TV and Filmmaker Jean Zhou: Lights, Camera, Career Pivot

February 8, 202500:23:28

Jean Zhou started in sociology, detoured through accounting and venture capital, and somehow ended up producing movies and TV shows. Now the CEO of Wind Entertainment, this Chicago Booth MBA-turned-filmmaker proves that career paths don’t have to follow a script. Her secret? A deep love for storytelling that started with childhood TV series and never let go.

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Transcript26 lines

[00:00]
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[01:01]
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[02:11]
Vince Chen
Hi everyone. Welcome to our show. Chief Change Officer, I'm Vince Chen, your ambitious human host. Our show is a modernist community for change, progressives in organizational and human transformation from around the world. In today's episode, I'm thrilled to interview Jin Zhou, a TV and filmmaker from China. Filmmaking is a multi billion dollar industry that thrives on the art and business of storytelling. And for a show that shares stories from characters all around the world. How could I not feature someone who has mastered the craft of telling profitable stories? Jean's journey is nothing short of remarkable. From a small town girl to a sociology major, she later transitioned into accounting and even moved to the US to work as an accountant. But that wasn't the end. She went deeper into the business world, earning an MBA from Chicago Bull. An older boot took her into venture capital and then back to China where she built her network and credentials from scratch in the entertainment industry. Jin has written books, scripts and produced both movies and TV series. How did she achieve all this? And more importantly, why? It all started with a simple childhood dream which is a love for TV series. That passion transformed into a devoted career. Let's listen to the story of a storyteller.
[04:35]
Jing Zhou
My name is Jingzhou and I study stayed in a small town in China until 18 years old and for college I went to Shanghai. I did. I studied sociology and when I was a junior I transferred to Indiana University, Bloomington in America and picking up accounting and finance as my second and third majors. And after my graduation I became a financial analyst in the engine manufacturing company called Cummins and I did the financial analyst work for three years and went to Chicago booth for my mba. And during my MBA I did some venture capital internship including in SQL Capital, China Innovation Works and Capital Today. And after my graduation of mba, I went to a pre IPO company called Iredar Technology. It's a digital reading company and I was in charge of strategic investment. Meanwhile I was rotating among several business departments overseeing app product design, operations, writer relationship and copyright sales. In 2019 I started my own company called WIN Entertainment is my current company. First we incubated writers and later on we got several best novel awards. In 2020 we entered drama series area and wrote our first script which was released last year on four TV stations in China and distributed to more than 30 countries. The name is the Starry Love. Every year we have two to three projects under development right now and we will start our first movie in a quarter and it's about gambling and crime. Above is a listing of my transitions. So when I look back I figured I never planned all these because I just couldn't plan from a financial analyst in the engine manufacturing company to a producer.
[06:43]
Vince Chen
Tell us how you made through this transition.
[06:47]
Jing Zhou
I got into sociology in Shanghai and first I just didn't know what I should deal with. So when I picked up accounting and finance as my second and third majors, I figured one day I need to know more about business, know more about entrepreneurs. I choose to intern in all these venture capitals in China. I wanted to know how the entrepreneurs what they are thinking about every day and how they run a business. Because I have a go to start start my own business one day. So in my family we have a travel company and. And also running a medical company. So that's how we we have such a tradition. So I formed this kind of goal when I was very young. So in Chicago booth I set a framework for the business analysis and the accounting and finance helped me understand the business knowledge. And through the venture capital I learned how entrepreneurs how they swim in competitive world and how they run their companies. So this is a foundation set up for my future plan. Later on I find that sociology helped me open my world to the world and also know more about people. So the help of the sociology is the business world is finally a world between people and people. The understanding on the social mind and thoughts will finally help understand the rules in the business world and the essence of the business. And the second help of sociology for me right now is designing choosing story tests the maturity and the insight of the producer, especially on her knowledge of the society and human heart. So it's actually a lot of help. That's what I didn't think figure out before, but I really appreciate it now.
[08:49]
Vince Chen
Despite your passion for TV series, how did you build your track record? How did you grow your network in the entertainment industry and eventually launch your first TV series?
[09:07]
Jing Zhou
