TYGlobe

Content Interpretation

The regulatory guidelines issued by the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) provide clear creation directions and value guidance for film and television companies. First, film and television companies shall abandon excessive reliance on "sensational gratification", and instead devote efforts to in-depth exploration of realistic themes. The regulatory guidelines specify that "sensational effect" is not synonymous with micro-short dramas. Creation activities shall avoid emotional expressions such as aggressive confrontations and "face-slapping" retorts, as well as stereotyped character settings, and turn to focus on the actual demands of the public, integrate realistic care into the core of plots, for example, convey hope by presenting the struggle stories of ordinary people. Second, film and television companies shall strike a balance between artistic imagination and realistic logic. Although techniques such as "time travel" and "rebirth" can enhance dramatic effects, they must comply with the logic of life, the rule of law, history and science, so as to avoid hollowing out the realistic foundation due to excessive entertainment. For example, cultural inheritance themes can be explored through historical micro-short dramas, rather than creating absurd plots divorced from the times. Third, film and television companies shall reshape the ethics of romantic narration, eliminate the practice of using exaggerated, absurd and vulgar content as emotional catalysts, and advocate civilized and warm views on marriage and love. For example, when portraying emotional conflicts, the complexity of human nature shall be presented in a three-dimensional manner, rather than relying on clichés such as family feuds among wealthy clans and fawning on power and privilege. In addition, the industry shall recognize that the market size of micro-short dramas has exceeded RMB 50 billion. Under the guidance of policies, "standardized administration" and "creation upgrading" are promoted in parallel. Film and television companies shall actively participate in programs such as "Travel with Micro Short Dramas", extend the scope of creation to social issues including rural revitalization and Made in China, and undertake the social responsibility of disseminating mainstream culture while pursuing commercial value.

2. Policy Content

On March 13, the Department of Internet Audio and Video Programming of the National Radio and Television Administration, building on the administrative reminder issued on March 12, called on all provincial-level competent authorities to proactively respond to public concerns. It required that content creation be down-to-earth rather than divorced from reality, and shall stay rooted in real life and return to the essence of art itself.

Three points are set forth in the management reminders:

First, "coolness" is not synonymous with short online dramas, and the creation of short online dramas shall not blindly pursue "coolness". As stated in the regulatory notice, "'Coolness' can evoke comfort and pleasure, and satisfy the audience's psychological need to have their wishes fulfilled with a strong sense of immersion. However, creators shall strictly refrain from indulging in anger-venting expressions such as aggressive confrontations and public humiliation of opposing characters, as well as character settings including 'omnipotent upright protagonists' and 'extremely evil antagonists'."

Second, "time travel" and "rebirth" shall not be equated with artistic imagination, and the creation of online micro-short dramas must not be free of all constraints. It is pointed out that "creative techniques featuring time-space dislocation such as 'time travel' and 'rebirth' can enrich the dramatic effect of short-form literary and artistic works", and it further stresses that "however, indulgence in wanton plot fabrication and excessive entertainment-oriented expression must be strictly avoided."

Third, "overly melodramatic" and "vulgar" elements shall not serve as the trigger for romantic storylines, and the creation of micro-dramas must not be divorced from reality. As stipulated in the document, "Romance dramas usually meet the audience's psychological demands for love, sense of security and sense of happiness by virtue of the attractive appearance of male and female protagonists, tortuous plot development and delicate emotional portrayal. However, they shall refrain from indulging in the use of vulgar and overly melodramatic plot settings, advocate a correct outlook on marriage and love, not shy away from human limitations, not deviate from the multi-dimensional nature of life, carry out three-dimensional characterization, and endow the works with the value foundation of civilization and warmth."