Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years

"OK, that's a wrap. This scene was performed very well. Mai Mai, you've made great progress. Keep it up, and continue to work hard!"

The director, Qi Hao, is getting more and more experienced.

It's always good to encourage young actors, especially someone like Zhao Jinmai. It's particularly important to help her build a solid sense of confidence.

The little girl was overjoyed to hear this.

Her big eyes were sparkling, trying hard to suppress the rising corners of her mouth.

The director praised her again today!

"Alright, Mai Mai, take a break. It's pretty hot today, so let your mom reward you with a small ice cream."

The film crew has a car refrigerator stocked with small ice creams.

"Thank you, director," Zhao Jinmai went to find her mother. "Mom, the director said I could have a small ice cream."

"Fine... okay!"

Zhao Jinmai's mom was quite helpless. This child's recent habit of frequently saying "the director said" is almost becoming a catchphrase.

Clearly, besides her parents, the director has become the most authoritative figure in her mind.

Qi Hao was just saying it casually, after all.

Even if Zhao Jinmai's mom didn't feed her ice cream, Qi Hao wouldn't have intervened on her behalf.

It's already the tenth day since the movie started filming.

The action design is basically completed, leaving just the patching of holes and discussing improvements whenever better ideas arise.

During breaks, Qi Hao begins to review scripts sent by various parties.

These scripts weren't meant to be sold to Qi Hao, nor were they invitation for him to perform. Instead, they were aspiring to receive investment from Feiyang Media.

After being filtered by a professional team, those that were too poor didn't even get a chance to reach Qi Hao's hands.

West Hao Film Industry has already been established.

Now, all that's needed is one project. Push some money into it, surpassing 10% shares would count as completing the task.

As for investing in several projects, allocating 100% investment to all, Qi Hao finds it unlikely, as system tasks that exceed completion usually require a qualitative leap.

If the project is particularly poor, no matter how much is invested, it would only tarnish West Hao Film Industry's reputation.

This deviates from the system's principle of empowering the host to be remarkable.

If one wants to surpass, there are roughly two directions to strive for. One is box office success, and the other is critical acclaim or possessing other significant meanings.

Similarly, if the movie invested in loses too much money, or the rating is very low, it might lower the standard for "exceeding" and ensure the reward is only the "guaranteed" one million Sina shares.

The kind of careless, haphazard investment in dozens of films based on luck is obviously unreliable.

Sometimes even the guaranteed reward might be withheld by the system.

Hmm, there's also the possibility of being sent to a psychiatric hospital.

"This 'Kuiba' belongs to animated films. The quality is quite good; they've started production since the beginning of the year. Now, it's stalled. Their total production budget is 15 million, and they're short by 10 million. Plus, we need to manage the publicity. If we demand it, they'll collaborate with us on future sequels."

Zhang Nan, standing nearby, helps explain each project as Qi Hao reviews them.

Just like... the manager beside the ancient emperor.

When Yang Liu and the professional team discuss scripts and projects, he attends as well, specifically responsible for summarizing to Qi Hao.

"55 points, what are its flaws?"

Qi Hao noticed the score on the project book and puzzledly asked.

If the project was truly good, it shouldn't have scored this low, not even reaching a passing grade.

The selection group's score is based on various aspects like box office potential, reputation, and overall potential.

Certainly, films with great box office and reputation, like historical classics, can receive the highest ratings.

Of course, given the evaluation level of Feiyang Media's selection group, they hardly have the capability to rate historical classics.

"Everyone thinks it's hard to make money, yet considers it as having a certain promotional effect on our Huaxia's animated film industry. It's an animated film aimed at adults."

Zhang Nan reported faithfully, merely conveying without mixing his opinions.

"Do you think it's worth investing?"

Qi Hao casually flipped through it; the worldview seemed a bit broad.

If he were to make it, he would probably alter the story's background to some dynasty.

Just like 'The Legend of Zhen Huan'.

Filming according to the original alternate history would surely be less understandable than filming something set in the Qing dynasty.

Of course, this may not be correct, as he wasn't a very mature director and never really studied animated films.

"Me?" Zhang Nan thought for a moment, organized his words, and replied, "I think the boss can invest a bit. If Zhonghao Film Industry wants to develop significantly in the future (dominate the world), issues should be viewed from the entire film industry's standpoint."

"Haha~"

Qi Hao tossed this project to his left side, remaining noncommittal towards Zhang Nan's words.

It quite matches King of Competition's stance. Represented by King of Competition, they possess an extraordinary ambition for their careers.

"'Hello! Mr. Tree', the script is very good, only..."

Zhang Nan glanced at the discarded 'Kuiba', and continued introducing the next project to Qi Hao.

"Only what?"

Qi Hao scanned quickly, somewhat guessing what it might be.

"This might not make much money either, but its total cost is only eight million, so the evaluation group thinks it won't lose much."

Zhang Nan looked at the score of 85 above, still unable to decipher Qi Hao's intent.

"Alright."

Qi Hao threw this script along with the earlier 'Kuiba'.

