dhibooks Chapter 76: The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's Approval! Ultraman Tiga
Chapter 76: The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's Approval! Ultraman Tiga
Let's go back a few months.
In early spring, the wind in Jinghai City was biting cold.
"Brother Nan! The delivery is here!"
Chen Bo waved a newly opened express delivery package in his hand; it was a red-headed document with the national emblem and large gold characters.
At this moment, Gu Nan was engrossed in the storyboard for the second season of "Ultraman Tiga," not even looking up: "If it's a request for more updates, just throw it in the trash; if it's a local specialty sent by a fan, just put it in the break room."
"It's not a request for more updates! Nor is it a local specialty! It's an invitation to the Feitian Awards! The Feitian Awards organized by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television!"
Chen Bo rushed to the table and slammed the heavy invitation letter onto it with a "thud".
The office fell silent instantly.
Su Zhe, who was trying on the costume, stopped what he was doing and dropped the half-eaten apple on the ground; Wang Kai's airbrush trembled, spraying an ugly black line onto the monster model; even the usually calm Xia Youwei opened her mouth in surprise.
Feitian Award.
One of the highest awards in the field of television dramas in Xia Kingdom.
It doesn't represent traffic or popularity, but rather official recognition and the stamp of mainstream values.
In this parallel world, the Feitian Awards have always been a haven for serious dramas, historical dramas, and period dramas.
When did it become the turn of a "tokusatsu drama" broadcast on Bilibili for young people?
Gu Nan finally raised his head and picked up the invitation.
His fingertips touched the frosted texture of the special paper, and as he looked at the words "Invitation to Nomination for the 34th China TV Drama Flying Apsaras Awards," the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, but his eyes remained calm.
"Calm down."
Gu Nan handed the invitation to Su Zhe, saying, "It's just a nomination, not an award."
"A nomination is impressive enough! Is this something we college students can just bluff about?!"
Su Zhe looked at the name on the invitation.
"Brother Nan, this is a 'Best TV Series' nomination! What are the other nominees alongside us? 'The Qin Empire,' 'The Age of Awakening,' 'Love Between Mountains and Seas'... Are we like a husky that's infiltrated into a pack of wolves?"
"Go to hell, you husky."
Gu Nan laughed and cursed, then stood up and walked to the window to look at the bustling scenery of Jinghai City.
In fact, he knew very well that he was likely to be a "runner-up" this time.
Although Ultraman Tiga is incredibly popular online, in the eyes of those traditional judges who are mostly 50-60 years old, it is still considered something that is "fighting in a suit" and not worthy of serious consideration.
Giving a nomination is probably to demonstrate the inclusivity of the award, or simply to cater to the tastes of younger audiences.
"Let's get ready."
Gu Nan turned around, straightened his collar, and said, "Since they've given us face, we have to accept it. We definitely have to go, and we have to go in style."
"We represent not only Light Chaser Animation Film Studio, but also the 'tokusatsu' genre, standing on an officially recognized art stage for the first time."
……
On the evening of the awards ceremony, at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
On both sides of the red carpet, spotlights flashed as bright as day.
Countless cameras and microphones were aimed at the celebrities walking the red carpet.
When Gu Nan led the "Ultraman Tiga" crew onto the red carpet, there was a moment of silence, followed by an unbelievable gasp!
Many of the traditional media professionals present were quite old and had never heard of "Ultraman Tiga," so they were completely bewildered and didn't know who it was.
On the contrary, the new media professionals on streaming platforms gave even more enthusiastic applause than when the celebrities arrived.
Gu Nan wore a well-tailored black suit, his posture was upright, and his aura was in no way inferior to those of top directors.
Su Zhe was wearing Daigo's team uniform from the show—this was specially requested by Gu Nan; since it was a tokusatsu production, it had to have the spirit of tokusatsu. Xia Youwei, in a white evening gown, linked arms with the two of them, looking breathtakingly beautiful.
"Xiao Wang, is this the web series we filmed... the one about Ultraman Tiga?"
"So young? That young man in the team uniform is quite handsome, but his style... is out of place with all those veteran artists around him."
"I guess they're just here to make up the numbers. After all, it's the only online drama, so the State Administration of Radio and Television has to put on a show."
The reporters took photos and whispered amongst themselves. Several reporters from traditional media even put down their cameras after taking a few pictures, clearly feeling that these young people had little news value.
Upon entering the venue, Gu Nan discovered that their seats were arranged on the edge of the third row.
Although not in the core center position, it is not marginalized either.
Sitting around them were mostly leaders of local TV stations and well-known producers.
"Brother Nan, I'm a little nervous."
Su Zhe looked at the backs of the big shots who often appeared on the big screen in the front row, his palms sweating. "This aura is too oppressive, even more nerve-wracking than fighting Gatanothor."
"Straighten your back."
Gu Nan kept his eyes straight ahead and said in a low voice, "As long as we don't feel embarrassed, it's others who will be embarrassed. Remember, we are the inheritors of light, don't embarrass ourselves!"
The awards ceremony officially began.
The process was lengthy and solemn.
As the awards were announced, the winners were mostly veteran artists of high moral character and artistic talent, or well-known directors who had filmed major patriotic dramas.
