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Taiwan's variety TV godfather sets up in city
By Xu Wenwen |
00:00 UTC+8 March 9, 2011
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FOLLOWING in the footsteps of cultural icons including Stan Lai and Tsai Chih Chung who have established studios in Hangzhou, trendsetting Taiwan TV show producer Wang Wei-chung is setting up a branch of his media company in the city.
Last Wednesday, Wind Maker International Entertainment Company from Taiwan signed an agreement with the Xihu District government and Zhijiang Resort Management Committee, marking Wind Maker Hangzhou Company's settlement at the Zhijiang Cultural and Creative Park in Xihu District.
The company, which will serve as the headquarters for Wind Maker in the Chinese mainland, is co-founded by Wang, Jeffrey Gou and senior theatrical producer Roger Liu.
Wang, known as the "godfather of Taiwan variety shows," has produced popular TV shows such as "Guess Guess Guess," "Here Comes Kangxi" and "Everybody Speaks Nonsense."
Lately, Wang has extended his territory to the mainland by founding companies in Beijing and Shanghai, and he has also worked on shows in cooperation with several satellite TV stations in the mainland.
Wind Maker in Hangzhou will be responsible for all kinds of entertainment and media business in the Chinese mainland, including producing TV shows and series, cartoon and animation, as well as public relations.
"We chose Hangzhou for the interesting atmosphere of its culture and creative industry," Wang said at the signing ceremony. "A city like Hangzhou that can flaunt its culture and creative industry is great.
"Hangzhou is traditional and also modern, which enables the city to be a large center for the culture and creative industry."
Last year, the city's GDP of the culture and creative industry reached 7 billion yuan (US$1.06 billion), which accounts for 11.8 percent of the total, and is 16.2 percent higher than last year's figure.
Previously, the Zhijiang Cultural and Creative Park has been favored by other cultural celebrities, such as Tsai Chih Chung, a master in comic adaptations of literature and oriental philosophy, and Meng Jinghui, an influential director of China's avant-garde stage.
Similarly, Xixi Creative Park nestled in Xixi National Wetland Park has embraced nearly 20 famous figures including Taiwan cartoonist Chu Teh-Yung, writer Yu Hua and TV anchorwoman Xu Gehui.
The 54-year-old Wang Wei-chung is an icon of Taiwan TV shows. He created a style of show in Taiwan that satirizes politics; he cultivated famous Taiwan TV hosts including Kevin Tsai, Aya Liu, Dee Hsu and Barbie Hsu, and he produces shows that have entertained three generations of Taiwan viewers, such as the prevalent "Serial Bubble" and "Guess Guess Guess."
So how does he perceive TV show business in the Chinese mainland? Shanghai Daily had an interview with him to find out.
Q: TV shows in the Chinese mainland are blooming. What's your overview of the development of this industry in the country?
A: Variety shows in the Chinese mainland did not spring up until 2005 when the talent show Super Girl swept the country, so in the six years, a short period, they've done a good job. Because I see they are keeping pace with society, and TV is supposed to reflect social progress.
However, the content needs to be more diversified.
I see many programs about relationships and marriage, but the country is big and there should be more interesting things and creative ideas.
Q: It is a trend that some TV shows in the Chinese mainland simply imitate formats popular in the US, Europe and Hong Kong and Taiwan. What do you think about the phenomenon?
A: Transplanting is wrong. TV shows should be localized, so should anchors. To merge with local culture helps the show exist longer. But meanwhile, producers should avoid the regionalism to make sure his or her show is multi-elementary.
Q: You've produced a lot of successful shows, so what's the key to making a good show?
A: Only shows that can touch you can touch others. Wondering "why" and "how" to do this show is the key to making a good show.
China, in this century, is wonderful. It's a nation of many talents, and Chinese culture is extensive and profound, so young people (in the TV industry) in the mainland do have lots of opportunities, and they just need to contribute creative ideas.
Q: You've been on weibo (China's equivalent of twitter) for a while. Can the new media inspire you?
