YouTube, as the world's largest video website, has a global reach.
Therefore, a video that goes viral on YouTube is truly popular worldwide.
Throughout YouTube's history, there have been many videos with hundreds of millions or even billions of views, but most of them are music MVs.
Among the top ten, there is only one Asian singer, Psy's 'Gangnam Style,' with over 5 billion views. Although many people criticize the song as trash, it is still considered a light of Asia.
The remaining eight in the top ten are all European and American singers, dominated by Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Fruit Sister, Charlie Puth, and others.
Some have two to three billion views, while others reach over six billion, with the highest being Ed Sheeran's'Shape of You' at 6.2 billion views.
But even with the terrifying figure of 6.2 billion, it still only ranks second on the list.
The champion belongs to Pinkfong's children's brainwashing hit 'Baby Shark Dance,' with over 13 billion views, a complete dimensionality reduction strike.
On the Japanese side, the highest viewed video is Kenshi Yonezu's 'Lemon,' with 500 million views.
The highest viewed video in China is G.E.M.'s 'Light Years Away,' with 700 million views.
Excluding the European and American music scene, comparing only the musical influence of China, Japan, and Korea, China sadly ranks last.
And at least from Eric's perspective before his transmigration, there was no hope of a comeback within ten years.
Many people criticize the Chinese music scene for becoming increasingly stagnant, full of ballads, lacking creativity, and being self-important and insular. Their criticisms are not entirely unfounded.
It is only because of China's large population that so many mediocre singers can survive.
But these are all very professional music MVs, definitely not suitable for the general public to film.
Videos suitable for the general public must be quirky enough, novel enough, demonic enough, and not too difficult, but simple, easy to understand, and actionable.
After some thought, Eric decided to personally shoot several short videos and then arrange for MGM staff to expand several video types.
He himself would shoot the Shoulder Dance, and also bring Andrea and Michael to shoot 'Baby Shark Dance' and 'PPAP.'
MGM staff would shoot some 'ghost animal' videos, parodying enemies like Eminem.
They would also shoot videos on topics such as food sharing, tech explanations, handicrafts, family fun, and cosplay.
There's also the major category of film and television commentary, starting with 'the walking dead.'
The purpose of the former is to make YouTube go viral, preferably spreading across the world like in later generations, and inspiring positive imitation.
The latter is to broaden everyone's thinking and guide users to create diverse videos. Once horizons are broadened, thinking naturally becomes more active.
Since the goal is to go viral, then let's go big.
Burbank, MGM's filming base, saw a continuous stream of luxury cars parked today.
Ryan Reynolds, the Olsen Sisters, the British Trio, Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, and others walked into the studio one after another.
Seeing this, an uninformed person might think a major film was about to begin production.
When most of the people had arrived, one person in the crowd stood out conspicuously.
Everyone else looked at him expressionlessly, clearly not wanting to interact with him. Although he was a bit awkward, he seemed used to it and just walked to a corner by himself.
The group in front of him were all popular first-tier young actors and actresses. Robert Downey Jr. had wanted to approach them.
But seeing their attitude, and considering that he was just a tainted artist, it was understandable that they didn't want to bother with him.
A few days ago, he was exercising at home, practicing Wing Chun on a wooden dummy. With no acting gigs, he could only rely on this to pass the time.
Then he suddenly received an unfamiliar call. After answering, it turned out to be someone from MGM, inviting him to star in a movie.
Because of his self-destructive behavior, Hollywood had almost no place for him, and even his agent had abandoned him. He didn't know how the other party got his contact information.
To play a comic book character, Tony Stark, the male lead of 'iron man.'
Robert Downey Jr. was not a comic book fan and had only heard of the character but didn't understand him at all.
But it didn't matter. Having fallen to this point, what more could he ask for? It was good enough to have a role.
The pay was only $200,000?
Okay, he would have accepted $100,000, let alone being the male lead.
Moreover, the comic book adaptation market was booming now, and perhaps he could rise again with this film.
