Volume 4: White Devil Chapter 166 We understand humanistic care better
BT TV station does not have many employees. Even including the cleaners, there are only about 40 people. This is Tommy's serious attitude in setting up a TV station. If it imitates the cartoon TV station of NBA stars next door, the number of employees would probably only be four to eight people.
The reason why not many employees are needed is mainly because the American television industry has been taught a lesson by the American film industry, or in other words, the giants who control the television and film industries have all the profitable businesses in their hands.
The American television industry has a series of unique television program regulation laws. This law was the product of the 1970s when major Hollywood film companies paid a large amount of money to hire several major lobbying companies to do public relations throughout the U.S. Congress. It took several years to finally pass.
The most bizarre provision in the Television Program Restriction Act is that television networks and television stations are not allowed to independently produce non-news and interview programs.
That is to say, apart from broadcasting news and talk show interviews, if BT TV wants to produce any reality show or shoot an American TV series, strictly speaking, it cannot be produced under the name of BT TV.
Instead, it is necessary to register a BT film and television production company. Even if it is a shell company, the program must be put under the name of that company. Then, if BT TV station wants to broadcast this reality show, it needs to buy the television copyright of the program from BT film and television production company in the name of procurement.
Perhaps it sounds unclear why Hollywood film companies spent tens of millions of dollars and continued to lobby the U.S. Congress for several years just to help the television industry come up with a bill clause that seems to be just a transfer of money from one hand to the other, which is completely harmful to others and not beneficial to themselves.
But in fact, on the day this bill was introduced, American media people unanimously agreed that the film industry had defeated the television industry and successfully dismembered the television industry.
Because this bill means that hundreds of TV stations in the United States must register hundreds of program production companies if they want to produce their own programs. First of all, the film industry split the television industry into two groups, one is called the buyer's market for TV stations or TV networks, and the other is called the seller's market for program production.
Secondly, not all TV stations will register their own program production companies. They prefer to purchase directly from other production companies. However, those Hollywood film companies had already established their own TV program production departments when the bill was promoted, and welcomed TV stations and TV networks to cooperate with them.
You would think that all TV stations would transfer money from one hand to the other, but in fact only the three major TV networks with strong financial strength would do so. Most other TV stations have become long-term customers of the TV program production departments of Hollywood film companies.
The reason is simple. The programs produced by film companies are of higher standards than those of small companies registered by TV stations themselves, and the cooperation methods are very diverse. If the TV station has a lot of money, of course it can complete the purchase with a flat price. If funds are tight, the film company can also choose to share the subsequent advertising fees, videotape sales, and other profits after investigating the prospects of the TV station. In short, no matter whether the buyer's TV station has money or not, the film company will always considerately complete the cooperation in a way that suits the TV station.
This bill is equivalent to forcing the television industry to open its doors and allow the film industry to rush in to steal the jobs of television industry practitioners and make money from them.
Therefore, the exciting reality shows and popular American dramas that audiences can see on the market today basically all have the presence of film companies. The cross-border outsiders, who were originally regarded as enemies by the television industry, have now become the hot cakes in the industry. Several major TV networks are competing to cooperate with them to develop high-quality programs, trying to use their power to seize the audience group.
It was ridiculous and cruel. The moment the bill was introduced, all TV stations and networks had already lost. Only the movie moguls were counting their money and laughing out loud.
Old Money in the Film Industry, to the television industry's NewMoneyWe have learned an expensive lesson.
Maybe some TV stations will think, it doesn’t matter, we have good enough ideas, we can form our own team, control costs, and do not rely on those big companies, and we can still produce programs that attract audiences.
Unfortunately, the fact is that only talk shows, which can be broadcast in small studios, have the opportunity to stand out without relying on those big companies. This is also the reason why many independent TV stations’ signature programs are talk shows.
Because as long as your program requires a slightly larger studio, slightly more actors, or more unique scenes, or outdoor work, you will find that you cannot escape the bloodsucking of those big companies.
