Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years
Chapter 103 - 102 No Animals Were Harmed (Request for Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 103: Chapter 102 No Animals Were Harmed (Request for Monthly Tickets)

Before finishing this film, Qi Hao didn’t plan to leave; the award ceremony task indeed had to wait until December.

Qi Hao often didn’t even return to the county, just lived in the room that he was filming in.

The environment was really bad, there were even cockroaches lurking around.

Fortunately, the cockroaches were generally small, unlike those in the South that look like they might have an appetite.

I’ve heard that in the South, cockroaches are roasted for eating, just like how cicadas are eaten in the North.

Most of the scenes with Qi Hao and Wan Qian were finished, Wan Qian only needed to shoot one more singing and dancing scene with Qi Hao before she could finally wrap up and go back to enjoy life in the big city.

The scenes with Yue Hong and others were also basically completed.

Li Dawei estimated correctly; if it weren’t for the scenes involving so many animals, this movie would have been mostly filmed in twenty to thirty days.

Most of the remaining scenes were with Qi Hao and the animals.

Qi Hao hoped to be rewarded with some useful attributes by the system in the future, like Beast Taming +10, Beast Language +10, and so on.

Or maybe be rewarded with skill books like "Beast Taming Skill" or "Wild Beast Communication" would be acceptable too.

Qi Hao was hoisted up on a cliff to paint, and then Hei Qi came over trying to bite the rope to make him fall to his death.

It seemed dangerous, but in fact, it was not a bit safe.

Shooting this scene was very difficult.

Just getting a donkey to untie a rope is already challenging, not to mention asking it to bite through it.

Indeed, some rural animals can bite ropes.

But they need to want to bite it; if they don’t want to, no matter how you coax them, it’s useless.

"Take a break, let’s let Hei Qi rest for a bit too."

Li Dawei took a deep breath, accepting the thermos cup handed over by his assistant and gulped a bunch down.

Qi Hao was lowered down from the cliff.

"Director, this isn’t working, why not try with a different donkey?"

Just like how Huaxia People find it hard to distinguish foreigners’ faces.

These donkeys definitely resemble each other more than foreigners; under typical circumstances, black donkeys all look alike.

"Hei Qi, if you keep slacking like this, you’re fired!"

Li Dawei intimidated the donkey, but Hei Qi didn’t even spare him a glance.

Actually, the crew had already set the rules at the beginning.

The two donkeys would have many thrilling scenes, but their safety had to be ensured, and by the time the shooting wrapped, these two donkeys had to be uninjured.

Using animals in film production is justifiable, but it’s hard to justify mistreatment or killing.

Since animals star in films as actors, you can’t just end their lives during the film process.

A film shot in 1993 called "The King of Dogs" became infamous for brutally killing animal actors hired for shooting.

The animal actor Sea Dragon in the film was a military dog that had achieved a third-class merit, ran alongside warriors on the front lines for years, well-trained, and had a formidable record. It was conscripted to film after retirement.

Retired working dogs face not just physical injuries and growing old but also psychological issues from suddenly losing their job.

If seen from the perspective of the dog, Sea Dragon got recruited for filming, thinking it was needed again and happily cooperating with the crew’s request, grabbed the explosive pack and joyfully rushed forward.

Never expected a command, the explosive bag in its mouth went off for real, Sea Dragon burst into pieces, killed instantly.

The soldiers who trained Sea Dragon and fought alongside it could never have imagined the director switched the explosive pack for real.

Nor could Sea Dragon have foreseen that after surviving countless dangers in its life, it would end up dead without an intact corpse just for a film.

And this blown-up scene only lasted 3 seconds, with the shot pulled back, not necessitating sacrificing a life for these 3 seconds of realism.

Even more outrageous, this director showed an arrogant expression on the program, stating that all was to pursue "artistic effect."

Li Dawei, though a second generation, truly loved animals.

Sometimes, if Hei Liu and Hei Qi were starved a few meals, they might cooperate more with the crew acting, but Li Dawei just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

According to him, the crew’s budget is enough, the more days of filming, the better.

After all, it surely can wrap up within two months.

"We could find a donkey skilled in biting ropes, make it up to look more like Hei Qi."

The cameraman Du Jie was quite supportive of Qi Hao’s view.

One should never die hanging from just one rope, at least have two strands to die peacefully.

Li Dawei had no choice but to adopt this strategy.

Hei Qi got pulled aside, it seemed a bit reluctant to leave, as if it sensed its supporting role position might be replaced.

Thought it was true love, turned out it was just a pleasant collaboration.

The newcomer donkey had no name, but the caretaker called it "Irritated" because this guy bites people.

Originally arranged to be sold in town for slaughter and meat.

The crew suddenly needed a casting selection, allowing it to survive a few more days.

During filming, the crew vowed not to kill or injure donkeys; even for the final scene, they prepared to cover Hei Qi with fire-proof fabric before shooting.

But after filming is done, these donkeys’ fate can’t be resolved.

You can’t raise them for a lifetime.

That would be overly saintly.

If one truly loved all animals, the chickens in the village wouldn’t get eaten.

Every day, the crew consumes at least a dozen chickens, half a side of pork, occasionally rabbit, beef, and mutton.