When I was very young, like 6 or 7 years old, the TV programming always broadcast to 10pm in the night. But I was forced to go to bed at 9pm so that probably is the early impulse for the decision to finally become a producer. So in 2018, after I watched a TV series called Ashes of Love, I feel like it's just the best thing in the world to do such a project and once in the life we need to try. So I looked for the producer of that drama crazily and I applied my writer resources and I kept showing my passion. So I convinced him to be the co producer of the sequel to the Ashes of Love. The sequel is called Ash, is called the Stereo Love and that was the one that was released last year on four TV stations and distributed to 30 countries. I was the co producer in the content area of that sequel. So through this project I built my network and I accumulated my reputation as the co producer in terms of convincing business partners. I think the first thing is you really need to have previous projects or previous relevant experience and you need to have a splendid scripts on your hand. And you need to have a detailed development plan, distribution plan, and of course potential great directors and actors. So that's how we can accomplish this.
[10:58]
Vince Chen
It's the classic chicken and egg dilemma. From your experience, how did you overcome this challenge to take that crucial first step? How did you gain recognition early on so as to build momentum and eventually move up and accelerate your career?
[11:23]
Jing Zhou
I think the first thing is definitely you need to first establish some connection with this industry. This is a must. But it doesn't mean that you need to work three or five years in the industry to prove that you have the experience. Like for example, in my cases, I only worked in upstream chain of this entertainment industry. I worked in a radio technology. That company is not a entertainment company, or it's not a drama series, movie company or producing company. But that company has a lot of connection with the copyrights. So that's how I entered entertainment industry, from the resources. Because I got connected with a lot of writers and the writers later on they become a very key resource in the producing. In this area, I think I have a business analytical framework to analyze all problems. So in this industry, after taking a close look, you will figure out that the most the core thing is accountant. So from the very beginning I focus on the accountant side and I communicate with writers, which I didn't do that a lot 10 years ago, but I started and I learned to communicate with all the creators, the writers, directors, actors. I try to understand how to, how to make the content look best. So that's the first thing. And secondly, I know the business language, the entertainment industry, the TV drama or the movie, it's a very capital intensive industry. So on the producing side, on the business side, you need to manage the business by managing cash flow and managing all the numbers on your balance sheet or on your four forms. Because I come from the business background, I can translate all these elements into all tools that I need to use. So I am aware of all the risks and all the opportunities.
[13:39]
Vince Chen
Absolutely, yes.
[13:40]
Jing Zhou
After you established connection with the industry, you may take the risk to do a whole project to show that you will have further experience. But that step is definitely very hard. But you can focus on the key of the projects. So the key in the producing projects is content. We all agree that content is the most important element in the trends if you spend a lot of time in the content. For example, I spent a year writing the book the Light of the Story. So I analyzed many elements in the story. I figured out some ways to draft a great story and that's the resources, and that's the skills that investors would value in the entire chain.
[14:35]
Vince Chen
From what I've gathered, there's no such thing as pure luck or magic behind success in today's social media driven world, where people make overnight success seem real. But the truth is, every success story is built on a lot of groundwork. You shared how writing the book became a learning journey for you. Similarly, it's about getting closer to the right circles, meeting relevant people, learning from them, letting them get to know you, and fostering relationships. That's how opportunities start to align with your interests. Even if the first step is more like taking an unpaid job, it gets you in the door and builds momentum. But I remember you mentioning that when you decided to leave your previous job to pursue your passion for tv, the industry wasn't exactly booming. It was already facing challenges. And then Covid hit making things even harder. Yet you still took that leap, perhaps partly for educational purposes. So I'm curious, what was the state of the TV industry in China when you decided to make that transition? How did the pandemic reshape things and what's happening now in the industry?
[16:08]
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[16:39]
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[17:09]
Jing Zhou
10 years ago everybody was looking at this industry and people from all kinds of industries. They wanted to come here to make quick money and speculators and hard money. They actually in the past 10 years they gradually left this industry at the beginning of any drama TV projects. It's really hard to get money right now. And we have micro drama series impacting our industry. So the situation is just hard. But the good thing is the technology and the content. The bar is getting higher and higher and the audience demands more and more and they are willing to pay more. So therefore there are more and more great projects coming right now. If there are people still in our industry, they are just people who really love this industry. They love great work and they have passion for great projects. The best writers and best projects, they make more money than ever before. I will just say for quality creators, they are getting better.
