TY - CHAP
T1 - Inside the Chinese Film Industry
T2 - On the Motives and Experiences of Extras at Hengdian World Studios
AU - Xu, Min
AU - Reijnders, Stijn
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2018, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
PY - 2017/10
Y1 - 2017/10
N2 - Induced by the numerous popular films produced at Hengdian World Studios in China, many people move to Hengdian themselves to experience the filming and, where possible, to become part of the production team. Previous studies have examined the behaviour and experiences of tourists at film studios. However, little is known about the practices of those who immerse in these film tourism locations for a longer period of time, such as the extras. In order to understand their motivations and experiences, this study employs qualitative interviews with 15 extras at Hengdian. Results show that most extras undergo a similar process consisting of three steps: people enlist themselves as extras based on dreams and high ambitions; during their first months, these dreams and the ‘magic’ of filming are mostly demystified, especially when they are confronted with the multilayered hierarchy of the film industry; finally, those who stay learn to live within the hierarchy while making plans to move upwards. By shedding light on the meanings behind extras’ experiences, this chapter offers an original perspective on both the symbolical and practical power structure of the Chinese film industry.
AB - Induced by the numerous popular films produced at Hengdian World Studios in China, many people move to Hengdian themselves to experience the filming and, where possible, to become part of the production team. Previous studies have examined the behaviour and experiences of tourists at film studios. However, little is known about the practices of those who immerse in these film tourism locations for a longer period of time, such as the extras. In order to understand their motivations and experiences, this study employs qualitative interviews with 15 extras at Hengdian. Results show that most extras undergo a similar process consisting of three steps: people enlist themselves as extras based on dreams and high ambitions; during their first months, these dreams and the ‘magic’ of filming are mostly demystified, especially when they are confronted with the multilayered hierarchy of the film industry; finally, those who stay learn to live within the hierarchy while making plans to move upwards. By shedding light on the meanings behind extras’ experiences, this chapter offers an original perspective on both the symbolical and practical power structure of the Chinese film industry.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85147005879&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/978-981-10-5909-4_11
DO - 10.1007/978-981-10-5909-4_11
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:85147005879
SN - 978-981-10-5908-7
SN - 978-981-13-5520-2
T3 - Perspectives on Asian Tourism
SP - 171
EP - 184
BT - Film Tourism in Asia
A2 - Kim, Sangkyun
A2 - Reijnders, Stijn
PB - Springer
ER -