Today, one of my friend forwarded me an article from a blogger with some intriguing stuff. It helped me gain a broader understanding about China showbiz. Enjoy. ?????♀️
28102024 | blogger: what "serious dramas" really entail.
Many people wonder why mainstream actors often appear in serious dramas. Given my experience with such projects, I thought I'd share a few insights to help you understand what "serious dramas" really entail.
In the film and television industry, there are generally two markets: private companies and government-backed projects. This distinction doesn’t necessarily mean production companies fall strictly into one category. A single production company can collaborate with other companies on investments, actor agencies, screenwriting studios, costume and prop production, post-production special effects, and so forth, forming a chain of collaborative industries.
Within a production company, actors are typically divided into different categories: some focus on serious dramas, while others on more mainstream or commercial productions. The company will allocate actors to roles based on these distinctions. Furthermore, these companies aren’t exclusively privately funded; some are backed by local state-owned enterprises, like Hengdian Film and Television Group or Qujiang Film Group.
Serious dramas are usually government-driven cultural projects, such as the "Five Ones" Project for Spiritual Civilization Construction. These projects differ in terms of planning, creation, production, and marketing logic. Their primary purpose is project-driven, not centered on clear-cut commercial gains or promoting specific actors.
The main difference lies in that serious dramas will not be casually altered during production. For example, in a historical drama I once worked on, the dialogue was challenging, with lengthy speeches that required strong line delivery and performance skills from the actors. In commercially-oriented dramas, if the main actors lack the skill, the lines might be simplified, with dialogue rewritten in plain language, lowering the script’s quality.
In another instance, a character had to convey complex emotions in a nuanced way. The actor had to express surprise, restraint, disappointment, and calmness, all while demonstrating responsibility and care for others in just a few seconds. The role required significant acting experience and skill. Without this, it’s easy for performances to appear stiff or emotionless. This drama included many such scenes, which enriched the character’s appeal. During script readings, the director and producers found the scenes too complicated and wanted them simplified, supposedly to make them easier for the audience to understand. But we knew it was because the actors couldn't deliver the necessary depth, so the scenes were simplified, turning them into loud outbursts or dramatic sobbing.
Such situations are rare in serious dramas. If an actor doesn’t meet the standards, they’ll be replaced. The script takes precedence, with scenes meticulously planned and designed from the beginning, as the review process for serious dramas requires close alignment with the original approved script. Even ad-libbed lines or actions that don’t meet these standards are likely to be cut, as they wouldn't pass approval, placing high demands on the script’s foundation.
In commercial dramas, however, the script requirements are more flexible. Scenes are often added or rewritten on the spot based on conversations between the actors and director. I have a screenwriter friend who was asked to help out on a series that was adapted from a novel licensed by the streaming platform. After about ten drafts, it still wasn’t satisfactory, so he came on board to help. However, around 50% of the final content was improvised on set. His name was still credited, leading to criticism from fans, who blamed him for poor writing, leaving him no choice but to take it quietly.
The commercial film market is highly unstable, with "hot" actors cycling every three years. Today's popularity doesn’t guarantee success tomorrow, as a series typically takes two to three years from planning to release. Because of this, production companies treat mainstream actors as consumable assets. Screenwriters often work on four or five dramas at a time, each spanning around 50 episodes. This benefits platforms because longer series can sell more advertisements and VIP subscriptions, and it saves production costs for the companies. Some actors are even tested in serious dramas to see if they can secure a role, build experience, and potentially transition into this field. After all, government-backed projects are launched annually, and succeeding in this realm could bring both fame and fortune—even a chance at being recognized as an artist.
One point about awards: Many believe awards are based solely on performance or connections. However, another key factor is that many movies and TV dramas are tied to project goals. Those familiar with state-owned enterprises know that project completion is often more critical than project initiation. When a film or TV series wins an award, it marks the project’s successful completion, which is why some productions seem to win inexplicably. This often has little to do with capital; checking the project’s background can provide insight.
And a tip for fan circles: never engage in credit disputes over serious dramas, as the project’s reputation is of utmost importance.
Let me know if you'd like more adjustments!
Author: 兔头学姐张铁根
Proofreader: 玲云永曦
