Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years
Chapter 91 - 90: Hurry and Bury It (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Chapter 91: Chapter 90: Hurry and Bury It (Requesting Monthly Votes)

"I’ve been looking into directing lately, planning to use this song to shoot another MV for practice. Are you interested in starring?"

Qi Hao stuck with the same excuse.

Otherwise, he couldn’t explain why he wanted to make a separate MV.

As for whether he really wanted to become a director in the future, Qi Hao hadn’t thought about it. At the very least, it’s something for when his passion for acting slightly waned.

By then, he might be facing a transition or seeking a higher status in the entertainment industry.

For now, everything was about completing tasks.

To make his actions seem reasonable.

"Sure," Tang Yan agreed very straightforwardly, smiling as she asked, "Why did you think of asking me? You have so many... ahem, rumored girlfriends."

Because only Chinese Paladin 3 allows me to ask you to shoot!

Of course, he couldn’t say that, or her temper might flare up and she’d be unwilling to help.

Qi Hao said seriously, "Because the song is a track from Chinese Paladin 3, I think you’re the most suitable for it."

"Makes sense. Make sure you capture me beautifully," Tang Yan nodded.

She didn’t really dare joke with Qi Hao, afraid he’d truly misunderstand, which would ruin even their friendship.

To joke about such things without restraint, you have to wait until you’re real friends, and even then, it depends on whether your personalities match.

Make sure joking around doesn’t slide into flirting, leading to intimacy.

Relationships that start casually often end quickly too.

"Don’t worry, with your looks, no matter how amateur I am, I can’t make you look bad," Qi Hao laughed heartily.

Praising a girl’s beauty is a basic skill.

"Really?" Tang Yan felt she was being sweet-talked till her legs gave way.

No, Qi Hao’s gaze is too captivating. Even having a meal with him feels electrifying.

No wonder he has so many rumors.

"I’m writing the script and directing myself. If it turns out bad, it’s definitely my fault."

Qi Hao was serious, taking all responsibility onto himself first.

"I really envy you, doing whatever you want." Tang Yan sighed, "When acting with you, I actually felt quite inferior."

"What’s there to feel inferior about?"

Qi Hao wiped his hands; female stars can’t eat much, and as a male star, he also couldn’t let himself go.

Actually, he had started slimming down after Chinese Paladin 3.

October Fortress was fine; as a cart driver from a wealthy family, being slightly robust was understandable.

But for Wait and See, he definitely needed to be skinnier to match the era’s characteristic of struggling to find enough food.

There was even a scene in the donkey cart exposing his body.

If the audience saw he had an eight-pack, it’d probably change the entire movie’s tone.

"Because my acting skills are bad," Tang Yan was aware of this, and she looked at Qi Hao with a hint of pleading, "Is there an easy way to improve my acting skills?"

Who the heck wants to be the shame of the Central Academy of Drama?

Every time she heard such criticism, Tang Yan wanted to dig a hole and bury herself.

"Easy? No way, it’s never easy."

Maybe they were already away from the film set environment.

Just having a private meal made the communication much more relaxed between the two.

Simply shooting on set, besides potentially fostering romance and creating sexual tension, rarely builds genuine friendships.

"How have you improved your acting? How was your acting when you first started?"

Tang Yan asked curiously.

"Uh, let me put it this way, early on I didn’t need acting skills because they didn’t even give me screen time. Later, when I did, I still didn’t have a chance for expressions, and when facial expressions and lines were needed, I was kicked out by the director for too many NGs and lost the role..."

Qi Hao never publicized this experience.

He never mentioned the name of the director who expelled him to anyone.

Because there was no need.

If you’re truly bad and get kicked out, don’t entertain the notion of eventual comeback.

"So how do you improve your acting? Do you think I..." Tang Yan feigned a pitiful look, asking, "Is there any hope for me in terms of acting?"

Hopeless, might as well bury it.

Qi Hao nearly burst into laughter, but knowing she realized her acting was bad and wanted to improve, it wasn’t completely hopeless.

The worst is not knowing you’re bad, or even if you do, not wanting to improve.

Qi Hao cleared his throat, suppressing laughter, and said, "I think you could start from two aspects: one is to hire an acting coach, and the other is to choose scripts where you can hone your skills or work with directors who can guide us."

If you choose a bad film and mix with a bunch of lousy actors,

Your acting will only get worse.

Don’t think that shooting a lot of works will hone your acting skills.

"An acting coach... honing skills..."

Tang Yan nodded repeatedly, nearly taking out a notebook to jot things down...

The two had a delightful chat, and Qi Hao never brought up the MV pay the entire time.

If he wanted to pay Tang Yan, then it wouldn’t be him contacting her.

He would have Zhang Nan contact Tang Yan’s manager to discuss business officially.

If he had brought up money face-to-face with Tang Yan, it would mean he didn’t want to owe her a favor, wanting to draw clear personal boundaries.

By not mentioning remuneration now, Qi Hao essentially owed Tang Yan a favor, which he’d repay when the opportunity arose.

The collaboration details were finalized.

