For Sylvia, discussing and learning PK with these professional musicians was a new experience in her life.
Brock drove the car towards Urgford TV station, manipulating the steering wheel while looking at Sylvia beside him. “I thought you would be interested, but I didn’t expect you to be so interested. This program didn’t have a good response when it was seeking sponsors and investors this year. It is said that only a few small investors put in some money, and the title sponsor has changed to a small brand. So… the situation is not very optimistic.”
“Oh, that’s so bad?” Sylvia’s beautiful eyebrows raised slightly, her red lips curved. “The music market is not doing well now. The market tends towards TV dramas and movies, not like the flourishing music scene in the 80s and 90s.”
Brock smoothly drove the car onto the overpass. “Nowadays, people have more entertainment activities. They read online novels, watch short videos, watch TV shows and movies, play mobile games. They no longer go to the music store to borrow CDs like before… Young people nowadays either go clubbing or stay at home playing games. So it’s only natural that the music market is gradually declining.”
Brock sighed again. “Especially with the rise of short videos in recent years, they have impacted almost all entertainment industries, taking away some of the traffic from online novels and mobile games, as well as a portion of the music industry. Many new songs become popular on platforms like TikTok, and there are plenty of viral songs on TikTok, but it’s hard to monetize them.”
Sylvia agreed. “It’s just a passing trend. It lasts for a week or two and then disappears. These singers are in an awkward situation – their songs are popular, but they are not famous. Everyone has heard their songs, but they don’t know who sings them.”
“That’s just how it is. The overall environment determines everyone’s situation.” Brock was also helpless. “The same goes for movies in recent years. If you focus on popularity, you can attract attention and eyeballs. If you don’t focus on popularity, you can focus on acting skills and find some talented actors, but they lack popularity and attention. And you still need a good script.”
Sylvia chuckled at his frustrated tone. She laughed softly, “With me around, what do you have to worry about? Popularity can also come with acting skills, but it needs a director like you to discover and guide.”
“Some people just lack talent and no matter how much you guide them, it doesn’t work. They just don’t get it.” Brock became a bit annoyed as he continued, “A few days ago, my friend Arturo made an idol drama and asked me to direct it. He found this girl named Jordyn for the role. She had to film a crying scene for a whole day but couldn’t cry. In the end, she managed to pass by using eye drops. It made Arturo furious.”
“That name Jordyn sounds familiar.” Sylvia took out her phone and opened the email Brock sent her. “She’s a star and also participated in this music program. Oh, she’s a regular music partner too?”
Brock had a very low opinion of this person.
“The capital behind her has been promoting her recently, wanting to turn her into a triple threat in film, television, and music, preferably like Eden’s successful transformation into an actor. But she really lacks talent. First of all, she didn’t come from a professional background and doesn’t even know how to position herself on stage.”
Sylvia raised an eyebrow. “Then why be an actor? Looks may play a part in being an actor, but talent, skills, and learning ability are also very important.”
There are many actors who are not particularly handsome or beautiful but still have a place in the entertainment industry because they have talent and are willing to work hard.
Many idol stars complain about minor illnesses or even self-harm on social media platforms, claiming how dedicated and hardworking they are. They say they work hard even with injuries.
In fact, compared to those truly dedicated actors, they are not only lacking in moral character but also lacking by a wide margin.
Brock has experienced the ups and downs of the industry and knows some of its secrets.
He helplessly said, “She has wealthy backers. They pay a lot, just to make her a popular star. There’s nothing we can do about it, you know.”
It’s because there are so many celebrities who have backers but lack talent that the entertainment industry has become a mess.
Brock said with a speechless expression, “I heard that on Arturo’s set, there was a supporting actress who had a small role but had delicate features. Jordyn was jealous of her beauty and kept tormenting her. She slapped her dozens of times until her face swelled up.”
It’s not that he likes to gossip or talk nonsense. He wants to remind Sylvia not to pay too much attention to Jordyn.
The car slowly stopped in the parking lot of the TV station. Brock got out of the car and opened the door. “We’ve arrived, Miss Andrews.”
Sylvia got out of the car and looked up at the tall Luciano TV station building. The Urgford TV station logo was particularly eye-catching.
She nodded and said, “Let’s go.”