[18:20]
Vince Chen
So you were saying there was a flood of hot money, short term, speculative, opportunistic investment driving the entertainment industry 10 years ago. Then came the rise of social media and the Internet which opened the floodgates to content of all kinds. With that surge, naturally came a lot of junk, low quality and poorly produced material that overwhelmed the industry. You mentioned something interesting. Micro drama series. This format seems to have gained traction in China. What exactly is a micro drama series in a Chinese context? How does it differ from traditional format and what's driving its popularity?
[19:20]
Jing Zhou
It's like one minute for one episode. There are like 100 episodes for a entire series. It will be circulated among many people and they can watch the first three or 10 episodes for free. But for the 11th one they need to pay. And people pay a lot on these kind of series.
[19:46]
Vince Chen
So you're saying that these micro drama series are essentially a volume driven strategy by tech companies. They invest in creating content such as hiring writers to craft stories and shooting short series. The initial episodes are free, drawing in viewers and once the audience is hooked, they introduce a payroll starting around episode 11. Sounds like a clever subscription model. And I imagine they also monetize through advertisements. Your industry in the Chinese context is people focused and people driven. Engaging with so many different parties is essential to getting things done. But in the US for example, the launch of OpenAI and other AI driven tech companies, industries like media, news and Hollywood have felt significant ripple effects. We've seen things like strikes in Hollywood over concerns about job losses with AI potentially replacing roles like scriptwriters, producers and others in the production process. What about China? AI is a hot topic there in your industry. Have you seen AI being integrated yet? Or maybe it's already causing some tension or discussions about its potential impact compared.
[21:38]
Jing Zhou
With us, China is still at the very early stage of applying AI, but I know it's very helpful for the post production. It will generate higher efficiency in some special effects for the movies and TV dramas. It's getting cheaper and getting more efficient. However, I think it's the impact on the writing on the screenplay is very limited because scripts are tailored arts and the essence of the content is beating expectations. But AI is the summary of past material. So the results of many AI projects are like a kind of a Wikipedia introduction outlines. It has great discrepancies with fully developed script. So if a writer submits the work as is, the script with this quality might not be purchased. I think in China people are not quite worried about this at this moment.
[22:39]
Vince Chen
Speaking of AI versus Human, I have to bring up your book Light of Story is in Chinese, not yet available in English. But it's more than a guide on how to tell stories in TV and film. It's also about using stories to create both commercial and social impact. One phrase from the book really stood out to me. Translated into English, it says human nature remains unchanged, but people's hearts are changing. That feels so true and philosophical. Perhaps influenced by your sociology background. So, given your understanding of the past and the future of the entertainment industry in China, what are some of your future plans for your company?
[23:49]
Jing Zhou
For the next two to three years, we are planning on several runners. So the first runner I will be developing will be in the social issues and social topics and focusing on small figures and their comic and tragic experience. And small figures with inciting incidents to perform act, character art to generate themes in social mind and human nature. For example, mentally harmed people when they hurt other people, whether they are guilty or not, when family and friends if they have secrets, whether they could be forgiven. So we hope to dig into people's reflection and showcase ethics in human relationship. This is our first roundup. The second chart is continuing focusing on the love sector. Ancient love and Modern love. China has very extensive and profound culture. It will make the ancient love topic more extreme in the background in the history for the modern love. It will showcase under the fast growing economy the fairness and freedom of the love relationship. It fills audience with trust and aspiration for love and good life. To note that the derivatives of ancient love stories are always the best sellers. So they will have diary books, eyeshadows, live concerts and those things make more money than the drama project itself. Right now, the third direction is about feel good shows. It's about individuals dreaming big. It records stories on how the protagonist strives for success. For example, a farmer takes a small workshop to ipo. A nobody in turn becomes somebody. In the end it is more about entrepreneurship, spirit and tenacity. And this will encourage audience to face obstacles positively and it's always a necessity in the market and we are mostly focusing on these three areas in the following years.
[26:01]
Vince Chen
Thank you so much for joining us today. If you like what you heard, don't forget, subscribe to our show. Leave us Top rated reviews. Check out our website and follow me on social media. I'm Vince Chen, your ambitious human host. Until next time, take care.
[26:31]
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TV and Filmmaker Jean Zhou: Lights, Camera, Career Pivot