In the following days, Qi Hao wrote the script for this "Three Lives, Three Worlds".

"Tai, can this be filmed?"

During a filming break, Qi Hao found a photographer willing to shoot for him.

He was Huang Yuetai, the cinematographer of "October Fortress" and also "Oath of Allegiance".

Simultaneously, he was also in "Infernal Affairs 2" as one of the four bosses, Guo Hua.

"Sure, it’s a bit troublesome, but not a problem. When do you plan to start filming?"

Earlier, Qi Hao approached Huang Yuetai, asking him to send a disciple to help with the MV shooting. Huang Yuetai immediately said there was no need to find his disciple; he could help shoot it himself.

Clearly, this photography master felt a lot of goodwill towards Qi Hao.

Work opportunities in Xiangjiang were becoming fewer and fewer.

He used to run to seven or eight film crews a year; now having two a year was considered good, and that’s with his outstanding skills.

Shooting an MV, how much can one earn, really?

One hundred thousand?

He might as well do it as a favor for Qi Hao. That day, when Gao Yang came for dinner, Huang Yuetai also sat at the main table.

He knew Qi Hao had moved beyond being just an actor now.

"How about the day after tomorrow?"

Chen Delin needed to return to Xiangjiang the day after tomorrow; only Ye Weimin and an assistant director could direct, and there wasn’t much arranged by the crew, so Huang Yuetai should have some time.

Of course, this meant Ye Weimin wouldn’t have time to help Qi Hao.

Qi Hao wasn’t worried.

Huang Yuetai wasn’t just a photographer; he had also been an actor, director, screenwriter, producer, art director... he promised to oversee everything, so Qi Hao could do as he pleased.

Zhang Nan had already helped arrange costumes.

Makeup could be handled by Yang Liu.

Lighting, logistics, driver... all were from the "October Fortress" team.

The location was at Songjiang Film City.

Not a single penny was spent.

It wasn’t that Qi Hao was stingy, he actually considered paying some rent to the "October Fortress" crew, but Ye Weimin refused.

Among family, there’s no need to be so formal.

"The day after tomorrow is fine. If it goes smoothly, it should be done soon." Huang Yuetai returned the script to Qi Hao.

"With your word, Tai, I’m relieved." Qi Hao sighed in relief.

The most difficult part was dealing with Huang Yuetai. As long as he was fine, this task was secure.

The next day, the MV crew prepared everything needed.

On the day of shooting, Tang Yan arrived at Songjiang Film City early.

"Wow, it feels just like shooting a movie."

Tang Yan arrived on set, saw the script, the various beautiful costumes hanging, and the professional equipment and personnel.

She immediately felt that some movies she had made before were incredibly low class.

"If we capture enough material, editing it into a movie isn’t out of the question, except the plot is too melodramatic."

Qi Hao racked his brains over the plot.

Fortunately, the script he came up with received praise from up and down the MV crew, making him wonder if he had a talent for screenwriting.

"Once you’re in costume, let’s start filming!"

First, the ancient part.

The ancient part is the first life, mainly consisting of the phoenix crown and bridal dress, adding fragrance to red sleeves, and pursuers.

The Republic of China part is the second life, mainly consisting of streets, garden swings, and war.

There is also the modern third life, mainly consisting of lawns, amusement parks, and bedrooms.

The first two lives end tragically, while the third life has a sweet ending.

Since it’s an MV, the plot is presented through visuals, so it doesn’t need to be that continuous.

Qi Hao and Tang Yan, wearing ancient wedding attire, performed the hand-holding of the first life in front of the photographer’s lens.

Tang Yan was not very good at acting, but after pairing with Qi Hao for a whole "Chinese Paladin 3", that sense of chemistry hadn’t completely faded.

Moreover, Qi Hao’s acting skills were good enough to guide Tang Yan through the performance.

For instance, when Tang Yan’s veil was lifted, and she gazed at Qi Hao, she didn’t need to act; she quickly turned bashful.

After shooting the phoenix crown and bridal dress, it was the fragrance that adorned the red sleeves.

The MV’s shots were mostly close-ups, focusing on eyes and faces, aiming to capture beauty.

Only during the ancient sequence with the pursuers was Qi Hao shot leading Tang Yan on horseback to flee.

The focus lay in emphasizing the parting due to death.

It wasn’t difficult to shoot at Songjiang Film City; they even borrowed a horse from "October Fortress" to capture a good set of shots.

The two shared a horse; Tang Yan in a red outfit leaned in Qi Hao’s arms, looking explosively beautiful.

Yes, she was explosively beautiful, but Qi Hao had arrows sticking out of his back.

There’s no need to shoot many pursuers that troublesome; the arrows alone could showcase the danger of their escape.

Her manager, Ji Rujing, watched from the side, sighing:

This girl truly had incredible luck.

Originally, she thought they would have to wait until the "Chinese Paladin 3" promotion period for her rumors with Qi Hao to heat up again. Unexpectedly, Qi Hao asked her to shoot an MV.

This sticky MV turned out to be more lethal than "Chinese Paladin 3".