Then yesterday, he received another call, telling him to come to Burbank for a cameo role.
He asked and found out it was for a super boss, Eric Cooper's film. There was no need to mention salary or anything; just come and participate quickly.
A few minutes later, Eric also arrived at the scene. After scanning the room, he asked, "Is everyone here? Robert Downey Jr., where is Robert Downey Jr.?"
In the corner, Downey hurried over: "Director, I'm here."
Seeing him crouched alone in the corner, Eric understood what had happened, but who could he blame?
Growing up in such a family environment, Robert Downey Jr., despite his extraordinary talent, inevitably became a heavy drug addict.
Then came the broken family, frequent prison sentences, until his release early last year.
This time, he seemed to have truly woken up, publicly declaring that he would completely quit drugs and turn over a new leaf.
Eric didn't believe he could truly kick his drug addiction, because his history of drug use was too long—a terrifying thirty years that had deeply rooted itself in his bones.
However, according to the situation before his transmigration, after this release from prison, Robert Downey Jr. indeed never had another drug-related incident reported, and he even enthusiastically promoted the dangers of drugs, becoming an anti-drug pioneer.
The reason was still because the acting industry had money, allowing him to suppress his addiction with medication.
Simply put, he replaced the highly harmful original drugs with a less harmful drug that hadn't yet been defined as a narcotic.
This approach is unaffordable for most ordinary families; it's too expensive.
Furthermore, his second wife, Susan Levin, wasn't yet there to supervise and restrain him, so Eric still had concerns.
The contract signed also included safeguard clauses: if Downey relapsed, all his pay would be reclaimed, he would be immediately removed from the set, and he would have to make a public apology.
In the United States, after the impact of hippie culture, society's tolerance for marijuana and drugs is relatively high.
But habitual offenders like Robert Downey Jr. are still despised by everyone; movie fans will boycott him, just look at Ezra Miller.
He specifically brought Downey over this time because the latter hadn't appeared in the public eye for a long time.
For 'iron man,' he needed to boost his popularity. Also, the flamboyant Tesla in the video was very suitable for him to play.
Pulling Downey over, Eric patted his shoulder: "Don't you recognize him? Robert Downey Jr., an Oscar nominee. His 'Charlie Chaplin' was brilliant."
Everyone smiled without warmth. They hadn't seen 'Charlie Chaplin,' but they often saw him in social news.
"Alright, it seems you really don't know him. Downey will be the male lead in MGM's new movie 'iron man,' a Grade A blockbuster with a $500 million investment."
"Forget those bad things. Standing before you is a new Robert Downey Jr."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed, and their gazes towards Robert Downey Jr. were different.
Many of them hadn't even landed a lead role in an A-list production, and to gain Eric's recognition, he must have something extraordinary.
Downey felt a warmth in his heart, knowing that Eric was helping him build his image and integrate into the group.
He humbly greeted them again: "Robert Downey Jr., hello everyone."
Everyone smiled and nodded in response.
"Very good, I like a harmonious crew. Although it's just a three-minute short film, I still hope the filming goes smoothly and can be completed in one day as much as possible."
With that, Neill Blomkamp handed out the plot synopsis to everyone, letting them understand their roles.
They watched while getting their makeup done, and half an hour later, the team reassembled.
They were all professional actors. Although they found the plot very strange and the storyboards looked very odd, they simply followed instructions.
"Neil, set up the camera, prepare to shoot behind-the-scenes footage."
"Everyone else, come with me. Let's learn how to do the Shoulder Dance first."
"Step one, jump up high. When you land, make sure your left foot is forward, right foot is back, then look to the side."
Eric demonstrated, and everyone immediately followed suit.
"Step two, rock your shoulders back and forth, back and forth, back and forth."
"Very good, speed up, a little faster, a little faster."
"Have you ever driven or seen a hand-cranked tractor from the last century? When you want to start it, you have to keep cranking. Everyone crank it up!"
