This year, CGTN launched BizFocus, a new series that dives into the world's most dynamic business sectors. Episode 136 takes us to the booming digital content market, where a fast-paced phenomenon is reshaping how stories are told and consumed: vertical short dramas from the Chinese mainland.
In this multi-billion dollar industry, production cycles move at breakneck speed. Entire series, designed for mobile and social platforms, are shot, edited and released in less than a week. Our correspondent, Ankit Prasad, traveled to Hengdian—the world's largest filming complex—to uncover how studios pull off this marathon pace.
At Hengdian, dozens of sets stand ready, from historical palaces to urban apartments. Crews rotate around the clock, and specialized teams handle scriptwriting, directing, cinematography and post-production in tightly synchronized stages. The result is a steady stream of bite-sized episodes that keep global audiences scrolling and sharing.
BizFocus's on-the-ground coverage blends interviews with industry insiders and real-time footage, bringing viewers behind the cameras. For entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts, the vertical short drama model offers lessons in agile workflows and audience engagement. For global viewers, it highlights a new era of storytelling where speed and interactivity meet.
As the digital landscape evolves, China's vertical short dramas are setting the pace—proving that in a world hungry for fresh content, timing can be everything.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
