A local mother commissioned 17 short dramas in six months, finding it both entertaining and therapeutic
2-MIN READ2-MINFran Luin BeijingPublished: 6:00pm, 31 Aug 2026Updated: 6:03pm, 31 Aug 2026China’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.
This 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.
