From American Internet Celebrity to God Among Men

100: Chapter 100: New Year’s Chords, The Eye of a Documentary and the Chessboard of a TourThe lingering echoes of the New Year’s bells seemed to still be drifting in the air of Los Angeles, but Alex Su’s studio had already returned to efficient operation.

The early January sunlight filtered through the blinds, cutting lines of light and shadow onto the surface of the console.

The first official meeting was about the first major independent documentary project proposal for the ”Voice of Truth” platform.

The proposer, Director Martin, was a white-haired, sharp-eyed former war correspondent now focused on social issue documentaries.

The project he brought was about a group of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and how they were trying to find meaning in life again through community farming, music therapy, and other means while struggling with PTSD.

”This isn’t a film of praise or accusation, Alex.” Director Martin’s voice was steady and powerful. ”This is a film about how to slowly, painfully, but truly piece oneself back together after being shattered. It needs to be seen, but mainstream media either packages it as an inspirational story or deliberately ignores the systemic plight within it.”

Alex Su leaned back in his chair, listening to Director Martin’s explanation while quickly browsing the project outline and some existing footage.

His newly acquired 【Information Reception Filtering (Passive)】 ability was running silently in the background, helping him quickly grasp the core value, potential risks (such as involving sensitive military topics), and emotional impact points of the proposal.

He could ”feel” the heavy weight and realistic texture of this project.

”The budget isn’t high, the filming cycle is long, and the broadcast channel is also uncertain.” Director Martin said frankly, ”But the platform philosophy of ’Voice of Truth’, and your previous actions of speaking out for the NT-7 incident, make me feel that this might be a suitable home.”

Alex Su did not answer immediately.

He looked at Marcus and Lauren beside him.

Marcus nodded slightly; from the perspective of platform traffic and user tone, this kind of deep content could greatly enhance the brand’s connotation.

Lauren whispered a few legal and confidentiality clauses that needed special attention.

”We’ll take the project.” Alex Su finally spoke, his tone firm. ”For the funding gap, ’Voice of Truth’ can cover a part of it, and at the same time, I will introduce some foundations that focus on social welfare in my personal name. What we need is complete independence and support in creation. Director Martin, I trust your eyes and conscience. Go film it; for whatever resources you need, coordinate with Marcus.”

A flash of excitement crossed Director Martin’s eyes, and he nodded vigorously.

Another story that was hard to be heard in the commercial wave had found its loudspeaker.

Alex Su liked this feeling—using influence to do something with weight.

This itself was consistent with the social responsibility his ”star” status should have, and besides... this kind of deep content often brought lasting, high-quality influence, which in turn transformed into solid growth in popularity.

The afternoon meeting had a completely different style.

Universal Music sent a higher-level negotiation team, led by an executive producer, who brought a carefully planned draft proposal for the ”Alex Su First World Tour”.

The venues ranged from the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles to Radio City Music Hall in New York, moderate in scale but high-end in positioning, aiming to consolidate his status as an ”emerging superstar”.

”We believe that based on the heat of ’wavelength’, a refined, intimate theater tour is a key step to converting your musical influence into a solid fan base and higher commercial value.” The executive producer talked eloquently, and exquisite stage effect renderings and tempting box office estimates flashed on the slides.

Alex Su listened, his fingers tapping gently on the table.

【Information Reception Filtering】 made it easier for him to capture the hidden clauses from the other party’s passionate presentation: Universal hoped to own most of the copyright and derivative income of the tour, and tried to bind the release of future new albums with the tour in exchange for a higher revenue share.

Typical capital logic: using resources and opportunities to exchange for long-term control.