"'Laughing in the World' stars Zhao Benshan and Xiaoshenyang. Production costs range from 40 to 50 million. This should be profitable."

Zhang Nan took the initiative to explain to Qi Hao.

"Rating: 70. Seems like it's not free from issues."

Qi Hao knew Xiaoshenyang, Zhao Benshan's apprentice. During Spring Festival evening gala, the master and apprentice performed a pretty good skit together.

This master and apprentice duo is extremely popular, no wonder the selection team believes this movie is likely to make money.

"The script is pretty lousy, a bit hard to look at."

"Alright then..."

Qi Hao hesitated for a moment and threw the script to his right side.

"If You Are the One 2, this series should be relatively secure, Mrs. Hua is interested in collaborating, but there are too many companies involved, so the share won't be much."

Zhang Nan wasn't sure which one Qi Hao intended to invest in.

"Mrs. Hua, huh, let's talk later."

Qi Hao also threw this one to the right, not even looking at the script carefully.

New Shaolin Temple, Hong Kong film, by Chen Musheng, the script is average, so is its commercial potential.

The Legend of Martial Arts, a movie adapted from a big IP, might have good commercial potential, but seems like a cash grab.

...

Several consecutives were thrown to the right by Qi Hao.

Zhang Nan understood as well.

Everything on the right was considered trash by the boss, just not sure which of the two on the left he plans to invest in.

"Invest in both on the left, forget about the ones on the right, and get the contracts signed as soon as possible."

Out of eight scripts, Qi Hao selected two with average box office prospects.

Movies with strong commercial value usually rarely lack investors, so they seldom reach him.

The only somewhat guaranteed one, If You Are the One 2, was from Mrs. Hua.

Their finances are a mess, and Qi Hao doesn't want to get involved for now.

"I'll handle it tomorrow... no, today!"

As soon as Zhang Nan heard Qi Hao say as soon as possible, he started calculating how quickly it could be done.

That's what makes him stronger than Old Tian.

He has the ability to think but knows to prioritize tasks assigned by Qi Hao.

"Ask Fei over there, if they're also willing to invest, split it 50-50 with Zhonghao."

Qi Hao knew these two films might lose money, but he had no plans to help Gao Fei avoid risks.

Whether to invest or not, it's Gao Fei's own choice.

You can't say all the losing ones are invested by yourself, and all the profitable ones are invested by Gao Fei.

He's just Uncle Qi to Gao Fei, not his real father.

On the second day, Qi Hao received a notice from the system about task completion, but after calling to inquire about the contract status of the two projects, he confirmed both film investment agreements were signed by the third day, thus confirming task completion.

This task was completed very smoothly.

Received the task in early September, completed it by September 12th.

The system allocated 150 days for task completion, Qi Hao achieved it at lightning speed, if he could complete each task this fast, he'd probably align with the timeline by now.

[Task 26 Completed, Rewards: Director +10, Song "Fairy Tale", 1.5 million shares of Sina]

[Task Completed, Acquired Training Opportunity]

[Train NPC Choose One: Wu Jing/Li Zhongzhi/Zhao Jinmai]

[Now Starting New Task]

[Task 27: The development of social informatization and globalization has made English a crucial tool for information transmission. Some things are not necessarily needed, but must be available. Learn English, acquire a certain vocabulary, and achieve fluency in communication. Task Difficulty: 4 stars, Time Limit: 100 days]

[Task Completion Reward: Driving Skill +10, Script "Crazy Stone", Special Effects Company]

Director +10, this is particularly useful for the current Qi Hao.

"Fairy Tale" doesn't matter, it's all tears if said too much.

Sina stocks were increased by 50%, reaching 1.5 million shares, valued at 300 million.

This is quite impressive.

Equivalent to an extra billion!

Did Kuiba and Hello! Mr. Tree have such high ratings?

Or did one of their box office really explode?

For Training NPC Wu Jing/Li Zhongzhi/Zhao Jinmai, Qi Hao chose Li Zhongzhi, the only one in the candidate state as an action instructor.

As for Wu Jing, Qi Hao has Li Lianjie, so he doesn't currently lack an action sparring partner.

It's been some time since the last training space upgrade, Qi Hao feels this thing is about to upgrade as well.

Perhaps a function specific to directors will appear.

By then, he could organize a film production crew within the training space to make a movie directly.

And it would be a dream team.

Then, dozens of award-winning actors could appear together, with four or five super directors overseeing, plus a top-notch action director, art director, and top photographer...

Once filming is done inside, just mimic it outside.

The new task requires Qi Hao to learn English, the vocabulary part is easy since Qi Hao has a photographic memory, but needing conversational fluency is more trouble.

The help from Sven Glasses isn't much with practicing speaking, at least not as much as recognizing words.

However, the reward for this new task is quite interesting.

The script for Crazy Stone, that's Ning Hao's breakout work, if he had it earlier, who knows if Ning Hao would've made a name for himself.

Such a good script... what a pity.

Fortunately, Qi Hao is used to it by now.

Now when he sees "Fairy Tale" and "Crazy Stone", he's completely unfazed.

But... a special effects company?

What's this all about?