A new costume drama base at the Shanghai International Short Video Center. [Photo/WeChat ID: sh-jiading]
Shanghai is set to open an expansive new costume drama filming center that will occupy over 8,000 square meters at the International Short Video Center — located in the city's Jiading district.
The base will be ready for film crews by late September. It aims to meet the growing demand for micro dramas, particularly vertically shot dramas and its backers say that it aspires to become a "Vertical Hollywood".
After six months of construction, the facility now provides sets inspired by the Han and Tang dynasties (206-907). The outdoor area includes a lively ancient market with shops, stages, inns and streets.
There is also a mansion that offers a tranquil setting with water features and courtyards — designed for quick set changes.
Indoors, a 3,000-sq-m space is centered around a grand palace hall — complete with sleeping quarters, study rooms, kitchens and dungeons, providing versatile backdrops for various costume dramas.
Yu Yang, the center's general manager, highlighted the significance of the complex in filling a gap for Han and Tang style filming locations in Shanghai. "We are committed to producing high-quality content," he said.
The facility will be equipped with professional lighting and power supplies for round-the-clock filming. A 2,000-sq-m prop warehouse will offer everything from screens to palace lanterns, including a luxurious "dragon chair".
Plans are underway for a two-level prop warehouse and a costume storage facility to streamline production, making the base a one-stop shop for short drama filming.
The center also plans to open to the public, offering "film set one-day tour" and "in-depth short drama shooting experiences". Yu envisions a future where visitors will engage in all aspects of production, from script selections to acting in costumes, allowing everyone to enjoy their "five minutes of fame".
The Shanghai International Short Video Center is a leader in the short drama industry — using a "micro dramas + livestreaming + cultural tourism" model to create a comprehensive ecosystem for video and drama production.
Besides the costume drama base, the center is developing a modern street set and a 3,000 sq m professional soundstage to enhance filming capabilities.