When will china takeover Broadway?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 12:04am

In recent years it has been noticed China is gaining more influence in Hollywood, since it's growing middle class is seeing more movies and only certain movies can make it to China. So my question is, do you think China will ever have influence over what gets created on Broadway? 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 1:12am

Why... in the world would it? Movies are made to be sold on an international stage and at current price tags have to be. China is an incredibly hard sell on western musicals and largely musicals in general. This is silly. They're two incredibly different situations.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 6:05am

George, who has noticed this and what are they basing it on? What the demand for Chinese films has caused is an explosion in films made in China, not a takeover of Hollywood. Are you seeing a surge in Chinese themed films coming out of Hollywood? Cause I'm sure not. A U.S. made film might have a small amount of editing before it goes over to screen in China if there is something that might be offensive or a political issue to the Chinese government, but it's not affecting the original version that we see in the U.S. And, as cited in this article, the market for the top Chinese actors is more lucrative back home than it is in the U.S.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chinese-actors-say-farewell-hollywood-985404

As far as Broadway is concerned, if a rich Chinese businessman or woman wants to back a show, like anyone else, he or she could conceivably have some influence on a show making it to Broadway. But if you're thinking that in 15 years, we will need to speak Mandarin to see a Broadway show, I don't think you need worry.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 10:43am

https://youtu.be/8R-FQTY4KJk

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 11:18am

Apples and oranges. There is not a mass market for Broadway shows in China like there is for films. 

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 3:31pm

Call_me_jorge said: "https://youtu.be/8R-FQTY4KJk

 

Jorge, no offense but you can't watch one YouTube video and take everything it says as gospel.

 

[Consistency]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 7:49pm

UncleCharlie: 

There has been quite a lot of media coverage of the increasing influence of China on Hollywood in recent years. It's definitely not just "one Youtube video" making the claim.

There have, in fact, been some "takeovers" - as in Legendary Entertainment being bought up by a Chinese mega-corporation last year. More frequently, however, we're seeing a lot more Chinese investors and investment firms partially funding major Hollywood blockbusters, which does have some effect on the stories being told (usually small things, like not having Chinese villains, or having the protagonist make a random side trip to Hong Kong or Shanghai, etc.)  

Even outside cases of direct Chinese funding, Hollywood studios are increasingly catering their products to the burgeoning Chinese market. One of the most infamous examples is the 2012 remake of "Red Dawn" - in which, after the film had already been shot, the Chinese invaders were changed to North Koreans so that the film could play in China. 

So yes, this is a thing - Call_me_jorge did not just make it up. 

As for the potential implications for Broadway - I'm not well versed enough in the economics of Broadway to speculate too much. However, my inclination is to say that, with the exception of some of the biggest "megamusicals," the systems are pretty different, so it's probably not as much of an issue. 

More sources, if Vox isn't reliable enough for you:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/09/24/chinas-influence-over-hollywood-grows/?utm_term=.75fbf7e72b3f

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/08/did-you-catch-the-ways-hollywood-pandered-to-china-this-year

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/05/18/407619652/how-chinas-censors-influence-hollywood

Updated On: 3/20/17 at 07:49 PM

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 8:25pm

Consistency, first of all, I never said Jorge made anything up, merely that one YouTube video did not convince that this was a "thing". Had he cited the additional articles you did, I might not have made the comment I made. Having said that, China rivals India for the most populous country in the world and its residents have a growing thirst for all things western; movies, clothes, luxury goods of all types, cars etc. and a growing pile of money to satiate that thirst. Any global company would want to make their products attractive to a market like that, not just Hollywood. That doesn't mean the Chinese are "taking over" those industries. Two of America's most iconic beer brands, Budweiser and Miller are owned by a Belgian company, yet  I don't think most people believe that the Belgians have taken over the American beer industry.

You can find examples of major Chinese and other foreign investment in many, many U.S. industries, not just movies. Yes, there has been Chinese investment in Hollywood, most notably the acquisition of AMC theaters. I don't dispute a few minor details in some films may have been changed to make them appeal more to or not offend the Chinese market. I even alluded to that in my original comment. Even without any Chinese investment, doing that is just smart business given the size of the potential market, but I don't think any of that constitutes a "takeover of Hollywood". I think there is a distinction between catering to a market which to me is much more broad and impactful in what you produce and how you produce it, and just avoiding minor things that are likely to be offensive to them. In any event, I think everyone on this thread agrees it has little relation to Broadway.

Updated On: 3/20/17 at 08:25 PM

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 3/20/17 at 10:28pm

I really don't think Broadway is big enough for China. I can definitely see their interest in movies, which have a global reach.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 3/22/17 at 9:37am

It's pretty common knowledge now that the international markets (China being the most cited example) are heavily influencing the type of products Hollywood is churning out. In 2014, it was estimated that 70% of Hollywood's annual revenue comes from international markets. It's a huge market, and with more investors coming from overseas with their own vested interests, it only makes sense. In a way this has always happened, but with less international influence with studios promoting certain actors, catering to audiences who are known to provide profit, etc. This time, it seems people are noting China's influence and power over Hollywood because it's still relatively new, is resulting in the types of films we're seeing every year, and the power it has over Hollywood is actually quite large compared to mere influence.

