Producing Chinese Reality Television

This study examines the production of popular Chinese reality television, complemented by interviews with a broad range of practitioners including newcomers, contractors, and migrant workers, all of whom form the industry's backbone.
Tianyu Zhang draws on first hand experiences across six television productions, providing exclusive insights into institutional dynamics and interpersonal relationships. She examines popular television series like Win the Bill (2013-) and Waiting For Me (2014-), uncovering concealed narratives of precarious production that shape Chinese television.
She goes on to examine regulations impacting the broader labour market, including unsupportive national policies, social welfare systems, unhealthy work values, and the absence of trade unions, considering how these impact the television industry. Spanning a spectrum of media landscapes, from state-owned giants like China Central Television (CCTV) to provincial outlets and independent production houses, this comprehensive study captures the essence of Chinese reality TV production.

Tianyu Zhang is Assistant Head of Creative Media at LMA London, UK. She has worked as a Film lecturer at London South Bank University and was awarded her PhD in Media Arts from Royal Holloway University of London in January 2022. She has work experience in China's state-owned television and private TV production companies. Her research interests include film and TV industries, with a special interest in ethnography and mental health.

Introduction
1. Defining factors in China's labour market
2. Pre-production panning: complicated, effortful, under-developed?
3. Production and post-production: teamwork and improvisation
4. Production Ethics
5. Management from above
6. Self-management
Conclusion: Production cultures with Chinese characteristics
Bibliography
Appendices