"Excellent, pay attention to your expressions. Being expressionless is not right."
"Show your professional qualities, make exaggerated expressions as much as possible—shocked, winking, seductive, flamboyant. Don't forget to be sexy."
"Then step three, move to the beat of the music!"
Clap!
Eric snapped his fingers, and the dynamic BGM immediately started.
The movements that originally looked very silly immediately looked even sillier, and because they all had a dance background, even without Eric's instruction, they found the beat and stepped in time.
"Very good, shake your shoulders!"
"Downey's expression is great, very sassy."
"Ryan is also great, his expressions switch very richly."
"Chris, you need to open yourself up more, release your nature, make your expression a little more demonic."
"Ryan, Chris, you two are the male leads, get closer, try to show some bromance."
Mary immediately burst into laughter: "I don't think they need to pretend. Their outfits, movements, combined with the background music, already make them look very much like gay."
The others couldn't help but laugh along, and the more they laughed, the more enthusiastically they twisted.
Soon there was no beat, and the Shoulder Dance turned into a chaotic group dance. Everyone started improvising wildly, as if they were at a nightclub.
Chris Evans pointed to his shoulder and asked, "Director, who came up with this dance? Why is it so demonic? It wasn't you, was it?"
Eric nodded.
"Genius, you really are a genius! But can you please not make Ryan and me so bromantic? I hang out with Optimus Prime."
"Can I not wear a vest and khaki pants? Also, my name, can it not be Kiki? It's too weird."
Ryan Reynolds followed up, saying, "Director, and me, can it not be Chuchu? Can I not wear overalls? Or take off the fake mustache, this is too gay."
Tom Hardy chuckled: "Isn't that even better? Gay culture is popular now. Ashley and Mary both won Golden Globe Awards Best Actress."
"Exactly, do you look down on homosexuals?"
"I don't, I don't. I look down on heterosexuals, is that better?"
"Look at McAvoy's expression. He and Fassbender truly look gay."
James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender quickly separated, lest they truly be misunderstood as 'English gay' (Britaingay orchid).
"Look at Downey. This seductive and sexy expression, plus a small mustache, from a distance he looks like Tesla, up close like Howard Stark, and then he also looks a bit like Uncle Ya."
Amidst the playful banter, the filming of the Shoulder Dance went very smoothly, indeed completed in one day. After editing overnight, it could be released tomorrow.
He went to check on Andrea and Michael. The 'Baby Shark Dance,' mainly featuring children, was actually the most difficult to film, as children are the hardest to control, second only to animals and infants.
The filming difficulty of 'PPAP' was not very high, and Eric only used the first half, so the video was only tens of seconds long.
The main issue was Michael's high demands, which exhausted the Japanese-Americans who were so hard to find. After dozens of takes, he was still not satisfied with their movements and expressions.
In the evening, at Leonard's restaurant, Eric and Michael had dinner and a few drinks together.
"Eric, China is starting to urge me. It's getting close to their Christmas."
"Michael, it's not Christmas, it's Spring Festival."
"Right, they said Spring Festival, which is equivalent to Christmas in America."
"How long is your contract for?"
"China Central Television wants to sign me for a week, but the recording of 'The Voice of America' isn't finished yet, I can't be away for that long, so I only signed for three days."
"Three days, including round-trip flights, only leaves two and a half days. Is that enough time for rehearsals?"
Michael smiled: "I've already made a plan. In fact, ever since Meiyi Records was established, I've been training for this year's national tour."
"Although my physical condition and stamina can't reach their past peak, I can still sing and dance for over an hour continuously."
"The team is the original crew. Once we arrive, we just need to make appropriate adjustments based on the stage. There won't be any problems."
Michael was always very responsible when it came to performances, especially facing hundreds of millions of people watching simultaneously. Eric believed he would absolutely not mess up.
"Eric, make some time to come play at Neverland Ranch. Paris often asks where the handsome uncle is."
"Bring Elizabeth and your friends. She'll surely love it."