Every acceptance speech was filled with patriotism and love for the country, drawing thunderous applause from the audience.
As time went by, Su Zhe's eyes gradually dimmed.
"Just another runner-up, huh..."
He muttered to himself.
The result was exactly as he had predicted.
Ultraman Tiga did indeed receive a nomination for "Outstanding Television Series".
However, it did not stand out from the crowd.
After all, compared to other established works in China, the foundation and experience of Light Chaser Studio are still somewhat shallow.
However, the people were not disappointed.
Finally, the most anticipated highlight arrived – the "Outstanding Web Series Award".
The host walked onto the stage with the envelope in hand. He didn't read out the name directly, but instead gave a mysterious smile.
"Before announcing the winners, I'd like to share a behind-the-scenes story about the judging panel."
The host's voice, transmitted through the microphone, resonated throughout the venue, possessing a unique charm.
"During the preliminary selection stage, the judges had a heated debate about this shortlisted work. Some said that although it was indeed very well made, the theme of heroes fighting monsters was not suitable for high art; others said that it was too commercialized and made money from toys, and it lacked artistic depth compared with those dramas with national sentiments."
Gu Nan raised an eyebrow. Here they come.
"but."
The host then changed the subject, saying, "When our judges patiently set aside their prejudices and actually sat down to watch this work two or three times... they fell silent. Some of the judges, who were over sixty years old, even secretly wiped away tears when they saw a certain scene."
The scene erupted in uproar.
Older traditional media professionals haven't caught on yet.
Who? Which show has such magic?
Other young media professionals, who already knew that Tiga had won the award, showed expressions of both shock and excitement.
The host continued:
"In this fast-paced era, we seem to have forgotten what 'belief' means. We've become accustomed to deconstructing the world with complex power struggles and dark humor. But this work, in the simplest way and with the most 'clumsy' technique, tells us the simplest truth."
"Light exists."
"It transcends age and social class. It exists in the heart of every ordinary person striving for a living, in the eyes of every child gazing at the stars, and should also exist in the eyes of every young person on the go."
"The jury ultimately decided that as the train of time rolls ever forward, our judging standards must also evolve with the times. Excellent TV dramas not only record history, but also ignite hope."
The host took a deep breath, opened the envelope, and spoke in a loud voice:
"The winner of the Outstanding Web Series Award is—"
"Ultraman Tiga! Light Chaser Animation!"
"boom--"
It was as if a depth charge had exploded at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.
The entire venue fell silent for a second, then erupted in the loudest and most incredible applause of the night.
There weren't many people there originally, but the barrage of comments in the Bilibili live stream of the awards ceremony instantly covered the entire screen, so dense that the image was no longer visible.
Holy crap!!!
[Tiga is taking off! Ultraman Tiga is taking off!]
[Officially verified! This is officially verified!]
Who says tokusatsu (special effects) is trash? The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television slaps you in the face!
[Tears welling up, brothers! The light we believed in has finally been seen!]
Su Zhe froze in his seat, as if petrified by Melba's light. Xia Youwei covered her mouth, tears welling up instantly.
"Let's go." Gu Nan stood up, straightened his suit, patted Su Zhe on the shoulder, and said, "Go up on stage and receive your award."
Gu Nan and his team walked onto the stage amidst the attention of the entire audience. He accepted the gleaming golden trophy from the award presenter—a highly respected film artist.
heavy.
It's much heavier than the magic light stick.
But it's much lighter than a magic light stick.
Gu Nan stood in front of the microphone, looking at the industry leaders who were usually aloof and superior in the audience.
At this moment, their eyes no longer held contempt, but only surprise and scrutiny.
"Thanks."
Gu Nan spoke, his voice steady.
"Many people ask me why I made a film about a giant in a suit for my graduation project. Is it just to sell toys?"
A burst of good-natured laughter erupted from the audience.
I said, no.
Gu Nan's eyes sharpened. "Because I feel that there are too many smart people and too few fools on the screen these days."
"We're too good at calculating pros and cons, but we've forgotten how to 'believe.' Tokusatsu is just a bunch of fools wearing bulky suits, sweating in the heat, weaving a dream that doesn't exist. But it's precisely this clumsy sincerity that gives this dream weight."
"This award doesn't belong to me, it belongs to every viewer who believes in the light. It also belongs to those children who held onto their light sticks tightly even when they were mocked for being 'naive'."
"I want to say to all young creators: Break the mold. Don't be bound by so-called 'genres.' As long as there is light in your heart, anywhere can be your stage."
There was thunderous applause.
Enduring and uninterrupted.
Next came the announcement of the other awards...
However, these things are irrelevant to Ultraman Tiga.
Ultraman Tiga won awards in its very first season.
Although it's just an award for a "web series".
However, this is already a miracle.
This is not only a victory for Chasing Light Pictures, but also a groundbreaking moment for the entire emerging tokusatsu industry in the field of art.
After tonight, no one will dare to say that Ultraman Tiga is not worthy of serious consideration.
It is the art of stamping and certifying.
……
The backstage dressing room after the awards ceremony.
