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

Lunchtime was quickly arranged.

Qi Hao had a few people accompany him, all of whom enjoyed drinking.

Alcohol is like a pass in many situations, especially in the north; if you're in business and can't drink...

Then find someone who can drink to help you out!

Many folks drink to survive, often getting so drunk that they end up with stomach bleeding in the hospital, passing out in flower beds, or perishing in the freezing cold; it happens often.

Let's just say, alcohol isn't a good thing, but it's unavoidable.

What's more, Qi Hao was now negotiating a collaboration with a liquor company.

No. 7 Liquor tastes a bit different from the series Qi Hao usually drinks, but not too much.

After all, all fifty-five ethnic groups drink and start singing and dancing, while we Han people just start bragging.

As long as it makes you brag, it's more or less the same.

Thought it was some new product.

However, the price wasn't cheap, with the regular version at 1680 yuan a bottle and the collector's edition at 6880 yuan a bottle.

It's... just ridiculously high.

But considering Maotai's pricing strategy, it seems only natural.

The endorsement fee was the quickest agreement reached.

They found out that Qi Hao's endorsement for Penguin's game and Sina's Weibo was 10 million yuan for two years, so they immediately offered 12 million for two years.

Just adding 2 million can create so much buzz; they could afford it.

Originally, they planned to invite Fang Long, so the budget was more than ample.

At 12 million for two years, even if Qi Hao was thick-skinned, he couldn't bargain any further.

Both parties happily reached an agreement.

Qi Hao added another endorsement deal to his portfolio.

It's just that the official announcement hasn't been made yet, as Maotai not only named the liquor "No. 7 Liquor" but also had a whole set of arrangements.

For example, Qi Hao was to visit the workshop to work, observe each production process, and hold a press conference at the distillery, among other things.

When you take someone's money, you do the work for them.

They gave 12 million for a two-year endorsement, raising Qi Hao's endorsement value by 2 million, and such demands were reasonable.

Other celebrities have a harder time getting endorsements.

All sorts of drinking buddies, all sorts of commissions and favors, some even have to sleep with people.

It's hard to earn money and eat shit.

You might not just have to sleep with the big shot, but also with his wife and daughter.

Maotai only asked Qi Hao to visit the workshop to understand the product, which was really too easy.

After lunch, Qi Hao rested for a bit and then met with Han Jie, the scriptwriter and director of "Hello! Mr. Tree" again.

Han Jie hadn't left; Qi Hao had Zhang Nan host him, along with a few others for company.

No one would look down on a small-time director and throw him into a corner only to be shamed by him years later.

"Hello! Mr. Tree" was a film Qi Hao invested in.

The script was excellent, the kind that aimed for awards.

He was in urgent need of a project to win a Best Actor Award and complete his second main mission.

Since that was the case, he would not hold back.

Initially, he planned to recommend Wang Baoqiang for the role; it seemed more suitable for him.

But as Han Jie said,

If you can play Li Tiangou in Takeda and Ma Jie in "Wait and See," why can't you play Mr. Tree?

Don't you want to become a master actor like Chen Daoming and Li Xuejian?

If Qi Hao had to choose between Chen Daoming and Li Xuejian, he'd definitely choose Li Xuejian, even if he wanted to stab Song Jiang to death when watching "Water Margin."

As for Baoqiang, Qi Hao never owed him anything.

Qi Hao planned that whenever a project was suitable for Wang Baoqiang, he'd let Wang Baoqiang try out.

If Wang Baoqiang could bring in a project, Qi Hao's side would also provide funding.

That would really be more than enough.

"Start smoking first, get a feel for the character's smoking habits."

Upon hearing Qi Hao was willing to take the role, Han Jie didn't hesitate to assign him tasks.

One moment, you are the boss and investor.

The next moment, you're just a tool in my crew.

"Smoking?" Qi Hao thought for a moment and agreed: "No problem, I'll learn."

Qi Hao had played many roles over the years, and smoking was definitely something he'd done.

However, the smoking in "Hello! Mr. Tree" was different from regular smoking.

It had to seem like he was a "seasoned smoker," which sometimes looked unnatural when acted.

Qi Hao wanted to grasp the essence of the Mr. Tree character, and smoking was a very important part of it.

"And you'll also need to study the image of idle rural folk."

Han Jie kept adding conditions, even ignoring Zhang Nan's subtle hints.

"Alright, I'll study it."

Qi Hao nodded, taking the role very seriously, aiming to capture the essence of the character to achieve the Best Actor Award.

Observing real-life counterparts that fit the character image could significantly deepen the understanding of the role.

"There's someone in the village who really resembles Mr. Tree. I drew a lot of inspiration from him while writing the script. You can stay in the village for a few days; I shot a film here before and know the village head well..."

Han Jie handed over a piece of paper with contact information and an address.

"..."

Qi Hao was at a loss for words.

Was it really so demanding?

"You... maybe you should lose some weight!"

Han Jie sized up Qi Hao and made another request.

