Taiwanese Producer Claims TVB Artists Demand Too Much
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Above: Producer Jerry Chien criticized “Where the Legend Begins” as a shoddy production.
Hong Kong artists earn at least five times more in mainland China than in Hong Kong. In the past decade, numerous TVB actors have expanded their careers to mainland China in hopes to dig more gold. With higher pay and more resting hours, TVB artists in mainland China are treated with privilege, an experience that they normally would not receive when working for Hong Kong stations.
But is this “special treatment” unique to Hong Kong artists? In a brief interview with Jerry Chien (簡遠信), producer of the new mainland Chinese drama Xin Luo Shen <新洛神>, he criticized Hong Kong TVB artists for their high demands when working in mainland China.
Jerry Chien claimed that Hong Kong artists demand too much money from production companies, saying, “I want to use my money on my production fees, not on the actors.” During the production period, Hong Kong actors would ask to stay at five-star hotels, demand first-class plane tickets, and ask that the production company to0 provide flight tickets for their assistants and managers as well. “They would always require their assistants and managers to stay at the same five-star hotel with them. If they stayed in regular rooms, we could have used that money to rent seven to eight more rooms,” said Jerry Chien.
The Taiwanese producer also claimed that TVB artists refuse to fly on airlines from China and prefer to book their own flight tickets. “The production team usually books tickets for the entire crew, but Hong Kong managers told us that they would not fly on Chinese airlines. They demand that the crew book tickets from Hong Kong airlines instead.”
Lastly, Jerry Chien revealed that Hong Kong artists usually require the production company to supply them with a motor vehicle and a portable restroom when they are at outdoor shooting locations. He said, “They refuse to work for more than ten hours a day, and that includes time for makeup and meal breaks. That only leaves five hours a day for actual filming! Who would want to use these actors? But I do not have the power to say no if that is what the production studios and television stations want.”
Jerry Chien did not stop his criticisms. With his historical drama Xin Luo Shen, another adaptation on the story of the famed goddess of the Luo River, he criticized TVB’s own drama adaptation of the Luo River goddess, 2002’s Where the Legend Begins <洛神>, as “shoddy and with no respect for history.”
TVB responded with a statement yesterday, stating, “We have always been clear about this. In many of TVB’s historical dramas, history is merely used as a reference. Elements of fictional drama are always added. TVB’s Where the Legend Begins had great ratings and word-of-mouth. If it was really a shoddy production, the drama would not gain so many fans and viewers. We believe that the netizens are clear-minded and have sharp eyes, so we will not be by bothered by [Jerry Chien’s] comments.”
Jerry Chien clarified afterwards that he “did not purposely belittle TVB” and was only giving an opinion. He added, “It’s not easy for Hong Kong and Taiwan to make historical dramas because they have a limited amount of space. There aren’t many places for them to do outdoor location shootings, and they have to rely on studio sets. That lowers the quality of the production.”
The 68-episode Xin Luo Shen is currently airing on Jiangsu Weishi.
Sources: QQ.com; People.com.cn
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
The first HK artist that comes to my mind is Kevin Cheng. He seems like a demanding and arrogant person.
What gave you the idea that Kevin is a demanding and arrogant person???
Because there were numerous reports about his attitude and demanding personality on set.
Yeah he’s a snob. no one like snobs. when he lost his fame, no one will care about him.. and what he’s already in his 40? xDD i dont see him walking down a long road. maybe 1 or 2 more years in mainland.
But you honestly wonder how true any of it is?? I guess you can choose to believe what you want to and what you don’t want to. Only people who really know him personally would know if that stuff is true or not… ON the contrary, you hear good things too but if you dislike him then you are less likely to believe it. However, if you like you then you will less likely believe it.. I think that goes for everyone that you like or don’t like…
This Jerry is a joke. His so-called better production of Luo Shen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTT_QZbX4Ks
(Warning: Do not eat nor drink while watching)
He was the butt of joke in the internet sphere for the past week. Even older generation went wtf at the series.
HAHAHAH wow looks like crap lol
LOL is this director still thinks he’s in the 1950s? This kind of chinese costume musical drama is only suitable for my late grandma’s generation.
Epic. I feel like I was watching a rather bad Hokkien production from the 80s. Quick! Someone add in George Lam’s TITs 2 music to it, fits perfectly!
The acting is terrible. and I watched without sound. Not that I was a fan of TVB version but you know, this Jerry really knows how to blow his own horn and blow it loud.
Funn, try watching with sound. The real fun starts when they sing, and boy it was horrible. Send it to someone you want to scar for life.
Am watching with sound. It just doesn’t fit. Redub into Hokkien and it will be perfect!! Aiyoh! Casting wrong, costume wrong, acting wrong, are you sure he didn’t recycle from some unknown flop 80s series and pretend it is just filmed?
