Summary of Key Points
The film and television industry is currently experiencing a tough period: the number of new dramas started this year is only 30% of last year's, and the number of production teams in Hengdian has decreased by a quarter. Actors have shifted from waiting for roles to actively creating their own projects. Top-tier actors like Zhao Lusi are acquiring intellectual property (IP) to produce dramas, while others such as Bai Lu are buying IP to develop stories. Many more actors, including Jia Jinghui, Hu Dandan, and Ding Nan, have transitioned to directing or producing. Interestingly, despite this shift, they often don't have time to act in the dramas they produce themselves. This transition isn't a result of being unemployed; rather, it's a strategic move to expand their skills from simply performing well in roles to managing entire projects, thus creating more opportunities for themselves.
How Bad Is the Film and Television Industry Right Now?
Several indicators illustrate the situation:
- Data speaks for itself: The number of new dramas started this year is 30% of last year's, with only 22 production teams in Hengdian in the first half of the year, a quarter less than last year, and nearly half fewer during the Spring Festival.
- Actors' Situation: Many actors haven't been part of a production team for 8 to 12 months and are feeling anxious at home (they're used to having a schedule and feel insecure without work).
- Side Hustles Have Become the Norm: More actors are engaging in live streaming, opening milk tea shops, or working as content creators on social media. "The longer they stream, the less likely they are to have acting roles."
- Salary Drops: Actors who used to earn 20,000 yuan a day for short dramas last year now earn only a few thousand, and the number of roles available has decreased.
Even actors who used to look down on medium-length dramas are now more open to them, as real-life dramas are being replaced by AI. Any job is better than none.
Actors Are No Longer Waiting for Roles; They're Creating Their Own Opportunities
In the past, actors were passive recipients of roles; now, they're actively seeking projects:
- Top-Tier Actors Acquiring IP: Zhao Lusi hasn't been in a production team for 550 days but has acquired 9 IP rights and is producing short dramas without acting in them. Bai Lu is also buying IP to develop stories.
- Moving Behind the Scenes: Jia Jinghui (who played Guo Baokun in "庆余年") is directing the medium-length drama "彼岸灯塔" and also producing it, with the film generating over 20 million in revenue. Hu Dandan (who played the lead in "念念无明") has switched to producing, and Ding Nan has moved from being an actor to a producer.
- Exploring New Opportunities: Qi Wei has licensed her image to AI to create a "digital twin", exploring new career paths.
They no longer focus solely on the next role they'll get; instead, they want to decide what stories they want to tell—going from being chosen to choosing their own stories.
Why Can't They Enjoy the Benefits of Their Own Projects?
Actors who have moved behind the scenes find that while they have more power, their own roles are often the first to be affected:
- Lack of Time: Actors are responsible for their own roles and also have to manage teams of over 100 people. For example, Hu Dandan worked 16-18 hours a day on "有夭", constantly solving problems, which left her feeling exhausted.
- Role Conflicts: Jia Jinghui had to replace a character in the script for "虽然不能同时拥有一切" because he needed to oversee the entire production. Ding Nan refused a role offered by a partner while planning the next day's schedule at midnight, leaving no time to prepare for the role.
- Shift in Focus: As actors, they used to think about why characters act a certain way; as producers, they consider budget and platform acceptance. Ding Nan says, "Producers serve money, while actors serve the characters," which changes their priorities.
Their Transition Isn't a Result of Being Unemployed; It's About Planning for the Future
These actors are transitioning because they want to prepare for different possibilities when opportunities arise:
- Jia Jinghui: He started developing projects four years ago when the industry was still thriving. He shoots during the day and meets with writers at night. Being a producer is something he's wanted to do for a long time, not a last resort.
- Hu Dandan: She considered becoming a producer while "赘婿" and "念念无明" were successful because it allows her to control the content.
- Ding Nan: Although she has roles in other dramas (including one with Gong Jun), she wanted to try new things and left her company to become a producer.
They tried other side hustles (opening a clothing store, a milk tea shop) but found that acting was their strongest skill. Instead of waiting to be unemployed, they chose to transform their skills from acting to project management, creating more options for themselves.
How Do They View AI?
AI isn't an enemy; it's a tool:
Jia Jinghui used AI to generate a three-layer opera house background for a film festival award ceremony, saving 300 yuan by using a generative model twice. He says AI can be cost-effective but unpredictable, while CGI is more stable but expensive. Producers need to weigh the time and cost.
For those who have moved behind the scenes, AI is a tool to reduce costs, not a threat to their jobs. They see it as a means to solve problems, not a competitor.
In Conclusion
Actors have moved from waiting for roles to creating their own opportunities. Although they might not have time to enjoy the fruits of their labor, at least they're no longer dependent on being chosen for roles. No matter how tough the film and television industry is, they have found ways to stay in the industry.
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