China film studio lets tourists act in short dramas for US$30 to fight low attendance
A local mother commissioned 17 short dramas in six months, finding it both entertaining and therapeutic
China’s Hengdian World Studios, the world’s largest film and TV studio, is now offering tourists the chance to shoot their own short dramas for about 200 yuan (US$30) per person, as a response to the recession caused by artificial intelligence.
Previously, tourists flocked to Hengdian World Studios to admire the sets of their favourite dramas and explore the national 5A-rated attraction, which features over 100 sub-studios spread across 30 sq km and showcasing 5,000 years of history.
Now, these studios are undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from a focus on fans to embracing aspiring actors.
In August, the site launched a service that allows tourists to film their own short dramas.