240 Flash Mob (2/2)
Talk of the new film got Zaro excited again. His underlings would also bring along his new costumes and props. The outfit he had on didn't feel aristocratic enough.
”Let's make the surroundings a bit spookier,” Zaro critiqued while examining the design.
Zaro's agent ignored him.
”I noticed Fang Zhao's name is among those engraved in the stone monument near the entrance to Silver Wing's palace that honors the designers. Remember to engrave my name on our monument,” Zaro barked before he left.
”Got it,” Zaro's agent said, but again, he was secretly cursing. Fang Zhao's name was included because he made an actual contribution. What have you done? All you've done is boss people around even though you don't know jacksh*t. But of course your name has to be engraved, given your personality, and it has to be listed first. Well, let's credit you as the owner of the castle, not a designer, then.
On the internet.
Silver Wing's official social media account posted another update.
”Epic imperial court drama 'Beauties' kicks off shooting!”
Silver Wing's filmed entertainment department also posted nine pictures. The first was a picture of the creative team, the backdrop being a grand imperial palace. The other pictures included stills of the palace and shots of the leading characters in costume. There were also pictures of the actors posing inside the palace in character.
He Lisi was resplendent in emperor's yellow, oozing imperial authority and presence.
The female leads were decked out in elaborate costumes and accessories, looking either elegant and dignified or shapely and flirtatious.
Because it was such a big-budget production, the creative team paid incredible attention to the wardrobe and accessories. The production had a completely different feel compared to the low-budget period dramas of the past. Add to that the good-looking and talented cast and it was a mouth-watering prospect for eager fans.
The last picture was an aerial shot of the imperial palace set. The caption noted the set was an exact replica of the actual palace.
”An actual 1:1 replica!”
”No special effects? They built an actual ancient imperial palace on planet Wai?”
”No wonder they had to shoot on Wai. Silver Wing built a friggin' palace there!”
”I'm floored. Silver Wing has really gone all out.”
After the photos were posted, the reverberations weren't limited to Yanzhou. Fans from other continents were also blown away by the scale of Silver Wing's investment.
Prior to Silver Wing, no one had actually built such a massive set on a foreign planet. Even if there were examples, the scale was smaller.
The Silver Wing publicity team was also fanning the flames behind the scenes. In no time, news of Silver Wing's massive set dominated entertainment headlines in Yanzhou. Silver Wing got major global exposure as a result.
Just as fans were engaged in fervent discussion about Silver Wing's Wai set and pundits analyzed whether or not it was a wise investment, film studios from other planets made their moves.
Tongzhou's Legend Pictures issued the following social media update.
” 'Mountain of Immortals' cast and crew head to planet Wai.”
The update was posted with a picture of the cast and crew posing for a picture at the entrance to a space port.
Soon, Zaro's Wireless Media from Leizhou posted an update.
” 'Vampire Duke' cast and crew en route to Wai for upcoming shoot.”
The accompanying photos showed a similar backdrop—another space port.
In Lazhou, Cinderella Entertainment announced:
” 'Cinderella' cast and crew heading to planet Wai.”
The accompanying photo was also a group picture at a space port.
The three updates were bombshells in the entertainment industry.
”Cinderella Entertainment? I've never heard of them before.”
”Word has it the company is owned by Barbara Lakalina. Lakalina!”
Even if folks from other continents had no idea who Barbara was, the Lakalina surname gave her instant credibility.
”Is there a space port flash mob going on?”
”They're addicted!”
”These are all well-connected movie studios.”
”Come to think of it, shooting on Wai is suddenly the cool thing to do.”
”I just want to know when these studios started investing in planet Wai. I'm curious what else is being built on Wai.”
”I'd like to check out Wai for myself.”
”I'll spare you the trouble. I'm looked into it already. You can only reach Wai by freight vessel for now. None of these flights are open to the public.”
”Isn't S4 based on Wai? Did they mention these movie sets during their live broadcasts?”
”No. Woo Tianhao's got tight lips.”
Many folks were puzzled that the film studios had started pouring money into planet Wai, and why Wai?
The entertainment headlines were dominated by news of the new TV productions on planet Wai. As hard as the publicity teams for other new TV shows tried, they couldn't escape being overshadowed.
Fans were obsessed. Every time they saw an announcement about a new TV series, all they asked was where the show was being shot and why it wasn't being shot on Wai.
Other competing entertainment companies were at a loss, their bosses bewildered by the headlines about the upcoming productions on Wai. They had no idea when Silver Wing, Wireless Media, Legend Pictures, and the newly formed Cinderella Entertainment—studios that had previously had nothing to do with each other—had secretly joined hands for a new venture on Wai.
We gotta get to the bottom of this. When did they form an alliance? What exactly are they up to on Wai?