February 8, 202500:23:28

Summary6 min read

Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary Episode: TV and Filmmaker Jean Zhou: Lights, Camera, Career Pivot
Host: Vince Chan
Release Date: February 8, 2025

Introduction: Embarking on a Storyteller’s Journey

In this compelling episode of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan delves into the transformative career journey of Jean Zhou, a distinguished TV and filmmaker from China. Recognized for her ability to weave profitable and impactful stories, Jean’s path from a small-town upbringing to the competitive realms of global entertainment offers invaluable insights into career pivoting and industry mastery.

Jean Zhou’s Diverse Career Transitions

[04:35] Jing Zhou:
Jean begins by outlining her diverse educational and professional background. Initially studying sociology in Shanghai, she transferred to Indiana University, Bloomington, to pursue accounting and finance. After earning her MBA from Chicago Booth, Jean ventured into venture capital before launching her own entertainment company, WIN Entertainment, in 2019.

Key Highlights:

Educational Foundation: Sociology, Accounting, Finance, MBA.
Professional Experience: Financial analyst at Cummins, venture capital internships, strategic investment roles.
Entrepreneurial Leap: Founding WIN Entertainment, producing award-winning novels and successful TV series like Starry Love.

Navigating Career Transitions with Purpose

[06:47] Jing Zhou:
Jean reflects on her unplanned yet strategic transitions, emphasizing the importance of building a robust business foundation. She credits her sociology background for enhancing her understanding of human nature, which is crucial for storytelling in entertainment.

Notable Quote:
"The business world is a world between people and people. Understanding the social mind and thoughts helps understand the rules in the business world and the essence of the business."
— Jing Zhou [06:47]

Insights:

Interdisciplinary Approach: Combining sociology with business acumen.
Venture Capital Exposure: Gained insights into entrepreneurial thinking and business operations.
Importance of Networking: Leveraged connections from venture capital to enter the entertainment industry.

Building a Track Record in the Entertainment Industry

[09:07] Jing Zhou:
Jean shares her initial foray into production, driven by a childhood passion for TV series. Her determination led her to co-produce the sequel to the popular drama Ashes of Love, titled Stereo Love. This project was pivotal in establishing her reputation and expanding her network within the industry.

Key Strategies:

Passion-Driven Projects: Leveraging personal enthusiasm to pursue meaningful projects.
Networking: Actively seeking collaboration with established producers.
Comprehensive Planning: Ensuring projects have strong scripts, development plans, and potential directors and actors.

Notable Quote:
"You need to have previous projects or relevant experience, a splendid script, and a detailed development and distribution plan to accomplish successful projects."
— Jing Zhou [09:07]

Overcoming the Chicken and Egg Dilemma

[11:23] Jing Zhou:
Addressing the classic dilemma of needing experience to gain opportunities and vice versa, Jean explains how she leveraged her business background and analytical skills to bridge gaps in the entertainment sector. She emphasizes the importance of establishing industry connections and demonstrating value through content quality.

Notable Quote:
"Content is the most important element in the trends. Spending time on content allows you to draft great stories, which investors value highly."
— Jing Zhou [13:40]

Insights:

Strategic Networking: Building relationships with writers, directors, and creators.
Business Acumen: Managing cash flow and business risks effectively.
Content Focus: Prioritizing high-quality storytelling to attract investment and audience interest.

State of the Chinese TV Industry and COVID-19 Impact

[17:08] Jing Zhou:
Jean provides an overview of the Chinese TV industry's evolution over the past decade. Initially flooded with speculative investments, the industry faced challenges with the rise of social media and the influx of low-quality content. However, the pandemic disrupted traditional operations, leading to higher audience demands and a shift towards quality over quantity.

Notable Quote:
"The audience demands more and more, and they are willing to pay more, which brings forth higher quality projects and richer content."
— Jing Zhou [17:08]

Key Points:

Shift in Investment: From speculative to quality-focused funding.
Technological Advancements: Enhancements in content creation and distribution.
Pandemic Effects: Accelerated the need for high-quality, engaging content as traditional production faced disruptions.

Micro Drama Series: A New Content Strategy

[19:19] Jing Zhou:
Introducing the concept of micro drama series, Jean explains these are short-form episodes, typically one minute each, with a high volume of episodes in a series. This format allows for rapid content consumption and monetization through a subscription model, where initial episodes are free, and subsequent ones require payment.

Notable Quote:
"Micro drama series use a volume-driven strategy where initial free episodes hook viewers, leading them to pay for additional content."
— Jing Zhou [19:46]

Insights:

Subscription Model: Enticing viewers with free content before monetizing.
Tech-Driven Distribution: Leveraging technology to distribute and monetize content efficiently.
Audience Engagement: Catering to modern viewing habits with shorter, more frequent episodes.