But why all of a suddenly it becomes a musical??????????
Redub it into Hokkien and it will be a huge comedic hit!!!!!!
I guess it’s only me that find that clip is quite nice
The actress is very pretty!
it’s not tat bad if u watch alot of china production dramas. it’s suitable and acceptable for chinese culture. i mean if TVB actor/actress are all non-greedy demanding ppl, the producer would not make a voice out of it. imagine TVB hire china actor and say they are demanding for luxury needs. (well ofcourse it wont happen since TVB is known for being cheap) i bet everyone will still say TVB is right and not a joke.
I don’t know. Perhaps Hongkong artistes were spoiled by Mainland Chinese producers in the last few years. Otherwise they would not be able to make that kind of demands.
If they asked for good money and got hired, why not then?!
whats wrong with those demands? still pretty decent to me.
I would not say they are decent but they are not the worse either. I also wonder why Hk artists are treated so well in mainland??
cuz mainland producer cant do anything. they need HK fame and faces to get more viewers for their drama. so they cant do anything but provide the needs they demanded for..
Hey his new Xin Luo Shan looks like Love Of the Millennium production, where there is singing through out the whole series. The acting looks pretty bad in here and humm I don’t know why he is being so critical, this series doesn’t even looking promising.
i really love Where the Legend Begins! it was one of my favourite series!!!
I am not sure about actual history, but TVB is known to really mess up those dramas based on history so that is not the first time… I guess it is like a novel adaption, if you don’t know the actual story then you would not care if it is accurate or not and just like the series as is. However, if you do know the actual story/history then it would bother you.
Yup it was adapted and changed some stuff. Some three kingdom diehard fans were mad because it didn’t follow history. But the series isn’t bad, Steven and Ada were good.
It was during the 3 kingdoms period?? My family would get mad because they know the story of the 3 Kingdoms really well. For example, the series “Eternal Happiness” was popular and many liked it. However, my mom read the actual novel and loves the story and was so disappointed at the TVB version because they completely rewrote the story. The same went for Feng Shen Bang. My mom read the novel and hates the TVB version since they wrote their own story just using the names of the characters. But many who don’t know the actual story and/or just go for the cast still love the series. However, for those who did read the novels or know history would hate the TVB versions.
Yup. Lau Dan was playing cao cao. Moses – cao pai, Steven was the younger son with more talent in the arts (forgot his name). Your mother probably would not like this series too, it is different from history. But if she just watch as another ‘tvb series’, it’s decent. Ada and Steven did a good job with their roles. I think Steven said he had a crush on Ada a long time ago from this series or from healing hands (can’t remember which one).
Lau Dan played Cao Cao?? I know which character you are talking about that Steven played but I forgot his name too. My family is currently watching the China version of the 3 Kingdoms and really like it because it is accurate and they have a good cast and script.
You are right that if we just watch it as another TVB series, then it should be decent. Who did Ada play?? I think it was Luo Shen was when Steven developed a crush on Ada since she helped him because he was depressed.
I knew about the history where Zhen Fu was originally the wife of a fallen general and older than both Cao Pi and Cao Zhi. But at least main plot of the TVB series was on the right track. But gosh, can the producer really prove that this new version has historically appropriate costumes and plot?
Lau Dan as Cao Cao distracted me from the weaknesses of the plot. He was marvellous. I wasn’t all that pleased with the dragging love quadrangle but at least it was a good drama. And Gilbert Lam was very handsome in his small but effectibe role as Yang Xiu. I don’t see anyone remotely attractive in this new trailer.
TVB should stop making myths in their drama and follow the historical story. cuz kids these days dont really read their history books to the core. one of TVB show that is suppose to help kids remember history was so lousy and low class. i hate wen TVBput modernized things into historical, or a serious plot. it’s not funny but ignorance and disrespectful to the history content.
I don’t believe the articles that say Kevin is demanding and arrogant cos producers said it was great working with Kevin Cheng cos of his easy going personality
u never know, ppl have stereotype at other ppl wen ppl dont come from the same land.
Speaking of Luo Shen did any of you see the really really old version with Adam Cheng? Was that one more accurate to history then the one with Ada and Steven??
This Jerry Chien is stupid to say Where the Legend Begins is not good. He’s just wanted people’s attention to notice his 新洛神. Tsk Tsk, this guy got no class.
He may have a point about spoilt TVB actors and actresses. But hey, they give the demand you agree to supply so why complain? Hollywood stars even worse!
True, just because they demand this and that does not mean that you have to supply it for them.
