CDJMM – Volume 4 – Chapter 28 Filming in the Interstellar Era (28)

October and November are the traditional award-season months in Huaguo. Aside from authoritative professional awards like the Xingkong Awards and the Red Peony Awards, there are also many other entertainment-oriented awards, big and small—such as the People’s Choice Awards, the Golden Apple Awards, the Donglong International Film Awards, and so on, ranging from professional to purely entertainment to completely insignificant ones.

Surrounding the question of who will win which award, film critics across various major media outlets have offered all kinds of analysis—especially debates over the Xingkong Awards and the Red Peony Awards, which are the most heated.

The former is the highest feast of Huaxia cinema; the latter is the highest feast of Huaxia television. Every selected work is the cream of the crop of that year.

And this year, the dark horse and money-making monster Republic-Era Literary Giants Chronicles has become a topic every predictor cannot avoid.

When Luo Bao learned that the crew of Republic-Era Literary Giants Chronicles had already received the invitation from the Red Peony Awards, he was convinced that this year’s Best Television Series and Best Director awards would definitely belong to their team.

“Starting yesterday, Jiang Te specially celebrated on the homepage—Republic-Era Literary Giants Chronicles has surpassed 4 billion at the box office! It’s the highest-grossing drama among all Red Peony Award selections!” Luo Bao said to Luo Lan with pride on his face. “Unless the Beijing Film Festival judges are blind, they will definitely give us the award!”

But Luo Lan—the seasoned fangirl—was not so optimistic.

She frowned. “That’s hard to say. Among all the TV dramas invited to the Beijing Film Festival this time, our crew’s lineup is the most inconspicuous. Not to mention the director, many actors have tons of negative scandals.”

Luo Bao frowned and immediately rebutted: “We’re not picking whoever is most famous. The final decision still depends on the quality of the work.”

Luo Lan shook her head and sighed. “Naive. Too naive.”

“Go online, check the groups, listen to what others are saying.”

Luo Bao went to a fan chat group first and asked: “Do you all think Republic-Era Literary Giants Chronicles can win the major Red Peony Awards? @everyone”

【BlackCatKnight: I hope so, but clearly impossible ╮(╯_╰)╭

OldWangNextDoor: Obviously you still don’t understand how the Red Peony operates. This year’s top awards are already eighty percent predetermined.

TianyaZhichi: Sigh, Republic-Era became popular too late. They didn’t have the money for PR before. Other drama crews have already done multiple rounds of lobbying with the jury. We’re just fillers this time.

MagicalGirlNoMoney: I love Republic-Era Literary Giants Chronicles, but my idol’s drama is also competing this year, so I’m really conflicted. I’ll stay neutral.

NewYearsEveColdAndLonelyWriting: Honestly, the drama is popular but the actors aren’t, so forget about the acting awards. Best Director? Impossible. Director Shi is new, Director Li is unknown. The other nominated directors are all top-tier. We have no chance.

ICantEvenSkipNewYearGala: So… there’s only some hope for Best Television Series?

NoCourageToFlake: Hmm… hope is small. We’re just here to show our faces and gain experience. After a few years of nominations, then maybe we’ll get an award.】

Luo Bao stared dumbfounded. Luo Lan gave him a sidelong look. “Now you get it?”

Luo Bao nodded heavily. “So basically, we’re walking the red carpet just to accompany the real contenders.”

Luo Lan clapped. “Exactly.”

Coincidentally, Xie Xun also didn’t think Republic-Era Literary Giants Chronicles had a chance.

As a professional critic for Huaguo Film & TV Weekly, Xie Xun knew very well the twists and turns of award season.

To the uninformed, the Red Peony Awards are the most authoritative TV awards in Huaguo. But to insiders like him, this “authority” is filled with tricks.

Huaguo is a society of connections. Many actors with no acting skills win awards until their hands cramp. The Red Peony Awards are no exception.

Since the new millennium, the influence of the Red Peony Awards has declined drastically. To recover, they had to compromise with capital. Every year they invite the hottest traffic stars to the red carpet, and awards essentially get divided up: this year for this traffic idol, next year for that one.

Not that they only pick traffic stars—but when acting skills are similar, the award will go to the more popular actor or the production behind that popularity.

Is Republic-Era good? Of course it is! But sometimes a good work simply doesn’t win.

This year’s Red Peony lineup includes several formidable opponents.

Warm Times: A collaboration between a Best Actor and a Best Actress, a hugely popular campus romance with tons of loyal fans.

