Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years
Chapter 124 - 122: The Siberian Tiger Loses Temper (Ask for Monthly Votes)

Chapter 124: Chapter 122: The Siberian Tiger Loses Temper (Ask for Monthly Votes)

Producer!

The director’s role mainly focuses on artistic creation, while the producer’s role leans more towards the overall operation and management of the project.

Of course, Qi Hao inviting Zhang Meng to be the producer was obviously to have him more involved in content oversight and guidance.

It’s like with "New Dragon Gate Inn", the director was Li Huimin, Xu Ke was the producer, but most people consider "New Dragon Gate Inn" as Xu Ke’s work.

Qi Hao just needs to complete his task; he doesn’t mind if there are traces of others in his directorial debut.

Rising from within someone else’s shadow is also a form of growth.

"Alright!" Zhang Meng agreed without hesitation, a huge weight lifted from his mind.

"The producer’s fee..." Qi Hao waited for the other to name a price.

"No need, three million is already quite extravagant. If you were patient in collecting, you probably wouldn’t have spent more than a hundred thousand on this script."

Zhang Meng, having been promised the producer’s position, began to worry about the project.

With Qi Hao’s extravagant spending habits, he’s oblivious to the hardships of the world. The film probably won’t cost less than eight or ten million to make, right?

With the script fees, that’s a cost of seven to eight million.

"Alright then, happy cooperation!"

Qi Hao shook hands with him, he’s been in the industry for ten years, how could he not know the market price of a script.

However, if he wants to start shooting sooner, he has to increase the price.

And, a script like "Steel Piano", it might only be worth a million, but even if you offer a million, Zhang Meng might not sell it.

After all, he himself is a director.

And a very successful director at that.

Now, with Zhang Meng becoming the producer for free, it’s as if the script fee + producer fee was three million.

There’s also the effect of a costly precedent.

Once this news spreads, all the screenwriters in the industry will know Qi Hao is collecting scripts.

If they have good scripts, they will certainly consider him first.

The scripts from the system are all outdated, but that’s okay, he can purchase from the market, it’s just without the system’s strict selection process step, he may need a professional team to discern the quality.

Moreover, Qi Hao’s "Lost on Journey" is wrapped up, and the album recording is also finished.

There are still about ten days left in 2008, if he can start the new film right away, it might be able to be released in the first half of next year.

As for "Wind Sound", he can take some time out to act later.

Wang Chongjun said that concentrated shooting is possible, so he might as well take advantage of such privileges.

"Thank you!"

Zhang Meng thanked Qi Hao.

This deal seemed like he’d profited no matter how you looked at it.

The wealthy guy really doesn’t care about money, if only I were as handsome as him, I’d definitely become an actor too.

"I plan to immediately file for project approval..." Qi Hao started getting into work mode.

"So soon?"

Zhang Meng was puzzled, feeling like there was some beast chasing Qi Hao from behind, or perhaps there was some great deal ahead that he’d miss if he didn’t hurry.

"Yes, I’ll file for approval while preparing, not going home for New Year’s Day this year."

Qi Hao wasn’t acting on a whim, he had this in mind even before "Lost on Journey" wrapped.

Secure the funds, and hold those two million Maotai stocks first for peace of mind.

"As for project approval, it’s simple, I have connections."

Now that Zhang Meng has taken on the role of producer, he’s eager to contribute to the film crew.

"Then I’ll leave it to you. What about the actors, any recommendations?"

Qi Hao enjoys working with these second-generation industry insiders; Li Dawei is a second-generation, and Zhang Meng counts as one too.

Zhang Meng’s mom is an errenzhuan performer, having worked with Zhao Benshan.

His dad is a first-rate director at Liaoning Province Television Production Center, having directed many well-known works.

Among them, "Male-Female Leader" and "Country Love" are considered his representative works.

This generation may not have much money, Li Dawei was quite frugal when filming "Wait and See", and Zhang Meng couldn’t even secure normal investments.

But with the help of their parents, they have a huge network of connections that’s hard for ordinary people to build in a short time.

"I’ve thought about the actors, if it wasn’t a money issue, I’d have started this project in ’06."

Zhang Meng is very invested in the work.

He feels this project is still his baby, just calling someone else dad, as long as he can see it every day and participate in its nurturing, it’s no problem.

"Then you make the recommendations."

Qi Hao had no intention of fighting for power.

"For the female lead, I want to choose Qin Hailu."

Zhang Meng first mentioned someone without much controversy.

In 2000, Qin Hailu won a newcomer and actress award at the Golden Horse with "Durian Floating", plus a newcomer award at the Golden Image Award.

Winning both newcomer and actress together, besides her, there really isn’t anyone else.

"Ah, Lujie!"

This is indeed someone very familiar, Qin Hailu often hangs out in Qi Hao’s small circle, often drinking, playing cards, and singing karaoke together.

"Yes."

Zhang Meng originally wanted to say: yes, the one you were rumored to have a fling with, Qin Hailu.

But Qi Hao was offering so much that it instinctively made him start respecting Qi Hao.

"I’ll call and ask her later."

Qi Hao needed to check her schedule, if he were to direct, it wouldn’t be convenient to invite her through Zhang Meng, that would seem too distant.

"For the male actor, do you know Wang Qianyuan?"

Zhang Meng really hoped to help Wang Qianyuan secure this role, but he feared Qi Hao might want to act himself.

While Qi Hao could perform, it would require makeup and powerful acting skills to compensate for the lack of a fitting image.

This would definitely result in a performance weaker than Qi Hao’s actual level.

"Oh, I know him, the one who acted in ’Guanzhong Man’, my dad watched that series every day during New Year’s. Speaking of it, I even acted with him in ’Jing Ke Stabs the King of Qin’, but we didn’t really interact."