Here's some more to add to Consistency's list:

http://www.wsj.com/video/why-hollywood-is-recruiting-more-chinese-actors/01B52F8A-A458-484D-ABAE-1C41C1FB80A4.html

https://www.wsj.com/articles/hollywood-under-pressure-to-put-more-chinese-actors-in-the-spotlight-1474304341

https://psmag.com/chinawood-two-big-brands-hollywood-and-made-in-china-merge-into-one-e1871892c1a9#.8rjsjbfz5

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20130620-is-china-hollywoods-future

http://www.highsnobiety.com/2016/12/16/hollywood-diversity-film-industry/

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/22/17 at 12:10pm

UncleCharlie said: "Call_me_jorge said: "https://youtu.be/8R-FQTY4KJk

 

Jorge, no offense but you can't watch one YouTube video and take everything it says as gospel.

 

 

"

I don't know why a YouTube video from a reputable source, at least in my view(I love vox), which provides the same information as the links consistency and VIETgrlTerifa have brought, is not enough. 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 3/22/17 at 1:33pm

Well, to start? Multiple sources would help.... Not just one. 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/22/17 at 2:39pm

Is Shen Yun going to Broadway?

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 3/22/17 at 3:49pm

Call_me_jorge said: "UncleCharlie said: "Call_me_jorge said: "https://youtu.be/8R-FQTY4KJk

 

Jorge, no offense but you can't watch one YouTube video and take everything it says as gospel.

 

 

"

I don't know why a YouTube video from a reputable source, at least in my view(I love vox), which provides the same information as the links consistency and VIETgrlTerifa have brought, is not enough. 

 

Well first of all, I'm going to guess and correct me if I'm wrong, that you weren't aware of all or maybe even any of those other links before you started this thread to know that there were other articles that supported what was in the video.. If you had, I'm guessing you would have posted those links as well in addition to the YouTube link. Second, even reputable opinion websites, blogs etc. have an agenda, a view of the world they have that they are trying to push. Vox is not a newsgathering organization like the NYT or WashPo. It is for the most part, an opinion/commentary site and their opinions are based on their view of the world. Others may or may not agree with their opinions. To take a YouTube video from an opinion site, any opinion site right or left leaning and consider what they offer as opinion as accepted fact and characterize it as a "takeover" is just generally not a great idea. I know you love to start lots and lots of threads but for your own growth and development, I'd encourage you to investigate more, google the topic, find articles and see what's being said, do some research. Are there opposite viewpoints to be considered as well? Are there 2 sides to an argument to be presented? That and proofreading your comments before you post them to eliminate multiple spelling and sentence structure errors will ultimately lead people to take anything you say more seriously, not just here but more importantly, in real life.

Updated On: 3/22/17 at 03:49 PM

[kdogg36]

Posted: 3/22/17 at 4:54pm

UncleCharlie said: "Well first of all, I'm going to guess and correct me if I'm wrong, that you weren't aware of all or maybe even any of those other links before you started this thread to know that there were other articles that supported what was in the video.. If you had, I'm guessing you would have posted those links as well in addition to the YouTube link."

Exactly how many references are required to ask a question for discussion on this board? Just want to make sure I don't violate protocol in the future. :)

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/21/17 at 7:29am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/First-Chinese-Musical-to-Hit-Broadway-Scheduled-for-2019-Arrival-20171121

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/21/17 at 11:06am

1. Hasn't happened yet.  Lots of shows "announce" but never see the light of day.

2.  One show HARDLY signifies a takeover.

3.  Will this one succeed?  Or be a huge flop?    

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 11/21/17 at 4:59pm

dramamama611 said: "3. Will this one succeed? Or be a huge flop?"

 

The biggest thing it will have going for it is that an hour after they see it, people will feel like they want to see it again.

 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/24/17 at 12:02pm

It sounds interesting.Will it be any good?  Dunno.  Will it sell?  Dunno.  But kudos on trying to bring an original new bilingual musical to Broadway.

[markypoo]

Posted: 11/26/17 at 10:00am

Wasn't there a little something called Metro that collapsed on Broadway in 1992, that may or may not have been at least partially bilingual; or am I suffering from a case of early senility?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/27/17 at 12:24pm

Metro may have been bilingual, but like 99% of the US, I didn't see it.  I have a friend who saw it in Poland and liked it, but that's all I know about it.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 11/27/17 at 3:38pm

I saw Metro. I remember it being all in English. But 1992 was a long time ago. Sadly, Poland never took over Broadway.