Before Gu Nan could even take a sip of water, he was surrounded by a group of people.
These people were not journalists, but rather directors and managers of the acquisition departments of various television stations.
These bigwigs, who usually control prime-time slots, were all all smiles at this moment, handing out their business cards and surrounding Gu Nan so closely that he couldn't get a turn.
"Director Gu! This is Lao Zhang from Hunan TV! We've been in contact before!"
A middle-aged, overweight man squeezed to the front, shouting, "We absolutely must have the TV premiere rights for the second season of 'Ultraman Ultraman Tiga'! The price is negotiable! We're willing to pay three million per episode!"
"Three million? Are you trying to fob me off like a beggar?"
A man in a Zhongshan suit next to him sneered, "We'll offer five million."
The deputy director of CCTV's children's channel finally managed to squeeze in.
"Director Gu, come to us. Our prices might not be as inflated as theirs, but you know our coverage. Plus, we can apply for a national-level award for spiritual civilization construction for 'Ultraman Ultraman'!"
"Director Gu, look at our Blue Whale TV! We can do a variety show crossover!"
Chen Bo and Wang Kai were dumbfounded by what they saw.
Is this a change in one's status in the martial arts world?
Gu Nan politely accepted each business card with a proper smile, but his eyes were unusually clear.
He raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.
"Dear leaders, thank you for your kind consideration."
Gu Nan's voice wasn't loud, but it was very penetrating. "We do have plans to appear on television for the second season of Ultraman Tiga, including the follow-up series that are currently being planned."
"As you all have probably seen, the first season performed exceptionally well on Jinghai Children's Channel, and they are currently in discussions with us regarding the television broadcasting rights for the second season."
Everyone's eyes lit up.
"Although it's not exclusive, but..."
Gu Nan then changed the subject, "Bilibili is where we started, and we can't forget our roots. So, while the broadcast format for future episodes may not prioritize online streaming, it must be 'simultaneous broadcast on TV and online'."
"As for the television broadcast rights for the second season, we can let you share them with Jinghai Children's Channel."
"And I have one request."
Gu Nan held up one finger. "Regarding the content of the second season, including the series, we at Light Chaser Animation have absolute creative independence. Television stations are not allowed to make any cuts to the content on the grounds of 'censorship' or 'duration.' I want to guarantee that what viewers in front of the television will see is the same as what they see online—the complete 'Light.'"
There was a moment of silence.
These conditions are very demanding.
But standing before them now is Gu Nan, who has just won an official award, has tens of millions of fans across the internet, and created the myth of the magic wand selling out in seconds.
He has the right to make demands.
"make a deal."
The first to speak was surprisingly the deputy director of CCTV's children's channel. He adjusted his glasses, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes, "As long as the values are sound, and as long as it's a good production, CCTV has the confidence and tolerance to do so. Simultaneous release is fine; we're betting that good content can shine on any platform."
When the other station directors saw that CCTV had made its stance clear, they immediately became anxious and began bidding up the price for the second-run broadcast rights.
Gu Nan smiled.
"Thank you all for your willingness to cooperate. I will truthfully relay this information to the team in charge of business cooperation at our company! Let's discuss it in more detail during our next working day."
He looked at Su Zhe, Xia Youwei, and Chen Bo behind him.
Excitement shone in their eyes.
From that cold night in the abandoned factory to standing on the podium of a national hall of fame today; from being a "terrorist" driven away by school security guards to being a "hot commodity" sought after by major TV stations.
It all felt like a dream.
But the trophy in their hands told them that this was not a dream.
"Brother Nan, what do we do next?" Su Zhe asked, wiping away his tears and holding the trophy.
Gu Nan turned his head and looked out the window at the night view of Jinghai, at the myriad lights of the city.
"Alright, that's a wrap! Let's go get something good to eat, it's on me!"
"That's great!"
[Below is the author's response to someone who was harassing me in the comments section:]
To those people in that comment section, open your eyes wide and look at the book title and category: Urban Fantasy, set against the backdrop of a graduation project filming.
I read your two-star review; it was a long, rambling piece that basically insisted I had to emphasize that all the characters were Japanese.
Now, I'll reply to you:
If you don't want to read it, just read the original novel. I'm not Japanese, so writing about it and then filming it in Japan is even more ridiculous.
Since it's supposed to be a localized production, why would I cast a group of modern Chinese actors to play Japanese people, tell a story from the Showa era, and force a 90s bubble economy backdrop? Wouldn't that be incredibly idiotic?
The greatness of the original Ultraman Tiga lies in its core message, not in the names of people and places you're so fixated on (I've even tried to obscure them as much as possible).
I won't argue with your criticism of my drastic changes; I made localized adaptations to make the story more relatable. Do you think you've truly understood Ultraman Tiga?
Furthermore, regarding your ridiculous "threat"...
Your words are so offensive, you want people to "die a violent death" and you're going to get a bunch of people to give me bad reviews and report me?
It seems you've watched Ultraman Tiga dozens of times, but you haven't learned anything; instead, you've accumulated a lot of hostility.
He really took advantage of someone else's kindness but didn't repay them, leaving his life shrouded in darkness, and now he's trying to find validation online.