Dawn Breaks: Based on the wildly popular “Dark Three Hundred Years,” starring new top-tier rising stars with a combined 200 million social media followers.

Star Lake: A literary drama starring two highly respected veteran actors. The male lead has been nominated three times without winning—many believe the judges will give him a win this year.

With these three, Republic-Era can only serve as cannon fodder.

Thinking of this, Xie Xun sighed.

The main issue is that Republic-Era lacks entertainment-industry backing. Although Bai Corporation invested earlier, it works in energy, not entertainment—they have no connections here!

Other crews post two or three headlines a day, pushing promotional articles everywhere. Their actors promote nonstop. Meanwhile, Republic-Era?

Hot searches occasionally, but beyond that…

It’s the classic case of “the drama is hot but the people are not.” Fans like the drama, not the actors. Even director Shi Jing has more followers than lead actor Chang Zehai. And there’s no background or professional capital behind them.

Republic-Era Literary Giants Chronicles is only eligible for six awards: Best Television Series, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress. At best, they might win Best Television Series.

Despite his pessimism, Xie Xun still vigorously wrote positive reviews in support of Republic-Era.

…

“Republic-Era Literary Giants Chronicles is my biggest surprise of the year, and the greatest unexpected success.

This is a drama with every possible disadvantage, yet it became the hottest show of the summer. It’s nothing short of a miracle.

Despite minimal marketing, its success seems accidental but is actually inevitable. It proves that good works will never be buried.

Its success will undoubtedly inspire more directors and actors—if you create something good, the audience will see it.”

Tian Hui angrily closed the page, sneering coldly. How much money did this Xie Xun from Huaguo Film & TV Weekly get paid to praise Republic-Era so hard?

But no matter how he hypes it, Republic-Era will never win!

He already had insider info—the major awards were predetermined. Republic-Era would only get whatever scraps others left behind.

Thinking that, Tian Hui felt much better.

High box office? So what? If it doesn’t win, it’s pointless!

…

Mo Mingrui was extremely nervous when called to the editor-in-chief’s office. He hadn’t done anything wrong lately…

“Xiao Mo,” the editor-in-chief said, “write a commentary for me and hand it in before Friday.”

Mo Mingrui relaxed. “A commentary on what?”

The editor said excitedly, “I recently watched a main-theme drama and found it very educational—Republic-Era Literary Giants Chronicles. It depicts in detail the early development and exploration of our Party’s road, promotes core socialist values, and greatly aids patriotic education among young people. If you haven’t watched it, hurry up. Submit your review by Friday. If there’s no issue, I’ll run it on page 02 next Monday.”

Mo Mingrui was stunned.

All the online comments flashed through his mind—“It’s just a filler,” “No chance this year,” “The awards are predetermined”…

Who cares about not winning an award?

How many dramas get praised by Everyone’s Daily? That’s an incredible badge of honor!

If the big boss Everyone’s Daily steps in, then the secondary outlets—Purple Pavilion, Light News, Huaxia Youth Daily—would likely follow.

What media outlet has more influence than official state media? If they say the drama is good, who dares say otherwise?

Republic-Era may lose a Red Peony Award, but it gains a red-name endorsement from official media!

With that backing, it becomes untouchable—other dramas can’t even compete.

Mo Mingrui could hardly contain his excitement. “Editor, I’ve already watched it. In fact… I already wrote a review. Should I send it to you now?”

The editor was delighted. “Good, send it. If everything is fine, we might publish it this week.”

Mo Mingrui happily ran off.

Wow—thinking about recommending his beloved drama in Everyone’s Daily made him thrilled.

…

Meanwhile, Le Jing—long awaited by countless people—was being interviewed by a Huaxia Youth Daily reporter.

Reporter: “Before coming, I checked online. Most netizens believe your team is just attending the Red Peony Awards as filler. What do you think? Do you believe your drama can win?”

Le Jing smiled and was about to answer when his phone rang. He gave an apologetic look. “Sorry, let me take this.”

The reporter quickly waved. “No problem, please go ahead.”

Le Jing answered. After a few seconds, his expression shifted from surprise to joy, then settled into a satisfied smile.

After he hung up, the reporter asked playfully, “Was that good news?”

“Nothing big,” Le Jing said lazily. “The Xingkong Awards committee called. My work got selected. They want me to walk the red carpet in a few days.”

Reporter: ?!!!