Young People Film Short Dramas in Hengdian|dramas|filming|people|short|with

By Tian Jiashuo

As a traditional filming base for film and television dramas, Hengdian Film and Television City of Zhejiang province has recently become a hotbed for short dramas. According to some industry professionals, after several years of rapid growth, the micro-drama industry is gradually shifting from a focus on quantity to a focus on professionalism and high quality. Many young people with acting dreams are now looking for opportunities to realize their aspirations through vertical screen platforms.

Actor Wen Xiaoxi (front) stands in front of a green screen, waiting for the next scene at a micro-short drama filming site, on August 6 in Hengdian, Zhejiang. He plays a background character "Passerby B" with no lines, only a few seconds of close-up shots. Recently graduated from a performing arts program in Beijing, he has only received two similar roles in the month since arriving in Hengdian. He believes that the mismatch in character temperament is the main reason for the lack of opportunities, noting that many lead roles require a "domineering CEO" persona. Photo by Tian Jiashuo

Actor Liu Ning, who plays the lead role, gives a "disdainful" smile in front of the camera at the set of a short drama, on August 5 in Hengdian, Zhejiang. Photo by Tian Jiashuo

Director Wu Tun sits in front of the monitor, holding a phone with his right hand and pressing an earpiece with his left hand to listen to the on-site sounds, at a short drama filming site on August 5 in Hengdian, Zhejiang. In the year since he began working with micro-dramas, Wu Tun has directed nearly 40 works. Before this, he was a film and television director with over ten years of experience. Photo by Tian Jiashuo

Chen Yuqi (left), Wang Qian (center), and Zhang Xiuxia take turns photographing each other in traditional costume at a popular filming spot on August 7 in Hengdian, Zhejiang. This summer, they came to Hengdian from different cities to pursue their dreams and have become each other’s “Hengdian partners.” Photo by Tian Jiashuo

Students attentively watch a student who has become a "featured extra" perform an improvisational stage act in a performing arts training class, on August 5 in Hengdian, Zhejiang. Being a "featured extra" means they can receive roles with lines in film and television productions. Photo by Tian Jiashuo