This is a survival need.

"Hey, right, bite the rope... Bite it, damn it, where are you going!"

Li Dawei was frustrated to the verge of breakdown.

He only needed to cut together a shot of about ten seconds.

But spent the entire day without capturing even those three seconds of usable footage.

"Uncle, is there anything these donkeys particularly like to eat? We could smear it on the rope, and let them go up and lick it."

Qi Hao thought of another idea. Just because he doesn’t study well, doesn’t mean he’s not smart.

If he really puts effort into thinking, he can still come up with some ideas.

"Yes, that could work too."

Li Dawei thought Qi Hao’s idea was not bad.

"Let me think, oh right, there’s indeed a donkey that likes to eat honey. I used to have a bottle of expired honey, and it ate it all up. Later, it even gnawed on a beehive by itself and got stung and howled."

The keeper quickly thought of it.

The grumpy old man who had just been transferred to supporting male lead was also led to the side, and another donkey was brought to the scene.

And wouldn’t you know it, with Hei Qi in makeup, plus honey smeared on the rope, they really shot the desired scene.

Not only that, using such quirky ideas worked well, greatly improving the shooting efficiency of the crew.

Like the scene where Qi Hao leads Hei Liu while singing "Through the Woods" was also completed with the help of another donkey.

Hei Liu simply wouldn’t cooperate.

Some animals occasionally refuse to move when led, even retreat, and when their stubbornness flares up, not even seven Qi Haos could budge them.

That’s why they say "stubborn as a mule."

However, the scene where it carried Uncle Qi into town, Hei Liu did quite well.

Probably feeling its status was under threat, worried that its treatment of two eggs and soybeans might not be secure.

Overall, progress was faster than expected.

Originally planned to finish in two months, by the end of November, they’d be completely wrapped up and ready to leave the mountain area by mid-November.

Because the filming went so smoothly, Li Dawei had already started considering post-production issues.

Qi Hao introduced Jin Dazhou to him for musical composition.

It was also a form of repayment for Jin Dazhou’s free recording of his single.

During filming, Qi Hao actively participated in learning various aspects of film production to accumulate experience for his future independent filmmaking.

He even took some notes.

Indeed, during filming, he could hire professionals for various aspects.

However, as a director and producer, if you know nothing, you’re easily fooled and lose your direction.

These days, there are more tricksters than fools.

"Congratulations on wrapping up, when are you leaving?" Qi Hao came over to say goodbye to Wan Qian.

The wrap party was off.

All the village chickens had been eaten, and there wasn’t any decent food in the county town.

Everyone agreed to have a meal together at the next movie premiere.

"Leaving tonight, will spend a couple of days in Xi’an," Wan Qian paused and said, "Thank you, Teacher Qi Hao, for taking care of me all these days, and thank you for keeping my role."

It’s important to be grateful. She knew that if it weren’t for Qi Hao and Li Dawei sticking to the audition results, her role would have likely been snatched after people outside heard about the luxurious lineup of "Wait and See."

"Why thank me? You got the role with your own skills."

Qi Hao was not looking for credit; at most, he’s just more honest than the average person in showbiz.

"Can I treat you to dinner when we get back to the capital?"

For Qi Hao, his actions might just be a simple gesture.

However, for Wan Qian, who had been running out of resources and passing time through gaming, Qi Hao was truly a timely help.

Moreover, since confirming her collaboration with Qi Hao, she’s been receiving more scripts.

It seems everyone believes her working with Qi Hao could boost her fame.

Even without gossip linking her to Qi Hao.

Wan Qian began to understand.

Why everyone says that gossip with Qi Hao leads to fame.

Actually, even setting aside superstition, a popular idol like Qi Hao can elevate the fame of partnering actresses.

Higher fame brings more scripts and business collaborations your way.

If you can seize the opportunities, you’ll naturally become famous.

"Of course... some friends of ours often get together to sing and such, I’ll invite you along next time."

Qi Hao intended to bring Wan Qian into his little circle.

Once in their circle, even if a lead female role might be hard to come by, there were often recommendations for movie supporting roles and TV lead roles.

"That would be great!"

Wan Qian hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise.

Shortly after Wan Qian’s scenes wrapped, Qi Hao’s scenes also wrapped up.

He almost grew attached to Hei Liu, Hei Qi, and those other donkeys, feeling a bit unwilling to leave.

Alas, he couldn’t change the fate of these donkeys.

The most he could do was treat the keeper and the village chief to a drink and ask them to take care of these donkeys.

Qi Hao educated them on tourism economics.

This area of the old county is already a scenic spot, and the nearby Foping Hall Ruins are a protected cultural site in Shaanxi Province, with its solid and towering stone city walls and three well-preserved gates to the east, west, and south.

The village itself is rich in folk culture, and the Houzhenzi Mountain Song has been listed in Xi’an’s intangible cultural heritage.

Though not many tourists visit, occasionally some do come.

The village could preserve the filming set of "Wait and See" as part of a local attraction.

And Hei Liu and Hei Qi could be observed and even offer riding services.

As long as the donkeys are well-trained, they’d earn more money than being sold for meat.

They could entertain without being sold.