To give a simple example, you want to shoot an outdoor reality show and choose a venue with excellent scenery. Then your TV station's program producer goes to contact the venue, hoping to rent it to shoot the show. The owner of the venue will tell you that it may be Warner Bros. or Columbia Pictures. In short, a large enough company has priority use rights. If you want to rent it, you must first contact the other party to see if they are willing to lend it to you.
The film industry emerged decades earlier than the television industry, and has much more experience in how to restrict and suppress others than those in the television industry. In the end, either you give them the opportunity to make money from you, or you forget about finding a suitable venue near your own TV station at a low cost.
BT TV is no exception. Except for a news program, a weather program, and a black talk show, all its programs are prepared to cooperate with the TV program production departments of major Hollywood film companies.
However, the result of the first contact was somewhat unexpected, at least unexpected to Rick and Tommy, because it was not that they did not choose the production company, but that the production company refused to cooperate with them.
"I met with about four TV production companies this week and talked about our program requirements, including the venue, personnel, and the ideas we want to convey through the program." Rick sat opposite Tommy with a complicated expression and let out a depressed sigh:
"Then all four companies said they would consider it and then give us an answer as to whether they were willing to help with the production. Tommy, this was a euphemism to tell us that they were not interested in making money from us."
Tommy looked at Rick innocently, "What ? Because they only make money from noble money, and every penny I make is full of blood and sweat, they can't bear to exploit me?"
"On the contrary. First, the total production cost we offered was too low and they were not interested. Second, they didn't want to ruin their reputation." Rick rubbed his face and looked at Tommy.
Tommy's eyes widened slowly, and he asked Rick, "You don't want to ruin your reputation? What kind of reputation will you ruin by helping BT TV to produce a reality show?"
"Actually, what I said was already tactful. The original words from the other party were more hurtful." Rick said in a low voice.
Tommy said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, I can handle it. Tell me what they said."
"They said they would rather make a short film for Living Color than film our reality show full of hostility towards black people." Rick looked at Tommy: "I hope you don't mind."
"Did you say something racist to them, Rick? We are a black TV station, speaking for black people and working for social equality for black people! Born equal is a value deeply ingrained in everyone at our TV station! What the hell do you mean our reality show is full of malice towards black people!" Tommy was stunned for a moment, then asked angrily.
Rick looked at Tommy with a complicated expression and said hesitantly, "'Looking for Daddy America', right? It's the long-distance location reality show you named yourself. The workload of producing such a show sounds scary, so you must find a big company to help you cooperate in the production. Unfortunately, they are not interested. After analysis, their staff believed that BT TV was selling the ugly side of black people to the audience as a gimmick. They don't want to be boycotted by black audiences and cause trouble. Once they are targeted by black people and accused of racial discrimination, competitors in the industry will immediately add fuel to the fire and take the opportunity to attack them. They don't want to bear such possible consequences. Moreover, they don't think that the reunion of a black father and his wife and children can show the so-called humanistic care. You clearly only want the kind of comedy effect that tears the wounds of black people and makes the audience laugh."
Tommy opened his mouth first, then lowered his head and remained silent for a few seconds. Finally, he couldn't hold it in any longer and looked up at Rick: "Do you think that when we meet again, the strong American humanistic care will be reflected?"
"There's no need for the prefix 'strong'. It has nothing to do with humanistic care. We all know that the black wife and children can't find their husband or father because he escaped and abandoned them. The scene where one of them doesn't want to reunite will only make the audience excited to see the man's crazy expression. Just like what the production companies that rejected us said, it's an unscrupulous comedy show that just tears up the other party's wounds and makes the audience laugh." Rick said in a firm tone.
"Do you think I'm that kind of superficial, vulgar bastard, Rick? Look me in the eyes, hey! Look me in the eyes! Look at me!" Tommy knocked on the table in dissatisfaction, motioning Rick to look at him.
Rick sighed and looked up at his boss who was absolutely hostile to black people. "So? Boss, if you want me to see nobleness, depth, holiness and other things in your eyes, I may have to confess to God first, and then please you."
