Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years-Chapter 424 - 416: Flirting Everywhere

Han Sanping didn't expect to have a pillow delivered right when he was feeling drowsy.

He immediately decided to give "The Wandering Earth" to Qi Hao.

Yes, just give it away for free.

Qi Hao naturally wouldn't fail to reciprocate, thanking Han while inviting China Film to participate in the movie.

Guo Fan watched with great envy.

What seemed impossible to most people, his boss solved completely within a few minutes.

It wasn't because Qi Hao and Han Sanping had an exceptionally good relationship.

In fact, Qi Hao was able to easily secure the rights to this novel mainly because of his own strength and reputation.

Han Sanping didn't even inquire about which director Qi Hao would use.

As soon as he heard that Qi Hao wanted to shoot it, he immediately decided to let go.

Of course, he also had some strategy.

China Film didn't actually sign a contract with Liu Cixin; they just had to give up the rights. But instead, Han Sanping bought the rights and then gave it to Qi Hao.

This kind of favor tactic is recognized as win-win by anyone with a sense of age-old wisdom.

Qi Hao is someone who understands such things well, so he immediately decided to team up with China Film.

Right now, the film share of Zhonghao Entertainment is hard to grab.

Even if it's an art film he invested in, people see it as glittering with gold, always thinking maybe the next one will be a big hit.

Qi Hao treated Guo Fan to a meal.

He even promised together with An Feng to have a cameo in "The Wandering Earth" in the future.

"What cameo? There's a lot of scenes; this Guo Fan is like a... hmm, a succubus, flirting all over..."

An Feng started reflecting after Guo Fan left.

She couldn't resist Guo Fan's passionate invitation, got credited as the producer of "You Are My Deskmate," and even made a cameo, but her role soared to become a significant supporting character.

The key is that she didn't receive a cent in payment.

The movie even stirred a sensation by exploiting her pregnancy, drawing plenty of attention.

"Only a person like this could handle a major project like 'The Wandering Earth.' If he does well, let him make 'The Three-Body Problem' too."

Qi Hao didn't mind being used by Guo Fan a little.

Guo Fan truly loves movies.

After all, whether it's "You Are My Deskmate" or "The Wandering Earth," he's working for Qi Hao.

With Qi Hao's financial capability, he doesn't need to be that frugal.

But as long as he has money, Guo Fan always wants to invest it in film production, making him extra stingy with salaries, promotions, and other aspects.

This is a man who puts films above all else.

Qi Hao appreciates someone like Jiang Wen but also appreciates someone like Guo Fan.

The premise is that Guo Fan really can make "The Wandering Earth" well.

Guo Fan had no idea Qi Hao had such high expectations for him, nor did he know Qi Hao not only secured the rights to "The Wandering Earth" but also casually obtained "The Three-Body Problem."

Moreover, he didn't know that to advance his project, Qi Hao instructed Naughty Ghost Studio to continue expanding.

Zhang Chenyu didn't disappoint the boss either.

He directly set his sights on Digital Domain.

This company, founded in 1993 by special effects master James Cameron and Stan Weston, has a significant influence in Hollywood and the international film industry, having participated in the special effects production of numerous Hollywood blockbusters.

If you have seen the atmospheric and oceanic effects in "The Day After Tomorrow" or the naval battle effects in "Pirates of the Caribbean III: At World's End," then you know the power of D2. D2 has won the Oscars for Best Visual Effects and the Scientific and Technical Academy Awards twice with "Titanic" and "What Dreams May Come."

Despite achieving significant success in the field of special effects production, the economic crisis after 2008 continued to affect their financial situation.

The company's debt reached 16 million US Dollars, with total losses amassing up to 50 million US Dollars.

Despite various efforts, none could prevent the company's difficulties.

The past four years have seen a high-frequency wave of closures among Hollywood special effects companies, including top-tier firms. The fall of such a giant as D2, while regrettable, isn't surprising.

Since being abandoned by Cameron and other founders in succession, the fate of this company was already sealed.

Only a Hollywood special effects leader plus a mega IP could possibly support such a behemoth.

Bankruptcy was inevitable.

Now, someone is willing to take it over. Even if this Huaxia company can't fully absorb the more than 300 employees currently at D2, it's still the best outcome for D2.

The total acquisition amount is around 35 million.

There's no way around it; D2's total assets are 205 million US Dollars, but cumulative debt is 214.9 million US Dollars, leaving nearly nothing after bankruptcy liquidation.