AI Integration in the Chinese Entertainment Industry

[21:37] Jing Zhou:
Jean discusses the nascent role of AI in China’s entertainment sector, primarily in post-production tasks like special effects. While AI enhances efficiency and reduces costs in technical aspects, its impact on creative processes such as scriptwriting remains limited due to the nuanced and tailored nature of storytelling.

Notable Quote:
"AI generates summaries and outlines, but the essence of a fully developed script requires human creativity and depth that AI currently cannot replicate."
— Jing Zhou [21:37]

Key Points:

Post-Production Efficiency: AI aids in special effects and other technical tasks.
Creative Limitations: AI struggles with the depth and creativity required for compelling scripts.
Industry Sentiment: Minimal concern over AI replacing creative roles, focusing instead on augmentation.

“Light of Story”: Bridging Sociology and Storytelling

[22:39] Jing Zhou:
Jean highlights her book, Light of Story, which serves as a guide on crafting impactful TV and film narratives. The book emphasizes using stories to create both commercial success and social impact, reflecting her sociology background by exploring themes of human nature and social dynamics.

Notable Quote:
"Human nature remains unchanged, but people's hearts are changing."
— Jing Zhou [22:39]

Insights:

Interdisciplinary Approach: Merging sociology with storytelling to enrich narratives.
Themes of Change: Exploring the evolution of human emotions and relationships.
Commercial and Social Impact: Striving for stories that resonate emotionally and drive societal reflection.

Future Plans for WIN Entertainment

[23:48] Jing Zhou:
Looking ahead, Jean outlines WIN Entertainment’s strategic directions for the next few years, focusing on three main areas:

Social Issues and Human Nature:
Developing projects that delve into complex social topics and ethical dilemmas, portraying the nuanced experiences of individuals.
Love Stories:
Creating narratives that explore both ancient and modern love, leveraging China’s rich cultural heritage to craft compelling romances that resonate with audiences.
Feel-Good Shows:
Producing uplifting stories that celebrate entrepreneurship, resilience, and personal growth, inspiring viewers to pursue their dreams despite obstacles.

Notable Quote:
"Our focus is on content that encourages audiences to reflect on ethics in human relationships and to aspire for a good life."
— Jing Zhou [23:48]

Key Strategies:

Content Diversification: Catering to various audience interests through diverse storytelling.
Cultural Integration: Utilizing China’s historical and cultural depth to enrich narratives.
Merchandising: Expanding revenue streams through derivative products like books and live concerts.

Conclusion: Embracing Change and Storytelling Excellence

As the episode wraps up, Vince Chan reiterates the importance of subscribing and engaging with the Chief Change Officer community. Jean Zhou’s journey exemplifies how embracing change and leveraging diverse skill sets can lead to significant career pivots and successes. Her story serves as an inspiration for listeners aiming to transform their careers and impact their industries through passion and strategic action.

Notable Takeaways:

Strategic Career Transitions: Leveraging diverse backgrounds to enter and excel in new industries.
Importance of Networking: Building meaningful connections is crucial for industry entry and success.
Content is King: High-quality storytelling remains the cornerstone of success in the entertainment industry.
Adaptability: Embracing technological advancements while maintaining creative integrity.
Future-Oriented Planning: Clear strategic direction is essential for sustained growth and impact.

This episode of Chief Change Officer offers a deep dive into the art of career pivoting, the dynamics of the Chinese entertainment industry, and the power of storytelling in driving both commercial and social change. Jean Zhou’s insights provide a roadmap for aspiring change-makers to harness their passions and navigate complex career landscapes successfully.