"You are obviously superficial, and then you maliciously speculate that other people are the same as you. If your club is broken, it doesn't mean that other men in the world can't get up. Rick, remember this sentence, and then convey this sentence to the heads of those companies who rejected us." Tommy's chest rose and fell several times, and he seemed to be really angry at Rick's words. He closed his eyes to relax for a moment, then opened his eyes again, looked at Rick and said seriously:
"I don't deny that the program I designed has a certain comedic effect. Black people like comedy and conflict. We have to give them what they want to see. If I come up and tell them what humanistic care is, do you think they will thank me for teaching them, or will they curse at the screen and say what this stupid TV station is doing? And then change the channel? So, we have to give them what they want to see first, give them a sense of anticipation. What do they expect? They want to see the woman and the child find their husband, and they want to see what expression will appear on the face of the unfortunate husband. Until here, I don't deny that drama is greater than other factors, but I haven't finished yet."
“But generally speaking, if a show reaches this point, we think it’s time to end,” Rick said.
"That's right. Those few short sentences before the end are a manifestation of humanistic care. BT TV will contact the cooperative bank to provide an interest-free loan to the husband who is willing to return to his family to support him in finding a job, raising children, and going through the initial difficult period. The interest-free loan may be 5,000 yuan or 10,000 yuan. We will even tell him directly on the show that it doesn't matter if he can't pay it back, because the TV station can pay it back on his behalf. Tell me, is this BT TV's humanistic care for black people? Those politicians and bigwigs who call for racial equality all day long, are there any willing to take out real money to help those poor black people? No! But we will! We will help them reunite their families and give them 10,000 US dollars. Tell me, is this our unscrupulous ridicule of black people?"
"You didn't say that there would be a bank cooperating with the program... and willing to provide interest-free loans."
" Because I thought that was not a problem for the production of the program, and there was no need to make it clear to the production company. But now, if they think we are full of malice towards black people, then tell them, fuck them, BT TV understands more humanistic care than their bunch of bitches in suits. No one understands more humanistic care for black people than us."
At the end, Tommy looked at Martin, who was helping Page design his beard on the sofa in his office, and said, "Martin, do you think caring is giving 10,000 yuan to a black family, or is it caring for a politician to tell them on TV that I will fight for more rights for black people all my life?"
Martin did not answer immediately, but first carefully confirmed that Old Page beside him would not take out the electric baton to give him a shock, and then he said to Tommy:
"If the politicians don't pay me as much as you, my boss, do, and you don't give black families $10,000, I will still say you are right. Of course, if you give them $10,000, they will praise you along with me. We black people are so simple."
"Did you hear that? The humanistic care in the eyes of black people is so realistic... no... so plain and simple." After getting the answer, Tommy looked at Rick and said, "You may have made too many short films. After all, you don't need to find a reason to make those things. But I am different, Rick. Whatever I do, I will first find a great, correct reason that can give me a sense of honor. This great reason will drive me to go on this road without hesitation no matter how dangerous it is."
"What you call humanitarian care... is actually giving money to those poor black people. In fact, this is still a kind of discrimination. Do you understand, boss? Middle-class or higher-level black people are very disgusted with this stereotyped way of helping black people. They may not watch your show, but they may cause trouble for you." Rick thought about it and couldn't help reminding Tommy that his so-called humanitarian care is still a stereotype of racial discrimination in the eyes of high-level black people.
Tommy turned his head and looked at Martin: "Martin, did you hear what Rick said about those middle-class or wealthy black people? They think we shouldn't use money to help poor black people. I think I need you to scold them for me now."
Martin lived up to Tommy's expectations. He looked at Rick angrily and said, "Those idiots are all idiots controlled by white people! Their black skin is painted on with fucking paint! They themselves are unwilling to help their compatriots, and they don't allow others to help them. Why! Because if poor guys like us become rich, we won't be able to let these guys continue to show off their success to us! They are bastards ! They are dogs of the white people!"
"Write this down. Every time you curse in public, your salary will go up by ten dollars." Tommy nodded with satisfaction and said to Martin, "If you curse enough times, maybe one day you can become the richest black man."