As soon as they entered the lobby of the TV station on the first floor, several men walked out of the elevator. The man leading them looked about fifty years old and had an elegant demeanor.
Sylvia’s eyes narrowed as she stopped in her tracks and spoke up, “Donald, long time no see.”
Donald saw a familiar slender figure from a distance when he came out of the elevator and realized that it was indeed Sylvia.
He couldn’t help but show a gentle smile. “Miss Andrews, how could I have the chance to meet you here?”
“I’m here to participate in a program.” Sylvia smiled brightly. “I heard from my master that your health hasn’t been good lately. How are you now?”
During a chat with Louis some time ago, he mentioned that Donald had suffered serious health problems and had been resting and rarely going out.
She didn’t expect to run into him in H Rovirsa.
It was truly unexpected.
“It’s nothing serious, just need some rest.” Donald patted Sylvia’s shoulder with a friendly attitude. “I invested in a project at the TV station and came here personally to investigate while taking a break.”
“Okay, then let’s have dinner tonight. I’ll treat you.” Donald laughed heartily and was amused by Sylvia’s words. “I love talking to you; it makes me feel so comfortable.”
“Then I’ll go up first. See you tonight.” Sylvia nodded at him and walked towards the elevator with Brock.
Even though Sylvia left, Donald’s smile didn’t fade from his lips. He walked outside with a smile on his face while several TV station executives accompanied him cautiously. “Mr. Fox, about Miss Andrews just now…”
They were all aware of Sylvia’s fame as media professionals.
How could she know this so-called global billionaire? Their relationship seemed quite good.
Not many people can make the billionaire invite them out for dinner.
“Oh, she’s just an old friend of mine. She is my younger brother’s disciple; she plays the piano very well.” Donald mentioned it briefly and didn’t say much more. “I’ll go back to the hotel now; you don’t need to accompany me all the way. Go back to your own work.”
“Okay, okay.” The executives were afraid of annoying the billionaire and quickly agreed.
After seeing Donald off, one of the executives frowned and said, “What is Sylvia here for? I heard her say she’s participating in a program?”
“Oh, it seems she will be one of the flight partners for ‘The Celestial Chorus’.” Another executive chimed in. It seemed like he had approved the documents for it.
“I see. Since she knows Mr. Fox, let’s take care of her more.” The executive nodded. “We can’t afford any mistakes; we can’t afford to offend these people. If they even make a small complaint against us, we’ll be in trouble for years.”
“Vice President, don’t worry; we will take care of it.”
After responding briefly, everyone went back to their own offices.
At this time, Sylvia arrived at the director’s office of “The Celestial Chorus” program with Brock.
The director of “The Celestial Chorus” was Leonard – he was big and burly but had a delicate heart.
He was always good at doing music programs and variety shows and had achieved some success.
However, in recent years, the music industry as a whole was not doing well, and he couldn’t do much about it.
When Leonard saw Brock and Sylvia come in, he quickly stood up from his seat. “Miss Andrews, hello!”
“You don’t have to be so polite.” Sylvia calmly looked at him; this director exuded an artistic vibe from head to toe with his messy hair tied back in a ponytail and wearing wide-leg pants and short boots.
In short, he didn’t look like a director but more like a wandering singer.
“Hillary’s Abbigail and Stanley are waiting for you in the rehearsal room; let’s go.” Leonard walked out with his cowboy boots tapping on the ground. “Miss Andrews, do you need some rest or do you want to rehearse with Abbigail right away? Shall we run through it once?”
Sylvia followed him as she watched his sturdy figure walking ahead. “It’s okay; we can run through it once. My singing skills are amateurish; this time I’m collaborating with such talented singers; I feel a bit nervous.”
Leonard looked visibly surprised. “You’re nervous? What are you nervous about? You sing so much better than some so-called singers.”
He was very open-minded and laughed again before saying, “Anyway, let’s take a walk first.”
The three of them quickly arrived at the rehearsal room where Abbigail and Stanley were waiting for them. Abbigail smiled when she saw Sylvia enter; although she was almost forty years old, she still exuded the aura of a confident grassland singer.
That kind of irreplaceable presence couldn’t be learned by other stars or small singers.
“Miss Andrews, I’m Abbigail.”
“I’m Stanley.”
“We are Hillary.”