A: Weibo is lots of fun.
It is an open place where everybody can share information, so I can check my weibo to see what young people are thinking about, and from what angle they observe things.
Last Wednesday, Wind Maker International Entertainment Company from Taiwan signed an agreement with the Xihu District government and Zhijiang Resort Management Committee, marking Wind Maker Hangzhou Company's settlement at the Zhijiang Cultural and Creative Park in Xihu District.
The company, which will serve as the headquarters for Wind Maker in the Chinese mainland, is co-founded by Wang, Jeffrey Gou and senior theatrical producer Roger Liu.
Wang, known as the "godfather of Taiwan variety shows," has produced popular TV shows such as "Guess Guess Guess," "Here Comes Kangxi" and "Everybody Speaks Nonsense."
Lately, Wang has extended his territory to the mainland by founding companies in Beijing and Shanghai, and he has also worked on shows in cooperation with several satellite TV stations in the mainland.
Wind Maker in Hangzhou will be responsible for all kinds of entertainment and media business in the Chinese mainland, including producing TV shows and series, cartoon and animation, as well as public relations.
"We chose Hangzhou for the interesting atmosphere of its culture and creative industry," Wang said at the signing ceremony. "A city like Hangzhou that can flaunt its culture and creative industry is great.
"Hangzhou is traditional and also modern, which enables the city to be a large center for the culture and creative industry."
Last year, the city's GDP of the culture and creative industry reached 7 billion yuan (US$1.06 billion), which accounts for 11.8 percent of the total, and is 16.2 percent higher than last year's figure.
Previously, the Zhijiang Cultural and Creative Park has been favored by other cultural celebrities, such as Tsai Chih Chung, a master in comic adaptations of literature and oriental philosophy, and Meng Jinghui, an influential director of China's avant-garde stage.
Similarly, Xixi Creative Park nestled in Xixi National Wetland Park has embraced nearly 20 famous figures including Taiwan cartoonist Chu Teh-Yung, writer Yu Hua and TV anchorwoman Xu Gehui.
The 54-year-old Wang Wei-chung is an icon of Taiwan TV shows. He created a style of show in Taiwan that satirizes politics; he cultivated famous Taiwan TV hosts including Kevin Tsai, Aya Liu, Dee Hsu and Barbie Hsu, and he produces shows that have entertained three generations of Taiwan viewers, such as the prevalent "Serial Bubble" and "Guess Guess Guess."
So how does he perceive TV show business in the Chinese mainland? Shanghai Daily had an interview with him to find out.
Q: TV shows in the Chinese mainland are blooming. What's your overview of the development of this industry in the country?
A: Variety shows in the Chinese mainland did not spring up until 2005 when the talent show Super Girl swept the country, so in the six years, a short period, they've done a good job. Because I see they are keeping pace with society, and TV is supposed to reflect social progress.
However, the content needs to be more diversified.
I see many programs about relationships and marriage, but the country is big and there should be more interesting things and creative ideas.
Q: It is a trend that some TV shows in the Chinese mainland simply imitate formats popular in the US, Europe and Hong Kong and Taiwan. What do you think about the phenomenon?
A: Transplanting is wrong. TV shows should be localized, so should anchors. To merge with local culture helps the show exist longer. But meanwhile, producers should avoid the regionalism to make sure his or her show is multi-elementary.
Q: You've produced a lot of successful shows, so what's the key to making a good show?
A: Only shows that can touch you can touch others. Wondering "why" and "how" to do this show is the key to making a good show.
China, in this century, is wonderful. It's a nation of many talents, and Chinese culture is extensive and profound, so young people (in the TV industry) in the mainland do have lots of opportunities, and they just need to contribute creative ideas.
Q: You've been on weibo (China's equivalent of twitter) for a while. Can the new media inspire you?
A: Weibo is lots of fun.
It is an open place where everybody can share information, so I can check my weibo to see what young people are thinking about, and from what angle they observe things.
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