35 million US Dollars is basically just buying the name and obtaining the qualification to handle these employees.

It's handled the same way as previous acquisitions of Hollywood special effects companies.

Those willing to go to Xiangjiang will join Naughty Ghost Unit 1, and those willing to go to the mainland will join Unit 2.

Originally, Zhang Chenyu intended to establish a new Unit 3.

But Qi Hao stopped him.

He felt there was no need to establish a Unit 3. The D2 staff should learn to integrate with the old teams, and it's not too late to form Unit 3 when the time is right.

Of the over 300 special effects engineers, eventually about 280 chose to work in Huaxia.

Nearly 95% of the employees didn't leave.

Survival is a very heavy matter, especially over in Miguo. Once you're unemployed and can't quickly find a job, rent, property tax, insurance, etc., can crush you.

Savings really don't exist.

It's not about overspending; they just can't save any money.

With a special effects company of the caliber of D2 joining, it will greatly propel both sci-fi films and animated films forward.

The media has eagerly reported this event.

The main focus is on educating everyone about what D2 represents in the industry and how impressive Zhonghao Entertainment is for being able to acquire it.

It gave quite a few netizens a sense of pride.

Actually, only professionals truly understand.

The acquisition is just the beginning.

Zhonghao Entertainment paid a substantial price.

Delisting costs, acquisition commissions, employee severance, new employee placement...

The total exceeded 50 million US Dollars.

In the Chinese film industry, very few people would invest so much in special effects, other than the likes of Qi Hao.

It's not that other companies can't afford it; the main issue is what happens after you buy it.

Just feeding these people is an issue.

If these people have an average annual salary of 500,000—this salary is already low enough to nearly break these foreigners, but, in fact, Qi Hao offered them around 600,000 annual salaries on average—then for 300 people, it comes to 150 million RMB in a year.

Moreover, many of D2's previous clients would not continue their partnerships.

For instance, the ongoing talks with "Ender's Game," also Lady Gaga's new perfume ads, collaborations with CORE media after the success of "Virtual Tupac" to create Elvis Presley's virtual image.

For at least the next year and a half, these two to three hundred people will definitely be operating at a loss.

Additionally, domestic special effects companies aren't that profitable.

Hollywood movies often have budgets of one to two hundred million US Dollars, while domestically, over one hundred million RMB is considered a big production.

In a hundred million budget, 30% goes to actors, and various deductions later, the amount left for the special effects team might be only tens of millions or even less.

Not enough to pay wages.

Now Qi Hao has expanded the special effects company to such a scale, with seven to eight hundred people involved in "Naughty Ghost" and its sequel; people feel he's courting disaster.

Is Qi Hao courting disaster?

Actually, it's not that simple.

He now has the foundational tech gift package from Tongzi, which includes both hardware and software.

Although the foundational tech gift package is very "basic," it is indeed a "big" gift package. It's substantial enough to cover many fields.

More than enough to fulfill some design needs for "Naughty Ghost."

If it can advance further based on D2's technology, then "Naughty Ghost" and Hollywood's top-tier special effects teams wouldn't have much difference.

This can be considered a form of technological application.

However, regarding the D2 acquisition that has excited numerous netizens, Qi Hao only gave it minimal attention.

"Boss, it's done!"

"OK, well done!"

This was his final conversation with Zhang Chenyu about the acquisition.

His main focus was on the upcoming broadcast of "You Who Came from the Stars."

And his soon-to-start university life.

An Feng was even packing his school bag for him, which made Qi Hao amused yet helpless.

"I have so many assistants and bodyguards; do I need to carry a school bag myself?"

"How can you go to school without a school bag? I had one when I went to school. I bought this bag for you. Don't you like it?"

An Feng spoke with confidence.

She just enjoys the feeling.

"But I feel like you're treating me like a kid."

Qi Hao didn't want to engage her.

Also, his graduate studies didn't actually require frequent class attendance.

The main purpose is still to fulfill a task.

"Don't you love me anymore..."

An Feng decided to play her trump card.

"Alright, alright, I'll have someone carry it. Quickly, get ready to watch the drama. Bilibili will release six episodes on the first day. Let's try to finish watching before bed."

Qi Hao couldn't resist her charm.

With a pout, blinking eyes, and a hint of brightness.

Since getting pregnant, she's become so childish.

Yet Qi Hao still quite liked it.