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

Standing on the table, looking at the bustling crowd, full of excitement.

Qi Hao felt like he was in a pub.

Of course, he's very clear-headed now and doesn't think he's conquered so many people with his charisma.

They're all here for money!

If you don't have a face that makes people fall in love at first sight, and lack the money to make people develop feelings over time, why would they like you?

"Hello, brothers! I never thought we'd have the chance to gather here today. Everyone present is the future of national animation. I'm an outsider, shouldn't say anything useless, but since I'm lucky enough to be here, let me first wish everyone success."

So many people have come that this place can hardly contain them.

Tian Xiaopeng's studio is not large, and after clearing chairs and computers, there's still little space, but it's packed, even outside the company.

The heads of major studios and companies are inside, while their people are outside the company's entrance, even mingling in the elevator hall, maybe even in the park below, though Qi Hao didn't check.

"Today is the birth of the Great Saint. Director Tian Xiaopeng started preparing in 1997, and after thirteen years, it's finally here. It's not easy for him!"

Qi Hao first boasted about Tian Xiaopeng.

Anyway, this movie is his investment; Tian Xiaopeng benefits, which means he benefits.

"Where there's a will, there's a way. I was moved by his sincerity and by his project, so I invested in this movie."

Qi Hao made a live advertisement.

Actually, whether it's the Eight Great Kings or Eighty Great Kings doesn't matter; what matters is West Hao getting more and more good projects.

Qi Hao doesn't have that much cash on hand.

But investing fifty million doesn't mean handing out fifty million all at once. Given the long production cycle of animated films, this fifty million might be delivered in half a year to a year or two.

Moreover, Qi Hao has collaborated with the bank numerous times.

Manager Dongfang, who's in charge of this business, can approve the loan with just a call.

"For national animation to rise, relying solely on sentiment is not enough; technology and ecology are crucial. Of course, while technological progress can enhance productivity, don't over-pursue visual effects and ignore narrative depth. How to make technology serve the core story is the key to future national animation creation."

Qi Hao took this opportunity to talk about the alliance's development principles.

Of course, drawing grand visions is his specialty.

After speaking, Qi Hao began to imagine future capital arrangements.

From content production to IP incubation and adaptation, then to distribution and sales, finally even terminal presentation.

Content production, which means manga creation sites.

This implies Qi Hao intends to invest in manga creation sites.

When others say such things, people might just listen.

But Qi Hao is a shareholder in many companies; if he says he wants to acquire a manga creation site, it's truly a breeze.

Content is the upstream industry; it's only a matter of time before branching into it.

IP incubation and adaptation is what they have to do now.

Producing animated series, making blockbuster movies, creating merchandise, developing new technology, these are all involved in National Animation Development Alliance's business.

This organization has caught the attention from above.

And it might have departments providing guidance, though it's uncertain which level of departments might be involved.

If it's less notable, it might be the Chinese Animation Society; better yet, it could be the Headquarter or the Ministry of Culture.

By then, National Animation Development Alliance would no longer be just a civil organization.

Distribution, sales, and terminal presentation are actually realizing value.

Qi Hao's Zhonghao Entertainment is indeed interested in doing distribution business; if Mrs. Hua and Bern can do it, why shouldn't Zhonghao?

And terminal means theaters, TV stations, online platforms, surrounding markets, etc.

If it's just his company doing it, it's hard to make a name.

But now, with the National Animation Development Alliance, there's great hope of achieving resource integration.

The current Eight Great Kings are mainly at the forefront of animation production studios.

With more investment, it might cover all sectors of the industry.

After Qi Hao's speech, everyone was full of enthusiasm again.

Even if not selected in the first round, or the second round, it doesn't matter—as long as you're in the alliance, you're eligible to enjoy the convenience that resource integration brings.

Besides, it can save costs.

Even the already successful Original Force, the creator of Pleasant Goat IP, joined this alliance.

They also sent representatives to attend today.

Their blockbuster movie "Pleasant Goat" only cost 6 million because they like betting small to win big?

Definitely not.

It was simply because they lacked funds. Before making a blockbuster, their annual profit didn't reach ten million.

Even if they wanted to make a masterpiece, there was no chance.

With Qi Hao providing funds and resources, he might even become a national animation platform; only fools would willingly be left out.

After Qi Hao's speech, it was the Fake Daoist's turn.

He was fully armed performing rituals, not actually trying to deceive, but promoting his Daoist culture through ceremonies.

In the promotion of "First Love, This Little Thing", there were scenes of Daoists performing sword routines.

Of course, it wasn't claimed to be for metaphysical superstitions.

They said friends came to support the film, invited to promote Daoist traditional martial arts culture.

Today, due to limited space, he performed Wandering Body Eight Trigrams Linked Sword—a common sword technique—but its display truly lit up the place.

Everyone on site was from the film industry, seeing such "material," many shouted for another performance.

Perhaps it could be used in their animated films.

Daoist Master was ignorant of their intentions to learn stealthily. He became somewhat dizzy from the praise and only realized after performing three sets.

During the photo session, many wanted to take pictures with Qi Hao.

Qi Hao welcomed them all.

In the final group photo, Qi Hao stood at the central spot, and many gathered around him for the photo.

It was very challenging for the photographer.

When the photo is developed, the whole frame might just be heads.

This photo is bound to be extraordinary.

In 2010, as national animation was starting, a group united with one goal.

To develop national animation collectively.

Most people at this time were full of passion and sentiment.

If somewhat naive, it could be said this is an era-defining photo.

After attending the "start production ceremony" for "The Return of the Great Sage," Qi Hao continued various roadshows.

On March 14th, "First Love, This Little Thing" reached one month since its release, with a total box office of 188.75 million.

It's only a bit over 10 million away from a 200 million box office, not much.

China Film decisively extended its key.

It averages hundreds of thousands in daily box office, sometimes millions on weekends. Why not keep it in theaters?

Additionally, this film began screening one by one in Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as other places.

Everyone experiences first love.

Well, at least most people do.

Many films of the same genre exist, and in people's minds, there are numerous classic romance works like "Love Letter," "Liankong," "5 Centimeters per Second," "The Notebook," "If Love Has a Destiny..."

There are fewer domestic ones, but now a craze has begun, and many youth campus films are newly planned.

The overseas box office for "First Love, This Little Thing" won't be bad.

So, 200 million is not the goal, but something quite certain. What needs concern now is just how much the global total box office will be.

After the first month of release, Qi Hao stopped the roadshow.

For this film, he and An Feng traveled to more than ten cities.

Initially, Ms. Liu insisted on tagging along.

Worried that Qi Hao and An Feng might have something happen, not only worrying Qi Hao might become a big bad wolf, but also that her daughter couldn't resist the allure of such a good young man, but later she got tired of chasing them around, considering her age.

After the roadshow ended, preparations for the release of "Lost on Journey" began.

On that release day, March 17th, Penguin distributed stock dividends again.

This time, Penguin paid dividends at 0.4 Hong Kong Dollar per share.

Qi Hao held over 660,000 Penguin shares, generating two to three million Hong Kong dollar profits through this dividend.

Accordingly, Qi Hao directly used the money to buy more Penguin shares.

The money wasn't much, but this supportive attitude and confidence in Penguin's stock moved Penguin.

After all, the 3Q battle is already unfolding, and to prevent losing money due to competitive stock price drops, many were selling off their Penguin stock.

Penguin was forced to buy back extensively.

Qi Hao, at this time, using the dividend profits to increase his stock holdings in Penguin, appeared exceptionally loyal.

Thus, in return, Penguin's platform began low-cost promotions for the film.

"Lost on Journey" achieved... pop-up ads!