In recent years, with the progress of society and the changing demands of the audience, television drama creation is facing new challenges. Balancing the preservation of traditional culture with the adept integration of innovative elements to render works more contemporary and enjoyable has emerged as a pivotal concern for directors in the new era of television dramas."
On the afternoon of November 23, 2023, the "Inheritance and Innovation" TV Drama Directors’ Creation in New Era Forum of the 16th Sichuan TV Festival took place in Chengdu.
Chen Yanmin, the Vice Chairman of the Television Drama Directors Committee of the China Broadcasting Television Society, delivered the opening speech for the first half of the forum during the 16th Sichuan TV Festival.
He pointed out that the "roots" of the inheritance and innovation in TV drama creation in the new era are the outstanding Chinese traditional culture and real life, providing a rich soil and abundant nourishment for TV dramas.
The "pulse" is the "Five Characteristics" summarized by General Secretary Xi Jinping for Chinese civilization, namely continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness, and peace. He emphasized, "Having found the roots and identified the pulse, one gains the intrinsic drive of inheritance and innovation."
At the event, distinguished Chinese directors,, including Mao Weining, Han Zhijun, Zhao Ningyu, and Bate er, convened to delve into the realms of tradition and innovation in the creation of television dramas. The roundtable forum provided a platform for these directors to share insights and perspectives. During the discussions, several directors addressed considerations in the creation of TV dramas with real-life themes. Mao Wein ing, the Executive Director of the Television Drama Directors Committee of the China Broadcasting Television Society, emphasized during the forum that embracing the era and focusing on reality are not only traditions in artistic creation but also essential requirements for art. The mundane realities serve as a vast treasure trove for the creation of dramas with real-life themes. Achieving empathy and resonance with the audience is deemed an indispensable journey in the artistic life of works with real-life themes.
The Chinese TV drama industry has experienced rapid development in recent years, as mentioned by the directors during the forum. As they emphasized, for today's audience, authenticity is key—it builds credibility, which, in turn, fosters engagement, leading to empathy. There is an expectation for the future of China's television industry to witness the emergence of more works showcasing the charm of Chinese traditional culture. This anticipation is rooted in the desire to offer audiences a diverse and enriching audiovisual experience.
