over for the interview.
He also printed the contract at Teacher Jin's office; he had the key.
Sometimes he needed to help the teacher with errands, so the teacher gave him a key.
"Reporter Su, I'll take my leave now. I still need to go to CCTV to deliver some materials."
"Okay, okay, you're busy. Good luck in the finals!" Su Xiao said repeatedly.
Stepping out of the empty and quiet teaching building, the scorching afternoon sun hits you in the face.
Lin Hanjiang narrowed his eyes and instead of heading towards the bus stop in the distance, went directly to the school gate.
Time was of the essence, so he raised his hand and flagged down a yellow van.
These mini bread carts, which sprang up rapidly on the streets of Kyoto in the early 1990s, were the choice of many efficiency-conscious people.
That's quite a splurge.
"Driver, CCTV building, please hurry."
Lin Hanjiang opened the car door and got in.
The car was filled with the smell of smoke, and a radio request program was playing. A sweet female voice was introducing Yang Yuying's "I Don't Want to Say" which was about to be played.
In 1991, "The Outsider Girl" was broadcast on CCTV and achieved a viewership rating of 28 points.
It's considered a classic period drama.
"Alright!"
The driver of the van was a bald, middle-aged man. He quickly shifted gears and started the car, which sped off.
Less than half an hour later, the van skillfully navigated the already congested Chang'an Avenue and finally stopped in front of the CCTV building, which was built in the Soviet style.
After paying the fare, Lin Hanjiang strode into the gate.
There weren't many people in the lobby, so I quickly took the elevator to the building where the CCTV Young Singers Competition organizing committee was located.
As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I saw a bustling scene: staff carrying props, directors hurrying by with scripts, and actors in costumes.
There may be more than one workgroup on each floor.
He walked toward the office of the Youth Singer Competition Organizing Committee as if he knew the way well.
Just as I turned the corner, a woman hurried towards me.