Zhang Nan didn't want to say anything anymore, this guy is really straightforward, aren't you afraid the boss will kick you out?

"How much weight should I lose?"

Recently, Qi Hao played a special forces soldier in "Uncle."

In the bathroom, with his upper body exposed and his hair shaved off, he presented an incredibly fit image.

The photographer praised the shot as perfect, saying that once the movie is released, this shot will surely become a classic.

During post-production, this shot was even used to create a poster.

Just for this shot, at least a few hundred people would go to see the movie.

"If possible, lose thirty pounds, I want you to present a skinny and tall image."

Han Jie is really not being polite at all.

"Like someone who looks tall but always hunched over, can't straighten up in front of anyone, can't lift their head, and dare not make eye contact with anyone, right?"

Qi Hao also felt he was too muscular.

"Yeah, exactly like that, you're also a director, you have no problem grasping the character. I initially wanted to use Duan Yihong, he's a great actor, performed in the Chinese-Thai co-production 'Xi Wei', but he couldn't truly understand the character."

In Han Jie's backup list, Duan Yihong was ranked first.

Now, having listened to Qi Hao, he felt Duan Yihong wasn't as suitable as Qi Hao.

Qi Hao's description was very vivid, a conspicuously tall person, but filled with a sense of powerlessness and inferiority. After watching the movie, you might feel like there are often people like Mr. Tree around you, yet at the same time, it's as if people like him never existed.

"Old Duan, the way you put it, I think he's also quite suitable. Actually, Wang Baoqiang is even more so."

Qi Hao wasn't worried about Han Jie turning to Wang Baoqiang.

If it comes to that, find Wang Baoqiang then, after all, we're all brothers.

"Wang Baoqiang..." Han Jie pondered seriously, then said, "Mr. Tree isn't stupid..."

"Baoqiang isn't dumb!"

Qi Hao was helpless, once a person is stereotyped by a role, it's not only about breaking through oneself but also overcoming others' prejudices against you.

The preconceived notions in people's hearts are like a mountain, no matter how hard you try, you can't move it.

"I think you're quite suitable, let's just leave it at that for now. If I think of any other requirements, I'll give you a call."

Han Jie didn't offer too many compliments to the boss either.

After finishing up, he left straight away.

Qi Hao asked Zhang Nan to bring over the script for "Hello! Mr. Tree" and went through it once more.

He has a photographic memory and had already memorized the script.

But previously, when reading the script, it was to evaluate its quality, and now, he's looking at it as an actor and director, thinking about how to portray the character of Mr. Tree.

In his childhood, Mr. Tree witnessed his father accidentally suffocate his brother, which led to his mental state being somewhat different from others.

As a result, he became a target for the village to mock.

To him, every compliment carried sarcasm, every approach was for ridicule and humiliation.

Due to a work injury, he was fired by a heartless boss;

At his friend's wedding, he was forced to kneel publicly;

When the village thug opened a mine, he was forced to demolish his ancestral home;

On his wedding night, he was beaten by his brother;

Piece by piece, these incidents pushed Mr. Tree towards "madness"...

The movie is titled as him, Mr. Tree.

He's akin to Xiang Lin Sao recorded in Mr. Lu Xun's "Blessing."

When people called her "Sister-in-law," it was also a form of sarcasm.

This "Mr. Tree" sounds like he is well-educated, cultured, and prestigious.

In reality, the script never mentions Mr. Tree's surname.

All that's known is that everyone calls him by the single name "Tree," or refers to him as "Shu."

Actually, calling him "Shu" is also a form of mockery.

Just like in the village, people would intentionally or unintentionally mock someone ineffectual by calling them "xx General Manager" or "xx Officer."

Qi Hao learned through watching other films as well.

Qi Hao is aware of some films like this, mostly art films.

For example, David Lynch's "Elephant Man," Jia Zhangke's "Xiaowu," Ning Hao's "Incense," Lou Ye's "Suzhou River," and so on,

Some aren't very similar but have a common focus.

Like Danny Boyle's "Trainspotting," Milos Forman's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and others.

This focal point is called marginalized individuals in society.

Qi Hao watched every one of them.

Of course, he also took up smoking.

Some method actors might even scrutinize in detail for a role.

Qi Hao would never do that.

Think about our anti-drug police, every detailed or general reading behavior is stained with their blood and lives.

Moreover, detailed reading is an addiction that cannot be shaken off.

Don't be fooled by Hollywood's inspirational stories.

Smoking is different.

It's a state enterprise, and the money earned is used to build delivery systems and airplanes, that's called contributing to the country.

Of course, Qi Hao has little interest in smoking.

He's smoking now for the sake of filming, after which he'll quit. It's something that can be tough, but not too tough, there are plenty who have quit.

This isn't a hard thing.

Qi Hao just needs to be cautious not to get caught smoking.

Fans nowadays imitate their idols in every way, if Qi Hao smokes, it might really lead to a lot of people becoming smokers.