China film studio lets tourists act in short dramas for US$30 to fight low attendance

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.Participants pay a minimum of 218 yuan for an hour of acting experience, with a fee of 388 yuan if make-up and styling are included. Group packages are also available, priced at 3,800 yuan (US$570) and 12,000 yuan, aimed at families and companies seeking team-building activities.experiential tourism: Hengdian embraces experience economies, offering a unique way for tourists to engage while ensuring studio sustainability amid rising AI influence. Photo: wenxuecity.comThis initiative not only aligns with the growing trend of experience economies in Chinese tourist attractions – where non-player characters (NPCs) engage with visitors – but also serves as a strategy for the studio to sustain itself amid the rising influence of Artificial Intelligence in the TV production industry.According to China-national-radio" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="19055" data-entity-type="organization">China National Radio, last year Hengdian experienced a shift from traditional landscape dramas to vertical short dramas, employing over 4,000 crew members and showcasing a year-on-year growth of 237 per cent.However, this boom quickly turned out to be a bubble. In the first quarter of this year, it was reported that of the 128,000 newly released short dramas, 95 per cent were produced using AI.This situation poses a serious threat to those who depend on work from Hengdian, aptly nicknamed heng piao or “people who float in Hengdian,” who now face significant unemployment.Enjoy acting sessions from about 200 yuan (US$30), or go for the styling package at 388 yuan. Group options start at 3,800 yuan. Photo: wenxuecity.comOne short drama director mentioned he had only filmed two dramas so far this year, an unprecedented decline compared to previous years.Thanks to the new tourist programme, a director by the surname Zhang reported he could now create 20 short dramas within a single day.Some directors, who once worked as extras in Hengdian, are adept at guiding newcomers in acting. They demonstrate a scene, allowing clients to repeat their actions, advise them on when to stop blinking or giggling, and occasionally share their own experiences to evoke emotional performances.One short drama sub-studio in Hengdian revealed that a young mother commissioned them to produce 17 short dramas featuring her within six months, likening the experience to psychological consultation.The entertainment industry in China is facing an unprecedented shift as AI-generated micro-dramas rapidly displace traditional actors and film crews. Photo: BilibiliDirector Wu Yizhuo told China Newsweek that the most popular plot among tourists involves a previously arrogant character who is astonished to discover the powerful identity of the protagonist.Wu characterised this preference as a pursuit of emotional value.Further Reading“This is truly a tour in our daydreams,” commented a netizen.“I want to play that character who slaps people in their face all day long,” joked another.“Finally, I can be in show business,” declared a third.