Loading summary

Transcript26 lines

[00:00]
T-Mobile Advertiser
If you love your phone but not your carrier, just switch to T Mobile. You can keep your phone, keep your number and we'll help pay it off up to $800 per line. You can also use our savings calculator to compare our plans and streaming benefits against Verizon and AT&T. So switch and keep your phone, keep your number and keep more of your moolah. @t mobile.com up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days with device into eligible carrier and timely redemption required card has no cash access and expires in six months.
[00:32]
Amazon Advertiser
Sometimes the most painful part of getting sick is the getting better part. Waiting on hold for an appointment, sitting in crowded waiting rooms, standing in line at the pharmacy. That's painful. Amazon One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy remove these painful parts of getting better with things like 24. 7 virtual visits and prescriptions delivered to your door. Thanks to Amazon One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy Health Healthcare just got less painful.
[01:01]
Talkspace Advertiser
This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. You know when you're really stressed or not feeling so great about your life or about yourself, Talking to someone who understands can really help. But who is that person? How do you find them? Where do you even start? Talkspace. Talkspace makes it easy to get the support you need. With Talkspace, you can go online, answer a few questions about your preferences and be matched with a therapist. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You, you'll meet on your schedule wherever you feel most at ease. If you're depressed, stressed, struggling with a relationship, or if you want some counseling for you and your partner or just need a little extra one on one support, Talkspace is here for you. Plus, Talkspace works with most major insurers and most insured members. Have a $0 copay. No insurance, no problem. Now get $80 off of your first month with promo code SPACE80 when you go to talkspace.com match with a licensed therapist. Today at talkspace.com save $80 with code SPACE80@TALK.
[02:11]
Vince Chen
Hi everyone. Welcome to our show. Chief Change Officer, I'm Vince Chen, your ambitious human host. Our show is a modernist community for change, progressives in organizational and human transformation from around the world. In today's episode, I'm thrilled to interview Jin Zhou, a TV and filmmaker from China. Filmmaking is a multi billion dollar industry that thrives on the art and business of storytelling. And for a show that shares stories from characters all around the world. How could I not feature someone who has mastered the craft of telling profitable stories? Jean's journey is nothing short of remarkable. From a small town girl to a sociology major, she later transitioned into accounting and even moved to the US to work as an accountant. But that wasn't the end. She went deeper into the business world, earning an MBA from Chicago Bull. An older boot took her into venture capital and then back to China where she built her network and credentials from scratch in the entertainment industry. Jin has written books, scripts and produced both movies and TV series. How did she achieve all this? And more importantly, why? It all started with a simple childhood dream which is a love for TV series. That passion transformed into a devoted career. Let's listen to the story of a storyteller.
[04:35]
Jing Zhou
My name is Jingzhou and I study stayed in a small town in China until 18 years old and for college I went to Shanghai. I did. I studied sociology and when I was a junior I transferred to Indiana University, Bloomington in America and picking up accounting and finance as my second and third majors. And after my graduation I became a financial analyst in the engine manufacturing company called Cummins and I did the financial analyst work for three years and went to Chicago booth for my mba. And during my MBA I did some venture capital internship including in SQL Capital, China Innovation Works and Capital Today. And after my graduation of mba, I went to a pre IPO company called Iredar Technology. It's a digital reading company and I was in charge of strategic investment. Meanwhile I was rotating among several business departments overseeing app product design, operations, writer relationship and copyright sales. In 2019 I started my own company called WIN Entertainment is my current company. First we incubated writers and later on we got several best novel awards. In 2020 we entered drama series area and wrote our first script which was released last year on four TV stations in China and distributed to more than 30 countries. The name is the Starry Love. Every year we have two to three projects under development right now and we will start our first movie in a quarter and it's about gambling and crime. Above is a listing of my transitions. So when I look back I figured I never planned all these because I just couldn't plan from a financial analyst in the engine manufacturing company to a producer.
[06:43]
Vince Chen
Tell us how you made through this transition.
[06:47]
Jing Zhou
I got into sociology in Shanghai and first I just didn't know what I should deal with. So when I picked up accounting and finance as my second and third majors, I figured one day I need to know more about business, know more about entrepreneurs. I choose to intern in all these venture capitals in China. I wanted to know how the entrepreneurs what they are thinking about every day and how they run a business. Because I have a go to start start my own business one day. So in my family we have a travel company and. And also running a medical company. So that's how we we have such a tradition. So I formed this kind of goal when I was very young. So in Chicago booth I set a framework for the business analysis and the accounting and finance helped me understand the business knowledge. And through the venture capital I learned how entrepreneurs how they swim in competitive world and how they run their companies. So this is a foundation set up for my future plan. Later on I find that sociology helped me open my world to the world and also know more about people. So the help of the sociology is the business world is finally a world between people and people. The understanding on the social mind and thoughts will finally help understand the rules in the business world and the essence of the business. And the second help of sociology for me right now is designing choosing story tests the maturity and the insight of the producer, especially on her knowledge of the society and human heart. So it's actually a lot of help. That's what I didn't think figure out before, but I really appreciate it now.
