23 Jul 027: Chinese studios adopting Hollywood Standards
Justin K. Muller understands Chinese studios. He is the Managing Director of Studio Operations for a Chinese studio. He explains how infrastructure and not art will revolutionize the Chinese studios’ film and TV landscape.
Today’s interview is about working with Chinese studios. Justin K. Muller is the Managing Director of the International Development Division – Studio Operations for Xiangshan Global Studios. He talks about Chinese studios adopting Hollywood standards. He highlights how Chinese productions can get up to speed with some Hollywood know-how.
3 KEY POINTS
BRINGING CHINESE STUDIOS UP TO HOLLYWOOD STANDARDS
Firstly, Justin plans for his new company – Skywood Muller + Lou – to exclusively manage Chinese studios. His turnkey studio solution will also include financing. So, keep an eye out for announcements by XiangShan Studios and their partner Salon Films for this new film fund.
CHANGING CHINESE STUDIOS INFRASTRUCTURE
Nevertheless, What will change the landscape of the Chinese film industry? Justin says it’s not the artistic side but the infrastructure. Billions of dollars are being spent on studio infrastructures but Chinese studios are not matching the service level to the asset type. There is a gap in the market that could prove to be a huge opportunity for top-flight studio management companies.
BELLS AND WHISTLES FOR CHINESE STUDIOS
At this time, Justin is introducing a Bell and light system to Chinese studios. This is common in the U.S. but not in China. A bell rings and a red flashing light goes off by the set exits to tell everyone the set is off-limits since they are filming. In China, some dramas don’t record clean audio because they are not controlling the set environment. So, you’ll get tourists walking through a hot set. Justin hopes to educate Chinese studios on using a true lockdown. His goal is to bring Chinese studios up to Hollywood standards.
TAKEAWAYS
SEVEN IS YOUR LUCKY NUMBER TO GET IN WITH CHINESE STUDIOS
Undoubtedly, Finding business partners is based on relationships, as we all know. But you need to follow up with people. Follow up on your LinkedIn profile / WeChat etc. It takes seven times of touching someone to build a relationship – that can be emails, phone calls, etc. Don’t give up after the first few attempts and you don’t hear back from your prospective partner. Then if you get the answer no – then the answer is, no but don’t give up before that.
GET ON LINKEDIN – CHINESE STUDIOS ADOPTING HOLLYWOOD STANDARDS AND EMPLOYEES
Definitely, LinkedIn in China is a great tool in China. Many studio execs in China are using LinkedIn So keep your profile up to date.
WRITERS – WRITE MORE TV PILOTS OR WEB SERIES FOR CHINESE STUDIOS
Chinese studios need to make more TV or web series if they are to develop a professional production community near their studio. TV or web series creation really stabilizes your film community, unlike film where productions set up shop for a few weeks or a month and then move out. If you have a TV or web series – then the crew will relocate and stay closer to the studio. Chinese studio executives can form a film crew community right outside their gates. Also, producers can save money by putting up crew in houses as opposed to hotels.
Justin’s Chinese partner – Felix Lou who is vice managing director of its international development division mentioned earlier did an interview on Middle Earth – China’s cultural industry podcast. By listening to both podcasts, you can get the Ying and Yang – an American and Chinese point of view from two men transforming China’s studio system.
See our previous podcast 025: China is Starving For Good Projects as well as 010: Dealing with the Unexpected in China Film
Production Assistant Boot Camp – Chinese studios adopting Hollywood standards
In that podcast, Felix mentions the XiangShan film school which opened 2 years ago. They also plan to launch a Production Assistants boot camp to train entry-level PAs to work on an intentional level. This boot camp will encourage students to adopt Hollywood standards of filmmaking.
Check it out – it’s Middle Earth’s Episode #36.
Well, that’s the show. Thank you for listening. To show your support – go to iTunes, subscribe, and leave a rating so other people can find this podcast.
The Asia- Hollywood Greenlight Podcast – Episode 027
Justin K. Muller, Managing Director, Studio Operations
Show Notes
Host: Caryn McCann
Website: https://chinahollywoodgreenlight.com/podcasts-2/
Sister website: https://christmasmoviescreenwriter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AHGreenLight
Twitter: @AHGreenLight https://twitter.com/AHGreenLight
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryn-mccann-5718058/
Guest: Justin K. Muller, Managing Director – International Development Division – Studio Operations for Xiangshan Global Studios
WeChat: KMuller
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkmuller/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.k.muller
Interview w/ Justins Chinese partner Felix Lou on Middle Earth Podcast produced by China Compass Productions: https://bit.ly/3hsyMy8
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