I read the title of this article and literally LOLed…what the eff?…I genuinely think believe that tvb artists’ would be the last ones who would be the most demanding if you chuck them into the crowd of mainland artists’…
“They refuse to work for more than ten hours a day, and that includes time for makeup and meal breaks. That only leaves five hours a day for actual filming! Who would want to use these actors? …”
I scratched my head at this comment-
They work under tvb’s strict and nonflexible working hours like slaves, if anything I think they’d be the ones who are willing and can surivive under demanding environments. I’ve read in an article a while ago, one of the reasons why Mainland producers are keen on casting tvb artists’ is because of their ability and willingness to work long hours…given to opportunity to break into the bigger market/earn recognition and better money, It’d seem like BOTH sides are benefiting
Mainland have too many good actor n well trained
Hire them …dont waste n time on tvb actors ….
TVB actors are all old/ugly before they enter the exit door. mainland should run!
it goes both ways. i haven’t seen that any good looking mainland actors either
There are many good looking mainland actors since mainland has a really big population so there is more to choose from. In fact, there are many good looking people that just do not want to join the circle.
many good actors and actress, but most of them look the same to me lol they all look plastic T__T but i do agree, they are well trained
I would not say most of them are plastic because there are a great number of them that look pretty unique too.
Are you drunk ?
TVB actor and actress are hired by mainland is to train them how to act and behave,guide them to social to the west etc ,mainland actor and actor have better look but the acting talent are limit.
Mainland workship Chow Yun Fatt ,Kevin Cheng ,Julian Cheung etc because they have talent and cool.
Without TVB or HK movie actor act beside them ,those mainland are just ah chan .
That’s a bit harsh. You have the talented Zhao Wei, Chen Kun etc. There are just a few top notch.
And indeed HK actors are more Westernized because they are more in close contact with Western culture. It’s difficult for anyone to know how to behave, act socially according to Western culture if they are not exposed to the Western culture in any way.
All the “requests” seem very reasonable to me … If you don’t like it, decline using the artists … Why use them and then complain afterward?
yup, you can always negotiate. and weight if the actor/actrice is worth his/her demands.
it’s not good to spend most of the budget resources to the main actor/actrice and neglect/underpay the crew, second line actors, extras. it seems that happens. i think the complaint is from rest of the team, not from the person who is paying.
I watch TVB dramas for entertainment. so what if the history is a little off the track? If I wanted the history, I will read a book.
Jerry obviously knows nothing about demand and supply. It’s business. if companies don’t expect to make 10, 20, 100 times more from what they pay, why would they pay the artists those fees in the first place?
This Jerry is atypical of creative people, they don’t care about anything else, the bottom line, the ratings, etc, all they care about is their own art form. Very narrow world view, these people, you find them aplenty in the advertising industry.
Only problem is, Jerry produces such poor quality dramas and shoddy cinematography, it is laughable that he can complain.
The artistes should be the ones complaining about him for making them look bad and mediocre.
I don’t think the requests are outrageous. What?! You want a celebrity to not fly first class? I’m not a celebrity and I stay at 4-5 star hotels too. If they’re shooting outdoor locations in the middle of nowhere a portable restroom is of course necessary, or do you want them to take an hour break just to go to drive to another location and fans are gonna see them and hover over them to take pics, etc. that would be taking up even more time.
Some of your comments are right cuz USA celebrities have wayyy much higher demand. Way much higher! They wouldn’t fly first class just a private jet! Lol
They’ll get like penthouses to stay in and book the whole floor for their entourage. So these HK stars are doing just fine requesting all that.
Not surprise what the Taiwanese producer saying Hk artists are demanding and etc..look at their lifestyle and standard of living sooo expensive.
The new luo shen is not even beautiful, nor are any other females in the cast. And wth with the musical elements, ew.
I agree. Can’t even finish the 1st eps. It was horrible and he have the nerve to criticize other people’s work? Idiot.
Honestly, this Jerry guy is a dimwit! So what if HK actors/actresses have higher demands in Mainland China? They’re not the only ones! Besides, a lot of the stuff they’re demanding isn’t even extraordinary given how low the standard of living is in Mainland. Take the portable toilets thing for example – what’s wrong with that? Anyone who has been to China or live/work there probably know that there are very few actual toilets in China – especially with the places that most of these artists probably film at (like country side, village places for example), you’d be hard-pressed to even find an enclosed location to ‘take care of business’ (a lot of places only have a ditch or trench)….sorry, but to me, something like that is a BASIC NECESSITY, not a special request like this Jerry guy is making it out to be!
Yep!
Why do the mainland producers give tvb artists give a higher pay in the first place? :O
He is saying about Kevin Cheng.
Last year, an article came out that claimed Mainland producers loved to use TVB people because they offer better value in terms of cost than the locals. The article claimed that TVB people got compensated at a fraction of what the Mainland actors/actresses would get.
So now come this contradictory article….