[08:49]
Vince Chen
Despite your passion for TV series, how did you build your track record? How did you grow your network in the entertainment industry and eventually launch your first TV series?
[09:07]
Jing Zhou
When I was very young, like 6 or 7 years old, the TV programming always broadcast to 10pm in the night. But I was forced to go to bed at 9pm so that probably is the early impulse for the decision to finally become a producer. So in 2018, after I watched a TV series called Ashes of Love, I feel like it's just the best thing in the world to do such a project and once in the life we need to try. So I looked for the producer of that drama crazily and I applied my writer resources and I kept showing my passion. So I convinced him to be the co producer of the sequel to the Ashes of Love. The sequel is called Ash, is called the Stereo Love and that was the one that was released last year on four TV stations and distributed to 30 countries. I was the co producer in the content area of that sequel. So through this project I built my network and I accumulated my reputation as the co producer in terms of convincing business partners. I think the first thing is you really need to have previous projects or previous relevant experience and you need to have a splendid scripts on your hand. And you need to have a detailed development plan, distribution plan, and of course potential great directors and actors. So that's how we can accomplish this.
[10:58]
Vince Chen
It's the classic chicken and egg dilemma. From your experience, how did you overcome this challenge to take that crucial first step? How did you gain recognition early on so as to build momentum and eventually move up and accelerate your career?
[11:23]
Jing Zhou
I think the first thing is definitely you need to first establish some connection with this industry. This is a must. But it doesn't mean that you need to work three or five years in the industry to prove that you have the experience. Like for example, in my cases, I only worked in upstream chain of this entertainment industry. I worked in a radio technology. That company is not a entertainment company, or it's not a drama series, movie company or producing company. But that company has a lot of connection with the copyrights. So that's how I entered entertainment industry, from the resources. Because I got connected with a lot of writers and the writers later on they become a very key resource in the producing. In this area, I think I have a business analytical framework to analyze all problems. So in this industry, after taking a close look, you will figure out that the most the core thing is accountant. So from the very beginning I focus on the accountant side and I communicate with writers, which I didn't do that a lot 10 years ago, but I started and I learned to communicate with all the creators, the writers, directors, actors. I try to understand how to, how to make the content look best. So that's the first thing. And secondly, I know the business language, the entertainment industry, the TV drama or the movie, it's a very capital intensive industry. So on the producing side, on the business side, you need to manage the business by managing cash flow and managing all the numbers on your balance sheet or on your four forms. Because I come from the business background, I can translate all these elements into all tools that I need to use. So I am aware of all the risks and all the opportunities.
[13:39]
Vince Chen
Absolutely, yes.
[13:40]
Jing Zhou
After you established connection with the industry, you may take the risk to do a whole project to show that you will have further experience. But that step is definitely very hard. But you can focus on the key of the projects. So the key in the producing projects is content. We all agree that content is the most important element in the trends if you spend a lot of time in the content. For example, I spent a year writing the book the Light of the Story. So I analyzed many elements in the story. I figured out some ways to draft a great story and that's the resources, and that's the skills that investors would value in the entire chain.
[14:35]
Vince Chen
From what I've gathered, there's no such thing as pure luck or magic behind success in today's social media driven world, where people make overnight success seem real. But the truth is, every success story is built on a lot of groundwork. You shared how writing the book became a learning journey for you. Similarly, it's about getting closer to the right circles, meeting relevant people, learning from them, letting them get to know you, and fostering relationships. That's how opportunities start to align with your interests. Even if the first step is more like taking an unpaid job, it gets you in the door and builds momentum. But I remember you mentioning that when you decided to leave your previous job to pursue your passion for tv, the industry wasn't exactly booming. It was already facing challenges. And then Covid hit making things even harder. Yet you still took that leap, perhaps partly for educational purposes. So I'm curious, what was the state of the TV industry in China when you decided to make that transition? How did the pandemic reshape things and what's happening now in the industry?
[16:08]
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[16:39]
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[17:09]
Jing Zhou
10 years ago everybody was looking at this industry and people from all kinds of industries. They wanted to come here to make quick money and speculators and hard money. They actually in the past 10 years they gradually left this industry at the beginning of any drama TV projects. It's really hard to get money right now. And we have micro drama series impacting our industry. So the situation is just hard. But the good thing is the technology and the content. The bar is getting higher and higher and the audience demands more and more and they are willing to pay more. So therefore there are more and more great projects coming right now. If there are people still in our industry, they are just people who really love this industry. They love great work and they have passion for great projects. The best writers and best projects, they make more money than ever before. I will just say for quality creators, they are getting better.
[18:20]
Vince Chen
So you were saying there was a flood of hot money, short term, speculative, opportunistic investment driving the entertainment industry 10 years ago. Then came the rise of social media and the Internet which opened the floodgates to content of all kinds. With that surge, naturally came a lot of junk, low quality and poorly produced material that overwhelmed the industry. You mentioned something interesting. Micro drama series. This format seems to have gained traction in China. What exactly is a micro drama series in a Chinese context? How does it differ from traditional format and what's driving its popularity?
[19:20]
Jing Zhou
It's like one minute for one episode. There are like 100 episodes for a entire series. It will be circulated among many people and they can watch the first three or 10 episodes for free. But for the 11th one they need to pay. And people pay a lot on these kind of series.
[19:46]
Vince Chen
So you're saying that these micro drama series are essentially a volume driven strategy by tech companies. They invest in creating content such as hiring writers to craft stories and shooting short series. The initial episodes are free, drawing in viewers and once the audience is hooked, they introduce a payroll starting around episode 11. Sounds like a clever subscription model. And I imagine they also monetize through advertisements. Your industry in the Chinese context is people focused and people driven. Engaging with so many different parties is essential to getting things done. But in the US for example, the launch of OpenAI and other AI driven tech companies, industries like media, news and Hollywood have felt significant ripple effects. We've seen things like strikes in Hollywood over concerns about job losses with AI potentially replacing roles like scriptwriters, producers and others in the production process. What about China? AI is a hot topic there in your industry. Have you seen AI being integrated yet? Or maybe it's already causing some tension or discussions about its potential impact compared.
[21:38]
Jing Zhou
With us, China is still at the very early stage of applying AI, but I know it's very helpful for the post production. It will generate higher efficiency in some special effects for the movies and TV dramas. It's getting cheaper and getting more efficient. However, I think it's the impact on the writing on the screenplay is very limited because scripts are tailored arts and the essence of the content is beating expectations. But AI is the summary of past material. So the results of many AI projects are like a kind of a Wikipedia introduction outlines. It has great discrepancies with fully developed script. So if a writer submits the work as is, the script with this quality might not be purchased. I think in China people are not quite worried about this at this moment.
[22:39]
Vince Chen
Speaking of AI versus Human, I have to bring up your book Light of Story is in Chinese, not yet available in English. But it's more than a guide on how to tell stories in TV and film. It's also about using stories to create both commercial and social impact. One phrase from the book really stood out to me. Translated into English, it says human nature remains unchanged, but people's hearts are changing. That feels so true and philosophical. Perhaps influenced by your sociology background. So, given your understanding of the past and the future of the entertainment industry in China, what are some of your future plans for your company?
[23:49]
Jing Zhou
For the next two to three years, we are planning on several runners. So the first runner I will be developing will be in the social issues and social topics and focusing on small figures and their comic and tragic experience. And small figures with inciting incidents to perform act, character art to generate themes in social mind and human nature. For example, mentally harmed people when they hurt other people, whether they are guilty or not, when family and friends if they have secrets, whether they could be forgiven. So we hope to dig into people's reflection and showcase ethics in human relationship. This is our first roundup. The second chart is continuing focusing on the love sector. Ancient love and Modern love. China has very extensive and profound culture. It will make the ancient love topic more extreme in the background in the history for the modern love. It will showcase under the fast growing economy the fairness and freedom of the love relationship. It fills audience with trust and aspiration for love and good life. To note that the derivatives of ancient love stories are always the best sellers. So they will have diary books, eyeshadows, live concerts and those things make more money than the drama project itself. Right now, the third direction is about feel good shows. It's about individuals dreaming big. It records stories on how the protagonist strives for success. For example, a farmer takes a small workshop to ipo. A nobody in turn becomes somebody. In the end it is more about entrepreneurship, spirit and tenacity. And this will encourage audience to face obstacles positively and it's always a necessity in the market and we are mostly focusing on these three areas in the following years.
[26:01]
Vince Chen
Thank you so much for joining us today. If you like what you heard, don't forget, subscribe to our show. Leave us Top rated reviews. Check out our website and follow me on social media. I'm Vince Chen, your ambitious human host. Until next time, take care.
[26:31]
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[27:01]
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